Category: Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE : Possession of nitrous oxide is now illegal [November 2023]

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

Possession of ‘laughing gas’ is now illegal with repeat serious users facing up to 2 years in prison and dealers up to 14 years.

The ban, promised as part of the government’s Anti-Social Behaviour Action Plan, makes nitrous oxide a Class C drug controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. This means possession of nitrous oxide, where a person intends to wrongfully inhale it for a psychoactive effect, is now an offence.

Consequences could include an unlimited fine, a visible community punishment, a caution (which would appear on their criminal record) and for repeat serious offenders, a prison sentence.

Earlier this year the Home Secretary urged police forces to get tougher on flagrant drug taking in local communities, with reports linking nitrous oxide to anti-social behaviour such as intimidating gatherings on high streets and in children’s parks, and often leaving empty canisters scattered across public spaces. This summer it was reported that there were 13 tonnes of canisters of nitrous oxide collected after the Notting Hill carnival.

Heavy, regular abuse of the drug also poses significant health risks for users including anaemia and in more severe cases, nerve damage or paralysis. It has been identified as having potentially fatal consequences on the UK’s roads from incidents of drug driving.

Crime and Policing Minister Chris Philp said:

Today we are sending a clear signal to people, especially young people, that not only is abuse of nitrous oxide dangerous to their health, but it is also illegal and those caught possessing it will face consequences.

For too long the use of this drug in public spaces has contributed to anti-social behaviour which is a blight on communities. We will not accept it. This law gives the police the powers they need to take a zero-tolerance approach to this crime.

There are still many necessary uses for nitrous oxide in healthcare and other industries, and those with a legitimate reason for possessing the substance will be exempt from the ban. For example it will continue to be lawful for catering purposes and in maternity wards when used as pain relief during labour, as well as for other activities such as use in industry, dentistry, or model rocketry.

Licences will not be required to carry nitrous oxide, but individual users will need to demonstrate they are lawfully in possession of nitrous oxide and not intending to wrongfully inhale it.

The maximum sentence for production, supply importation or exportation of the drug for unlawful purposes has now doubled, from 7 to 14 years’ imprisonment.

As is already the case, there is also a responsibility on legitimate producers and suppliers of nitrous oxide to not be reckless as to whether someone is buying their product for wrongful inhalation, with no legitimate reason. Suppliers who ignore the risk that their customers may be intending to misuse the drug could also be committing an offence.

If people are concerned about nitrous oxide use in their local area such as in parks and playgrounds they can report this anti-social behaviour to their local neighbourhood policing team, the police or Crimestoppers.

CEO of Neighbourhood Watch John Hayward-Cripps said:

At Neighbourhood Watch, we support the government’s ban on nitrous oxide.

As consumption of nitrous oxide has increased over the years, there has been a connected increase in reports of anti-social behaviour, including the littering of nitrous oxide canisters. For communities across the country, this change in the law will be a positive move towards tackling anti-social behaviour and making local communities a better and safer place to live.

We encourage members of the public to report any illegal consumption of nitrous oxide or other drugs to their local police force.

CEO of Night-time Industries Association Michael Kill said:

We welcome this ban but recognise that this must work hand in hand with a much broader education and harm reduction strategy on drugs across the country.

The burden on businesses has been substantial, as they’ve contended with mounting pressure from authorities and residents due to the proliferation of discarded silver canisters on the streets.

This predicament has not only posed risks to the well-being of both staff and patrons but has also fostered an environment conducive to petty crime, anti-social behaviour, and the activities of organised crime syndicates.

November 8, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Government drive to phase out smoking and tackle youth vaping attracts large response [November 2023]
The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 8 November 2023.

Over 12,000 responses so far submitted on government proposals to create first ‘smokefree generation’, less than halfway through consultation period.
- Final allocations announced from £70 million a year for local authorities in England to support stop smoking services, helping nearly 360,000 people quit
- King’s Speech included historic Bill to ban sale of tobacco products to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009, creating a better and brighter future for our children
Over 12,000 responses have been received as part of the government’s consultation on plans to create a smokefree generation and crack down on youth vaping – the most significant public health intervention in a generation.

