Category: Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE : Apprentices kick-start careers in Cumbria as gigabit broadband rollout gathers pace [September 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 4 September 2023.

The first cohort of Cumbrian apprentices are now in training for telecoms jobs of the future, following millions of pounds of investment from the UK government.
New apprentices in Cumbria kick-start their careers following UK government investment to accelerate broadband rollout

Jobs for the future as first cohort of at least 90 trainees benefit from brand new facilities – with all set to be offered permanent employment

Funding is part of Project Gigabit which continues to roll out across the county with Aspatria and Staveley already connected by Fibrus

The first cohort of Cumbrian apprentices are now in training for telecoms jobs of the future, following millions of pounds of investment from the UK government, with all set to be offered permanent employment on completion.

In a huge boost for jobs and skills across Cumbria, broadband provider Fibrus, alongside network build partner Viberoptix, have committed to creating at least 90 apprenticeships covering a range of roles from underground and overhead cabling to surveying – as part of a £108 million government investment to provide lightning-speed broadband connectivity throughout Cumbria and level-up the county’s digital infrastructure.

Local residents have now commenced their apprenticeships at the brand new Viberoptix Training Academy in Newton Rigg, Penrith following an extensive refit of the one-time agricultural training college. Over the autumn, the trainees will gain formal telecoms qualifications, alongside in-class training specific to telecoms and field-based experience, equipping them with the skills and expertise needed to take up long-term careers in the industry. At the end, all trainees will be offered permanent employment.

The government investment forms part of its Project Gigabit, a £5 billion mission to deliver lightning-fast, reliable broadband to people in rural places across the UK, working with broadband suppliers to achieve 85% gigabit coverage of the UK by 2025, and then to nationwide coverage by 2030. It is levelling-up the UK, making sure that people have the same access to fast and reliable connectivity wherever they live, work and study.

Minister for Data and Digital Infrastructure, Sir John Whittingdale, said:

Ultra-fast, reliable broadband is transforming the way we connect with each other and do business, and creating exciting opportunities in the UK’s growing telecoms industry. These apprentices kick-starting their careers here at Newton Rigg are just the first who will be gaining the skills and expertise to take up good jobs and help accelerate the rollout of high-speed broadband in Cumbria.

Our partnerships with businesses like Fibrus and Viberoptix are spurring investment in local communities and securing a pipeline of talent for years to come, backed by £108 million in Government funding to deliver lightning-fast broadband connectivity across Cumbria and level up the county’s digital infrastructure.

More than 77% of homes and businesses can now access a gigabit-capable broadband connection, a huge increase from just 6% in 2019. In Cumbria, the rollout of the Project Gigabit contract continues to make good progress, with residents and businesses in communities from Aspatria to Staveley now able to access and enjoy lightning-fast connections through Fibrus networks.

Project Gigabit will also help grow the economy, with new digital infrastructure delivering better-paid jobs and creating opportunity right across the country. At Newton Rigg, Tom Balcombe, a 32-year-old from nearby Penrith, explained that he is excited to start his training:

During Covid I got a job in security, working at a supermarket in Penrith. But I had been looking for a new career path, and I already knew a little about working in telecoms. At the end of this programme I want to go out, do overhead cabling and splicing fibre. I am looking forward to gaining a trade – you can never go wrong if you have a trade. This training has piqued my interest massively and it’s a huge gamechanger.

Tom is excited to be joined in his cohort, the first at new-look Newton Rigg, by Will Norendal, a 22-year-old from Penrith who hopes to enjoy a long career in the industry, as he explained:

I have wanted to make a career out of something and telecoms sounds good – I have always been a computer nerd and think this could be quite fun. I am only 22 so have only ever done odd jobs. I want a career now and everyone wants to move up in the world don’t they? This training is very interesting – I want to go into telecoms, it is what my mind is set on now, especially now I am gaining this experience. It is something I want to pursue for the rest of my life.

Linda McMillan, Chief People Officer at Fibrus, said:

Broadband connectivity is more important than ever and is crucial to levelling-up rural communities to give those in rural areas the same opportunities as those in bigger cities. We are proud of how our full fibre broadband rollout is progressing in Cumbria, and when we invest in a region, we ensure we go beyond providing much needed affordable high-speed broadband.

The enrolment of the first apprentices at Newton Rigg this summer is a testament to our commitment to local communities. Alongside offering people in Cumbria essential full-fibre broadband connections, we’re committed to supporting the region with community grants, job creation and training opportunities. I am delighted that we’re creating new career pathways for local apprentices this year through our trusted partner Viberoptix.

