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Category: Press Releases

  • PRESS RELEASE : The UK calls for calm dialogue to de-escalate the situation in Somalia: UK statement at the UN Security Council [February 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : The UK calls for calm dialogue to de-escalate the situation in Somalia: UK statement at the UN Security Council [February 2024]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 19 February 2024.

    Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council meeting on Somalia.

    Thank you President, I thank SRSG Liang and Special Representative Souef for their briefing and I pay tribute to the work of their teams in Somalia. I also welcome the participation of the Permanent Representative of Somalia at our meeting.

    President let me first address the Ethiopia-Somaliland Memorandum of Understanding. As we have said previously, the United Kingdom reaffirms its support for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

    The UK is a close friend and longstanding partner to both Somalia and Ethiopia, and we are continuing to engage with both governments directly.

    The UK calls for calm dialogue to de-escalate the situation and expresses its support for mediation efforts, including the work of IGAD and the AU.

    Turning to the situation in Somalia more broadly, the UK notes that the Somali Parliament has begun to debate constitutional amendments outlined in previous National Consultative Council agreements, and urges the Federal Government to pursue a consultative and consensus-building approach to ensure this process has broad-based support among Somalis.

    President, this year represents a milestone in Somalia’s security transition. After 15 years of truly courageous service the current AU and UN missions are due to leave at the end of the year.

    We look forward to receiving an update from Somalia next month on its requirements into 2025 and beyond, and we encourage the UN and AU to work together closely on next steps ahead of the mandate renewal in June.

    We recognise the funding problems AMISOM and ATMIS have faced. As we have said many times, the UK has tried to play its part in solving them.

    But we are approaching a critical juncture. Somalia, the AU, UN and partners have invested so much to get to where we are today.

    We do not want this progress to go to waste. So, we encourage all Somalia’s partners to continue to support Somalia throughout its security transition and to think about creative ways to maintain support post-ATMIS and UNSOS. If we do not, it will be Al-Shabaab who benefit.

    Finally, President, Somalia’s changing security landscape presents significant humanitarian risks alongside an already severe and protracted humanitarian crisis.

    It is therefore deeply concerning that the Humanitarian Response Plan remains significantly underfunded.

    The UK urges donors to contribute to the plan, to address the urgent unmet need in Somalia.

    Any alteration or decision on Somalia’s security must not compromise protection of civilian and humanitarian access.

    I thank you.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Transport Secretary announces Sir Gareth Rhys Williams as new National Highways Chair [February 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Transport Secretary announces Sir Gareth Rhys Williams as new National Highways Chair [February 2024]

    The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 19 February 2024.

    The Chair will oversee the delivery of the government’s £24 billion investment into roads across the country.

    The Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, has today (19 February 2024) announced that Sir Gareth Rhys Williams will be taking up the position of Chair of National Highways, following a competitive selection process.

    Gareth joins the organisation as National Highways completes its delivery of the second Road Investment Strategy (RIS2) and prepares for the third Road Investment Strategy.

    In his role, Gareth will oversee the delivery of the government’s £24 billion investment into roads, which will bring improved journeys, ease congestion, create jobs and grow the economy across the country.

    Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, said:

    Gareth will be an excellent new Chair at National Highways as we continue to deliver the government’s plan to back drivers across the country.

    As we continue to invest in improving our road network, Gareth has been clear in his commitment to help keep the country moving through the delivery of the government’s £24 billion investment into roads, creating jobs and growing the economy.

    Gareth joins from the Cabinet Office and brings extensive private and public sector experience, having been government Chief Commercial Officer for the past 8 years.

    New National Highways Chair, Sir Gareth Rhys Williams, said:

    I am delighted to be appointed as the Chair of National Highways, such a vital component of the UK’s infrastructure; a network that we all depend on for economic growth and connecting us all every day.

    I look forward to working with Nick and his team, the board and other colleagues to help develop and then deliver the next Road Investment Strategy.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Government cracks down on controversial ‘fire and rehire’ practices [February 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Government cracks down on controversial ‘fire and rehire’ practices [February 2024]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 19 February 2024.

