Category: Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE : Families to cut bills with energy saving tips and support for most vulnerable [October 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 16 October 2023.

Campaign launches to offer new energy saving tips for families, alongside £150 in Warm Home Discount support for the most vulnerable.
- ‘It All Adds Up’ government campaign will help people make simple changes to save at least £100
- Amazon’s Alexa will offer tips to help improve energy efficiency
- Warm Home Discount to provide more than three million households with £150 to help with winter fuel costs
Families can access simple energy saving tips from today, as the government teams up with Amazon Alexa to relaunch a public information campaign that helped British households save an estimated £120 million last winter.

Through a free collaboration between the government and Amazon, anyone asking Alexa how to reduce their energy bill will now receive the latest government advice on preparing their home for winter and using less energy in the long-term – which could save at least £100 a year. This experience will be available via Amazon Echo devices and on mobiles via the free Alexa app.

Phrases which will prompt Alexa include “Alexa, give me some energy saving tips”, “Alexa, give me tips to conserve energy” and “Alexa, give me tips to get ready for winter”.

The collaboration is part of today’s relaunch of the government’s It All Adds Up campaign, which last year saw 80% of people in the UK saying they had taken at least one of the money-saving actions. Alongside Alexa, advice is available online via the Help for Households website and through a public information campaign including partnerships, billboards and radio adverts later in the autumn.

It comes as more than three million households will from today get told they qualify for the Warm Home Discount. The automatic one-off £150 payment will help eligible, low-income customers in England, Scotland and Wales pay their energy bills over the winter.

Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Claire Coutinho said:

Energy prices are down 55 per cent since their peak, but we know many families are still facing pressures. That is why we are continuing to provide financial support, including targeted help, such as the £150 Warm Home Discount, for those most in need.

There are also some small, simple things families can do to keep their bills down – from reducing the boiler flow temperature to turning off radiators in rooms not being used, it all adds up.

Our collaboration with Amazon’s Alexa will help to make these tips easier to access as we relaunch our energy saving tips campaign, which helped families across the UK save around £120 million last winter.

Minister for Energy Consumers and Affordability Amanda Solloway said:

We want everyone to be able to take easy steps this winter to save money on their energy bills. By following tips such as reducing boiler flow temperature, or washing clothes at a lower temperature, families could save at least £100 a year.

And our Warm Home Discount will mean that over three million households receive more targeted support to help with the cost of energy.

John Boumphrey, UK Country Manager at Amazon, said:

With new energy saving tips on Alexa, you can simply ask for helpful advice on how to make simple changes around the home to help reduce energy costs this winter.

There are 6 low-to-no cost actions that collectively could save a typical household as much as £100 off their energy bill, with more advice available online.

The 6 measures are:
- Reducing boiler flow temperature to 60 degrees, saving up to £60 per year
- Getting your boiler serviced to prevent costly and unexpected repairs
- Bleeding radiators to remove air pockets and improve their efficiency
- Turning down radiators in rooms not being used, saving up to £50 per year
- Washing clothes at 30 degrees, saving up to £20 per year
- Installing an energy efficient showerhead, saving up to £40 per year
The Warm Home Discount is automatically applied to bills between October 2023 and March 2024, or is available as a top-up voucher for those with a pre-payment meter.

This comes as the Department for Work and Pensions launches its Household Support Fund Awareness Week to encourage vulnerable people across England to contact their councils to find out what support is available in their area. 26 million awards from the Household Support Fund have been made since its launch in October 2021.

Wider government support to help families with costs has also been made available this financial year – including a £900 payment for those on means-tested benefits, £300 for pensioners and an extra £150 available for disabled people. Average energy prices have also fallen again this month – down by 55% since their peak.

Those who qualify for the Warm Home Discount in England and Wales will receive a letter from October onward explaining the discount and instructions on what they need to do next, while customers in Scotland will need to apply directly with their energy supplier as soon as possible.

