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Category: Press Releases

  • PRESS RELEASE : Further action to cut methane emissions from livestock [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Further action to cut methane emissions from livestock [October 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 26 October 2023.

    Defra has committed to working with industry to reduce methane emissions in livestock through the use of methane-suppressing feed products.

    Following a call for evidence run jointly with the Devolved Governments to better understand the opportunities and challenges associated with products, Defra has confirmed it will work closely with industry and farmers to encourage their widespread adoption in England. The move delivers on the commitment in the Environmental Improvement Plan to explore innovative ways to reduce agricultural emissions.

    With these innovative methane-suppressing feed products expected to enter the market from 2025, Defra’s summary of responses lays out plans which could, for instance, include guidance, advice and support through schemes such as the Farming Innovation Programme, Animal Health and Welfare Pathway, Environmental Land Management schemes, or the introduction of a tailor-made programme.

    The summary of responses has been developed jointly with the devolved administrations and builds on wider UK action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions – including through the Net Zero Growth Plan.

    Defra’s ultimate objective is to establish a mature market, encourage uptake and mandate the use of these products in appropriate cattle systems across England, as soon as feasibly possible and no later than 2030.

    Farming Minister Mark Spencer said:

    We are fully committed to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in the UK by 2050 and it is vital that we continue to explore ways to assist farmers in sustainable food production while also further reducing emissions from agriculture.

    We will continue to work closely with industry to develop a mature market and mandate the use of safe and effective methane suppressing feed products in suitable cattle systems in England as soon as feasible.

    These plans align with the government’s response also published today to the 2023 Climate Change Committee Progress Report which recommended the mandatory addition of methane-inhibiting additives to feed products for UK beef and dairy systems.

    The agricultural sector in the UK accounted for 10% of the total greenhouse gas emissions in 2019, with methane emissions contributing substantially to this figure.

    Ruminant livestock, particularly cows and sheep, are identified as the primary drivers of greenhouse gas emissions in the agricultural sector. However, research has provided promising evidence that feed products with methane-inhibiting properties can significantly reduce these emissions, particularly in the case of confined cattle.

    The publication of the summary of responses has been delivered in close collaboration with the Devolved Administrations of Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK children and adults to be safer online as bill becomes law [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK children and adults to be safer online as bill becomes law [October 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 26 October 2023.

    • Online Safety Act receives Royal Assent in the Houses of Parliament, putting rules to make the UK the safest place in the world to be online into law
    • the Act makes social media companies keep the internet safe for children and give adults more choice over what they see online
    • Ofcom will immediately begin work on tackling illegal content and protecting children’s safety

    The Online Safety Act has today (Thursday 26 October) received Royal Assent, heralding a new era of internet safety and choice by placing world-first legal duties on social media platforms.

    The new laws take a zero-tolerance approach to protecting children from online harm, while empowering adults with more choices over what they see online. This follows rigorous scrutiny and extensive debate within both the House of Commons and the House of Lords.

    The Act places legal responsibility on tech companies to prevent and rapidly remove illegal content, like terrorism and revenge pornography. They will also have to stop children seeing material that is harmful to them such as bullying, content promoting self-harm and eating disorders, and pornography.

    If they fail to comply with the rules, they will face significant fines that could reach billions of pounds, and if they don’t take steps required by Ofcom to protect children, their bosses could even face prison.

    Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan said:

    Today will go down as an historic moment that ensures the online safety of British society not only now, but for decades to come.

    I am immensely proud of the work that has gone into the Online Safety Act from its very inception to it becoming law today. The Bill protects free speech, empowers adults and will ensure that platforms remove illegal content.

    At the heart of this Bill, however, is the protection of children. I would like to thank the campaigners, parliamentarians, survivors of abuse and charities that have worked tirelessly, not only to get this Act over the finishing line, but to ensure that it will make the UK the safest place to be online in the world.

    The Act takes a zero-tolerance approach to protecting children by making sure the buck stops with social media platforms for content they host. It does this by making sure they:

    • remove illegal content quickly or prevent it from appearing in the first place, including content promoting self-harm
    • prevent children from accessing harmful and age-inappropriate content including pornographic content, content that promotes, encourages or provides instructions for suicide, self-harm or eating disorders, content depicting or encouraging serious violence or bullying content
    • enforce age limits and use age-checking measures on platforms where content harmful to children is published
    • ensure social media platforms are more transparent about the risks and dangers posed to children on their sites, including by publishing risk assessments
    • provide parents and children with clear and accessible ways to report problems online when they do arise

    Home Secretary Suella Braverman said:

    This landmark law sends a clear message to criminals – whether it’s on our streets, behind closed doors or in far flung corners of the internet, there will be no hiding place for their vile crimes.

    The Online Safety Act’s strongest protections are for children. Social media companies will be held to account for the appalling scale of child sexual abuse occurring on their platforms and our children will be safer.

    We are determined to combat the evil of child sexual exploitation wherever it is found, and this Act is a big step forward.

    Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Alex Chalk said:

    No-one should be afraid of what they or their children might see online so our reforms will make the internet a safer place for everyone.

