Category: Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE : UK announces major new package of climate support at COP27 [November 2022]
The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 7 November 2022.
- PM to launch major international climate package to deliver on the UK’s Glasgow legacy at COP27
- New announcements include £65.5m for green tech innovation and significant clean energy investments with Kenya and Egypt
- UK will also launch a new Forests and Climate Leaders’ Partnership and confirm more than £150m for protecting rainforests and natural habitats, including the Congo Basin and Amazon
- Rishi Sunak will reaffirm the UK’s steadfast commitment to supporting countries on the frontline of climate change
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will cement the UK’s COP legacy with a series of announcements on energy transition, climate financing and forest and nature preservation, as he hands over the baton to Egypt at COP27 today [Monday 7th November].

The UK continues deliver on our key funding commitments, spending £11.6 billion on international climate finance. Recognising the existential threat climate change is already posing around the world – from catastrophic floods in Pakistan to drought in Somalia – the Government will commit to triple funding for climate adaptation as part of that budget, from £500m in 2019 to £1.5bn in 2025.

The Prime Minister will also host an event later today to launch the Forests and Climate Leaders’ Partnership. The new group, initially comprising 20 countries, will meet twice yearly to track commitments on the landmark Forests and Land Use declaration at COP26, which aims to halt and reverse forest loss by 2030.

To support the forest agenda, the UK is committing £90m today for conservation in the Congo Basin, a vital tropical rainforest which is home to some 10,000 species of tropical plants and several endangered species, including forest elephants, chimpanzees and mountain gorillas.

The PM will also confirm £65 million in funding for the Nature, People and Climate Investment Fund, which supports indigenous and local forest communities, and new financing for Treevive, which is working to conserve and restore two million hectares of tropical forest.

As we hand over the Presidency of COP, the Government is focused in particular on partnering with the private sector to facilitate green innovation and energy transition, at home and around the world. As well as helping the drive for net zero, reducing the global demand for oil and gas cuts off the funds for Russia’s brutal war machine.

In support of this, the Prime Minister will announce a further £65.5 million for the Clean Energy Innovation Facility today, which provides grants to researchers and scientists in developing countries to accelerate the development of clean technology. Since the BEIS-led fund was launched in 2019 it has supported the creation of biomass-powered refrigeration in India, prototype lithium-ion batteries in Nigeria and clean hydrogen-based fuels for steel production in Morocco, among other innovations.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is expected to tell COP27 later today:

The world came together in Glasgow with one last chance to create a plan that would limit global temperature rises to 1.5 degrees. The question today is: can we summon the collective will to deliver on those promises?

I believe we can. By honouring the pledges we made in Glasgow, we can turn our struggle against climate change into a global mission for new jobs and clean growth.

And we can bequeath our children a greener planet and a more prosperous future. That’s a legacy we could be proud of.

As well as supporting innovation, the UK is working with G7 allies to provide countries with reliable, transparent sources of sustainable infrastructure financing. Ahead of an expected meeting later today between the Prime Minister and President Ruto, the UK and Kenya have reaffirmed their commitment to the UK-Kenya Strategic Partnership and agreed to progress a number of flagship green investment projects.

The projects include new and expanded solar and geothermal power plants in Kenya backed by British International Investment, UK export financing for Nairobi’s ground-breaking Railway City and a major Public-private Partnership on the $3 billion Grand High Falls Dam hydropower project led by UK firm GBM Engineering.

The UK will also confirm new financial support for Egypt’s flagship COP27 initiative, the ‘Nexus on Food, Water and Energy’. The funding will develop projects including solar parks and energy storage innovations, and is expected to mobilise billions in private sector finance.

The Prime Minister is also expected to hold a series of bilateral meetings at COP27 today, including with French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni.

He will also attend a roundtable discussion focused on energy transition partnerships, and will deliver a national plenary statement later in the day setting out the UK’s climate commitments.
November 7, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : PM pledges to make UK a clean energy superpower ahead of COP27 [November 2022]
The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 7 November 2022.
- PM to travel to Egypt to galvanise action on the climate commitments made at COP26 in Glasgow
- Rishi Sunak will pledge to speed up the transition to renewables to create new high-wage jobs, protect UK energy security and deliver on net zero
- UK to chair a high-level meeting on forests and announce new support for climate-vulnerable countries
The Prime Minister will urge countries to deliver on the Glasgow Climate Pact and set out his intention to make the UK a clean energy superpower when he travels to COP27 in Egypt today [Sunday 6th November].

