Category: Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister Meeting with 2024 Business Council [February 2024]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 14 February 2024.

The Prime Minister began by welcoming new members of the 2024 Business Council and said he was determined to continue his work to make the UK the best place to start, grow, and invest in businesses.

He explained how – in the face of geopolitical headwinds – the economy has turned a corner and is moving in the right direction. He noted that inflation has more than halved from 11.1% to 4%, mortgage rates are coming down, and the economy is forecast to grow.

The new Council, with members including FTSE and SME companies from across the UK, discussed the impact of the current macroeconomic climate on business operations. Members noted the impact of global factors on business – such as the war in Ukraine and recent attacks in the Red Sea – but pointed to positive indicators, such as customers feeling the benefit of tax cuts on their expendable income, and optimism about longer term growth.

The discussion went on to explore how the UK Government can best support growth and innovation across the economy, discussing the success of full expensing – which is the biggest business tax cut in modern British history. Members were positive about the UK’s strong consumer confidence, which is at a 2-year high. The Council discussed how cuts to National Insurance will boost spending power, which is likely to improve confidence further.

The Prime Minister closed the meeting by thanking attendees for their time and encouraged them to feed in their views and ideas so the Government can continue supporting businesses to invest and grow, boosting the economy and delivering opportunities across the UK for British people.

February 25, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : Package of interventions in the London housing market [February 2024]
The press release issued by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 14 February 2024.

£50m of new investment over the next two years to unlock new homes and improve the quality of life for existing residents through estate regeneration in London.

As part of major package to deliver much needed homes in cities across the UK, the Government has announced a £50 million investment to regenerate London estates, £4m to explore maximum ambition housing delivery around Euston, and £125m to unlock three major brownfield sites in East and South London.

The new investment will be made available to existing estate regeneration schemes that carry the support of local communities. This funding is on top of the £1 billion allocated in the capital through the Government’s Affordable Homes Programme which can now, be used to support the regeneration of old social housing estates so that residents have homes that are safe, decent, warm and secure.

Secretary of State for Housing Michael Gove said:

“Today we set out a major package of measures to make sure we have the homes that this country needs. London is at the heart of this approach.

“The investment we are making to deliver new homes through estate regeneration, support the massive potential of strategic sites like Euston, and deliver major brownfield sites in partnership with private housebuilders, will keep the dream of home ownership alive for Londoners.”

In addition to the new multi-million-pound investment in London’s existing estates, and investment into three major brownfield sites, the Government is working closely with the London Borough of Camden and has committed an initial £4 million to establish a Euston Housing Delivery Group.

The Euston Housing Delivery Group will explore maximum ambition housing regeneration in a new ‘Euston Quarter’, including working to:
- Assess the scale of housing opportunity beyond the existing Euston station site.
- Identify the infrastructure, services, and green space required to unlock maximum housing delivery.
- Consider how these housing opportunities can be delivered across Euston, working closely with the Department for Transport, the Euston Partnership and the London Borough of Camden.
Andrea Ruckstuhl CEO Europe, Lendlease said:

“A Euston Housing Delivery Group is a very positive step forwards as there is clearly enormous potential for the delivery of new homes there and the regeneration of an area that we believe can become one of Europe’s leading centres for innovation and life sciences.

“We look forward to continued close working with DLUHC, the London Borough of Camden, the Department for Transport, and local partners and communities to help those aspirations become reality.”

We are also announcing £125 million loan funding supporting 8,000 homes in Newham and Southwark through a major regeneration investment.

Communities in the London boroughs of Newham and Southwark are to benefit from thousands of new homes across three major brownfield regeneration projects.

Reflecting the strong need in London for affordable homes, 40 per cent of the new homes on two of the sites, which have planning permission, are to be genuinely affordable for local people. The first homes should be ready in 2027 alongside retail and leisure facilities.

Significant new infrastructure will be built including utilities, green landscaping, on-site highways, bridges and other transport links.

In a further boost to housebuilding in the capital, the government intends to legislate when parliamentary time allows to remove the block on Homes England’s ability to deliver in London.

All of these measures support the Government’s long-term plan for housing and its commitment to a Brownfield-first approach.
February 25, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : Government exploring toughening crossbow rules [February 2024]

The press release issued by the Home Office on 14 February 2024.

A call for evidence has been launched to ask whether current crossbow laws need to be strengthened, as the government continues action to prevent violence.

