Category: Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE : UN HRC52 – UK Statement on Universal Declaration of Human Rights [April 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 4 April 2023.

General Comment:Universal Declaration of Human Rights & Vienna Declaration & Programme of Action. Delivered by UK Ambassador to WTO & UN in Geneva Simon Manley.

Thank you Mr President

I would like to start by thanking the main sponsors for presenting this initiative to the Council. We appreciate the Core Group’s constructive engagement and strongly welcome their efforts to accommodate many of the points we raised during negotiations.

We are pleased that this draft seeks to mark the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 30th anniversary of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action. These foundational instruments of the international human rights system have guided us in our obligations to promote and protect human rights of all. Previously abstract notions of universality, equality, non-discrimination and inherent dignity are codified in international law and practice, thanks to the work began by the UDHR.

These two anniversaries point to an opportunity, to look back at how much progress has been made since 1948 but also how far we still have to go. We face significant challenges in upholding the central ethos of both the Universal Declaration and the Vienna Declaration. Chief among these challenges, regrettably, is, the concerted effort to rollback decades of progress towards achieving gender equality.

In parts of the world, women and girls are stripped of their most basic human rights, subjected to violence and intimidation, and even restricted from attending school or university.

Therefore we deeply regret attempts by a number of delegations to rollback on human rights, and in particular on the rights of women and girls. As Eleanor Roosevelt once said, the battle for the individual rights of women is one of long standing and none of us should countenance anything which undermines it.

Mr President,

We do not believe that girls’ participation should be singled out on the condition of their age and maturity. Do we say the same thing for boys? We do not.

Notwithstanding these outstanding concerns, we have co-sponsored this initiative and will join consensus.

Thank you.

Statement delivered by Simon Manley on behalf of:

Vietnam, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Fiji, India, Panama, Romania, South Africa and Spain.

April 4, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UN HRC52 – General debate on agenda Item 10 [April 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 3 April 2023.

UN Human Rights Council 52nd session: General debate on agenda Item 10 as delivered by UK Ambassador to the WTO and UN in Geneva, Simon Manley.

Thank you, Madame Vice-President,

General Assembly resolution 60/251 mandated this Council to address situations of human rights violations and to respond to human rights emergencies. Regrettably, the number and the scale of these emergencies remain alarmingly high.

This Council was also given a clear mandate to prevent serious violations from occurring and to work through constructive dialogue and cooperation.

We believe that this Council, and indeed the cause of human rights, and fundamental freedoms would be well served by giving greater attention to those situations where cooperation and engagement have led to better enjoyment of human rights on the ground.

Madame Vice-President,

As we approach the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the 30th anniversary of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, we must not lose sight of the many positive examples of cooperation by States, with the many human rights bodies and mechanisms that we have established.

For there is much we can, and must, learn from the way in which states have engaged with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, in some cases through decades of in-country engagement. From states’ long-term involvement in the human rights treaty body reporting process; from implementation of far-reaching UPR recommendations; and from cooperation with country specific and thematic Special Procedures.

However, with more and more of our time taken up by Council sessions, it is all the more challenging to find time to take stock of the positive impact to which our work leads. This Council’s agenda Item 10 has the potential to identify – and to celebrate – these successes, and to give countries the recognition they deserve at this Council.

Most of all, we need to do better at learning from each other, about how to use the UN human rights system to address difficulties and shortfalls, and to overcome obstacles whether they are political, financial or technical.

This Council must respond to deteriorating situations around the world. But this has to go alongside recognising and learning from states’ cooperation on human rights and the resulting positive impact on all our freedoms.

Thank you.

April 4, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UN HRC 52 – Interactive dialogue with fact-finding mission on Libya [April 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 4 April 2023.

UN Human Rights Council 52nd session: Interactive dialogue with the fact-finding mission on Libya.

Thank you Mr Vice-President.

