Category: Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE : DSAME – Lebanon must not be dragged into regional conflict [October 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 20 October 2023.

Marshal Martin Sampson, ended a two-day visit to Lebanon to reassure and show support to the UK’s partners in the region including Lebanon.

The UK Defence Senior Advisor to the Middle East and North Africa (DSAME), Air Marshal Martin Sampson, ended a two-day visit to Lebanon 18-19 October 2023. This is part of his regional tour, including Egypt and Jordan – to reassure and show support to the UK’s partners in the region including Lebanon.

Air Marshal Sampson met with General Joseph Aoun, Chief of Defence for the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and Prime Minister Najib Mikati. In his messages he reiterated the UK’s unwavering support to the people of Lebanon and the LAF.

In a phone call with UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander, Major General Aroldo Lázaro, Air Marshal Sampson conveyed the UK’s support to UNIFIL and its important role in maintaining calm and stability.

At Hamat Air Base, Air Marshal Sampson was briefed on the many UK military training tasks in Lebanon, including the highly successful joint military exercise “Pegasus Cedar” which was the UK’s largest ever joint military exercise with the Lebanese Air Assault Regiment.

At the end of his visit, Air Marshal Sampson said:

An important time to visit Lebanon during the current regional instability. During my meetings I reiterated the UK’s position that Lebanon must not be dragged into a regional conflict.

The LAF continues to be at the forefront of safeguarding Lebanon’s security and stability which remains a priority for the UK.

October 30, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Preferred candidate for Chair of the House of Lords Appointments Commission [October 2023]

The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 20 October 2023.

Baroness Ruth Deech has been announced as the preferred candidate for the Chair of the House of Lords Appointments Commission.

Subject to pre-appointment scrutiny, Baroness Deech will commence the role in November 2023, following Lord Bew’s term coming to an end.

Baroness Deech has a background in law and taught at numerous institutions including Oxford University. She has written extensively about family law and was appointed an honorary King’s Counsel.

She was Principal of St Anne’s College Oxford and a Pro Vice-Chancellor.

In addition to her legal and academic background, Baroness Deech took on extensive regulatory roles including Chair of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority and Chair of the Bar Standards Board. She was also the first Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education.

Baroness Deech was appointed DBE in 2003 and made a life peer in 2005. She sits on the crossbenches as an independent legislator and has chaired committees reporting on the retention of women doctors and on equality and disability.

The Deputy Prime Minister, Oliver Dowden, said:

Baroness Deech will make an excellent Chair of the House of Lords Appointments Commission. Her extensive legal, academic and regulatory experience will be a huge asset and ensure the Commission can continue its crucial, independent advisory work.

Baroness Deech said:

As a lawyer and an independent peer, the success of HOLAC is important to me. I want the public to have confidence that the Commission will ensure that nominees for appointment to the House of Lords are outstanding individuals who will make significant and effective contributions to the legislative and scrutiny work of the House.

It will also be my aim to work towards a membership representing all regions of the UK and from every walk of life. Maintaining public trust in the Commission’s independence and in the quality of new peers is vital for our constitution.

This announcement follows an open competition for the role.

The appointment will now undergo a pre-appointment hearing, where the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee (PACAC) will hear evidence from the preferred candidate and publish a report setting out their views on the candidate’s suitability for the post.

Notes to editors:

HOLAC was established in 2000. Its functions are to recommend individuals for appointment as non-party political life peers and to vet nominations for life peers, including those nominated by the UK political parties, to ensure the highest standards of propriety.

The Commission’s Chair is appointed for a non-renewable, five-year term of office. More information about the Commission can be found on the House of Lords Appointments Commission website.

October 30, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Government consults on safe and legal routes for refugees [October 2023]

The press release issued by the Home Office on 20 October 2023.

Local authorities will be consulted on plans to determine an annual cap on the number of refugees resettled in the UK each year, based on the UK’s capacity to accommodate and support people coming to the UK via safe and legal routes, as the government continues work to deliver its plan to stop the boats.

The UK-wide consultation will seek to better understand the capacity of local authorities to accommodate and support vulnerable and at-risk people coming to the UK via safe and legal routes – with a view to the UK taking only as many refugees as local communities can support.

