Category: Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE : Sudan is now one of the worst countries in the world for humanitarian access – UK statement at the Security Council [August 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 August 2023.

Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council meeting on Sudan.

Thank you, President, and let me start by thanking ASG Pobee and Director Wosornu for your very helpful updates to the Council.

President, I want to start by echoing the alarms that we have heard today on the conflict’s catastrophic impact on civilians in Sudan, with an estimated 24.7 million in need of humanitarian assistance. The country, as we’ve heard, is now one of the worst in the world for humanitarian access.

The Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces continue to double down on fighting, while the Sudanese people face rolling blackouts and the horrifying daily reality of decomposing bodies in the streets.

The humanitarian impacts are made worse by credible evidence to suggest serious violations of International Humanitarian Law by both the SAF and RSF, which could amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity. This includes, as we’ve heard, incidents of sexual violence and air strikes in populated areas resulting in heavy loss of civilian life.

There are also credible reports of the targeted killing of civilians and atrocities against specific ethnic groups in Darfur, with much of the bloodshed attributed to RSF units and allied militias.

We welcome the ICC Prosecutor’s decision to commence investigations into offences committed in the current conflict and also call on the Sudanese authorities to ensure full accountability.

President, we need to see the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces put the interests of their people first immediately to end hostilities and enter negotiations in good faith.

And in this context, we welcome the diplomatic efforts of regional partners, including the African Union, IGAD [Intergovernmental Authority on Development] and the League of Arab States to restore peace to Sudan.

Second, in the 11 May Jeddah Declaration, as we’ve heard, both parties committed to act in accordance with their international obligations and to enable and facilitate unhindered humanitarian access in line with International Humanitarian Law.

I congratulate OCHA on their extraordinary efforts to get humanitarian aid into Sudan but I also echo Ms Wosurnu’s calls.

As we’ve heard, attacks on humanitarian convoys in areas under RSF control, and we need to see the removal of bureaucratic obstacles, such as restrictive customs procedures causing delays in issuing visas and travel permits.

President, the people of Sudan have suffered far too long. Those who have the ability to end this suffering should spare no effort to bring an end to the conflict.

10/08/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Glasgow spirits producer expands into North America [August 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 9 August 2023.

A Glasgow premium spirits business has agreed a deal to sell its produce in Canada following an introduction provided by the Department for Business and Trade.
- Courageous Spirits agree deal to export their leading gin and whisky brands to Canada.
- The Glasgow premium spirits business will now sell to 12 markets across the globe.
- Deal emerged from a ‘Meet the Buyer’ event organised by UK Government’s Department for Business and Trade.
A Glasgow premium spirits business will now be selling its produce in Canada after striking a deal with buyers there.

Courageous Spirits had been looking to expand into North America for several years, and having met with importers, their ‘Glaswegin’ gin and ‘King’s Inch’ single malt whisky brands will now be available in stores across Canada.

Distilled and bottled in the heart of Glasgow’s Tradeston area and designed by award-winning designer and Glasgow School of Art graduate Paul Gray, Glaswegin Premium Gin was launched in 2018.

Courageous Spirits then sold the first bottles of their King’s Inch single malt whisky in 2021, and it has already become a triple gold medal winner in some of the industry’s leading blind taste tests.

UK Government Minister for Scotland and Exports Malcolm Offord said:

It’s great to see yet another Scottish exporting success story. Courageous Spirits makes exceptional gin and whisky so it’s no wonder there’s demand across the globe.

This move into the Canadian market is just another step in their growth and shows the opportunities that are out there for businesses who want to export.

The UK Government is here to support any business looking to either expand their exporting horizons, or those looking to start selling goods or services abroad.

The agreement was reached after the company attended a ‘Meet the Buyer’ event run by the Department for Business and Trade, where they were introduced to a range of companies interested in buying in British produce.

After meeting several potential Canadian buyers, the company then received guidance from members of the UK Government team in Canada as they worked out the details of the agreement.

CEO and Founder of Courageous Spirits, Andy McGeoch said:

We’re delighted to have reached an agreement to export our gin and whisky brands to Canada. We’d been looking to expand into North America, and this deal will open up a lot of opportunities for us.

Having met with buyers there it was clear that there was a real demand for premium produce, and they could see our brands performing well over there. It goes to show the demand that is out there for high-quality Scottish goods.

