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  • PRESS RELEASE : Royal Navy seizes more than £500m of drugs in Caribbean Sea [May 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Royal Navy seizes more than £500m of drugs in Caribbean Sea [May 2024]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 6 May 2024.

    HMS Trent seizes £204m of cocaine in latest drugs bust. It takes the total value of drugs seized in their Caribbean operation to more than half a billion.

    In another dramatic drugs bust, the Royal Navy has disrupted drug networks across the world, by seizing £204m of cocaine following a pursuit in the Caribbean Sea.

    Following this latest success, the crew of HMS Trent have now stopped £511 million worth of drugs from reaching our streets.

    This latest bust came after HMS Trent was alerted to potential smugglers by a United States maritime patrol aircraft and used her powerful radars to track down the suspicious vessel.

    With the Royal Navy ship closing in, the vessel started throwing bales of cocaine into the sea to try and evade capture.

    The crew of HMS Trent then had to recover the drugs thrown overboard, and the extensive search operation ran throughout the night, with the crew eventually recovering more than more than 2.5 tonnes of cocaine.

    Defence Secretary, Grant Shapps said:

    I’d like to congratulate the crew of HMS Trent for this latest bust, but also for their incredible work over the previous 5 months, seizing large amounts of drugs and disrupting global drug networks.

    The Royal Navy continue to show that those who seek to profit from illegal drugs face the full force of justice, wherever they are in the world.

    Following a double bust earlier in the year, where nearly £300 million of narcotics were seized, HMS Trent has given a decisive blow to drug networks across globe.

    Trent has been deployed in the Caribbean Sea since December, specifically to hunt drug smugglers, maintain maritime security and uphold international law in the region.

    Working with multinational partners, across five months of operations, the ship has seized 6,390kg of drugs with a street value of £511m.

    Trent’s Commanding Officer, Commander Tim Langford, added:

    The combined capabilities of the ship, the embarked US Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment and our 47 Commando coxswains have proven once again the utility of our ship in countering narcotics smuggling.

    Working seamlessly to complete another covert take down, Trent and her crew continue to achieve unparalleled success in intercepting traffickers.

    Alongside their success in the Caribbean, the Royal Navy has simultaneously been disrupting criminal gangs halfway across the world, with HMS Lancaster seizing £33 million worth of drugs in the Gulf earlier this year, highlighting the fleet’s ability to operate in multiple theatres.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Government to lay new law to halt the march of gender-neutral toilets in buildings [May 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Government to lay new law to halt the march of gender-neutral toilets in buildings [May 2024]

    The press release issued by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 6 May 2024.

    New requirements will be brought forward for single sex toilet facilities in new non-domestic buildings to alleviate safety, privacy and dignity concerns.

    The new legislation follows the results of a consultation on the proposals, where responses showed 81% agreed with the intention for separate single-sex toilet facilities and 82% agreed with the intention to provide universal toilets where space allows.  A universal toilet is self-contained, and a fully enclosed toilet room with a wash hand basin for individual use.

    Responses highlighted particular concerns from women, elderly and the disabled who felt unfairly disadvantaged as publicly accessible toilets are increasingly being converted into gender neutral facilities where users share cubicle and hand-washing facilities. This leads to increasing waiting in shared queues, decreased choice and less privacy and dignity.

    The new requirements will mean everyone can access appropriate facilities either through a separate single-sex space or a self-contained, universal toilet.

    Changes to building regulations will mean that new non-domestic buildings, including restaurants, shopping centres, offices and public toilets will be required to provide separate single-sex toilets for women and men. Self-contained, universal toilets may be provided in addition, where space allows, or instead of single-sex toilets where there isn’t enough space.

    In addition to single-sex toilets becoming the default for new non-domestic buildings and places undertaking major refurbishment, the policy encourages provision of self-contained universal toilets, which are a fully enclosed toilet room with a washbasin and hand-drying facilities for individual use.

    Minister for Women and Equalities Kemi Badenoch said:

    These regulations will guide organisations to design unisex and single-sex toilets, ending the rise of so-called “gender-neutral” mixed sex toilet spaces, which deny privacy and dignity to both men and women.

    Today’s announcement will also create better provision for women so that our particular biological, health and sanitary needs are met.

    This is following our work last week limiting the use of mixed-sex wards in the NHS and demonstrates how this government is committed to ensuring single-sex spaces are protected for all.

