Category: Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE : Renewed counter-terrorism strategy to strengthen UK response [July 2023]
The press release issued by the Home Office on 18 July 2023.

The government has today (18 July) launched CONTEST 2023, a refreshed approach to the evolving and enduring threat from terrorism.

With nine declared terrorist attacks since 2018 and 39 late-stage attacks disrupted since 2017, terrorism remains a top national security risk and priority.

The UK’s primary domestic threat comes from Islamist terrorism, with the remainder predominantly driven by extreme right-wing terrorism.

For more than twenty years, the CONTEST strategy has sought to reduce the threat of terrorism in the UK and to its interests overseas.

CONTEST 2023 sets out the UK’s bolstered approach to a domestic terrorist risk that is once again rising and becoming increasingly less predictable. The updated strategy also addresses a persistent and evolving overseas threat from Islamist groups, and exploitation of technology by terrorists.

CONTEST 2023 will continue to counter the threat at every stage across Prevent, Pursue, Protect, and Prepare – from protecting against and mitigating the impact of terrorist attacks, to stopping people from becoming terrorists by curtailing radicalising influences.

Islamist terrorism is currently the largest terrorist threat faced by the UK in volume making up around three quarters of MI5’s caseload. Extreme right-wing terrorism almost exclusively represents the remaining threat.

Across ideologies, the threat is dominated by individuals or small groups acting outside of organised terrorist groups, making it harder to detect and investigate.

Building upon existing partnerships across government, policing and the intelligence agencies, as well as with the private sector, the public and international partners, CONTEST 2023 sets out a clear vision for an agile, integrated and aligned approach. A collective and coordinated response will ensure we have all levers at our disposal against modern threats.

Together, we are:
- Fully operationalising the Counter Terrorism Operations Centre (CTOC), bringing together teams, data and technology to more efficiently and effectively identify, investigate and disrupt terrorists.
- Delivering William Shawcross’ Independent Review of Prevent and implementing the recommendations to help stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. This includes improvements to our ability to detect and counter radicalising influences which spread extremist ideology.
- Better connecting the counter-terrorism system with expertise in healthcare, education, social services and the criminal justice system, ensuring a broader range of interventions to divert people away from terrorism or mitigate the threat posed by a potential terrorist.
- Acting upon the findings of the Manchester Arena Inquiry to close vulnerabilities in our response to terrorist attacks.
- Implementing Martyn’s Law to ensure better protection for people in public places.
- Tackling terrorist exploitation of the internet through engagement with tech companies and delivering the Online Safety Bill.
- Deepening our international counter-terrorism partnerships, including the US, other Five Eyes members and our European partners, aligning our strategic approaches so that we can maximise the effectiveness of our capabilities and develop new ones to keep our people safe.
- Strengthening our border through the Future Border and Immigration System Programme, making our border a critical line of defence against terrorism.
- Continuing to place victims and survivors at the heart of counter-terrorism policy by fully understanding their lived experiences and by reviewing and reforming the support we give them.
Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, said:

Any death or injury resulting from terrorism is a tragedy, and the impact on survivors, witnesses and wider society is immeasurable.

The terrorism risk we face today is rising and becoming harder to detect. This is why the transformational changes and vital partnerships set out in CONTEST 2023 will modernise our approach and make us all safer.

The safety and security of our people is the leading duty of government; terrorism will not prevail.

Head of Counter Terrorism Policing, Matt Jukes said:

The Counter Terrorism Operations Centre is a clear marker of the continued collective commitment to tackle the enduring terrorist threat.

Our mission to keep the public safe cannot be achieved by one organisation alone and we are pleased that CONTEST underlines the importance of collaboration.

Together with our partners, counter-terrorism policing will always strive to enhance our response, keeping the safety of the public at the very heart of our efforts.

Whilst sustained counter-terrorism pressure from the UK and its allies has suppressed the most serious terrorist threats, Islamist terrorist groups based abroad are persistent and evolving.

Their capabilities remain far below earlier peaks, but there are signs of resurgence by groups such as Daesh and al-Qa’ida, which continue to seek to plan and enable attacks in western countries, including the UK.

Our global relationships provide a foundation which can jointly address the risks we face from international terrorism.

Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly, said:

Our approach to countering terrorist threats is having an impact. Alongside our allies, we have suppressed a great number of the most serious threats in the last five years.

We continue to adapt our approach to tackling the evolving and enduring threats.

The UK will continue to work in close collaboration with key allies to tackle these new threats and keep our people safe.

CONTEST 2023 has been developed by the Home Office, working with a range of government departments, police and the intelligence agencies.

Terrorism experts, academics, public organisations, the private sector and the public were consulted to provide insight and challenge, to ensure that CONTEST continues to robustly defend the public from the terrorist threat.
July 25, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Basic housing to keep offenders off streets and cut crime [July 2023]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 18 July 2023.

A record number of offenders at risk of homelessness will be temporarily housed in basic accommodation as part of a national initiative to cut crime, Prisons Minister Damian Hinds has announced.
- Accommodation for ex-prisoners at risk of homelessness to reduce reoffending
- 12,000 offenders in England and Wales to be kept off streets
- Part of government drive to stop rough sleeping and cut crime
Up to 12,000 prisoners in England and Wales at risk of being released homeless will be offered temporary housing for up to 12 weeks as part of the Community Accommodation Service scheme.

