Category: Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE : Putting savers at the forefront and supporting the UK economy [November 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 28 November 2023.

Thank you all for joining me today and thank you to the Professional Pensions Investment Conference for hosting me so generously. My job as Minister for Pensions is to ensure that our pension system operates to the highest standards – securing the best possible outcomes for savers. This is my duty and I take it seriously.

There needs to be a significant, transformative shift in that market. The announcements made yesterday, build on the Mansion House reforms and will:
- shift the focus of trustees, managers and employers from cost to value;
- aim to boost returns in and throughout retirement; and
- increase opportunities for investment in productive finance assets.
Through this, we aim to benefit the UK economy and give everyone a better chance of meeting their aspirations over the course of their retirement.

There’s an important agenda ahead and much more to do. With £2 trillion of assets held, private sector pensions can play a major role in boosting UK productivity and growth.

Today, I am pleased to be talking about what more we will do to deliver the long-term reforms that pension savers need. One that could potentially help an average earner have £1,000 more a year in retirement when saving across their entire career.

Automatic Enrolment has transformed workplace pension saving. It has embedded a new culture of saving for retirement at a national level.

But around 2-in-5 working age people are still under saving for their retirement. There is more to do to ensure people are saving into schemes which are helping them get the most for their retirement.

Every pension saver deserves to be confident in their workplace pensions. They must be sure that it is making the most of their hard-earned savings, is fit for purpose and offers them suitable choices that meet their needs – whichever pension scheme they are putting their money in.

To do this we need to tackle the biggest challenges facing savers today.

Many employers are still choosing their pension schemes based on convenience and fees. But investment returns need to be factored into these decisions – as we know they are critical to long-term outcomes. For example, a pot of £10,000 invested into the highest performing scheme would be worth nearly 50% more 5 years later than one invested in the lowest performing scheme.

And considering investment growth does not end when people access their savings – we want pots to grow and pay out sustainably throughout retirement.

For Defined Contribution (DC) savers, this involves making complex choices and decisions they may not understand or feel equipped to make.

Finally, we need to unlock more opportunities for schemes to invest in productive finance, supporting the UK economy and boosting member benefits. In the Defined Benefit pension market alone, there is huge potential for its £1.4 trillion in assets to work harder for members and the economy.

Our reforms will confront these challenges and help improve retirement outcomes. They place value for savers at the heart of decision-making, helping to boost returns in retirement, and contribute to the growth of the UK economy.

Together with the Government’s commitment to expand the benefits of Automatic Enrolment to younger people, our pension reforms could help an average earner who starts saving at 18 see their pension pot increase around 50% and by over £50,000 if saving across their entire their career.

Automatic Enrolment has been a huge success with over 20m employees now saving into a pension. Our publication yesterday showed pension saving was holding up despite the challenges over the last few years through Covid and increased cost of living.

I recognise though that greater investment by schemes requires even greater scale. And I am committed to the implementation of the 2017 Automatic Enrolment Review measures as a first step.

This Government supported the recent Private Members Bill, and we intend to carry out a consultation on implementation at the earliest opportunity.

Alongside this, we need to see a clear shift in the market. From consistently focusing on low-cost to centring on overall value and returns for members.

For too long, short-termism and low costs have dominated decision-making. This has meant savers potentially losing thousands from their retirement pots. Just a small increase in investment returns can lead to £1,000s more at retirement.

We want to change the tide on this.

In July we responded to the Value for Money Framework consultation and set a clear direction of travel.

The Framework will increase comparability, transparency, and competition across DC schemes. It aims to drive up standards, consolidating the market around a smaller number of well-performing, better value schemes.

It will ensure Regulators have the power they need to tackle consistent underperformance. – meaning savers do not have to remain trapped in poor performing schemes.

The statements made yesterday on Value for Money by both Regulators reaffirms our commitment to implement a Framework that drives value for savers. We are maintaining momentum in this vital area.

The Department and The Pensions Regulator (TPR) are working jointly on progressing this with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and with input from across the pensions industry.

The FCA intends to consult over the detailed design and rules relating to the Framework in Spring. And as this will be a holistic framework, trust-based schemes should engage with this consultation and start to plan for implementation.

Taking this approach of evolving the framework means savers can be confident that we are building a pension system that will deliver real value – providing them with the best returns for every hard-earned pound they save.

This will go a long way towards moving from cost to value, maximising the returns for DC savers and generating the scale for investment in productive finance that will support the UK economy.

To further drive value, we must definitively tackle the issue of deferred small pots.

Currently there are at least 12 million deferred pots worth less than £1000, resulting in annual industry-wide losses of up to £225m.

Without action this problem – of wasted administration costs and inefficiency at the heart of the pension scheme business model – will only worsen.

And for savers, multiple small pots make it more difficult to engage with their overall pension, limiting and reducing their options at retirement. Or in the worst case being lost altogether.

We have taken important steps to resolve this. In the summer, we consulted on the proposed multiple default consolidator approach to address this growing problem.

Yesterday, I published our response to the consultation which confirms our intention to proceed with this approach, ensuring that eligible pension pots are automatically consolidated into a small number of authorised default consolidator schemes.

Bringing members’ eligible deferred pots together into a high-quality pension scheme that could benefit the average saver by £700 at retirement. This will help generate the scale to invest in productive finance, providing further opportunities to invest in the UK.

This is a complex and challenging policy to implement.

We will bring together experts in payroll, data specialists, and leverage knowledge from dashboards, to get the transfer and consolidation system design right.

My aim is that this will support the development of a viable and cost-effective automated consolidation process; while continuing to ensure that members interests are put first.

By complementing these reforms with a robust regulatory regime, we will ensure savers are protected.

I want to enable a more assertive, influential regulatory approach, that drives meaningful behaviour change from those looking after savers’ assets.

This starts with regulators being absolutely clear about the primacy of investing for good returns in their supervisory and enforcement approaches.

It also extends to offering greater support and expectations on trustees to fulfil their key responsibilities, including through voluntary accreditation.

And we will embed this regulatory approach for new types of schemes like Collective Defined Contribution (CDC) schemes and Defined Benefit Superfund (DB) consolidators.