    Housing Minister Lee Rowley said:

    We know all members of society value safety, privacy and dignity, and this new legislation will help ensure the right facilities are in place for everyone.

    It is vital that new buildings, particularly in public spaces, are serving the community with right toilet provision.

    The government is clear that single-sex spaces are essential for ensuring privacy and dignity for the elderly, women, and girls.

    The move comes following a set of announcements of firm action to protect spaces for women and girls, such as the government’s introduction of a new NHS constitution which put patient safety and dignity at the heart of care, including reinforcing the NHS’s commitment to providing single-sex wards. It also follows the Minister for Women and Equalities’ call for examples of organisations issuing incorrect guidance on single-sex spaces.

    In addition, the Department for Education re-enforced that schools are required to comply with minimum standards, including that separate toilets for boys and girls aged 8 years and over are to be provided. While colleges are not subject to the same legal requirements, they should take the same approach given the same safeguarding considerations apply.

    Changes to building regulations will ensure that:

    • separate single-sex toilets facilities are provided for men and women
    • self-contained, universal toilets may be provided in addition to single-sex toilets, where space allows
    • self-contained universal toilets may be provided instead of single-sex toilets only where lack of space reasonably precludes provision of single-sex toilet accommodation

    Further information

    The new requirement will apply to new non-domestic buildings, or buildings which undergo a material change of use, with some exceptions.

    These exemptions are:

    • residential homes
    • en suite facilities in individual rooms for residential purposes
    • residential rooms in care homes
    • premises used wholly or mainly for early years provision
    • schools
    • cellular accommodation in custodial facilities

    While separate toilet facilities for boys and girls aged 8 years or over must already be provided in schools, except where the toilet facility is provided in a room that can be secured from the inside and that is intended for use by one pupil at a time.

    The changes will affect England only.

    In the Building Regulations 2010 Part T and Approved Document T, the phrase universal toilets is used. This refers to self-contained, private toilets, which are a fully enclosed toilet room with a wash hand basin for individual use.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK Increases Support for UNICEF Flood Relief Efforts [May 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK Increases Support for UNICEF Flood Relief Efforts [May 2024]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 6 May 2024.

    British High Commission announces £850,000 funding uplift to support flood relief efforts in Kenya.

    • The funding will enable flood relief efforts by UNICEF across Kenya with a focus on the most affected counties including Nairobi, Tana River, Garissa, Lamu, Busia, Migori and Homabay.
    • Flood relief will include the provision of cash assistance, WASH, health and nutrition services through integrated outreaches to displaced families.

    The British High Commission Nairobi has announced an emergency funding uplift of over KES 140 million to support flood relief efforts in Kenya.

    In the wake of devastating flooding across the country, the funding will go to UNICEF for emergency humanitarian relief to those most impacted by the extreme weather. The funding will enable the provision of cash assistance to approximately 6,900 households in the most affected counties. UNICEF will also provide urgently needed health, nutrition and sanitation services through integrated outreaches which includes the provision of safe water for drinking, temporary sanitation facilities, and hygiene kits to families displaced by the floods. UNICEF will also step-up its cholera prevention interventions to ensure the health and well-being of those affected are maintained and help prevent the outbreak of waterborne diseases.

    Shaheen Nilofer, UNICEF Kenya Representative, said:

    “When emergencies hit, children are the most affected and they are our first priority. Through the support of the British High Commission, we will be able to provide emergency cash transfers and other essential services to the most affected families to help them cope with the effects of the heavy rains and flooding. We are grateful for the strong support of our donors as we work with the government and other partners in the flood response.”

    Speaking about the emergency uplift, British High Commissioner to Kenya, Neil Wigan, said:

    The situation facing many Kenyans as a result of recent extreme weather and flooding is heart-breaking.

    This urgent funding from the UK will help alleviate the suffering of those displaced and impacted by the crisis. We stand with Kenya in this emergency and continue to work closely with UNICEF, the Government of Kenya and other partners to do what we can to support the response.

    In recent months, UK support to Kenya has already enabled much-needed cash assistance to 1,800 families in Tana River County, as well as healthcare and sanitation services.

