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Category: Press Releases

  • PRESS RELEASE : The Labour Government need to support schools facing staffing pressures, say Welsh Conservatives [November 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : The Labour Government need to support schools facing staffing pressures, say Welsh Conservatives [November 2022]

    The press release issued by the Welsh Conservatives on 8 November 2022.

    According to a NAHT union survey of 670 schools, pressures on school budgets could mean significant staff cuts across Wales.

    Commenting, Welsh Conservative Shadow Education Minister, Laura Anne Jones MS said:

    “Schools in Wales need proper support from the Labour Government, sorely lacking at present. School budgets are stretched enough from ever increasing demands on them from the Welsh Government, with no or little money to follow those directives.

    “Wales has already seen a 10% fall in teacher numbers since 2011, which represents 4,000 fewer teachers despite there being 7,000 more students. Further staff cuts would add to the growing pressures faced by schools and would be a kick in the teeth to teachers, having worked hard and done so well during the Covid pandemic.

    “Labour have critically underfunded education in Wales for too long. They hold the levers of power, with education devolved, they have no one to blame but themselves.”

    The majority of schools in Wales report that they will have to make redundancies next year:

    More than a third (38%) of schools say they will go into deficit this year, unless they make further cuts.

    Just 5% of schools say they will be able to pay their costs next academic year (23-24) without going into deficit – meaning more than 9 in 10 schools won’t be able to balance their budgets without drastic action.

    Around three quarters (73%) say they will have to make teaching assistants redundant or reduce their hours

    More than half (61%) say they are looking at reducing the number of teachers or teaching hours

    Close to half (48%) of schools said they would be forced to reduce non-educational support and services for children next year. This means cutting back on vital services such as counselling, therapy and mental health support.

    Over half (56%) said they would have to reduce spending on additional targeted interventions for pupils requiring additional support. This means pupils needing extra help or those with ALN may not get the support they need.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Welsh Conservative comment on universal 20mph speed limit [November 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Welsh Conservative comment on universal 20mph speed limit [November 2022]

    The press release issued by the Welsh Conservatives on 7 November 2022.

    Commenting on research surrounding the implementation of 20mph zones in Wales, Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Transport, Natasha Asghar MS said:

    “Introducing 20mph speed limits should be decided by local councils and for places such as outside of schools and playgrounds. The research is far from conclusive with studies having shown that 20mph limits could have a detrimental impact on issues such as public transport as the tight timetable that many busses run on could be affected.

    “Labour have already admitted that this policy will come at an astonishing cost of £4.5bn to the Welsh economy, proving they are doing everything possible to stunt growth in Wales.

    “Labour ministers need to stop imposing dogmatic and restrictive measures on road users in Wales and focus on making sure Wales has a public transport system fit for the 21st century.”

  • PRESS RELEASE : EU-US-UK Joint Statement on global food security and Russia sanctions [November 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : EU-US-UK Joint Statement on global food security and Russia sanctions [November 2022]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 November 2022.

    The world faces acute food and nutrition challenges. Conflict, climate change and the lasting impacts of COVID-19 are having devastating effects on local and global food systems and the people who rely on them. Russia’s unprovoked aggression against Ukraine has significantly worsened these challenges and vulnerabilities.

    The European Union, the United States of America and the United Kingdom, alongside other G7 members and our international partners, are at the forefront of global efforts to address food insecurity that is affecting millions of vulnerable people in developing countries, whilst also driving up living costs in our own countries.

    We have always been clear that the target of our sanctions is Russia’s war machine and not the food or fertiliser sectors. To that end, we have provided clarity to industry and partners. This includes the UK’s publication of a General Licence, the US General Licence 6B; as well as updated and detailed EU guidance . These provisions make clear that banks, insurers, shippers, and other actors can continue to bring Russian food and fertiliser to the world.

    We call on our global partners, and on the actors, industries and services involved in agricultural trade, to take note of these provisions; to act in accordance with them; to bring Ukrainian and Russian food and fertiliser to meet acute demand; and to continue to advance the accessibility of food to all.

