Category: Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE : Third Annual UK-Chile Trade Dialogue – Joint Statement [October 2022]
The press release issued by the Department for International Trade on 13 October 2022.
The Rt Hon Greg Hands MP, the UK’s Minister for Trade Policy and Mr. José Miguel Ahumada, Vice Minister of Trade for the Republic of Chile held the third annual UK-Chile Trade Dialogue on 13th October 2022.

Both Ministers welcomed the historically close trade relationship between the two nations and expressed their pleasure at the increased trade since the bilateral trade agreement came into force in January 2021. Trade between the UK and Chile was worth £1.6bn in the four quarters up until March 2022, an increase of 13% on the previous year.

Minister Hands congratulated Chilean and UK officials for their work in facilitating the approval of 21 new export health certificates over the last year, covering a range of agricultural goods, including making the UK one of the few European countries able to export ovine genetic material to Chile. He also welcomed the first shipments of UK pork to Chile after the market was opened in March of this year.

Vice-Minister Ahumada emphasised the Government of Chile’s focus on increasing opportunities for women. Both Ministers welcomed the close co-operation between the two governments on projects intended to support female entrepreneurs accessing the UK market and highlighted future collaboration on increasing female participation in the financial services sector.

Ministers endorsed the progress on the UK-Chile modernisation roadmap. This is intended to provide a platform to increase trade and develop our trade relations for the future. Through the roadmap, they agreed to formal exchanges of trade data in the coming month to help business understand the benefits of the trade agreement, and tasked officials to continue their work on assessing on a reciprocal basis the opportunities for improving liberalisation of trade in agricultural products, through the Article 74 review early in 2023.

Ministers reiterated their desire for Chile and United Kingdom to work together in the new digital economy and asked officials to meet in early 2023 to discuss areas for potential collaboration.

Ministers agreed that progress on the roadmap will be reported on in the framework of the next Association Committee, to be held in March 2023.

Ministers agreed on the urgency of tackling climate change and the role of technology in delivering a more sustainable and inclusive global economy. They welcomed the joint work on low carbon energy, including cooperation on green hydrogen, and sustainable infrastructure and transport.

Ministers anticipated the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding in Financial Services between His Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom and the Ministry of Finance of Chile in December during the annual Chile Day in London. It will boost bilateral expertise sharing and private sector engagement in key areas such as fintech, green finance and asset management.

Vice – Minister Ahumada updated on the steps Chile is taking in regard to the parliamentary process of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and reaffirmed their support for the UK’s accession to join CPTPP.

Ministers reinforced Chile and the UK’s shared interests in working together on the global stage, including through the WTO to ensure that free and fair trade benefits all our citizens and helps deliver inclusive and green growth in a fast-changing world.
October 14, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Joint statement by European Human Rights Ambassadors on the situation in Iran [October 2022]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 October 2022.

The UK’s Human Rights Ambassador, Rita French, signed a joint statement alongside ten other European Human Rights Ambassadors on the human rights situation in Iran.

Human Rights Ambassadors from the UK, Germany, France, Finland, Spain, Sweden, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Estonia, the Netherlands and Slovakia made the following joint statement following recent events in Iran:

“The violent death of 22‑year‑old “Zhina” Mahsa Amini as a result of mistreatment while in custody of the Iranian morality police brings home the dramatic human rights situation in Iran. It is a shocking reminder of the repression experienced by women, who face the threat of detention and physical violence simply for how they choose to dress. Over the past weeks, Iranians – both men and women – have bravely raised their voices against this violation of their freedom of expression. Protests have also called for freedom of the press and freedom of assembly, against the death penalty and extrajudicial executions, against torture, enforced disappearances and systematic impunity.

In short, the people of Iran are calling on their leaders to guarantee their fundamental rights. The Iranian security forces responded to the demonstrators with unjustifiable violence. The brutal response to the recent demonstrations at universities throughout the country is deeply concerning.

The international community must speak out clearly and unambiguously on the issue of repression and violence by the security forces and condemn these steps. We welcome the cross-regional statement at the UN Human Rights Council condemning the flagrant violation of women’s rights and calling on Iran to uphold the right to the freedom of expression and assembly.

Iran, as a signatory to the ICCPR, has a responsibility to put political and civil rights into practice. We call on the authorities to immediately stop its violent crackdown on protests, to immediately release demonstrators who have been unfairly detained, to cease the imprisonment of journalists who have been at the forefront of reporting on the protests, to restore reliable internet services across the country, and to guarantee human rights for all in Iran.”

October 14, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : DWP Secretary of State outlines plans to boost labour market [October 2022]

The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 13 October 2022.

During her first keynote speech, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions today implored businesses to play a greater role in tackling inactivity in return for government action on vacancies, in a bid to kickstart economic growth.