This also means ensuring the regulatory environment for Master Trusts is future-proofed. Master Trusts are the engines of growth of the DC pension market in the UK. We estimate that 80% of trust-based members will be in the largest 5 Master Trusts by 2030.

Building on the work done by Mary Starks in her recent review of the Regulator, we are

working with TPR to propose a different approach to supervision, using its existing powers.

This includes investigating investment decision-making, demanding greater transparency of schemes when it comes to their investment strategies, and raising standards of trusteeship.

TPR’s approach to regulation will need to evolve with this changing market. And we will work closely with them to protect savers as schemes reach important sizes.

I am confident these changes will help drive up performance and returns, protecting member outcomes form the risk of low cost through a robust regulatory regime.

Members’ journey to retirement and what they want out of their financial provision varies. But maximising value and investment growth should not end at this point.

How pots are utilised and sustained in later life starts with the choices members make when they access their assets.

Six in ten individuals who are yet to access their DC savings do not have a clear plan for doing so. Over half of those who do access their pots take cash. Without a clear plan, this may leave future retirees at risk of doing the same where their pots could be better off invested.

We want to change this and expect more of trustees. I am pleased to confirm that our response to the consultation ‘Helping savers understand their pension choices’ reflects the strong consensus for schemes to adopt retirement products and services, configured to their members’ needs.

For those savers who can and do engage with their pensions, we will require trustees to provide a retirement income service, which will include the wrap around communications and engagement that is essential for a good service.

We will also require trustees to design and offer a pre-defined default retirement solution, informed and built around the needs of their members.

This would work for the generality of members of the scheme and be available as a choice for those that wish to select it. So that every saver can get the most out of their pension savings.

This way members will benefit from greater opportunities for their assets to stay invested in the scheme for longer, increasing the available funds for schemes to invest in UK productive finance.

And over the long-term, our ambition is that decumulation only CDCs be offered as a potential access option by schemes.

CDCs could be a big part of the future for pensions. A new type of scheme that can provide better returns for savers, allowing them to remain invested in high-growth assets for longer and better support growth.

At the same time offering members the assurance of a regular income in retirement and more predictable outcomes.

CDCs are new, but the Government is committed to working with industry to facilitate its development and expansion, unlocking CDC offers for many more savers.

A regulatory framework for CDCs is already in place. And we intend to consult on draft regulations early next year to extend this to whole-life multiple employer schemes, including Master Trusts.

Looking into the future we want to understand how we can go further to deliver better outcomes for individuals.

Our solution to deferred small pots is the first step to a simpler pension system.

A single pension saving experience, where savers are linked to a ‘pot for life,’ could bring a variety of benefits.

A Lifetime Provider Model would reduce the number of pots and could support members engagement with pensions.

It could also make decision-making easier where needed and, if combined with broader CDC provision, help bridge the gap to DB schemes.

I recognise this is a complex terrain. But we need to start the conversation now and build on the other reforms that are already in train. As the Chancellor announced yesterday, as part of our call for evidence we will explore giving savers a legal right to require a new employer to pay pension contributions into their existing pension pot if they choose to bring their pensions savings together.

Moving to such a system would take time but bringing pensions savings together will have advantages for savers, our ultimate focus.

We want your input on what elements would need to be in place to support such as system and what are the benefits and challenges in doing so.

This comprehensive package will result in fewer, better run schemes – and we expect this to unlock further opportunities for pension scheme assets to support the UK economy.

For DC schemes, where improvement in returns clearly boost incomes, the measures I have just outlined provide clear reasons for trustees to ensure they are focussed on value over cost.

In the DB market, which holds £1.4 trillion in assets under management, costs are borne by sponsoring employers and there is less opportunity to boost member benefits.

However, there is still a clear opportunity for these assets to work harder to benefit members, employers and the economy as a whole.

As part of the Government’s drive to deliver greater economic growth, we are committed to ensure that there are options in the DB regulatory regime which reward productive investment behaviour and move the focus on DB schemes from purely downside risk protection.

The revised scheme funding arrangements will make it clearer that trustees can continue to invest in a wide range of assets, including productive finance, while ensuring members benefits are protected.

They also provide additional flexibility for pension scheme surpluses to be used and managed more efficiently.

Many DB schemes have become better funded over the last decade and have moved closer towards buy-out or a surplus funding level that allows them run on comfortably. But these options aren’t appropriate for every scheme or every sponsoring employer.

We need to provide other options that allow sponsors of closed legacy schemes to focus on their core business, while protecting the pensions members have worked so hard for.

The Superfund framework, which was announced earlier this year, will provide an efficient way of effecting consolidation of these DB schemes and I was delighted to see the recent historic announcement of the first transfer of its kind in the emerging Superfund market.

Thanks to responses received from the DB Call for Evidence – today – I am pleased to announce that we intend to establish a public sector consolidator, run by the Pension Protection Fund.

This will offer an alternative for schemes which are unattractive to commercial providers. It will help unlock access to higher-growth assets in which some schemes would struggle to invest on their own.

And for schemes looking to run-on, we will look at the mechanisms for surplus extraction. We believe if it was easier and cheaper to take back funding over certain levels this would encourage more schemes to invest more in productive finance.

We understand the concerns around safeguards for members, and the opportunity to share benefits. So, we aim to launch a public consultation addressing these questions in the winter.

These options could allow members to benefit from increased pension returns and support the UK economy – both through unlocking further opportunities and access to more illiquid investments, and by enabling employers to re-invest in their own businesses or DC pensions obligations.

Today, I’ve set out the direction of travel for the future of the UK’s pension market.

I want to thank the Chancellor for his commitment to delivering these reforms and industry for their continued engagement and support.

We are strongly committed to building on these reforms to make a real difference. We estimate these changes will potentially help a median earner have over £16,000 more in retirement when saving across their entire career.

Building the path to a pension system that puts savers at the forefront and supports the UK economy.
December 5, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Statement to the 28th Session of the Conference of the States Parties of the OPCW [November 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 28 November 2023.

Statement by Her Excellency Joanna Roper, Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Director-General, Mr Chair, Distinguished Delegates,

Let me start by thanking you Director-General and the Technical Secretariat for all your work preparing this Conference.