Under current legislation, it is illegal for anyone under 18 to purchase or possess a crossbow, and anyone who carries a crossbow in public without reasonable excuse faces up to four years behind bars.

The government is considering going further, launching a call for evidence to ask whether these rules are tough enough. Strengthened rules could include a licensing scheme to protect public safety police checks for anyone looking to purchase a crossbow.

This would mean that crossbows are policed under regulations similar to that of firearms.

Safeguarding Minister, Laura Farris said:

Crossbows are used rarely in violent crime in this country but they can be highly dangerous.

We’re doing all we can to ensure we have the appropriate measures in place against any risks these potentially dangerous weapons may pose.

I encourage the public and those in the industry to come forward to share their views so we can have the most accurate picture and take any necessary action to keep our streets safe.

Whilst crossbow incidents are rare – there were fewer than 10 homicides by crossbow between 2011 and 2021 – it is clear that when used as a weapon, crossbows do pose a risk and the government is determined to ensure any needed safeguards are in place to keep the public safe.

Today’s announcement comes after former Home Secretary, Priti Patel MP, commissioned a review on controls following the incident at Windsor Castle on Christmas Day in 2021 where a 19-year-old man was arrested on the grounds of the castle allegedly carrying the weapon. Following his arrest, Jaswant Singh Chail was sentenced to nine years in prison with a further five years on extended licence.

The call for evidence builds on the government’s work to prevent serious violence and stop weapons ending up in the hands of criminals, and follows last month’s announcement that zombie-style knives and machetes will be banned.

Through the Criminal Justice Bill, the government will give the police more powers to seize knives and increases prison sentences for anyone selling knives to anyone under 18 or possessing a banned weapon.

Today’s call for evidence will last 8 weeks to allow time to gather information which will then be considered by the Home Office as it assesses the need for further tightening of controls on weapons.

February 25, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : Two board members reappointed to The National Archives [February 2024]

The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 14 February 2024.

The Secretary of State has reappointed Sonia Cargan and Rommel Pereira as Board Members of The National Archives.

Rommel Pereira

Appointed for a four year term, commencing on 01 May 2024.

Rommel Pereira is a Chartered Accountant and has been reappointed as a Non-Executive Board Member of The National Archives from 30th April 2024. He has previously held Board Director and executive leadership roles at the Bank of England, Financial Services Compensation Scheme, Metropolitan Housing Trust, JP Morgan Chase, Midland Bank and Reuters.

His non-executive directorships have included the public and not-for-profit sectors. He is currently on the Boards of Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, London Ambulance Service NHS Trust and Supply Chain Coordination Limited where he also chairs their Audit and Risk committees.

Sonia Cargan

Appointed for a four year term which commenced on 19 January 2024.

Sonia is currently the Chief Talent Officer at American Express, where she is responsible for creating the Global Talent Management, Leadership Development, Learning, Performance Management, Career Growth, and Internal Talent Mobility strategies and supporting initiatives for the company. She is also a member of the company’s Environmental Social and Governance Committee.

Prior to this position, Sonia spent 26 years serving in various leadership roles at American Express, including Vice President of HR in the UK and in Singapore, Senior HR Business Partner in New York City and, most recently the Senior Vice President, Chief Diversity Equity & Inclusion Officer. She was also a member of the Pension Trustee Board and is a board member of British American Business

Sonia holds a BA Honours in Social Administration from the University of Brighton and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. She was named one of Black Enterprise’s Most Powerful Women in Corporate Diversity 2019, features on the Cranfield ’50 Women to Watch 2019′ list, and has commented in a range of media on women in senior positions and diversity and inclusion.

February 25, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : Tougher sentences for ‘rough sex’ killers [February 2024]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 14 February 2024.

Cowards who kill their partners with sexual violence will face longer behind bars as the government continues to clamp down on domestic abuse against women.
- domestic abusers who kill through sexual violence to be locked up for longer
- leading criminal justice academic appointed as Rape Review advisor
- new Victims’ Code campaign to ensure victims know their rights
A new statutory aggravating factor will be brought in for offenders who cause death through abusive, degrading or dangerous sexual behaviour – or so-called ‘rough sex’ – meaning killers are handed down tougher sentences than ever before.

The measure, announced today (14 February 2024), builds upon action taken in the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 to clarify in law that there is no such thing as the ‘rough sex defence’, and comes as the government publishes its latest Rape Review progress report.