Mike Thornton, Chief Executive at Energy Saving Trust said:

As we head into the colder winter months with energy prices remaining high, it’s vital that people know how to reduce the amount of energy they use around their home to keep bills as low as possible.

Public information, engagement and advice have a vital role to play, therefore we welcome the relaunch of this UK government campaign.

We hope its continued success paves the way for further initiatives that inspire positive behaviour change around energy consumption in the future.
October 20, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : New innovation challenge launched to tackle bias in AI systems [October 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 16 October 2023.

UK companies can apply for up to £400,000 in government investment to fund innovative new solutions which tackle bias and discrimination in AI systems.
- up to £400,000 in investment up for grabs as Fairness Innovation Challenge opens for submissions
- new scheme funds innovative solutions to tackle bias and discrimination in AI
- scheme to focus on healthcare and other real-world use cases
UK companies can apply for up to £400,000 in government investment from today to fund innovative new solutions which tackle bias and discrimination in AI systems. The competition will look to support up to three ground-breaking homegrown solutions, with successful bids securing a funding boost of up to £130,000 each.

It comes ahead of the UK hosting the world’s first major AI Safety Summit to consider how to best manage the risks posed by AI while harnessing the opportunities in the best long-term interest of the British people.

The first round of submissions to the Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology’s Fairness Innovation Challenge, delivered through the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation, will nurture the development of new approaches to ensure fairness underpins the development of AI models.

The challenge will tackle the threats of bias and discrimination by encouraging new approaches which will see participants building a wider social context into the development of their models from the off.

Fairness in AI systems is one of the government’s key principles for AI, as set out in the AI Regulation White Paper. AI is a powerful tool for good, presenting near limitless opportunities to grow the global economy and deliver better public services.

In the UK, the NHS is already trialling AI to help clinicians identify cases of breast cancer, and the technology offers enormous potential to develop new drugs and treatments, and help us tackle pressing global challenges like climate change. These opportunities though cannot be realised without first addressing risks, in this instance tackling bias and discrimination.

Minister for AI, Viscount Camrose, said:

The opportunities presented by AI are enormous, but to fully realise its benefits we need to tackle its risks.

This funding puts British talent at the forefront of making AI safer, fairer, and trustworthy. By making sure AI models do not reflect bias found in the world, we can not only make AI less potentially harmful, but ensure the AI developments of tomorrow reflect the diversity of the communities they will help to serve.

While there are a number of technical bias audit tools on the market, many of these are developed in the United States, and although companies can use these tools to check for potential biases in their systems, they often fail to fit alongside UK laws and regulations. The challenge will promote a new UK-led approach which puts the social and cultural context at the heart of how AI systems are developed, alongside wider technical considerations.

The Challenge will focus on two areas. First, a new partnership with King’s College London will offer participants from across the UK’s AI sector the chance to work on potential bias in their generative AI model. The model, developed with Health Data Research UK with the support of NHS AI Lab, is trained on the anonymised records of more than 1 million patients to predict possible health outcomes.

Second, is a call for ‘open use cases’. Applicants can propose new solutions which tackle discrimination in their own unique models and areas of focus, including tackling fraud, building new law enforcement AI tools, or helping employers build fairer systems which will help analyse and shortlist candidates during recruitment.

Companies currently face a range of challenges in tackling AI bias, including insufficient access to data on demographics, and ensuring potential solutions meet legal requirements. The CDEI are working in close partnership with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) to deliver this Challenge. This partnership allows participants to tap into the expertise of regulators to ensure their solutions marry up with data protection and equality legislation.

Stephen Almond, Executive Director of Technology, Innovation and Enterprise at the ICO, said:

The ICO is committed to realising the potential of AI for the whole of society, ensuring that organisations develop AI systems without unwanted bias.

We’re looking forward to supporting the organisations involved in the Fairness Challenge with the aim of mitigating the risks of discrimination in AI development and use.

The challenge will also offer companies guidance on how assurance techniques can be applied in practice to AI systems to achieve fairer outcomes. Assurance techniques are methods and processes which are used to verify and ensure systems and solutions meet certain standards, including those related to fairness.

