Category: Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE : Chancellor sees government support for families in action at school holiday club

The press release issued by the Treasury on 17 August 2022.

Nadhim Zahawi met a number of young people on Wednesday 17 August taking part in sports and dance activities and discussed how the scheme at Sydenham School, funded through the Government’s Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) club, was improving wellbeing, behaviour and social skills.

In response to the latest ONS statistics, which show inflation reached 10.1% in the 12 months to July, up from 9.4% in June, the Chancellor reaffirmed that working alongside the independent Bank of England to get inflation under control was his “top priority”.

The visit comes as a further series of cost of living deals have been secured by Cost of Living Business Tsar David Buttress, to provide extra support to families as kids return to school, as part of the Government’s Help for Households campaign.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Nadhim Zahawi said:

“It’s fantastic to be here at Sydenham School to meet young people who are benefiting from our Holiday Activities and Food programme. Holiday clubs like this not only provide a nutritious meal but also the chance to take part in activities they may not otherwise have exposure to, such as music lessons, cookery classes or the arts.

I know times are tough and people are concerned about rising prices. That’s why we have continually taken action to help households including £1,200 of extra support for eight million of the most vulnerable households and £400 off energy bills for everyone over the winter.

We are doing all we can to support families and I am delighted that more retailers have got on board with our Help for Households campaign, offering some brilliant discounts on back to school essentials.”

The back to school offers include a bespoke new deal with the publishing firm Scholastic, who are offering 20% off children’s books and a curated set of Back to School deals from Amazon, including up to 30% off Clarks School Shoes and deals on stationary. Amazon Fresh is also offering savings, from lunchbox essentials to laundry detergent.

A number of other Help for Households partners, including Marks & Spencer, Primark, Shoezone, ZSL and Go-ahead have also agreed to promote their existing support schemes under the Help for Households campaign to raise awareness.

Anyone can visit the Help for Households website to access the full range deals.

The Government is also supporting working parents as their children go back to school this autumn with up to £2,000 a year towards their child’s wraparound care.

In June 2022, approximately 391,000 working families benefitted from Tax-Free Childcare, receiving a share of £41.6 million in government top-up payments – but thousands more could be missing out.

Families can find out what childcare support is best for them via Childcare Choices.

August 17, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : New UK trade scheme paves the way for an increase in Pakistani exports

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 17 August 2022.

The scheme will help these countries grow and prosper, and in turn tackle poverty by harnessing the power of trade. The DCTS replaces the UK’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP), a preferential trading system that provides tariff removals and reductions on various products.

Under the DCTS, Pakistan will continue to benefit from duty-free exports to the UK. In addition, the DCTS will remove tariffs on over 156 additional products. It will also simplify some seasonal tariffs, meaning additional and simpler access for Pakistan’s exports to the UK.

Total trade (goods and services) between the UK and Pakistan each year currently stands £2.9bn. In total, 94% of goods exported from Pakistan will be eligible for duty-free access to the UK. Pakistan will save £120m in tariffs on exports to the UK under the scheme.

Pakistan, and other DCTS countries, will also be supported to participate in the international trading system through the UK’s Trade Centre of Excellence, which will provide specialist support so that they can fully participate in the global trading system. This will include support on meeting trade standards, and participating in multilateral trade fora.

UK’s Trade Director for Pakistan and British Deputy High Commissioner, Karachi, Sarah Mooney, said:

“A prosperous UK-Pakistan relationship matters. As we celebrate 75 years of our bilateral relations, we want to further cement our strong ties and double bilateral trade by 2025. The newly announced DCTS Scheme will be pivotal in achieving this.”

August 17, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Big Ben’s return in earshot as Parliament provides further updates on Elizabeth Tower conservation

The press release issued by the Houses of Parliament on 18 July 2022.

UK Parliament has today provided further information on timelines for the Elizabeth Tower conservation project, including setting out final works and testing required ahead of project completion.

The restoration of the Elizabeth Tower is now in its final stages and on track to complete in October, with the return of Big Ben’s ‘bongs’ also expected by then.

The works undertaken to the Great Clock’s mechanism and its components represent the most intensive conservation in its history. Earlier this year, internal works in the Tower had been planned in a different sequence, which allowed us to forecast the permanent reconnection of the bells earlier than full project completion.