The Prime Minister recently announced plans to introduce a historic new law to stop children who turn 14 this year or younger from ever legally being sold cigarettes in England. He also set out the government’s concerns about the worrying rise in vaping among children and announced a public consultation on plans to reduce the appeal and availability of vapes to children.

Bolstering efforts to phase out smoking, £70 million has today been allocated by the government for local stop smoking services and support in every local authority in England. This is more than double the current funding available for these services.

Stop smoking services and support provide one-to-one and group stop smoking sessions, access to accurate information and advice, as well as easy and affordable access to quit aids like skin patches, inhalators, nasal and mouth spray, chewing gum and lozenges.

Someone quitting before turning 30 could add 10 years to their life and, if a smoker can quit smoking for 28 days, they are five times more likely to quit permanently. This new funding will support around 360,000 people to quit smoking.

It will be ring-fenced specifically for stop smoking services and the local allocations have been calculated to ensure local authorities with the highest smoking rates receive additional weighted funding.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:

I want to build a brighter future for our children, which means taking the necessary decisions for the long-term interests of our country.

Smoking is a deadly habit, so we are making the biggest single public health intervention in a generation to stop our kids from ever being able to buy a cigarette. This will protect their health both now and in future – saving tens of thousands of lives and saving the NHS billions of pounds.

Alongside the final funding allocations, the government has issued guidance to local authorities – in partnership with the Local Government Association.

The guidance highlights how this funding should be used to build capacity in local areas to help more people quit, link smokers to the most effective interventions, and also support existing support schemes like Swap to Stop. The Swap to Stop scheme is the first of its kind in the world and offers a million smokers across England a free vaping starter kit.

Acknowledging the importance of putting the next generation first and saving lives, on Tuesday 7 November, His Majesty King Charles III set out plans for the government to introduce the Tobacco and Vapes Bill in this parliamentary session.

Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay said:

Smoking kills tens of thousands of people every single year. That’s why we’re working at pace to introduce this historic legislation which will protect the next generation, prevent our children from starting smoking, and improve our nation’s health.

We’ve also announced funding allocations for every single area in England to support local stop smoking services and support, which are proven to significantly improve someone’s chances of quitting for good. The increased new investment of £70 million per year will double current funding for such services and will help save countless lives up and down the country.

Professor Sir Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer for England, said:

Smoking is highly addictive and causes multiple diseases including heart disease, cancers, dementia and stroke.

The response to the consultation shows people care strongly about this issue. If passed, the Bill will help ensure the next generation is smoke free and the additional funding will help current smokers stop, preventing major future harm.

The live public consultation – which closes on Wednesday 6 December – also details proposals to prevent underage and illicit sales of tobacco and vapes, with plans to introduce on the spot fines for underage sales. The consultation is open to anyone, of any age, in the UK to share their experiences and opinions and help shape future policy on vaping and smoking.

The Health and Social Care Secretary, Steve Barclay, last week visited Salford City Council to meet local councillors, public health leaders, and Trading Standards officers where he discussed work being carried out in the region to seize illicit vapes. He was also shown two shipping containers full of seized products.

Illicit vapes can contain unknown ingredients, higher levels of nicotine, and are often made easily available to children. Over two million illicit vapes were seized across England by Trading Standards from 2022 to 2023.

Earlier this year the Prime Minister also announced £30 million to further support agencies such as local trading standards, HMRC and Border Force to take action to stop underage sales and tackle the import of illicit tobacco and vaping products at the border.

Cllr David Fothergill, Chairman of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board said:

Council cessation services are vitally important in helping smokers to quit. It is good news that they are seeing additional funding which will help to transform the health outcomes of people across the country.

We believe this is a progressive piece of legislation that would undoubtedly impact on smoking prevalence, and ultimately reduce rates of smoking-related disease.

The goal of a smokefree generation no longer seems out of reach and we want to work with government and others to achieve this.

Deborah Arnott, Chief Executive of health charity Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), said:

ASH congratulates the government for paving the way in the King’s speech for a ground-breaking Bill to create a smokefree generation to be introduced to parliament imminently.

No parent, whether they smoke themselves or not, wants their children to grow up to become smokers, which is why the smokefree generation policy is so strongly supported by the public.

We will do all we can, working in lockstep with the health community, to ensure that the legislation is passed before the end of this Parliament.

