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Category: Press Releases

  • PRESS RELEASE : Labour to unveil “real world” primary maths teaching to encourage stronger lifelong numeracy [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Labour to unveil “real world” primary maths teaching to encourage stronger lifelong numeracy [October 2023]

    The press release issued by the Labour Party on 11 October 2023.

    Labour’s Shadow Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson will today unveil a landmark new plan to encourage stronger lifelong numeracy by boosting early intervention and “real world” maths teaching at primary school and a new expert-led review to as part of its plan to drive “high and rising standards in education”.

    Phillipson will set out Labour’s plan, which will set children up with basic, practical maths skills to help them achieve at secondary school, at work and throughout life to the party’s conference on Wednesday.

    Labour’s maths plan will centre on upskilling primary school teachers who are not maths teachers with the right skills and knowledge to deliver high class maths teaching through the Teacher Training Entitlement, paid for through Labour’s plans to end private schools’ tax breaks.

    Labour said it would also task its Curriculum Review with bringing maths to life and directing teachers to show children how numeracy is used in the world around them, such as through household budgeting, currency exchange rates when going on holiday, sports league tables and cookery recipes.

    The party said this would include bringing elements of financial literacy into maths teaching, such as using the concept of Individual Savings Accounts to teach about percentages.

    Labour’s focus will be on driving improvements at primary level, so they will reform Rishi Sunak’s Maths to 18 working group, so it focuses on primary maths as a first priority and investigates the maths equivalent to phonics.

    Labour will also work with nurseries to develop trained ‘Maths Champions’ who can support early learning in childcare settings, ensuring children are set up for school. Independent evaluations show ‘Maths Champions’ can boost learning with three months’ extra progress.

    The party said its plan would aim to tackle the growing gaps in early maths attainment that lead to falling engagement and to children falling further behind as they grow up. The party cited evidence showing that that one in four children was already behind expected levels by age five.

    Labour pointed to the achievements of the work started by the last Labour government on phonics, laying the basis for a policy which has improved the reading ability of children throughout their time at school, as a template for its plans for primary maths.

    Phillipson’s intervention would also seek to target deep-rooted problems with childhood numeracy that persist into adulthood, such as the inability to analyse basic graphs and calculate the value of supermarket offers.

    An OECD estimate from 2016 found that nine million working-age adults in England have low basic literacy or numeracy skills with five million having low skills in both areas, while the lack of basic numeracy skills costs the economy £25bn a year.

    Bridget Phillipson MP, Labour’s Shadow Education Secretary, is expected to say:

    “In every part of our system, in every year of children’s lives, in every corner of our country, we will be the party of high and rising standards.

    “Maths is the language of the universe, the underpinning of our collective understanding. It cannot be left till the last years of school.

    “It’s why I’m proud to tell you today, that we’ll tackle our chronic cultural problem with maths, by making sure it’s better taught at six, never mind sixteen.

    “I am determined that Labour will bring maths to life for the next generation. I want the numeracy all our young people need – for life and for work, to earn and to spend, to understand and to challenge. I want that to be part of their learning right from the start.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 54 – Statement on Central African Republic [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 54 – Statement on Central African Republic [October 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 10 October 2023.

    Statement for the Interactive Dialogue on the Central African Republic. Delivered by the UK at the 54th HRC.

    Thank you, Madam Vice-President,

    The United Kingdom remains deeply concerned by the increase in the number of human rights violations and abuses in the Central African Republic. Reports have highlighted that Central African Armed Forces and Wagner Group forces are now responsible for the majority of these – and that when operating independently in CAR, Wagner mercenaries have engaged in a disproportionately higher level of violence targeting civilians.

    The UK calls for a revitalisation of the peace process in the wake of the increased reports of human rights violations and abuses. The Political Agreement for Peace and Stability remains the only viable option to end conflict and crisis in the Central African Republic, and we call on the Central African authorities, to build on political progress and ensure meaningful engagement with all political actors in country.

    We are also deeply concerned that the conflict in Sudan and the global economic crisis has further compounded the situation in CAR, increasing the price of basic commodities and driving levels of food insecurity so that half the country is experiencing severe food insecurity and 56% of the country is in need of humanitarian assistance. A rapid solution to CAR’s crisis is needed to build resilience and coping mechanisms for the population who are suffering from this sustained, long-term damage.

