Category: Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE : Andriy Yermak discussed with the diplomats of the Scandinavian countries the situation at the front and strengthening the capabilities of the defense forces of Ukraine [October 2022]

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 5 October 2022.

Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak held a meeting with representatives of the diplomatic corps of the Scandinavian countries. The meeting was attended by ambassadors extraordinary and plenipotentiary: Finland – Jaakko Lehtovirta, Kingdom of Sweden – Tobias Thyberg, Kingdom of Norway – Erik Svedahl, Kingdom of Denmark – Ole Mikkelsen, as well as defense attaché of the Embassy of Sweden in Ukraine Björn Wilburn and defense attaché of the Embassy Denmark in Ukraine Felix Ebbestad.

Andriy Yermak informed the attendees about Ukraine’s success in resisting a full-scale Russian invasion. He emphasized: it is extremely important for our country that partners have comprehensive information about the events at the front, as the security situation in Ukraine depends on it.

“It is important that you understand what is happening today, what our needs are and how we are moving towards our victory, our joint victory,” said the Head of the Office of the President.

Andriy Yermak thanked the diplomats, leaders, governments and people of their countries for actively helping Ukraine since the first days of the war and protecting our interests on the world stage and in international organizations.

“We feel it and greatly appreciate it,” he emphasized.

The Head of the President’s Office congratulated the Republic of Finland and the Kingdom of Sweden on the decision to join NATO and the consolidation of forces that supported them. Andriy Yermak called on the representatives of these countries, as well as Denmark and Norway, to support Ukraine on the way to the Alliance.

“We understand that this path is not easy, it is not one that can be completed very quickly. But this war completely changed the world – the way it was before February 24 and the way it became after the Russian invasion. Therefore, approaches and procedures must be changed. Of course, keeping the consensus, the unity of all members of the Alliance,” said the Head of the President’s Office.

He stated: today, Ukraine, not having the status of a NATO member, has already destroyed 50% of the potential of the Russian aggressor with the support of its partners.

“Today, we showed the whole world that Ukraine knows how to fight, knows how to win,” added Andriy Yermak and expressed his belief that everyone who has an objective vision of events is sure of Ukraine’s victory.

Therefore, according to him, Ukraine’s application to join NATO is a powerful signal, and our state’s acquisition of membership will only strengthen the Alliance.

“There are no longer any talks about Ukraine’s potential neutrality or anything else. Our course is NATO membership. Our goal in this war is the complete restoration of our territorial integrity within the internationally recognized borders of Ukraine. Therefore, we are sure that our membership will only strengthen the Alliance,” Andriy Yermak emphasized.

At the same time, the Head of the Office of the President drew the interlocutors’ attention to the fact that Ukraine will need security guarantees on the way to NATO membership. He called for support for the recommendations to the Kyiv Security Compact developed jointly with international experts and former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, which contains a list of necessary guarantees.

Andriy Yermak also offered the diplomats to support the final document of the NATO summit, dedicated to the latest events in Ukraine and illegal attempts to annex our territories, which is to be held in a video format shortly.

Deputy Head of the President’s Office Roman Mashovets and commander of the Kherson joint strategic group of forces Oleksandr Tarnavskyi told the representatives of Finland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark about the situation at the front. They also informed about the course of mobilization in the Russian Federation and attempts to annex the occupied territories of Ukraine by Russia.

October 7, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Ihor Zhovkva held phone consultations with the diplomatic advisors to the Prime Minister of Portugal and the Prime Minister of Spain [October 2022]

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 5 October 2022.

Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Ihor Zhovkva held phone consultations with Diplomatic Advisor to the Prime Minister of the Portuguese Republic Fernando Morgado and Diplomatic Advisor to the Prime Minister of Spain Emma Aparici.

The interlocutors were informed about the liberation by the Armed Forces of Ukraine of a significant number of settlements in the Southern and Eastern directions. The Deputy Head of the President’s Office expressed his belief that the uninterrupted supply of the necessary weapons will enable our troops to continue returning the territories temporarily occupied by Russia.

