Category: Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE : UK backs £680m loan guarantee for new high-speed electric railway in Turkey [July 2023]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 24 July 2023.

UK government backing enables completion of a 286km electric railway in southern Turkey, connecting major cities with a high-speed, lower-carbon route.
- €781m support unlocked by UK Export Finance – equivalent to £680m – will enable Rönesans Holding to finish construction of a high-speed electrified railway connecting Mersin with the cities of Adana, Osmaniye and Gaziantep
- Offering a lower-emission transport link between Turkey’s second-largest container port and inland cities over 150 miles away, the railway is expected to reduce CO2e emissions by over 150,000 tonnes a year
- UKEF’s backing creates multimillion-pound export contract opportunities for UK suppliers to the rail sector
UK Export Finance (UKEF), the UK government’s export credit agency, has underwritten €781m of financing – equivalent to £680m – to support construction of a 286km high-speed electric railway in southern Turkey.

With financing provided through UKEF’s Buyer Credit Facility, Rönesans Holding will finish construction of the Mersin-Adana-Gaziantep High Speed Railway on behalf of the Turkish Ministry of Transport.

The deal is expected to create new, multimillion-pound export contract opportunities for the UK’s infrastructure, engineering and project management sectors, supporting the Prime Minister’s priority of growing the UK economy.

This signals key future opportunities for UK exporters, with Rönesans Holding – one of Europe’s ten largest construction companies – intending to use the high-speed rail project to build its wider relationships with the UK supply chain.

Lord Offord, Minister for Exports, said:

The UK-Turkey trading relationship is going from strength to strength. Last year, UK exports to Turkey reached £8.5 billion, and this week we announced plans for an updated trade deal that will further boost exports and imports between our countries.

UK Export Finance’s backing for this transformative high-speed railway adds to this success story. This deal shows that the UK, home to the world’s first railway system, still moves full steam ahead with its export of railroad innovation and expertise.

UKEF’s backing – which has been given on the condition that UK exporters supply to the project – will support continued economic growth in the UK, in line with the government’s priorities; Rönesans Holding has already engaged with UK suppliers to negotiate contracts for electronic infrastructure, ESG consultancy services, catenary and mechanical components.

UKEF worked in partnership with J.P. Morgan, ING Bank and BNP Paribas, who provided the loan, as well as SACE and OeKB – the Italian and Austrian export credit agencies providing reinsurance – to secure this landmark deal for Turkish rail infrastructure.

Dr. Erman Ilıcak, President of Rönesans Holding, said:

We’re thrilled to be working with UKEF, JP Morgan, ING and BNP to secure a deal that will enable a landmark shift in the Turkish construction of rail links and the high-speed railway project.

By upgrading the existing railway line to a high standard railway line, we will be actively reducing negative environmental impact while offering a lower-carbon travel alternative and significantly enhancing the region’s industrial connectivity and trade. Rönesans Holding takes immense pride in contributing to Turkey’s national environmental goals and infrastructure advancement.

Our fruitful collaboration with British Exporters has secured €781m in financing for the transformative high-speed electrified railway in southern Turkey, adding tremendous value to the cooperation between Türkiye and UK exports and services while paving the way for exciting global partnerships.

John Meakin, Global Head of Export and Agency Finance at J.P. Morgan, said:

This project is expected to reduce traffic congestion on the motorways and promote more sustainable transportation in the region. We are honoured to have the responsibility to deliver the financing for this impactful project while supporting UK exporters providing goods, services and notable technical expertise.

In replacing the current railway, which relies on diesel locomotives, the electrified line will provide a lower-carbon alternative to existing routes between Mersin and Gaziantep. Project forecasts suggest that the completed route will save 157,000 tonnes in CO2e emissions in its first year alone.

The UKEF-backed project will also contribute directly to Turkey’s objective of increasing high-speed railway coverage to 10,000km, by creating a rail link greater than the distance between Cardiff and London.

Able to carry trains travelling up to 200 km/h, this transport link is a major step forwards for regional infrastructure and growth. The high-speed railway will reduce the travel time from Gaziantep – via regional cities Adana and Osmaniye – to Mersin by four hours; Mersin is the second largest container port in the country and a thriving city of over one million people.

