Author: admin

PRESS RELEASE : Single case of atypical BSE confirmed on a farm in Cornwall [March 2023]

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 20 March 2023.

A single case of atypical Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) has been confirmed on a farm in Cornwall today (Monday 20 March).

Atypical BSE is not contagious and there is no risk to food safety or human health as a result of this isolated case.

Atypical BSE is a naturally and sporadically occurring non-contagious disease, which is believed to occur in all cattle populations at a very low rate. Atypical BSE is distinct from classical BSE which is linked to infectious feed.

The animal was routinely tested under the BSE fallen stock survey and was removed from the farm for disposal. This animal, as fallen stock, was not destined for the human food chain and posed no risk to the general public.

Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss said:

“A single case of atypical BSE on a farm in Cornwall has been confirmed. The animal, which was not intended for the human food chain, died on the farm and was tested as part of the strict routine control and surveillance regime.

“Atypical BSE is distinct from classical BSE and is a spontaneously occurring, non-contagious disease which occurs at a very low level in all cattle populations. This is proof that our surveillance system for detecting and containing this type of disease is working.”

Dr Darren A Cutts, Head of Meat Hygiene Policy at the Food Standards Agency said:

“There is no food safety risk. There are strict controls in place to protect consumers from the risk of BSE, including controls on animal feed, and removal of the parts of cattle most likely to carry BSE infectivity.

“Consumers can be reassured that these important protection measures remain in place and that Food Standards Agency Official Veterinarians and Meat Hygiene Inspectors working in all abattoirs in England will continue to ensure that in respect of BSE controls, the safety of consumers remains the top priority.”

Great Britain’s overall risk status for BSE remains at ‘controlled’ and there is no risk to food safety or public health.

In line with international commitments, the World Organisation for Animal Health and trading partners have been informed of the case. This does not affect the UK’s ability to export beef to other countries.

BSE is a notifiable animal disease. If you suspect it you must report it immediately by calling the Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301. In Wales, contact 0300 303 8268. In Scotland, contact your local Field Services Office. Failure to do so is an offence. This applies to pet and small holder animals as well as commercial cattle.

20/03/2023
PRESS RELEASE : HRC 52 – Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Iran [March 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 20 March 2023.

UK Human Rights Ambassador Rita French delivered her statement on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Thank you, Mr. President.

Special Rapporteur – thank you for your continued work and recent report.

As you set out, the Government of Iran is culpable of egregious continued human rights violations. The use of the death penalty, restrictions on media and the internet, and on freedoms of speech, expression, religion and belief, all continue unabated.

The discrimination women and girls have persistently faced, came to the fore with the killing of Mahsa Jina Amini in September. Over 500 people were killed during the regime’s brutal crackdown demonstrating Iran’s disregard for human life. This was on top of the over 500 persons executed, including at least two juvenile offenders in 2022. Religious and minority ethnic groups continued to face appalling discrimination, especially Baha’i, Christian converts and Sunni groups. The continuing detention of former Baha’i leaders, home demolition and land expropriation of Baha’is is deplorable. It is also deeply concerning that Iran has escalated its abhorrent practice of detaining foreign nationals for political leverage.

Iran must be held to account for its egregious human rights violations.

Special Rapporteur,

In light of your findings on possible crimes against humanity, how can the international community unite to ensure perpetrators are held to account?

20/03/2023
George Foulkes – 2023 Letter to UEFA on Belarus Taking Part in 2024 Euros (Baron Foulkes of Cumnock)

The letter sent by George Foulkes, Baron Foulkes of Cumnock, to Aleksander Čeferin, the President of UEFA, on 15 February 2023.

Dear Mr Čeferin,

I very much appreciated your response to the PACE Resolution which I led, towards the end of 2021, titled “Football governance: business and values”. In that report we set out a strong case for refuting extravagant models such as the proposed European super league or a biennial, bloated world cup, and I was particularly heartened by your comments which reaffirmed UEFA’s commitment “to stand firmly united behind our values and solidarity-based model.”