Evidence shows that offenders in stable accommodation are 50% less likely to commit further crimes – reducing the annual £18 billion cost of reoffending on society. Having an address also allows offenders to find work and access treatment for addictions and mental health problems, while being closely monitored by the Probation Service.

The scheme, which was initially launched in July 2021 and piloted successfully in 5 Probation Service regions, is aimed at prison leavers who are at risk of slipping back into a life of crime – ultimately keeping the public safe and reducing reoffending.

Prisons and Probation Minister, Damian Hinds, said:

This initiative is geared to prevent thousands of people from becoming victims each year by reducing the risk of offenders committing further crimes, saving the taxpayer some of the £18 billion cost of repeat offending.

Getting offenders off the streets and into temporary accommodation provides the necessary foundation to break the cycle of crime and keep the public safe.

Offenders housed under the scheme will be supported to find permanent accommodation and will also be referred to specialist support to get them off drugs and into employment or training.

The latest figures show ex-prisoners in steady jobs are known to be up to 9 percentage points less likely to commit further crimes.

This support will be underpinned by strict supervision from the Probation Service. Offenders who are in breach of their licence conditions can be returned to prison.

Janet, who spent 6 weeks in the accommodation, said:

Having a roof over my head after walking out of the prison gates stopped me from living on the street or going back to my ex and getting into trouble. While I was there, I achieved some independence and got a tenancy. I wouldn’t have been able to do that without the foundations offered to me by this temporary accommodation.

Today’s news is part of wider government efforts to reduce re-offending and keep the public safe. Last month marked the launch of 3 new ‘Intensive Supervision Courts’ designed to force low-level offenders to tackle their substance issues so they can get back on the straight and narrow.

Thousands of prisoners have also been helped into employment upon release following innovative schemes such as Employment Advisory Boards, which have been rolled out in 92 prisons to improve the education and training on offer. These measures have helped more offenders into a steady job with the latest statistics showing the proportion of prison leavers finding work within 6 months increasing from 23% to 30% since 2022.

This scheme will complement the government’s landmark Rough Sleeping Strategy which will help more than 7,000 prison leavers at risk of homelessness into private rental accommodation. The scheme is backed by more than £40 million and will help councils provide rental deposits, landlord incentives and dedicated support staff.

Ellie King, Senior Manager of Housing Action Management, said:

We are extremely proud to have been involved in this scheme since its inception and the opportunity to make a positive change to the lives of prison leavers. Providing a safe space, support and stability can help towards breaking the cycle of reoffending, and this increases the chance of successful reintegration back into the community.

The positive feedback that we constantly receive from our welfare support visits and interactions with prison leavers demonstrates that this scheme is making a real difference and providing hope for the future.
July 25, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK and Turkey to negotiate new trade deal [July 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 18 July 2023.

The UK and Turkey agree to start talks on a new, modernised free trade deal.
- UK and Turkey announce intention to start talks on a new, modernised free trade agreement.
- New deal set to replace an existing outdated UK-Turkey deal which only covers goods.
- Deal designed to boost an already thriving trade relationship, worth £23.5 billion in 2022.
The UK and Turkey have today [18 July] announced plans to begin talks on an updated free trade agreement (FTA).

The deal would replace the existing UK-Turkey FTA, which was rolled over from when the UK left the European Union and doesn’t cover key areas of the UK economy like services, digital and data. The UK is the second biggest services exporter in the world – behind only the US, and the services sector contributes around 80% of the UK’s GDP.

A new deal could boost trade and help UK companies maximise opportunities in this area, driving economic growth – one of the Prime Minister’s priorities.

The announcement follows a call between UK Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch and Turkish Minister for Trade Ömer Bolat last week, where they committed to negotiating a new deal and deepening the trade relationship between the two countries.

The UK-Turkey Joint Committee consisting of the UK’s Chief Negotiator and officials from both sides – responsible for overseeing implementation of the current agreement – will meet today in Ankara, Turkey’s capital city to formally conclude the review of the current agreement and move towards renegotiation of the Free Trade Agreement.

Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch said:

Turkey is an important trading partner for the UK and this deal is the latest example of how we are using our status as an independent trading nation post-Brexit to negotiate deals that are tailored to the UK’s economic strengths.

I look forward to using the deal to deepen the UK-Turkey trading relationship, drive economic growth and support businesses up and down the country.

Turkey presents huge opportunities for British businesses, with UK companies already exporting to its growing market of 85 million people.

The new FTA is an opportunity to strike a 21st century deal that is better suited to the modern economies of both the UK and Turkey, covering areas such as digital trade and services.

It would build on an already thriving trading relationship which reached £23.5 billion in 2022 – up more than 30% from the previous year – and better support UK businesses exporting or looking to export to the country. A new FTA could also potentially lead to cheaper goods and more choice for UK consumers.

Later this month, Minister for Exports Lord Offord will be visiting Turkey where he will meet businesses and stakeholders to discuss with investment and export opportunities.