    The Government has announced action to tackle the use of controversial ‘fire and rehire’ practices.

    • Government acts against controversial dismissal tactics through a new statutory Code of Practice.
    • Employment tribunals will have the power to apply an uplift of up to 25 percent of an employee’s compensation if an employer unreasonably fails to comply with the code.
    • Code protects workers’ rights whilst respecting business flexibility.

    Action against unscrupulous employers to tackle the use of controversial ‘fire and rehire’ practices will be rolled out by the Government today [19 February].

    Dismissal and re-engagement, also known as ‘fire and rehire’, refers to when an employer fires an employee and offers them a new contract on new, often less favourable terms.

    The Government has been clear that it firmly opposes this practice being used as a negotiating tactic. Today, a new statutory Code of Practice has been published making clear how employers must behave in this area.

    This new Code of Practice shows the Government is going a step further to protect workers across the country. This will help to preserve security and opportunity for those in work, as part of our plan to grow the economy.

    Business Minister Kevin Hollinrake said:

    Our new Code will crack down on employers mistreating employees and sets out how they should behave when changing an employee’s contract.

    This announcement shows we are taking action to tackle fire and re-hire practices by balancing protections for workers with business flexibility”.

    In future the courts, and employment tribunals, will take the Code into account when considering relevant cases. This will include on unfair dismissal claims where the employer should have followed the Code.

    Employment tribunals will have the power to apply an uplift of up to 25 percent of an employee’s compensation if an employer unreasonably fails to comply with the Code.

    The new Code clarifies how employers should behave when seeking to change employees’ terms and conditions, aiming to ensure employees are properly consulted and treated fairly.

    Employers will now also need to explore alternatives to dismissal and re-engagement and have meaningful discussions with employees or trade unions to reach an agreed outcome.

    The Code makes it clear to employers that they must not use threats of dismissal to pressurise employees into accepting new terms. They should also not raise the prospect of dismissal unreasonably early or threaten dismissal where it is not envisaged.

    Acas Chief Executive Susan Clews said:

    Fire and rehire is an extreme step that can seriously damage working relations and has significant legal risks for organisations. Employers should focus on maintaining good employment relations to reach agreement with staff if they are thinking about making changes to their contracts.

    Acas offers impartial advice on employment rights and obligations, and has expertise in helping parties to maintain good industrial relations and resolving disputes where they arise.

    The Government’s new draft Code is clear that employers should contact Acas for advice before they raise the prospect of fire and rehire with employees.

    Principal Policy Advisor at Institute of Directors, Alexandra Hall-Chen said:

    The publication of this Code of Practice provides employers with welcome clarity and practical guidance.

    The Code rightly places good industrial relations at its core and represents an effective means of balancing worker protections with labour market flexibility.

    Head of Public Policy at CIPD, Ben Willmott said:

    The Code promotes good practice, making clear employers should always seek to agree any changes to terms and conditions with employees and that ‘fire and rehire’ should only be used as an absolute last resort.

    It highlights the importance of early and meaningful consultation with employees to maximise the chances of finding alternative solutions which can lead to agreement over proposed changes.

    It also emphasises that Acas has a key role to play and should be contacted by an employer for advice before it raises the prospect of fire and rehire with the workforce.

    The Government previously asked Acas to produce guidance for employers on fire and rehire practices, which was published in 2021.

    Background:

    • The consultation ran for 12 weeks, inviting views from the public and other interested groups on the new statutory Code.
    • The Government has laid the Code of Practice in Parliament for approval by both Houses. Subject to that approval, the Code will then be brought into effect later in the summer.
  • PRESS RELEASE : New expert will champion small businesses across Government [February 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : New expert will champion small businesses across Government [February 2024]

    The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 19 February 2024.

    Shirley Cooper OBE has been appointed as the new Crown Representative for small businesses.

    An experienced entrepreneur has taken up a key role to promote the needs of small businesses to government and ensure suppliers seize the benefits of the Procurement Act.

    Shirley Cooper OBE, former chair and president of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply, met Parliamentary Secretary Alex Burghart for the first time as Crown Representative for small businesses earlier this month.

