Category: Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE : Announces the introduction of the Transport Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill [October 2022]

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 20 October 2022.

The government is today (20 October 2022) introducing the Transport Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill. This meets the Prime Minister’s commitment to introduce this bill within her first 30 days of Parliament sitting and delivers on a commitment in the 2019 Conservative Party manifesto.

The bill paves the way for the introduction of minimum levels of service on transport services, like those already seen in other countries including France and Spain. The bill will ensure that specified transport services – which could include, for example, rail, tubes and buses – will not completely shut down when unions impose strikes.

This bill will balance the right to strike with ensuring commuters can get to their place of work and people can continue to make vital journeys to access education and healthcare during strikes. The bill sets out the legal framework for establishing minimum service levels. It will allow relevant employers and trade unions to negotiate and reach agreement between themselves on minimum service levels referred to as minimum service agreements (MSAs), provide for circumstances in which the MSA can be changed and include enforcement arrangements to ensure parties follow due process in their negotiations.

The bill also provides for an independent determination process should employers and unions fail to reach agreement on an appropriate minimum service level after 3 months, whereby if an agreement has not been reached the Central Arbitration Committee will determine the minimum service level.

The bill also includes a power for the Secretary of State to set interim minimum service levels by regulations which will apply where neither an MSA has been agreed nor an independent determination reached. These regulations will also be consulted upon and will need to be agreed by both Houses of Parliament before they are made.

Under the bill there will also have to be a minimum 3-month gap between these regulations being made and their coming into force. The specific details of how minimum service levels would apply to transport services will be set out in secondary legislation following appropriate consultation. A minimum service level would only be applied to an individual transport service once that secondary legislation has been agreed by Parliament.

The provisions of the bill extend and apply to England, Wales and Scotland. The bill’s provisions relate to the reserved matter of employment rights and duties and industrial relations, and the subject matter of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992, and do not engage the legislative consent process.

October 20, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : DOH, NHSC collaborate on standards development for Philippine CDC [October 2022]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 20 October 2022.

Gearing towards the establishment of the Philippine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Department of Health (DOH), the British Embassy Manila and the United Kingdom’s National Health Service Consortium for Global Health (NHSC) – represented by the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) – met and discussed collaborative efforts on October 18-19, 2022 on the development of policies, programs, standards, guidelines, and monitoring and evaluation systems on the forecasting, prevention, and control of diseases, injuries, and disabilities of national and international concern. This is the first of the multiple learning exchanges in collaboration with the UK and the NHS Consortium this year, focusing on health systems strengthening and health policy development.

During his first State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. revived the call for the creation of a Center for Disease Control and a Virology Institute in the country. Towards this, the DOH is working with several national and international partners, to facilitate the development of better strategies for improved evidence-based policy making once the measure is enacted into law.

The Universal Health Care Law set the stage for the CDC by mandating the DOH to ensure the quality of health services through the development of evidence-based public health and clinical care standards. The DOH established the National Practice Guidelines Program (NPGP) to oversee and manage the development, adoption, and dissemination of clinical practice guidelines, which will guide rational prioritization, service delivery, and financing of standards of care, which contribute to the overall vision of a Healthy Pilipinas.

“As the DOH continues to strengthen our National Practice Guidelines Program, we understand the value of collaboration and knowledge exchange with international partners such as NICE, which has already established itself as a world leader in evidence-based healthcare. Hence, we welcome this timely opportunity to gain a better understanding of the best practices for guideline development, implementation, and evaluation, and to foster a lasting relationship that will continue to empower evidence-informed standard setting and policy-making across the entire health sector, especially towards planning for the Philippine CDC,” said Health Officer-in-Charge Maria Rosario Singh-Vergeire.

“Chief among the lessons that the COVID-9 pandemic has taught us is the value of a prepared healthcare system that is guided by evidence-based interventions and strengthened by global relationships. With this, the DOH will continuously work with our international and national partners to strengthen the country’s public health emergency preparedness and response and expand health security capacity,” added the OIC.

Ambassador Laure Beaufils shares, “Strengthening health systems is an important part of the UK’s work here in the Philippines. We are delighted to be able to share our expertise and experience in public health. The collaboration between the Department of Health in the Philippines and NHS Consortium for Global Health, and in particular with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) supports the Philippines’ priorities in health policy development. It demonstrates the shared commitment of the UK and the Philippines to continue our collaboration in delivering stronger, universal healthcare.”

