Category: Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE : Michael Smyth CBE KC (Hon) appointed as Northern Ireland Member of the BBC Board [July 2023]

The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 20 July 2023.

His Majesty the King has appointed Michael Smyth CBE KC (Hon) as the Northern Ireland Member of the BBC Board.

Michael Smyth CBE KC (Hon)

Appointed for a four year term commencing 20 July 2023 to 19 July 2027.

Michael Smyth is an experienced lawyer and regulator. For 20 years, he was a partner in international law firm Clifford Chance, latterly as head of the firm’s government and public policy practice and leading on assignments including the Hutton Inquiry and a number of high-profile corporate crises.

He wrote the textbook Business and the Human Rights Act and is also joint author of works on political donations and sanctions law.

He has been Senior Independent Director at the Legal Services Board, the oversight regulator of the legal profession and also been a member of the Press Complaints Commission. He was also a founder director of the Fundraising Regulator, and was for two terms a member of the Advisory Council on National Records and Archives.

Amongst his many not-for-profit activities, he was for a decade chair of Protect, the whistleblowing charity and later Community Links, the pioneering east London charity.

Michael, who was born in Northern Ireland, is also non-executive chair of Glastry Advisory Partners, a music management company.

Remuneration and Governance Code

The BBC Northern Ireland Member is remunerated £38,000 a year. This appointment has been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments. The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

Article 23(10) of the BBC’s Royal Charter requires the agreement of Northern Ireland’s Executive Committee to make this appointment. On 6 December 2022 the Northern Ireland Office secured passage of the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2022. This includes provision on the exercise of appointment functions in the absence of the Executive Committee, including section 7 on public appointments. This came into force on 7 February by virtue of S.I 2023/89 (C.7). The effect of section 7 is to convert the Royal Charter’s requirement to obtain the agreement of the Executive Committee to a requirement to consult a Northern Ireland department during the current period in which there is no Executive. The Department for Communities were consulted on this appointment and confirmed it was content for this appointment to proceed.

Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election. Michael Smyth KC CBE (Hon) has not declared any significant political activity.

26/07/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Sovereign Grant recalculated as offshore wind profits rise [July 2023]
The press release issued by HM Treasury on 20 July 2023.

The Royal Trustees have today (20 July) published their review of the Sovereign Grant which sets the proportion of The Crown Estate’s net profits used to calculate the amount of government funding to support His Majesty The King.
Sovereign Grant to be 12% of The Crown Estates net profits next year, down from 25%

Change comes following a significant increase in Crown Estate’s profits from offshore wind

As a result, the Royal Household’s budget will be £24 million lower next year and £130 million lower in both 2025 and 2026, than if the rate remained at 25%

The Trustees – made up of the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt and the Keeper of the Privy Purse Sir Michael Stevens – have reduced the proportion of Crown Estate profits used to calculate the Sovereign Grant from 25 per cent to 12 per cent for 2024-25 onwards, reflecting a significant increase in Crown Estate Profits from offshore wind developments.

Cutting the rate to 12% is expected to reduce the Sovereign Grant by £24 million in 2024/25, compared with the rate staying at 25%, and over £130 million lower in each of 2025 and 2026. This money will instead be used to fund vital public services, for the benefit of the nation.

This means the total Sovereign Grant for 2024/25 will remain flat at £86.3 million, with part of the Grant going towards the Reservicing of Buckingham Palace – works that seek to prevent a serious risk of fire, flood, and damage to the building.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt said:

Our Monarchy is a source of immense national pride and constitutional strength, widely admired around the world.

For almost 300 years, Kings and Queens have surrendered the profits from The Crown Estate to the British people, and in return the Government has provided a fraction of that to properly support the King in undertaking his official duties.

The new Sovereign Grant rate reflects the unexpected significant increase in The Crown Estate’s net profits from offshore wind developments, while providing enough funding for official business as well as essential property maintenance, including completing the ten year reservicing of Buckingham Palace.

The review took into account the Royal Household’s current income and expenditure, the level of the Sovereign Grant Reserve, and the costs of major projects to be carried out.

The new 12 per cent rate will deliver the remaining funding for the 10-year reservicing of Buckingham Palace, due to complete in 2027, as well as funding for wider property maintenance and to support the official duties of The Head of State.