Baroness Kishwer Falkner, Chairwoman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, said:

Without careful design and proper regulation, AI systems have the potential to disadvantage protected groups, such as people from ethnic minority backgrounds and disabled people.

Tech developers and suppliers have a responsibility to ensure that the AI systems do not discriminate.

Public authorities also have a legal obligation under the Public Sector Equality Duty to understand the risk of discrimination with AI, as well as its capacity for mitigating bias and its potential to support people with protected characteristics.

The Fairness Innovation Challenge will be instrumental in supporting the development of solutions to mitigate bias and discrimination in AI, ensuring that the technology of the future is used for the good of all. I wish all participants the best of luck in the challenge.

The Fairness Innovation Challenge closes for submissions at 11am on Wednesday 13th December, with successful applicants notified of their selection on 30th January, 2024.
October 20, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak call with President Abbas of the Palestinian Authority [October 2023]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 16 October 2023.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak spoke to President of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas this morning.

He expressed his condolences for the deaths of Palestinian civilians, who have been caught up in the aftermath of Hamas’s terror attack. The Prime Minister reiterated the UK’s position that Hamas does not speak for ordinary Palestinians.

The leaders agreed on the importance of avoiding further regional escalation and ensuring calm in the West Bank. The Prime Minister committed the UK’s support for the Palestinian Authority in trying to establish peace and stability. They also discussed support for Gaza, including humanitarian aid and measures to protect civilians.

More broadly, the Prime Minister and President Abbas agreed that the international community must intensify efforts to break the cycle of violence in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The Prime Minister affirmed that the UK continues to support a two-state solution, with a Palestinian state existing alongside a safe and secure Israel.

October 20, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Government seeks views on improving alcohol treatment services [October 2023]
The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 16 October 2023.

Public consultation launched on first UK-wide guidelines for clinical treatment of harmful drinking and alcohol dependence.
- Government working in partnership with devolved administrations to develop a clear consensus on best practice for specialist treatment
- Guidelines aim to support health and care sector with high-quality resources to help treat people with alcohol dependency issues
Health and social care services are being urged to work together to treat those suffering from alcohol dependency as the government consults on new guidelines for the treatment of harmful drinking and alcohol dependence.

Developed in partnership with the devolved administrations, the new UK-wide draft guidelines aim to develop a clear consensus on best practice for treatment for alcohol dependence, ultimately improving outcomes for patients.

The consultation will be open for 8 weeks, inviting views from people working in alcohol treatment, the wider health and care sector, and those with lived experience of alcohol dependence across the UK.

Minister for Public Health, Neil O’Brien, said:

To maximise the impact of our £532 million investment into substance misuse treatment, it is vital that treatment for those with alcohol dependence is informed by the best scientific and medical expertise, as well as the views of those with lived experience.

This consultation will help us develop guidance to ensure alcohol treatment services are of consistently high quality, providing stronger pathways to recovery for those in need of treatment for alcohol dependence.

Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr Jeanelle de Gruchy, said:

These UK-wide guidelines will provide a clear consensus for health and care services on best practice for alcohol treatment, resulting in better outcomes for those who need treatment and care.

I encourage anyone who works in alcohol treatment services, and anyone with experience using them, to contribute your views to the 8-week consultation to ensure that the guidelines are as robust and person-centred as possible.

The alcohol clinical guidelines will provide:
- a detailed framework to support providers with high quality alcohol treatment guidance that can help inform the quality of their services
- guidance for health and social care staff involved in helping people experiencing alcohol dependence or drinking at harmful levels
- guidance on managing and supporting treatment pathways, such as between hospitals or prisons and the community
- a reference point for national regulatory bodies when inspecting alcohol treatment services
The guidelines recommend:
- specialist alcohol treatment and wider health and social care services work together to provide integrated care for people experiencing alcohol dependence
- alcohol treatment services working with lived experience recovery organisations
They also provide specific recommendations for supporting specific groups with managing alcohol dependency. For example, there is a chapter on pregnancy and perinatal care, with recommendations for professionals on supporting pregnant women to stop drinking safely, and a chapter providing guidance to those working in the criminal justice system to tackle alcohol misuse among prisoners.