Since 2012, NICE has been collaborating and sharing technical resources with the Department of Health on methods and process guidelines for Health Technology Assessment development. Through the UK’s Better Health Programme in the Philippines from 2019 to 2022, the NHS Consortium for Global Health has enabled further system-to-system collaboration with NICE to support health systems and health policy development, broadening UK-Philippines collaboration in Health.

Hugh McGuire, senior scientific adviser, NICE International, adds, “It has been an invaluable opportunity to build on our already strong relationships between the Philippines Department of Health and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, and the support of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Better Health Programme, the NHS Consortium for Global health and the British Embassy in Manila.”

Judith Richardson, director of health and social care, NICE, adds, “The last 2 days have been a fantastic opportunity for peer to peer interaction where both the UK and Philippines are learning from each other’s experiences in HTA and guidelines development.”

October 20, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Graves of Six Great War Soldiers Rededicated [October 2022]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 20 October 2022.

The final resting place of six soldiers killed in World War One have been identified and now been honoured in Services of Rededication at their graves around Ypres in Belgium on 18 and 19 October.

The services were organised by the MOD’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), also known as the ‘MOD War Detectives’, and were held at various Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) cemeteries. The services were conducted by The Reverend Andy Nicolls, CF and attended by representatives from the current day equivalents of these casualties’ regiments (Royal Fusiliers, the Mercian Regiment, Royal Logistics Corps and the Royal Regiment of Scotland).

Details of the six soldiers who have been identified:

Name Place of Birth Regiment Age at time of death
Second Lieutenant Frank Wood Royton, Oldham, Lancashire 1st Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers 19
Private Thomas Parry Tyldesley, Leigh, Lancashire Kings Own Scottish Borderers 19
Private David Christie Graham Angus, Scotland 8th Battalion, Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) 20
Second Lieutenant Herbert Ernest Martin Peterborough, Cambridgeshire 16th (attached 1st/8th) Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) 22
Corporal Gilbert (Bert) Willcocks Taunton, Somerset Army Service Corps 24
Corporal Herbert Pearce Kent 4th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment 26
Louise Dorr, MOD JCCC case worker said:

“Our thanks go to several of our regular researchers, who have investigated these six graves and been able to prove who is buried in each of them. Thanks to their efforts we have been able to confirm their findings and return these soldiers’ names to them.

“I’m so honoured to have been able to be here to rededicate their final resting places.”

Although some of soldiers’ families live overseas or have been unable to attend, family members for Second Lieutenant Wood and Private Parry were in attendance. Each of these soldiers has also been well represented by their military family on behalf of a grateful nation.

The headstones over their graves will be replaced by CWGC as part of the rededication.

Director for the Central and Southern European Area at the CWGC, Geert Bekaert, said:

“We are privileged to be able to honour these six brave men, who all paid the ultimate sacrifice fighting in the Great War. Thanks to the research and work of many, we are able to renew our commitment to care for these soldiers’ graves, in perpetuity”

October 20, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Home Secretary pledges new chapter to end child sexual abuse [October 2022]
The press release issued by the Home Office on 20 October 2022.
- The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse publish their final report
- Home Secretary pays tribute to victims and pledges to learn from mistakes of the past
- He commits to act quicker to put an end to devastating crime
The Home Secretary has today (20 October) responded to the publication of the final report from the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse.

The inquiry was established by the government seven years ago to investigate failings of state and non-state organisations over several decades, across England and Wales, to protect and safeguard children from sexual abuse and make recommendations for reform. The report published today makes recommendations for the government and marks the end of the inquiry.

Victims and survivors of child sexual abuse have bravely shared their experiences with the inquiry and shed light on the number of failures by institutions which should have protected them. This afternoon, the Home Secretary extended his personal thanks to everyone who contributed to the inquiry and pledged to make sure that these failings are never repeated.

The Home Secretary, Grant Shapps said:

I am incredibly grateful to the thousands of victims and survivors who have bravely come forward to share their experiences with the inquiry, their bravery will not be forgotten.

I will keep their voices front and centre in everything I do and I will ensure that the findings of the inquiry, and their invaluable testimonies, are acted upon.

To date, we have already taken action to tackle this abhorrent crime and learn from the lessons of the past, but I know there is much more to do. This is the start of a new chapter in our efforts to put an end to this terrible crime.

I want to give assurances – where we can act quicker, we will. I will use all available levers to protect our children, to improve the law enforcement and criminal justice response, provide the support victims and survivors deserve and ensure all institutions and leaders are properly held to account.

