Category: Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE : UK powers up partnership with US and Australia to strengthen security [December 2023]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 2 December 2023.

A landmark security partnership entered a new phase today as the Defence Ministers of the UK, Australia and United States met in California.
- Ground-breaking defence partnership of Australia, UK and USA (AUKUS) accelerates and strengthens.
- Key next stages for military maritime programmes outlined at key Ministerial meeting at the Defense Innovation Unit Headquarters, California
- Increased training for sailors on nuclear-powered submarines.
A landmark security partnership entered a new phase today as the Defence Ministers of the UK, Australia and United States met to advance new programmes on threat detection, quantum technology and autonomous systems.

Strengthening security in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond, the Ministers revealed new combined future exercises will improve each nations’ ability to work together, enhance capability development, and test the joint operation of uncrewed platforms, radically improving a shared ability to tackle emerging threats.

Speaking at the Defense Innovation Unit Headquarters in California, UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps, Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles and US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin emphasised the opportunity to meet global security challenges through closer relationships between our Armed Forces.

The Ministers highlighted that all three nations are progressing towards more seamless defence and industrial collaboration, better information and technology sharing, and greater resilience, helping develop joint capabilities to meet threats and deter aggression.

UK Defence Secretary, Grant Shapps said:

Today AUKUS enters a new phase. Together with our partners in the US and Australia we have strengthened our alliance to bring our Armed forces closer than ever and ensure our nations are protected from new and advanced threats.

As the world becomes more dangerous, AUKUS only becomes more important in ensuring the UK and our allies maintain a strategic advantage. That’s why we’ve today driven forward joint programmes on threat detection, quantum technology and autonomous systems.

This progress will radically improve our shared ability to tackle emerging threats and demonstrates our commitment to making our militaries more lethal, more connected and more prepared.

Beyond our collaboration on the future Class of conventionally-armed nuclear powered submarines, the second pillar of AUKUS will see unprecedented collaboration in advanced capabilities and technologies, with many key progress updates shared publicly today, including:
- Strengthening cyber capabilities across the three AUKUS partners, including protecting critical communications and operations systems.
- Improving anti-submarine warfare capabilities by being able to jointly process data from each nations’ sonobuoys – used to detect and identify objects in the water – and sharing it with multiple undersea systems and P-8A Maritime Patrol Aircraft.
- Integrating the ability to launch and recover undersea vehicles from torpedo tubes on current submarines to deliver strike, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems.
- Developing quantum technologies to support global positioning and enhance stealth in undersea capabilities, including future SSN-AUKUS submarines.
During the meeting, Ministers also highlighted the exceptional progress made on Pillar 1 of AUKUS which will result in Australia acquiring a conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarine capability, SSN-AUKUS, which will also be used by the UK. This includes increased training opportunities for Australian sailors in the UK and US, and more planned visits of US and UK nuclear-powered submarines to Australia. AUKUS partners reaffirmed their shared commitment to upholding the highest standard for nuclear non-proliferation.
December 7, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Support your local shops this Small Business Saturday [December 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 2 December 2023.

Small Business Minister Kevin Hollinrake urges everyone to support their local small businesses.
- Targeted government intervention is addressing gaps in accessing finance from traditional lenders to help them scale up and grow
Small Business Minister Kevin Hollinrake has urged everyone to go out and support their local small businesses this Small Business Saturday [02/12/2023].

Small Business Saturday is an initiative which encourages consumers to shop locally and support small businesses in their communities and it falls on the first Saturday of December.

In a call to action the Minister said:

I urge everyone to join me in supporting our local small businesses this Small Business Saturday. The best support we can give them is to shop local this festive season.

Every penny spent at your local small business is an investment in your community.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak welcomed small businesses, charities and local communities to Downing Street for a Christmas Market Festive Showcase on Thursday 30th November ahead of Small Business Saturday, and Minister Hollinrake was able to meet with some of the businesses beforehand.

