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Category: Press Releases

  • PRESS RELEASE : Parents given power of veto on schools’ use of biometric information [May 2012]

    PRESS RELEASE : Parents given power of veto on schools’ use of biometric information [May 2012]

    The press release issued by the Department of Education on 15 May 2012.

    New advice to schools will make clear that they will no longer be able to use pupils’ biometric data without parental consent. The advice, launched today for consultation, comes into effect from September 2013.

    Schools Minister Nick Gibb said children’s biometric data was sensitive personal information and parents must have the right to prevent its use by schools and colleges. Pupils also have the right to refuse to participate and these provisions are explained in the guidance.

    The advice has been updated to take into account new measures in the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012, which has now gained Royal Assent. It will clearly set out to schools and colleges that use biometric recognition systems, such as fingerprint identification and facial scanning, that:

    • For all pupils in schools and colleges under 18, they must obtain the written consent of a parent before they take and process their child’s biometric data.
    • They must treat the data with appropriate care and must comply with data protection principles as set out in the Data Protection Act 1998.
    • They must provide alternative means for accessing services where a parent or pupil has refused consent.

    Frequently asked questions and optional templates for notification and consent will also be included in the advice.

    The Government has been clear that parents should have the right to prevent the use of their child’s personal data in automated biometric recognition systems. This commitment was underlined in the Coalition’s manifesto, Our programme for government.

    Schools Minister Nick Gibb said:

    Biometrics in schools is a sensitive issue. We want schools to be in no doubt of their responsibilities when it comes to young people’s personal data.

    I have heard from many angry parents after they have learned that their children’s personal data was being used by schools without their knowledge. The new legislation gives the power back to parents, as it requires parental consent before the information can be collected.

    In the age of the internet, identity and the integrity of biometric data are of increasing importance. Young people need to understand from an early age the sensitivity of such personal data. The provisions of the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 and the accompanying advice to schools will help to reinforce that message.

    Some schools and colleges use biometric technologies such as fingerprint identification and facial scanning. These may be used to record attendance, grant access to libraries and to process cashless payments. The benefits to schools include site safety and the speed and ease of access to services.

    The consultation is aimed at proprietors, governing bodies, head teachers, principals and staff. The Department wants schools and colleges to be able to accommodate the new duties without increasing the burden on them. The consultation seeks feedback on the clarity of the Department’s advice ahead of its final publication later in the year. It runs for 12 weeks and closes on 3 August 2012.

    Further Education Minister John Hayes said:

    It is absolutely right that what we do in schools is consistent with the approach in colleges and, in that spirit, I welcome this consultation.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Labour announces landmark shift in skills to drive growth and equip our country for the future [September 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Labour announces landmark shift in skills to drive growth and equip our country for the future [September 2022]

    The press release issued by the Labour Party on 27 September 2022.

    Keir Starmer has announced that in government Labour will give businesses the flexibility they need to train their workforce and deliver growth, by turning the Tories’ failed apprenticeships levy into a ‘Growth and Skills Levy’.

    As part of a wider package, Labour has also announced that it will devolve adult education skills spending to combined authorities, and establish a new expert body – Skills England – to oversee the national skills effort.

    As part of a crucial step to delivering the skills needed to drive growth, transition to net zero, and capture the benefits of new technologies, these reforms will give adults across the country the skills they need to gain good jobs and boost local and regional economies.

    The Tories’ failure to deliver a skills system that works has left the country ill-prepared for the challenges we face over the next decade, including the transition to net zero, and reaping the benefits of technological change.

    Labour’s plan for skills would:

    • Turn the Tories’ failed Apprenticeships Levy into a ‘Growth and Skills Levy’ enabling firms to spend up to 50% of their levy contributions, including current underspend, on non-apprenticeship training – including modular courses and functional skills courses to tackle key skills gaps. By reserving 50% of the Growth and Skills Levy for apprenticeships, we will protect existing apprenticeship provision
    • Better align skills policy with regional economic policy and local labour markets by devolving combining and various adult education skills funding streams to current and future combined authorities
    • Establish a new expert body, Skills England, to oversee the national effort to meet the skills needs of the coming decade across all regions, and ensure we can deliver our Climate Investment Pledge.

    Keir Starmer, Leader of the Labour Party, said:

    “Labour will give employers new flexibility to invest in the world class training they need. Businesses want high skills, workers want skills training when they need it. We will see the biggest partnership between government, business and communities this country has ever seen.”

  • PRESS RELEASE : Hundreds of employers bid for £250m skills training pilot [May 2012]

    PRESS RELEASE : Hundreds of employers bid for £250m skills training pilot [May 2012]

    The press release issued by the Department for Education on 15 May 2012.

