Category: Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE : Freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) remains a priority for the United Kingdom [October 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 6 October 2023.

At the Warsaw Human Dimension Conference 2023, the UK reiterates its commitment to Freedom of Religion or Belief.

Madame Moderator,

The right to freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) is a longstanding human rights priority for the UK. Conflict and insecurity are often rooted in intolerance and persecution on the grounds of religion or belief.

In 2023 the UK hosted an international Ministerial conference on FoRB. During the conference, the UK announced new funding to support FoRB defenders as well as funding and expertise for countries prepared to make legislative changes to protect FoRB.

Since the conference, we have continued to make this a priority in our work. We have worked with at the UN, G7 and in the OSCE, to promote FoRB. In June this year, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted a UK-UAE co-penned resolution on Tolerance and International Peace and Security, including wording on FoRB.

The UK Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for FoRB, Fiona Bruce MP has chaired the International Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance (IRFBA) for the past two years, The Alliance has broadened its membership, growing to 45 members, friends and observers.

The Alliance conducts regular joint advocacy on the cases of individual prisoners of conscience and has issued statements highlighting the issues facing religious minorities such as the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, the Baha’i community and Jehovahs Witnesses, as well as those facing Jews and Christians.

Our commitment to FoRB is unwavering, and we look forward to continuing our work with the OSCE.

October 7, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UN HRC54 – Working Group on Rights of People of African Descent [October 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 6 October 2023.

Interactive Dialogue with the Working Group on the Rights of People of African Descent. Delivered by UK’s Ambassador to the WTO and UN, Simon Manley.

Thank you Mr President.

We are hugely proud of the modern and diverse country the UK has become. A successful multi-national, multi-ethnic, and multi-faith state. One where every citizen – regardless of their background – enjoys rights, opportunities, and the expectation of being treated with the kindness and respect that we like to think characterises British society at its best. People of African Descent have made, and continue to make enormous contributions to British society, including at the very top of our government.

The UK takes racism and racial disparity very seriously, which is why we were pleased that the Working Group’s report recognised the UK’s robust legal framework which protects people against discrimination, measures such as our Online Safety Bill which will clamp down on online racist abuse, and our pioneering use of data on race and ethnicity which the Working Group identified as best practice.

However, it is regrettable that the report did not sufficiently consider the complex and nuanced drivers of racial disparity in the UK – nor the differences in outcomes between different ethnic minority groups – coming to the unfounded conclusion that racism was always the primary driver of poorer outcomes.

Indeed, it did not mention our Inclusive Britain action plan to tackle negative disparities in several areas the report highlights, across health, education, employment, and crime and policing. The 74 actions that we are delivering are designed to close outcome gaps between people from different ethnic backgrounds, promote unity and build a fairer Britain for all.

Mr President,

Due to the late reception of the report, we did not have nearly enough time to provide a full written response to the Working Group ahead of today’s presentation, as is normally the practice. This is unfortunate, and we would appreciate being given more time to consider reports from Special Procedures visits in the future.

October 7, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : New £88 million sensing equipment to protect UK Armed Forces [October 2023]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 6 October 2023.

New technology with capability to detect, identify and monitor the presence of toxic industrial chemicals and chemical warfare agents to be operational by 2028.
UK Armed Forces personnel will be better protected on the battlefield through world-leading chemical detection sensors, under an £88 million contract announced today.

Led by Strategic Command alongside a pan-defence team, thousands of personnel across the British Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force will benefit from wearable personal chemical agent sensors, ensuring they can detect dozens of toxic chemical threats and take immediate action to protect themselves and others.

It will be a first of its kind for UK Armed Forces, as the wearable sensor will be able to detect multiple chemical threats from both vapours and aerosol – different ways in which chemical threats can be dispersed and affect an individual.

Under the contract, UK company Smiths Detection will develop three next-generation chemical sensor products for the MOD, to be operational by 2028. They are:

Wearable personal chemical agent sensor – a device that continually monitors the environment around the user.

Survey chemical agent sensor – a portable device to check potentially hazardous areas or surfaces.

Remote capable, standoff chemical sensor – an enhanced sensor for use in fixed locations.

As new hazards emerge in the future, the equipment can be continually updated and improved, identifying a greater range of chemical threat coverage.

