Category: Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE : New stretch of King Charles III England Coast Path to open in North West [May 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 10 May 2023.

A new section of the King Charles III England Coast Path is opening between Tarleton Locks, in Preston and Pier Head Ferry Terminal, in Liverpool.
A new section of the recently renamed King Charles III England Coast Path will officially open today, Wednesday 10 May.

The opening will see 36 miles (over 58km) of trails from Tarleton Lock in Preston to Pier Head Ferry Terminal, in Liverpool bringing the total walkable miles of the King Charles III England Coast Path in the North West to 120.9 miles (194.8km).

The path is being delivered by Natural England together with delivery partners on the ground. The opening of this stretch, along with another taking place in Filey Brigg in North Yorkshire today, brings the total to 851 miles across the country, with 2,700 miles being fully walkable by the end of 2024. The trail and associated coastal land will be publicly accessible, allowing walkers to access a wide range of coastal terrain such as beaches, dunes and cliff tops, passing through picturesque towns, villages and Bootle Docks before heading into Liverpool, Britain’s fourth biggest city.

Passing the historic Liver Building and the statue of the city’s most famous sons, the Beatles, this new part of King Charles III England Coast Path ends at Pier Head Terminal.

Highlights of the walk include;

Hesketh Outmarsh which is home to important bird habitats, in the care of the RSPB.

The Sefton coast supports important wildlife habitats and is protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Sites such as the RSPB Marshside bird reserve and the dune landscape of the Ainsdale and Birkdale Sandhills Nature Reserve.

Beyond Formby Hills where dunes, grasslands and Corsican pine woodlands provide a haven for species such as the natterjack toad, sand lizard and red squirrel.

Crosby Beach which is home to artist Anthony Gormley’s Another Place installation, where 100 scattered, cast-iron figures look out across the Irish Sea.

Environment Minister Trudy Harrison said:

Our Environmental Improvement Plan sets out a commitment for every household to be within a 15-minute walk of a green space or water. The King Charles III England Coast Path is a significant part of this commitment, and the opening today is a fitting tribute to His Majesty the King following the celebrations last weekend. I greatly encourage everyone to visit the path and discover the local environment on their doorsteps.

Gerry Rusbridge, Senior Advisor at Natural England said:

Evidence shows that opening up access to the coast attracts more visitors, supports the local economy and improves health and wellbeing by connecting people to nature.

At a time when people need nature more than ever, it’s fabulous that we can celebrate the opening of this new 36.4-mile section of the King Charles III England Coast Path. This is a significant moment in the national coastal access programme as it represents the first part of the King Charles III England Coast Path to be opened in the northwest, outside the borders of Cumbria.

The new path stretches from Preston to Liverpool, opening up beautiful new countryside to the public and aiming to make it easier for as many people as possible to experience the coast.

This work is a fundamental part of the Government’s 25 year Environment Plan. Here in the North West, we’ve been lucky to have the help of the local council, landowners and various stakeholders and partners – a truly joined up project.

Once completed, the King Charles III England Coast Path will be the longest managed coastal walking route in the world. Walkers and people who enjoy exploring the coast use the National Trails website to plan their visits. See www.nationaltrail.co.uk

A further 21 miles of the King Charles III England Coast Path will open simultaneously at Filey Brigg in North Yorkshire.
May 10, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK economy boosted by £1.4 billion as longer lorries roll out on roads [May 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 10 May 2023.

Legislation change allowing longer lorries and longer semi-trailers on roads will save 70,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide from being released into the air.
- laws introduced to permit longer semi-trailer combinations up to 18.55 metres on GB roads – 2.05 metres longer than standard size
- longer lorries expected to bring £1.4 billion boost for the UK’s economy – supporting productivity and saving 70,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide
- follows 33 unprecedented government measures to support the haulage industry and supply chains, level up transport and grow the economy
Longer lorries will be introduced to Great Britain’s (GB’s) roads to support the government’s priority to grow the economy, boost productivity, slash road emissions and support supply chains.

Legislation will be laid today (10 May 2023) to safely roll out the vehicles on roads from 31 May. The longer lorries will be able to transport fast-moving consumer goods and retail products, as well as waste packaging, parcels and pallets.

These new lorries will move the same volume of goods, but will use 8% fewer journeys than current trailers. This will generate an expected £1.4 billion in economic benefits and take one standard-size trailer off the road for every 12 trips.

As part of efforts to grow the economy and cut emissions, government is changing regulations to allow longer trailers on GB roads, which it estimates will save 70,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide from being released into the atmosphere.

