Category: Press Releases

  • PRESS RELEASE : WTO 4th Trade Policy Review of Fiji – UK Statement [July 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : WTO 4th Trade Policy Review of Fiji – UK Statement [July 2023]

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

    UK Day 1 Statement: 4th Trade Policy Review of Fiji at the WTO in Geneva, 19 July 2023. Delivered by the UK’s Ambassador to the WTO and UN, Simon Manley.

    1. Let me start by welcoming Deputy Prime Minister, Honourable Mr Manoa Seru Kamikamica and his delegation from Suva and welcome his comments at the beginning of this Trade Policy Review. Let me also thank you, Chair, for your comments and the Secretariat for the preparation of today’s TPR, including their report. And, last but not least, let me pay tribute to our distinguished discussant, Ambassador George Mina, for his multilingual diplomatic masterclass and his insights, not least for picking up your welcome words, Deputy Prime Minister, on trade as the lifeblood of Fiji’s development and aspirations.
    2. Naturally, as fellow members of the Commonwealth the ties between Fiji and the UK are strong and enduring. In fact it was at the Commonwealth Trade Ministers meeting in London, that the DG attended too, that our Minister for International Trade, Nigel Huddleston, was able to meet with you, Deputy Prime Minister, for what I am told was a very constructive discussion on how we can further strengthen our trading ties.
    3. So, let me start by addressing our trading relationship. I am delighted that Fiji, alongside other Pacific States, has secured duty free, quota free access to the UK market under the UK-Pacific Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). We are currently looking to arrange our first meeting of the Trade Committee established under this agreement which will enable us to develop a shared agenda for the future of our trading relationship and allow us to establish the necessary governance for the implementation of the EPA.  We look forward to engaging further with Fiji on its tariff liberalisation schedule, following the updated schedule it agreed with their EU counterparts.
    4. We also welcome the achievements of Fijian businesses under the UK Trade Partnership Programme. Last September, what I understand was some delicious Fijian ginger, was represented at a London food fair, and through the support of UK Trade Partnership three products received Great Taste Awards – an accolade recognised as a reliable stamp of excellence among major food buyers which provides a gateway to exciting opportunities for producers. This year we are scaling up ambition of the UK Trade Partnership programme to promote Fijian beauty products, of which some of us are in critical need.
    5. Alongside these plans, we are aware that Fiji is keen to diversify its export market and welcomes Fiji’s intentions for sustainable hardwood exports, which we believe will help contribute towards mitigating harmful climate change. We also welcome the growing influence and importance of the tourism sector in Fiji, which contributes roughly 38% of GDP. The UK strongly supports diversification to strengthen growth and economic resilience and is keen to hear from Fiji about further plans, and opportunities to support, diversification.
    6. Chair, let me also pay tribute, as our discussant has done, to Fiji’s commendable presence here in Geneva. Fiji is an active and constructive voice across various WTO files, not only representing its own interests, but also strongly advocating for the interests of other Small Island Developing States and Pacific nations. This activism and influence extends across the rest of multilateral Geneva as well and I congratulate Ambassador Luke Daunivalu for his contribution – and that of his Mission – across this city.
    7. TAS our discussant noted, Fiji’s commitment and professionalism was exemplified in the Fisheries negotiations, where, as George set out more eloquently than I could, Fiji played a critical role in landing the landmark Fisheries Subsidies Agreement at MC12. Since then, Fiji’s recent proposal on Overfishing and Overcapacity pillar has offered new elements and sparked a lot of interest from Members. The UK applauds this engagement from Fiji, and the SIDS more broadly, and we look forward to continued constructive discussions to deliver an ambitious and strong agreement which protects our fishing resources, coastal communities and fully delivers on SDG Mandate 14.6.
    8. In the Committee on Trade and Development, Fiji play a vital role as the Pacific Group coordinator, highlighting the difficulties of members from that region, particularly the SIDS, given the unique vulnerabilities they face. The UK is eager to work closely with Fiji and other SVEs to identify how to best build upon the small economies report published earlier this year.
    9. Finally, as the former chair of the Committee on Trade and the Environment, let me also pay tribute to the work Fiji does in the environment space. As co-chair of the plastics dialogue, Fiji has facilitated vital discussions around the challenges of plastics pollution and environmentally sustainable plastics trade. Let me emphasise the UK’s commitment to the various environmental aims of the WTO and our support for Fiji, as they, like many other SIDS and the Deputy Prime Minister set out so clearly, face the most direct and critical impacts of the climate crisis and other environmental challenges. One example of our partnership in this space is a joint event we will be hosting on environmental services at the forthcoming Public Forum in September – to which we are particularly looking forward.
    10. We also recognise the progress that Fiji has made over the review period regarding WTO notifications, and, like the discussant, we would encourage our Fijian colleagues to continue this positive trend to enhance transparency further.
    11. Chair, to conclude, we are grateful to Fiji for engaging in this important transparency exercise and wish them a most successful 4th Review.
  • PRESS RELEASE : Nature recovery projects to boost wildlife and access to nature [July 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Nature recovery projects to boost wildlife and access to nature [July 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 20 July 2023.