Ihor Zhovkva thanked Spain and Portugal for strongly condemning the so-called referenda and conveyed the words of gratitude from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the heads of government of these countries for their clear position on non-recognition of another attempt to illegally annex Ukrainian territories. The Deputy Head of the President’s Office emphasized the importance of further steps in response to the recent actions of the Russian Federation, in particular through strengthening sanctions.

The parties discussed the implementation of Ukraine’s course on Euro-Atlantic integration. Ihor Zhovkva informed Fernando Morgado and Emma Aparici in detail about the application for joining NATO, which was signed by the President together with the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada and the Prime Minister on September 30, 2022.

“We count on substantive consideration of this issue by the members of the Alliance. It is important that during such a discussion the proposals of Ukraine, which were presented by the Yermak-Rasmussen working group in the framework of the Kyiv Security Compact, be taken into account,” Ihor Zhovkva emphasized.

October 7, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Mayor announces new funding for youth workers embedded in hospitals [October 2022]
The press release issued by the Mayor of London on 7 October 2022.
- City Hall and London’s Violence Reduction Unit to invest further £7.8m in programme to embed youth workers in emergency departments
- This is on top of the £9.2m Sadiq has invested in youth workers in hospitals since 2016
- Initial data shows nearly 800 young people engaged with youth workers operating in A&E hospitals in the last two years alone
- Sadiq champions partnership between City Hall and NHS in tackling violence and supporting young people.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has today announced that his Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) and City Hall are investing a further £7.8 million* to build on a programme that embeds youth workers in hospital emergency departments to support young people affected by violence.

Specialist frontline youth workers, based in hospitals, work alongside clinicians in Accident and Emergency departments and Major Trauma Centres to offer support, guidance and a route away from violence for young people.

New funding from City Hall will mean that youth workers will continue to be embedded in eight A&E hospitals and four Major Trauma Centres. Hospital locations are determined by the levels of young victims of violence in the surrounding area.

The investment will also enable specialist youth workers to support young victims of domestic abuse and domestic violence in the four Major Trauma Centres.

It comes as initial data shows that over the last two years, nearly 800 young people have engaged and worked with youth workers based in A&Es, supporting them away from violence and helping with mental health support, access to education and housing, as well as training and employment opportunities.

Youth work provision, which is carried out by Redthread, St Giles Trust and Oasis, was delivered during the pandemic and engagement has stepped up in the last year with practitioners’ increased presence in hospitals.

Initial data reveals that between April 2020 and March 2022, support from youth workers:
- Helped young people to feel safe because they have a trusted adult relationship that they can rely on.
- Showed that for those that engaged with youth workers, exposure and involvement in violence reduced.
Youth workers based in A&E departments provides an opportunity to intervene in a young person’s life much earlier. Known as the ‘reachable moment’ skilled youth workers engage with young people when they arrive at hospital with injuries – the time when they are most receptive to changing their behaviour.

Clinical leads in hospitals across the capital have worked hard to develop the programme and dedicated spaces in A&E has been secured to provide opportunities for youth workers to speak confidentially to young people, and provide the support and guidance they need.

The security of new funding from the VRU and the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime means youth workers will be able to further develop those relationships in hospitals and work in partnership to support more young people over the next three years.

The programme continues the VRU’s focus on championing and investing in youth work in London. It joins the ENGAGE and DIVERT programmes which embeds specialist frontline practitioners in police custody suites to help support young people aged 10-17 and 18-25 away from violence. Alongside this, the VRU funds a leadership programme to upskill youth workers, and has now set up a team of 10 frontline practitioners to advise and further embed youth work in programmes to reduce violence.

The Mayor today visited King’s College Hospital to meet with hospital A&E staff and youth workers from Redthread to hear first-hand about the impact of the partnership work they are doing to help and support young people.

He was joined by Martin Griffiths, a consultant trauma and vascular clinician and national clinical director for violence reduction for NHS England, to champion the joint work between City Hall and the NHS to tackle violence through prevention and early intervention.

Redthread’s programme at King’s began in 2005 and was the first time youth workers were based in a hospital in the UK.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said:

“I am committed to tackling violence and building a safer city for all Londoners.