    They discussed priorities for the next 12 months, with a focus on the implementation of the Procurement Act in October, which will see further benefits for start-ups and small businesses wishing to work with the government. These include simpler processes, greater transparency and access to opportunities, as well as strengthened payment terms which will maximise value for money and innovation in the government market.

    Ms Cooper will lead on the overall relationship between the government and small businesses, making sure the government gets best value from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and that they in turn have the best possible opportunity to work with the government.

    Shirley Cooper OBE said:

    I am delighted to take up this role and build on the work of my predecessor, Martin Traynor.

    I look forward to working with colleagues across Government to make sure small businesses can seize the fantastic opportunities available to them in the public procurement process.”

    She will build on the work of Martin Traynor OBE, who is retiring after a five-year tenure in the post which culminated in the reforms of the Procurement Act 2023.

    Ms Cooper will also support the commitment to, and delivery of, increasing central government spend on SMEs. This spend has risen every year since 2016/17, and stood at a record £21.0billion worth of work in 2021/2022. The Government spends around £300billion every year on procurement.

    She will be an advocate for small businesses, promoting their agenda both in government and externally.

    Parliamentary Secretary Alex Burghart said:

    I am delighted to welcome Shirley to this role. Small businesses are vital to our economy and I look forward to working with her to make sure our procurement regime is fully accessible to them.

    Shirley’s appointment comes at a critical time for small businesses with reforms of the Procurement Act, which will dismantle barriers to them competing for government contracts, coming into force later this year.

    In 2011, she co-founded the award-winning start-up law firm Tapestry. Previously, she was global procurement director of Impellam and board adviser to Lorien Resourcing, both recruiting specialists. She was also procurement and supply chain director of Computacenter, and executive director of WEConnect International – both technology and services providers.

    Ms Cooper has extensive experience of first-class financial, commercial and operational leadership across both the private and public sector. Earlier in her career, she held senior positions at Leeds Hospitals and Tetley’s.

    Ms Cooper also supports many charities and non-profit organisations that drive economic development and have a social impact. She was a trustee and treasurer at UN Women UK for nine years, chair of the International Women’s Forum, vice chair of the Civil Society Women’s UK Alliance and co-founder and chair of the Blueprint Club for women who hold senior procurement roles.

    The business leader was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s 2020 Birthday Honours for services to women’s empowerment, equality and procurement.

    Ms Cooper will play a key role in implementing the Procurement Act. She will work with the Cabinet Office’s Small Business Advisory Panel, departments, suppliers and trade bodies to further level the playing field for small businesses, start-ups and social enterprises and ensure they can compete for and win more government contracts.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Trade Update UK-Gulf Cooperation Council FTA negotiations [February 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Trade Update UK-Gulf Cooperation Council FTA negotiations [February 2024]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 19 February 2024.

    Statement on the sixth round of negotiations for a free trade agreement between the UK and the Gulf Cooperation Council.

    The sixth round of negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) between the UK and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) took place between 29 January and 9 February.

    The round was hosted in London and held in a hybrid fashion. A number of GCC negotiators travelled to London for in-person discussions with others attending virtually.

    Draft treaty text was advanced across the majority of chapters. Technical discussions were held across 21 policy areas over 30 sessions. Good progress was made and both sides remain committed to securing an ambitious, comprehensive and modern agreement fit for the 21st century. The next round of negotiations will be scheduled shortly.

    An FTA will be a substantial economic opportunity and a significant moment in the UK-GCC relationship. Total trade was worth £59 billion according to latest figures.

    His Majesty’s Government remains clear that any deal signed will be in the best interests of the British people and the United Kingdom economy. We will not compromise on our high environmental, public health, animal welfare and food standards, and we will maintain our right to regulate in the public interest. We are also clear that during these negotiations, the National Health Service and the services it provides is not on the table.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Short-term lets rules to protect communities and keep homes available [February 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Short-term lets rules to protect communities and keep homes available [February 2024]

    The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 19 February 2024.

    Local residents will be protected from being pushed out of their communities by excessive short-term lets thanks to changes in planning rules.