First let me thank the FFM for your vital work highlighting the serious human rights violations and abuses that have taken place in Libya since 2016. We regret your Mission were unable to visit the entire country and did not have access to places of detention.

Mr Chairman, your findings are deeply concerning. In particular, we were alarmed that crimes against humanity may have taken place. The Libyan authorities must put an end to these violations and hold perpetrators to account.

As you said this morning, this is crucial for reconciliation and transitional justice. The participation of an active civil society is fundamental for Libya’s path towards lasting peace. We urge Libya to clarify a transparent, proportionate and consistent registration process to allow civil society to operate freely and securely.

We welcome Libya’s initiative to table a resolution at the Council this session, including its request for capacity building and for expertise to strengthen its transitional justice system. We see this as a positive indication that Libya will take forward the recommendations of the FFM and encourage them to begin implementation immediately, with support from the OHCHR.

Mr Chairman,

How can the OHCHR support Libya to rapidly pursue justice for acts of conflict-related sexual violence, and promote the participation of women in peacebuilding efforts?

Thank you.

April 4, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : £161 million contract for F-35 jet maintenance supports 140 UK jobs [April 2023]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 4 April 2023.

The UK’s fleet of F-35 Lightning stealth jets will be maintained and supported in a new £161 million contract, keeping them ready for global combat operations.
- Support contract awarded to Lockheed Martin and BAE Systems
- Securing 140 UK jobs with majority at RAF Marham in Norfolk
- Contract will see BAE Systems deliver technical support and training for UK’s fleet of F-35 fighter jets for next four and a half years
Based at RAF Marham, home of the UK Lightning Force, the investment sustains around 140 UK jobs – 130 directly at the Norfolk base, with around 10 more through the supply chain – delivering on the Prime Minister’s priority to grow the economy creating better-paid jobs and opportunities right across the UK.

A successor to a previous agreement due to conclude this year, the contract was signed by the US Joint Program Office and Lockheed Martin as F-35 prime contractor, with BAE Systems to carry out the work as a sub-contractor.

Providing support to the F-35 fleet until 2027, the arrangement offers the UK more freedom to operate the aircraft, increases the number of flying hours available and delivers important mission planning, training, and maintenance capabilities.

Minister for Defence Procurement, Alex Chalk KC, said:

Our F-35 Lightning stealth jets are a formidable fighting force, putting us at the cutting-edge of air-borne military capability.

Supporting more than 100 jobs in the East of England, this investment will ensure our jets remain equipped for combat operations around the world.

Negotiated by Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), the Lightning Air System National Capability Enterprise (LANCE) contract will provide technical support and training services for the UK’s F-35 fleet.

The F-35 Lightning is a multi-role, stealth aircraft containing cutting-edge technologies which is flown by both the Royal Navy and the RAF. Although based at RAF Marham in Norfolk, it also operates from the UK’s two new Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers and other land bases.

In addition to its short take-off and vertical landing capability, the F-35’s unique combination of stealth, cutting-edge radar, sensor technology, and electronic warfare systems make it a true fifth-generation combat aircraft.

Air Cdre Phil Brooker, Hd Lightning II Delivery Team & Combat Air Principal Engineer at DE&S, said:

The signature of the LANCE contract is a significant milestone in the maturity of the UK’s F-35 National Support Solution and demonstrates confidence in Lockheed Martin and BAES’ ability to enable the nation’s critical F-35 Freedom of Action capability and deliver the necessary support to the UK Warfighter.

Adopting lessons from the previous two year ‘Operate and Demonstrate’ phase contract, LANCE 23 offers value for money, whilst also increasing the overall scope from the previous contract and introducing significant capability enhancements critical to the generation of Air Vehicle Availability.

Additionally, BAES as the on-site lead ensures that wider UK Combat Air portfolio synergies are realised, and drives a culture of Continuous Improvement, marking out the MOD, US DoD and Industry as valued strategic partners.