Cancer Research UK’s Chief Executive, Michelle Mitchell, said:

Smoking rates fall with decisive action from leaders: that’s why we support the UK Government’s commitment to changing the age of sale of tobacco announced in the King’s Speech today. We call on MPs from all parties to support the legislation.

I’ve never met anyone who wants their child to take up smoking. Cancer Research UK estimates that there are around 885,000 16–24-year-olds smoking in the UK today. The recently announced funding can help those smoking to quit, but this proposed legislation could stop the next generation ever becoming addicted to tobacco.

Sarah Woolnough, Chief Executive at Asthma + Lung UK, said:

The Bill is historic. Smoking remains the biggest cause of lung disease deaths in the UK. I’m delighted that children today may never legally be able to buy cigarettes and will therefore be protected from developing lung conditions caused by a deadly addiction to tobacco.

These smokefree plans will free future generations from the pernicious grasp of tobacco addiction, which kills 76,000 people every year. It’s also encouraging to see more than 12,000 responses submitted by the public on the Government’s proposal for a smoke-free generation, making it clear the public care strongly about this issue. And with a recent YouGov survey showing 71% of people support this Bill, there is clearly public backing to create a better and brighter future for our children.

The government’s approach and commitment to creating the first smokefree generation is extremely welcome, but now it must give this Bill enough time to be passed before the next General Election. With two-thirds smokers saying they started before 18, many of our children face a lifetime trapped in an expensive and deadly addiction if this cycle isn’t broken.

Proposals being consulted on include:
- making it an offence for anyone born on or after 1 January 2009 to be sold tobacco products
- restricting the flavours and descriptions of vapes so that vape flavours are no longer targeted at children – we want to ensure this is done in a way that continues to support adult smokers to switch to vapes
- regulating point of sale displays in retail outlets so that vapes are kept out of sight from children and away from products that appeal to them, such as sweets
- considering restricting the sale of disposable vapes, which are clearly linked to the rise in vaping in children. These products are not only attractive to children but also incredibly harmful to the environment
- regulating vape packaging and product presentation, ensuring that neither the device nor its packaging is targeted to children
- considering restricting the sale of disposable vapes, which are clearly linked to the rise in vaping in children. These products are not only attractive to children but also incredibly harmful to the environment
- exploring further restrictions for non-nicotine vapes and other nicotine consumer products such as nicotine pouches exploring whether increasing the price of vapes will reduce the number of young people using them
- introducing new powers for local authorities to issue on-the-spot fines (fixed penalty notices) to enforce age of sale legislation of tobacco products and vapes
November 8, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : 5th Japan-UK Foreign and Defence Ministerial Meeting [November 2023]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 7 November 2023.

H.E. Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs and H.E. Mr. KIHARA Minoru, Minister of Defence of Japan, the Rt Hon James Cleverly, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs and the Rt Hon Grant Shapps, Secretary of State for Defence of the UK held the fifth Japan-UK Foreign and Defence Ministerial Meeting on 7 November 2023 in Tokyo.

Ministers reaffirmed the UK and Japan’s Global Strategic Partnership, as set out in the Hiroshima Accord. We are connected by our shared values and principles of freedom, democracy, rule of law, fundamental human rights, and open and fair trade. We commit to stand shoulder to shoulder to tackle the unprecedented global challenges we face through increasing global competition, climate change and rapid technological developments. Acknowledging that the security and prosperity of the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific are inseparable, we commit to further strengthen our security capabilities to help safeguard global peace and stability. We are each other’s closest security partners in Europe and Asia.

Ministers affirmed our commitment to maintain and strengthen the international order based on the rule of law and to uphold the principles of the UN Charter. This includes our commitment to the vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific; our call for China to act as a responsible member of the international community; condemnation of North Korea nuclear and ballistic missile programmes; Iran’s proliferative and destabilising behaviour; condemnation of Hamas’ terrorist attack and of support for Israel’s right to self-defence in line with international law; and our determination to support Ukraine for as long as it takes in the face of Russian aggression.

