Category: Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE : Russia must end disinformation and return to mature diplomacy and multilateralism – UK statement to the OSCE [September 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 27 September 2023.

UK military advisor, Nicholas Aucott, says that Russia continues to use the OSCE as a platform to push its disinformation campaign to cover over the strategic setbacks in its war of aggression.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Last week, Russia once again advocated that this Forum be used for dialogue, to adhere to the appropriate functions for which the Forum was designed; namely to negotiate and consult on concrete measures aimed at strengthening security and stability throughout Europe. It is my hope this week that the Russian delegation will remain for the duration of the session, for dialogue is as much about listening as talking.

Last week, this Forum heard Russia’s statement and we were able to reflect on Russia’s position against objective facts. Unfortunately, once again, Russia’s 25-minute monologue bore little resemblance to reality. Some of this was obvious in the small details, such as the slide presentation professing to show supposed British captured equipment in Patriot Park; a cursory glance will show that this is not British equipment. In some of the more significant details contained within Russia’s statement, there was inaccuracy about the environmental and health effects attributable to the use of Depleted Uranium ammunition; I regret that the Russian delegate did not stay to hear the objective findings concerning these munitions. At the geopolitical level, we heard yet more disinformation about western attempts to revive a so-called ‘unipolar order’; if by a unipolar order, Russia meant a common set of principles as encapsulated in the UN charter for the furtherance of peace, then I will concede that on this point it is correct. However, I suspect that was not Russia’s meaning.

And this is why the vast majority of nations in this Forum condemn Russian actions; because it has violated the principles about which I speak. Principles that Russia, along with all other OSCE participating States co-wrote and committed to upholding. Now I will talk about facts, not the disinformation that we continually hear from the Russian delegate. Russia launched an unprovoked attack against a neighbouring country. It has brought untold misery and death to many thousands of people. A growing number of international bodies such as the Commission of Inquiry of the United Human Rights Council, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the OSCE have reported evidence of war crimes committed by Russian military forces including summary killings and the forced deportation of children into Russia from Ukraine. These are not fabrications and it would be beholden on the delegate to reflect on the horrendous enormity of such actions.

This week we have seen once again the terrible impact of Russia’s war of aggression. Russia has unleashed long range strikes of unusual intensity damaging and destroying energy infrastructure and grain storage facilities. Once again, yet more Ukrainian civilians have been killed and, in Odesa, a landmark hotel has been destroyed.

But conversely we may also note that, in its inherent right to self-defence, Ukraine has inflicted significant damage to Russia’s strategic depth following the successful strike on its Black Sea Fleet Headquarters. This is yet another strategic reversal for Russia. In addition, the Ukrainian Defense Contact Group, comprising more than 50 countries continues to pledge support through the provision of arms to help Ukraine restore its territorial integrity. To be clear, this is not a group of subjugated countries bowing to the pressure of a unipolar order; it is the reflection of multiple nations coming together in unity to assist Ukraine in its defence. As has been repeatedly pledged, in this endeavour the UK will stand united with Ukraine for as long as it takes.

Madam Chair, this statement is not intended as a tit-for-tat, but as an overview of verifiable information. The UK welcomes that there will be a Security Dialogue later in the year on ‘Information Integrity’. It is my hope that the Russian delegation reflects on this issue and choses to embrace mature diplomacy and multilateralism. This is what they say they want; now is the time to see it. Thank you.

September 29, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Support for under-21s from Ukraine, Afghanistan & Hong Kong [September 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 27 September 2023.

Vulnerable young people and children from Ukraine, Afghanistan and Hong Kong will receive vital mental health support through a new £2.5 million fund.
Vulnerable young people and children from Ukraine, Afghanistan and Hong Kong, who have been forced to leave their own countries, will receive vital mental health support thanks to a new £2.5 million government fund.

Councils and voluntary organisations can bid for a share of funding from today (27 September), which will help thousands of children and young people access mental health support, counselling and therapy.

English language courses, employment training and support into higher education to help young people integrate better into their local communities are also included.

Minister for Housing and Communities Felicity Buchan, said:

It’s hard to imagine the trauma some young people will have experienced fleeing conflict, war or persecution in their home countries. This new £2.5 million fund will help those aged 21 and under get the specialist mental health support they need.

