Category: Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE : New laws to crack down on online prison content [March 2024]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 4 March 2024.

New laws will see harmful content filmed inside prisons removed from social media platforms more quickly – shielding victims from further trauma and protecting prison security.
- new measures to stamp out harmful content illegally filmed in prisons
- social media companies obliged to remove material
- legal loophole closed as part of plan to protect victims, staff and boost prison security
The Prison Media Bill, introduced by Katherine Fletcher MP, will for the first time put beyond doubt the illegality of filming and uploading footage filmed behind bars.

Currently it is not an offence for someone outside a prison to upload a video they have been sent by someone in custody.

The new laws close this loophole and criminalise posting of videos – as well as photographs and audio recordings – regardless of whether the uploader is in custody or not. It will also criminalise unauthorised filming of staff, including by so-called ‘auditors’, or content captured by drones. Those found guilty will face prosecution and an unlimited fine.

Crucially by creating new offences social media companies will now be compelled to remove the illegal content quicker.

Last year 890 pieces of harmful prison content were found online – retraumatising victims, threatening the security of our prisons and the safety of staff.

Edward Argar MP, Minister for Prisons, Parole and Probation, said:

Tackling harmful content filmed behind bars is critical to our plan to protect the public and ensure the safety and security of our prisons.

There is no place for such footage on the internet, and our priority is safeguarding the welfare of victims and our hardworking staff.

Those who upload this illegal content will no longer have anywhere to hide.

Katherine Fletcher, MP, who introduced the Private Members’ Bill that the government is supporting, said:

Crucially, for the first time, this Bill means it will not matter whether the uploading of unauthorised images happened inside or outside the prison – an offence would have been committed either way. The public and particularly victims of crime must have confidence that images of those convicted of offences are not shown to the outside world to be commented on or celebrated.

Importantly, the Bill will also force social media platforms to remove such content as their use would then be for illegal or unlawful purposes and against their terms of service.

Previously content filmed in prisons has remained on social media platforms if it could not be proven that it was uploaded from inside a prison’s walls.

The Bill toughens up existing legislation, namely the Prison Act 1952, by removing the loopholes that criminals have been hiding behind to disseminate illicit and distressing content to the public.

It follows a £100 million investment in prison security, with airport-style scanners stopping illegal mobile phones being smuggled by prisoners internally and new airspace restrictions making it illegal to fly a drone within 400 metres of a prison.
March 28, 2024

PRESS RELEASE : Change of Governor of Gibraltar – Lt Gen Sir Ben Bathurst [March 2024]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 4 March 2024.

Lieutenant General Sir Ben Bathurst KCVO, CBE has been appointed Governor of Gibraltar in succession to Vice Admiral Sir David Steel KBE, DL. Sir Ben Bathurst will take up his appointment during June 2024.

Curriculum vitae

Full name: Benjamin John Bathurst

Dates	Role
2024 to present	Pre-posting activities, plus voluntary role as Army Commissioner for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission
2020 to 2023	Brussels, UK Delegation to NATO, UK Military Representative to NATO and the EU
2016 to 2019	London, Major General Commanding the Household Division and General Officer Commanding London District
2015 to 2016	London, Royal College of Defence Studies
2014 to 2015	Kabul, Senior British Military Representative-Afghanistan
2011 to 2014	Army Headquarters, Andover, Director Training (Army)
2010 to 2011	Pirbright, Commander, Initial Training Group
2008 to 2009	Baghdad, Deputy Director Strategy Policy & Assessment
2006 to 2008	Ministry of Defence, Director Public Relations (Army)
2004 to 2006	St Athan, Wales; Maysan, Iraq; London: Commanding Officer, 1st Battalion Welsh Guards
2003 to 2004	Baghdad, Deputy Combined Joint Operations 5
2001 to 2003	Ministry of Defence, NATO and EU Policy
1999 to 2001	Ministry of Defence, Equipment Capability Anti-Armour Systems
1987 to 2000	Appointments/Detachments from 1st Battalion Welsh Guards with 4 tours of Northern Ireland; Bosnia; Belize; Canada; Germany
1987	Commissioned into Welsh Guards from Sandhurst

March 28, 2024

PRESS RELEASE : Siemens announces £100m investment for R&D facility in Britain [March 2024]
The press release issued by HM Treasury on 4 March 2024.