Speaking with business leaders and stakeholders at the Policy Exchange, Chloe Smith MP outlined her vision for the Government’s mission to deliver higher paid, higher quality jobs, grow the economy, unleash the potential of the labour market, drive prosperity and deliver opportunity for everyone.

Determined to lead the Department for Work and Pensions as Britain transitions into a new era of prosperity, she impressed on businesses the importance of their role in driving growth and urged them to play their part in reducing economic inactivity by investing in their workforce’s progression and health.

Her plea to industry included: attracting; investing in; and supporting and retaining British workers within an accessible and inclusive workforce.

Her speech comes as new labour market figures released this week show the unemployment rate is at a near record low, and the number of people on company payrolls remains high.

However, the Secretary of State stressed that the millions of unfilled posts across the country represent unfilled potential, and her focus is on helping people of all working ages and circumstances back into work and having the opportunity to progress.

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Chloe Smith MP, said:

In return for the Government helping businesses fill their vacancies, we are expecting employers to invest in their workforce’s progression and health. And doing so is a crucial step to ensure we don’t face similar labour market challenges in the future.

We can pull out all the stops to help businesses fill their vacancies, we need employers to help people to start and stay and succeed.

Businesses can play their part in reducing inactivity and growing the economy by making the labour market more accessible and inclusive.

As part of her speech, the Secretary of State reflected on her experience with cancer. October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and she talked about how her personal journey made her realise the importance of supporting people who become sick into work.

Further to her call to businesses, the Secretary of State outlined how the department is going further to encourage more movement in the labour market by:

Reforming work incentives and support within the welfare system helping more unemployed people move into available jobs, and for those already in work, to increase their earnings.

Preventing the flow of people moving into economic inactivity helping people return to the workforce with the support of dedicated Work Coaches by securing the role that’s right for them and supporting people to remain in work – so they can experience the benefits of our drive for growth.

October 14, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Refusal to extend the truce threatens to dismantle the foundation built for a negotiated peace settlement in Yemen [October 2022]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 October 2022.

Statement by UK Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council briefing on Yemen.

Thank you, Mr President. And let me thank Special Envoy Grundberg and ASG Msuya for their powerful briefings, and for the tireless work they and their teams are making on behalf of the Yemeni people.

After six months of relative peace, it is deeply disappointing that the truce in Yemen has not been extended.

The Houthi introduction of new maximalist demands in the final days of negotiations hindered the ability of the Special Envoy to broker agreement.

As we’ve heard today, this seriously jeopardises the tangible benefits that the truce has brought to the Yemeni people. In the past six months Yemenis have been able to live more safely and travel more freely than at any time since the war began, four times more oil has flowed into Hudaydah than the whole of last year, and tens of thousands of Yemenis have been able to fly out of Sana’a to visit loved ones and receive vital medical treatment. The protection of these measures must be a priority.

The United Kingdom calls on the parties to continue implementing these measures, and to return to the negotiating table to expand these benefits, as outlined in the UN’s proposal. This includes the payment of nurses, teachers and other civil servants their hard-earned salaries for the first time in years; the opening of roads around the country, including in Taiz; more commercial flights to more destinations; and further easing the flow of fuel into Hudaydah.

There is even more to lose. Refusal to extend the truce threatens to dismantle the foundation built for a negotiated peace settlement. A resolution to this terrible war depends on it.

But the door for an extended truce remains open. It is clear from Special Envoy Grundberg’s briefing that the UN is dedicated to achieving this outcome. The UK reiterates its full support to these efforts.

I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome ASG Msuya’s trip to the region. It is imperative that the international community learns lessons from the recent inter-agency humanitarian evaluation not just in Yemen, but globally. We praise the continued work of humanitarians to deliver lifesaving support. But only an end to the conflict will the deliver the lasting relief the Yemeni people need

At this fragile moment, it is encouraging that there has not yet been a return to war. We urge all parties to refrain from provocations. The costs of an end to the truce would be devastating.

Now is the time for the parties to show leadership, to act on behalf of the Yemeni people, and to continue on this path towards lasting peace.

Thank you.

October 14, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : World Day against the Death Penalty 2022 – Joint statement to the OSCE [October 2022]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 October 2022.

Ambassador Raphael Naegeli from Switzerland marks the 20th World Day against the Death Penalty at the OSCE, on behalf of the UK and other OSCE states.

Mr. Chair,

I am delivering this statement on behalf of Canada, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, the United Kingdom and my own country Switzerland.

The 10th of October marked the 20th World Day against the Death Penalty. We welcome the fact that the global trend towards the abolition of capital punishment continues unabated in many parts of the world, including the OSCE region. At the launch of the World Day, twenty years ago, only 76 states had abolished the death penalty. Today, 110 states have done so. In this light, we commend Kazakhstan for the ratification of the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty. As of today, only two participating States continue to apply capital punishment: Belarus and the United States.