It will come into effect once legislation changing the rate has passed in the Autumn, and be used in the calculation of the Grant for 2024-25 onwards until the completion of the Reservicing Programme in 2027. Following the completion of the Reservicing Programme, the Sovereign Grant will be recalculated.

Since 2020, the Grant has been largely unchanged due to the adverse impact of Covid-19 on The Crown Estate’s profits. The total Sovereign Grant for 2022-23 is £86.3 million, as confirmed in The Annual Report of the Royal Trustees, published in March.

The Crown Estate is a public corporation run independently of both the King and the government, tasked with managing a portfolio of land and property that belongs to the Sovereign.

Further information

Read the The Report of the Royal Trustees on the Sovereign Grant Review 2023

The Crown Estate’s profits are paid into the Consolidated Fund, from which the government funds public spending.

The Grant is paid from the Consolidated Fund based on how much revenue is generated by The Crown Estate two years previously. When Crown Estate profits fall, the Grant cannot be set lower than the previous year’s level.

Since 1760, each Monarch has surrendered the revenue from the Crown Estate to the Exchequer in return for government support
26/07/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Stronger powers to combat illicit tobacco come into force [July 2023]

The press release issued by HM Treasury on 20 July 2023.

New sanctions come into effect for those found selling illicit tobacco products.

More than 27 million illicit cigarettes and 7,500kg of hand-rolling tobacco were seized under Operation CeCe in its first 2 years, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and National Trading Standards have revealed.

This comes as new powers come into force from today, 20 July, which could see penalties of up to £10,000 for any businesses and individuals who sell illicit tobacco products. The sanctions will bolster the government’s efforts to tackle the illicit tobacco market and reduce tobacco duty fraud.

The new powers will also see Local Authority Trading Standards given the ability to refer cases to HMRC for further investigation. HMRC, where appropriate, will administer the penalties and ensure the appropriate sanction is applied and enforced.

Operation CeCe is a joint HMRC-National Trading Standards operation which has been working to seize illicit tobacco since January 2021.

Nis Bandara, HMRC’s Deputy Director for Excise and Environmental Taxes, said:

Trade in illicit tobacco costs the Exchequer more than £2 billion in lost tax revenue each year. It also damages legitimate businesses, undermines public health and facilitates the supply of tobacco to young people.

These sanctions build on HMRC’s enforcement of illicit tobacco controls, will strengthen our response against those involved in street level distribution, and act as a deterrent to anyone thinking that they can make a quick and easy sale and undercut their competition.

Kate Pike, Lead Officer for the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, said:

Trading Standards Officers across the country work with colleagues in Public Health to reduce the harm from smoking and with enforcement partners to disrupt criminality in our communities.

We welcome this addition to our toolkit of measures to tackle illegal tobacco, ensuring that those who seek to profit from supplying these products face substantial penalties for doing so, and their ability to continue to trade is severely impacted.

Lord Michael Bichard, Chair of National Trading Standards, said:

The illegal tobacco trade harms local communities and affects honest businesses. Through Operation CeCe, we have removed 27 million illegal cigarettes and 7,500kg of hand-rolling tobacco from the supply chain and we welcome these new measures to clamp down further on the illicit tobacco trade.

HMRC will launch a new illicit tobacco strategy later in the year which will replace ‘From Leaf to Light’, which has been the guiding strategy for tackling the illicit tobacco market since 2015.

26/07/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Government acts to boost the quality of care for mothers and babies [July 2023]
The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 20 July 2023.

Measures to be taken on a national level to further improve safety standards in maternity care.
- Comes as government responds in full to the independent review into East Kent maternity services led by Dr Bill Kirkup
- It follows unprecedented levels of funding to grow the maternity workforce and boost neonatal services
Further action will be taken on a national level to improve safety for mothers and their babies within the NHS to ensure maternity and neonatal care everywhere is of the highest standard.

The government has published its full response to an independent review – led by former Regional Director of Public Health Dr Bill Kirkup CBE – into maternity failings at East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust. The review was launched because of concerns about the quality of care being provided by the trust.

Minister for Women’s Health, Maria Caulfield, has announced she will now personally chair a new group overseeing maternity services nationwide.