The UK has continued to show incredible support and generosity to those arriving on humanitarian and visa schemes – the dedication of sponsors and local councils is truly heart-warming.

This funding will help young people arriving better settle into their new communities, while retaining a connection to their own culture.

As well as the new £2.5 million fund, councils across the UK will receive continued funding to under 21-year-olds who have arrived through visa and humanitarian schemes. This includes young people in their second year on the Homes for Ukraine scheme, with the government already providing over £1.1billion in support since its launch.

This funding extension for councils allows under 21-year-olds from Ukraine, Afghanistan and Hong Kong to come safely to the UK without a parent or guardian and ensures safeguarding provisions remain in place.

Both sets of funding build on support for people arriving to the UK on humanitarian and visa schemes and is part of the government’s commitment to helping thousands more young people rebuild their lives in the UK.

The platform will be live for five weeks from 27 September, with applications closing on 1 November. To apply for funding visit: The Children and Young People’s Resettlement Fund: prospectus – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Further information

100,000 children and young people from Afghanistan, Ukraine and Hong Kongers who settle in UK on a BN(O) visa are in scope for the funding and will need to be supported in different ways.

Some may benefit from interventions supporting the retention of their cultural identity while others may benefit more from help to integrate them into their communities, or a mix of both.

Each bid will need to present evidence to demonstrate why there is a need to support the young people and children with the intervention before funds are awarded.

More details can be found on the prospectus.

An online event is being held at 1.30pm on 6 October to explain the competition and process for applying. To register please email CYPRFund@levellingup.gov.uk by 1.30pm 5 October.
September 29, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK and US pledge to combat AI-generated images of child abuse [September 2023]

The press release issued by the Home Office on 27 September 2023.

The US and UK have committed to developing and funding new capabilities to stop the spread of sickening AI-generated images of children.

The UK and US have united together to combat the rise of child sexual abuse images generated by Artificial Intelligence (AI) programmes.

The Home Secretary Suella Braverman, alongside the US Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, has committed to exploring further joint action to tackle the alarming rise in despicable AI-generated images of children being sexually exploited by paedophiles.

The two countries have issued a joint statement pledging to work together to innovate and explore development of new solutions to fight the spread of this imagery, created by depraved predators, and have called on other nations to join them.

It comes during the Home Secretary’s visit to Washington this week, where she visited the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), the US-based child protection organisation whose work includes reporting online child sexual abuse cases to global law enforcement agencies.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman said:

Child sexual abuse is a truly abhorrent crime and one of the challenges of our age. Its proliferation online does not respect borders and must be combatted across the globe.

That is why we are working to tackle the sickening rise of AI-generated child sexual abuse imagery which incites paedophiles to commit more offences and also obstructs law enforcement from finding real victims online.

It is therefore vital we work hand-in-glove with our close partners in the US to tackle it. I commend the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), who work tirelessly to keep children safe around the world. Social media companies must take responsibility and prioritise child safety on their platforms.

Investigations by the Internet Watch Foundation have found that AI-generated images of children being abused – including babies and toddlers – are growing, with some depicting the worst kind of offending under UK and US law. The organisation has also uncovered an online ‘manual’ dedicated to helping offenders refine their prompts and train AI to return more and more realistic results.

The rise is concerning, with law enforcement agencies and charities convinced an increase in child sexual abuse material will fuel a normalisation of offending and lead to more children being targeted.

The surge in AI-generated images could also slow law enforcement agencies from tracking down and identifying victims of child sexual abuse, and detecting offenders and bringing them to justice.

In addition, some AI technologies provide offenders with the capability to create new pictures from benign imagery. For example; through a process known as inpainting, offenders can remove articles of clothing completely or swap someone’s face into indecent images of real children.

The Home Secretary’s visit comes a week after launching a campaign calling on Meta not to roll out end-to-end encryption on its platforms without robust safety measures that ensure children are protected from sexual abuse and exploitation in messaging channels.

Currently, 800 predators a month are arrested by UK law enforcement agencies and up to 1,200 children are safeguarded from child sexual abuse following information provided by social media companies. If Meta proceeds with its plans, it will no longer be able to detect child abuse on their platforms. The National Crime Agency (NCA) estimates 92% of Facebook Messenger and 85% of Instagram Direct referrals could be lost – meaning thousands of criminals a year could go undetected.