These longer trailers, known as longer semi-trailers (LST) measure up to 2.05 metres longer than a standard semi-trailer and can be towed by a lorry.

The move follows an 11-year trial to ensure LSTs are used safely on roads, and operators will be encouraged to put extra safety checks and training in place. The trial demonstrated that LSTs were involved in around 61% fewer personal injury collisions than conventional lorries.

Roads Minister Richard Holden said:

Everyone around the country depends on our haulage sector for their everyday needs – from loo rolls to sausage rolls – and a strong, resilient supply chain is key to the government’s priority to grow the economy.

These new longer lorries will make a big difference for British businesses like Greggs, who will see 15% more baked goods delivered, from tasty pastries to the nation’s much-loved sausage rolls.

It’s fantastic to see this change for our supply chain come into law, resulting in a near £1.4 billion boost to the haulage industry and driving economic growth. Let the good times roll as we reduce congestion, lower emissions and enhance the safety of British roads.

Vehicles which use LSTs will be subject to the same 44 tonne weight limit as those using standard trailers. These new vehicles are also expected to cause less wear on the roads than conventional lorries due to the type of steering axle used.

Operators will be legally required to ensure appropriate route plans and risk assessments are made to take the unique specifications of LSTs into account.

In addition to these new legal requirements, operators will also be expected to put in place extra safety checks including driver training and scheduling, record keeping, training for transport managers and key staff, and loading of LSTs.

It is expected that LSTs will create almost £1.4 billion in net economic benefits by ensuring more goods are carried on fewer vehicles, supporting productivity and boosting the economy.

With over 300 companies in the UK having already taken part in the trial, and almost 3,000 on the road, some of the biggest brands will be rolling out the extended use of these longer semi-trailers including:
- Greggs
- Morrisons
- Stobart
- Royal Mail
- Argos
Gavin Kirk, Supply Chain Director at Greggs, said

We welcome the introduction of LSTs into general use. Since 2013, Greggs has been operating LSTs from our National Distribution Centre in Newcastle. We were early adopters of the trial as we saw significant efficiency benefits from the additional 15% capacity that they afforded us.

We have converted 20% of our trailer fleet to LSTs, which was the maximum allowable under the trial, and these complement our fleet of double-deck trailers. Our drivers undertook additional training to use these trailers and we have monitored accidents, finding that they are as safe as our standard fleet.

Due to the increased capacity, we have reduced our annual kilometer (km) travel by 540,000 km, and saved 410 tonnes of carbon per year from LSTs. This supports our wider ESG agenda, the Greggs Pledge.

The trial revealed the important environmental benefits associated with the introduction of LSTs, including a considerable reduction of 70,000 tonnes of CO2 and 97 tonnes of NOx over the trial.

The average CO2 reduction across the lifetime of the trial is similar to the amount of CO2 captured by roughly 11,600 acres of forest per year.

The savings in NOx emissions averages to the entire annual NOx emissions of around 2,000 diesel cars per year.

Introducing LSTs is an important, easy and affordable measure to continue to reduce CO2 emissions from the haulage industry without significant technological and infrastructure development, as the government continues to work closely with the sector to ensure all new heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) are net-zero by 2040.

The move is part of the government’s comprehensive 33 actions to address the shortage of HGV drivers and boost recruitment and retention.

Government’s 33 actions to support Britain’s haulage sector include:
- £52.5 million will be given to improve roadside facilities for lorry drivers
- making 11,000 HGV driver training places available through skills bootcamps
- boosting the number of HGV driver tests
- launching our Future of Freight plan to encourage millions of people to kickstart an exciting career in logistics
As a result, new HGV drivers are taking and passing their driving test in record numbers.

Between March 2022 and May 2022, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) carried out 29,384 HGV tests, which is 54% more than the same period in 2019.

Chris Yarsley, Senior Policy Manager at Logistics UK said:

The introduction of longer semi-trailers (LSTs) into general service will increase the scope and scale of the goods which our industry is able to transport, increasing efficiencies and reducing the environmental impact of delivering for the UK’s economy.

Over the past few years of the trial, our members have proved that LSTs provide operators with a cost-efficient, environmentally prudent alternative to conventional vehicles and our members remain committed to rolling them out across the wider industry as soon as possible.
May 10, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Government holds first Net Zero Council [May 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 9 May 2023.