“My approach of being tough on violence through the hard work of our police and tough on the complex causes of violence, is showing signs of progress. Overall, crime continues to fall in London, bucking the national trend, with knife crime with injury for under 25s and gun crime both down. However, it’s clear more needs to be done in partnership to continue making progress.

“Partnership work from prevention to enforcement is vital to tackling violence and the work my VRU does alongside the NHS and its violence reduction programme is a fantastic example of working together to identify opportunities to intervene early to divert young people and help them access positive life opportunities.”

Lib Peck, Director of London’s Violence Reduction Unit, said:

“We firmly believe that violence is preventable, not inevitable.

“That outcome is based on partnership and is the foundation of the work we do alongside the NHS to tackle violence through prevention and early intervention.

“The VRU is a champion of youth work in our city and the invaluable role they play in a young person’s life. I’m looking forward to building on the progress made with new investment to back up our fantastic youth workers so they can continue making life-changing interventions.”

Martin Griffiths, Consultant Trauma and Vascular Surgeon at Barts Health NHS Trust and National Clinical Director for Violence Reduction (NHS England), said:

“The commitment of both the VRU and the Mayor’s Office to supporting the success of embedded youth workers in Emergency Departments is testimony to the impact these programmes have had in changing the lives of those affected by violence.

“The additional funding guarantees that specialist support is delivered in sync with the expert medical care that our dedicated NHS clinical teams provide and ensures the best outcomes for young people affected by interpersonal injury.

“This is a fantastic example of partnership working between the NHS, the VRU and the Mayor’s office, demonstrating the impact of the public health approach to violence reduction.”

Tracey Burley, Chief Executive, Redthread, said:

“As a charity, we welcome the VRU and Mayor’s office investment of more funding towards embedding youth workers in emergency departments. We work in close partnership with hospitals, health care professionals and other appropriate stakeholders to help put a stop to cycles of violence. Our youth workers work directly within A&E Departments and Major Trauma Centres, meeting with young people affected by violence to provide holistic, bespoke intervention to meet whatever their needs may be, which could include, for example, support for their wellbeing and safety whilst in hospital, help for them to access mental health services or to navigate the criminal justice system if applicable, as circumstances will be unique to each individual youth.

“We find that teachable moments come when young people are reachable in the hospital environment, as the unique setting presents the opportunity to support young people to become experts of their own lives. This new investment in reaching young people at this pivotal moment will make a vital difference to these young people, their families and their communities.”

Cham Harrak, a youth worker at Redthread, said:

“We work directly within A&E and Major Trauma wards, meeting with victims of violence to provide holistic, bespoke interventions to support them through complex and vulnerable moments to make a positive difference.

“It’s essential for our team to have close relationships with the clinical teams to help the young people navigate what is a traumatic experience. We ensure we are advocating for the young person to access the best support and amplify their voice.”
October 7, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Student Loans Company pays £2.6bn in funding to students across the UK [October 2022]

The press release issued by the Department for Education on 7 October 2022.

Over £2.6bn has been paid to 1.1m students in the first term of the 22/23 academic year, according to figures released today* by the Student Loans Company (SLC).

The organisation, which administers student finance on behalf of the UK Government and the Devolved Administrations in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, has now completed the majority of first term Maintenance Loan payments to students across the UK. Payments will continue to be made to students who are due to start courses in the coming weeks.

For the third year in a row SLC has increased the number of applications that it has had processed and ready to pay to students by term start.

Chris Larmer, Executive Director of Operations, at SLC said: “SLC exists to enable opportunity for students to invest in their future through access to trusted, transparent, flexible and accessible student finance services. We are pleased to have reached this important milestone where we have completed first term Maintenance Loan payments for the majority of students, ensuring they have started the new academic year with their funding in place.”

Although the majority of students will now have received their first payment, not all of them will get their full entitlement straight away. Eligible applicants who applied late will be awarded the minimum Maintenance Loan amount first, followed by a top-up payment if they are entitled to more funding. Payment can only be released to students once their higher education institution has confirmed their registration. More information about applying late can be found here.