Claire McCay, HR Director at Viberoptix, said:

We are delighted to welcome our first cohort of apprentices to our purpose-built Training Academy in Penrith. We know the history of Newton Rigg college and we’re proud to be able to bring a training facility back to the site, offering training and development and job opportunities to the local community.

Our aim is to build for the future, not just building a fibre network, but helping people build their careers and futures in the telecoms industry. We recognise the importance and the impact that this UK government project will have on Cumbria, and we’re proud to be a part of it alongside Fibrus.

The commencement of eight Project Gigabit-funded apprenticeships made possible by Project Gigabit comes as new independent research highlights the multitude of positive impacts a lightning-fast broadband connection can make to business.

The Superfast Broadband Programme, which precedes Project Gigabit, was delivered in partnership with local councils in England, and by the Scottish and Welsh Governments and the Northern Ireland Executive.

An independent evaluation, published today, shows that annual turnover of businesses covered by the programme area increased between 2012 and 2021, creating an annual turnover boost of around £2.6 billion in these areas by 2021. The programme as a whole was estimated to have led to 23,700 more local jobs up to March 2021.

ENDS

Project Gigabit

Project Gigabit is the government’s flagship £5 billion programme to enable hard-to-reach communities to access lightning-fast gigabit-capable broadband. It targets homes and businesses that are not included in broadband suppliers’ commercial plans, reaching parts of the UK that might otherwise miss out on getting the digital connectivity they need.

The fast, reliable connections delivered by Project Gigabit will level-up mostly rural and remote communities across the UK, as well as tackling pockets of poor connectivity in urban areas. Project Gigabit will grow the economy, with new digital infrastructure delivering better-paid jobs and creating opportunity right across the country.

Having the fastest broadband means households no longer have to battle over bandwidth, people enjoy the freedom to live and work more flexibly, businesses increase their productivity, and vital public services thrive.

Having the fastest connections also means the UK is fit-for-the-future, with broadband infrastructure designed to deliver for people’s needs for decades to come.

Project Gigabit in Cumbria

Work has started to connect tens of thousands of people living and working in rural Cumbria to lightning-fast broadband thanks to more than £100 million of government investment.

Around 60,000 premises in the county will be connected to the fastest broadband on the market after Belfast-based supplier Fibrus.

Places already connected thanks to Project Gigabit rollout in the county include the communities of Staveley and Aspatria.
September 4, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : New UK projects announced to fight climate change in Africa [September 2023]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 4 September 2023.

UK Minister for Development and Africa Andrew Mitchell announces new projects worth £49 million while visiting Kenya for the first Africa Climate Summit.
- New climate finance and resilience projects worth £49 million will be delivered across Africa
- Funding announced as UK minister attends first Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi and reaffirms £11.6 billion international climate finance pledge
- The UK is committed to the fight against climate change in Africa, delivering on its promise of mutually beneficial and reliable investment
New UK-backed projects worth £49 million will be announced at the inaugural Africa Climate Summit, hosted by Kenya from 4 to 6 September. These projects will focus on mobilising finance for climate action and help people manage the impact of climate change across the continent – 2 critical areas in Africa’s fight against climate change. The funding will help to create jobs, grow economies and improve the lives of women, farmers and at-risk communities.

This delivers on the UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly’s promise of honest reliable investment in Africa when he visited Kenya in December 2022, along with COP26 commitments, demonstrating the strength and capability of UK-Africa partnerships.

This includes £34 million for new projects across 15 African countries to help women, at-risk communities, and more than 400,000 farmers build resilience against the effects of climate change, under the established CLARE, CIWA and WISER programmes. Early warning systems, such as text alerts, radio and social networks, will help hard-to-reach communities take action before extreme climate events occur, and these projects will also improve water security for more than 1.5 million people.

Seven new climate finance projects will also be launched at the Summit. Investments worth £15 million from UK-backed FSD Africa Investments will mobilise capital from private sources, allowing small-scale businesses to access finance, create innovative products and deliver inclusive tech solutions such as turning desert into land for farming. Together, these projects will improve access to basic services including renewable energy and healthcare for over 500,000 people, generate 3,400 jobs, and provide cheaper and reliable power to households.

UK Minister for Development and Africa Andrew Mitchell, said:

Our partnerships with African countries on green investment and climate resilience are growing economies and improving lives. But more action has to be taken, as those least responsible for climate change are increasingly bearing the brunt of its effects.

The UK is working closely with African partners to fight climate change, boost resilience and help those whose lives are most impacted.

Whilst in Nairobi, the Minister will reaffirm the UK’s commitment to providing £11.6 billion international climate finance over 5 years, and will call for rapid reform of the international financial system to unlock trillions of dollars to combat climate change. He will also welcome the launch of Weza Power, a new partnership between the Government of Burundi and UK-backed company Virunga Power, to expand energy access to almost 70% of Burundi’s population.