These figures reveal that more vile rapists are paying for their crimes as adult rape prosecutions are approaching the highest levels seen at any point since 2014 showing the government’s efforts are working.

To ensure these efforts don’t let up, the government has also appointed leading academic Professor Katrin Hohl as the new Independent Advisor to the Rape Review.

Having led a ground-breaking scheme to overhaul the way in which police forces investigate rape – Operation Soteria – Professor Hohl also carried out one of the largest ever surveys of victims to better understand how they can be supported.

To ensure all victims know the support available to them, the government has also launched a Victims’ Code campaign, to raise awareness of the rights everyone can expect to receive as a victim of crime.

Through the Victims and Prisoners Bill, police, prosecutors and prison and probation workers will also have a new Code Awareness Duty to make sure victims know their rights – including the right to be referred to a support service, receive updates on their case and the right to make a victim personal statement.

Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary, Alex Chalk KC, said:

This government is on the side of victims, who should be supported throughout their journey through the criminal justice system, and our new Victims’ Code campaign sets out exactly what they can expect every step of the way.

But we must also hold offenders to account. This new aggravating factor send a clear message that killers who threaten the safety of women can expect to feel the full force of the law.

The campaign was developed hand-in-hand with criminal justice agencies and victim support organisations, and materials demonstrating that the Victims’ Code is there for every victim, whatever the crime, are being cascaded across England and Wales.

This builds on work to make sure victims get the justice they deserve, and offenders pay for their crimes, including making rapists and serious sexual offenders serve their full custodial term in prison and to widening the use of whole life orders for the worst offenders.

Minister for Victims and Safeguarding Laura Farris said:

As today’s report shows we have made significant improvements in the response to rape across the criminal justice system with adult rape prosecutions approaching the highest levels seen in the last decade and number of adult rape cases arriving at the Crown Court is higher than at any point since 2014.

While there is still much work do, Professor Hohl’s expertise will be vital in driving this further.

Independent Advisor to the Rape Review Professor Katrin Hohl said:

Rape is the most serious survivable crime in English and Welsh law. The purpose of the rape review is to reform the criminal justice process so it is fit for purpose for rape victims and effective in holding perpetrators to account. As the Independent Advisor, I will challenge and support the government in achieving this ambition.

I commend the progress made to date. My priority is to help tackle the remaining challenges, such as timeliness, strengthening victims’ rights and meeting victims’ needs, head-on.

Fiona Mackenzie, Founder of We Can’t Consent to This campaign added:

This is an important step in ensuring that men who kill women in sexually motivated violence do not get away with a lighter sentence. This change should ensure that any future perpetrators of violence of this sort are properly punished, and send a clear message that this violence against women is unacceptable in our society.

Further to this, pioneering CPS areas, police forces, and leading academics developed new National Operating Models for the investigation of rape and serious sexual offences through Operation Soteria. This sees police and prosecutors working more closely together to build stronger cases.

All police forces and prosecutors in England and Wales are now 6 months into implementation, with the number of cases assigned a charge in the latest quarter being over 25 per cent higher than the same period in the previous year.

This support is crucial, especially for victims of rape – with around 60 per cent of investigations closing because the victim did not support -or withdrew support from- police action.

The government is also continuing to bolster support services, quadrupling victims funding by 2024/25, up from £41 million in 2009/10, and using ringfenced funding to increase the number of Independent Sexual Violence and Domestic Abuse Advisors by 300 to over 1,000 – a 43% increase by 2024/5.

