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Category: Press Releases

  • PRESS RELEASE : UKHSA 10-year science strategy launches to secure health and prosperity [May 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UKHSA 10-year science strategy launches to secure health and prosperity [May 2023]

    The press release issued by the UK Health Security Agency on 16 May 2023.

    UKHSA has launched a 10-year science strategy, setting out how UKHSA’s science can save more lives and contribute to the UK’s ambition to be a global science superpower.

    The strategy sets out how the UK Health Security Agency’s (UKHSA) scientific capabilities – including genomics, vaccine evaluation, surveillance, data science, diagnostics and toxicology – will be deployed to prepare for future health security hazards, respond to current threats to save lives, reduce harm, protect livelihoods and essentially build the UK’s health security capacity.

    Through investment in scientific workforce and deeper partnerships with industry and academia, the strategy sets out UKHSA’s ambitions to:

    • predict and anticipate health threats, through unique and expert skills in genomics, data science and surveillance, including disease vector (such as mosquitoes and ticks) surveillance
    • create a more secure environment, by enhancing our understanding of the threats in the environment and building scientific defences against these hazards
    • reduce and eliminate health threats, by strengthening the scientific evidence underpinning health protection programmes – at home and abroad
    • act on the scientific evidence, translating data, knowledge and insights into practical actions
    • unlock the potential of scientific assets, and secure the legacy from the pandemic to increase the impact of our science on health and economic prosperity, strengthening vaccine and diagnostic development and evaluation and data science

    Professor Isabel Oliver, Chief Scientific Advisor at UKHSA, said:

    We saw the art of the possible during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic with genomic data allowing the rapid identification and characterisation of variants enabling the rapid development and evaluation of diagnostics, vaccines and therapeutics.

    Science was the backbone of the world’s response, helping us to understand the virus, how to best protect ourselves and ultimately live safely with the virus. UKHSA will deploy its unique scientific capabilities working with partners to protect lives and livelihoods from the health threats we are facing now and those we will detect, prevent and control in future.

    Professor Dame Jenny Harries, Chief Executive of UKHSA, said:

    UKHSA protects our communities from infectious diseases and the impact of chemical, radiological and other environmental health hazards. Our diverse scientific capabilities and partnerships are the foundation of our work, underpinning everything we do.

    We are already working to continuously protect the public from existing and emerging health threats, but our new strategy will ensure the UK is ready to tackle all current and future health threats quickly and effectively, securing the best health outcomes and greater prosperity for the country.

    Health Minister Maria Caulfield said:

    Cutting-edge science showed its power throughout our response to the COVID-19 pandemic and will continue to protect people from potential future health threats.

    UKHSA’s new science strategy will ensure the UK remains one of the world’s science superpowers, while protecting people from illness and reducing pressure on NHS services – helping to deliver on the government’s priority of cutting waiting lists.

    Minister of State at the new Department for Science, Innovation and Technology George Freeman MP said:

    The COVID-19 pandemic was a wake-up call for the importance of health economic resilience and security with big lessons for enhanced pathogen detection, biosecurity, pandemic preparedness and better understanding of the real drivers of health economic resilience. As well as learning why some populations, from cities to entire countries, were remarkably more resilient than others, as revealed by the work of the G20 Reform for Resilience Commission.

    UK leadership in pathogen sensing, rapid genomic sequencing, vaccine manufacturing and clinical informatics proved to be vital in saving millions of lives.

    The UK’s major investment in life sciences in the last 10 years has paid dividends and helped attract billions of new investment in mRNA drug and vaccine technologies, and clinical trials.

    This is why it’s so important for UKHSA to have a clear scientific capabilities plan, which builds on the investments we are already making to support this vital £94 billion life sciences sector, including most recently the £350 million joint government and industry backing for life sciences manufacturing in the last 2 years alone, our commitment to double funding for dementia research to £160 million a year by 2024 to 2025, and £50 million funding for medical research charities.

    Health security is economic security: for the UK and the globe.

    Through this work, the agency will identify and address threats rapidly, protecting people’s health and livelihoods, reducing the burden on NHS services and ultimately limiting the costs associated with major outbreaks and incidents.

    Our developments include a new Centre for Climate and Health Security, including delivering a 5-year assessment report on the Health Effects of Climate Change. In addition, UKHSA is working in partnership to accelerate and expand its role in new diagnostics and developing the organisation’s genomic capabilities to detect threats to health rapidly and effectively, as well as supporting the development of the vaccines and therapeutics that we need to protect health.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Melanie Dales appointed Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) Chief Constable [May 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Melanie Dales appointed Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) Chief Constable [May 2023]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 16 May 2023.

