Category: Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE : UN HRC52 – Statement on the Democratic Republic of Congo [March 2023]

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

UN HRC52: UK statement for the Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Thank you Mr Vice President,

We thank all the speakers for their updates.

The UK remains deeply concerned by the deteriorating human rights situation in DRC, particularly in eastern provinces. The re-emergence of UN-sanctioned armed group M23 has resulted in increased violence, a large spike in humanitarian need, and over 800,000 people displaced since March 2022. We strongly condemn human rights violations and abuses perpetrated by all actors in DRC. The redeployment of resources to tackle M23 has undermined the protection of civilians elsewhere, leading to increased attacks by other armed groups including the Allied Democratic Forces and CODECO. Vulnerable populations have a right to peace; the situation on the ground must improve.

We welcome the Government’s ongoing commitment to strengthening democracy and addressing the conflict – it is vital that these efforts continue. The human rights of all Congolese people must be respected, and all those who have committed human rights violations and abuses must be held accountable. We would welcome the High Commissioner’s assessment of how this Council can best support these efforts.

Mr Vice President,

We reiterate our full support to the regional political processes and urge all parties to respect the commitments made. There is only one way out of this conflict – the violence must stop – to give dialogue and peace a chance to succeed, to give those who have endured terrible acts of violence, and threats to their lives and livelihoods, and those of their loved ones, a chance to rebuild and begin again.

Thank you.

April 1, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK strikes biggest trade deal since Brexit to join major free trade bloc in Indo-Pacific [March 2023]
The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 31 March 2023.

Prime Minister announces deal to join CPTPP – a huge trade bloc in the Indo-Pacific which will now have a total GDP of £11 trillion.
- Prime Minister announces deal to join CPTPP – a huge trade bloc in the Indo-Pacific which will now have a total GDP of £11 trillion
- Joining the dynamic Trans-Pacific partnership will cut tariffs on exports for UK industries including food, drink and cars and offer new advantages for business
- After 21 months of negotiations, this is the UK’s biggest trade deal since Brexit and becomes first European country to join CPTPP
The UK will join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), a vast free trade area of 11 countries spanning the Indo-Pacific, the Prime Minister has announced today [Friday 31March].

The historic agreement follows two years of intense negotiations by the Department for Business and Trade and puts the UK at the heart of a dynamic group of economies, as the first European member and first new member since CPTPP was created. We would not have been able to join as a member of the EU, demonstrating how the UK is seizing the opportunities of our new post-Brexit trade freedoms to drive jobs and growth across the country.

The bloc is home to more 500 million people and will be worth 15% of global GDP once the UK joins. It is estimated that joining will boost the UK economy by £1.8 billion in the long run, with wages also forecast to rise by £800 million compared to 2019 levels.

Being part of CPTPP will support jobs and economic growth across the country, with every nation and region expected to benefit. More than 99 percent of UK goods exports to CPTPP countries will now be eligible for zero tariffs, including key UK exports such as cheese, cars, chocolate, machinery, gin and whisky.

Total UK exports to CPTPP countries were already worth £60.5 billion in the 12 months to the end of September 2022 and are set to grow under CPTPP. Our leading services industry will also benefit from reduced red tape and greater access to growing Pacific markets with an appetite for high-quality UK products and services.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:

We are at our heart an open and free-trading nation, and this deal demonstrates the real economic benefits of our post-Brexit freedoms. As part of CPTPP, the UK is now in a prime position in the global economy to seize opportunities for new jobs, growth and innovation.

Joining the CPTPP trade bloc puts the UK at the centre of a dynamic and growing group of Pacific economies, as the first new nation and first European country to join. British businesses will now enjoy unparalleled access to markets from Europe to the south Pacific.

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

The agreement protects the UK’s vital industries and entities, including agriculture and the National Health Service, and upholds our high animal welfare and food safety standards. Dairy farmers will benefit from lower tariffs on exports of products like cheese and butter to Canada, Chile, Japan and Mexico, building on the £23.9 million of dairy products we exported to these countries in 2022.

Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch said:

This is an important moment for the UK. 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 around the world and grow our economy.

