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Category: Press Releases

  • PRESS RELEASE : Change of His Majesty’s Ambassador to Montenegro – Dawn McKen [June 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Change of His Majesty’s Ambassador to Montenegro – Dawn McKen [June 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 June 2023.

    Ms Dawn McKen has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to Montenegro in succession to Ms Karen Maddocks, who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Ms McKen will take up her appointment during August 2023.

    Full name: Dawn McKen

    Spouse: Matthew Sparrowhawk

    Children: 2

    Curriculum vitae

    Dates Role
    2022 Global Strategy Programme in International Security and Strategic Leadership, Royal College of Defence Studies
    2022 MA in International Security and Strategy, King’s College, University of London
    2021 Athens, Deputy Head of Mission, later Chargé d’Affaires
    2019 to 2021 FCDO, Head, EU External and Security Unit, Europe Directorate/Additional Deputy Director, UK Future Relationship with Turkey and Cyprus
    2016 to 2019 FCO, Head, Europe Programmes Unit, Europe Directorate
    2013 to 2016 FCO, Deputy Head, Somalia Unit, Africa Directorate
    2011 to 2013 FCO, Project Manager, UK Estate Reform Project
    2007 to 2011 Budapest, First Secretary (Political), later Deputy Head of Mission and Chargé d’Affaires
    2006 to 2007 Full Time Language Training (Hungarian)
    2004 to 2005 FCO, Team Leader, EU External and Economic, Europe Directorate
    2002 to 2003 FCO, Team Leader, Conventional Arms and Security Sector Reform, Security Policy Department
    2000 to 2002 FCO, Team Leader, Cyprus and Malta, Europe Directorate
    1996 to 2000 Moscow, Second Secretary (Political)
    1996 Full Time Language Training (Russian)
    1995 to 1996 FCO, Desk Officer, Hungary and Bulgaria, Know How Fund
  • PRESS RELEASE : UK and Ghana launch new investor group to scout for top investment opportunities [June 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK and Ghana launch new investor group to scout for top investment opportunities [June 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 June 2023.

    The UK Minister for Development and Minister for International Trade commit to strengthen trade and increase investment in Ghana at the UK-Ghana Business Council.

    • 8th UK-Ghana Business Council convenes in London to boost £2.2bn trade relationship
    • UK-Ghana Investor Group launched to identify new investment opportunities and support Ghana’s economic recovery plan
    • Council announces £1m to back new business and energy programmes in Ghana

    The UK and Ghana have today (Thursday 8 June) launched a new investor group to help identify mutually beneficial investment opportunities for both countries in a boost to the existing economic partnership.

    The announcement at the 8th UK-Ghana Business Council meeting in London, co-chaired by the Minister for Development and Africa, Andrew Mitchell, the Minister for International Trade, Nigel Huddleston, and the Vice-President of Ghana, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, comes as the two countries committed to strengthen trade and increase investment.

    The business-led UK-Ghana Investor Group will include UK investors and key investment facilitation agencies in Ghana and the UK, and will help generate leads on viable projects in areas such as pharmaceuticals, textiles, and agro-processing, as well as providing support to package the projects and find UK investment.

    Support for Ghana’s economic recovery from Covid was also announced, with £1 million of funding for developing infrastructure projects and increasing carbon markets.

    Andrew Mitchell, Minister for Development and Africa said:

    The economic partnership between the UK and Ghana is thriving, with ever increasing bilateral trade and our new investor group set to find fresh opportunities for businesses both here in the UK and Africa. By working together we are creating jobs and strengthening our historic trade links, to the benefit of both our economies.

    The UK-Ghana Business Council session follows the first meeting of the Trade Partnership Agreement (TPA) Committee in April this year. The UK-Ghana TPA provides duty-free, quota-free access to the UK market for Ghanaian exports. Today, bilateral trade between the UK and Ghana is worth around £2.2 billion, with the trade in goods and services increasing by £778 million between 2021 and 2022.

    Speaking ahead of the meeting, Minister Huddleston said:

    This Council has played a huge role in boosting trade with Ghana, supporting hundreds of millions of pounds worth of deals in various sectors, from textiles to agriculture.

    I look forward to discussing how we can take our trading relationship to the next level and support Ghana’s economic recovery by strengthening supply chains and removing barriers to trade.

    Since its formation in 2018 the Council has supported more than £223m of investment in infrastructure across the country and created opportunities for both UK and Ghanaian businesses.

    Next April, London will host the 2024 UK-African Investment Summit, bringing together political and business leaders, as well as representatives of international and regional organisations from the UK and African countries, including Ghana, as a further boost to trade and investment.