Ministers noted substantive progress in the UK-Japan partnership since the agreement of the Hiroshima Accord and reaffirmed their commitment to deliver all aspects of the Accord. This progress includes:
- The UK’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP);
- The ratification of the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) and our ever-deeper security and defence relationship, including the flagship Global Combat Air Programme;
- The first UK-Japan Strategic Economic Policy and Trade Dialogue;
- The signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation on Critical Minerals;
- And just today, we launched a new People-to-People Initiative to bring our citizens closer together.
In particular, the Ministers discussed the ever-deepening defence and security relationship between Japan and the UK and:
- Committed to utilise the RAA to facilitate greater interoperable, resilient and cross-domain defence and security cooperation, including positive progress on the application of Asset Protection Measures;
- Endorsed the progress made under GCAP to develop a next-generation fighter by 2035 and to identify further potential areas of joint development and cooperation;
- Committed to the deployment of the UK’s Carrier Strike Group to the Indo-Pacific in 2025;
- acknowledged the importance of the activities of the UK’s two offshore patrol vessels being deployed to the Indo-Pacific on a permanent basis as a contribution to a rules-based maritime order;
- Recognised steady progress in cyber cooperation following the establishment of the Japan-UK Cyber Partnership, committed to work together on outer space, and to strengthen cooperation in strategic communication in response to disinformation;
- Committed to coordinate closely in contingency planning for potential evacuations;
- Concurred to collaborate closely on Economic Security issues, including through the Economic Security Dialogue to enhance supply chain resilience, international standards, coerced technology transfers and intellectual property theft, and export controls.
- Affirmed the commitment to consult each other on important regional and global security issues
We finish today united in our shared belief in the importance of our Global Strategic Partnership to create a more peaceful and secure world. As the security and prosperity of the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific are inseparable, the goals of our strategic partnership are shared. We resolve to deepen and strengthen our partnership to face today and tomorrow’s challenges.

The full Joint statement of the 2+2 can be accessed here.
November 8, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Government slashes up to £1bn a year of business burdens [November 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 7 November 2023.
Reforms allow businesses additional freedoms while retaining the UK’s world leading workers’ rights

Proposals include reducing record keeping requirements around Working Time Regulations and simplifying the calculation of holiday pay and entitlement

British businesses could save up to £1 billion a year as the Government confirms plans to remove unnecessary and outdated bureaucracy following our exit from the EU.

The Government has today [Wednesday 8 November] announced amendments to several retained EU laws to ensure UK regulations are brought up to date and tailored to the needs of businesses, freeing up firms to refocus their time and money elsewhere to help create jobs.

The reforms will see the reduction of time-consuming reporting requirements and the simplifying of annual leave and holiday pay calculations under the Working Time Regulations as well as the streamlining of regulations that apply when a business transfers to a new owner.

These proposals don’t change existing workers’ rights in the UK, which remain some of the best in the world, and instead remove unnecessary bureaucracy in the way those rights operate, allowing business to benefit from the additional freedoms we have through Brexit.

Business Minister, Kevin Hollinrake said:

These reforms ensure our employment regulations are fit for purpose while maintaining our strong record on workers’ rights, which are some of the highest in the world.

Seizing these benefits of Brexit, including a saving of £1 billion for businesses, will support the private sector and workers alike and are vital to stimulating economic growth, innovation and job creation.

Earlier this year, the Government launched a consultation on three areas for reform with the removal of unnecessary bureaucracy including:

Record keeping requirements under the Working Time Regulations

Simplifying annual leave and holiday pay calculations in the Working Time Regulations

Consultation requirements under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment), or ‘TUPE’, Regulations

The Government also launched a consultation in January 2023 on calculating annual leave entitlement for part-year and irregular hours workers.

The reforms confirmed today follow both consultations and will address concerns from businesses by helping to simplify the calculation of holiday entitlement for employers and make entitlement clearer for all irregular hours and part-year workers.

FSB National Chair Martin McTague said:

We welcome these sensible changes, striking a balance for workers while offering clarity for employers. It’s good to see the Government cutting through excessive burdens without losing the benefits of regulations.

We’re eager to see a system that’s clear-cut, cost-effective and easy for small businesses to roll out, so these announcements are a crucial step forward.
November 8, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : £4 billion UK-Poland air defence deal strengthens European security [November 2023]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 7 November 2023.

The UK and Poland defence industries have signed a deal worth over £4 billion to continue the next phase of Poland’s future air defence programme, Narew.
Industry deal worth over £4bn to deliver next generation air defence system to Poland.

