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Damian Collins – 2023 Speech on the Budget

The speech made by Damian Collins, the Conservative MP for Folkestone and Hythe, in the House of Commons on 20 March 2023.

It is, as always, a pleasure to follow the Shadow Secretary of State, although I could not help noticing that she seemed to spend longer making general political points about the Budget than actually addressing issues relating to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. [Interruption.] The hon. Lady says “So?” from a sedentary position, and she is perfectly entitled to do so—the Budget debate is a general debate during which Members can bring up topics relating to any subject, not just the one that is slated for the day—but I mention that because I think this is an area of Government activity in which the Government have an incredibly strong record over many years.

That is demonstrated by the fact that investors and businesses recognise the UK as a global hub—a leading centre in Europe and in the world. When we talk to tech investors working in hubs in Berlin or Barcelona or Tel Aviv, we hear that they regard London as the primary centre where they go to raise funds to grow and scale their businesses. As the Secretary of State said, we have the leading research institutions in the world: four of the world’s top 10 universities are based here. Our university clusters are driving innovation and growth in the sector, which is why we are so well regarded and respected. Our strategy for making the UK a world centre for tech and innovation is based on three key areas: driving growth in the economy, having a pro-competition strategy, and setting high standards.

When it comes to growth in the tech sector, we should look at investment not just in London and the south-east but across the UK, and at the way in which tech sectors have emerged and developed over the last decade. A good demonstration of that, as the shadow Secretary of State knows, is that we can jump on the Metro or the tram in Manchester and see the emergence of Salford Quays as one of Europe’s leading centres for creative industries and technology. When I was Chairman of the Select Committee, we visited Dundee. Dundee and Edinburgh are leading centres for the video games industry.

In Birmingham, within a stone’s throw of where the Birmingham hub for high-speed rail will be, we can see institutions such as Birmingham City University with its fantastic STEAMhouse centre for tech skills, where AI training courses are being delivered. That is over the road from the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Institute of Technology, a centre for advanced engineering, which is down the road from Fazeley Studios, which has become an important hub for the broadcasting and creative industries in Birmingham. Many of the buildings on those sites did not exist a decade ago, and the idea that this would be a major cluster for the tech sector and the broadcasting and creative industries was not something that people would have envisaged in 2010, but it is a reality today as a consequence of policies that have been put in place by this Government. That is why the Chancellor was right to recognise in the Budget the strategic significance of investment in research and development, and also in the strategic hubs and clusters of businesses that are so important for driving the sector.

The UK will be a leader in digital competition, and that is one of the reasons we need to support British businesses throughout their life cycle; not just in the R&D phase when they are growing, but when they seek to scale as well. If emerging businesses are to scale in tech marketplaces, we need to ensure that they can compete fairly alongside the tech giants whose services they rely on to reach their customers. Many app developers cannot reach their customers without using products and platforms designed by Meta. Most businesses require Amazon services either for cloud storage or for selling. Most businesses also require a good ranking on Google to reach their customers. They should be able to do so fairly. There are only two app store markets: Google and Apple. Those two monopolies exist alongside each other. Any developer needs to use those stores to reach customers, just as any customer needs to use them to access the products they want. It is important that customers and businesses are treated fairly, and the digital markets, competition and consumer Bill, which will come forward soon, will be vital to securing that.

Standards are one of the most important aspects of the UK’s leadership. One of the best examples of standards, certainly for AI, is the Online Safety Bill. It is world-leading legislation that will effectively cover the regulation of the AI-driven recommendation tools that drive the experience of social media. AI is an enabling technology. It draws on data to make recommendations and decisions on behalf of users to improve that user experience. However, like any other form of technology, it requires the right standards and safety regulations around it to ensure that it is delivering. New chat tools have been mentioned. AI-driven chat boxes are new in their technology, but the principles behind them are not new. We have also seen that with technologies such as autocomplete on Google, where online tools guess and make assumptions about what people want to see or what responses they want. We need to ensure that they are making sensible, reasonable recommendations and not directing people towards harmful content or hate speech, or driving people into isolated groups and communities.

There need to be standards that underpin the way that AI works and the recommendations it makes to users who engage with those tools. That is why the Government were right to recommend and support the creation of a UK AI sandbox, where companies can trial, and demonstrate trials of, new technologies before they are rolled out. This is common and standard in most other industries. The European Union is developing an AI sandbox, and it is right that we should do the same here. It is also right that we should build on the work of AI standards being developed at the Alan Turing Institute, to set a standards-based framework for the applications of AI in the future.