Over the last seven years, the government has responded in real time to recommendations from the inquiry to ensure that across government work continues to be driven forward to tackle all forms of child sexual abuse and ensure victims are better supported.

Last January, the government published the Tackling Child Sexual Abuse Strategy, setting the strategic direction for addressing this terrible crime across the whole system, and putting lessons learnt from the inquiry into practice. This has helped to drive initiatives to increase reporting, target offenders, drive up convictions and provide better support for victims.

The work to tackle child sexual abuse doesn’t end with the conclusion of the inquiry. The government is committed to ensuring that the valuable work of the inquiry is translated into action to end this terrible crime.

The government will respond in full to the inquiry’s report within six months, when proper consideration has been given to all of the recommendations, but today the Home Secretary announced a further £4.5 million for organisations supporting victims and survivors of child sexual abuse at a national level.

This money will go to seven organisations who provide vital support for children and young people who have experienced sexual abuse, adult survivors, and parents or carers of victims. This includes telephone and online counselling and support services; support groups; specialist support to LGBT+ victims; and survivor-led interventions.

In addition, the Home Secretary will champion children’s safety at the highest levels and convene ministers from across government to drive action against the inquiry’s recommendations.

Lord Chancellor & Secretary of State for Justice, Brandon Lewis said:

This inquiry has laid bare the horrors that many children suffered as a result of historical institutional failings that must never be repeated.

That is why we will continue to transform the justice system’s response to these heinous crimes – locking up child abusers for longer to protect the public, making sure predators cannot use sports or religious roles to harm young people, and hugely increasing funding for support services so that no victim is left to suffer alone.

The government will continue to ensure that the voices and perspectives of victims and survivors are placed at the centre of work tackling this horrific crime. Victims must feel confident in being able to seek justice and find support.

The Victims Code and draft Victims Bill have been important steps in setting out clear victims’ rights and the level of the support they can expect throughout the criminal justice process.

We have also increased investment in specialised support services to make sure that victims and survivors can be supported in rebuilding their lives.

Education Secretary, Kit Malthouse said:

The scale of historic abuse and exploitation suffered by these children is horrifying, and their bravery in coming forward will help improve services to protect children.

Over the last seven years we have strengthened the join-up between police, health care professionals, councils and schools, so more children feel protected by the institutions that are supposed to keep them safe, and we will continue to improve children’s social care so every child has a safe and loving childhood.

In the past seven years the government has established the Child Safeguarding Practice Review panel to improve local practice and outcomes for vulnerable children, and across government we are making sure that the services and organisations which have a responsibility for the welfare of children continue to put safeguarding at the top of their agenda.

Our Child Protection Ministerial Group, set up following the Care Review, will also champion children’s safety at the highest levels and provide the leadership to oversee necessary reforms across children social care.

All government responses to recommendations from the inquiry’s previous reports to date have been published and can be found on the The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) or GOV.UK.
October 20, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Big boost for UK economy as subsidy control system comes into force from January [October 2022]

The press release issued by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on 20 October 2022.

New UK subsidy regime comes fully into force on 4 January 2023

regime will enable public authorities to deliver subsidies that are tailored to local needs and to drive economic growth

new flexible approach to subsidies available due to the unique opportunity presented by Brexit

The new system to regulate subsidies to business will come into force from 4 January, Business Minister Dean Russell announced today (Thursday 20 October), providing a big boost for businesses and further impetus behind the government’s plans to supercharge economic growth.

Under the new rules, the devolved administrations and local authorities will be able to deliver subsidies that are tailored to local needs, with the new regime providing the flexibility needed to ensure that support quickly gets to where it is most needed.

Public authorities will be able to support viable businesses across their region quickly and simply, delivering good value for the British taxpayer while ensuring Britain’s businesses can help deliver economic growth.

The introduction of the new rules from January marks a major move away from the prescriptive EU aid regime that could stymie elected governments in Belfast, Cardiff and Edinburgh from delivering funds to businesses that needed it.

Business Minister Dean Russell said:
Our subsidy control regime is built to meet the needs of modern Britain, freeing UK authorities from the restrictive shackles of European bureaucracy and longwinded approval processes.

Our new rules are robust yet flexible, empowering public authorities to deliver money quickly, fairly and simply, to businesses that need it the most.

Under the EU system, all subsidies except those under a ‘Block Exemption Regulation’ had to undergo a lengthy bureaucratic process of being notified to and approved by the European Commission in advance, delaying vital funds from reaching viable businesses in good time.