The Net Zero Council will support industry to help cut their emissions and develop greener practices.
- Ministers have convened a new Net Zero Council with business and finance leaders to drive forward industry’s transition to net zero
- government to put heads together with representatives from industry to support further carbon reduction amongst businesses across all sectors of the economy
- management consultants McKinsey estimates a global market opportunity of £1 trillion for British businesses up to 2030 by going green
The leaders of some of the world’s leading banks, energy companies, technology giants and finance firms are among those to have attended the first-ever meeting of the Net Zero Council today (Tuesday 9 May 2023).

Co-chaired by Energy Minister Graham Stuart and Coop Group chief executive Shirine Khoury-Haq, the Council will support industry to help cut their emissions, and develop greener practices – as well as delivering on the government’s priority to grow the economy by finding ways to ensure British businesses can benefit from the UK’s world-leading position in renewable technologies and achieving net zero, and export their expertise globally.

Siemens, SSE, HSBC and NatWest as well as Lloyds of London are among those on the Council, and will be meeting on a quarterly basis to ensure businesses are a key part of achieving net zero.

Energy Minister Graham Stuart said:

The Net Zero Council provides the high-level forum for government, business and finance leaders to work together to unlock the opportunities of the green transition.

Tackling emissions can make businesses more energy efficient, improve UK energy security and, in turn, cut costs. It can open up opportunities to export UK developed solutions around the world, expand UK market share and create jobs.

The UK has cut its emissions more than any other major economy and the Net Zero Council – meeting today for the first time – will ensure that leaders of UK businesses can help guide government and vice versa so that our environmental leadership translates into economic advantage.

The Net Zero Council includes some of the most senior business and finance leaders in the country. I am grateful that such extraordinary people are prepared to contribute their knowledge, experience and talent for the benefit of both this country and future generations.

In 2020 the UK was estimated to already have over 400,000 jobs in low carbon businesses and their supply chains across the country, with turnover at £41.6 billion. Over 80,000 green jobs are currently being supported or are in the pipeline because of new government policies since 2020, with that expected to increase to as many as 480,000 in 2030.

The new Council discussed the UK’s already world-leading position on net zero and the importance of building one coherent voice across government, finance and business to support the UK’s key sectors in the net zero transition.

Construction, manufacturing, retail and water and waste were identified as priority sectors to support and focus on, alongside the UK’s world-class university and R&D sectors, with capabilities of building cutting-edge technologies of the future, such as green aviation, hydrogen, CCUS and batteries.

The key objectives of the council are:
- working to ensure sectors and companies have a pathway to net zero, including looking at the barriers and connections across sectors
- leading a systematic review of the financing challenges and the respective roles of government, industry and the financial sector in addressing them
- identifying key challenges facing SMEs up and down the country in reducing their carbon footprints and supporting their transition with new information and advice
Co-op Group CEO, Shirine Khoury-Haq, said:

We are in the grip of a climate crisis of humankind’s making and this is the single most important issue that the global community faces. It is vital that all businesses actively contribute to the Net Zero journey with vigour, as failure to seize this opportunity simply cannot be an option.

I look forward to working with government – who have a role too – in driving industry to go further, as it’s clear we must all reduce carbon emissions at a faster rate.
May 10, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK leads the way on agricultural innovation at Washington D.C. Climate Summit [May 2023]

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 9 May 2023.

£3 million invested in the Global Fertiliser Challenge to fund new research to develop alternative fertilisers to boost sustainability and productivity.

The UK has today (Tuesday, 9 May) reaffirmed its role as a global leader in food productivity, sustainable farming and tackling climate change at the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate (AIM for Climate) Summit including making a £3 million investment to develop more sustainable fertilisers.

Attending the summit in Washington D.C., Minister for Indo-Pacific Anne-Marie Trevelyan and Farming Minister Mark Spencer helped bring more than 20 countries together to further global progress on the Agriculture Breakthrough, a collaborative effort launched under the UK’s COP26 Presidency, to accelerate the development and deployment of clean technologies and sustainable solutions in the agriculture sector.

As part of this, the UK announced it will join the US-led Global Fertiliser Challenge, investing £3 million to develop, test and scale up new and alternative fertilisers that can enhance soil health, agricultural productivity, and the sustainability of agriculture globally.

In partnership with the US, the UK’s investment will fund a new Efficient Fertiliser Consortium, led by the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research, that will carry out research to advance efficient, environmentally beneficial and cost-effective fertilisers and management practices. This builds on a shared commitment to address food insecurity in low and middle income countries, and will go alongside the UK’s efforts to support domestic farmers with rising input costs through bringing forward direct payments and providing one-off grants to enable farmers to reduce their fertiliser use and increase productivity.

