Category: Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE : Back to work boost for disability benefit claimants as ground-breaking employment scheme expanded [October 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 26 October 2023.

A pilot scheme for disabled people and people with health conditions to explore barriers to work will be rolled out to 12 new areas.
- Health and employment pilot scheme to be expanded with £1.3 million government investment
- Thousands could be helped in pilot expansion
- Twelve new sites across England and Wales to benefit from programme
A pilot scheme for disabled people and people with health conditions to explore barriers to work will be rolled out to 12 new areas as part of the next generation of welfare reforms being introduced by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

The government is taking long-term decisions to reform the welfare system so it better supports disabled people and people with long-term conditions into work, growing the economy and changing lives.

Today’s announcement marks the next step in this agenda, with thousands more out of work benefit claimants set to receive additional support to chart a path back to work with an employment and health practitioner.

Under the new initiative, the claimants and health practitioners develop a ‘work ability plan’ over a one-hour conversation, identifying barriers to employment and actions and support to overcome them. The plan is then shared with their work coach to continue support to overcome their barriers and move them towards work.

It means health claimants can highlight and begin to overcome any work barriers prior to undergoing a Work Capability Assessment, potentially realising a job outcome sooner.

As committed to in the White Paper, following a successful trial in Leeds which has helped hundreds of people move towards work, Employment and Health Discussions will now be expanded to 12 additional sites across England and Wales.

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Mel Stride MP said:

We are pushing ahead with the next generation of welfare reforms to ensure benefit claimants get as much support as soon as possible to move towards work and the more prosperous life that brings.

This pilot is an important part of that, helping people understand what they need to do to move towards employment through a simple and effective conversation. The findings will help us build the new disability benefits system once the Work Capability Assessment is removed later this decade.

Minister for Disabled People Tom Pursglove MP said:

We know that many people eager to return or start work face complicated barriers to making this a reality. Having an initial conversation with a supportive health professional can have a hugely positive influence on their confidence and help set them on the journey to sustainable employment.

These voluntary discussions will offer new avenues to many people who are keen to enter the workplace and transform lives for the better.

The DWP is expanding this model to a dozen new sites following the success of the Leeds pilot, which was launched in May 2022 and has seen hundreds of conversations supporting claimants towards work.

Building on this, the expanded pilot seeks to help benefit claimants with health conditions to understand better how they could find a path towards employment. The discussions typically involve a one-hour conversation where a ‘work ability plan’ is developed between the practitioner and claimant.

This plan involves identifying how the claimant’s health interacts with their work and how to address these barriers, including signposting to further support to help them self-manage any problems. When a personalised plan is finalised, the details are shared with a work coach who then helps move them towards long-term employment.

Initial feedback from those involved in the Leeds pilot showed that most claimants were able to understand their own health better, which in turn allowed them to communicate this better with others, including their Work Coach and potential employers.

Many also felt more confident about what they are able to do, and how to overcome barriers they face – making them more inclined to take further steps towards the labour market. This pilot therefore represents a first step to help claimants understand where employment support is and how to access it.

Other help includes Universal Support, an employment programme which will ramp up to support at least 50,000 people a year from 2025 to 2026. The latest phase of this programme, backed by £53 million, began across the country in September to provide personalised support to help more people with complex barriers into work with ‘on the job’ support.

And with one in five health and disability claimants across the country assessed as having limited capability for work-related activity wanting to work with the right support, the government is also consulting on changes to the Work Capability Assessment. These proposals reflect increased Government support and the rise of flexible and home working and better employer support for disabled people and people with health conditions.

The proposals will help these claimants access support whilst forming a bridge to the eventual removal of the assessment, which will complete a reframing of the disability benefits system.

The DWP will therefore use the findings from the expanded Employment and Health Discussions pilot in the longer-term to inform the structure of the wider benefits system once the Work Capability Assessment is removed, focusing on what disabled people and people with health conditions can do, rather than what they can’t.

Additional Information

The 12 new sites, in addition to Leeds, which have come online are: Aberdare, Bradford, Chelmsford, Doncaster, Durham, Hull, Lancaster, Newcastle, Norwich, Sunderland, Wigan and York.
02/11/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Giles Adams appointed to the British Library Board [October 2023]

The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 26 October 2023.

