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PRESS RELEASE : UK and OSCE partners present the Democracy Defenders Award to the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association [April 2025]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 April 2025.

Minister of State Stephen Doughty congratulates the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association for its efforts to protect democracy and human rights for Georgians.

Minister for Europe, North America and UK Overseas Territories, Stephen Doughty, said:

“I congratulate the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA) on winning the prestigious Democracy Defender Award gifted by the UK and seven OSCE partners. The GYLA is providing essential support to human rights activists and civil society organisations in Georgia who are coming under increasing pressure from repressive legislation.

“After months of democratic backsliding, arbitrary arrests, and the use of excessive force against protestors, politicians and journalists, Georgian Dream has shown no indication they will return to their European path and uphold the democratic wishes of its own electorate.

“I urge the Georgian authorities to reverse this isolationist behaviour, and I thank the GYLA for their important work protecting the fundamental rights of Georgian people.”

April 9, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : New appeals process to provide independent assurance about Horizon redress awards [April 2025]
The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 8 April 2025.

Post Office Minister Gareth Thomas has announced the launch of the new, independent, appeals process for eligible postmasters in the Horizon Shortfall Scheme.
- New independent appeals process for Horizon Shortfall Scheme victims
- New applications for postmasters who claimed under HSS to begin this month
- Provides assurance that those who were unjustly impacted by the Horizon IT scandal will receive full, fair and swift redress
Post Office Minister Gareth Thomas has announced in Parliament today [Tuesday 8 April] the launch of the new, independent, appeals process for eligible postmasters in the Horizon Shortfall Scheme (HSS).

Postmasters who feel their financial settlement did not reflect the true extent of their losses and trauma will be able to appeal their settlement ensuring they receive full, fair and swift redress.

Eligible postmasters and their legal representatives will be written to later this month and applications for the new Appeals process will begin to be accepted by the end of April.

Post Office Minister Gareth Thomas said:

It is our priority that all those who were unjustly affected by the Horizon IT scandal receive full, fair and swift redress and today’s measures are the next step in providing that.

Since taking office, the total amount of redress paid to victims has increased by more than three and a half times with £892 million having now been paid to over 6,200 claimants. There is still more to do, and I am committed to this task until every affected postmaster receives the redress they rightly deserve.

The Government also announced that each Directly Managed Branch (DMBs) will be franchised so that Post Office services remain available to local communities. We have listened to concerns and made it clear that DMBs should not be closed as we continue to work with the Post Office as it develops its transformation plan.

There will also be a further £276.9 million in funding for the Post Office to help support the breadth of the network. This will enable Post Office to deliver technology transformation and give them the resources to continue administering redress payments to postmasters.

There will also be a scheme launched next month to provide redress to postmasters who faced issues with Post Office products, polices or processes.

These updates will help rebuild trust with postmasters and ensure past failings are fully addressed.

Notes to editors

As of 31 March 2025, approximately £892 million has been paid to over 6,200 claimants across 4 schemes:
- £454 million in the Horizon Shortfall Scheme (HSS), including interim payments
- £67 million in the Overturned Convictions (OC) scheme, including interim payments
- £150 million in the Group Litigation Order (GLO) scheme, including interim payments
- £221 million in the Horizon Convictions Redress Scheme (HCRS), including interim payments
April 9, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Update on Free Trade Agreement negotiations with South Korea [April 2025]
The press release issued by the Department of Business and Trade on 8 April 2025.

Update following round 4 of negotiations on an upgraded Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with South Korea.

Negotiations took place in London between 10 and 21 March 2025.

The fourth round of negotiations to upgrade the existing Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the Republic of Korea (RoK) took place in London between 10 and 21 March 2025. As with previous rounds, negotiators from both sides engaged productively across a broad range of areas in an ongoing effort to enhance and solidify the economic partnership between us.

Negotiations continue to centre around three key objectives:
1. Securing and future proofing existing arrangements: Progress was made in rules of origin discussions. Product Specific Rules were discussed for a range of important exporting sectors. Negotiators will continue to seek a chapter which accounts for both existing and future supply chains.
2. Capturing recent advances in Trade Policy: Negotiations on a new and comprehensive Digital Trade chapter progressed positively, with commitments on data, trade digitisation and business safeguards under discussion this round.
3. Supporting our strategic relationship with the Republic of Korea: During the round good progress was made towards agreeing new cooperation commitments covering areas such as the Environment, Trade and Gender Equality and Supply Chains.
Economic growth is the core mission of this government, and this FTA has an important role to play in supporting our £15.3 billion trade relationship with the Republic of Korea.