21/03/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Environment Agency installs £1m of flood protection measures to better protect properties in York [March 2023]

The press release issued by the Environment Agency on 21 March 2023.

The Environment Agency is installing £1million of Property Flood Resilience (PFR) measures to over 100 homes and businesses in York which are at risk of flooding.

York has been affected by flooding for many decades, with severe floods in 2000 and more recently in 2015 when over 620 homes and businesses were flooded.

Homes in and around York, including the villages of Naburn and Acaster Malbis, have been impacted significantly by flood water coming through doorways and airbricks causing significant damage to property and furniture.

The £1 million scheme will install measures such as flood barriers, non-return valves, self-closing air bricks and pumps which help to reduce the risk of water entering people’s homes during a flood. The installation of these products will run until December with funding provided from the Environment Agency.

Environment Agency Area Flood Risk Manager Paul Stockhill said:

With our changing climate we are unable to eliminate the risk of flooding, but we can help communities be more resilient to it. We often build large scale defences to try and manage flood water, but sometimes property level measures might be appropriate. We hope that these measures will help to give these residents in York reassurance, helping ensure a flood does less damage and life can get back to normal much quicker.

This investment is part of the £45 million Environment Agency programme to improve flood defences in York. Together with a further £38 million invested to improve the Foss Barrier, our work will better protect over 2,000 properties across the city.

Stanley Shoobridge, a resident in Acaster Malbis, York who is benefiting from the scheme, said:

I’m very pleased with my new defences, and how easy they are to fit. In the past I’ve had to drag sandbags into position to try and protect my home. I don’t flood frequently, but when I do, I’m on an island and only people with waders can reach me. I’m 92 years of age and it’s now so much easier to put my new barrier into place.

I live in an 18th century cottage and underground seepage is also a problem. I’ve now been given pumps to take care of that, and four automatic air grates have been fitted, so I no longer have to worry about covering them up.

Cllr Paula Widdowson, Executive Member for Climate Change and the Environment, from City of York Council, said:

Protecting peoples’ homes and businesses is an absolute priority, particularly as flood events become ever more frequent. This significant extra investment will help us better protect residents in and around the villages of Naburn and Acaster Malbis and build on the work already being carried out across the city.

More than 2,000 properties are now better protected in York from future flooding with thanks to the £110 million flood alleviation programme, which is being delivered by City of York Council and the Environment Agency. Through this programme, we’re implementing vital flood alleviation schemes across the city to further reduce the impact of flooding and climate change on our communities.

21/03/2023
PRESS RELEASE : HRC52 – Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia [March 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 21 March 2023.

Interactive Dialogue with the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia, delivered by UK Human Rights Ambassador Rita French.

Thank you, Mr President.

The UK commends the progress that the Ethiopian Government and Tigray People’s Liberation Front have made towards implementing the November 2022 Pretoria Peace Agreement, ending two years of conflict. We welcome the progress on disarmament, the withdrawal of Eritrean forces, and humanitarian access to Tigray.

Ensuring justice for the victims of atrocities committed during the conflict, and holding those who perpetrated these accountable, are crucial future elements of the peace process. We welcome the proposals on transitional justice brought forward by the Ethiopian Government, and the recent public consultations on this, including with civil society, and we encourage the Government to establish an inclusive and transparent process to implement these provisions.

Commissioners,

Thank you for your briefing today, and for your important work investigating and documenting the human rights violations and abuses committed by all sides during the conflict. We commend you for carrying out your work with a commitment to professionalism and impartiality. We reiterate our call on all parties to the conflict and regional partners to co-operate fully with your mandate.

Now that the peace agreement is in place, how do you hope to work with the Ethiopian Government, TPLF and AU to ensure robust accountability for human rights violations and abuses?

21/03/2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK and Kenya hold first-ever Economic Partnership Agreement Council to secure jobs and increase trade [March 2023]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 21 March 2023.

Moses Kuria meets UK Ministers to increase trade in the first meeting of its kind under the UK-Kenya Economic Partnership Agreement.
- The UK-Kenya Economic Partnership Council meets in London for the first time
- The Economic Partnership Agreement is the first trade agreement Kenya has signed with a partner outside of Africa
- The agreement will help secure jobs, increase economic growth, and support agricultural development and manufacturing in Kenya
- UK Kenya trade is currently worth KES 167bn (£1.1bn) per annum
On Tuesday 21 March, Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry, Moses Kuria, met UK Minister for International Trade Nigel Huddleston in London at the first-ever UK-Kenya Economic Partnership Council Meeting.