The UK has already cut carbon emissions faster than any other G7 country, with renewable sources like wind and solar now making up more than 40 percent of our energy supply – a four-fold increase on a decade ago.

Addressing COP27 tomorrow, Rishi Sunak will say that in light of the shock to the energy markets caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the UK will work with international allies to go further and faster to transition to cheaper, cleaner and safer sources of energy. We will only be able to ensure households and businesses have reliable, affordable fuel by solving the climate crisis and ensuring renewables are at the heart of our energy security.

There are already around 430,000 jobs in low carbon businesses and their supply chains across the country, supported by £30 billion in government support for the Green Industrial Revolution in the last 18 months. The transition to renewables will create more high wage, high skill jobs across the UK in the industries of the future.

As the UK hands over the presidency to Egypt, Rishi Sunak will urge leaders gathering in Sharm el-Sheikh not to backslide on the promise of COP26, where countries came together to sign the landmark Glasgow Climate Pact.

The Prime Minister will hold meetings with fellow world leaders to discuss new partnerships on energy security, green technology and environmental protection, and is expected to announce further funding for conservation in threatened tropical rainforests and support for countries on the frontline of climate change.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:

When the world came together in Glasgow last year, nations agreed an historic roadmap for preventing catastrophic global warming. As I travel to COP27 in Egypt today, it is more important than ever that we deliver on those pledges.

Fighting climate change is not just a moral good – is it fundamental to our future prosperity and security. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and contemptible manipulation of energy prices has only reinforced the importance of ending our dependence on fossil fuels.

We need to move further and faster to transition to renewable energy, and I will ensure the UK is at the forefront of this global movement as a clean energy superpower.

The Prime Minister is expected to chair a meeting of world leaders on forests and nature, to drive progress on the landmark pledge signed by more than 100 countries last November to halt and reverse deforestation and damaging land use by 2030.

He will also attend a roundtable on energy transition partnerships, which are utilising public and private sector funds to support low and middle-income countries like South Africa to move away from fossil fuels and grow their green economies.

UK COP President Alok Sharma is in Sharm el-Sheikh today for handover ceremony to Egypt, ahead of two weeks of intensive climate negotiations. Foreign Secretary James Cleverly will also travel to COP27 with the Prime Minister, and other ministers are expected to attend throughout the summit.
November 7, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Stephen Dunne helps mark 100 years of policing at Stormont [November 2022]

The press release issued by the DUP on 4 November 2022.

North Down MLA Stephen Dunne has paid tribute to the “legacy to be proud of” in 100 years of policing. The DUP MLA hosted an event for the NI Retired Police Officers Association at Stormont on Thursday evening.

The guest of honour at the event was former Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan GBE QPM.

Speaking after the event Mr Dunne said, “It was a real honour and privilege to host members of the NIRPOA at Stormont, marking 100 years of policing. The strapline for the event was a “legacy to be proud of” and there can be no more fitting summary for all those who have served our community throughout the last century.

For the vast majority of that time they served under the banner of the Royal Ulster Constabulary and over many decades that brought with it a significant threat. That service and sacrifice was recognised through the award of the George Cross, but it is important that we continue to remember and highlight the proud history of policing here.

Northern Ireland has made significant progress and whilst there are still many challenges that we face, we are able to build on the foundation laid for us by all those who served to protect the community and uphold the law here.

November 7, 2022
Carla Lockhart – 2022 Statement on Meeting with Chris Heaton-Harris

The statement made by Carla Lockhart, the DUP MP for Upper Bann, on 2 November 2022.

It is deeply regrettable that the Secretary of State has continued down the pathway of Brandon Lewis by commissioning abortion services here in Northern Ireland.

This is a devolved matter. It is for those elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly, and those appointed to serve in any future Executive, to decide on the law regarding abortion in this part of the United Kingdom.

In a society where there are such deeply held views, on both sides of the argument, it is not surprising that reaching consensus on this issue at Stormont has been elusive. However, the answer to that is not to impose the pro-abortion minority viewpoint, when the clear majority in Northern Ireland are against the liberal abortion regime being pursued by the Secretary of State.