    Notes to Editors

    • You can follow UK activity in Kenya on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@UKinKenya) and at www.gov.uk/world/kenya/news
    • In addition to the £850,000 uplift for the flood response, the UK has contributed £3.4 million to UNICEF in the past year to support humanitarian relief efforts, bringing its total contribution to £4.3 million.
  • PRESS RELEASE : UK and Saudi Arabia to step up vital aid funding for conflict-hit areas [May 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK and Saudi Arabia to step up vital aid funding for conflict-hit areas [May 2024]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 6 May 2024.

    The UK and Saudi Arabia set to significantly increase cooperation on joint humanitarian and development programmes around the world.

    • the UK and Saudi Arabia set to significantly increase cooperation on joint humanitarian and development programmes around the world
    • this partnership, which has already committed to a total of $22 million of joint funding, will today be further boosted by $5 million to combat rising levels of malnutrition in Somalia
    • the new funding will be announced during second UK-Saudi Strategic Dialogue on Humanitarian Aid and International Development in Riyadh today (6 May) and is the next step in a partnership which is going from strength to strength

    The UK and Saudi Arabia will boost support for people living in conflict-hit areas by significantly increasing joint projects addressing some of the biggest international development and humanitarian crises.

    As part of this ongoing partnership, the Deputy Foreign Secretary and HE Dr Abdullah Al Rabeeah, Supervisor General of King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) and Adviser to the Royal Court will today announce a further $5 million to combat rising malnutrition levels in Somalia through UNICEF.

    The funding will support more than 50,000 children providing water, sanitation and hygiene services to vulnerable Somalian women and children.

    The announcement will be in made in Riyadh today as part of the second annual UK-Saudi Strategic Dialogue on Humanitarian Aid and International Development. Discussion points at the dialogue will include providing more aid into Gaza and encouraging progress towards peace in Sudan.

    The UK and Saudi Arabia have already committed to a total of $22 million of joint funding, which is already delivering vital assistance, providing famine relief and humanitarian support in Somalia and Sudan.

    Further cooperation is expected with joint humanitarian and development projects in Sudan, Yemen, Bangladesh, and Ukraine. The programmes will be delivered through KSrelief and the Saudi Fund for Development, the Kingdom’s primary aid and development agencies.

    Deputy Foreign Secretary and Minister of State (Development and Africa), Andrew Mitchell, said:

    The UK is working with Saudi Arabia and other partners to support those whose lives have been affected by conflict around the world.

    I am delighted to be in Riyadh to agree a way forward to scale up significantly joint funding which will go a long way to supporting those people and communities who need it most, building on today’s announcement in Somalia and looking to further support people in Yemen, Ukraine, Sudan, as well the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh.

    I also discussed the need to bring the conflict in Gaza to a sustainable end with my Saudi partners. The UK remains focused on achieving an immediate pause in the fighting, securing the release of hostages, and ensuring aid reaches those who need it.

    Supervisor General of King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre and Adviser to the Royal Court, HE Dr Abdullah Al Rabeeah, said:

    Looking ahead, we look forward to enhancing our technical experience and capacity-building by building upon the strong foundation established during our previous dialogue, which presents an invaluable opportunity to solidify our future direction, explore new areas of cooperation, and further demonstrate the transformative potential of our partnership.

    Officials from both sides are actively identifying promising opportunities for further collaboration. KSrelief sees immense potential to leverage our respective strengths in areas like health interventions, education infrastructure development, and livelihood creation programmes.

    The Deputy Foreign Secretary will also sign a Joint Cooperation Agreement with the Saudi Fund for Development to strengthen cooperation on development in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

    The Development Dialogue demonstrates the UK development white paper in action, working with a broader range of development partners to deliver joint programmes, working together to improve the effectiveness of aid, and mobilising the vital funding needed to meet development needs globally.

    During the visit, the Minister is also expected to meet with the Vice Foreign Minister HE Eng. Waleed Al Khuraiji, Deputy Foreign Minister and Climate Envoy, HE Adel Al Jubeir, CEO of the Saudi Fund for Development HE Sultan Al Marshad, and Assistant Finance Minister and G20 Sherpa HE Abdulmuhsen Al Khalaf.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Russia’s impact on global food security – UK statement to the OSCE [May 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Russia’s impact on global food security – UK statement to the OSCE [May 2024]

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

    Justin Addison, Second Secretary at the UK Delegation to the OSCE, addresses the OSCE’s Economic and Environmental Forum First Preparatory Meeting.

    The UK would like to thank the chair for dedicating a session to this theme, which is timely. Food production and agriculture cause extensive nature loss and greenhouse gas emissions. Pressure is mounting to urgently develop more resilient food systems that benefit people, planet and prosperity.