Joining CPTPP will support jobs and create opportunities for companies of all sizes and in all parts of the UK. It is about giving British businesses improved access to the countries that will be gateway to the wider Indo-Pacific region which is projected to make up the majority of global growth in the future.

Membership is a gateway to the wider Indo-Pacific region, which has 60% of the world’s population and is set to account for the majority (54%) of global economic growth and around half of the world’s billion middle-class consumers in the decades ahead.

CPTPP was created to grow and as a member, we will help shape its development and fight unfair and coercive trading practices. As more economies join the bloc, UK businesses will benefit from access to new markets.

Additional benefits of UK accession to CPTPP include:
- Boosting services: The UK is the world’s second largest services provider and services accounted for 43% of our trade with CPTPP members last year. Joining the bloc will slash red tape – UK firms will not be required to establish a local office or be resident to supply a service and will be able to operate on a par with local firms.
- Increased flexibility: Modern ‘rules of origin’ could make British businesses more competitive by allowing them to trade more freely across the bloc. For example, UK car manufacturers could sell car engines tariff-free to a car maker in the bloc who could then sell those cars tariff-free to any member country. This is currently not possible under all the bilateral trade agreements the UK has in place with CPTPP members and will help exporters diversify their supply chains and create new export opportunities.
- Pro-investment: Investment between the UK and CPTPP countries is expected to increase as the agreement contains provisions to limit barriers and encourage more inward investment. Inward investment stocks to the UK from CPTPP countries were worth £182 billion in 2021.
- Cutting-edge: Remotely delivered services from the UK to CPTPP were worth £20.5 billion in 2020. CPTPP sets modern rules for digital trade across all sectors of the economy and will support UK businesses of all sizes to seek new opportunities inCPTPP markets.
- New markets: Joining means we will have a Free Trade Agreement with Malaysia for the first time, giving businesses far more access to an economy worth £271 billion in GDP in 2021. Tariffs of around 80% will be eliminated on UK exports of whisky and 30% on UK exports of cars, helping the UK get a larger share of the market.
The UK and CPTPP members will now take the final legal and administrative steps required for the UK to formally sign in 2023.

Matthew Fell, CBI Interim Director-General, said:

Joining CPTPP is a real milestone for the UK and for British industry. Not only does the agreement provide greater access to a group of fast growth economies representing 14% of global GDP and over 500 million consumers, but membership reinforces the UK’s commitment to building partnerships in an increasingly fragmented world.

CPTPP countries and business need to work together to future proof the rules-based trading system and stimulate growth with a focus on digital, services and resilient supply chains.

Saif Malik, CEO UK and Regional Head, Client Coverage, UK & Europe at Standard Chartered, said:

The benefits of UK accession for British businesses are clear: modern data and digital standards, significant tariff reductions and enhanced access to some of the world’s most dynamic markets.

As a global trade bank with a strong network across much of the CPTPP, we welcome the UK Government’s success in agreeing accession to one of the world’s largest free trade areas.

Anishka Jelicich, Director of Public Affairs, Pernod Ricard UK said:

CPTPP is a big opportunity for our Scotch whisky business. Five of our top 20 export markets are CPTPP members. We expect tariff cuts and smoother access to some of the world’s fastest growing economies to increase exports and secure jobs and investment in the UK, with sales doubling in some markets.
April 1, 2023

PRESS RELEASE : Largest ever cash increase in the National Living Wage to boost pay for millions [March 2023]

The press release issued by the Low Pay Commission on 31 March 2023.

Low-paid workers across the country will receive a pay increase this weekend as all rates of the National Minimum Wage rise.

The National Living Wage (NLW) increases on Saturday 1 April by 9.7 per cent to £10.42, providing a pay rise to millions of workers aged 23 and over across the UK. 21-22 year olds will see their pay increase by 10.9 per cent to £10.18 per hour while pay for younger workers and apprentices will also rise by 9.7 per cent.