The implementation of this regime comes after a full, extensive consultation on the proposed approach, with views gathered from stakeholders across the UK.

The new rules will help bolster the government’s plans to drive a vibrant free market economy, by banning unlimited government guarantees to businesses as well as subsidies granted to ‘ailing or insolvent’ enterprises where there is no credible restructuring plan.

The UK’s new regime will also contribute to meeting the UK’s international commitments on subsidy control, including its international commitments at the World Trade Organization (WTO) and in Free Trade Agreements.

BEIS is holding a series of events for public authorities to explain the main features and principles of the new regime.

In-person events are being held in:

Belfast
Cardiff
Glasgow
Manchester
Multiple online events are taking place too.

October 20, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Report by OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights – UK response [October 2022]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 20 October 2022.

Ambassador Bush commends ODIHR for to delivering on its mandate effectively and impartially, and for its efforts following Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.

Mr Chair, I wish to thank the Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), Mr Mecacci, for his presentation. Matteo – your comprehensive comments remind us of the importance of ODIHR’s work across all OSCE participating States in implementing our human dimension commitments. Thank you to you and your team for all you work on this, especially during this particularly challenging time, and for continuing to deliver on your mandate effectively and impartially.

As we are all aware, the OSCE has faced new challenges since Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine and I commend ODIHR’s work in addressing these. Firstly, Director Mecacci, I welcomed your steadfast joint-statements responding to the sham “referenda” in temporarily controlled territories of Ukraine and the attempted illegal annexation of Ukrainian territory that followed.

Secondly, as you mentioned, ODIHR’s Monitoring Initiative has provided important interim reporting into violations of international humanitarian law and violations and abuses of human rights in the course of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. We await the publication of the second report. Such monitoring and reporting are key to understanding the full scale of violations and abuses of international law.

Thirdly, the UK welcomes ODIHR’s support to national and international human rights accountability processes and mechanisms – such as the provision of expert monitoring and reporting, and the facilitation of prosecution and investigation platforms.

Additionally, ODIHR has continued its critical work on the integration of migrants, anti-discrimination and hate crimes and human trafficking across the OSCE region – including the facilitation of practical training to those working on the ground in Ukraine – such as the recent course for civil society and frontline responders on addressing human trafficking.

This year, much of our time in this forum has rightly been used to discuss Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine, but I wanted to take a moment to also highlight the important work of ODIHR in other parts of the OSCE region.

I’d like to thank the Polish Chair, Director Mecacci and all those who contributed to the success of this year’s Human Dimension Conference in Warsaw which brought together over one thousand participants from international organisations, government and civil society from across the OSCE to assess our Human Dimension commitments. The plenary sessions, round tables and side events brought with them thought-provoking discussion and concrete recommendations – demonstrating the huge value of such a platform. I’d like to echo the Director’s regret that consensus could not be reached on the Human Dimension Implementation Meeting and share in his hope that this achievable next year.

Throughout 2022, ODIHR has continued assisting participating States through the provision of needs assessments and election observation missions, with 14 missions across the OSCE region.

We continue to support ODIHR’s election observation methodology, which recognises an election is a process and considers the key elements of participating States’ electoral systems, including the effectiveness and impartiality of the election administration, the legislative framework, the nature of campaigns (including the media environment), and the protection of fundamental civil and political rights. We continue to believe that strengthening our democratic institutions and practices is a continuous process, and ODIHR’s clear recommendations to each country help all of us improve our electoral processes. They also provide a useful starting point to inform ODIHR’s needs assessments for future election observation missions, helping ensure each of our individual democracies can be supported appropriately, and in a way that builds on past successes and addresses previous failings.

Director Mecacci, this year has demonstrated more than ever the huge importance of approaching security comprehensively – incorporating the politico-military dimension, the economic and environmental dimension and the human dimension. This year the actions of the Russian Federation and Belarusian regime have demonstrated the link between internal oppression and external aggression. This was clearly outlined in the most recent Moscow Mechanism report in the case of Russia. We must learn from this and fund the crucial work of ODIHR accordingly. Any effort to restore peace in the OSCE region must be comprehensive and must include work in the human dimension.

Let us recognise now what we recognised half a century ago, security across the OSCE region can only be sustained when human rights, fundamental freedoms and democracy are guaranteed for all within it.

Thank you.

October 20, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Minister Keegan reaffirms important UK-Egypt ties on first visit to Cairo [October 2022]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 20 October 2022.