The support we received from the UK Government throughout the process was fantastic, and we’ll be looking to use them again as we expand into more markets in the future.

By selling its goods into Canada, Courageous Spirts now exports into 12 markets around the world.

Any companies looking to attend other ‘Meet the Buyer’ events, or to receive support in starting their exporting journey can find out more at great.gov.uk.
10/08/2023
PRESS RELEASE : G7+ oil price cap continues to pile pressure on Putin six months on [August 2023]
The press release issued by HM Treasury on 9 August 2023.

UK-backed price cap on Russian oil and oil products is successfully undermining Putin’s ability to fund his illegal war in Ukraine, according to official data collated six months on from implementation.
- The oil price cap is significantly impacting Russia’s ability to use oil to finance its illegal war.
- 45% plunge in Russian Finance Ministry energy revenues.
- UK continues to monitor effectiveness of the cap alongside its Coalition partners amid expected market price fluctuations.
UK-backed price cap on Russian oil and oil products is successfully undermining Putin’s ability to fund his illegal war in Ukraine, according to official data collated six months on from implementation.

Russian government income declined by over 20% between January and March 2023 compared to a year ago. The Russian Ministry of Finance posted a 45% plunge in government energy revenues in the same period.

According to the International Energy Agency’s Oil Market Report for July 2023, Russian oil export revenues were down by $1.5 billion month-on-month in June to $11.8 billion (down $9.9 billion year-on-year).

Independent research by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air has estimated that the price cap on crude oil is costing Russia around €160 million per day.

Treasury Lords Minister Baroness Penn said:

The oil price cap is succeeding in its dual objectives – bearing down on Putin’s most lucrative source of revenues that could otherwise be used to fund his illegal war, while ensuring that vulnerable countries can continue to secure affordable oil.

The oil price cap forms a critical part of the largest and most severe package of sanctions ever imposed on a major economy. We will continue to keep the pressure on Russia alongside our international partners.

The G7 and Australia (G7+), who collectively constitute the Price Cap Coalition, agreed to cap the price of Russian seaborne oil and refined oil products in September 2022 as a way to undermine Putin’s ability to fund his illegal war in Ukraine through inflated global oil prices, while ensuring that third countries can continue to secure affordable oil. The crude oil price cap and high- and low-value refined oil price caps (collectively referred to as the G7+ oil price cap) were introduced on 5 December 2022 and 5 February 2023 respectively.

UK guidance has been periodically updated to assist market participants with implementation of, and compliance with, the cap, and OFSI will continue to engage collaboratively with industry partners to ensure as much clarity is provided as possible.

Recent routine fluctuations in oil prices have seen the average price of Urals rise above the G7+ cap level. For any above-cap trades, Russia will face significant headwinds in securing alternative service providers, with data from market intelligence provider Argus indicating that the cost to Russia of moving its product is considerable. This added burden on Russia will continue to contribute to depressed revenues.

The Price Cap Coalition continues to monitor the effectiveness of the price cap and is prepared to review and adjust the measure as appropriate to ensure that it continues to meet its twin goals.

The cap sits alongside an extensive range of measures the UK has taken against Russia. The UK has sanctioned over 1600 individuals and entities involved in Russia’s invasion and sanctioned over £20 billion of UK-Russia goods trade compared to 2021.

Further Information
- The price cap was legislated for in the “The Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) (No. 16) Regulations 2022” laid on 3 November 2022. The crude oil price cap was introduced on 5th December 2022, with the high-value and low value refined oil products price caps following on 5th February 2023.
- The UK has banned the import of Russian oil and oil products into our markets. As such the oil price cap mechanism only applies to UK persons that transport or provide associated services that facilitate the transportation of Russian oil and oil products to and between third countries.
- Alongside this update OFSI is publishing updated compliance forms, and instructions for using them, for the maritime services ban and Oil Price Cap to assist industry in complying with their obligations and monitoring implementation (see Russian Oil Services ban)
09/08/2023
PRESS RELEASE : New Chair appointed to Historic England [August 2023]

The press release issued by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport on 9 August 2023.

The Secretary of State has appointed Neil Mendoza as the new Chair of Historic England for a term of four years commencing 01 September 2023.

Lord Neil Mendoza

Appointed from 01 September 2023 until 31 August 2027.

Lord Mendoza was appointed Provost of Oriel College, Oxford, in 2018, following a career building businesses in the creative and finance sectors. He is focused on successfully sustaining Oriel’s 700-year history for the College’s 550 students and 250 academic and support staff.