However, teams working on the Clock will now allow for a further period of sustained testing, specifically on the quarter bells – providing them with an opportunity to fine-tune this priceless example of Victorian engineering before all the bells are brought back into regular service.

Once tests of the quarter bells have been completed Parliament will be able to announce a specific date for when the bells will be heard permanently.

No compromises can be made when it comes to the safety and security of one of the world’s most important and iconic buildings. These are delicate works, which must all be delivered at a great height, in a confined space, and within the middle of a busy, working legislature. Parliament’s overriding priority is the completion of the project to schedule, on time and to the highest quality. It remains on track to do so.

Next steps in the conservation project and updates on visitor access

Earlier this year, the Great Clock’s Victorian mechanism was successfully re-installed and has been functioning correctly for several months. The final stage in the Great Clock’s restoration will be the return of Big Ben’s ‘bongs’ – ringing out across London accompanied by the Tower’s quarter bells, which chime the famous ‘Westminster Melody’.

Once testing has been completed on the Great Clock and the bells have been brought back into regular service, the conservation of the Elizabeth Tower will be complete. Over the Summer, key infrastructure components such as power and data infrastructure will have been connected and fire safety systems installed – including the complex sprinkler system and fireproofing that will help safeguard this historic building.

Soon after, the lighting systems in the Tower will also be completed, with the clock dials’ new energy-efficient LED illumination in operation. The new lighting system behind the dials will have the ability to change colour when required. The Ayrton Light – which shines when either House is sitting – will also then be re-connected to the power supply and light up Westminster once more.

Parliament will then resume ownership of the building and begin to prepare it for future use. The installation and testing of new exhibition spaces, workshops and tour routes is expected to be completed in the Winter. Parliament expects to welcome its first visitors back inside the Elizabeth Tower soon after, in Spring 2023. More information on the visitor offer will be provided in the coming months.

August 17, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Will Harding appointed as a Member of the Ofcom Board

The press release issued by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on 17 August 2022.

Will Harding

Will Harding has almost 30 years’ experience in the media industry.

He started his career as a management consultant with KPMG, before spending 5 years at BBC Worldwide (now BBC Studios) where he worked across the BBC’s commercial and international operations. He left the BBC in 2000 to help launch ask.com in the UK and then moved to Sky, where he rose to become Commercial and Operations Director of Sky’s new media business. He joined GCap Media plc in 2006 as Group Strategy Director. Following Global Media & Entertainment Ltd’s acquisition of GCap in 2008, he was appointed Global’s Chief Strategy Officer and joined the main Global board. During his time at Global, Will was responsible for establishing the Global Academy, a state school in Hayes in west London for young people from all backgrounds wanting to start a career in the creative industries. Will stood down from the Global Media and Entertainment Ltd board in December 2020.

Since 2021 Will has been a Non-Executive Director of Primedia, the leading Africa- focussed media and advertising group, and a Trustee of the Baker Dearing Educational Trust. He is married with three children and lives in south west London.

Remuneration and Governance Code

Members of the Ofcom Board receive £42,519 per annum. This appointment has been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments. The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election. Will Harding has declared no such activity.

August 17, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Rachel Baillache and Rupen Shah appointed to the Board of UK Sport

The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 17 August 2022.

Rachel Baillache

Appointed as a Board Member (Chair of Audit and Risk Committee) from 01 September 2022 until 31 August 2026.

Rachel is a general sports enthusiast. She is currently the Senior Independent Director at the LTA where she chairs the Audit and Risk Committee. She is also the LTA Board sponsor for Inclusion and Diversity. Rachel is also an Independent Non-Executive Director of Somerset County Cricket Club where she Chairs the Audit and Risk Committee. She is the Chair of the mental health charity Minds@Work.

Rachel was a partner at KPMG for over twenty years where she served as an audit partner and for eight years, until her retirement, she was also a member of KPMG International’s Global Executive serving as the global head of people, performance and culture and as the executive responsible for global communications. She has worked extensively abroad living in continental Europe, Asia and Africa. She is a qualified chartered accountant and was a fellow of the chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.