    • Planning permission will be required for future short-term lets
    • Mandatory national register will provide valuable information and help ensure accommodation is safe
    • Proposals will give communities greater control over future growth
    • Homeowners can continue to let out their own main or sole home for up to 90 nights a year

    Local residents will be protected from being pushed out of their communities by excessive short-term lets thanks to changes in planning rules announced today.

    Under the reforms councils will be given greater power to control short-term lets by making them subject to the planning process. This will support local people in areas where high numbers of short-term lets are preventing them from finding housing they can afford to buy or to rent.

    These changes are part of a long-term plan to prevent a “hollowing out” of communities, address anti-social behaviour and ensure local people can continue to live in the place they call home.

    Meanwhile, a new mandatory national register will give local authorities the information they need about short-term lets in their area. This will help councils understand the extent of short-term lets in their area, the effects on their communities, and underpin compliance with key health and safety regulations.

    Short-term lets are now a significant part of the UK’s visitor economy, and can provide increased choice and flexibility for tourists and business travellers. To recognise this, homeowners will still be able to let out their own main or sole home for up to 90 nights throughout a year without planning permission and government is considering how to apply the register so it does not apply disproportionate regulation for example on property owners that let out their home infrequently.

    Secretary of State for Levelling Up Housing and Communities, Michael Gove said:

    Short-term lets can play an important role in the UK’s flourishing tourism economy, providing great, easily-accessible accommodation in some of the most beautiful parts of our country.

    But in some areas, too many local families and young people feel they are being shut out of the housing market and denied the opportunity to rent or buy in their own community.

    So the government is taking action as part of its long-term plan for housing. That means delivering more of the right homes in the right places, and giving communities the power to decide.

    This will allow local communities to take back control and strike the right balance between protecting the visitor economy and ensuring local people get the homes they need.

    Tourism Minister Julia Lopez said:

    Short-term lets provide flexibility for homeowners and give tourists more accommodation options than ever before, but this should not prevent local people from being able to buy or rent homes in their area.

    The government is committed to getting the balance right to ensure both local people and our visitor economy can thrive.

    Amanda Cupples, General Manager for Northern Europe, Airbnb said:

    The introduction of a short-term lets register is good news for everyone. Families who Host on Airbnb will benefit from clear rules that support their activity, and local authorities will get access to the information they need to assess and manage housing impacts and keep communities healthy, where necessary.

    We have long led calls for the introduction of a Host register and we look forward to working together to make it a success.

    The proposed planning changes would see a new planning ‘use class’ created for short-term lets not used as a sole or main home. Existing dedicated short-term lets will automatically be reclassified into the new use class and will not require a planning application.

    The changes are part of the government’s long-term plan for housing, unlocking more of the homes this country needs and meeting the target to deliver one million homes this Parliament, backed by £10 billion investment.

    The government also intends to introduce associated permitted development rights – one allowing for a property to be changed from a short-term let to a standard residential dwelling, and a second that would allow a property to be changed to a short-term let. Local authorities would be able to remove these permissions and require full planning permission if they deem it necessary.

    Both of these measures are focussed on short-term lets, and therefore the planning changes and the register will not affect hotels, hostels or B&Bs.

    Further details of these measures will be set out in the government’s response to the consultations, including the timeline for implementation of the register, the use class and the individual permitted development rights – with the changes being introduced from this summer.

    Alistair Handyside MBE, Executive Chair of the Professional Association of Self Caterers UK (PASC UK), said:

    We welcome the introduction of a registration scheme for short term lets in England. This is widely supported by accommodation providers and will finally provide real data on our sector. This is a first and important step to creating a level playing field for operators and we look forward to working with the government on the detail of the introduction of the register.

  • PRESS RELEASE : £12.4 million to help change choices about work [February 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : £12.4 million to help change choices about work [February 2024]

    The press release issued by HM Treasury on 19 February 2024.

    Six ground-breaking projects including an investigation looking at how endometriosis impacts women in the workplace have been awarded £12.4 million, the government has announced today, Tuesday 12 September.