    Background

    • The preferential tariff terms provided by the UK-Ghana TPA are instrumental in sustaining sectors like banana and tuna exports, for which the UK is a major market. 21% of Ghana’s bananas are exported to the UK. More here.
    • Ghana is the UK’s fourth-biggest export market in sub-Saharan Africa, total UK imports from Ghana amounted to £1.3 billion in 2022.
  • PRESS RELEASE : Record number of teachers in England’s schools [June 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Record number of teachers in England’s schools [June 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Education on 8 June 2023.

    Nearly 48,000 full time equivalent teachers joined English schools in the 2022/2023 academic year, with 2,800 more teachers now in classrooms than last year.

    Schools in England now have more teachers than ever before, as new data reveals there are 468,371 teachers in the workforce, as part of the Government’s ongoing work to attract the brightest and the best to the profession.

    The School Workforce Census published today (8 June) shows that nearly 48,000 teachers entered classrooms in the 2022-2023 academic year. This means there are over 27,000 more teachers in classrooms since 2010 and 2,800 more than last year.

    The Government has also put in place a range of measures to boost recruitment and retention. In October 2022, the department announced a further increase to the teacher training financial incentives package – with an additional £52m more invested on the previous year. This includes bursaries worth £27,000 tax-free and scholarships worth £29,000 tax-free, which encourage talented trainees to teach key subjects such as mathematics, physics, chemistry and computing.

    On top of this, the Levelling Up Premium worth up to £3,000 tax-free annually is available for maths, physics, chemistry and computing teachers who choose to work in disadvantaged schools in the first five years of their careers. This is helping to support the recruitment and retention of specialist in areas that need them most.

    More great teachers in classrooms helps build a world class education system for our children and young people to learn and develop in, and builds on the Government’s work to drive up school standards including the Prime Minister’s ambitions, set out in January, to boost Maths to 18. England’s recent performance in the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS), where it placed 4th in the world for reading among primary school children, demonstrate the progress made in attainment and teachers are central to this success.

    Education Secretary, Gillian Keegan, said:

    A great education does not happen by chance, and brilliant teachers shape children’s lives every day.

    In today’s competitive job market, it is fantastic to see so many people choosing a rewarding teaching career, with a record number of teachers now working in our schools.

    We know there is more to do, which is why we have generous bursaries to attract new trainees to teach priority subjects and focusing on supporting new teachers from the very start of their journey with free, high-quality, ongoing professional development.

    Today’s data shows the majority of subjects continued to be taught by specialist teachers, with 87.4% of EBacc teaching hours in secondary schools (English, maths, all sciences, history geography and modern foreign languages) taught by a teacher with a relevant post-A level qualification. In Maths 87.2% of hours were taught by a specialist, helping drive the Government’s priority of boosting Maths attainment.

    In addition to the number of teachers, the number of support staff has continued to grow for a third year in a row and, at 281,094, there are now a record number of teaching assistants, having risen by 5,300 since last year. This ensures pupils get the support they need to help them learn.

    The Department is continuing to deliver major reforms to teacher training, including the Early Career Framework and delivery of National Professional Qualifications. The Government is delivering teacher training and development opportunities for every teacher that wants one, giving all teachers and school leaders access to world-class, evidence-based training and professional development at every stage of their career.

    Over 16,700 teachers chose to re-join state schools this year, showing that teaching remains an attractive career.

    Teacher retention is also key to ensuring effective teacher supply and quality. The Department has published a range of resources to help address teacher workload, improve wellbeing and support schools to introduce flexible working practices.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Lord Ahmad to set out support for Counter-Daesh efforts at global meeting in Riyadh [June 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Lord Ahmad to set out support for Counter-Daesh efforts at global meeting in Riyadh [June 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 June 2023.

    Minister of State for the Middle East Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon will set out the UK’s work to eradicate Daesh and support those affected by its terrorism.

    • Minister will address the Global Coalition against Daesh ministerial-level meeting in Riyadh today
    • he will outline the UK’s work to tackle the continued threat posed by Daesh and support people in north-east Syria and Iraq
    • Lord Ahmad will then travel onto Istanbul, the first visit to Turkey by a UK government Minister since President Erdogan’s re-election

    The Minister of State for the Middle East will attend the annual Global Coalition against Daesh ministerial-level meeting in Riyadh today and reaffirm the UK’s commitment to tackling the continuing threat posed by Daesh and helping people rebuild their lives.

    Lord Ahmad will outline the UK’s support to counter the threat posed by Daesh, including approximately £88 million towards ongoing efforts for counterterrorism, stabilisation and socio-economic development in Northeast Syria and Iraq over the next 5 years.