I believe this spirit of solidarity was, rightly, upheld when UEFA banned the Russian Federation from competing in or hosting UEFA competitions; however I am disappointed that this ban was not extended to the Football Federation of Belarus. I see that UEFA acknowledges the role that Belarus has played in facilitating Russia’s illegal invasion, but banning home games does not seem like an entirely adequate response.

Belarus served as a base for Russia’s initial invasion of northern Ukraine last February. Since then, it has provided military stores and equipment to Russia, allowed mobilized Russian conscripts to train on its territory, and served as a launching point for missile attacks on Ukraine. It is hard to see how these actions do not merit an all-encompassing ban on participation.

If UEFA is willing to prevent teams from Belarus and Ukraine from being drawn against each other in UEFA competitions, then surely the simplest way to ensure this is by banning Belarus from the upcoming qualifiers. I believe that the international community must stand united on these matters and therefore hope that UEFA will reconsider their position.

Best wishes,

George Foulkes

20/03/2023
ISSUE OF THE WEEK 5 : Should Belarus Play in the 2024 Euros?

ISSUE 5 – SHOULD BELARUS PLAY IN THE 2024 EUROS?

INTRODUCTION

The matter of whether Belarus should be playing in the qualifiers for the Euro 2024 football competition has continued to cause controversy, as some politicians believe it should be prevented from taking part because of their role in the war in Ukraine. Although the country has been prevented from hosting international games, UEFA has stated that it doesn’t currently expect to take further action to stop them playing in the football tournament and its qualifiers being held in Germany in June 2024. Russia have been prevented from taking part, with UEFA having expelled their football teams from all international competitions that they organise, following the country’s invasion of Ukraine.

Currently, Belarus are playing in Group I of the qualifying round for Euro 2024, with other teams in their group including Switzerland, Israel, Romania, Kosovo, Belarus and Andorra. The top two teams in the group will qualify for the main part of the tournament in June 2024, with the first qualifying match for Belarus taking place against Switzerland behind closed doors in Serbia on 25 March 2023. UEFA hope that the inclusion of the Belarus team will be helpful to raise awareness of the issues by forcing them to play behind closed doors, whilst also allowing the country’s professional football players a chance to play for their national team.

TIMELINE

On 24 February 2022, Russia launched an invasion on Ukraine with some of their troops entering the country via Belarus. Given this escalation, UEFA met and on 3 March 2022 they issued a statement about Belarus, stating:

“The UEFA Executive Committee met today and decided that all Belarusian clubs and national teams competing in UEFA competitions will be required to play their home matches at neutral venues with immediate effect. Furthermore, no spectators shall attend matches in which the teams from Belarus feature as host”.

UEFA went further with Russia and suspended them from all international tournaments and matches, issuing a press release saying:

“All Russian teams are currently suspended following the decision of the UEFA Executive Committee of 28 February 2022 which has further been confirmed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport on 15 July 2022”.

It has been suggested that Russia could instead move to join the Central Asian Football Association (CAFA) and in March 2023 the Tajikistan Football Federation formally invited the country to join CAFA’s inaugural men’s tournament being held from 9 to 21 June 2023. Russia indicated that they were interested in the proposals, but final details have yet to be confirmed.

Nigel Huddleston, responding to a Parliamentary question asked by Matt Vickers in March 2022 on whether Russia and Belarus should be taking part in international sports events, said:

“Following the international summit, a joint statement was signed by 37 nations and published on Tuesday 8 March, affirming the position outlined below: Russia and Belarus should not be permitted to host, bid for or be awarded any international sporting events. Individual athletes selected by Russia and Belarus, administrators and teams representing the Russian or Belarusian state should be banned from competing in other countries, including those representing bodies, cities or brands that are effectively representing Russia or Belarus, such as major football clubs”.

In September 2022, Nancy Faeser, the German Minister of the Interior wrote to Aleksander Čeferin, the UEFA President, asking for Belarus to be removed from taking part in the qualifications for the tournament. She commented that “not only Russia, which is waging a war of aggression in violation of international law, but also Belarus as an essential supporter of the Russian leadership should be excluded from all international football matches and tournaments”.