Engagement with Small Businesses is a government priority, and Minister Hollinrake was able to discuss the important topics of accessing finance as an SME, as well as the issue of late payments, which some of the businesses reported had improved since the Department of Business and Trade published the Prompt Payment and Cash Flow Review, signalling clear government intent to back small businesses in this issue.

Supporting small businesses to scale up and grow is a clear government priority. The Chancellor’s Autumn Statement had a clear focus on growth, creating a favourable business environment that keeps more money in consumer’s pockets and reduces costs for businesses, creating the right environment for businesses to start and scale up. The increase to the National Living Wage to £11.44 an hour, as well as cutting taxes for 29 million workers, increases consumer’ spending power, whilst businesses are supported by a £4.3 billion business rates package.

The government backed British Business Bank is supporting £12.4 billion of finance to over 90,000 businesses across the UK, of which 86% are outside London. The Bank is delivering a £1.6 billion programme of Nations and Regions Investment Funds, to support growing businesses outside London and South East. Funds covering the South West, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales have launched earlier this year, with more to follow. It has issued over 100,000 Start Up Loans since 2012 providing over £1 billion for entrepreneurs at the start of their growth journey, 40% of whom are women and 21% from an ethnic minority background.

UK Export Finance, the government’s export credit agency also provides government backed guarantees on financial products through banking partners. It was recently announced at their customer conference that it is introducing more flexible, fast-track financing for small businesses – making it easier than ever for UK firms to sell in international markets.

Additional Information
- The Department for Business and Trade published the Prompt Payment and Cash Flow Review on GOV.UK here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/prompt-payment-and-cash-flow-review
- UK Export Finance recently announced their extra support for SME exporters on GOV.UK here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-export-finance-unveils-extra-support-for-sme-exporters
December 7, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : £100 million for vulnerable countries tackling climate change [December 2023]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 2 December 2023.

The UK government announces measures to support climate-vulnerable countries and joins calls for bolder action on climate adaptation.
- £100 million of UK funding will help climate-vulnerable populations adapt to climate change
- at COP28 Summit today, the UK will call for bolder action to fight the impact climate change is having on health
- package that contributes towards the £1.6 billion of climate aid announced by the Prime Minister on Friday
The UK government will make commitments to help vulnerable countries strengthen their resilience to the increasingly frequent and severe effects of climate change at the COP28 Summit on Sunday (3 December).

International Development and Africa Minister Andrew Mitchell will announce £100 million to support some of the most climate-vulnerable countries to tackle climate change. This will support an initiative to strengthen early warning systems in countries on the front line of climate change, giving people advanced warning of cyclones, flooding and other extreme weather so they can move away from danger, saving lives and protecting vulnerable communities.

The funding will also help make health care in these areas more resilient and able to withstand disasters, like floods, and ready to deal with spikes in infectious diseases, like cholera and malaria, due to floods caused by climate change.

Recognising the urgency of the situation, which forces 26 million into poverty every year, the government will also join calls for bolder collective action to protect the lives, health and livelihoods of those most impacted by climate change.

This supports the Prime Minister announcing major funding for climate projects and stressing the need for ambitious, innovative and pragmatic action.

International Development and Africa Minister Andrew Mitchell, said:

The devastating effects of climate change hit the most vulnerable the hardest.

These funding commitments will help countries and people be better prepared and protected against extreme weather events and natural disasters. They will help roll out measures such as early warning systems, and open up access to climate finance to build resilient health services.

The UK will continue to press for a bold and ambitious approach to support those on the frontline of our changing climate, and to create a safer planet for us all.

On behalf of the UK, Minister Mitchell will endorse the ‘Getting Ahead of Disasters’ Charter, the ‘COP28 Declaration on Relief, Recovery and Peace’, and the ‘COP28 Declaration on Climate and Health’.