    Trolls who encourage serious self-harm, cyberflash or share intimate images without consent now face the very real prospect of time behind bars, helping protect women and girls who are disproportionately impacted by these cowardly crimes.

    In addition to protecting children, the Act also empowers adults to have better control of what they see online. It provides 3 layers of protection for internet users which will:

    1. make sure illegal content is removed
    2. enforce the promises social media platforms make to users when they sign up, through terms and conditions
    3. offer users the option to filter out content, such as online abuse, that they do not want to see

    If social media platforms do not comply with these rules, Ofcom could fine them up to £18 million or 10% of their global annual revenue, whichever is biggest – meaning fines handed down to the biggest platforms could reach billions of pounds.

    The government also strengthened provisions to address violence against women and girls. Through the Act, it will be easier to convict someone who shares intimate images without consent and new laws will further criminalise the non-consensual sharing of intimate deepfakes.

    The change in laws also now make it easier to charge abusers who share intimate images and put more offenders behind bars. Criminals found guilty of this base offence will face up to 6 months in prison, but those who threaten to share such images, or shares them with the intent to cause distress, alarm or humiliation, or to obtain sexual gratification, could face up to two years behind bars.

    NSPCC Chief Executive, Sir Peter Wanless said:

    Having an Online Safety Act on the statute book is a watershed moment and will mean that children up and down the UK are fundamentally safer in their everyday lives.

    Thanks to the incredible campaigning of abuse survivors and young people and the dedicated hard work of Parliamentarians and Ministers, tech companies will be legally compelled to protect children from sexual abuse and avoidable harm.

    The NSPCC will continue to ensure there is a rigorous focus on children by everyone involved in regulation. Companies should be acting now, because the ultimate penalties for failure will be eye watering fines and, crucially, criminal sanctions.

    Dame Melanie Dawes, Ofcom Chief Executive, said:

    These new laws give Ofcom the power to start making a difference in creating a safer life online for children and adults in the UK. We’ve already trained and hired expert teams with experience across the online sector, and today we’re setting out a clear timeline for holding tech firms to account.

    Ofcom is not a censor, and our new powers are not about taking content down. Our job is to tackle the root causes of harm. We will set new standards online, making sure sites and apps are safer by design. Importantly, we’ll also take full account of people’s rights to privacy and freedom of expression.

    We know a safer life online cannot be achieved overnight; but Ofcom is ready to meet the scale and urgency of the challenge.

    In anticipation of the Bill coming into force, many social media companies have already started making changes. TikTok has implemented stronger age verification on their platforms, while Snapchat has started removing the accounts of underage users.

    While the Bill has travelled through Parliament, the government has worked closely with Ofcom to ensure protections will be implemented as quickly as possible once the Act received Royal Assent.

    From today, Ofcom will immediately begin work on tackling illegal content, with a consultation process launching on 9th November 2023. They will then take a phased approach to bringing the Online Safety Act into force, prioritising enforcing rules against the most harmful content as soon as possible.

    The majority of the Act’s provisions will commence in two months’ time. However, the government has commenced key provisions early to establish Ofcom as the online safety regulator from today and allow them to begin key preparatory work such as consulting as quickly as possible to implement protections for the country.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Secretary of State announces appointment of a new Chair and Members to the Board of National Museums Northern Ireland [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Secretary of State announces appointment of a new Chair and Members to the Board of National Museums Northern Ireland [October 2023]

    The press release issued by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on 26 October 2023.

    The Secretary of State, the Rt Hon Chris Heaton-Harris MP, has today announced the appointment of a new Chair and seven new Board Members to National Museums Northern Ireland.

    The Secretary of State, the Rt Hon Chris Heaton-Harris MP, has today announced the appointment of Gordon Milligan OBE as the new Chair of National Museums Northern Ireland. In addition, seven new Board Members have been appointed:

    • Keith Charlton
    • Ryan Cornett
    • Sally Montgomery OBE
    • Peter Osborne
    • Therese Rafferty
    • Fiona Ryan
    • Mark Walker

    In the absence of Ministers in the Northern Ireland Executive, these appointments have been made under the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2022.

    All eight individuals took up their roles on 1 October 2023. They bring a range of skills and attributes to the Board, with backgrounds covering areas such as: leadership; delivering results; governance and accountability; collaborative working; commercial management; and financial management. This experience will strengthen the Board, allowing it to champion and advance the work of National Museums Northern Ireland.

    Biographies

    Gordon Milligan OBE

    Mr Milligan had served as an Executive at Translink where his responsibilities have included transformational change and leadership across corporate teams. Having served a period as Interim Chief Executive he was appointed Deputy Chief Executive in 2015. His experience includes leadership roles within large Global and National organisations including Bombardier Aerospace, Nortel Networks and Dubia Agrifood. He has served as an Executive member on both private and public sector boards. He has Non-Executive board experience and is currently Chair of the Institute of Directors in Northern Ireland, Chair of the Labour Relations Agency and is a visiting professor at the Ulster University Business School. Gordon was awarded the OBE in the 2023 New Year Honours for serve to Business and Human Resources Management in Northern Ireland. He has an MBA, is a Fellow of the Institute of Directors and is a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Personnel and Development.