    The government has received 269 bids from employers looking to take part in a new pilot to design and develop their own vocational training programmes, Skills Minister John Hayes announced today.

    The Employer Ownership pilot invited the first round of bids earlier in the year for a share of the £250 million fund which will route public investment directly to employers – enabling them to invest in the training and skills development they need to grow their business.

    Mr Hayes said:

    Skills are central to the UK economy and our long-term competitiveness and we’re making excellent progress with the biggest apprenticeship programme in modern history.

    That’s why the government has put building workforce capabilities through training at the heart of our economic strategy.

    But there’s always more to do and because we know the skills system must be demand driven, we’re determined to put employers in the driving seat. With unprecedented focus and funding we’ll match and beat competitor nations who have always valued vocational education.

    This pilot fund will give employers the space and opportunity for greater ownership of the vocational skills agenda encouraging innovation and new thinking as we provide the platform for sustainable growth.

    Testing the impact of greater employer ownership of the vocational training agenda is the key objective of the pilot. The vision of greater employer ownership has been championed by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) – a non-departmental public body that provides strategic leadership on skills and employment issues.

    Charlie Mayfield, Chairman of the UK Commission for Employment and Skills and the John Lewis Partnership, said:

    The pilots are all about encouraging innovation and partnership in an area that is critical to the growth and success of our economy. I look forward to seeing what changes we can start to make as a result of these investments.

    The winners of the bids will be announced later in the year.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Children and Families Bill to give families support when they need it most [May 2012]

    PRESS RELEASE : Children and Families Bill to give families support when they need it most [May 2012]

    The press release issued by the Department for Education on 9 May 2012.

    The government will overhaul the special educational needs (SEN) system and reduce delays in the family justice and adoption systems, under new legislation announced in today’s Queen’s speech.

    The planned Children and Families Bill would deliver better support for families – legislating to break down barriers, bureaucracy and delays which stop vulnerable children getting the provision and help they need.

    The bill would introduce a single, simpler assessment process for children with SEN or disabilities, backed up by neweducation, health and care plans – part of the biggest reforms to SEN provision in 30 years.

    It would speed up care proceedings in family courts so children do not face long and unnecessary hold ups in finding permanent, loving and stable homes – with the introduction of a new six-month time limit on cases and other reforms. Children currently wait an average of 55 weeks for court decisions.

    It would include legislation to stop damaging delays by social workers in matching parents to ethnic minority children – black children already take 50 per cent longer to be adopted than white children or those of other ethnicities.

    It would strengthen the law so children have a relationship with both parents if families break up – if that is in their best interest. Ministers will consult shortly on the legal options about how this would work.

    And it would strengthen the powers of the children’s commissioner – to champion children’s rights and hold government to account for legislation and policy.

    The bill is expected to be introduced early in 2013.

    The main elements of the forthcoming bill include:

    Special education needs (SEN)

    The key measures are:

    • Replacing SEN statements and learning difficulty assessments (for 16- to 25-year-olds) with a single, simpler 0-25 assessment process and education, health and care plan from 2014.
    • Providing statutory protections comparable to those currently associated with a statement of SEN to up to 25 in further education – instead of it being cut off at 16.
    • Requiring local authorities to publish a local offer showing the support available to disabled children and young people and those with SEN, and their families.
    • Giving parents or young people with education, health and care plans the right to a personal budget for their support.
    • Introducing mediation for disputes and trialling giving children the right to appeal if they are unhappy with their support.

    The legislation would draw on evidence from 20 local pathfinders set up in September 2011. The interim evaluation reports are due in summer and late autumn 2012, with a final report in 2013.

    Ministers have committed to making all the necessary legal changes to put in place reforms proposed in the ‘Support and aspiration’ green paper.

    The green paper was published for consultation in March 2011 – and next week, ministers will set out their detailed response and reform timetable.

    Adoption

    The key measure is:

    • Stopping local authorities delaying an adoption to find the perfect match if there are suitable adopters available. The ethnicity of a child and prospective adopters will come second, in most cases, to the speed of placing a child in a permanent home.

    The proposal was set out in the Adoption Action Plan published in March 2012 – part of wider reforms to speed up and overhaul the system for prospective adoptive parents and children.