	NMW rate	Annual increase (£)	Annual increase (per cent)
National Living Wage (23+)	£10.42	0.92	9.7
21-22 Year Old Rate	£10.18	1.00	10.9
18-20 Year Old Rate	£7.49	0.66	9.7
16-17 Year Old Rate	£5.28	0.47	9.7
Apprentice Rate	£5.28	0.47	9.7
Accommodation Offset	£9.10	0.40	4.6

These increases follow recommendations made to the Government by the Low Pay Commission (LPC) in the autumn. The NLW increase means another significant step towards reaching the Government’s target of two-thirds of median earnings by 2024. The increase is also expected to boost the real value of the NLW, restoring most of the real value lost since April 2021.

The LPC is now consulting on National Minimum Wage (NMW) rates for April 2024 and beyond and will make its recommendations to the Government in October. The consultation will run from 23 March to 9 June 2023. For more information, including how to submit responses, click here.

Bryan Sanderson, Chair of the Low Pay Commission, said:

From April, millions of workers will benefit from these increases to the NMW and NLW. Despite turbulent economic conditions, the labour market has remained strong and unemployment is low. We remain confident that this increase is unlikely to have a detrimental impact. Indeed, the high levels of inflation are felt more acutely by those on low pay who spend a higher proportion of their income on energy and food.

The new NLW rate keeps us on track to reach the Government’s target of two-thirds of median earnings by 2024. We estimate the NLW will need to rise next year to between £10.90 and £11.43 to meet this target. We also remain committed to lowering the NLW age threshold to 21 years of age in 2024.

In our consultation this year we are also looking beyond 2024, and inviting evidence and views on the future of minimum wage policy once the two-thirds target is achieved. The NMW is a central feature of the UK labour market and workers and employers alike will want to contribute to the debate about its future.

The LPC has published a short report which looks ahead at what the new rates will mean, and sets out an updated path of the NLW to its target of two-thirds of median hourly earnings by 2024. Estimating the forward path of the NLW is very challenging as earnings growth is difficult to measure and predict in the current economic climate. Our central estimate of the on-course rate of the NLW for 2024 is £11.16, within a range of £10.90 to £11.43.

April 1, 2023

PRESS RELEASE : New street works regime to clamp down on pothole pain [March 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 31 March 2023.

Regulations to inspect utility company street works and assess quality of their road repairs.
- new regulations to crack down on utility companies causing “pothole” pain
- faster and higher quality road repairs to reduce vehicle damages, saving drivers time and money
- new measures will also help speed up fibre broadband roll-out and ease congestion, allowing drivers to plan ahead while helping to grow the economy
People up and down the country will benefit from smoother journeys, reduced congestion, and faster broadband rollout as the government clamps down on utility companies for leaving potholes behind after carrying out street works.

From 1 April 2023, new regulations will come into force for a performance-based inspection regime to ensure utility companies resurface roads to the best possible standard after street works, potentially preventing thousands of potholes from developing in the future.

The move comes as the government is investing over £5.5 billion by 2025 in highways maintenance and could help motorists save money on expensive repairs by protecting their vehicles from damage to tyres or suspension. It will also ensure cyclists and motorbike riders can drive more safely and with greater peace of mind.

Currently, about 30% of utility companies’ street works are inspected, regardless of how well those street works are carried out. Under the new “street works regime”, utility companies will be assessed on the quality of their road repairs after carrying out street works, with the best companies inspected less and the worse-performing companies inspected more, based on their performance.

As a result, companies that leave behind roads in poor condition could see 100% of their street works inspected. With highway authorities now charging £50 per defect inspection and a further £120 for follow-up inspections, poor performing companies will now be incentivised to perform better to avoid incurring high financial charges.

While the average failure rate for street works by utility companies is currently 9%, some of the worst performers are failing inspections by as much as 63%.

Other reforms in the inspection framework will help telecoms operators roll-out broadband nationwide and ease congestion by mandating better live updates on roadworks to help drivers plan ahead.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said:

We’re investing more than £5.5 billion over this parliament to maintain roads up and down the country, and today’s measures are yet another example of how this government is on the side of motorists and other road users, leaving no stone unturned in the fight against the plague of potholes.

The new street works regime is a victory for all road users, with motorists and cyclists able to enjoy smoother, safer, and less congested journeys as we continue to level up transport across the country and grow the economy.