The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities developed the draft guidelines in collaboration with the devolved governments, senior UK clinical experts, and people with experience of alcohol treatment. They are modelled on the UK clinical guidelines on drug misuse and dependence (the Orange Book), published in 2017.

The main aim of the guidelines is to develop a clearer consensus on good practice and how to implement NICE-recommended interventions. This will promote and support consistent high quality in the provision of alcohol treatment services, resulting in better outcomes for people in need of treatment.
October 20, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Families in need encouraged to check for local cost-of-living support as 26 million awards already made [October 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 16 October 2023.

Vulnerable households have received more than 26 million awards from the DWP’s Household Support Fund since its launch in October 2021, according to new figures.
- Almost £800 million paid to households with children to support with cost of living
- Comes as Department for Work and Pensions launches Household Support Fund Awareness Week
- People in need encouraged to speak to their local council as this year’s £842 million fund continues to be used to deliver local support
Vulnerable households have received more than 26 million awards from the DWP’s Household Support Fund since its launch in October 2021, according to new figures.

The Government has invested over £2 billion into the fund over the last two years, with almost £800 million already paid to households with children to ease the cost of living between October 2021 and March 2023.

The money is available for councils in England to help those most in need by drawing from local knowledge and making direct contact with people in the community. Support is available to help with covering the costs of essentials like groceries, toiletries, warm clothes, and energy bills.

The figures come as DWP launches its Household Support Fund Awareness Week, to recognise the efforts of councils who distribute the Fund while encouraging vulnerable people across England to contact their councils to find out what support is available in their area.

More than three million households from today will also get told they qualify for the Warm Home Discount. The automatic one-off £150 payment will help eligible, low-income customers in England, Scotland and Wales pay their energy bills over the winter.

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

“The best way we can protect family finances is by driving down inflation, but as it reduces, we recognise that cost of living pressures remain for some of the most vulnerable households.

“Our record £842 million cash injection to the Household Support Fund in England this year means that people most in need will be able to get extra support locally to cover the essentials.

“And alongside this unprecedented cost of living support, we’re taking the long-term decisions to reform the welfare system to help thousands more people benefit from the income boost provided by employment.”

Councils are using their allocation in many innovative ways to support local people. In Buckinghamshire, a warm box scheme will ensure people can stay warm in the colder weather, in Kent essential white goods and furniture is financed for those who can’t afford it, and in Devon, the District Council Hardship Fund is providing targeted support for the most in need.

This support comes on top of wider government support to help families with costs – including up to £900 in direct Cost of Living payments for those on means-tested benefits, £300 for pensioners and an extra £150 available for disabled people. Average energy prices have also fallen again this month – down by 55% since their peak.

Minister for Social Mobility, Youth and Progression, Mims Davies MP, said:

“Thanks to this Government’s massive extension to the Household Support Fund for every community throughout England, plus money for devolved Governments, we have seen some wonderfully innovative and locally focused uses of the additional money by local councils to ensure support is delivered to those families and those needing extra help in tough times.

“In my own area, West Sussex, over £9 million is helping locally to finance door-to-door food box deliveries and supermarket vouchers to the most vulnerable. Vital support will also be available to help with the cost of vehicle repairs, white goods and public transport fares to ensure people stay connected, and this is on top of previous allocations.

“This Household Support Fund Awareness Week, I do encourage anyone in the country who is struggling to cover costs to speak to their local council about what extra support is available in their area. I know local MPs will be keen to do the same, so their constituents know the additional help available on their doorstep.”

Today, the Government is also teaming up with Amazon Alexa to relaunch a public information campaign that helped British households save an estimated £120 million last winter.