    We reiterate our call on all countries to demonstrate their support for the Black Sea Grain Initiative. We call on the parties to the Initiative to extend its term and scale up its operations to meet the evident demand. And we reiterate our support for other efforts by the United Nations to facilitate access to food and fertiliser in global markets.

    Overall, we are united in our commitment and resolve to address food insecurity. We are working to meet humanitarian needs, keep food and fertilisers moving, provide emergency funding, improve resilience, and to accelerate the transition to sustainable food systems to withstand future challenges. We are taking action alongside partners to mobilise the international community, including through the UN-led Global Crisis Response Group (GCRG) on Food, Energy and Finance, the G7 Global Alliance for Food Security (GAFS), the Roadmap – Call to Action and the EU-led Solidarity Lanes.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK and international partners announce further sanctions against Iranian officials [November 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK and international partners announce further sanctions against Iranian officials [November 2022]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 November 2022.

    The UK and international partners have announced coordinated sanctions on Iranian officials who are leading the violent repression of protests in Iran.

    Protests continue across Iran following the tragic death of 22 year old Mahsa Amini, in the custody of Iran’s so-called Morality Police, who were sanctioned by the UK on 10 October. The Iranian authorities have responded to the protests with violence, reportedly killing hundreds and injuring thousands of others.

    The Foreign Secretary has announced the UK will designate Communications Minister Issa Zarepour and a range of local law enforcement and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) officials who have been involved in and ordered the crackdown on protests.

    Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said:

    These sanctions target officials within the Iranian regime who are responsible for heinous human rights violations.

    Together with our partners, we have sent a clear message to the Iranian regime – the violent crackdown on protests must stop and freedom of expression must be respected.

    The Iranian people could not be clearer. It’s time for the regime to stop blaming external actors and start listening to the voices of their people.

    Zarepour and Vahid Mohammad Naser Majid (chief of Iran’s Cyber Police) have been designated for shutting down the internet in Iran, including disabling Whatsapp and Instagram, and banning the use of the Google Play app and Virtual Private Networks (VPNs).

    Their actions are part of a wider clampdown on freedom of expression in Iran which has included the arrest and detention of more than 40 journalists and Iranian girls being sent to ‘psychological centres’ for protesting for their right to choose what to wear, according to regime officials.

    22 other Iranian political and security officials are designated today in response to the continued brutal violence aimed at protestors, in provinces including:

    • Sistan and Baluchestan – On 30 September, over 80 people were reportedly killed in the city of Zahedan. Today the UK has sanctioned Ahmad Taheri (former chief of the Law Enforcement Force in Sistan and Baluchestan), Mahmoud Saadati (former chief of the Law Enforcement Force in Zahedan), Hossein Maroufi (deputy co-ordinator of mobilization of the IRGC in Sistan and Baluchestan), Ahmad Shafahi (commander of the IRGC Salman Corps in Sistan and Baluchestan) and Hossein Modarres Khiabani (governor of Sistan and Baluchestan).
    • Kurdistan – Protests have been brutally cracked down across the province, including in the cities of Sanandaj and Mahsa Amini’s hometown of Saqqez. Today the UK has sanctioned Ali Azadi (chief of the Law Enforcement Force in Kurdistan), Ali Reza Moradi (chief of the Law Enforcement Force in Sanandaj), Ali Sayd Safari (chief of the Law Enforcement Force in Saqqez), Abbas Abdi (chief of the Law Enforcmeent Force in Divandarreh), Sereng Hossein Rajabpour (Basij commander in Bijar), Morteza Mir Aghaei (Basij commander in Sanandaj), Esmaeil Zarei Kousha (governor of Kurdistan) and Sardar Seyed Sadegh Hosseini (senior commander of the IRGC in Kurdistan).
    • Tehran – At Sharif University in Tehran, Iranian security services used live rounds and tear gas against students, barricading them inside the university building. Today the UK has sanctioned Hossein Rahimi (chief of the Law Enforcement Force in Tehran) and Hasan Hassanzadeh (senior commander of the IRGC in Tehran)

    These sanctions will ensure that the individuals on the list cannot travel to the UK and any of their assets held in the UK will be frozen.