    Mr Agbetse

    Thank you for your report and presentation. We would welcome your views on what steps CAR and the international community should take to support the people of CAR and those fleeing violence in Sudan.

    Thank you.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK enhances security and climate cooperation with Sri Lanka [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK enhances security and climate cooperation with Sri Lanka [October 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 10 October 2023.

    Minister for the Indo-Pacific, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, is visiting Sri Lanka to strengthen cooperation on climate change, regional security and human rights.

    • Minister for the Indo-Pacific to strengthen cooperation with Sri Lanka on climate change, regional security and human rights.
    • Anne-Marie Trevelyan will reaffirm UK support for maritime security, attending the Indian Ocean Rim Association Ministerial meeting in Sri Lanka.
    • UK and Sri Lanka celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations.

    To deepen UK-Sri Lanka cooperation on environmental protection, regional security and human rights, UK Minister for the Indo-Pacific Anne-Marie Trevelyan will arrive in Sri Lanka today (10 October). The three-day visit to Colombo and Jaffna marks the celebration of 75 years of diplomatic relations between the UK and Sri Lanka and is the Minister’s first visit to Sri Lanka in her role.

    Minister Trevelyan will emphasise the UK’s long-term commitment to the region at the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Ministerial meeting hosted by Sri Lanka. With around 60% of global shipping passing through the Indo-Pacific, ensuring maritime security is of critical importance to the Prime Minister’s priority of growing the UK’s economy. The UK is increasing its long-term presence in the Indo-Pacific by permanently deploying two Offshore Patrol Vessels to tackle maritime security challenges in the region alongside partners and allies.

    Minister Trevelyan will also seek to strengthen IORA work on climate mitigation. Through collaborative programmes that underpin biodiversity objectives and the Glasgow Pact (agreed at COP26), the Minister will highlight UK support for Sri Lanka’s environmental work. This builds on the UK’s strong track record as the first major economy to legislate for Net Zero, cutting carbon emissions faster than any other G7 country. Sri Lanka are also prioritising green growth, with their own commitment to net zero by 2050.

    Indo-Pacific Minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan said:

    ” As the UK celebrates 75 years of diplomatic relations with Sri Lanka, we’re working together on climate action, peacebuilding and human rights.

    “Through key regional forums like IORA, we can accelerate progress towards enhanced security for the Indian Ocean region, collaborate on shared climate goals and on boosting maritime security.”

    While in Colombo, Minister Trevelyan will meet members of the Sri Lankan government including President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Foreign Minister Ali Sabry. Discussions will focus on climate finance and green growth, justice reform and opportunities to enhance UK-Sri Lanka diplomatic ties.

    Travelling to Jaffna, in the Northern Province, Trevelyan will meet with Governor P. S. M Charles, and regional parliamentarians. She will then visit a land mine clearance site in Muhamalai to see UK-funded demining and sustainable resettlement work. Supported by the UK’s Conflict, Security and Stability Fund (CSSF), charity The HALO Trust has been working to clear unexploded ordnances in Muhamalai since 2012, with the Sri Lankan government anticipating that the country will be landmine-free by 2027. UK funding to the United Nations Development Programme has also supported the resettlement of displaced communities on land cleared of mines, helping provide community infrastructure and build sustainable livelihoods.

    To engage UK businesses in Sri Lanka on bilateral trade discussions, Minister Trevelyan will meet civil society and business leaders from across Sri-Lanka at a breakfast meeting.

    Following her engagements in Sri Lanka, the Minister will travel to India as part of a wider trip to reaffirm the UK’s commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK updates Travel Advice for Lebanon [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK updates Travel Advice for Lebanon [October 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 10 October 2023.

    The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office advises against non-essential travel to Lebanon and against all travel to south of the country.

    The British Embassy in Beirut has announced updated Travel Advice for Lebanon. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office advises against non-essential travel to Lebanon and against all travel to some areas in the south of the country.

    This means that British nationals should only travel to Lebanon if their travel is essential. We now advise against all travel to the area south of the Litani river which includes the main Naqoura-Tyre-Saida-Beirut highway and areas to the west of it.  In addition, we continue to advise against all travel to the Hermel Area, including the towns of Arsal, Ras Baalbek, Qaa, Laboué and Nahlé, Palestinian refugee camps or within 5km of the border with Syria.