Speaking at COP28, he will outline details of the funding package, which include:
- nearly £20 million for a package of disaster risk financing and early warning systems. This will help the one-third of the world’s population who are not covered by early warning systems to prepare for climate shocks and extreme weather, reducing disaster-related mortality and damage. It will also provide affordable insurance against climate disasters, such as droughts
- funding of £36 million for climate action in the Middle East and North Africa to support long-term climate stability. This will mobilise $500 million for clean energy and green growth projects, support 450,000 people to adapt to climate change, and support 200,000 women in better protecting their families from climate shocks. This delivers on the UK’s commitment to scale up pre-arranged finance for crisis recovery
- over £4.4 million to improve access to climate finance for Small Island Developing States and enable them to adapt to the impacts of climate change, with support from the Global Environment Facility’s Special Climate Change Fund and the Alliance of Small Island States
- another £3 million for a new research hub in partnership with Canada, to help local communities address climate shocks and adapt to the long-term impacts of a changing climate. This will be delivered through the Climate Adaptation and Resilience (CLARE) programme, launched by the UK at COP26
- up to £18 million for an innovative new programme to adapt and strengthen health systems. This will help partner countries manage the growing health impacts of climate change, from infectious diseases and food shortages, to water insecurity and other health-related emergencies. It will be the first climate and health programme to be announced by a G7 country
- a further £20 million for a new research programme to guide the UK’s future work on climate-resilient health systems, recognising the fast-evolving agenda and the need for a stronger evidence base of what works to address the growing threats from climate change to health
- finally, £3 million for a new partnership with the International Rescue Committee to reduce the impact of climate-related crises on schools, students and communities. The Climate Resilient Education Systems Trial will build an evidence base of effective approaches to combatting climate change in and through education
At the COP28 Summit on Sunday (3 December), the UK will convene experts and thought leaders for a panel discussion on climate security. It will be the first time that the UK has hosted such an event, with the US, the EU, Iraq, Kenya, Mali, NATO, and United Nations Development Programme expected to attend. It aims to improve collective understanding of the security implications of climate change, including global instability and conflict, while exploring best practice to respond to these risks through data-informed policy making, stress testing, analytical foresight capability, and international cooperation.

Background:

The £20 million disaster risk financing package consists of:
- £5 million for the Climate Risk and Early Warning Systems (CREWS) initiative to enable the least developed countries and Small Island Developing States to better prepare for climate shocks and extreme weather
- £7.4 million to fund drought insurance protection for Somalia over the next 3 years through African Risk Capacity (ARC), Africa’s risk pool, which will provide rapid payouts to vulnerable communities if rains fail
- £7.1 million to fund disaster insurance cover in Senegal, Somalia, Madagascar and Zimbabwe over 2 years through the Start Network, which allows members to pool funds and risks in order to stretch funding further and provide additional cover. This will also cover locally-led responses to the impact of El Niño-driven extreme weather across multiple countries
The £40 million climate-health package consists of:
- £18 million for the UK’s flagship Climate Resilient and Sustainable Health Systems Programme
- £20 million for a newly approved Climate and Health Research Programme
- increased funding to UNICEF to help develop the climate resilience of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) services and to unlock climate finance
The new CLARE Research for Impact (R4I) Hub will identify demand from key stakeholders and match it with past research investments made by the UK and Canada. By repurposing this evidence to meet the specific decision-making contexts and the local adaptation needs and priorities, it will lead to more tangible impacts on the ground.
December 7, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK leads global action to protect rainforests, cut methane emissions and advance low carbon technologies [December 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 2 December 2023.

UK commits more than £85 million funding at COP28 to tackle deforestation and cut methane emissions.
- Energy Security Secretary Claire Coutinho announces over £85 million dedicated funding to tackle climate change at COP28 in Dubai
- package includes support for developing countries to cut carbon emissions
- UK to sign unique partnerships with Brazil on hydrogen and decarbonising heavy industry
- new international pledge on nuclear signed alongside US and France
The UK will today announce a multi-million pound package of measures to protect the world’s rainforests, encourage investment in clean energy technologies and help developing countries cut their carbon emissions.

At COP28 in Dubai, Energy Security Secretary Claire Coutinho will commit over £85 million funding for initiatives ranging from combating deforestation to cutting methane emissions and will sign new clean energy agreements with international partners, including Brazil, the US and countries across Europe.