    Keith Charlton

    Mr Charlton has a wide range of experience in the private sector across the retail, manufacturing, tourism and leisure industries. As an entrepreneur, he co-founded award-winning Belfast based tourism business Bunk Campers and the ecommerce leisure retailer Camperco. As Group Managing Director, he was responsible for leading and developing group strategy and overseeing all commercial aspects of the business. He has European board level risk management and corporate governance experience and purchasing, sales and marketing expertise from various industry roles. He does not currently hold any other public appointments

    Ryan Cornett

    Mr Cornett has several years’ experience managing investment portfolios for a broad range of clients including private individuals, trusts, charities and corporate entities. He is on the board of a local charity, the John Hewitt Society, which provides opportunities for individuals across Northern Ireland to explore issues of difference and identity through literature and creative writing. He does not currently hold any other public appointments.

    Sally Montgomery OBE

    Dr Montgomery OBE is a trained educator and was formerly Head of Education at the Ulster Museum, Project Director and founding CEO of W5. At W5 she used her experience of exhibition management, including communication and marketing plans. As a Director of the Titanic Foundation, she was successfully involved in securing funds for heritage assets. She has held a number of Board and advisory positions and is currently a member of the Historic Monuments Council (unremunerated).

    Peter Osborne

    Mr Osborne has run his own business within the private sector, and held executive and non-executive roles with organisations that have managed significant capital and revenue expenditure, and managed relationships and major change. He currently sits as an Independent Member on the Northern Ireland Policing Board, as well as its Audit & Risk Assurance Committee.

    Therese Rafferty

    Ms Rafferty is a graduate of Queen’s University, the University of Ulster, and an alumnus of Boston College, Massachusetts, Therese has held senior roles over a career of 35 years in higher education and local government, the most recent being Head of Regeneration in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council. Her experience includes the delivery of a wide portfolio of capital development programmes and environmental initiatives, financial and corporate planning, performance and risk management, and corporate governance. Therese is a previous member of the Programming Committee for the FE McWilliam Gallery and Studio in Banbridge and oversaw its construction and accreditation. She has held a number of previous Board positions and is currently a Board member of the Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute.

    Fiona Ryan

    Ms Ryan is the Commissioner for Survivors of Institutional Childhood Abuse. Her previous leadership roles include Chief Executive in the areas of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence and public health advocacy. She was appointed by the Irish Department of Justice to the monitoring committee of successive national Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Strategies. Her early career was spent in media as a journalist and External Affairs. She has worked in Belfast, Dublin and at European level. She has a Masters in Business Administration.

    Mark Walker

    Mr Walker has gained extensive financial and strategic management knowledge and experience as a senior manager in banking with Danske Bank and as Group Finance Director at Randox Laboratories, an international private sector biotech organisation. His experience is underpinned by knowledge and understanding of corporate finance and strategic and financial management. He is a Board Member of NIACRO, Thrive Audience Development and is an independent member of Clanmil Housing Association Audit & Risk Committee. He does not currently hold any other public appointments.

    Details of body

    National Museums Northern Ireland is the corporate name of the Board of Trustees of the National Museums and Galleries of NI, established under the Museums and Galleries (NI) Order 1998. It is a Non-Departmental Public Body sponsored by the Department for Communities (DfC).

    It is made up of four museums – the Ulster Museum, the Ulster Folk Museum, the Ulster Transport Museum and the Ulster American Folk Park – and serves as custodian for 1.4 million objects in Northern Ireland’s national collection. Its main statutory functions are to care for, preserve and add to the objects in its collections, interpret and exhibit them to the public, and to promote the awareness, appreciation and understanding by the public of art, history and science, the culture and way of life of people and the migration and settlement of people.

    Terms Of Appointment

    • The Chair position attracts remuneration of £10,000 per annum with a time commitment of at least 36 days per year.
    • Member positions are not remunerated. The time commitment is approximately one day per month.  but reasonable expenses (including travel, subsistence and other reasonable expenses in line with NICS rates) are paid with a time commitment of one day per month.
    • All Board positions receive reasonable expenses (including travel, subsistence and other reasonable expenses in line with NICS rates) and are for a term of up to four years.

    Regulation

    These appointments have been made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland (CPANI) Code of Practice.

    Political Activity

    All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland requires the political activity of appointees to be published. All eight appointees have not declared any political activity in the last five years.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Back to work boost for disability benefit claimants as ground-breaking employment scheme expanded [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Back to work boost for disability benefit claimants as ground-breaking employment scheme expanded [October 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 26 October 2023.

    A pilot scheme for disabled people and people with health conditions to explore barriers to work will be rolled out to 12 new areas.

    • Health and employment pilot scheme to be expanded with £1.3 million government investment
    • Thousands could be helped in pilot expansion
    • Twelve new sites across England and Wales to benefit from programme

    A pilot scheme for disabled people and people with health conditions to explore barriers to work will be rolled out to 12 new areas as part of the next generation of welfare reforms being introduced by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

    The government is taking long-term decisions to reform the welfare system so it better supports disabled people and people with long-term conditions into work, growing the economy and changing lives.

    Today’s announcement marks the next step in this agenda, with thousands more out of work benefit claimants set to receive additional support to chart a path back to work with an employment and health practitioner.