Ahead of COP27 and on her first official visit to Egypt, UK Minister for Africa, Gillian Keegan, reaffirmed UK-Egypt partnership and thanked Egypt for its leadership on the climate change agenda.

Minister Keegan met with Foreign Minister and COP President Sameh Shoukry to discuss how the UK and Egypt can work together to secure the best outcome in the upcoming climate negotiations. The Minister also discussed a number of regional files with the Foreign Minister, thanking Egypt for its role in seeking stability across the Middle East & North Africa.

As part of Cairo Water Week, the Minister delivered opening remarks at an event hosted by the Alliance for Global Water Adaptation (AGWA), and met British business people in Egypt to discuss the significant opportunities that exist for UK investment and expansion in Egypt, particularly in the renewables and green sectors. She also met with Egyptian Energy Minister Dr Mohamed Shaker, discussing how UK firms can best invest in Egypt’s booming renewables and green technology market, including solar, wind, and green hydrogen.

Speaking after the visit, Gillian Keegan said:

In less than a month, Egypt will host the world’s leaders for the United Nations climate conference, COP27, and it is essential that the negotiations are a success. After meeting with my Egyptian counterparts, I am heartened by the effort, the energy, and the enthusiasm shown by the Egyptian government in its preparations.

I was grateful for the opportunity to meet with young Egyptian leaders, both those working on climate, and young entrepreneurs. I was struck by the dynamism and the passion on display. We owe it to these young people, and to future generations, to make real progress in a month’s time.

Whilst in Cairo, I also met the family of Alaa Abd El-Fattah to express the UK’s sympathy and our commitment to his case. Mr El-Fattah is a dual Egyptian-British national: gaining consular access and ultimately securing his release is a priority for the UK. I raised our strong concerns about his ongoing detention with Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry.

October 20, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : More than one million families claiming tax credits to receive second Cost of Living Payment from 23 November [October 2022]
The press release issued by HM Treasury on 20 October 2022.

More than one million claimant families receiving tax credits, and no other means-tested benefits, will get their second Cost of Living Payment from Wednesday 23 November 2022, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has confirmed.

This £324 government payment will be paid automatically into most eligible tax credit-only customers’ bank accounts between 23 and 30 November 2022 across the United Kingdom.

Angela MacDonald, HMRC’s Deputy Chief Executive and Second Permanent Secretary, said:

This second Cost of Living Payment will provide further financial support to eligible tax credit-only claimants across the UK.

The £324 will be paid automatically into bank accounts, so people don’t need to do anything to receive this extra help.

The second payment will see more than 8 million households across the UK receive their £324 cost of living cash boost by 30 November and follows the first cost of living payments of £326, which eligible families received from Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) from July and HMRC from September.

The government recently announced that households receiving DWP benefits will get their second Cost of Living Payment from 8 November continuing through to 23 November. This includes tax credit claimants who also receive other income-related benefits from DWP.

HMRC is making payments shortly after DWP in order to avoid duplicate payments.

This latest payment comes on top of wider government support with the cost of living this autumn and winter, including:
- the £150 Disability Cost of Living Payment, already paid to around 6 million disabled people
- more than 8 million pensioner households who will receive an extra one-off £300 Winter Fuel Payment this year
This is in addition to an extension to the Household Support Fund, which is providing an extra £421 million for use between October 2022 and March 2023 to help vulnerable people with the essentials. A £150 Council Tax rebate was sent earlier this year to those in Council Tax bands A to D in England, creating at least £1,200 in direct support for millions of households.

A £400 reduction on energy bills is also being given to all domestic electricity customers over the coming months, and the Energy Price Guarantee is protecting households from significant rises in their energy bills this winter.

The government is offering help for households. Customers should check GOV.UK to find out what cost of living support they could be eligible for.
October 20, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : England and Wales fans urged to follow World Cup travel tips – Qatar 2022 [October 2022]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 20 October 2022.
- FCDO issues six top tips to help travelling fans enjoy the tournament in Qatar
- One month to go to the start of the 2022 FIFA Men’s World Cup
- England and Wales bosses Gareth Southgate and Rob Page encourage supporters to check out Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) travel advice
With only one month to go until the 2022 FIFA Men’s World Cup kicks off in Qatar, the FCDO has issued 6 top tips for travelling England and Wales fans. Following these tips will help fans avoid preventable problems and enjoy the tournament.