    The MOD Chief Operating Officer, Nina Cope, has announced the appointment of Melanie Dales as MDP Chief Constable following an open selection process. Mel will lead the MOD’s unique, specialist police force responsible for protecting critical national infrastructure including military establishments.

    Mel joined the MDP in February 2022 as Assistant Chief Constable for Nuclear and Marine, more recently serving as Deputy Chief Constable and Temporary Chief Constable following the retirement of Andy Adams in February. She brings a distinguished 30-year career in policing, including in Home Office Forces, and will be well-placed to drive the MDP forward during what is a significant period for Defence.

    Mel will be the first woman to be appointed Chief Constable since the MDP was established in 1971.

    Commenting on the appointment, Baroness Goldie (Minister of State in the House of Lords) said:

    The Ministry of Defence Police carries out critical work in protecting Defence people and assets, so I am delighted Mel Dales has been appointed MDP Chief Constable, she brings with her a wealth of experience in UK policing.

    Nina Cope (Chief Operating Officer) said:

    Mel Dales is a highly experienced police officer, and I am thrilled to announce her appointment as Ministry of Defence Police Chief Constable. This is a significant and exciting moment for women in Defence and policing more widely as Mel becomes the first woman to be appointed Chief Constable in the history of the MDP. I look forward to continuing to work with her to lead and develop this crucial organisation of brilliant officers and civil servants.

    Mel Dales said:

    I am proud to have been given this opportunity to lead the MDP because of the unique role we play in protecting the assets and infrastructure of Defence, on land and at sea. These are challenging times for policing, and I am particularly proud to be leading the MDP through a significant period of reform which will create a working environment and culture that is genuinely respectful, and inclusive of everyone. This includes our officers and staff, as well as those we protect, I want the MDP to be a Force that is trusted by the public and Defence community.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Functional fitness should be at the heart of a veteran’s recovery [May 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Functional fitness should be at the heart of a veteran’s recovery [May 2023]

    The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 16 May 2023.

    An op-ed from Veterans Minister Johnny Mercer, originally published in the Times Red Box.

    Monday marked the start of Mental Health Awareness Week. For me, the week is always a reminder of how the mental aspects of warfare can often be as powerful as the physical.

    Early on in my third tour of Afghanistan in summer 2010, I made a close friend. He was a good bloke — intelligent, thoughtful and a good soldier. He was brave, didn’t flinch under fire.

    On a patrol, he was shot in the side. Though the round pinged off his new body armour plate, something in his head snapped. He had to be extracted as a casualty, despite having no physical injury; he just could not compute what had happened to him.

    It was perhaps the worst case of battle shock I had seen in a British soldier up to that point. It was devastating to see a man so strong, yet so completely broken by battle. It had a profound effect on me. It demonstrated to me the vicious and unpredictable effects of trauma on the mind.

    A few years later, I bumped into a soldier I’d trained with back in 2007. He had completely transformed himself from a problem character into an exemplar soldier. He made a point of telling me how important those early days in training had been: how they had taught him humility, courage, discipline and resilience.

    Seeing him reminded me how rewarding it had been to help him and many others like him make something of themselves. I started to think about where I might be able to make a difference in the future.

    Heading home from Afghanistan, I felt that tokenism dominated almost every approach to veterans’ care and mental health. When it came to post-combat care specifically, I strongly believed that the government had singularly failed our service men and women.

    I wanted to end the unacceptable stigma and lack of genuine commitment to mental health. My mind was made up. I was going to leave the Army and become an MP. As the minister for veterans’ affairs, I’ve made it my mission to improve the plight of veterans and their families. And with that comes improving access to health services.

    One real service innovation has been to take a multidisciplinary approach: addressing not just physical health needs, but the wider health and social needs of the veteran so they can heal, recover and thrive.

    Op Courage was the pioneer: a single clear defined pathway for veterans in England to access world-class mental health care. The Veterans Trauma Network, another dedicated NHS service for veterans, is also helping to standardise physical health support. It is the services charity sector that is complementing these services with excellent wraparound support.

    Being active can make a world of difference. The Veteran Games, taking place later this month in Tel Aviv, will host over 60 wounded British veterans together with their spouses and children. They will compete with their Israeli counterparts across swimming, shooting and functional fitness. Now in its third year, the Games was set up by the charity Beit Halochem UK, which supports state-of-the-art centres for injured veterans in Israel, and is entirely run from philanthropic donations.

    Competing veterans have been selected by charities based on how much they will benefit from the opportunity, rather than for their sporting prowess. It is the taking part that counts, and everything that comes with it. This includes building shared, long-term bonds with their fellow UK and Israeli competitors.