    • £12.4 million awarded to six innovative new projects to understand barriers to getting into work
    • projects include investigating the impact of endometriosis on women’s work choices and how programmes to reduce obesity and type 2 diabetes can improve workforce participation
    • funding will help overcome barriers facing those who need the most support getting into work

    The projects comprise the first round of the Labour Market Evaluation and Pilots Fund, and take place over the next two years. The results will help to transform the government’s approach to the jobs market and drive forward research into best practice in employment.

    While the UK’s employment rate is higher than a number of other advanced economies, the government is committed to ensure that those who most need help getting into the workplace are supported.

    The Chancellor announced a range of interventions to address this at Spring Budget 2023 – including a significant expansion of childcare support, making 30 hours of free childcare a week available to parents from children aged 9 months. The Labour Market Evaluation and Pilots Fund is part of that and will be used to test new approaches and generate better evidence to help specific groups back into work or to work longer hours.

    Financial Secretary to the Treasury, Victoria Atkins, said:

    “Our jobs record is incredibly strong, with high employment that means millions of people are benefiting from work. But for some, that’s not happening.

    “We need to look for solutions that are tailored to help people thrive in the jobs market. This analysis is the first step towards that – looking at specific health conditions or living arrangements to find out what works to help people work.”

    Minister for Social Mobility, Youth and Progression Mims Davies MP said:

    “The vital opportunities and confidence employment gives, helps to transform lives. This is why we are determined to support all those who want to progress to do so, while also driving down inactivity and importantly growing the economy.

    “This key new funding for our pilots will enable us to support even more people to move forward in work, including vitally those in supported accommodation and more disadvantaged communities, to help people to break down any barriers to work, so more people can fulfil their employment potential.”

    National Statistician, Sir Ian Diamond, said:

    “The ONS welcomes the opportunity to shine light on this important area with these projects. This new analysis will provide crucial insight for decision makers in helping to understand how health conditions impact on people’s working lives and what interventions can help people stay in work.”

    Minister for the Women’s Health Strategy Maria Caulfield said:

    “Endometriosis can be a debilitating condition that stops women and girls from living their lives to their fullest potential.

    “Through the Women’s Health Strategy we have set an ambition for all women and girls with severe endometriosis to experience better care, with reduced waiting times for diagnosis and providing funding for key research into the condition.

    “The support doesn’t stop at health, and today’s announcement demonstrates how we’re taking a cross-government approach to help women with endometriosis get back to living their best lives.”

    One of the projects includes a first-of-its-kind Office for National Statistics (ONS) evaluation which will investigate the impact of endometriosis on women’s participation and progression in the workforce. Endometriosis can affect around 1 in 10 women, with symptoms including chronic pain and fatigue which can disrupt daily routines, fertility and mental health and time off work may be needed for coping with symptoms. Previous work has shown that women with the condition often take this into consideration when making career choices, including the likelihood they will need to take significantly more sick leave. This project will improve understanding and help inform government plans to support women with the condition in their careers.

    A second project by the ONS will evaluate whether programmes to reduce the risk of developing type two diabetes and obesity improve people’s ability to join the labour market. Around 3.8 million people in the UK have type 2 diabetes and 2.4 million are at high risk of developing the disease which can have a strong effect on quality of life, including the ability to work. The evaluation will include reviewing the impact of the Healthier You NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme (DPP), a large scale nine-month, evidence-based lifestyle change programme aimed at people at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

    There will also be a new pilot to address barriers to work faced by those aged 18-24 living in supported housing, which is accommodation provided alongside care, support or supervision to help people live as independently as possible in the community and can act as a pathway to transitioning into work.

    To support young people in making that transition, DWP and the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) have developed a Proof of Concept that will test financial support and simplification of the benefits system for 18-24 year olds living in supported housing who move into work or increase their working hours. This will help them to build their employment prospects further, work towards becoming financially independent and progress into move on accommodation in a planned way.

    Funding will also be allocated to two HMRC projects to evaluate the impact of Tax-Free Childcare on parents’ work choices and women’s return to work after maternity leave. In addition, funding will be provided to DWP to trial employment support and rent incentives to move people out of work or on low earnings into work or onto higher earnings.