SLC has continued to develop its provision of online information throughout this payment cycle – creating new resources including a common questions area, with a dedicated section on payment, which students can access via their online accounts.

Chris added: “September is always our busiest month, and this year has been no exception. We have experienced a high volume of calls and we are grateful to our customers for their patience when contacting us. We have made important improvements in our online experience this year – we are committed to improving our customer experience and this work will continue.

“Our focus now turns to paying Tuition Fees on behalf of students, with payments starting to be made to education providers from early November.”

SLC does not set the minimum or maximum amount of financial support that students can receive each academic year, however, the organisation is aware that many students will have concerns around this time about their finance and we will continue to help promote the support available to them.

For example, if a student’s application is income assessed and their household income has decreased by 15% or more since the last tax year, they can apply for a Current Year Income Assessment (CYI). This means their application can be reassessed using their estimated current tax year income instead. More information can be found at : https://www.gov.uk/support-child-or-partners-student-finance-application/current-year-income. Students are also encouraged to check they have applied for the maximum amount of funding available to them which they can do via their online account.

Chris said: “We want to assure customers that we will support them as best we can. However, if a student is experiencing financial hardship, they should speak to their university or college in the first instance. They may be able to offer help and advice as well as access to financial support via hardship funding. They may also direct students to other organisations offering support.”

Further Information to help students understand their living costs can be found at Understanding student living costs – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

*Please note these are provisional figures. Full year figures are published in SLC’s Student Support for Higher Education statistical release, which will be published on 24 November 2023.

October 7, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 51 – UK statement on Syria [October 2022]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 7 October 2022.

Ambassador Simon Manley, Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, introduced the resolution on the human rights situation in the Syrian Arab Republic.

Thank you, Mr President,

I have the honour to present draft resolution L.18 on the human rights situation in the Syrian Arab Republic, on behalf of a group of states: France, Germany, Italy, Jordan, Kuwait, the Netherlands, Qatar, Turkey, the United States, and the United Kingdom.

Mr President,

Month after month, year after year, the situation on the ground in Syria continues to deteriorate before our very eyes. Human rights violations remain widespread and systematic. The now critical humanitarian situation is exacerbated by the insecurity which the regime and its backers continue to provoke.

The Commission of Inquiry recently warned this Council that we risk further dire consequences if this trajectory continues.

In our draft resolution, we specifically focus on developments in Syria over the last six months.

Targeted attacks on civilians, in their homes, at markets, have killed innocent women and children.

Civilians are being deprived of food, water, and the basic needs required simply to survive.

Those in detention continue to suffer appalling conditions, ill-treatment and torture.

Meanwhile families endure a different type of torture, that of not knowing if and when they will see ever their loved ones again.

Mr President,

This Council cannot turn away, cannot stay silent, when it comes to the regime’s blatant disregard for the rights and lives of its people.

The resolution put forward today condemns the lethal violence inflicted on the Syrian people; demands that critical humanitarian aid is delivered without hindrance; and calls for further support for those seeking the fate of their loved ones, in the face of very real threats to their safety and their livelihoods.

Let me, Mr President, thank all those delegations who have engaged constructively in the informal consultations on this resolution.

Given the lives lost, the suffering endured and the unwillingness of the regime to protect the Syrian people, the very least this Council can do is to adopt this resolution. Together, we can send a message that the world has not forgotten the people of Syria.

If a vote is called on this resolution, I urge our fellow members of this Council to vote in favour of it.

October 7, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Joint Communiqué of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference [October 2022]

The press release issued by the Northern Ireland Office on 7 October 2022.

A meeting of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference (BIIGC) took place at Lancaster House, London, on 7 October 2022.

The Government of Ireland was represented by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Simon Coveney TD, and the Minister for Justice, Ms Helen McEntee TD. The Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was represented by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the Rt Hon Chris Heaton Harris MP, and the Minister of State for Northern Ireland, Mr Steve Baker MP.

The Conference was established under Strand Three of the Belfast / Good Friday Agreement “to promote bilateral co-operation at all levels on all matters of mutual interest within the competence of the UK and Irish Governments”.