Treasury and Finance Minister for Türkiye, Mehmet Şimşek, said:

Mersin, Adana and Gaziantep are among the highly industrialised and important cities of the region with their deep-rooted cultural heritage. This project will ensure a reduction of transportation costs, decrease travel time between Mersin and Gaziantep and strengthen our railway connectivity.

In this regard, this project is crucial for economic, social and environmental integration. We are very grateful to our trading partner UKEF for their contribution to this important project, which will expand the national railway network.

The most important aim of the project is to improve the rail connectivity and create a sustainable alternative transportation scheme in Türkiye. We look forward to continuing our fruitful collaboration with new projects on the way of development of Türkiye.

Gaziantep, the railway’s eastern terminus, was near the epicentre of the 7.8 magnitude earthquake which struck Turkey in February 2023. The UKEF-backed project for completing this railway will also contribute to reconstruction in Gaziantep, Osmaniye and other areas of southern Turkey severely damaged in this disaster.
26/07/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Innovation at heart of plans to strengthen retail energy market [July 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 24 July 2023.

Government sets out plans to boost competition and innovation in the energy market
- Government sets out vision for a future energy market, with better consumer choice and protections at its core
- industry invited to shape future of the market, focussing on innovation to unlock competition and usher in new low carbon technologies
- collaboration with energy suppliers marks positive step forward in building a more resilient and investable market
Households across Great Britain will have better access to energy deals and more control over their energy use as part of government plans to boost competition and innovation in the energy market.

Energy Consumers and Affordability Minister Amanda Solloway today outlined plans to ensure consumers have a much wider range of using energy – whether that’s tariffs offering lower prices at certain times of the day, smart chargers that automatically put users on the lowest rate to charge electric vehicles or opportunities to buy shares in renewable energy in return for electricity bill discounts.

Already some retailers are offering these more flexible and tailored ways of using energy, but today’s plans would ensure even more households benefit from these opportunities.

Putin’s barbaric attack on Ukraine sent energy prices soaring, with the government stepping in to cover half a typical household’s energy bills this winter. However, despite prices falling by two thirds since their peak, the majority of suppliers are continuing to charge consumers the maximum amount allowed under the default tariff price cap instead of offering more innovative and flexible products.

As the government continues to work with stakeholders and consumer groups on energy bill support for vulnerable households, it wants to make sure the market is resilient, competitive, fit for the future and delivers for consumers.

That is why energy suppliers are today being asked to put forward ideas that will ensure consumers benefit from the cheaper cost of powering their homes as more of their electricity comes from renewables, and from using their energy when demand is lower.

Amanda Solloway, Minister for Energy Consumers and Affordability said:

The global rises in energy prices caused by Putin’s barbaric invasion of Ukraine shows why we need to bolster our energy security and strengthen our energy market, so families and businesses are protected, while getting a fair deal.

Over the winter, we provided unprecedented levels of support – including paying nearly half a typical household’s energy bill – and took decisive steps to stabilise the retail market.

We now want to put power back in the hands of consumers, giving them greater options to cut their energy bills in a market fit for the future. Today, I’m calling on industry to work with us, and take up the opportunities of investing in low-carbon technologies and providing a first-class customer service.

With energy from renewables now accounting for 40% of electricity supply, today’s announcement signals a positive step forward in future-proofing the market, as the UK transitions to a greener, more secure energy system.

The government wants energy retailers to play a driving role in unlocking barriers to innovation that will bring real benefits to both consumers and suppliers alike.

To that end, government will now work with industry to gather their views and evidence on ways to make low carbon technologies more commonplace, bringing out this monumental sea-change in our energy retail market.
26/07/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Pacific delegation to visit Lionesses at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 [July 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 24 July 2023.

A group of leading Pacific female football players and officials arrive in Sydney this week for a special sports diplomacy programme linked to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™.

Lead officials in women’s sport from Tonga, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Fiji, Vanuatu and Samoa, will have access to a training session with the England Women’s Football team at the home of the Central Coast Mariners in Gosford.