Many thanks also to our outgoing Chair, Ambassador Vusimusi Madonsela. I further congratulate Ambassador Suljuk Tarar on your appointment – you have our full support.

Mr Chair,

2023 has seen important successes for the Chemical Weapons Convention and the OPCW. Although a small number of States decided to block consensus on the outcome document, the Fifth Review Conference in May served as an important platform to underscore global commitment to uphold the norm against possession and use, and to progress issues including geographical representation and flexible human resourcing in the Technical Secretariat.

We also celebrated the inauguration of the Centre for Chemistry and Technology, which the UK is proud to support. We recently pledged a further 1.1 million Euros international cooperation and assistance funding for this financial year and supported the very successful CHEMEX Africa in Algiers.

And in July we marked the completion of the verified destruction of all declared chemical weapon stockpiles. Quite the milestone.

But, Mr Chair,

That milestone is unfortunately not the end of the story. 2023 has also been a year of serious challenge. A number of States Parties to this Convention still maintain chemical weapons programmes.

Russia used chemical weapons in the UK in 2018 and against Alexey Navalny in 2020.

In May this year, Russian state media reported Russian use of riot control agents against Ukrainian soldiers as part of Russia’s illegal war of aggression. Use of riot control agents as a method of warfare is clearly prohibited by the CWC. Russia has so far failed to provide any plausible explanation.

Meanwhile, we remain gravely concerned by baseless Russian allegations of chemical provocations by Ukraine. Any use of chemical weapons by Russia in Ukraine would have severe consequences.

Further Mr Chair,

In August we marked ten years since the horrific sarin attack in Ghouta by the Assad Regime that killed over 1,400 people.

Since Syria’s subsequent accession to the CWC in 2013, the world has witnessed at least nine further chemical weapon attacks by the Assad regime and chronic non-compliance with its CWC obligations.

In recent weeks, the OPCW Declarations Assessment Team (DAT) released further evidence of serious irregularities with Syria’s declaration. Thousands of Syrian munitions and hundreds of tonnes of chemical agent are still missing.

Mr Chair,

This organisation can have no confidence in the Syrian regime’s declaration and Syria’s handling of toxic chemicals. This matters not only for the people in Syria, its neighbours and the region but for the safety and security of us all.

Over 50 States Parties have co-sponsored a Decision for the attention of this Conference. It recommends additional measures to control the transfer of toxic chemicals to the Syrian Regime and enhance support to criminal investigations, in accordance with international law. It will reduce the threat of further Syrian Regime chemical weapon attacks and of toxic chemical proliferation to non-state actors. I call on all States Parties to support the decision, ‘Addressing the Threat from Chemical Weapons Use and the Threat of Future Use’.

Mr Chair,

The CWC remains one of the most successful disarmament conventions. But we have more work to do to realise the vision of a world free from chemical weapons.

Fast-moving technological developments offer extraordinary opportunities, but also bring new risks for proliferation, including threats from non-state actors. The OPCW can support us all to bolster capacity to prevent, protect and respond to chemical weapons threats.

The OPCW must have the tools it needs to deliver its vital mission. The OPCW’s biennial budget put forward for our consideration this week is the minimum the organisation needs to deliver its core activity. We call on all to support it and in doing so, support the continued work of the OPCW in eradicating the world of chemical weapons.

Thank you, Mr Chair

December 5, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Over 1,200 new homes for rough sleepers [November 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 28 November 2023.

People at risk of homelessness will be helped into stable, long-term accommodation thanks to nearly £150 million of government funding.
- Nearly £150 million allocated to build 1,230 homes for rough sleepers
- 46 local authorities and housing providers will receive money as part of the government’s Single Homelessness Accommodation Programme
- The programme also provides wrap around services to address substance misuse, domestic violence and abuse, wellbeing and mental health
People with a history of rough sleeping and those at risk of homelessness will be helped into stable, long-term accommodation thanks to nearly £150 million of government funding.

46 local authorities, housing providers, and charities across England will build or buy 1,230 homes for the most vulnerable, all funded by £148.4 million of the government’s Single Homelessness Accommodation Programme.

The money also funds a wide range of accommodation and support services for vulnerable adults, including purpose-built accommodation and supported housing, as well as helping with building repairs and renovations.

These new services also include 24/7 support for the most vulnerable, with access to specialist teams where people can address substance misuse, domestic violence and abuse or improve their wellbeing and mental health. The project forms a major part of the major cross-government’s £2 billion programme to end rough sleeping for good.

Felicity Buchan, Minister for Housing and Homelessness from the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, said:

Everyone deserves a safe place to call home. This is why we are so committed to supporting the most vulnerable in our society and helping them off the streets for good.

This funding will not only provide housing for rough sleepers but will also give tailored support to help those most in need off the streets, rebuild their lives, and begin to live independently.

Funding has been targeted at areas where it is needed the most – this includes £9.9 million to Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council, over £6.4 million to Leeds County Council, and £5.2 million to Manchester Council.

Worthing Homes in Sussex will receive £4 million to deliver 34 homes, communal rooms for group therapy, and a homeless drop-in centre. While The Homeless Action Resource Project in Southend-on-Sea will receive £3.3 million to deliver 32 homes by redeveloping and retrofitting existing properties.

The Deputy Mayor of London for Housing and Residential Development, Tom Copley, said:

I’m extremely pleased that we’ve secured over £50 million to support local councils to build more homes and deliver vital support services to people sleeping rough in London.

This will make a real and lasting difference for hundreds of people in our capital, ranging from those recovering from addiction, to young people at risk of homelessness.

No-one should have to sleep rough on our streets and the Mayor is doing everything in his power to ensure that everyone in this position gets the support they need.

The fifth and final bidding round for the Single Homelessness Accommodation Programme is underway now, and final allocations will be announced early next year.
December 5, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Greater protections for children from future strike action [November 2023]

The press release issued by the Department for Education on 28 November 2023.

Proposals will put in place protections for children’s education and provide certainty for parents. Minimum service levels to be in place by next academic year.

Today the government has launched a consultation to introduce new protections for children and young people’s education during any future strike action. The planned measures will provide greater reassurance and certainty for children and parents.

