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Category: Press Releases

  • PRESS RELEASE : Russia’s campaign against Ukrainian identity and culture continues – UK Statement to the OSCE [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Russia’s campaign against Ukrainian identity and culture continues – UK Statement to the OSCE [November 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 November 2023.

    Ambassador Neil Holland says that Russia is attacking Ukrainian civilians, monuments, religious sites, museums, and art galleries.

    Thank you, Mr Chair.

    A tribute is taking place at the British Library in London this evening honouring the life and work of the award-winning Ukrainian writer, Victoria Amelina. Victoria, who was only 37 years of age, was killed in July following a Russian missile strike on a restaurant in Kramatorsk.  Alongside Victoria, 12 other civilians died, including four children. Before the war Victoria wrote novels and children’s books. Following Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion, she began to investigate alleged war crimes, documenting testimonies, and working with children near the frontline. Not long before her death, Victoria uncovered the buried war diary of another Ukrainian writer, Volodymyr Vakulenko, who was shot by Russian forces last year. Victoria died from injuries sustained in a Russian attack on a civilian location. The victims of this attack were Ukrainian civilians and artists, determined to remain part of a free, independent, and sovereign Ukraine. All killed by Russia.

    According to UNESCO 124 religious sites, 142 buildings of historical or artistic interest, 28 museums, 19 monuments, 13 libraries and one archive have been destroyed since Russia’s full-scale invasion. Last year, Russian air strikes struck Mariupol Theatre, killing hundreds of sheltering civilians. Russian air strikes also hit Babyn Yar memorial park, a site commemorating thousands of Jews murdered by the Nazis in 1941. And just this week, four months after Russian strikes severely damaged Odesa’s historic Transfiguration Cathedral, the 124-year-old Odesa National Fine Arts Museum was also hit.

    But of course, Russia’s campaign against Ukrainian identity and culture does not stop with Russian attacks on monuments, religious sites and museums and art galleries. We have heard in this very room the disturbing findings of the Moscow Mechanism Report on the forcible transfer and deportation of Ukrainian children to temporarily Russian-controlled territory and the Russian Federation. The report details so-called ‘recreations camps’ seeking to indoctrinate children about Russia’s version of Ukrainian history, the easing of requirements for unaccompanied Ukrainian children to change citizenship, and the placement of children in completely pro-Russian environments, prevented from speaking Ukrainian. These children have no link back to their Ukrainian culture, and in many cases, no current prospect of being returned to Ukraine. The intention here is clear, Russia’s aim is to deny these children their Ukrainian identity.

    Russia’s actions are felt most acutely in the temporarily controlled territories of Ukraine. Russia continues to interfere with Ukraine’s sovereign integrity by holding sham ‘elections’, which go well beyond what is permissible under international law and extends to restrictions on the use of the Ukrainian language and the forced imposition of Russian laws.

    The UK and international partners will support Ukraine until all Russian forces withdraw from the internationally recognised borders of Ukraine and return all Ukrainian children to their legal guardians. The UK will also continue to support the reconstruction of Ukraine, supporting a Ukraine-led effort to emerge from the war resilient to Russian threats. Ukraine, Ukrainians and Ukrainian language and culture will once again have all the conditions they need to flourish. Thank you, Mr Chair.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Inquiry launched into the death of Jalal Uddin [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Inquiry launched into the death of Jalal Uddin [November 2023]

    The press release issued by the Home Office on 9 November 2023.

    Home Secretary establishes inquiry into the death of Jalal Uddin.

    The Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, has today (9 November) announced the establishment of an inquiry into the death of Jalal Uddin.

    Jalal Uddin, a retired Imam, was murdered in Rochdale on 18 February 2016.

    Following criminal proceedings, an inquest into his death was resumed in November 2020.

    In November 2022 the Coroner, His Honour Judge Teague KC, Chief Coroner of England and Wales, requested the inquest be converted to a statutory inquiry in order to permit all relevant evidence to be heard.

    Judge Teague will fulfil the role of chair. The conduct and delivery of the Inquiry are a matter for the chair.

  • PRESS RELEASE : 44th Universal Periodic Review of human rights – UK statement on Germany [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : 44th Universal Periodic Review of human rights – UK statement on Germany [November 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 November 2023.

