Category: Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE : UK signs trade pact with Thailand to boost exports [September 2024]
The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 18 September 2024.

UK Trade Minister signs trade pact designed to boost trade and investment with Thailand and open the country up to British businesses.
- UK seals ambitious Enhanced Trade Partnership (ETP) designed to boost trade and investment with Thailand
- Pact will help create opportunities for UK businesses in the country, which is the second-largest economy in Southeast Asia
- News comes as UK auto industry set to save millions exporting cars to Thailand after rules around emissions testing changed
The UK and Thailand will today [18 September] put pen to paper on an Enhanced Trade Partnership to boost trade and investment between the two countries.

Trade Minister Douglas Alexander will sign the pact alongside Thai Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan in Bangkok this morning as part of his first visit to Asia since being appointed in July.

Thailand is the second-biggest economy in Southeast Asia and trade between the UK and Thailand is already worth £5.9 billion a year. The Thai economy is rapidly growing and its middle class is expected to more than double to almost 14 million by 2030, creating huge opportunities for UK businesses to tap into.

The new partnership signed today is designed to help the Government achieve its driving mission to grow the economy by boosting sales and investment in priority sectors such as automotive, tourism, investment, digital trade, financial services, education, and many more. The pact also commits both sides to identifying opportunities that could be delivered through a potential future UK-Thailand Free Trade Agreement.

Following the signing, Minister of State for Trade Policy Douglas Alexander said:

Thailand’s growth is something the UK can and should be capitalising on.

This Partnership will bring our two countries closer together and help British businesses sell to Thailand, supporting jobs and growth around the country.

It follows a string of changes which have made it easier for UK companies to sell to the Thai market.

This includes an agreement on vehicle emissions testing which saw Thailand accept the UK’s testing standards and waive the need for cars to be re-tested at Thai standards. Re-testing was time-consuming and expensive and its removal could save UK car manufacturers millions of pounds. A similar agreement is now being progressed for British motorbike manufacturers.

The UK and Thailand also recently also made it much simpler for Thai companies to import UK food and drink – from chocolate and cheese to soft drinks and frozen foods. They can now submit conformity documentation by email instead of the time-consuming process of getting paperwork physically stamped by the British Embassy. Removing this barrier will be worth around £40m-£70m to UK businesses over five years.

During his first visit to the region, Minister Alexander will also travel to Laos to attend the 56th ASEAN Economic Ministers Meeting. He will use the visit to speak to partners from across the region about the new government’s plans for trade and how this will support the government’s mission to drive growth throughout the economy.

Surendra Rosha, Group Executive of the HSBC Group and Co-Chief Executive of HSBC Asia-Pacific, said:

The growing trade and investment synergies between the United Kingdom and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations are drawing increased interest from the global investment community.

As one of ASEAN’s largest international banks, with a footprint in the UK and six ASEAN member markets, HSBC is committed to supporting His Majesty’s Government in working with ASEAN governments to enhance economic integration and upgrade financial services.

Debra Crew, Chief Executive, Diageo PLC, said:

ASEAN is one of the world’s most vibrant and dynamic regions, full of opportunity for Scotch Whisky. We warmly welcome the UK’s participation in the Asian Economic Dialogue and the new Enhanced Trade Partnership with Thailand which will boost trade and investment in this important region.

We hope this enhanced partnership will be the first step towards resolving costly trade barriers, such as those affecting Scotch Whisky.

Pulkit Abrol, Managing Director, Asia Pacific, ACCA, said:

With 88 years in Southeast Asia, ACCA members have been integral to the region’s growth, benefiting from the strong UK-ASEAN trade relationship.

This partnership, centred on talent mobility, sustainability, and digital trade, creates opportunities for ACCA members to thrive across all sectors in both established and emerging markets.

We welcome the establishment of the UK-Thailand Enhanced Trade Partnership as a further, integrative step towards deepening trade and mobility.

Notes to editors:
- Aggregate figures on the valuation of resolved barriers are based on DBT analysis of specific market access barriers using the methodologies set out in the DBT statistical publication. To calculate the aggregate figures, the mid-point for each valuation range is added to provide a central estimate. Further details on the methodology for the aggregate valuation figures are published in a DBT analytical working paper.
23/09/2024
PRESS RELEASE : Alfreton man, Darren Lee Fretwell, pays £13,511 for obstructing EA officers [September 2024]
The press release issued by the Environment Agency on 17 September 2024.