    Family law

    The key measures are:

    • Creating a time limit of six months by which care cases must be completed.
    • Making it explicit that case management decisions should be made only after impacts on the child, their needs and timetable have been considered.
    • Focusing the court on those issues which are essential to deciding whether to make a care order.
    • Getting rid of unnecessary processes in family proceedings by removing the requirement for interim care and supervision orders to be renewed every month by the judge and instead allowing the judge to set the length and renewal requirements of interim orders for a period which he or she considers appropriate, up to the expected time limit.
    • Requiring courts to have regard to the impact of delay on the child when commissioning expert evidence and whether the court can obtain information from parties already involved.
    • Requiring parents in dispute to consider mediation as a means of settling that dispute rather than litigation by making attendance at a mediation information and assessment meeting a statutory prerequisite to starting court proceedings.
    • Freeing up judicial time by allowing legal advisers to process uncontested divorce applications.

    It follows the government’s response in February 2012 to the final report of the independent Family Justice Review published in November 2011.

    Shared parenting

    Ministers intend to strengthen the law to ensure children have a relationship with both their parents after family separation, where that is safe and in the child’s best interests.

    The government believes that this will encourage more separated parents to resolve their disputes out of court and agree care arrangements that fully involve both parents.

    The government will consult shortly on how the legislation can be framed to ensure that a meaningful relationship is not about an equal division of time but the quality of time that a child spends with each parent.

    This was announced as part of the government’s response to the independent Family Justice Review in February 2012. The review published its final report in November 2011.

    Office of the Children’s Commissioner

    The key measures are:

    • Strengthening the commissioner’s remit – with new overall function to “promote and protect children’s rights” as set out in the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child.
    • Widening the Commissoner’s remit to include the functions of the Children’s Rights Director in Ofsted.
    • Granting new powers to carry out assessments of the impact of new policies and legislation on children’s rights and underline existing duties on government and public services to publish formal responses to commissioner’s reports.
    • Giving more independence from ministers and report directly to parliament – with parliament playing a stronger role in scrutinising the commissioner’s performance.
    • Granting future commissioners a single six-year term of office.

    It follows Dr John Dunford’s independent review of the Office for Children’s Commissioner which reported in December 2010.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Close to 1,000 jobs moved from London to Scotland under UK Civil Service shakeup [September 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Close to 1,000 jobs moved from London to Scotland under UK Civil Service shakeup [September 2022]

    The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 27 September 2022.

    • Major progress made with 933 UK Civil Service jobs moved out of London to Scotland
    • UK government has committed to relocate 1500 jobs to Scotland by 2025
    • Cabinet Office second HQ to more than double department’s presence in Glasgow by 2025

    Almost 1,000 London-based Civil Service jobs have moved to Scotland since March 2020, the Cabinet Office has announced today.

    The latest figures have been announced as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Nadhim Zahawi, visited the department’s new second HQ at Atlantic Square, Glasgow ahead of chairing the inaugural Islands Forum in Orkney on Wednesday.

    The relocation programme, known as Places for Growth, is moving 22,000  Civil Service jobs out of London by 2030. Already 933 jobs have been relocated from the capital to Scotland since the start of the scheme, with a further 600 high-quality jobs to be permanently based in Scotland by 2025.

    The Cabinet Office will more than double its current numbers of Glasgow employees to around 750 by 2025.

    Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for Intergovernmental Relations Nadhim Zahawi said:

    We want to drive growth right across the United Kingdom and moving Civil Service jobs out of London is crucial to delivering this. I am delighted to say that the Cabinet Office is leading the way with this work by ensuring we have key decision makers based in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

    It is imperative that we continue to build on this momentum and expand opportunities for people outside of London, giving them the chance to build successful careers right across the UK and bring diversity of thought and experience right to the very top of government.

    The number of Senior UK Civil Servants now based in Glasgow has grown by 1,400 per cent under the scheme, with 30 senior officials now permanently located in the city. The government plans to have at least 50 per cent of UK-based Senior Civil Servants located outside of London by 2030.

    Cabinet Office roles previously based in London but which are now in Scotland include directors in the Counter Fraud Function, Consulting Hub and Debt Management teams. This signals the end of the era where staff who wanted to climb the ladder to senior level needed to move to London or nearby, or made the long commute from further afield. Staff are now able to lead teams delivering exceptional public services while based anywhere in the UK.

    Naomi Hunter, who was born in Edinburgh but moved to London to join the Treasury in 2013, is now a Senior Civil Servant based in the Cabinet Office’s Glasgow HQ. After joining the UK Civil Service, she spent the next seven years living in London and travelling back to Scotland regularly to see family and friends.