The Secretary of State has appointed Giles Adams as a Board Member of the British Library for a term of 4 years commencing 2 October 2023.

Giles Adams

Giles recently retired as a Partner at KPMG UK having worked on financial services regulation in the Enterprise Risk Advisory practice for the last 25 years. He advised a wide range of UK and international banks and investment firms on both prudential and non financial risk management issues, regulatory compliance and governance matters. Before joining KPMG he worked for 12 years as a bank and markets regulator at the Bank of England.

Giles read English, Politics and History of Art at the University of York followed by a Master’s degree in History of Art from the University of Sussex.

Giles has been a Trustee of Historic Buildings and Places (one of the nine National Amenity Societies consulted on all Listed Building Consents) since 2018.

Giles is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

Remuneration and Governance Code

Board Members of the British Library are remunerated at £9,130 per annum. This appointments has been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments.

The Governance Code requires that any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years is declared; this is defined as holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation or candidature for election. Giles Adams has not declared any significant political activity.

02/11/2023
PRESS RELEASE : New laws to speed up planning, build homes and level up [October 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 26 October 2023.

The Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill becomes law from 26 October 2023.

New laws came into force today (26 October 2023) to speed up the planning system, hold developers to account, cut bureaucracy, and encourage more councils to put in place plans to enable the building of new homes.

These measures have become enshrined in law after the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill received Royal Assent.

The government is on track to meet its manifesto commitment of delivering one million homes over this Parliament, and earlier this year the Housing Secretary set out his long-term plan for housing and how we build the right homes in the right places.

The Levelling-up and Regeneration Act is at the heart of this long-term plan and will ensure new development is built more beautifully, produces more local infrastructure, like GP surgeries, schools and transport links, is shaped by local people’s democratic wishes, enhances the environment, and creates neighbourhoods where people want to live and work.

Building more homes in areas most in need is a key part of levelling up, and the Act will also deliver further measures to support regeneration in left-behind communities.

Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Rt Hon Michael Gove MP said:

Our landmark Levelling-Up and Regeneration Act will deliver more homes for communities across the country and unleash levelling up in left-behind places.

It will deliver revitalised high streets and town centres. A faster and less bureaucratic planning system with developers held to account. More beautiful homes built alongside GP surgeries, schools and transport links, and environmental enhancement. Communities taking back control of their future with new powers to shape their local area. And our long-term levelling up missions enshrined in law.

This Act delivers on the people’s priorities, creating new jobs, new opportunities and a brighter future for the UK.

The Act creates new laws that will transform our town centres by giving councils the powers to work directly with landlords to bring empty buildings back into use by local businesses and community groups, breathing life back into empty high streets.

And after a temporary relaxation of rules on outdoor seating for cafes, pubs and restaurants during the pandemic, the Act will officially make this a permanent part of our high street – helping local hospitality businesses to thrive.

The Act also cements our commitment to addressing inequality through levelling up missions, which include strengthening devolution by ensuring every area in England that wants a devolution deal can have one by 2030.

The government has so far invested £12.9 billion in levelling up projects across the UK – creating jobs, improving transport and protecting community spaces.

The measures in the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act will support communities and local authorities to transform their local areas, complementing government investment in projects that will help regenerate left behind areas.

Measures in the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act will:
- Put local people at the heart of development – making it easier to put local plans in place and requiring design codes that set out where homes will be built and how they will look. These plans will deliver more homes in a way that works for communities.
- Boost local services – requiring developers to deliver vital infrastructure. This will put an end to lifeless edge-of-town developments with no community assets and ensure developers deliver the schools, doctors surgeries and public services communities need and expect. Further details on these measures will be set out shortly.
- Rebalance the housing and land markets – giving local councils the power to increase council tax on empty homes and reforming compensation for compulsory purchase orders by removing ‘hope value’ where justified.
- Encourage developers to get building – giving communities updates on the progress of development and giving councils the chance to consider slow build-out rates when approving planning.
- Bring high streets back to life – giving councils the powers to work directly with landlords to bring empty buildings back in to use by local businesses and community groups through high street rental auctions. It will also make it faster for local authorities to give hospitality businesses permission to use outdoor seating.
The Act will ensure the homes we need are built where they are needed in urban areas rather than concreting over the countryside, which is why the Act will enhance our national network of beautiful, nature-rich protected landscapes that can be enjoyed right across the country.