Siemens Mobility to invest £100 million in a brand-new manufacturing and R&D centre in Chippenham.
- Over 800 skilled workers will build the next generation of rail signalling and control systems for Britain, keeping the rail and transport network on track.
- Chancellor champions growth opportunities of innovation in technology on same day that over £360 million of investment into advanced manufacturing is announced.
Siemens has announced it is to invest £100 million in a centre of manufacturing excellence in Wiltshire.

The new cutting-edge facility will replace the company’s current Chippenham factory, from which generations of British workers have designed, manufactured and delivered signalling and control systems for the Elizabeth Line, North Wales Coast, Birmingham New Street and many others across the world since the 19th Century.

The new centre is expected to be operational by 2026, with around 800 skilled manufacturing, research, engineering and reporting roles transitioning to the new site and no interruption in production.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt said:

This new commitment from Siemens is a big boost for Britain’s world-class manufacturing sector and shows our plan for the UK to be the best place to invest and grow a business is working.

This digital technology will improve the safety, reliability and connectivity of our railways and drive sustainable opportunities in higher-paid jobs and exports – as part of our plan to grow our economy.

Joint CEO of Siemens Mobility UK & Ireland, Rob Morris, said:

This €115 million investment is a strong commitment to Chippenham and our country. Siemens Mobility’s Chippenham site, along with our 30 sites across the country, has been transforming rail, travel, and transport in Britain – and it will continue to do so with cloud-based rail technology connecting the real and the digital worlds, digitalizing rail.

We are very excited to soon start construction of one of the most sophisticated rail factories, digital engineering and R&D sites in the UK, supporting local jobs and skills for the future. There’s a piece of Britain in everything we build.

Siemens’ investment comes on the advent of one of the most significant modernisation programmes in two centuries of Britain’s railways, with digital rail systems set to better connect communities and make it easier for people to access a wider range of job opportunities.

The plans are also expected to be a boost for the local economy in Chippenham and the wider Wiltshire region, with Siemens Mobility working closely with local small and medium enterprises across the supply chain. As part of today’s investment, Siemens Mobility will continue to develop and code the digital signalling systems to transform rail travel on the East Coast Main Line.

British manufacturing is of great strategic importance for the country on the global stage. The sector makes up over 40% of all UK exports, employs around 2.6 million people and overtook France for output in 2021. To capitalise on this success, the government published its Advanced Manufacturing Plan last year to ensure the UK continues to lead in the development and deployment of digital manufacturing technologies.

This was published shortly after the Chancellor announced £4.5 billion of funding for strategic manufacturing sectors in the UK as part of his Autumn Statement, including £960 million earmarked for a Green Industries Growth Accelerator to support clean energy. It was announced today this is to be boosted by an up to further £120 million increase. This funding will be available from next year for five years, providing industry with longer term certainty about their investments in line with Prime Minister’s focus on making long-term decisions to grow the economy.

Mr Hunt also announced Full Expensing to support manufacturers in investing for less. As the biggest British business tax cut in history – made possible by the progress the government has made on the people’s economic priorities – this represents an effective corporate tax cut of £55 billion over the next five years and will help manufacturers invest in plant and machinery technologies. The Chancellor outlined at a Make UK event last week how this will benefit hard-working Brits and help to close the productivity gap with the likes of France and Germany – two economies which the UK has grown faster than since 2010.

Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch said:

Our plan for attracting more inward investment into the UK is working. From the measures in our advanced manufacturing plan that offer certainty to investors, to promoting the UK at our Global Investment Summit, the Government is making sure that investors, like Siemens, choose the UK.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said:

This vital investment will help futureproof our rail network as part of our plan to deliver more reliable journeys for millions of passengers across the country through important upgrades.

Rail manufacturing plays an important role in our economy, supporting thousands of skilled jobs, with this new facility supporting hundreds more.

Siemens’ investment comes on the same day that the government announced over £360 million will be invested in advanced manufacturing and the life sciences, securing thousands of jobs and building a stronger economy including through the further investment it will help to leverage over the long-term through the private sector. The UK has attracted more new investment since 1997 than any other European nation, and last year’s Global Investment Summit confirmed over £29.5 billion of additional investment in Britain.
March 28, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : New law to make justice more accessible for innocent people wronged by powerful companies [March 2024]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 4 March 2024.