Notes to editors
- The latest quarterly statistics (July-September 2023) show:
  - There were 1,470 referrals from the police to the CPS – 92% higher than the ambition of 766.
  - There were 668 charges by the CPS – 24% higher than the ambition of 538.
  - There were 665 cases arriving at Crown Court –20% higher than the ambition of 553.
- More broadly, the government also continues to support victims through:
  - Legislating to ensure rapists, and those convicted of the most serious sexual offences, remain in prison for the whole of their custodial term and that they are subject to proper supervision in the community on their release.
  - Offering 24/7 support line for victims of rape and sexual violence, ensuring victims of these abhorrent crimes always have someone on hand to support them.
  - Quadrupling victims funding by 2024/25, up from £41 million in 2009/10, including funding to increase the number of Independent Sexual Violence and Domestic Abuse Advisors by 300 to over 1,000 – a 43% increase by 2024/5.
  - And we are strengthening support for victims through the Victims and Prisoners Bill, including ensuring that police requests for third party materials are necessary and proportionate to an investigation.
- The Ministry of Justice’s Victims’ Code campaign launched today to raise awareness of the Victims’ Code and ensure that victims of crime are aware of their rights, and the support available, as they move through the criminal justice system. The campaign wants to promote that the Victims’ Code is there for every victim, whatever the crime.
  - The campaign directs victims to understand their rights at victimscode.org.uk.
  - This is part of the newly refreshed Victim and Witness Information website (victimandwitnessinformation.org.uk) which provides support, advice and guidance to help victims and witnesses in England and Wales understand their rights, the criminal justice process, and how to access support. This website is a single place for victims to get comprehensive, reliable information in an accessible way. This website is a single place for victims to get comprehensive, reliable information in an accessible way.
February 25, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : The Third Conference for Landlocked Developing Countries is an opportunity for action – UK statement at the UN [February 2024]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 February 2024.

Statement by Ambassador Tom Woodroffe at the first session of the Preparatory Committee of the Third Conference for Landlocked Developing Countries.

Thank you, Chair, Excellencies, Colleagues,

The Third Conference for Landlocked Developing Countries is an opportunity for action – innovative solutions, meaningful partnership and increased investment.

The UK very much welcomes the focus on partnerships, which is also at the heart of the UK’s Development White Paper launched by the PM at the end of last year.

We are keen to learn how to make the most of our partnerships to deliver for LLDCs, like our British Investment Partnerships that continues to increase investment in climate-resilient infrastructure and just energy transition in many of those countries.

And the UK ’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme, which came into force last year and is already cutting tariffs, removing conditions and simplifying trading rules for over 65 developing countries including LDCs and LLDCs.

So we very much look forward to working together to build on the Vienna Programme for Action, and agree a development partnership framework that delivers real commitments and real progress for the LLDCs. The zero draft is a comprehensive start, and I’d like to thank the LLDC Group for their time in drafting it. The UK looks forward to constructively engaging in the negotiations on the text and participating in the Conference in June.

February 25, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : New housing developments to deliver nature boost in landmark move [February 2024]
The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 13 February 2024.

In a world first, developers in England are now required to deliver 10% Biodiversity Net Gain when building new housing, industrial or commercial developments.

From today (Monday 12 February), all major housing developments are required to deliver at least a 10% benefit for nature with England becoming the first country in the world to make Biodiversity Net Gain a legal requirement.

Biodiversity Net Gain, introduced through the world-leading Environment Act, will help deliver the government’s commitment to halt species decline by 2030. It means developers in England are now legally required to deliver at least a 10% increase in biodiversity when major building projects are undertaken. Many housing developers are already successfully operating Biodiversity Net Gain and recognising the benefits for people and nature. But from today, it will be mandatory.

To help Local Planning Authorities integrate Biodiversity Net Gain at a local level, £10.6 million of funding is being committed to help local authorities recruit and expand ecologist teams, investing in green jobs and increasing capacity to create new wildlife-rich habitats alongside developments.

Environment Minister, Rebecca Pow, said:

“Biodiversity Net Gain will help us deliver the beautiful homes the country needs, support wildlife and create great places for people to live.

“This government is going further and faster for nature, since 2010 we have restored an area for nature larger than the size of Dorset, banned micro plastics and set ambitious targets to halt biodiversity decline.

“This vital tool builds on our work to reverse the decline in nature and for everyone to live within a 15-minute walk of a green space or water and will transform how development and nature can work together to benefit communities.”

Natural England Chair, Tony Juniper, said:

“If we are to halt and reverse the decline of wildlife in line with our ambitious national targets then it will be vital to ensure that new habitats are created to compensate those being lost to developments.

“Biodiversity Net Gain is a key moment on our path to halting the decline of nature, enabling developers to make a positive contribution through creating new habitats, increasing access to green spaces, and building healthy and resilient places for people to live and work.

“Many developers are already using Biodiversity Net Gain in new developments and recognising the benefits for people and nature.”

Alan Lovell, Chair of the Environment Agency, said:

“I am delighted that Biodiversity Net Gain will restore vital habitats, accelerate species recovery, and connect people with nature in their daily lives.

“Through our unique role as an operator, developer, and advisor, we have a strong track record of designing and managing solutions that have brought multiple benefits to people and wildlife, including ways to make space for water and to slow its flow.