The delegation will receive briefings on coaching, nutrition and women’s sport development, and host a session at Central Coast Sports College. The UK government is sponsoring the visit as part of our partnership with the Pacific.

British High Commissioner Vicki Treadell will meet with the delegation, who will be hosted in Australia by Nicola Noble, UK Deputy High Commissioner to Fiji. The delegation will also meet with UK Sports Minister Stuart Andrew.

Vicki Treadell, UK High Commissioner to Australia said:

I am delighted to have this amazing Pacific group with us. The UK continue to champion all aspects of women’s sport around the world.

We are committed to removing barriers to participation amongst women and girls, raising the profile of women’s sport, and ensuring women are fairly represented at all levels across the sector.

Nicola Noble, UK Deputy High Commissioner to Fiji said:

I’m delighted to host our Pacific delegation in Australia for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Sport is a unifying force across the Pacific and we have a fantastic programme of activity for our visitors this week.

Ileen Pegi Moffat, Captain of the Solomon Islands National Women’s Football Team said:

This is an opportunity worth sharing with the Solomon Islands National Women’s Football team after our visit.

But also, it is a once in a lifetime opportunity for us on a personal level, having to train alongside the Lionesses.

British High Commissioner to Solomon Islands and Nauru, Thomas Coward met the two delegates from Solomon Islands at their training in Honiara over the weekend, congratulating them for the opportunity.

Among other leading Pacific football players and officials, both the Solomon Islands delegates will spend one week in Australia to join the Lionesses training camp and have the opportunity to witness them take on Denmark in their Group D Match on Friday 28 July.

The senior team captain and vice-captain of the Solomon Islands Women’s National Football team, Ms Pegi and Solo will then return to Honiara on Saturday 29 July 2023.

26/07/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Charity and community organisations helping vulnerable people set to benefit from £76 million government support [July 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 24 July 2023.

Charities and community organisations carrying out vital work to help vulnerable people are invited to apply for a major government support package
- Most vulnerable people in society protected from cost of living with £76 million government support package
- New fund supporting charities and community organisations providing vital services opens today
- Grants targeted at organisations struggling with rising costs and increased demand
- Delivers on Prime Minister’s commitment to support people with cost of living and protect low-income households
Charities and community organisations carrying out vital work to help vulnerable people are today invited to apply for a major government support package worth £76 million.

The fund will support frontline charities and community organisations struggling to meet increased demand for their critical services, such as the provision of food, emergency provisions, shelter, safe spaces, warmth and financial or housing advice.

This delivers on the Prime Minister’s commitment to support people with the cost of living and protect low-income households from rising costs.

Organisations can apply for grants worth between £10,000 and £75,000 to cover project and core costs, including office rent, utilities, staff and volunteers, from now until the end of March.

Minister for Civil Society Stuart Andrew said:

We recognise this is a tough time for families and businesses across the country, as they face rising prices and higher rents or mortgage payments.

And during tough times charity and community organisations are at the heart of society, supporting people struggling through life with care and compassion.

To deal with a sharp rise in demand resulting from cost of living pressures, we are supporting charities with £76 million to enable these lifeline services to cope with the increased demand they are facing and continue their good work.

The Community Organisations Cost of Living Fund is the first portion of funding from a total pot of £101.5 million announced by the Chancellor at the Spring Budget. Charities and community organisations are encouraged to apply for the targeted support, with a focus on small to medium-sized voluntary, community or social enterprise organisations based in England.

David Knott, Chief Executive of The National Lottery Community Fund said:

We are pleased to be working alongside DCMS to distribute this funding on behalf of Government through the Community Organisations Cost of Living Fund.

This much-needed money will support charities and groups across England working under immense pressure to deliver critical services to communities struggling with the impact of the cost of living.

The remaining quarter of the funding announced at Budget, worth £25.5 million, will be used to fund measures over the next two years to help the long term energy and financial resilience of voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations, as well as supporting the Government’s commitment to meeting a net zero target by 2050. Details on the application process will be announced later this year.