Both parties agreed to accelerate work to remove barriers affecting bilateral trade and investment, working with our respective public and private sectors, and discussed the good progress made on the £3.5 billion of green investment deals which UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and President William Ruto agreed to fast track at COP27.

The Economic Partnership Council meets once every two years as part of the UK-Kenya Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), which came into force in March 2021.

The agreement ensures that all companies operating in Kenya, including British businesses, can continue to benefit from duty-free access to the UK market – saving exporters over KES 1.5bn (£10m) every year in duties on products such as green beans and cut flowers.

The agreement supports Kenya to grow its economy in a sustainable way, whilst providing UK businesses with increased trade opportunities. It secures jobs for Kenyans, whilst enhancing Kenya’s global competitiveness, trade capabilities, and ability to attract investment. The EPA has benefited approximately 2,500 UK businesses exporting goods to Kenya each year, providing frictionless trade. British companies in Kenya employ more than 250,000 Kenyans.

The UK is the first country outside of Africa to enter into a trade agreement with Kenya, the East African Community’s largest economy. UK-Kenya bilateral trade is already worth KES 167bn (£1.1bn) per annum, with capacity for significant growth.

The EPA supports the UK-Kenya Strategic partnership – an ambitious five-year agreement delivering mutual benefits for the UK and Kenya, including job creation and economic growth.

The agreement open to all Member States of the East African Community, one of the fastest growing regional economic blocs in the world.

As part of his visit to London, Cabinet Secretary Kuria will meet with UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Kemi Badenoch.

The meeting is part of a chain of UK-Kenya engagements that are deepening economic ties between the two countries. Since COP27 in December 2022, when President William Ruto and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak agreed to fast-track KES 500bn of investment, construction has begun at Nairobi Railway City, and Cabinet Secretary for Road, Transport and Public Works, Kipchuma Murkomen visited London King’s Cross Station – a UK example for Nairobi Railway City.

In addition, UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly visited Kenya in 2022, announcing support for the African Development Fund (ADF) to help communities in Africa grow their economies, create jobs and improve healthcare.

UK High Commissioner to Kenya Jane Marriott, said:

By meeting, as agreed, two years after the ratification of the EPA, the UK and Kenya are advancing our joint commitment to securing jobs for Kenyans and growing our economies – delivering mutual benefits for both our countries.

The UK and Kenya go far when we go together.
21/03/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Skills boost for planning authorities to create better neighbourhoods [March 2023]

The press release issued by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 21 March 2023.

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has given social enterprise Public Practice £1 million to help councils recruit and develop skilled planners.

More skilled planning professionals will be recruited by councils following a £1 million funding boost from the government, the Housing Minister announced today.

Social enterprise Public Practice will use the money to help councils recruit and develop skilled planners, increase awareness about careers in local government and share best practice around improving communities in the public sector.

The money will help councils attract and develop those in the profession leading to higher skilled jobs, speed up property development and create better neighbourhoods that people are proud to call home.

Minister for Housing and Planning Rachel Maclean said:

Planning plays such an important role in shaping our neighbourhoods, making sure we have the right housing and infrastructure to level up the nation.

It is essential that our planning authorities have the skills and resources they need and today’s funding will make sure the sector is better equipped to deliver a quality service for local communities.

Pooja Agrawal, CEO of Public Practice said:

Planning and placemaking is one of local government’s most important functions as it shapes the places we all live in, work and visit.

However, it is clear that local authorities have substantial skills gaps which hinders the ability of developers and councils to deliver good quality new and refurbished homes, sustainable public spaces or accessible town centres and high streets.

We are grateful to the Department of Levelling Up for this funding. We have a proud track record of bringing private sector planning and placemaking talent into local authorities and helping them to forge long-term careers in the public sector.

Now is not the time to rest on our laurels but to re-double our efforts. We have a mission to help every council in England to find the skilled planners and place professionals they need to make communities and neighbourhoods better across our nation.

The government recently published a consultation on increases to planning fees to generate additional income for councils to help deliver and improve planning services, making sure communities have the right infrastructure.

This is alongside a wider programme of support and investment in high quality data and digital technology to reduce the administrative burdens on local planning authorities and support faster more efficient decision-making.

Public Practice has attracted more than 2,500 applications to its placement programme over the past five years, 92% of whom have been working outside the public sector. Some 73% of applicants have never worked in the public sector and 53% have never previously applied for a job in the public sector.