Supporting hundreds of skilled people at Smiths Detection and creating around a dozen new jobs at their Hemel Hempstead site, the contract boosts the Prime Minister’s priority of growing the UK economy. The company sources components and services from numerous UK suppliers, bolstering the UK manufacturing industry, and investing in British production capability.

Minister for Defence Procurement, James Cartlidge said:

It’s vital we protect our Service Personnel, and this cutting-edge technology is so important to reduce the threat posed by toxic chemicals across a range of environments globally.

Not only is it an impressive piece of equipment that will be designed and manufactured here in the UK, but the ability for it to be continually developed and improved is exactly how we want Defence procurement to be – deliverable, effective and ambitious.

Smiths Detection President, Roland Carter said:

We’re honoured to have been selected by the UK Ministry of Defence to supply this next-generation technology. Since our business inception, nearly 70 years ago, we have been designing, developing, manufacturing, and servicing chemical sensing technology. This technology protects defence forces, including the UK MoD, and communities from known and emerging threats.

This award is testament to our leading technology and the knowledge, commitment and ingenuity of the people in our organisation who everyday help to make the world a safer place.

Sensing chemical threats is a fundamental part of the UK’s Counter-Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear capability. The contract, placed by the UK MOD’s procurement arm Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) and supported by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), will encompass the development, manufacture, and initial in-service support for the programme.
October 7, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : AUKUS personnel collaborate on UK submarines for future security [October 2023]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 6 October 2023.

Representatives from Australia and the US have joined Royal Navy personnel in Faslane to watch and understand how to maintain nuclear-powered submarines.
First joint US and Australian AUKUS visit to the UK to support development of Australian submarine maintenance workforce.

AUKUS personnel hosted in Faslane, Scotland.

Maintenance of rotational submarine force under AUKUS partnership to boost global security.

Representatives from the Australian and US Submarine Support organisations have joined Royal Navy personnel in Faslane for the first time, to watch and understand how to maintain nuclear-powered submarines, which will support future global stability.

Forming an Advance Verification Team (AVT), subject matter experts from all three AUKUS nations have joined British shipyard personnel to develop their understanding of the maintenance and industrial skills required to maintain a nuclear-powered submarine.

Following a similar visit to Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard in August this year, the AVT learnt about the requirements needed to provide an Australian-based facility that can support both UK and US maintenance activity during a future forward-deployed submarine presence in the region.

Under the AUKUS partnership, the Royal Navy, with its Australian and US counterparts will work together to meet shared threats and uphold stability in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.

This visit marks a tangible step forward for AUKUS delivery, driving knowledge-sharing and development in Australia that will be critical to the success of the programme.

Minister for Defence Procurement, James Cartlidge MP said:

The AUKUS partnership is a truly tangible demonstration of our ongoing commitment to global security.

These visits are crucial for teams from all three nations to understand how best to work together as we strike ahead on the AUKUS programme, delivering cutting-edge capability to protect ourselves, and our allies and partners, for decades to come.

Further to understanding how to maintain and support nuclear-powered submarines, the visit sought to build trilateral relationships and communications between the teams who will deliver the submarine rotational force.

Based in Faslane for two weeks, the AVT have spent time understanding and developing the skills needed to take the AUKUS partnership forward. The visit has successfully shown the extent of the similarities and differences between our ways of working, as well as highlighting areas that will best support the development of maintenance capability in Australia.

Rear Admiral Simon Asquith, Director Submarines, said:

This is an exciting moment for AUKUS delivery, marking initial trilateral efforts to ensure Australia can support US and UK submarine presence in Western Australia.

The AVT successfully paved the way for future collaboration from all partner nations and we look forward to this continued close working with both Navies and industry going forward.

The AUKUS partnership is a strategic endeavour that strengthens the three nations’ national security, promoting peace and stability.

Last month, the AUKUS partnership celebrated its two-year anniversary, and earlier this year the three AUKUS nations announced a way forward for the programme, with the first generation of AUKUS nuclear submarines to be built in the UK and Australia, based on the UK’s world-leading submarine design.

Last week, a further £4 billion of investment was announced for the AUKUS partnership. The contracts will progress the programme through the design, prototyping and purchase of main long lead components for the first UK submarines, allowing construction to commence in the coming years and ensure the stability and resilience of our domestic supply chain.

Building on more than 60 years of British expertise in designing, building and operating nuclear-powered submarines, the contracts will support thousands of highly skilled jobs in the UK – a clear demonstration of how the AUKUS programme supports the Prime Minister’s priority to grow the economy.