    Ms Hunter, who leads the strategy team for recovering public sector debt, said:

    When I first joined the UK civil service, I moved to London because it was the only option if I was going to progress in my career. The opening of the Cabinet Office HQ in Glasgow has meant I’ve been able to move back to Scotland and still do what I’m passionate about. I’m so pleased for people in Scotland that they no longer need to move south to start their careers or get good, expert jobs in their field.

    The expansion has meant graduates are remaining in Scotland, preventing a ‘brain drain’ as young people travel south to further their careers.

    Ceilidh MacDonald, aged 27 and originally from Inverness, was her family’s first university graduate. After initially ruling out a job at a central government department due to the requirement to live and work in London, she learned of the Cabinet Office’s expansion in Glasgow and took a role in the Grants team.

    Ms MacDonald said:

    I thought the only way to have a career was to move to London but when Covid hit, I realised that was the last place I wanted to be. I’m now not only gaining more experience than I ever thought possible in Scotland, but we’re working in the community to get the word out that there’s fantastic opportunities on your doorstep.

    Other cities have also benefited from the expansion with hundreds of roles moved to Edinburgh and East Kilbride in departments including the FCDO, Ministry of Justice and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

    It is expected that these jobs will provide a significant boost for local business and enterprise, with government research having shown that workers put around 50% of their salaries back into the local economy.

  • PRESS RELEASE : BEIS and the Government’s Growth Plan [September 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : BEIS and the Government’s Growth Plan [September 2022]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on 27 September 2022.

    The government has published a Growth Plan aimed at delivering higher, sustainable economic growth with an ambitious target of 2.5%, with plans that will boost investment, create skilled jobs, improve living standards and make Britain an even better place to do business. The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) will have a key role to play in working towards this target.

    The plan lays out the biggest package of tax cuts and reforms in a generation, to encourage investment and make work pay. The planned rise in corporation tax has been cancelled, keeping it at 19%, while changes to income tax and national insurance will see over 30 million people receive a tax cut. Stamp Duty cuts will also help people on all levels of the property market.

    Alongside addressing the immediate challenges of high energy costs through support for households and businesses, the government recognises the importance of acting now to grow the economy. Ultimately, growth means more jobs, higher pay and more money to fund public services, like schools and the NHS.

    Cutting energy bills for households and businesses

    Support for Households: Energy Price Guarantee

    On 8 September, the Prime Minister announced the Energy Price Guarantee.

    The Energy Price Guarantee will ensure that a typical household in Great Britain pays an average £2,500 a year on their energy bill, for the next 2 years, from 1 October 2022, with an equivalent scheme in Northern Ireland from November.

    The consumer saving will be based on usage, but a typical household is expected to save at least £1,000 a year (based on current prices from October). Energy suppliers will be fully compensated for the cost of the Energy Price Guarantee. Based on 2019 median consumption, houses will save around £1,000 a year, and flats will save £700 a year.

    £150 of this saving will be delivered by temporarily transferring the cost of environmental and social costs, including green levies, to the Exchequer for 2 years. This will mean customers don’t bear the costs, but benefit from the low-carbon electricity generation.

    This support is in addition to the £400 Energy Bills Support Scheme available to all households. This will be paid in 6 instalments from October.

    An additional payment of £100 will be provided to compensate for the rising costs of alternative heating fuels for those UK households who are not able to receive support for heating costs through the Energy Price Guarantee.

    The most vulnerable UK households will continue to receive £1,200 of support (including £400 from the Energy Bills Support Scheme) provided in instalments over the year.

    Support for businesses and non-domestic properties

    Through the new Energy Bill Relief Scheme (EBRS), the government will provide support with energy bills for all non-domestic consumers in Great Britain and Northern Ireland (including charities and public sector organisations).

    This 6-month scheme will protect them from soaring energy costs by providing a discount on wholesale gas and electricity prices.

    It will apply to energy usage for all non-domestic energy users from 1 October 2022 to 31 March 2023.

    Equivalent support will be provided for non-domestic consumers who use heating oil or alternative fuels instead of gas (further detail on this will be announced shortly).

    In Northern Ireland, the scheme will be established on the same criteria and offering comparable support, but recognising the different market fundamentals

    We will publish a review into the operation of the EBRS in 3 months to inform decisions on continued support after March 2023.

    Reform to tackle root causes in the energy sector

    While the interventions for households and businesses will be funded by the government, action is being taken to significantly reduce the cost over time.

    A new Energy Supply Taskforce – The new Taskforce will seek to negotiate long-term agreements with major gas producers. BEIS is also working with low carbon electricity generators to reduce the link between gas and electricity prices. Successful action should smooth the price of wholesale gas and electricity over time. Such action should also increase security of supply over time, reducing the likelihood of similar energy price crises in the future.