The partnership with the US also follows the Online Safety Bill’s passage through Parliament last week.

AI-generated child sexual exploitation and abuse content is illegal, regardless of whether it depicts a real child or not. Under the government’s landmark bill, tech companies will be required to proactively identify content and remove it. The bill is deliberately tech-neutral, to ensure it keeps pace with emerging technologies like AI, and services will have a duty to stop the spread of illegal content such as child sexual abuse, terrorist material and fraud. Ofcom will have the power to direct companies to either use, or make best efforts to develop or source, technology to identify and remove CSEA content.

Rapid work is also underway across government to deepen our understanding of risks and develop solutions posed by AI, including creating the AI Taskforce and hosting the first global AI Safety Summit this autumn.

Whilst foundation model AIs undoubtedly hold vast potential and are crucial to the UK’s mission to become a science and tech superpower, and a leader in safe and responsible AI, there are still many unknowns with this class of technology, which pose significant but not yet fully understood public safety and national security risks.

The UK looks forward to open dialogue and deepened collaboration with tech company leaders, industry experts and like-minded nations, as we seek to ensure that the gifts of this technology are delivered and society is protected.

September 27, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Government backs new oil and gas to safeguard UK and grow the economy [September 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 27 September 2023.

Government welcomes decision by regulators to approve the Rosebank development.
Regulators grant consent for new Rosebank development in North Sea

Boost to UK energy security and economy with a direct investment of over £8bn to provide, according to Equinor estimates, nearly 1,600 at the project’s peak.

The go-ahead follows extensive scrutiny by regulators.

The government has today welcomed the decision by regulators to approve the new Rosebank development – with the UK’s highly skilled oil and gas industry strengthening energy security and growing the economy.

While the government is scaling up homegrown clean energy sources such as offshore wind and nuclear, the UK still relies on oil and gas and this will continue to be the case over the coming decades. As the government takes forward a pragmatic, proportionate and realistic response to the path to net zero, a key part of this will be maintaining our domestic oil and gas industry which underpins our energy security and boosts the UK economy.

The oil and gas industry adds £17 billion annually to the economy, supports around 200,000 jobs, and will provide around £50 billion in tax revenue over the next five years, which can be used to support the shift to cleaner forms of energy.

According to Equinor’s estimates, the Rosebank project represents a direct investment of approximately £8.1 billion, of which £6.3 billion is likely to be invested in UK-based businesses, with the developer also estimating that at its peak the field producing 69,000 barrels of oil and 44 million cubic feet of gas per day.

This will have wide-reaching benefits, including supporting UK jobs and supply chains associated with the offshore sector. The carbon footprint of domestically producing UK gas is also around one-quarter of the carbon footprint of importing internationally produced liquified natural gas.

The Rosebank development – as well as other oil and gas projects – has been subject to extensive scrutiny by the regulators, including undergoing a detailed environmental impact assessment process and a period of public consultation before approval was granted.

All new projects, including Rosebank, will be in line with the natural decline of the North Sea basin.

New projects like Rosebank are expected to be significantly less emissions intensive than previous developments, as they are more efficient and are developed with measures to mitigate emissions. Even when we’ve reached net zero in 2050, the Climate Change Committee say that a quarter of our energy needs will come from oil and gas, but the choice is between it coming from hostile states rather than from the supplies we have here at home.

In addition, the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) has net zero regulation embedded throughout the entire project lifecycle and considers several factors, sometimes collectively referred to as an ‘effective net zero test’, for decisions such as approving new field developments.

Continued North Sea production is important for maintaining domestic security of supply and making the UK less vulnerable to a repeat of the energy crisis that caused prices to soar after Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. Furthermore, the oil and gas supply chain – which will help deliver new developments like Rosebank – is exactly the supply chain the UK needs for the energy transition. The sector is playing an important role in driving the development and delivery of low-carbon technologies that will underpin the transition.

Energy Security Secretary Claire Coutinho said in response to the decision:

We are investing on our world-leading renewable energy but, as the independent Climate Change Committee recognise, we will need oil and gas as part of that mix on the path to net zero and so it makes sense to use our own supplies from North Sea fields such as Rosebank.