    The UK delivered a statement during Germany’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) at the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

    May I start by welcoming Commissioner Amtsberg and your delegation. We appreciate Germany’s efforts since its last Universal Periodic Review (UPR), and the active role it has played as a member of this Council. We welcome the ratification of the Protocol to the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Forced Labour Convention, and the ratification of the ILO’s Violence and Harassment Convention.

    We also commend Germany for the repeal of legislation that banned the advertisement of abortion services, allowing for information about the procedure to become more accessible.

    We recommend Germany:

    1.    Set voluntary targets to help increase the proportion of women in management positions in the German economy.

    2.    Ensure the effective implementation of the Protocol to the Forced Labour Convention.
    3.   Develop legislation to ensure the ratification of the Elimination of Violence and Harassment in the World of Work is implemented effectively.

    Thank you.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Ground rent reforms to save thousands for leaseholders [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Ground rent reforms to save thousands for leaseholders [November 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 9 November 2023.

    Consultation launched today including a number of options to cap ground rents for existing leaseholders.

    Housing Secretary Michael Gove has launched a consultation that will set out options including capping ground rents at a so called “peppercorn” rate for existing leaseholders, freezing ground rents at current levels and capping the ground rents at a percentage of the property value.

    Some leaseholders can be faced with ground rent clauses in their leases which result in spiralling payments with no benefit in return, and can cause issues for those who want to sell their properties.

    The changes deliver on the Government’s manifesto commitment to create a fairer system for the millions of leaseholders and form a key part of the Government’s Long Term Plan for Housing.

    Confirmed as part of the Leasehold and Freehold Bill in this week’s Kings Speech, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities will consult on five proposals to decide the best way forward to benefit leaseholders. These are:

    • Setting ground rents at a peppercorn;
    • Putting in place a maximum financial value which ground rents could never exceed;
    • Capping ground rents at a percentage of the property value;
    • Limiting ground rent in existing leases to the original amount when the lease was granted; and
    • Freezing ground rent at current levels.

    This work builds on changes the government has already introduced to help tackle high ground rents for future homeowners.

    The Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Act 2022 means that if any ground rent is demanded as part of a new residential long lease, it cannot be charged at more than the cost of one peppercorn per year – effectively setting the rate to zero.

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

    “People work hard to achieve the dream of homeownership. They plan, toil, sacrifice, save and should rightly be proud to get on the housing ladder.

    “However, far too many are burdened with onerous ground rents – these punitive charges can leave some paying thousands of pounds a year for nothing in return.

    “Ground rent can feel like an annual reminder that you do not own the land your home stands on, that your lease on it is finite, and that there is a payment for the privilege of staying there.

    “Today we are taking further steps to right that wrong – consulting you, the public, about how best to change this system so leaseholders are not exploited any longer and can take back control of their own destiny.”

    The proposals announced today form part of the Government’s Long-Term Plan for Housing to liberate leaseholders from the unfair and outdated leasehold system.

    The Leasehold and Freehold Bill – which will be introduced to Parliament shortly, will:

    • make it cheaper and easier for people to extend their lease or buy their freehold;
    • increase lease extension terms to give people more security and peace of mind;
    • give greater transparency over service charges and insurance commissions; and
    • make it easier for people to manage their building themselves.

    Today’s public consultation will be open for six weeks and the government will carefully consider all responses to inform the final decision, as we aim to introduce reforms through the Leasehold and Freehold Bill.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Independent inquiry launched into 2021 Channel crossing tragedy [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Independent inquiry launched into 2021 Channel crossing tragedy [November 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 9 November 2023.

    Announcing an inquiry into the events of 24 November 2021, when at least 27 people lost their lives crossing the Channel.

    • Transport Secretary Mark Harper announces inquiry into the events of 24 November 2021, when at least 27 people lost their lives crossing the Channel
    • inquiry will allow a full and independent investigation into the circumstances of the deaths to take place
    • announcement follows today’s publication of the Marine Accident Investigation Branch report into the tragedy

    Transport Secretary Mark Harper has announced an inquiry is to be established to look into the events of 24 November 2021, when at least 27 people lost their lives crossing the Channel.