    The UK has already designated a number of high-ranking security and political figures, as well as the Morality Police, for their roles in protests in Iran.

    The Foreign Secretary also summoned the Iranian Chargé d’Affaires last week to make clear that the UK does not tolerate threats from foreign nations against individuals here.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Shocking extent of Class Pay Gap revealed [November 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Shocking extent of Class Pay Gap revealed [November 2022]

    The press release issued by the Social Mobility Foundation on 13 November 2022.

    The Department for Opportunities (DO), our campaigns and advocacy arm, has today released research that reveals the shocking extend of the UK’s Class Pay Gap.

    Professionals from working-class backgrounds are being paid an average of £6,718 less than peers from middle-class backgrounds.

    Read the full research on the Department for Opportunities website.

    The research was exclusively covered by The Observer here, accompanied with an opinion piece by our Chair, the Rt Hon. Alan Milburn, here.

    To bring to life the horror of classism in the workplace, DO has created its first piece of short-form entertainment STAY DOWN featuring Michael Socha and Jo Hartley with Jonathan Hyde.

    It follows DO’s first campaign on the Class Pay Gap last year which created the Class Pay Gap Day. The 2022 Class Pay Gap day is 14 November 2022.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Universities call on government to back world-leading UK research and innovation ahead of autumn statement [November 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Universities call on government to back world-leading UK research and innovation ahead of autumn statement [November 2022]

    The press release issued by Universities UK on 13 November 2022.

    Ahead of the autumn statement on 17 November, we are urging the Chancellor to recommit to uplifting investment on research and development (R&D). This long-term investment will ensure that universities can continue to support growth and prosperity across the whole of the UK.

    We have joined with more than 100 business organisations, education leaders and individual researchers in writing to the Chancellor urging the government not to cut R&D funding. This funding is the engine of growth, enabling universities to attract investment and talent, make world-leading discoveries, generate knowledge, and create and nurture new, innovative businesses and jobs across the UK.

    Research and innovation creates growth and opportunity

    This call follows our recently published report ‘Our Universities: Generating Growth and Opportunity’ highlighting the ways in which universities can play a bigger role in generating economic growth by supporting jobs and prosperity, boosting skills and opportunities, and building pride in place and local communities.

    University research excellence is also well-distributed geographically across the whole of the UK, with recent assessments showing over 80% of submitted research activity to be world-leading or internationally excellent.

    University-led research and infrastructure lays the foundation for new innovations, and universities are directly involved in the creation of new businesses as well as future-facing jobs:

    • Despite the pandemic, in 2020/21 alone, 4,936 new businesses emerged from universities.
    • Businesses that emerged from universities in 2020/21 employed 95,503 people and attracted over £7 billion of external investment.
    • In the same period, these firms had an estimated turnover of nearly £13 billion.
    • It is also estimated that university research and innovation will lead to an additional 20,000 new businesses in the next 5 years.
    • In 2020-21 alone, universities had 75,500 contracts providing businesses with consultancy, and 17,000 to provide facilities and equipment, to develop innovative products and services.

    Investment in R&D supports universities to work with local and national businesses through consultancy or contract research, providing specialist advice and access to the latest facilities and equipment to develop innovative products.

    Losing EU funding

    This fiscal event also comes at a time of continued uncertainty over the UK’s association to Horizon Europe, and EU structural funds coming to an end this year. We are urging government to secure association to Horizon Europe and protect the budget set aside to fund alternatives and for urgent action to avoid the loss of hundreds of vital growth-boosting research and innovation projects at risk, which will see their EU funding end this year.

    Not losing momentum

    Following the last austerity era, there were suggestions that the UK’s research output may have lost momentum in terms of international competitiveness. We do not want to lose our momentum again at a time when growth is a key strategic priority.