    I am inspired by the veterans who are challenging themselves, and encouraging others to do the same. I will be cheering for them later this month — not only to grab those medals, but to continue on their personal journeys to recovery.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak to tell European summit: We must unite to face down the threats at our borders [May 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak to tell European summit: We must unite to face down the threats at our borders [May 2023]

    The press release issued by the 10 Downing Street on 15 May 2023.

    The Prime Minister will use a meeting of leaders from across Europe to drive coordinated action to protect the security of our whole continent on Tuesday (16 May 2023).

    At the Council of Europe Summit in Iceland, he will meet counterparts from across the continent as well as the heads of institutions including the European Union and the European Court of Human Rights.

    He will use these meetings, as well as addresses to the whole Summit, to encourage leaders to ensure our governments and institutions are working in tandem to stop the humanitarian disaster caused by illegal migration.

    The Council of Europe was established following the Second World War to uphold democracy and freedom throughout Europe – 46 countries are now members. This is only the fourth time in the institution’s history that leaders of the Council of Europe have gathered in this way, recognising the challenges we are facing cannot be solved without decisive and coordinated action with our neighbours.

    The Prime Minister has made it one of his priorities to stop the boats and end the huge strain illegal migration places on the UK. We spend £5.5 million a day housing asylum seekers, with our overburdened system unable to prioritise the most vulnerable because of the overwhelming demands put on it by those who come here illegally and jump the queue.

    Far from being a challenge unique to the UK, the scourge of illegal migration is placing unbearable pressures on countries throughout Europe, where we’ve seen a 50% rise in cases in the last year alone. While countries have opened their arms to people from Ukraine and elsewhere fleeing persecution, their systems have been put at risk by the rise in people traffickers and criminal gangs seeking to exploit the system. In parallel to the UK, France and Italy are pursuing legislation to address illegal migration.

    At the Council of Europe, the Prime Minister will make the point that the measures individual countries are taking to address this crisis, such as the UK’s Stop the Boats Bill, must go hand in hand with international cooperation to establish a global asylum framework fit for purpose. We need a system that works both for the people of our countries and for the vulnerable people in desperate need of a functioning global asylum framework.

    Since the Prime Minister took office, we have delivered successive, unprecedented small boats deals with France and have re-established the Calais Group of Northern European nations to disrupt traffickers all along the migration route. The Prime Minister has spent the past few months meeting leaders from across Europe, including the leaders of France, Italy and Albania, to drive forward progress.

    This is alongside major domestic reforms such as our Stop the Boats Bill. This legislation is ambitious and novel, delivering the necessary reform of our immigration system while remaining party to the ECHR.

    But at the same time, we need to ensure we have an international legal system which allows sovereign countries to take the domestic steps necessary to help those most in need. That includes reform to the ECHR’s Rule 39 process to ensure proper transparency, greater accountability and ensuring decisions can be reconsidered.

    In his meeting with Court President Síofra O’Leary the Prime Minister will discuss the European Court of Human Right’s overall reform process, including its work on Rule 39.

    Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:

    Every single point on each route used by people traffickers to smuggle people across our continent represents another community struggling to deal with the human cost of this barbaric enterprise.

    It is very clear that our current international system is not working, and our communities and the world’s most vulnerable people are paying the price.

    We need to do more to cooperate across borders and across jurisdictions to end illegal migration and stop the boats.

    I am clear that as an active European nation with a proud history helping those in need, the UK will be at the heart of this.

    This Tuesday’s meeting follows President Zelenskyy’s visit to the UK on Monday, where he and the Prime Minister discussed the importance of sustaining the huge international effort in support of Ukraine’s defence. As Ukraine prepares to intensify its defensive military operations to hold and reclaim swathes of its territory taken by Russia during Putin’s full-scale invasion last year, the Prime Minister will use engagements with fellow leaders to bolster our collective response to Putin’s war in Ukraine.

    The Council of Europe took quick and decisive action in response to Putin’s actions, suspending Russia’s membership of the body within a day of the full-scale invasion commencing – the first time a country has ever been expelled from the organisation.

    At Tuesday’s meeting of the Council of Europe, leaders – joined virtually by Ukrainian President Zelenskyy– will hold discussions focused on how we can continue to help Ukraine and hold Russia to account for their breaches of international law.

    As part of this, the Prime Minister will sign the UK up to the Register of Damages to ensure the people of Ukraine are compensated for the losses incurred as a result of Putin’s war. This is a mechanism to record and document evidence and claims of damage, loss or injury as a result of Russian aggression against Ukraine.