Lord Foulkes wrote to Aleksander Čeferin in February 2023 noting that UEFA’s proposed ban didn’t go far enough noting that Russia had been excluded from the competition and “Belarus served as a base for Russia’s initial invasion of northern Ukraine last February”. UEFA have made limited formal responses to these requests, but have stated that the situation remains under review. A spokesperson for Lord Foulkes said that his letter was acknowledged by UEFA, but that he didn’t receive a reply.

In March 2023, a letter was sent to UEFA signed by over 100 MEPS from the European Parliament which mentioned “the very fact of participating in UEFA Championship by the Belarusian national team will be later used by Lukashenko and his propaganda team to prove he is well-received in the international community”.

On 15 March 2023, 30 Swiss Parliamentarians wrote to Aleksander Čeferin mentioning:

“This choice of UEFA is in contradiction with the decision of the International Olympic Committee. The IOC has excluded both Russia and Belarus from the 2024 Olympic Games following the war of aggression against Ukraine. This decision therefore takes into account the fact that Belarus is an accomplice of Russia, because it provides Russia with a deployment area and bases for its attacks against neighbouring Ukraine. We support this clear position of the IOC and ask you to follow this example and to also exclude Belarus from all competitions by UEFA”.

We contacted UEFA but they refused to comment.

The debate continues about whether sport allows people to come together, or whether a country’s actions are so serious that it would be wrong for their national football team to take part in international tournaments.

RESOURCES

PRESS RELEASE : Belarus teams to play on neutral ground in UEFA competitions [March 2022]

George Foulkes – 2023 Letter to UEFA (Lord Foulkes of Cumnock)

Matt Vickers – March 2022 Letter Asking Government’s Policy on Russia and Belarus Taking Part in International Sporting Events

Nancy Faeser – 2023 Letter Asking for Belarus to Be Removed from 2024 Euros

Swiss Parliamentarians – 2023 Letter Asking for Belarus to be Removed from 2024 Euros

EXTERNAL LINKS

UEFA

UEFA Page on Belarus

Football Federation of Belarus

Council of Europe – Football governance: business and values report

Libereco – Partnership for Human Rights

Petition to Remove Belarus from Euro 2024

House of Commons Briefing Note on Belarus

20/03/2023
Matt Vickers – 2022 Parliamentary Question on Belarus and Russia Taking Part in Sporting Events

The parliamentary question asked by Matt Vickers, the Conservative MP for Stockton South, in the House of Commons on 24 March 2022.

QUESTION

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to help prevent Russia and Belarus participating in international sporting events.

ANSWER BY NIGEL HUDDLESTON

On Thursday 3 March, the Secretary of State and I convened a summit with 24 international ministerial counterparts – or senior representatives on their behalf – to discuss the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the response of international sport.

The summit followed bilateral meetings that I held with counterparts from Canada, Poland and Germany.

Following the international summit, a joint statement was signed by 37 nations and published on Tuesday 8 March, affirming the position outlined below:

Russia and Belarus should not be permitted to host, bid for or be awarded any international sporting events.

Individual athletes selected by Russia and Belarus, administrators and teams representing the Russian or Belarusian state should be banned from competing in other countries, including those representing bodies, cities or brands that are effectively representing Russia or Belarus, such as major football clubs.

Wherever possible, appropriate actions should be taken to limit sponsorship and other financial support from entities with links to the Russian or Belarusian states.

20/03/2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK sanctions top Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps financiers [March 2023]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 20 March 2023.

The UK has sanctioned five members of the Board of Directors of the IRGC Co-operative Foundation, the organisation which funnels money into the regime’s repression.
- UK sanctions financiers within the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and senior commanders.
- Those sanctioned include five members on the Board of Directors of the IRGC Co-operative Foundation, the body responsible for managing the IRGC’s investments.
- Two senior IRGC commanders operating in Tehran and Alborz provinces also sanctioned for gross human rights violations.
The UK has imposed sanctions on senior officials of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, it announced today.

The IRGC, the branch of the Iranian Armed Forces responsible for the internal and external security of Iran, has been at the forefront of the repression of protest in Iran which has seen more than 500 killed and tens of thousands imprisoned.