Local authorities play an essential role in helping to resettle refugees and ensure they have the best start to rebuild their lives in the UK, from providing housing, help and access to education and job support. However, the UK’s ability to welcome people through safe and legal routes has been impacted by the unsustainable rise in illegal crossings which has put insurmountable pressure on local public services and housing. This has not only impacted communities but also the number of people the UK is able to provide protection to and the level of support offered to refugees.

With a clearer picture of the UK’s capacity to welcome refugees, through the cap, the government will be able to redouble efforts to help more people from all over the world to come through safe and legal routes and ensure that commitments made by councils can be met now and in the future. This will create a more sustainable and well-managed system that is fairer and prioritises both local communities and refugees.

The cap will include the main safe and legal routes used by vulnerable and at-risk people, including the UK Resettlement Scheme (UKRS), the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS) and the Community Sponsorship Scheme.

The UK has a proud history of providing protection for those who need it and offers some of the most generous safe and legal routes anywhere. Since 2015, a safe and legal route has been offered to over half a million men, women and children seeking safety.

Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick said:

The unacceptable number of people making illegal, dangerous and wholly unnecessary small boat crossings is placing an immense strain on housing and services across the UK.

As part of the Illegal Migration Act to stop the boats, we will bring in a cap on our safe and legal routes informed by the capacity of local authorities. This will ensure that we do not take more refugees than our public services and communities can cope with and that the refugees we do decide to take can be properly supported and integrated.

The Illegal Migration Act 2023 included provisions for a cap on the maximum number of people to come to the UK each year via safe and legal routes. While the government’s consultation is open to local authorities, NGOs and charities who provide accommodation and support are encouraged to work with councils to help provide a clear picture of capacity in local areas.

The cap does not include the Ukraine visa schemes, the Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy (ARAP), the Hong Kong British National (overseas) route or the Mandate Scheme. However, the government is also asking local authorities to consider the impact of these routes in their responses to ensure an accurate picture of their capacity.

The cap will be agreed in Parliament and will launch in January 2025.

Under the cap, the number of people who can come to the UK will be able to be changed each year, taking into consideration capacity in local areas, for example in response to a humanitarian crisis.

In addition to the consultation, through the Illegal Migration Act, in January 2024, a report will be laid before Parliament which will set out what is meant by safe and legal routes, detailing existing routes and any proposed additional ones, and how they can be accessed by those most in need.

October 30, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : New medical and welfare services for veterans living in Northern Ireland [October 2023]
The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 20 October 2023.

A new pilot will improve health and wellbeing services for veterans living in Northern Ireland, the Office for Veterans’ Affairs has announced.
- Office for Veterans’ Affairs providing £500,000 pilot funding to level up medical and welfare service for veterans in Northern Ireland.
- The new service will provide timely support and guidance to veterans who require healthcare.
- Support will be provided in areas such as mental health, advice on musculoskeletal issues and linking with local services.
A new pilot will improve health and wellbeing services for veterans living in Northern Ireland, the Office for Veterans’ Affairs has announced.

The service, backed by £500,000 of UK Government funding as part of the Health Innovation Fund, will run for 18 months, and will be led by Defence Medical Welfare Service, an independent charity.

The support on offer will include:
- Linking veterans with local services to ensure they are receiving the support available.
- Providing advice on physical health issues such as musculoskeletal problems.
- Pain management and lifestyle.
- Mental health support including help with anxiety, depression, PTSD and bereavement.
The support will be provided by new staff embedded within the Defence Medical Welfare Service and the staff will work across Northern Ireland.

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Rt Hon. Johnny Mercer said:

If we’re going to make the UK the best place in the world to be a veteran, we need to make sure that veterans can access the support they need in all four corners of the UK.

This new pilot service for veterans in Northern Ireland will provide important advice and support in areas such as mental and physical health, as well as where to access the right care.

Backed by £500,000 from our Health Innovation Fund, I’m proud that this is the first Northern Ireland specific funding from the Office for Veterans’ Affairs.

The new service will provide assistance in a variety of ways, including linking veterans with local services to ensure they are receiving the help available; advice on physical health issues such as musculoskeletal problems, pain management and lifestyle.