In the case of Belarus, we are deeply concerned by the extension of the application of the death penalty for what is deemed “attempted acts of terrorism”. This step is contrary to Belarus’ obligations under international law. We therefore call on the authorities of Belarus to reverse this decision.

Mr. Chair,

The use of the death penalty represents a violation of human rights, human dignity and personal integrity everywhere in the world and under all circumstances. It does not serve as a greater deterrence to potential offenders than other severe punishments, and hence has no impact on the prevention of crime, violence and violent extremism.

As we were reminded at the Warsaw Human Dimension Conference, it is crucial to continue involving civil society actors in the campaign towards the universal abolition of capital punishment. Their contribution has been instrumental in the progress achieved thus far.

Our countries remain committed to the universal abolition of the death penalty and call on all States, within the OSCE and beyond, to completely abolish capital punishment or, as a first step, establish a moratorium on its use. In this regard, we encourage all participating States to vote in favour of the UN resolution calling for a moratorium on capital punishment which is being negotiated at the UN General Assembly.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

October 13, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Strong progress towards a Child First youth justice system [October 2022]

The press release issued by the Home Office on 13 October 2022.

Claudia Sturt, Chief Executive of the Youth Justice Board (YJB), looks at the YJB’s activity over the past year.

Today we published our Annual Report and Accounts for 2021 to 2022. This was my first annual report as Chief Executive Officer of the Youth Justice Board (YJB), and I would like to place on record my thanks to all those who have helped produce this report and ensure its accuracy.

The opportunity to lead the Youth Justice Board as Chief Executive is enormously exciting, and there is nothing more important for me than improving the life chances of children. When I was working in adult prisons, I saw first-hand the consequences of failure and I believe, as a result, you will not find anyone more determined to ensure we are effective in keeping children out of the system and supporting them to live happy, safe, crime-free lives.

Our activity over the past year was yet again set against the backdrop of the pandemic. At the YJB, we continued to follow a fully remote operating model from March 2020 up to January 2022. Following consultation with our staff we subsequently developed a hybrid model, enabling our staff to return to face-to-face working, where appropriate, whilst allowing the organisation to attract and support diverse talent with an increase in national rather than London-based contracts.

Despite us seeing the easing of COVID-19 restrictions across England and Wales, the challenges for both children and the sector were still evident, and we have yet to see the full impact this has had on their lives and futures. Reduced access to education and other critical support services, increased trauma and mental illness, fewer opportunities for safeguarding and more opportunities for online exploitation all form a worrying reality for children and those across the sector.

Of course, we welcome the past year’s continued falls in the number of children entering the justice system and those who received a caution or sentence. Reoffending rates decreased again, and the youth custody population stands at an all-time low. But there is no room for complacency: as highlighted recently in a review by the National Audit Office, we have serious grounds to expect a worsening of this picture in the immediate future, with a potential doubling of children in custody by 2024. Long term impacts of the pandemic, combined with the economic shocks that have followed it, seem likely to make far more children far more at risk of coming into the criminal justice system. The YJB will grasp with both hands the challenge of ensuring that the gains made in recent years are sustained.

But, while I welcome these reductions, overwhelmingly I was saddened by yet more evidence of the shocking disparity for children from ethnic minorities. In particular, children with Black and Mixed ethnicities are significantly overrepresented at every stage in the youth justice system. We have undertaken a wide range of activity over the past year to tackle this issue which includes commissioning two research projects with a focus on disproportionality, sharing area level detail on disparity with Police and Crime Commissioners and taking forward an initiative to get children from ethnic minorities into employment. We have also continued to work with our partners, such as the Magistrates Association, to help tackle these disparities, including the development of a checklist for magistrates, to further guard against any potential bias in decision-making.

I was pleased to see that strong progress was made towards our vision of a Child First youth justice system. In essence, we want a system which treats children as children and supports them to become the best version of themselves.

We’ve never been under any illusions about how ambitious this goal is and recognise that it will take a concerted effort from us and all our partners. Nevertheless, we are up for the challenge and the potential benefits to children and our communities alike far exceed any drawbacks. Significant activity over the past year includes work in Wales to develop trauma informed approaches and services in support of its Youth Justice Blueprint. Also, across both England and Wales we commissioned a joint prevention and diversion project to help us increase our understanding and oversight of how this work is delivered by youth justice services.

This year we also took the opportunity to review the pathfinder model that was introduced in 2018. The review found that the pathfinder model was a worthwhile element of sector improvement work. It was also clear that the underlying principles of pathfinders were sound and the introduction of a formal selection process would improve the model further. All current pathfinders will continue as planned and we are designing the selection process for the next pathfinders. We are working to have the new approach in place ready for the 2023/24 financial year.

