Category: Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE : New free legal advice for people facing eviction or repossession [August 2023]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 1 August 2023.

A new government-backed scheme providing free legal advice to help 38,000 people a year at risk of losing their home launches today (1 August).
new, free service to help around 38,000 people a year begins today

backed by extra £10 million funding for housing legal aid a year

aims to resolve issues early to help people keep their homes

People facing eviction or repossession in England and Wales will be able to receive expert legal advice free of charge, helping them to keep their homes and avoid lengthy, costly court proceedings.

The advice will be available from the moment a written notice is received by a tenant or homeowner, which could be in the form of an email from a landlord or letter from a mortgage provider. They will also be able to have legal representation in court, regardless of their financial circumstances.

Legal support for housing, debt and welfare benefit matters will help with the wider issues individuals at risk of losing their home may face. It is part of an extra £10 million a year being pumped into housing legal aid by the government.

This wrap-around care is expected to help tens of thousands of families a year to keep their homes, improve their finances and gain access to support to improve their health and life prospects.

A dedicated webpage has launched today for anyone looking to access the free advice.

Justice Minister Lord Bellamy said:

Having access to the right legal advice at the earliest point possible is crucial for those who face losing their home, to ensure they have the support and help they need.

We are creating this new service so that fewer people lose their home and can get help with their finances and resolve issues before they escalate.

While many issues can be resolved with the help of free legal advice, government-funded legal representation will also be offered on the day of hearings for cases that do reach the courts.

The Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service supports wider government work to reduce homelessness and improve the private rented sector for responsible renters and good faith landlords through the Renters’ (Reform) Bill.

Changes under the Bill, which is going through Parliament, will abolish the use of “no-fault” evictions, empowering renters to challenge poor landlords without fear of losing their home.

Minister for Housing and Homelessness, Felicity Buchan, said:

I want to ensure we are giving households all the help and support they need to stay in their homes.

That is why we are spending £1 billion through the Homelessness Prevention Grant which can be used to work with landlords to prevent evictions. At the same time our Renters (Reform) Bill will give tenants more security in their homes by abolishing Section-21 ‘no fault’ evictions.

This new service allows us to go even further and ensure tenants are getting the right legal help and support – all part of our wider work to prevent homelessness before it occurs.

Funding legal support in the early stages of a housing dispute, also helps to reduce the volume of cases going through the courts, freeing up crucial judicial capacity as well as time and money for those involved.

Rhys Moore, Executive Director of Public Impact at the National Housing Federation, said:

It’s positive to see the government providing legal support for people facing eviction or repossession which is particularly important in light of the ongoing cost of living crisis.

Access to advice and support as early as possible is crucial to helping people navigate the legal system at a time of immense stress and difficulty. Alongside this, we welcome the government’s commitment to end no fault evictions and improve security for people living in private rented homes.

Further information on the Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service can be found on GOV.UK.
August 1, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK supports food security in Nigeria [August 2023]

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

The Foreign Secretary will pledge support to Nigeria’s agriculture sector during a visit to the country.

Foreign Secretary pledges support to make Nigeria’s agriculture sector more resilient to climate change on a visit to Nigeria
Funding will help more than four million people develop better farming practices and reduce harmful carbon emissions
James Cleverly’s trip to Nigeria comes on a three-country visit to Africa where he is prioritising future-focussed, mutually-beneficial partnerships
The Foreign Secretary will announce a new package of support to make Nigeria’s agriculture sector more climate resilient, as he arrives in the country today, continuing his four-day African visit.

More than two thirds of Nigeria’s population depend on agriculture for employment. This new funding will help boost the Nigerian agricultural sector’s productivity and resilience to the impacts of climate change, transforming Nigerian critical agriculture and food systems for the benefit of people, climate and nature. UK support will help to develop heat and flood tolerant crops and increase soil fertility. New support will help grow the UK’s economy by alleviating some of the agricultural trade barriers to UK imports.

It comes on the second leg of the Foreign Secretary’s three-country visit to Africa, where he is prioritising future-focussed, mutually-beneficial relationships.

In Lagos today, he will announce a £10 million UK-backed facility in Nigeria, in partnership with finance company InfraCredit that will unlock funding for sustainable and climate-friendly infrastructure development projects – such as providing renewable energy services to homes in urban areas, as well as green housing.