    Under the new initiative, the claimants and health practitioners develop a ‘work ability plan’ over a one-hour conversation, identifying barriers to employment and actions and support to overcome them. The plan is then shared with their work coach to continue support to overcome their barriers and move them towards work.

    It means health claimants can highlight and begin to overcome any work barriers prior to undergoing a Work Capability Assessment, potentially realising a job outcome sooner.

    As committed to in the White Paper, following a successful trial in Leeds which has helped hundreds of people move towards work, Employment and Health Discussions will now be expanded to 12 additional sites across England and Wales.

    Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Mel Stride MP said:

    We are pushing ahead with the next generation of welfare reforms to ensure benefit claimants get as much support as soon as possible to move towards work and the more prosperous life that brings.

    This pilot is an important part of that, helping people understand what they need to do to move towards employment through a simple and effective conversation. The findings will help us build the new disability benefits system once the Work Capability Assessment is removed later this decade.

    Minister for Disabled People Tom Pursglove MP said:

    We know that many people eager to return or start work face complicated barriers to making this a reality. Having an initial conversation with a supportive health professional can have a hugely positive influence on their confidence and help set them on the journey to sustainable employment.

    These voluntary discussions will offer new avenues to many people who are keen to enter the workplace and transform lives for the better.

    The DWP is expanding this model to a dozen new sites following the success of the Leeds pilot, which was launched in May 2022 and has seen hundreds of conversations supporting claimants towards work.

    Building on this, the expanded pilot seeks to help benefit claimants with health conditions to understand better how they could find a path towards employment. The discussions typically involve a one-hour conversation where a ‘work ability plan’ is developed between the practitioner and claimant.

    This plan involves identifying how the claimant’s health interacts with their work and how to address these barriers, including signposting to further support to help them self-manage any problems. When a personalised plan is finalised, the details are shared with a work coach who then helps move them towards long-term employment.

    Initial feedback from those involved in the Leeds pilot showed that most claimants were able to understand their own health better, which in turn allowed them to communicate this better with others, including their Work Coach and potential employers.

    Many also felt more confident about what they are able to do, and how to overcome barriers they face – making them more inclined to take further steps towards the labour market. This pilot therefore represents a first step to help claimants understand where employment support is and how to access it.

    Other help includes Universal Support, an employment programme which will ramp up to support at least 50,000 people a year from 2025 to 2026. The latest phase of this programme, backed by £53 million, began across the country in September to provide personalised support to help more people with complex barriers into work with ‘on the job’ support.

    And with one in five health and disability claimants across the country assessed as having limited capability for work-related activity wanting to work with the right support, the government is also consulting on changes to the Work Capability Assessment. These proposals reflect increased Government support and the rise of flexible and home working and better employer support for disabled people and people with health conditions.

    The proposals will help these claimants access support whilst forming a bridge to the eventual removal of the assessment, which will complete a reframing of the disability benefits system.

    The DWP will therefore use the findings from the expanded Employment and Health Discussions pilot in the longer-term to inform the structure of the wider benefits system once the Work Capability Assessment is removed, focusing on what disabled people and people with health conditions can do, rather than what they can’t.

    Additional Information

    The 12 new sites, in addition to Leeds, which have come online are: Aberdare, Bradford, Chelmsford, Doncaster, Durham, Hull, Lancaster, Newcastle, Norwich, Sunderland, Wigan and York.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Giles Adams appointed to the British Library Board [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Giles Adams appointed to the British Library Board [October 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 26 October 2023.

    The Secretary of State has appointed Giles Adams as a Board Member of the British Library for a term of 4 years commencing 2 October 2023.

    Giles Adams

    Giles recently retired as a Partner at KPMG UK having worked on financial services regulation in the Enterprise Risk Advisory practice for the last 25 years. He advised a wide range of UK and international banks and investment firms on both prudential and non financial risk management issues, regulatory compliance and governance matters.  Before joining KPMG he worked for 12 years as a bank and markets regulator at the Bank of England.

    Giles read English, Politics and History of Art at the University of York followed by a Master’s degree in History of Art from the University of Sussex.

    Giles has been a Trustee of Historic Buildings and Places (one of the nine National Amenity Societies consulted on all Listed Building Consents) since 2018.

    Giles is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

    Remuneration and Governance Code

    Board Members of the British Library are remunerated at £9,130 per annum.  This appointments has been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments.

    The Governance Code requires that any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years is declared; this is defined as holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation or candidature for election. Giles Adams has not declared any significant political activity.

  • PRESS RELEASE : New laws to speed up planning, build homes and level up [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : New laws to speed up planning, build homes and level up [October 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 26 October 2023.

    The Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill becomes law from 26 October 2023.

    New laws came into force today (26 October 2023) to speed up the planning system, hold developers to account, cut bureaucracy, and encourage more councils to put in place plans to enable the building of new homes.

    These measures have become enshrined in law after the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill received Royal Assent.

    The government is on track to meet its manifesto commitment of delivering one million homes over this Parliament, and earlier this year the Housing Secretary set out his long-term plan for housing and how we build the right homes in the right places.