    The independent, non-statutory inquiry will be designed to allow a full and independent investigation into the circumstances of the deaths to take place in the absence of a normal coroner’s inquest.

    The announcement of the inquiry follows today’s publication of a report by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) outlining the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

    Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, said:

    Today our thoughts are with the families of all those involved in the tragic events of 24 November 2021.

    I am grateful to the Marine Accident Investigation Branch for their report examining this tragic incident, and the government will carefully consider its findings and recommendations. As the report recognises, the operational picture in the Channel has changed significantly since 24 November 2021, and I know that HM Coastguard continuously seeks to learn lessons and improve.

    Every day, hundreds of courageous responders from HM Coastguard and other UK agencies, including volunteers, stand ready to respond around the clock to every search and rescue operation involving small boats in the Channel. This incident reinforces the scale of the task they face.

    The inquiry I have announced today will allow a thorough and independent investigation into the circumstances of the deaths to take place, further to the MAIB’s report, to give the families of the victims the clarity they deserve. I know that the Coastguard will engage fully and openly with it.

    On the day of the tragedy, 1,227 people attempted to cross the Channel. HM Coastguard search and rescue operations have adapted to the changes in demand presented by small boats in the Channel.

    The fundamental role of HM Coastguard is to save lives at sea by responding to any person in distress, and the service works unceasingly to save anyone that needs help.

    The inquiry being established will look into who the deceased were, and when, where and in what circumstances they came by their deaths.

    It will also consider what further lessons can be learned from the events of 24 November 2021 and, if appropriate, make recommendations to reduce the risk of a similar event occurring.

    A chair and full terms of reference for the Inquiry will be announced by the Department for Transport in due course.

  • PRESS RELEASE : New laws to safely roll out self-driving vehicles across British roads [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : New laws to safely roll out self-driving vehicles across British roads [November 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 9 November 2023.

    Self-driving vehicles will help make travel more convenient and accessible, improving the lives of millions of people who can not drive.

    • new Automated Vehicles Bill puts UK at the forefront of regulation of self-driving technology, in boost to safety, investment and jobs
    • an estimated 38,000 new jobs to be created in the UK from £42 billion industry
    • self-driving vehicles will make transport more convenient and more accessible, improving the lives of millions of people

    New laws introduced into Parliament yesterday (8 November 2023) will put safety at the heart of the roll-out of self-driving vehicle technology and position the UK as world-leaders of this exciting £42 billion industry.

    As announced in the King’s Speech on Tuesday 7 November, the government’s new Automated Vehicles (AV) Bill will deliver one of the most comprehensive legal frameworks of its kind anywhere in the world for self-driving vehicles, with safety at its core.

    The new safety framework will ensure clear liability for the user, set the safety threshold for legal self-driving and establish an in-use regulatory scheme to monitor the ongoing safety of these vehicles.

    Self-driving vehicles could help reduce deaths and injuries from drink driving, speeding and driver tiredness, with 88% of road collisions having human error as a contributory factor. But before these vehicles are allowed on our roads, they will now have to meet or exceed rigorous new safety requirements, set out in law.

    The technology will also help make travel more convenient and accessible, improving the lives of millions of people who can not drive.

    They can be used to better connect rural communities, improving access to essential services and reducing isolation. They can make last-mile delivery and long-haul freight services more efficient, reduce congestion and they can provide on-demand transport services.

    This Bill will help cement the UK’s position as a global leader in this high tech and high growth industry, which could create up to 38,000 jobs.

    It comes amid wider government funding and support for trials of self-driving technologies in the UK, like the £66 million Commercialising Connected and Automated Mobility fund which is supporting 20 projects in nearly 50 organisations to develop prototype passenger and logistics self-driving services.

    Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, said:

    Our new Bill ensures safety is at the heart of our plans to see self-driving vehicles on our roads, making the UK a great place to develop this technology.

    We have the opportunity to put the UK at the forefront of a fast-growing, multi-billion-pound industry by providing the clarity and certainty for business to develop and invest in this exciting technology.

    Transport Minister, Jesse Norman, said:

    Today marks a landmark occasion as we usher in the future of transport, aiming at safer, greener and more efficient travel for all.

    The AV Bill’s comprehensive legal framework has safety and the protection of the user at its core.