Lord Mendoza was previously the government’s Commissioner for Culture and chaired the Culture and Heritage Capital Board at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). Prior to that, he served four years as a non-executive director at DCMS. He is Chair of The Illuminated River Foundation, Chair of Civic Future and on the board of the Ashmolean Museum. He is a member of the House of Lords.

Prior to joining Oriel College, Neil led the year-long Mendoza Review of Museums in England on behalf of DCMS (2016-17). He was formerly Chair of Children and the Arts, Vice Chair of Soho Theatre, and Chair of The Landmark Trust (2011-2021). He joined the Board of MeiraGTx, a US-based gene therapy company, in 2015. He co-founded Forward Publishing in the late 1980s, now a part of WPP plc.

Lord Mendoza is an advocate of building and supporting talent, creativity and enterprise through high quality educational, cultural and heritage engagement. He is a mentor to young professionals across a range of sectors. He graduated from Oriel College, Oxford with an MA in Geography.

Remuneration and Governance Code

The Chair of Historic England is remunerated £40,000 per annum. This appointment has been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments. The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election. Lord Mendoza declared that he takes the Conservative Whip in the House of Lords.

09/08/2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK and Türkiye strengthen partnership to help tackle illegal migration [August 2023]

The press release issued by the Home Office on 9 August 2023.

The UK and Türkiye have agreed a new partnership to enhance cooperation on tackling the illegal movement of migrants, and keep both countries safer.

UK and Turkish law enforcement officers will step up joint operations to tackle organised immigration crime and disrupt the supply chain of boat parts and other materials used as part of illegal migration journeys.

The move follows Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick’s visit to Türkiye last month, the latest in a number of strategically important international visits to strengthen cooperation on the challenge of tackling illegal migration and disrupting the routes used by smugglers.

This has included visits to Belgium, Tunisia, Italy and Türkiye, where he visited the Turkish-Bulgarian Border Check Point at Kapikule – the largest and busiest border crossing point in Europe – and saw first-hand the joint operational work to target organised crime, and the importance of close collaboration between the UK and its international partners on this issue.

This enhanced partnership also follows recent agreements with countries including Bulgaria and Georgia, as well as strengthened partnerships with France and Albania which have resulted in a 90% drop in Albanian small boat arrivals in the first quarter of 2023, compared to the same period last year, and a 40% increase in the number of illegal crossing attempts prevented by the French last year, compared to the year before.

The deepened partnership between the UK and Türkiye includes support by the UK for a new centre based in Türkiye to be established by the Turkish National Police, which will act as a new operational “Centre of Excellence” to tackle organised immigration crime. The centre will build on existing collaboration between our law enforcement agencies and increase alignment of UK and Turkish intelligence, allowing operational staff to act more quickly on information.

A new memorandum of understanding will also cover the increase and quicker exchange of customs data, information and intelligence feeds between the UK and Turkish authorities, to further support our joint efforts to disrupt the small boats supply chain.

The 2 countries are also bolstering their resources to pursue these common goals. The centre will strengthen collaboration between NCA and Home Office Intelligence staff based in Türkiye and their Turkish counterparts; and the UK will deploy more officers in Türkiye to enable collaboration on joint operations to disrupt the criminal gangs who are facilitating illegal journeys.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman said:

As I’ve made clear, we must do everything we can to smash the people smuggling gangs and stop the boats.

Our partnership with Türkiye , a close friend and ally, will enable our law enforcement agencies to work together on this international problem and tackle the small boat supply chain.

Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick said:

Illegal migration is a global challenge, and this new partnership with Türkiye cements our 2 countries as foremost strategic partners, working together in the fight against organised immigration crime.

We will be intensively sharing intelligence, people and technology to disrupt and dismantle people smuggling gangs and the manufacture and supply of materials which enable small boat crossings.

Having met our partners in Europe, North Africa and indeed Türkiye recently, I’ve seen first-hand the benefits our increased cooperation has on stopping the boats. I am determined that the UK is a leading force in tackling illegal migration and a partner to all those allies who share our determination to defeat it.

The export of small boats and boat parts across the continent of Europe in order to facilitate illegal crossings to the UK is a vital element of people smugglers’ tactics. It is estimated that hundreds of small boats and boat parts are transported through Europe each year for this purpose.