    Examples of what this funding will provide include working with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to address the barriers to return, reintegration and reconciliation of Iraqis displaced by Daesh’s violence, including the 30,000 Iraqis in Al-Hol camp in Syria. The funding will also provide targeted job training for hundreds of young people in Iraq, as part of efforts to prevent violent extremism and counter Daesh’s influence.

    This will come alongside a further £16 million over the next 2 years to specifically address acute humanitarian needs in north-east Syria. This package will provide 76,735 people with humanitarian assistance, including psychosocial support targeting children traumatised by conflict and programmes to empower women through education and access to the labour market.

    The global meeting in Riyadh will see ministers and representatives from the 86 partners of the Global Coalition gather to discuss the continuing threat from Daesh and to coordinate efforts to counter Daesh and stabilise liberated areas.

    Minister of State for the Middle East Lord Ahmad said:

    Though territorially defeated, Daesh is a threat that continues to destroy lives – not only in liberated areas of Iraq and Syria, but also in Afghanistan and parts of Africa where its affiliates are active.

    I am proud of the UK’s continuing role in eradicating Daesh, including rebuilding communities affected by its terrorism, and leading global efforts against its poisonous propaganda.

    I look forward to visiting Istanbul to strengthen the UK’s important partnership with Turkey and to discuss a broad range of foreign policy issues, including Syria, Sudan and Ukraine.

    Following his attendance at the Global Coalition against Daesh ministerial-level meeting, Lord Ahmad will travel to Istanbul to strengthen UK-Turkey ties and to participate in an international diplomacy conference. This will be the first visit to Turkey by a UK government minister since President Erdogan’s re-election, following the second round of presidential elections on 28 May.

  • PRESS RELEASE : HMRC issues £3.2 million in money laundering penalties [June 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : HMRC issues £3.2 million in money laundering penalties [June 2023]

    The press release issued by HM Treasury on 8 June 2023.

    HMRC has published details on hundreds of businesses who have been fined for breaching anti-money laundering rules.

    Hundreds of businesses fined a total of £3.2 million for breaching anti-money laundering rules have been named by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

    The 240 supervised businesses named today were fined between 1 July and 31 December 2022 by HMRC for breaching Money Laundering Regulations aimed at preventing criminals from exploiting illicit cash.

    Certain types of business are required to register with HMRC which is a supervisory body for Money Laundering Regulations.

    Xpress Money Services Ltd, based in London, was hit with a large fine of £1.4 million for failing to carry out risk assessments, not having appropriate anti-money laundering controls, and failing to conduct proper due diligence checks.

    HMRC’s work with other enforcement agencies and government departments to tackle economic crime and crack down on breaches is working to drive non-compliant firms out of business. This means that the number of money service businesses has fallen by around a third from 1,508 in 2020 to 1,049 in 2023, and the number of money service business agents has reduced from 35,507 to 30,217 in the same period.

    Nick Sharp, HMRC’s Deputy Director of Economic Crime, Fraud Investigation Service, said:

    Money laundering is not a victimless crime. We are here to help businesses protect themselves from criminal attacks and will continue to tackle the minority of businesses which do not comply with the Money Laundering Regulations.

    Serious and organised crime costs the UK billions of pounds every year and our anti-money laundering supervision is a vital tool in combatting that.

    In addition to the named businesses, another 179 companies received smaller fines totalling more than £200,000 for rule breaches.

    Money service businesses provide vital services to the community, offering currency exchange, money transmission and cheque cashing. However, they can be exploited by criminals to launder the proceeds of crime, so must have a robust risk assessment and policies, controls, and procedures to prevent this.

    HMRC supervises tens of thousands of businesses across the UK under Money Laundering Regulations, and helps these firms protect themselves from criminals who seek to launder cash or finance terrorism.

    Guidance for money service businesses on anti-money laundering rules is available on GOV.UK.

    Further information

    A full list of the named companies who have received fines or suspensions under these regulations is available on GOV.UK:

    Number of named businesses by UK nation and English region

    Devolved nation or English region Number of named businesses fined for breaches between 1 July 2022 to 31 December 2022
    Northern Ireland 12
    Wales 6
    Scotland 3
    England includes: 219:
    Greater London 86
    South East 28
    North West 26
    East of England 23
    West Midlands 17
    North East 15
    East Midlands 13
    South West 11

    Businesses which do not follow anti-money laundering regulations can be fined and lose their licence to operate in the UK.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Importance of human rights for security in the region – UK statement to the OSCE [June 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Importance of human rights for security in the region – UK statement to the OSCE [June 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 June 2023.