The funding includes up to £35 million to protect the Amazon rainforest through Brazil’s dedicated Amazon Fund, agreed on Friday. This would be on top of £80 million announced by the Prime Minister earlier this year, placing the UK among the fund’s top 3 contributors.

Other measures include:
- backing green enterprise – up to £40 million new funding to expand the UK’s Climate Finance Accelerator. The Accelerator aims to provide practical ways to help countries finance and deliver their climate commitments under the Paris Agreement. For example, this has helped start-up company Source Global attract £79 million of investment to make hydropanels that use solar energy to produce drinking water from air moisture. The extra funding, agreed on Friday, will support up to 750 new low carbon projects in up to 16 countries across Latin America, Africa and Asia between now and 2029
- cutting emissions – £2 million support for President Biden’s Methane Finance Sprint, alongside the European Union, Canada, and other international partners. Contributions to the Sprint will support projects in developing countries, helping them to reduce emissions in major methane emitting sectors such as energy, agriculture, and waste. This is part of a wider £12 million package for the International Energy Agency’s programme to accelerate the transition to clean energy
- Brazil partnerships – 2 unique partnerships between the UK and Brazil to speed up the South American country’s transition to clean technologies. The agreements will help Brazil cut emissions from heavy industry, support the development of hydrogen technologies and leverage the strength of both countries by bringing together a global package of financial, technical and other specialist assistance
- nuclear pledge – the UK will endorse a global ambition to treble civil nuclear power capacity between 2020 and 2050, alongside other like-minded nations including the US and France, helping combat climate change and improve energy security. This builds on the government’s commitment for a quarter of the UK’s power to come from nuclear by 2050
Energy Security Secretary Claire Coutinho said:

The UK is a world leader in the drive to net zero, so it is vital we support our international allies like Brazil in meeting their climate ambitions.

That’s why we have pledged up to £35 million to help stop deforestation in the Amazon, making the UK one of the largest contributors to the Amazon Fund.

We will also partner with Brazil at COP28 and draw on our combined strengths to develop alternative fuels like hydrogen, advance green technologies and drive global action to cut emissions.

The first agreement with Brazil will boost efforts to cut carbon emissions from heavy industries including steel, cement and chemicals – which are set to become responsible for the largest share of global emissions in the 2030s. Measures to do this will include implementing new technologies, piloting the use of alternative fuels and enhancing energy efficiency.

The second will see the UK support Brazil’s National Hydrogen Programme, which is aiming for a sevenfold increase in research and development in clean hydrogen-related technologies between 2020 and 2025. This could support multiple sector transitions to net zero including heavy industry and maritime.

The COP28 President Dr Sultan Al Jaber is also expected to launch a 12-month Action Plan under the UK’s COP26-initiated Breakthrough Agenda – which has become an established part of the international COP framework.

Alongside a coalition of 56 governments, led by the United Arab Emirates, the UK, the US, India, Morocco, Canada, Germany, Egypt and France, the global Action Plan is designed to accelerate international collaborative action to lower the cost of clean technologies in the power, road transport, steel, hydrogen, and agriculture sectors – and ensure the world is on track to halve emissions by 2030.
December 7, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : International Maritime Organisation Council elections: FCDO statement [December 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 2 December 2023.

A Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office spokesperson gave a statement following Russia’s failure to gain election to the IMO Council.

In the last few weeks, Russia has failed to be elected to the International Court of Justice, Human Rights Council, UNESCO Executive Board, and the Executive Council of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. Yesterday, it failed to be elected to the International Maritime Organisation Council.

This pattern of failure is no coincidence – any state that illegally invades another, commits a litany of human rights violations, attacks civilian ships, fires missiles at World Heritage sites, and contravenes the Chemical Weapons Convention, is manifestly unworthy of a role within these organisations.

The implications are clear: if Russia wishes to contribute to global governance, it must respect its international obligations.

December 7, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : The UN and international community’s support for Sudan remains crucial: UK statement at the UN Security Council [December 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 1 December 2023.