President of Airbus Türkiye, Simon Ward, said:

Airbus and Turkey have been long-term strategic partners for almost 40 years and Turkey is a partner on all Airbus aircraft programmes, including the prestigious A350.

Greater alignment on cross-border trade will improve competitiveness and provide opportunities for businesses across numerous sectors.
July 25, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Secretary of State outlines next steps in NI Legacy Bill [July 2023]

The press release issued by the Northern Ireland Office on 18 July 2023.

Today sees the return of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill to the House of Commons.

It was introduced in May 2022, and has spent the past 12 months in the House of Lords. This has provided time for in-depth engagement with those affected by the Troubles and scrutiny of the Bill. Since becoming Secretary of State I have heard first hand about how so many people have been affected by the Troubles. Only yesterday I read on the front pages of The Belfast Telegraph of a daughter who wants answers about what happened to her father and the Newsletter’s report on the lengthy re-investigation of an ex-officer that ended with no action taken. For those that want answers and an end to protracted processes that deliver outcomes for very few, this legislation is vital.

It’s well over 50 years since the Troubles began and 25 years since the people of Northern Ireland voted for peace through the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement. That’s decades where very many families, victims and survivors have been left without justice or information. This Bill will finally provide answers.

In the House of Lords, the Government brought forward a package of significant amendments, many of which are a direct result of the extensive engagement myself and Lord Caine have undertaken. These amendments enhance the independence of the new Independent Commission for Information Recovery and Reconciliation (ICRIR), provide a greater focus on the interests of victims and families, strengthen provisions related to the process for granting immunity from prosecution to those who engage meaningfully with the ICRIR – while keeping open the possibility of prosecution for those who fail to do so, and provide greater assurance regarding compliance with our international obligations.

In the Lords the Government was narrowly defeated on just two amendments. Peers voted to remove the immunity clauses from the Bill, and voted for each review to be carried out to a criminal justice standard.

We are grateful to those who suggested ways to strengthen the conditional immunity process, and – after listening carefully – we have tabled several amendments which do that. However, we cannot agree to an amendment which would altogether remove the conditional immunity clauses from the Bill.

This Government believes that the conditional immunity provisions will be key in helping to generate the greatest volume of information, in the quickest possible time, to pass on to families and victims who have been waiting for so long. I know that this approach is challenging for many, but we must address the legacy of the past in a different way if we are to achieve better outcomes for many who have waited for decades.

We are sympathetic to the motivation behind the amendment requiring each review to include a criminal justice standard investigation, but it is just not practicable. Firstly, the Bill is clear that an ICRIR ‘review’ can, where required, encompass a full, police-equivalent criminal investigation.

It is, however, right that the ICRIR also has the flexibility it needs to determine how it can best provide information to victims and families in each specific case. Some families might not want a full investigation, and we must respect that.

The Lords’ amendment would remove this crucial flexibility, limiting the ICRIR’s ability to be able to carry out reviews effectively, and significantly increase the time to complete many reviews, further delaying the families getting answers. Unlike some have suggested, it would also not ensure compliance with our international obligations, which often requires a more broad focus not limited simply to establishing whether a criminal offence has been committed.

Instead we are tabling two amendments which I believe will provide further reassurance on this key issue. These amendments will clarify that each review – whether it includes a criminal investigation or not – must look into all circumstances of a death or serious injury, and the ICRIR must – where possible – answer any specific questions posed by families during a request for a review.

I hope these two amendments – combined with other amendments the Government brought forward in the House of Lords to strengthen the review process – demonstrate that we are giving the ICRIR robust powers that will facilitate the information recovery process, meet our international obligations, and allow the ICRIR – under the leadership of the former Lord Chief Justice for Northern Ireland, Sir Declan Morgan KC as Chief Commissioner – to work as flexibly as it possibly can.

It is over a quarter of a century since the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement, and significantly longer that many people have been left without answers to what happened during the Troubles. As a Government it is our responsibility to establish the best practical way to deliver better outcomes for many more people affected by the Troubles than the current system does.

The challenge before us is immensely difficult, but it is also clear. To provide greater information, accountability and acknowledgement to victims and families of the Troubles, we must do things differently. The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill will do just that.

July 25, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Russia’s war is impacting energy security – UK statement to the OSCE [July 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 18 July 2023.

Justin Addison (UK Delegation to the OSCE) says Russia’s brutal and illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine has caused disaster and devastation, with significant impacts on energy security.

The theme of today’s meeting is energy networks’ protection from natural and man-made disasters. Russia’s brutal and illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine has caused disaster and devastation across our region, with significant impacts on energy security.

Ukrainian thermal and renewable power stations have suffered massive damage as a result of Russia’s war of aggression. Ukraine is now getting the equipment and financing needed to make the repairs for the next winter. The UK Government is making efforts to mobilise the UK power equipment industry to help.

Ukraine has learned the hard way about the urgent need for a more decentralised electricity grid, with an emphasis on small modular reactors and renewables. Ukraine’s existing grid is highly centralised, making it vulnerable to the Russian attempts last winter to bring about total grid collapse by targeting long-distance, high voltage transmission lines and key nodal substations in a ruthlessly systematic manner. Russia then turned its attention to power generation, attacking every type of generation, except nuclear. Of course, Europe’s biggest nuclear power station is under utterly reckless Russian military occupation. This is a lesson to be learned for all countries in the region with similar systems.

