Category: Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE : £27 billion business tax cut takes effect as tax year begins [March 2023]
The press release issued by HM Treasury on 31 March 2023.

Businesses across the UK can take advantage of the Chancellor’s capital allowances package from today as the new business tax year begins.
- the new business tax year comes in today 1 April 2023, with a new regime to boost investment and spur UK growth
- £27 billion cut to corporation tax, via Chancellor’s new full expensing policy, expected to boost investment by 3% in each of the next three years
- other tax changes coming into force include more business rates relief, extension to the fuel duty cut and a £450 income tax cut for carers
The package, announced at Spring Budget, comprises 100% full expensing and a 50% first-year allowance. It will mean the UK has the most generous capital allowance regime in the OECD worth £27 billion over the next three years, amounting to an effective £9 billion a year tax cut for companies.

The OBR expects this regime to boost investment by 3% over three years.

To mark the milestone, Financial Secretary to the Treasury visited Brompton Bikes in Greenford, London, who’ll be using full expensing to stimulate their growth.

Victoria Atkins, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, said:

“We are determined to make the UK the best place in the world to do business, which is why from today businesses can start to benefit from the raft of tax cuts on offer to boost their growth.

“With full expensing, the more a company invests the less tax they’ll pay, and I encourage companies of any size to take full advantage of this world-leading reform.”

With the new 25% corporation tax rate coming in for the top 10% most profitable companies from today, and the super-deduction ending yesterday, the Chancellor used his Spring Budget to ensure that the UK’s tax system fosters the right conditions for enterprise, investment and growth.

Full expensing lets companies deduct 100% of the cost of certain plant and machinery investments from their profits before tax. It is available from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2026. It provides the same generosity as the super-deduction, saving firms up to 25p in every £1 of qualifying investment and is for main rate assets – such as construction, warehousing and office equipment.

The 50% First-Year Allowance lets companies deduct 50% of the cost of other plant and machinery, known as special rate assets, from their profits during the year of purchase. This includes long life assets such as solar panels and lighting systems.

Minister Victoria Atkins visited Brompton Bikes in Greenford this week to see how these capital allowances will be used to help the firm invest and grow. The minister toured their factory, viewing a brand new state-of-the-art Autobraze machine and the production line. She also met a selection of 15 trainees currently on Brompton’s training programme.

Phill Elston, Operations Director at Brompton Bicycle, said:

“The announcement of a super deduction replacement is great news for us. In previous years it has meant we could invest significantly in our production capabilities, upgrading equipment and building a more progressive factory; which has seen us move from making circa. 45,000 bikes per year in 2019, to around 100,000 bikes per year in 2022.

“Our mission is to improve how people travel around cities, which in turn creates happier communities, and the new expensing scheme helps to accelerate that goal.”

Other tax measures taking effect today include new domestic and ultra-long Air Passenger Duty bands.

For passengers flying in economy class, the new domestic band will be set at £6.50, a 50% cut to bolster UK-wide connectivity, while the new ultra long-haul band will be set at £91, meaning those who fly the furthest will pay the greatest level of duty.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said:

“Transport binds the United Kingdom together, and this cut to Air Passenger Duty will make travelling between our family of nations easier than ever.

“Boosting transport links between our four nations sustains jobs, creates opportunities and is an essential part of this Government’s plan to grow the economy.”