Explanation of vote by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council meeting on Sudan.

Thank you President, the United Kingdom welcomes adoption of the resolution and thanks Council members for their engagement.

Let me be clear, the United Kingdom would not have chosen to close UNITAMS at this moment. We commend the work done by the mission both before and since the outbreak of conflict. But given the unequivocal demand of the Sudanese authorities for the immediate termination of UNITAMS we have worked tirelessly as penholder to agree a compromise of an orderly transition and liquidation.

We reiterate that the Sudanese authorities remain responsible for the safety and security of UNITAMS staff and assets during this transition and call for their full cooperation in allowing an orderly withdrawal and the transfer of relevant tasks, including by granting necessary visas in a timely manner.

President, conflict in Sudan has derailed the political transition UNITAMS was created to support. It has caused immense human suffering, atrocities against civilians and reports of ethnic cleansing in Darfur. There can be no military solution to this conflict and that the two warring parties should engage in meaningful talks towards a permanent ceasefire and transfer of power to a civilian administration.

And though the UN mission to assist the democratic transition in Sudan will close, the need for the UN and international community to support the Sudanese people has not reduced. We welcome the appointment of Ramtane Lamamra as the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy on Sudan and we encourage all parties to engage with him constructively.

The United Kingdom looks forward to continuing its close cooperation with Council members, UN, the Sudanese authorities, and other stakeholders to support the Sudanese people in realising their aspirations for a peaceful, stable, democratic, and prosperous future.

December 7, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : The UK has demonstrated its commitment to supporting Somalia in building a freer and more secure country: UK statement at the UN Security Council [December 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 1 December 2023.

Explanation of vote by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council meeting on Somalia.

Thank you, President, let me begin by congratulating China on their Presidency on the month of November, and in particular, welcoming you President to the Council. Wishing you all the best for your Presidency for the month of December, you have our full support.

President, the United Kingdom is pleased to table today two resolutions which together impose strong sanctions, including an arms embargo, on Al-Shabaab and lift the legacy arms embargo on Somalia.

The UK worked closely with Somalia in preparing these two texts, and is grateful for their constructive engagement throughout. The UK is also grateful to Council Members for their cooperation throughout the negotiation process and especially to African Members of the Council, and regional stakeholders, with whom we have consulted closely throughout.

President, we recognise these texts represent compromises for many delegations, we nevertheless urge all Council Members to vote for both texts, in solidarity with Somalia and against Al-Shabaab.

December 7, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak meeting with His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan [December 2023]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 1 December 2023.

The Prime Minister met with His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan at the COP28 summit in Dubai.

The Prime Minister recognised the vital role Jordan has played addressing the crisis in Gaza and the generosity they have shown in providing significant humanitarian support to Palestinian civilians, including the provision of military field hospitals.

He reassured King Abdullah that the UK continues to press Israel on the need to adhere to International Humanitarian Law and contain settler violence in the West Bank.

The Prime Minister reiterated the UK’s commitment to working towards a lasting resolution to the conflict which delivers dignity, peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians.

The leaders also confirmed the continued importance of close UK-Jordan cooperation, including on trade, defence and clean technology.

December 6, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi [December 2023]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 1 December 2023.

The Prime Minister met Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi at the COP28 Summit in the UAE today.

He thanked President Sisi for Egypt’s continued efforts to get much-needed aid into Gaza and secure the release of hostages, as well as their support for the evacuation of British nationals from Gaza.

The Prime Minister reiterated the UK’s support for the humanitarian response in Gaza, with planeloads of UK aid, including warehouse facilities and forklift trucks, sent to Egypt to preposition on the border with Gaza.

He said the UK stands ready to provide further support, recognising that there must be no forcible displacement from Gaza and that aid must be able to reach people across the Gaza Strip.

The Prime Minister enquired about progress in the case of Alaa Abd el-Fattah and reiterated the UK’s call for his release.

December 6, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Illegal pornography, abuse and exploitation to be investigated by new reviewer [November 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 1 December 2023.

