Category: Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE : Change of His Majesty’s Ambassador to Ethiopia – Darren Welch [December 2022]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 12 December 2022.

Mr Darren Welch has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union in succession to Dr Alastair McPhail CMG OBE who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Mr Welch will take up his appointment during January 2023.

Curriculum vitae

Full name: Darren John Welch

Married to: Lucille Welch

Children: 2

Year	Role
2021 to present	FCDO, Director of Global Health
2018 to 2020	Department for International Development (DFID), Director of Policy
2017 to 2018	DFID, Director of Strategy
2016 to 2017	DFID, Head, Migration and Modern Slavery Department
2015 to 2016	Home Office, International Team Leader, Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme
2011 to 2015	Brussels, United Kingdom Permanent Representation to the European Union, Counsellor for Development, Trade, Africa, Asia and The Americas
2008 to 2011	DFID Tanzania, Head of Office
2007 to 2008	DFID, Head, Information and Community Partnerships Department
2003 to 2007	DAI Consulting, Deputy Director for Governance Reform
2000 to 2002	Government of Bermuda, Senior Consultant
1998 to 2000	Cabinet Office, Performance and Innovation Unit (later the Prime Minister’s Strategy Unit)

12/12/2022

PRESS RELEASE : Civil Service Fast Streamers prepare for industrial action [December 2022]

The press release issued by the FDA union on 12 December 2022.

The FDA’s Fast Stream section is preparing to launch a statutory postal ballot on strike action after an indicative vote showed strong support for action over pay.

The vote, which took place in November, showed 81% support for industrial action on a turnout of 67%. This came after FDA members in the Fast Stream overwhelmingly rejected a pay uplift of 3% over the summer.

FDA National Officer for the Fast Stream, Lauren Crowley, explained that the FDA has been pressing for “the Fast Stream’s long-term structural pay issues to be addressed through a pay business case submitted this year, but the employer has refused to consider this”. She also pointed to the fact that the employer had indicated it was planning to submit a business case but subsequently u-turned on that decision:

“Instead, with inflation running in double figures and a cost-of-living crisis compounding the existing poor deal for Fast Streamers, our members were offered a pay uplift which leaves many of our members struggling to make ends meet.”

Although further talks were held with the employer and the Cabinet Office, including FDA General Secretary Dave Penman meeting with Civil Service Chief Operating Officer Alex Chisholm, the employer refused to amend the pay offer. As a result, Crowley said: “We have now reached the conclusion that we have exhausted opportunities to resolve this through negotiation”.

She acknowledged that any decision to strike “will be a hugely difficult one for our members”, but added that the current situation is “completely unacceptable and unsustainable”.

“Fast Streamers carry out vital roles in ensuring the smooth functioning of government and delivery of public services, yet are so poorly paid they are skipping meals and relying on family just to get by. This cannot go on.”

A survey carried out by the FDA earlier this year of Fast Streamers – both FDA members and others – showed that one in nine had a second job, over a third still had to live with family, and half of them relied on financial support from their family just to get by. The survey, which half of all those on the Fast Stream responded to, highlighted that four in every five reported pay as having a negative impact on their wellbeing, and a huge seven in eight had considered leaving the scheme as a result.

The FDA continues to campaign for the necessary structural changes to the broken pay system, and has been fighting for a deal that would see Fast Stream pay aligned with the pay band minimum of Cabinet Office HEOs by 2024. Crowley explains that “the Year 1 Fast Stream salary has not changed in five years. Since 2010, the Fast Stream starting salary has gone from £27,000 to £28,000 – a rise of only 3.7% in 12 years. By contrast, in the same period the minimum pay for Cabinet Office HEOs has gone up by 15.6% nationally and 15.9% in London.”

Following the escalation of the dispute, the employer has now made a firm commitment to submit a pay flexibility case for implementation in 2023-24, which would represent a first step in addressing structural pay issues. However, Crowley concluded that, while this did represent some progress, “it does not go far enough to address the substantial increases in cost of living that our members are struggling to cope with”.

Ballot papers are likely to reach members around mid-December, and the ballot will close on 16 January.