Further tax measures include:
- To help household budgets further, the planned 11 pence rise in fuel duty has been cancelled, maintaining last year’s 5p cut for another twelve months, saving a typical driver another £100 on top of the £100 saved so far since last year’s cut.
- More business rates relief, as part of the Chancellor’s £13.6 billion package from 2022’s Autumn Statement. This includes the freezing of the multiplier and the introduction of 75% relief for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses, helping the high street to thrive and compete with online firms.
- Extending creative sector reliefs: theatres, orchestra and museums and galleries will benefit from a further 2 years of tax relief rates of 45%/50%. The museums and galleries exhibitions tax relief sunset clause will be extended for a further 2 years to allow these organisations to fully benefit from the extension of the highest rates.
- The Annual Investment Allowance (AIA), an existing measure which also supports business investment, has been increased permanently to £1 million today. This covers the investment needs of 99% of UK businesses.
- Rebalancing the rates of Research and Development Expenditure Credit and the R&D SME scheme to ensure taxpayers’ money is spent as effectively as possible. As a result, today the UK now offers the joint-highest uncapped headline rate of R&D tax relief support in the G7 for large companies.
- The government also committed to considering the case for further support for R&D intensive SMEs, and at Spring Budget announced that from today there will be an increased permanent rate of relief for the most R&D intensive loss-making SMEs. To support modern methods of innovation, for accounting periods beginning on or after today, businesses will also be able to claim for the costs of datasets and cloud computing under the R&D tax reliefs.
- Expanding the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) to help more UK start-ups raise higher levels of finance. This package will help over 2,000 start-up companies access finance.
- Expanding the availability and generosity of the Company Share Option Plan (CSOP) scheme which will widen access to CSOP for growth companies and simplifying the process to grant options under the Enterprise Management Incentives (EMI) scheme.
On 6 April 2023 personal tax changes taking effect include removing tax-barriers that the medical community have made clear stop doctors working, delivering on the Prime Minister’s priority to cut NHS waiting lists so people can get the care they need more quickly. The pensions annual tax-free allowance will increase by 50% from £40,000 to £60,000, the Money Purchase Annual Allowance will rise from £4,000 to £10,000, and the Lifetime Allowance charge will be removed. The Office for Budget Responsibility estimate around 15,000 individuals will remain in the labour market because of the changes to the annual and lifetime allowances, many of whom will be highly skilled individuals, including senior doctors in the NHS.

Qualifying Carers Relief will be uprated with inflation from 6 April 2023 to representing a £450 per year income tax cut for carers. The uprating increases the amount of income tax relief from £10,000 to £18,140 plus £375-450 per week for each person cared for.
April 2, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK deepens Indo-Pacific defence ties as Baroness Goldie visits Malaysia and Vietnam [March 2023]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 31 March 2023.

The visits aimed to strengthen defence ties and celebrate our historical defence and security cooperation.
The UK celebrated historic defence relationships in the Indo-Pacific as Defence Minister Baroness Goldie visited Malaysia and Vietnam this week.

Reinforcing the UK’s commitment to the region, Baroness Goldie discussed the UK’s recent Integrated Review Refresh and how the AUKUS agreement will support regional stability.

First visiting Kuala Lumpur and Penang, the Minister met with Malaysian Defence Minister Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad bin Haji Hasan on Tuesday, discussing the deepening of bilateral cooperation and Defence ties through Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA).

Celebrating 50 years of diplomatic relations with Vietnam, Baroness Goldie met with Vice Minister Chien of the Ministry of National Defence and attended the UK and Vietnam’s Fourth Defence Policy Dialogue – an annual bilateral meeting between the two nations, agreeing the future framework for joint defence cooperation.

UK Defence Minister, Baroness Goldie, said:

It was a huge pleasure to visit both Malaysia and Vietnam this week, hearing their strategic objectives and challenges, and discussing ways we can continue our long-standing defence cooperation.

The Indo-Pacific region is critical to our economy and security, and our commitment to upholding an open and stable order is at the heart of all we do.

Reinforcing the UK’s commitment to the region, Baroness Goldie undertook several engagements during her visit, including:

Meeting UK personnel at the FPDA’s military headquarters at RMAF Butterworth in Penang.

Visiting Sapura Group, in support of their UK partner TriCIS to discuss cyber communications and security.

Visiting the Vietnam Department for Peacekeeping Operations to discuss further UK support.

Meeting representatives from Five Eyes partners to discuss the alliance and further opportunities for cooperation.

Meeting with Vietnamese government delegates to discuss the UK’s recently launched Women Peace and Security Strategy and how the UK and Vietnam can work together to protect women in conflict and promote peace.

In both countries, Baroness Goldie also paid her respects to those who have given their lives in conflicts, laying a wreath at the Commonwealth War Grave Commission (CWGC) Cemetery in Taiping and another at the Bac Son Martyr Memorial Monument in Hanoi.

The Minister’s visit reconfirms the UK’s commitment to the Indo-Pacific, a region critical to the UK’s economy, security, and our commitment to an open and stable international order.
April 2, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UN HRC52 – Statement on the Central African Republic [March 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 31 March 2023.