Launched during the UK’s Presidency of COP26, AIM for Climate seeks to increase investment in climate smart agricultural innovation, with this week’s summit marking a key moment to raise ambition, build collaborations and share knowledge on climate-smart agriculture and food systems innovation in the lead-up to COP28. The Agriculture Breakthrough is a UK-led collaboration between governments to accelerate development and deployment of clean technologies and sustainable solutions in the agriculture sector. Its goal is “to make climate-resilient, sustainable agriculture the most attractive and widely adopted option for farmers everywhere by 2030”. It is part of the Breakthrough Agenda – a UK COP Presidency initiative launched at the World Leaders Summit at COP26.

Farming Minister, Mark Spencer said:

Innovation is key to unlocking a more sustainable, profitable future for our farming and agriculture sectors. It is vital we join together at the international table to share expertise and best practice, and fund new research to catalyse pioneering solutions that will support farmers around the world to meet the challenges of food security while delivering for our environment.

Alongside today’s £3m investment into the development of alternative fertilisers, we are investing hundreds of millions of pounds in ongoing support and one-off grants every year for UK farmers get the support they need to capitalise on cutting-edge technology and research that can increase productivity and help tackle climate change.

We must continue to foster this innovation not only at home but around the world, and I encourage countries to get onboard as we work to generate a real breakthrough for the agri-food sector.

FCDO Minister for Indo-Pacific Anne-Marie Trevelyan said:

Our global food systems are under increasing pressure, from the devastating impacts of climate change as well as from the turmoil created by Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. We need collaboration, innovation and ambition to tackle these challenges, and today’s AIM4C Summit and Agriculture Breakthrough Ministerial Meeting have demonstrated the possibilities – we now need investment in research and development, and a laser-like focus on deployment and delivery.

That’s why the UK is committing £3m to the Global Fertiliser Challenge, to develop new, more efficient fertilisers to transform productivity and safeguard nature. With the US and FFAR, we will accelerate the pace and scale of agriculture innovation and the adoption of climate-resilient agriculture solutions.

The UK continues to invest in overcoming the global challenge of feeding the world’s population whilst responding to climate change and biodiversity loss, including pest and disease threats. Its long-standing partnership with CGIAR, the world’s leading agricultural science and innovation organisation, has already helped millions of farmers to increase the resilience of their crops to drought and disease and contributed to the food security of millions of people.

Meanwhile, at home, the UK has made more than £168 million in grants available to farmers this year to drive innovation, support food production, improve animal health and welfare and protect the environment.

This includes grants of £51 million for the Farming Innovation Programme in 2023, bringing together farmers, growers, businesses and researchers in research and development projects that seek to transform productivity, boost environmental sustainability and help meet net zero targets. Projects already benefitting from the Programme include a hands-free solution to monitor a cow’s welfare and performance, data-sharing solutions for farmers to support each other in measuring and monitoring soil health patterns, and a working herd of harvesting agri-robots.

Running alongside this, the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) offers farmers specific equipment to boost environmental sustainability, improve animal health and welfare, and reduce input use to cut emissions and waste. This includes £34 million in slurry storage grants to help farmers reduce their dependence on artificial fertilisers through better storage of organic nutrients whilst also improving water and air quality.

The UAE announced its participation in the Agriculture Breakthrough during the event, confirming the COP28 Presidency’s commitment to the Breakthrough Agenda. Canada and Kenya also announced their participation, bringing the total number of countries participating in the international collaboration to sixteen.

Her Excellency Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, United Arab Emirates Minister of Climate Change and Environment said:

I am delighted to announce the UAE joining the UK’s Agriculture Breakthrough Initiative. This participation emphasises the UAE’s dedication to transforming food systems and developing innovative approaches that support agricultural R&D and innovation efforts.

Our mission is to set ambitious goals for the 2024 Agriculture Breakthrough Priority Actions that will be announced at COP28 in the UAE later this year. We recognise the critical role agricultural innovation plays in addressing climate change and are dedicated to promoting it at local, regional, and global levels.

The full list of participating countries is: Australia, Belgium, Cambodia, Canada, Denmark, Egypt, Germany, Kenya, Ireland, Japan, Latvia, Morocco, Nigeria, Sweden, UAE and the UK.

May 10, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : The conflict in Sudan presents a significant impediment to agreeing on the final status of Abyei – UK statement at the Security Council [May 2023]

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

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council meeting on Sudan and South Sudan.

Thank you, President, and thank you to Ms Pobee and Special Envoy Tetteh for their insightful briefings.