Tomorrow, in Abuja he will announce a £55 million Propcom+ contract, a UK International Climate Finance programme which aims to support the transformation of Nigeria’s rural economy, and a £2.89 million grant, will support more than four million people across Nigeria to adopt and scale up sustainable agricultural practices. This includes improving the health of animals, making crops more resilient, and introducing cleaner cooking practices. This in turn will help increase productivity, capacity and resilience among small-scale farmers and rural communities across Nigeria while reducing carbon emissions and protecting natural ecosystems.

Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly said:

Nigeria has a booming population and the largest economy in Africa – there is huge potential for an even closer partnership between UK and Nigerian businesses which will be of mutual benefit to both countries.

Together we are focussing on the future, putting in place green, clean measures, both in agriculture and infrastructure development, to create climate-resilient solutions for the global challenges we all face today and will increasingly face in the years to come.

On his first visit to Nigeria, the Foreign Secretary will also visit a UN Humanitarian Air Service centre in Nigeria’s capital Abuja where he will hear how over £38 million of UK funding has helped vulnerable communities in the North-East of Nigeria.

Over four million people are facing food insecurity, and two million children under five are acutely malnourished in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States. This funding is helping to protect people, build their resilience to the ongoing food shortage crisis, and prevent famine.

The Foreign Secretary will also meet Nigerian president Bola Ahmed Tinubu and National Security Advisor Mallam Nuhu Ribadu to discuss the UK-Nigeria partnership and key common priorities, including how to increase bilateral trade and investment, economic development, regional issues, and strengthened security cooperation.

August 1, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK Government announces extension of CE mark recognition for businesses [August 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 1 August 2023.

The Department for Business and Trade has today announced an indefinite extension to the use of CE marking for UK businesses.
Business department announces indefinite CE mark recognition beyond 2024 deadline

As part of the government’s drive for smarter regulation, the extension will cut business costs and time required to place products on the market and benefit consumers

Follows extensive engagement with industry, delivering on a key ask from businesses to ease burdens and boost growth for the UK economy

The Department for Business and Trade has today announced an indefinite extension to the use of CE marking for UK businesses.

This comes as part of a wider package of smarter regulations designed to ease business burdens and help grow the economy by cutting barriers and red tape. Following extensive engagement with industry, British firms will be able to continue the use of CE marking alongside UKCA.

The Business Secretary acted urgently on this issue, to prevent a cliff-edge moment in December 2024 when UKCA was set for entry. This intervention will ensure businesses no longer face uncertainty over the regulations and can cut back on unnecessary costs freeing them up to focus on innovation and growth.

Business Minister Kevin Hollinrake said:

The Government is tackling red tape, cutting burdens for business, and creating certainty for firms – we have listened to industry, and we are taking action to deliver.

By extending CE marking use across the UK, firms can focus their time and money on creating jobs and growing the economy.

Tina McKenzie, Policy Chair of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) said:

It’s welcome to see the continued recognition of CE marked products. This will allow time for small firms to adjust to the UKCA marking system and focus on growing their business both at home and overseas.

Stephen Phipson, CEO of Make UK, the manufacturers’ organisation said:

This is a pragmatic and common sense decision that manufacturers will very much welcome and support. This announcement will help safeguard the competitiveness of manufacturers and aid the UK as a destination for investment.

It should bring more confidence about doing business in the UK and recognises the need to work with the reality of doing business. Make UK has worked extensively with UK Government pushing hard for this decision and we are pleased the ongoing engagement has delivered this positive outcome.

The extension will provide businesses with flexibility and choice to use either the UKCA or CE approach to sell products in Great Britain.
August 1, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Tax cut for 38,000 British pubs [August 2023]
The press release issued by HM Treasury on 1 August 2023.

Over 38,000 UK pubs and bars have seen a tax cut on the pints they pull from today (1 August 2023) as the government’s historic alcohol duty changes take effect.
tax paid on pints and other drinks on tap in over 38,000 UK pubs is now up to 11p cheaper than their supermarket equivalents

the new Brexit Pubs Guarantee will keep it this way for good

alcohol duty now simplified so drinks are taxed by strength, lowering duty on supermarket shelves for many UK favourites including bottles of pale ale, pre-mixed gin and tonic, and prosecco

The duty paid on drinks on tap in pubs will be up to 11p lower than at the supermarket. The changes are designed to help pubs compete on a level playing field with supermarkets, so they can continue to thrive at the heart of communities across the UK. The Brexit Pubs Guarantee announced in the Chancellor’s Spring Budget secures the pledge that pubs will always pay less alcohol duty than supermarkets going forwards.

It comes as other landmark changes to the alcohol duty system also come into effect today, which see drinks taxed by strength for the first time and a new relief – named Small Producer Relief – to help small businesses and start-ups create new drinks, innovate and grow.