Partnership to bolster European security in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Work will enable critical skills and jobs in both countries.

The UK and Poland defence industries have today signed a milestone deal, worth over £4 billion, to continue the next phase of Poland’s future air defence programme, Narew.

UK firm MBDA has signed the sub-contract with Polish defence company PGZ, in a programme that will provide Polish forces with an enhanced ground-based air defence system capable of launching missiles to engage air threats, such as cruise missiles and fighter jets, at ranges of more than 40 kilometres. It will create more than 1,000 Common Anti-Air Modular Missiles – Extended Range (CAMM-ER) and over 100 iLaunchers.

Bolstering security and defence development for both NATO countries, the deal is the largest commercial agreement ever secured between the UK and Poland.

It is the culmination of years of close collaboration and will strengthen Poland’s military capabilities, while delivering on the UK Prime Minister’s priority to grow the economy and continuing to showcase British industry as a leading global defence partner.

Bringing significant benefit to both nations’ defence industries, the partnership will see British engineers from Bolton, Bristol and Stevenage working with their Polish counterparts, sharing key technologies and supporting jobs and critical skills in both countries for more than 15 years.

Defence Secretary, Grant Shapps, said:

This is another crucial step forward for our historic defence ties with Poland, supplying next generation air defence capabilities to act as a clear deterrent to our adversaries.

We continue to fully back our thriving UK defence industry, and this landmark export deal is yet another example of the huge potential our collective defence sectors boast.

In addition to the air defence launchers and missiles, the partnership will see the UK support Poland to be able to manufacture complex missiles on Polish soil in years to come, further increasing regional security through greater supply chain flexibility.

This contract is a huge step forward in UK-Polish defence relations, building on the UK-Polish Defence Treaty and the UK–Poland 2030 strategic partnership, which will be of long-term benefit to the defence, jobs and skills of both nations.

Managing Director of MBDA UK, Chris Allam said:

The scale and ambition of NAREW is truly impressive – building a Polish air defence shield using our CAMM family missiles and iLaunchers that will protect the entirety of Poland’s skies.

The transfer of technology in NAREW will be transformative for Poland’s sovereign complex weapons capabilities, and we are deeply proud of the trust placed in us by Poland and excited for the future of our partnership with PGZ.

Following a contract awarded by the Polish government to PGZ in September this year, the Narew system will utilise MBDA’s CAMM-ER missile, developed jointly by the UK and Italy, in addition to Polish radars, vehicles and other equipment together with the United States’ Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS).

Earlier this year, the UK and Poland announced the first stage of a programme to deliver the CAMM to Poland in a £1.9 billion contract. Flying at supersonic speeds, CAMM missiles can destroy modern air threats including stealth aircraft and high-speed missiles.

As historic defence partners and NATO Allies, the UK stands with Poland to defend NATO’s Eastern Flank and support Ukraine against Russian aggression.

The UK and Poland are close Allies, with hundreds of British troops deployed to the country at any one time. That includes the recent deployments of Challenger 2 tanks and Sky Sabre air defence systems to Poland.
November 7, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Minister for Europe demonstrates UK commitment to Baltic security [November 2023]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 7 November 2023.

Minister for Europe, Leo Docherty visits Lithuania and Latvia to reinforce UK cooperation on regional security and support for Ukraine.
- Following the success of the NATO Summit in Vilnius in July, Minister Leo Docherty will visit the two Baltic nations to show the UK’s leadership in tackling threats to European security.
- He will discuss plans to bolster NATO’s Eastern Flank before attending a NATO Cyber Conference in Berlin.
- Visit will also reiterate collective support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression and enable discussions on the situation in the Middle East and preventing regional escalation.
Minister for Europe, Leo Docherty, will visit Lithuania and Latvia to underline the UK’s continued commitment to the Baltic States’ security and discuss the strengthening of support to Ukraine.

During meetings in Vilnius with Lithuanian Deputy Foreign Minister, Jonas Survila, and the Presidential National Security Advisor, Kęstutis Budrys, the Minister will discuss growing cooperation, from the training of Ukrainian forces to closer collaboration on regional security and tackling illegal migration. He will also highlight the need for a collective effort to prevent the tragic situation in the Middle East from escalating more widely and support humanitarian aid entering Gaza.