UN HRC52: UK Statement for the High-Level dialogue on the Central African Republic.

Thank you, Mr President.

The United Kingdom remains deeply concerned by increases in the number of human rights violations and abuses in the Central African Republic. Reports have highlighted that Central African Armed Forces and Wagner Group forces are responsible for the majority of these.

Wagner Group has shown repeatedly that their presence in CAR is self-serving. We continue to urge the government to investigate allegations of human rights violations and abuses, and to ensure that all perpetrators are held to account.

We are equally concerned by reports of attacks on expatriates and urge the Government to ensure the protection of all citizens.

We call for a revitalisation of the peace process. The Political Agreement for Peace and Stability remains the only viable option to end conflict and crisis in the Central African Republic. We call on the Government to build on political progress through meaningful engagement with all actors in country.

Lastly, we commend the progress made by the National Elections Authority and the support of the Central African Government, MINUSCA and UNDP, in preparing for the local elections in July 2023. We remain concerned about financial, logistical and security challenges in organising these crucial elections.

Mr Agbetse,

What steps should CAR and the international community take to stem the worsening human rights situation?

Thank you.

April 2, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : No other country has raised the prospect of nuclear use, no one is threatening Russia’s sovereignty – UK Statement at the Security Council [March 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 31 March 2023.

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council meeting on President Putin’s announcement of basing nuclear weapons in Belarus.

Thank you, President, and thank you, High Representative Nakamitsu, for your sobering briefing.

In January 2022, P5 leaders said that “a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought.”

They also said that, “nuclear weapons – for as long as they continue to exist – should serve defensive purposes, deter aggression, and prevent war.”

Despite this commitment, since the beginning of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, President Putin has used irresponsible nuclear rhetoric.

Let us be clear:

No other country has raised the prospect of nuclear use in this conflict.

No one is threatening Russia’s sovereignty.

It is Russia who has violated the UN Charter by invading another sovereign country.

President Putin’s announcement on 25 March is his latest attempt to intimidate and coerce. This has not worked and will not work. We will continue to support Ukraine’s efforts to defend itself.

We have heard President Putin’s claim that the trigger for this announcement is the UK supplying depleted uranium munitions to Ukraine alongside Challenger tanks, as it defends itself in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter.

Russia is well aware that this is conventional ammunition – not nuclear munitions. This is yet another example of them deliberately trying to mislead.

We welcome President Xi’s call for the international community to “jointly oppose the use of, or threats to use, nuclear weapons,” and I listen closely to our Chinese colleague today. We also note the Chinese and Russian joint statement that nuclear weapons should not be deployed abroad.

Despite these statements of intent, Russia has steadily undermined the arms control architecture underpinning our collective security. Russia’s persistent violations of the INF Treaty resulted in the Treaty’s collapse in 2019. This year, Russia suspended its participation in New START.

President, President Lukashenko has made no secret of his wish to see Russia base nuclear weapons in Belarus. We urge him to stop enabling Russia’s reckless and escalatory actions.

We will stand firm in our support to the people of Ukraine, and call on Russia to de-escalate; it should start by ceasing its illegal and unprovoked invasion.

Thank you.

April 2, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK Government Minister for Scotland visits Spain to boost economic and cultural links [March 2023]

The press release issued by the Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland on 31 March 2023.

Scotland Office Minister John Lamont has been in Madrid for a two-day visit focused on renewable energy, trade and cultural links between our two countries.

During his visit he met with representatives from the Iberdrola Group, one of the largest utility companies in the world and owners of Scottish Power. Their Innovation and Training Campus in Madrid welcomes around 13,000 people each year as they promote talent and innovation from individuals, companies and students from around the world.

He also toured the Johnnie Walker flagship store, similar to the one recently opened in Edinburgh, which sells and showcases Scotch whisky to Madrid residents and tourists.

As well as engagements with Spanish politicians and academics, including Pascual Navarro, Spanish Minister for Europe, Minister Lamont visited the famous Prado museum. This houses paintings from Scottish artists including renowned landscape painter David Roberts from Edinburgh. He spent time in Spain in the 1830s and painted a number of Spanish landscapes.

Speaking at the end of his visit, Minister Lamont said:

“I am delighted to have visited Madrid this week for a range of economic and cultural meetings.