    The Levelling-up and Regeneration Act is at the heart of this long-term plan and will ensure new development is built more beautifully, produces more local infrastructure, like GP surgeries, schools and transport links, is shaped by local people’s democratic wishes, enhances the environment, and creates neighbourhoods where people want to live and work.

    Building more homes in areas most in need is a key part of levelling up, and the Act will also deliver further measures to support regeneration in left-behind communities.

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

    Our landmark Levelling-Up and Regeneration Act will deliver more homes for communities across the country and unleash levelling up in left-behind places.

    It will deliver revitalised high streets and town centres. A faster and less bureaucratic planning system with developers held to account. More beautiful homes built alongside GP surgeries, schools and transport links, and environmental enhancement. Communities taking back control of their future with new powers to shape their local area. And our long-term levelling up missions enshrined in law.

    This Act delivers on the people’s priorities, creating new jobs, new opportunities and a brighter future for the UK.

    The Act creates new laws that will transform our town centres by giving councils the powers to work directly with landlords to bring empty buildings back into use by local businesses and community groups, breathing life back into empty high streets.

    And after a temporary relaxation of rules on outdoor seating for cafes, pubs and restaurants during the pandemic, the Act will officially make this a permanent part of our high street – helping local hospitality businesses to thrive.

    The Act also cements our commitment to addressing inequality through levelling up missions, which include strengthening devolution by ensuring every area in England that wants a devolution deal can have one by 2030.

    The government has so far invested £12.9 billion in levelling up projects across the UK – creating jobs, improving transport and protecting community spaces.

    The measures in the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act will support communities and local authorities to transform their local areas, complementing government investment in projects that will help regenerate left behind areas.

    Measures in the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act will:

    • Put local people at the heart of development – making it easier to put local plans in place and requiring design codes that set out where homes will be built and how they will look. These plans will deliver more homes in a way that works for communities.
    • Boost local services – requiring developers to deliver vital infrastructure. This will put an end to lifeless edge-of-town developments with no community assets and ensure developers deliver the schools, doctors surgeries and public services communities need and expect. Further details on these measures will be set out shortly.
    • Rebalance the housing and land markets – giving local councils the power to increase council tax on empty homes and reforming compensation for compulsory purchase orders by removing ‘hope value’ where justified.
    • Encourage developers to get building – giving communities updates on the progress of development and giving councils the chance to consider slow build-out rates when approving planning.
    • Bring high streets back to life – giving councils the powers to work directly with landlords to bring empty buildings back in to use by local businesses and community groups through high street rental auctions. It will also make it faster for local authorities to give hospitality businesses permission to use outdoor seating.

    The Act will ensure the homes we need are built where they are needed in urban areas rather than concreting over the countryside, which is why the Act will enhance our national network of beautiful, nature-rich protected landscapes that can be enjoyed right across the country.

    It also secures powers to tailor environmental assessment to better reflect the current pressures on the environment and meet the nation’s environmental priorities. This cuts burdensome EU-red tape which held up assessments.

    Royal Town Planning Institute Chief Executive Victoria Hills said:

    This legislation brings our profession one step closer to delivering plans and decisions that will make places better. Government must now engage frequently with planners to ensure that new regulations and policy changes enabled by this Act work as intended to get more homes delivered, attract more investment for growth and level up our country.

    The planning system already received a boost in the summer, with an additional £37.5 million for councils to bolster staffing – including a new £24 million to tackle backlogs, and £13.5 million as part of the long-term plan for housing that will upskill the sector with new planning super squads.

    The government will publish its response to last December’s National Planning Policy Framework consultation in due course. This will set out how planning policies in England are expected to be applied to help deliver the right homes in the right places.

  • PRESS RELEASE : We urge the Security Council to renew the mandate for the UN Mission in the Central African Republic: UK statement at the UN Security Council [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : We urge the Security Council to renew the mandate for the UN Mission in the Central African Republic: UK statement at the UN Security Council [October 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 26 October 2023.

    Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council meeting on the Central African Republic.

    President.

    Let me thank SRSG Rugwabiza for her briefing. I welcome the participation of Foreign Minister Baipo Temon and the Under Representative of Angola at this meeting. Let me first emphasise our continued appreciation for MINUSCA’s peacekeepers as they seek to fulfil their mandate in challenging circumstances. The Mission’s improved cooperation with the CAR authorities highlights the importance of effective leadership in pursuing efforts to stabilise the country after decades of conflict.

    The UK welcomes the positive progress outlined by the Secretary-General in the latest report. This includes improved border management policy, more inclusion of women in political processes and achieving milestones in disarmament, demobilisation, repatriation and reintegration operations. Now is the time to build on these achievements on the path to peace and stability.

    First, CAR authorities must de-conflict its security partners, ensure they abide by international law and end impunity for human rights violations they commit. Wagner Group’s systematic human rights abuses and spread of mis and disinformation are not the solution to the multifaceted challenges in CAR. They only serve to strengthen the narrative of armed groups.

    Second, all parties in CAR must recommit to the Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation, to ensure a long-term solution to the conflict can be realised. We call on the Government to redouble its efforts to facilitate inclusive dialogue and implement the joint roadmap with all political actors and armed groups. MINUSCA’s role in providing good offices and supporting the peace process continues to be crucial.