    Energy Markets Financing Scheme – Together with the Bank of England, HM Treasury are providing further details around a £40 billion scheme announced on 8 September to address extraordinary liquidity requirements faced by energy firms, due to variation margin calls. The Energy Markets Financing Scheme will improve resilience in energy markets, and the economy. To deliver the scheme, there will be a 100% guarantee to commercial banks covering additional lending they extend to firms. The scheme will provide short term financial support and will be designed to be used as a last resort, with pricing and conditions reflecting this. The EMFS will only be available to firms who are able to meet eligibility requirements.

    Energy Company Obligation (ECO) – This scheme requires medium and large energy suppliers to achieve bill-savings for low-income and vulnerable households, by delivering energy efficiency improvements such as insulation. We will expand this existing obligation by a further £1 billion over 3 years, beginning from April 2023. Support will be targeted at those most vulnerable, but will also be available for the least efficient homes in lower council tax bands. This will help hundreds of thousands of customers take action to reduce their energy bills, delivering an average saving of around £200 a year through measures such as cavity wall insulation and loft insulation.

    Moving to a simpler, lower tax economy

    The Growth Plan reduces the tax burden by delivering tax cuts worth around £45 billion per year by 2026/27, which is the biggest tax cut in generations.

    A pro-growth tax system:

    • creates the conditions for business to invest, innovate and create jobs
    • allows hard working families to keep more of what they earn
    • is simple and fit for the future

    Tax cuts for businesses

    We are cancelling the planned rise of the Corporation Tax rate from 19% to 25%, which puts £19 billion back into the economy by 2026/27 and will make the UK tax system one of the most competitive in the world.

    The increase in the Diverted Profit Tax rate will remain at 25%. The Bank Corporation Tax Surcharge cut will also be cancelled. Super-deduction technical rules will also be amended to ensure it works as intended at the new Corporation Tax rate.

    We are introducing an investment package designed to supercharge the ability of small British businesses to raise money, attract talent and ultimately grow and succeed

    The level of the Annual Investment Allowance (AIA) at is remaining at £1 million permanently, which is a tax cut for businesses of around £1.3 billion a year.

    At £1 million, the AIA covers the investment needs of over 99% of the UK’s businesses.

    From April 2023, the amount companies can raise under Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) will increase by £100,000 to £250,000, and the gross asset limit will increase from £200,000 to £350,000.

    The company age limit will increase from 2 to 3 years, and the annual investor limit will be doubled to £200,000. This package will help over 2,000 start-up companies raise the capital they need to grow.

    The Company Share Option Plan (CSOP) scheme options limit is doubling from £30,000 to £60,000, and the rules which restrict use of the scheme when companies have more than one class of ordinary shares (the ‘worth having’ restriction) is being relaxed from April 2023.

    We are introducing a new VAT-free shopping scheme for overseas visitors, which will boost our high streets and help create jobs for those working in the travel and retail sectors.

    Growth

    Driving greater private capital investment

    The growth plan will unlock billions of pounds of long-term investment, helping our pioneering British businesses developing new technologies, accelerate their growth and to scale up.

    We are bringing forward draft regulations to reform the pensions regulatory charge cap, giving defined contribution pension schemes the clarity and flexibility to invest in the UK’s most innovative businesses and productive assets creating opportunities to deliver higher returns for savers

    Building on this, the government is also introducing the Long-Term Investment for Technology and Science (LIFTS) initiative, providing up to £500 million to mobilise billions of pounds of investment into pioneering UK businesses.

    Getting more people into work with the right skills

    In addition to making work pay and helping working families keep more of what they earn, the government is introducing further reforms to incentivise and support people into more and better paid work.

    Government will set Minimum Service Levels (MSLs) for transport, to ensure some services run during industrial action and unions cannot prevent the public making journeys that are essential for day-to-day life.

    Unions will be obliged to put employer pay offers to member vote. This requires defining the calling of a strike as a breakdown in negotiations, allowing employers to engage employees directly.

    In addition, the government will set out further measures relating to flexible childcare and ensuring the immigration system supports growth in due course.

    Allowing business to get on with business

    A simple tax system is critical for growth. Instead of having a separate arms-length body oversee simplification, the government will embed tax simplification into the institutions of government. It will therefore abolish the Office of Tax Simplification and set a mandate to the Treasury and HMRC to focus on simplifying the tax code.

    The reforms to off-payroll working, known as IR35, have added complexity and cost for many businesses. To achieve a simpler tax system and reduce burden on businesses which engage contractors, the government must be ready to change course. That is why the government is repealing the reforms introduced in 2017 and 2021.