I will make three brief points.

First, the United Kingdom commends UNISFA’s tireless efforts to help maintain peace and security in Abyei, under challenging circumstances.

A year since the mission began its transition from having a single Troop Contributing Countries (TCC) to becoming a multinational force, it is clear that this process has been a success and that the newly configured force is making a tangible difference to the security situation in Abyei.

Second, despite the positive role played by UNISFA, the local population continues to suffer from an absence of basic services.

The United Kingdom urges all parties fully to respect International Humanitarian Law and protect and enable humanitarian staff, assets and operations to deliver aid to those in need in all parts of Abyei, without hindrance.

We remain concerned by the ongoing intercommunal violence and increasing tensions within the Dinka community. We welcome the recent efforts by South Sudan to stop the violence between the Ngok Dinka and the Twic Dinka.

We are, however, concerned by the positioning of the South Sudanese People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF), and National Police personnel in Abyei in violation of the 2011 agreement.

The presence of these forces is exacerbating tensions and hindering peace. We call upon the Government of South Sudan to withdraw its forces without delay.

Third, we echo the Secretary’s General concern over the effect on Abyei of the military clashes across Sudan.

We note the offer by President Kiir to facilitate talks between the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces. The United Kingdom underlines its support for regional efforts to support a ceasefire, including through the Trilateral Mechanism.

We echo calls for a lasting ceasefire and for humanitarian needs to be urgently addressed.

President, in closing, the conflict in Sudan is a tragedy. It also presents a significant impediment to agreeing a peaceful settlement to the final status of Abyei, which remains key to enabling long-term peace and development in the territory.

We urge the parties not to lose sight of this vital issue, and stress the importance of resuming talks on the final status as soon as is practicable.

Thank you.

May 10, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Patients asked to return Emerade 300 and 500 microgram adrenaline pens for replacement [May 2023]

The press release issued by the Department for Health on 9 May 2023.

Patients, or carers of patients, who carry Emerade 300 or 500 microgram adrenaline auto-injector pens should contact their GP and obtain a prescription for, and be supplied with an alternative brand. They should then return their Emerade 300 or 500 microgram pens to their local pharmacy.

Patients, or carers of patients, who carry Emerade 300 or 500 microgram adrenaline auto-injector pens should immediately contact their GP to obtain a prescription for, and be supplied with two auto-injectors of a different brand. Pharmacists and pharmacy teams can also help with obtaining new prescriptions and dispensing of new pens. Patients or carers should then return all Emerade 300 and 500 micrograms auto-injectors to their local pharmacy.

Patients should only return their Emerade pens when they have received a replacement from their pharmacy which will be an alternative brand – either EpiPen or Jext. They should ensure they know how to use the replacement pen, as each brand of pen works differently. Patients should ask their doctor, pharmacist, or nurse for help with this. Instructions are included inside the pack, along with details of the manufacturer’s website that also provides information, including videos, on how to use a new EpiPen or Jext adrenaline pen.

This precautionary recall is because some 300 microgram and 500 microgram Emerade auto-injector pens may rarely fail to activate if they are dropped, meaning a dose of adrenaline would not be delivered. Premature activation has also been detected in some of the 300 microgram and 500 microgram pens after they have been dropped, meaning that a dose of adrenaline is delivered too early.

The activation failure and premature activation was detected during a design assessment conducted by the manufacturer and therefore means there is a potential for some 300 microgram and 500 microgram Emerade pens to fail during use after having been dropped.

Dr Alison Cave, MHRA Chief Safety Officer, said:

Patient safety is our top priority.

We are taking prompt action to protect patients, following detection of damage to internal components of the Emerade pens if they are dropped, which may mean they activate too early or fail to activate and deliver adrenaline.

The Department for Health and Social Care has confirmed that there are appropriate supplies of EpiPen or Jext adrenaline pens available for patients across the UK, however, patients will need to request a new prescription.

Patients are reminded to carry two pens with them at all times as normal and to contact their healthcare professional when a replacement is due.

Further information for patients and carers on what to do if they suspect anaphylaxis is available on the MHRA’s Adrenaline Auto-Injectors (AAIs) safety campaign.

Additional information

1. Exposure to high temperature may increase the risk of pen failure. Emerade pens should not be exposed to temperatures above 25°C, such as being placed near to a radiator or fire. If travelling to a hot climate, patients should visit their doctor to obtain a prescription for an alternative brand of adrenaline pen.