    Third, conducting local elections remains important for extending democratic local governance and fulfilling the decentralisation required for sustainable peace. With the support of MINUSCA, CAR authorities must fufil their commitment to local elections in 2024.

    In conclusion, President, we urge the Council to renew MINUSCA’s mandate with the provisions necessary to allow the mission to further increase its effectiveness. The UK fully supports the Mission in supporting the extension of state authority through joint operations with the CAR military, enabling access to basic services, improving mission capacity, supporting local elections and promoting human rights.

    Thank you.

  • PRESS RELEASE : New laws passed to bolster energy security and deliver net zero [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : New laws passed to bolster energy security and deliver net zero [October 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 26 October 2023.

    Landmark legislation becomes law to ensure bills are affordable in the long-term.

    • New laws passed to help ensure energy is affordable for households and businesses and make the UK more energy independent in the long-term
    • Act will help unlock £100 billion private investment in energy infrastructure and scale up jobs and growth
    • Measures set to accelerate development of offshore wind and help deliver our net zero commitments

    The biggest piece of energy legislation in the UK’s history has become law today (Thursday 26 October), laying the foundations for an energy system fit for the future.

    The Energy Act 2023 has received Royal Assent and will transform the UK’s energy system by strengthening energy security, supporting the delivery of net zero and ensuring household bills are affordable in the long-term.

    The Act will deliver a more efficient energy system in the long-term, helping to keep energy costs low. It will do this by increasing competition in Great Britain’s onshore electricity networks, through a new tender process – reducing costs for network operation and development. This new model is expected to save consumers up to £1 billion off their energy bills by 2050.

    A specific merger regime for energy networks will also be created under the Competition and Markets Authority. This will minimise the risk of mergers between energy network companies having detrimental effects on consumers and is estimated to save households up to £420 million over the next decade.

    There are also new measures for Energy Smart Appliances to prioritise safety and give consumers the confidence to transition to smart products, helping them to manage their energy consumption and reduce their bills. A smart electricity system could reduce system costs by up to £10 billion a year by 2050.

    The government is expanding Ofgem’s remit to heat networks, allowing the regulator to set rules on excessive pricing and improve the quality of service for the half a million heat network consumers across the country.

    The Act includes new consumer protections and frameworks, incentivising the heating industry to invest in low-carbon heat pumps, and including powers to deliver the smart meter rollout by 2028 – which could generate total bill savings to households of £5.6 billion.

    Energy Security Secretary Claire Coutinho said:

    The Energy Act is the largest piece of energy legislation in a generation. It will boost investment in clean energy technologies and support thousands of skilled jobs across the country.

    It lays the foundations for greater UK energy independence, making us more secure against tyrants like Putin, and helps us to power Britain from Britain.

    The Act also supports our new approach to make sure that families don’t feel a disproportionate financial burden as we transition to net zero, and forms a central part of our efforts to keep people’s bills affordable in the long-term.

    Minister for Nuclear and Networks Andrew Bowie said:

    The Energy Act is a statement of intent to support a flourishing British nuclear and low-carbon energy sector.

    It will help create of thousands of skilled jobs and deliver real benefits for people across the UK – from cleaner energy to affordable bills.

    The government has listened to industry and modernised our energy legislation, creating the framework for further green growth.

    The Act will help the government deliver net zero by 2050 in a pragmatic, proportionate and realistic way. It updates Ofgem’s remit so that it considers net zero targets as part of its everyday decisions and facilitates the first large village hydrogen heating trial – providing crucial evidence on the technology’s role in decarbonising heat.

    The government is also introducing a licensing framework for CO2 transport and storage to help deliver the UK’s first carbon capture sites – supporting up to 50,000 jobs by 2030.

    These new laws also make the UK the first country to legislate for fusion regulation, enabling developers to plan with confidence and encourage investment into this flourishing technology, and driving the UK’s ambition for a prototype fusion power plant by 2040.

    Establishing a new independent body – the Future System Operator – will ensure consumers can access a secure and decarbonised energy supply, key to enhancing the country’s energy security. The FSO will be responsible for systems in the gas and electricity network developing efficiently and keeping consumer bills low.

    Emma Pinchbeck, Chief Executive of trade body Energy UK, said:

    As the world shifts its focus towards net zero, the energy sector needs long-term certainty to remain internationally competitive and attract private investment. This critical piece of legislation is a welcome step in delivering that confidence by establishing new business models, improved customer protections, and frameworks for investment across the energy sector.

    The broad-ranging measures in this Act are part of a collaborative effort between government, industry, business and consumer groups to deliver a modern energy system fit for the changing needs of the 21st century energy market. More work remains to establish frameworks that these powers enable, but this Act will be the foundation upon which the new energy system will be built.

    Ofgem CEO Jonathan Brearley said:

    We welcome the Energy Act getting Royal Assent. It is the most significant energy legislation for a decade and a world-first in giving us a legal mandate targeting net zero.

    It gives Ofgem the powers to drive through the energy transition – unlocking investment, accelerating planning and building the infrastructure the economy needs. This will give us security from volatile world gas markets and end our dependency on fossil fuels.