The move will focus on telecom companies in particular, which is the worst performing sector – responsible for nearly 13% of poor street work repairs. The measures will ensure these companies are checked more regularly until they can bring about noticeable improvements and leave roads in the condition that all road users deserve.

The street works regime comes as the government is investing more than £5.5 billion between 2020 and 2025 into highways maintenance, including the Potholes Fund announced at Budget 2020 and the extra £200 million announced at Budget 2023.

This funding settlement allows local authorities to plan effectively for managing their roads and is enough to fill millions of potholes, repair dozens of bridges, and resurface roads up and down the country.

RAC head of roads policy Nicholas Lyes said:

Potholes not only cause expensive damage to vehicles but are potentially lethal to those on two wheels. Utility companies have a responsibility to ensure roads are properly repaired after carrying out essential maintenance, but unfortunately far too many roads are left in a substandard condition.

Introducing new regulations to encourage repairs to be done to a higher standard first time around will benefit all road users.

The measures will also help drivers plan ahead and ease congestion as utility companies and local authorities will now be required to provide the Department for Transport’s street manager service with more up to date and accurate data on live works, including at weekends.

Companies will be asked to provide information about when works start and stop at weekends and all local authorities must share start/stop information about their works. This will update sat navs and other apps so motorists are aware of where street works are and can avoid those areas – preventing traffic from building up.

As one third of all street works are carried out by telecoms operators, the plans will also help speed up broadband rollout across the country by removing restrictions on works for new customer connections. The changes will mean works can be done more quickly, but to the right standards in terms of reinstatements.
April 1, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Development is the best form of conflict prevention across Africa – UK Statement at the Security Council [March 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 30 March 2023.

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council debate on Peace and Security in Africa.

Thank you, President, for convening this timely debate. Your own personal leadership in delivering the Maputo Peace Accords offers many valuable lessons for “Silencing the Guns” across the African continent. I am grateful to our briefers for their presentations.

President, the human and financial costs of conflict are unsustainable. Done well, development is the best form of prevention.

Durable peace, security and development can only be secured through integrated solutions, which bring together the breadth of UN and African Union development expertise. This also means ensuring countries can access adequate development financing to take action. And as President Nyusi said development and security need to be underpinned by respect and defence of human rights.

I will make three additional points:

First, the United Kingdom is committed to long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships with African countries to promote economic development. In this context, the Prime Minister will host the UK African Investment Summit in London in April 2024. The Summit will promote two-way trade and investment with African countries to create jobs and growth. The Summit seeks to support initiatives to encourage intra-African trade integration and women’s economic empowerment. We know that economic growth and stability contribute to longer-term peace and security.

Second, the United Kingdom strongly supports increased collaboration in the UN on development, and peace and security. So, in addition to this Council’s work on peace and security, this means complementary and mutually reinforcing peacebuilding and development responses. Yesterday’s discussion in the Peacebuilding Commission on Mozambique’s recent journey was a good example of this. Root causes of conflict and violence need to be addressed based on holistic analysis and the use of integrated solutions.

Third, the United Kingdom continues to encourage enhanced partnerships between the UN, African Union, the African Development Bank, the World Bank and regional partners. We partner closely with the African Union on shared priorities such as strengthening health systems and mitigating the impacts of climate change. The UK is proud to support the AU’s Network of African Women in Conflict Prevention and Mediation. This is an important continental tool to help prevent and manage conflict.

President, the UK will remain a committed partner for advancing development, peace and security across the African continent, including support of the implementation of the “Silencing the Guns” initiative.

Thank you.

April 1, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Royal Military Academy Sandhurst leads cultural change across the Army [March 2023]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 30 March 2023.

Changes have been made to policies on alcohol, as well as the creation of the sexual harassment task force and a new code of conduct.

The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS) is paving the way for culture change across the Army through its transformation programme, which began back in September 2022 under Commandant Major-General Zac Stenning. This transformation, part of wider changes taking place across Defence, has seen changes to the policies on alcohol, the creation of the sexual harassment task force and a new code of conduct.