The UK has sanctions in place on the IRGC in its entirety. Since October, the UK has imposed new sanctions on more than a dozen senior IRGC officials under our Iran human rights regime, most recently on a number of senior commanders on 20 February.

As a result the UK has sanctioned five members of the Board of Directors of the IRGC Co-operative Foundation, an economic conglomerate established by senior IRGC officials to manage the group’s investments in the Iranian economy.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said:

Today we are taking action on the senior leaders within the IRGC who are responsible for funnelling money into the regime’s brutal repression.

Together with our partners around the world, we will continue to stand with the Iranian people as they call for fundamental change in Iran.

Established initially to support IRGC service members, the Foundation has broadened out its remit to funding the IRGC’s repressive activities in Iran and abroad.

The Foundation is also responsible for funding militant groups associated with the IRGC’s external operations arm, the IRGC-Quds Force. The Quds force is responsible for carrying out lethal activities outside of Iran by, for example, providing training, funding and weapons to groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas. It has been accused of setting up fake companies in Syria to support the development of Quds Force activities in Syria.

The UK also imposed sanctions on further IRGC provincial commanders for their roles in overseeing human right violations against protestors. Today’s designations include Ahmed Zulqadr, Commander of the IRGC Seyyed al-Shohada provincial corps in Tehran province and Deputy Commander of IRGC corps in Tehran City, and Alireza Heydarnia, Commander of the IRGC for the Alborz Province.

These sanctions constitute an asset freeze and UK travel ban on the individuals concerned and send a wider signal on the UK’s commitment to backing condemnation with action.

Further information:

The full list of those sanctioned today is as follows:
- Ali Asghar Nourouzi, Chairman of the Board of Directors the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Cooperative Foundation.
- Seyyed Aminollah Emami Tabatabai, Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Cooperative Foundation.
- Yahya Ala’Oddini, Director of the Board of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Cooperative Foundation.
- Jamal Babamoradi, Director of the Board of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Cooperative Foundation.
- Ahmad Karimi, Director of the Board of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Cooperative Foundation.
- Ahmed Zulqadr, Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Seyyed al-Shohada Provincial Corps in Tehran Province and the Deputy Commander of IRGC Corps in Tehran City
- Alireza Heydarnia, Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) for the Alborz Province.
20/03/2023
PRESS RELEASE : HRC52 – Statement on Myanmar [March 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 20 March 2023.

The UK’s Ambassador to the WTO and UN in Geneva, Simon Manley, delivered this statement on Myanmar at the 52nd session of the UN Human Rights Council.

Thank you Mr President,

Special Rapporteur,

Thank you for your sobering update and passionate commitment.

It has been over two years since the military seized power in a coup, plunging Myanmar into crisis.

Myanmar’s people have shown extraordinary resilience in the face of unspeakable atrocities, demonstrating their commitment to democracy and human rights. We continue to stand with them. They are indeed not forgotten, they are not alone.

Across Myanmar, the junta is committing brutal human rights violations and abuses including against Rohingya and other minorities. Thousands of civilians, including children, jailed, tortured and killed. Gender and sexual-based violence rife. Civic space virtually non-existent. Over 17 million people in need of humanitarian assistance, and nearly 2 million people displaced.

Since the coup, the UK has provided over £100 million to support those in need. We must collectively ensure that all responders on the front line are supported and that we innovate to channel resources for the humanitarian response.

Special Rapporteur,

How can the international community ensure access to displaced population inside and outside Myanmar?

Thank you.

20/03/2023
PRESS RELEASE : More people set to benefit from free support to help claim Universal Credit [March 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 20 March 2023.

An extra £22 million is being invested to extend free and impartial support for people making a Universal Credit claim.
- Over three quarters of a million people have already received support though Help to Claim.
- The support, now in its fifth year and delivered by Citizens Advice, provides support to guide people through the Universal Credit claim process.
- DWP is extending this with a further £22 million of investment to support people to make a new Universal Credit claim.
The ‘Help to Claim’ support will continue to be delivered independently for another year by Citizens Advice and Citizens Advice Scotland, following a further £22 million investment by the department. Citizens Advice have provided the Help to Claim support since its inception in 2019.