    We keep our Travel Advice under constant review. The situation is unpredictable and could deteriorate without warning.

    British Nationals in Lebanon continue to have access to 24/7 consular assistance. Please call +961 (0) 1 960 800 for inquiries.

    We encourage all British nationals to stay up to date with our Travel Advice in full at Lebanon travel advice – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

  • PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 54 – Statement on Cambodia [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 54 – Statement on Cambodia [October 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 10 October 2023.

    Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Cambodia. Delivered by the UK at the 54th Human Rights Council at the UN.

    Thank you, Vice President.

    The UK thanks the Special Rapporteur for his update on the human rights situation in Cambodia and welcomes the conclusions and recommendations in his latest report.

    We recognise that Cambodia has made progress on economic, social and cultural rights. In particular, we commend Cambodia on its response to COVID-19, including on social protection, as well as its commitment to climate, education, and healthcare.

    The UK remains committed to working constructively with Cambodia in its efforts to advance all human rights, including by supporting the implementation of the benchmarks and recommendations set out in the Special Rapporteur’s report.

    Following Cambodia’s national elections earlier this year, the UK supports the Special Rapporteur’s call for the new generation of leaders to open up civic and political space; engage in constructive dialogue with civil and political actors; and guarantee an open political environment.

    Advancing freedom of speech, association, and thought would also serve to support Cambodia’s economic sector by encouraging greater innovation through the open sharing of ideas and information.

    Special Rapporteur,

    What are the most important measures that you believe the government of Cambodia needs to take to ensure an open civic space?

    Thank you.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Report highlights impact of UK contribution to the Gaia mission [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Report highlights impact of UK contribution to the Gaia mission [October 2023]

    The press release issued by the UK Space Agency on 10 October 2023.

    UK funding for scientists working on a mission to map the Galaxy has helped advance the frontiers of human knowledge, according to a new report, published today alongside the latest Gaia data release.

    The UK Space Agency commissioned space economics and strategy consultancy know.space to study the impact of the UK’s national funding to date for the UK’s role in contributing to the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Global Astrometric Interferometer for Astrophysics (Gaia) mission.

    Launched in 2013 and expected to be in operation until 2025, Gaia is undertaking the ambitious task of providing a 3D chart of positional and velocity measurements of up to 2.5 billion stars, quasars, exoplanets, comets and asteroids. The mission’s aim is to construct by far the largest and most precise 3D map of the Galaxy ever made.

    The report found that Gaia publications since 2014 have been cited more than 200,000 times, and UK authored papers are cited significantly more than average. For example:

    1. Papers with UK involvement constitute 46% of total citations, while accounting for 31% of publications
    2. UK first authored papers constitute 15% of total citations, while accounting for 10% of total publications
    3. The average number of citations for a UK-authored publication (first-authored or contributing author) is 35, compared to 23 for a Gaia paper without UK involvement

    Among the findings the report also shows that by partnering with the Imaging and Molecular Annotation of Xenografts and Tumors laboratory at the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute and others, the UK’s Gaia team has employed star map analytical techniques to study cancers and tumours. This novel approach, aiming to develop the world’s first virtual reality cancer map could redefine diagnosis and promote more personalised cancer treatments.

    Dr Caroline Harper, Head of Space Science at the UK Space Agency, said:

    Gaia is a groundbreaking science mission, in terms of both the quality and richness of the scientific data and the advances in ‘big data’ processing that it has stimulated, and which can be applied to other areas such as medical diagnostics.

    It’s fantastic that the UK is a core member of the international Gaia consortium and has been making such important contributions to the mission. This study has provided a timely and valuable insight into the positive outcomes of UK Space Agency funding for space science missions like Gaia.

    The UK has a key role in developing the processing and analysing of data in the mission. This enables the UK space science research community to play a central role in ongoing data processing and scientific discovery.

    The Impact Evaluation, which comes as new Gaia data is made available today (10 October), analysed the work to date across the four core themes of science, UK competitiveness, collaboration inspiration and innovation to identify the outcomes of national funding to date.

    The report highlights the instrumental role played by the UK in developing Gaia’s spectrophotometry instruments, which has allowed the observatory to study around 2.5 billion celestial bodies, revealing deep insights into our Milky Way and the stages of stellar evolution.