Minimum service levels will ensure that in the event of any future strike action, children and young people can continue to receive education and do not miss out on any vital learning. The legislation brings us in line with countries like France, Italy, Spain where public services reliably continue in times of industrial action.

This year’s school strikes were part of the biggest outbreak of industrial action in a generation, with far reaching consequences across the education system. Cumulatively over 25 million school days have been lost over 10 strike days in schools alone.

This strike action also came at a time when schools and colleges were doing their best to recover from the impact of Covid on children and young people’s education. Setting regulations for minimum service levels will help us safeguard children’s time in education from further disruption caused by industrial action.

The consultation invites views on a number of proposals. These include priority attendance for vulnerable children and young people, exam groups, children of critical workers and primary school pupils, as well as the use of rotas for strikes lasting five days or more.

Education Secretary, Gillian Keegan said:

Keeping children in school is my number one priority. Last year’s school strikes were some of the most disruptive on record for children and parents with 25 million cumulative days lost, alongside the strike action that badly affected students in colleges and universities.

We cannot afford a repeat of that disruption – particularly as young people continue to catch up from the pandemic.

Whilst I know many schools and colleges worked really hard to keep children and young people in face-to-face education during strikes, we must make sure that approach is applied in every school, in every area of country.

This decision follows on from recent discussions between Education Secretary, Gillian Keegan, and education trade unions to explore voluntary agreements in schools and colleges.

While talks with the education unions were constructive, not enough progress was made to ensure protections for children and young people would be in place for the next academic year.

The government has therefore taken the step to open the nine-week consultation to hear the views of parents, young people and the education sector on how best to ensure minimum service levels in schools, colleges as well higher education institutions.

Many school and college leaders worked hard to keep classrooms open and prioritise places for pupils and students sitting external exams, vulnerable children and children of critical workers.

The government’s proposals set out minimum service levels which would ensure the groups who need face-to-face education the most can continue to access education on strike days.

The government is also seeking evidence of the impact of strike action in higher education to determine if a minimum service level could mitigate the impact of any future strike action.

Earlier this month the Prime Minister announced that minimum service levels legislation for rail, ambulance and border force workers will be passed to mitigate disruption to the public if strikes are called.

December 5, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : £121 Million Investment into future Submarines supports 250 Jobs [November 2023]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 28 November 2023.

Two contracts, worth collectively over £100 million, have been awarded to Babcock to support the development of the UK’s future nuclear deterrent.
- Contracts awarded to Babcock for in-service support expertise and weapon handling.
- Supporting 250 jobs across the UK
- Will support development of the new Dreadnought Class submarines.
Two contracts, worth collectively over £100 million, have been awarded to Babcock to support the development of the UK’s future nuclear deterrent.

The first, worth £66 million, has been awarded to Babcock to provide in-service submarine support expertise into the development of the UK’s Dreadnought Class submarines – the future of the UK’s nuclear deterrent. Covering the next 4.5 years, the contract will see Babcock provide the Ministry of Defence with technical and management support, engineering best practice and submarine maintenance achievability.

Supporting the Prime Minister’s priority to grow the economy, the contract will sustain a total of 150 jobs, primarily in Bristol, but also include specialised roles across other key sites, including Devonport, Clyde, Barrow in Furness, Leicester and Warrington.

In addition, Babcock has also been awarded a £55 million contract by BAE Systems for Weapon Handling and Launch System (WHLS) and Submerged Signal Ejector equipment for boats 2-4 of the Dreadnought Class. The contract will support a further 100 jobs across the UK and will see Babcock work with BAE Systems and the MOD together to ensure the Dreadnought Class is delivered on time.

This programme will support the design, development, and manufacture of the four new Dreadnought Class ballistic missile submarines – the largest submarines ever to be operated by the Royal Navy.

Ensuring the future security of the UK and its NATO Allies, the Dreadnought Class will replace the current Vanguard Class submarines in the early 2030s, maintaining the UK’s Continuous At Sea Deterrent.

Minister for Defence Procurement, James Cartlidge said:

It is undeniable the pivotal role that British industry plays in the defence of our nation and our Allies, and I’m committed to supporting UK companies who are continuing to bolster our security whilst driving prosperity across our economy.

The Dreadnought Class will be central to keeping our country safe and will further enhance our world-renowned submarine fleet.

Babcock CEO David Lockwood said:

Contributing our extensive expertise on the complex support submarines require is a hugely important aspect to the design of this new platform. By participating early in the programme, we will help to maximise the UK’s future defence capabilities.

The new Dreadnought Class submarines will be over 150 metres long and will have a crew of 130 personnel. In a first for a Royal Navy submarine, innovative new lighting will allow the crew to simulate night and day and it will be the first Royal Navy submarine to be built with separate female crew quarters. It will also have modern gym facilities for the crew, including exercise bikes, rowers, weights, benches, a running machine and cross trainer.
December 5, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Reforms bring hope to rehabilitated people still serving abolished indefinite sentences [November 2023]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 28 November 2023.

Thousands of rehabilitated ex-prisoners serving long-since abolished indefinite sentences will become eligible to have their licence period terminated earlier as part of new reforms.
- more than 1,800 people could see unjust, long-served sentences end by March 2025
- reduces numbers still on licence despite being rehabilitated, long after the end of their original sentence
- only those living safely in the community are eligible
Offenders released from prison on licence while serving Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) sentences currently have to wait a minimum of 10 years before they can have their licence reviewed by the Parole Board.

The new changes will mean IPP offenders serving their sentence in the community are referred for review 3 years after their first release.

IPP sentences were introduced in 2005, designed to prevent offenders who were considered dangerous from being released even though the offence did not merit a life sentence. There is broad consensus against the IPP sentence and the policy was scrapped in 2012 due to the inconsistent and more frequent application of these sentences than was intended.

If a licence is not terminated at the three-year mark by the Parole Board, it will automatically terminate after a further two years if the offender is not recalled to prison in that time. This is the first time these offenders will have a defined ‘end date’ to their sentence.