Through a free partnership between the Government and Amazon, anyone asking Alexa – including the free mobile phone app – how to save money on their energy bill will receive advice on preparing their home for winter and use less energy in the long-term, which could save at least £100 a year.

The partnership is part of today’s relaunch of the Government’s It All Adds Up campaign, which last year saw 80% of people in the UK saying they had taken at least one of the money-saving actions. Alongside Alexa, advice is available online via the Help for Households website and through a public information campaign including partnerships, billboards and radio adverts later in the autumn.

People in England can find out how much their council was allocated on GOV.UK.

Further information
- Between October 2021 and March 2022, £421 million was injected into the fund, followed by two further investments of £421 million between April and September 2022 and October 2022 to March 2023. The current record investment of £842 million – bringing the total lifetime value of the fund to over £2 billion – is being used by councils to support the most vulnerable up until March 2024
- Over 26 million awards is calculated by aggregating the number of awards in the first, second and third iterations of the Household Support Fund between October 2021 and March 2023
- The Household Support Fund comes on top of extensive support for those in need with many receiving direct payments in 2023/24.
  - Millions of UK households are set to receive the second Cost of Living Payment of £300 from 31 October.
  - Over eight million pensioner households will also receive a further £300 payment later this year in addition to the Winter Fuel Payment.
- The Household Support Fund was first launched on 6 October 2021, and has been extended several times. This latest extension lasts until 31 March 2024, representing the fourth edition of the fund.
- Local Authorities have discretion on how they design and deliver their scheme depending on local need, within the parameters of the guidance set out by the Department for Work and Pensions.
- Funding distribution is targeted at the areas with the most vulnerable households.
- Devolved administrations have also been allocated funding in parallel as a result of the Barnett Formula to spend at their discretion, bringing the total amount of new funding for 2023/24 to almost £1 billion.
- To qualify for the Warm Home Discount, customers must have an account with one of 17 participating electricity suppliers and claim either (a) the Guarantee Credit portion of Pension Credit or, if they have high energy costs, (b) a different ‘qualifying benefit’ such as the Savings Credit portion of Pension Credit, Universal Credit or Housing Benefit.
- Customers can check if they qualify by searching for the ‘Warm Home Discount’ on GOV.UK and using our eligibility tracker.
- Those who qualify for the Warm Home Discount in England and Wales will receive a letter from October onward explaining the discount and instructions on what they need to do next, while customers in Scotland will need to apply directly with their energy supplier as soon as possible.
October 20, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Thousands more eligible for financial help with court fees [October 2023]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 16 October 2023.

The most vulnerable in society will be better supported to access justice following an expansion of a scheme to help people with court and tribunal fees.
- income threshold for ‘Help with Fees’ scheme increased
- intervention will support even more families through rising cost of living
- £80 million in support through ‘Help with Fees’ scheme in last year alone
The ‘Help with Fees’ scheme protects universal access to justice by providing those on low income and little to no savings with financial help towards the cost of these fees.

The scheme offers essential support to vulnerable individuals and comes at a crucial time following recent, but now reducing, inflation.

The income and capital eligibility thresholds are being raised significantly, potentially supporting thousands more people and ensuring justice is never unaffordable.

The scheme is also being simplified making it easier for people to use, including allowing their legal representatives to complete applications.

In the last year alone, the scheme has provided over £80 million to thousands of people in a wide range of cases such as family disputes, housing issues and compensation claims for personal injuries.

Justice Minister Mike Freer said:

No matter what someone’s finances, it is vital they can get the justice they deserve which is why we are making it easier for more people to get help with court fees.

The Help with Fees scheme has already helped tens of thousands of people pay court fees since we created it in 2013 and our reforms will make it more generous for those who need it most.

The changes to income thresholds will vary depending on different families and their circumstances, including the age of any children. For example:
- For a couple with 2 children under 14, the monthly income threshold would increase from £1,875 per month to £2,980
- For a single person with no children the threshold would increase from £1,170 per month to £1,420
Additional financial support will be provided for parents with a child aged 14 or over, considering the greater cost associated with looking after older children.