The visit follows the NATO Summit which Vilnius hosted in July, where the Prime Minister outlined the UK’s leading role in protecting regional security in the face of increased threats across Europe.

In Riga, Minister Docherty will meet Latvian Parliamentary Secretary, Reinis Brusbārdis, and the Minister of Energy, Kaspars Melnis, to discuss the importance of energy security, and how the two countries can work together to address Russian malign influence.

Minister for Europe, Leo Docherty said:

The Baltic States are on the frontline of Russia’s malign activity, and the UK is steadfast in our commitment to supporting them defend their freedom and security.

Through NATO and the Joint Expeditionary Force, we are working with Latvia and Lithuania to keep the region and our allies safe, including through a united effort to prevent further conflict and terrorism in the Middle East.

More than 20,000 British troops will be deployed to the region next year, where they will take part in large-scale, multi-country exercises, as well as carrying out air policing and cold weather training.

The UK has a long-standing relationship with both Latvia and Lithuania across all arms of the military, including cooperation in NATO and the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF).

The Minister is also expected to visit the Hill of Crosses, an important cultural site symbolic of Lithuanian identity and peaceful resistance. In Latvia, he will lay a wreath at both the Commonwealth War Grave in Jelgava and at Riga’s Freedom Monument, which commemorates those who fought for Latvia’s independence over 100 years ago.

Later in the week, the Minister will go on to represent the UK at the first NATO Cyber Defence Conference taking place in Berlin. The gathering will discuss the Alliance’s ability to adapt to evolving cyber threats and the strengthening of its ability to detect, prevent and respond to malicious cyber activities.
November 7, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : 44th Universal Periodic Review – UK Review on Cabo Verde [November 2023]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 7 November 2023.

The UK delivered a statement during Cabo Verde’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) at the Human Rights Council in Geneva.
Thank you, Mr Vice-President,

The United Kingdom welcomes steps taken by Cabo Verde to promote and protect human rights, such as improvement on action against gender-based violence. We urge the government to improve implementation of this legislation by increasing the number of cases taken to court and successful prosecutions.

We recognise and praise the steps the government has already taken to tackle child abuse through a national network of organisations, including the government’s child protection body, the Institute for Children. We urge Cabo Verde to take further legislative action to protect children and reduce instances of such abuse.

We recommend that Cabo Verde:

Urge the National Assembly to debate and approve the anti-discrimination draft law presented by the National Commission on Human Rights and Citizenship in 2021.

Improve prison conditions by increasing the number of officers and the use of alternatives to prison such as bail, home arrest, and plea bargaining, and improving sanitary conditions.

Improve training for professionals in law enforcement and the judiciary to respond to sexual abuse of children and gender-based violence.

Thank you.
November 7, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK and Austria commit to work closer on illegal migration and terrorism [November 2023]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 7 November 2023.

The UK and Austria have signed a statement today agreeing to closer cooperation on tackling illegal migration and terrorism.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman met with Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner in Vienna on 2 November to discuss the importance of partnership and international cooperation in the face of illegal migration, terrorism and transnational crime.

The ministers agreed to work hand-in-hand to ensure public security and signed a joint statement to commit to:
- exploring the principle of safe third country concepts to enhance regional migration management
- engaging in a joint dialogue on illegal migration, including with relevant third countries of origin and transit
- enhancing cooperation in combatting serious and organised crime by strengthening bilateral law enforcement and criminal justice links
- intensifying their cyber security dialogue with a focus on preventing online radicalisation
Speaking after the signing, Home Secretary Suella Braverman said:

The global migration crisis is the challenge of our age, with the UK and the European continent seeing huge movements of people travelling illegally across our borders. This is placing an unprecedented burden on our communities and public services.

Austria is a close ally in tackling illegal migration, and we have already begun sharing knowledge of our actions and strategies such as third country removals.

This joint statement is a commitment to work more closely together to achieve our aims, and enhance our cooperation on a wide range of security challenges.

Austrian Minister of Interior Gerhard Karner said:

The UK has a lot of experience when it comes to processing asylum applications outside of Europe in the future. That was an important theme in my meeting with the Home Secretary in Vienna because Austria can benefit from this experience.