Rupen Shah

Appointed as a Board Member from 01 September 2022 until 31 August 2026.

Growing up a stone’s throw away from Wembley Stadium, it was almost impossible for Rupen not to be inspired by elite sport from an early age. Whether it was an England home international or FA Cup Final day, the excitement generated in the local area cemented his passion and enthusiasm for it. Rupen is now a powerful advocate for sport and believes in the transformational effect it can have on people’s lives and society.

Qualifying as a chartered accountant with KPMG, Rupen spent several years working strategically with high profile clients and also completed a secondment to India. He went on to become the Chief Financial Officer of the Football Foundation, the UK’s largest sports charity set up by the Government, The FA and Premier League. Rupen combines substantial expertise in commercial, charity and public finance with a real grasp of the challenges participants face when engaging and competing in sport.

Alongside his professional journey, Rupen developed a longstanding relationship with Arsenal FC for over a decade, which included several voluntary and part-time roles. This saw him deliver local community programmes, coaching clinics in 14 countries and coaching elite female players in the Academy, many of whom have now become, and will become, Lionesses.

Rupen now enjoys mentoring the next generation of talented sport enthusiasts, spending time with his family and travelling the world. He also continues his charitable work to tackle inequalities through trustee roles in sport and beyond, including Women In Sport and The Legal Education Foundation.

Remuneration and Governance Code

This role is remunerated at £218 per day. These appointments have been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments. The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election. Rachel Baillache and Rupen Shah have not declared any activity.

August 17, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Andrew Hochhauser QC appointed as Chair of RCEWA

The press release issued by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on 17 August 2022.

Andrew Hochhauser QC

Appointed for a four year term commencing 17 September 2022.

Andrew Hochhauser is a QC at Essex Court Chambers, a Deputy High Court Judge, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Hon Counsel to the Dean and Chapter of Westminster Abbey and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. He specialises in commercial and employment litigation.

As well as a LLM from the LSE, he has an MA from the Courtauld Institute of Art, where he studied British Modernism.

He is a former Trustee of the V&A, a Bencher and (in 2021) the former Treasurer of the Hon Soc of Middle Temple, Chair of the Samuel Courtauld Trust and an ex officio member of the Board of the Courtauld Institute of Art, Chair of Paintings in Hospitals (until January 2023), a Governor of the University of the Arts London, a Trustee of the National AIDS Trust, the V&A Foundation, the Aurora Orchestra, Orchestra for the Earth and a Director of Ensemble Plus Ultra. He was Chair of Dance Umbrella from 2007-2014 and thereafter a Governor of the Central School of Ballet. He is currently on the Board of Ballet Black.

Remuneration and Governance Code

Members of RCEWA are not remunerated. This appointment has been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments. The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election. Andrew Hochhauser QC has declared no activity.

August 17, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Support for farmers on dry weather impacts

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, on 17 August 2022.

More support for farmers has been set out today to help them deal with the impacts of some of the driest weather for decades, Defra has confirmed today (17 August).

The measures mean that they will have the option to relax rules in their agri-environment scheme agreements, to make it easier to provide vital food for livestock. The changes come into effect from today and last until the end of 2022, and allow agreement holders in the Countryside Stewardship or Environmental Stewardship schemes to take steps such as cutting or grazing additional areas of land to help ease shortages of bedding, fodder, grazing or forage crops.

A full list of these easements has been published by the Rural Payment Agency (RPA) and includes steps, such as allowing ‘buffer strips’ and field corners to be cut early. Guidance for farmers in hot and dry weather has also been made available to inform farmers how to record the adjustments they have made.

The new rules will help increase access to bedding, fodder, grazing or forage in ways that limit its environmental impact. Forage crops – those fed to livestock or plants grown to then be cut for food – are also being impacted as less silage is made and farmers are feeding stocks to their livestock now, instead of saving them for the winter months.

It comes as last week, the Environment Agency declared drought status for large parts of England, including the South West, South East and East, with Yorkshire added on Tuesday 16 August.

Environment Secretary George Eustice said:

“We are better prepared than ever before for these unprecedented dry conditions, but many farmers are concerned about water supplies and the impact on their crops and livestock.