Today’s changes have automatically lowered the duty in shops and supermarkets on many of the UK’s favourites including certain bottles of pale ale, pre-mixed gin and tonic, hard seltzer, Irish cream, coffee liquor and English sparkling wine, amongst others.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:

“I want to support the drinks and hospitality industries that are helping to grow the economy, and the consumers who enjoy the end result.

“Not only will today’s changes mean that that the price of your pint in the pub is protected, but it will also benefit thousands of businesses across the country.

“We have taken advantage of Brexit to simplify the duty system, to reduce the price of a pint, and to back British pubs.”

Jeremy Hunt, Chancellor of the Exchequer, said:

“British pubs are the beating heart of our communities and as they face rising costs, we’re doing all we can to help them out. Through our Brexit Pubs Guarantee, we’re protecting the price of a pint.

“The changes we’re making to the way we tax alcohol catapults us into the 21st century, reflecting the popularity of low alcohol drinks and boosting growth in the sector by supporting small producers financially.”

The three alcohol duty changes that have taken effect today are only possible thanks to the UK’s departure from the EU and the guarantees set out in the Windsor Framework. The previous duty system was complex and unfair but now that the UK is free to set excise policy to suit its needs, the government has brought about common-sense reforms in order to support wider UK tax and public health objectives.

Brexit Pubs Guarantee

Over 38,000 UK pubs will benefit from lower alcohol tax on the drinks they pour from tap from today. This is because the government has expanded Draught Relief, which effectively freezes or cuts the alcohol duty on the vast majority of these drinks. This is to protect pubs, who are often undercut by supermarket competitors.

It means that the duty they pay on each drink poured from draught, such as pints of beer and cider, will be up to 11p cheaper than in supermarkets. The government has pledged that the duty pubs and bars pay on these drinks will always be less than retailers, known as the Brexit Pubs Guarantee.

This tax reduction is part of a wider shake up of the alcohol duty system which also comes into effect from today – the biggest in 140 years.

A simpler, more modern alcohol duty system

The alcohol duty reforms were announced at the Autumn Budget in 2021. The reforms pledged to modernise and simplify a duty system that had not been changed in 140 years, only possible as the UK has left the EU.

The key changes are:

all products taxed in line with alcohol by volume (ABV) strength, rather than different duty structures for different drinks

fewer main duty rates, from 15 to 6, to make it easier for businesses to grow and operate

there will be lower taxes on lower alcohol products – those below 3.5% alcohol by volume (ABV) in strength – a huge growth area in the drinks industry

all drinks above 8.5% ABV will pay the same rate regardless of product type

This will mean that many UK favourites will see duty reductions. Irish cream will drop by 3p, cans of 5% ABV ready-to-drink spirit mixers by 6p, Prosecco by 61p and 500ml 3.4% pale ale by 20p a bottle.

New tax relief to encourage small producers to make new drinks

The UK alcoholic drinks market reached just under £50 billion in 2022, up 6% year on year and is expected to continue to grow – sales are forecast to reach £60.9 billion in 2026. The UK government is laser-focused on continuing this burgeoning success.

The government is introducing Small Producer Relief effective from today, which replaces and extends the previous Small Brewers Relief scheme.

This allows small businesses who produce alcoholic products with an ABV of less than 8.5% to be eligible for reduced rates of alcohol duty on qualifying products. The new tax relief scheme promotes innovation in the drinks sector, giving small producers the financial freedom to experiment with new types of drink and grow their business. It also supports the modern drinking trend of lower alcohol beverages.

Barry Watts, Head of Policy and Public Affairs, Society of Independent Brewers

“These are the most significant changes to the alcohol duty system for generations which will have far reaching implications for what we order in the pub and what appears on the shop shelves. It is the culmination of five years of consultation on the future of Small Breweries’ Relief – a scheme that has made the huge growth of craft breweries possible over the past twenty years. These changes will finally address the “cliff edge” which was a barrier to small breweries growing and build on the scheme’s success by applying it to other alcoholic products below 8.5%.

“A key part of the new system is the draught duty relief is a gamechanger for the sector and allows for the first time a different duty to be paid for what is sold to our pubs. This will hopefully over time encourage more people to support their pub which is at the heart of our local communities.”

James Hayward, Director and Head Brewer at Iron Pier Brewery, Gravesend

“As a small brewery with a focus on cask ale, we welcome the new draught duty relief, alongside the revision of the small producers relief, which has in the past proved a restriction to growth over 5,000hl per annum. The idea that beer sold in pubs can now pay a lower rate of duty than supermarkets is a good one and will hopefully lead to further changes to protect the pub and its role in society. The previous Small Brewers Relief was successful in creating a diverse brewing industry in the UK, and to see that extended to other producers will hopefully have a positive effect on other beverage producers as well.”