“Our expertise in the water environment has enabled us to participate fully in the development and implementation of BNG.”

David Mooney, CEO of London Wildlife Trust, said:

“We need to take this opportunity and make sure Biodiversity Net Gain can help towards nature’s recovery. Central government, local authorities, developers, and nature charities like The Wildlife Trusts must work together to bring nature to our doorsteps and wildlife to our windows.”

Developers like Berkeley Group have been carrying out developments using Biodiversity Net Gain for several years.

Rob Perrins, Chief Executive of Berkeley Group, said:

“Biodiversity Net Gain is a positive step for the homebuilding industry and will bring nature back to our towns and cities. Putting this into practice on over 50 sites has been a hugely positive experience for Berkeley Group and these greener, wilder landscapes have huge benefits for the communities around them.

“The challenge now is to make sure that developers and planning authorities take a positive and collaborative approach to delivering Biodiversity Net Gain across the country. This is a big change for everyone involved and we need to work together to unlock the full benefits for people, planet, and prosperity.”

Biodiversity Net Gain requires development to avoid harm to nature, but where that is unavoidable, developers must create new habitats or enhance existing ones either within the site itself or by investing in nature sites elsewhere. Biodiversity Net Gain means there will be more nature after a development than before. Where this is not possible, developers can purchase off-site biodiversity units from landowners via a private market.

Local authorities have a range of tools to help them enforce Biodiversity Net Gain, while the Environment Act 2021 includes mechanisms to ensure that commitments through conservation covenants are adhered to. Off-site projects will be tracked and monitored through a digital register maintained by Natural England.

Biodiversity Net Gain for small sites will still be applicable from April 2024, and implementation for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects remains planned for 2025. Biodiversity Net Gain will prioritise on-site nature development to deliver the maximum benefits for people and nature.

England is the only country in the world with mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain, further cementing our position as world leader on the environment. The UK was also the first country in the world to have legally binding targets to halt the decline of nature. Since the launch of the Environmental Improvement Plan in January 2023, the government has delivered on over 50 commitments to protect and restore our natural environment including a ban on single-use plastics, planting nearly 5 million trees, introducing the Species Survival Fund, and improving public access to nature with 245 additional miles opened along the King Charles III England Coast Path.

How Biodiversity Net Gain works
- Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) will apply to new planning applications, rather than existing applications.
- BNG is measured in biodiversity units calculated through the statutory metric tool. This calculates how many units a habitat contains before development, to then calculate how many biodiversity units are needed to provide at least 10% BNG.
- The statutory biodiversity metric considers the size, quality, location, and type of habitat.
- BNG can be achieved through on-site units, off-site units, or through statutory biodiversity credits. These credits will be available as a last resort from the government, to prevent delays in the planning system.
- It is also important that BNG provides lasting benefits for the environment. That is why we have set out how the improved significant on-site and off-site habitats will be managed for the long term. Significant on-site and all off-site gains will need a legal agreement with a responsible body or local authority to monitor the habitat improvements over the 30-year period.
- As BNG is implemented on 12 February it will apply to applications for major developments only and will be implemented for small sites (between 1 and 9 dwellings) from 2 April 2024. Roll-out of BNG for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects is expected in late 2025.
- Natural England has also created a Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan template to support management.
On-site and off-site BNG
- Through the new biodiversity gain hierarchy on-site BNG is prioritised, which involves developers creating new habitats or enhancing existing habitats on the development site.
- If this is not possible, developers can buy off-site biodiversity units from landowners via a private market. Landowners may include private organizations, farmers, local authorities and NGOs.
- After both on-site and off-site BNG have been considered, as a last resort, developers will be able to purchase statutory biodiversity credits from the government, which will be reinvested in habitat projects across the nation. This will help to ensure that delays in the planning system can be avoided.
The delivery of BNG within the red line boundary must be considered first before looking off-site.

Case study
- The Green Quarter is a case study of ambitious regeneration in Ealing.
February 25, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : Reappointments to the National Heritage Memorial Fund and The National Lottery Heritage Fund [February 2024]

The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 13 February 2024.

The Prime Minister has reappointed Dr Simon Thurley as Chair of the National Heritage Memorial Fund and The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Mukesh Sharma has been reappointed as Northern Ireland Trustee.