Putin’s invasion exposed mainland Europe’s over-dependence on Russian gas, with implications for affordability and security. The long-term solution is to address our underlying vulnerability to international fossil fuel prices by reducing our dependence on imported oil and gas. That is why the UK has worked with international partners to ban imports of Russian coal, oil, and liquefied natural gas. Reducing exposure to volatile oil and gas prices and Russian energy market manipulation depends on a faster transition to renewables and nuclear.

The UK has committed almost £140 million since the start of the conflict to help Ukraine respond to attacks on its energy infrastructure and support recovery efforts in the energy sector. This includes support from a £62 million, multi-year, energy resilience programme.

In the UK, the Government’s Powering Up Britain strategy, published in March, sets out how the government will enhance the UK’s energy security and seize the economic opportunities of the clean energy transition through a clear and consistent set of strategic objectives and a long-term policy framework.

July 25, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK announces new sanctions in response to Russia’s forced deportation of Ukrainian children [July 2023]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 18 July 2023.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has announced 14 new sanctions in response to Russia’s attempts to destroy Ukrainian national identity.
- Russian officials will face asset freezes and travel bans following their involvement in the forced deportation of Ukrainian children and the spreading of hate-inciting propaganda
- announcement comes as the UK puts support for Ukraine and its pursuit of peace at the top of its agenda during its month-long presidency of the UN Security Council
- in a meeting of the UN Security Council today the Foreign Secretary will stand alongside Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba to call for a just, lasting peace in the country
The Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly has today (17 July) announced 14 new sanctions in response to Russia’s attempts to destroy Ukrainian national identity, including 11 against those involved in the forced deportation of Ukrainian children.

Today’s announcement comes ahead of the Foreign Secretary’s speech at the UN Security Council (UNSC), where he will highlight the far-reaching implications of Russia’s war, call on Russia to renew the Black Sea Grain Initiative, and outline the need for a just, lasting peace in Ukraine.

Among the designations announced today are Russian officials Ksenia Mishonova, Commissioner for Children’s Rights in the Moscow Region, and Sergey Kravtsov, Minister of Education of Russia.

These individuals have played an insidious role in Russia’s calculated programme of deportation, designed to erase Ukrainian cultural and national identity. Over 19,000 Ukrainian children have been forcibly deported to Russia or temporarily Russian controlled territory by Russian authorities.

Many deported children are relocated to a network of re-education camps in illegally annexed Crimea and mainland Russia, where they are exposed to Russia-centric academic, cultural, patriotic, and military education.

This latest package of designations follows the UK’s sanctioning of Russian Children’s Rights Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova in June 2022 for her alleged involvement in the forced transfer and adoption of Ukrainian children.

Also sanctioned today is Russian propagandist, Timofey Sergeitsev, who is responsible for spreading abhorrent propaganda designed to incite violence and hatred towards Ukraine and its people.

Olga Lyubimova, the Russian Culture Minister, is additionally targeted for using her position to support the Russian state’s damaging anti-Ukrainian policies.

Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly, said:

In his chilling programme of forced child deportation, and the hate-filled propaganda spewed by his lackeys, we see Putin’s true intention – to wipe Ukraine from the map.

Today’s sanctions hold those who prop up Putin’s regime to account, including those who would see Ukraine destroyed, its national identity dissolved, and its future erased.

The UK and international partners have implemented the most severe package of sanctions ever imposed on a major economy.

Over 1,600 individuals and entities have been sanctioned since the start of the invasion, including 29 banks with global assets worth £1 trillion, over 130 oligarchs with a combined net worth of over £145 billion, and over £20 billion worth of UK-Russia trade.

Later today, in New York, the Foreign Secretary will use his speech during a UK-chaired session of the UNSC to call for a just, lasting peace in Ukraine and highlight Russia’s barbaric forced deportation of Ukrainian children.

He is expected to say:

Ukraine wants peace. We want peace. The whole world wants peace.

Peace will bring home Ukraine’s lost children – and feed the hungry of the world.

The devastating effects of Putin’s aggression can be felt in every corner of the globe. Vital grain supplies from Ukraine will be cut off and millions will face exacerbated food insecurity if Russia does not agree to a renewal of the Black Sea Grain Initiative today.
July 25, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Major business leaders join PM’s new Business Council to turbocharge economic growth [July 2023]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 18 July 2023.

Fourteen business leaders, from a range of sectors across the UK economy, join the Prime Minister’s new Business Council.

A new business council has been appointed by the Prime Minister to report from the business frontlines as the Government continues to boost stability and growth in the UK economy.

Chief Executives from AstraZeneca, NatWest Group and BAE Systems are among the fourteen business leaders joining the council, alongside SSE, Google Deepmind, Sainsbury’s and Vodafone. Other companies represented on the council include GSK, Aviva, Shell, Sage, Taylor Wimpey, Diageo and Barclays.

These leaders are recognised as trusted experts in their respective fields and are in charge of some of the country’s biggest employers in strategically important industries for UK growth – from construction, life-sciences and tech to financial services and energy.