We are therefore introducing temporary easements on agri-environment schemes to give them the flexibility to respond.”

Paul Caldwell, chief executive of the Rural Payments Agency, said:

“We know that farmers are facing pressures as they deal with the consequences of these exceptionally dry conditions, and we hope these practical steps will help farmers safeguard food production and help with animal welfare.

We are committed to supporting agreement holders as much as we can during this difficult period and help ensure that they can maintain existing environmental commitments.”

Through its agriculture monitoring groups and working closely with industry organisations Defra is continuing to assess the impacts from dry weather and is considering what further steps can be taken in the coming weeks.

Defra recognises long term planning for on-farm water infrastructure is needed, which is why in November 2021 the Rural Payments Agency launched the Water Management grant, where £10 million was provided for farmers to improve on-farm water management, such as water reservoirs and new irrigation systems. Further rounds of funding for new applicants will open in the autumn.

Last month, the Rural Payment Agency also issued guidance on how to deal with difficulties arising from unusual weather on how to deal with difficulties arising from unusual weather affecting farming schemes, including Countryside Stewardship, Environmental Stewardship, Farm Woodland Premium Scheme and the Woodland Grant Scheme.

The Environment Agency is working closely with farmers to support the industry and a package of measures to help with access to water has been introduced in order to safeguard food production and animal welfare without causing harm to the environment. These include options for farmers to access water, including through the use of short term water rights trading between licence holders and allowing flexibility with abstraction licences where the Environment Agency can ensure that the environment and other users will be protected. Where there is a real or imminent threat to crops and livestock, farmers should contact the EA to discuss availability of water.

There is no immediate threat to food supply as a result of the current hot weather, and the UK has a high degree of food security built on supply from diverse sources, strong domestic production as well as imports through stable trade routes.

August 17, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Government requests consultations with EU on participation in EU science programmes

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 17 August 2022.

The UK Government has initiated formal consultations with the EU, with the aim of finalising UK participation in EU science and research Programmes. This follows persistent delays by the EU in implementing the agreement reached under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA).

The UK Government wrote to the European Commission on 16 August 2022 to request consultations on finalising the UK’s participation in EU Programmes (Horizon Europe, Copernicus, Euratom Research and Training, Fusion for Energy) and access to programme services (Space Surveillance and Tracking) as soon as possible.

The UK’s participation was agreed with the EU under the TCA in 2020, which was clear that it would take place at the earliest opportunity when the relevant EU legislation was finalised. This timeline was vital so that UK researchers and businesses would be able to fully participate from the beginning of the respective EU Programmes. But it has now been over 18 months since the TCA was agreed and the EU has refused to proceed with the UK’s association.

The UK Government has engaged extensively with the EU in an effort to resolve this issue. It is clear that the EU is not fulfilling the agreement reached. Association to these Programmes remains the UK’s preference, but the EU’s delays are creating intolerable uncertainty for researchers and businesses in both the UK and EU Member States. That is why the Government is taking action to start consultations with the aim of finalising UK participation. This is a mechanism agreed in the TCA to resolve issues between the UK and EU.

Supporting the UK’s research and development sector through this period and ensuring continued collaboration remains the Government’s priority. That is why, in parallel to starting consultations, the UK continues to develop bold and ambitious plans for domestic alternative arrangements should the EU continue its refusal to meet its commitments. The UK Government released a publication on 20 July 2022 setting out further detail on these plans. If the delays continue, the UK Government will be forced to decide whether to put in place these arrangements.

Now more than ever the UK and the EU should be working together to tackle our shared challenges from net zero to global health and energy security. The UK Government is ready to work together with the European Commission to resolve this issue and looks forward to constructive engagement during consultations.

August 17, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Infected Blood victims to receive £100,000 interim compensation payment

The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 17 August 2022.

Thousands of victims of the infected blood scandal will each receive an interim compensation payment of £100,000, the Government has announced today (17 August).

The Government intends to make payments to those who have been infected and bereaved partners in England by the end of October. The same payments will be made in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The commitment to pay interim compensation meets, in full, the recommendations set out by inquiry chairman Sir Brian Langstaff in his interim report last month. That report built on the study by Sir Robert Francis QC in his detailed consideration of the issues. Details were announced by Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Kit Malthouse today.