Any Brit planning to attend the World Cup is advised to:
- Prepare before you go. Our checklist has all the practical steps that fans need to think about before they head off to the tournament, from passport validity to health prescriptions.
- Read our travel advice and sign up for e-mail alerts. World Cup-specific information can be found at gov.uk/qatar2022. Our Qatar travel advice is kept under constant review so fans should sign up for email alerts to stay up to date on the latest developments throughout the tournament.
- Follow the entry requirements for Qatar. To enter Qatar, fans must have a Hayya Card (a form of fan ID), as well as proof of a negative COVID-19 result through a valid PCR or rapid antigen test certificate. Accommodation must be arranged before travelling out.
- Get travel insurance. Without it, fans risk medical bills which may run to thousands of pounds. Fans should check that insurance covers them for all destinations, medical needs, COVID-19 costs and planned activities.
- Know the do’s and don’ts. Qatari laws and customs are very different to those in the UK. There may be serious penalties for doing something that is not an offence in the UK. The availability of alcohol, and associated laws, will be different to previous tournaments.
- Steer clear of drugs. Qatar takes a zero tolerance approach and visitors can expect a severe penalty for the possession of even residual amounts. Punishment can include lengthy custodial sentences.
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said:

The countdown to the World Cup is on, with only a month to go until the action kicks off in Qatar.

We want all travelling Brits to enjoy their World Cup experience, and they are more likely to do so if they prepare before they go.

Following our six top tips and signing up to Qatar travel advice email alerts will help fans have the best possible time at the tournament.

The FCDO is working closely with a range of partners, including the Football Associations, fan representatives and UK Police, to provide practical information and advice to travelling supporters.

England Manager, Gareth Southgate said:

I know how much our fans look forward to watching England at major tournaments.

With only one month to go, I would suggest anyone travelling to the World Cup signs up for the UK Government’s travel alerts.

As well as keeping them across all the information they need, they will get important tips too for getting the most out of following England away. We look forward to seeing them all at the finals.

Wales Manager, Rob Page said:

Everyone in Wales is looking forward to seeing Cymru in the World Cup, our first appearance in the competition since 1958.

For those fans who are travelling to Qatar, we know how excited they are to be watching Cymru play at the tournament but it’s incredibly important that they keep up to date with the very latest information and advice.

For the best possible experience, we advise our fans to sign-up to the Qatar travel advice email alerts.

Ashley Brown, England Fan Embassy Team, part of the Football Supporters Association said:

Travelling to World Cups always requires a level of planning for supporters to make sure we get the most out of a tournament – whether that’s match days, sightseeing or general safety.

Qatar has very different laws to the UK and we’d encourage all fans to familiarise themselves with the FCDO’s six top tips and to follow the FSA for further supporter-specific updates.

Paul Corkrey, Fan Embassy Wales said:

This is our first World cup in a generation and we know the Welsh fans will be determined to enjoy the experience.

It is a trip to the unknown but information is available and we urge the Red Wall to bookmark the FCDO travel advice website.

The UK will have a consular presence in Qatar and across the region throughout the tournament. British nationals needing help or advice will be able to contact the FCDO by phone 24/7 on +44 (0)20 7008 5000 or by calling the Embassy locally on +974 4496 2000. Fans in Qatar can access the Qatari emergency services by dialling 999.

Fans planning to travel elsewhere in the region should check the travel advice for each location they plan to visit or transit through. Rules and requirements will vary from country to country.
October 20, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Collaborating with U.S. on Cyber [October 2022]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 20 October 2022.

Personnel from Defence Digital will be joining the collaborative exercise which will identify threats that could impact the internal systems of participants.

Insights from the operation will be shared with all partners in the interest of bolstering security and unifying our response to malicious cyber activity.

Rear Admiral Nick Washer, Director Operations at Defence Digital said:

Cyber does not recognise geographic borders. Our relationships with partners offer huge shared benefits; operations like this with U.S. Cyber Command put our expertise into practice and enhance our collective defence.

This sentiment was echoed by U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Matthew C. Paradise, deputy director, Operations J-3, U.S. Cyber Command, who added

Defensive Cyberspace Operations helps CYBERCOM meet its mission responsibilities by enabling and improving mission assurance of the joint force, as well as our allies and partners, by maintaining reliable and defensible networks

The information age is making the world more interconnected than ever before, driving opportunity, innovation, and progress. However, this increased digitisation also brings unprecedented complexity, instability and risk, making global partnerships key to our security and economic prosperity.

October 20, 2022