    The UK recognises the scale of the challenge. Our long-standing funding of CGIAR, the world’s leading agricultural science and innovation organisation, has helped millions of farmers to increase the resilience of their crops.  Our investment in the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program has helped over 18 million smallholder farming households, including across Central Asia. And our support for the Agriculture Breakthrough will accelerate development of clean technologies and sustainable solutions in the agriculture sector.

    We are proud of these efforts, however we cannot forget one of the key drivers of food insecurity is conflict, where innovative policies and technical fixes are wholly insufficient.

    One of the tragic results of Russia’s unjustified and illegal invasion of Ukraine has been the impacts on global food security. Over two years of war have seen agriculture costs increase, while landmines have reduced the amount of land available to farm.

    Since intentionally causing the collapse of the Black Sea Grain Initiative last year, Russia has systematically attacked Ukrainian civilian grain and port infrastructure, clearly intending to degrade Ukraine’s ability to export food.

    In response, the UK has worked closely with Ukraine and others to ensure Ukraine can continue to export its grain. We have worked with Ukraine to secure the temporary maritime corridor, including by providing equipment and preventing and deterring Russian attacks. The ‘Unity Facility’, developed by Ukraine and a UK-based insurer, has been key in reducing insurance premiums for commercial shipping using the corridor.

    Chair, the world needs a free and a safe Ukraine. Then it can return to helping supply the world with its food, avoiding further damage to an already fragile global economy; and innovative policies can be used to secure its sustainable development.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Dr Paul Golby confirmed as new energy system operator chair [May 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Dr Paul Golby confirmed as new energy system operator chair [May 2024]

    The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 3 May 2024.

    Energy Security Secretary Claire Coutinho has appointed Dr Golby as the National Energy System Operator’s (NESO) inaugural chair.

    • Dr Paul Golby announced as the National Energy System Operator’s (NESO) inaugural chair, overseeing the transition from the National Grid’s Electricity System Operator
    • NESO will play a vital role in supporting the UK’s energy security, the transition to net zero and minimising bills
    • Dr Golby will begin as chair-designate on 6 May, ahead of NESO’s creation this summer

    Dr Paul Golby CBE is today confirmed as the first Chair of the National Energy System Operator (NESO).

    NESO will be the new independent public body responsible for planning and operating Great Britain’s electricity and gas networks.

    Soon to transition from the National Grid to public ownership, NESO will play a vital role in supporting the UK’s energy security, transition to net zero and minimising customers’ bills. In his role as chair, Dr Golby will help establish NESO as a trusted, expert body at the centre of the energy system.

    He will take up his post on 6 May and oversee the creation of the new body. Once fully established later this year, he will take up appointment as the Independent Chair of NESO.

    Dr Golby brings extensive experience to the new role – most recently serving as Chair of the National Air Traffic Service. He is the former CEO of E.ON UK and was previously Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Safety, Environment and Health Committee at National Grid. He is also recognised for his contributions to the engineering field as a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering.

    Energy Security Secretary Claire Coutinho said:

    “Dr Golby brings extensive industry experience and will help our new energy system operator take its important first steps.

    “With demand for electricity forecast to double by 2050, and with ambitious net zero goals to hit, this new organisation under his leadership will help us create a modern system that powers Britain with secure, clean energy, and keeps costs low for bill payers.”

    Incoming NESO Chair, Dr Paul Golby, said:

    “I am delighted to have been appointed as inaugural Chair of NESO and look forward to working with the board, management and team as it transitions out of National Grid and builds it capabilities to provide robust, data-based advice to Government.

    “Decarbonising our energy system, whilst ensuring security of supply at an affordable cost, is one of the most important challenges facing the UK.

    “I look forward to working with all stakeholders; Government, industry, regulators and community leaders as we continue on this critical journey.”

    Dr Golby’s selection was scrutinised by the Energy Security and Net Zero Select Committee on 24 April after a competitive recruitment process.

    Appointing Dr Golby as NESO’s inaugural chair is a key milestone that demonstrates the government is fulfilling its plan to deliver a more secure, clean energy system.

    NESO is set to launch in summer 2024 as a public corporation free from commercial interests and operationally independent from government.