Together, they employ around 330,000 people across the country, with an even greater reach throughout their supply chain and a presence globally too.

Thanks to the Government’s plans, the UK economy is set to grow instead of fall into a recession and inflation is expected to substantially reduce by the end of the year.

Ensuring the UK is the best place in the world to do business, now and in the future, will be crucial to making continued progress on growing the economy.

The newly appointed Business Council will be a forum to bring a real-world perspective on how the current economic climate is impacting business and how government and industry can work together to boost investment and innovation, drive productivity and create highly skilled jobs.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:

The more businesses innovate and invest, the more we grow and create good jobs right across the country.

I look forward to hearing first-hand from business leaders about how we can break down the barriers they face and unlock new opportunities for them to thrive.

My new Business Council is one of the many ways we are making the UK the best place to do business and invest, so we can future-proof and grow our economy.

The Council will meet today (18 July) in Downing Street, chaired by the Prime Minister. It will be followed by a reception for around 100 businesses to celebrate British enterprise.

The UK is open for business and an attractive place to invest, with a competitive business environment that stimulates growth. This is driven by policies like full-expensing – an effective corporation tax cut of £9 billion a year for UK businesses – and the lowest corporation tax in the G7, whilst reducing red-tape and investing billions in government funding such as in R&D. According to EY’s global attractiveness survey of CEOs, the UK is the most attractive investment destination in Europe.

AstraZeneca CEO Pascal Soriot:

The private sector has a vital role to play working with government and society to build a sustainable economy. I look forward to productive discussions on matters affecting the UK’s growth agenda and efforts to truly become a global science superpower creating high value enterprises, jobs and advancing the UK’s global net zero ambitions.

BAE Systems CEO Charles Woodburn:

It’s more important than ever that government and industry work closely together and as one of the UK’s largest employers, playing a key role in supporting national security as well as economic prosperity, I’m looking forward to discussing how we can help drive growth and attract investment into the UK as part of the new Business Council.

SSE CEO Alistair Phillips-Davies:

As somebody committed to ensuring that the UK is one of the easiest places in the world for low carbon investment, with a vibrant economy that supports high quality jobs and entrepreneurial innovation, I look forward to contributing to business and government thinking and action as part of the Council.

GSK CEO Emma Walmsley:

I welcome the opportunity to join the Prime Minister’s Business Council. I look forward to discussing the steps business and Government can take to strengthen the UK economy – harnessing science and new technologies, from AI to vaccines innovation, to boost UK productivity and investment, and unlock economic growth.

Google DeepMind Co-Founder and CEO Demis Hassabis:

The UK’s world-class strengths in science and technology, including AI, are key to boosting innovation and tackling the biggest challenges we face as a country. I’m pleased to join the Prime Minister’s new Business Council and look forward to working with the Government and other industry leaders to maximise these opportunities.

NatWest Group CEO Alison Rose:

Partnership between government and business is the cornerstone of a sustainable growth economy. That’s why I’m delighted to be part of the Prime Minister’s Business Council for 2023. Working together we can face into the nation’s challenges to unlock investment, drive enterprise, grasp the opportunity of climate transition and ultimately, help UK economy to thrive.

Sainsbury’s CEO Simon Roberts:

We serve millions of customers every day and as an industry we work with British farmers and food manufacturers to deliver the nation’s food system. We believe there are many opportunities to collaborate and support on a strong and resilient plan for the future.

Barclays CEO C. S. Venkatakrishnan:

I am honoured to represent Barclays on the Prime Minister’s Business Council. As a leading player in global markets, Barclays is committed to supporting the Government in unlocking investment and harnessing innovation. Together, we seek to turbocharge sustainable economic growth and inclusive prosperity for the UK.

Diageo CEO Debra Crew:

I welcome the opportunity to join the Prime Minister’s new Business Council. British businesses and Government have a shared responsibility in delivering prosperity, creating the conditions to encourage investment and international trade and tackling the big issues the country faces, from the cost of living to climate change.

Aviva CEO Amanda Blanc:

The UK faces a number of urgent challenges, such as climate change and the delivery of infrastructure across the country. I am keen to use this opportunity for Aviva to help shape the solutions.

Shell CEO Wael Sawan:

I am honoured to join the Prime Minister’s Business Council to help drive prosperity and growth in the UK, specifically through the provision of secure, affordable and cleaner energy. The economic and societal challenges we face today require candid collaboration between government and business to deliver the undoubted growth potential that we have in this country.

Vodafone CEO Margherita della Valle:

I am pleased to be joining the Business Council, an important forum to promote and support the global competitiveness of the UK. We have a vital part to play in the UK’s future, as our national communications infrastructure can help drive innovation and economic growth.

Taylor Wimpey CEO Jennie Daly:

I share the Business Council’s ambition of harnessing the power of the private sector to stimulate economic development and prosperity and to make our towns and villages across the country better places to live and work.

Sage CEO Steve Hare:

Small and mid-sized businesses play a critical role in powering the UK economy. Sage is proud to serve them as the UK’s biggest listed tech company, helping them to harness the power of technology to boost productivity and resilience. I look forward to bringing SMEs’ voice to the table as a member of the Business Council, capitalising on the UK’s opportunity to be a leading digital economy and drive economic growth.