    Curlews, short-snouted seahorses and natterjack toads set to be benefit as six nature recovery projects are launched.

    An area bigger than the size of Hertfordshire is to be dedicated to fast tracking nature recovery as six new landscape-scale nature recovery projects are launched by Natural England and the government.

    The multi-partnership collaborative projects covering 176,000 hectares of land across England – from the Tees Estuary to the South Downs – will create improved and better-connected habitats for wildlife and improve public access to nature. The projects will strengthen the national Nature Recovery Network and showcase delivering nature recovery at scale.

    The projects, announced today (20 July), will help to manage flooding and wildfire risks, improve carbon stores and build diverse habitats for wildlife such as the endangered wart biter cricket and the elusive twite.

    The nature recovery projects, supported by £7.4 million funding from Defra and Natural England, are:

    • East of Eden, Cumbria – Based in the upland regions of Cumbria, this project stretches over 100,000ha from fertile farmland of the eastern Eden Valley to the western slopes of the North Pennines and the moorlands above. The project will support land managers to create habitats for species such as the curlew, black grouse and the Teesdale Violet. Natural flood management techniques will reduce flood risk and improve the absorption of carbon by rewetting peat.
    • The Lost Wetlands, Cheshire to Lancashire – Extending over 5,000ha the project will reclaim, restore and rewet a mosaic of wetland habitats in South Greater Manchester and North Cheshire, previously lost to historic industrialisation, urbanisation and agricultural intensification of the landscape. A network of wetland habitats will be restored to improve connectivity for wildlife, creating habitats where dragonflies, great crested newts and water voles can thrive. The project will also engage young people and communities, providing greater connection to the wetlands on their doorstep and opportunities to celebrate the natural heritage of the area. This work will help support the government’s commitment to bring people closer to nature, with everyone living no more than 15 minutes from a green space.
    • Tees Estuary Recovering Nature, Northumbria – Covering over 11,000ha, the TERN Project will work with partners to improve, create and restore coastal, estuarine and land-based habitats. Steeped in industrial history, this area is home to a well-loved colony of common seals and assemblages of roosting waders and wildfowl including the little tern, wintering knot, ringed plover and redshank. Action will create bigger and better connected habitats that increase climate resilience and offer a sustainable future for these cherished species. New footpath links will also bring the community closer to nature, strengthening Teesside’s vision as a place for people and nature.
    • Heathlands Connections, Surrey – The project is working with partners to restore, enhance and connect rare lowland heathland habitat within the western section of the Surrey Hills AONB. It will connect the designated sites of Thursley, Hankley and Frensham Commons Special Protected Area with surrounding heathlands, covering an area of 16,000ha and creating a mosaic landscape that is rich in habitats for wildlife. The project will find collaborative solutions to challenges such as wildfire risk, habitat degradation and disturbance to ground nesting birds including the nightjar and Dartford warbler. Sustainable travel options for visitors are being developed, such as walking trails with train, bus and cycle connections to Frensham ponds, enabling local people to get closer to nature.
    • Bradford and South Pennines, Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire – Spanning 30,000ha, this partnership will restore and enhance the condition of the upland peat landscapes in the South Pennines, restoring habitats for moorland birds such as the endangered twite. Natural Flood Management techniques will benefit communities at risk of flooding in the Calder Valley with the creation of intertwining mosaics of wetland habitats. Green corridors will also be created, linking upland sites to the urban environment and industrial heartlands and allowing wildlife to move freely. The project will work closely with community groups and the NHS, providing opportunities to connect the people of Bradford and West Yorkshire with nature on their doorstep. Working with Bradford City of Culture 2025, the project will encourage sustainable access to nature and highlight the environmental links between the industrial heartlands of West Yorkshire and the moors which define them.
    • Seaford to Eastbourne, Sussex and Kent – Traversing 12,000 ha of the iconic land and seascape of the South Downs, the project builds on key partnerships with South East Water, local authorities, farmers and fishers. The project will build on research into chalk aquifers in the area which confirms the importance of using healthy chalk grass and chalk heath habitats to deliver clean and plentiful water. The work to integrate habitat and natural flood management schemes will create clean water supplies for nearby towns and benefit species, such as the rare wart-biter cricket. Ambitions further extend out to sea where the project partners will seek to boost short-snouted seahorse populations found near Beachy Head. The project is also researching how NHS staff who work in complex mental health can be trained in nature-based interventions, supporting the communities within Seaford to Eastbourne

    Tony Juniper, Chair of Natural England, said:

    These nature recovery projects will enrich our landscapes for wildlife, develop resilience to climate change, catch carbon and help to clean up air and water. They will help restore entire ecosystems, allowing many species of wild animals and plants to spread and thrive. They will also enhance the opportunities people have to make the most of the wellbeing benefits that come with connecting to the natural world.