The jobs and billions of pounds this is worth to our economy will enable us to have greater energy independence, making us more secure against tyrants like Putin.

We will continue to back the UK’s oil and gas industry to underpin our energy security, grow our economy and help us deliver the transition to cheaper, cleaner energy.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt said:

We are accelerating renewables and nuclear power, but will still need oil and gas for decades to come – so let’s get more of what we need from within British waters.

Rosebank has been a huge untapped resource and now this investment will bring in billions of pounds into our economy to help secure our future energy supply.

With this decision, we’re giving investors the confidence they need to invest here, produce here, export from here – and secure thousands of jobs for Britain’s workers.

Following Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, the UK Government took swift action – ending all imports of Russian fossil fuels, with the latest figures showing the UK has not imported any Russian gas in over a year.

On top of this, the government published the British Energy Security Strategy, with a plan to supercharge domestic renewable energy and nuclear capacity, as well as supporting our North Sea oil and gas industry as we transition to lower carbon energy.

The oil and gas sector’s significant investment, skilled workforce, strong supply chains and specialist engineering expertise collectively build our ability and capacity to exploit the UK’s resources and support overall energy security of supply.

The government’s plan to power up Britain builds on the UK’s excellent progress scaling up renewables, with 40% of our electricity now coming from renewable sources.

The UK is home to the world’s four largest offshore wind farms and the government has set out plans to expand nuclear power, with an ambition of up to a quarter of the country’s electricity coming from nuclear by 2050.
September 27, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : 20 years since the Mandela Rhodes Foundation was launched [September 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 27 September 2023.

Celebrating today’s outstanding African leaders, 20 years since the Mandela Rhodes Foundation was launched.

On 2 July 2003, after entering Westminster Hall to a tumultuous standing ovation and being welcomed to the podium by former US President and Rhodes Scholar Bill Clinton and British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Neslon Mandela set out in detail the reasons for the establishment of The Mandela Rhodes Foundation (MRF), as well as his hopes for its future contribution in Africa.

The Foundation was heralded as a symbol of a new era of equal relations between Britain and South Africa. Two decades later in Johannesburg, Mandela’s official legacy organisation for leadership development is proud to be celebrating 20 years of developing exceptional leaders from across sectors in South Africa and the wider region.

On the 28th of September, the foundation will celebrate this milestone by reigniting its relationships with leaders of British business and diplomacy. The British High Commission in South Africa and The British Chamber of Business in Southern Africa will host a reception at Henley Business School Africa.

British High Commissioner to South Africa, Antony Philipson said:

Nelson Mandela’s extraordinary and inspiring leadership has moved generations of people around the globe. South Africa and the UK share a commitment to strengthening our education systems so that young people can access equal opportunities. It is an honour and privilege to be celebrating this milestone alongside the Mandela Rhodes Foundation.

The event will be held at Henley Business School Africa in Sandton. Guests will include senior executives of British businesses operating in Africa, members of the diplomatic corps and Mandela Rhodes Scholars playing leading roles in sectors ranging from finance to public policy. Justice Edwin Cameron will give a keynote speech, exploring the future of African youth and the prospects of building a common humanity.

MRF CEO Judy Sikuza said:

Nelson Mandela envisioned an Africa that could take its rightful place on the global stage, represented by leaders of outstanding moral clarity. We are proud to be developing those leaders, and we look forward to strengthening our relationships with those in the British business community who can support our mission.

To date, The Mandela Rhodes Foundation has awarded 622 scholarships to students from 33 African countries, studying in 35 different disciplines. Professor Jon Foster-Pedley, dean and director of Henley Business School Africa, commented:

The Mandela Rhodes Foundation is a wonderful – and highly successful – melding of the power of business with the vision and compassion of statesmanship.

At Henley Africa, it is an article of faith that businesses build Africa, but building the leaders that will build those businesses requires more than a crude understanding of the bottom line. True leaders build sustainable businesses that endure, that create an immediate and lasting impact on the people that they employ and the communities in which they operate.

It is something we need now more than ever in a world increasingly beset by man-made crises and especially in a country such as South Africa with its appalling Gini co-efficient. This is something that the Mandela Rhodes scholarships have done so much to achieve over the last two decades.