This will be supported through strengthened UK-Turkish engagement at a working level including through the next UK-Türkiye Migration Dialogue meeting taking place this autumn in London. Both countries also committed to raise the issue of illegal migration in international platforms.

This partnership marks the next step in the UK’s efforts to strengthen cooperation with international partners on the global challenge of illegal migration. This joint work with allies is a key strand of the Prime Minister’s plan to stop the boats, driving efforts upstream to clamp down on the criminality that enables illegal crossings to the UK.

09/08/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Third anniversary of the fraudulent presidential election in Belarus – Minister for Europe statement [August 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 August 2023.

Minister for Europe Leo Docherty calls for the immediate and unconditional release of political prisoners in Belarus.

On the anniversary of the start of a brutal crackdown against peaceful protestors in Belarus following the flawed 2020 presidential election, Minister for Europe Leo Docherty said:

Three years ago, the Belarusian regime unleashed violence on peaceful protesters, civil society groups, journalists and political opponents for seeking to pursue their desire for freedom and democracy.

Alexander Lukashenko continues a repressive campaign against his own people, aimed at depriving ordinary Belarusian citizens from exercising their fundamental democratic rights. His regime’s support for Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine further demonstrates its complete disregard for international norms.

The UK Government has already introduced sanctions targeting those responsible for the suppression of human rights in Belarus and will continue to work alongside our international partners to hold Lukashenko’s regime to account for its appalling actions.

The close to 1,500 political prisoners who remain detained in Belarus today must be released immediately and unconditionally. We stand in solidarity with the Belarusian people.

09/08/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Consultants in England announce prospective September strike dates [August 2023]

The press release issued by the BMA on 7 August 2023.

Consultants in England will go on strike on 19th and 20th September if the Government continues to refuse to agree to pay talks and present the profession with a credible offer, the BMA announces today.

Following a two-day strike in July, the BMA has once again written to the Health Secretary, Steve Barclay,¹ to invite him to discuss pay and reform of the doctors’ pay review body, the DDRB, and put an end to strikes.

Currently, with the Government refusing to even to talk about pay – let alone any kind of credible offer being put on the table – consultants in England are already planning to take industrial action on 24th and 25th August. In keeping with the BMA consultants committee’s aim to ensure that hospitals and colleagues have sufficient time to prepare and prioritise patients who need care the most, dates for September have been announced well in advance. Once again, the September days will consist of “Christmas Day” cover, whereby all emergency services will remain in place. The fact that further dates have been announced also demonstrates consultants’ resolve and commitment to securing a better deal that begins to address the huge real-terms pay erosion they have experienced since 2008/09, and resetting the pay review process to its original principles so that the NHS can recruit and retain its most senior doctors.

Dr Vishal Sharma, BMA consultants committee chair, said:

“It is now 133 days since the Secretary of State last met with us – demonstrating the Government’s complete disregard for the expertise and value of consultants, and the very future of the health service and its patients.

“We are once again appealing to the Health Secretary to return to the table and discuss both pay and reform of the rigged pay review process, so that we can reach a point where strikes are not necessary.

“Consultants will go out on strike at the end of this month, and for a further two days in September – demonstrating our resolve and clearly signalling to Government that we’re in this for the long haul. However, neither of these strikes need to take place at all if the Government drops its intransigent position.

“The Prime Minister has blamed the record waiting lists in the NHS on staff taking a stand for their pay and conditions – a claim that has backfired spectacularly. Waiting lists were rising steadily due to the Government’s underfunding of the NHS and were at a record high before any industrial action started and even before the pandemic.

“He says that everyone must play their part to bring the waiting list down but his refusal to negotiate a deal that would ensure the NHS can recruit and retain doctors to address the current workforce crisis is the biggest barrier to achieving this.

“No consultant wants to take strike action but unless we take a stand, we risk losing our most experienced doctors, putting the very future of the NHS at risk. It’s not too late to avert these strikes and we call upon the Health Secretary to meet with us urgently.”

09/08/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Expansion of independently run community diagnostic centres is not a substitute for investment in NHS workforce, BMA says [August 2023]

The press release issued by the BMA on 4 August 2023.