Further information

Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury Gareth Davies visited Iron Pier brewery in Gravesend today, who are benefitting from the Brexit Pubs Guarantee and Small Producer Relief. Minister Davies went on a tour of the brewery, meeting staff and poured a pint. See photos from the visit.

In line with the government’s fiscal responsibilities to maintain economic stability and manage public finances responsibly, today’s landmark duty reforms and Brexit Pubs Guarantee come as the previous alcohol duty freeze also ends. Duty had been most recently frozen for all producers since 1 February 2023 for six months to provide certainty against a high inflation backdrop, worth £880 million to industry. This followed the previous £2.7 billion duty freeze announced at the Autumn Budget 2021. With the modernised and simplified alcohol duty system and Brexit Pubs Guarantee now in effect, alcohol duty will index – as standard for UK duties – by 10.1% from today.

A selection of examples of expected price drops from 1 August, subject to VAT being passed through wherever alcohol is purchased, include:

4% ABV pint of draught beer will be 0 pence higher. 4.5% ABV pint of draught apple cider will be 1 pence lower, or paying 2% less duty compared to now.

3.4% ABV 500ml bottle of beer will be 20 pence lower in a shop and 25 pence lower in a supermarket, or paying 51% less duty in a shop and 56% less duty in a pub.

4% ABV pint of draught fruit cider will be 10 pence lower, or paying 17% less duty compared to now.

5.4% ABV 250ml can of spirits-based ‘Ready To Drink’ will be 6 pence lower in the supermarket (and 16 pence lower if sold on draught), or paying 14% less duty compared to now.

5% 330ml can of spirits-based ‘Ready to Drink’ will be 8 pence lower, or paying 14% less duty compared to now.

9.5% ABV 75cl white wine will be 24 pence lower, or paying 9% less duty compared to now.

11% ABV 75cl sparkling wine will be 61 pence lower, or paying 18% less duty compared to now.

8.4% ABV 75cl sparkling cider will be 72 pence lower, or paying 28% less duty compared to now.

21% ABV 70cl spirits liqueur will be 4 pence lower, or paying 1% less duty compared to now

From today 1 August 2023, the new alcohol duty system will be based on the common-sense principle of taxing alcohol according to its strength, with the aim of modernising the existing set of duties. There will be:

A reduction in the number of bands from 15 to 6.

The equalisation of beer and wine rates above 8.5% ABV.

The end of the premium rates on sparkling wine.

New duty rates for lower strength drinks below 3.5% ABV to support product innovation.

A new relief for draught products to support pubs and other on-trade venues.

Extension to the existing Small Brewers Relief to include a wider range of products as a new renamed Small Producer Relief, to support a wider range of small businesses that produce lower ABV products.

Removal of various historical and incoherent anomalies of the system, such as increasing duty on high strength ‘white’ ciders.

Simplification and digitisation of HMRC administrative processes.

The UK alcoholic drinks market reached just under £50 billion in 2022, up 6% year on year and is expected to continue to grow – sales are forecast to reach £60.9 billion in 2026. Read the UK Alcoholic Drinks Market Report 2022.

For the application of these measures to Northern Ireland, the Windsor Framework Command Paper sets out how the deal “directly amends the scope of the old Protocol text” to provide “a new basis for VAT and excise arrangements, including – but not restricted to – Northern Ireland’s ability to benefit from UK-wide changes on alcohol duty”.
August 1, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK supports Malawi’s 2025 tripartite elections [July 2023]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 31 July 2023.

Commits funding through UNDP’s Elections Basket Fund that will support Malawi Government’s preparedness for a free, fair and credible election in 2025.
The UK has contributed £2m (about MWK 2.5 billion) towards the Malawi Electoral Support Project to support the Malawi Electoral Commission to deliver the 2025 elections in accordance with the high standards set by legislative reforms following the previous elections.

Speaking during the signing ceremony for the Contribution Arrangement with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Lilongwe, British High Commissioner to Malawi Fiona Ritchie said the contribution was an important step in the UK’s long-standing partnership with Malawi on strengthening democratic accountability.