Nine-tenths of Public Practice Associates have chosen to continue working in the public sector following the conclusion of the year-long programme. The not-for-profit social enterprise has a mission to rebuild skills and capacity in the public sector to help improve places and communities across England.

21/03/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Defence innovations recognised in 31st sustainability and conservation awards [March 2023]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 21 March 2023.

The Sanctuary Awards have today recognised outstanding sustainability and conservation efforts across the Ministry of Defence (MOD) over the past year.
- Innovative and forward-thinking solutions recognised at Sanctuary Awards.
- Baroness Goldie presents this year’s Silver Otter to Captain Nigel Williams RAMC.
- More than 30 years of awards recognising the MOD’s commitment to sustainability.
Celebrated for more 30 years, the Sanctuary Awards – sponsored by the Climate Change & Sustainability Directorate and hosted by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) – recognise the projects that are benefitting sustainable development and helping to conserve the environment, natural resources and heritage across Defence’s UK and overseas estates.

This year’s winners include a number of ground-breaking initiatives across Defence supporting the MOD’s future sustainability, with the Sustainable Business Award won by The Queen Elizabeth Class Logistics Centre Project at HMNB Portsmouth – a fully net zero facility in its operation.

The facility is a dedicated Forward Logistics Centre adjacent to the carrier berths at HM Naval Base Portsmouth which introduced several carbon reductions projects across the site, including photovoltaic panels, low energy lighting, highly efficient thermal cladding and the use of battery powered forklift and stores handling machines.

Defence Minister, Baroness Goldie said:

Defence procurement and the Defence Estate offer significant opportunities to support net zero and biodiversity. We remain focused on embedding a culture of sustainability while meeting essential Defence outputs and we are proud of the innovative ideas being generated to drive change.

I send my congratulations to all the winners and nominees of this year’s Sanctuary Awards.

Presented by Baroness Goldie, this year’s prestigious Silver Otter trophy was awarded to Captain Nigel Williams RAMC. This award recognises the best conservation group-led project or individual conservation effort on the MOD estate.

Awarded due to Williams’ attitude and commitment to being innovative and creative in searching for new ideas and improvements, the trophy also recognises the prioritisation of safety and environmental protection processes, as well as the implementation of new procedures that have been shared as “Best Practice” and been at the forefront of driving cultural change around sustainability in Defence.

Richard Brooks, DIO Principal Environmental Support and Compliance said:

DIO is proud to host the Sanctuary Awards to celebrate the positive work taking place throughout Defence on climate change and sustainability initiatives.

DIO takes this work incredibly seriously and we are pleased to continue to contribute to the wider Defence and government sustainability targets. Congratulations to all the winners and thank you for your contribution to making Defence greener.

The coveted Net Zero and Resource Efficiency Award was this year given to Project Prometheus, which has constructed the British Army’s first solar farm at the Defence School of Transport (DST) at Leconfield.

The solar farm was the first of four pilot farms across the Army estate, with the project aiming to decarbonise the estate, better understand solar farm construction, and generate long term cost savings for the Army.

Set to save approximately £308,000 in its first year alone, the project will save around 400 tonnes of carbon dioxide in the first year – equivalent to removing 250 petrol cars from the road – and will provide at least 30% of DST Leconfield’s electricity needs.

Julia Powell, Deputy Director for the Climate Change and Sustainability Directorate and Chair of the Sanctuary Magazine Editorial Board said:

I am once again inspired by the accomplishments and commitment of this year’s awards winners.

Tackling the impact of climate change and embedding sustainability will be a challenge, but the passion and innovation in evidence shows defence’s full commitment to finding solutions.

Defence continues to prioritise sustainability and conservation and is committed to maintaining the capability of our world-leading Armed Forces whilst working to meet the government’s Net Zero policies.

Background
- To browse the full list of Sanctuary Award winners 2022 and to see details about their individual projects visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sanctuary
21/03/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Rehearsals underway for ground-breaking theatre production in Middlesbrough [March 2023]

The press release issued by the Environment Agency on 21 March 2023.

Residents of Middlesbrough are being encouraged to explore what item they would save during a flood as part of an interactive play.

Residents and visitors to Middlesbrough are being encouraged to explore the backstories of sentimental items which have been washed away during a flood as part of a free, interactive performance.

Created by North East production company, Theatre Space and commissioned by the Environment Agency, ‘Washed Away’ invites the audience to choose an item and experience the joy, the sadness and the difference behind each irreplaceable possession lost and damaged by flood water.