The British Chamber of Business in Southern Africa added:

The role of education in building more democratic societies and informed citizens capable of reaching their full potential, while always important, has never been more critical in a time rife with inequality and discord.

Schools, universities and executive training programmes are stages where young people and leaders of the future find refuge, expression and purpose. Are we as business getting it right with regards to our role in society? Occasions and partnerships like this are opportunities to evaluate our contributions and align what we stand for with our actions.

September 27, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Jill Scott and Daley Thompson join Government push to get millions more people active [September 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 27 September 2023.

Lioness legend Jill Scott MBE, Olympic gold medalist Daley Thompson CBE, and former No10 Delivery Unit chief Sir Michael Barber are joining the Government’s National Physical Activity Taskforce to help get millions more people involved in sport and physical activity by 2030.
- Stars to join Government’s physical activity taskforce with ex-No10 delivery chief Sir Michael Barber
- Scott, Thompson and Barber will work with co-chair Ugo Monye to encourage 3.5 million more to do physical activity
- Taskforce’s first meeting to take place in No10 to establish priorities and objectives
Lioness legend Jill Scott MBE, Olympic gold medalist Daley Thompson CBE, and former No10 Delivery Unit chief Sir Michael Barber are joining the Government’s National Physical Activity Taskforce to help get millions more people involved in sport and physical activity by 2030.

Scott, Thompson and Barber join rugby union legend Ugo Monye as part of the taskforce, which was established as part of the Government’s national sport strategy.

The taskforce will feature industry body representatives from UK Sport, Sport England, Active Travel England, alongside members from the sports world and the Government. They have been brought together to champion the physical and mental health benefits of sport and physical activity, and drive up participation across all demographics.

Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said:

I am delighted that Jill, Daley and Michael are joining this taskforce which is bringing together the best of Government and sport so we can deliver on our ambition of having 3.5 million more people active by 2030.

Their expert knowledge and experience will help us access hard-to-reach communities who remain stubbornly inactive, to ensure that we reach our ambitious targets and see millions of people enjoy a happier and healthier life.

Ugo Monye, National Physical Activity Taskforce co-Chair said:

We have seen so many inspirational sporting moments this year, particularly from our women’s teams, and I am passionate about cementing that legacy and making sure more people get involved in sport and physical activity.

The taskforce brings together the key players from sport and Government and I am confident that we can really make a difference and achieve our ambitious aim to get 3.5 million more people active by 2030.

The taskforce is tasked with driving up participation levels across the country, and helping the Government achieve its ambition of getting one million more adults and 2.5 million more young people meeting the Chief Medical Officer’s guidance of 150 minutes per week for adults, and 60 minutes per day for young people by 2030.

Former Lioness Jill Scott MBE and independent member of the National Physical Activity Taskforce said:

What the Lionesses have achieved over the past year has been amazing, but as we’ve always said, success is not only determined by on the pitch results. It is equally about securing a legacy where more people are inspired to get into football and sport more broadly.

The current investment in grassroots facilities will play a massive part in that. Millions of people will be offered safe and welcoming places to play, right on their doorsteps.

Sport can provide a real sense of togetherness, an opportunity to make friends, get fit, and be healthy. I’m proud to play my part in encouraging people of all ages and backgrounds to join this national activity drive, which can only benefit us all.

Double Olympic Decathlon Champion and independent member of the National Physical Activity Taskforce Daley Thompson CBE said:

Since I retired from professional athletics back in 1992, I’ve made promoting the importance of fitness a key part of my life.

From training professional football clubs, to running free online workout sessions during the pandemic and opening my own fitness club, I want exercise to be available to everyone.

I’m delighted to be a part of this taskforce. By working together, I believe we can make a positive difference to the nation’s health and wellbeing.

Sir Michael Barber said:

I am honoured to be joining the Secretary of State and some true legends of sport on this important taskforce.

Regular physical activity is vital for everyone, whoever they are, whatever their background and whatever their age.

The achievement of the ambitious goals the government has set will require a systematic and consistent drive for delivery right across the country and I hope to be able to help with that.