    The register is just one of a number of international initiatives set up to ensure accountability for the crimes inflicted in Ukraine, including the UK-led international referral to the International Criminal Court.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Government backs British farmers with new package of support [May 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Government backs British farmers with new package of support [May 2023]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 15 May 2023.

    Prime Minister sets out new support for farmers to strengthen food security and grow the economy.

    Farmers will benefit from a commitment to protect their interests in future trade deals, support to boost domestic fruit and veg production and new investment in technologies, thanks to a package of support set out by the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak ahead of a summit hosted at Downing Street today (16 May).

    Representatives from the whole food supply chain will come together at No10 for the UK Farm to Fork Summit, to identify ways to boost growth, drive innovation and improve sustainability, fulfilling a commitment made by the Prime Minister last Summer to host the event as part of his pledge to back British farmers.

    Ahead of the Summit, government confirmed a range of measures to help strengthen the long-term resilience and sustainability of the sector and provide greater stability for farmers following a difficult period caused by global challenges, including the illegal invasion of Ukraine which has contributed to rising costs. To give further certainty to the sector, government also announced that 45,000 visas will be available again to the horticulture sector next year, enabling them to plan ahead for the picking season.

    Attendees at the Summit will include senior representatives in the UK’s farming, horticulture and agri-food sectors. The event will look at how government and industry can work together to increase investment, innovation and sustainability and support the long-term resilience at every stage of the food system, from farming to manufacturing, distribution and retail, and feature discussions on a set of key themes alongside a showcase of great British food and drink businesses and innovators.

    Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:

    “I will always back British farmers, and I pay tribute to their hard work and dedication all year round which keeps shelves stocked and food on our tables.

    “Supporting our farmers and food producers must, and always will be, at the heart of our plans to grow the economy and build a more prosperous country.

    “That’s why I’m proud to host this summit, and working together, I’m determined to build resilience, strengthen our food security and champion the best of British at home and overseas.”

    Secretary of State for Food and Farming Thérèse Coffey said:

    “Food production is the primary purpose of farming, and our world-leading farmers and food producers work tirelessly day-in-day-out to keep the nation fed, despite global challenges including the illegal invasion of Ukraine.

    “I am delighted that today we have embarked on our next step to back British farmers and ensure a thriving food and drink sector which will see more British produce on supermarket shelves and plates both in the UK and across the globe. I look forward to working together, right across the food supply chain, to boost growth, innovation and sustainability.”

    The package of measures announced ahead of the summit aims to boost every element of the food supply chain, from farm to fork, and promote the UK’s world-renowned produce around the world to help boost British businesses and grow the economy.

    NFU President Minette Batters said:

    “I am absolutely delighted that the Prime Minister has honoured the commitments he made when he addressed our hustings event back in the summer to hold this food summit at Number 10, and we welcome the announcements made today.

    “They show a recognition and an understanding of the strategic importance of British food and farming to the nation.

    “These actions recognise the importance of coordinated action across government to support confidence, investment and growth in British food. We look forward to working with the Prime Minister, the Defra Secretary and the rest of the cabinet to Back British farming and bolster our domestic food security.”

    UKHospitality Chief Executive Kate Nicholls said:

    “It’s fantastic that the Prime Minister is convening the breadth of the food supply chain, from farm to fork, at his summit today and showcasing our superb hospitality offering here in the UK to highlight iconic produce and brands.

    “Hospitality in the UK is recognised as one of the finest in the world and is frequently the launchpad to propel British products and brands to markets abroad. Further investment into the GREAT campaign is welcome news and, in addition to boosting exports, will help to promote the UK as a tourist destination and boost our hospitality venues.

    “Hospitality plays a huge role in keeping the nation fed, whether it be through our restaurants and pubs or public sector catering in schools, hospitals and the armed forces, and I’m looking forward to discussing how we can all work together to overcome current challenges and grasp future opportunities.”

    To boost trade and export opportunities to get more British food on plates across the world, building on the £24 billion a year generated by our food and drink exports, the government has confirmed that:

    • Farmers’ interests will be put at the heart of trade policy through a new framework for trade negotiations, committing to protect the UK’s high food and welfare standards and prioritise new export opportunities. The Prime Minister has written an open letter to farmers today setting out how these new principles will help the industry benefit from the trade opportunities available to us outside the EU.
    • We will invest £2m to boost our programme of global trade shows and missions, as well as providing £1.6m for the GREAT food and drink campaign.
    • We will build on our existing overseas network with five additional agri-food and drink attaches who will spearhead the removal of restrictive market barriers
    • We will extend funding to promote seafood exports around the world with an extra £1 million between 2025 and 2028, and create a new bespoke £1m programme to help dairy businesses, particularly SMEs, to seize export opportunities, particularly in the Asia pacific region.