    This will be done through:

    • creating a rigorous new safety framework: setting the safety threshold for self-driving vehicles in law, while giving government the tools it needs to enforce standards and hold companies to account
    • ensuring clear legal liability at all times: making companies responsible for how their self-driving vehicles behave on the road and protecting users from being unfairly held accountable
    • protecting consumers and the public: ensuring only vehicles that meet rigorous self-driving standards can be marketed as such

    All self-driving vehicles will be required to undergo robust safety testing before they are permitted to drive on UK roads, and the AV Bill will ensure clear legal liability when a vehicle is driving itself by creating new legal entities responsible for self-driving.

    Every authorised self-driving vehicle will have a corresponding Authorised Self-Driving Entity– often the manufacturer – which will be responsible for the behaviour of the vehicle when self-driving. Companies will have ongoing obligations to keep their vehicles safe and ensure that they continue to drive in accordance with British laws.

    The Bill will prohibit misleading market practices, including around using ambiguous terminology in advertising material around whether their vehicles classify as self driving. Regulations under the Bill will set out specific terminology and symbols which will be reserved for marketing authorised self-driving vehicles. Unauthorised and improper use of this terminology will be against the law and a criminal offence.

    The laws implement the recommendations of the review of self-driving vehicle regulation carried out by the Law Commission of England and Wales and the Scottish Law Commission. This landmark review brings together over 4 years of legal work, 3 rounds of public consultation, and hundreds of responses from a wide range of organisations and individuals.

    Alex Kendall, Co-founder and CEO of Wayve, said:

    Today’s announcement that the government will bring forward legislation for self-driving signals to the global self-driving industry that the UK government is committed to fostering innovation for the future of transport. By setting out a clear path to commercialisation, new primary legislation for self-driving vehicles gives us the confidence to continue investing in research and development and growing our talent base here in the UK.

    We look forward to continuing to work with the government to cement the UK’s role as a global centre of excellence for self-driving technology that will make our roads safer and unlock new growth.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK dairy industry to be boosted by new export programme [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK dairy industry to be boosted by new export programme [November 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 9 November 2023.

    The Department for Business and Trade has launched the Dairy Export Programme designed to help grow agri-food exports in overseas markets.

    • New Dairy Export Programme launched to help grow agri-food exports in overseas markets.
    • Programme includes UK Dairy Showcase, education sessions and trade missions and follows £1m funding committed to dairy sector exports by the Prime Minister in May at the Farm to Fork Summit.
    • Minister for Exports Lord Offord visits Lye Cross Farm in Bristol to launch programme and showcase government support for UK dairy sector, which exported over £2 billion of products to 135 countries in 2022.

    The UK’s dairy industry is set to be boosted by a brand-new programme to increase exports, the Government announced today (9 November).

    The Dairy Export Programme, which Minister for Exports Lord Offord will formally launch today during a visit to Lye Cross Farm in Bristol, will help UK agri-businesses grow by seizing new export opportunities and exploiting overseas markets for their products through a comprehensive package of export support.

    The Prime Minister committed £1 million to the dairy sector at the Farm to Fork Summit hosted at 10 Downing Street in May. The Dairy Export Programme is a direct result of this funding and forms part of a wider package of Government support for agriculture, food and drink. This includes an investment of £2 million to boost DBT’s programme of global tradeshows and missions, which will be delivered in partnership with industry and the Food and Drink Export Council.

    The programme will provide a wide range of targeted support for businesses, through education sessions on how to boost exports and target new markets and trade promotion activity, including an inward buyer trade mission and a UK Dairy Showcase.

    It will also provide specialist resource in priority markets dedicated to supporting dairy exports and market intelligence support to help businesses exploit overseas opportunities.

    Minister for Exports Lord Offord will visit dairy exporter Lye Cross Farm in Bristol, where he will launch the programme and hear about their exporting success.

    Minster for Exports Lord Offord said:

    Growing the agri, food and drink sector is key to growing our economy, and I am delighted to launch the Dairy Export Programme which will help businesses grasp exciting new opportunities around the world.

    Last year our dairy exporters sold £2 billion of products to markets worldwide, and the work we are doing to strike up new trade deals will only see that figure rise further and move us forward in the race to £1 trillion of exports by 2030.