Ordinary people mistreated or wronged by big, powerful companies will have a better chance of bringing them to court to access justice, thanks to plans unveiled today (4 March 2024).
- change in law to help people pursuing claims against big businesses secure funding to take their case to court
- move to allow third parties to fund legal cases on behalf of the public in order to access justice and hold corporates to account
- important change to further bolster UK’s thriving £34 billion legal services sector
The Lord Chancellor, Alex Chalk, will introduce a new law to make it easier for members of the public to secure the financial backing of third parties when launching complex claims against moneyed corporations with sizeable legal teams which they could otherwise ill-afford.

Today’s news will restore the position that existed before the Supreme Court’s ruling last year, which made many litigation funding agreements unenforceable. As a result, cases can continue being funded.

The new legislation makes it easier for members of the public to secure funding for their legal fights against powerful corporations – such as those caught up in the Horizon scandal.

This move has been called for by people who have needed third-party litigation funding in the past, including former sub-postmaster Alan Bates, who described his case as a David vs Goliath. The post-masters’ claim was only possible due to the backing of a litigation funder.

Lord Chancellor, Alex Chalk, said:

It’s crucial victims can access justice – but it can feel like a David and Goliath battle when they’re facing powerful corporations with deep pockets.

This important change will mean more victims can secure vital third party funding to level the playing field and support their fight for justice.

The sub-postmasters were able to secure third party funding in their legal action against the Post Office. Now others will too.

The government is also considering options for a wider review of the sector and how third-party litigation funding is carried out. This could consider whether there is a need for increased regulation or safeguards for people bringing claims to court, particularly given the growth of the litigation funding sector over the past decade. Further details will be set out in due course.

Notes to editors
- this legislation will be introduced shortly
- this legislation only applies to England and Wales
- the next steps and any Terms of Reference of the review will be set out in due course
March 28, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : New recruitment campaign for Victims’ Commissioner launched [March 2024]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 4 March 2024.

The government has relaunched the recruitment process for the Victims’ Commissioner in line with the standard public appointments process.

The competition will run from today (4 March 2024) until 25 March 2024 with the successful candidate taking on the role in the following months.

The Victims’ Commissioner promotes the interests of victims and witnesses, encourages good practice in their treatment, and regularly reviews the Code of Practice for Victims which sets out the services victims can expect to receive.

The Victims and Prisoners Bill bolsters the role of the Victims’ Commissioner by requiring authorities within their remit to publicly respond to their recommendations and set out the rationale for accepting or rejecting them.

Note to editors

The job advert can be found at Role details – Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales – Apply for a public appointment – GOV.UK

March 28, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : UK and Saudi Arabia unveil joint plan to put research links into top gear [March 2024]
The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 4 March 2024.

UK and Saudi Arabia agree deal to boost research links, supporting work from food security to clean energy, to boosting business and R&D connections.
- UK and Saudi Arabia agree deal to boost research links, supporting work from food security to clean energy, to boosting business and R&D connections
- Science and technology are central to Saudi Arabia’s plan to rapidly transform its economy – a huge opportunity for UK scientists, researchers and businesses
- UK Science Minister in Riyadh to sign UK-KSA MoU and speak at ‘Digital Davos’ LEAP 2024
UK government Science Minister Andrew Griffith, and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Minister of Communications and Information Technology, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Research Development and Innovation Authority, His Excellency (HE) Abdullah Alswaha, will sign a Memorandum of Understanding on plans to elevate the two countries’ science and research links, in Riyadh today (Monday 4 March).

The agreement paves the way for the UK and Saudi Arabia to work together on the deep science and tech breakthroughs that underpin progress, in tackling some of the most pressing challenges facing humanity, from food security to clean energy. It will be signed whilst Minister Griffith is in Saudi Arabia to attend LEAP 2024, attended by some of the world’s most innovative companies. He will also meet leading figures from some of the Kingdom most promising research-intensive sectors.

UK Science Minister Andrew Griffith said:

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is on an ambitious journey to modernise its economy and harnessing the power of science and technology is central to that transformation. This is a huge opportunity for UK businesses, scientists and researchers.

Collaboration on a global scale is an essential part of realising the UK’s ambitions in science and innovation. The sheer scale of Saudi Arabia’s aspirations means this relationship will be a key part of our own hopes for science and tech, in the years to come.

His Excellency (HE) Abdullah Alswaha said:

We are proud to partner with the United Kingdom to advance science and technology and strengthen the research and development capabilities across both nations. This agreement will drive collaborative efforts to harness innovation and address health, clean energy, and climate change challenges.