    Further information

    • At Spring Budget, the government announced a comprehensive employment package designed to remove the barriers preventing people from working and support them into the UK’s labour market, to boost economic growth, unlock the UK’s productive potential, and raise living standards. It is estimated to move 110,000 more individuals into the labour market by 2027-28, the largest supply-side policy adjustment the OBR have made to their forecast since 2010.
    • Bids for the first round of the Labour Market Evaluation and Pilots Fund were assessed collaboratively by the joint HMT and Cabinet Office Evaluation Task Force.
    • Further rounds of funding will be allocated in due course to evaluate new and existing labour market measures, move people into work and increase productivity. The results of these projects will inform future labour market policy.
    • The Rent Simplification and Support Proof of Concept scheme is led by the Department for Work and Pensions and would mean young people in supported housing, who start work or increase their hours, would only have to pay up to a capped amount towards their rent (e.g. Local Housing Allowance equivalent rent amount) as opposed to the full rent liability.
    • Jobs Plus is an innovative model that combines wrap-around support, intensive employment support and financial incentives in the heart of the community; reaching the most disadvantaged people whose access to employment and wider support is limited and disjointed.
    • DWP will be testing Jobs Plus in England. The pilot assigns a key role for social housing providers to contribute to improving support and outcomes in some of our most socially and economically deprived communities. Delivered in a community hub setting, it is open to all residents; adopting a community-led approach which encourages residents to volunteer, champion, and drive engagement amongst their peers. Through the use of financial incentives, the pilot aims to not only support entry into employment but also aid in participant’s transition to wages to foster long-term positive and sustainable outcomes.
    • For further information on government action to improve healthcare quality and access for women, please see the Women’s Health Strategy for England, and what we’ve achieved so far over the first year of the strategy.
  • PRESS RELEASE : New railway station backed for the Vale of Glamorgan [February 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : New railway station backed for the Vale of Glamorgan [February 2024]

    The press release issued by Department for Transport on 19 February 2024.

    Plans for a new station at St Athan will restore services to the area for the first time in 60 years and reconnect thousands to jobs, education and business opportunities.

    • Transport Secretary visits South Wales to announce the UK government’s support to develop new station in St Athan
    • new station would improve connectivity to the Cardiff Airport Enterprise Zone and planned green energy park, driving new jobs and prosperity
    • move would support local growth and reconnect the village to the rail network for the first time in 60 years

    Passengers in South Wales could soon benefit from better connectivity as the Transport Secretary visits the Vale of Glamorgan today (19 February 2024) to announce the UK government’s support for plans to improve rail links in the region.

    As part of his visit, he will join local people including Vale of Glamorgan MP Alun Cairns to announce the UK government’s commitment to fund the development of a business case to look at options for a new station in St Athan. This could offer thousands of people better access to the region’s growing number of homes, jobs and business opportunities.

    A new station would restore services on the Vale of Glamorgan line to the area for the first time in 60 years, reconnecting thousands to jobs, education and business opportunities. It is part of the government’s long-term plan to grow the economy, support business and help people into work.

    Transport Secretary Mark Harper said:

    The return of services to St Athan for the first time in 60 years would be key to unlocking the area’s huge potential for growth, encouraging more businesses to invest in the area and opening up job opportunities for thousands of people.

    That’s why the UK government is unlocking funding to explore options for a new station, part of our plan to continue investing in local transport and help grow the economy.

    Welsh Secretary David TC Davies said:

    The UK government has invested millions directly in Wales’ transport infrastructure, better connecting communities and creating greater opportunity for people across the country. This potential improvement to rail links in the Vale of Glamorgan is fantastic news.

    Together with the planned £1 billion electrification of the North Wales Main Line, £50 million for Cardiff cross rail and other investments from the South Wales Valleys to Aberystwyth, the UK government is delivering better rail infrastructure and improving journeys for passengers in every part of Wales.

    As part of today’s announcement, the Department for Transport has pledged to work with both the local authority and Transport for Wales in funding and developing a business case for the new station to explore its benefits. This will include assessing passenger demand and forecasts as well as options for train services.