It also secures powers to tailor environmental assessment to better reflect the current pressures on the environment and meet the nation’s environmental priorities. This cuts burdensome EU-red tape which held up assessments.

Royal Town Planning Institute Chief Executive Victoria Hills said:

This legislation brings our profession one step closer to delivering plans and decisions that will make places better. Government must now engage frequently with planners to ensure that new regulations and policy changes enabled by this Act work as intended to get more homes delivered, attract more investment for growth and level up our country.

The planning system already received a boost in the summer, with an additional £37.5 million for councils to bolster staffing – including a new £24 million to tackle backlogs, and £13.5 million as part of the long-term plan for housing that will upskill the sector with new planning super squads.

The government will publish its response to last December’s National Planning Policy Framework consultation in due course. This will set out how planning policies in England are expected to be applied to help deliver the right homes in the right places.
01/11/2023
PRESS RELEASE : We urge the Security Council to renew the mandate for the UN Mission in the Central African Republic: UK statement at the UN Security Council [October 2023]

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

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council meeting on the Central African Republic.

President.

Let me thank SRSG Rugwabiza for her briefing. I welcome the participation of Foreign Minister Baipo Temon and the Under Representative of Angola at this meeting. Let me first emphasise our continued appreciation for MINUSCA’s peacekeepers as they seek to fulfil their mandate in challenging circumstances. The Mission’s improved cooperation with the CAR authorities highlights the importance of effective leadership in pursuing efforts to stabilise the country after decades of conflict.

The UK welcomes the positive progress outlined by the Secretary-General in the latest report. This includes improved border management policy, more inclusion of women in political processes and achieving milestones in disarmament, demobilisation, repatriation and reintegration operations. Now is the time to build on these achievements on the path to peace and stability.

First, CAR authorities must de-conflict its security partners, ensure they abide by international law and end impunity for human rights violations they commit. Wagner Group’s systematic human rights abuses and spread of mis and disinformation are not the solution to the multifaceted challenges in CAR. They only serve to strengthen the narrative of armed groups.

Second, all parties in CAR must recommit to the Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation, to ensure a long-term solution to the conflict can be realised. We call on the Government to redouble its efforts to facilitate inclusive dialogue and implement the joint roadmap with all political actors and armed groups. MINUSCA’s role in providing good offices and supporting the peace process continues to be crucial.

Third, conducting local elections remains important for extending democratic local governance and fulfilling the decentralisation required for sustainable peace. With the support of MINUSCA, CAR authorities must fufil their commitment to local elections in 2024.

In conclusion, President, we urge the Council to renew MINUSCA’s mandate with the provisions necessary to allow the mission to further increase its effectiveness. The UK fully supports the Mission in supporting the extension of state authority through joint operations with the CAR military, enabling access to basic services, improving mission capacity, supporting local elections and promoting human rights.

Thank you.

01/11/2023
PRESS RELEASE : New laws passed to bolster energy security and deliver net zero [October 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 26 October 2023.

Landmark legislation becomes law to ensure bills are affordable in the long-term.
New laws passed to help ensure energy is affordable for households and businesses and make the UK more energy independent in the long-term

Act will help unlock £100 billion private investment in energy infrastructure and scale up jobs and growth

Measures set to accelerate development of offshore wind and help deliver our net zero commitments

The biggest piece of energy legislation in the UK’s history has become law today (Thursday 26 October), laying the foundations for an energy system fit for the future.

The Energy Act 2023 has received Royal Assent and will transform the UK’s energy system by strengthening energy security, supporting the delivery of net zero and ensuring household bills are affordable in the long-term.

The Act will deliver a more efficient energy system in the long-term, helping to keep energy costs low. It will do this by increasing competition in Great Britain’s onshore electricity networks, through a new tender process – reducing costs for network operation and development. This new model is expected to save consumers up to £1 billion off their energy bills by 2050.

A specific merger regime for energy networks will also be created under the Competition and Markets Authority. This will minimise the risk of mergers between energy network companies having detrimental effects on consumers and is estimated to save households up to £420 million over the next decade.