We will continue to make a consistent effort for the EU commission to advance and enable such procedures outside of Europe.

Following her meeting with Minister Karner, the Home Secretary also spoke to Jewish community leaders at the city’s main synagogue, reaffirming the UK government’s solidarity with the Jewish community following recent incidents of abuse, in particular this week’s arson attack at Vienna’s Central Cemetery.

She visited the site of the 2020 Islamist terrorist attack, in which 4 civilians were killed, and laid a wreath to mark the anniversary. The Home Secretary also visited the Shoah Wall of Names memorial to pay her respects to Jewish victims of the Holocaust.

The visit concluded with a tour of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, to deepen ties on tackling fraud and organised immigration crime.
November 7, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Progress of landmark UK-Japan treaties driven forward as Defence Secretary visits Tokyo [November 2023]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 7 November 2023.

The visit is the latest in a series of high-level UK-Japan bilateral engagements this year, driving progress on two major treaties.

Driving forward advanced technology and cooperating closely to promote freedom and democracy is at the heart of the defence relationship between the UK and Japan, which Defence Secretary Grant Shapps hailed in a meeting with his counterpart in Tokyo.

The Defence Secretary met his counterpart, Minister of Defense Minoru Kihara, for a series of meetings to further progress on two major treaties which will increase interoperability between the UK Armed Forces and Japan Self Defence Forces and cement our commitment to shared security.

It follows the signing and implementation of the ground-breaking Reciprocal Access Agreement by the Prime Minister earlier this year, which will underpin our shared defence activity by enabling the UK and Japan to operate and exercise together more easily, as well as continued work on developing a framework agreement for the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP).

The UK and Japan are each other’s closest security partner in Europe and Asia respectively, a commitment reaffirmed in the Hiroshima Accord announced by PM Sunak and PM Kishida on the margins of the G7 Summit this summer.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said:

Amid increasing tension and instability across the world – it is more clear than ever that the threats we face are global, and it’s particularly important we strengthen our relations with our international partners and allies.

In my meetings with Minister Kihara, we discussed how to further deepen our cooperation through these two landmark treaties and reaffirmed our commitment to building a truly next-generation combat aircraft through GCAP.

Despite the distance between us, the UK and Japan stand closer together than ever before in support of peace, stability, and the rules-based international order.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has also been in Japan for a meeting of the G7 and both UK ministers joined their Japanese counterparts for a combined meeting, during which shared security interests such as support for Ukraine in its defence against Putin’s illegal invasion and condemnation of the Hamas attack against Israel, were discussed.

The UK remains the only European partner to have a bilateral exercise on Japanese soil, and the Army and Japanese Ground Self Defense Forces (GSDF) are currently planning Exercise Vigilant Isles 2023, which will see more than 150 UK personnel deploy to Japan this month – further demonstrating the UK’s commitment to the Indo-Pacific region, as set out through this year’s refreshed Defence Command Paper.

At sea, persistently deployed Offshore Patrol Vessels HMS Tamar and HMS Spey have enabled the UK to operate closely with Japan and regional partners to promote maritime security.

Work between the UK, Japan, and Italy continues on developing GCAP, which will futureproof our Combat Air sectors and deliver enhanced investment in our people and technology, deepening integration of supply chains. It will bring together defence and security expertise from across our three nations to strengthen our defence industrial base and secure high skilled jobs.

November 7, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces – UK condemns withdrawal [November 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 7 November 2023.

The UK has issued a statement in response to Russia’s withdrawal from the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe.

The UK has criticised Russia’s decision to withdraw from the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe, a landmark element of Europe’s post-Cold War security architecture.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said:

We unequivocally condemn Russia’s decision to withdraw from the Treaty, the latest in a line of Russian efforts to undermine strategic stability and the Euro-Atlantic security architecture.

Russia’s unilateral withdrawal undermines reciprocity, which lies at the heart of the CFE Treaty. This is a destabilising move for the integrity of the Treaty and to continue to implement the Treaty would suggest that we think that the Treaty continues to operate as intended. This is plainly not the case.

In response to Russia’s move, the UK, alongside its Allies has decided to suspend its participation in the Treaty and to work with likeminded nations to develop and implement voluntary stabilising measures.

November 7, 2023