Applications will be accepted until 16 October 2023. Further details on eligibility and the applications process can be found on The National Lottery Community Fund website, in their role as the intermediary grant maker.

The remaining quarter of the funding announced at Budget, worth £25.5 million, will be used to fund measures over the next two years to help the long term energy and financial resilience of voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations, as well as supporting the Government’s commitment to meeting a net zero target by 2050. Details on the application process will be announced later this year.
26/07/2023
PRESS RELEASE : New medal to recognise British humanitarian heroes [July 2023]
The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 23 July 2023.

A new medal recognising people who have responded during a major humanitarian crisis is being introduced.
- Deputy Prime Minister unveils a new medal for those who respond to humanitarian crises such as conflict and natural disasters.
- Medal one of the first new awards to be approved by His Majesty The King, on advice from the government.
A new medal to recognise people who have responded selflessly during or after a major humanitarian crisis has been announced by the government today.

The Humanitarian Medal will be awarded to staff in public service organisations and charities, who respond in support of human welfare or in the immediate aftermath of a crisis.

Recipients will be people who have responded to major humanitarian disasters, such as those who have provided disaster relief or helped those in need in conflict zones.

Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden said:

Britain has a long and proud tradition of being first in line to help those in need, wherever they may be in the world.

This new medal is a fitting tribute to our humanitarian heroes who put the needs of others before their own, often in the most challenging or dangerous environments.

The UK has consistently been a world leader in providing humanitarian assistance.

The Humanitarian Medal will be awarded to those who have responded to emergencies both abroad and in the UK, including:
- Natural disasters, such as earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes and floods
- Conflict related crises
- Biological emergencies, such as an epidemic
- Large industrial accidents
An example of the kind of service which the medal will recognise is the work by civilian and military organisations following the outbreak of Ebola across West Africa in 2015, which the UK marked with a bespoke Ebola Medal.

International Development Minister Andrew Mitchell said:

At a time when the world faces increasing crises, this new Humanitarian Medal recognises the unsung humanitarian heroes who go above and beyond to provide aid when disasters hit.

I applaud the efforts of those who show such courage and serve as inspiration in a range of desperate situations.

Our work around the world depends on these extraordinary people, and this award honours their outstanding contribution in responding to a major crisis.

The new medal will be similar to a military operational medal, in which it will seek to acknowledge service given in response to a specific event.

Civil servants, charity workers, as well as military personnel, the emergency services, such as the police and heath workers, working on behalf of the UK Government will be eligible.

The design, which has been approved by HM The King, features laurel wreaths symbolising victory in overcoming a crisis, interwoven with a banner proclaiming “For humanitarian service”. The obverse will bear an effigy of His Majesty The King.

The ribbon design reflects the different paths for humanitarian service and the variety of services involved in such responses. The ribbon has a central stripe of white to represent civilians and peace, with four narrow stripes on either side of red, light blue, dark blue and purple. Red represents humanitarian organisations. Dark blue and purple represent the other services.

Government departments will be responsible for developing recommendations for use of the medal to the Committee on the Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals. Recommendations for medal awards will then be submitted to approval for His Majesty The King.

The government is committed to making sure honours represent the length and breadth of the country, celebrating the fantastic contribution of people from every corner of the UK.
26/07/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Smoother travel for families through the UK border this summer [July 2023]

The press release issued by the Home Office on 22 July 2023.

From Monday 24 July, children aged 10 or over will be able to enter the UK using eGates across 15 air and rail ports, helping families travel more easily.

This summer more families arriving into the UK will benefit from quicker entry to the UK using eGates, thanks to an expansion of the service to 10 and 11 year olds.

Following successful trials across major ports including Gatwick, Stansted and Heathrow Airports this spring, from Monday 24 July 2023, more families returning and eligible visitors to the UK over the school summer holiday will now benefit from the use of eGates as a faster way to travel through the UK border, with a recent YouGov poll showing that 42% of the UK public plan to jet abroad over the summer.

With passenger volumes expected to return to 2019 levels this summer – and some ports exceeding those volumes – Border Force expects to see over 34 million air arrivals coming through UK passport control over the coming months.