There are also new measures for Energy Smart Appliances to prioritise safety and give consumers the confidence to transition to smart products, helping them to manage their energy consumption and reduce their bills. A smart electricity system could reduce system costs by up to £10 billion a year by 2050.

The government is expanding Ofgem’s remit to heat networks, allowing the regulator to set rules on excessive pricing and improve the quality of service for the half a million heat network consumers across the country.

The Act includes new consumer protections and frameworks, incentivising the heating industry to invest in low-carbon heat pumps, and including powers to deliver the smart meter rollout by 2028 – which could generate total bill savings to households of £5.6 billion.

Energy Security Secretary Claire Coutinho said:

The Energy Act is the largest piece of energy legislation in a generation. It will boost investment in clean energy technologies and support thousands of skilled jobs across the country.

It lays the foundations for greater UK energy independence, making us more secure against tyrants like Putin, and helps us to power Britain from Britain.

The Act also supports our new approach to make sure that families don’t feel a disproportionate financial burden as we transition to net zero, and forms a central part of our efforts to keep people’s bills affordable in the long-term.

Minister for Nuclear and Networks Andrew Bowie said:

The Energy Act is a statement of intent to support a flourishing British nuclear and low-carbon energy sector.

It will help create of thousands of skilled jobs and deliver real benefits for people across the UK – from cleaner energy to affordable bills.

The government has listened to industry and modernised our energy legislation, creating the framework for further green growth.

The Act will help the government deliver net zero by 2050 in a pragmatic, proportionate and realistic way. It updates Ofgem’s remit so that it considers net zero targets as part of its everyday decisions and facilitates the first large village hydrogen heating trial – providing crucial evidence on the technology’s role in decarbonising heat.

The government is also introducing a licensing framework for CO2 transport and storage to help deliver the UK’s first carbon capture sites – supporting up to 50,000 jobs by 2030.

These new laws also make the UK the first country to legislate for fusion regulation, enabling developers to plan with confidence and encourage investment into this flourishing technology, and driving the UK’s ambition for a prototype fusion power plant by 2040.

Establishing a new independent body – the Future System Operator – will ensure consumers can access a secure and decarbonised energy supply, key to enhancing the country’s energy security. The FSO will be responsible for systems in the gas and electricity network developing efficiently and keeping consumer bills low.

Emma Pinchbeck, Chief Executive of trade body Energy UK, said:

As the world shifts its focus towards net zero, the energy sector needs long-term certainty to remain internationally competitive and attract private investment. This critical piece of legislation is a welcome step in delivering that confidence by establishing new business models, improved customer protections, and frameworks for investment across the energy sector.

The broad-ranging measures in this Act are part of a collaborative effort between government, industry, business and consumer groups to deliver a modern energy system fit for the changing needs of the 21st century energy market. More work remains to establish frameworks that these powers enable, but this Act will be the foundation upon which the new energy system will be built.

Ofgem CEO Jonathan Brearley said:

We welcome the Energy Act getting Royal Assent. It is the most significant energy legislation for a decade and a world-first in giving us a legal mandate targeting net zero.

It gives Ofgem the powers to drive through the energy transition – unlocking investment, accelerating planning and building the infrastructure the economy needs. This will give us security from volatile world gas markets and end our dependency on fossil fuels.

Consumers have faced a huge number of challenges in recent years, with high energy prices and cost-of-living pressures. The Act will give extra protection for existing and future customers, while powering the journey to net zero at the lowest possible cost to households and businesses.

We’re now working closely with government, consumers and sector to implement the legislation in full.

Clare Jackson, CEO of Hydrogen UK, said:

Today’s news is warmly welcomed by the UK’s low carbon hydrogen industry, and adjacent sectors who rely on hydrogen for their own decarbonisation journey.

The passing of the Bill has been a priority for the hydrogen industry as it will lay the foundations for the UK’s future hydrogen economy, by creating provisions for a Hydrogen Production Business Model, and Hydrogen Transport and Storage Business Models.

This firmly indicates to the global hydrogen economy and international investors that the UK is serious about its net zero future, and the role hydrogen can play in it.