    To fight the challenges posed by Nature loss and climate change it will be essential to build broad and trusted partnerships. I am pleased that the projects announced today signal a commitment to bold and collaborative action at landscape scale to create a Nature Recovery Network which is essential to firmly put nature on the road to recovery.

    Environment Minister Trudy Harrison said:

    We want to create accessible, nature-rich places closer to where people live, and encourage communities to learn more about the wild landscapes on their doorsteps so they can play their part in helping to protect them.

    These partnerships will restore the natural world, from cities to the sea, and will deliver on our targets set out in the Environmental Improvement Plan to create a lasting legacy for people and nature.

    The nature recovery projects will make a major contribution to the Nature Recovery Network and help deliver on the commitments set out in the government’s Environmental Improvement Plan to halt the decline in nature and support thriving plants and wildlife.

    This announcement builds on the G7 legacy project in Cornwall and the five nature recovery projects launched in 2022 which are improving and connecting wildlife-rich sites and restoring degraded areas for nature across the West Midlands, the Peak District, Somerset, Norfolk and Cambridge. The new projects extend this landmark commitment across the country to include uplands, coastal and marine areas, and will demonstrate how blended public and private finance can support the Nature Recovery Network. The funding will support the 12 projects across the three-year period of the comprehensive spending review.

    Improving and connecting existing strongholds for wildlife, creating new habitats and investing in collaborative action for nature at scale will help achieve our pledge to protect 30% of our land and sea for nature by 2030, and create a sustainable future for people and the planet.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Overhaul of laws to protect women from domestic killers [July 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Overhaul of laws to protect women from domestic killers [July 2023]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 20 July 2023.

    Controlling ex-partners who lash out at the end of their relationship will face longer than ever behind bars under new government plans to tackle domestic homicide.

    • longer sentences for bitter partners who murder following the end of a relationship
    • history of coercive and controlling behaviour to be a mitigating factor for abused victims who kill their tormentors
    • consultation on longer sentences for coercive and controlling behaviour to be expanded to include use of weapon

    The change, announced by the Lord Chancellor, is part of a wide-ranging response to Clare Wade KC’s Domestic Homicide Sentencing Review published today (20 July 2023) which will overhaul the law to better protect vulnerable women.

    Building on measures already announced in the interim response in March, today’s reforms will create a new aggravating factor for murder at the end of a relationship while also introducing a mitigating factor in cases where the perpetrator has been subjected to a campaign of controlling behaviour before lashing out against their abuser.

    Research shows that around one in four homicides are committed by a current or former partner or relative. Recognising the complex nature of murder sentencing, Ministers will also expand a planned consultation on a 25-year starting point for domestic murders with a history of controlling or coercive behaviour to include murders using a knife or other weapon found at the scene.

    This will seek the public’s views on the current difference between sentences for murder where a knife is brought to the scene compared, for example, to one already in the home.

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

    Cowards who murder their partners should face the full force of the law.

    Our reforms will give judges the power to punish murderers for the added pain and trauma they inflict through ‘overkill’ as well as ensuring that those who coercively control their victims or kill them at the end of a relationship face longer behind bars.

    To further ensure the law is working to provide justice the government will ask the Law Commission to review the use of defences in domestic homicide cases. This will look at whether the gender of the defendant impacts how successful these defences are – with the Wade Review suggesting that female defendants are less successful than men. This includes examining the partial defences of “loss of control” and “diminished responsibility” and whether the law adequately considers circumstances where a victim of domestic abuse acts in self-defence.

    The list of measures in the full government response to Clare Wade’s review into domestic homicide sentencing includes:

    • Bringing greater recognition to the specific circumstances of domestic murders by creating statutory aggravating factors for murder for:
      • Killing at the end of a relationship
      • Overkill and use of excessive violence
      • A history of coercive or controlling behaviour
    • Creating a statutory mitigating factor for murder where the perpetrator has been subjected to coercive or controlling behaviour
    • Continuing to improve the collection and recording of data on domestic homicides in England and Wales to identify patterns, trends, and risk factors via the Domestic Homicide Review Library
    • Working with partners to implement and improve mandatory training for Crown Prosecution Service staff on understanding coercive control.
    • Consulting on a 25-year starting point for coercive or controlling behaviour and sentencing for murders which take place with a weapon found at the scene
    • Writing to the Sentencing Council to propose that they review their guidelines for manslaughter sentencing in light of Clare Wade’s recommendations and the government’s response.
    • Asking the Law Commission to review the use of defences in domestic homicide cases

    Justice Minister, Edward Argar, said:

    Too many women are murdered every year by those they should feel safest with.