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

We are taking decisive action to curtail IPP licence periods to give rehabilitated people the opportunity to move on with their lives, while continuing to make sure the public are protected from the most serious offenders.

This is a major step towards wiping away the stain of IPP sentences from our justice system, without compromising public protection.

The changes will be applied retrospectively, meaning licences will immediately end for around 1,800 rehabilitated offenders once the legislation comes into force. Offenders who have been recalled to prison or taken into secure hospitals will not be eligible.

The government has amended its Victims and Prisoners Bill to make these changes which will accelerate the process of reducing the number of people bound by IPP sentences.

Around 800 will become newly eligible for Parole Board consideration by March 2025. The new legislation will also introduce a presumption that the Parole Board will terminate the licence unless it is still required to protect the public to give offenders the best opportunity to move on from their sentence.

Since IPP sentences were scrapped in 2012, the number of unreleased IPP prisoners has been reduced by three-quarters and those in custody are being supported to progress towards release through the government’s refreshed IPP Action Plan.

The legislation is expected to come into force 2 months after the Bill receives Royal Assent.
December 5, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : New phase of campaign encourages students to say Enough to abuse [November 2023]

The press release issued by the Home Office on 28 November 2023.

The third phase of the government’s award-winning Enough campaign includes a new partnership with over 30 universities to help make campuses safer.

The government’s innovative Enough campaign will join forces with over 30 UK universities in a bid to protect women and girls on university campuses.

Launching its third phase today (25 November), the Enough campaign targets potential perpetrators of violence against women and girls.

For the first time, it will partner up with universities to deliver bespoke campaign materials designed to reflect the scenarios and forms of abuse that students could witness.

This fresh phase of the campaign follows statistics from the Crime Survey for England and Wales, in the year ending March 2022, which revealed full-time students were more than 4 times as likely to have experienced sexual assault within the last year than those in any other type of occupation.

The campaign provides advice to anyone witnessing abuse, including students, on the safe ways to intervene if they see an incident of violence against women and girls, ranging from sexual harassment – on the street, on public transport or at work – to sharing intimate images of someone without their consent; coercive control in a relationship; or unwanted touching.

This phase will see a wider rollout of the campaign’s STOP prompt – Say something, Tell someone, Offer support, Provide a diversion – which provides the public with multiple options for intervening if they witness abuse in public places and around universities.

Graphics on posters, digital screens and university social media accounts will encourage students to act if they witness abuse, as part of wider efforts to make university campuses safer.

Alongside the partnership with the Higher Education sector, the latest phase of Enough also contains billboard and poster advertising on public transport networks and in sports clubs, as well as social media adverts, including on platforms relevant to younger audiences.

Home Secretary, James Cleverly said:

No woman or girl should ever feel unsafe in her home or in her community and we have gone further than ever before in protecting them from abuse.

The Enough campaign aims to deliver a generational shift in the attitudes and behaviours which lead to abuse – everyone has a role to play.

While the government will continue to bring into force new laws to tackle these vile crimes, equip the police to bring more criminals to justice and provide victims with the support they need, the Enough campaign empowers the public to do their part to call out abuse when they see it and safely intervene when appropriate.

Minister for Victims and Safeguarding, Laura Farris said:

In order to bring about real and lasting change, we need to address the issue of violence against women and girls from all sides, and that includes educating the public on the role they have to play.

We are driving forward our plans to protect women from abuse, whenever and wherever it occurs – online, in public, at work or behind closed doors.

Already this year we have classified violence against women as a national threat for policing and rolled out a new approach to how rape is investigated by forces in England and Wales. There will be more to come.

Baroness Newlove, Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales said:

If we are to effectively tackle violence against women and girls, this requires a whole society approach with the education sector playing a key role. I welcome the latest phase of the Enough campaign as it expands into university campuses. Government commitments to future iterations of this campaign are crucial if we are to see the wider cultural shifts we know are necessary.

Nicole Jacobs, Domestic Abuse Commissioner for England and Wales said:

I welcome this phase of the Enough campaign which aims to tackle violence against women and girls on university campuses.

We will all know someone who has been impacted by domestic abuse and we have a collective responsibility to respond empathetically and effectively the first time they come forward for support.

This campaign is an important step forward, providing the resources we need to tackle violence against women and girls. We must show zero tolerance to abuse in all its forms.

Professor Eunice Simmons, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Chester, one of the universities partnering with Enough, said:

Campaigns such as Enough are fundamental in driving the proactive message that violence against women and girls will not be tolerated and we are proud to support such an initiative which underpins the many projects we already have in place to ensure the safety of our student body and our wider community.

We want every member of our university community to feel secure, safe and supported. With the help of valued external local and regional partners and the support of the Enough campaign, we can help create an environment where safety, respect, and dignity prevail.

Andrea Simon, Director of the End Violence Against Women Coalition (EVAW), said:

We’re pleased to see this latest phase of the government’s Enough campaign partner with universities, which is important if we are to address the sexual harassment and violence experienced by students, prevent abuse, and shift the deeply rooted attitudes and beliefs that drive male violence against women.

Implementing violence prevention and bystander programmes can empower students to recognise abuse and intervene safely when they witness problematic behaviour, but it is also critical that students know where they can go for support if they experience abuse.

Ending violence against women is everyone’s business and it is particularly crucial that this next phase of this campaign is well-funded, over the longer-term, and positively engages boys and young men, who are a key part of this work.

The Enough campaign has previously partnered with Channel 4 programme Hollyoaks on a specific storyline around violence against women and girls. In the episode, Maxine Minniver, played by Nikki Sanderson, was attacked when walking home from a night out. The episode, which aired in November 2022, aimed to prompt discussion from the audience about women’s safety and how we can all build a safer society for women.

Hollyoaks Actor, Nikki Sanderson said:

It’s now a year on from the Hollyoaks’ special ‘Long Walk Home’ episode and I’m so proud of what we achieved with this campaign. I am also really thankful for the opportunity to be a part of such a powerful episode and to support the government’s Enough campaign in attempting to change attitudes and behaviours that influence violence against women and girls. I believe it is an important issue to revisit as violence against women and girls is unfortunately something that we still see every day. It is a long-term societal issue that we are all working together to tackle.