This new eGate change is expected to benefit thousands of families this summer, with over 400,000 children aged 10 and 11 years old projected to use eGates this year.

Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick said:

From next week, families with children over the age of 10 will be able to benefit from quicker entry into the UK using eGates.

This national rollout will make travelling easier for passengers and strengthens the security of the UK border.

The UK processes more passengers through eGates than any other country – and today’s announcement ensures we remain at the forefront of technology.

The UK processes more passengers through eGates than any other country in the world and is recognised as a global leader in the use of automation at the border. Alongside increasing eGate capacity, we’re introducing an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme later this year and continuing to expand eVisas which will improve the customer experience at the border.

The national rollout of the expansion of eGates to this age group will come into effect across 15 air and rail ports that currently have 293 eGates.

Border Force continues to work closely with port operators and airlines to make sure all passengers can have a safe and hassle-free journey this summer.

Miguel Leitmann, Vision Box CEO said:

Vision Box is very proud to have supplied the technology that has enabled the UK Home Office and Border Force to lead the market, in what is widely regarded as the global reference for Automated Border Control.

With more passengers using ePassport gates in the UK than in any country in the world, we have been delighted to see the passenger usage rise year-on-year over the last 10 years.

We have worked together with Border Force to facilitate the secure and seamless entry into the UK, reducing queues for more than 70 million passengers per year.

26/07/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Boost for women and girls as Women’s Health Strategy turns one [July 2023]
The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 22 July 2023.

A year on from its Women’s Health Strategy, the government has announced a package of new measures to boost the health and wellbeing of women and girls.
- First ever dedicated area for women and girls on NHS website, including new content on adenomyosis, periods and HRT
- Support for bereaved parents who have experienced pregnancy loss, with voluntary certificates and work to provide appropriate 24/7 care
- £25 million distributed nationwide to help create women’s health hubs
A year on from its flagship Women’s Health Strategy, the government is today announcing a significant package of new measures to boost the health and wellbeing of women and girls. A raft of actions are also being taken to support women and their families through the unbearable and devastating impacts of pregnancy loss.

Hundreds of thousands of women have already directly benefited from the strategy and, building on its success, the government has announced the launch of a women’s health area on the NHS website. To support women’s health at every stage of their lives, the new dedicated area will bring together over 100 topics on women’s health. It will sit alongside a brand new hormone replacement therapy (HRT) hub on the site, and will enable women and girls of all ages to access important information about their health easily. It will provide information for women on a range of health issues including periods, gynaecological conditions, fertility, pregnancy, heart health and cancers.

Acknowledging the work of BBC presenter Naga Munchetty and patient groups to raise awareness of the condition, the government has also ensured the NHS website now contains a page specifically on adenomyosis (which causes heavy or painful periods) – including information about symptoms and the treatment currently available.

The brand new hub for HRT has been launched on the NHS website to help women manage menopausal symptoms and it will also help those who need it to easily find information on different types of HRT and decide which medicine is most suited to them.

Alongside the new website, to further boost women’s and girls’ health and wellbeing, the government has announced:
- the development of a new artificial intelligence (AI) tool to identify early risks in maternity units. The government will host an event where clinicians and data scientists will collaborate to harness the power of AI to analyse vast amounts of data, helping to identify any concerning trends in maternity units
- £25 million will be distributed across England so every area can create a women’s health hub, with each integrated care board (ICB) set to receive £595,000 to meet local women’s health and wellbeing needs
- greater IVF transparency through an accessible new tool on GOV.UK to allow people to look up information about NHS-funded IVF treatment in their area
- the Women’s Health Ambassador for England, Professor Dame Lesley Regan, has formed a new network of women’s health champions – made up of senior leadership in every local care system and co-chaired with NHS England – who will use their leadership and experience to drive forward wider work to improve women’s health.
Minister for Women’s Health Maria Caulfield said:

A year on from the launch of our women’s health strategy, we have much progress to celebrate. Over 300,000 more women have accessed cheaper HRT, new women’s health hubs are popping up across the country and we’re adding a dedicated women’s health area to the NHS website. But there is plenty more to do.