The government will only ever sign a trade agreement which aligns with the UK’s national interests, upholding high standards across a range of sectors, including protections for the National Health Service.

The fifth round of negotiations is currently expected to take place in Seoul in the Summer of 2025.
April 9, 2025
NEWS STORY : EU Imposes Retaliatory Tariffs on $23 Billion Worth of U.S. Goods

STORY

In response to the United States’ recent tariffs on steel and aluminium imports, the European Union has announced the implementation of retaliatory tariffs targeting approximately $23 billion (€21 billion) worth of American goods. This decision, approved on 9 April 2025, marks a significant escalation in transatlantic trade tensions.

Scope and Implementation of EU Tariffs

The EU’s countermeasures involve a 25% tariff on a diverse array of U.S. products, including almonds, beef, motorcycles, poultry, fruit, and yachts. These tariffs are scheduled to be introduced in phases, with the initial set taking effect on April 15, 2025, followed by subsequent rounds in May and December.

Political and Economic Considerations

The selection of targeted goods appears strategic, focusing on products from U.S. states that are considered political strongholds of President Donald Trump. This approach aims to exert political pressure while also minimising economic disruption within the EU by choosing items that can be sourced from alternative markets.

While all EU member states supported the move, Hungary was the sole dissenter. The European Commission has emphasised that these measures are reversible, contingent upon the U.S. engaging in fair negotiations.

Global Trade Implications

This development is part of a broader pattern of escalating global trade disputes. Notably, China has also announced an increase in tariffs on U.S. goods to 84%, further intensifying international trade tensions.

Potential for Further Actions

The EU is contemplating additional measures, which may include targeting U.S. tech firms or financial institutions, as the bloc seeks to navigate the extensive reach of U.S. tariffs that now affect a significant portion of EU exports to America. Efforts to negotiate a tariff-free agreement are ongoing, though the U.S. administration’s ultimate objectives remain unclear.

April 9, 2025
NEWS STORY : HMS Prince of Wales Prepares for Eight-Month Multinational Deployment

STORY

The Royal Navy’s flagship aircraft carrier, HMS Prince of Wales, is finalising preparations for an extensive eight-month deployment, underscoring the United Kingdom’s dedication to reinforcing security and fostering trade relations in the Mediterranean and Indo-Pacific regions. Scheduled to depart from Portsmouth on April 22, 2025, the carrier will lead Operation Highmast, a mission involving joint exercises and port visits with international partners.

Deployment Overview

Operation Highmast will encompass a diverse fleet, including warships, supply vessels, and aircraft, assembling off the coast of Cornwall before proceeding to the Mediterranean. The deployment aims to enhance European security through collaborative exercises. Subsequently, the task force will transit the Indian Ocean, engaging with nations such as the United States, India, Singapore, and Malaysia. In total, approximately 4,000 British personnel will participate, comprising around 2,500 from the Royal Navy, 900 from the British Army, and 592 from the Royal Air Force.

Strategic Significance

The Indo-Pacific region holds substantial economic importance for the UK, with trade amounting to £286 billion in goods and services over the 12 months leading up to September 2024, representing 17% of the UK’s total trade during that period. This deployment offers a platform for UK companies to engage in trade events during scheduled port visits, aiming to bolster economic ties and promote British industry.

Official Statements

Defence Secretary John Healey expressed gratitude to the Armed Forces personnel involved, highlighting the operation’s complexity and the UK’s capability to project significant military presence globally. He emphasised the opportunity to collaborate closely with international partners and allies.

Background and Context

This deployment follows previous initiatives aimed at enhancing the UK’s presence in the Indo-Pacific. Notably, in May 2021, HMS Queen Elizabeth led a seven-month global deployment, engaging with over 40 countries and participating in various exercises to strengthen international partnerships.

The current mission aligns with the UK’s broader strategy to address emerging security challenges and support regional stability. In October 2024, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced plans to deploy the Royal Navy to the Pacific to counteract increasing threats and to protect the region’s prosperity and security.

April 9, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Royal Navy aircraft carrier in final preparation to lead multinational deployment to Mediterranean and Indo-Pacific [April 2025]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 8 April 2025.

Nearly 4,000 British personnel will support the deployment, which will deliver trade events in Singapore, Japan, and India, promoting Britain’s world-leading industry.

Final preparations are underway for a multinational deployment, led by the Royal Navy flagship HMS Prince of Wales, reaffirming the UK’s commitment to the security of the Mediterranean and Indo-Pacific, while providing an opportunity to promote British trade and industry.

Aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales is scheduled to sail from Portsmouth on 22 April, where it will proceed to join a formation of warships, supply ships, and aircraft off the coast of Cornwall, before departing for the Mediterranean where it will conduct exercises to reinforce European security.

Around 2,500 personnel from the Royal Navy and 592 from the Royal Air Force will be involved in the eight-month deployment, which will see the group sail through the Indian Ocean to conduct exercises and port visits with partners including the US, India, Singapore, and Malaysia. They will be joined by around 900 personnel from the British Army for exercises during the deployment.

The deployment, named Operation Highmast, provides an opportunity for the UK’s Armed Forces to conduct a major global deployment and a chance to exercise complex operations alongside partners and allies in the region, with 12 other nations supporting the deployment with ships or personnel.

The Indo-Pacific is a critical region for UK trade, with imports and exports in the region worth billions of pounds for the UK economy, and the deployment will provide a chance for UK companies to take part in trade events during port visits.

Trade between the UK and Indo-Pacific accounted for 17% of total trade between the UK and all trading partners in the 12 months to September 2024, with the total amount traded in goods and services between the UK and Indo-Pacific standing at £286 billion in the same period.

As the biggest class of ship in the Royal Navy, the flight decks of HMS Prince of Wales and her sister ship are roughly the size of three football pitches and defended by advanced weapons. A maritime strike force of this size is composed of multiple types of ship, frigates, destroyers, submarines, and supply ships to support logistics.

Defence Secretary, John Healey MP, said:

I want to thank the thousands of our Armed Forces personnel involved in the delivery of this immensely complex operation, demonstrating the UK’s world-leading capability to deploy a major military force around the world.

This is a unique opportunity for the UK to operate in close coordination with our partners and allies in a deployment that not only shows our commitment to security and stability, but also provides an opportunity to bolster our own economy and boost British trade and exports.

As one of only a handful of countries in the world able to lead a deployment of this scale, the Royal Navy is once again demonstrating its formidable capability while protecting British values and sending a powerful message of deterrence to any adversary.

Of the 12 other nations supporting the deployment, Norway will provide a warship to support the carrier strike group for the entire duration of the deployment. Canada and Spain are among the other nations providing support to the deployment.

After its compliment of up to 24 Royal Air Force F-35B Lighting fighter jets is embarked on board HMS Prince of Wales, and the departure for the Mediterranean, the group will initially be placed under NATO command as it joins Exercise Neptune Strike – testing the Alliance’s ability to use high-end maritime strike capabilities, including multiple aircraft carrier and amphibious strike groups.

The group will transit though the Indian Ocean, conducting exercises and port visits with partners including the US, India, Singapore and Malaysia, before joining 19 partner nations for Exercise Talisman Sabre near Australia, and then training alongside the Japanese Self Defence Forces and conducting a port visit to India.

Minister for the Armed Forces, Luke Pollard MP, said:

Through this deployment of our Carrier Strike Group and 4,000 Service Personnel, we will stand firm with our allies against those who challenge the international order. Reminding the world that the security of the Euro Atlantic and Indo-Pacific are fundamentally indivisible.

This isn’t just about hard power; it’s about building influence and opening new trade opportunities both for defence and other sectors of our economy which will deliver British jobs and growth.

This deployment follows the Prime Minister’s historic commitment to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP, demonstrating this Government’s commitment to keep the UK secure at home and strong abroad.

Following the inaugural deployment in 2021, the Carrier Strike Group 2025 highlights the strength of the UK’s leadership in seeking to uphold stability in the Indo-Pacific. This has been bolstered by the Royal Navy’s persistent presence in the region through HMS Spey and HMS Tamar, as well as the landmark Global Combat Air Programme collaboration.

Keeping the country safe is the Government’s first priority and is the foundation of its Plan for Change. The strength, capability and global reach of the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force, demonstrated through Operation Highmast, is critical to the security and stability of the UK, supporting the delivery of the Government’s five missions.

April 9, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Security and renewal at heart of plans for steel sector [April 2025]
The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 8 April 2025.

The Government has hosted the second meeting of the Steel Council today, and reiterated its commitment to British steelmaking.
- Steel sector, union and trade body leaders meet Government to drive forward development of its steel plan as part of drive towards industrial renewal.
- Industry Minister restates the Government’s commitment to British-made steel, including energy cost relief for businesses expected to be worth over £300m in 2025 alone.
- Government is reviewing nearly 100 responses to its steel consultation as it brings forward plans to help the industry secure jobs and deliver economic growth across the UK, as part of its Plan for Change.
Steel sector leaders were reassured about the Government’s plans to revitalise British steelmaking today (8 April) at the second meeting of the Steel Council, bringing together industry leaders to feed into amid global concerns around US tariffs on steel and aluminium.