We made this point forcibly to the Secretary of State and that his actions undermine both the devolution settlement in Northern Ireland and how devolution might be viewed by many people. The Secretary of State should be working to see the return of devolution and local decision making in Northern Ireland, not stripping away key decisions.

November 7, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Business secretary urged to honour commitment on £400 payment in Northern Ireland [November 2022]

The press release issued by the DUP on 2 November 2022.

DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has pressed the Government to honour the commitment made by the previous Prime Minister that households in Northern Ireland would receive their £400 energy payment in November, and certainly before Christmas.

He was speaking after a meeting today with the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

Sir Jeffrey said, “The cost of living crisis is impacting families across every corner of the United Kingdom, and it is vital that the support from our UK Government benefits all those families equally.

The previous Prime Minister was clear in her commitment that households in Northern Ireland would receive the £400 energy bill discount in November. The current Prime Minister has also been very clear in his resolve to ensure that the UK will support those in need during this crisis.

Comments from the Utility Regulator that payments may not be made until January have caused great concern for many people and the Government must act to reassure people in this part of the United Kingdom. Given the delay and the urgency, the £400 should also be made as a single payment rather than in a number of instalments.

I have urged the Business Secretary to end this uncertainty and offer reassurance to households in Northern Ireland. As we approach ever-darker and colder days, the need for energy support increases. We are already in the midst of this crisis and people must have certainty when they attempt to prepare their family budget.”

November 7, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Foreign Secretary at COP27 pledges new support for developing countries to deal with climate change [November 2022]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 7 November 2022.
- Foreign Secretary travels to Egypt for COP27 climate change conference
- James Cleverly will today announce a range of investments worth over £100 million
- He will also urge international partners to speed up progress towards delivering on COP26 targets.
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly is in Sharm el-Sheikh at COP27 today to call for tangible action to deliver on the commitments made at COP26 in Glasgow and support developing economies to tackle the impacts of climate change.

The Foreign Secretary will today announce a range of significant UK investments worth more than £100 million to support developing economies to respond to climate-related disasters and adapt to the impacts of climate change, delivering on targets set at COP26.

The Prime Minister is expected to make a raft of adaptation-related announcements at the conference later today, including that the UK will triple funding for adaptation programmes from £500 million in 2019 to £1.5 billion in 2025

Mr Cleverly will also argue that long-term prosperity depends on taking action on climate change and ramping up investment in renewable energy across the world, pointing to the impact of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine on the global economy.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said:

The Glasgow Climate Pact gave the world the tools to limit the rise in global temperature to 1.5 degrees and build a secure and sustainable future.

Now is the time for all countries to step up their action on climate change and deliver the tangible change needed.

The UK will continue to play a leading role in this mission. The funding we have announced will support countries which are facing the devastating impact of climate change, to adapt effectively.

The Foreign Secretary will announce today that the UK will provide £20.7 million in Disaster Risk Financing to support countries which face climate-related disasters, helping them to afford insurance and to access reliable funding, more quickly, after a disaster.

As an example, this funding will allow the World Food Programme to insure food supplies for almost 5 million people across 23 vulnerable countries in cases of climate-related disasters, and will help small island developing states build resilience to extreme weather events.

This support is part of the commitment made in 2021 at the UK G7 in Carbis Bay, Cornwall, to spend £120 million on Disaster Risk Financing.

The UK will also announce several new funding allocations to support countries to adapt to the impacts of climate change over the longer-term. The UK will spend £13 million to support vulnerable countries to adapt to climate impacts, and towards efforts to avert, minimize and address loss and damage, including through new funding for the Santiago Network, an organisation set up to support vulnerable countries to access technical assistance on adaptation.

In Nigeria, the UK will provide a £95 million investment to support the development of climate-resilient agriculture programmes, for example through scaling up heat tolerant crop varieties. The funding will support more than 4 million people, including 2 million women, to increase productivity while reducing emissions.

At a meeting with his Colombian counterparts, the Foreign Secretary will also sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Colombia to renew their “Partnership for Sustainable Growth”, deepening bilateral cooperation on climate change and increasing efforts to protect and restore nature and biodiversity in land and marine ecosystems.

Under the UK’s COP Presidency, almost all developed country climate finance providers made new, forward-looking climate finance commitments, with many doubling or even quadrupling support for developing countries to take climate action.