    The government will unlock the benefits of innovative technologies to strengthen our food security, cementing the UK’s leadership in this field through:

    • Up to £30 million of investment to drive forward the use of precision breeding technologies, building on the £8 million already invested over the last five years and the passing of the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act earlier this year
    • The creation of a new working group – bringing together plant breeders, food manufacturers and retailers – to get produce from farms to the shelves.

    The government will protect the interests of farmers by making sure they get a fair price for their produce:

    • We are already using new powers under the Agriculture Act to improve transparency and contracts in the pork and dairy markets;
    • We are now announcing additional reviews into fairness in the horticulture and egg supply chains, in light of the impact of global challenges on these sectors in particular.
    • Recognising the unique role and needs of the sector, and listening to the calls from the NFU, FDF and others, the Groceries Code Adjudicator will not be merged with the Competition and Markets Authority, in recognition of its importance in ensuring our food supply chains function as they should.

    The horticulture sector is worth £5 billion across the UK and the government will support the industry to boost production and extend the growing season by:

    • Confirming we will improve future support for horticulture by replacing the retained EU Fruit and Vegetable Producer Organisation Scheme when it closes in 2026 with an expanded offer as part of our new farming payment schemes.
    • This will be tailored to the needs of our domestic growers and will be more inclusive than the EU scheme, ensuring it is a good offer for glasshouses as well as other growers.
    • Helping the controlled horticulture sector overcome barriers to accessing government schemes, including by looking at how the sector is classified
    • Making it easier to build new glasshouses through changes to national planning policy

    Further announcements to increase the resilience of the sector and support its growth include:

    • Plans to cut the red tape currently holding farmers back from delivering projects on their land to diversify their incomes, such as repurposing farm buildings to use as shops, with a call for evidence later this year.
    • Increasing water security by accelerating work on water supply infrastructure, so that farmers can count on steady access to water, including in periods of intense dry weather.

    The event will also build on progress made since the launch of the government’s Food Strategy last year, which committed to broadly maintain levels of domestic food production. This includes sustainably boosting production in sectors such as horticulture and seafood, where there are opportunities to grow outside the EU.

    It also set out a range of measures to back our farmers by helping to support domestic production, spread jobs and grow the economy, alongside the work of the UK Agriculture Partnership which brings together key stakeholders from across the UK to identify how to address shared issues facing the agricultural sector.

    Also today, 22 innovative and ground-breaking projects have been awarded a share of £6.2 million of funding through the Seafood Innovation Fund, as part of the government’s UK Seafood Fund. The winning projects will enhance the UK seafood sector’s productivity and sustainability, ranging from an on-land cultivation system for seaweed, to cutting-edge packaging developments that improve the shelf life of seafood.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK – Switzerland Joint Statement on Trade [May 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK – Switzerland Joint Statement on Trade [May 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 15 May 2023.

    The UK and Switzerland issue a joint statement to kickstart negotiations on a modern free trade agreement.

    Switzerland and the United Kingdom are pleased to announce the start of negotiations for an enhanced Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between our countries. Building on the long history of close relations and shared values of our two countries, the enhanced FTA will improve on the arrangements in our current Trade Agreement signed in February 2019.

    Negotiations present an opportunity to deepen and strengthen the important and valuable UK-Switzerland trade relationship for the benefit of a more prosperous future for two like-minded European nations.

    Switzerland and the United Kingdom are both committed to achieving an ambitious agreement which reflects the 21st Century trading environment and delivers commercially meaningful opportunities in services and goods. A modern, comprehensive FTA will strengthen commitments to trade in areas including services, intellectual property rights, investment flows and digital trade, all of which are not included in our current agreement.

    A new FTA will provide long-term legal certainty for business. It will enhance our Trade Agreement from 2019 and build on recent successes in our bilateral trading relations such as the extended Services Mobility Agreement and the Mutual Recognition Agreement in relation to Conformity Assessment, agreed last year. It will also reflect and complement our ongoing dialogues and areas of collaboration. It will further strengthen economic relations between Switzerland and the United Kingdom and provide an excellent basis for future cooperation opportunities, particularly on areas where both our countries are mutual leaders such as innovative research and development.