The Government will also change how the scheme is targeted to make sure the most financially vulnerable are better supported by:
- Providing more flexibility for individuals with money in savings and investments by increasing the minimum capital threshold for the scheme. This will allow applicants to have more capital before they become ineligible for the scheme.
- Making it easier for the self-employed and those who work variable shift patterns to qualify by better recognising that income can fluctuate month- on-month.
- Ensuring those on higher incomes pay more of their court and tribunal fees, by revising partial fee discounts so the more an individual earns, the more they pay towards their fees.
- Raising the scheme’s age cap from 61 to the state pension age of 66.
The reforms follow a public consultation earlier this year which found the majority of respondents were very supportive of the Government’s plans to expand and improve the scheme. The reformed scheme will come into force later this year.

The changes come alongside wider Government measures to ensure people can access justice no matter their personal finances. Earlier this year more than 6 million more people were made eligible for legal aid advice and representation under a major investment to support those who need it most.

Notes to Editors:
- Some people on a higher income may still be supported by the scheme. Individuals can check their eligibility and apply for the scheme online
- To qualify for the scheme an individual needs to be on a low income or be on benefits such as Income Support, Universal Credit or Pension Credit
- Help with Fees is the single fee remission scheme applicable in all courts and tribunals in England and Wales. It also applies to fees charged by tribunals with UK-wide jurisdiction, and the UK Supreme Court.
October 20, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Ten years on, Syria remains in breach of the Chemical Weapons Convention – ministerial statement [October 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 October 2023.

UK Minister for the Middle East Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon stated that, 10 years since its accession, Syria must comply with the Chemical Weapons Convention.

Statement from Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, UK Minister for the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia and United Nations:

In August, we commemorated the 10th anniversary of the Syrian regime’s horrific chemical weapons attack on Ghouta, Damascus, which killed 1,400 innocent civilians – including hundreds of women and children. Under international pressure following that attack, Syria acceded to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and committed to stop its chemical weapons programme and destroy all its stockpiles. This is a commitment all states enter into on joining the CWC.

In the 10 years that have passed, the Syrian regime has ignored these obligations. It has carried out at least nine further chemical weapons attacks using sarin or chlorine. The hundreds of victims deserve justice.

Syria’s continued use of chemical weapons confirm beyond all doubt that, despite repeated Syrian regime assurances, it has not declared and destroyed all of its stockpile. It has continued to obstruct the efforts of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to verify its destruction and frustrated UN and OPCW work to investigate chemical weapons attacks.

We commend the OPCW’s perseverance over the last 10 years. Responsibility for compliance rests solely with Syria: it must declare and destroy its chemical weapons; it must cooperate with the OPCW to assure the world that it has renounced chemical weapons and that the destruction of its chemical weapons stocks is verified and complete.

Syria has chemical weapons and must not be able to use them again. With international partners, the UK has in place sanctions and trade restrictions applied to Syria on goods and technology relating to chemical weapons.

Victims deserve accountability for violations of international law. The UK supports international mechanisms in pursuit of this, including the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism (IIIM) for Syria. Those responsible for chemical weapons in Syria must be held to account for their crimes against the Syrian people.

October 20, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Thousands of new training places created as part of £650 million fusion package [October 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 16 October 2023.

Measures announced by Nuclear Minister Andrew Bowie at IAEA Fusion Energy Conference.
- Plans to transform UK fusion include training for over 2,000 people, a new fuel cycle testing facility and dedicated funding to support fusion companies
- £650 million package will help cement UK as world leader in development of innovative technology
- Nuclear Minister Andrew Bowie outlined details of the Fusion Futures Programme at key international conference
Thousands of people across the UK will have the chance to train for careers in innovative fusion technology, under government plans unveiled today (Monday 16 October).

Speaking at the IAEA Fusion Energy Conference, Nuclear Minister Andrew Bowie set out details of the new £650 million Fusion Futures Programme – part of the UK’s updated Fusion Strategy.