The Environment Agency has successfully prosecuted a man for obstructing officers in the course of their duty at a site near Alfreton in Derbyshire.

At Southern Derbyshire Magistrates Court in Derby on 13 September 2024, Darren Lee Fretwell, 58, of Golden Valley Caravan Park, Coach Road, Alfreton was fined £2,239. He was also ordered to pay costs of £11,272.

The case against the driver of a lorry which had failed to stop for officers was withdrawn.

Fretwell, who is the landowner of Golden Valley Equestrian Centre and Golden Valley Caravan and Camping Park, admitted 2 charges of obstruction.

The court was told that in August 2023 Environment Agency officers received information that waste was being tipped on land at Golden Valley Equestrian Centre, in Golden Valley near Alfreton.

On 11 August 2023, an unmarked 8-wheel tipper lorry that had deposited waste on site failed to stop when instructed by an Environment Agency officer.

Fretwell had told the driver not to stop and to drive past the officer.

During the same visit, Fretwell also refused to permit excavators which were present at Golden Valley Equestrian Centre to scrape back top layers of soil to examine what had been deposited beneath.

Also on 11 August, Fretwell refused to provide waste transfer notes relating to waste which had been brought onto site when requested by an Environment Agency officer.

On 16 August 2023, the Environment Agency officers returned to Golden Valley Equestrian Centre, at the invitation of Fretwell, to conduct a follow up inspection.

In the course of the visit, officers considered they needed to visit a neighbouring site also owned by Fretwell. This site is known as Wallis Gorse, and is on Long Lane, Golden Valley. After some resistance to this from Fretwell, the officers visited that site.

This is where Fretwell again obstructed officers. He refused to provide waste transfer notes or delivery tickets relating to piles of sand containing shredded tyre rubber which were present.

During visits on both 11 August and 16 August, Fretwell was extremely abusive and hostile towards the officers. On the second visit on 16 August 2023, this behaviour was captured on body worn video, which was played in court.

In mitigation, Fretwell said that he recognised that his behaviour on the 2 dates in question was unacceptable.

Speaking after the hearing, a spokesperson for the Environment Agency said:

This behaviour was totally unacceptable. Officers were carrying out their lawful duties to establish whether the site was acting in accordance with environmental regulations.

Hostile, abusive or obstructive behaviour such as that demonstrated in this case will not deter us from exercising our powers to protect the environment and communities and ensure a level playing field across the industries we regulate.

If people need to report an environmental incident, they should call our 24/7 hotline 0800 807060.

Members of the public can provide information 100% anonymously via CrimeStoppers on 0800 55 111 or online at [www.crimestoppers-uk.org] (www.crimestoppers-uk.org)

The charges:
1. On 11 August 2023 at land at Golden Valley Equestrian Centre, Codnor Lane, Golden Valley, Alfreton, Derbyshire DE55 4ES, Darren Lee FRETWELL intentionally obstructed an authorised person, namely Senior Environmental Crime Officer Iain REGAN, in the exercise or performance of his powers or duties contrary to section 110(1) and section 110(4)(b) of the Environment Act 1995.
2. On 16 August 2023 at land at Wallis’s Gorse, Amber Valley, Alfreton, Derbyshire DE55 4ES, Darren Lee FRETWELL intentionally obstructed an authorised person, namely Senior Environmental Crime Officer Iain REGAN, in the exercise or performance of his powers or duties contrary to section 110(1) and section 110(4)(b) of the Environment Act 1995.
Notes to Editors:
1. The Environment Agency is the principal body in England with responsibility for the regulation of waste management facilities and the transportation of waste, the investigation of environmental crime and the prosecution of environmental offences.
2. The cost breakdown was as follows:
Fine of £932 for each offence of obstruction, totalling £1,866

Victim surcharge of £373 resulting in a total fine of £2,239

Ordered to pay Environment Agency costs of £11,272

Total fines and costs of £13,511
19/09/2024
PRESS RELEASE : Growth, security and climate on the agenda as Minister visits Singapore [September 2024]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 17 September 2024.