The SSN-AUKUS submarines will be the largest, most advanced, and most powerful attack submarines ever operated by the Royal Navy, combining world-leading sensors, design, and weaponry in one vessel.
October 7, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Joint statement on the Australia-United Kingdom Strategic Dialogue on Gender Equality [October 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 6 October 2023.

The governments of Australia and the UK issued a statement at the inaugural Australia-United Kingdom Strategic Dialogue on Gender Equality (4 to 5 October 2023).

The following statement was released by the governments of Australia and the United Kingdom on the occasion of the inaugural Australia-United Kingdom Strategic Dialogue on Gender Equality (4 to 5 October 2023):

At the inaugural Australia-United Kingdom Strategic Dialogue on Gender Equality (4-5 October 2023), Australia and the United Kingdom reaffirmed their commitment to achieving gender equality and the human rights of all women and girls, in all their diversity, including through collaborative global leadership.

The Dialogue occurred at a time of escalating global attempts to pushback on gender equality and regress on the human rights of women and girls. In this global context – with crises, conflicts, and climate change – both countries stressed the importance of protecting, promoting and fulfilling human rights at the core of international norms through partnership and collaboration that makes progress towards, and mitigates risks to achievement of, gender equality.

Australia and the United Kingdom are committed to global leadership and action on the related agendas of Women, Peace and Security (WPS) and ending all forms of gender-based violence. The discussion highlighted the value of national action plans for effective implementation of the WPS agenda, including on the four pillars of prevention, protection, participation and relief and recovery, and in relation to such contemporary challenges as climate change. Australia and the United Kingdom agreed to strengthen collaboration on prevention of and response to conflict-related sexual violence, including through the International Alliance on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict and the International Atrocity Prevention Working Group, as well as efforts to strengthen the international legal architecture.

Australia and the United Kingdom will drive evidence-based prevention and response to gender-based violence in the Indo-Pacific region, with knowledge-sharing and advocacy. Australia and the UK agreed to continue global collaboration and joint advocacy to address both sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment, and technology-facilitated gender-based violence, including engagement on a safety-by-design approach. Both countries re-affirmed their commitment to the Global Partnership for Action on Gender-based Online Harassment and Abuse. Australia and the United Kingdom will pursue opportunities to tackle modern slavery, including through collaboration and joint advocacy in multilateral fora that integrates gender, as well as sharing lessons and good practices from regional programming and capacity-strengthening initiatives.

Related to health and wellbeing, Australia and the United Kingdom reiterated their commitment to the full realisation of sexual and reproductive health and rights for all persons, and to prevent, screen and treat cervical cancer, including efforts to accelerate uptake of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, including through the work of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.

The centrality of gender equality to sustainable development, shared prosperity and political stability was considered in relation to gender-responsive social protection, trade and women’s economic empowerment. Australia and the United Kingdom will maintain advocacy and action on gender-responsive social protection as an effective means of addressing poverty and supporting gender equality outcomes across the life course, including addressing gender-based violence and responding to the impacts of climate change. Both countries agreed to partner with diverse stakeholders on research and dialogues that centre gender equality in social protection, especially in Asia and the Pacific.

There was agreement to strengthen coordination and collaboration on advancing gender equality in international trade, including through the exchange of information and good practices, as well as in multi-lateral fora. Both countries recognised that international trade should reduce inequities and inequalities, and committed to action under the Australia-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement, particularly the Trade and Gender Equality chapter, and to the Buenos Aires Declaration on Trade and Women’s Economic Empowerment. On women’s economic empowerment, Australia and the United Kingdom agreed to explore opportunities in Southeast Asia, such as relating to gender-lens investing and climate-smart investments.

In pushing forward on gender equality, both countries concurred on strengthened engagement with other countries and civil society organisations, including women’s rights organisations, across multilateral fora, informal working groups and broad coalitions in support of women’s and girls’ human rights. In coming months, Australia and the UK will work together in preparation for the 2024 sessions of the Commission on the Status of Women and the Commission on Population and Development, as well as the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings.

October 7, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Joint statement following the PM’s meeting on migration [October 2023]
The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 5 October 2023.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni chaired a small-group meeting on migration and organised immigration crime at the European Political Community Summit in Granada, Spain today.