2. Emerade pens that are dropped or vigorously handled may fail to activate or may prematurely activate. General advice states that users should inspect the pen if dropped and replace if they notice damage or leakage. This recall considers that damage within some pens may not be visible and therefore a precautionary patient-level recall is being carried out.

3. If an Emerade pen does need to be used, it should be pressed very firmly against the thigh. If this does not result in activation, the patient should immediately use their second pen. More detailed information for patients is available on the MHRA website. This includes images showing users what an activated pen looks like, compared to a non-activated pen.

4. Training videos on how to use the 0.15mg EpiPen and 0.3mg EpiPen and Jext 150 pen and 300 pen are available on the respective manufacturers’ websites.

5. Since May 2021, there have been no Yellow Card reports of Emerade 300 microgram or 500 microgram pens prematurely activating or failing to activate.

May 9, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Syria’s chemical weapons programme is an ongoing threat to international peace and security – UK statement at the Security Council [May 2023]

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

Statement by Deputy Political Coordinator Tom Phipps at the UN Security Council meeting on Syria.

As always, I would like to begin by thanking High Representative Izumi Nakamitsu for her briefing.

As Ms Nakamitsu said, at next week’s Fifth Review Conference, States Parties will take stock of the Chemical Weapons Convention’s implementation and set future priorities. They will also reaffirm the importance of the Convention.

President, the Convention and wider non-proliferation can only hold if its rules are upheld and rule-breakers are held to account.

The Assad regime has repeatedly breached its obligations under the Convention and resolution 2118. There is undeniable and direct evidence of the Syrian state murdering its own civilians using chemical weapons on at least nine occasions. This Council has failed to hold the regime to account for the use of these abhorrent weapons. This failure is primarily due to the actions of one permanent member, which itself used chemical weapons in recent years, including in my country in 2018.

This is not a show, and this statement is not groundless.

The OPCW has put exceptional amounts of resource into trying to help Syria resolve the outstanding issues regarding its initial declaration. These issues are not academic and include the whereabouts of hundreds of tonnes of chemical weapons agents.

As we head again from Ms Nakamitsu, access for OPCW staff remains restricted, and despite worrying findings by the Declaration Assessment Team, Syria and Russia’s denials continue. We commend the OPCW team’s continued efforts, and underscore that the fundamental obligations that Syria has as a State Party to the convention must be upheld. It must give up all its chemical weapons, stop any banned activity and comply in full with the OPCW.

Until Syria has made meaningful progress on these issues, its chemical weapons programme is an ongoing threat to international peace and security that this Council needs to address. We must collectively send a clear message about our shared commitment to the ban on chemical weapons and we need to uphold and defend the international consensus that these weapons should never be used.

Thank you.

May 9, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Reducing the carbon footprint of Hexham’s flood defences [May 2023]

The press release issued by Environment Agency on 9 May 2023.

New climate friendly, low-carbon concrete mix used for the first time in the UK to construct North East flood schemes.

In a UK first, the Environment Agency, BAM Nuttall, Arup and Tarmac have successfully trialled the use of two low carbon concrete mixes for works at the Hexham Flood Alleviation Scheme.

The low-carbon concrete has been used across 3 panels, totalling 27 metres of the £6.5 million Hexham flood defences as part of a plan to reduce their carbon footprint, the Environment Agency (EA) has said.

Hexham is a popular tourist destination in Northumberland with visitors able to observe salmon leaping at the masonry arch bridge, dating back to 1793. The Hexham flood alleviation scheme will help to protect up to 90 properties in one of the town’s most important commercial areas, providing increased job security by protecting the places people work, keeping businesses open and supporting the wider local economy.

The flood alleviation scheme is almost complete on the south bank at Tyne Mills Industrial Estate and features a new structure installed across the Skinnersburn which would also stop the River Tyne backing up when levels are high. The improvement works to the north bank at Bridge End Industrial estate consist of flood walls and embankment as well as featuring the sections of low carbon concrete at the former Reiver Sports site.

The EA say that more than half of its carbon footprint comes from the construction of flood defences. Using low carbon concrete, such as a new Portland limestone mix, developed by Tarmac, will improve Hexham’s resilience to the changing climate while also playing an important part of the organisation’s steps towards Net Zero targets.

So far, the trial has presented positive carbon savings compared to a standard concrete mix offering up to 70% reductions of CO2 emissions per cubic metre of concrete delivered to site.

It is hoped that the trials to find new ultra-low-carbon concrete alternatives, will enable future Environment Agency flood defences across the North East to be built more sustainably, with lower embodied carbon. They will also support the delivery of new sustainable concrete products, to the wider construction industry and help to achieve targets outlined in the Net Zero North East England partnership. This collaboration between local government, business, education, the public sector and civil society aims to drive a comprehensive regional approach to tackling the climate emergency.