UK Minister for the Indo-Pacific, Catherine West, begins her first visit to southeast Asia in Singapore.
- Deepening economic ties and climate collaboration focus on UK Indo-Pacific Minister’s first Southeast Asia visit
- Minister West will set out the new UK government’s approach to foreign policy, growth and climate at the Milken Institute Asia Summit 2024 with government and business leaders
- Speaking to a meeting of Singapore-based semiconductor firms, the Minister will highlight the link between resilient supply chains and economic growth
Securing sustainable economic growth, resilient supply chains and climate action are at the forefront as UK Minister for the Indo-Pacific Catherine West begins her first visit to southeast Asia today (17 September).

In Singapore, Minister West will join government and industry leaders from across the region at influential policy forum the Milken Institute Asia Summit, where she will set out the new UK government’s ambition to work with partners in Southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific to address global challenges and support economic growth. This includes through the UK-Singapore Strategic Partnership, launched in September 2023, which is deepening cooperation on trade and investment, defence and security and science and tech.

Speaking ahead of the visit, Minister West said:

My message to Singapore and partners in the Indo-Pacific is this: the UK is open for business. We know that our relationships in this region are essential to our future prosperity.

Secure economic growth relies on us working with partners to tackle the greatest challenges of this century, including the climate crisis and other threats to global security – so that is exactly what this government will do.

Aligning with Foreign Secretary David Lammy’s pledge to build a Global Clean Power Alliance to tackle the pressing climate crisis, the Minister will visit British-built Marina Barrage, an example of UK-supported infrastructure mitigating the impact of climate change. Attending the Singapore Semiconductor Industry Association Summit, she will set out the government’s ambition to increase UK-Singapore cooperation on the research and development of critical tech including AI and quantum computing.

Following her visit to Singapore, Minister West will travel to Thailand on 19-20 September for discussions with the new Thai government.

Notes to editors
- The Marina Barrage sits across the Marina Channel and was used to create Singapore’s 15th freshwater reservoir. The barrage was designed by UK civil engineering firm Binnies and the reservoir by British engineers Mott MacDonald.
19/09/2024
PRESS RELEASE : New wetlands project brings boost for people and nature [September 2024]

The press release issued by the Environment Agency on 17 September 2024.

An £80,000 project to reduce flood risk and bring a boost to wildlife and habitat in West Yorkshire is complete.

The project at Chellow Dene Wetlands, near Bradford, took three months to complete and includes improvements to a wetland area to help slow the flow of water during heavy rain.

It’s been delivered by Aire Rivers Trust working together with the Environment Agency, West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Britvic, City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council, the Rivers Trust, and Friends of Bradford’s Becks.

As part of the work, meanders have been created in Chellow Dene Beck to bypass a weir and create a more natural flow, allowing fish to move freely and creating better habitat for wildlife.

A leaky dam, made of natural materials, has been installed in the beck. This will temporarily slow the beck’s flow during periods of heavy rain, allowing more flood water to enter the plain and reducing flows downstream. This water will then gradually make its way back into the beck.

It’s expected the wetlands will hold approximately an extra 180 cubic metres of water.

Wildflowers complete the project

The project has been completed by the planting of wildflower seeds, which will produce a vibrant display of wetland wildflowers, attracting pollinators and other important wildlife.

The local Scout group has also planted Alder and Bird Cherry trees on site that will provide food and shelter to birds and insects.

Simon Watts, Operations Manager at the Aire Rivers Trust said:

Urban wetlands are vital spaces for nature in our cities. This project shows how they can bring multiple benefits to Bradford.

With the help of our funders, we’re contributing to reducing water pollution and flood risk and allowing nature to flourish on our doorsteps. It will be exciting to watch the site develop alongside our volunteers over the coming year.

Ineke Jackson, Project Manager for the Environment Agency, added:

This important project is helping to improve biodiversity and water quality and help naturally slow the flow of water, bringing a variety of improvements for people and wildlife.

Improving the wetlands and the wildlife they support will bring further benefits by connecting people with nature.

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire said:

Here in West Yorkshire, we know all too well the devastating impact that flooding can have on our communities.

That’s why we’re investing in our flooding hotspots to slow the flow of water, protect homes and businesses, and support habitats and wildlife.