    The Secretary of State for Energy Security will be sole shareholder of NESO, and Ofgem will regulate NESO and be responsible for approving its business planning.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Digital record of the Coronation unveiled for the first time in history [May 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Digital record of the Coronation unveiled for the first time in history [May 2024]

    The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 3 May 2024.

    The Coronation Roll is the official record of the Monarch’s accession and crowning.

    • King Charles III’s Coronation Roll presented to Their Majesties The King and Queen on Wednesday by Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden and Antonia Romeo.
    • The Public will be able to view the Roll online.

    For the first time in history people will be able to explore a digitised version of the Coronation Roll through a new UK Government project.

    The Coronation Roll is the official record of the Monarch’s Accession and Coronation and is now online for the first time here. The Roll contains details of The King’s accession, the planning of the Coronation, and a detailed description of the ceremony. Rolls include the monarch’s oath to govern according to the customs and laws of the realm, and detail the ceremonial of the coronation – the prayers, the service, the blessings, the order of service, and official guests. For centuries the roll has been authored by the Clerk of the Crown in Chancery.

    The practice of creating rolls for monarchs’ coronations dates back to Edward II in 1308. Originally they were written in Latin and French. Rolls have been written in English from the seventeenth century and Charles III’s will be the first to be digitised to allow new generations of people to view it.

    Visitors to the site will be able to view video and photographs from the Coronation and exclusive interviews with many of the key participants including Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, Lord President of the Council Penny Mordaunt and Earl Marshal, the Duke of Norfolk.

    Charles III’s Coronation Roll was authored by Antonia Romeo, the Clerk of the Crown in Chancery. It was produced by skilled craftspeople: hand-written by calligrapher Stephanie Gill, and decorated by heraldic artist Timothy Noad with national symbols of the United Kingdom including the English rose, Scottish thistle, Welsh leek and Northern Irish Shamrock. Rather than traditional vellum, it was created on high-quality animal product-free paper.

    Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden and Antonia Romeo presented the new Coronation Roll and its digital version to Their Majesties The King and Queen at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday. Their Majesties also viewed several historic rolls: Elizabeth II’s, Victoria’s, William and Mary’s and Edward II’s.

    Deputy Prime Minister, Oliver Dowden, said:

    The Coronation Roll is a beautifully illustrated record and an important document of the accession and Coronation of Their Majesties The King and Queen.

    The Coronation marked a new chapter in our national story and it reflects the very best of our national traditions – which are admired the world over.

    For the first time, this Coronation Roll will be digitised – bringing the tradition into the twenty-first century and giving as many people as possible the opportunity to see it.

    Charles III’s Coronation Roll will be stored with other coronation rolls in the National Archives.

    View the Coronation Roll here: http://www.coronationroll.gov.uk

  • Andrew Mitchell – 2024 Speech at the Opening of the British High Commission Dodoma Office

    Andrew Mitchell – 2024 Speech at the Opening of the British High Commission Dodoma Office

    The speech made by Andrew Mitchell, the Foreign Office Minister, on 5 April 2023.

    Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Regional Commissioner of Dodoma, officials and honoured guests, mabibi na mbwana, ladies and gentlemen,

    Hamjambo! Hello.

    Nimefurahi kuwa hapa. I am delighted to be here.

    It is an honour to open the UK’s newest overseas office. I’m on a bit of a roll here, a few days ago I was in N’Djamena, the capital of Chad, to open our first ever Embassy there.

    It is a special privilege to be opening our High Commission in Dodoma in the month that your country celebrates the 60th anniversary of the Union.

    Today is not simply a sign of the confidence and value we place in our partnership with your government. It is also an outcome of the warm and enduring ties between our people, nurtured through decades of cooperation and friendship at all levels.

    Many notable Tanzanians have studied in the UK, from Julius Nyerere to Her Excellency President Samia Suluhu Hassan.

    These illustrious names are joined by over 800 former Commonwealth scholars and 300 former Chevening scholars. We are so proud of these brilliant links between our 2 countries and the fabulous cooperation these scholarships have produced.

    And as you are aware your excellences, the UK remains Tanzania’s second largest foreign investor, and one of our key bonds is our development partnership.

    And we want to invest in it further, drawing renewed inspiration both from Tanzania’s development ambitions and our recently published white paper on international development – which I must urge you to read if you have not  done so. It is a compelling page turner that sets out the Britain’s plan for getting the SDGs back on track by 2030. And it is available on our website fcdo.gov.uk.