Free and fair elections are the cornerstone of any democracy and are vital in ensuring governments deliver effective services to their citizens, that respond to their needs. We are proud to have provided technical and financial support to the administration of previous elections in Malawi. This support has built on the country’s own strong commitment to free and fair elections – evidenced in the strong financial commitment the Government of Malawi has made towards the delivery of elections and resourcing of oversight bodies, as well as parliament’s role in passing landmark electoral reforms after the 2020 polls,” said Ritchie.

The UK envoy encouraged the Government of Malawi to continue taking all necessary measures to ensure election preparedness, including addressing the large backlog in National ID cards.

The UK is proud to have been at the forefront of supporting the Government of Malawi to develop and roll out the National ID card system. We saw the significant benefits this delivered during the administration of the 2019/2020 elections. We welcome the recent announcement that the expiry date for the national ID cards will be suspended until 1st January 2026, in line with the commitment made by President Chakwera in his State of the Nation Address, and look forward to continued government commitment to printing ID cards for new eligible voters”, Ritchie added.

UNDP Resident Representative Shigeki Komatsubara said:

We highly esteem the FCDO for their unwavering dedication to fostering accountable representative democracy. Their resolute support will play a pivotal role in advancing informed public engagement and inclusivity for marginalized groups such as women, youth, and People Living with Disabilities.

This project will empower us to collaborate with CSOs having a national presence, enabling them to deliver essential civic and voter education. Our collective efforts will ignite increased public participation and ensure responsible oversight of elections by the Malawi Electoral Commission. Together, we are working towards a more vibrant and equitable democratic process.”

The MESP project has three components namely:

improving capacity of the Malawi Electoral Commission, Malawi Police Service, and civil society to engage in the electoral process

support to inclusion of women, youths and Persons living With Disabilities (PWDs) in the electoral process and

reduced tensions and disputes regarding the electoral process through the strengthening of existing mechanisms contributing to conflict prevention and mitigation.

Elections Basket Fund is a pool of resources from UK and other Development Partners such as USAID, the European Union, the Royal Norwegian Embassy and the Republic of Ireland.
August 1, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK sanctions key figures involved in deplorable sentencing of dual British national Vladimir Kara-Murza after appeal is rejected [July 2023]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 31 July 2023.

New sanctions target six figures involved in the trial of Vladimir Kara-Murza, who is facing 25 years in a penal colony after the rejection of his appeal.
- UK government sanctions six figures involved in the trial of Vladimir Kara-Murza, who is facing 25 years in a penal colony after the rejection of his appeal
- 3 judges, two prosecutors and an ‘expert witness’ have been sanctioned for their part in his politically motivated targeting
- Mr Kara-Murza, a dual British national, is being persecuted by the Russian regime for his anti-war stance
The UK government has today (31 July 2023) sanctioned six individuals for their involvement in the politically motivated conviction of Vladimir Kara-Murza.

It comes as the Foreign Secretary calls for the immediate release of Mr Kara-Murza, who is facing 25 years in prison after his appeal against trumped up charges was rejected in Moscow today.

Mr Kara-Murza is an opposition politician, journalist, and human rights activist in Russia. He has received wide recognition for his work, including the Vaclav Havel Human Rights Prize. The charges against the dual British-Russian national included treason and spreading ‘knowingly false information’ about the Russian armed forces. In reality, he bravely spoke the truth about Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.

Those sanctioned today include two Moscow City Court Judges who convicted and sentenced Mr Kara-Murza, the lead prosecutor in the trial, and an ‘expert witness’ who provided false justification for Mr Kara-Murza’s detention following ‘analysis’ of his speech.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said:

The rejection of Vladimir Kara-Murza’s appeal following his sentencing on bogus charges highlights the depravity of the Russian regime, and their complete disregard for human rights and freedom of expression.

Today we’ve sanctioned six people connected with his case, sending a clear message that the UK will not stand for this treatment of one of its citizens.

We will continue to support Mr Kara-Murza and his family, who have worked tirelessly to try and secure his release. I call on Russia to release him immediately and unconditionally.

The following individuals have been sanctioned today and will be subject to travel bans and asset freezes:
- Vitaly Alexsandrovich Belitsky and Ekaterina Mikhailovna Dorokhina: both Moscow City Court Judges who convicted and sentenced Mr Kara-Murza on charges of treason, membership of an undesirable group and ‘fake news’
- Natalia Nikolaevna Dudar: a Basmanny District Court Judge who further extended Mr Kara-Murza’s pre-trial detention
- Boris Georgievich Loktionov: the lead prosecutor in the trial who described Mr Kara-Murza as “an enemy of the state” and pressed for the maximum sentence
- Danila Yurievich Mikheev: an expert witness for the Russian government who claimed Kara-Murza’s statements on the Russian Armed Forces amounted to knowingly spreading false information – which served as part of the basis on which judge Elena Lenskaya ordered Mr Kara-Murza be held
- Anna Evgenievna Potychko: Prosecutor who supported the denial of Kara-Murza’s appeal against his pre-trial detention
Today’s sanctions follow punitive measures the UK has already taken against those involved in Mr Kara-Murza’s case. In April 2023 the UK Government sanctioned five individuals – a judge, 2 investigators involved in Mr Kara-Murza’s trial and 2 FSB agents involved in his poisoning and arrest.