    Ambassador Holland recalls the importance of inclusive, democratic institutions and accountable governments for security in the OSCE region.

    Thank you, Mr Chair. Welcome to the Permanent Council, High Commissioner. Today is a welcome opportunity to put on record, on behalf of the UK, our appreciation for your efforts and those of your predecessors.

    The United Kingdom believes that inclusive, democratic institutions and accountable governments are the foundations on which open, stable and prosperous societies thrive. Societies with the full participation of women and marginalised groups and equal rights for all. Resilient, responsive, and representative societies.

    And yet, we have seen authoritarian influence on the rise in states across the OSCE region as well as democratic backsliding, restrictions on civic space and the rollback of rights.

    Where human rights violations and abuses go unchecked, the seeds of conflict are sown, often with devastating consequences for communities and nations.

    Indeed, last year’s Moscow Mechanism report established how growing internal repression in Russia enabled external aggression and ultimately Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. As participating States our comprehensive definition of security requires that we work harder than ever to strengthen democratic resilience and human rights.

    High Commissioner, as you know, Putin’s war has impacted the enjoyment of nearly every human right in Ukraine. Reporting from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and OSCE institutions helps us understand the sheer scale of the damage. It describes war crimes as well as Russia’s restrictions on freedom of religion and belief, freedom of movement, and freedom of association.

    Thank you for your Office’s continued commitment to documenting and reporting the human rights situation in Ukraine, despite operating in challenging circumstances. Like the OSCE’s Moscow Mechanism reports and Ukraine Monitoring Initiative, your Office’s reporting helps the international community understand the scope and scale of Russia’s violations and systematic use of violence. It makes a vital contribution to accountability for Russia’s actions. For example, the UN Commission of Inquiry’s report in March this year provided important insight into child deportations from Ukraine.

    Events in Ukraine mirror the repression Putin’s regime has subjected the people of Crimea and the people of Russia to for years. Echoing the concern of the UN Special Rapporteur on torture regarding the treatment and health of Alexei Navalny, I take this opportunity to call on the Russian authorities to ensure that Mr Navalny receives urgent and comprehensive medical care.

    I also take this opportunity to repeat the UK’s support for the appointment of the first UN Special Rapporteur on human rights on the Russian Federation, Mariana Katzarova. The UK looks forward to publication of her report in September 2023.

    Finally and briefly, I want to recall in this forum the importance of the OSCE’s own institutions for the defence of human rights. ODIHR’s work is vital to fostering long-term security in the OSCE region.  All participating States have a responsibility to ensure that ODHIR has a proper budget to continue delivering on its mandate.

    High Commissioner, thank you for your presence here today. The UK looks forward to continuing to work with you and your Office, and to advocating within the OSCE for the importance of human rights and democracy in underpinning our collective security.  Thank you Mr Chair.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Horizon Europe Guarantee scheme newly extended to support UK R&D [June 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Horizon Europe Guarantee scheme newly extended to support UK R&D [June 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 8 June 2023.

    The government has announced an extension to the support provided to UK Horizon Europe applicants until the end of September 2023.

    • Government extends Horizon Europe Guarantee scheme to end of September 2023, continuing to protect funding for UK researchers, businesses, and innovators
    • UKRI has issued grants worth over £1 billion since the scheme was originally launched in November 2021
    • our priority is to give the UK’s R&D sector the maximum level of support to continue their ground-breaking research and collaboration with international partners

    The support provided to UK Horizon Europe applicants has been extended for a further three months. Originally launched in November 2021, UKRI has issued over 2,000 grant offers worth £1.05 billion to the end of April 2023. The extension will ensure that eligible, successful UK applicants will continue to be guaranteed funding, supporting them to continue their important work in research and innovation.

    The guarantee will be in place to cover all Horizon Europe calls that close on or before 30 September 2023. Eligible, successful applicants to Horizon Europe will receive the full value of their funding at their UK host institution for the lifetime of their grant.

    Science and Technology Secretary Chloe Smith said:

    This extension offers certainty to our world-class researchers that they will receive the support they need to continue their ground-breaking work, building on the over £1 billion in support awarded so far, while negotiations over association to Horizon Europe remain ongoing.

    Successful awardees do not need to leave the UK to receive this funding, which will provide reassurance for future collaborations, and support UK researchers whether association is confirmed, or otherwise.

    The government remains in discussion on the UK’s involvement in EU research programmes and hopes that negotiations on Horizon Europe will be successful, as that is our preference. However, our participation must be fair for UK researchers, businesses and taxpayers and reflect the lasting impact of two years of EU delays to the UK’s association. We will continue to engage with representatives across the business, research and innovation sector as these discussions progress.