Mental health support will also be readily available for veterans through the pilot, including help with anxiety, depression, PTSD and bereavement.

The pilot will also provide anonymised data insight into the health needs of veterans in Northern Ireland, and data on the effectiveness of a medical welfare support service.

This data will inform future policy making, and ensure any unmet needs are identified and most efficiently addressed.

The Veterans Commissioner for Northern Ireland, Danny Kinahan, said:

The launch of the Defence Medical Welfare Service led NI Health Project, will go some way to helping fill the gaps that exist within our healthcare system in providing support for veterans, while they wait for, or undergo medical treatment for both physical and mental health. I am encouraged that this project will help provide the much needed healthcare and associated wellbeing support for veterans living in Northern Ireland, and ensure veterans living here feel more included and valued for their dedicated and selfless service.

CEO of The Defence Medical Welfare Service, Mr Paul Gaffney, said:

DMWS are proud to be working with the support of the Office for Veterans’ Affairs to deliver a new service to veterans in Northern Ireland.

This independent project will support both the physical and mental health needs of veterans taking account of their specialist requirements. DMWS work collaboratively with existing statutory and third sector provision to build improved health and wellbeing outcomes for veterans.
October 30, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak meeting with the Amir of Qatar [October 2023]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 20 October 2023.

The Prime Minister met the Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, this morning in Riyadh.

The leaders agreed that the loss of civilian life following Hamas’ attacks was shocking and tragic. They underlined the imperative of avoiding any escalation in the violence across the region and agreed that leaders had a responsibility to do everything possible to prevent it.

The Prime Minister thanked Qatar for their efforts to secure the release of hostages taken by Hamas two weeks ago, including British nationals. He said that the UK Government would use all the tools at our disposal to support these efforts and end the torment of the victims and their families. The leaders agreed to stay in close contact to continue these efforts.

The Prime Minister and the Amir welcomed progress on opening up humanitarian access to Gaza. They agreed on the urgent need to get food, water and medicine to civilians who are suffering.

The leaders looked forward to meeting again soon to deepen the bilateral relationship between our countries.

October 30, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : County lines gangs smashed in national police blitz [October 2023]
The press release issued by the Home Office on 20 October 2023.

Over 1,600 arrests during county lines crackdown in national police operation last week, with over 100kg cannabis and £1.2 million of Class A drugs seized.
Drug gangs across the UK were targeted in a national police operation last week, leading to 250 county lines being taken down and 1,613 arrests.

The County Lines Intensification Week, co-ordinated by the NPCC-led National County Lines Coordination Centre (NCLCC), also saw 103kg of cannabis seized, alongside 40kg of Class A drugs worth over £1.2 million, 33 firearms, 377 bladed weapons, and over £1.2 million in cash, as forces made large gains against these gangs and the products that finance their exploitative criminality.

710 vulnerable people, including 58 children were also referred by police to safeguarding services through the national operation. Exploitation, coercion, and violence are cornerstones of the county lines trade, and cannabis is used by gangs to trap young people into debt, forcing them to transport their drugs and sell to other children to continue the cycle. By rescuing these vulnerable people from the grip of these gangs and helping them into support services such as the Home Office-funded Catch 22, this cycle of violence and abuse is being broken.

In one operation attended by the Home Secretary during the National Police Chiefs’ Councils (NPCC) Intensification Week in the West Midlands, £850,000 worth of cannabis was seized from cannabis factories, with more than 850 plants and nearly 6kg of dried cannabis recovered.

Last week’s enforcement successes come as new Home Office statistics show that since April 2022, 1,700 lines have been taken down though the government’s County Lines Programme, alongside 3,300 arrests and 4,100 vulnerable people referred to support services, highlighting the success law enforcement, government and support services are having in bringing down this heinous criminality.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman said:

Vile thugs running county lines drug gangs blight our communities and groom the most vulnerable in society for their personal gain.

Our police officers are working every day to break up these criminal networks pushing illegal drugs on our streets, and since April 2022 they have shut down over 1,700 county lines through the County Lines Programme.