The Climate Finance Delivery Plan Progress Report has reaffirmed that the climate finance goal will be met by developed countries by 2023 latest, with over $500bn mobilised over the 5-year period 2021-25.
November 7, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Arrests made ahead of planned motorway protest activity [November 2022]

The press release issued by the Met Police on 6 November 2022.

The Met has launched a significant proactive policing operation to identify and arrest people we have strong reason to believe are intent on causing reckless and serious disruption to the public.

We have worked with surrounding forces and the National Police Coordination Centre (NPoCC) to ensure that there is a joined up response to this clear threat.

Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said: “Acting on intelligence, this operation is fast-moving and will continue this evening and overnight with multiple arrest enquiries underway. So far this evening we have made three arrests linked to this activity.

“This is an evolving situation and we suspect the intent of these individuals is disproportionate to any legitimate right to protest and clearly crosses the line into unlawful activity.

“Our investigation has strong reason to suspect the Just Stop Oil group intend to disrupt major motorway road networks which would risk serious harm to the public, with reckless action to obstruct the public on a large scale.

“All those arrested are suspected of engaging in conspiracy to cause public nuisance contrary to Section 78 Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022.

“There remains a possibility outstanding suspects are still intent on causing unlawful disruption to the public. The Met has mobilised specialist teams and drawn police officers from across the capital to respond.

“We are calling on the public to assist us. Remain vigilant – if you see something suspicious or witness an attempt to cause disruption call 999 immediately.

“Operations like these come at a cost. Since the start of October we have used more than 10,000 officer shifts to police Just Stop Oil protests. These are officers who would otherwise be dealing with issues that matter to local communities, such as knife crime, safeguarding and responding to burglaries.

“We are determined to bring to justice all of those who conspire to cause significant and unreasonable disruption to London, or cause damage to buildings, property or valuables. It’s what the public expects, and we’ll work closely with the Crown Prosecution Service and Courts to make sure this happens.”

November 7, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : PwC comments on the latest Bank of England interest rate decision [November 2022]

The press release issued by PWC on 3 November 2022.

Barret Kupelian, Senior Economist at PwC, comments on today’s BoE interest rate decision:

“Surprising no one, the Bank of England today increased its policy rate by 75 basis points to 3% which is its biggest hike for thirty years. At the same time, the Bank also released its Monetary Policy Report, which contains its latest thinking on the good, the bad and the ugly of the UK economic outlook. We summarise below.”

“The good: Consistent with our own forecast, the Bank thinks consumer price inflation will peak by the end of this year and gradually fall from early next year as the energy price falls out of the annual comparison. In its main scenario, the inflation rate falls under target by the second quarter of 2024 using market-determined interest rate paths, or slightly later when conditioned against a more accommodative policy rate of 3%.”

“The bad: The Bank expects Sterling’s effective rate to remain around 5% lower than its 2020/1 average or around 25% lower than its pre-financial crisis rate for the foreseeable future. However, the Bank also expects UK consumers and businesses to be hit with all the downsides of cheaper sterling (i.e. more expensive imports with import inflation expected to peak at 16% by the end of the year), but with very little of the upsides (i.e. higher volume of goods and service exports). In net terms the Bank expects virtually no growth spurt from cheaper sterling.”

“And the ugly: The Bank of England predicts that there will be virtually no growth in the next couple of years and a prolonged period of recession.This is a significantly worse economic performance compared to our peers, i.e. the US and the Eurozone. More worryingly, the Bank expects no growth in labour productivity and a fall in business investment, all of which make the UK a less attractive place to do business. Precisely because of the lack of growth, the Bank expects the unemployment rate to steadily increase to just around 6.5% in three years’ time.”

November 7, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : UK’s first large-scale merchant lithium refinery announced [November 2022]

The press release issued by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on 7 November 2022.

Today the Business Secretary Grant Shapps is visiting Teesside to announce the UK’s first large-scale merchant lithium refinery, providing battery grade materials for use in the electric vehicle, renewable energy and consumer technology supply chains.

In a boost for Levelling Up and government plans to make the UK the best place in the world to do business, Green Lithium has unveiled Teesport in Middlesbrough as the site for their forthcoming lithium refinery, delivering more than 1,000 jobs in construction and 250 long-term high-skill jobs for local people once up and running. 89% of the world’s lithium processing currently takes place in East Asia and there are currently no lithium refineries in Europe. Green Lithium aims for this to be the first merchant lithium refinery outside of Asia.