Porn industry to be scrutinised to assess the damage it causes individuals and society.
- Pornography review will advise government on ways to tackle harmful impact of pornography on viewers and how abuse and exploitation is addressed in the modern industry.
- review will also assess law enforcement for online porn and whether more needs to be done to tackle illegal pornography.
- Baroness Gabby Bertin appointed as independent lead reviewer, bringing expertise in tackling violence against women and girls to government review.
The porn industry will be scrutinised by a dedicated reviewer who has been appointed to assess the damage it causes individuals and society.

Baroness Bertin will look at abuse, exploitation and trafficking in the pornography industry, pornography’s impact on viewers, and ways to bolster law enforcement to help tackle illegal pornographic content will also be examined in the Pornography Review, as part of new objectives published today (Friday 1 December).

The review will build on the government’s work to take the long-term decisions for a better future for our children and grandchildren through the Online Safety Act, by stopping children from accessing pornography online by requiring services to establish the age of their users, including through age verification and age estimation tools.

It will review how viewing pornography impacts users of all ages, including emerging challenges from AI generated pornography. It will also review both the current rules placed upon the pornography industry and other services that host pornographic content, and whether law enforcers have the tools they need to identify and tackle illegal pornographic content.

The review will examine how we can help the police identify exploitation and abuse in the industry, as well as identifying what barriers there are to enforcing the law and punishing those committing offences.

In particular, the review has been tasked to consider the links between the pornography industry and the prevalence of human trafficking and exploitation and users’ attitudes towards women and girls. It will then recommend what can be done to tackle this, including improving reporting and identification.

The review will then recommend to government what more could be done to address these challenges and provide support and guidance to those who need it on the potentially harmful impacts of pornography.

To lead the review, Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan has today appointed Baroness Bertin, who has worked consistently to tackle violence against women and girls, now sitting as Vice Chair of the All-Parliamentary Party Group on Domestic Violence and Abuse.

The review will also draw on expertise from law enforcement, the criminal justice system, external experts and the pornography industry to look at the existing regulation and whether the existing criminal offences are adequately enforced online as they are offline.

Secretary of State for Innovation, Technology and Science, Michelle Donelan said:

We’re already making the UK the safest place to be online with our world-leading Online Safety Act and are building on that with an unrelenting focus on safety and education by launching the Pornography Review.

Baroness Bertin will bring valuable experience to the process, leading on investigating how exploitation and abuse is tackled in the industry, and to examine the potentially harmful impact of pornography.

Pornography Review lead reviewer, Baroness Bertin said:

I am delighted to have been asked to lead this review. The damaging impact that extreme pornography is having on society cannot be allowed to continue unchecked. We owe it to our children and indeed to the whole of society to put the guard rails back in place.

The past two decades have seen a dramatic change in the way we consume media and interact with content online. Pornography regulation now needs to reflect this change. The ease with which people can access harmful and illegal pornography is having a devastating impact on many areas of our lives but It is particularly damaging and degrading to women and girls. A key aspect of the review will be assessing the links between pornography, exploitation and a culture of violence towards women and girls.

I am determined that this review will ensure laws and regulations governing a dramatically changed pornography industry are once again fit for purpose.

Notes to editors

The objectives for the review as set out in the terms of reference are to:
1. Understand the prevalence and harmful impact of illegal pornography online, and the impact of other forms of legal pornography including emerging themes like AI-generated pornography, its impact on users, and on viewer’s attitudes to violence against women and girls.
2. Assess the public’s awareness and understanding of existing regulation and legislation of pornography.
3. Consider the current rules in place to regulate the pornography industry, comparing online and offline laws.
4. Determine if law enforcers and the justice system are responding to illegal pornography sufficiently, and if change is needed.
5. Find out how prevalent human trafficking and exploitation is in the industry, before recommending how to identify and tackle this.
6. Use this knowledge to set out what more can be done to provide those who need it with guidance on the potential harmful impact of pornography.
Read the Review’s Terms of Reference in full (PDF, 161KB).
December 6, 2023