As part of today’s announcement the Government has also committed funding to the initial stages of a national advertising campaign to support the work of the taskforce. The national advertising campaign, set to launch next year, will be overseen by the taskforce and will be used to raise awareness of the Government’s physical activity drive for children.

The taskforce will continue to meet regularly to track progress against targets and bring national governing bodies and sector partners around the table to advise and plan how best to tackle high levels of inactivity.

To support the delivery of the Government’s strategy almost £400 million is being invested in grassroots facilities, including in multi-sport facilities, swimming pools and tennis courts.

More than £600 million will also be invested over the next two years for school sport and PE. It will focus on making it clear girls have the same access as boys – building on the success of the Lionesses at UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 last year, and their recent FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 campaign.
September 27, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Disadvantaged young people to enjoy more outdoor experiences away from home [September 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 26 September 2023.

Thousands of disadvantaged young people are to get access to outdoor learning opportunities away from home so they can develop vital life skills, build confidence and resilience.
Up to 7,500 young people to experience day trips and weekends away from home thanks to new Government support

Opportunities targeted at young carers and those from deprived backgrounds

Million Hours Fund opens for applications, providing more than one million extra hours of activities for young people in youth centres

Builds on the Government’s ‘National Youth Guarantee’, backed by an investment of over £500 million

Thousands of disadvantaged young people are to get access to outdoor learning opportunities away from home so they can develop vital life skills, build confidence and resilience.

The Adventures Away From Home Fund, worth £1.5 million, will allow more children and teenagers to enjoy activities they otherwise would not be able to take part in. The fund will see disadvantaged young people take part in activities to give them new experiences and expand their horizons.

Participants such as young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and young carers will be given the opportunity to try exciting new activities such as zip-lining, kayaking and cooking, supporting the development of skills like teamwork and problem solving. Outdoor learning has also been shown to increase young people’s attainment in schools and their attitudes towards learning.

This builds on last year’s scheme where over 3,500 young people had the opportunity to take part in this programme from across the country. Young people said the experiences helped them overcome their fears and prepare them for real world experiences, with one young person saying “It was only [their] second time away from home” and that “the trip was an adventure from start to finish…we loved every minute of it.”

The move to more than double this programme this year builds on Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer’s aim to give young people ‘someone to talk to, something to do and somewhere to go’, outlined in a recent keynote speech at the Onward Think Tank.

Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said:

I want every young person to have the very best start in life, and that includes access to exciting opportunities that take them out of their comfort zone and expands their horizons.

The Adventures Away from Home Programme will support 7,500 young people to take part in activities not usually available to them. It will help them develop new skills, build confidence and resilience.

We will support one million more hours of activity for young people in youth centres and clubs to give them somewhere to go when the school day ends where they can enjoy positive activities

The Government is today also announcing the next phase of the Million Hours Fund is open for applications, in partnership with The National Lottery Community Fund.

Designed to create more than one million additional hours of youth centre provision in areas with high numbers of antisocial behaviour incidents, the £19 million fund will pay for additional youth workers, volunteers, venue hire and activity resources for youth clubs.

The first £3 million of the Million Hours Fund was allocated earlier this year. It helped 400 youth organisations to deliver extra provision over the summer holidays – meaning more young people could enjoy positive activities during the break. In the South West, 34 projects were supported by over £261,000 funding. In Swindon, Central Swindon North Parish Council received £6,500 to deliver a range of sport, dance and forestry sessions and day trips for young people aged 11-18 during the summer holidays. The project aimed to provide positive and engaging activities for young people and reduce the risk of anti-social behaviour.

David Knott, Chief Executive at The National Lottery Community Fund, said:

We’re proud to be working alongside DCMS to jointly fund the Million Hours Fund to bring much-needed additional youth provision and activities to young people living in England. Thanks to National Lottery players, this investment will improve young people’s prospects and support them to thrive – a key part of our strategic mission.

The Government is also committed to giving young adults something productive to do via its partnership with The National Lottery Community Fund on the #iwill Fund, which creates opportunities for taking part in high quality social action projects. The Government is today confirming more than 60,000 new volunteering opportunities, supported by £12 million of investment, specifically supporting those from low socio-economic backgrounds.