    If approved for full delivery, the station would also provide an additional transport option for hundreds of staff at the nearby Aston Martin manufacturing and development facility, while attracting more businesses to invest in the growing Cardiff Airport-St Athan Enterprise Zones.

    On top of this, it would support Cardiff Capital Region’s plans to regenerate the decommissioned Aberthaw Power Station into a green energy park. This will spark the creation of specialist jobs in the aerospace, defence, automotive, manufacturing and engineering sectors, and drive economic growth in the region.

    A new station would also support the local authority’s ambitions for growth by improving access to planned housing developments in the region.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Government launches crackdown on mobile phones in schools [February 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Government launches crackdown on mobile phones in schools [February 2024]

    The press release issued by the Department for Education on 19 February 2024.

    Schools will receive new guidance on prohibiting mobile phone use during the school day.

    Mobile phones are set to be prohibited in schools across England as part of the government’s plan to minimise disruption and improve behaviour in classrooms.

    New mobile phones in schools guidance issued today (19 February 2024) backs headteachers in prohibiting the use of mobile phones throughout the school day, including at break times.

    Many schools around the country are already prohibiting mobile phone use with great results. This guidance will ensure there is a consistent approach across all schools.

    By the age of 12, 97% of children have their own mobile phone, according to Ofcom. Using mobile phones in schools can lead to online bullying, distraction and classroom disruption which, in turn, can lead to lost learning time.

    Last year, Unesco called for smartphones to be banned from schools as evidence showed it was linked to reduced educational performance and that excessive screen time had a negative impact on children’s wellbeing.

    Schools will be supported to prohibit mobile phone use with examples of different approaches including banning phones from the school premises, handing in phones on arrival at school, and keeping phones securely locked away at school.

    The guidance will respond to concerns from parents about mobile phones, with the latest data from ParentKind’s National Parent Survey, revealing that 44% of parents are concerned about the amount of time their children spend on electronic devices, rising to 50% of parents of secondary school children.

    Driving high expectations of behaviour is a priority for the government, building on our £10 million investment in behaviour hubs which will support up to 700 schools over 3 years, as well as existing behaviour in schools guidance.

    We are making long-term decisions to ensure all pupils have world class education. This guidance builds on that work which has delivered 89% of schools rated good or outstanding by Ofsted, up from just 68% in 2010.

    Our plan is working with school standards rising across the board. England has catapulted up the international rankings for academic attainment through our multimillion-pound maths and English hubs programme and phonics screening check. We are now one of the top performing countries in the Western world for maths and reading and the government will continue to build on this progress by delivering crucial reforms including by creating the Advanced British Standard.

    Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said:

    Schools are places for children to learn and mobile phones are, at a minimum, an unwanted distraction in the classroom.

    We are giving our hard-working teachers the tools to take action to help improve behaviour and to allow them to do what they do best – teach.

    Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan said:

    Growing up in today’s digital world provides immense opportunities but this should not come at the expense of our children’s wellbeing or education. That is why we have passed world leading legislation to make the UK the safest place in the world for young people to be online.

    Today’s announcement will support parents and educators further, helping give the next generation the best chance to realise their potential.

    Lead behaviour advisor to the department Tom Bennett said:

    Mobile phones may be ubiquitous, but we have a strong and growing understanding of how damaging they can be for a child’s social and educational development. And it’s the least advantaged who suffer most. Many schools already have some kind of policy on phones, but this guidance provides a clear steer for everyone, including parents, about what’s right and what’s not for the wellbeing of the child.

    Heads can know that they’ll be backed in their attempt to build safe and nurturing cultures, and they’ll find advice about how to make schools a phone-free environment.  And when that happens, everyone wins.

    Chief executive of Parentkind Jason Elsom said:

    The government is right to be taking decisive action on the use of phones in schools with our research indicating that 44% of parents are concerned about the amount of time their children spend on electronic devices and more than three quarters of parents support a ban on phones in schools. This is the number one concern for parents, according to the National Parent Survey.

    Society has sleepwalked into a position where children are addicted to harmful ‘electronic drugs’, and have no-escape from their digital dealers, not even within the relatively safe grounds of their schools.