In addition, he will visit Nairobi Railway City, a regeneration of the city centre designed by British architects with the latest green technology and KES 11.5 billion of UK investment. This is 1 of 6 climate investment projects fast-tracked by President Ruto and Prime Minister Sunak at COP27. Since the meeting, construction has begun, and ground has been broken at a second project.

Minister Mitchell will also announce details of the third successive Climate and Development Ministerial, hosted by the COP28 UAE Presidency and the UK ahead of COP28, with Malawi and Vanuatu as co-chairs. The Ministerial was first launched by the UK ahead of COP26 to generate tangible outcomes for climate finance access and loss and damage.

Further information

Climate Adaptation and Resilience research programme (CLARE)

£21.5 million of new projects under the CLARE programme. This is a COP26 commitment which is 15% co-funded by Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC).
- six new projects across fifteen countries
  - three of these projects will work with communities, universities, NGOs and governments in countries across the continent to build long-term water security and resilience while also strengthening social inclusion
  - the other projects will support women smallholder farmers in Uganda to develop climate-resilient practices, enable cross-border pastoralist communities in East Africa to better access and use climate information, and work with the private sector in Kenya for a gender-responsive livestock insurance product
Africa Regional Climate and Nature Programme (ARCAN) £12.5 million
- Weather and Climate Information Services (WISER): Up to £4.5m of new projects
- launch of new projects under the third phase of the successful WISER Africa programme, delivered by the UK based Met Office, which aims to improve the uptake of weather and climate information services to strengthen resilience to climate change and extreme weather events; this will build the climate resilience of 3 million people
- ARCAN is a COP26 commitment
These new projects will:
- build resilience to floods through strengthening early warning systems in West Africa
- provide 400,000 farmers and agricultural workers in East Africa with better access to information on the weather and climate, enabling them to prepare and protect their crops
- provide early warnings of extreme weather to marginalised urban communities across East and Southern Africa, helping to save lives and prevent damage to homes and livelihoods
Cooperation in International Waters in Africa (CIWA): £8 million
- New UK funding of £8 million to the World Bank’s Cooperation in International Waters in Africa (CIWA) programme, to begin in 2023
- CIWA supports African countries to manage shared water resources, ensure water systems are more resilient to climate change and help deliver the SDGs
- support to CIWA comes from the Africa Regional Climate and Nature (ARCAN) programme
- the UK was a founding donor and supported CIWA with £14.8 million from 2011 to 2018
- to date, US$7 billion financing has been influenced by CIWA for cooperative management and development of mobilised transboundary waters investments, and 19.46 million people directly benefit from improved water resources management and development projects influenced by CIWA
FSD Africa / FSD Africa investments: £15 million
- seven programmes across Africa which will provide financing, create start-ups, establish guarantees, and create associations to support green finance across Africa
  - impacts include job creation and improving access to basic services such as clean water and green electricity
  - this will mobilise millions from private sources, allowing small-scale businesses to access: finance; innovative products; funding for renewable energy and carbon capture developers; and support for innovative and inclusive tech solutions across Africa
- SPARK: £2.35 million equity stake in Spark Energy, helping provide financing to project developers in the Captive Solar, distribution and Energy Efficiency across Sub-Saharan Africa. 1,400 jobs, and lower cost and reliable power supply to households.
- Acre Export Fund: £10 million commitment toward Acre Export Finance Fund, a US $300 million fund set up to finance the uncovered portion of Export Credit Agencies (ECAs) backed climate aligned infrastructure projects in Africa, further unlocking local capital through a guarantee to local commercial banks. 2,000 jobs and access to basic services including renewable energy and healthcare for over 500,000 people.
- Catalyst Fund: £3.5 million contribution to the next close of Catalyst Fund, an early-stage accelerator and venture builder focussed on supporting promising climate start-ups across Africa.
Weza Power
- only 12% of the Burundi’s 12 million people currently have access to electricity
- over a seven-year period, Weza Power will aim to connect 9 million people. Most of the new household customers currently burn kerosene and charcoal for energy, while businesses have to rely on expensive and polluting diesel generators
- the project aims to raise US 1.4 billion investment to deliver this, without the government of Burundi needing to raise additional loans
The UK-Kenya Strategic Partnership

The UK-Kenya strategic partnership joint statement can be found here.
September 4, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK announces £500,000 to help save lives in Bangladesh through stronger disaster management [September 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 3 September 2023.

The UK is providing £500,000 (more than 6 Crores and 90 Lacs Taka) to UN Resident Coordinator’s Office to support disaster preparedness, response and recovery in Bangladesh.