    Switzerland’s and the United Kingdom’s negotiation teams have been instructed to hold the first official round of negotiations in London this May, and a second round in the autumn. This will enable significant progress towards our ambition to agree a new Free Trade Agreement.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK urges Russia to stop threatening to leave the Black Sea Grain Initiative and to instead agree to a sustained and stable deal – UK statement at the Security Council [May 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK urges Russia to stop threatening to leave the Black Sea Grain Initiative and to instead agree to a sustained and stable deal – UK statement at the Security Council [May 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 15 May 2023.

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

    Thank you, President, and I join others in thanking Under-Secretary-General Griffiths for his briefing and work on the ground.

    Your briefing today, Under-Secretary-General, reminds us of the enormous human cost of Russia’s war of aggression.

    Russia has continued to conduct massive missile and UAV strikes against inhabited areas across Ukraine, killing innocent civilians.

    The UK is appalled by reports of recent Russian attacks on Ukrainian Red Cross warehouses in Odesa and on a mobile hospital in Mykolaiv. There is no excuse for attacking the most vulnerable, and the brave humanitarian workers supporting them.

    We call on Russia to abide by International Humanitarian Law, in particular, to observe the distinction between combatants and civilians.

    Ukrainian civilians, indeed all civilians, should be protected by all combatants.

    Similarly, aid organisations and aid workers, whose mission is to help innocent civilians in humanitarian need, are not a target.

    In Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine, an estimated 4 million people are living in dire, forlorn conditions. Despite regular attempts by the UN to gain access to deliver humanitarian support, Russia has never provided necessary security guarantees for access.

    We continue to call for unimpeded and sustained humanitarian access to the people of Ukraine.

    We call on Russia to stop denying access and to cease its attacks on critical infrastructure and residential areas.

    President,

    The BSGI [Black Sea Grain Initiative] is critically important. Over 30 million tonnes of grain and other foodstuffs have been exported under the Initiative since 1 August.

    The deal has been critical to lowering global food prices and getting urgently needed grain to countries that need it most. As the WFP has said, grain deliveries to any country drive global prices down.

    So we urge Russia to stop threatening to leave the initiative and, instead, to agree to a sustained and stable deal.

    In the meantime, Russia continues to block and delay ship inspections. This obstruction harms global food security by delaying shipments, restricting supplies, and keeping prices high for food-importing countries.

    Finally, President, the UK is fully committed to holding Russia to account for its illegal actions in Ukraine.

    We will continue to support independent investigations into the atrocities committed in Ukraine, as part of a just and sustained peace.

    Thank you.

  • PRESS RELEASE : End to intrusive fishing expeditions of rape victims’ therapy notes [May 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : End to intrusive fishing expeditions of rape victims’ therapy notes [May 2023]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 15 May 2023.

    Victims and Prisoners Bill will stop unnecessary and invasive access to personal materials such as therapy notes.

    • move to empower victims to access therapy without fear of infringements on their privacy
    • robust new guidance for police on how and when to request access to personal records

    Victims of rape will no longer face unnecessary and invasive requests to access their therapy notes or other personal records during the investigation stage thanks to new legislation announced today (15 May 2023).

    For the first time ever, an amendment to the government’s Victims and Prisoners Bill will set out clearly in law that police should only request material that is absolutely necessary and proportionate to ensure that vulnerable victims aren’t put off seeking vital support.

    This will end expansive fishing expeditions for information that can be irrelevant to the investigation and used to undermine the credibility of the victim.

    This change gives greater clarity to victims and the police about when information can be requested and provides survivors of the most heinous crimes with the confidence to access therapy earlier without fear notes could be used against them in court.

    Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary, Alex Chalk MP KC, said:

    This important reform will end invasive unnecessary requests for therapy notes for rape victims and give them the confidence to seek the help they need earlier, free from the fear that what they share in the process of healing could be weaponised against them.

    The Victims and Prisoners Bill is ensuring victims are treated as participants in, not just spectators of, the justice system – improving support for them while overhauling the parole system to better protect the public from the most dangerous offenders.

    Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, said:

    It is simply unacceptable that victims of some of the most traumatic crimes have had significant amounts of their personal records unnecessarily requested.

    We have been clear that this issue must be addressed through legislation and that’s why we’re making this vital amendment to the Bill. This is just one of the ways we are working across government to improve how the criminal justice system deals with these horrendous crimes.

    The changes follow a Home Office consultation in 2022 which showed almost 90% of respondents were in favour of introducing a statutory duty on police forces to only make necessary and proportionate requests for the disclosure of third-party information. To ensure police are abiding by the new law, the government will also publish a new robust code of conduct – with forces who fail to abide by the new rules to face consequences including possible legal action.