12/12/2022
PRESS RELEASE : £257 million fund to help over 70,000 victims of domestic abuse [December 2022]
The press release issued by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 12 December 2022.
- Councils to be handed £257 million to provide support for victims of domestic abuse and their children who are staying in safe accommodation
- Funding to go towards vital services such as counselling, financial advice, help rehousing and therapy for children
- Expected to support over 70,000 victims of domestic abuse in England
An estimated 70,000 victims of domestic abuse will benefit from specialist support services to help them rebuild their lives in a safe environment.

£257 million will be handed to councils across England to make sure safe accommodation spaces such as refuges and shelters can provide vital support. The support will include counselling, assistance with rehousing, financial advice and play therapy for traumatised children.

The funding, allocated over two years and issued as a flexible grant, will be used by local authorities to plan support services and work closely with local charities and other service providers to best meet the needs of victims who have had to flee their homes.

Housing and Homelessness Minister Felicity Buchan said:

Domestic abuse is a devastating crime, and this funding will help victims and their children across the country who need to escape from danger to recover and rebuild their lives in safe housing.

Whether it’s counselling, advice on how to handle finances or help finding a new home – councils can use this money to make a real difference on the ground, giving victims the help and support they need.

Domestic abuse is the most prevalent form of violence against women and girls. The 2019-20 crime survey estimated 2.3 million people experienced in the previous year experienced domestic abuse, with women more likely to be impacted.

This funding follows the government’s landmark Domestic Abuse Act 2021, which places a legal duty on councils to fund support in safe accommodation for all victims and their families. The money will help pay for these vital services.

More than £330 million has already been invested since 2014 to provide support for domestic abuse victims in safe accommodation, with refuge bed spaces increasing by more than 20% in the past 12 years. On top of this, £5.7 million is being invested in the Respite Rooms programme which supports vulnerable rough sleepers impacted by domestic abuse.

This is in addition to the £2 million we provided to increase the capacity of domestic abuse helplines and online services during the pandemic.
12/12/2022
PRESS RELEASE : Strike action to affect travellers entering the UK [December 2022]
The press release issued by the Home Office on 12 December 2022.

The Public and Commercial Service (PCS) union has announced Civil Service industrial action that will impact Border Force services.

Travellers who are planning to enter the UK during the proposed strike period may face longer wait times at border control.

Travellers should check the latest travel advice with operators before travelling.

Please be patient and respect officers who are working to keep the UK border safe and secure for all travellers during strike action.

We encourage all passengers eligible to use eGates to do so.

The Public and Commercial Service (PCS) union has announced Civil Service industrial action that will impact Border Force services.

Border Force strike proposed dates and locations

Dates:
- 23 December
- 24 December
- 25 December
- 26 December (until about 7am)
- 28 December
- 29 December
- 30 December
- 31 December (until about 7am)
Locations:
- Birmingham Airport
- Cardiff Airport
- Gatwick Airport
- Glasgow Airport
- Heathrow Airport – Terminals 2,3,4 and 5
- Manchester Airport
- Port of Newhaven
Our number one priority is to keep our borders safe and secure for all travellers, and we will never compromise on this.

Military personnel, civil servants and volunteers from across government are being trained to support Border Force at airports and ports across the UK in the event of potential strike action. Border Force are ready to deploy resource to meet critical demand and support flow travellers through the border, however those entering the UK should be prepared for potential disruption.

Border Force and the travel industry work together very closely at a local and national level to agree plans for pressures while keeping the public safe.

Advice for passengers

Those who are due to travel into the UK during the proposed industrial action should be prepared to face longer wait times at UK border control.

All passengers should check the latest advice from their operators before travelling.

Please be patient and respect officers who are working to keep our citizens safe and border secure, and supporting travellers during the strike action.

We encourage all passengers eligible to use eGates to do so.

Please respect staff as we try and get you through the border as quickly and safely as possible. All forms of abuse and any inappropriate behaviour will be reported to the UK police.

Flights – impact of industrial action

We will work with operators and ports to understand the impact of industrial action on inbound flights.

