Category: Press Releases

The press release issued by the Home Office on 16 July 2024.

Thousands of young people travelling to popular holiday destinations including Ibiza, Majorca and Menorca to work in bars and clubs have been given advice on the dangers of labour exploitation.

Border Force officers have been running Operation Karetu at 22 airports across the UK, targeting young people travelling to work in Mediterranean destinations who could be at risk of exploitation, criminality and illegal working.

The month-long operation has so far seen officers engage with over 1,000 young Brits, providing them with leaflets and guidance on how to avoid the risks involved as unofficial public relations (PR) reps – work that involves touting people into clubs and bars.

Young holidaymakers who travel abroad every year to work in the hospitality industry risk being forced to work long hours for low wages. Risks include working illegally due to a lack of knowledge about EU employment regulations or being exploited by serious organised criminal gangs.

Operation Karetu was initially launched in 2018 amid concerns over the welfare of young British nationals being exposed to different types of exploitation, particularly labour and sexual exploitation. The operation has had significant success and since 2022 there have been no cases of labour exploitation reported to the British Consular in the Balearics.

However, many cases of labour exploitation go undetected, and Border Force continue to run Operation Karetu every year as an important preventative operation to protect young people.

Home Office Minister, Seema Malhotra said:

Travelling abroad for a summer in the sun is an exciting prospect for thousands of young people across the country, but it’s important they’re able to do that safely.

Operation Karetu is just one example of Border Force’s work to protect the British public, ensuring young people are kept safe from unscrupulous employers.

This year’s operation was specifically targeting the Balearic Islands, which includes popular tourist destinations such as Ibiza, Majorca, and Menorca.

The operation began on 17 June and is running until 19 July this year, and is carried out in partnership with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the modern slavery charity, Unseen, and British embassies abroad.

Border Force carries out Operation Karetu annually as part of its Prevent and Protect strategies, to end involvement in exploitation and strengthen safeguards by protecting individuals, organisations and systems.

Key advice from Border Force officers to people considering working abroad:

1. Working while a tourist in the EU is illegal. If you are not an EU national or legally resident in the EU, you need a job offer, work permit and visa. More information is available on travelling to the EU and Schengen area.
2. Check you have a visa and a contract before starting your job.
3. Ask about accommodation and find out the rent or costs. Do this before accepting accommodation as part of a job offer.
4. Keep hold of your passport at all times. If it is taken, report it to police. You can contact the local British Consulate for help and advice. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

The Border Force operation is supported by modern slavery charity Unseen, who operate the Modern Slavery Helpline. Anyone feeling vulnerable about their work or finances can contact the Modern Slavery Helpline, in confidence, on 08000 121 700.

The operation is just one part of the work Border Force carries out to address modern slavery and trafficking. All front-line Border Force officers are trained to identify signs of modern slavery and make the necessary referrals.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 July 2024.

Statement by UK Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council meeting on multilateral cooperation.

The world of 2024 looks very different to the world of 1945, but the challenges we face are no less stark.

More countries globally are engaged in conflicts than at any time since the Second World War, we are facing a climate crisis and scientific and technological breakthroughs are raising new questions, which we need to answer.

A UN fit for the 21st century is vital to meet these challenges. I would like to make three points:

First, we need reinvigorated systems that are more inclusive and more responsive to deliver on important priorities, including the Sustainable Development Goals and international financial architecture reform.

That is why the UK is committed to making a success of the Summit of the Future in September and realising its potential to set a new, ambitious course for the UN.

We also recognise that members sitting around this table need to be more representative of the world today and that is why we have long supported Security Council reform.

Second, we need to ensure that this Council delivers on its mandate to uphold international peace and security.

We regret that recent Council resolutions 2735 and 2736 calling for a ceasefire deal in Gaza and de-escalation in and around El Fasher in Sudan have yet to be fully implemented.

We call on all parties to do their utmost to see these resolutions implemented to prevent further human suffering.

We as Council members also have a responsibility to uphold our own commitments.

It is therefore vital that the Russian government stops sourcing weapons from DPRK in violation of UN Security Council resolutions and ceases its attempts to disrupt UN efforts in Africa, including by stopping Russian proxies targeted actions against MINUSCA.

Third, we must defend the UN Charter.

President, while you tell us how you believe the world order can become more just, democratic and sustainable, your military is systematically bombing civilians in Ukraine in an unprovoked war of aggression and in flagrant violation of the UN Charter.

What is just about trying to annex another country’s land? What is democratic about trying to subjugate another country’s people? What is sustainable about waging a war that has killed or injured over 500,000 of your own people?

The war in Ukraine is a stark reminder of what kind of world order Russia really wants – a world where might is right, and powerful countries can bully and invade other countries with impunity.

The UK does not accept such a world. We will continue to stand staunchly behind Ukraine. We will support its aspiration for a just and lasting peace in line with the UN Charter and international law, and its demand for accountability.

We will continue to be a tireless advocate for effective multilateralism and for the principles at the heart of the UN Charter.

I thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 July 2024.

Ms Lisa Chesney MBE has been appointed British High Commissioner to the Republic of Uganda in succession to Ms Kate Airey OBE who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Ms Chesney will take up her appointment in October 2024.

Curriculum vitae

Full name: Lisa Jane Chesney

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 15 July 2024.

The British High Commission hosted a screening of the Wimbledon Ladies’ Singles finals on 13 July in Delhi to celebrate the world’s oldest and most prestigious tennis tournament and the power of sport to bring people together.

The evening’s gathering included tennis fans from all walks of life, sports personalities, business as well as representatives from the All-England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC), the organising body of the Wimbledon. India’s top seeded tennis player Ankita Raina also joined the screening.

Becks Buckingham, Minister Counsellor Political and Press, British High Commission, said:

Watching, playing, and celebrating sport is at the heart of British life, bringing together different genders, cultures, age groups and backgrounds around a shared passion. The UK is a melting pot of diverse cultures, and our sporting traditions reflects this. I’m particularly proud that we all came together to recognise and celebrate the achievements of amazing women athletes everywhere.

Further information

• The Wimbledon is the world’s oldest and most prestigious tennis tournament. The first Wimbledon championship took place in 1877 and the longest match was played in 2010 by John Isner (US) and Nicolas Mahut (France) lasting over 3 days.
• Each year 500,000 attendees flood through its gates over the two-week period, whilst the tournament is broadcast to more than 20 million tennis fans around the world in over 200 countries. In 2022, Wimbledon Smash App recorded 194,000 downloads, with 84% of these coming from India.
• Sport contributes £39 billion yearly to the UK economy and the UK sport industry employs more than half-a-million people.