The maternity and neonatal care national oversight group will bring together key people from the NHS and other organisations. It will look across work being carried out by a range of programmes set up to improve maternity and neonatal care, including the implementation of Dr Kirkup’s and other recommendations, to ensure they are joined up and effective.

Minister for Women’s Health Maria Caulfield said:

Every woman deserves to feel confident in the care they and their baby receive. I’d like to thank Dr Kirkup and all those involved in investigating the circumstances behind what’s happened in these horrendous cases.

In particular, I’d like to thank the women and their families, who have gone through so much pain, for engaging with the investigation and helping it reach its findings.

I’m determined to see safety standards in maternity and neonatal care improve across the country. While this invaluable report focuses on the situation in East Kent, I want to see its recommendations implemented nationwide.

This government will continue investing in the maternity workforce and working with the NHS to raise standards.

In East Kent in particular, the minister will chair a local forum bringing together local NHS representatives, the Care Quality Commission and local MPs to share information and updates on the improvements being made to maternity services.

The Minister for Women’s Health has also appointed Dr Kirkup to lead work with healthcare partners in response to 2 of the key recommendations, helping to ensure teams in maternity and neonatal care across England can work together more collaboratively so the best quality, compassionate care is provided.

Organisations from across the health and care system – including the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) and the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) – have been asked by the government to support its efforts to promote and improve team-working in healthcare settings.

Royal colleges, professional regulators and employers have also been asked to investigate how they can improve workplace culture so standards of professional behaviour in maternity and neonatal settings are high. They’ll consider what appropriate action can be taken if high standards fail to be met.

Dr Bill Kirkup said:

I see the government’s response to ‘Reading the signals’ as an important step forward in addressing the issues that I identify.

I welcome the opportunity to lead this significant work. I look forward to drawing together an action group to advise me in doing so.

Following Dr Kirkup’s report, the below actions are being or have been taken:
- a special data taskforce has been set up by NHS England to better monitor patient safety in maternity and neonatal care nationwide
- relevant bodies will work with DHSC to investigate how teamwork in maternity and neonatal care spaces can be improved
- relevant bodies will work with DHSC to investigate how doctors in training can be better trained to improve teamworking and their own personal development
- trusts will have to ensure there is proper representation of maternity care on their boards
- the government will continue to work with NHS England on its approach to poorly performing trusts and their leadership
- East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust will continue working to address the problems identified and improve standards
Dr Matthew Jolly, National Clinical Director for Maternity Review and Women’s Health at NHS England, said:

We welcome the government’s response to Dr Bill Kirkup’s report – the failings in care for women, babies and their families using East Kent Hospital must not continue to be repeated.

NHS England has installed an improvement director at the trust alongside a senior advisor, and both are providing expert practical advice to the organisation on the actions it needs to implement to improve its maternity and neonate care, while senior national NHS clinical leaders are regularly visiting both maternity units to monitor progress.

In March, we published a delivery plan for maternity and neonatal care, which sets out what the NHS will do over the next 3 years to make care safer, more personalised and more equitable for all women, babies and families.

The government has taken steps to improve the quality of care for mothers and babies within the NHS, including £165 million of additional investment a year to improve maternity and neonatal services.

The NHS recently published the first ever Long Term Workforce Plan, backed by over £2.4 billion in government funding to deliver the biggest training expansion in NHS history to help meet the challenges of a growing and ageing population by recruiting and retaining hundreds of thousands more staff over the next 15 years.

The government also continues to build on the Maternity Transformation Programme, and continues to work closely with NHS England to implement the 3 year delivery plan for maternity and neonatal services that was published in March 2023. This plan looks to guide services towards safer and more personalised care for women, babies and families.
26/07/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Russia is playing havoc with the world’s food supply – UK Statement to the OSCE [July 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 20 July 2023.

Ambassador Neil Holland condemns Russia’s decision to collapse the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

Thank you, Mr Chair. Last week, we urged Russia to renew the Black Sea Grain Initiative (BSGI) and stop holding the world’s food supply hostage. However, on 17 July, Russia took the unilateral decision to withdraw from the deal. By leaving the Initiative, Russia is harming global food security, restricting supplies, and making food less affordable. Because of Russia’s decision, up to 24 million tonnes of food will not now reach global markets over the next year. This will particularly impact the world’s poorest.