The intention is that payments will be tax-free and will not affect any financial benefits support an individual is receiving. Infected individuals and bereaved partners who are registered with any of the four UK infected blood support schemes will receive payment. Advice to those people on how exactly the interim payment will be made will be outlined to them shortly.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:

“While nothing can make up for the pain and suffering endured by those affected by this tragic injustice, we are taking action to do right by victims and those who have tragically lost their partners by making sure they receive these interim payments as quickly as possible.

We will continue to stand by all those impacted by this horrific tragedy, and I want to personally pay tribute to all those who have so determinedly fought for justice.”

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Kit Malthouse said:

“Those affected by the infected blood scandal have suffered terribly over many years and that heart-breaking and unimaginable pain has been compounded by the financial uncertainty many have faced.

These interim payments will start the process of securing that certainty. My priority is to get the money to those people as quickly as possible.

I am grateful to Sir Brian Langstaff for the work he has done to date on the inquiry, and Sir Robert Francis, for his work on compensation. Of course, no amount of money will compensate for the turmoil victims and their loved ones have faced, but I hope these payments help to show that we are on their side and will do everything in our power to support them.”

Health and Social Care Secretary, Steve Barclay, said:

“The infected blood scandal should never have happened. In accepting Sir Brian Langstaff’s recommendations, today we are taking an important step in righting this historic wrong for the thousands of people infected and bereaved partners left behind.

Building on the ongoing support we are providing through the England Infected Blood Scheme, these new interim payments of £100,000 will ensure those impacted across the whole country by this injustice can access the compensation they need, right now.

I’m grateful to those who have campaigned extensively in support of these changes – we have listened and work is underway to ensure those impacted by this tragedy receive the support they rightly deserve.”

In England, the intention is to make payments by the end of October.

The Government has updated Sir Brian Langstaff that his recommendations have been accepted.

August 17, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : UK launches formal consultations with EU over access to scientific programmes

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 August 2022.

The government has launched formal consultations with the EU, in an effort to end persistent delays to the UK’s access to EU scientific research programmes, including Horizon Europe. Formal consultations is a mechanism set out in the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) to resolve disputes between the UK and EU.

The UK negotiated access to a range of EU science and innovation programmes as part of the TCA in 2020. However, more than 18 months later, the EU has still refused to finalise UK access, causing serious damage to research and development in both the UK and EU member states.

The delays have prevented the UK from accessing Horizon Europe, the EU’s key funding programme for research and innovation, as well as Copernicus, the earth observation programme, which provides data on climate change. Other affected schemes include Euratom – the nuclear research programme – and access to programme services including Space Surveillance and Tracking.

Now the government has written to the European Commission to launch dispute resolution proceedings and to encourage the EU to abide by their obligations in the deal.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said:

“The EU is in clear breach of our agreement, repeatedly seeking to politicise vital scientific cooperation by refusing to finalise access to these important programmes. We cannot allow this to continue. That is why the UK has now launched formal consultations and will do everything necessary to protect the scientific community.”

Minister for Europe Graham Stuart said:

“It is disappointing that the EU has not facilitated UK participation in the agreed scientific programmes, despite extensive UK engagement on the issue. Now more than ever the UK and the EU should be working together to tackle our shared challenges from net zero to global health and energy security. We look forward to constructive engagement through the formal consultations.

UK membership of Horizon Europe would be a win-win for both the UK and EU. The UK is a world leader in science and technology, houses some of the most research intensive universities in the world and led the global effort to combat COVID-19. The UK has set aside around £15 billion for Horizon Europe alone.”

The EU’s research and innovation community has been calling on the European Commission to associate the UK to these programmes. The UK government also continues to seek association so that collective work to solve the greatest economic and societal challenges can continue.

In the event that association is not formalised, the government has prepared an alternative set of programmes to support UK scientists and researchers: Supporting UK R&D and collaborative research beyond European programmes.

The UK government is ready to work together with the European Commission to resolve this issue and looks forward to constructive engagement during consultations.

August 17, 2022