As part of the contract, BAE Systems will continue to deliver pilot and groundcrew training together with a range of other critical services, including an ejection seat and canopy maintenance workshop, a ‘Pilot fit facility’ to fit aircrew flying equipment and component spray facility to transfer coatings onto aircraft parts.
April 4, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Science and Technology Secretary travels to Brussels to meet EU Research & Innovation Commissioner [April 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 4 April 2023.

The Science and Technology Secretary, Michelle Donelan, will travel to discuss research collaboration including the UK’s expectations around association with Horizon Europe.
Science and Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan meeting European Commissioner Mariya Gabriel in Brussels

introductory meeting to discuss collaboration on research and innovation, including association with Horizon Europe and other EU programmes

follows meeting with Donelan and EU Ambassador in London last month

The Science and Technology Secretary will travel to Brussels to meet European Commissioner Mariya Gabriel later today (Tuesday 4 April), to discuss research collaboration including the UK’s expectations around association with Horizon Europe.

The visit in Brussels follows extensive engagement with the research and development sector in the UK and a meeting between Michelle Donelan, Science Minister George Freeman and the EU’s Ambassador to London, Pedro Serrano, on 14 March.

The UK welcomes the EU’s recent willingness to engage in discussions on UK association to EU programmes. Discussions will need to reflect the lasting impact of 2 years of delays to the UK’s association.

In parallel, the UK government has been developing plans for a bold alternative in case the terms of association with Horizon Europe are not in the UK’s interest. These will be published in the coming days and we will engage with and seek input from researchers and businesses to develop these proposals further. The plans will also provide long-term certainty if we are unable to reach the right terms through discussions with the EU. In all circumstances, the government will ensure that UK researchers benefit from world-leading collaboration with colleagues from Europe and beyond.

The government is dedicated to supporting the science and research sector in the UK, which is why we have committed to increase public R&D investment to £20 billion by 2024-2025, a record increase of 30% in cash terms over the spending review period.

Secretary of State for Science and Technology, Michelle Donelan, said:

I am determined to ensure our world-class scientists have the very best platform on which to continue their work, with research that transforms the way we live and work, not just here in the UK, but around the world.

I look forward to this introductory meeting with the EU and discussing possible future association with Horizon Europe. But we can only do so on the right terms, and I’m Brussels today to ensure there is understanding of that on both sides, while taking forward these discussions in a constructive and respectful way.

To support researchers during this period, the government announced an extension to the support provided to UK Horizon Europe applicants until the end of June, which has totalled more than £882 million to date. Eligible, successful applicants to Horizon Europe will receive the full value of their funding at their UK host institution for the lifetime of their grant and UK researchers are encouraged to continue to apply to Horizon Europe calls on this basis.
April 4, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : National Cyber Force reveals how daily cyber operations protect the UK [April 2023]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 4 April 2023.

The NCF outlines how it conducts responsible cyber operations to counter state threats, support military operations, and disrupt terrorists and serious crime.
Established in 2020, the National Cyber Force (NCF) is a partnership between GCHQ and the Ministry of Defence which carries out cyber operations on a daily basis to protect against threats to the UK, further the UK’s foreign policy, support military operations, and prevent serious crime.

Following the publication of the Government’s Integrated Review Refresh (IRR) last month, the publication of a new document titled ‘NCF: Responsible Cyber Power in Practice’ today delivers on the commitment in the IRR to be as transparent as possible about the NCF’s cyber capabilities and provide clarity on how the UK acts as a responsible and democratic cyber power.

The UK is reiterating its commitment to international stability and security, and illustrating how states can act responsibly in cyberspace through demonstrating how the NCF’s operations are accountable, precise and calibrated. This contrasts with the reckless and indiscriminate activities of those who would do harm to the UK and its allies.

All of the NCF’s operations are conducted in a legal and ethical manner, in line with domestic and international law and our national values. The operations are based on a deep understanding of the cyber environment, which enables NCF to design, time and target them with precision.