Presented on the high street in Middlesbrough, the play mixes live performance with a vital message. The show will be held over the weekend of the 25th and 26th March with each part of the storytelling able to be experienced as a stand-alone piece or as a unique narrative.

Audience members can pick three of the eight different sentimental items during each performance. These could be anything from photo albums to soft toys or jewellery. Items can be picked at random at the start of each play, giving a different show each time, depending on what gets fished out of the waters. The play will also run two times each day, giving attendees the best chance to come and join in, completely free of charge.

‘Washed Away’ Aims not only to entertain but also deliver a potentially life-saving message about the risk of flooding. According to analysis produced by the Environment Agency, at least one in six people in England are at risk from flooding from rivers and the sea, with many more at risk from surface water flooding.

However, nearly two in three households at risk of flooding don’t believe it will happen to them. And despite the research showing that almost two thirds of people (60%) have taken at least one action to prepare for flooding, as many as 1.5 million households, who are at risk, are yet to prepare.

Alex Scaife, Flood Resilience Engagement Advisor at the Environment Agency, said:

“It’s incredibly exciting to be working with Theatre Space to bring ‘Washed Away’ to the people of Middlesbrough. This ambitious production aims to challenge the audience and asks some important questions on how they would respond if a flood was forecast.

“We know how devastating flooding can be – the loss of your home, the financial stress, and the destruction of irreplaceable, sentimental belongings all place unbelievable strain on those affected. That is why it is vital that people take the necessary preparations as early as possible should the worst happen.

“I hope that as well as an exhilarating theatrical event, ‘Washed Away’ will get people reflecting and debating on the steps they can take to Prepare, Act and Survive.”

Corinne Kilvington, Theatre Space Artistic Director, said:

“We’re so excited to create a fun, engaging and interactive performance to help people think about the impact of flooding. It’s so easy to think ‘it’ll never happen to me’ but that dialogue has to change, because it’s a lot more of a possibility than we’d care to think.

“The team think it’s incredibly brave of the Environment Agency to try and tackle the subject in this way instead of relying on the usual channels and we are honoured to be creating the piece which will start conversations, challenge perceptions and above all entertain the audience.”

Audiences will be able to see the stories they didn’t catch live on the Theatre Space website after the performance at Theatre Space – Any Space Is A Theatre Space

People in flood risk areas should know what to do in a flood and they are encouraged to download the Environment Agency’s ‘Prepare. Act. Survive.’ flood plan to help reduce their risk.

21/03/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Derby named as home of Great British Railways HQ [March 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 21 March 2023.

Derby has been selected to become the home of Great British Railways, delivering high-skilled jobs to the region.
- Derby named as the new headquarters of Great British Railways (GBR HQ), delivering high-skilled jobs and further levelling up the region
- more towns and cities to benefit from GBR, with jobs spanning across Great Britain
- GBR will be whole-heartedly customer focused, bringing back accountability and driving modernisation across the railways
Derby has been named as the national headquarters of Great British Railways (GBR HQ), marking a key milestone in the government’s plan to reform the nation’s railways.

As Europe’s largest rail hub, Derby will soon become the heart of Great Britain’s rail industry too, bringing track and train together and delivering high-skilled jobs to a city already brimming with the best talent in the industry.

Derby came top of all 6 excellent locations in both the rigorous assessment process and the public vote. Their application demonstrated strong links to the wider network, well-established connections with the industry, supply chain and customers, as well as an extensive local cluster of private sector rail businesses.

Transport Secretary, Mark Harper said:

It’s full steam ahead for the reform of our railways and today’s announcement is not only a huge win for the brilliant city of Derby, but a key milestone for the entire rail industry across the country.

Great British Railways will put the passenger first, promoting collaboration and innovation across a joined-up, efficient and modern network.

Councillor Chris Poulter, Leader of Derby City Council, said:

We’re absolutely thrilled that Derby has been selected to become the home of Great British Railways. This result is a testament to the hard work of our team, alongside our key rail and city partners based across Derby – we couldn’t have done it without them.

Rail heritage is at the heart of our city and for this to be recognised by government is a fantastic achievement. The investment we’ll see from this significant move will be huge, not only just for Derby but for levelling up across the whole of the wider East Midlands.

We have a rich history of being the only city in the UK to have manufactured rolling stock continuously since 1840, so I’m thrilled that Derby’s heritage is being recognised in this defining way. We can’t wait to see what this momentous move will mean for Derby and its citizens in the future.