    Our priority is to ensure the UK’s R&D sector gets the maximum level of support to allow them to continue their ground-breaking research and collaboration with international partners, and the extension of the guarantee provides certainty for researchers while negotiations continue.

    Details regarding the scope and terms of the extension are available on the UKRI website.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Ukraine – UK boosts funding to International Atomic Energy Agency [June 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Ukraine – UK boosts funding to International Atomic Energy Agency [June 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 June 2023.

    The UK has announced an additional £750,000 of funding to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to support its missions in Ukraine, at the meeting of the Board of Governors in Vienna today, Wednesday 7 June.

    At the meeting, Director General Grossi presented the latest report on Nuclear Safety, Security and Safeguards in Ukraine.

    The report outlined the state of nuclear safety at Ukraine’s nuclear facilities, and in particular the deeply concerning situation at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant which relies on water from the Kakhovka dam for its cooling pond.

    The UK has now provided £5 million to support IAEA efforts in Ukraine since Russia’s invasion of the country, and also gives an annual budgetary contribution to the IAEA’s work.

    Today’s additional funds will help the IAEA continue its vital work in Ukraine providing support and advice to the Ukrainian government in nuclear safety. UK funding also facilitates training in detection of radiological materials and expert investigative missions to nuclear power plants.

    Delivering the UK’s statement at the meeting, UK Permanent Representative to the IAEA Corinne Kitsell said:

    Russia’s barbaric attacks on Ukraine’s civil infrastructure and its illegal control of Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant runs contrary to all international nuclear safety and security norms. It claims to uphold nuclear safety standards, but its actions say otherwise.

    I commend the work of the IAEA’s staff in Ukraine and I am pleased that the UK’s additional funding will help to facilitate its vital work, particularly given the additional risk posed by the destruction of the Kakhovka dam.

    The IAEA Director General’s report also sets out numerous concerns: Russian military presence at the site and the immense pressure placed on the Ukrainian operating personnel and their families.

    The UK also echoes Ukraine’s calls for an uninterrupted power supply from Ukraine to Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and continues to call for the Russian Federation’s full withdrawal from the site, and for it to end its illegal war of aggression in Ukraine.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Two non-judicial members to the Criminal Procedure Committee reappointed [June 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Two non-judicial members to the Criminal Procedure Committee reappointed [June 2023]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 8 June 2023.

    The Lord Chancellor has approved the reappointment of Paul Jarvis and Edmund Smyth as non-judicial members of the Criminal Procedure Rule Committee (CPRC) for 4 years from 1 September 2023.

    Paul Jarvis was first appointed to the CPRC on 1 September 2019. He is a Junior Treasury Counsel at the Central Criminal Court; appointed by the Attorney General to prosecute serious cases such as murder and terrorism. He undertakes voluntary work on the Bar Standards Board’s Independent Decision-Making Body. He has written books and articles on criminal procedure and given a range of lectures on relevant subjects.

    Edmund Smyth was first appointed to the CPRC on 1 September 2019 is a Senior Associate in the Criminal Litigation Department of Kingsley Napley. He represents individuals and corporates across the full spectrum of criminal and quasi-criminal investigations and prosecutions involving matters such as financial crime, bribery and corruption, asset recovery, sexual offences and extradition. He is a committee member of the London Criminal Courts Solicitors’ Association and acts as the Association’s media officer.

    The Courts Act 2003 established the Criminal Procedure Rule Committee (CPRC) to make rules governing the practice and procedure of magistrates’ courts, the Crown Court and the Court of Appeal, Criminal Division.

    The Act requires the CPRC, which is chaired by the Lord Chief Justice, to make rules that are simple and simply expressed and that help make the criminal justice system accessible, fair and efficient.

    The Commissioner for Public Appointments regulates the appointment of non judicial members of the CPRC and recruitment process must comply with the Governance Code on Public Appointments.

    Appointments to the CPRC are made by the Lord Chancellor in consultation with the Lord Chief Justice for England and Wales.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK launches process to negotiate trade deal with the Republic of Maldives [June 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK launches process to negotiate trade deal with the Republic of Maldives [June 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 8 June 2023.

    The UK has today launched an eight-week call for input in preparation to negotiate a goods-only Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the Republic of Maldives, inviting business, organisations and individuals to help shape the UK’s negotiating aims.

    Maldives is one of the few countries in the Commonwealth which the UK is not already pursuing an FTA with or does not already have preferential access to the UK market.

    The public consultation will also help to identify trade barriers which pose an obstacle to UK businesses attempting to export their goods to Maldives.