As part of the drive by Defence to stamp out unacceptable behaviours and improve the experience for women in the Armed Forces, the Defence Secretary, Ben Wallace, visited the prestigious academy today (30 March), which trains officers for the British Army. Over a 44-week course RMAS provides a unique environment for future officers to learn and grow as leaders, with an emphasis on developing leadership skills, fostering teamwork and collaboration, and promoting a strong sense of duty and service to the country.

Defence Secretary, Ben Wallace, said:

Vital work has been done to create a more diverse, inclusive and supportive culture at Sandhurst and across our Armed Forces.

From the creation of the Defence Serious Crime Unit, to zero tolerance policies for sexual misconduct, attitudes are changing and so is our response – transforming the experience and opportunities for all our personnel.

One of the key areas of focus during the visit was the improvement of the experience for women across defence. The wider changes taking place across Defence include the introduction of improved uniform for women, free childcare for service families and the creation of the Defence Serious Crime Unit, an independent serious crime investigation capability for Defence.

Other changes in Defence include allowing serving personnel to give evidence to the House of Commons Defence Select Committee, the introduction of last summer’s zero tolerance policies and a clampdown on sexual relationships between instructors and trainees across all training establishments.

Commandant Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, Major General Zac Stenning, said:

I am resetting the culture and transforming the training at Sandhurst to deliver the highest quality leaders who can fight and win wars on the Land. Sandhurst will be an inclusive, empowered and learning organisation, staffed by outstanding role models who exemplify the British Army’s Values and Standards.

Servicewomen’s Network representative Lieutenant Colonel Elisabeth Roberts said:

Having served in the Army for 25 years I can honestly say that I have witnessed more progress in the last two years than any time before it. There’s still plenty to do but I am confident we are moving in the right direction and that this will not just benefit women, but the whole of Defence. I also see servicemen now having the confidence to share their vulnerabilities.

This can only be a positive thing, building trust and mutual understanding across teams and enhancing operational effectiveness and I genuinely believe that we have a leadership at the top who are committed to positive change.

These changes recognise that our Servicewomen are an integral part of the Armed Forces and play a vital role in protecting the nation. Following the opening up of all roles in the military to women in 2018 the priority now is to ensure that all personnel feel valued and are supported to be able to have long fulfilling careers.

March 31, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Five appointments made to the National Museums Liverpool Board [March 2023]

The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 30 March 2023.

The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport has appointed John Belchem, Dinah Birch, Lynn Collins, Anna Farthing and Philip Lloyd as Trustees of National Museums Liverpool for terms of four years.

John Belchem

Appointed from 1st March 2023 until 28th February 2027

After completing his doctorate at the University of Sussex, John emigrated to New Zealand to lecture in history at Massey University. In January 1980. He took up a lectureship at the University of Liverpool, remaining for 33 years, serving as Head of History, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and finally as Pro-Vice Chancellor. John edited Liverpool 800: culture, character and history, commissioned to mark the 800th anniversary in 2007. In extensive publications and broadcasting, John continues to explore Liverpool’s complex history, purported ‘otherness’ and exceptionalism, external misperception and misrepresentation. Working at the interface of academic history, public history and heritage, he has become acutely aware of the richness and fragility of the city’s remarkable urban historical framework. Alongside my involvement in securing the inscription of the World Heritage Site, now alas lost, he has assisted in various conservation and repurposing projects. In a recent publication, he traced the complex but ultimately successful process of conservation and cultural regeneration of the Bluecoat, the city centre’s oldest building. Presently, he is Emeritus Professor of History, Vice-President of the Historic Society of Lancashire and Cheshire, a Trustee of the Merseyside Buildings Preservation Trust and Chair of Merseyside Civic Society.

Dinah Birch

Appointed from 1st March 2023 until 28th February 2027

Dinah Birch is Emeritus Professor of English Literature at the University of Liverpool. As Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Cultural Engagement at the University she was responsible for the wide-ranging programme of cultural activities developed in association with the University’s first Heritage Strategy, in local regional and national contexts. She has published widely on Victorian fiction and poetry, and on the work of the artist and critic John Ruskin. Her books include Ruskin’s Myths (1988) and Our Victorian Education (2008), and she is the General Editor of the Oxford Companion to English Literature (2009). She has published editions of Elizabeth Gaskell’s Cranford (2011), Anthony

Trollope’s Can You Forgive Her? (2012) and The Small House at Allington (2014) with Oxford University Press, together with recent essays on George Eliot, Anthony Trollope, and John Ruskin. She writes regularly for the Times Literary Supplement, contributes to Melvyn Bragg’s In Our Time and Sky Arts documentary broadcasts, and has served as a judge on the Booker Prize panel.