This additional investment will ensure that support is available to help people make a new Universal Credit claim and manage their claim until they receive their first payment.

Minister for Employment, Guy Opperman MP, said:

Help to Claim continues to assist thousands of people every year with over 800,000 people already receiving support since its introduction.

This additional investment will allow Citizens Advice to continue to provide this vital support following its extension for a further year.

This high quality and independent support comes in addition to the support already provided through our network of Jobcentres, with our staff standing ready to assist those in need of support.

Dame Clare Moriarty, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice, said:

As the cost of living continues to put household finances under pressure, our top priority is supporting the many people coming to us for help.

We’re glad to continue this important support. We’ve seen first-hand the difference our advisers make in helping people access Universal Credit.

We’ll continue to use our frontline insights and unique data to suggest enhancements to the benefits system, further helping the people we support.

People will be able to access the support and advice online or by telephone. For those who are unable to access support via these channels, individuals will be able to contact their local Jobcentre, where staff will help to identify the right support to meet their needs.

DWP remains committed to providing the best possible support for all claimants, including the most vulnerable in society, in both making and maintaining their Universal Credit claim.

Find out more about Help to Claim and how to access support online.
20/03/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Government supports new Ofwat powers to tackle water company dividends [March 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 20 March 2023.

New powers made possible through the Environment Act will enable Ofwat to clamp down on excessive cash pay-outs and hold water companies to account.
The government has today (20 March) backed new plans for the water regulator Ofwat to take action against water companies that pay out dividends to their shareholders despite failing to meet the required performance standards.

The changes have been made possible by the government’s Environment Act 2021 which gave Ofwat new powers to change water company licences without consent from water companies.

As such, Ofwat is now modifying licences to require companies to:

Take account of environmental performance and customer delivery when deciding whether to pay dividends.

Hold a strong credit rating and stop them paying dividends if their financial health is at risk.

If a company falls short, Ofwat will be able to take enforcement action.

These changes will improve the environmental performance and financial health of water companies, as well as providing greater transparency with customers and stakeholders.

Water Minister Rebecca Pow said:

It is wrong for water companies to be responsible for environmental damage and poor performance but not face the penalties. It has been happening too often and it needs to stop.

These new powers, made possible through our Environment Act, will enable Ofwat to clamp down on excessive cash pay-outs and make sure companies put customers first. This will apply when a company is not meeting expectations on performance or is facing questions over its financial resilience – and ultimately means we go further in holding water companies to account.

The government has taken further action in recent years to hold water companies to account for pollution, including:

Hugely increasing monitoring of discharges, from approximately 10% of storm overflows monitored in 2015 to 100% by the end of this year. While storm overflows have existed for over a century, the government was the first to require water companies to comprehensively monitor so that the issue can be tackled.

Making it easier and quicker for regulators to enforce civil penalties for companies that breach their licence conditions, with a consultation set to launch in the spring. Funding from all penalties and fines will also now be invested in schemes that benefit our natural environment.

Securing record fines for water companies that break the law. Since 2015, the Environment Agency has secured fines of over £142m through criminal proceedings.

Publishing the Storm Overflows Discharge Reduction Plan, which will require water companies to deliver the largest infrastructure programme in water company history – £56 billion capital investment over 25 years. Water companies are already investing £3.1 billion in storm overflow improvements between 2020 and 2025. This includes £1.9 billion investment into the Thames Tideway Tunnel super sewer, with the rest used to undertake over 800 investigations and over 800 improvement schemes to storm overflows.

Demanding a clear assessment and action plan on every storm overflow from every water and sewerage company in England, prioritising those that are spilling more than a certain number of times a year, and those spilling into bathing waters and high priority nature sites.

The majority of licence changes will be implemented eight weeks after publication – by 17 May 2023.
20/03/2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK signs historic trade deal with Ukraine as part of enhanced support [March 2023]

The press release issued by the Department for International Trade on 20 March 2023.