    Justice Minister, Edward Argar MP, said:

    The Victims and Prisoners Bill will ensure that victims feel listened to and are treated fairly, properly, and with dignity when they come forward to bring their offender to justice.

    The reforms we are announcing today will mean that rape victims know their rights when they are asked to provide personal information like therapy notes.

    The new legislation forms part of the Victims and Prisoners Bill which will transform victims’ experience by putting the principles underpinning the Victims’ Code on a statutory footing – sending a clear signal about what they can and should expect from the criminal justice system.

    The bill will also overhaul the parole system by allowing ministers to block the release of the most dangerous offenders including murderers, rapists, and terrorists – putting public protection back as the overriding focus of the parole process.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Health secretary attends Japan summit with health tech at top of the agenda [May 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Health secretary attends Japan summit with health tech at top of the agenda [May 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 15 May 2023.

    Secretary of State visits Japan for G7 health ministers’ meeting to see how technology is improving patient care and reducing the burden on staff.

    • Meetings held to discuss healthcare workforce recruitment, cutting waiting times and how member states are using innovation and tech
    • End of summit agreement signed on Sunday to help tackle global health issues including antimicrobial resistance, dementia and pandemic preparedness

    Health and Social Care Secretary, Steve Barclay, concluded a visit to Japan today (Monday 15 May) for the G7 health ministers’ meeting, where he led discussions with international counterparts on how technology can be used to improve patient care, reduce pressure on health and social care staff and cut waiting times for patients.

    During his first international summit, the Secretary of State visited Silver Wing care home in Tokyo. It uses technology such as bed sensors, robotic mobility and walking aids and interactive entertainment to reduce pressure on staff while providing better care for residents.

    He saw some of the tech in action, including the mobility aids staff use to lift and move residents to and from their beds, which staff say has reduced pain in their lower backs while respecting residents’ privacy.

    The Secretary of State also held one-to-one meetings with health ministers from G7 countries to discuss shared opportunities on using tech and innovation, workforce recruitment as well as cutting waiting times.

    Talks between the Secretary of State and his counterparts also focussed on pandemic preparedness, tackling antimicrobial resistance (AMR) – which costs around 1.27 millon lives a year globally – and how member states are working to develop vaccines within 100 days of a pandemic threat being identified.

    Speaking from Japan, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Steve Barclay, said:

    Japan is pioneering the use of the latest technology and innovation in health and social care, so my visit to Nagasaki has been a great opportunity to see at first hand how this innovation helps both staff and people in care.

    New technology, including artificial intelligence, has a big role to play in the NHS’s future, helping to deliver one of the government’s 5 priorities to cut waiting lists so patients get the care they need quicker.

    We’re already seeing the benefits – the NHS App is being used to order more than 500,000 repeat prescriptions every week, while our £123 million investment in AI technologies is helping staff tackle issues like stroke diagnosis, cancer screening and cardiovascular monitoring.

    The summit was also a vital opportunity to get round the table with health ministers from other G7 countries and commit to action to ensure we’re ready to respond to a possible future pandemic, both at home in the UK and globally with our international partners.

    The Secretary of State delivered a speech at the summit in which he said new innovations will help tackle global health issues – including ageing populations and AMR. He cited as an example the UK’s world-first antibiotic subscription model – which incentivises drug companies to produce new antibiotics – which other G7 countries are looking to as something they could implement domestically.

    The UK government is already taking action to implement technology across the NHS and social care. In March, the government announced nearly £16 million investment into pioneering artificial intelligence research through the AI in Health and Care Awards.

    This brings the total investment to £123 million in 86 AI technologies, which stand to benefit over 300,000 patients and support the treatment of conditions including cancer, heart disease, diabetes, mental health and neurological disorders.

    The 2-day G7 health ministers’ meeting finished on Sunday with member states signing an agreement on tackling shared global health challenges, including:

    • better surveillance, data and information sharing to protect the world against another pandemic
    • incentivising the development of new antibiotics to tackle the rising threat of AMR across the G7
    • member states investing in research into dementia and future treatments

    The Secretary of State also spoke at a side event on dementia in which he recognised the need for global, as well as domestic, solutions which improve knowledge and understanding of dementia, helping to drive the production of innovative treatments and medicines.

    The government will soon launch a call for evidence for our Major Conditions Strategy which will cover 6 conditions: cancer, mental ill health, cardiovascular diseases, musculoskeletal disorders, chronic respiratory diseases and dementia.

    The G7 health ministers’ meeting took place in Nagasaki, Japan, from Saturday 13 May to Sunday 14 May 2023.

    The G7 leaders summit will take place in Hiroshima from 19 to 21 May 2023.