Lynn Collins

Appointed from 1st March 2023 until 28th February 2027

Lynn Collins is currently Director of Field Services at the Royal College of Midwives. Lynn took up post in March 2022 having served as TUC Regional Secretary North West for the past 9 years. In her TUC role Lynn established a North West Labour History group and in 2018 organised the events programme to commemorate 150 years of the TUC. She also worked with women in Liverpool to commemorate the role that women have played in the city’s labour history including installing a blue plaque to Jeannie Mole a woman union organiser. She has been active in trades unions, social justice and equality movements all her working life and has held public office as a School Governor, an Employment Tribunal member and as Chair of HealthWatch Liverpool until 2023

In 2017 Lynn was appointed by Steve Rotheram, the Metro Mayor of Liverpool City Region, as Mayoral Advisor on Equalities, and as Chair of his Fairness and Social Justice Advisory Board, a position she held until 2021. Lynn is a trustee at the Working-Class Movement Library in Salford, and is a member of the ‘Hall of Fame’ of the Anti Racism Charity Show Racism the Red Card.

Anna Farthing

Appointed from 1st March 2023 until 28th February 2027

Anna Farthing is a creative producer and cultural consultant working across programming and strategy. She frequently works on launch and regeneration projects. Her doctoral research at Manchester University explored creative public engagement with challenging subjects. It has since been applied to histories of conflict and slavery, climate change, public health and placemaking. Anna is currently Director of Civic and Cultural Engagement at Arts University Bournemouth with responsibility for cultural assets, research, and innovation. She was previously Arts Programme Director for University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, where she founded a systemic arts and culture programme for ten hospitals, and the Weston Arts and Health Festival. As a creative director, Anna led the Philip Larkin programme for Hull UK City of Culture and the International Agatha Christie Festival in Torquay. Heritage clients include National Maritime Museum, National Museum of the Royal Navy, International Slavery Museum, British Empire and Commonwealth Museum, Bristol Museums, Thackray Medical Museum, Manx National Heritage, English Heritage, Chatsworth and the National Trust. Having begun her career as a director of theatre and opera, she continues to support young artists and the development of new work. Anna is currently a trustee of St George’s Music Trust.

Philip Lloyd

Appointed from 1st March 2023 until 28th February 2027

Phil has worked with schools in Liverpool since 2013 having relocated from the West Midlands. He has a wealth of knowledge and experience from a 30-year career in the education sector in schools, local authorities and colleges. He currently works as an Executive Principal and Ofsted Inspector. He graduated as an engineer from the University of Nottingham before embarking on a career as a science teacher, becoming a Master of Education (Leadership) and Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching. With a passion for education as an important vehicle supporting social mobility and an absolute commitment to world-class education for all pupils regardless of background he is enthusiastic about the role of the cultural sector in equipping young people with a wider knowledge and understanding of the world encouraging them to be curious, innovative, inventive and well-informed. Phil has demonstrable success in leadings teams and challenging underperformance in different settings, effectively translating national policy frameworks to meet local needs. As a board member in different organisations over the last 15 years he has developed an excellent understanding of business functions, including finance, human resources, marketing and recruitment.

Remuneration and Governance Code

Trustees of National Museums Liverpool are not remunerated. This appointment has been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments. The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election. John Belchem, Dinah Birch, Lynn Collins, Anna Farthing and Philip Lloyd have not declared any significant political activity.

March 31, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Forcible transfer and Deportation of Children: invocation of OSCE Moscow Mechanism [March 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 30 March 2023.

German Ambassador to the OSCE gives a statement on behalf of 45 OSCE participating States on the deportation of children amidst Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Mr. Chairperson, I am delivering this statement on behalf of Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Georgia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Republic of Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, San Marino, Serbia, Switzerland, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union Member States.