“It was great to meet with Iberdrola Group, a massive energy company, who are very active in Scotland and it was really interesting to hear about their future plans for investment and innovation in Scotland’s green energy sector.

“Of course, you could travel anywhere in the world and know that a key part of Scotland’s economy – Scotch whisky – will be there and it was great to see the range of Scottish whiskies on display at the Johnnie Walker flagship store in Madrid, popular with locals and tourists alike.

“There are deep cultural and economic ties between Scotland and Spain that go back for centuries and this visit was focussed on strengthening those.”

April 2, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK strikes deal to join major free trade bloc in Asia-Pacific [March 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 31 March 2023.

Accession means lower tariffs on some exports to the UK, which are not already removed through the UK’s bilateral agreements with member countries.

The UK has today, 31 March, announced the conclusion of trade talks with member countries of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), a vast free trade area spanning the Asia-Pacific, after 21 months of negotiations.

The bloc is home to over 500 million people and will have a total GDP of £11 trillion once the UK joins.

Negotiations, which began in June 2021, concluded after an intense round of talks in Vietnam, with representatives from all CPTPP member countries agreeing to the UK’s accession.

The UK is the first new member and European country to join CPTPP, which is made up of 11 Pacific nations including Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.

As a free trade area connecting a wide group of economies, CPTPP creates opportunities to deepen our trading links across the Americas, providing a range of different opportunities with the different countries.

CPTPP membership will complement and reinforce existing bilateral trade agreements we have already signed, including those with Chile, Mexico and Peru.

Joining the CPTPP trading bloc means that over 99% of UK goods exports to CPTPP members will be eligible for tariff-free trade, and UK membership will secure CPTPP countries greater access to the fifth largest market in the world by GDP, with 67 million consumers.

Accession means lower tariffs on some exports to the UK which are not already removed through the UK’s bilateral agreements with member countries.

UK Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch said:

Our accession to CPTPP sends a powerful signal that the UK is open for business and using our post-Brexit freedoms to reach out to new markets, including in the Asia Pacific region, and grow our economy.

Joining this influential trade bloc will help us to shape the rules of global trade with like-minded nations, and work even closer together on our shared priorities of prosperity, security and free and fair trade.

UK membership could also benefit businesses and investors in all CPTPP countries through modern rules that make it easier to establish, operate investments and do business in the UK.

It sends a powerful signal that the UK as an independent trading nation will continue to champion free and fair trade, fight protectionism and remove barriers to trade at every opportunity, helping to reinforce the rules-based international system at a critical time in our history.

Five rounds of talks with UK and CPTPP chief negotiators took place in total, with many more intersessional and bilateral negotiations alongside, and for the final round in Vietnam alone more than 150 delegates from all CPTPP member countries took part.

As one of the largest free trade areas in the world, CPTPP accounted for 12 percent of global GDP in 2021. This would rise to 15 percent with the UK’s accession, adding substantial value to this huge free trade area.

HM Trade Commissioner for Latin America and the Caribbean, Jonathan Knott said:

The UK’s strategic interests align closely with our CPTPP member countries from Latin America, Mexico, Chile and Peru. Our priorities for the region include protecting economic security, tackling climate change and defending our values and the international rules-based order. We share a vision for free, open and secure trade.

I am confident that the UK accession will consolidate CPTPP as a bedrock of a rich network of economic and strategic relationships.

The British Ambassador to Chile, Louise de Sousa, said:

CPTPP will deepen trade links between the UK and Chile, enhancing our current Free Trade Agreement by removing barriers and improving market access.

Chile is already the UK’s third largest export market in Latin America and the removal of barriers to trade will provide opportunities for businesses across numerous sectors, fostering economic growth and enhancing our bilateral relationship.

Greater alignment on cross-border trade in services and e-commerce will open opportunities in financial services, while closer alignment will support key strategic sectors such as energy and infrastructure, whilst helping bother countries implement our decarbonisation plans.

Through our bilateral Trade Dialogue with Chile, the UK government will continue to look at ways to boost trade for SMEs, innovative businesses and address the deficit of female-led companies in our trade relationship, utilising the new opportunities under CPTPP.

April 2, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Derry/Londonderry-London air route secured [March 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 31 March 2023.