The meeting was attended by the UK, Italy, the Netherlands, France, Albania and the European Commission. The participants agreed to an eight-point plan to address growing levels of illegal migration to mainland Europe together – please see below for their joint statement:

Italy, United Kingdom, The Netherlands, France, Albania, and the European Commission expressed a shared commitment to support one another to tackle the challenges of irregular migration and committed to:

Take robust action, together and in cooperation with partner countries, to tackle migrant smuggling along the routes and at external borders, including through joint action to close down the supply chains of organised gangs through information exchange, operational cooperation, measures to stop all vessels involved in smuggling and awareness raising campaigns.

Update the legal framework to strengthen our fight against people smugglers, ensuring harmonisation of criminal offences and working together at the UN level with the UNODC.

Develop comprehensive partnerships with key countries to address root causes of migration and support sustainable development through education, job creation and climate adaptation actions.

Support partner countries to strengthen border protection to prevent unauthorised border crossings, as well as search and rescue capacities, through the deployment of personnel, equipment, and other material.

Support partner countries, including through UNHCR and IOM, providing adequate levels of funding to ensure an appropriate response to mixed movements by ensuring protection and enhancing assisted voluntary return and reintegration.

Strengthen cooperation on return and readmission supporting one another through a network of liaison officers in partner countries, sharing of expertise, diplomatic outreach and return operations.

Provide opportunities of humanitarian admission and resettlement to those entitled to protection, and other legal pathways in line with our respective legal orders.

Strengthen cooperation on visa policy and recognise the importance of effective visa regimes in controlling irregular migration and ensuring cooperation on readmissions.
October 7, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak meeting with the President of Ukraine [October 2023]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 5 October 2023.

The Prime Minister met Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the European Political Community Summit in Spain today.

The Prime Minister offered his deep condolences for the terrible attack on a funeral in Ukraine earlier today, saying it demonstrated the depths of depravity Russian forces are willing to sink to. He reiterated the steadfast support of the British people for Ukraine and outlined our plans for continued support in the autumn and beyond.

The leaders discussed further international military assistance to Ukraine, including on maritime security and air defence, and support for the development of Ukraine’s domestic defence production.

President Zelenskyy raised ongoing concerns about Russian attacks on grain shipments and commercial vessels in the Black Sea, and the Prime Minister committed to supporting secure routes to ensure vital Ukrainian grain can reach countries in need.

October 7, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : The UK is committed to promoting the health and well-being of all to advance the Sustainable Development Goals – UK statement at the UN General Assembly [October 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 5 October 2023.

Statement by Tom Woodroffe, UK Ambassador to the ECOSOC, at the Adoption of the Political Declarations of the High-Level Meetings on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response, Universal Health Coverage, and the Fight Against Tuberculosis.

Mr President,

I would like to begin by thanking both the former and current Presidents of the General Assembly and the Co-facilitators for their hard work, which has enabled the adoption of the Political Declarations for PPPR, UHC, and the Fight against TB this morning. We are pleased that after many months of negotiations, we have been able to come to a consensus on our collective ambition here at the GA, following the endorsement of the Declarations at the highest levels during their respective High-Level Meetings. The UK is committed to promoting the health and well-being of all and to advancing progress on SDG 3. We stand ready to continue playing our part in implementing the commitments set out in the declarations.

During the High-level Meetings, the UK announced a package of almost £500 million in support for global health. This includes £295 million to respond to disease outbreaks and improve maternal and child health in low and middle-income countries, £103 million to halt the spread of infectious diseases and support sexual and reproductive health, £95 million to tackle deadly diseases in Africa, and £5 million to combat TB. This funding will contribute to strengthening health systems; boosting collaboration on research and development; improving coordination across human, animal and environmental health sectors; and improving access to safe and effective vaccines, medicines and tests.

We welcome the increased focus on scaling up investment in primary health care and TB. We must reform the international financial system to release more finance for health systems and pandemic preparedness in developing countries, including through greater investments in the Pandemic Fund.

However, domestic public resources must be the primary source for stronger health systems, alongside enhanced international support.

We encourage progress on negotiations on the Pandemic Accord in Geneva to agree on measures to improve PPPR whilst respecting national sovereignty. The most recent UHC global monitoring report paints an alarming picture, and we welcome the commitment to faster global progress to enable wider service coverage, financial protection, and stronger health workforces. And while TB still kills more people than any other infectious disease, we welcome the commitment to redouble efforts to get back on track to end TB by 2030, which will also help us in the fight against Anti-Microbial Resistance.