Measures include the creation of more than 2,200 training places across the country, a new fuel cycle testing facility to focus on commercialising the technology and funding to develop infrastructure for private fusion companies.

This includes growing and improving the UK Atomic Energy Authority’s (UKAEA) dedicated campus in Culham, Oxfordshire, recently visited by Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho, which will help drive further investment.

Fusion could generate a near unlimited supply of clean electricity in the long-term, and its development in the UK will help to create jobs, grow the economy, and strengthen the country’s energy security – delivering a cleaner energy system that will benefit future generations.

The UK is already a world leader in fusion technology and is well placed to share its knowledge and expertise around the globe. This government support will further cement that position, with the £650 million spending outlined today taking the total government investment in fusion to over £1.4 billion since 2021.

Speaking at the IAEA Fusion Energy Conference 2023, Minister for Nuclear and Networks, Andrew Bowie, said:

With world-leading scientific talent and expertise based here in the UK, we have a golden opportunity to be at the cutting-edge of fusion and lead the way in its commercialisation as the ultimate clean energy source.

The Fusion Futures Programme, backed by £650 million, will be at the core of delivering this, training thousands of people across the country and ensuring we have the best possible facilities to develop this exciting new technology.

CEO of the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), Professor Sir Ian Chapman, said:

Delivering fusion power will require ideas to solve science and engineering challenges, involvement of industry partners, development of thousands of skilled people and strong international partnerships.

Fusion Futures will invest in all of these aspects – a truly concerted programme that will support economic growth and high-quality jobs as well as advancing fusion as part of a future sustainable energy mix.

The £650 million funding for the Fusion Futures Programme will include:
- up to £200 million for a Fuel Cycle Testing Facility, to develop technology in breeding fuel for fusion power plants, which will provide opportunities for the UK to become a world leader and exporter in tritium intellectual property
- up to £200 million for vital R&D ensuring industry can develop and design components for future fusion powerplants
- up to £50 million for growing and improving the Culham campus in Oxfordshire, building new premises to create vibrant concentrations of fusion companies, and helping drive inward investment into the UK
- up to £55 million for a Fusion Skills Programme, to train over 2,200 people over the next 5 years by working with business and universities to expand fusion training programmes
- up to £35 million additional funding for the Fusion Industry Programme (FIP), a challenge fund supporting UK companies to develop new technologies
- up to £25 million to enhance international collaborations on fusion R&D, to export UK expertise and make best use of global knowledge to accelerate fusion energy
- up to £18 million for a Technology Transfer Hub, strengthening connections between the UK’s leading research organisations and other programmes worldwide, with a focus on commercialising fusion research
- up to £11 million to further support the STEP programme and upskill UK industry to help deliver it
Today’s announcement follows confirmation from the government in September of its plans to put in place an ambitious suite of new research and development programmes to support the UK’s fusion sector and strengthen international collaboration.

The programme aligns with the core principle of international collaboration in the UK’s updated Fusion Strategy, also published today. The UK remains open to collaboration with the EU and other international partners, and this will form a key part of this new programme of work.

The fusion process involves heating a mix of 2 forms of hydrogen to extreme temperatures, 10 times hotter than the core of the Sun, causing them to fuse together to create helium and release huge amounts of energy.

The energy created can be used to generate electricity in the same way as existing power stations. Fusion is many million times more efficient, per kilogram, than burning coal, oil or gas.
October 20, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Foreign Secretary to build on progress in tackling illegal migration as he meets Western Balkans leaders in Albania [October 2023]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 October 2023.

UK to highlight the growing UK-Albania partnership which has helped to decrease small boats crossings by Albanian nationals by 90% on last year.
- UK to highlight the growing UK-Albania partnership which has helped to drive down small boats crossings by Albanian nationals by 90% on last year
- trip will also underline the UK’s commitment to protecting stability in the Western Balkans during Summit of regional leaders
- Foreign Secretary to set out UK’s unique offer to the region as a key partner in upholding its prosperity and security
The Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly, will attend a Summit of Western Balkan and European leaders today in Albania (16 October) to urge them to preserve peace and stability amidst a growing number of tensions across the region.