My message is clear. We will not tolerate illegal drugs of any kind, and we must rid our communities of these criminals.

National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for County Lines, Commander Paul Brogden, said:

County Lines drug dealing destroys lives, and we are committed to tackling the supply of illegal drugs, and the exploitation and violence that is frequently associated with it.

County Lines remains a top priority for policing and our latest intensification week figures show significant inroads policing has made into these criminal networks with 250 county lines closed during the week. Not only that, but we have continued to go after the line holders and arrested over 1,600 criminals involved in county lines and taken extremely dangerous weapons, including 33 firearms off the street.

Our message is clear to anyone running county lines across the country: we will be relentless in our pursuit of you, we will shut down your county lines, we will take drugs off our streets and we will rescue those who are being exploited by you.

The intensification week, which ran from Monday 9 October to Sunday 15 October, saw:

250 county lines taken down

1,613 people arrested

458 weapons seized, including 33 firearms, 377 bladed weapons, 3 crossbows, 21 batons and 28 knuckle dusters

over £1.2 million worth of Class A and Class B drugs seized

£437,000 worth of crack cocaine, £100,000 worth of heroin, 40kg of cocaine and 103kg of cannabis seized

£1,284,729.88 in cash seized

The government established the County Lines Programme in 2019 to tackle the abusive and violent county lines trade, providing forces and victim support services a clear strategy to end the terror these gangs inflict on our streets. Adopted by the 4 forces that face the majority of county lines criminality – Metropolitan Police, Merseyside, Greater Manchester and West Midlands Police – the County Lines Programme closed over 1,700 lines between April 2022 and June 2023, achieving in just over a year 85% of the 3-year target set in the 2021 Drug Strategy.

Key to the programme is victim support, and the government has put up to £5 million into services such as Catch 22 and Missing People’s SafeCall service to help young people and their families as they escape these gangs. To continue to help these victim support services and front-line workers, updated guidance has also been published by the Home Office today that will aid the identification of potential victims and appropriate safeguarding referral routes, and ensure those who are in need receive help.

James Simmonds-Read, National Programme Manager at the Children’s Society, said:

Criminals groom young people in person or online and use terrifying threats and violence to force them into crimes such as carrying drugs and fraud or exploiting them sexually.

This Awareness Week we want to highlight how exploitation can happen to any young person, anywhere, and as the nights draw in, we especially urge people to spot the signs of exploitation in public places after dark.

Young people can be targeted at fast food outlets, forced to travel on trains and in taxis late at night, and are abused behind closed doors, in hotels and holiday lets.

Whether you are on a night out, commuting home, staying overnight for a business trip, or working as a driver or in customer service, you could be the one that gets help.

Call the police on 101 or 999 if there is an immediate risk. If on a train text British Transport Police on 61016. Alternatively, you can contact the NSPCC for advice on 0808 800 5000.
October 30, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK-Tunisia Association Council 2023 – joint communique [October 2023]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 20 October 2023.

The second ministerial meeting of the UK-Tunisia Association Council took place in London on 12 October 2023.

The British Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, the Right Honourable James Cleverly, and Minister of State for the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia and United Nations and the Prime Minister’s Special Representative for Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, welcomed His Excellency Nabil Ammar, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Migration and Tunisians Abroad of the Republic of Tunisia, for wide-ranging talks on the bilateral partnership.

The talks covered the positive shared history between the 2 countries and peoples, reaffirming the vision of a comprehensive partnership to deepen trade and investment, an education partnership, security cooperation and deeper engagement on the shared challenge of irregular migration. Talks also covered the political situation, the importance of political participation, democratic freedoms and human rights in both countries, as well as regional and international political developments.