July 25, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Refreshed Defence Command Paper sets out future for Armed Forces [July 2023]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 18 July 2023.

A £2.5 billion investment in stockpiles and a Global Response Force are behind a refreshed plan to improve the warfighting readiness of the British Armed Forces.
£2.5 billion additional investment in our stockpiles to improve fighting readiness

A UK Global Response Force will enable forces to ‘get there first’

Greater focus on science and technology to gain the edge on the battlefield

The Defence Command Paper Refresh (DCP23), published today, takes learnings from the war in Ukraine – and wider threats to our security – and sets out a plan to deliver a credible warfighting force that will keep us on track to act as a global heavyweight both now and in the future.

It follows the publication of the Integrated Review Refresh earlier this year, which identified Russia as the most acute threat to our security, recognised China as a long-term systemic challenge, and predicted a more adversarial international system.

The DCP23 outlines how the British Armed Forces will modernise and adapt to the changing global picture and, in particular, we will prioritise investment in science and technology to ensure we have a force greater than the sum of our parts.

It sets out:

An additional £2.5 billion investment into our stockpiles and munitions, on top of the increased investment committed at the Autumn Statement;

A Global Response Force that enables the UK to ‘get there first’, bringing together our deployed and high-readiness forces, and drawing on capabilities from all domains;

How Defence will become a science and technology superpower, enhancing our capabilities in fields such as robotics, human augmentation, directed energy weapons and advanced materials, to gain the edge on the battlefield;

An improved surge capacity through our Strategic Reserve, built around the ex-regular reserve forces to add further depth and expertise in time of crisis;

A new alliance with industry, engaging much earlier in strategic conversations and building in greater financial headroom to respond to changing needs;

A new employment model and skills framework, increasing fluidity between the military, the Civil Service and industry, while offering a more compelling and competitive incentivisation package;

A further £400 million to modernise accommodation that our service families deserve, which is essential for the operational effectiveness of our personnel.

Defence Secretary, Ben Wallace said:

We must adapt and modernise to meet the threats we face, taking in the lessons from President Putin’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.

This Defence Command Paper will sharpen our strategic approach – ensuring the UK remains at the forefront of military capability, and a leading power in NATO.

Since the Defence Command Paper 2021 was published, the UK has led the way in Europe on support for Ukraine’s defence and remained a leading contributor to NATO, consistently meeting the commitment to spend at least 2% of GDP on Defence and moving towards 2.5%.

In the last two years, the world has changed and the threats and challenges we face have evolved, including Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Our Armed Forces are central to protecting the UK around the clock and when global security is challenged, we have seen the effect it can have on our economic security. With a more campaigning approach to global competition, the DCP23 will support the Prime Minister’s priorities of growing the economy and reducing inflation.

The recent increased investment of £5 billion at the Spring Budget allows the Ministry of Defence to plan ahead, with the Defence budget – for the first time – over £50 billion a year. The certainty over an increased budget will support greater integration between government and UK industry, which is fundamental to sustaining the fighting force, developing and exploiting new technologies, and producing the equipment we need to sustain the fight.

Minister for the Armed Forces, James Heappey said:

Our people and their expertise are at the heart of what we do, underpinning our strategic advantage across all domains and delivering a force that deters against threats and defends our homeland and those of our Allies.

We also recognise that to maintain advantage over adversaries we have to do things differently, responding to rapidly evolving geopolitical, technological and economic threats, learning lessons from Ukraine, and championing closer integration with our Allies and partners.

This Defence Command Paper sets out how we’ll do this – prioritising investment in replenishment, modernising our forces and embodying a fully integrated approach to deterrence and defence.

DCP23 is broken down into a number of chapters based on priorities, including, People; Science, Innovation and Technology; Industry; Productivity; Deterrence and Defence; Campaigning and Global Competition; Strength through our Partnerships; Strategic Resilience.
July 25, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Government reveals plans to improve disabled people’s lives [July 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 18 July 2023.
- Government launches consultation on Disability Action Plan, which brings together ideas and action across Government to make disabled people’s lives easier
- Plans include raising awareness of life-changing tech for disabled people, mandatory disability awareness training for taxi drivers, autism-friendly programmes for cultural and heritage sites
- Plans designed by Ministers to make the UK a more inclusive society in the long term
Immediate and practical measures proposed in the fully accessible consultation include ensuring businesses are aware of disabled people’s needs – including Guide Dog access needs – to allow all disabled people to live, work and shop freely and support for local authorities to ensure the playgrounds they build or refurbish are accessible for disabled children.

The proposals will inform the Government’s Disability Action Plan later this year, laying the foundations for longer term change.

Other measures in the proposed Plan include: – Raising the profile of assistive technology to ensure more disabled people have access to life-changing tech – Legislating for mandatory disability awareness training for taxi and private hire drivers to unlock greater travel freedom for disabled people – Encouraging more autism-friendly programmes in the cultural and heritage sectors to drive greater inclusivity – Improving reasonable adjustments in the courts system so more disabled people can be on juries improving diversity and breadth of experience – Implementing the British Sign Language (BSL) GCSE, over a year after the BSL Act was introduced, giving thousands of pupils communication and visual memory skills that will be an advantage to them for the rest of their lives – Exploring the feasibility of Great Britain hosting the Special Olympics World Summer Games in 2031.