Government funding to enable up to 19 return flights between City of Derry Airport and London Stansted every week for another year.
- UK government secures future of vital route, boosting trade and travel opportunities and supporting thousands of Northern Irish jobs
- up to 19 return flights every week will take off thanks to joint funding injection by UK government and the Department for the Economy
- demonstrates continued commitment to enhancing connectivity between all areas of the UK and supporting local economies
A vital air route between City of Derry Airport and London Stansted has been secured until March 2024 thanks to support from the UK Department for Transport and the Department for the Economy.

The UK government has funded the air route since 2017, bolstering connections between Northern Ireland and England whilst supporting thousands of jobs and providing a significant boost to Northern Ireland’s economy.

The Aviation Minister Baroness Vere has today (31 March 2023) announced the Department for Transport will continue subsidising the route alongside the Department for the Economy in Northern Ireland, with both departments providing £1.1 million in 2023/24 to maintain the connection.

Today’s announcement will secure the future of the route for another year until 31 March 2024 and enable up to 19 return flights every week.

Aviation Minister Baroness Vere said:

Thousands of people and businesses depend on this crucial travel link, which is why we remain committed to securing the route.

Our funding will maintain this vital connection between Derry/Londonderry and London, with 19 services operating every week for at least another year, supporting jobs, and providing a boost to Northern Ireland’s economy.

Funding has been secured using a Public Service Obligation (PSO), which allows government to protect vital air connectivity into London, with Loganair once again being selected to operate the route.

The funding of £1.1 million from the NI Department for the Economy is a ringfenced allocation from the Northern Ireland Office specifically for this City of Derry Airport PSO and which cannot be used in any other DfE policy area.

The UK government recognises the importance of maintaining a thriving and competitive aviation sector in the UK to deliver union connectivity, while supporting our levelling up agenda.

Regional airports serve our local communities, by supporting thousands of jobs in the regions and acting as a gateway to international opportunities, alongside maintaining social and family ties and strengthening the bonds across the UK.

Welcoming the announcement, Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District, Councillor Sandra Duffy, said:

This is extremely positive news and I am pleased to see this further commitment to promoting regional connectivity which will be widely welcomed, particularly by the local business community.

Regular, reliable services to London are critical to the North West economy in terms of both business and leisure, and a key component of our strategic plans to make this region more appealing and accessible for international investors.

From 1 April 2023, a new domestic band will apply to flights between airports in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, cutting Air Passenger Duty by 50% to bolster UK connectivity and ensure passengers have access to more affordable flights.
April 2, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Kazakhstan 2023 parliamentary elections – UK statement to the OSCE [March 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 31 March 2023.

Deputy Ambassador Brown welcomes ODIHR’s report and Kazakhstan’s engagement, as the country continues its programme of reforms.

The United Kingdom welcomes the fair, balanced, and well-evidenced preliminary report issued by ODIHR on the Majilis elections, which took place on 19 March. As the report notes, these elections were the next step in the important process of political reform set out by President Tokayev after the tragic events of January 2022. We welcome this process of reform and the increased choice for voters, as well as the implementation of previous recommendations made by ODIHR. We equally support ODIHR’s recommendations for further reform, which are required if parliamentary elections in Kazakhstan are to be aligned in all areas with international standards of democratic governance.

We note ODIHR’s findings around the protection of fundamental freedoms of expression and assembly, particularly around developing a more open, analytical and investigative approach by broadcast media, and the holding of public events, both of which should aid voter awareness and understanding. We also note ODIHR’s recommendation on the importance of securing transparency in the counting and tabulation process, where observers reported incidents of procedural irregularities and a disregard for safeguards. The publication of disaggregated data for the turnout and results of individual polling stations would be a welcome step in demonstrating transparency.

The United Kingdom thanks the observation mission and encourages Kazakhstan to consider these constructive recommendations as it continues on its path of legislative, political and economic reform. As our Foreign Secretary made clear in his visit to Astana on 18 March, the United Kingdom remains committed to supporting Kazakhstan in these efforts, fundamental to further reinforcing Kazakhstan’s long-term security and prosperity and meeting the aspirations of its people. In this regard, we strongly welcome President Tokayev’s speech to the new Majilis on 29 March, where he again reinforced his commitment to working together with the Majilis to continue political and institutional reform, strengthen human rights protections, and build a diverse, open, and competitive economy.