Passengers travelling into the UK during strikes should check with their airlines for the latest travel information and advice.

Border wait times

As you’d expect, accurate queue time data can take some time to gather and check, however if you are travelling during the proposed strike dates be prepared for longer wait times.

There are multiple factors that might influence wait times including an increase in passenger numbers, flight delays and flight bunching. Weather delays, and other ad hoc incidents, can also impact border control queues.

We advise travellers to check with travel agents, tour operators, and airlines/carriers before travelling, to check if the proposed strike action will affect your journey.

Passengers can also check airport websites before travelling to stay up to date with the latest information related to travel or possible delays caused by strike action.

What we are doing to avoid disruption and queues at the border during the strike action

We continue to work closely with port operators and airlines to minimise disruption and delays at the border during any industrial action.

Border Force and the travel industry work together very closely at a local and national level and have regular meetings to agree plans for pressures while keeping the public safe.

Remember:
- there are often a few things that might influence wait times including an increase in passenger numbers, flights delays and flight bunching
- you should check the latest advice from your operators before travelling
12/12/2022
PRESS RELEASE : October 2022 GDP Figures Released by ONS – Growth of 0.5% [December 2022]
The press release issued by the ONS on 12 December 2022.

1.Main points
- Monthly real gross domestic product (GDP) is estimated to have grown by 0.5% in October 2022, following a fall of 0.6% in September 2022, which was affected by the additional bank holiday for the State Funeral of HM Queen Elizabeth II.
- Looking at the broader picture, GDP fell by 0.3% in the three months to October 2022 compared with the three months to July 2022.
- The services sector grew by 0.6% in October 2022, after falling by 0.8% in September 2022; the largest contribution to the growth came from wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles, which rose by 1.9% in the month.
- Output in consumer-facing services grew by 1.2% in October 2022, after falls of 1.7% in September 2022 and 1.6% in August 2022.
- Production remained broadly flat in October 2022, after growth of 0.2% in September 2022; manufacturing was the only sub-sector to contribute positively to production in October 2022, offset by negative contributions from electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply, and water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation activities.
- The construction sector grew by 0.8% in October 2022; this is its fourth consecutive increase after growths of 0.4% in September 2022, 0.6% in August 2022 and 0.2% in July 2022.
12/12/2022
PRESS RELEASE : Over £3.5m awarded to sustainable fishing projects as new funding round opens [December 2022]

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 12 December 2022.

Projects awarded funding in the latest round of the Fisheries Industry Science Partnership (FISP) scheme.

Five pioneering research projects have been awarded over £3.5 million to gather vital evidence to inform how we manage our fisheries and protect marine habitats across the UK.

Successful projects include the University of Plymouth Enterprise Ltd who will collaborate with organisations including the Angling Trust and Professional Boatman’s Association to collect crucial data to help protect species vulnerable to overfishing such as sharks, skates, rays and black bream. Participating boats will tag and track 200 black bream and 100 rays and sharks to shed light on their complex life histories and help ensure the sustainability and survival of these important species.

Meanwhile Bangor University, in partnership with the British Geological Survey, Orkney Fisheries Association and Welsh Fisherman’s Association, have been granted nearly £400,000 to investigate the impacts of climate change on the common whelk. The research will look at how temperature changes and location can impact on the growth, distribution and survivability of this commercially valuable species.

All the projects are from the third round of the Fisheries Industry Science Partnership (FISP) scheme, part of the government’s landmark £100m UK Seafood Fund investment, which brings together the seafood industry with research organisations to improve knowledge and data and help manage and protect often rare and valuable species.

Fisheries Minister Mark Spencer said:

A proper understanding of important marine species is vital if we are to manage our fisheries sustainably and safeguard the fishing and seafood sector for future generations.

By drawing on the expertise of the fishing community and combining this with our world class researchers, we can discover new ways to manage our stocks and protect vulnerable fisheries.