The Disability Action Plan sits alongside the Government’s National Disability Strategy which sets out our longer-term vision to improve disabled people’s lives for the better.

Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, Tom Pursglove MP, said:

Our Disability Action Plan will lay out practical measures we can implement here and now to improve the lives of disabled people.

From leading the way globally with assistive technology to improving inclusivity and accessibility across sport, travel and culture, the Plan will also be important in setting the stage for longer term change.

We want disabled people to be at the heart of decision making and I would encourage anyone interested to respond to this consultation so the views of disabled people across the country are front and centre of our final Disability Action Plan.

The Plan builds on the Government’s achievements over the last year on education, work, leisure, and rights for disabled people. This includes supporting the passage of landmark legislation: the Down Syndrome Act and British Sign Language (BSL) Act – and a consultation to support the introduction of a new BSL GCSE.

The overarching focus on disability has also ensured over 2,000 miles of King Charles III England Coast Path is accessible, while the government has delivered an additional £1 billion for the education of children and young people with more complex needs.

The consultation will run for 12 weeks and be open for anyone to comment. This will ensure the Plan is informed by the experience and views of disabled people, disability organisations and charities as well as other interested parties.

Chair of the Disability Unit West Midlands Regional Stakeholder Network, Louise Mckiernan said:

I welcome the Government’s commitment to their new Disability Action Plan and their intention to take immediate and practical actions to improve the lives of disabled people across the UK.

The launch of this consultation is an important opportunity for disabled people in particular to have their say and to help shape the Government’s short-term plans.

I would encourage as many disabled people, disability organisations and other interested parties as possible to take part in this consultation exercise to ensure their voices are heard.
July 25, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : British nuclear revival to move towards energy independence [July 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 18 July 2023.

Great British Nuclear to boost UK energy security, reduce dependence on volatile fossil fuel imports and deliver government priority to grow the economy.
- Great British Nuclear to drive rapid expansion of nuclear power at an unprecedented scale and pace
- government kickstarts competition for game-changing small modular reactor (SMR) technology, which could result in billions of pounds of public and private sector investment in SMR projects
- plans will boost energy security, create cheaper power and grow the economy – creating better-paid jobs and opportunity right across the country
A massive revival of nuclear power gets underway today, placing the UK at the forefront of a global race to develop cutting-edge technologies to rapidly deliver cleaner, cheaper, more secure energy.

Energy Security Secretary Grant Shapps will today announce how Great British Nuclear (GBN) will drive the rapid expansion of new nuclear power plants in the UK at an unprecedented scale and pace. This will boost UK energy security, reduce dependence on volatile fossil fuel imports, create more affordable power and grow the economy, with the nuclear industry estimated to generate around £6 billion for the UK economy.

From today, companies can register their interest with GBN to participate in a competition to secure funding support to develop their products. This could result in billions of pounds of public and private sector investment in small modular reactor (SMR) projects in the UK – demonstrating the government delivering on its priorities to partner with the nuclear industry and jointly spearhead the future of nuclear technologies.

Unlike conventional reactors that are built on site, SMRs are smaller, can be made in factories and could transform how power stations are built by making construction faster, and less expensive.

GBN will play a key role in helping the government hit its ambition to provide up to a quarter of the UK’s electricity from homegrown nuclear energy by 2050 and achieve among the cheapest wholesale electricity prices in Europe, whilst supporting jobs across the country.

In addition to supporting this emerging, more agile technology, the government remains committed to the mega projects of Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C and will work with GBN to consider the potential role of further large gigawatt-scale nuclear power plants in the UK energy mix.

Energy Security Secretary Grant Shapps said:

Britain has a rich history as a pioneer of nuclear power, having launched the era of civil nuclear power – and I’m proud to be turbocharging its revival and placing our country once again at the forefront of global innovation.

By rapidly boosting our homegrown supply of nuclear and other clean, reliable, and abundant energy, we will drive down bills for British homes and make sure the UK is never held to energy ransom by tyrants like Putin.

Today, as we open Great British Nuclear and the competition to develop cutting-edge small modular reactor technology, which could result in billions of pounds of public and private sector investment, we are seeing the first brush strokes of our nuclear power renaissance to power up Britain and grow our economy for decades to come.

Minister for Nuclear Andrew Bowie said:

As long-standing pioneers of nuclear, today we’re marking its UK revival with the opening of Great British Nuclear, which will play an essential role in transforming the way we power Britain from Britain.

I look forward to seeing the world-class designs submitted from all around the world through the competitive selection process, as the UK takes its place front and centre in the global race to unleash a new generation of nuclear technology.

Simon Bowen, interim chair of GBN said:

GBN is core to delivering the government’s new nuclear programme.

Building on the work done at Hinkley Point and Sizewell, today’s announcement of the start of the SMR selection process signifies a real step forward in delivering the scale of nuclear power that Britain needs for secure, sustainable energy future.