The Conference discussed the following:

British-Irish Cooperation

The Irish and UK Governments agreed on the importance of strong British-Irish relations to address present day global challenges and unlock the significant economic potential of both countries.

The Conference discussed the ongoing work to enhance relations between the UK and Irish Governments. Attendees identified a range of high-value areas for deeper cooperation, with particular focus on cyber, energy, research and innovation.

Political Stability

The UK and Irish Governments reaffirmed their commitment to doing everything possible to facilitate the re-establishment of the Executive by 28 October and the full functioning of all of the political institutions established by the Belfast / Good Friday Agreement including the North South Ministerial Council. They agreed on the importance of respecting the Agreement in totality. They agreed this is what people in Northern Ireland expect and deserve. The Conference noted the ongoing discussions to address issues around the Northern Ireland Protocol and to find an agreed way forward. The Conference noted that the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland would come under a legal duty to call further elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly if the Executive is not restored by 28 October.

The Conference agreed to continue close co-operation in accordance with the three stranded approach established in the Belfast / Good Friday Agreement.

Security Co-operation

The Conference examined the current security situation in both jurisdictions. Both the UK Government and the Irish Government noted the importance of the ongoing high level of co-operation in tackling terrorism, paramilitarism and associated criminality. It considered the fourth report of the Independent Reporting Commission and its recommendations. The UK and Irish Governments expressed their thanks to the Commission for their ongoing work.

Rights and Citizenship Matters

The Conference discussed the Common Travel Area protections in the context of policy and legislative developments. The UK and Irish Governments reaffirmed their commitment to the reciprocal rights and privileges provided to UK and Irish citizens under the Common Travel Area.

The Conference also discussed recent developments and legislation relevant to the implementation of the rights and citizenship provisions of the Belfast / Good Friday Agreement. An update was also provided on the implementation of the Nationality and Borders Act.

Legacy

The Conference discussed the approach to the legacy of Northern Ireland’s past and the value of further engagement on this crucial issue, in particular the Irish Government’s concerns with the UK Government’s proposed legislation and how those concerns might be addressed. The UK and Irish Governments also discussed issues of concern in respect to a number of individual legacy cases.

25th Anniversary of the Belfast / Good Friday Agreement

The Conference noted the 25th Anniversary of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement next year and agreed on the importance of collectively marking this historic moment.

Future Meetings

It was agreed that the Conference should meet again in January 2023.

October 7, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 51 – UK statement on Russia resolution [October 2022]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 7 October 2022.

Ambassador Simon Manley, Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, delivered the following Explanation of Vote on the resolution calling for the establishment of a Special Rapporteur to investigate the human rights situation in Russia.

Thank you, Mr President,

What a timely moment to be debating this resolution. As others have noted, the Nobel Committee has recognised the work just this morning of Memorial, of Ales Bialiatski, and the Centre of Civil Liberties. And I quote their phrase in so doing that they recognise their “outstanding effort to document war crimes, human rights abuses and abuse of power”. Yes, indeed.

We would like to thank our 26 European allies for showing leadership on this issue and bringing a resolution to the Council that is a measured, proportionate and necessary response to the alarming human rights situation in Russia. The truth is that President Putin uses repressive legislation to restrict freedom of speech and assembly; he crushes dissent through arbitrary detention and violence; and he has created a climate of fear and intimidation in order to deter civil society and activists from speaking out against the authorities.

Since Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, repression and attacks against individuals exercising their human rights and fundamental freedoms have only increased.

Repression at home enables aggression abroad. Putin’s Government tries to silence those who speak out against the war and detain those who try to avoid being abroad to die in the towns and fields of Ukraine. The increasing violence abroad in turn necessitates more brutal repression at home.

We have heard arguments in this house today that the response proposed in this resolution is somehow disproportionate, or that steps should be ‘more incremental’. But the reality is that the action being proposed in this Council in response to the human rights crisis in Russia is considered; it is deliberate; and it is entirely appropriate.