Innovations in science and technology form a key part of Saudi Arabia’s ‘Vision 2030’, the country’s plan to diversify its economy and deliver on the Kingdom’s research, development and innovation priorities. Saudi Arabia is going a significant transformation that offers enormous opportunities for the UK economy to export its expertise in science and tech. As home to 4 of the world’s top 10 universities, and as just the third country in the world to boast a tech sector valued at over one trillion dollars, the UK has a huge amount to offer Saudi Arabia as a research and innovation partner.

The Memorandum of Understanding that will be signed today has the UK’s world-leading research expertise at its heart, setting out how the two countries will work together on the deep science, and deep tech that is fundamental to progress in health, tackling climate change, space and more. It also covers how links can be built between UK and KSA businesses, to harness innovative technologies and take the front foot on R&D. There are also plans for a series of regular meetings, to bring together key decisionmakers from both countries’ research sectors, the first of which will take place later this year.

The UK already has strong and significant economic links with Saudi Arabia – with SABIC (Saudi Basic Industries Corporation) and Alfanar committing to investing a combined total of £1.85 billion into decarbonisation and clean energy technology in Teesside. There are also growing science and technology links between the two Kingdoms – with the UK and Saudi Arabia working together on the development of space-based solar power, a technology which could deliver clean energy, day and night.
March 28, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : Any use of chemical weapons by anyone, anywhere at any time is unacceptable: UK Statement at the UN Security Council [March 2024]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 4 March 2024.

Statement by Deputy Political Coordinator Thomas Phipps at the UN Security Council meeting on Syria.

Thank you President and thank you Director Ebo for your comprehensive briefing this morning.

President, as we heard from Director Ebo this morning, the OPCW’s Investigation and Identification Team released its fourth report on 22 February.

This latest report attributed responsibility to Daesh for a sulphur mustard attack in Marea on 1 September 2015.

We commend the continued professionalism and expertise of the IIT and we condemn this confirmed use of chemical weapons in Syria by Daesh.

The UN-OPCW Joint Investigative Mechanism and the OPCW have now confirmed nine uses of chemical weapons by the Assad regime; and four by Daesh.

Any use of chemical weapons by anyone, anywhere at any time is unacceptable.

And we regret that we cannot exclude the possibility of further use of chemical weapons by the Assad regime or by non-state actors in Syria.

President, Syria continues to fail to fulfil its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention and under this Council’s Resolution 2118.

As we have said many times in this chamber, the outstanding issues with Syria’s initial chemical weapons declaration that Director Ebo covered this morning are not academic.

They include the fate of several hundred tonnes of chemical warfare agents and thousands of chemical munitions.

Instability in the region increases the risk of proliferation of chemical weapons to non-state actors.

We need to remain focused on the risk that non-state actors develop, acquire or use chemical weapons.

All states should meet their obligations under Resolution 1540 to ensure appropriate mechanisms are in place to counter the spread of weapons of mass destruction as well as their means of delivery.

President, Syria’s obstructive behaviour and failure to declare in full its chemical weapons stockpile gives no grounds for confidence in Syria’s handling of the chemicals and precursors that we know it retains.

At the Chemical Weapons Convention Conference of States Parties in November 2023, states parties adopted a Decision on ‘Addressing the Threat from Chemical Weapons Use and the Threat of Future Use.’

Despite the spin that our Russian colleagues attempted to put on this decision, its function was very clear.

It recommends that States Parties review and enhance domestic measures on the transfer of toxic dual use chemicals and materials to Syria; and secondly, it calls on states parties to strengthen cooperation at the OPCW on tackling the threat of chemical weapon use by non-state actors.

President, in the week in which Russia has called a Security Council meeting on the NATO intervention in Yugoslavia that took place 25 years ago, it’s rich that our Russian colleagues say that these meetings are pointless.

Because until Syria cooperates constructively and transparently with the OPCW, until Syria grants unfettered access to the OPCW Declaration Assessment Team and until Syria fully declares and destroys its chemical weapons, this Council should also remain focused on this clear ongoing threat to international peace and security.

Thank you President.

March 28, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : Better kips for better trips: £16 million boost to transform truckstops for lorry drivers [March 2024]
The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 4 March 2024.

38 truck stops in England will be upgraded with new showers and restaurants, more secure fencing around rest areas and new parking spaces for HGVs.
- 38 truckstops will deliver better rest areas, improved welfare facilities and more secure parking
- upgrades made possible thanks to £16 million in joint government and industry investment to improve roadside facilities
- measures will help attract more people to the haulage sector, boost working conditions and grow the economy to deliver a brighter future
Lorry drivers across England will benefit from more parking spaces, better welfare facilities and safer rest areas thanks to £16.5 million in joint government and industry investment.