While Great British Railway’s headquarters will be in Derby, other towns and cities across Britain, potentially including the 5 shortlisted cities, will still benefit, becoming powered up regional GBR hubs equipped with local decision making, and investment powers aimed at benefiting their local communities and further creating jobs in the locations they serve.

GBR will also have roles spanning across Great Britain including the North, South East, South West and London, with the HQ driving collaboration and innovation across the sector.

The government is working closely and collaboratively with the Great British Transition Team to co-design the future of our railways. Passengers and freight customers will be GBR’s key priority, the new body will also take control of the industry’s finances to drive efficiency and work with the private sector to deliver for customers.

Great British Railways will be locally led and will harness the potential of the private sector locally, regionally and nationally.

Anit Chandarana, Lead Director, Great British Railways Transition Team, added:

The announcement that Derby will be the home of the Great British Railways headquarters is another important milestone on our journey to create a simpler and better railway for everyone in Britain.

Although Derby will be the home of our headquarters, Great British Railways will also introduce empowered regional centres, to bring decision making and leadership much closer to local customers and communities.

The Transition Team is continuing to work with government and the wider rail industry to deliver this much needed reform and we look forward to working with colleagues in Derby in the coming months, too.

GBR’s Transition Team will now work with Derby to identify the site for the HQ within the city.

The Midlands is already a transport supercluster for Britain: with the Department for Transport and HS2 already having bases in Birmingham, bringing GBR’s HQ to Derby will be a further boost to the region’s transport sector and demonstrate our commitment to levelling up Great Britain.

Today’s (21 March 2023) announcement follows on from the Transport Secretary’s George Bradshaw Address last month where he set out the government’s long-term vision for the future of the railways. Last month’s announcements included:
- the expansion of single leg pricing across the LNER network and demand-based pricing to ensure passenger demand is more evenly spread between services.
- an extension to pay-as-you-go ticketing in south-east England.
- creating a dedicated strategic freight unit tasked with setting a long-term freight growth target this year.
21/03/2023
Boris Johnson – 2023 Submission to Priviliges Committee

The submission made by Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister, to the Privileges Committee on 21 March 2023.

Text of document (in .pdf format)

21/03/2023
NEWS STORY : Baroness Casey Publishes Critical Report of Met Police

STORY

The Baroness Casey report into the Met Police has been published following its commission in October 2021 after the murder of Sarah Everard by a serving police officer. The report was critical of the Met Police and concluded that the force was institutionally racist, sexist, and homophobic, and that significant structural reforms were needed to address these failings. She also questioned whether the Met Police was able to police itself and added that austerity had seriously impacted the force with 126 police stations closed in recent years.

The review followed a number of high-profile incidents involving the Met Police, including the murder of Stephen Lawrence and the shooting of Mark Duggan, which had raised concerns about institutional racism within the force. The report found that the police had failed to address these issues adequately and had not done enough to increase diversity within their ranks.

The Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said in a statement:

“This report sparks feelings of shame and anger but it also increases our resolve. I am proud of those people, our officers and staff, whose passion for policing and determination to reform moved them to share their experiences with such honesty. This is, in many ways, their report. It must be a catalyst for police reform. This report needs to lead to meaningful change. If it only leads to pillory and blame of the exceptional majority of officers then only criminals will benefit”.

The report gave incidences of inappropriate behaviour, including:

“There have been a number of incidents where baptised [Sikh] officers are picked on. One officer had his beard cut because an officer thought it was funny. Another officer had his turban put into a shoe box because they thought it was funny. Unless we educate our officers then this will happen.”

An example was given of a Muslim police officer who told the report:

“I found bacon left in my boots inside my locked locker. I was horrified but kept an open mind as to who this could be. I was hoping to identify who the culprit was and take appropriate action. I didn’t want to be branded a person who played the race card and out of fear of reprisals did not tell anyone at the time”.

The report also mentioned WhatsApp messages from police officers, noting:

“There are comments after intranet articles, along the lines of ‘why can’t we just get on with the day job, why do we have to care about bi-sexual people?’”

The Casey report concluded:

“Public confidence and trust in the Met have been falling, calling public consent into question, and the relationship with Black Londoners in particular remains unfixed. In these circumstances, good communication, consultation and engagement with the public – giving them a real say in how London is policed – becomes more important than ever”.

RESOURCES

Baroness Casey Report into the Met Police

Met Police Press Release on the Report’s Publication

EXTERNAL NEWS LINKS

Metropolitan Police

21/03/2023