The UN Secretary General issued a statement on Monday which makes clear that it was a Russian decision alone to cause the collapse of the BSGI. Despite Russian claims to the contrary, the UN and the international community have made significant progress to support the export of Russian food and fertiliser. Since the summer of 2022 Russian exports of food have been above pre-war levels.

The United Kingdom regrets Russia’s withdrawal from the BSGI and urges Russia to return to implementation, to enable it to operate as intended. The omens are not good. It was depressingly predictable that Russia’s withdrawal from the BSGI should be followed immediately by three destructive nights of intensified missile strikes on the Ukrainian ports which are so central to the passage of grain through the Black Sea.

Reports indicate that these attacks caused civilian casualties, and that they struck grain infrastructure, including a wholesale market, storage capacity, loading facilities, and an oil terminal at the port. Not content with withdrawing from their own participation in the BSGI, Russia seems intent on denying any passage of grain at all through the Black Sea for delivery to those who need it most. This destruction of grain infrastructure exacerbates food security issues and puts civilians at risk. Estimates suggest that two thirds of Ukrainian grain goes to feed people in Africa and Asia. It is the food supply to these people that is being attacked, as well as Ukrainian national infrastructure and freedom to trade. We urge Russia to stop these attacks.

Mr Chair, today I would also like to speak about the temporarily controlled territories of Ukraine. These are of course Ukraine’s sovereign territories, despite Moscow’s claims to annex Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts in September 2022 following falsified and illegal so-called referendums. The international community has not recognised these referendums. Ukraine maintains its control over two regional capitals within these territories: Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.

The so-called “elections” which Russian authorities plan to hold in these territories on the 10 September will therefore be a sham. They will not be recognised by the international community. They are part of Russia’s ongoing attempt to legitimise their control over these regions. According to Human Rights Watch, this attempted Russification also includes forced passportisation and imposition of Russian media, education, and currency. The elections and these other measures are all gross violations of the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, and a violation of the UN Charter. These actions convince no-one. These regions are not Russian. They are Ukrainian.

People living in the temporarily controlled territories are enduring horrors at the hands of the Russian authorities. Civilians in Odesa and other Black Sea ports are being terrorised by missile strikes. The world’s poor and hungry are paying the price as Russia holds global food supplies hostage. All of this suffering could end if Russia simply withdrew from Ukraine’s internationally recognised territory, let grain shipments resume, and allowed the Ukrainian people to live in peace. Thank you.

26/07/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Sir Martyn Oliver recommended as new Chief Inspector of Ofsted [July 2023]

The press release issued by the Department for Education on 20 July 2023.

The Education Secretary has selected Sir Martyn Oliver due to his successful track record and experience on the front line of education.

The Secretary of State for Education, Gillian Keegan, has announced that she is recommending Sir Martyn Oliver for the post of His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills at Ofsted.

Sir Martyn has been selected as the preferred candidate because he is an accomplished school and trust leader with a track record of driving up standards in areas with high levels of disadvantage. He is currently the Chief Executive of Outwood Grange Academies Trust (OGAT), a large multi-academy trust (MAT) which has grown under Sir Martyn’s leadership from 17 academies to 41 primary, junior, secondary and alternative provision academies in the North of England.

He was knighted in 2022 in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for improving the education of thousands of children.

While supported by OGAT, 35 schools have been inspected – 28 have improved their Ofsted rating (including eight which were Inadequate or Requires Improvement when they started working with OGAT and are now rated Outstanding) and six have stayed the same (including two remaining as Good, and one remaining Outstanding). There are 10 schools rated Outstanding in the trust.

He is also a Trustee of the Education Endowment Foundation, the National Institute of Teaching, and the Office for Students and was a founding trustee of the Confederation of School Trusts.

Secretary of State for Education Gillian Keegan said:

Sir Martyn Oliver has demonstrated exemplary leadership and an unwavering commitment to driving up standards in areas of disadvantage in his time as a school and trust leader.

I want to sincerely thank Amanda Spielman for successfully steering Ofsted over the last seven years, introducing key reforms including hugely important new education and social care inspection frameworks.

I am confident the breadth of Martyn’s experience will enable him to build on this vital work as Ofsted moves into the future.