April 2, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : New board will strengthen age assessments of small boat arrivals [March 2023]

The press release issued by the Home Office on 31 March 2023.

National Age Assessment Board will help make decisions more consistent and robust.

The Home Office has bolstered the process for checking the age of asylum seekers claiming to be children with the launch of the National Age Assessment Board today, Friday 31 March.

The National Age Assessment Board brings together a hub of specialist social workers, who will support local authorities and the Home Office to resolve age disputes by conducting age assessments.

The board will set the national standard for age assessments, acting as a centralised team for local authorities and providing expert advice and training to improve the consistency and quality of how age assessments are carried out.

Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick said:

“It’s a sad fact that there have been cases of asylum-seeking adults pretending to be children to try and game the system, which presents a serious safeguarding risk.

“It is vital we use every tool at our disposal to weed out people falsely claiming to be children so we can prevent abuse of our services and protect children in the UK.

“That is why we are introducing the National Age Assessment Board to set the national standard and ensure assessments are as robust as possible, alongside our commitment to deliver scientific methods to assess age as soon as possible.”

The board will begin a phased rollout in two regions in the UK, London and the West Midlands, before branching out regionally and nationally later this year once recruitment has concluded, which will see around 40 social workers in post.

They will begin by carrying out full Merton-compliant age assessments upon referral from local authorities or on behalf of the Home Office, and will also use scientific methods once these are brought in.

Merton assessments are holistic assessments, involving detailed background research and analysis of information, and are fundamentally different from the initial age assessments that are carried out when people arrive at the border.

Many of those arriving in the UK who claim to be children don’t have clear evidence like a passport to back this up, making it difficult to assess their age.

The introduction of the board is a key part of measures to reform age assessments under the Nationality and Borders Act, and will sit alongside wider measures like scientific methods to ensure age assessments are more robust.

This will ultimately help to prevent asylum seeking adults posing as children as a way of accessing support they are not entitled to. It will also help remove the safeguarding risks of adults being wrongly assessed and placed in the children’s care system, and those which arise if a child is inadvertently treated as an adult.

The need for stronger measures to assess age comes as statistics show that between 2016 and December 2022 there were 7,900 asylum cases where age was disputed and subsequently resolved, of which half (49% – 3,833 people) were later found to be adults.

An example includes a man who crossed the Channel and claimed to be 16 years old. Immigration officers carried out an initial age assessment and deemed him to be 21 years old. He was dispersed to a hotel and referred to a local authority by his solicito. Following a full assessment by the local authority, it transpired that he had claimed asylum and lived in another European country for five years, and was 26 years old.

More serious cases have seen adults being sent to children’s schools, or children being treated as adults, in both cases putting children at risk of harm.

April 2, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Statement on High Commissioner’s oral update on Ukraine [March 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 31 March 2023.

UN HRC52:Interactive Dialogue on High Commissioner’s oral update on the situation in Ukraine. Delivered by UK Ambassador to WTO and UN in Geneva, Simon Manley.

Thank you High Commissioner.

Last week, the Commission of Inquiry confirmed to this Council that Russia is committing numerous violations of international humanitarian law in Ukraine, many of which amount to war crimes. Your thoughtful update only reinforces the devastating impacts of Russia’s war. Impacts tragically denied by Russia this morning.

In territory under Russian control, including illegally annexed Crimea, innocent civilians bear the brunt of Russia’s aggression, subjected to unimaginable abuse and denied even the most basic rights and freedoms. Russia’s disinformation machine is in full swing, including in this room, and their statement that Ukraine is committing violations against children is farcical and insulting. Let me remind this room that the COI has found that war crimes are being committed by Russian Forces on a large scale.

This is a deliberate attempt to break the Ukrainian people’s spirit by instilling terror and maximising hardship. That it is not working does not make Putin’s disregard for their human rights or dignity any less horrifying.

We urge Russia once again to cease its senseless attacks, and withdraw its forces from Ukraine’s sovereign territory and end the lies.

High Commissioner,

What more can we do to support those living under Russian oppression, particularly those who are most vulnerable, such as children and persons with disabilities?

April 2, 2023