This money will aid in the coordination of humanitarian assistance provided by the Government of Bangladesh, donors, the UN, and NGOs prior to, during, and after disaster events. It will also ensure that this help reaches the most vulnerable people with the most essential relief supplies.

Furthermore, it will assist the Government of Bangladesh in developing a new risk assessment and contingency plan for earthquakes, as well as expand its work on anticipatory actions and early warning systems to assist people in taking precautions to protect their lives before disasters strike.

UK Development Director and Deputy High Commissioner in Bangladesh, Matt Cannell, said

“The devastating flooding in Sylhet last year and Chittagong Division this year demonstrate Bangladesh’s vulnerabilities to the impacts of climate change.

“The UK is proud to partner with the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office to support greater disaster preparedness, response, and recovery in Bangladesh. I am pleased to announce this during the Government of Bangladesh and UNDP’s Disaster Resilience Week.

“This will help guarantee that disaster responses are coordinated and well-informed, and that more preparations are made ahead of disasters, limiting their impact and saving lives.

“This builds on the UK’s historic support for humanitarian response in Bangladesh and complements the Government of Bangladesh’s remarkable work on disaster resilience and response to date.”

Gwyn Lewis, UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh, said

“The partnership with the UK will enhance coordination across the UN and NGOs in Bangladesh, and as a result strengthen support to the government of Bangladesh, and most importantly to the people most affected by natural disasters. The impact of climate change and the resulting intensity of disasters means this work is more important than ever. Our efforts are focused on better early warning systems, anticipatory action and a quick and timely response to emergencies and disasters.”

September 4, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Captain among seafarers honoured for advocating safety following life-changing injury [September 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 3 September 2023.

Recipients of the 2023 Merchant Navy Medal for Meritorious Service announced.
- on Merchant Navy Day, the government honours 11 seafarers with Merchant Navy Medals – the highest medal of honour within the maritime sector
- sector filled with unsung heroes who keep the country running by supplying vital goods and embodying the spirit of maritime
- recipients include an operational director for a maritime training company who champions diversity within maritime and a captain who suffered a career-ending injury and now advocates for safety and mental health
The Department for Transport has unveiled the 2023 recipients of the Merchant Navy Medal. Among them is a captain who champions safety in the wake of a life-changing accident and an operational director for a maritime training company recognised for her vigorous advocacy for diversity within the industry.

Merchant Navy Medals have been awarded since 2016 for significant contributions to the maritime industry. Each year, seafarers are nominated by their colleagues, friends and family for the medals – the highest medal of honour within the maritime sector.

This year, 11 mariners have been awarded Merchant Navy Medals, including Captain Rattray from Aberdeen and Katy Womersley from Glasgow.

In 2019, Captain Rattray’s life took an unexpected turn when a severe injury brought his career as a pilot to an abrupt halt. While boarding the ship via the pilot ladder, his leg was crushed – forcing him to navigate a complex journey of surgeries and healthcare while also adapting to a new desk role within the maritime sector.

Undeterred by these daunting obstacles, Captain Rattray has researched and campaigned for 5 years for improved safety in the marine pilotage sector. This has led the International Maritime Organization to review the rules governing the safe transfer of maritime pilots to and from vessels. He has also helped to break the stigma of mental health by openly writing about his struggles following the accident.

Katy has championed diversity within the maritime sector by inspiring disadvantaged young people to pursue careers within the sector. She has dedicated her entire career to drive forward seafarer training and improve sector diversity, and she has managed hundreds of officer cadets.

Katy has supported charities, including the Sir Thomas Lipton Foundation, helping to organise events aimed at offering children opportunities to gain maritime experience. She also advocates for women within maritime and organised the first Women in Maritime forums in Scotland alongside Maritime UK.

Maritime Minister Baroness Vere said:

I am delighted that 11 mariners, including Captain Rattray and Katy Womersley, have been selected to receive this very special honour.

Their unwavering dedication, exemplary service and profound contributions have not only shown the UK’s maritime industry at its best but also set an inspiring standard for others to follow.

Their achievements are a testament to the exceptional talent and commitment present within our maritime sector.

Captain Ewan Rattray, recipient of the Merchant Navy Medal award, said:

The maritime industry has always held a special place in my heart. To be awarded the Merchant Navy Medal is a great honour.

There is a remarkable team of international pilots and seafarers tirelessly working behind the scenes to ensure the safety of maritime pilots.

To be acknowledged for my contribution to this noble effort is a humbling experience. I personally faced an injury during my career as a maritime pilot and it sparked a motivation within me to assist and contribute wherever I could.

Katy Womersley, recipient of the Merchant Navy Medal award, said:

It is a great honour to receive this prestigious award. I have been inspired by so many great people in this industry, throughout my career at sea and ashore, who are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment.

I hope our conversations about diversity will transform into tangible actions and our commitment will pave the way for future generations of seafarers.

Stuart Rivers, Chief Executive of the Merchant Navy Welfare Board (MNWB), the umbrella charity for the UK Merchant Navy and Fishing Fleets, said:

This award is a fantastic way to recognise our selfless, inspiring and dedicated seafarers who continuously go the extra mile to keep the economy moving.

Huge congratulations to this year’s recipients for their stellar contributions to the maritime sector.

It’s an honour, within our role as the UK National Seafarers’ Welfare Board, to champion, protect and enhance the lives of our hard-working seafarers, fishers and their dependents. Their ongoing devotion and commitment to the industry is truly incredible.

The 2023 recipients are:
- Dr Alan Stephen Bury, services to maritime education
- Captain Philip Mark Peter Cave, services to seafarer welfare
- Allan Dickson, services to Merchant Navy careers
- Captain John Lloyd, services to maritime education
- Chief Petty Officer Martin Etwell, services to the Royal Fleet Auxiliary
- Donnacha O’Driscoll, services to seafarer welfare and cruise sector pandemic recovery
- Captain William John Pearn, services to marine pilotage and safety
- Captain Ewan Rattray, services to the safety of marine pilots
- Raymond Strachan, services to life-saving actions
- Katy Womersley, contributions to seafarers’ training and sector diversity
- Captain Charles Woodward, promoting the Merchant Navy and commemorating the sacrifice of seafarers
September 4, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Chair of the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee announced [September 2023]

The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 3 September 2023.

Lord Janvrin, former Private Secretary to Queen Elizabeth II, has been appointed as Chair of the newly established Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee, the Deputy Prime Minister has announced.

LORD JANVRIN, former Private Secretary to Queen Elizabeth II, has been appointed as Chair of the newly established Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee, the Deputy Prime Minister has announced.

The Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee will be an independent body responsible for considering and recommending proposals for a memorial to Queen Elizabeth II. It will be jointly supported by the UK Government and the Royal Household .

The Committee will develop proposals for both a permanent memorial, and a national legacy programme that will allow everyone in the UK to commemorate Queen Elizabeth’s life of service.

The UK Government will support the proposals, and will consider funding options as proposals develop.

The committee will consider Her Late Majesty’s life of public service throughout her long reign and the causes she supported. The Committee will also engage with the public to ensure ideas and suggestions from across the UK are captured.

The plans will be unveiled to coincide with what would have been Her Late Majesty’s hundredth birthday year in 2026.

A range of senior figures and experts will be appointed to develop ideas and bring recommendations to The King and the Prime Minister. These further appointments to the Committee will be announced in due course.

Commenting on his appointment Lord Janvrin said:

It is an honour to be asked to chair the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee. It will be a unique challenge to try to capture for future generations Her Late Majesty’s extraordinary contribution to our national life throughout her very long reign.

Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden said:

Queen Elizabeth II was our longest reigning Monarch and greatest public servant. Lord Janvrin will now begin the important work of designing a fitting tribute to her legacy of service to our nation and the Commonwealth.

September 4, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : NHS doctors to receive pay rise this month [September 2023]
The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 3 September 2023.

Around 150,000 NHS doctors in England, including doctors in training and consultants, will start to receive their pay rise this month, backdated to April 2023.
- Accepting the recommendations of the independent pay review bodies in full means first year doctors in training will receive a 10.3% pay increase, with the average junior doctor getting 8.8%, and consultants will receive 6%
- This award is final and the Health and Social Care Secretary has urged the BMA to call off strike action and end disruption to care
This month, around 150,000 NHS doctors will start to receive a pay rise after the government accepted the recommendations of the Independent Review Body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration’s (DDRB).

As part of the award, doctors covered by the review body, which includes doctors in training, consultants, specialty and associate specialist (SAS) doctors and dentists, will receive their pay rise backdated to April. This pay rise balances the need to keep inflation in check while giving staff significant pay increases.

First year doctors in training will receive a 10.3% uplift. This means basic pay for a first year junior doctor will increase from £29,300 to £32,300. For a junior doctor in core training with 3 years’ experience, it will increase from £40,200 to £43,900.

Pay scales for consultants are also increasing by 6%, meaning starting basic full-time pay will rise to £93,600. Taken together with on-call payments and other activities, the average consultant’s NHS earnings will increase to £134,000 a year. This is in addition to their 4.5% pay rise last year and significant pension reforms, which saw the annual allowance for tax-free pension saving increasing by 50% to £60,000 and removing the £1 million lifetime cap.

Some staff will also benefit from performance pay, overtime, pay progression and pay rises from promotion, alongside the pay uplift.

Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay said:

I hugely value the work of NHS staff, and we’re giving junior doctors, consultants and senior NHS staff a fair pay rise as recommended by the independent pay review bodies – which is above what most in the public and private sectors are receiving.

We have worked at speed to ensure they will start receiving this in their pay packets this month. I’ve been clear this pay award is final and I urge the British Medical Association (BMA) to end its callous and calculated strike action – these are only serving to lengthen waiting lists, harm patients and put more pressure on their colleagues.

The government is funding this pay award through prioritisation within existing departmental budgets, with frontline services being protected. More borrowing would add pressures on inflation at exactly the wrong time, risking higher interest rates and higher mortgage rates.

More widely, and alongside the pension tax reforms announced at budget, the government is implementing new retirement flexibilities to help retain experienced doctors, while making it easier and attractive for retired staff to return.

From 1 April 2023, restrictions were lifted on the amount of work that staff can do if they return to service after retirement, and allowed staff who retire and return to re-join the scheme and build more pension. From 1 October 2023, a further partial retirement option for staff will be introduced, which will allow them to claim a portion of their pension benefits but continue working and building further pension.

This means more clinicians to provide appointments, ease winter pressures and deliver care to patients, as well as the retention of crucial knowledge and experience to ensure patients are receiving first-class care.
September 4, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK-Philippines partnership bolstered by Foreign Secretary visit [September 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 3 September 2023.

Ambassador Laure Beaufils highlights the ambitions of the UK and Philippines Enhanced Partnership, including what we have already delivered together since its launch in 2021.

Last week, UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly visited Manila. It was his first visit to the Philippines, and a clear demonstration of the UK’s commitment to the Philippines as a like-minded partner. As he and President Bongbong Marcos agreed, we share a common global outlook and enjoy strong partnerships. Indeed, the UK and the Philippines have a mature, long-lasting relationship, solidly grounded in mutual respect, a shared belief in openness, freedom and the rule of law, and a shared commitment to promoting a stable and peaceful rules-based international order.

The ambitions for our bilateral relationship were recently evidenced when our respective foreign secretaries launched our Enhanced Partnership in November 2021. The Enhanced Partnership covers all aspects of UK-Philippines bilateral relations and is the touchstone of the relations between our two countries. As part of his visit, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and Philippine Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo issued a Joint Statement of Intent, setting out our shared ambition to further bolster the UK-Philippines Enhanced Partnership, particularly on maritime security, climate and environment, trade and economic development and science and tech.

Less than two years after the EP was launched, we can already look back at significant, tangible achievements we have delivered together.

Already, our economic relationship is a success story. Trade between the UK and the Philippines is at its highest ever level at £2.6 billion. We are planning a new Joint Trade Economic Committee to accelerate this even further. We have seen major new UK investment in the Philippines, including Diageo’s £223-million acquisition of Don Papa Rum. Through our trade preference scheme, we have made 99 percent of Filipino exports eligible for tariff free access to the UK. We have £4 billion in UK export finance to further support British trade with the Philippines. Together, we will enhance trade and investment with a particular focus on renewable energy, agriculture, infrastructure and technology and promoting inclusive and sustainable growth.

Our trade work has been supported by British Investment Partnerships (BIP), which our UK Minister for Asia, Anne Marie Trevelyan, launched alongside Secretary Benjamin Diokno in March this year. BIP catalyzes and accelerates investments in green infrastructure. We have backed investments of £32 million in hydro and solar projects in the Philippines, seen private investments in biomass of $350 million and a new partnership with the Philippine Stock Exchange.

We have developed strong partnerships with the Philippines on climate, environment and biodiversity. Over the last year, we have worked with the Philippines to support the development of climate tools and strategies that set the country’s direction on climate action. This includes a National Adaptation Plan, which will be launched at COP28. Together, we are implementing a suite of programs to enhance climate resilience and adaptation, halting and reversing nature and biodiversity loss and accelerating the transition towards a green economy.

We have boosted our maritime engagement and taken it to new levels. We have broadened our cooperation on maritime law, promoting maritime domain awareness and advancing marine environmental protection. We have been clear in our support for the Philippines on the importance of upholding the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea as the legal framework for all activities in the ocean and seas. The UK Foreign Secretary’s visit of a Philippines Coast Guard vessel this week was evidence of this.

Together with the British Council, we have invested in people, improving educational opportunities and boosting our precious people-to-people ties. This has included support on skills development with TESDA and the setting up of 15 UK-Philippines dual degree postgraduate programs across 11 Filipino and nine British universities. It has also included scholarships, university linkages and other educational and cultural exchanges. Through our Chevening scholarship program in particular, over 500 scholars have now completed fully funded masters degrees of their choice and returned to the Philippines as the next generation of leaders and decision-makers.

We have taken pride in supporting the peace process in the BARMM – sharing our experience from the peace process in Northern Ireland and investing in the new institutions of parliament and government.

There is a lot more we have done – across key areas such as Serious and Organized Crime, health, media freedom and science. And we have begun investing in key new relationships and programs, for example in cyber-security and tech.

There is much we can already celebrate but we will not rest on our laurels. We are drawing on the momentum already generated to scale up our joint ambitions. The Joint Statement of Intent is a vote of confidence in the power of partnerships and the strengthening ties between the UK and the Philippines.

British Ambassador to the Philippines and Palau, Laure Beaufils

September 4, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Home Secretary orders review into political activism in police [September 2023]
The press release issued by the Home Office on 2 September 2023.

Inspectorate commissioned to look at police impartiality in landmark review.

The Home Secretary has commissioned a review into activism and impartiality in the police.

In a letter to policing leaders, Suella Braverman set out her expectation that the police should focus on tackling crime, rather than being involved in political matters, and her intention to continue working with policing leaders to ensure that forces’ time is always spent on the public’s priorities.

The Home Secretary has commissioned His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) to undertake a review of the extent to which involvement in such activities may be impacting on the effectiveness, efficiency and legitimacy of operational policing in England and Wales by influencing policing policy, priorities and practice.

The policing model in England and Wales, ensures that the police should, at all times, adopt a position of political neutrality.

In her letter to police chiefs, the Home Secretary praised forces for the hard work and dedication that they display every day, noting the extraordinary levels of bravery and commitment officers up and down the country show.

However, she highlighted cases where she believes public confidence had been damaged by police engaging in contentious issues. This includes policing gender-critical views on social media, conduct at political marches and officers taking the knee.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman said:

The British people expect their police to focus on cutting crime and protecting communities – political activism does not keep people safe, solve crimes or support victims, but can damage public confidence.

The review I’ve commissioned will explore whether the police getting involved in politically contentious matters is having a detrimental impact on policing. I will leave no stone unturned in ensuring policing acts for the benefit of the British public.

The HMICFRS review has been asked to cover:
- policies and processes that go further than, or contravene, obligations set out in the Equality Act 2010, and how those impact operational decision making
- the quality and neutrality of associated training provided to implement such policies and processes, and by which organisation(s) this is delivered
- the selection process for groups that are consulted on revisions to policy or process, how decisions are made on which policies and processes are selected for amendment, how the views expressed by those groups are balanced against others, and what consideration is given to other groups that may be impacted as a result
- the involvement of staff networks in the development of policies and processes, and the use of police resources and time dedicated to such networks and whether they are involved in contested political matters
- communications with the public on these issues, including social media
The Home Secretary has requested that the report is published by the end of March 2024, and is part of her drive to see more common sense policing that will see police spending their time wisely and getting the basics right.

The review is part of a series of measures announced by the Home Secretary to ensure the police are acting on the British people’s priorities, by giving them the resource they need and freeing up officers’ time.

This includes reforming Home Office Counting Rules for crime to reduce back-office paperwork, rolling out nationally Right Care, Right Person so police are not attending as many mental health callouts and recruiting 20,000 additional police officers through the Police Uplift Programme, meaning England and Wales now has record numbers of officers.
September 4, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Consultation launched into unregulated cosmetic procedures [September 2023]
The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 2 September 2023.

People and businesses are invited to share their views on how to make non-surgical cosmetic procedures safer as thousands complain of ‘botched’ procedures.
Government to seek views on how to make non-surgical cosmetic procedures safer for consumers

Calls for views from industry and people who have undergone these procedures will be used to shape regulations

Proposals considered include restrictions on who can perform certain high-risk procedures and age limits for those undergoing cosmetic procedures

People and businesses are being invited to share their views on how to make non-surgical cosmetic procedures – including Botox, laser hair removal and dermal fillers – safer as thousands complain of ‘botched’ procedures.

The government’s first-ever consultation on treatments – also known as aesthetic procedures – will be used to shape a new licensing scheme for practitioners and cosmetic businesses which operate in England. This could include age limits and restrictions for high-risk procedures, including those involving injecting fillers into intimate parts of the body – including the breasts and buttocks.

Any new licensing scheme would protect patients from potential harm associated with poorly performed procedures. This will provide reassurance to people that wherever they go to get their treatments, they will receive the same high standards of practice.

The beauty industry is hugely important for the UK economy and is largely made up of female-owned, small and medium sized businesses, with the non-surgical cosmetic industry previously being valued at an estimated £3.6 billion in the UK.