Under Amanda Spielman’s leadership, Ofsted has evolved, most notably with the introduction of its Education Inspection Framework for schools, early years, and further education in 2019. This has brought a new focus to the importance of a rich, knowledge-based curriculum.

Ofsted has also put a greater emphasis on the quality of the Initial Teacher Education curriculum by introducing a new framework to help build great teachers. Furthermore, it has introduced new inspection frameworks including inspecting Local Authority Children’s Services in 2018, and a new framework for Area SEND inspections with the Care Quality Commission to make sure that education, health and care services for children with SEND are effective, and that all children in care receive what they need, no matter where they live.

More recently in June, Ofsted announced changes to improve the inspection arrangements and reduce pressures on teachers and school leaders following the tragic death of Ruth Perry.

Ofsted has a vital role in maintaining a focus on quality and standards in the context of critical reforms to the education system – including the roll out of T levels, reforms in children’s social care, reforms to Initial Teacher Training and the priority given to evidence-based teacher professional development and the increasing importance of school trusts.

Sir Martyn has the right experience to provide strong direction during this time across the range of Ofsted’s functions, from schools and colleges to childcare providers and children’s services.

Sir Martyn Oliver, Chief Executive Officer of Outwood Grange Academies Trust, said:

I am deeply honoured and hugely privileged to have been recommended for this role. Subject to the pre-appointment hearing, I can promise that I will work extremely hard and very closely with the whole sector so that we can together build on what has been done to date to create the best system in all areas of education, children’s services and skills for the benefit of children and young people.

Working with others, prioritising inclusion, and aiming for the highest standards in all areas have been key principles for Outwood Grange Academies Trust under my leadership and these would remain the case if I am appointed to the Ofsted role.

26/07/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Ministerial Appointment of Michelle Donelan [July 2023]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 20 July 2023.

The King has been pleased to approve the appointment of the Rt Hon Michelle Donelan MP as Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology and the departure from Government of the Rt Hon Chloe Smith MP.

This follows the return of Michelle Donelan from maternity leave.

26/07/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Action on preparing for drought must remain, experts warn [July 2023]
The press release issued by the Environment Agency on 20 July 2023.

National Drought Group reiterates the importance of continuing to work together to prepare for all weather eventualities and future droughts.
As many parts of the world experience extreme heatwaves and severe drought, the Environment Agency will continue to prepare for all weather eventualities for the rest of summer and autumn, it confirmed this week.

At this week’s meeting of the National Drought Group (Wednesday 19 July) – chaired by Environment Agency Executive Director John Leyland – senior decision-makers from the Environment Agency, government, water companies and key farming and environmental groups discussed how to best manage water resources and ensure preparedness if hot, dry weather returns to this country.

The group also discussed how we can no longer rely on past weather patterns and that the best time to conserve water is when it is raining.

National Drought Group members heard that:

Following the hottest June on record, July has started wet in many places. Rivers that were struggling with low flows have responded with most now back into normal ranges.

Despite recent wet weather, the Environment Agency continues to prepare for all weather eventualities for the rest of summer and autumn. This includes closely monitoring the environment and ensuring we understand the risks if dry weather returned.

In June, the Environment Agency attended 58 incidents, including rescuing fish and deploying aerators, which are used to oxygenate water. Fishery owners were prepared for such events, as a result of advice given by the Environment Agency.

The Environment Agency is working with South West Water to investigate and potentially open up new sources of water to help improve the drought situation.

The Environment Agency is encouraging farmers to review their water needs and apply for changes to abstraction licences if necessary.

Environment Agency Executive Director and NDG Chair John Leyland said:

Our climate is changing – this year we’ve seen more record-breaking temperatures in the UK, historically wet months followed by historically dry months, and an extreme heatwave sweeping through southern Europe. Yesterday is no longer a reliable predictor of tomorrow – together we must adapt to ensure we, and our water supplies, are resilient into the future. Preparation starts when it is raining; we must all use the wet weather to conserve water.

The Environment Agency will continue to work collaboratively across the water sector to manage drought risk, including ensuring water companies implement their drought plans, managing abstraction licenses and helping farmers to manage resources.

As ever, it is important that we all continue to use water carefully to protect not just our water resources, but our environment and wildlife for now and future generations.