John Pettigrew, CEO of National Grid, said:

We welcome the passing of the Energy Act into legislation. This is a crucial next step in delivering a secure, affordable and clean energy future, establishing the needed policy and governance foundations to deliver on the UK’s net zero ambitions.

In particular, establishing a Future System Operator will be critical in delivering strategic, whole system energy planning and oversight as we continue to transform our energy infrastructure.

Only by working together as an industry, with the regulator and government, can we hope to achieve an energy transition that delivers for everyone and an energy system that is clean, fair and affordable for all.
01/11/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Badenoch leads landmark trade mission to Japan ahead of G7 summit [October 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 26 October 2023.

Britain’s most sought-after luxury fashion designers will join a landmark trade mission to Japan to boost exports to the Japanese market ahead of the G7 summit.
- First Secretary-led luxury fashion trade mission to Japan since 2017 including sought after brands such as Christy’s and Freya Rose.
- Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch to announce largest ever UK government backed renewables export deal in partnership with Japan – worth more than £130 million in UK made parts.
- At G7 trade talks in Osaka, Trade Secretary will champion free and fair trade and work to develop resilient global economic supply chains.
Britain’s most sought-after luxury fashion designers including Ettinger and Freya Rose will join a landmark trade mission to Japan to boost exports to the Japanese market.

The trade mission, led by Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch, is the first Secretary-led trade mission of its kind since 2017, following a luxury goods roundtable discussion in London where some of the delegates presented the exciting opportunities that Japan has to offer.

The delegation met Japanese fashion buyers on Wednesday with support from the UK Government and will showcase their products – from hand painted scarves to lab grown jewellery – at the British Embassy in Tokyo to high profile Japanese influencers including Yu Masui.

The visit seeks to increase exports of UK luxury brands to the Japanese market, as part of the Business and Trade Secretary’s mission to hit £1 trillion worth of UK exports by 2030. In 2022, UK fashion goods exports to Japan totalled £134 million, which the department aims to boost even further.

Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch said:

I’m delighted to be travelling to Japan with iconic British brands to bang the drum for UK business, and help more companies take full advantage of the opportunities on offer from our free trade deals such as the UK-Japan agreement and CPTPP.

The G7 trade summit gives me the opportunity to continue to champion free and fair trade on behalf of UK PLC, helping remove barriers to trade, strengthen supply chains and ensure the global trade rules work for British businesses.

The Business and Trade Secretary will also represent the UK at the G7 Trade Ministerial Meeting in Osaka, where she will bang the drum for free and fair trade and discuss the challenges countries face in diversifying supply chains to meet the needs of the future. During the two-day programme Badenoch is expected to meet with her counterparts including Yasutoshi Nishimura, Katherine Tai and EU Commissioner Dombrovkis.

Badenoch will host a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Committee with Foreign Minister Yōko Kamikawa where she will look to further deepen the UK’s trading relations with Japan, building on the FTA signed in 2020. This has benefited British businesses by simplifying the rules of origin and low-zero tariffs, removing significant barriers to trade, supporting businesses to export their goods to this new and exciting market.

This follows the Prime Minister’s meeting with Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in May to agree the Hiroshima Accord. Building on our shared values, the agreement sets out our intention to work together on global security, resilience, and innovation issues. Our trade relationship is strong with total UK exports to Japan amounted to £14.2 billion in the four quarters to the end of Q2 2023, an increase of 7.1% on the previous year.

In a further move to boost British exports to Japan, the Secretary of State will also announce the largest UK Government project finance guarantee for a renewables project: more than £130 million in UK goods, including Siemen Gamesa in Hull to build an offshore wind farm in Taiwan. The project is delivered by UK Export Finance in collaboration with NEXI, Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) and Mitsui. The funding will secure jobs and boost the offshore wind industry in the UK and supercharge UK Japan collaboration on renewable projects in developing countries.