Central to the NCF’s approach is the ‘doctrine of cognitive effect’ – using techniques that have the potential to sow distrust, decrease morale, and weaken our adversaries’ abilities to plan and conduct their activities effectively. This can include preventing terrorist groups from publishing pieces of extremist media online or making it harder for states to use the internet to spread disinformation by affecting their perception of the operating environment.

The NCF’s work is covert and we therefore do not reveal details of individual operations. Indeed the intent is sometimes that adversaries do not realise that the effects they are experiencing are the result of a cyber operation. This ambiguity can help to amplify the cognitive effect.

Despite the necessary level of secrecy, in line with our commitment to being a responsible cyber actor, we have disclosed that over the last three years the NCF has delivered operations to:

protect military deployments overseas;

disrupt terrorist groups;

counter sophisticated, stealthy and continuous cyber threats;

counter state disinformation campaigns;

reduce the threat of external interference in democratic elections; and

remove child sexual abuse material from public spaces online.

Through ‘NCF: Responsible Cyber Power in Practice’, the UK is reiterating its commitment to international stability and security, and illustrating how states can act responsibly in cyberspace, in line with domestic and international law.

Director GCHQ, Sir Jeremy Fleming, said:

In an increasingly volatile and interconnected world, to be a truly responsible cyber power, nations must be able to contest and compete with adversaries in cyberspace. In the UK, the National Cyber Force complements the UK’s world class cyber resilience to give the country operational cyber capabilities at the scale needed to protect our free, open, and peaceful society.

Building upon two decades of experience, the dynamic new partnership has countered state threats, made key contributions to military operations, and disrupted terrorist cells and serious criminals including child sex offenders.

With the threat growing and the stakes higher than ever before, we hope this document provides a benchmark for the UK’s approach and a basis for like-minded governments to come together internationally to establish a shared vision and values for the responsible use of cyber operations.

General Sir Jim Hockenhull, Commander of Strategic Command, said:

The National Cyber Force is a crucial tool in our integrated approach to national security and our defence of the UK.

Working across Government and with our international allies is vital. There is a power in partnerships, and we must go further to out-cooperate and out-compete states that are driving instability.

The NCF is also today avowing its Commander for the first time, as part of the Government’s commitment to provide transparency about how the UK conducts responsible cyber operations.

James Babbage, a GCHQ intelligence officer for nearly 30 years, has led the NCF since its inception in 2020, scaled its operations and led efforts to integrate it effectively with a broad range of other agencies and partners.

He has spent most of his career at GCHQ, with a secondment to the Ministry of Defence and a tour as a liaison officer in the US.
April 4, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : New plan for cleaner and more plentiful water [April 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 3 April 2023.

More investment, stronger regulation and tougher enforcement on water companies announced in new government water plan.

A new plan to clean up our waters and ensure a plentiful supply for the future has been set out by the government today (4 April).

The Plan for Water covers both the water environment – how clean it is – and water resources – how much of it we have.

It brings together the significant action already taken, along with more investment, stronger regulation and tougher enforcement on those who pollute.

It tackles every source of pollution, including from storm overflows, agriculture, plastics, road run-off and chemicals – as well as the pressures on our water resources as a result of hotter, drier summers and population growth.

It includes a commitment to consult on a ban on the use of plastic in wet wipes, responding to public calls to tackle the blight of plastic in our waterways and building on recent action from major retailers including Boots and Tesco. This ban will be subject to public consultation, working with industry and making sure plastic-free alternatives are available to the public.

The public rightly expect water companies, businesses and regulators to do all they can to protect our waterways. That’s why the plan will make sure water companies speed up their infrastructure upgrades – bringing forward £1.6 billion for work to start between now and 2025. Farmers will also be supported with an extra £34 million to tackle water pollution and boost food production, with an additional £10 million for farm reservoirs and irrigation.