In December 2021, we secured Board approval for an exciting new initiative to maximise our impact, rebalance how we deliver our statutory functions and change our focus from being driven by risk to being driven by benefits. Known as our ‘new sense of purpose’, this change programme will allow a significant review of our current position and consider how we deploy our people, manage processes, provide advice and invest tax-payers money, including the youth justice grant.

Finally, I would like to thank YJB staff and our colleagues and partners across the system for the welcome shown to me as I started my new role. I remain in awe of your relentless determination to improve the lives of children in the youth justice system and all that you have achieved over the past year.

October 13, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : 56th round of Geneva International Discussions – UK statement to the OSCE [October 2022]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 October 2022.

Deputy Ambassador Brown voices strong UK support for the Geneva International Discussions (GID) as well as for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Thank you. The United Kingdom continues to strongly support the Geneva International Discussions (GID) and the work of the GID Co-Chairs. As the only international forum that brings together all sides from the conflict, the GID plays a vital role in trying to achieve a lasting resolution.

The UK reaffirms full support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. We call on the Russian Federation to reverse its recognition of the so-called independence of Georgia’s Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions.

We also call upon the Russian Federation to immediately fulfil its obligation under the ceasefire agreement to withdraw its forces to pre-conflict positions, fulfil its commitments to allow unfettered access for the delivery of humanitarian assistance and cease all borderization tactics.

October 13, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Joint Statement on the first meeting of the UK-Uruguay Trade Dialogue [October 2022]

The press release issued by the Department for International Trade on 13 October 2022.

On 11 October 2022, the first meeting of the Trade Dialogue between Uruguay and the United Kingdom took place.

The first meeting of the trade dialogue is a milestone which renews and strengthens the historic economic relationship between both countries, creating a new space to modernise and deepen the bilateral relationship.

The principal aim of the trade dialogue is to promote trade and investment as tools for driving economic growth, to identify new opportunities to deepen our bilateral economic relationship with a focus on sustainable development, to showcase best practice for promoting transparency, and to exchange knowledge and improve competitiveness through innovation and sustainability.

During the meeting, the delegations discussed existing investments and the growth of our bilateral trade between the UK and Uruguay.

The discussion covered both countries’ market access interests, with the aim of increasing opportunities for the quick, safe and transparent movement of goods and services.

Uruguay presented its priorities and highlighted opportunities for investment and bilateral cooperation in the renewable energy sector, particularly green hydrogen, and the UK presented information on public procurement.

Likewise, both parties agreed to continue to exchange information with the aim of advancing our bilateral trade relationship and promoting new opportunities for bilateral economic cooperation.

Both countries agreed to continue discussions on the issues covered and to take the required next steps with the aim of facilitating the growth of trade and investment flows for our mutual benefit.

October 13, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Gulf Cooperation Council trade negotiations update [October 2022]

The press release issued by the Department for International Trade on 12 October 2022.

The first round of negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the United Kingdom (UK) and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) took place between 22 August and 29 September 2022. The negotiations were conducted virtually.

In this round of negotiations, the UK and GCC discussed their objectives for the FTA and exchanged technical information. Technical discussions were held across 29 policy areas over 33 sessions. In total, more than 100 UK negotiators from across government took part in this round of negotiations.

An FTA will be a substantial economic opportunity, and a significant moment in the UK – GCC relationship. Government analysis shows that, in the long-run, a deal with the GCC is expected to increase trade by at least 16 percent, add at least £1.6 billion a year to the UK economy and contribute an additional £600 million or more to UK workers’ annual wages.

Both sides have committed to secure an ambitious, comprehensive and modern agreement fit for the 21st century.

The government remains clear that any deal will be in the best interests of the British people and the UK economy. We will not compromise on our high environmental and labour protections, public health, animal welfare and food standards, and we will maintain our right to regulate in the public interest. We are also clear that during these negotiations, the NHS and the services it provides is not on the table.

October 13, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Sex offender Haydn Carter receives increased sentence after referral to the Court of Appeal [October 2022]

The press release issued by the Attorney General on 13 October 2022.

A man who sexually abused a child has had his jail term increased after the case was referred to the Court of Appeal for being unduly lenient.

Haydn Carter, now 47, abused the teenager on at least 6 occasions between 2000 and 2002.

On 5 July 2022, at Guildford Crown Court, he was sentenced to 3 years and 6 months’ imprisonment for two offences of indecent assault.

Following the sentencing, his case was referred to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.

On 13 October 2022, the Court found his original sentence to be unduly lenient and increased it to 7 years’ imprisonment.

Speaking after the hearing, the HM Solicitor General Michael Tomlinson MP said:

“Over a two-year period, Carter repeatedly abused a vulnerable young person causing immeasurable damage to her.

“I welcome this increased sentence which better reflects the harm caused. It sends a clear message that sexual offences will not be tolerated and will be addressed with robust punishment.”

October 13, 2022