    Consumers have faced a huge number of challenges in recent years, with high energy prices and cost-of-living pressures. The Act will give extra protection for existing and future customers, while powering the journey to net zero at the lowest possible cost to households and businesses.

    We’re now working closely with government, consumers and sector to implement the legislation in full.

    Clare Jackson, CEO of Hydrogen UK, said:

    Today’s news is warmly welcomed by the UK’s low carbon hydrogen industry, and adjacent sectors who rely on hydrogen for their own decarbonisation journey.

    The passing of the Bill has been a priority for the hydrogen industry as it will lay the foundations for the UK’s future hydrogen economy, by creating provisions for a Hydrogen Production Business Model, and Hydrogen Transport and Storage Business Models.

    This firmly indicates to the global hydrogen economy and international investors that the UK is serious about its net zero future, and the role hydrogen can play in it.

    John Pettigrew, CEO of National Grid, said:

    We welcome the passing of the Energy Act into legislation. This is a crucial next step in delivering a secure, affordable and clean energy future, establishing the needed policy and governance foundations to deliver on the UK’s net zero ambitions.

    In particular, establishing a Future System Operator will be critical in delivering strategic, whole system energy planning and oversight as we continue to transform our energy infrastructure.

    Only by working together as an industry, with the regulator and government, can we hope to achieve an energy transition that delivers for everyone and an energy system that is clean, fair and affordable for all.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Badenoch leads landmark trade mission to Japan ahead of G7 summit [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Badenoch leads landmark trade mission to Japan ahead of G7 summit [October 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 26 October 2023.

    Britain’s most sought-after luxury fashion designers will join a landmark trade mission to Japan to boost exports to the Japanese market ahead of the G7 summit.

    • First Secretary-led luxury fashion trade mission to Japan since 2017 including sought after brands such as Christy’s and Freya Rose.
    • Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch to announce largest ever UK government backed renewables export deal in partnership with Japan – worth more than £130 million in UK made parts.
    • At G7 trade talks in Osaka, Trade Secretary will champion free and fair trade and work to develop resilient global economic supply chains.

    Britain’s most sought-after luxury fashion designers including Ettinger and Freya Rose will join a landmark trade mission to Japan to boost exports to the Japanese market.

    The trade mission, led by Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch, is the first Secretary-led trade mission of its kind since 2017, following a luxury goods roundtable discussion in London where some of the delegates presented the exciting opportunities that Japan has to offer.

    The delegation met Japanese fashion buyers on Wednesday with support from the UK Government and will showcase their products – from hand painted scarves to lab grown jewellery – at the British Embassy in Tokyo to high profile Japanese influencers including Yu Masui.

    The visit seeks to increase exports of UK luxury brands to the Japanese market, as part of the Business and Trade Secretary’s mission to hit £1 trillion worth of UK exports by 2030. In 2022, UK fashion goods exports to Japan totalled £134 million, which the department aims to boost even further.

    Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch said:

    I’m delighted to be travelling to Japan with iconic British brands to bang the drum for UK business, and help more companies take full advantage of the opportunities on offer from our free trade deals such as the UK-Japan agreement and CPTPP.

    The G7 trade summit gives me the opportunity to continue to champion free and fair trade on behalf of UK PLC, helping remove barriers to trade, strengthen supply chains and ensure the global trade rules work for British businesses.

    The Business and Trade Secretary will also represent the UK at the G7 Trade Ministerial Meeting in Osaka, where she will bang the drum for free and fair trade and discuss the challenges countries face in diversifying supply chains to meet the needs of the future. During the two-day programme Badenoch is expected to meet with her counterparts including Yasutoshi Nishimura, Katherine Tai and EU Commissioner Dombrovkis.

    Badenoch will host a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Committee with Foreign Minister Yōko Kamikawa where she will look to further deepen the UK’s trading relations with Japan, building on the FTA signed in 2020. This has benefited British businesses by simplifying the rules of origin and low-zero tariffs, removing significant barriers to trade, supporting businesses to export their goods to this new and exciting market.

    This follows the Prime Minister’s meeting with Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in May to agree the Hiroshima Accord. Building on our shared values, the agreement sets out our intention to work together on global security, resilience, and innovation issues. Our trade relationship is strong with total UK exports to Japan amounted to £14.2 billion in the four quarters to the end of Q2 2023, an increase of 7.1% on the previous year.

    In a further move to boost British exports to Japan, the Secretary of State will also announce the largest UK Government project finance guarantee for a renewables project: more than £130 million in UK goods, including Siemen Gamesa in Hull to build an offshore wind farm in Taiwan. The project is delivered by UK Export Finance in collaboration with NEXI, Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) and Mitsui. The funding will secure jobs and boost the offshore wind industry in the UK and supercharge UK Japan collaboration on renewable projects in developing countries.