    The UK dairy industry is among the best in the world and is renowned for being ambitious and innovative, with SMEs making up a large proportion of the sector and exporting over £2 billion of goods a year to over 135 countries.

    The Dairy Export Programme will build on strong existing support for the sector from DBT, which this year has included facilitating buyer tastings at Anuga, the key international food and drink trade show in Cologne, a dairy showcase at Foodex in Japan, and supporting dairy companies exhibiting at the Food and Hospitality China trade show in Shanghai.

    Food and drink companies also benefit from support through DBT’s Export Support Service, Export Academy, UK Export Finance and a network of International Trade Advisers.

    DBT also has more than 100 advisers overseas who are focused on the agriculture, food and drink sector and who work alongside agri-attachés to tackle barriers and boost exports.

    AHDB Chief Executive Tim Rycroft said:

    International trade remains critical to the sector. Export development is at the heart of what AHDB does, showcasing our high-quality produce at international trade shows and hosting inward missions for key international buyers.

    We welcome today’s announcement of additional government support for the dairy sector and will continue to work collaboratively with government and industry to deliver impactful activities and help maximise global opportunities for our levy payers.

    It will support our ambition to help increase market access and international sales by championing the reputation of UK products overseas, as well as encouraging more businesses to export.

    NFU Dairy Board Chair Michael Oakes said:

    The NFU has been working closely with dairy producers, exporters and government through the Dairy Export Taskforce to examine ways to reduce trade barriers for dairy, improve market access and identify new opportunities for growth.

    This new £1m programme shows how industry and government collaboration can help drive UK dairy exports, target new markets and bolster our exporting strength. With the global demand for dairy set to rise significantly, the UK should be leading the way when it comes to the trade of safe, high-quality and sustainable UK dairy products.

    Peter Dawson, Policy & Sustainability Director Dairy UK and Chair of the Dairy Export Taskforce said:

    Exports by dairy processors make a major contribution to the UK economy and there is considerable potential for growth. We welcome the support package announced today and look forward to continuing to work closely with DBT to maximise its benefit for dairy exporters and the dairy supply chain in general.

    Notes to editors:

    • The Dairy Export Programme was formed in a collaborative consultation between DBT, the Dairy Export Taskforce and the wider UK dairy industry.
    • The Dairy Export Taskforce is an industry-led initiative to boost exports. The taskforce includes NFU, Dairy UK, AHDB and dairy businesses. DBT and DEFRA also participate.
  • PRESS RELEASE : Foreign Secretary arrives in Saudi Arabia to drive diplomatic efforts on the conflict in Gaza and Southern Israel [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Foreign Secretary arrives in Saudi Arabia to drive diplomatic efforts on the conflict in Gaza and Southern Israel [November 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 November 2023.

    Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has travelled to Saudi Arabia and will hold high-level talks with regional Foreign Ministers.

    • Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has travelled to Saudi Arabia after the G7 Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Tokyo
    • He will hold high-level talks with regional Foreign Ministers in diplomatic efforts to prevent escalation and work towards a two-state solution
    • He will push for a collective effort to get lifesaving aid into Gaza as quickly as possible, through as many routes as possible.

    The Foreign Secretary will reiterate the UK’s commitment to prevent regional escalation to the crisis and increasing the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza on a visit to Saudi Arabia on 9 November.

    James Cleverly will meet with Foreign Ministers from the Middle East, who are gathering in Saudi Arabia ahead of a League of Arab States emergency meeting on Gaza on Saturday.

    He is expected to raise efforts to prevent wider regional escalation, including in Lebanon and Yemen, and offer continued UK support to bolster deterrence and counter threats from malign groups in the region.

    The Foreign Secretary will also discuss initiatives to significantly increase the volume of aid reaching civilians in Gaza, including medicines, fuel and water, and ensure a pipeline of funds and supplies to support the relief effort. He will reaffirm the UK’s support for further humanitarian pauses in the fighting as soon as possible to deliver aid and provide a crucial window for hostages – including British nationals – to be released.

    In his meetings with counterparts, the Foreign Secretary will also reiterate the UK’s condemnation of the rise in settler violence and call for Israel to hold those responsible to account to improve the situation in the West Bank. He will outline the UK’s support for reinvigorating diplomatic efforts towards a achieving a viable two-state solution.