Background

The business delegation includes:
- Anabela Chan: Anabela Chan is the first fine jewellery brand in the world to champion laboratory-grown gemstones and recycled metals, paired with high jewellery design and artisanal craftsmanship; always with a focus on ethical and sustainable innovations.
- Christy & Co: Christy & Co Ltd has been manufacturing fine hats in England since 1773. Today, it still produces its hats and caps using traditional methods at its factory in Oxfordshire.
- Ettinger: Ettinger have been designing and manufacturing leather goods in their UK factory since 1936 and now supply retailers and consumers all over the world. Ettinger were granted the Royal Warrant from the Prince of Wales in 1996, which is a seal of approval for quality and trust.
- Freya Rose: Freya Rose is a multi-award-winning British shoe, bag and jewellery designer, established in 2010. Freya Rose is renowned for her unique collections of sculptural, wearable works of art.
- Hemingsworth: Hemingsworth is renowned for its high-end ready-to-wear swimwear and leisurewear for men. All garments are meticulously crafted and proudly produced in the UK, using only the finest materials and trims.
- Rapport: Rapport craft accessories for preserving luxury watches and jewellery. The company was established in London in 1898 by the horologist Maurice A. Rapport and today, four generations later, is still run by the Rapport family.
- Sabina Savage: Sabina is a British artist and print designer known for her exquisite, hand-rendered illustrations, printed on silk, wool and cashmere scarves, who founded her eponymous brand in 2014.
- Swaine: Established in 1750 as whip and saddlery makers, the House of Swaine is the oldest name in luxury goods, serving the British Royal Family, nobility and gentry for hundreds of years.
01/11/2023
PRESS RELEASE : First of its kind grant funding approved for North Taunton estate regeneration project [October 2023]

The press release issued by Homes England on 26 October 2023.

Homes England has awarded £5m grant from the Affordable Homes Programme to Somerset Council to support the North Taunton Woolaway Project.

The grant allocation is the first of its kind, following the new regeneration flexibilities to the Affordable Home Programme that we agreed with the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) earlier this year.

These flexibilities will enable funding to be used on replacement homes, alongside new affordable homes, as part of wider estate regeneration plans.

North Taunton was identified for regeneration as it is an area with some of the county’s highest rates of social deprivation and contains some of the most energy-inefficient homes in Somerset. The North Taunton Woolaway Project is a site comprising of non-traditional homes that were built using prefabricated reinforced concrete panels instead of traditional brick.

In total, 162 energy- inefficient Woolaway homes will be demolished and replaced with 229 council homes for affordable rent. Homes England will be funding 66 of these new build replacement homes, with the remaining homes funded by Somerset Council .

Jackie Jacob, Director – Affordable Housing Grants said:

“This funding is the first grant allocation following the introduction of our new flexibilities to support our partners plans for estate regeneration. The Agency’s new Strategic Plan objectives will support Somerset Council in its ambitions to regenerate North Taunton, an area with some of the highest social deprivation levels in the county.

”The North Taunton Woolaway Project is a signal of the funding open to affordable housing providers to accelerate the regeneration of social housing and help level up communities across the country.

“We encourage all providers and local authorities to come and talk to us as early as possible if they need support to develop their proposals – we’re here to help.”

The regeneration project will be rolled out across four phases, two of which will be part funded by the Affordable Homes Programme to deliver 100 homes, including a variety of bungalows, flats and houses. The agency’s goal is that that this funding will enable the council to accelerate the delivery of phases three and four.

This type of construction is time-limited due to structural issues, therefore, demolishing these existing homes and replacing them is much more beneficial and makes the 2050 zero carbon target much more achievable. All new homes will be built to low carbon standards and will achieve EPC B or above, much more efficient in comparison to the current C-F rating of the Woolaway properties.

At the core of this regeneration project is community engagement, the development being a result of public consultation, one-to-one meetings with local residents and a resident design group. This has enabled the new homes to be designed with residents’ needs in mind, contributing to successful placemaking. Current residents have been rehomed whilst works take place, with the option of returning to settle in their new community.

Cllr Federica Smith-Roberts, Lead Member for Communities, Housing and Culture said:

“I’m thrilled about the impact this grant will have on the North Taunton Woolaway Project. This funding represents a tangible commitment to improving the lives of our tenants, allowing us to build high quality, low energy homes with the blend of properties our community needs. It allows us to progress our North Taunton regeneration scheme which, through improved housing, address the social and health challenges parts of our community face as well as providing much needed new homes at affordable rent.