The UK will continue to ratchet up economic pressure on Russia until it ends its brutal invasion of Ukraine, including by implementing further sanctions and leaning in to tackle Russia’s attempts to circumvent the measures in place.

Background:

In January 2023, the Minister for Europe met Mr Kara-Murza’s wife to discuss his case and treatment. British Embassy officials have attended Mr Kara-Murza’s court hearings in Moscow throughout the year. FCDO officials have consistently raised Mr Kara-Murza’s case with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Russian Embassy and will continue to do so.

In 2020 the UK sanctioned Sergei Podoprigorov, the judge that went on to preside over Mr Kara-Murza’s trial, and Dmitry Komnov, the head of the detention centre where Mr Kara-Murza was held, under our Global Human Rights Regime for involvement in human rights violations against Sergei Magnitsky. Additionally, last year the government sanctioned Oleg Mikhailovich Sviridenko, the Russian Deputy Minister of Justice, who oversees the prosecution of criminal cases including that of Mr Kara-Murza.

In April 2023, following Mr Kara-Murza’s sentencing, the UK sanctioned Elena Lenskaya – a judge who approved Vladimir Kara-Murza’s arrest, along with Denis Kolesnikov and Andrei Zadachin – investigators involved in the arrest of Mr Kara-Murza.

FSB agents Alexander Samofal and Konstantin Kudryavtsev were also sanctioned. The pair were members of the operational team which followed Mr Kara-Murza on multiple trips before he was poisoned both in 2015, three months after close friend and fellow opposition politician Boris Nemtsov was assassinated, and 2017.

With international partners, the UK has invoked the OSCE’s Moscow Mechanism which evidenced Russia’s efforts to wage a campaign of repression against its own people. We are also taking forward the report’s recommendations, and have helped secure a United Nations Human Rights Council Special Rapporteur. They will be charged with undertaking country visits, acting on individual cases of reported violations and concerns of a broader nature, and raising public awareness and providing advice for technical cooperation.

View the full UK Sanctions List and more information about UK sanctions relating to Russia.

Asset freeze

An asset freeze prevents any UK citizen, or any business in the UK, from dealing with any funds or economic resources which are owned, held or controlled by the designated person. UK financial sanctions apply to all persons within the territory and territorial sea of the UK and to all UK persons, wherever they are in the world. It also prevents funds or economic resources being provided to or for the benefit of the designated person.

Travel ban

A travel ban means that the designated person must be refused leave to enter or to remain in the United Kingdom, providing the individual is an excluded person under section 8B of the Immigration Act 1971.
August 1, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Russia is inflicting terror on the Ukrainian people, and suffering on its own population and millions across the world – UK statement at the Security Council [July 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 31 July 2023.

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

Colleagues, over a hundred years ago, Sigmund Freud came up with the psychological concept called projection. It involves denying negative characteristics and behaviours of your own self and falsely attributing them to others.

It is often done deliberately, as part of a strategy of blame-shifting, or it can be indicative of various types of dysfunction.

Colleagues, Russia’s claim that it is Ukrainian aggression that is in any way responsible for the ongoing war in Ukraine is absurd. It is a projection of the behaviour of the Russian state itself.

There is only one aggressor in this war. We have all seen hundreds of thousands of Russian troops invading that sovereign country, illegally and unprovoked. We all know that the right to self-defence in those circumstances is enshrined in the UN Charter.

Russia has carried out relentless attacks on civilian infrastructure, including homes, schools, hospitals, and, as we saw last week, places of worship. Russian forces are responsible for horrific atrocities on the ground.

It is Russia that has been condemned by the Secretary-General for committing grave violations against children.

It is Russia that made the unilateral decision to end the Black Sea Grain Initiative, despite widespread calls from the international community, including the Pope and the leaders of the African Union, for Russia to renew the deal.

And it is Russia that is sending thousands of its own young men to their deaths. Estimates suggest that more than 200,000 Russian soldiers have been killed or injured in Ukraine.