Mr President, as Russia increases repression against its own citizens, the countless number of Russian people who have suffered – and continue to suffer – are looking to us, in this room, right now, to demonstrate that we stand in solidarity with them. To demonstrate that we will not ignore their struggle, or their grief. And that this Council can help them to establish the truth and provide hope to those working to protect human rights.

For these reasons the United Kingdom will vote Yes on the draft resolution before us, and we urge our fellow members of this Council to do the same.

October 7, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : OSCE Warsaw Human Dimension Conference – UK closing statement [October 2022]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 7 October 2022.

Deputy Ambassador Brown says that Russia’s illegal war has had an impact on human rights and fundamental freedoms in Ukraine, Russia and across the OSCE region.

Thank you very much Mr Chair.

I would like to say congratulations on the wonderful news to those who have won the Nobel Prize.

I would also like to add our thanks to the organisers of this year’s Human Dimension Conference, to all those who have arranged side events and to all those who have spoken, including through our excellent interpreters.

Now, more than ever, platforms like this are vital to give government officials, international experts, civil society representatives and human rights defenders an opportunity to take stock and reflect on the state of human rights and fundamental freedoms across the OSCE region.

This conference has taken place under the dark cloud of President Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine. A war which has had an impact on human rights and fundamental freedoms, not only in Ukraine and the Russian Federation, but across the OSCE region. The UK strongly condemns the sham referenda in the areas under temporary Russian control. The UK will never recognise the supposed outcome.

I would like to thank the inspiring human rights defenders and civil society representatives for their courage, tireless and selfless work and their bravery in sharing their stories with us over the past two weeks.

I want to reassure you that we have heard you.

We have heard your recommendations: to use OSCE monitoring tools, such as the Moscow Mechanism, effectively and ensure that recommendations are followed up upon; to support Human Rights Defenders working in country as well as in exile; to use our statements to support victims of oppressive governments and to call out those responsible for such oppression. We have noted many more.

We have heard the requests of those working on fundamental freedoms in Russia to differentiate between President Putin’s regime and the people of Russia.

We have heard your calls not to neglect the backsliding of human rights, fundamental freedoms and democracy in other participating States.

We have heard from the formidable and unwavering wives, mothers and sisters of Ukrainian political prisoners, detained civilians, and those forcibly disappeared, many of whom remain detained and many who remain missing to this day, their families resolutely searching for scraps of information on their whereabouts. To name, but a few, of those who are detained or disappeared:

Serhiy Tsyhipa

Mykyta Buzinov

Nariman Dzelyal

Asan Akhmetov

Aziz Akhtemov

Vladyslav Yesypenko

Iryna Danilovych

Mykola Masliy

Yevhen Hurianov

Olha Melnychenko

We share in the hope of their loved ones – that they will be found, released and reunited.

We think of others across the region, including Vladimir Kara-Murza and the 1,300 political prisoners in Belarus.

We urge Russia and Belarus to engage with us and with the families who deserve answers.

We will continue to raise cases until political prisoners are free and the whereabouts of those forcibly disappeared are revealed. We will not forget.

Thank you Mr Chair.

October 7, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : £34 million boost to frigate weapon systems sustains 150 UK jobs [October 2022]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 7 October 2022.

During the next five years, Royal Navy ships will undergo a series of technical upgrades to their Magazine Torpedo Launch Systems and threat countermeasure capabilities, the latter of which will help ensure the ships continue to counter the threat of hostile anti-ship missiles.

The contract was award to Systems Engineering & Assessment (SEA) in Devon.

Sustaining 150 UK jobs across Barnstaple, Beckington and Bristol in the south west of England, the upgrades will ensure that critical systems on Type 23 frigates continue to operate reliably, and that upgrades can be seamlessly adopted and installed until their out of service dates.

The Type-23 frigate carries out a wide variety of operations, including securing the UK’s vital maritime trade routes East of the Suez Canal and safeguarding British interests in the South Atlantic. This week the Royal Navy deployed HMS Somerset to play a leading role in protecting critical energy infrastructure, working with Norway and our allies in the North and Norwegian Seas.

Minister for Defence Procurement, Alec Shelbrooke, said:

These crucial upgrades will help to ensure our Royal Navy ships remain equipped with the latest counter-threat capability.