Our work continues to support women through the agony of pregnancy loss. I’d like to thank all the brave and inspiring women who have campaigned tirelessly for change as well as the review leads Zoe Clark-Coates and Samantha Collinge, who carried out this really important review.

We will keep working and investing so girls and women across the country can benefit from the world-class healthcare they deserve.

The government has listened to women who have campaigned for greater action on pregnancy loss and will now go further to help them tackle the heartbreak, pain and devastation that it can cause.

In response to the independent Pregnancy Loss Review – carried out by Zoe Clark-Coates MBE (founder and CEO of The Mariposa Trust) and Samantha Collinge (Lead Bereavement Midwife at the George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust) – into the care and support available to women when baby loss occurs before 24 weeks gestation, the government is taking action to support women and their families and to help them through the trauma of such an experience.

Review leads will continue to work with the government as it implements the recommendations.

A voluntary pregnancy loss certificate will be available to parents from Baby Loss Awareness Week (9 to 15 October 2023) to help parents through their pain and provide a form of comfort and acknowledgement. Given the importance of them feeling comfortable and respected over this summer, the certificate will be tested with 1,000 bereaved families who will be able to advise government on the application process. Those involved with testing this summer will be able to receive a certificate themselves.

The government is focused on ensuring that bereaved parents feel able to navigate the complexities of the healthcare system and will put an emphasis on supporting them through their grief, recognising their loss, acknowledging their pain and ensuring they feel heard.

Extensive work will also begin to explore more sensitive processes for women who experience the tragedy of pregnancy loss in their own home, at weekends or late in the evening. Finding somewhere to safely and respectfully keep fetal tissue should not add to an already difficult time.

NHS England will carry out an important review into the current provision of cold storage facilities at early pregnancy assessment units and A&E services. This will help government understand the level of funding needed to ensure women have 24/7 access to these units, so they aren’t expected to use their own refrigerators if they don’t want to, but have access to cold storage and clinical resources – even if it’s a weekend or evening.

Parents, clinicians and relevant design experts will also work together at speed to create a bespoke holder for storage and safekeeping that can be used by women and families when such tragic loss occurs. This will ensure the tissue can be placed and kept in something with due dignity and respect. The Human Tissue Authority will make any necessary updates to its guidance on the proper and respectful disposal of pregnancy tissue by March 2024.

Recurring miscarriage and pregnancy loss can also have a devastating impact. To ensure as few women as possible have to experience this heart-rending pain more than once, the charity Tommy’s National Centre for Miscarriage Research at Birmingham Women and Children’s Hospital will now launch a 3-month pilot exploring a ‘graded model’ of miscarriage care. Women will receive testing and advice following a first, second or third miscarriage, so they can identify any medical conditions they may have, help prevent further loss, and inform other women. The government will evaluate the outcomes of the pilot at the end of this year.

Zoe Clark-Coates MBE BCAh, founder and CEO The Mariposa Trust, and co-chair of the Pregnancy Loss Review said:

Over the past 5 years, it has been my honour to co-chair and write the Pregnancy Loss Review. The 73 recommendations that Sam and I have submitted within the review offer a real opportunity to revolutionise baby loss care in England. My passion and long-term commitment is to help all bereaved families, and by the implementation of these recommendations, I believe we will make great strides in addressing the disparities in the care, support, education and training that currently exist.

I would like to thank the minister and government for their swift response, support and commitment to action all the recommendations over the short, medium and long-term. Change is not going to happen overnight, but I am reassured that there is the desire and commitment to provide compassionate care and clinical excellence.

I look forward to assisting the health minister with the implementation of the recommendations over the coming months and years, and ensuring that the work of this review, and the spirit of the recommendations are upheld.

Samantha Collinge, Bereavement Lead Midwife, George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust and co-chair of the Pregnancy Loss Review said:

The Pregnancy Loss Review and its recommendations offer a real opportunity to radically improve the care experience of parents and their families experiencing baby loss and I feel enormously privileged to have been able to co-lead this piece of work.