The UK Government has backed Green Lithium with a grant of over £600,000 through the Automotive Transformation Fund.

Lithium is an essential component of batteries and a secure supply will be critical for our automotive and energy industries. Critical minerals are irreplaceable in products essential to our everyday lives – such as mobile phones, wind turbines and fighter jets.

Critical minerals are at high risk of supply disruption, because of volatile markets and complex supply chains. The world in 2040 is projected to need four times more critical minerals than it does today.

Business Secretary Grant Shapps said:

We’re backing companies, like Green Lithium here in Teesside, to grow the new, green industries across the UK, sparking jobs and growth for decades to come.

This is levelling up in action. The refinery will deliver more than 1,000 jobs during its construction and 250 long-term, high-skill jobs for local people when in operation.

It is also allowing us to move quickly to secure our supply chains of critical minerals, as we know that geopolitical threats and global events beyond our control can severely impact the supply of key components that could delay the rollout of electric vehicles in the UK.

November 7, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : UK strengthens Taiwan trade ties as Minister visits Taipei [November 2022]
The press release issued by the Department for International Trade on 7 November 2022.
- Trade Policy Minister Greg Hands heads to Taiwan for first in-person trade talks since pandemic
- During a two-day visit, he will meet President Tsai Ing-wen and co-host the 25th annual UK-Taiwan Trade Talks
- The Minister will use talks to tackle barriers to trade and promote UK expertise in areas like offshore wind and hydrogen
Trade Minister Greg Hands will co-host the UK-Taiwan 25th annual Trade Talks in Taipei to boost trade and future-proof our economy through collaboration on green trade and supply chains.

With its advanced, high-tech economy, a GDP of over $770 billion, and strong economic growth – averaging 4% over the last 30 years – Taiwan is an important trading partner for the UK.

Visiting Taiwan in person is a clear signal of the UK’s commitment to boosting UK-Taiwan trade ties. Like the UK, Taiwan is a champion of free and fair trade underpinned by a rules-based global trading system.

The talks with Deputy Minister Chern-Chyi Chen will look at tackling barriers to trade in sectors like fintech, food and drink and pharma, aimed at helping more UK firms export and invest in Taiwan. The Minister will also promote UK expertise in offshore wind, hydrogen and electric vehicles in discussions on areas of mutual interest such as renewables and science and innovation.

Minister of State for Trade Policy Greg Hands said:

“I first visited Taiwan 31 years ago in 1991 and it’s been fantastic to see the growth of this dynamic, vibrant economy. I’m thrilled to be the first Trade Minister here post-pandemic and to be celebrating the 25th anniversary of trade talks.

“Boosting trade with this vital partner is part of the UK’s post-Brexit tilt towards the Indo-Pacific and closer collaboration will help us future-proof our economy in the decades to come.”

Our thriving £8bn trade partnership has gone up 14% in the last two years, with UK exports to Taiwan also increasing in that time. The Government’s most recent annual business survey showed the overwhelming majority of UK companies operating in Taiwan are optimistic about its economy and prospects.

During the Trade Talks, Innovate UK will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Economic Affairs in Taiwan, pledging to increase collaboration on technology and innovation. This includes a £5m funding commitment through to 2025 and support to UK businesses via a bespoke Innovation Programme between the UK and Taiwan.

As a leading manufacturer of semiconductors – the chips used in electronic devices like iPhones and electric vehicles – Taiwan is a key player in global supply chains. The Minister will use meetings with President Tsai Ing-wen, Minister of Economic Affairs Wang Mei-Hua, Minister of Digital Affairs Audrey Tang, Minister Kung Ming-Hsin and Minister John Deng – to promote diversified, resilient supply chains and greater economic cooperation.

Thanks to the UK’s unmatched offshore wind experience and expertise, the UK is already a major partner in Taiwan’s green transition, with more than 38 British companies already having set up offices in Taiwan. The Minister will visit the Formosa 2 offshore wind site – the first international offshore wind project supported by UK Export Finance – which more than 10 British companies are involved in.

Luxfer Gas Cylinders, a British company based in Nottingham (UK), has just signed a contract to supply cylinders for Taiwan’s first pilot hydrogen bus project.
November 7, 2022