    It also reveals that many PhDs have been made possible, both through research projects exploiting data from Gaia, of more specifically through Gaia related doctoral training networks, supported by UK and/or EU funding, such as the current MWGaia Doctoral Network.

    Will Lecky, Co-founder and Director at know.space, said:

    There can be little doubt that Gaia is a scientific success story. Our report highlights how UK funding has enabled the processing and release of high-quality data that is of huge value to the global scientific community, helping to advance the frontiers of human knowledge. The impact is also set to continue for years and decades to come.

    Our analysis also shows how funding has helped to expand the reach and reputation of the UK space sector, develop sought-after data skills, inspire the next generation, and lead to widespread ‘spillover’ benefits as new advanced statistical methods, algorithms and capabilities are applied elsewhere in the space sector and beyond.

    Scientists and engineers from around the UK also played key roles in the design and build of Gaia. UK participation in the mission is funded by the UK Space Agency which has invested £23 million to date, with an additional £2.4 million from the UK Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC).

    Dr Colin Vincent, STFC Associate Director Astronomy, said:

    The UK Space Agency and STFC have jointly supported data centres in the UK that are essential to the exciting science from this unique international mission to explore the evolution of our own galaxy.

    By developing and applying advanced data extraction and processing techniques UK experts have enabled the maximum science to be extracted from the raw data science to deliver new insights.

    Release of the latest Gaia mission data

    The mission’s latest ‘focused product release’, provides many new unexpected and exciting insights which includes the revelation of half a million new and faint stars in a massive cluster, 380 possible cosmic lenses, and the pinpointing the positions of more than 150,000 asteroids within the Solar System.

    Dr Nicholas Walton, lead of the UK Gaia Project team and ESA Gaia Science Team member, said:

    This release will open up new insights across astronomy, from the precise orbits of asteroids in our Solar System, to quasar discovery in the distant cosmos. A truly wonderful release demonstrating the breadth of science enabled by Gaia. This release represents but a small taster of the riches to be revealed with the publication of the next full release, Gaia Data Release 4.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Michèle Dix appointed to the National Infrastructure Commission [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Michèle Dix appointed to the National Infrastructure Commission [October 2023]

    The press release issued by HM Treasury on 10 October 2023.

    The Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has appointed Michèle Dix CBE – a former managing director of Crossrail 2 and director of planning at Transport for London – to the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC).

    The NIC provides impartial, expert advice to government on major long-term economic infrastructure challenges and Michele Dix will bring years of experience in transport, engineering, and planning.

    Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt said:

    “We need high quality infrastructure to deliver growth and boost productivity. Michèle will help ensure that the National Infrastructure Commission has the right skills and talent to help deliver the infrastructure we need.”

    Sir John Armitt, Chair of the National Infrastructure Commission, said:

    “Michèle brings a wealth of knowledge of the transport and planning spheres, and she joins us at an important time just as we publish the second National Infrastructure Assessment.

    “Michèle’s experience in developing world class public transport systems will help inform the Commission’s ongoing work advising government on how best to promote economic growth across all regions.”

    Michèle Dix BSc, PhD, CEng, FICE, FCILT, FCIHT, CBE is currently Non-Executive Director of Crossrail International, Non-Executive Director of the Major Projects Association, and visiting professor at Bartlett School of Planning at University College London.

    At Transport for London, Michèle had been Managing Director of Crossrail 2 until October 2021 and had previously been Managing Director of Planning. Michèle started her career at the Greater London Council after completing her PhD in transport and land use planning.

    Dr Dix has confirmed she has not engaged in any political activity in the last five years.

  • PRESS RELEASE : British nationals released from Afghanistan [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : British nationals released from Afghanistan [October 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 10 October 2023.

    UK welcomes the release of 4 British men detained in Afghanistan.

    A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said:

    We welcome and appreciate the release by the current administration of Afghanistan of four British nationals who were detained on allegations of breaking the laws of Afghanistan.

    On behalf of families of the British nationals, we express their apologies to the current administration of Afghanistan for any violations of the laws of the country.

    We remind all British nationals of the requirement to comply with relevant UK counter-terrorism legislation when overseas and abide by all laws of the country of destination. Where appropriate, we will pass information to the relevant authorities in the UK for consideration.

    The UK Government regrets this episode.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Statement on violence in Afghanistan [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Statement on violence in Afghanistan [October 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 10 October 2023.