Today (4 March 2024), the Roads Minister confirmed that 38 truckstops across England will invest £6 million from the Department for Transport (DfT), with a further £10.5 million coming from industry, to significantly improve their facilities for lorry drivers.

The upgrades will include new showers and restaurants, as well as better lighting and secure fencing around rest areas so drivers can feel safer and sleep with greater peace of mind. The measures will also create around 430 new parking spaces for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) to free up local roads.

Today’s measures are part of our plan to grow the economy by improving working conditions for lorry drivers, supporting new jobs in the haulage industry and attracting more people towards a brilliant career in logistics, to deliver a brighter future for all.

The crucial improvements will also help decarbonise the haulage sector by installing new chargepoints to power electric HGVs and solar panels on lorry driver facilities to make them as sustainable as possible.

The measures follow £15 million in joint government and industry funding for similar improvements announced in September last year as part of the fund’s first application window. This takes the total joint investment from the department and the sector to improve lorry roadside facilities to up to £31 million.

Roads Minister, Guy Opperman, said:

Our lorry drivers are the backbone of a successful economy, ensuring food, goods and crucial medical supplies can get where they need to be, all over the country.

That’s why it’s only right we leave no stone unturned when it comes to supporting our lorry drivers as part of our plan to grow the economy, and today’s £16.5 million in joint government and industry funding will provide them with the safe, spacious and modern facilities they deserve.

From the Ashford International Truck Stop in Kent to Bardon Truck Park in Leicestershire and Immingham Lorry Park in Lincolnshire, the funding will be spread across England to ensure all lorry drivers across England can benefit from better roadside facilities and better working conditions.

The new investment comes from the government’s HGV parking and driver welfare grant scheme, a joint investment between government and industry to support the haulage sector and provide lorry drivers with modern, secure facilities all across the country.

The scheme draws on the national survey on lorry parking, 2022, which provides important evidence as to what improvements are needed and where to boost the nation’s roadside infrastructure. With hauliers required to take mandatory breaks and rest periods, building better roadside facilities will improve the quality of HGV drivers’ rest and recovery, ensuring everyone can feel safe on our roads.

Britain’s roads are already among the safest in the world and the government is committed to helping the sector improve driver welfare, boost drivers’ security and continue to guarantee road safety.

Declan Pang, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at the Road Haulage Association (RHA), said:

We are delighted to see the government’s match funded grant scheme being awarded to projects which will make a tangible difference to the experiences of lorry drivers and provide much needed additional parking capacity to address the well-known shortage of spaces.

We are pleased to see facilities operators contribute funding and commit to improving security and conditions at the sites they operate. We look forward to seeing the positive impact the funding will have across the range of projects.

Lorry drivers are also benefitting from smoother and improved roads thanks to the largest ever funding increase of £8.3 billion to resurface over 5,000 miles of local roads all the way through to 2034, made possible by reallocated High Speed 2 (HS2) funding.

Today’s announcement comes after £200 million to roll out up to 370 zero emission trucks and a further £2 million given to small and medium-sized businesses in a separate competition to boost innovation and green tech in freight to decarbonise the sector.

The government has also invested £645,000 to support the brilliant Generation Logistics campaign from the CILT and Logistics UK, which is raising awareness of the logistics sector and its career opportunities to boost recruitment and retention of a more skilled and diverse workforce.

This latest investment comes on top of the government’s Plan for Drivers to put drivers back in the driving seat, which includes a crackdown on disruptive roadworks and better digital information to boost sat-nav accuracy, and new measures to make it easier to switch to electric vehicles and install more chargepoints.

Ron Perry, owner of Dan Perry & Sons, said:

The DfT welfare grant scheme goes a long way towards realising our ambitious project of delivering modern, secure and appealing facilities for lorry drivers to park overnight.

Without the grant from the department, this project simply would not be viable for us. We very much look forward to delivering the improvements so that we can provide lorry drivers the fantastic facilities they deserve.
March 21, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : UK supports most vulnerable women and girls in Ukraine [March 2024]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 4 March 2024.