We’re dedicated to working with our partners at the Environment Agency and the Aire Rivers Trust to build a greener, more secure West Yorkshire.

18/09/2024
PRESS RELEASE : New Towns Taskforce set to deliver major housebuilding push [September 2024]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on 17 September 2024.

The New Towns Taskforce held its first meeting and confirmed the final list of members as it pushed ahead to identify potential sites for new towns.
Eight seasoned experts join New Towns Taskforce to deliver new towns that could provide hundreds of thousands of new homes.

Group’s first meeting was held today in post-war new town Milton Keynes.

Taskforce to report back on potential locations to ministers next year.

Ambitious plans for the largest post-war housebuilding programme are moving at pace as the final members of a new specialist Taskforce were appointed today.

Eight industry experts now have a seat at the table of the New Towns Taskforce, alongside Chair, Sir Michael Lyons, and Deputy Chair, Dame Kate Barker. They include key players across planning, infrastructure delivery, architecture and urban regeneration.

The group will now push ahead with the vision for new towns – creating largescale communities that could deliver hundreds of thousands of high-quality homes to tackle the national housing crisis and drive economic growth across the country.

The Taskforce met for the first time today in Milton Keynes, a successful post-war town, confirming the responsibilities for each member, laying the groundwork to identify appropriate locations and learning the lessons from previous efforts to build new towns.

They were also joined by the Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Minister who spoke remotely with members during the day.

Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner said:

Today marks a momentous step in our journey to deliver the next generation of new towns and transform the lives of millions of working people in every part of the country.

We want to see new communities with real character –providing genuinely affordable, safe and secure homes, much-needed infrastructure and well-paying jobs.

With a strong team of experts standing by his side, I have every confidence in Sir Michael’s leadership and his Taskforce is working at pace to make sure our long-term ambition becomes a reality.

The Taskforce’s mission is already underway, with members leading a series of workstreams, and set to report back in 12 months. Its areas of work will include:

Identifying and reviewing high potential locations for new towns.

Agreeing principles and standards that must be met to provide good quality places.

Exploring new ways to attract future funding and investment.

Finding practical solutions to remove barriers that will unlock the delivery of new towns.

This work will form the publication of the final report due to land on ministers’ desks next year, with plans to engage with mayors, local leaders and communities in the coming months.

Housing and Planning Minister, Matthew Pennycook said:

I am really pleased that the New Towns Taskforce has held its first meeting today.

It brings together a wealth of experience from across the industry, and I look forward to engaging with it over the months ahead as it works to identify the most suitable locations across the country for large-scale new communities.

Today’s meeting also confirmed working arrangements for the Taskforce who will report back to the Deputy Prime Minister on a monthly basis, and they will be supported by officials across the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and Homes England every step of the way.

This involves the creation of a New Towns Code that developers will have to follow to ensure new towns are great places to live and will include the golden rule of 40% affordable housing.

Chair of the New Towns Taskforce, Sir Michael Lyons said:

I am very pleased to chair the first meeting of the Taskforce today. We have an important agenda to work through over the next 12 months to ensure that the next generation of new towns deliver the government’s plans for economic growth and housing ambitions.

I look forward to working with our very experienced Taskforce members to provide the Government with robust recommendations within a year.

The government is already taking immediate action to ramp up housing supply and boost economic growth by reintroducing mandatory housing targets for councils through an updated National Planning Policy Framework to help deliver 1.5 million homes over the next five years.

Large housing sites facing blockages in the development system will also be fast-tracked through the New Homes Accelerator programme, which will see planning experts deployed on the ground to support local councils and housebuilders to get Britain building again.

This is alongside the landmark £150 million partnership recently signed by Homes England to act as a master developer that will unlock largescale brownfield developments across the country, ranging from 1,000 to more than 10,000 homes.

New Towns Taskforce Members:

Sir Michael Lyons

Sir Michael Lyons is the Chair of the New Towns Taskforce.

Sir Michael is the non-executive Chairman of the English Cities Fund, a joint venture set up by three partners – including Homes England – which has large scale regeneration developments in London, Liverpool, Plymouth, Salford and Wakefield.

He is also the non-executive Chairman of SQW Ltd and has spent 26 years in local government, including 17 years as Chief Executive of three major UK local authorities including Birmingham City Council.