Russia is inflicting terror on the Ukrainian people, and in parallel, it is inflicting suffering on its own population, and millions across the world.

In the face of this, Ukraine has had no choice but to exercise its UN Charter right to defend itself. It is fighting a war of national survival, and defending the right of all nations to live without fear of aggression.

The only path to a sustainable peace in Ukraine is for President Putin to end his illegal invasion, withdraw his troops and thereby demonstrate that he is prepared to engage on terms for peace that respect the UN Charter.

Russia started this war, and Russia must end it before they cause any more suffering.

August 1, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Variation to Hinkley Point C operational water discharge activity [July 2023]
The press release issued by the Environment Agency on 31 July 2023.

Variation issued today to an environmental permit for Hinkley Point C nuclear power station, to allow for a change in water discharge activity at the site.
- Changes to the current permit to allow the discharge of seawater through a fish recovery and return (FRR) system.
- Sets compliance limits on the discharge from the FRR system.
- Removes all references and conditions (or parts of conditions) relating to use of the proposed acoustic fish deterrent (AFD) system, as an AFD system is not required to reduce the water quality pollution risk from HPC’s fish recovery and return (FRR) system discharge.
The Environment Agency has today issued a variation to an environmental permit (EPR/HP3228XT) for Hinkley Point C (HPC) nuclear power station, to allow for a change in water discharge activity at the site.

The original permit variation, regulates the operational water discharge activities from HPC – these are discharges of non-radioactive liquid effluents:
- returned cooling water from the turbine condensers
- trade process effluents from the various plant systems (including those that maintain water purity and chemistry to keep the best operating conditions and maximise efficiency)
- treated sewage effluent (from staff welfare facilities)
The varied water discharge activity permit we have issued today will now additionally regulate the discharge of seawater through a FRR system.

As a result of our assessment on the impact of the FRR system discharge, we have included compliance limits on the volume, rate and total biomass discharged from the FRR system’s outlet.

We have:
- removed all references and conditions (or parts of conditions) relating to the proposed acoustic fish deterrent (AFD) system.
- concluded that there would be no adverse effect on the integrity of the relevant European designated sites (in relation to pollution from regulated discharges to waters) if there is no AFD system in place. This includes those sites functionally linked to the Severn Estuary. The discharges will not result in the condition of relevant SSSIs deteriorating or prevent them from improving or recovering.
- also concluded that the permit variation will not cause the current status of the water bodies to deteriorate or prevent them from achieving their objectives.
The varied water discharge activity permit also includes the requirement to use an additional operating technique and an improvement condition. It also includes two pre-operational conditions which need Environment Agency approval before the proposed power station can be commissioned or begin to operate. These are included to make sure that NNB Generation Company (Hinkley Point C) Limited builds and operates the proposed power station according to the commitments made in its permit variation application.

The Environment Agency’s Hinkley Point C Project Manager Simon Barlow said “This is the final stage of our process to determine a change requested by the operator for its water discharge activities at Hinkley C nuclear power station. We have decided to grant the permit variation but have added new limits and conditions in the permit to protect people and the environment.”

Change to permit follows public consultations

The decision follows two rounds of public consultation – on the application from 24 January to 2 March 2023 and on the proposed decision and draft permit from 25 April to 25 May 2023.

A summary of topics raised, information about which organisations responded and how we considered all relevant issues is included in our final decision document.

We are grateful to everyone who took the time to respond to the consultations and attend online consultation meetings.

The decision documents, a public summary and permits are available at Hinkley Point C: water discharge activity permit variation – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Background information

The Environment Agency is the independent environmental regulator for the nuclear industry in England. We make sure that nuclear power stations meet high standards of environmental protection.

The Environment Agency regulates specific environmental matters at nuclear sites in England by issuing environmental permits. These permits cover site preparation, construction, operation and decommissioning.

As well as regulating the site, through these environmental permits, the Environment Agency also provides advice and information to the Planning Inspectorate, including the protection of water quality and ecology, and flood and coastal risk management.

EDF’s company NNB Generation Company (Hinkley Point C) Ltd is building a new, twin reactor nuclear power station at the Hinkley site in west Somerset. Operation of the first reactor is expected in 2027.
August 1, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Plastic bag use falls by more than 98% after charge introduction [July 2023]

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 31 July 2023.

Figures show massive decrease in number of single-use bags sold by main retailers since 2014.

More than 7 billion harmful plastic bags have been prevented from blighting our streets and countryside thanks to the single-use carrier bag charge, new figures announced by Environment Minister Rebecca Pow today (31 July) show.