The UK has allocated £1.5 million for International Planned Parenthood Federation which has provided sexual and reproductive health services for vulnerable women and girls in Ukraine.
- UK has allocated £1.5 million to provide sexual health services for the most vulnerable women and girls in Ukraine
- this crucial funding has supported over 20,000 people to access vital medical care
- champion of the UK’s Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative, the Duchess of Edinburgh, addressed a conference on conflict-related sexual violence
The UK has allocated £1.5 million for International Planned Parenthood Federation which has provided sexual health and reproductive health services for the most vulnerable women and girls in Ukraine.

These services have helped protect the most at risk by ensuring they have access to vital sexual and reproductive healthcare, including mobile clinics and access to safe abortion care. This funding has supported over 20,000 people to access vital medical care since July 2022 and provided sexual health information to over 100,000 people.

The UK has already pledged over £4.7 billion in non-military support to Ukraine, including £357 million in humanitarian assistance since the start of full-scale invasion. This vital funding includes activities addressing the specific needs of women and girls living in conflict zones, including life-saving assistance to help tackle gender-based violence, safe spaces, mobile medical clinics, and sexual and reproductive health services.

As part of her work as a champion of the UK’s Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative, and the Women, Peace and Security Agenda, the Duchess of Edinburgh spoke via video message at the Restoration of the Conflict-Related Sexual Violence Survivors’ Rights Conference, alongside First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska. Her Royal Highness called for survivors to receive holistic support, for their voices to be heard and for survivors’ rights to remain at the heart of international work to eradicate conflict-related sexual violence and ensure justice and accountability.

Addressing the conference via video, the Duchess of Edinburgh said:

Survivors here and around the world have spoken out so bravely about their experiences. They are the most powerful advocates who remind us all that we must not turn our backs on the horrors of this crime, we must never forget the survivors.

Rather, we must stand shoulder to shoulder with all survivors to secure justice and holistic redress and ensure that this crime isn’t an accepted part of conflict. Their rights and their voices must be at the heart of all our efforts to consign conflict-related sexual violence to the history books.

The UK is working with international partners to hold those responsible to account. In addition to providing financial and technical assistance to the International Criminal Court, we have deployed specialist UK war crimes and conflict related sexual violence experts to the region, and created an expert Atrocity Crimes Advisory Group with the EU and US.

Speaking at the Conference via video, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon is expected to say:

The commitment of our Ukrainian colleagues and the courage demonstrated by ordinary citizens in the most challenging of circumstances are truly inspiring.

The UK will continue to support them, including through the Office of the Prosecutor General, to secure accountability for the perpetrators, and justice for survivors.
March 21, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : UK and Faroe Islands reach agreement on fishing opportunities for 2024 [March 2024]
The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 4 March 2024.

UK secures over 2,200 tonnes of fishing quota through annual negotiations with the Faroe Islands.

The UK fishing industry will benefit from access to over 2,200 tonnes of fishing opportunities following annual negotiations with the Faroe Islands for 2024, the UK government has announced today (Monday 4th March).

The agreement will see fishermen benefit from 920 tonnes of cod and haddock, 600 tonnes of saithe, as well as Redfish, blue ling and ling, flatfish and other species.

The agreement also reconfirms the UK and Faroese commitments to cooperate on monitoring, control and surveillance measures, as well as scientific cooperation.

The deal follows the conclusion of negotiations with the EU and Norway before Christmas, which gave the UK fishing industry access to 420,000 tonnes of fishing opportunities worth up to £700 million.

Fisheries Minister Mark Spencer said:

I’m pleased that we have been able to reach a deal with the Faroe Islands for 2024, giving UK fishing vessels access to key stocks such as haddock and saithe.

This builds on the strong deals that the UK has already concluded with the EU and Norway for 2024, negotiating as an independent coastal state to support a profitable and sustainable UK fishing industry, while safeguarding our marine environment for future generations.”

Leaving the EU has meant that the UK has been able to seize post-Brexit freedoms, negotiating deals which are in the best interests of the UK fishing industry.

The UK negotiates annually with the Faroese Government under the bilateral framework agreement to consider potential exchanges of quota and broader fisheries management measures.

The agreement highlights both parties’ continued commitment to manage fisheries sustainably and support the long-term viability of stocks.

Throughout the negotiations, the UK Government worked closely with the devolved administrations to ensure that all fishing communities across the UK will benefit from the agreement.

Further information:
- The Agreed Record for the negotiations between the UK and Faroe Islands can be seen here
March 21, 2024

Category: Press Releases

Curriculum vitae

Notes to editors

Note to editors

Fisheries Minister Mark Spencer said: