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Category: Press Releases

  • PRESS RELEASE : We must deliver justice for survivors of Daesh’s atrocities [September 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : We must deliver justice for survivors of Daesh’s atrocities [September 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 15 September 2023.

    Explanation of vote by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council meeting on UNITAD.

    We recall that the horrific atrocities committed by Daesh shocked the world. This Council was clear in its response: Daesh members had to be held to account, and justice delivered for the survivors and victims of their crimes.

    This is why Iraq and the UK were at the helm of establishing UNITAD through Resolution 2379 in 2017.

    Since it was established, UNITAD has supported the excavation of mass graves and facilitated the return of remains to the families of victims. It has worked closely with Iraqi judges and prosecutors to build their capacity, in particular on evidence collection. It has provided survivors, including of sexual and gender-based violence, with opportunities to provide testimony safely with their rights fully respected, testimonies that have been used in the prosecution of Daesh members around the world. And it has enabled psychosocial treatment in partnership with Iraq’s Ministry of Health, providing real impact for survivors.

    This year, as with every year, we approached this mandate in close partnership with the Government of Iraq, and with the shared commitment of Security Council members to counter terrorism.

    The resolution we have adopted this morning puts us on a course to improve evidence sharing arrangements with the Government of Iraq, and to consider options for UNITAD’s future.

    The UK will work closely with the Government of Iraq, the United Nations, and the Security Council to continue UNITAD’s legacy, both in Iraq and around the world. We are grateful to the Special Adviser and his Team for their dedicated work in pursuit of accountability. And we stand firm in our continued international efforts to deliver justice for Daesh’s atrocities.

    Thank you.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK joins top Gulf commerce ministers for trade talks in Oman [September 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK joins top Gulf commerce ministers for trade talks in Oman [September 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 15 September 2023.

    Minister Huddleston visits Oman to attend the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Commerce Ministers’ summit.

    • Nigel Huddleston to become the first UK Minister to attend Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Commerce Ministers’ summit.
    • UK and GCC in talks on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) which could increase trade by 16%.
    • Huddleston to use summit to discuss the FTA and help further trading relationship worth over £65 billion.

    Nigel Huddleston, UK Minister for International Trade, is in Oman today [13 September] to hold talks with top trade ministers from across the Gulf region.

    This is the first time a UK Minister has been invited in this capacity to attend the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Commerce Ministers’ summit – part of a regular series attended by commerce ministers from all six GCC countries. The summit comes a year after the first round of talks on a UK-GCC Free Trade Agreement.

    UK Minister for International Trade Nigel Huddleston said:

    We already have powerful trade ties with the GCC, and I am pleased to be able to take this chance to further improve our relationship.

    We want a modern, comprehensive, and ambitious free trade deal that will promote innovation, encourage investment, and help develop the industries of the future.

    “There’s a great prize on offer here – the potential for what we can achieve together in the years and decades to come is huge.”

    The GCC is one the UK’s most important trading partners, with trade growing to £65.2 billion in 2022 – an increase of over 75% in current prices. Previous Government analysis shows that, in the long run, a deal with the GCC is expected to increase trade by 16%.

    A deal could increase UK businesses’ access to booming markets in the Gulf and will also make it easier for people across the GCC to access UK expertise in areas including life sciences, artificial intelligence and renewables.

    During the visit, the Minister will also tour the Port of Salalah, the biggest port in Oman, ranked the second most efficient container port in the world in 2021.

    Oliver Christian, the government’s new Trade Commissioner for the Middle East, will join Minister Huddleston for discussions.

  • PRESS RELEASE : International Day of Democracy 2023 – Global Partnership for Action on Gender-Based Online Harassment and Abuse, joint statement [September 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : International Day of Democracy 2023 – Global Partnership for Action on Gender-Based Online Harassment and Abuse, joint statement [September 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 15 September 2023.

    Members of the Global Partnership for Action on Gender-Based Online Harassment and Abuse gave a statement on women’s and girls’ rights to participate in public life.

    Today, on International Day of Democracy 2023, the undersigned country members of the Global Partnership for Action on Gender-Based Online Harassment and Abuse call attention to the pressing need to protect and promote women’s and girls’ right to participate in public life.

    This is a pivotal year for the status of democracy globally with more than 100 countries scheduled to hold elections in the coming year. The active participation of all people, including women and girls in all their diversity, is essential for healthy and prosperous democracies. Yet women and girls engaged in public life are increasingly targeted by online threats and attacks, with insufficient avenues for response and redress. A global study* found that the majority of women parliamentarians surveyed had experienced psychological violence, primarily through social media, including threats of death, sexual violence, beatings or abductions. Some women face multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination, including on the basis of age, race, religion, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

    Online threats to women and girls in public life have proliferated with the increased adoption of digital technologies and are likely to continue to grow with new and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, which has led to the rise of malicious deepfakes, non-consensual pornography, reinforced stereotyping and bias, and other harms. Multiple forms of technology-facilitated gender-based violence have been shown to prompt women’s self-censorship and disengagement from the public sphere and can occur alongside offline intimidation and violence.

    This undermines women’s ability to exercise their human rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedom of expression. Orchestrated, digital attacks deliberately use misogyny and disinformation to discredit, intimidate and silence women politicians, journalists, and activists. In addition to harming individual targets, these attacks are an affront to democracies globally. They should therefore be prioritised as an urgent concern given the serious threat they pose to inclusive, open societies. All people – including women and girls in all their diversity – should be able to speak out and actively participate in the public sphere without fear of harassment, discrimination, or violence. We must prevent and address technology-facilitated gender-based violence to safeguard the very well-being of our democracies and economies.

    We call upon states to join us in recognising the threat of technology-facilitated gender-based violence to democracies globally. We urge states and technology companies to take appropriate action to prevent and respond to this threat, support a Safety by Design approach to the development and deployment of platforms and technologies and defend women’s right to participate in public life freely, safely and without fear.

    Co-signatories and sponsoring country members of the Global Partnership:

    Australia: Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland; Chile; Denmark: Minister for Development Cooperation and Global Climate Policy, Dan Jørgensen; Iceland: Minister for Foreign Affairs, Thórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörd Gylfadóttir; New Zealand: Minister for Women, Hon Jan Tinetti; Republic of Korea: Second Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Oh Youngju; Sweden: Minister for Foreign Affairs, Tobias Billström; United Kingdom: Minister of State for the Middle East, South Asia, Commonwealth, UN and the Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon; United States of America.

    *Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) (2016). Sexism, harassment and violence against women parliamentarians. Geneva. Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence: Preliminary Landscape Analysis (publishing.service.gov.uk) (PDF, 2.44MB) p.32

  • PRESS RELEASE : Welsh steel’s future secured as UK Government and Tata Steel announce Port Talbot green transition proposal [September 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Welsh steel’s future secured as UK Government and Tata Steel announce Port Talbot green transition proposal [September 2023]

    The press release issued by HM Treasury on 15 September 2023.

    The UK Government and Tata Steel agree on joint investment package to secure a sustainable future for steelmaking in Port Talbot.

    • UK Government agrees proposal with Tata Steel to invest in greener steelmaking at Port Talbot, protecting the future of steel production and skilled jobs in Wales.
    • Transformational investment – including one of the largest UK Government support packages in history – would modernise production with state-of-the-art Electric Arc Furnace steelmaking and reduce UK’s entire carbon emissions by around 1.5%.
    • Without substantial investment, Port Talbot would otherwise be at serious threat and Tata Steel’s operations in the UK employing 8,000 people would be at risk.
    • Significant investment alongside Celtic Freeport will drive long-term green growth and create skilled jobs in South Wales and UK economies.

    The UK Government and Tata Steel have today (15 September) agreed on a proposed joint investment package which will secure a sustainable future for steelmaking in Port Talbot, modernise production of greener steel and protect skilled jobs, subject to consultation and regulatory approvals.

    Tata Steel is expected to invest £1.25 billion, including a UK Government grant worth up to £500 million – one of the largest government support packages in history – in a new Electric Arc Furnace for greener steel production at Port Talbot, which is currently the UK’s largest single carbon emitter.

    This would replace the existing coal-powered blast furnaces – which are nearing the end of their effective life – and reduce the UK’s entire carbon emissions by around 1.5 percent as a result.

    Tata Steel UK employs over 8,000 people, including at Port Talbot, which would otherwise be under serious threat without substantial investment to guarantee its future. Tata Steel also supports around 12,500 further jobs in the upstream supply chain.

    Thanks to UK Government intervention, it is expected that the proposal announced today – which remains subject to information and consultation processes led by Tata Steel – has the potential to safeguard over 5,000 jobs across the UK.

    The UK Government would also ensure a broad range of support for any staff who are affected by the transition, working with the Welsh Government and Tata Steel to establish a dedicated transition board to support both affected employees and the local economy, with up to £100m funding.

    Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch said:

    The UK Government is backing our steel sector, and this proposal will secure a sustainable future for Welsh steel and is expected to save thousands of jobs in the long term.

    This is an historic package of support from the UK Government and will not only protect skilled jobs in Wales but also grow the UK economy, boost growth and help ensure a successful UK steel industry.

    Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt said:

    This proposal is a landmark moment for maintaining ongoing UK steel production – supporting sustainable economic growth, cutting emissions, and creating green jobs.

    It is right that we are ready to step in to protect this world class manufacturing industry and to support a green growth hub in South Wales.

    The landmark proposal announced today builds on other major investments in UK green technology by Tata Group, including the July announcement of a £4 billion battery gigafactory creating 4,000 direct jobs, and represents a major vote of confidence in the UK.

    Alongside the UK Government’s proposal for the Celtic Freeport – expected to create 16,000 jobs – and the land at Port Talbot which Tata expects to release for transfer or sale following the transition from blast furnaces, the investment could help unlock thousands of new local jobs and boost both the South Wales and wider UK economy.

    Subject to Tata Steel consultation processes, the UK Government estimates that the support package will also protect thousands of jobs in the wider UK steel supply chain.

    Welsh Secretary David TC Davies said:

    Steelmaking remains a vital part of the Welsh economy and this huge support package from the UK Government ensures that the industry now has a bright future to match its long and proud history in South Wales.

    We are investing in our steel industry as it makes the necessary transition to greener methods of production and are also putting support in place for the local workers affected by the changes.

    Tata Group Chairman N Chandrasekaran said:

    The agreement with the UK Government is a defining moment for the future of the Steel Industry and indeed the industrial value chain in the UK.  It has been an absolute pleasure to work with the His Majesty’s Government and the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in developing the proposed transition pathway for the future for sustainable steelmaking in the UK.

    The proposed investment will preserve significant employment and presents a great opportunity for the development of a green technology-based industrial ecosystem in South Wales. We look forward to working with our stakeholders on these proposals in a responsible manner.

    The transition to sustainable steelmaking at Port Talbot is also expected to reduce the UK’s entire business and industry carbon emissions by 7 percent, Wales’s overall emissions by 22 percent and the Port Talbot site’s emissions by 85 percent.

  • PRESS RELEASE : ‘I commend their bravery’ – Foreign Secretary recognises bravery of Iranian people on anniversary of Mahsa Amini death [September 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : ‘I commend their bravery’ – Foreign Secretary recognises bravery of Iranian people on anniversary of Mahsa Amini death [September 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 15 September 2023.

    The Foreign Secretary has commended the bravery of Iranian women a year on from Mahsa Amini’s death and announced coordinated sanctions on the regime.

    • Bravery of Iranian women commended by UK Foreign Secretary on anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s death as he underlines the UK’s commitment to standing with the Iranian people as they call for fundamental rights.
    • UK, US, Canada andAustralia  announce coordinated sanctions on Iranian officials to mark anniversary.
    • UK sanctions focus on senior decision makers responsible for enforcing Iran’s mandatory hijab law, including the Minister for Culture and Islamic Guidance, the Mayor of Tehran and the Iranian Police spokesperson.

    The Foreign Secretary has commended the bravery of the Iranian people a year on from the death of Mahsa Amini in the custody of the Morality Police.

    Marking the anniversary tomorrow, the UK, US, Canada and Australia have imposed coordinated sanctions on Iranian officials and entities.

    The UK’s sanctions focus on senior Iranian decision makers responsible for drafting and implementing Iran’s mandatory hijab legislation.

    Iran’s existing legislation prohibits women and girls from choosing what they wear, with punishments for refusing to wear a hijab including time in prison and severe fines.

    Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said:

    A year on from Mahsa Amini’s tragic death at the hands of Iran’s Morality Police, I commend the bravery of Iranian women as they continue to fight for fundamental freedoms.

    Today’s sanctions on those responsible for Iran’s oppressive laws send a clear message that the UK and our partners will continue to stand with Iranian women and call out the repression it is inflicting on its own people.

    Today’s sanctions include:

    • Mohammad Mehdi Esmaili – Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance.
    • Mohammad Hashemi – Deputy Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance.
    • Alireza Zakani – Mayor of Tehran.
    • Saeed Montazer Al-Mahdi – Iranian Police Spokesman.

    The Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance is responsible for ensuring adherence to government dress codes within Iranian society. As examples, Esmaili declared that actresses who remove the hijab in public or social media can no longer continue their careers in acting, and that action would be taken against businesses whose female employees failed to adhere to mandatory hijab requirements.

    The Police Spokesperson Al-Mahdi threatened that the regime will ‘deal firmly’ with those women who removed their hijab, including for example by impounding the cars of women caught driving without hijab.

    The Morality Police’s activities reduced following the outbreak of protests after Mahsa Amini’s death and a raft of international sanctions, including by the UK, but earlier this year its forces have reappeared as part of a renewed crackdown on women in Iran. This has included specific punishments against women for failing to wear the hijab, including being prevented from using the Tehran Metro, and female actors banned from working by the Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance.

    The UK has imposed sanctions on more than 350 Iranian officials and entities, including the Prosecutor General and the IRGC in its entirety, and announced its intention to create a new sanctions regime earlier this year to target decision makers in Iran for hostile activities in the UK and around the world. The UK has previously sanctioned the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution, responsible for women’s dress codes in Iran.

    Since Mahsa Amini’s death, the Iranian regime has been increasingly isolated by the international community, and faced growing sanctions’ pressure in response to serious human rights violations against its own people, and supply of UAV related technology to Russia for use in Ukraine. In December 2022, Iran was removed from the UN Commission on the Status of Women.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Lincoln Crown Court celebrates 200 years of serving justice [September 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Lincoln Crown Court celebrates 200 years of serving justice [September 2023]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 15 September 2023.

    Lincoln Crown Court opens its doors to celebrate 200 years of serving the community and delivering justice.

    • families invited behind the scenes of historic Crown Court
    • open day to give rare and unique insight into how justice is done
    • public able to visit court cells and jury rooms and watch a mock trial

    Families will get a once-in-a-life-time opportunity to try on wigs and gowns, hear how judges prepare for cases, and even make the walk from the dock to the cells at Lincoln Crown Court as the historic site opens its doors to celebrate 200 years of serving the community and delivering justice.

    Residents will be invited into the historic court building on Saturday (16 September 2023) to explore its rich history, relive criminal trials over the past 2 centuries, and take a behind-the-scenes look at how justice is done.

    Court hearings have taken place on the same site in the grounds of Lincoln Castle as far back as the 11th century. Building on the current Crown Court building began in 1823, designed by Sir Robert Smirke, with a grand jury room and 2 courtrooms to hear criminal and civil cases.

    In March 1872, the court held the trial of William Frederick Horry who was convicted of murdering his wife and became the first person in the UK to be executed by the long drop method of hanging.

    The building still hears criminal cases from across Lincolnshire today and the open day will offer a unique hands-on opportunity to take in its courtrooms, defendant dock, cells, and jury rooms. Visitors can also watch a mock trial and sentencing to understand how the court continues to deliver justice.

    Judges, magistrates and court staff will be on hand to answer questions, and families can speak to Probation Service and Crown Prosecution Service teams about how they each play a vital role right across the modern-day justice system.

    Justice Minister Mike Freer, said:

    As well as a world-leading justice system, we have a truly historic courts estate with fascinating histories and stories to tell.

    We are investing millions of pounds every year to ensure our court buildings are fit for the future and reflect our high standards, while also preserving their unique and incredibly important history.

    Nick Goodwin, CEO of HM Courts and Tribunals Service, said:

    We are delighted to be opening our doors to the public to talk about the rich history of Lincoln Crown Court, show off this impressive building and the brilliant people who work there, and share all we do here at HMCTS to make sure justice is delivered.

    Lincoln Crown Court will be open to visitors from 10am on Saturday 16 September.

    The open day follows an announcement from the government that court buildings across the country will benefit from £220 million for essential modernisation and repair work across the next 2 years to minimise disruptions caused by old buildings.

    Improvements will maintain the heritage of the courts and tribunals estate, while ensuring it is equipped with the latest technology to deliver modern justice as well as improving accessibility for all users.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK to bring UN sanctions on Iran into UK law [September 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK to bring UN sanctions on Iran into UK law [September 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 September 2023.

    The UK, France and Germany (E3) announce they will transfer UN sanctions on Iran into domestic regimes and maintain EU/UK sanctions beyond October deadline.

    • UK, France and Germany (E3) to transfer UN sanctions on Iran into domestic regimes and maintain existing EU/UK sanctions beyond October deadline included in nuclear deal.
    • E3 taking ‘legitimate and proportionate’ action in response to Iranian regime breaching commitments under the nuclear deal and advancing its nuclear programme beyond all credible civilian justification.
    • UK and partners remain committed to preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

    The UK has today committed to bringing UN sanctions on Iran due to lift in October into UK law.

    Under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA), a range of UN, EU and UK sanctions were due to be lifted on October 18th. These include sanctions on individuals and entities involved in Iran’s missile, nuclear, and other weapons programs.

    In response to continued Iranian non-compliance with their JCPoA commitments and ongoing nuclear escalation, the E3 have confirmed today that the UN sanctions will be transferred into domestic sanctions regimes and the EU and UK sanctions will be maintained.

    FCDO spokesperson said:

    Iran continues to breach its commitments under the JCPoA and advance its nuclear programme beyond all credible civilian justification.

    Alongside our French and German partners, we have taken a legitimate and proportionate step in response to Iran’s actions.

    The UK and our partners remain committed to a diplomatic solution but Iran must now take clear steps towards de-escalation. We are committed to preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

    Today’s actions do not violate the JCPoA and are fully consistent with the procedures defined within it. Iran has consistently breached its obligations under the JCPoA. The regime’s enriched uranium stockpiles are more than 18 times the JCPoA limit and it has built and deployed thousands of advanced centrifuges.

    In March last year and again in August, the UK and our partners offered Iran viable deals that would have defused the nuclear issue. On both occasions Iran declined.

    The UK and our partners remain committed to preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons, including through the snapback process if necessary.

    Further information

    • The E3 triggered the JCPoA’s Dispute Resolution Mechanism (DRM) in January 2020 in response to Iranian non-compliance to try to find a solution. The DRM process is supposed to allow 30 days to resolve outstanding issues; it has been over three and a half years and Iran remains out of compliance.
    • According to Paragraph 36 of the JCPoA, these unresolved issues are grounds to cease performing part of our commitments.
  • PRESS RELEASE : E3 statement on the JCPoA [September 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : E3 statement on the JCPoA [September 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 September 2023.

    The UK, France and Germany have issued a joint statement ahead of JCPoA Transition Day on 18 October 2023.

    A spokesperson for the E3 said:

    In direct response to Iran’s consistent and severe non-compliance with its JCPoA commitments since 2019, the governments of France, Germany, and the United Kingdom intend to maintain nuclear proliferation-related measures on Iran, as well as arms and missile embargoes, after JCPoA Transition Day on 18 October 2023. We have jointly notified the JCPoA Coordinator in that regard.

    This decision is fully compliant with the JCPoA. It follows our attempts to resolve Iran’s non-compliance through the JCPoA’s Dispute Resolution Mechanism which we triggered in January 2020. Iran has refused opportunities to return to the JCPoA twice and has continued to expand its programme beyond JCPoA limitations and without any credible civilian justification. Its enriched uranium stockpile stands at more than 18 times the amount permitted under the JCPoA.

    Our commitment to finding a diplomatic solution remains. This decision does not amount to imposing additional sanctions nor to triggering the snapback mechanism. We stand ready to reverse our decision, should Iran fully implement its JCPoA commitments.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Public-private partnerships have the potential to transform humanitarian action – UK Statement at the UN Security Council [September 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Public-private partnerships have the potential to transform humanitarian action – UK Statement at the UN Security Council [September 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 September 2023.

    Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the Security Council meeting on advancing public-private partnerships.

    Thank you President for convening this important and useful debate.

    And let me start by thanking Executive Director McCain, Mr Cohen and Mr Miebach for their informative briefings.

    Colleagues, on Tuesday we rose to offer our condolences to the people of Libya and Morocco following their losses. I do that again today but this is also a tragic reminder of the need for us to explore every avenue to maximise our humanitarian response to the many challenges the world faces today against a backdrop of soaring humanitarian need. And in this the role of the private sector is becoming increasingly important. As we’ve heard, private actors can provide knowledge, expertise, and investment to tackle humanitarian need, reduce threats, and build resilience.

    The case of SAFER oil tanker in Yemen is a good example of private-public partnership that had real impact on an item on this Council’s agenda. By working together, public and private actors removed over one million barrels of oil from the decaying SAFER oil tanker and in doing so, they averted a major environmental, humanitarian and economic catastrophe.