Water Minister Rebecca Pow said:

With demand for water growing and challenges from climate change, this government is acting now to ensure England’s water system is resilient and prepared for future droughts.

Through our Plan for Water, we are funding more on-farm reservoirs and better irrigation equipment for farmers, have secured significant investment to increase our water resilience, and are ensuring key water supply infrastructure, such as reservoirs, can be built more quickly.

Whilst we all have an important role to play in preserving water resources, water companies must also step up their efforts, including by reducing leakage and encouraging water efficiency.

The meeting coincides with Waterwise’s Dry July campaign, which is running from 17 – 28 July. The campaign highlights how we can all play our part to use water more wisely and ensure our water consumption is environmentally sustainable.

Waterwise Chief Executive Nicci Russell said:

Last year, some parts of the country saw unprecedented weather conditions with the driest July since the 1930s and scorching heat, the declaration of drought and hosepipe bans for millions of people.

That hot dry weather meant those of us lucky enough to have gardens were using a huge amount of water outside. This year, we’re running our campaign #WaterwiseDryJuly to rally and support people at home and at work. We’re helping everyone to take small and practical actions that will have a massive impact in reducing water consumption – if we all make small changes to how we use water, we can make a huge difference. Get involved today!

Update on the operational outlook

Dry weather in May and early June caused river flows to recede and reservoirs to decline, resulting in two Environment Agency areas – Cumbria and Lancashire, and the West Midlands – entering prolonged dry weather status in June. Recent rainfall over the last three weeks, particularly in north west England, has meant Cumbria and Lancashire has now returned to normal status. Recent rainfall has helped to restore river flows in many parts of the country and reduced temperatures in the water environment, which has helped fish and other wildlife. However, the National Drought Group warned that the situation could regress if hot, dry weather returns later in the summer.

The natural environment continues to take time to recuperate from the impacts of last summer’s hot and dry weather, with Devon, Cornwall and parts of East Anglia remaining in drought. The Environment Agency anticipates that these areas in drought will not return to normal status until at least winter. As of 19 July, total reservoir capacity across England is 79% full and the July rainfall total so far for England was 65mm.

Hosepipe bans remain in place for Devon and Cornwall to help manage demand with water supply reservoirs still recovering from last year’s drought. Hosepipe bans also remain in place in Kent and Sussex; however, this is due to increased demand for water in hot weather, which is impacting how quickly treated water storage reservoirs can be refilled, not because of drought conditions.

The Plan for Water

The government’s Plan for Water brings together the significant action already taken, along with new measures, that will secure water supplies. This includes:

£2.2 billion of new, accelerated investment by water companies to spend on infrastructure to tackle pollution and increase our water resilience.

A second £10m round of Water Management Grants to fund more on-farm reservoirs and better irrigation equipment.

A new National Policy Statement on water resources so that key water supply infrastructure – such as reservoirs and water transfer schemes – can be built more quickly.

Unlocking an additional £469 million of investment to develop new large-scale water infrastructure, including transfers, recycling, and reservoirs through the Regulators Alliance for Progressing Infrastructure Development (RAPID) programme.

Actions to meet our statutory water demand target to reduce the use of public water supply by 20% per person by 2038. This includes encouraging water companies to consider how to rapidly increase smart meter installations for household and non-household customers and delivering a mandatory water efficiency label on water-using products by 2025.
26/07/2023
PRESS RELEASE : WTO 4th Trade Policy Review of Honduras: UK Statement [July 2023]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 20 July 2023.