    This government is working tirelessly to tackle violence against women, and these changes will mean perpetrators spend longer behind bars by taking greater account of the specific factors which are all too present in these horrific cases.

    Of the murder cases reviewed by Clare Wade KC over half (51 per cent) involved controlling or coercive behaviour while excessive violence, or overkill, was identified in 60 per cent, with men being the perpetrator in all but one case. Nearly half (48 per cent) were caused in part by feelings of jealousy or resentment at the end of the relationship.

    Legislation to implement these changes to the sentencing framework will be laid as soon as parliamentary time allows.  The consultation on a new 25-year starting point for domestic murders preceded by coercive or controlling behaviour and to further explore the sentencing for murders committed with a knife or other weapon already at the scene and murders where the weapon is brought to the scene will take place later this.

    Domestic Abuse Commissioner, Nicole Jacobs, said:

    I welcome the publication of the Government’s response to the Review. In particular, I am pleased that the Government have committed to introducing a range of new statutory aggravating factors to ensure that the circumstances surrounding domestic murders are given adequate legal weight when considering sentencing. I look forward to continuing to work with the Government on the implementation of the review recommendations and feeding into work by the Law Commission on the review of defences to murders involving domestic abuse.

  • PRESS RELEASE : New plans to boost health in the workplace to keep people in work [July 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : New plans to boost health in the workplace to keep people in work [July 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 20 July 2023.

    Plans to boost UK employment through widening access to high-quality health support in the workplace are being unveiled today by the Government.

    • Ministers are urging employers to do more to keep workers healthy and reduce the numbers out of work due to long-term sickness
    • Consultation launching on measures to increase employer uptake and widen reach of Occupational Health
    • Plans include a new standard for businesses to adopt to boost health in the workplace
    • Better workplace support expected to grow the economy and tackle inactivity by improving productivity and preventing health-related job losses

    The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) are today [Thursday 20 July] publishing a consultation on ways to increase uptake of Occupational Health provision.

    Employers will be encouraged to take up Occupational Health offers to help employees access vital mental and physical health support at work, particularly for those working in small and medium-sized enterprises.

    These proposals include introducing a national “health at work” standard for all employers to provide a baseline for quality Occupational Health provision, which includes guidance, an option to pursue accreditation, and additional government support services – for example outreach workers to support SMEs to meet the standards.

    It also seeks views on developing longer-term workforce capacity to help meet any increased demand for Occupational Health services in the future by:

    • Encouraging NHS leavers or those who are considering a career change to pivot towards the Occupational Health specialism
    • Developing a longer-term, multi-disciplinary workforce to provide Occupational Health services

    The consultation will also ask employers to share their examples of good Occupational Health provision to help inform other businesses and encourage them to provide the same.

    Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Mel Stride MP, said:

    This Government is investing billions in getting people back to work and growing the economy. We need employers to keep playing their part too.

    Healthy businesses need healthy workers – employers will benefit from higher retention rates, more productive workers, and fewer work days lost due to sickness. Improving health in the workplace is a vital piece of the puzzle in our drive to increase employment.

    Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, Tom Pursglove MP, said:

    Long-term sickness is a huge contributor to economic inactivity, and while of course some people are unable to work, better accommodation of health problems in the workplace will open up a wider workforce to employers and support employees with a range of needs.

    Many small and medium-sized business owners already invest significantly in the health and wellbeing of their workforce, but this will be a gamechanger in identifying and removing obstacles to people with health conditions starting, staying and succeeding in work.

    To also help keep people in work, the government will today also publish a separate consultation looking at options to increase investment in Occupational Health services by UK wide employers through the tax system. This follows its announcement at the Spring Budget where it committed to consult on incentivising greater provision of Occupational Health through the tax system.

    The government wants to explore the case for providing additional tax relief to businesses on their Occupational Health costs. In particular, the consultation asks respondents for their experiences of providing Occupational Health, including what services they provide and any barriers they experience. It also asks for evidence on the effectiveness of existing tax incentives and asks respondents for their views on the merits of expanding the existing Benefit-in-Kind relief, and thoughts on any alternative tax incentives.

    Tax reliefs on Benefits-in-Kind are already available for certain occupational health services. This consultation will test if expanding these reliefs or introducing new ones could be an effective lever to achieve greater Occupational Health provision, as well as thoughts on any alternative tax incentives. The consultation will determine if expanding tax incentives is an appropriate measure to boost Occupational Health provision.