Dr Simon Thurley

Reappointed from 01 April 2024 to 31 March 2027

Dr. Simon Thurley was first appointed as Chair in 2021. He also serves on the Delivery Authority for the Restoration and Renewal of the Houses of Parliament and is chairman of the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation. Between 2015 and 2023 he was a trustee of the British Library and he played a role in setting up the Canal and River Trust, of which he was a trustee until 2015. In 2021-22 he was Provost of Gresham College.

Between 2002 and 2015 he was Chief Executive of English Heritage responsible for the National Heritage Collection of 420 sites including Stonehenge and Dover Castle, as well as for the National Heritage Protection system, including the listing of buildings. For five years from 1997 he was director of the Museum of London, the world’s largest city museum and its archaeological unit MoLAS.

For eight years in the 1990s he was Curator and Surveyor of the Fabric at Historic Royal Palaces leading various projects including the Restoration of the Privy Garden at Hampton Court. As a historian Simon has written thirteen books including a history of English Architecture, Building England and the story of heritage protection, Men from the Ministry. His latest book Palaces of Revolution won the Samuel Pepys Prize for 2023. In 2011 he was made CBE for services to heritage; he is married with two children and lives in Norfolk.

Mukesh Sharma

Reappointed from 31 August 2023 to 30 August 2026

Mukesh Sharma was born in England and raised in Northern Ireland within the Indian community. He has a breadth of experience in business growth and acquisition, organisational change, partnership working and advocacy in developing international partnerships.

Mukesh has spent more than 30 years in the travel, tourism and airline industry. He has worked in the UK and abroad, heading up a number of major companies during this time. He was awarded an MBE in 2016 for Services to the travel industry in Northern Ireland. In 2016, Mukesh was commissioned as Deputy Lieutenant of the County Borough of Belfast.

He has led many initiatives across Northern Ireland to promote the arts, community cohesion and the prevention of racism, sectarianism and hate crime. He serves as a board member of a number of charities including ArtsEkta, The Goliath Trust, Moving on Music and is a committee member of The Prince’s Trust Northern Ireland and chair of the Northern Ireland advisory board for Barnardos. Since 2006 he has been a festival director of the Belfast Mela and from 2006-2013 he was Chair of Newtownabbey Borough Council Good Relations Partnership.

In 2016, Mukesh was appointed to the Northern Ireland Executive Commission on Flags, Identity, Culture and Tradition. The commission, made up of political and non-political representatives, undertook a programme of work to shape a Northern Ireland free from segregation and division. The commission’s work ended in 2020 with the submission of a report to the First and Deputy First Minister.

In April 2023, he was appointed as a member of The Northern Ireland Policing Board, an independent public body which oversees The Police Service of Northern Ireland.

Remuneration and Governance Code

The Chair of the Board of Trustees of the National Lottery Heritage Fund is remunerated at £40,000 per annum and the Northern Ireland Trustee is remunerated at £20,749 per annum. These appointments have been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments. The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election. Simon Thurley and Mukesh Sharma have declared no political activity.

February 25, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : UK Government confirms £3.3bn spending settlement for restored Northern Ireland Executive [February 2024]
The press release issued by the Northern Ireland Office on 13 February 2024.

The UK Government has written to the NI Minister of Finance outlining the detail of the spending settlement worth in excess of £3.3 billion.

The significant, fair and generous spending settlement will allow the Northern Ireland Executive to stabilise public services, better manage public finances, increase opportunities for improved infrastructure and investment, pave the way for transformation of public services, and enable the delivery of a pay award (2023-24) to public sector workers.

The letter to Dr Caoimhe Archibald confirms that the UK Government package will:
- Provide a needs-based factor in the Barnett formula to be set at 24% from 2024-25. This reflects the different levels of need in Northern Ireland and ensures Northern Ireland receives the right level of funding for its public services into the future;
- Stabilise public finances with over £1 billion of funding made available;
- Tackle the acute situation that the health service in Northern Ireland faces by providing £34 million for hospital waiting lists;
- Enable flexibilities on debt repayment to support management of general pressures;
- Provide funding in 2023-24 to help address public sector pay;
- Increase the spending power of the Executive to pave the way for transformation by repurposing over £700 million of existing and new UK Government funds; and,
- Increase the Northern Ireland Executive’s annual capital borrowing limit by 10% in 2024-25 which will then increase annually in line with inflation.
In addition, the UK Government has committed to open discussions with the Executive on a new Fiscal Framework for Northern Ireland.