We look forward to working with all interested parties – technology vendors, the supply chain, the wider industry and local communities as we move this essential programme forward.

On top of today’s GBN competition launch, the government is also announcing today a grant funding package totalling up to £157 million:

Up to £77.1 million of funding for companies to accelerate advanced nuclear business development in the UK and support advanced nuclear designs to enter UK regulation, maximising the chance of small and advanced modular reactors being built during the next Parliament.

Up to £58 million funding for the further development and design of a type of advanced modular reactor (AMR) and next generation fuel. AMRs operate at a higher temperature than SMRs and as a result they could provide high temperature heat for hydrogen and other industrial uses alongside nuclear power. The winning projects of this latest phase of funding are:
- up to £22.5 million to Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation UK in Warrington to further develop the design of a high temperature micro modular reactor, a type of AMR suited to UK industrial demands including hydrogen and sustainable aviation fuel production
- up to £15 million to National Nuclear laboratory in Warrington to accelerate the design of a high temperature reactor, following its success in Japan
- up to £16 million to National Nuclear Laboratory in Preston to continue to develop sovereign coated particle fuel capability, a type of robust advanced fuel which is suitable for high temperature reactors
A further £22.3 million from the Nuclear Fuel Fund will enable 8 projects to develop new fuel production and manufacturing capabilities in the UK, driving up energy security and supporting the global move away from Russian fuel. Winning projects include:
- over £10.5 million to Westinghouse Springfields nuclear fuel plant in Preston to manufacture more innovative types of nuclear fuel for customers both in the UK and overseas, boosting jobs and skills in the North West
- over £9.5 million to Urenco UK in Capenhurst Chester, an international supplier of nuclear materials, to enrich uranium to higher levels, including LEU+ and high assay low enriched uranium (HALEU). LEU+ will allow for current reactors and SMRs to run for longer between refuelling outages, improving reactor efficiency and economics both in the UK and abroad. HALEU development will ensure that the UK remains at the forefront of fuel development for future advanced reactors
- over £1 million has also been awarded to Nuclear Transport Solutions, a subsidiary of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, to develop transport solutions to facilitate a supply chain for HALEU in the UK and internationally.
- over £1.2 million to support MoltexFLEX, a UK molten salt reactor developer based in the North West, to build and operate rigs for the development of molten salt fuel. Molten Salt Reactors (MSRs) are an AMR type that use a molten salt as a coolant and fuel, leading to intrinsic safety compared with conventional fuels.
A knowledge sharing initiative, led by expert nuclear industry advisers Arup Ove, aimed at facilitating the sharing of valuable expertise to reduce the time, risk, and cost of AMR R&D programme delivery.

Julia Pyke, Joint Managing Director for Sizewell C said:

It’s great to see the growing ambition for nuclear which underlines the key role it will play in a future ‘net zero’ energy system. Today’s announcement is also another big vote of confidence in Sizewell C, which will continue the transformation in British nuclear construction started by Hinkley Point C.

If Hinkley had been on last year, UK consumers would have saved over £4 billion. Both projects will form a vital part of the future nuclear fleet, helping to lower carbon emissions and reduce energy costs for British households.

Tom Greatrex, Chief Executive of the Nuclear Industry Association, said:

The launch of GBN marks a new era for nuclear deployment in the UK – helping drive a programme of construction at pace and at scale to strengthen our energy security, create good jobs across the country, and advance our net zero future by providing up to 25% of our future power needs.

Focus on the SMR selection will demonstrate the commitment to deployment of innovative technologies and open up new opportunities for the UK industrial supply chain here and abroad. There a range of sites and communities across the country ready to host SMR technology, alongside the large scale nuclear capacity we will also need.

Britain has an important leadership role in the global nuclear industry, and nowhere more so than in our determination to drive Russia out of the nuclear fuel markets. The government’s Nuclear Fuel Fund will bolster those world-class capabilities that make us uniquely placed to help our allies replace Russian supplies with Western nuclear fuel.

David Peattie, Nuclear Decommissioning Authority CEO, said:

Decommissioning plays a critical role in the lifecycle of nuclear power generation, and we are committed to sharing our expertise, resource, and assets to support GBN and the government in delivering for the British public.

I’m delighted that in support of this aim our nuclear transport arm, Nuclear Transport Solutions, has been awarded over £1 million of government funding to develop the fuel transport package for new nuclear reactors.

We will continue to explore opportunities to align our mission with GBN’s ambitions, including the potential to free up our excess land for other uses.

Last year, the government made the historic decision to revitalise the UK nuclear industry by confirming the first state backing of a major nuclear project in over 30 years, investing £700 million in Sizewell C. Subject to final approval, the project will support 10,000 jobs at peak construction, and provide reliable, low-carbon power to the equivalent of 6 million homes for over 60 years.

GBN, an arms-length body, will initially be led by Simon Bowen and Gwen Parry-Jones, interim Chair and CEO.

Following the launch of the SMR selection process today, once the initial stage is complete, GBN will down-select those technologies which have met the criteria, and then enter into detailed discussions with those companies as part of an Invitation to Negotiate phase. The initial down-select will take place in the Autumn.
July 25, 2023