    Public funding for university research and innovation is key to driving long-term economic growth and prosperity across the UK. Certainty around public funding will also help leverage the private investment needed to achieve the government’s ambition. Ensuring this funding is stable and long-term creates the conditions for effective collaboration and high-risk innovation activities leading to transformational breakthroughs – such as the Covid-19 vaccine.

  • PRESS RELEASE : COP27 – Global Shield branded a ‘cynical distraction’ – Friends of the Earth [November 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : COP27 – Global Shield branded a ‘cynical distraction’ – Friends of the Earth [November 2022]

    The press release issued by the Friends of the Earth on 14 November 2022.

    Responding to the launch of Germany and the G7’s Global Shield against climate risks, Rachel Kennerley, international climate campaigner at Friends of the Earth, said:

    “New funding is urgently needed to support the communities facing devastating loss and damage due to the impacts of the climate crisis.

    “But wealthy governments funnelling money from existing finance pledges to subsidise insurance companies is not the solution that climate vulnerable countries have been calling for.

    “At COP27, we need to see the world’s worst historic emitters, like the G7, stop sidestepping their responsibility and commit to provide support directly to those on the frontlines of a crisis they did the least to cause.”

    Bareesh Chowdhury, Asia Pacific regional facilitator at Friends of the Earth International, said:

    “Here at the climate talks, countries facing devastating storms and deadly floods are demanding a funding facility to help them deal with these worsening disasters.

    “But instead of meeting their call, Germany and other rich governments are distracting from this vital need for finance by proposing their own cynical scheme that focuses on insurance instead of badly needed funds.”

  • PRESS RELEASE : Final consultation on revised proposals open now – Last chance to help reshape constituencies [November 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Final consultation on revised proposals open now – Last chance to help reshape constituencies [November 2022]

    The press release issued by the Boundary Commission for England on 8 November 2022.

    The Boundary Commission for England today publishes new revised proposals for constituencies across the country and opens a final month-long consultation, giving the public a last opportunity to send in their views.

    The Commission has taken into consideration over 45,000 comments sent in by the public during the previous two stages of public consultation, and has changed nearly half of its initial proposals based on this feedback. A third and final consultation on the new map of revised constituency proposals is open now until 5 December. The public are invited to view and comment on the new map at bcereviews.org.uk.

    The Commission is undertaking an independent review of all constituencies in England as requested by Parliament. The number of electors within each constituency currently varies widely due to population changes since the last boundary review. The 2023 Boundary Review will rebalance the number of electors each MP represents, resulting in significant change to the existing constituency map. As part of the review, the number of constituencies in England will increase from 533 to 543.

    After this final consultation has closed on 5 December, the Commission will analyse the responses and form its final recommendations. These will be submitted to Parliament by 1 July 2023.

    Tim Bowden, Secretary to the Boundary Commission for England, said: 

    “Today we are announcing the publication of our revised proposals. Last year we published our initial proposals for new constituency boundaries – our first go at what the map should look like. We are delighted with the huge number of comments from members of the public on our initial proposals, many which included valuable evidence about local communities.

    Today’s publication is the culmination of months of analysis and we have revised nearly half of our initial proposals based on what people have told us. We now believe we are close to the best map of constituencies that can be achieved under the rules we are working to.

    However, we still want people to tell us what they think of this latest map before we submit our final recommendations to Parliament next year. This is our final consultation and I encourage you to participate in the 2023 Boundary Review.”

  • PRESS RELEASE : NALC calls on local councils to respond to final consultation on new parliamentary constituencies [November 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : NALC calls on local councils to respond to final consultation on new parliamentary constituencies [November 2022]

    The press release issued by the National Association of Local Councils on 11 November 2022.

    The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) calls on local (parish and town) councils to respond to the final consultation on new parliamentary constituencies.