On trade, the Association Council meeting:
- agreed to advance initiatives to deepen bilateral trade and mutually beneficial investments
- highlighted their aspiration to develop their economic relations by encouraging UK companies to explore opportunities to invest in Tunisia across a variety of sectors. The 2 countries looked forward to the completion of a number of investment projects, and to work closely on renewable energy under the framework of the UK-Tunisia Memorandum of Understanding
- reaffirmed the Association Agreement as an effective mechanism for closer economic ties. A sub-committee was established to support an increase in bilateral trade and investment, and to tackle barriers faced by British and Tunisia companies when accessing each other’s markets
In addition to trade and investment, the 2 sides discussed:
- irregular migration: recognising that significant increases in irregular migration flows into North Africa this year, across the Mediterranean and beyond, can only be tackled by close international cooperation. Both countries recognised the exploitative role that organised criminal groups are playing, the real need to disrupt these human trafficking networks, and to invest in encouraging migrants to stay and invest in their home countries
- security: both sides committing to deeper partnership in tackling terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms, and reaffirmed their support for the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. The 2 parties expressed deep concern regarding the evolution of the terrorist threat in Africa, particularly in the Sahel
- education: reaffirming a commitment to capitalise on the growing Tunisian interest in British education and the English language, especially among youth, and closer collaboration between British and Tunisian higher education and scientific research institutions
October 30, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Departure of Canadian diplomats from India: FCDO response [October 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 20 October 2023.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office response to the departure of Canadian diplomats from India.

A Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office spokesperson said:

Resolving differences requires communication and diplomats in respective capitals.

We do not agree with the decisions taken by the Indian government that have resulted in a number of Canadian diplomats departing India.

We expect all states to uphold their obligations under the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. The unilateral removal of the privileges and immunities that provide for the safety and security of diplomats is not consistent with the principles or the effective functioning of the Vienna Convention.

We continue to encourage India to engage with Canada on its independent investigation into the death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

October 30, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak meeting with the President of the Palestinian Authority [October 2023]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 20 October 2023.

The Prime Minister met President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, in Cairo today.

The Prime Minister expressed his deep condolences for the loss of civilian lives in Gaza, including the terrible destruction of the Al Ahli hospital earlier this week.

The leaders agreed on the need for all parties to take steps to protect civilians, and civilian infrastructure, and minimise the loss of innocent lives. They condemned Hamas’ terrorism and stressed that Hamas do not represent the Palestinian people.

The Prime Minister underscored his commitment to opening up humanitarian access to Gaza to alleviate the suffering of thousands of people who desperately need food, water and medicine. He updated on his conversations with Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Sisi on this subject.

The Prime Minister reiterated the UK’s long-standing commitment to the two-state solution and to achieving a future where Israelis and Palestinians can live in peace and security.

October 30, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : New measures to protect children’s learning from strike action [October 2023]

The press release issued by the Department for Education on 20 October 2023.

Minimum service levels (MSLs) to protect children and young people’s education are set to be introduced in schools and colleges, the government has announced today (Friday 20 October).

The proposals will put in place protections for children, young people and parents to ensure education can continue during any future strike action.

The announcement follows the disruption during industrial action last academic year, which resulted in over 10 days of action in schools, leading to 25 million school days that were lost cumulatively, impacting children and families across the country.

This was despite the efforts from many school leaders and teachers to keep classrooms open and government guidance stating that teaching for pupils studying for exams and vulnerable children should be prioritised.

The Education Secretary, Gillian Keegan, has today written to union leaders inviting them to discuss proposals on a voluntary basis in the first instance. In her letter she is clear that should a voluntary agreement not be reached the government is committed to using powers granted through the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act that was introduced earlier this year. Such a move would lead to a consultation and is expected to include a range of models for MSLs in education, for parents, teachers, and other stakeholders to provide views on.

Education Secretary, Gillian Keegan said:

Last year’s school strikes were some of the most disruptive on record for children, and their parents. We cannot afford a repeat of that disruption – particularly as schools and teachers continue to work so hard to help children recover from the pandemic.

I am asking the teaching unions to engage with us and agree to put children and young people’s education first – and above and beyond any dispute.

Proposals to introduce MSLs in schools and colleges follows the announcement made by the Secretary of State to consult on MSLs in universities, to limit the impact of industrial action on students.

The introduction of MSLs will bring education in line with other key public services such as healthcare and transport. MSLs will provide a better balance between the right of workers to strike, and the importance of education.

In July, school teaching unions suspended their strikes when the government announced the largest pay award in 30 years for teachers, alongside meeting its manifesto commitment of increasing starting salaries to a minimum of £30,000.

October 30, 2023