  • PRESS RELEASE : National Cyber Advisory Board meets at CyberUK 2023 [May 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : National Cyber Advisory Board meets at CyberUK 2023 [May 2023]

    The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 15 May 2023.

    Government and business leaders co-chaired the second meeting of the National Cyber Advisory Board at CyberUK, discussing how to support the delivery of the National Cyber Strategy.

    Deputy Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Oliver Dowden, and Chief Information Officer at Lloyds Banking Group UK, Sharon Barber, co-chaired the second meeting of the National Cyber Advisory Board on Wednesday 19th April. The meeting took place at CYBERUK, the government’s flagship cyber security conference held in Belfast.

    In the meeting, the board reflected on the UK’s achievements within cyber since the launch of the National Cyber Strategy. The board discussed how it can further support the successful implementation of the National Cyber Strategy by challenging and validating current government assumptions on cyber. The board also debated how it can inform the government’s top level approach to ransomware, which remains a tier one national security threat.

    The Board discussed progress against its three areas of priority focus:

    • Build cyber skills throughout the economy by introducing better recruitment practices, such as standardised job specifications, and exploring how to accelerate the development of entry-level talent.
    • Strengthen the security of supply chains, an area critically needing cross-industry improvement, and improve efficiency in the assurance process, through standardised supplier questionnaires.
    • Increase businesses’ awareness of the risks posed by cyber attacks to drive greater action on cyber resilience.

    The board expects to announce progress and actions in these areas at the next meeting, scheduled for October 2023.

    These priority areas have been driven through the NCAB working groups on Cyber Skills and Diversity, Risk and Crisis Management, and Supply Chains, composed of NCAB members and government.

    The National Cyber Advisory Board, a key commitment of the National Cyber Strategy, first met in November 2022. Since then, the Board has run workshops with the UK Cyber Security Council on increasing gender diversity in cyber, visited cutting-edge businesses from across the UK, including two net-zero businesses in Belfast, Translink and Artemis, and established the NCAB working groups.

    Deputy Prime Minister and Co-Chair of the Board, Oliver Dowden, said:

    My conversations with businesses make clear that in today’s interconnected world, security and prosperity go hand in hand. That’s one of the reasons why the National Cyber Advisory Board is central to our National Cyber Strategy.

    Only by working together can we combat the evolving threat posed by criminals, hacktivists, and foreign states, and ensure that the UK remains one of the most attractive destinations for entrepreneurs and investors from all over the world.

    Co-Chair of the Board and Chief Security Officer at Lloyds UK, Sharon Barber, said:

    The second meeting of the National Cyber Advisory Board demonstrates the value of cooperation between the government and businesses. Working together to combat the shared threats we face helps to ensure the UK remains a safe place to invest and do business.

    The Board encourages businesses to get involved with one of the many brilliant initiatives taking place across industry to strengthen our national cyber ecosystem and build the UK’s cyber resilience

    The National Cyber Advisory Board embodies the ‘whole of society’ approach to cyber, which is a critical part of the National Cyber Strategy. The approach fosters the sharing of expertise and knowledge and provides the basis for stronger collaboration with partners in the UK and around the world.

    Interested in contributing to the aims of the National Cyber Advisory Board? Please get involved in the following opportunities:

    Full membership of the Board:

    • Rt Hon Oliver Dowden CBE MP, Deputy Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Co-Chair)
    • Sharon Barber, Chief Information Officer, Lloyds Banking Group (Co-Chair)
    • Julian David, CEO, Tech UK
    • Claudia Natanson, Chair, Board of Trustees, UK Cyber Security Council.
    • Stephen Bonner, Executive Director, Regulatory Futures, Information Commissioner’s Office
    • Debbie Forster, Co-founder and CEO, Tech Talent Charter
    • Nick Godfrey, Director, Office of the CISO, Google Cloud
    • Saj Huq, Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Innovation, Plexal
    • Chris Johnson, Pro Vice Chancellor, Engineering and Physical Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast
    • Rachel Laursen, Global CISO and Head of Technology Risk, Marks and Spencer
    • Emma Smith, Cyber Security Director, Vodafone
    • Don Smith, Vice President, Secureworks
    • Yasmin Brooks, Co-Lead Global Cyber & Data Practice, Brunswick Group
    • Alison Dyer, Chief Information Security Officer, ASOS
    • Gareth Williams, Vice President Operations & International – Cyber Defence Solutions Business Line, Thales
    • David Meads, Chief Executive, UK and Ireland, CISCO
    • Stuart Aston, National Security Officer, Microsoft.