Leila Huntington, Environment Agency Operations Manager, said:

“The Environment Agency is committed to helping the nation be more resilient to flooding, coastal change, drought and climate change. We all have a role to play in tackling the climate emergency which is why the Environment Agency has committed to reaching Net Zero by 2030. To achieve this we have to adapt, try innovative approaches and ensure that climate and sustainability are at the heart of what we do.

“The trial of low carbon concrete in Hexham is a fantastic example of how we can work with our partners to continue to build flood defences to better protect communities from flooding, whilst also focussing on sustainability, the environment and reducing our carbon emissions.”

Ruth Young, area carbon and sustainability lead for BAM, said:

“As the Environment Agency’s construction partner in the North East, we are carefully considering how we can limit the environmental impact of the flood defence work we deliver without compromising the strength and resilience of these structures.

“We identified Tarmac’s new low-carbon concrete mixes as innovative products, which have the potential to reduce our overall carbon impact across the framework.

“We are working closely with the Environment Agency, Arup and Tarmac, to ensure the materials can be approved for use and look forward to seeing these being used on more civil engineering schemes in the future.”

Robert Gossling, head of commercial engineering solutions at Tarmac, said:

“This flood defence project in Hexham highlights the clear sustainability benefits which can be achieved when clients and contractors work in partnership, in this case engaging to help understand the benefits and reduce the concrete carbon footprint of the Environment Agency. The testing comparisons will help build confidence in these new products.

“Against the backdrop of a climate emergency, the use of these mixes marks another important step for the UK concrete and cement industry along its path to net zero. We’re committed to demonstrating innovation in low carbon solutions, and we hope that the success of this trial will help accelerate adoption of this and other types of new, sustainable concretes – delivering long-term benefits for the industry.”

May 9, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : North Sea ‘treasure map’ to grow the economy and unleash the UK’s carbon capture and storage industry [May 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 9 May 2023.

Companies licensed to drill in North Sea to report findings to regulator in new powers brought forward in Energy Bill amendment.
- New powers for regulator will help develop most comprehensive picture yet of UK’s carbon capture and storage potential
- this will deliver on the Prime Minister’s priorities by helping to attract investment, support as many as 50,000 new jobs by 2030 and grow the economy
- Energy Bill will also support the scale up of UK’s hydrogen and nuclear power industries
A ‘treasure map’ of what lies beneath the North Sea will be created to help the UK become a world leader in carbon capture and storage.

Companies already at the forefront of this technology and licensed to drill in the North Sea will have to report what they find to the regulator, which will develop the most comprehensive picture yet of the geological area’s make-up.

This information can then be used to unlock the UK’s huge potential by quantifying for investors how much carbon capture and storage could be possible. This could attract more companies to the UK, supporting as many as 50,000 green jobs by 2030, helping to grow the economy and delivering on the Prime Minister’s priorities.

The government intends to bring forward these new powers for the North Sea Transition Authority in an amendment to the Energy Bill, which had its Second Reading in the House of Commons today.

The Energy Bill was introduced to Parliament on 6 July 2022. It will deliver a cleaner, more affordable, and more secure energy system over the long-term for the UK, while liberating private investment in clean technologies.

Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Grant Shapps said:

The UK is in prime position to become a world leader in carbon capture and storage – a whole new industry that could boost our energy security, help cut our own emissions and those of our European neighbours and create thousands of jobs for the future.

By working with the brightest and best who are already out in the North Sea, we can grow our economy by building the treasure map needed to unlock the full potential of this geological goldmine.

Minister for the Energy Bill, Nuclear and Networks, Andrew Bowie said:

Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine has laid bare the need to transform our energy system, and our landmark Energy Security Bill will mean homes and businesses across the UK benefit from a cleaner, more affordable and more secure energy system.

With security at its heart, the Bill is the most significant piece of energy legislation in a decade and puts the UK on the path to cleaner electricity by ramping up carbon storage and our technologies of the future.

Stuart Payne, North Sea Transition Authority Chief Executive, said:

Carbon storage is essential to reaching net zero, and the industry requires a wealth of reliable information to select sites to store millions of tonnes of greenhouse gases.

The NSTA welcomes these new powers to collect this vital data and share it with the industry as it leads the orderly transition and provides thousands of skilled jobs.