Dr Emma Sheehan, Associate Professor of Marine Ecology at the University of Plymouth, said:

The UK’s coastal waters are rich and diverse environments home to a huge range of important species. However, many of them are vulnerable to overfishing and exploitation which poses real challenges from both a conservation and an economic perspective. These projects will build on our previous work alongside fishing communities and authorities, and gather much needed data about critically important species such as pollack, black bream, sharks, skates and rays. By studying where they live, and why, we can develop more effective ways of managing their habitats sustainably now and in the future.

In addition, the fourth and final round of the FISP scheme opened last week to eligible applicants and runs until midday on 19 January 2022. Projects which involve a partnership between research organisations and a member of the UK seafood industry are encouraged to bid for funding by visiting GOV UK.

The £100m UK Seafood Fund was set up to support the long term future and sustainability of the UK fisheries and seafood sector and provides funding under four pillars: science and innovation, infrastructure, skills and training, and export support.

Last month also saw the second round of the UK Seafood Fund Infrastructure scheme open to applicants. With £30 million of funding now available to help pay for upgrades to ports, processing and aquaculture facilities, these schemes are ensuring the sector is equipped to meet future demand. A further round of the infrastructure scheme is set to open in 2023 to support fleet modernisation in the wild catching sector, with another future round focusing on the recreational fishing sector.

12/12/2022
PRESS RELEASE : Secretary of State fanning flames of devolution crisis with abortion decision [December 2022]

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

Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has said the Secretary of State’s decision to press ahead with the commissioning of abortion services is fanning the flames of the crisis facing devolution in Northern Ireland.

Her comments come following a letter sent by the Secretary of State to DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, confirming the move.

Carla Lockhart said,

‘‘Amid the rising cost of living and the Government’s failure to deliver energy support payments to households in Northern Ireland, it is a matter of deep regret that the Secretary of State can find the money to promote the taking of life.

Pressing ahead with this divisive policy is a further attack on the principles of devolution. Abortion is a devolved matter and future decisions should be taken by local ministers.

The former Secretary of State failed to respect these principles when an Executive was sitting so it perhaps not surprising that his successor has chosen to pursue this agenda when the institutions are paralysed because of the Protocol.

There are many financial pressures facing public services in Northern Ireland, including our NHS. It is notable that amongst all those competing issues the government is providing financial certainty for the provision of abortion when it is absent for so many other issues.

The point has been made forcibly and repeatedly to the Secretary of State and his predecessor that action in this area undermines the devolution settlement. That is only underscored further by the Government’s deliberate inaction across many other areas.”

12/12/2022
PRESS RELEASE : Diane Forsythe – NI childcare costs on a par with central London [December 2022]

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

DUP South Down MLA Diane Forsythe & Sammy Wilson MP have written to the Chancellor and outlined the need for Treasury to adjust the allowance for Tax Free Childcare across the UK after a report finds that childcare costs in Northern Ireland are on a par with London and are holding back working families.

Commenting on the issue Ms Forsythe said,

“This report looks at options for childcare in England but one of the most significant points from their survey is that childcare costs in central London are £36 per day. (graphic below) In Northern Ireland our childcare costs are significantly above the UK average and on a par with central London and in many cases higher as identified in a recent Employers for Childcare report.

Whilst this report finds in England mortgage, household energy and household food costs are higher than childcare, that is not the situation in Northern Ireland. Families here regularly report that childcare is their biggest monthly cost and significantly more than their mortgage payment.

Our Treasury spokesman in Westminster Sammy Wilson and I have written jointly to the Chancellor and urged him to look at increasing the Tax Free Childcare allowance for working families. This would help get more people into the workforce and particularly in our public services such as schools and hospitals where it is simply not affordable for a parent to work.

The DUP Education Minister before leaving office had set the wheels in motion to ensure all children aged 3-4 have access to a minimum of 22.5 hours of funded pre-school education per week and that is a work in progress. One of the best ways however, to make returning to work affording in those years after maternity leave would be for the Tax Free Childcare allowance to increase beyond the 20% contribution. Treasury has previously told us that this scheme consistently underspends, therefore there is headroom for expansion.”