The UK today signed a pivotal digital trade deal with Ukraine that will support the country’s economy and greatly enhance our trade and investment relationship.

Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch and Ukrainian First Minister sign UK-Ukraine Digital Trade Agreement to provide vital support for Ukrainian economy

Department for Business and Trade mobilises UK businesses to engage in future reconstruction projects in Ukraine with major conference

UK pledges to extend the removal of tariffs on all Ukrainian products until March 2024

The UK today [Monday 20 March] signed a pivotal digital trade deal with Ukraine that will support the country’s economy and greatly enhance the UK-Ukraine trade and investment relationship.

The Department for Business and Trade today hosted a number of Ukrainian ministers, as well as 200 UK and international businesses and officials, at Mansion House to lay the foundation for closer future co-operation.

The Road to Ukraine Recovery Conference, geared towards supporting Ukraine’s National Recovery Plan and mobilising UK businesses to engage in future Ukraine reconstruction projects, opened with a welcome from the Business and Trade Secretary. This event, and our mobilisation of UK industry, is a key stepping stone on our route to the Ukraine Recovery Conference that will be hosted in London in June.

Badenoch, alongside Ukraine’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Yulia Svyrydenko, virtually signed a ground-breaking new Digital Trade Agreement (DTA) that will help Ukraine support its economy through the current crisis and lay foundations for its recovery and revival.

Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch MP said:

The historic digital trade deal signed today paves the way for a new era of modern trade between our two countries.

We are also extending tariff free trade on imports from Ukraine to early 2024, providing much needed support to Ukrainian businesses.

These initiatives will help protect jobs, livelihoods and families now and in Ukraine’s post-war future.

Since June 2022, UK negotiators worked at record pace with their Ukrainian counterparts to deliver a deal after President Zelenskyy highlighted the important role Ukraine’s first ever digitally focused trade agreement could play in bolstering his country’s economy.

Ukraine will have guaranteed access to the financial services crucial for reconstruction efforts through the deal’s facilitation of cross-border data flows. Ukrainian businesses will also be able to trade more efficiently and cheaply with the UK through electronic transactions, e-signatures, and e-contracts.

First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy for Ukraine, Yuliia Svyrydenko said:

This digital trade agreement illustrates that Ukrainian IT companies operating in Ukraine are in demand around the world despite all the challenges of war.

The UA-UK Digital Trade Agreement has enshrined core freedoms for trade in digital goods and services. Ukraine believes that an open and free framework for the digital economy is the best investment in future oriented development.

The UK’s total military, humanitarian and economic support pledged since 24 February 2022 now amounts to over £4 billion. The UK is a key partner for Ukraine in its reconstruction efforts. We hosted the UK-Ukraine Infrastructure Summit in June 2022, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) agreeing to play a leading role in the reconstruction of Kyiv Oblast and set up the Infrastructure Taskforce to implement this agreement.

Stuart Senior, Member of the Supervisory Board, Gleeds said:

As international construction consultants, Gleeds has had a presence in Ukraine for many years. We welcome this new agreement which strengthens UK-Ukraine relationships and helps Ukraine’s increasing development as a modern, open economy.

The DTA will remove barriers to digital trade and enable partnership initiatives and collaborative working to be delivered more effectively. It will also further enhance the acceleration of economic recovery through the faster delivery of critical infrastructure reconstruction projects by implementing better processes and standards.

In the margins of the Road to URC event, the UK confirmed its intention to extend the removal of tariffs on Ukrainian products until March 2024. This follows the UK’s world-leading decision in May 2022 to cut tariffs on all goods from Ukraine to zero and will provide much needed support to Ukrainian businesses given the impact of the war on Ukraine’s ability to export goods.

The UK also continues to support Ukraine through decisive sanctions against Russia. The UK and its allies have introduced the most severe economic sanctions ever imposed on a major economy, including on £20 billion (96%) of UK-Russia goods trade from 2021.

Sanctions are having deep and damaging consequences for Putin’s ability to wage war. Since the start of the invasion, UK goods imports from Russia have fallen by 99% and goods exports to Russia have fallen by 80%.

20/03/2023