    The UK does not support anyone seeking to achieve political change through violence in Afghanistan.

    A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said:

    The UK Government does not support the use of UK territory by anyone, including Afghan nationals, to plan, recruit for, incite or finance terrorism in Afghanistan, or to seek political change through violence. We strongly discourage others from doing so. Political change sought through armed violence or incitement of violence that amounts to an offence in UK law can be subject to investigation.

    Violence of any kind is not in the interests of Afghanistan, or the international community, and we deplore violent attacks of all kinds.

    To promote peace and stability, to deliver essential humanitarian support to the Afghan people, and to address shared concerns on security, there is no alternative to engaging pragmatically with the current administration of Afghanistan, and this is what we are doing.

  • PRESS RELEASE : £196 million to support new trainee teachers [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : £196 million to support new trainee teachers [October 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Education on 10 October 2023.

    Teacher recruitment will see a huge boost this academic year with £196 million to attract more teachers across key subjects.

    Teacher recruitment will see a huge boost this academic year with £196 million to attract more teachers across key subjects. This will fund scholarships, bursaries and salary grants to help thousands of candidates through their initial teacher training (ITT).

    Scholarships for those training to teach mathematics, physics, chemistry and computing will now be brought up to £30,000 tax-free, in order to attract more talented teachers in these key subjects to support the delivery of the advanced British standard (ABS), announced by the prime minister last week.

    The ABS is a new single qualification for 16- to 19-year-olds that will bring together the best of A Levels and T Levels, giving students the freedom to take a mix of technical and academic subjects, boosting their skillset and giving students more flexibility over their future career options. Students will also spend more time in the classroom, increasing taught hours to a minimum of 1,475 hours over two years.

    In his speech, the prime minister committed an initial investment of £600 million over two years to lay the groundwork for delivering the advanced british standard, which would double the levelling up premium, helping retain talented teachers in priority subjects.

    This means that, existing teachers, who are in the first five years of their careers teaching priority subjects in disadvantaged schools will receive £6,000 tax-free per year. This will include for the first time further education colleges and will recognise and reward the valuable jobs that teachers play in our society.

    Overall, the next recruitment cycle will see a £15 million increase on the financial support available to trainee teachers compared to the last cycle, which will encourage the brightest and the best into teaching, helping support the delivery of the ABS and beyond.

    As part of the increase existing bursaries for biology and design & technology will also be brought up to £25,000 and additional bursaries for subjects that are compulsory to the curriculum have been introduced, including one in music. This means those applying to train to teach music will receive a £10,000 bursary. This brings the total number of eligible subjects available for financial support to 12.

    Education Secretary, Gillian Keegan said:

    Last week the prime minister set out a new vision for our education system. The new advanced british standard will expand the range of what our 16 to 19 year olds learn and finally end the artificial divide between academic and technical education.

    We know teachers will be key to its success – just as they have been to raising standards since 2010. That’s why we need the best and the brightest teaching throughout our schools. These bursaries give trainee teachers even more choice and support to help them start their journey into the classroom.

    Since its launch the department has made considerable progress delivering its teacher recruitment and retention strategy to attract, retain and develop the highly skilled teachers needed to inspire the next generation.

    Recent data has shown that schools in England now have more teachers than ever before nearly 470,000 teachers in the workforce, a 27,000 increase on 2010.

    To help tackle teacher and school leader workload, the workload reduction taskforce has been established, which will help support the government’s ambition to reduce working hours for teachers and leaders by five hours per week.  In addition, we have created 12 flexible working ambassador multi-academy trusts and schools (FWAMS) this year to support schools with flexible working and have published our flexible working toolkit, which provides resources to help implement practices like job shares, part-time working and ad-hoc flexibility, such as the occasional personal day.

    To further attract teachers to the profession, the international relocation payment (IRP) pilot will continue for a second year, supporting the highest-quality candidates to teach priority subjects and ensuring that England remains an attractive teaching destination worldwide.

    More great teachers in classrooms helps build a world class education system for children and builds on the government’s work to drive up standards. This follows on from England’s recent success in the progress in international reading literacy study (PIRLS), which saw it placed 4th in the world for reading among primary school children.

    This winter, the department will publish a strategy update that builds upon its commitment to give every child a world class education delivered by great teachers.