We are, however, frustrated that the declarations did not move us forward on gender equality and sexual and reproductive health and rights, both of which are integral to achieving universal health coverage and our wider health goals for all. Despite that, we hope that these declarations will act as a platform from which we can all move forward with renewed ambition, cooperation and partnership to achieve health and well-being for all.

And finally, Mr. President, next year’s High-Level Meeting on Anti-Microbial Resistance will be a landmark opportunity to tackle AMR on a truly global scale. We look forward to playing our part in that as we continue to work together to advance global health.

Thank you.

October 7, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak meeting with the Prime Minister of Albania [October 2023]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 5 October 2023.

The Prime Minister met Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama on the sidelines of the European Political Community Summit in Spain today.

He congratulated Prime Minister Rama on chairing a powerful and important debate on Ukraine at the UN General Assembly, and the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Ukraine’s defence and holding Russia to account.

They welcomed the UK and Albania’s successful cooperation on fighting criminal people smuggling gangs, and the Prime Ministers highlighted a significant reduction in small boat crossings and an increase in returns to Albania. The leaders also discussed the good progress implementing our landmark agreement on prisoner returns and prison capacity.

The leaders discussed opportunities to increase our economic cooperation and committed to increase bilateral trade and investment.

October 7, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Emissions scheme to reduce sale of carbon allowances on path to net zero [October 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 5 October 2023.

Tighter emission limits for industries under the UK Emissions Trading Scheme, as the 2024 carbon allowance auction calendar is published.
- Power, aviation and energy-intensive industries given incentive to cut emissions
- Number of allowances to be auctioned next year will fall by 12.4% to their lowest-ever level in line with net zero targets
- Ambitious approach will support industries to smoothly transition away from using fossil fuels
Energy-intensive industries will be incentivised to reach their lowest-ever level of carbon emissions, under detailed plans published today (Thursday 5 October 2023).

The 2024 calendar for the UK’s Emissions Trading Scheme will limit the number of carbon allowances for companies to buy in 2024 to 69 million – 12.4% fewer than in 2023, and their lowest-ever level. By 2027, this will fall to around 44 million – a 45% reduction on 2023 – before reaching around 24 million by 2030.

It puts plans announced earlier this year into action – to reduce the cap on carbon emissions under the Emissions Trading Scheme in line with the UK’s ambitious net zero strategy.

Through the scheme’s auctions process, companies in industries including manufacturing, power and aviation are required to buy allowances for every unit of carbon they emit. With fewer available to buy, these sectors will need to take further steps to cut their emissions.

The auction calendar published today by the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), on behalf of the UK Emissions Trading Scheme Authority, gives businesses certainty over the next 12 months and sets the scheme on a clear path for decarbonisation for the 6 years after that.

In a joint statement, UK Emissions Trading Scheme Authority ministers, including Lord Callanan, Julie James MS, Màiri McAllan MSP and Exchequer Secretary Gareth Davies MP said:

We want to give our industries the confidence to decarbonise, by investing in efficiency measures and moving away from fossil fuels to cleaner, more secure energy.

The UK Emissions Trading Scheme will cut supply of allowances auctioned, with a 45% reduction by 2027, to help us on our path to net zero.

The auction calendar for 2024 and introduction of the new net zero consistent cap will help provide certainty for businesses, while spurring investment and helping to grow the economy.

To ease the transition to a net zero cap, a proportion of allowances that went unused between 2021 and 2023 are now being allocated to auctions to be held between 2024 and 2027 – helping taper the reductions needed over that time. The number of allowances auctioned will still fall significantly each year over this period. There are also programmes in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland providing millions of pounds to help businesses make the changes needed.

As part of wider changes to the scheme, the UK Emissions Trading Scheme Authority has also committed to exploring measures for the future of the carbon allowances market, including examining the merits of a supply adjustment mechanism. This would provide a means of amending the supply of carbon allowances in response to market conditions.

A copy of the 2024 UK Emissions Trading Scheme auction calendar can be found on the ICE website. ICE run UK Emissions Trading Scheme auctions and secondary markets on behalf of the government.

The UK Emissions Trading Scheme Authority is the joint body comprising the UK government, Scottish Government, Welsh Government and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in Northern Ireland that runs the scheme.
October 7, 2023