“I want to acknowledge the invaluable input of our local residents whose insights have played a pivotal role in shaping this project. Their input has been instrumental, and this project stands as a testament to the strength of community engagement.

“We extend our gratitude to Homes England for their commitment to the North Taunton Woolaway Project. Their £5 million grant is a game-changer for our community. We look forward to using this grant to create a thriving, sustainable future for North Taunton.”

A travel plan will be put in place to encourage residents to use sustainable forms of transport and will be achieved through the use of travel vouchers and cycle storage. Biodiversity improvement measures will also be put in place, including the implementation of bat boxes, bee bricks and swift boxes, to aid local wildlife.

Next steps

Now allocation has been granted, the agency will be working with Somerset Council throughout the subsequent delivery phases. The first phase will complete in 2024 with phase two due for completion towards the end of 2025.

01/11/2023
PRESS RELEASE : The UK calls for urgent action as the rights of women and girls come under attack – UK statement at the UN Security Council [October 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 25 October 2023.

Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council meeting on Women and peace and security.

Thank you, Mr. President. I thank the Secretary-General and all of our briefers today. 23 years on from Security Council Resolution 1325, the United Kingdom remains resolute in our commitment to the Women, Peace and Security agenda. Yet our collective gains are being reversed. Women and girls’ rights are under attack and we need to take urgent and coordinated action. President, in the spirit of today’s theme of bringing theory to practice, I’d like to highlight three areas.

First, participation. We know that women’s participation significantly boosts the chances of long-lasting peace. The UK’s new National Action Plan focuses on putting women’s meaningful participation into action. Most recently, my Foreign Secretary met with Sudanese women peacebuilders to hear their insights into enhancing women’s participation. The UK was also proud to support Colombia in developing its WPS National Action Plan, and we applaud its extensive consultation with women and civil society.

We will continue to advocate for women to take on leading roles in resolving conflict, including in UN-led peace processes. As a member of the WPS Shared Commitments, we are committed to amplifying women’s voices and following up on the recommendations of civil society. We hear clear calls-to-action from the women who brief this Council – women from Afghanistan, from Ukraine, the DRC, Syria, and beyond – and we should turn those calls into action.

Second, empowerment. Women’s rights organisations are vital to sustaining conflict prevention and resolution efforts. As part of our International Women and Girls Strategy, we launched a $46 million programme to support grassroots women’s rights organisations around the world. Through our Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative, we are putting survivors at the centre of decision-making and promoting their leadership, supported by a dedicated Survivor Advisory Group.

And in Ukraine, we are providing expertise on conflict-related sexual violence and providing over $4 million of funding on gender-based violence in Ukraine and across the region.

And third, protection. Women and girls are disproportionately impacted by conflict. From South Sudan to Israel and Gaza, we see the impact of conflict on women’s lives. And this is particularly true for women’s rights defenders. The Secretary-General’s report highlights that 172 women human rights defenders were subjected to reprisals because they engaged with the United Nations. President, we’ve heard today clear and specific recommendations from the Secretary-General, and from the Executive Director of UN Women and from many others. Let’s commit to moving from words to action.

Thank you.

01/11/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Government continues children’s social care reform [October 2023]

The press release issued by the Department for Education on 25 October 2023.

Funding for over 460 new children’s social worker apprenticeship opportunities across the country.

Recognising the vital role social workers play in supporting some of the most vulnerable children and families, local authorities will today be allocated a share of £11.7 million to hire up to 461 extra social work apprentices, as part of government plans to build a social worker workforce fit for the future. The extra funding will bolster the workforce and better support the most vulnerable families and children across the country.

Over 1,000 new trainee social workers have also been recruited, and will be supported in their initial education this academic year through the fast track to social work and step-up programmes.

Supporting children’s social workers is an integral part of the ambitious, wide-ranging children’s social care implementation strategy. Backed by £200 million over the next two years, the strategy will transform the current care system to focus on more early support for families, reducing the need for crisis response at a later stage.

Building on the commitment to reduce the overreliance on agency social workers, the government has today also published its response to the consultation on agency child and family social worker workforce. The response sets out proposed national rules to improve the stability and quality of the social worker workforce, with the aim of increasing transparency around the use and cost of agency social workers.