Supporting 150 jobs at sites across the UK, this contract is another example of how we are investing in the future, sustaining UK jobs and securing cutting-edge defence capabilities.

Type 23 frigates will have electronic upgrades to Seagnat, a system which safeguards the vessel against incoming missiles by firing a variety of decoys to defeat incoming missiles.

Some ships will also undergo a further technical upgrade to their Magazine Torpedo Launch Systems – a close range, quick reaction Anti-Submarine weapon system which launches torpedoes from tubes mounted in the vessel’s magazine.

The contract was placed by the Maritime Equipment and Warfare (MEWT) team at Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), the procurement arm of the UK Ministry of Defence.

DE&S’ Director Ships Support Rear Admiral Jim Higham:

I’m incredibly proud of our team which has worked so hard to place this contract, ensuring Type 23 has the battle-winning capability it needs to perform their critical role in the Royal Navy fleet now and into the future.

In addition to Type 23 updates, the contract will also upgrade Seagnat systems during the next five years on Type 45 destroyers and Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) tankers, which provide fuel, food, fresh water, ammunition and other supplies to Royal Navy vessels around the world.

The contract also secures five further years of support for the systems on board the vessels with improved provision for spares.

The equipment supported under this contract (Magazine Torpedo Launch Systems, Seagnat and Air Weapons Handling) are used on various ships in the Royal Navy such as Type 23 frigates, Type 45 destroyers, Queen Elizabeth Class (QEC), Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels and Albion-class Landing Platform Docks.

Richard Flitton, Managing Director at Systems Engineering & Assessment said:

This major contract, SEA’s largest to date, demonstrates the systems knowledge and maritime domain expertise within our UK-based team and builds on our long-standing partnership with the Royal Navy.

October 7, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : UKHSA and ONS release estimates of excess deaths during summer of 2022 [October 2022]

The press release issued by the UK Health Security Agency on 7 October 2022.

Initial analysis by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows that across the 5-heat periods in the summer of 2022, the estimated total excess mortality (excluding coronavirus (COVID-19)) in England was 2,803 for those aged 65 and over. This is the highest excess mortality figure during heat-periods observed since the introduction of the Heatwave plan for England in 2004.

In July, some places in England recorded temperatures of over 40 degrees Celsius for the first time in recorded history and UKHSA issued its first ever Level 4 Heat Health Alert. From 17 to 20 July, when temperatures were at their highest, there were an estimated 1,012 excess deaths in those aged over 65.

The heat-period in the summer of 2022 with the highest excess mortality overall was from 8 to 17 August, which saw an estimated 1,458 excess deaths (excluding COVID-19) in those over the age of 65.

These figures demonstrate the possible impact that hot weather can have on the elderly and how quickly such temperatures can lead to adverse health effects in at-risk groups.

Similarly, ONS analysis from the same timeframe – June to August 2022 – for all age groups and for England and Wales, shows a recorded 3,271 deaths above the 5-year average. This represents a 6.2% increase. This is slightly higher than the UKHSA figure as it does not exclude deaths from COVID-19, those under the age of 65 and does include data for Wales.

Isabel Oliver, Chief Scientific Officer at UKHSA, said:

These estimates show clearly that high temperatures can lead to premature death for those who are vulnerable. Higher excess deaths occurred during the hottest days this year and a warming climate means we must adapt to living safely with hotter summers in the future.

Prolonged periods of hot weather are a particular risk for elderly people, those with heart and lung conditions or people who are unable to keep themselves cool such as people with learning disabilities and Alzheimer’s disease.

Sarah Caul, Head of Mortality Analysis at the ONS, said:

During the UK summer of record-breaking temperatures, there was an increase in deaths. However, these spikes around the hottest days were followed by periods of below average mortality. This is likely to be a result of short-term mortality displacement, especially among older age groups, where people died a few days or weeks earlier than expected. This trend is consistent with what we have seen in previous summers with heatwave periods.

It is also the case that despite peaks in mortality during heatwaves, the majority of days in the winter period (December to March) show a higher number of deaths than we see during summer.

October 7, 2022