Industry Minister Sarah Jones hosted the meeting earlier today after the Government’s steel plan green paper consultation closed on 30 March, receiving almost 100 responses and recommendations from business leaders and industry experts.

The meeting follow’s the Prime Minister’s speech yesterday where he pledged to do the right thing by the UK’s national interest, prioritising security and renewal in a changing world.

Minister Jones reiterated the Government’s firm support for industry and its role in delivering economic growth, as well as in the context of global tariffs on steel and aluminium imposed by the US. She assured Steel Council members the Government is continuing to do all it can to stand up for the sector.

The meeting comes as the Government continues to work round the clock to protect jobs at British Steel in Scunthorpe.

CEOs of steel firms including Tata, Liberty, British Steel and others joined leaders from trade unions and the industry’s trade association UK Steel to discuss the sector’s future and the challenges facing it.

Industry Minister Sarah Jones said:

We know this is a concerning time for our steel industry in the face of global challenges. That’s why we’re working in lockstep with industry to drive forward our steel plan so it can help the sector secure jobs, deliver growth and power the modern economy.

This government will always stand up for UK steelmaking, and where others may talk tough, we are acting, with money ready to go to back up British industry. With our steel plan we’re placing it at the heart of our growth mission, and we’ll keep all options on the table to help steel in the UK thrive and deliver on our Plan for Change.

The Steel Council’s second meeting comes as the final measure in the Government’s British Industry Supercharger package – the Network Charging Compensation (NCC) scheme – comes into force, bringing energy costs for steel companies and other energy-intensive industries closer in line with other major economies worldwide.

The first payments to industry from the NCC scheme will be made next month and provide over 15 million in energy price relief for businesses in May alone.

Once fully implemented, the total value of reduced electricity prices from the Supercharger package is expected to be between 320 million and 410 million in 2025, and more than 5 billion over the next 10 years.

Background:

A full list of attendees for the Steel Council meeting is below:
- British Steel
- Celsa Steel UK
- Liberty Steel
- Marcegagalia Stainless Sheffield Ltd
- Sheffield Forgemasters
- TATA Steel
- UK Steel
- British Metals Recycling Association
- Materials Processing Institute
- WMG High Value Manufacturing Catapult
- Community Union
- GMB Union
- Scottish Government
- Welsh Government
- Northern Ireland’s Department for the Economy
April 9, 2025
NEWS STORY : London Director Banned for Misuse of COVID-19 Bounce Back Loans

STORY

A London-based director, Adam Ebrahim, has been disqualified from serving as a company director for 13 years after fraudulently obtaining £100,000 through the COVID-19 Bounce Back Loan Scheme for two companies that never commenced trading.

False Loan Applications for Non-Trading Companies

Ebrahim, 41, of Trevelyan Gardens, London, established Chicken Grill Cottage Ltd and Presto Delivery Ltd in 2019, intending to operate a takeaway service and a parcel delivery business, respectively. Despite neither company beginning operations, Ebrahim applied for Bounce Back Loans in 2020, falsely claiming turnovers of £400,000 for Chicken Grill Cottage Ltd and £235,000 for Presto Delivery Ltd.

In May 2020, he secured a £50,000 loan for Chicken Grill Cottage Ltd, followed by another £50,000 loan for Presto Delivery Ltd in September 2020. Contravening the scheme’s regulations, Ebrahim transferred the funds to his personal account.

Legal Consequences and Official Statement

On March 18, 2025, the High Court in London issued a disqualification order against Ebrahim, effective from April 8, 2025, prohibiting him from involvement in company promotion, formation, or management without court permission until April 2038. Additionally, he was ordered to pay £9,555 in costs.

Kevin Read, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, commented:

“Adam Ebrahim exploited the Bounce Back Loan Scheme by securing two maximum-value loans for companies which never began trading. Ebrahim made matters worse by pocketing the funds when the loans were not supposed to be used for personal purposes. Tackling Bounce Back Loan misconduct remains a key priority for the Insolvency Service more than five years on from the start of the pandemic, and we will continue to take action against those who stole from the public purse during a national emergency.”

Background on the Bounce Back Loan Scheme

The Bounce Back Loan Scheme was introduced by the UK government in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, offering loans of up to £50,000 to support small and medium-sized enterprises. The scheme required applicants to use the funds solely for business purposes and to certify their company’s trading status and turnover accurately. Misrepresentation or misuse of funds under this scheme has led to legal actions and disqualifications, as demonstrated in Ebrahim’s case.