    This will free up time and money for business. Businesses can now focus on the services they receive and invest time and resources in core activities that stimulate growth and productivity.

    The government is reforming alcohol duty to reduce the administrative burden on businesses and tax alcohol according to its strength. This will encourage growth in the lower ABV market and incentivise product innovation.

    The government will introduce a modern, digital, VAT-free shopping scheme as soon as possible, with the aim of providing a boost to the high street and creating jobs in retail and tourism.

    Later this autumn, the government will bring forward a set of measures to reduce the burden of business regulation and remove barriers to growth.

    The government will also set out its strategy for maximising the long-term productivity, resilience and competitiveness of the UK’s agricultural sector.

    Building High quality infrastructure

    The Growth Plan announces that new legislation will be brought forward in the coming months to address barriers that restrict the growth potential of the government’s landmark public investment in high quality infrastructure. This includes;

    • reducing the burden of environmental assessments
    • reducing bureaucracy in the consultation process
    • reforming the existing habitat and species regulations
    • increasing flexibility to make changes to the Development Consent Order (DCO) once it has been submitted
    • reviewing the spending control framework, including the business case process, to accelerate decision making across government

    The Growth Plan also announces further sector specific changes to accelerate delivery of infrastructure, including:

    • prioritising the delivery of National Policy Statements for energy, water resources and national networks, and of a cross-government action plan for reform of the Nationally Significant Infrastructure planning system
    • supporting deployment of onshore wind, by bringing planning policy in line with other infrastructure to allow it to be deployed more easily in England

    Investment zones

    The government is announcing Investment Zones, and is in early discussions with 38 Mayoral Combined Authorities and Upper Tier Local Authorities who have already expressed an initial interest in having a clearly designated, specific site within their locality.

    Investment Zones will drive growth and unlock housing right across the UK. Areas with Investment Zones will benefit from tax incentives, planning liberalisation, and wider support for the local economy. Investment zones will benefit from:

    • Lower taxes – businesses in designated sites will benefit from time-limited tax incentives
    • Accelerated development – there will be designated development sites to deliver growth and housing. Where planning applications are already in flight, they will be streamlined and we will work with sites to understand what specific measures are needed to unlock growth, including disapplying legacy EU red tape where appropriate. Development sites may be co-located with, or separate to, tax sites, depending on what makes most sense for the local economy
    • Wider support for local growth – for example, through greater control over local growth funding for areas with appropriate governance. Subject to demonstrating readiness, Mayoral Combined Authorities hosting Investment Zones will receive a single local growth settlement in the next Spending Review period

    The government will announce further supply side growth measures in October and early November, including changes to the planning system, business regulations, childcare, immigration, agricultural productivity, and digital infrastructure.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Avian influenza prevention zone declared in Norfolk, Suffolk and parts of Essex [September 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Avian influenza prevention zone declared in Norfolk, Suffolk and parts of Essex [September 2022]

    The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 27 September 2022.

    Following a number of detections of avian influenza in both poultry and wild birds across Norfolk, Suffolk and parts of Essex, the United Kingdom’s Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer has declared an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) across the region to mitigate the risk of further outbreaks of disease occurring.

    This means that from midday on Tuesday 27 September it will be a legal requirement for all bird keepers in Norfolk, Suffolk and parts of Essex to follow strict biosecurity measures to help protect their flocks, of whatever type or size. Bird keepers are advised to consult the interactive map to check if they are impacted and should then read the AIPZ declaration which sets out the requirements in a regional AIPZ.

    All bird keepers, including hobby and backyard poultry keepers and anyone who keeps chickens, ducks and geese as pets must take steps to limit the risk of the disease spreading to their animals.

    Additionally, keepers with more than 500 birds will need to restrict access for non-essential people on their sites, workers will need to change clothing and footwear before entering bird enclosures and site vehicles will need to be cleaned and disinfected regularly to limit the risk of the disease spreading. There is also a mandatory requirement to keep records and to make them available on request.

    The UK Health Security Agency continue to advise that the risk to public health from the virus is very low and the Food Standards Agency advice remains unchanged, that avian influenzas pose a very low food safety risk for UK consumers. Properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are safe to eat.

    The UK has faced its largest ever outbreak of bird flu with over 150 cases confirmed across the country since late October 2021. The introduction of this regional AIPZ comes after the disease was detected in kept birds at 10 premises in the affected regions since the beginning of September, as well as several reports in wild birds.