New regulations will support businesses by introducing high standards across the sector, raising the reputation and professionalism of the industry.

Minister for the Women’s Health Strategy, Maria Caulfield said:

Whether it’s Botox, dermal fillers or even a chemical peel, we have heard too many stories of people who’ve had bad experiences from getting a cosmetic procedure from someone who is inexperienced or underqualified.

There’s no doubt that the popularity of cosmetic procedures is increasing, so it’s our role to ensure consistent standards for consumers and a level playing field for businesses and practitioners.

We want to make sure we get this right for everyone, which is why we want to hear your opinions and experiences through our new consultation.

An estimated 900,000 Botox injections are carried out in the UK each year. Save Face – a government approved register of accredited practitioners – received almost 3,000 complaints in 2022, with over two-thirds of those complaints relating to dermal fillers and almost a quarter relating to Botox.

Ashton Collins, Director, Save Face said:

Whilst we appreciate that we are still at very early stages of any potential licensing scheme being implemented in England, we are delighted to have been invited by the government to contribute our thoughts and ideas ahead of the release of this public consultation.

Being involved in the process has enabled Save Face to actively contribute to roundtable discussions with ministers, policy makers and key stakeholders.

As the largest and longest established Professional Standards Authority accredited register, we are able to provide a unique level of insight based on 10 years of gathering data from practitioner and clinic audits as well as patient reported complaints, adverse reactions, and complications.

This will enable us to help develop a fit for purpose scheme that has public safety as its primary focus. We look forward to continuing to work closely with the government and key stakeholders during the next stages of the process.

Professor David Sines CBE, Chair of the Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners, said:

I warmly welcome the government’s decision to consult on this new, proposed licensing scheme. It will help to ensure that people who undergo non-surgical cosmetic procedures receive treatment from practitioners who are properly trained and qualified, have the necessary insurance cover and operate from premises that are safe and hygienic.

I would urge everybody to seize the opportunity provided by this consultation and support the move towards sensible and proportionate regulation in this important sector.

Victoria Brownlie, Chief Policy Officer at the British Beauty Council:

Since its inception, the British Beauty Council has been working to raise the reputation of the beauty industry and we see greater checks and balances around aesthetic procedures as a key part of this. Having worked with the government to achieve the ban on injectables for under 18s in 2021, we are delighted that they have continued this momentum with the commitment to introduce a licensing scheme covering a raft of higher-risk aesthetic treatments, many of which are largely unregulated.

Those seeking treatments deserve to do so with confidence that their practitioner is properly qualified in the service they’re offering, to the appropriate level of government approved educational standards. The Council has worked closely with the Department of Health and Social Care to get to this point, so we look forward to seeing the outcome of the consultation and helping to shape the regulatory framework as it progresses.

The consultation will run for 8 weeks and will close on Saturday 28 October 2023.

It follows the passing of the Health and Care Act in April 2022, which gave the Health and Social Care Secretary the power to introduce a licensing regime.

Under the proposed scheme, which will be operated by local authorities in England, practitioners will need to be licensed to perform specific procedures, and the premises from which they operate will also need to be licensed.

The government has already made it illegal for under 18s to access Botox and filler treatments for cosmetic purposes and banned TV and social media adverts targeting under 18s with cosmetic procedures.

Anyone considering a cosmetic procedure should reflect fully on the possible impact of the procedure on both their physical and mental health and, if they decide to go ahead, take the time to find a reputable, insured and qualified practitioner.
September 4, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : United Kingdom Minister David Rutley MP visits Belize [September 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 1 September 2023.

The United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Minister for the Americas and Caribbean visits Belize.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s Minister for the Americas & the Caribbean, David Rutley MP, will arrive in Belize on 4 September 2023. This visit underlines the strong bilateral ties and values shared by Belize and the United Kingdom.

During his visit, Minister Rutley will meet the Prime Minister of Belize, Honourable John Briceño, and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Immigration, Honourable Eamon Courtenay.

The Minister will also visit BATSUB (British Army Training Support Unit Belize) to see their jungle training and attend meetings with civil society to discuss gender, women and girls and climate.

The Minister’s visit will culminate with Coastal Plain Highway, where he will see the recently completed climate-resilient infrastructure supported by the UK, through UKCIF (UK Caribbean Infrastructure Fund) funding.

Acting High Commissioner to Belize, Kate Reynolds, welcomes the Minister’s visit and stated:

I am delighted to welcome Minister Rutley on his first visit to Belize, where he will be engaging with some of our partners as we continue the work towards shared goals on climate change, protection of biodiversity, security, gender and investment.

September 4, 2023