Cleverly will look to build on the success of the UK’s partnership with Albania and seek increased cooperation across the Western Balkans region to tackle the drivers of illegal migration.

Close collaboration between the 2 countries has seen Channel crossings by Albanian nationals fall by 90% since the signing of the Joint Communiqué in December and a significant increase in the return of illegal migrants to Albania.

His attendance at the annual Berlin Process Summit in Tirana follows the deployment of 600 UK troops in Kosovo to bolster NATO’s peacekeeping mission in response to a build-up of military along the Serbia-Kosovo border and violent attacks against Kosovan police.

Ahead of his visit, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said:

The UK is committed to working with the Western Balkans to tackle gangs who exploit lives for profit, as well as addressing the wider security challenges across the region.

Our partnership with Albania is doing just that. Through increased law enforcement cooperation, we have driven down small boats arrivals by Albanians by 90% on last year, and are returning those who have no legal right to remain in the UK.

The UK will always be a reliable partner standing side-by-side with the region to promote a prosperous and stable future.

The Foreign Secretary will highlight the UK’s unique role in supporting the region’s prosperity and security, from bolstering resilience against malign activity, interference and cyberattacks, to economic development and working alongside partners to tackle corruption and serious organised crime.

The Foreign Secretary will also use the Summit – attended by senior government representatives from across the Western Balkans and wider Europe – to galvanise international partners to remain steadfast in their solidarity with Israel and its fundamental right to defend itself against Hamas.

While in Tirana, James Cleverly will boost the UK’s ties with Albania. He will build on the Joint Communiqué agreed between Prime Ministers Rishi Sunak and Edi Rama in December 2022. The Communiqué set out new areas of collaboration on law enforcement and returns of those arriving illegally in the UK, as well as strengthening economic development.

At Tirana International Airport, the Foreign Secretary, alongside the Albanian Interior Minister, will formally open the Police Command Centre, which houses the UK-Albania Joint Migration Taskforce responsible for coordinating operational measures and actions to tackle people smugglers and traffickers facilitating illegal migrants from Albania to the UK.

To enhance trading ties between the UK and Albania, the Foreign Secretary will launch the British Chamber of Commerce in the country. The Chamber, which will help grow the economies of both countries, will be launched at an event at the Western Balkans University, a higher education institution that is developing partnerships with British Universities and providing scholarships for those under pressure to migrate from northern Albania.

Background
- the Berlin Process was set-up in 2014 to as a platform to promote high-level cooperation between countries in the Western Balkans
- since the signing of the Joint Communiqué in December 2022, arrivals of Albanian nationals to the UK on small boats has dropped from over 12,000 to under 1,000
- over 3,500 people who had no right to remain in the UK have been returned to Albania in the same period
Media enquiries
October 20, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak meeting with King Abdullah II of Jordan [October 2023]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 15 October 2023.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak welcomed His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan to Downing Street this afternoon, to discuss the conflict between Israel and Hamas and implications for regional security.

The leaders welcomed the historic and enduring cooperation between the United Kingdom and Jordan, which is particularly important during times of crisis.

The Prime Minister reiterated the UK’s support for Israel’s right to defend itself following last week’s terrorist attack and said Hamas’ abhorrent actions should not undermine the just cause of the Palestinian people.

They discussed diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation in the wider Middle East, working with regional leaders as well as the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority. The leaders also agreed on the importance of taking measures to protect civilians in Gaza, including British and Jordanian citizens caught up in the violence, as well as ensuring humanitarian aid reaches those in need.

The Prime Minister thanked King Abdullah for Jordan’s support for British nationals wishing to leave the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and the leaders agreed to remain in close contact in the coming days and weeks.

October 20, 2023