A 5p charge was first introduced in supermarkets in 2015. Since then, usage at the main retailers – Asda, Marks and Spencer, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, The Co-operative Group, Tesco and Waitrose – has dropped by more than 98%.

The average person in England now buys just two single-use carrier bags a year from these businesses, compared with around 140 in 2014 before the charge was introduced.

The number of single-use carrier bags reported as sold by the main retailers was 133 million in 2022/23, down from 197 million in 2021/2022, representing a reduction of 33%. This is a huge drop from the 7.6 billion used in 2014.

In 2021, the charge was increased to 10p and extended to all businesses. This has helped bring the number of bags used down by more than 35% from 627 million in 2019/20 to 406 million in 2022/23.

Meanwhile, retailers have voluntarily donated more than £206 million from the proceeds to good causes in education, arts, heritage, sports, environment, health and charity or volunteering sectors since the charge’s introduction.

Environment Minister Rebecca Pow said:

Our charge has helped to stop billions of single-use carrier bags littering our neighbourhoods or heading to landfill while ensuring millions of pounds go to good causes.

We are determined to do more to tackle plastic pollution at source, with further bans on single-use products starting in October and our deposit return scheme will cut litter and drive up recycling rates. We continue to encourage all relevant retailers to play their part in further reducing the use of single-use carrier bags.

Andrew Opie, Director of Food & Sustainability at the British Retail Consortium, said:

Retailers have worked closely with the government over the single-use bag charges to ensure it has been an industry-wide success – with 98% fewer bags used across the biggest grocery retailers. It has also generated millions in funds that retailers have donated to a variety of good causes.

The success of the carrier bag charge builds on the government’s action to turn the tide on plastic waste. In 2018 the government announced one of the world’s toughest bans on microbeads in rinse-off personal care products and in 2020 we introduced restrictions on the supply of single-use plastic straws, drink stirrers and cotton buds.

The government also introduced a tax of more than £200 per tonne on plastic packaging manufactured in or imported into the UK that does not contain at least 30% recycled plastic in April 2022.

Through the Environment Act, the government is bringing in further measures to tackle plastic pollution and litter. This includes introducing a deposit return scheme for drinks containers and plans for simpler recycling collections for every household and business in England.

A range of polluting single-use plastics will be banned in England from 1 October 2023. The restrictions will include single-use plastic plates, trays, bowls, cutlery, balloon sticks and certain types of polystyrene cups and food containers.

August 1, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Richard Moriarty announced as new CEO of Financial Reporting Council [July 2023]

The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 31 July 2023.

Richard Moriarty has been announced as the new CEO of the Financial Reporting Council today (31 July).

Richard Moriarty has today (31 July 2023) been announced as the CEO of the Financial Reporting Council (FRC). He replaces Sir Jon Thompson, who has led the FRC since 2019.

The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) promotes transparency and integrity in business. It regulates auditors, accountants and actuaries, and sets the UK’s Corporate Governance and Stewardship Codes. Richard will continue the work started by Sir Jon to transform the FRC into a new regulator – the Audit, Reporting and Governance Authority.

Business Minister Kevin Hollinrake said:

Richard Moriarty is a fantastic appointment to this role. His extensive background in leadership and specialised experience in regulatory and market reform will ensure the FRC continues to ensure business integrity and transparency.

I’m grateful to Sir Jon Thompson for all his hard work in his time as CEO and wish him the best in his role as Chair of HS2.

Richard Moriarty said:

The FRC has a critical role to play in underpinning investor and public confidence in financial reporting and corporate governance in the UK. It is a privilege to be asked to lead the organisation at this important time and oversee its successful transformation into the new Audit, Reporting and Governance Authority.

I want the organisation to be ambitious for how effectively it engages with all those who have an interest in its purpose and its place in supporting the UK as a great place for business growth and investment.

Biography

Richard recently stepped down from the Board of the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority where he served as CEO for five years and deputy CEO for two years. Under his leadership the CAA earned positive recognition from independent reviews, both nationally and internationally, as a highly effective and world leading regulatory authority.

He has over 20 years of board level experience across a range of regulated sectors. Among his roles he has been CEO of the Legal Services Board, an executive director and subsequently deputy chair of the Social Housing Regulator, deputy CEO of a communications regulator and a director of a regulated water company. He is currently a non-executive and the senior independent director with a social housing association charity.

Richard has specialised in regulatory and market reform, governance and financial oversight, professional services regulation, safety cultures, economic regulation, and competition policy. He has undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in economics, and later obtained an MBA from the University of Warwick Business School.

August 1, 2023