    It was received very well by our partners. And we were so pleased when her excellence  President Samia agreed to provide a quote welcoming it. High praise indeed.

    And as you take stock of the past 6 decades, you have much to be proud of. Whether it is the long period of peace and social cohesion, or the opening of your economy in the 1990s to drive economic growth, or the progress in improving access to healthcare and education, including the recent achievement of parity of enrolment for girls in primary school.

    These are huge achievements all of us can take inspiration from.

    On the regional and global stage, we welcome President Samia’s efforts to champion investment in Africa’s human capital and food systems; for her advocacy for gender equality and climate action is particularly commendable.

    And we recognise the contributions Tanzania has made over the years to regional peacekeeping and the hosting of refugees, including in the eastern DRC.

    I know that you face challenges in making further progress on the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly to reduce extreme poverty and to deliver growth.

    I want to assure you that the UK is with you every step of the way as we clearly set out in our white paper. Our development roadmap prioritises mobilising more money from international financial institutions and increasing private sector investment in development.

    It is worth noting that around world something like 90% of all jobs are created not by governments but by the private sector.

    There are 3 things  we think we should focus on.

    First, we must reform the international system to better serve your interests in terms of trade, tax, debt, and tackling money laundering and dirty money.

    Second, we must work together to tackle global challenges, be it climate change, food insecurity or investing in education and health.

    Finally, we must harness innovation and digital transformation, making the best use of  technologies, science and research.

    We have already hit the ground running. Later today we hope to  have the honour of  signing  a UK-Tanzania Mutual Prosperity Partnership. Strengthening bilateral trade and investment, supporting better jobs and delivering more inclusive growth – I am very excited by what this partnership will enable us to achieve together.

    Tackling climate change will be vital in delivering on this agenda. We support President Samia’s ambition to move Tanzania away from the damaging use of charcoal in cooking and to expand the use of renewable energy.

    I am therefore delighted that the UK will be spending £5.5 million over the next 2 years on promoting clean cooking, clean energy access and urban resilience. Our programming will help bring clean cooking to 200 schools as well as thousands of households and assist several clean technology businesses to scale up their operations in Tanzania.

    We have a responsibility, as we build prosperity, to ensuring opportunities for all to share in it. Something I know is very close to the heart of the Tanzania government.

    Since 2015, the Britain  has invested over £112 million in building the social safety net for Tanzania’s poorest households. The UK will continue to partner with the Government of Tanzania in its efforts to lift the most vulnerable out of poverty and increase resilience to climate and economic shocks.

    We will also work with the government in building a resilient health system, to reduce preventable deaths, respond to disease outbreaks and build the capacity for universal health coverage by 2030. To help drive forward this ambition, I am announcing today that the UK will invest £15 million in strengthening health systems in Tanzania including through a £10 million contribution to the multi-donor Health Basket Fund.

    Tanzania is at a crossroads, undergoing a demographic transition. By ensuring women and girls have secure access to quality, affordable, and inclusive family planning services, we can accelerate progress on human capital outcomes as outlined in your Vision 2050.

    And that is why I am also delighted to announce today that the UK will be extending its Scaling Up Family Planning programme, which has reached over 4 million women since 2017, by the sum of £12 million, to deliver lifesaving and transformative SRHR services to an additional 900,000 Tanzanians. This programme will help prevent 1,400 maternal deaths, 1 million unintended pregnancies, and 207,000 unsafe abortions.

    These initiatives demonstrate  Britain’s commitment to our very close cooperation, partnership, and above all, our friendship. And after a period of very considerable budgetary pressure in Britain, I can announce too today that for the next financial year, which starts today, our bilateral programmes with Tanzania, the British and Tanzania development programme will more than triple this year from £17.6 million to £57 million.

    So this office will be a little piece of the UK here in Dodoma, setting the stage for the next 60 years. As we work together to deliver for the people of our 2 great countries.

    To those of you based in Dodoma, we will now be your jirani [neighbour]. Please do pop in for a cup of tea anytime.

    Thank you for welcoming us to the neighbourhood. Asanteni sana.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK sanctions extremist groups and individuals for settler violence in the West Bank [May 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK sanctions extremist groups and individuals for settler violence in the West Bank [May 2024]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 3 May 2024.

    The UK has imposed new sanctions on extremist groups and individuals for inciting and perpetrating settler violence in the West Bank.