    His visit to Saudi Arabia follows on from his attendance at the G7 Foreign Ministers’ meeting, where attendees agreed on the urgent need to allow humanitarian pauses to facilitate urgently needed assistance, civilian movement and release of hostages.

    The Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly said:

    I have been focused on diplomatic efforts to secure the release of hostages, to ensure that foreign nationals can leave Gaza, to deter any escalation regionally and to facilitate the flow of humanitarian aid at scale.

    I will continue this essential work in Saudi Arabia where I will meet with a number of my counterparts in the region to explore how we achieve those aims quickly and also look to the future of a lasting, peaceful, and prosperous two-state solution for both Israelis and Palestinians.

    His visit follows the UK’s delivery of vital equipment and lifesaving aid to support civilians in Gaza and a £30 million increase in UK assistance to Occupied Palestinian Territories.

    Since Hamas’ terrorist atrocities 7 October, UK government ministers have been engaging with countries across the Middle East, as well as the international community. The Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary and Defence Secretary have all visited the region in recent weeks to push for lifesaving aid to get into Gaza, support the return of British nationals, prevent dangerous regional escalation and back Israel’s right to self-defence.

  • PRESS RELEASE : The ICC is an important tool to deliver justice for Libya through transparent investigation – UK statement at the UN Security Council [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : The ICC is an important tool to deliver justice for Libya through transparent investigation – UK statement at the UN Security Council [November 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 November 2023.

    Statement by Chanaka Wickremasinghe, UK Legal Adviser to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Libya.

    Thank you, Mr President.  I would like to start by thanking Prosecutor Khan, for his important briefing today on the occasion of the 26th report of the Prosecutor of the ICC on the situation in Libya.

    The United Kingdom gives its full support to the President’s ongoing investigations and we welcome his latest report to the Council.

    We welcome the reports of good progress in the implementation of the renewed strategy of the Office of the Prosecutor, in particular the indication from the Prosecutor, that the Office will be in a position to outline a potential roadmap for completion of their activities pursuant to Resolution 1970 in his next report.

    We welcome the update from the Prosecutor on the four key lines of inquiry in the strategy. We are pleased to note the increased engagement with witnesses, survivors and civil society, through the Office’s continuous presence in the region. Justice is vital to long-term security and stability.

    We note also the progress made by the Office with respect to crimes against migrants and the efforts to work more closely with national authorities to deliver accountability for relevant crimes.

    We recognise the Prosecutor’s call for resources to address identified strategic risks and the need to ensure the Office is sufficiently resourced to conclude its investigations.

    The ICC is an important tool to deliver justice for Libya, through transparent investigation. We must therefore ensure the ICC is in a position that it can set out and deliver a roadmap to complete investigations, and to do justice for the people of Libya. In this respect,  we welcome UNSMIL’s support and engagement with the ICC investigation.

    However, we also emphasise the importance of cooperation of the Libyan authorities with the ICC investigation in accordance with the requirements of resolution 1970. Such cooperation includes the issue of visas to ICC staff, the provision of documentation and other evidence to the ICC, and the surrender of individuals subject to arrest warrants.

    In conclusion Mr President, we underline that the UK remains committed to working with the Prosecutor’s Office and urge them along with the Libyan authorities, UNSMIL and others to build on the progress to date and to ensure the delivery of justice for the people of Libya.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Investigatory Powers Act 2016 reform announced in King’s Speech [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Investigatory Powers Act 2016 reform announced in King’s Speech [November 2023]

    The press release issued by the Home Office on 8 November 2023.

    The government has introduced legislation to update the Investigatory Powers Act 2016.

    The Investigatory Powers (Amendment) Bill was announced in the King’s Speech and will make urgent and targeted amendments to the existing act to ensure our country is kept safe and our citizens protected from harmful threats.

    As technology advances and changes, so do the threats that the UK faces. Updating the act to meet modern reality will ensure our intelligence agencies can use and develop more appropriate tools and capabilities to rapidly identify intelligence insights from increasing quantities of data. This will allow them to better understand and respond to threats to the public and keep apace with evolving technology.