    The Boundary Commission for England (BCE) has opened a final consultation on its proposals for new parliamentary constituencies as part of the 2023 Boundary Review. The commission is required by Parliament to undertake an independent and impartial review of all constituencies in England, to rebalance the number of electors in each constituency. The 2023 Boundary Review also requires that the number of constituencies in England increase from 533 to 543.

    The commission has listened to the feedback sent in from the public so far and has changed nearly half of the initial proposals published last year. The new revised proposals are now available to view via an interactive map on the consultation website.

    Residents and communities can respond by visiting bcereviews.org.uk and commenting on the proposals via the website, email or letter. Hard copies of the proposals are also available to view at public places of deposit listed on the Boundary Commission for England website. Feedback can be given on anything from where the proposed electoral boundaries are to the suggestions for new constituency names.

    Once the consultation has closed, the commission will look at all the feedback sent in and consider whether any changes should be made to the revised proposals for constituency boundaries. Final recommendations will then be submitted to Parliament by 1 July 2023, and the new constituencies will take effect at the next General Election.

    The consultation is open until 5 December 2022.

    Respond to the consultation

    Read the guide to the 2023 review

  • PRESS RELEASE : Richard Graham reappointed Trade Envoy to boost trade and investment with Indo-Pacific [November 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Richard Graham reappointed Trade Envoy to boost trade and investment with Indo-Pacific [November 2022]

    The press release issued by the Department for International Trade on 14 November 2022.

    • Prime Minister reappoints Richard Graham MP as Trade Envoy to Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and ASEAN
    • Graham to continue promoting UK trade in the region and encourage inward investment across the UK
    • News comes as the Prime Minister travels to Indonesia today for the G20 Leaders’ Summit

    Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has today (Monday 14 November) re-appointed Richard Graham MP as Trade Envoy to Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to boost British business in the region.

    The Indo-Pacific region is a key trading area for the UK as we pivot towards dynamic economies right across the world. The region is expected to account for the majority of global economic growth between 2019 and 2050, with demand for the types of key industries the UK specialises in – from life sciences to media to technology.

    UK-ASEAN trade was worth £39.3 billion in the four quarters to the end of Q1 2022 – an increase of 12% from the same period last year.

    In 2020 we became ASEAN’s first new Dialogue Partner in 25 years as part of plans to boost trade ties with this dynamic trading bloc in Southeast Asia. We have developed a new joint Plan of Action to strengthen security ties, deepen our economic partnership and strengthen resilience to shared challenges, such as global health security and climate change.

    Richard Graham will use his skills, experience, and market knowledge to help UK businesses find new export and investment opportunities and promote UK trade in the region.

    Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch said:

    Now is the time to future-proof our economy and seizing the post-Brexit opportunities in the Indo-Pacific will help us do it.

    These are some of the largest, fastest growing and most innovative markets on the planet and they are eager to trade with us.

    I’m delighted to see Richard re-appointed to this role to help foster closer ties with the region, encourage British businesses to grow and expand deliver jobs across the UK.

    The news comes as the Prime Minister travels to Indonesia today to take part in the G20 Leaders’ Summit.

    The UK and Indonesia have a history of science and innovation partnerships with more than 1,200 joint publications since the start of the millennium. Indonesia is currently the world’s 10th biggest economy in terms of purchasing power parity and is projected to be the fourth biggest by 2050.

    Last month the UK signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indonesia to boost investment in sectors the UK excels in including life sciences, renewable energy, and access to critical minerals.

    The deal will help UK businesses support clean infrastructure projects across Indonesia – such as tidal energy – and make it easier for UK firms to access Indonesia’s vast resources of vital minerals such as nickel, crucial for building our growing fleet of electric vehicles.

    The UK also has a new Joint Economic Trade Committee (JETCO) with Indonesia, with the first Ministerial level talks taking place in February 2022, seeking to improve trade ties in key sectors.

    The UK and Malaysia have also recently agreed to upgrade its trading relationship to a JETCO, with Ministerial level talks expected to begin in 2023.