He has been a member of the boards of Redrow homes and Sage Housing as well as a strategic adviser on public asset management and regeneration to the commercial real estate and investment firm CBRE. He was also a former Chair of the BBC.

He previously chaired the Housing Commission in 2014 established by Ed Miliband, which set out how the UK can boost housing supply. He also led the national ‘Lyons Inquiry into Local Government’ in 2007 about workings and funding of local government which argued for greater devolution and emphasised the local authority’s role in ‘placeshaping’.

Dame Kate Barker

Dame Kate Barker is the Deputy Chair of the New Towns Taskforce.

Dame Kate chairs the trustee for the Universities Superannuation Scheme, and is also a Church Commissioner for the Church of England. She chairs the Governing Council of the Productivity Institute.

She was a former non-executive director at Taylor Wimpey plc, at Man Group plc and at the Yorkshire Building Society. She was an external member of the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee between 2001 and 2010.

During that time, she was commissioned by the government to conduct a major independent policy review of UK Housing Supply in 2004 followed by a review of Land Use Planning in 2006. She has also authored a book titled ‘Housing: where’s the plan’ and was previously a Commissioner for the National Infrastructure Commission.

Bill Hughes

Bill is Global Head of Real Assets and Co-Head of Private Markets at Legal & General.

He plays an active role in the wider infrastructure and housing industry, having been Chair of the Property Industry Alliance since 2016.

Bill is also a Global Governing Trustee of the Urban Land Institute and is on the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard (NZCBS) Governance Board.

Previously, Bill was CEO at RREEF UK and Deputy Managing Director at Schroder Property Investment Management.

Diane Coyle

Dame Diane Coyle is an economist and Bennett Professor of Public Policy at the University of Cambridge.

She is also a Director of the Productivity Institute, a Fellow of the Office for National Statistics, and an academic adviser to the CMA.

Diane was awarded a DBE for her contribution to economic policy in the 2023 King’s Birthday Honours.

Eamonn Boylan

Eamonn Boylan has over 40 years of expertise in local government, including Chief Executive of Stockport, Greater Manchester CA and Transport for Greater Manchester.

He is currently interim CEO of Manchester City Council and Chair of Stockport Mayoral Development Corporation.

Eamonn has significant experience in leading large regeneration projects, including Ancoats and Hulme in Manchester.

Helen Gordon

Helen is the CEO of Grainger, the UK’s largest publicly listed residential landlord and Build to Rent developer.

She has been in position since 2016, having previously working at RBS and Legal & General.

Helen has a wealth of experience developing new towns, working on the development of Milton Keynes early in her career.

She was also formally the president of the British Property Foundation and is Vice Chair of the European Public Real Estate Association.

Kate Henderson

Kate is the Chief Executive of the National Housing Federation, the voice of England’s housing associations.

She is currently a member of several government panels including the Rough Sleeping Advisory Panel and the Social Housing Quality Expert Challenge Panel.

She was previously Chief Executive of the Town and Country Planning Association.

Nick Raynsford

Nick is the current President of the Town and Country Planning Association and author of the 2018 Raynsford Review of Planning.

Nick was an MP from 1986 to 2015 and held multiple ministerial positions including Minister of State for Housing and Planning, Minister for London and Minister of State for Local and Regional Government.

Since leaving Parliament he has held a number of positions including Deputy Chairman of Crossrail, Chair of CICAIR and a Director of Pocket Living.

Sowmya Parthasarathy

Sowmya is an architect and urban designer at ARUP, with over 30 years of global experience. She has been involved in award-winning masterplans, strategic plans, and urban design guides, such as London’s 2012’s Olympic Legacy Masterplan.

Sowmya is also a UK Design Council Ambassador, serves as a Design Advocate for the Mayor of London and sits on the London Design Review Panel.

Wei Yang

Dr Wei is a town planner and urban designer. She is CEO of the Digital Task Force for Planning and Chairman of Wei Yang & Partners.

Wei currently serves as the Chair of the Construction Industry Council and a member of the UN Habitat World Urban Campaign Steering Committee.

Previously, Wei was President of the Royal Town Planning Institute for 2021
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18/09/2024
PRESS RELEASE : UK government events in Mexico promote trade in legal services [September 2024]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 17 September 2024.