UK Statement: 4th Trade Policy Review of Honduras at the WTO in Geneva, 12 & 14 July 2023. Delivered by the UK’s Ambassador to the WTO and UN, Simon Manley.
1. Quisiera dar una muy calurosa bienvenida a la delegación de Honduras bajo el liderazgo del Ministro Fredis Cerrato Valladares. Es un placer para mí y para el equipo británico el tener una relación tan fuerte con su delegación aquí en Ginebra.
2. Thanks to our distinguished discussant for her very eloquent and thoughtful comments and to the Secretariat for the preparation of this meeting.
3. Let me start by applauding the efforts of the new government of Honduras to reduce poverty since the 2016 Review under your new female President Ms Xiomara Castro. As the Minister and Ambassador Pagán commented, Honduras’ trade policy has undergone a significant shift towards progressive reform, the impact of which has been palpable for the people of Honduras, but which is felt here even in Geneva thanks to Ambassador Castillo’s Work.
4. We also recognise that your economy still faces some challenges as many economies do. These include how it can attract more foreign investment, boost employment and generate increased tax revenue. In preparing for this review, we have listened to private sector voices who have highlighted to us the challenges that for them remain in terms of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Honduras that stem from the handling of foreign investment in the special economic zones (ZEDEs) established by the previous government. And I think that engagement and dialogue with the private sector will be an important step in resolving those challenges and restoring the confidence in investing in Honduras. In that effort the UK stands ready as a friend and partner to support you in the effort to reassure companies looking to invest in Honduras of the benefits of that investment.
5. The bilateral relationship that the UK shares with Honduras is only growing stronger. Trade between our two countries has seen a significant increase of almost 40% in the last couple of years, and this has been catalysed by the implementation of the UK-Central America Association Agreement, which is a testament to the committed bilateral relationship that we share, but also as you indicated, an enabler of an ever closer economic and indeed political relationship between us. As you know, our Minister for Latin America, David Rutley, visited Honduras in April 2023 to meet with businesses and with the government to highlight opportunities for boosting our trade relations under the umbrella of this agreement. We hope that this dialogue and positive development is going to continue at the first UK-CAAA Ministerial Council later this year so we can deepen our trade ties and support Honduras with the diversification of its exports. In particular, sectors such as social infrastructure, agriculture, education and clean growth all stand out as areas where significant untapped potential remains if Honduras business environment improves. And the UK is very keen and ready to collaborate to improve this trading environment to enhance our mutually beneficial trading relationship and support to promote economic and social development in Honduras.
6. We also welcome further efforts by the government to combat corruption and increase the transparency of public procurement mechanisms, which would have a positive effect on trade and development. So we very much welcome, in particular, the establishment of a new International Commission against Corruption and Impunity (CICIH). This is a very positive step.
7. I would like to mention the cooperation that we are undertaking in areas such as sustainable infrastructure – which we think can help support development, agritech and sustainable infrastructure – in which we could support Honduras as it seeks to develop and also address issues around resilience in the face of climate change. Building on the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between the United Kingdom and Honduras to implement the Biodiverse Landscapes Fund, which supports our shared objective of tackling biodiversity loss and poverty reduction.
8. We really appreciate, as others have already done, your multilateral effort here in Geneva. In particular we really appreciate the work that Honduras has contributed on dispute settlement reform, which is important to all of us. And let me end by thanking Ambassador Dacio Castillo for his dedication as the chair of the General Council and also the work that he led in preparation for MC12, which was so fundamental to our success, but also his continued contribution here over many years to the work and success of this organisation. Good luck with this review, good luck with your efforts. It is great to have you as a partner.
26/07/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Address by the Foreign Minister of Armenia – UK response [July 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 20 July 2023.

Ambassador Neil Holland says the UK remains deeply concerned about ongoing disruptions to the Lachin corridor and hopes momentum will be maintained towards an historic peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Thank you, Chair. Foreign Minister Mirzoyan, welcome back to the Permanent Council.

We remain deeply concerned about the ongoing disruptions to the Lachin corridor and the associated humanitarian consequences for the local population.

We support the International Court of Justice order of February 2023 for Azerbaijan to ensure unimpeded movement along the Lachin corridor in both directions. The UK calls again on all parties to refrain from the politicisation of humanitarian aid. In order for the civilian population to be protected, it is crucially important for organisations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross to be able to continue to carry out their work in this region, where their operations provide access to essential goods and services, including life-saving medication and health care.

The UK has been clear that there is no military solution to this conflict and urges both sides to continue to engage in substantive negotiations towards a settlement. We recognise that any settlement should include provisions on protecting the rights of the local population in Nagorno-Karabakh. UK Ministers discussed this with Foreign Minister Bayramov during the recent UK-Azerbaijan strategic dialogue.

We are therefore encouraged by President Michel’s trilateral meeting on 15th July with President Aliyev and Prime Minister Pashinyan, and hope momentum will be maintained towards an historic peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

26/07/2023