    This is all a key component of the measures in the 2023 Spring Budget to grow labour market participation, reduce economic inactivity and get more people into work. The Department is helping millions to return to work with inactivity falling by 360,000 since the peak of the pandemic.

    Long-term sickness is currently the main reason people of working-age give for being economically inactive, but just under half of workers have access to Occupational Health services. Over 90% of large employers offer Occupational Health support, compared to under a fifth of small ones.

    Occupational Health provision can help employers provide work-based support to manage their employees’ health conditions, leading to better retention and return-to-work prospects, and improving business productivity, which can be adversely impacted by sickness absence.

    Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Steve Barclay said:

    High quality Occupational Health support in more workplaces would not only help to reduce economic inactivity, but it can lead to a healthier, happier workforce.

    The individual health benefits are clear and by focusing on preventative measures, we can reduce the burden on the NHS and help to bring waiting lists down, which is one of the government’s top priorities.

    Angela Rowntree, Occupational Health Physician for the John Lewis Partnership, said:

    At John Lewis Partnership we are moving away from reactively managing sickness to proactively supporting our Partners’ health and wellbeing at work.

    Our founder, Spedan Lewis understood this when he launched an in-house health service for all Partners in 1929 – nearly 20 years before the NHS was established – and we’re proud to be part of his legacy today, providing advice and support to help our Partners achieve their potential in the workplace.

    We welcome this new focus on ensuring other businesses and their employees are able to access better workplace health.

    The Occupational Health consultation will run until 23:59 on Thursday 12 October 2023.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Introduction of visa requirement for Honduran nationals visiting UK [July 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Introduction of visa requirement for Honduran nationals visiting UK [July 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 19 July 2023.

    The UK Government has announced today (Wednesday 19 July) that, with immediate effect, all Hondurans will need a visa before travelling to the UK, including to visit.

    The decision to impose a visa regime has been made because of the sustained and significant increase since 2017 in the number of UK asylum applications from Honduran nationals at the UK border, who have abused the provision to visit the UK for a limited period as non-visa nationals in order to do so. In 2017 there were 9 asylum applications from Honduran nationals. In 2022 there were 789 asylum applications and in the first quarter of 2023 there were 275 asylum applications from Honduran nationals.

    The changes, which come into effect immediately, will apply to all Honduran travellers to the UK. However, there will be a four-week transition period until 15:00 BST 16 August during which visitors who booked their travel before 15:00 BST 19 July can still enter the UK.

    British Ambassador to Guatemala and Honduras, Nick Whittingham, said:

    The changes announced today bring Honduras in line with many other visa national countries with which the UK has strong and friendly relations. Visas provide access to the UK while helping to secure the UK border.

    In consultation with the British Embassy in Guatemala City, the UK Government will put in place arrangements to ensure that Honduran travellers can apply for their visitor visas in Honduras, so that they can continue to join the many visitors the UK welcomes from around the world.

    A UK Visa Application Centre where travellers can submit their passports and provide biometrics will operate regularly in Honduras. The first session is scheduled to run on 26 July, with the aim of allowing applicants to receive their visas before the end of the transition period on 16 August, and with further sessions scheduled on 27, 28, 31 July and 1 and 2 August, depending on demand.

    Visa applications are submitted and paid for online at: Apply to come to the UK, after which applicants book an appointment at a Visa Application Centre Tegucigalpa – VFS Global to provide their biometrics and hand over their passport. The UK Government aims to process applications within 15 UK working days of receipt of the passport and biometrics and applicants can apply up to three months in advance.

    The cost of a six-month multiple entry visa for the UK can be found at: UK visa fees – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Longer validity visas are also available.

    Honduran nationals who booked travel to the UK before 15:00 BST 19 July will still be able to enter the UK without a visa until 15:00 BST 16 August. Any passengers arriving after 15:00 BST 16 August will require a visa to enter the UK regardless of when their travel was booked. Anyone booking their flight after 15:00 BST 19 July will also need a visa, even if they arrive before 15:00 BST 16 August.

    Honduran visitors already in the UK will not be affected by the new requirement for the remainder of their visit, but once they leave the UK, they will need a visitor visa in order to enter the UK again.

    Hondurans are already required to obtain a visa for other (non-visit) purposes, such as to work or study. Applicants for student or other visas will now have the option to use the new application centre in Honduras, instead of needing to travel to other countries as they have done until now.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Russia continues to use their veto to deny humanitarian access to the people of north-west Syria: UK statement at the General Assembly [July 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Russia continues to use their veto to deny humanitarian access to the people of north-west Syria: UK statement at the General Assembly [July 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 19 July 2023.

    Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN General Assembly meeting on the use of the veto.

    Thank you, President.

    Our meeting today is triggered by Russia’s seventeenth veto on Syria.

    Again and again, Russia has used their veto to deny humanitarian access to the people of north-west Syria and to obstruct accountability for violence against civilians.

    This time, that veto has been particularly cruel.

    The UN was crystal clear about what it needs to get humanitarian access to the 4.6 million people in north-west Syria: sustained, predictable access, in line with international humanitarian law, for a minimum of 12 months.

    Fourteen members of the Council were ready to agree to a resolution mandating that access. Fourteen members entered into negotiations in good faith, and made compromise after compromise to try to find common ground. And we are grateful to Brazil and Switzerland for their tireless work as co-penholders.
    One member alone objected, for purely political reasons. Squabbling about the length of time for which the UN would have humanitarian access. And ultimately using their veto rather than putting in the hard work of negotiating. Down from 12 months, to 6 months, to nothing.

    Having avoided negotiations, Russia put down a take it or leave it resolution that was supported by just one other Council member.

    Mr President, the UN has been clear that the conditions set out by Syria to deliver aid are unworkable and unacceptable and in contravention of international humanitarian law.

    Let us not forget that this is a live conflict. The regime continues to launch aerial assaults against people in north-west Syria. And now it wants to control the aid that reaches them too.

    The idea that Syria is acting responsibly here is a cruel joke. The UN is now only able to operate across Bab al Ra’I and Bab al Salam. Those crossings, according to Syria’s terms, are only open for another three and a half weeks. A far cry from the 12 months for which the Secretary-General called.

    And to say that OCHA cannot or should not engage with all parties on the ground to secure safe access is in violation of IHL, and of OCHA’s mandate. It puts the safety and security of humanitarian teams at risk. Around the world, humanitarians need to speak to all parties so they can get aid to people who desperately need it. Syria is no different.

    As we have heard today, time and again, donors are concerned about what this means for the millions of dollars provided every year in humanitarian assistance to the Syrian people. They are concerned about the safety of civilian humanitarian teams on the ground. And about the transparency and governance arrangements that help them know their aid is getting to the people that need it – not being siphoned off.

    So let us be clear. Humanitarian assistance needs to be delivered in line with international humanitarian law. Not held hostage to politics.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Space back atop the Cabinet agenda as reignited National Space Council re-launches UK space superpower ambitions [July 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Space back atop the Cabinet agenda as reignited National Space Council re-launches UK space superpower ambitions [July 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 19 July 2023.

    The National Space Council met for the first time today since its reinstatement as part of the UK’s mission to become a true space superpower.

    • The first meeting of the reinstated National Space Council took place today, kicking off with an address from UK astronaut Tim Peake and featuring actual rocks taken from the moon
    • the Council saw the Science Secretary, Defence Secretary and other cabinet ministers placing the full might of the UK government behind plans to make the UK a space superpower, keeping pace with US, India and other key space leaders in the global space race
    • today also sees launch of a space report outlining progress on the government’s bold plan for the UK’s space sector, and its value for driving economic growth and innovation nationwide

    The National Space Council met today (Wednesday 19 July) for the first time since its reinstatement, as part of the UK’s mission to become a true space superpower and fulfil the country’s ambition to become Europe’s leading provider of small commercial launches by 2030. This builds on the already extraordinary growth of the UK space sector, which employs almost 49,000 people and generates an income of £17.5 billion.

    The Council was co-chaired by the Science and the Defence Secretaries, flanked by other Cabinet Ministers and with insights from astronaut Tim Peake, amongst other expert support. The Council also saw an exhibition of lunar rocks, brought to Earth during the Apollo missions, serving as a fitting metaphor for the UK’s ambitions to aim for the moon and beyond.

    The Council will be responsible for coordinating government policy on space and ensuring that the UK is well-positioned to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the space sector to drive job creation and grow the economy, one of the Prime Minister’s 5 key priorities.

    Secretary of State for Science and Technology, Chloe Smith said:

    Space is critical to modern life: global telecoms, weather forecasting, and our national security all rely on satellites and as the importance of space grows, so must our ambitions for the UK.

    Our reinstated National Space Council will ensure the government moves in lockstep with the sector to deliver our ambitions to grow the space economy. The UK is perfectly placed, whether geographically, economically or as a product of our world-class skills base, to be not only a European leader but a global power in space.

    Secretary of State for Defence, Ben Wallace said:

    The war in Ukraine has highlighted just how critical space is to military operations. My department continues to work closely with DSIT to deliver the UK’s ambition for space to ensure we have the capabilities we need to protect and defend this critical domain and to exploit the opportunities it offers for operations into the future.