Care leavers will also be celebrated this week as part of care leavers week, which begins today, with a series of events hosted by the government, including an event at 10 Downing Street for ministers to meet with and celebrate care leavers. Minister Johnston will also visit West Ham Football Club to see their Future Programme in action. The programme helps care experienced young people develop skills, access new experiences and connects them to their communities.

David Johnston, Minister for Children and Families, said:

A strong social care workforce is key to achieving our ambition to reform the children’s care sector.

Children’s social workers play a vital role in helping the country’s most vulnerable families, which is why we’re boosting training opportunities and strengthening rules on using agency staff.

This care leavers week we want to shine a light on the inspirational care workers who have overcome challenges.

Recognising the need for high-quality training, the government has appointed the first wave of early adopter local authorities for the early career framework training programme which will support children’s social workers as they join and develop in the profession.

The local authorities, including Birmingham and Tower Hamlets, are now working with the department to co-design the programme, alongside an expert writing group that is drafting the framework itself.

The government is also supporting local authorities to provide positive working environments, to attract and retain children’s social workers to these important roles. A national virtual hub is to be created containing resources to support local authorities to improve working conditions, workload, health and wellbeing and organisational culture and the national workload action group is looking into unnecessary drivers of bureaucracy to promote more time with children and families.

01/11/2023
PRESS RELEASE : New laws to make charging an electric vehicle easier and quicker [October 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 25 October 2023.

Regulations to improve the EV charging experience for millions of drivers.
- new laws passed to make charging an electric vehicle easier, quicker and more reliable
- drivers will have access transparent, easy-to-compare pricing information, simpler payment methods and more reliable chargepoints
- follows the commitments in the government’s Plan for Drivers to put drivers back in the driving seat and boost chargepoint infrastructure ahead of the 2035 zero emission vehicle goal
Millions of electric vehicle (EV) drivers will benefit from easier and more reliable public charging thanks to new laws approved by MPs last night (24 October 2023).

New regulations will ensure that prices across chargepoints are transparent and easy to compare and that a large proportion of new public chargepoints have contactless payment options.

Providers will also be required to open up their data, so drivers can easily find an available chargepoint that meets their needs. It will open up data for apps, online maps and in-vehicle software, making it easier for drivers to locate chargepoints, check their charging speeds and determine whether they are working and available for use.

These measures come as the country reaches record levels of public charging infrastructure, with numbers growing 42% year on year.

Technology and Decarbonisation Minister, Jesse Norman, said:

Over time, these new regulations will improve EV charging for millions of drivers, helping them find the chargepoints they want, providing price transparency so that they can compare the cost of different charging options, and updating payment methods.

They will make the switch to electric easier than ever for drivers, support the economy and help the UK reach its 2035 goals.

Once the regulations come into force, drivers will also be able to contact free 24/7 helplines for any issues accessing charging on public roads. Chargepoint operators will also have to open up chargepoint data, making it easier to find available chargers.

James Court, CEO, Electric Vehicle Association England, said:

Better reliability, clearer pricing, easier payments, plus the potentially game-changing opportunities of open data are all a major step forward for EV drivers and should make the UK one of the best places to charge in the world.

As the rollout of charging infrastructure gathers momentum, these regulations will ensure quality and help put consumers needs at the heart of this transition.

These regulations follow the government’s recent announcement of a range of measures to speed up the installation of chargepoints through the Plan for Drivers. This includes reviewing the grid connections process for installation and extending chargepoint grants for schools.

The government also continues to support the rollout of charging infrastructure in local areas. Applications are currently open to local authorities in the first round of the £381 million Local EV Infrastructure fund, which will deliver tens of thousands more chargepoints and transform the availability of charging for drivers without off-street parking. In addition, the On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme (ORCS) is open to all UK local authorities.

The government recently set out its world-leading path to reaching zero emission vehicles by 2035, which will require 80% of new cars and 70% of new vans sold in Great Britain to be zero emission by 2030. Today’s regulations will help support drivers as more and more switch to electric.

Today the government has also published its response to the Future of Transport Zero Emission Vehicles consultation, confirming its intention to introduce laws to require local transport authorities to produce local charging strategies if they have not done so as part of local transport plans. This will ensure that every part of the country has a plan for EV charging infrastructure.
01/11/2023