    President, I want to highlight three further ideas of where public and private actors can work together in this spirit.

    First, bringing together all efforts to sustain peace. As this Council has heard many times, conflict is the main driver of humanitarian need. The private sector can play a role in peacebuilding and in preventing conflict. For example, the UK has supported the development of ‘peace bonds’, a new investment category to develop finance for peace. We should continue to champion public-private collaboration in support of international peace and security.

    Second, using all the tools at our disposal to get ahead of crises before they hit. And in this context the UK has collaborated with humanitarian and private actors on Disaster Risk Financing. We have supported the IFRC’s risk transfer mechanism, which has the potential to unlock $22 million of private funding in humanitarian crises. This could enable the IFRC to reach an additional 6 million vulnerable people.

    Third and finally, the private sector can support better humanitarian responses through new technology. For example, the UK has invested in mobile innovation funds, which have supported rapid detection and treatment of Cholera. This includes a tool to reduce the Cholera detection time from 3 days to just 30 minutes. This innovation is vital for a disease which has been particularly devastating in Syria, in DRC and in Myanmar this year.

    President, it is clear that public-private partnerships have the potential to transform humanitarian action and we look forward to continuing to work together to tap into this potential. Thank you.

  • PRESS RELEASE : More pupils of all ages to study languages [September 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : More pupils of all ages to study languages [September 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Education on 14 September 2023.

    15 hubs selected as part of new programme to boost languages in schools across the country.

    Thousands more pupils are set to benefit from learning languages such as German, French and Spanish, as 19 schools have been selected to lead on boosting how these subjects are taught across the country.

    This is the next step in the rollout of the government’s flagship language hubs programme, which will raise national interest in studying languages and drive more pupils to study them throughout their education from primary schools onwards.

    Data from this year’s GCSE entries showed that modern foreign languages have become increasingly popular as a subject, with a 5.1% increase in GCSE entries in 2023 compared to last year and a 9.2% increase compared to 2019.

    Schools Minister Nick Gibb said:

    Young people who are confident in a second language are at a huge advantage in life. On top of the social and cultural advantages it provides, there are many economic benefits of learning another language.

    That is why I have long called for more pupils to consider studying languages such as German at GCSE and this programme will crucially equip teachers with the necessary training and knowledge to support pupils looking to do so.

    The language hubs programme, which will start from this month, aims to encourage more pupils to study a language at GCSE as the evidence shows that pupils who do so are more likely to study that language at A Level and have a lifelong interest in languages.

    In an increasingly interconnected world, language skills are essential to business success in the global marketplace. According to a 2022 report by RAND Corporation, a 10% increase in UK pupils learning Spanish or French at key stage 3 and key stage 4 could increase UK gross domestic product over 30 years from £9.1 billion to £9.7 billion or £9.5 billion respectively.

    Speaking an additional language can also increase lifetime earnings by 2% and demand for language skills has increased due to globalisation. For example, a recent survey of British businesses highlighted German as the most widely useful language within their organisations.

    As well as being beneficial in business, the need for linguists is becoming more pronounced in careers like diplomacy, defence and security where languages help ensure effective communication between different peoples and cultures.

    Research shows that students who study a second language perform better across a range of academic subjects than students who don’t study a second language. The brain’s plasticity is heightened when learning a language, leading to increased cognitive flexibility and adaptability.

    The programme – which is backed by £14.9 million over the next 3 years and builds on the previous modern foreign language hub pilot, which ran from 2018 to March this year – will be managed by the National Consortium for Languages Education (NCLE).

    The NCLE comprises of University College London, the British Council and the Goethe-Institut. An initial 15 schools from regions across the country have been selected as lead language hubs to join the NCLE’s centre for excellence. The hubs will begin their support to schools from this September. A further 10 schools are also set to be selected in a second recruitment round in January.

    Lead hubs will engage with schools to improve the languages offer and ensure more effective transition from key stage 2 to key stage 3, whilst making sure that pupils aged 14 to 18 from all backgrounds have the opportunity to study languages through to key stage 5.

    As well as increasing opportunities among disadvantaged pupils to study languages, the programme will also increase access to home, heritage and community languages for pupils.

    The programme will include a distinct German promotion project to raise the profile of learning German in schools, including increasing awareness of the benefits of studying it. The German promotion project will be led by the Goethe-Institut. Included within the language hubs investment, this project is worth £400,000 and will involve increasing the number of schools that offer German, as well as championing learning the subject.