    The United Kingdom’s Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer Richard Irvine said:

    Following an increased number of detections of avian influenza we have declared an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone across Suffolk, Norfolk and parts of Essex. This means that all bird keepers in the region must urgently take action now to both prevent disease getting in to flocks and it spreading any further.

    Whether you keep just a few birds or thousands, you are now legally required to introduce stricter biosecurity standards on your farm or small holding. It is in your interests to do so in order to protect your birds from this highly infectious and devastating disease.

    The introduction of an AIPZ follows the recent increase in cases of bird flu in poultry and other captive birds in the area and increased reports of mass mortality in wild birds.

    The regionalised AIPZ now in force does not include a requirement to house birds. However, this is being kept under constant review. Further disease control measures will be based on the latest scientific evidence and veterinary advice.

    The Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) means bird keepers in the affected regions must:

    • Cleanse and disinfect clothing, footwear, equipment and vehicles before and after contact with poultry and captive birds – if practical, use disposable protective clothing
    • reduce the movement of people, vehicles or equipment to and from areas where poultry and captive birds are kept, to minimise contamination from manure, slurry and other products, and use effective vermin control
    • keep records of mortality, movement of poultry and poultry products and any changes in production
    • thoroughly cleanse and disinfect housing on a continuous basis
    • keep fresh disinfectant at the right concentration at all farm and poultry housing entry and exit points
    • minimise direct and indirect contact between poultry and captive birds and wild birds, including making sure all feed and water is not accessible to wild birds
    • prevent access by poultry to ponds and watercourses and ensure that birds are kept in fenced or enclosed areas

    The AIPZ will be in place until further notice, and will be kept under regular review as part of the government’s work to monitor and manage the risks of bird flu.

    Bird keepers and members of the public should report dead wild birds to Defra’s national dead wild bird helpline on 03459 33 55 77 and keepers should report suspicion of disease in their birds to APHA on 03000 200 301. Keepers should familiarise themselves with our avian influenza advice.

    Defra has also set out practical guidance to support land managers, the public and ornithological and environmental organisations in their response to the growing threat of avian influenza to wild birds. The ‘Mitigation Strategy for Avian Influenza in Wild Birds in England and Wales’ sets out how these groups, together with the government and its delivery partners, can mitigate the impact of avian influenza on wild bird populations whilst protecting public health, the wider environment and the rural economy.

  • PRESS RELEASE : The UK is concerned about democratic backsliding across the OSCE region [September 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : The UK is concerned about democratic backsliding across the OSCE region [September 2022]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 27 September 2022.

    Ambassador Neil Bush highlights the importance of inclusive, democratic institutions and accountable governments at OSCE’s Warsaw Human Dimension Conference.

    Thank you, Madam Moderator,

    The United Kingdom believes that inclusive, democratic institutions and accountable governments are the foundations on which open, stable and prosperous societies thrive. Societies with the full participation of women and marginalised groups and equal rights for all. Resilient, responsive, and representative.

    And yet, we have seen authoritarian influence on the rise in states across the OSCE region leading to democratic backsliding, restrictions to civic space and the rollback of rights.

    Where human rights abuses go unchecked, we see the seeds of conflict sown, often with devastating consequences for communities and nations. The absence of democratic freedoms and equality, good governance and the rule of law also impedes nations’ prosperity, deters international investment, restricts innovation, and reduces opportunities.

    The work of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) is vital to strengthening democracy and fostering long-term security. We fully support ODIHR’s election observation methodology – its impartial and objective approach to elections has helped improve electoral processes across the OSCE region.

    It is crucial that ODHIR has a proper budget to continue delivering on its mandate and ensure democratic progress is sustained.

    We also recognise that the information people need to participate democratically is increasingly moving online. Collectively, we need to ensure that journalists are able to operate safely and to hold the powerful to account. We must also remain vigilant of disinformation by malign actors.

    Madam Moderator – Russia’s invasion of Ukraine shows that it is critical that we work even harder to strengthen democratic resilience. Internal repression in Russia and Belarus is tied to external aggression. We stand totally and firmly with Ukraine.

    Madam Chair – in conclusion, societies that govern themselves democratically, where all groups meaningfully participate in political and economic processes, are safer, stronger and more secure. We call on all OSCE participating states to recognise the importance of democracy in underpinning collective security, to work together to combat democratic backsliding in the OSCE region and to fully support the vital work of ODIHR.

    Thank you very much.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Boost for innovative heat pump projects to drive cleaner heating [September 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Boost for innovative heat pump projects to drive cleaner heating [September 2022]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on 27 September 2022.