UK legal services will be at the forefront of one of the world’s biggest legal gatherings this week to promote the UK as a place to do business.
- International legal professionals to meet UK legal services experts
- GREAT Legal Services events take place alongside the International Bar Association Annual Conference
- Roundtables and joint Law Society reception show UK government commitment to supporting UK legal sector and driving economic growth.
The British Embassy in Mexico City will host a series of networking events on Tuesday 17 and Wednesday 18 September to bolster connections between the UK legal sector and global partners to highlight the UK Government’s commitment to driving economic growth through legal services exports.

Taking place alongside the International Bar Association (IBA) Annual Conference, the world’s largest global legal sector gathering, these events, held jointly with The Law Society of England and Wales, build on the success of previous GREAT Legal Services campaign activity which has resulted in millions of pounds worth of business deals.

In the last financial year, the campaign generated over £5 million in projected business wins for UK lawyers, and more than 800 business connections for UK legal professionals, and reached over 2.6 million online in key markets across the world.

Justice Minister, Heidi Alexander, said:

I’m proud of our legal services’ world-leading reputation. These networking events allow us to share our expertise with others and learn from them to maintain our competitive edge.

Importantly, promoting the UK’s legal sector abroad helps build connections and ultimately bring investment back to the UK. I would like to thank The Law Society for their role in helping to bring UK and international legal professionals together.

The GREAT Legal Services campaign was launched in 2017 to promote and support the strength of English and Welsh Law, the UK’s world-renowned independent judiciary, and our legal expertise to the global market.

Overall the UK’s legal sector generates billions for the UK economy with the latest figures showing it contributed £34 billion in 2022. In recent months key agreements have been made with other nations to strengthen the sector – including agreements with Japan, Greece and Malaysia – by allowing UK lawyers to practise abroad.

The IBA conference is the legal sector’s largest international event, with more than 5,000 attendees expected from law firms, governments, and regulators globally.

Further information
- Tuesday’s discussions on arbitration will cover key trends in Latin America, particularly in sectors such as energy, natural resources, renewables and infrastructure, with the aim of fostering dialogue and creating opportunities for UK lawyers in Latin American markets and related jurisdictions.
- Wednesday’s finance roundtable will highlight Mexico’s growing significance as a market, assessing the key challenges and opportunities that face financial institutions and businesses in the region and how the legal sector can effectively support businesses and the market to thrive.
- Also on Wednesday, for younger international lawyers, there is an event focusing on the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE), providing the opportunity to learn more about working with English and Welsh Law.
- Rounding off the events, the Ministry of Justice and The Law Society of England and Wales will co-host a drinks reception to celebrate relationships and partnerships forged, and enable more business connections to be made.
- The events in Mexico City were supported by the Department of Business and Trade as part of broader work to grow trade between the UK and Mexico.
18/09/2024
PRESS RELEASE : £1.9 Million Announced for Science, Technology and Innovation in West Africa [September 2024]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 17 September 2024.

The UK government today has announced up to £1.9 million in funding to strengthen science, technology and innovation in Ghana and Nigeria through its West Africa Research and Innovation Hub.

The Sankore call for proposals will support the UK government’s partnership with governments in Ghana and Nigeria on Science, Technology and Innovation, facilitate commercialisation of innovative solutions, improve innovation policy and enhance government digital service delivery.

Named after a medieval centre of learning in West Africa, Sankore will support the implementation of the UK-Ghana Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy. It will promote collaborative work between universities, research centres and the private sector, and help turn new ideas into useful products for industry and support projects that fit with Ghana’s tech goals.

Launching a call for proposals at a press conference in Accra, Lord Collins, UK Minister for Africa, said:

This initiative is all about how we can work together to strengthen the global technology sector, creating opportunities for rapidly growing economies with lots of potential to compete on the world stage. The Sankore grant fosters partnerships at its heart, with a strong message that we go far when we go together.

Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Hon. Ophelia Mensah Hayford said:

Sankore will serve as a financing vehicle to catalyse the implementation of the UK-Ghana ST&I Strategy. This initiative is one of many initiatives the Ministry with the support of the UK Government intends to bridge the funding gap for Ghana’s Technological Innovation. We are happy to partner key actors in the innovation ecosystem to drive the economic transformation in Ghana through ST&I.