    Background

    The business delegation includes:

    • Anabela Chan: Anabela Chan is the first fine jewellery brand in the world to champion laboratory-grown gemstones and recycled metals, paired with high jewellery design and artisanal craftsmanship; always with a focus on ethical and sustainable innovations.
    • Christy & Co: Christy & Co Ltd has been manufacturing fine hats in England since 1773.  Today, it still produces its hats and caps using traditional methods at its factory in Oxfordshire.
    • Ettinger: Ettinger have been designing and manufacturing leather goods in their UK factory since 1936 and now supply retailers and consumers all over the world. Ettinger were granted the Royal Warrant from the Prince of Wales in 1996, which is a seal of approval for quality and trust.
    • Freya Rose: Freya Rose is a multi-award-winning British shoe, bag and jewellery designer, established in 2010.  Freya Rose is renowned for her unique collections of sculptural, wearable works of art.
    • Hemingsworth: Hemingsworth is renowned for its high-end ready-to-wear swimwear and leisurewear for men.  All garments are meticulously crafted and proudly produced in the UK, using only the finest materials and trims.
    • Rapport: Rapport craft accessories for preserving luxury watches and jewellery.   The company was established in London in 1898 by the horologist Maurice A. Rapport and today, four generations later, is still run by the Rapport family.
    • Sabina Savage: Sabina is a British artist and print designer known for her exquisite, hand-rendered illustrations, printed on silk, wool and cashmere scarves, who founded her eponymous brand in 2014.
    • Swaine: Established in 1750 as whip and saddlery makers, the House of Swaine is the oldest name in luxury goods, serving the British Royal Family, nobility and gentry for hundreds of years.
  • PRESS RELEASE : First of its kind grant funding approved for North Taunton estate regeneration project [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : First of its kind grant funding approved for North Taunton estate regeneration project [October 2023]

    The press release issued by Homes England on 26 October 2023.

    Homes England has awarded £5m grant from the Affordable Homes Programme to Somerset Council to support the North Taunton Woolaway Project.

    The grant allocation is the first of its kind, following the new regeneration flexibilities to the Affordable Home Programme that we agreed with the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) earlier this year.

    These flexibilities will enable funding to be used on replacement homes, alongside new affordable homes, as part of wider estate regeneration plans.

    North Taunton was identified for regeneration as it is an area with some of the county’s highest rates of social deprivation and contains some of the most energy-inefficient homes in Somerset. The North Taunton Woolaway Project is a site comprising of non-traditional homes that were built using prefabricated reinforced concrete panels instead of traditional brick.

    In total, 162 energy- inefficient Woolaway homes will be demolished and replaced with 229 council homes for affordable rent. Homes England will be funding 66 of these new build replacement homes, with the remaining homes funded by Somerset Council .

    Jackie Jacob, Director – Affordable Housing Grants said:

    “This funding is the first grant allocation following the introduction of our new flexibilities to support our partners plans for estate regeneration. The Agency’s new Strategic Plan objectives will support Somerset Council in its ambitions to regenerate North Taunton, an area with some of the highest social deprivation levels in the county.

    ”The North Taunton Woolaway Project is a signal of the funding open to affordable housing providers to accelerate the regeneration of social housing and help level up communities across the country.

    “We encourage all providers and local authorities to come and talk to us as early as possible if they need support to develop their proposals – we’re here to help.”

    The regeneration project will be rolled out across four phases, two of which will be part funded by the Affordable Homes Programme to deliver 100 homes, including a variety of bungalows, flats and houses. The agency’s goal is that that this funding will enable the council to accelerate the delivery of phases three and four.

    This type of construction is time-limited due to structural issues, therefore, demolishing these existing homes and replacing them is much more beneficial and makes the 2050 zero carbon target much more achievable. All new homes will be built to low carbon standards and will achieve EPC B or above, much more efficient in comparison to the current C-F rating of the Woolaway properties.

    At the core of this regeneration project is community engagement, the development being a result of public consultation, one-to-one meetings with local residents and a resident design group. This has enabled the new homes to be designed with residents’ needs in mind, contributing to successful placemaking. Current residents have been rehomed whilst works take place, with the option of returning to settle in their new community.

    Cllr Federica Smith-Roberts, Lead Member for Communities, Housing and Culture said:

    “I’m thrilled about the impact this grant will have on the North Taunton Woolaway Project. This funding represents a tangible commitment to improving the lives of our tenants, allowing us to build high quality, low energy homes with the blend of properties our community needs. It allows us to progress our North Taunton regeneration scheme which, through improved housing, address the social and health challenges parts of our community face as well as providing much needed new homes at affordable rent.

    “I want to acknowledge the invaluable input of our local residents whose insights have played a pivotal role in shaping this project. Their input has been instrumental, and this project stands as a testament to the strength of community engagement.

    “We extend our gratitude to Homes England for their commitment to the North Taunton Woolaway Project. Their £5 million grant is a game-changer for our community. We look forward to using this grant to create a thriving, sustainable future for North Taunton.”

    A travel plan will be put in place to encourage residents to use sustainable forms of transport and will be achieved through the use of travel vouchers and cycle storage. Biodiversity improvement measures will also be put in place, including the implementation of bat boxes, bee bricks and swift boxes, to aid local wildlife.

    Next steps

    Now allocation has been granted, the agency will be working with Somerset Council throughout the subsequent delivery phases. The first phase will complete in 2024 with phase two due for completion towards the end of 2025.