Projects include Clarion Futures, which has been allocated over £630,000 to scale up their Intergenerational Social Action programme, providing opportunities to 2,000 young people. The projects will bring older and younger residents together to tackle local issues and explore ways to create more connected communities across generations.

Similarly, funding of over £600,000 to the Diana Award Mentoring Programme will create 1,200 opportunities over two years. Young people aged 14-18 at risk of not being in education, employment or training (NEET) will take part in a twelve-week mentoring and careers skills development intervention, helping them to improve employability skills and general wellbeing.

Since its launch in 2016, a total of 700,000 new youth social action opportunities have been created, supported by £33 million investment in the #iwill Fund by the Government. Young people who reported taking part in social action in the 2019 Youth Social Action Survey stated that it improved their communication skills, their ability to work in a team and their self-confidence.

Giving children and teenagers something engaging to do is a key component of the Government’s ‘National Youth Guarantee’, announced in 2022. This makes clear that every young person aged between 11 and 18 in England will have access to regular clubs and activities, adventures away from home, and volunteering opportunities by 2025, backed by an investment of more than £500 million.

This includes the Government’s Youth Investment Fund of more than £300 million that will support up to 300 youth centres across the country to be rebuilt or redeveloped, and help 45,000 more young people access regular, positive activities every year.

Throughout the week the Government is due to announce vital support for the youth worker sector, in addition to mentoring opportunities for the most vulnerable young people.

Notes to editors:

Organisations can find out how to apply for the Million Hours Fund on the National Lottery’s Community Fund website.

A competition is live for the intermediary grant maker to deliver the Adventures Away From Home Fund. Further details for the fund will be released later this year.

On 1 February 2022, DCMS published the summary findings from the 2021 DCMS-led Youth Review.

It is backed by an investment of more than £500 million in youth services in England over the next three years, which includes the Youth Investment Fund and ongoing support for the National Citizen Service. This will transform the Government’s offer for young people and level up opportunities right across the country.

DCMS is backing the country’s powerhouse sectors to grow the economy and make a difference where people live.

The civil society sector is worth at least £16 billion to the UK economy. There are 951,000 jobs in the sector, more than 50,000 more jobs than in 2019 before the pandemic.
September 27, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : It is not a good use of time for the Security Council to prejudge the outcome of Nord Stream investigations – UK statement at the Security Council [September 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 26 September 2023.

Statement by UK Political Coordinator Fergus Eckersley at the UN Security Council meeting on threats to international peace and security.

Thank you Madam President and thank you to the briefers for their perspectives.

Madam President, the international community remains rightfully concerned about the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines. We’ve repeatedly condemned this attack and we all want clear answers.

That’s why we support the national investigations of Germany, Denmark, and Sweden to determine who is responsible.

In July, Germany, Denmark and Sweden offered a detailed update on the progress of their investigations. That update highlighted the unprecedented nature of the sabotage, and the subsequent complexity of the investigative processes.

We understand these investigations will take time and we have full confidence in their impartiality and integrity.

As we have said before, we do not believe it is a good use of our time for the Security Council to start to prejudge the outcome of these investigations, dictate how they are conducted, or otherwise undermine them.

We, and fellow Council members, should continue to offer our full support to these investigations so that we can establish who was responsible.

President, before I finish, let us pause for a moment on the fact that it wasRussia who called this meeting.

Russia is claiming it is concerned about the destruction of civilian infrastructure – so much so that it seeks to commemorate the anniversary of this attack.

Yet we all know that almost every single day of the year is an anniversary of a deliberate Russian attack on civilian infrastructure in Ukraine.

We have seen the systematic bombing of Ukrainian energy and port infrastructure, we have seen over 480 Russian attacks on schools and hospitals and 120 attacks on religious sites.

And beyond infrastructure – what of the lives of civilians themselves? At least 9,614 civilians have been killed and seventeen and a half thousand more injured in Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine.

So as we listen to Russia today, let us not forget what they are doing, deliberately and as a matter of policy.

Let us also not forget the callous disregard Russia showed for civilians and civilian infrastructure in Aleppo, Homs and Damascus when they vetoed nine Council resolutions aimed at ending the Assad regime’s indiscriminate bombing of hospitals and schools.