    These amendments will enhance our national security by keeping the public safer from threats such as terrorism, hostile activity from foreign powers and serious and organised crime. The UK is a world leader in ensuring privacy can be protected without compromising security. The bill will maintain and enhance the existing high standards for safeguarding privacy in the 2016 act.

    Suella Braverman, Home Secretary, said:

    My priority is and always will be to keep the public safe. I am committed to ensuring that our intelligence agencies and law enforcement have all the tools to do just this.

    Backed by safeguards, these reforms will play an integral part in tackling a range of dangerous threats to our country.

    The targeted reforms will not create new powers in the act. They will instead modify elements of the existing legislation to ensure it is proportionate, provides agencies and oversight bodies with appropriate resilience mechanisms and maintains and enhances the existing measures. As Lord Anderson noted in his recent review of the act, the UK goes much further than its allies in respect of the current restrictions placed on the intelligence agencies’ use of bulk personal datasets.

    The bill will update the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 by:

    • Making changes to the bulk personal dataset regime, to improve the intelligence agencies’ ability to respond with greater agility and speed to existing and emerging threats to national security. The amendments will improve the quality and speed of analysts’ decision making, improving their ability to keep the public safe in a digital age, whilst adhering to strong, proportionate safeguards and with independent oversight.
    • Enhancing the existing world leading safeguards to support the Investigatory Powers Commissioner in carrying out oversight of public authorities use of investigatory powers,
    • Modifying the notices regimes to ensure the efficacy of the existing powers in the context of new technologies and the commercial structures of a modern digital economy. This includes ensuring that the law maintains exceptional lawful access where possible, to ensure the protection of public safety while also protecting the privacy of citizens and the ability of companies to develop cutting-edge technologies,
    • Updating the conditions for use of Internet Connection Records to ensure that these can be used effectively to target the most serious types of criminal activity and national security threats without a corresponding increase in levels of intrusion, underpinned by a robust independent oversight regime, and
    • Increasing resilience of the warranty authorisation processes to allow greater operational agility for the intelligence agencies and National Crime Agency. This will help to ensure they can always get lawful access to information in a timely way so that they can respond to the most serious national security and organised crime threats.

    The heads of the UK’s intelligence agencies, Anne Keast-Butler, Director GCHQ; Ken McCallum, Director General of MI5; and Richard Moore, Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service, said:

    The Investigatory Powers Act is fundamental to the agencies’ ability to keep the country safe while maintaining our democratic licence to operate. It provides the investigatory powers we need to detect and disrupt threats to the UK while applying world-leading safeguards consistent with the UK’s democratic values.

    From hostile activity by states, to terrorists and criminal groups, all our adversaries are taking advantage of new technologies to further their aims. It is vital the UK is able to keep pace, which is why we are pleased that Parliament will debate a number of vital, targeted changes to the IPA.

    With robust and innovative protections – including independent oversight by the Investigatory Powers Commissioner and redress through the Investigatory Powers Tribunal – the existing act regulates how investigatory powers are used by public authorities. It makes clear the circumstances in which the various powers may be used and the strict safeguards that apply. This ensures that any interference with privacy is strictly necessary, proportionate, authorised, and accountable.

    The measures being taken forward in the bill have been driven by the Home Secretary’s review and recommendations made in the independent review by Lord Anderson published in June 2023.

    Graeme Biggar, Director General of the National Crime Agency, said:

    Accessing communications data is essential for investigating the most serious crimes and protecting our national security.

    As technology and the threats we face evolve in the digital world, we need to ensure the legislation remains fit for purpose to help keep the public safe.

    The amendments to the Investigatory Powers Act will enhance law enforcement’s ability to tackle terrorism, state threats and serious organised crime such as child sexual exploitation, drug smuggling and fraud.

    The reforms to the act will ensure the powers continue to be subject to robust independent oversight. Access to individuals’ data will happen only exceptionally, where it is necessary to prevent the most serious forms of crime, and with robust protections in place.

    Tom Tugendhat, Security Minister, said:

    The first duty of government is to protect the British people.

    This bill will give our intelligence services the powers they need to stay on the cutting edge as they defend our country against terrorism and hostile state actors, whilst protecting and enhancing the privacy of people across the UK.