    • further sanctions package targets those inciting and perpetrating settler violence against Palestinian communities in the West Bank.
    • new measures follow unprecedented rise in settler violence over the last year and come after a previous UK sanctions package in February

    The Foreign Secretary has today announced further sanctions on extremist Israeli groups and individuals for violence in the West Bank.

    Today’s package includes 2 groups known to have supported, incited and promoted violence against Palestinian communities in the West Bank, as well as 4 individuals responsible for perpetrating human rights abuses against these communities.

    The measures follow an unprecedented rise in settler violence in the West Bank over the last year, with the UN recording at least 800 incidents since October.

    Hilltop Youth, one of the groups sanctioned today, is a hardline nationalist Israeli youth group which establishes illegal settler outposts across the West Bank with the stated mission of expelling all Palestinians from the Occupied Territories. Lehava is also sanctioned today for facilitating, inciting, and promoting violence against Arab and Palestinian communities.

    Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron said:

    Extremist settlers are undermining security and stability and threatening prospects for peace.

    This latest package of sanctions targets 2 groups leading these attacks, and 4 individuals who are directly responsible for egregious violence against Palestinian civilians.

    The Israeli authorities must clamp down on those responsible. The UK will not hesitate to take further action if needed, including through further sanctions.

    The 4 individuals sanctioned today for egregious human rights abuses against Palestinian communities are:

    • Noam Federman: a radical settler activist and former leader and spokesperson of the now-defunct Kach party, that espoused overtly racist and violent policies. He has trained settler groups to commit acts of violence against Palestinians and how to avoid repercussions from the Israeli state
    • Neria Ben Pazi: is responsible for illegally constructing 3 illegal outposts between 2015 and 2023 and has supported and participated in acts of violence and displacement of Bedouin and Palestinian communities in the West Bank
    • Eden Levi: has been documented on multiple occasions as taking part in assaults and intimidation of Palestinians, as part of a wider intimidation campaign aiming to drive their population out of the area. As recently as 12 October 2023, he was involved in an incident during which Palestinian villagers were beaten and sexually assaulted
    • Elisha Yered: is an unofficial spokesperson for Hilltop Youth. He has a history of making inflammatory statements inciting religious hatred and violence, including justifying the killing of Palestinians on religious grounds, and calling for the takeover of Palestinian land and the expulsion of Palestinians from the West Bank

    Today’s measures impose financial restrictions on the entities and individuals, and travel restrictions on the individuals.

    View the full UK Sanctions List.

    Further information

    Definitions

    • an asset freeze prevents any UK citizen, or any business in the UK, from dealing with any funds or economic resources which are owned, held or controlled by the designated person. It also prevents funds or economic resources being provided to or for the benefit of the designated person. UK financial sanctions apply to all persons within the territory and territorial sea of the UK and to all UK persons, wherever they are in the world
    • a travel ban means that the designated person is an excluded person under section 8B of the Immigration Act 1971, and must be refused leave to enter or to remain in the United Kingdom (and any leave given to a person who is an excluded person is invalid)
  • PRESS RELEASE : UK joins partners in condemnation of malicious cyber activity by Russian Intelligence Services – UK government statement [May 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK joins partners in condemnation of malicious cyber activity by Russian Intelligence Services – UK government statement [May 2024]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 3 May 2024.

    The United Kingdom has joined with its international partners to condemn malicious cyber activity by the Russian Intelligence Services.

    A UK government spokesperson said:

    The United Kingdom stands with the European Union, Germany, Czechia and other allies in strongly condemning malicious cyber activity by Russian Intelligence Services.

    Today’s statements from our allies demonstrate the scale, persistence, and seriousness of unacceptable Russian behaviours in cyberspace.

    Recent activity by Russian GRU cyber group APT28, including the targeting of the German Social Democratic Party executive, is the latest in a known pattern of behaviour by the Russian Intelligence Services to undermine democratic processes across the globe.

    On 7 December 2023, the UK exposed a series of attempts by the Russian Intelligence Services to target high-profile UK individuals and entities through cyber operations. At the same time, we sanctioned 2 Russian nationals responsible for political interference.

    With multiple elections around the world in 2024, raising awareness of the threat to the UK and our international partners remains vitally important for our collective resilience.

    Today, as part of a broad coalition of allies, we are making clear to the Russian state that we will continue to identify, expose, and respond to such unacceptable activity.

    View the full UK Sanctions List.