And let us not forget that while Russia repeatedly brings briefers to the Council from the West who are free to attack Western governments they systematically lock up anyone who dares to criticise the Russian government position at home.

Madam President, Russia’s hypocrisy today is nothing new but it bears repeating, if they are seriously concerned about civilian infrastructure they must cease their relentless attacks and ensure accountability for the appalling destruction and suffering they have caused.

Thank you.

September 27, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : The UK is unwavering in our commitment to provide aid to the people of Afghanistan: UK statement at the UN Security Council [September 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 26 September 2023.

Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the Security Council meeting on Afghanistan.

Thank you President.

I join others in thanking SRSG Otunbayeva, Executive Director Sima Bahous and Karima Bennoune for your briefings.

Twenty-two years on since Kofi Annan’s Nobel speech, which the SRSG referenced, and over two years since the Taliban’s seizure of power, our dominant concern remains the Taliban’s systematic assault on the rights of women and girls continues.

There have been over 50 decrees curtailing women’s ability to participate in public, political, economic and social life and barring girls from secondary schools and higher education.

These decrees have also impacted the UN’s ability to get aid to those who need it most. This at a time of dire need – two thirds of the population of Afghanistan require humanitarian assistance.

Forty per cent are facing acute food insecurity – a number that would be far higher without families and communities in Afghanistan supporting each other in whatever ways they can.

Afghanistan remains one of the poorest and climate vulnerable countries in the world. Its prospects further dimmed by a significant ‘brain drain’ as a result of migration, persecution and uncertainty.

We note the progress the Taliban has taken in tackling ISKP and we underscore the importance of continued action against terrorist groups within Afghanistan and their affiliates.

The people of Afghanistan remain our priority – so what can we do?

First and foremost we need to take urgent action to avert a humanitarian catastrophe as winter approaches. The UK has contributed over half a billion dollars to address the humanitarian crisis since April 2021 and we call on fellow Member States to step up support where they can. But as we heard from SRSG Otunbayeva, the UN’s revised Humanitarian Appeal for Afghanistan for 2023 is only 28% funded.

The UK is unwavering in our commitment to provide aid to the people of Afghanistan and to support UN efforts. We are clear, however, that male only delivery chains do not and cannot achieve that and we support calls for closer monitoring of aid delivery.

Second, the international community should remain united in our message to the Taliban. We have set out our expectations in consecutive Council resolutions on humanitarian access, cutting ties with terrorists, respect for human rights and inclusive governance.

The Taliban should be clear on the costs of their policies: international recognition should not be on the table; sanctions relief should not come. And Afghanistan cannot be self-reliant when fifty per cent of its people are excluded from society. Without inclusive governance and society, peace and stability will remain elusive.

Finally, we look forward to Ambassador Feridun Sinirlioglu’s independent assessment, which will provide a valuable basis for a more coherent, strategic international approach as we look to build on the Secretary-General’s conference with special envoys in Doha and other regional initiatives, in which the UK will continue to play its part.

September 27, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UN HRC54 – UK Statement on Myanmar [September 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 26 September 2023.

Interactive Dialogue on the High Commissioner’s report on the human rights situation in Myanmar. Statement delivered by the UK.

Thank you, Mr Vice President

And thank you, High Commissioner for your report and sobering update.

We share your concern at the harrowing situation in Myanmar and condemn the military’s increasingly brutal tactics, including the targeting of civilians through airstrikes and the burning of homes.

The evidence of the scale of the military’s actions continues to mount, including the latest findings from the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar. We continue to support the work of the Mechanism, which remains crucial to ensure accountability for these crimes.

The UK also remains committed to targeting the regime’s access to finance and arms, which facilitate the most egregious crimes. Since the coup, we have announced targeted sanctions on the military leadership and its access to revenue and equipment.

And collectively, we must focus on restoring humanitarian access, working through local organisations to deliver life-saving assistance.

High Commissioner,

As your report highlights, the Rohingya who remain in Rakhine State have been confined to IDP camps for over a decade. They continue to face systematic discrimination including the denial of citizenship and access to basic services. Any return of the Rohingya must be voluntary, safe, dignified, and sustainable.

What more can the international community do to ensure evidence of human rights abuses are being gathered and used for future accountability?

Thank you.

September 27, 2023