    The meeting coincides with the release by DSIT and Ministry of Defence of a new National Space Strategy in Action, a significant milestone, which outlines the government’s commitment to the space sector and sets out a bold plan for how the UK can become a leading player in the global space race.

    This publication sets out the significant progress the UK space sector has made since the launch of the joint civil-defence National Space Strategy in 2021, employing almost 49,000 people and generating an income of £17.5 billion, an increase of £1 billion from the previous year. It will also provide clarity on the direction of the sector for businesses, giving them the confidence to make long-term investment decisions.

    It covers various priority areas, including:

    • the development of a Space Sector Plan to promote economic growth and resilience
    • the establishment of space clusters within the UK space ecosystem
    • a space workforce action plan
    • a review of space regulations to ensure effectiveness and innovation
    • the UK’s long term approach to civil capabilities and defence highly assured capabilities for space
    • progress of the Defence Space Strategy

    Dr Paul Bate, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency, said:

    The National Space Strategy in Action highlights the significant progress made towards delivering the government’s ambition to make the UK one of the most innovative and attractive space economies in the world.

    By catalysing investment into UK businesses, increasing our involvement in major space missions and championing the power of space to improve lives, the UK Space Agency is playing a major role in accelerating the growth of the UK’s thriving space sector.

    Graham Peters, Independent Chair of the Space Partnership Board said:

    The ‘National Space Strategy in Action’ demonstrates that now is an exciting time as the space sector translates the national ambition into tangible actions. Great progress is already being made and the Space Partnership is delighted to be actively supporting by bringing industry, academia and government together around a range of shared priorities, including the next steps to deliver the capabilities laid out in the NSS In Action, so that the sector works collectively to deliver the National Space Strategy.

    Ben Bridge, Chairman, Airbus Defence and Space UK said:

    We welcome this report and commend the government on progress and commitment to further developing the space sector. We look forward to the next phase of implementing the National Space Strategy, and the publication of the Space Sector Plan, to help the government deliver on its ambitions for unlocking growth through building and expanding national space capabilities. This will enable Airbus to further engage with the wider UK space ecosystem and extend our network of suppliers and interaction with SMEs across the country.

    Mark Dankberg, Chairman and CEO, Viasat said:

    I’m glad to support the United Kingdom’s goals within the National Space Strategy to unlock economic growth, investment, trade and scientific opportunities in the New Space Age. Viasat believes the emerging industry-led Space Sustainability Standard will be an essential part of achieving these goals. Actively managing use of our shared and finite resources – both orbital and spectrum – is the only way to keep space accessible. Accessibility is crucial for continued growth and innovation by as many participants in the global space economy as possible, including in the UK.

    Alongside this milestone report, the government is today publishing brand new research that argues the ‘Case for Space’, capturing the economic value of space and the benefits it brings to the UK. Findings have demonstrated the positive impact of space activities on various industries, from the government’s investment of over £80 million in space weather forecasting, and leveraging position, navigation, and timing for emergency services, to utilising earth observation (EO) capabilities in the farming and food industry.

    These announcements come hot on the heels of the recent Space Sustainability Symposium hosted by Minister Freeman last month, that brought together leading figures from the space industry, finance and academia to discuss a sustainable future for space and how the government can tackle the imminent threat of junk satellites in our atmosphere.

  • PRESS RELEASE : North Korea ballistic missile launches on 18 July: FCDO statement [July 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : North Korea ballistic missile launches on 18 July: FCDO statement [July 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 19 July 2023.

    A Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office spokesperson statement on North Korea’s ballistic missile launches on 18 July.

    North Korea’s ballistic missile launches on 18 July are a breach of multiple UN Security Council Resolutions. Illegal ballistic missile launches continue to destabilise the peace and security of the Korean Peninsula.

    The UK will continue to call out these flagrant violations of UNSCRs. We strongly urge North Korea to return to dialogue, and to take credible steps towards denuclearisation.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Asian hornets identified in Dover [July 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Asian hornets identified in Dover [July 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 19 July 2023.

    Public asked to be vigilant after sightings of Asian hornets, an invasive species, are confirmed in Kent.

    Beekeepers and members of the public are today (Wednesday 19 July) being asked to remain vigilant after Asian hornets were spotted in the Dover area in Kent.

    The National Bee Unit has confirmed the sighting and monitoring is underway to detect further Asian hornets in the vicinity.

    The Asian hornet is smaller than our native hornet and poses no greater risk to human health than our native wasps and hornets. However, they do pose a risk to honey bees and work is already underway to monitor for any hornet activity and to identify any nests nearby.

    There have already been several sightings of Asian hornet this year with this being the sixth confirmed UK sighting since April 2023, when a single Asian hornet was captured near Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland.