The UK Government remains determined to support the Executive to unlock the opportunities that this package presents. The package therefore contains built in commitments to ensure progress at pace for the people of Northern Ireland. This includes publishing and implementing a plan to deliver sustainable finances – including delivery of a balanced budget for 2024-25 by raising a minimum of £113 million through locally generated income as outlined in discussions in December- as well as publishing a comprehensive and costed long-term strategic infrastructure plan setting out priority areas for action and how it will support prosperity and growth. It will be for the Northern Ireland Executive to determine if they will consider a different course of action as part of their sustainability plan to deliver the public services that Northern Ireland needs.

Welcoming the letter, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Heaton-Harris said:

“This package tackles the immediate budget pressures facing the restored Executive and allows it to take action to rapidly stabilise public services, while increasing opportunities for investment and improved infrastructure.

“It also paves the way for vital transformation of public services, and will deliver well-deserved pay awards for public sector workers.

“It is now for the Northern Ireland Executive to use this significant financial package to take forward the vital work of public service transformation and the commitment to deliver sustainable finances – ensuring better outcomes in the day to day lives of the people in Northern Ireland.”

For a summary of the financial settlement see Summary: Financial Settlement between the UK Government and the Northern Ireland Executive (PDF, 93.7 KB, 2 pages)
February 25, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : Foreign Secretary visits Eastern Europe to shore up support for Ukraine and tackle illegal migration [February 2024]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 February 2024.

Foreign Secretary David Cameron visits Bulgaria and Poland to shore up support for Ukraine and promote action to tackle illegal migration.
- Foreign Secretary David Cameron will travel to Bulgaria and Poland this week before meeting counterparts at the Munich Security Conference.
- demonstrating support to key NATO allies, his trip will build on work to increase defence production and bolster support to Ukraine
- he will promote action to tackle illegal migration with the UK supporting Bulgaria to stop illegal migrants using the country as a transit route to the UK, with £1.2 million of support
Almost 2 years on from Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, the Foreign Secretary will visit Bulgaria and Poland before travelling to the Munich Security Conference. The trip will underline the UK’s commitment to international security and demonstrate how the UK is increasing operational cooperation for countries around Europe grappling with the huge challenge of illegal migration.

Ukraine will be on the agenda throughout the visit, with the Foreign Secretary focused on work with partners, including Bulgaria and Poland, to ensure Ukraine has the support it needs. Discussions will include how to strengthen Ukraine in the war now, ensure Ukraine wins if Putin prolongs hostilities and to lay the foundation of Ukraine’s long-term future.

The Foreign Secretary will also discuss how the UK is stepping up its support for the key NATO allies, including to build resilience, end dependence on Russian energy and tackle cyber threats and disinformation during talks with his counterparts. Later in the week, the Foreign Secretary will attend the Munich Security Conference, urging allies to boost defence production for Ukraine.

During the visit, the Foreign Secretary is expected to say:

Putin believes he can get away with aggression. That he can wait out the West.

We have the resources, the economic might and the expertise. We need to show that we have the will to see this through.

We must stand up for freedom and match our words with action. On sanctions. On support for Ukraine. On defence production.

And we must show unity – we must all stand with Ukraine and let them – and Russia – know that they have our support for the long haul.

The Foreign Secretary will also see first-hand joint work taking place on illegal migration in Bulgaria. This will include visiting Border Force officials in Sofia to understand how UK-Bulgaria cooperation is disrupting the supply of small boats and other parts destined for illegal channel crossings, breaking the business model of people-smuggling gangs.

As a key country on the route of criminals transporting small boats equipment across Europe, the UK is providing £1.2 million of training and capacity support to Bulgaria, including border surveillance drones, vehicle search training, search dog training equipment and thermal imaging devices.

This funding expands the work the UK and Bulgaria are doing to tackle organised immigration crime through increasing intelligence sharing and practical support. Up to 50% of all those using the Balkans as a migration route into Europe are believed to come through Bulgaria, which has become the main transit route for dangerous equipment used to facilitate small boat crossings in the Channel.

In Bulgaria, Foreign Secretary David Cameron is expected to say:

We need to work side-by-side on the challenges that endanger our security and prosperity, such as tackling the scourge of people-smuggling gangs and illegal migration – only by collective resolve can these threats be overcome.
February 25, 2024