Carbon Capture and Storage involves separating carbon dioxide from industry and storing it safely under the seabed in spaces left by oil and gas extraction. Thanks to the geological make-up of the UK, this country is almost uniquely placed to benefit from this and create a whole new industry.

Estimates suggest that there may be enough space underneath the UK’s oceans – including its old oil and gas fields – to store up to 78 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide – the equivalent to the weight of around 15 billion elephants, and as much carbon dioxide as produced by up to 6 million cars on the road.

As well as helping cut the UK’s own emissions, this potential is believed to be so considerable that this country could also help other nations using carbon capture and storage – including other European countries – by storing their carbon emissions too.

Under plans announced in Parliament today, the government plans to grant the North Sea Transition Authority, as a carbon storage regulator, powers to obtain information and samples from those who have a licence already to store carbon.

These will give the information needed about the geological features of hidden underground spaces underneath the North Sea that have already been mapped. This will help develop an encyclopaedic knowledge about what lies beneath the waves and confirm the likely scale of the industry this could create, helping to encourage private investment.

UK government Minister for Scotland John Lamont said:

Expanding carbon capture and storage forms a vital part of our Net Zero ambitions. The new measures introduced today will propel that sector forward, while supporting up to 50,000 jobs to benefit Scotland and the whole of the UK.

Not only will this accelerate our transition to using cleaner, greener energy and enhance our energy security but it will also bring a welcome economic boost to aid our priorities of reducing debt and halving inflation.

Other forthcoming amendments to the Energy Bill announced by the government today:
- backing Energy Intensive Industries (EIIs), such as those in the steel sector, by introducing a compensation scheme that will lower the costs they EIIs have to pay to use the electricity grid. This will bring key UK businesses in line with global competitors and help make the UK one of the most attractive places to do business as part of delivering on the Prime Minister’s plan to grow the economy
- setting out the statutory role of the new nuclear body Great British Nuclear to carry out the long-term mandate the government intends for it in support of the commitment to unleashing the new generation of new nuclear for it to comprise up to 25% of the UK’s energy supply by 2050
- plans to develop new business models to encourage investment in the transport and storage of hydrogen. This will be key to boosting the UK’s future energy security
Business and Trade Minister Nusrat Ghani said:

Energy-intensive industries like steel are hugely important to our economy. This measure will cut costs and help ensure they can bring high-quality jobs and investment into the UK.

This support will mean that these key industries stay in line with their global competitors, helping deliver on the Prime Minister’s priority to make the UK the most attractive place to do business and grow our economy.

The Energy Bill first entered Parliament in July last year and commits to providing a cleaner, more affordable, and more secure energy system by:
- leveraging private investment in clean technologies
- reforming the UK’s energy system so it is fit for the future
- ensuring the safety, security and resilience of the UK’s energy system
May 9, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Hit and run driver, Lee Beevers, has sentence increased [May 2023]

The press release issued by the Attorney General’s Office on 9 May 2023.

A banned driver who killed a cyclist and left him for dead has his prison term increased after the Court of Appeal reviewed the original sentence.

Lee Beevers (27), from Normanton, West Yorkshire, has had his original sentence overturned and sent to prison for six years after the Court of Appeal reviewed the case under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.

The court heard that on the evening of 13 April 2022, Beevers was driving his friend’s car at speeds of more than 70mph through residential areas.

Despite being uninsured and subject to a driving ban, Beevers ignored his passengers’ requests to slow down and continued to drive along the Wakefield Road at speed.

As Beevers approached a junction with Church Lane, he struck Alan Tankard who was crossing the road on his bicycle wearing visible clothing.

Beevers continued to drive without checking on his victim, who had been propelled into the air. Alan Tankard was pronounced dead at the scene.

Analysis of CCTV evidence calculated that Beevers was driving at 82mph at the point of the collision and neither Lee Beevers nor his passengers called for assistance. The car was then burned to evade detection.

Beevers pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and driving whilst disqualified and was sentenced on 19 January 2023 to four years and eight months and disqualified from driving for five years and four months.

His sentence was increased by the Court of Appeal to six years at a hearing on 21 April 2023.

The Solicitor General, Michael Tomlinson KC MP, said:

Lee Beevers was a persistent offender with several driving convictions already to his name. He repeatedly ignored requests from his passengers to slow down before he callously fled the scene after he smashed into his victim.

I would like to express my sincere condolences to Alan Tankard’s family. While Lee Beevers’ extended sentence won’t change what happened, the court has recognised the severity of his crimes and determined that Lee Beevers should spend longer behind bars for his reckless and heartless actions.

May 9, 2023