Under the plan, fines from water companies will be reinvested into a new Water Restoration Fund, making polluters pay for damage they cause to the environment. This fund will deliver on-the-ground improvements to water quality as well as supporting local groups and community-led schemes which help to protect our waterways.

Tackling the challenges around water quality and resources requires effort across the whole of society, including businesses, regulators, government and households. This will not be fixed overnight, but today’s plan sets out a clear way forward for cleaner, plentiful water and to deliver the improvements people want to see.

Secretary of State Thérèse Coffey said:

Our rare chalk streams and world-famous coastlines, lakes and rivers are hugely important to local communities and to nature.

I completely understand the concerns that people have about the health and resilience of our waters, which is why I am setting out this plan for a truly national effort to protect and improve them. That includes higher penalties taken from water company profits which will be channelled back into the rivers, lakes and streams where it is needed.

This is not straightforward, but I take this issue extremely seriously and things need to change. That’s why we have developed this plan and we are committed to delivering the progress that people want to see.

Today the government is announcing:

More investment
- £1.6 billion of new, accelerated investment by water companies, to spend on new infrastructure to tackle pollution and increase our water resilience – includes £1.1 billion on storm overflow improvements to cut 10,000 discharges
- Creating a new Water Restoration Fund, using money from water company fines and penalties – taken from water company profits, not customers – to support local groups and catchment projects like re-meandering rivers and restoring habitats
- Delivering long-term catchment action plans – community-led schemes which aim to improve waterways and surrounding eco-systems – backed up by new funding, to improve all water bodies in England. This follows the credit scheme launched last week by Natural England to offset the environmental impact of new housing developments.
- More than doubling the money for slurry infrastructure for farmers to £34 million through the Slurry Infrastructure Grant, with further rounds to be launched later in 2023 and 2024. This will help farmers reduce a major source of water pollution by improving slurry storage, as well as the use of organic nutrients on farms.
- Supporting farmers with food production by enabling them to store more water on their land – with a second round of the £10 million Water Management Grant to fund more on-farm reservoirs and better irrigation equipment. We will also reduce planning barriers to small reservoirs.
- Leveraging £1 million investment in partnership projects each year to improve chalk catchments to help protect these rare and irreplaceable habitats. This is in addition to taking forward the recommendations from the Chalk Stream Strategy.
- Launching a £6.6 million Lowland Peat Research and Development programme in 2023 to identify the best way to reduce emissions from lowland peatlands.
Stronger regulation
- Banning sales of wet wipes containing plastic – subject to consultation – and writing to relevant producers and advertising authorities about ‘flushable’ labelling on wet wipe packaging.
- Develop new proposals to restrict the use of ‘forever’ chemicals (PFAS) found in our rivers and seas – including proposals for a ban on PFAS in fire-fighting foams following recommendations made by the Health and Safety Executive.
- Launching 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.
- An earlier deadline for water companies to reduce chemicals in wastewater treatment.
- Integrating water and flood planning to target actions where they will have the biggest impact for nature.
- Reducing water demand by encouraging water companies to consider how to rapidly increase smart meter installations for household and non-household customers.
Tougher enforcement
- Changing the law to increase the scope and maximum amount the Environment Agency (EA) can secure in penalties for water companies for damaging the environment. The consultation has launched today, including a preferred option to remove the cap and enable the EA to issue unlimited penalties.  This follows recent action from Ofwat to ensure dividends are clearly linked to company performance for customers and the environment, as well as tighter measures on water company executive bonuses.
- Increasing permit charges on water companies to fund more EA water company inspections, with new inspection targets.
- Reviewing and updating the existing memorandum of understanding between the Environment Agency and Ofwat for enhanced joint regulatory oversight of water companies.
Water Minister Rebecca Pow said:

This ambitious plan marks a step change in how we manage our waters – pulling together all the strands of our complex water system, and setting us on a trajectory for a clean and sustainable water supply for future generations.