I would like to pay tribute to the courage of the bereaved parents who so freely shared with us their often harrowing stories of loss through their own desire to see and bring about change.

Similarly, Zoe and I are indebted to the countless passionate and dedicated healthcare professionals, organisations and charities who sacrifice their own psychological wellbeing on a daily basis in working with and striving to improve care for families experiencing baby loss.

I look forward to working with the government to drive these recommendations forward and ensure that that this vital learning from families and care providers is suitably implemented.

Professor Dame Lesley Regan, Women’s Health Ambassador said:

A huge amount has been achieved in the strategy’s first year – from developing tools, identifying funding, piloting local health hubs, prioritising information on the NHS website and improving access to HRT – together we are making a real difference to the lives of so many women.

This is just the beginning, and every conversation about women’s health is a step towards closing the gender health gap.

The enthusiasm of all those involved makes it clear that everyone wants to get this right for women and girls, and I look forward to continuing to drive this forward in the coming years.

Charlotte McArdle, Deputy Chief Nursing Officer for England, said:

For too long, too many women’s pain has been misunderstood or downplayed and the NHS is committed to finding new ways to ensure their health is prioritised.

Today, we will launch a new dedicated online health microsite, which brings all information on the NHS website about women’s health into one place, making it as easy as possible to access the latest advice.

New pages about adenomyosis and HRT have also been added to the NHS website to provide women with information on both issues, and we’ll continue to make updates to other content in the future to make sure it reflects the latest guidance from NICE and feedback from patients.

We will also work with the government to scope the recommendations from the Pregnancy Loss Review.

Since the launch of the NHS HRT prescription payment certificate in April this year, over 300,000 certificates for HRT have already been purchased – both via the website and in pharmacies. As a result of these new certificates, it’s been estimated women have saved over around £9 million in prescription charges for the year, with the average person saving £30 for a year’s supply.

The government has also invested £53 million into the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) programmes to support women’s health, since April 2022 – including research on male violence against women and girls, and a call for further research into testosterone as a treatment for menopause symptoms.
26/07/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Russia’s latest Black Sea Grain Initiative demands are tantamount to holding the world’s starving hostage – UK statement at the Security Council [July 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 21 July 2023.

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

I’d like to start by thanking USG DiCarlo and USG Griffiths for their briefings.

Colleagues, my Foreign Secretary said on Monday that Russia’s termination of the BSGI [Black Sea Grain Initiative] was taking food out of the mouths of the poorest people across the world.

64% of the 34 million tonnes of grain exported under the deal went to low- and middle-income countries. Unsurprisingly then, Kenya called Russia’s withdrawal a “stab in the back” of countries in the Horn of Africa already impacted by drought.

Russian missile attacks on Odessa, Chornomorsk and Mykolaiv destroyed over 60,000 tons of grain. That is enough to feed 270,000 people for a year or to double WFP [World Food Programme] shipments under the BSGI to both Sudan and Somalia. Russia has destroyed dock equipment, making it harder to load grain on ships.

Now, Russia has gone further, burning food at the dockside, and making threats to murder civilian sailors.

There is no possible justification for these punitive acts.

Moreover, Russia has benefitted from the Deal. Russian food exports are significantly above pre-war levels. Russian food and fertiliser exports have never been sanctioned. The UK has worked with its banking and insurance sectors to facilitate transactions. And the UN has worked tirelessly to address Russian concerns.

We know that Russia’s so-called reasons for ending the Deal are nonsense.

Ukraine has made no demands. As Foreign Minister Kuleba said in this room, Ukraine wants nothing more than to make its food available to the world. Up to 24 million tons of Ukrainian food may not now reach world markets because of Russia.

Russia’s actions have already raised prices, with immediate impact on the world’s poorest and hungriest people.

And Russia’s latest demands are tantamount to holding the world’s starving hostage.

We thank Türkiye, the UN and Ukraine for their efforts to protect the deal. We call on Russia to rejoin it and to end the war.

Food is not a weapon.

26/07/2023
PRESS RELEASE : New veterans ID cards rolled out to service leavers [July 2023]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 21 July 2023.