As highlighted in both the episode and the Enough campaign messaging, women and girls should be free to enjoy their lives without experiencing abuse. The Enough campaign is uniting the public around the rejection of abuse and ensuring perpetrators behaviour will be challenged, and I am proud for the opportunity I had to bring this serious issue to life within this episode.

The Enough Campaign, which launched in March 2022, has to date included television adverts, billboards, social media and radio advertising. The campaign, informed by over 180,000 responses to the Home Office’s call for evidence and engagement with a network of over 40 stakeholder organisations and academic experts, has so far reached millions of people, driving action among bystanders and prompting reflection among potential perpetrators of violence against women and girls.

The campaign is just one way the government is prioritising tackling violence against women and girls.

The Chancellor unveiled £12 million of new funding to tackle domestic abuse in the Autumn Statement on Wednesday (22 November), including £2 million of funding for payments directly to victims to help them leave abusive relationships and rebuild their lives.

All police forces across England and Wales are now following a new approach for the investigation of rape, funded by the Home Office, with police referrals to the Crown Prosecution Service for adult rape offences already up more than 200% since 2019.  Under the new model, police and prosecutors can access better support and 2,000 police investigators will be specially trained in sexual offences by April 2024.

Earlier this year, the government added violence against women and girls to the Strategic Policing Requirement – meaning it is now categorised as a national threat for forces to respond to, alongside other serious threats like terrorism.

The Home Office also continues to fund “perpetrator intervention” projects which aim to stop domestic abusers and stalkers from repeatedly targeting victims and terrorising vulnerable people.

December 5, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : The future of flight takes off as Virgin airliner crosses Atlantic solely powered by sustainable aviation fuel [November 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 28 November 2023.

First-ever 100% SAF-fuelled commercial transatlantic flight marks a milestone in decarbonising air travel.
- Transport Secretary takes to the sky in world’s first 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) transatlantic flight by a commercial airline, made possible by up to £1 million of UK government funding
- this historic event is a huge step towards Jet Zero – helping people travel sustainably while creating jobs and helping to grow the UK economy
- during an official visit to the US, the Transport Secretary will show how the UK is a global leader in transport innovation, including SAF and automated vehicles
One of Virgin Atlantic’s Boeing 787s took off for a world-first flight from London Heathrow to JFK International Airport, New York today (28 November 2023) powered by 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

The Transport Secretary travelled on the flight alongside Virgin Atlantic Chief Executive Shai Weiss and Virgin’s founder, Sir Richard Branson, making them the first commercial airline to fly across the pond without the use of any fossil-based jet fuel.

Today’s flight is a major milestone towards making air travel more environmentally friendly as we move towards our goal of net zero by 2050. The historic trip is powered by SAF made from waste fats that cannot enter the food chain. Repurposing waste products into jet fuel to cut emissions provides the most immediate solution to help decarbonise our skies.

Virgin Atlantic and their consortium were awarded up to £1 million of UK government funding in December 2022, following a challenge from the Department for Transport to support the industry in achieving the first transatlantic flight on a commercial aircraft powered by 100% SAF. The funding has played a vital role in supporting the testing of today’s fuel and the flight’s operational delivery to make this a reality. It will also provide an opportunity to generate important data that will accelerate SAF approval and boost our understanding of its efficiency.

SAF has a greenhouse gas emissions reduction of around 70% when compared against standard jet fuel over its life cycle – allowing greener travel and keeping the UK connected to the world.

With the world about to convene in Dubai COP28 this week, today lays down a marker that the UK is already taking action when it comes to tackling the decarbonisation challenges that face the transport sector.

Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, said:

Today’s historic flight, powered by 100% sustainable aviation fuel, shows how we can both decarbonise transport and enable passengers to keep flying when and where they want.

This government has backed today’s flight to take-off and we will continue to support the UK’s emerging SAF industry as it creates jobs, grows the economy and gets us to Jet Zero.

SAF will become an increasing part of the standard jet fuel mix, driven by our upcoming SAF mandate, with at least 10% of jet fuel being from sustainable sources in 2030. This will mean that business or leisure travellers can fly knowing their carbon footprint will be lower than ever before.

Sir Richard Branson, Founder, Virgin Atlantic, said:

The world will always assume something can’t be done, until you do it. The spirit of innovation is getting out there and trying to prove that we can do things better for everyone’s benefit. Virgin Atlantic has been challenging the status quo and pushing the aviation industry to never settle and do better since 1984.

Fast forward nearly 40 years, that pioneering spirit continues to be Virgin Atlantic’s beating heart as it pushes the boundaries from carbon fibre aircraft and fleet upgrades to sustainable fuels. I couldn’t be prouder to be onboard Flight100 today alongside the teams at Virgin Atlantic and our partners, which have been working together to set the flight path for the decarbonisation of long-haul aviation.

Shai Weiss, Chief Executive Officer, Virgin Atlantic, said:

Flight100 proves that sustainable aviation fuel can be used as a safe, drop-in replacement for fossil-derived jet fuel and it’s the only viable solution for decarbonising long-haul aviation. It’s taken radical collaboration to get here and we’re proud to have reached this important milestone, but we need to push further.

There’s simply not enough SAF and it’s clear that in order to reach production at scale, we need to see significantly more investment. This will only happen when regulatory certainty and price support mechanisms are in place. Flight100 proves that if you make it, we’ll fly it.

Today’s flight shows the future of flying, following in the footsteps of John Alcock and Arthur Brown, who flew the first non-stop transatlantic flight in 1919, opening the eyes of the world to the potential of long-haul air travel.

This landmark moment is another step towards cleaner skies after we announced the second round of the Advanced Fuels Fund on 17 November 2023. This saw 9 projects receive £53 million to help scale up the UK SAF production industry, leading the global charge towards making these fuels more readily available. Increasing the supply for operators, making it cheaper and providing reassurance for industry that the UK is the world leader in decarbonising aviation backs our commitment of having 5 SAF commercial plants to be in construction by 2025.