    • More than £15 million awarded by government across 24 innovation projects to make low carbon heating like heat pumps cheaper and easier to install
    • accelerating heat pump rollout will help households move away from using costly fossil fuels and supports target of installing 600,000 heat pumps a year by 2028
    • funding will create more than 300 jobs and comes alongside government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme which provides grants of £5000 towards cost of installing a heat pump

    Innovations to make heat pumps cheaper and easier to install have been backed by more than £15 million in government funding, helping accelerate the UK’s move away from fossil fuels.

    The funding is part of the government’s £60 million Heat Pump Ready programme, which is developing innovative solutions for reducing barriers to the rollout of low carbon technology in homes and businesses across the UK.

    A total of 24 projects in England and Scotland have won funding in the second round of the Heat Pump Ready programme.

    This funding comes alongside the government’s £450 million Boiler Upgrade Scheme, that provides £5,000 grants to homeowners towards the cost of a heat pump, and a zero rate of VAT for installing clean heating measures and will make it an even more affordable option for people looking to replace a gas or oil boiler in their property.

    Heat pumps are already a proven technology that is much more efficient than traditional fossil fuel boilers and provide a reliable, low carbon heating solution for households.

    Business and Energy Minister Lord Callanan said:

    In light of rising global gas and oil prices, getting low-carbon heating technology into homes is a priority for this government as it will help households ditch the costly fossil fuels that are driving up bills.

    Heat pumps are a proven, reliable technology that uses cheaper renewable energy produced in the UK. We are already bringing costs down through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and slashing VAT to zero, but by finding innovative ways to make them even cheaper and easier to install, we will help more homes see the benefits even quicker.

    The key objectives of Heat Pump Ready are to reduce costs and increase the performance of domestic heat pumps, minimise disruption in homes during the process of heat pump installation and develop financial models that support an increase in heat pump deployment.

    Innovation support is one part of the government’s strategy to help bring low-carbon heating technology to the mass-market and supports the target of installing 600,000 heat pumps a year by 2028.

    Industry estimates that the UK heat pump market grew nearly 50% last year and along with the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, Heat Pump Ready is part of a wider package of policies the government is introducing to scale up deployment and support industry to reduce the costs of heat pumps.

    Projects being supported by this stream 2 funding include one in Harrogate in North Yorkshire that is using data from smart meters to help optimise the running of a heat pump in a household energy system, a scheme in Truro in Cornwall that is looking to develop efficient and ecological refrigerants that are used in heat pumps and a project in Thame in Oxfordshire looking at ways to reduce the costs of installing and running a heat pump.

    The £15 million stream 2 funding supports 37 small and medium enterprises across the 24 projects in England and Scotland, will support the creation of more than 300 jobs and will leverage £6.5 million of private investment.

    Stream 2 of the Heat Pump Ready programme comes alongside streams 1 and 3. Stream 1 is providing over £2 million of funding across 11 projects developing feasibility studies for innovative ways to increase the deployment of domestic heat pumps within their local area. In their applications for Phase 1, project teams have estimated a potential cost reduction of at least 20% could be achieved through coordinated deployment.

    Heat Pump Ready is part of the £1 billion Net Zero Innovation Portfolio (NZIP) and funding was announced in October 2021 alongside the Heat and Building Strategy.

    As a result of the strategy and with help from projects receiving funding through the Heat Pump Ready programme, the government is confident that, as the market for low carbon heating grows, the cost of technology will fall rapidly. Working with industry, the government is aiming for heat pumps to cost the same as fossil fuel boilers to buy and run by 2030 at the latest with big reductions of at least 25-50% by 2025.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Liz Truss call with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman [26 September 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Liz Truss call with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman [26 September 2022]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 26 September 2022.

    Prime Minister Liz Truss spoke to Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman this afternoon, in their first call since she took on the role.

    The Prime Minister thanked the Crown Prince for his personal role in securing the release of five British detainees held by Russia-backed forces in Eastern Ukraine last week, to the great relief of their families.

    They discussed the strategic partnership between the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia across a range of issues, including cooperation on defence and energy security. The leaders welcomed progress in ending the conflict in Yemen and agreed on the importance of continuing political dialogue to extend the truce.

    The Prime Minister reiterated her focus on agreeing a strong UK-GCC trade deal and growing bilateral trade and investment in areas like aviation and clean technology. She also offered the UK’s continued support and encouragement for progress in Saudi Arabia’s domestic reforms.

    The Crown Prince extended his sincere condolences on the death of Her Majesty the Queen, and the leaders looked forward to continuing to grow the strong relationship fostered during her late Majesty’s reign.