    Defra’s Chief Plant and Bee Health Officer Nicola Spence said:

    “By ensuring we are alerted to possible sightings as early as possible, we can take swift and effective action to stamp out the threat posed by Asian hornets. That’s why we are working at speed to locate and investigate any nests in the area following the confirmed sightings in Kent.

    “While the Asian hornet poses no greater risk to human health than other wasps or hornets, they can cause damage  to honey bee colonies and other beneficial insects.

    “Please continue to look out for any Asian hornets and if you think you’ve spotted one, report your sighting through the Asian hornet app or online. Asian hornet nests will be smaller at this time in the year but we are still asking people to be vigilant.”

    It is important to take care not to approach or disturb a nest. Asian hornets are not generally aggressive towards people but an exception to this is when they perceive a threat to their nest.

    If you suspect you have seen an Asian hornet you should report this using the iPhone and Android app ‘Asian Hornet Watch’ or by using our online report form. Alternatively, e-mail alertnonnative@ceh.ac.uk. Please include a photograph if you can safely obtain one.

    Identification guides and more information are available and if you keep bees you should keep up to date with the latest situation on the gov.uk sightings page and on BeeBase.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Whitehall set to bring in AI and data experts under plans to turbocharge productivity [July 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Whitehall set to bring in AI and data experts under plans to turbocharge productivity [July 2023]

    The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 19 July 2023.

    Digital gurus from the private sector will be parachuted into government departments as part of radical plans to turbocharge the technological skills of civil servants, Cabinet Office Minister Jeremy Quin revealed today.

    • New Digital Secondment Programme to bring experts from top tech businesses into government
    • AI to be harnessed to boost productivity
    • Minister for the Cabinet Office Jeremy Quin gives speech on digitally-focussed reform priorities

    DIGITAL gurus from the private sector will be parachuted into government departments as part of radical plans to turbocharge the technological skills of civil servants, Cabinet Office Minister Jeremy Quin revealed today.

    Delivering a speech at respected think tank Policy Exchange, Minister Quin set out a number of measures which will drive forward the government’s plans to harness innovation and technology to make Whitehall run more efficiently.

    The Minister demonstrated his clear intent to overhaul the way digital and data is utilised in government departments. This will start with a series of secondment programmes which are set to kick off in Autumn, beginning with the Digital and Data secondment scheme. Government will work with the major tech players, with plans to target FTSE100 companies in order to second digital experts into departments as well as giving civil servants the chance to spend time working within industry-leading businesses. This will then be expanded to other sectors such as science and engineering.

    Minister Quin set out his ambition for the government to use AI confidently and responsibly, where it matters most, to improve public services and boost productivity. One example is the unit responsible for exploring Automation and Innovation in government, known as i.AI, who will become a permanent civil service team following a successful trial.

    Another initiative is the creation of a Data Marketplace which will break down barriers to sharing data inside government. As we believe there is potential for government data to drive value and innovation in the economy, the government intends to make the marketplace available to third parties outside government, such as businesses and researchers by 2025.

    In his speech, Minister Jeremy Quin said:

    There are brilliant people in our Civil Service but I know there are many, as can be the case in any organisation, that feel frustrated and stifled by bureaucracy.

    Alongside the Cabinet Secretary, I shared with Civil Service colleagues at Civil Service Live in Cardiff last week that we need every colleague to be calling out waste and inefficiency, determined to end the frustrations I know many share.

    They can do so by more specialisation, more access to outside voices and fresh ideas, staying longer in post, delivering certainty on what we are seeking to achieve and benefitting from crisp evaluation on whether we have, while embracing the digital future which will transform all our working lives.

    It comes as the latest efficiency drive, led by the Minister for the Cabinet Office, has published savings of £4.4 billion in the last financial year. The savings were made through central government teams, including more than £1.3 billion saved through  fraud prevention and detection, much of which came from advanced data analytics,  and more than £370 million of efficiencies found through modernising legacy IT systems.

    The latest figures published by the Crown Commercial Service, an agency of the Cabinet Office who help procurement teams from different parts of government buy collectively, show a huge £3.8 billion in savings and commercial benefits achieved in the last financial year.

    Minister Quin highlighted the need to address the skills deficit in the Civil Service, confirming his intention to oversee a streamlined recruitment process including a new digital platform for moving civil servants between departments seamlessly. This will allow the Civil Service to be more agile as different areas need more resourcing and is expected to save approximately £100m over the next 5 years.

    There were also further commitments to increase transparency related to how the government evaluates its spending through the establishment of a publicly-available Evaluation Registry. This will be active across government from September 2023 and will be publicly available from March 2024.

    Previous reforms have already shown positive results, with the Cabinet Office now on track to exceed its ambition for 50% of Fast Stream recruits to have a STEM subject background.