All service leavers will receive a new ID card to mark their time in the armed forces.

Update 21 July 2023

Continued progress has been made towards the new digital verification service to apply for a HM Armed Forces Veteran Card.

The Ministry of Defence and the Office for Veterans’ Affairs are jointly delivering this service as part of ongoing improvements in veterans support.

Update 15 February 2022

The Veterans’ Recognition Scheme has a two-phase rollout. Phase 1 is complete; with Service leavers receiving a recognition card as part of the discharge process.

Phase 2 is to extend the scheme to existing veterans so that they can more quickly, easily and securely prove they served in the UK Armed Forces so they can access the services they need.

There is a need to future-proof the roll-out and ensure that we are giving ID cards only to those with verified service to guard against fraudulent use as veterans become able to access a wider range of benefits.

In the Veterans’ Strategy Action Plan (2022-2024) the government committed to exploring the secure, digital verification of veterans’ status. This work is underway, and we are currently working with veterans and other stakeholders to ensure any solution meets the needs of all veterans. This will support delivery of the Phase 2 roll out of ID cards. The government is still committed to delivering ID cards but cannot give a timescale for final delivery as this work is in progress.

A new ID card for armed forces veterans, which will help them access specialist support and services, has started to be issued to service leavers.

From today, any personnel who have left the military since December 2018 will automatically be given one of the new ID cards, which will allow them to maintain a tangible link to their career in the forces.

The cards allow veterans to easily verify their service to the NHS, their local authority, and charities, helping them to access support and services where needed.

All other veterans will be able to apply for a new ID card by the end of this year, to mark their time in the armed forces.

Minister for Defence People and Veterans Tobias Ellwood said:

We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the ex-forces community, and we are working hard to ensure they receive the support they deserve.

These new cards celebrate the great commitment and dedication of those who have served this country, and I hope they can provide a further link to ex-personnel and the incredible community around them.

Veterans UK – which manages pensions and compensation payments for the armed forces – local authorities, service charities, NHS and GPs will also benefit from the change, as they will not have to conduct time-consuming checks to identify individual veterans.

The new ID card is one of three that are available to service leavers. Personnel leaving the armed forces are also able to keep their military IDs, known as the MOD Form 90, allowing them to maintain their emotional connection with their service. Additionally, veterans can access a range of discounts through the Defence Discount Service, the official MOD-endorsed service for the armed forces.

Last year saw the launch of the Strategy for our Veterans, published jointly by the UK, Welsh and Scottish Governments, which sets out the key areas of support for those who have left the armed forces. The consultation closed on Thursday 21 February.

All relevant government departments have a responsibility to ensure that the military community is treated fairly, and not disadvantaged by their service, as part of the Armed Forces Covenant. The new ID cards will ensure the process of validating service is as straightforward as possible, so that ex-forces personnel can access support for issues related to their service quickly, where needed.

The cards will complement the NHS’ commitment to providing specialist health support for veterans in every part of the health service, enabling ex-service personnel in England, Scotland and Wales to access treatment where they have been affected by their service. Last year, NHS England announced that dedicated mental healthcare services are up and running in every part of the country, backed by £10 million of investment, with increasing numbers of GPs and hospitals becoming ‘Veteran Aware’, in order to fully address the needs of those who have served.

Any veteran in need of support can contact the Veterans’ Gateway – the 24 hour service which signposts ex-forces personnel to the wide range of support available to them, including housing and financial advice, career guidance, and medical care from the NHS. Since being set up in 2017, the Veterans’ Gateway has already received over 20,000 contacts, advising ex-forces personnel and their families.

26/07/2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK statement on Qur’an burning in Stockholm [July 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 21 July 2023.

FCDO spokesperson statement issued on 21 July on Qur’an burning in Stockholm.

A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said:

The burning and desecration of the Qur’an in Stockholm is deeply insulting to Muslims around the world and completely inappropriate. We denounce hatred on the basis of religion or belief. We will defend freedom of religion or belief for all, and promote mutual respect. We recognise the deep suffering experienced by Muslims around the world caused by the burning of the Qur’an.

26/07/2023