Crucially, it will ensure that we secure clean water from a healthy environment, where chalk streams are restored and entire catchments – from source to sea – are the focal point.

Environment Agency Chair Alan Lovell said:

Climate change and population growth mean that by 2050 around 4 billion extra litres of water will be needed every day in England. Defra’s plan sets out a pathway that integrates action on supply and demand with work on floods and pollution. We must take full advantage of the current public interest to deliver a truly national effort to protect water. This plan sets the trajectory.

I am also pleased to see today’s consultation on enabling the Environment Agency to levy much larger penalties for pollution alongside the criminal fines we seek in the courts. Nature must be supported and the polluter must pay. These new measures will help us hold the water industry and others to account.

Ofwat Chief Executive David Black said:

We welcome greater collaboration with our partners in the sector to ensure water companies’ actions are focused on better protecting the environment and their customers. Substantial investment is underway to drive improvements and we are tightening rules to ensure companies act responsibly.

This includes action on dividends and bonus payments where performance does meet our expectations, while ensuring the sector remains sufficiently resilient to attract ongoing investment. We also look forward to working with other regulators on matters ranging from affordability to data-sharing.

Natural England Chair Tony Juniper said:

Protecting and improving our freshwater habitats is an essential part of maintaining some of our iconic wetland and river landscapes and for meeting the government’s statutory targets for Nature recovery.

It is very positive to see a focus on key Nature recovery priorities, including support for work to improve chalk streams, adding meanders back to rivers and restoring freshwater wildlife habitats. These measures will go hand in hand with our new mitigation scheme to help protect internationally important wetlands from nutrient pollution.

Natural England looks forward to working closely with the government in making the most of this very welcome new plan in protecting and restoring Nature and improving the quality of our freshwater environments, while bringing benefits for farmers, communities and wildlife.

Today’s announcement follows the Environmental Improvement Plan in January, the government’s five-year delivery plan to protect and restore nature – including ambitious targets on water. The Integrated Plan for Water shows how we will deliver on those targets.

It also builds on recent action – including the Storm Overflows Discharge Reduction Plan published last year, a significant push on monitoring of storm overflows from 7% in 2010 to more than 90% now, and new targets on water companies designed to prioritise key sites like bathing waters.

The full Plan is available on gov.uk.
April 4, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : “We must harness the momentum behind Security Council reform” – UK Statement at the General Assembly [April 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 3 April 2023.

Statement by Matilda O’Kelly at the UN General Assembly meeting on the Intergovernmental Negotiations on Security Council reform (IGN)

Thank you for the new agenda items you have included in this meeting of the IGN. Continuing to evolve the IGN to reflect emerging key topics is important for us to make progress.

We are clear that there must be permanent African representation on the Council. It cannot be the case that such a large proportion of the world’s population, and a whole regional group, not share their expertise and shoulder the responsibility of permanent membership of the Council.

We also want to see permanent membership for Brazil, Japan and India, which would mean permanent representation from the Latin America and Asia Pacific regional groups, as well as permanent membership for Germany.

On categories of membership, the UK supports expansion in both the existing categories, permanent and non-permanent.

Turning to the “status of documentation,” I would like to outline a few key points:

The urgency and momentum we have heard for Security Council Reform so far this year cannot be ignored. So the UK is open to all avenues to progressing the discussion on Security Council reform. We must move forward at an accelerated pace, as so many colleagues have said in this year’s IGN meetings so far.

We believe text based negotiations would help us to make that progress. A single consolidated and updated text that includes attribution would help us to make the meaningful progress for which so many of us have called.

We are open to different options of what such a single, consolidated and updated text should look like. And we would be pleased to partake in further discussions in this session of the IGN on the basis of a single consolidated text with attributions, circulated to us in advance.

I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome the news that the IGN website will go live later this week.