The flight to the US will also provide the Transport Secretary with the opportunity to showcase the UK’s progress in the future of transport. Promoting the UK’s work on SAF, the Transport Secretary will co-chair a SAF Investor Summit in New York to further unlock private investment to build a sustainable aviation sector that creates jobs in the UK and boosts the economy. Investing in SAF is key to helping scale up the industry, similar to the International Airlines Group (IAG), which recently invested in UK SAF production company Nova Pangaea Technologies, something we aim to mimic with US investors.

The Transport Secretary will then travel to San Francisco to meet with US Automated Vehicles operators, seeing how the UK can become a new global hub for developing self-driving cars – fully seizing the opportunities enabled by our recently announced Automated Vehicles Bill. The trip will provide valuable insight into a high-growth industry which, in the UK, could create 38,000 jobs in a market worth £42 billion by 2035.
December 5, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : New research paves way for Artificial Intelligence in education [November 2023]

The press release issued by the Department for Education on 28 November 2023.

Over 500 respondents contributed to the Department for Education’s call for evidence on generative AI.

Education professionals, Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology specialists, and ed-tech experts are embracing the opportunities offered by AI in the education sector, according to the results of the government’s first ever Call for Evidence on Artificial Intelligence in Education, published today.

Results show that many respondents recognise the benefits of AI and some are already using AI tools to streamline administrative tasks, create subject-specific resources and provide personalised support for learners with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Other opportunities cited include the creation of more interactive lessons, and additional support for learners for whom English is an additional language.

The respondents range from educators in schools, colleges and universities, to research bodies including The Alan Turing Institute and Jisc.

The report will provide a base to inform future policy on AI, and the government is already supporting the sector to realise the potential of AI in education.

In October, the government announced an additional investment of up to £2 million in Oak National Academy to create new teaching tools using AI, followed by a two-day hackathon hosted by the Department for Education in collaboration with Faculty AI, the National Institute of Teaching, which brought together teachers, leaders, students and technology experts to experiment with AI.

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said:

Artificial intelligence is here to stay and it’s already changing the way we work and learn. To take advantage of this transformative technology, it’s crucial we get our approach to it right.

It’s heartening that many education professionals are already seeing the tangible benefits of AI – something I witnessed myself at our AI hackathon earlier this month – while remaining alert to its risks.

The results of the call for evidence give us a crucial evidence base to inform our future work on AI, helping us make the right decisions to get the best out of generative AI in a safe and secure way.

Michael Webb, Director of Technology and Analytics at Jisc, said:

It’s encouraging to see from this report how many institutions are already embracing AI, and how staff are using it in creative ways to improve education.

The findings also help us understand the types of support and guidance staff need in order to make the best use of the technology going forward. This will enable us to ensure that the right skills training is in place, along with guidelines around safe, ethical use of AI.

The Technology in Schools Survey, also published today, sets out how technology is used in schools and where they need support to use technology effectively. To improve access to technology, the Department for Education is investing up to £200 million to upgrade schools that fall below Wi-Fi connectivity standards in 55 Education Investment Areas, and working with commercial providers to enable all schools to have access to a high-speed connection by 2025.

Morgan Briggs, Policy Research and Strategy Manager at The Alan Turing Institute, said:

The use of generative AI in the education sector is a critically important area that deserves significant attention, and we welcome the Department for Education’s continued focus on it.

There are multiple ways in which generative AI could benefit the sector – but simultaneously, there are concerns and risks that must be addressed. These include dependency on commercial generative AI, the possible infringement of rights, the spread of bias and misinformation, and plagiarism.

To realise the full potential of these tools, it will be crucial to engage children and young people in the development and deployment of generative AI in education.

Sir Antony Seldon, founder of AI in Education and Headmaster of Epsom College, said:

It is great that the Department for Education is being proactive in its approach to artificial intelligence.

It’s crucial that the government is alive to the risks and opportunities AI offers to the education sector, and this Call for Evidence, which we were pleased to contribute to, will form an essential part of that.

While respondents are broadly optimistic about the benefits AI could bring, they also recognise risks around harmful content, intellectual property protection and concerns about accuracy.

The Government’s AI Regulation White Paper set out the first steps towards establishing a regulatory framework for AI, including working with UK regulators on how they might need to regulate the technology given its cross-cutting nature and impact on various sectors, including education.

The government committed to evaluate and adapt the UK’s regulatory approach as AI evolves, and the insights from this call for evidence will continue to shape policy in this emerging area.

Earlier this year, the UK also convened the world’s first AI Safety Summit at Bletchley Park, which brought together world leaders, businesses, and civil society to build consensus on international action to ensure safety at the frontier of AI.

This drive to harness the potential of AI comes as new analysis is published by the government on the impact of AI on Jobs and Training.

The report illustrates how the education system and employers will need to adapt to ensure the workforce has the skills necessary to benefit from this emerging technology, which the Department for Education is supporting through a number of training opportunities, including skills bootcamps, apprenticeships and the Lifelong Learning Entitlement.

The Department for Education has also today published research trialling the use of AI to explore how it could be used to support the civil service by providing summaries and analysis. AI was used to analyse the 38 Local Skills Improvements Plans as part of a pilot project with Faculty AI.

In spring, the Department for Education will publish the results of the hackathon, further supporting the department’s work to understand how AI could safely transform the education sector.

December 5, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Flagship Pioneering establishes base in London, in Europe-first win for UK life sciences [November 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 28 November 2023.

Company behind the successful life-sciences firm Moderna, Flagship Pioneering, has selected the UK for their first location outside of the US.
- Company behind the successful life-sciences firm Moderna, Flagship Pioneering, has selected the UK for their first location outside of the US
- Announcement opens up new opportunities for life science start-ups and investments in the UK, complementing UK government’s plan to drive innovation in science and tech and boost the UK’s investment ecosystem
- New Memorandum of Understanding between Flagship and the Government cements the UK’s commitment to the sector, setting out how both can work together on clinical trials, potential UK manufacturing locations, and more
Leading life sciences bioplatform company Flagship Pioneering has today (Tuesday 28 November) announced the UK as the home for its first base outside the US, paving the way for new scientific start-ups, discoveries and investments here in the UK.