British High Commissioner to Ghana, Harriet Thompson added: > The launch of Sankore sends a clear message: the UK sees enormous value in partnering with African countries on science, technology and innovation, and we are committed to bringing those partnerships to life. This grant will further strengthen our existing partnerships on science, tech and innovation, in line with our joint the UK-Ghana ST&I Strategy.

18/09/2024
PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 57 – UK Statement on enforced or involuntary disappearances [September 2024]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 17 September 2024.

UK Statement for the Interactive dialogue with the Working Group on enforced or involuntary disappearances. Delivered at the 57th HRC in Geneva.

Mr Vice President, the United Kingdom would like to thank the Working Group for its report and for the insights provided.

The UK strongly condemns all instances of enforced disappearance; they are clear violations of human rights. As we know, this issue deeply affects the families of victims and leaves a lasting impact on their communities, as well as damaging and undermining the effectiveness of the rule of law.

We share concerns outlined in the report that limited records of disappearances do not accurately reflect the actual numbers of enforced disappearances in States, and that victims are likely to become subject to inhuman treatment and torture.

We must collectively advocate for increased global engagement to eradicate instances of these grave human rights violations.

The UK urges states to fully investigate all allegations of enforced disappearance and prosecute those responsible to provide justice for victims and their families. We must remain committed to promoting and protecting the rule of law internationally.

Members of the Working Group,

What tools for recording and raising allegations to the Working Group can be made readily available to those involved in investigating cases of enforced disappearances?

18/09/2024
PRESS RELEASE : Loyd Grossman CBE reappointed as Chair of The Royal Parks [September 2024]

The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 17 September 2024.

The Secretary of State has reappointed Loyd Grossman CBE from 01 September 2024 to 31 May 2025, while the process to appoint a new permanent Chair of The Royal Parks is run.

Loyd Grossman CBE

Loyd is a broadcaster, entrepreneur and writer who has a long association with the arts and heritage sectors. He is Chair elect of The Royal Society of Arts.

Loyd’s past appointments include as a board member of English Heritage, the Museums and Galleries Commission and the Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England. He has been Chairman of the Churches Conservation Trust, Chair of the Heritage Alliance, Chairman of National Museums Liverpool and Vice Chair of the Royal Drawing School. He was awarded a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for services to heritage in 2015.

Remuneration and Governance Code

The Chair of The Royal Parks is not remunerated. This reappointment 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. Loyd Grossman has not declared any significant political activity.

18/09/2024
PRESS RELEASE : UK helps secure ambitious declaration to promote sustainable farming and food security [September 2024]

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 17 September 2024.

The UK has played a key role in securing a declaration to support sustainable agriculture and promote food security at a meeting of G20 Agriculture Ministers in Brazil.

Signing the G20 Agricultural Declaration, Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs, Daniel Zeichner affirmed the government’s commitment to sustainable agri-food systems.

The Brazilian Presidency led negotiations which positioned agriculture at the forefront of addressing key challenges of fighting poverty, ending hunger, and improving nutrition, while confronting the triple crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.

The efforts of the UK ensured that the Declaration encourages more sustainable agricultural practices across the planet, including halting and reversing deforestation.

Speaking at the G20 Agriculture Ministers meeting in Cuiabá, Brazil, Minister Zeichner called on countries to deepen international collaboration, including through trade, to create sustainable agri-food systems. The minister also used the occasion to reaffirm the UK’s commitment to join the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, when it launches in November.

Daniel Zeichner, Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs said:

It is vital that G20 countries work together to create sustainable agriculture and food systems, as well safeguard food security.

This declaration will help create sustainable and resilient global agriculture, essential to overcome poverty, climate change and biodiversity loss.

At home, we will continue delivering a new deal for farmers, boosting farmer confidence and food security, as well as stability and economic growth in our rural communities.”

The government will continue to champion UK food and drink on the international stage and Scotch whisky has recently become the first foreign product granted Geographical Indication status in Brazil since 2019. This new status could be worth around £25 million in trade over five years and will give distillers better access to South America’s largest economy, strengthening international recognition for Scotch Whisky.

18/09/2024