In closing, co-chairs, we must harness the momentum behind Security Council reform, and translate that into a text from which we can work to make the change we all so want to see.

Thank you.

April 4, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : New measures to tackle child sexual abuse [April 2023]

The press release issued by the Home Office on 3 April 2023.

People who work with children will be legally required to report child sexual abuse or face sanctions under new plans unveiled by the Home Secretary.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman has today (Sunday 2 April) committed to a mandatory reporting duty, subject to consultation, for those working or volunteering with children to report child sexual abuse, after the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) heard heart-breaking testimony from thousands of victims let down by professionals turning a blind eye to their suffering.

Mandatory reporting was one of the key recommendations made by the IICSA report to crack down on child sexual abuse and address the systemic under-reporting of this crime.

The first step to introducing the duty is a call for evidence which will be open to professionals, volunteers, parents, victims and survivors, and the wider public. It will be the start of extensive consultation to ensure everyone’s views are represented ahead of implementing the new duty.

Suella Braverman said:

Child sexual abuse is one of the most horrific crimes facing our society, it devastates victims, families and whole communities.

The protection of children is a collective effort. Every adult must be supported to call out child sexual abuse without fear.

That’s why I’m introducing a mandatory reporting duty and launching a call for evidence. We must address the failings identified by the Inquiry and take on board the views of the thousands of victims and survivors who contributed to it.

I would encourage everyone to engage with the process once it starts – it is important to have a national conversation about this to help to shine a light on this terrible – but too often hidden – crime.

The call for evidence will be published alongside the government’s full response to the Inquiry shortly.

To immediately support professionals who work with children, we are providing £600,000 to the NSPCC whistleblowing helpline. If a professional has concerns that their organisation isn’t reporting or handling child abuse cases appropriately, they can contact the NSPCC whistleblowing helpline for support.

The helpline was launched in 2016 following Professor Alexis Jay’s report into the child sexual exploitation in Rotherham. Since then, it has provided advice to 1,062 individuals and led to over 300 referrals to the police.

Additional funding is also going to be made available for the NSPCC’s adult helpline, which is for anyone who is concerned about the welfare of a child. The helpline has established procedures and protocols around referring reports to statutory safeguarding partners, including children’s services and policing, so that they can be investigated and acted on.

The government is also speeding up the process for members of the public to find out if someone they know has committed child abuse in the past in order to better protect vulnerable people from predators close by.

Known as Sarah’s Law in memory of 8-year-old Sarah Payne, who was murdered by a previously convicted sex offender in 2000, the updated guidance for the Child Sex Offender’s Disclosure Scheme will make it easier for the public to raise a concern online and reduce the timeframes for police to respond to enquiries, which will help the public get the information they need sooner and protect children from harm.

Dr Sara Payne MBE, the mother of Sarah Payne, said:

After the news of my Sarah’s murder in 2000, I promised her that her death would not be in vain or forgotten or indeed, only remembered for the manner of her death. Since 2010, after years of campaigning, so many children have been protected in her name, a much more fitting epitaph to my princess.

I would like to thank my family, my own dedicated Phoenix team and the Home Office Sarah’s Law team for helping us all to reach this day, where I am pleased to announce the latest Sarah’s Law updates for 2023.

There is always more to do. This is an historical ‘turning point’ day today for child protection and I for one, sincerely welcome these much-needed changes to Sarah’s Law 2023, as we all know keeping up with ‘sex offenders’ is not and will never be ‘enough’.

April 4, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Green growth for Wales as UK government announces multi billion pound investment to boost UK energy independence [April 2023]
The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 3 April 2023.

These plans will help deliver on the Prime Minister’s promise to grow the economy across Wales.
New jobs and investment are set to come to Wales as the UK Government today unveils ambitious plans to scale up affordable, clean, homegrown power and build thriving green industries in Britain.