    The latest government data finds around a third (29%) of secondary school pupils reported mobile phones being used when they were not supposed to in most, or all, lessons.

    Schools have seen success in prohibiting mobile phones through tactics such as introducing lockers with charging points for students to ensure they don’t come into classrooms.

    One school referenced in the guidance introduced this change and saw a positive impact overnight and within one year the whole culture of the school had changed. Without access to mobile phones, pupils have the headspace and calm environment to learn, and staff have the quiet and focus to teach in.

    The move will bring England in line with steps taken by other countries who have restricted mobile phone use including France, Italy and Portugal.

    Our behaviour hubs enable schools across the country with exemplary positive behaviour cultures to work closely with schools that want and need to turn their behaviour around.

    Alongside this, we have taken steps to improve behaviour through the appointment of a behavioural taskforce led by DfE’s behaviour tsar Tom Bennett, with the aim of improving behaviour culture and spread good practice across the country.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Government launches new UK-based environmental science network on deep-sea mining [February 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Government launches new UK-based environmental science network on deep-sea mining [February 2024]

    The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 19 February 2024.

    Experts and academics are invited to join a new science network that will help to provide evidence on the environmental impact of deep-sea mining.

    The UK Government has today (Monday 19 February) launched a new UK-based environmental science network, to gather scientific data, and carry out world-class research to help assess the environmental impacts of deep-sea mining.

    Eligible applicants can now apply to join the network and share their expertise to help fill in the current evidence gaps in understanding the consequences of deep-sea mining on our ecosystems. Bringing together the UK’s environmental science expertise to share internationally will help the UK ensure that the highest environmental standards are enforced on deep sea mining.

    The network will work alongside the UK’s recent decision to support a moratorium on the granting of exploitation licences for deep sea mining projects by the International Seabed Authority (ISA).

    The moratorium means the UK will not sponsor or support licences until sufficient scientific evidence is available to assess the impacts of deep-sea mining activities on marine ecosystems and strong, enforceable environmental regulations, standards and guidelines have been developed and adopted by the ISA.

    Marine Minister Lord Benyon said:

    The UK is committed to protecting the world’s ocean and improving the conservation of our marine ecosystems, so it’s important that we ensure the best environmental standards are in place so damaging activities like deep-sea mining are strongly regulated.

    This new network is a further step in showing how we can use the scientific expertise that is on offer to protect and improve the conservation of our marine biodiversity.”

    Professor Daniel Jones from National Oceanography Centre said:

    The new DSM Environmental Science Network is an excellent way to harness the skills of the UK community with expertise on environments of interest for deep-sea mining. It will enable the very active research being carried out by UK scientists to be communicated quickly and effectively to the government to support evidence-based decision making on this topic.

    Dr. Adrian Glover, Merit Researcher at the Natural History Museum, said:

    In joining the environmental science network, we are pleased to continue our research on the deep-sea to provide free, critical biodiversity data to everyone. At this crucial time in our planet’s history, it is important all activities that impact the natural world are informed by robust, evidence-based science.

    The UK is committed to protecting and driving ocean conservation. Over recent years, the UK has:

    • Committed to protecting at least 30% of the global ocean by 2030 through a network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs), and driven this forward through UK-chaired Global Ocean Alliance
    • Supported developing countries to protect the marine environment through projects to protect and restore habitats such as mangroves, coral reefs and seagrasses through the £500 million Blue Planet Fund
    • Tackled the scourge of plastic pollution, recently consulting on a ban on wet wipes containing plastic, as part of efforts to eliminate all avoidable plastic waste by 2042.
    • Designated the first three Highly Protected Marine areas in English waters, enabling nature to fully recover by removing all harmful activities including fishing, construction and dredging, increasing marine biodiversity and supporting climate-resilient ecosystems to thrive.
    • Created a comprehensive network of marine protected areas, in English waters there are 181 sites protecting 40% of our seas.
    • Recently implemented a byelaw that restricts bottom towed fishing gear over rock and reef habitat in a further 13 MPAs.