12/12/2022
PRESS RELEASE : Government priorities don’t include more than £10m of Sinn Fein allowances – Gregory Campbell [December 2022]

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

East Londonderry MP Gregory Campbell has said that swift action on MLA pay is correct but stands in stark contrast to inaction on more than £10million of other allowances claimed by Sinn Fein MPs in the last 10 years alone. He said the figures demonstrate the government’s priorities.

The DUP MP said, “The Government have taken action in relation to MLA pay, citing the fact that currently they are not carrying out their full duties. Whilst the Assembly is not sitting due to the Protocol introduced by this same government, it is evidence of their ability to act when they want to.

This swift action stands in contrast to other areas, including allowances paid to Sinn Fein MPs. Mary Lou McDonald has proclaimed that Sinn Fein has “no business” in Westminster, but with more than £10million accrued in ten years, Sinn Fein MPs certainly aren’t operating a charitable enterprise.

When I raised this £10million figure with the Northern Ireland Office Minister during the week he claimed that he didn’t “recognise” this figure. Perhaps that was because figures provided to be by the House of Commons Library show the total is actually greater than the £10million I cited. The representation allowance Sinn Fein receive was not only specially designed for the party but comes with less transparency and accountability than allowances paid to any other MP or Party.

Whilst energy support payments are being withheld by Ministers in London, there is no such holdback on Sinn Fein allowances. The determination shown on MLA pay isn’t replicated by any such desire to place a real focus on abstentionist MPs who don’t turn up for work, and show no desire ever to do so but are content to sown plenty of taxpayers money in doing so.

Many people will see it as a demonstration of this Government’s priorities thus far”

12/12/2022
PRESS RELEASE : London’s last minute change is delaying energy payments [December 2022]

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

Writing in today’s Belfast Telegraph, East Antrim MLA Gordon Lyons has set out the last minute change introduced by Ministers in London which means energy payments to households in Northern Ireland are being withheld.

Much has been made about references that the £400 (now increased to £600) energy support payment would be paid in November or at least before Christmas. These were not dates of our invention, but the words of the then Chancellor and Prime Minister. They also were not some whispered promise to the DUP out of the public gaze. They were comments made in public by the Chancellor in August and reported in this very newspaper.

On 10th August 2022 the Belfast Telegraph reported an interview by the Chancellor on BBC Northern Ireland’s Good Morning Ulster programme. A quotation by Mr Zahawi was included where he said:“The £400 will begin to drop, in the autumn”.

There may be some debate about exactly what might constitute ‘autumn’, but most people would accept that autumn falls before Christmas in the calendar year.

It wasn’t just DUP representatives who referenced payments in this timescale. On 26th August the Belfast Telegraph reported comments where the Utility Regulator said they had hopes people here would see the £400 payment “this side of Christmas”.

Energy support payments could and should have been delivered to households here before the end of November. There was nothing preventing that from happening save for a lack of political will in London. The funding is in place, the systems are in place and the energy companies are ready to process the payment as outlined by the then Chancellor in August.

Instead however, Ministers in London decided within the last few weeks to insert the so-called “cash out” option whereby customers could withdraw some or all of the payment from their electricity provider if their account is in credit. That is an entirely legitimate and useful mechanism, particularly in Northern Ireland where we have a high dependency on oil and other fuel sources. It was also an entirely legitimate and useful mechanism during the summer when it was ruled out as an option by the UK Government.

Little wonder that energy companies are not in a position today to deliver a scheme that includes this cash out option when they were told many months ago to prepare for a scheme where it was specifically ruled out.

For Ministers to re-introduce something like this at the last minute looks to most people like nothing more than a delaying tactic. It is most disgraceful because it is dressed up in some cloak of kindness. It is entirely cynical to introduce measures at this late stage to actively delay the scheme.

It’s not “empty promises” from the Tories in August that should be of most concern, it’s the callous actions in October and November which will likely mean that some people in Northern Ireland suffer a cold Christmas, because Ministers in London decided to withhold payments from people who need that money transferred immediately.

If this is a further act to punish the DUP for demanding the Government and Brussels replace the NI Protocol with arrangements acceptable to unionists, then it is an outrageous abuse of power and hurts the most vulnerable.

12/12/2022