Flagship takes a unique approach to investment – with its own scientists exploring ideas invented in its labs to improve human health and the most promising projects being grown into companies. Since launching in 2000, Flagship has founded more than 100 scientific ventures, worth more than $90 billion combined, among the most notable being Moderna, who developed a groundbreaking mRNA vaccine for Covid-19. To date the company has invested over $3.4 billion in the founding and growth of pioneering life science companies, unlocking a further $26 billion of investment from other sources.

Flagship Pioneering choosing the UK as its first European base is another vote of confidence for the UK’s £94 billion life sciences sector and is further evidence that the UK is one of the world’s leading destinations for investment, where 1 in 3 of all the biotech startups in Europe over the last decade have been founded in the UK. By basing themselves here, the UK will become Flagship’s latest destination for its next start-ups and ventures – leading to economic growth and new scientific discoveries that improve lives, as well as adding to the 280,000 highly skilled jobs the sector supports nationwide.

The government is cementing this commitment by signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the company. This will see them work hand in hand with the life sciences community and key UK scientific resources and stakeholders to, for example, identify new opportunities for innovation and find potential locations in the UK to host manufacturing sites for Flagship’s life sciences companies.

The UK’s life sciences prowess has been on full display at this week’s Global Investment Summit, which has highlighted how – as home to some of the world’s best minds, most extraordinary innovators, and iconic companies – the UK is one of the most dynamic and ambitious destinations for investment, anywhere in the world. The Science and Tech Secretary used the Summit to announce plans to make key technologies being pioneered in the UK, such as drones, even more appealing to investors by revamping the regulatory environment, as well as new partners to Innovate UK’s £100 million Investor Partnerships programme.

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

“From Brunel’s engineering revolution in the 19th century through to breakthroughs in genetic medicine in the 21st, British ideas have changed the world because of a willingness to ask big questions and do things differently. But to be successful, our innovators and risk-takers need backing.

“Flagship Pioneering choosing the UK as their home in Europe is another vote of confidence in our mission to put real financial firepower behind the UK’s world-leading science. Backing the brightest ideas with serious capital will help deliver improved healthcare, new medical treatments, and high-skill jobs.”

Tom Kibasi, Senior Vice President and Head of Flagship’s UK office, said:

“We are hugely excited at the opportunity to combine the UK’s world-leading science with Flagship’s unparalleled expertise in conceiving, creating and growing new scientific ventures into globally successful companies.

“We’re looking forward to connecting more than 40 Flagship-founded companies into the UK’s thriving life sciences eco-system and fostering new partnerships and collaborations that get breakthrough treatments to patients sooner.”

The Memorandum of Understanding between Flagship and the government sets out five ways the two can work closely together to maximise the UK’s potential to turn bright new ideas into thriving life science businesses. This includes:
- Working together on UK-based clinical trials and clinical delivery
- Looking into potential locations in the UK to host manufacturing sites for Flagship’s life sciences companies
- Engaging with UK’s world leading genomics organisations, such as Genomics England, NIHR Bioresource and UKBiobank
- Flagship feeding into UK’s horizon scanning processes that aim to identify opportunities for innovation, earlier
Flagship demonstrated their commitment to the UK, earlier this month, with the $50 million launch of Quotient Therapeutics, their first ever company co-anchored in both the US and UK. The firm is pioneering somatic genomics, the study of genetic variation at the cellular level, to discover therapeutics informed by new links between genes and disease.

Minister for Science, Research and Innovation Andrew Griffith said:

“This Government is determined to unleash capital, to support the life science breakthroughs that will help us all live longer, healthier lives, as well as enabling this £94 billion industry to continue to boost the economy, and support high-skilled jobs across the UK.

“Our work with Flagship Pioneering will be critical to that mission, by ensuring world-class UK research is given the backing needed to build scalable industries, cementing the UK’s place as a science superpower.”

Lord Johnson, Minister for Investment at the Department for Business and Trade said:

“This is a strong public signal from Flagship of the exciting potential they see in UK life sciences, our health and research ecosystem, and of their ongoing confidence in the UK as an investment destination. Flagship’s extensive expertise can also help further develop our vibrant UK sector.

“The Department for Business and Trade will continue our transatlantic support for Flagship and their portfolio companies, from developing their first footholds to realising the full range of benefits this world class hub for life sciences can deliver.”

The UK is undeniably a life sciences powerhouse. It is home to 1 in 3 of all the biotech startups founded in Europe over the last decade, attracted more than a third of all venture capital finance raised by European life sciences companies in 2022, and boasts 4 of the world’s top 10 universities for life sciences and medicine. The government is backing this critical sector with £520 million for life sciences manufacturing, the £650 million ‘Life Sci for Growth’ package and £20 million to speed up the development of new dementia treatments coming as part of the government’s full response to the O’Shaughnessy Review of commercial clinical trials in the UK.

Unlocking greater private funding for UK R&D is one of the key objectives of The UK Science and Technology Framework.

To this end, in July DSIT launched the Research Ventures Catalyst to open up new funding pathways that will enable our brightest minds to take greater risks and pursue new means of working that might not be supported via traditional avenues.

There have been significant recent successes in attracting private investment into the UK life sciences sector, such as landmark partnerships with BioNTech on cancer treatment and with Moderna, which will see the building of a brand-new innovation and technology centre.

Besides attracting inward investment from private sources, government is also serious about committing its own cash towards boosting the sector. In the last few months alone we have announced a raft of measures backed by over £650 million to support investment, growth and innovation in UK life sciences, including £121 million to make rapid progress on the recommendations of the O’Shaughnessy Review into clinical trials, and we continue to invest heavily in R&D at record amounts. This government has committed to invest £20 billion in R&D in 2024-2025.

Flagship’s announcement today paves the way for this groundbreaking company to provide the same impact in growing the UK’s life sciences ecosystem as it has in Cambridge, Massachusetts, arguably the global centre for life sciences.

The UK government has just agreed a new Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing, Access and Growth with the UK pharmaceutical industry. The landmark agreement will improve access to cutting-edge treatments for NHS patients, support financial sustainability of the health service and advance UK life sciences sector.

The new scheme will support significant industry investment in UK clinical trials, manufacturing and health technology assessments strengthens UK’s global competitiveness.
December 5, 2023