Responding to the Government’s announcement¹ of further investment into the expansion of community diagnostic centres in the independent sector to tackle NHS waiting lists in England, BMA workforce lead Dr Latifa Patel said:

“It is crucial that more is done to help patients on waiting lists with whatever capacity is available given just how many people are waiting for treatment and procedures. While this additional support should hopefully go some way towards patients having more efficient access to tests, concerns remain over how plans for the expansion of the use of the independent sector to cut diagnostic waiting lists will work.

“We do not have enough staff working in the NHS or the private sector. Doctors working in the private sector are also under pressure, so there is no guarantee that diverting more patients to the independent sector will cut NHS backlogs. Any expansion of community diagnostics centres needs to be carefully implemented to ensure that it does not just shift the problem – resulting in longer waiting times for private patients needing treatment and still not making a significant difference to the NHS backlog.

“This situation is really a result of a failure to adequately resource the NHS and to address the workforce crisis which is fundamental to having the capacity to deal with waiting lists. The Government’s goal should ultimately be long-term investment in the NHS to ensure the best possible value for public money and a sustainable healthcare system that avoids an overreliance on the independent sector.

“We currently have a situation where both consultants and junior doctors are taking industrial action over years of pay erosion. It makes little sense to invest more into the independent sector but ignore the major crisis facing the current NHS workforce who can actually care for these patients and help to cut waiting lists.

“Diagnostics is just one part of the problem, and even with an earlier diagnosis, there is still the issue of how we treat those patients who are referred for treatment. It is also crucial that we see more evidence of how current community diagnostic centres have performed before making plans to maximise their capacity along with details on how plans to increase the use of the independent sector in training junior NHS staff will work.”

Notes to editors

1. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-boosts-use-of-independent-sector-capacity-to-cut-nhs-waits

09/08/2023
PRESS RELEASE : ‘Short-sighted’ cuts to Covid vaccine programme will leave patients and GPs in despair, says BMA [August 2023]

The press release issued by the BMA on 4 August 2023.

The BMA says a decision by NHS England to significantly reduce the fee that GPs are paid to deliver Covid vaccines undervalues general practice and threatens the safety of vulnerable patients.

The decision comes after a series of talks between the Association and NHS England, in which the BMA made clear that many practices would find it difficult to deliver the Covid vaccination programme this autumn, with a 25% fee reduction.

Responding to the news Dr Katie Bramall-Stainer, chair of the BMA’s GP Committee for England said: “During Covid, GPs and their practice teams demonstrated that they could deliver an effective world beating vaccination programme in challenging circumstances. Patients and GPs alike will despair that NHSE has announced substantial cuts to funding and resource of this national vaccination programme on the same day as news stories detail the arrival of a fresh Covid variant.

“At a time when we should be learning from history, particularly around the importance and value of protecting our patients and minimising hospital admissions this winter, it is disappointing that practices will be put in a position where they are no longer able to deliver this, though no fault of their own due to short-sighted cuts.

“The Covid vaccine delivery process is twice as long as administering ‘Flu jabs, and NHSE knows this. Our patients and communities need to be protected, and our practices resourced and supported to undertake this important work.”

09/08/2023
PRESS RELEASE : NHS diagnostic plans will only increase GP workload without adequate funding, BMA warns [August 2023]

The press release issued by the BMA on 3 August 2023.

Responding to plans by NHS England to allow GP practices to directly order diagnostic checks, Dr Kieran Sharrock, acting chair of GPC England at the BMA, said:

“While we acknowledge NHS England’s efforts to tackle winter pressure demands, the notion that it can do so by increasing the GP workload is frankly counteractive. These kinds of fast-tracked diagnostic referrals come with the expectation that additional work, such as performing complex investigations not part of a normal GP service, will be done prior to referral and NHSE has provided no details on how already overstretched GPs will undertake the extra work required.

“Patient referral is a complex process, and many GPs report that their referrals are being returned or blocked by the advice and guidance system with demands for further investigations, treatments, information. GPs then must re-refer and this not only increases workload but causes further delays for patients. While NHSE suggest they want to enhance GP access to direct diagnosis and shift the workload from hospitals it makes no reference to how it plans to fund the new work that will now be placed on already overwhelmed general practice.

“Wanting to free up consultant’s time is sensible but to do so by overburdening another part of the health service is illogical. It’s time our politicians stop playing whack a mole with our NHS. The entire health service is struggling to cope with demand and the only way to fix the issues at hand is to provide the NHS with adequate funding. Only then will patients be able to receive the care that they deserve in good time.”

09/08/2023