After decades of reliance on importing expensive, foreign fossil fuels, the Government is delivering a radical shift in our energy system towards cleaner, more affordable energy sources to power more of Britain from Britain.

New green technologies, set to be developed and deployed here in the Wales including carbon capture usage and storage (CCUS) and hydrogen, will spearhead the government’s new Energy Security Plan.

As part of this, Grant Shapps is announcing £160 million of new funding for pilot projects to build the port infrastructure needed to support further floating offshore wind, through the Floating Offshore Wind Manufacturing Investment Scheme. This scheme will support investment in the infrastructure needed to meet the UK’s ambition of up to 5GW of floating offshore wind by 2030, supported by a substantial pipeline of potential projects in the Celtic sea.

Today, the UK Government confirmed Hanson Padeswood Cement Works carbon capture and storage project – based in the North Wales region – as one of eight projects to be taken forward to negotiations to form the basis of the UK’s new CCUS clusters.

This announcement follows the confirmation in the Spring Budget of £20 billion for CCUS, future-proofing jobs in the industrial heartlands, including the North Sea, contributing to a half a million new green jobs set to be created and supported across the country.

CCUS is a key pillar to the UK’s path to net zero – recognised by the independent Committee on Climate Change as a necessity – and the country’s geography means it has capacity to permanently store carbon emissions taken from our air deep underground and at sea.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:

Thanks to our unique geography and strong expertise in clean technology, the UK is well placed to create thriving new industries in carbon capture, hydrogen and floating offshore wind across the country.

By investing in new ways to power Britain from Britain, we will not only strengthen our long-term energy security, but also deliver on our promise to grow the economy with well-paid jobs and opportunities for businesses to export their expertise around the world.

Energy Security and Net Zero Minister Graham Stuart said:

Wales will be at the heart of our plans to power up Britain, as we support its development of new home-grown technologies of the future.

Today’s announcement will create opportunities for welsh businesses to export their expertise around the world and set the standard for a clean, secure and prosperous future.

Secretary of State for Wales David TC Davies said:

The UK Government’s Energy Security plan is ambitious and contains fantastic news for the whole of Wales. We know that there is huge potential in the Celtic Sea for floating offshore wind and we have the best sites for new nuclear developments.

The UK Government is supporting plans for the Celtic Sea to deliver enough clean, secure electricity for 4 million homes by 2035. Today we’ve announced £160m of government funding to kickstart investment in building the infrastructure in ports to allow them to deliver this innovative source of renewable energy.

The establishment of Great British Nuclear will support our ambition to ramp up nuclear capacity in the UK to a quarter of our energy demand by 2050. I am eager to see nuclear energy brought back to Wales and the development of a floating offshore wind industry, creating jobs, spreading growth and prosperity and securing our energy supply.

The UK Government has also set an ambition for 10GW of hydrogen production by 2030 – which could generate enough clean electricity to power all of London for a year.

Wales will be central to these plans, where one of the first successful applicants to the £240 million Net Zero Hydrogen Fund will be located. Fifteen projects will be awarded grant funding of £37.9m to support the development and deployment of new low carbon hydrogen production plants. Hydrogen will play an important role in helping intensive industries such as chemicals, steel and cement convert to using clean energy.

The successful project is Statkraft’s Trecwn Green Hydrogen Valley project. It plans to build a 15MW electrolyser system to produce green hydrogen, using the region’s excellent wind and solar resources to produce a sustainable fuel for transport and other industrial application.

Alongside this, three companies based in Wales have been shortlisted to proceed to the next stage of the first electrolytic hydrogen Allocation round (HAR1).

These are:

RES and Octopus Green Hydrogen

Marubeni Europower

H2 energy and Trafigura

Today’s plans will help deliver on the Prime Minister’s promise to grow the economy across Wales, supporting new green jobs, creating a strategic advantage in new clean industries, and generating opportunities for Welsh businesses to export their expertise around the world.
April 4, 2023