April 9, 2025
NEWS STORY : Romford Joiner Receives Suspended Sentence for Misuse of COVID Bounce Back Loan

STORY

Charles Ling, a 57-year-old joiner from Romford, has been handed a 15-month suspended sentence after fraudulently obtaining a second COVID Bounce Back Loan and using part of the funds for personal expenses. Ling, residing at North Road, Havering-atte-Bower, had previously secured a legitimate £20,000 loan in May 2020 for his business, Bradcon (Bespoke) Joinery Ltd.

In June 2020, Ling applied for an additional £30,000 loan, falsely declaring it as his first application and asserting that the funds would be used solely for business purposes. Subsequent investigations by the Insolvency Service revealed that he withdrew £9,000 in cash and allocated £2,500 towards a mortgage payment shortly after receiving the funds, with none of this £11,500 benefiting his business operations.

On April 2, 2025, Ling was sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court to 15 months in custody, suspended for 18 months, and was ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work. He has since repaid the £30,000 loan following the initiation of prosecution proceedings.

David Snasdell, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, commented:

“Charles Ling stated that this was his first COVID Bounce Back Loan, and that it would be spent wholly on his joinery business, but this was not the case. These loans were designed to help support businesses through the pandemic, not for personal use at the expense of the public purse. We are committed to investigating these cases and bringing those responsible to justice.”

The Bounce Back Loan Scheme was introduced to provide financial support to businesses adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, offering loans up to £50,000 to be repaid over six to ten years. Misuse of these funds undermines the scheme’s intent and depletes resources meant for struggling businesses.

April 9, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : UK Trade Envoy to Bangladesh visits Dhaka to boost trade partnership
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 April 2025.

UK Trade Envoy to Bangladesh, Rt. Hon. the Baroness Rosie Winterton of Doncaster DBE, is visiting Dhaka to strengthen and expand the long-standing economic and trade partnership between the UK and Bangladesh.

While in Dhaka, she will be meeting key officials from the Interim Government of Bangladesh, political parties and business leaders. She will also participate in the Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025. She will be joined by Harjinder Kang, His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner to South Asia.

On her first visit to Bangladesh as UK Trade Envoy, Baroness Winterton will meet Professor Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of the Interim Government of Bangladesh; Professor Lutfey Siddiqi, Chief Adviser’s Special Envoy on International Affairs; Sheikh Bashir Uddin, Adviser, Ministry of Commerce; and Professor Dr. Chowdhury Rafiqul Abrar, Adviser, Ministry of Education. Her meetings will focus on how the two countries will deepen their trade and investment relationship and deliver mutually beneficial growth and job creation. With Harjinder Kang, she will also meet with key stakeholders from the business community and will deliver a keynote speech at the Inauguration Ceremony of the Bangladesh Investment Summit on 9 April 2025, to underscore the UK government’s growth mission.

Baroness Winterton’s discussions with key stakeholders will focus on the UK’s work with the Interim Government on vital economic reforms, the opportunities arising from the commitment to duty free, quota free access to the UK market until 2029 and identifying opportunities to strengthen trade and investment in sectors such as education, aviation, defence and renewable energy.

UK Trade Envoy to Bangladesh Rt. Hon. the Baroness Rosie Winterton of Doncaster DBE said:

The UK is laser-focused on building an economic partnership with Bangladesh that will boost two-way trade and investment between our countries.

From being the third largest market for Bangladeshi ready-made garments to being one of the largest foreign investors in Bangladesh, the UK already has strong foundations to build on and I look forward to solidifying it even further through this visit.

British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke said:

I am delighted to welcome UK Trade Envoy to Bangladesh the Rt. Hon. the Baroness Winterton of Doncaster DBE in her first visit to the country in her new role.

The UK is a major economic and trading partner of Bangladesh, and this visit reiterates the UK’s commitment to boosting two-way trade and investment and supporting Bangladesh’s work on vital economic reforms.

The UK is one of the largest foreign investors in Bangladesh and this visit aims to deepen collaboration in key sectors including education, aviation, defence and renewable energy. The visit will also explore opportunities to increase the presence of UK education institutions. These projects signify major investment opportunities and reflect the UK’s commitment to Bangladesh.

Further information
- the Rt. Hon. the Baroness Winterton of Doncaster DBE was appointed as the United Kingdom Trade Envoy to Bangladesh in January 2025. She plays a key role in strengthening trade and investment ties between the UK and Bangladesh
- Harjinder Kang is His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for South Asia and the British Deputy High Commissioner for Western India. He was appointed in May 2023
April 8, 2025