Today, our delegations will send the following letter to Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Director Matteo Mecacci, invoking the Moscow Mechanism, with the support of Ukraine, as we continue to have concerns regarding violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law following Russia’s full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine, particularly with regard to the forced transfer and deportation of children by the Russian Federation.

On February 24, 2022, the Russian Federation, with the support of Belarus, launched a full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine. This expanded invasion took place against the backdrop of Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine that has, since 2014, violated Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, extending to its territorial waters.

In 2022, 45 OSCE Delegations, following bilateral consultations with Ukraine under the Vienna (Human Dimension) Mechanism, twice invoked Paragraph 8 of the Moscow (Human Dimension) Mechanism “to address the human rights and humanitarian impacts of the Russian Federation’s invasion and acts of war, supported by Belarus, on the people of Ukraine, within Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders and territorial waters.”

As a result of these two invocations, OSCE participating States received the independent expert missions’ reports of 12 April and 11 July 2022. Alongside the OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Second Interim Report of 14 December 2022, these confirmed our shared concerns about the impact of the Russian Federation’s invasion and acts of war, its violations and abuses of human rights, and violations of international humanitarian law in Ukraine, and, in particular, credible reports of forced transfer and deportation of Ukrainian civilians, including unaccompanied children.

We are particularly alarmed by the findings of both expert missions that some of the violations may amount to crimes against humanity or war crimes.

For instance, in the 12 April 2022 report, the mission of experts stated, inter alia, that “Equally alarming are the reports about the alleged detention of large numbers of Ukrainian civilians and their massive displacement to the areas under the effective control of Russia or, even, to Russia’s own territory. The Mission recalls that deportation and forcible transfer of population, when committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack directed against any civilian population with the knowledge of this attack, constitutes a crime against humanity”.

Furthermore, in the 11 July 2022 report, the expert mission noted evidence of deportations, inter alia, that “since 1 April 2022, the number of Ukrainian civilians deported from the occupied territories to Russia has continued to rise.” It was stated that “Mass forcible transfers of civilians during a conflict to the territory of the occupying party are prohibited under the 1949 Geneva Conventions. The practice is considered a war crime.”

Additionally, on 14 December 2022, in its Second Interim Report on reported violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law in Ukraine, ODIHR stated, in particular, that “Various reports collected throughout the reporting period provide evidence that the Russian Federation has adopted a policy with regard to unaccompanied children that may be contrary to applicable international law. Numerous credible allegations of forced transfer and deportation of unaccompanied children within the occupied territories of Ukraine, as well as to the Russian Federation’s own territory, have been documented in recent months.”

We acknowledge that children are among the most vulnerable in times of war and require special attention and protection. As OSCE participating States have committed “to actively promote children’s rights and interests, especially in conflict and post-conflict situations” (Istanbul 1999 Summit Declaration), we are appalled by the reports that many children are among those Ukrainian civilians forcibly transferred within parts of Ukraine’s territory temporarily controlled or occupied by Russia and/or deported from Ukraine to the Russian Federation, and by reports that Russian authorities undertake to re-educate and assimilate them. We also are concerned about reports of so-called “summer camps”, where allegedly children have been barred from contacting or returning to their parents or guardians. We are concerned that the forcible transfer and/or deportation of these children may also expose them to numerous human rights violations and abuses, in particular those relating to a change of the child’s personal status, including citizenship, separation from parents or guardians, adoption, and other violations or abuses leading to forced assimilation. We note that some of the reported cases date back before 24 February 2022.

Gravely concerned by the continuing impacts of Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine, in particular on the civilian population, including children, the delegations of Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Republic of Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America), following bilateral consultations with Ukraine under the Vienna Mechanism, invoke the Moscow (Human Dimension) Mechanism under Paragraph 8 of that document.

We request that ODIHR inquire of Ukraine whether it would invite a mission of experts to build upon previous findings and establish the facts and circumstances surrounding possible contraventions of relevant OSCE commitments, violations and abuses of human rights, and violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law, as well as possible cases of war crimes and crimes against humanity, associated with or resulting from the forcible transfer of children within parts of Ukraine’s territory temporarily controlled or occupied by Russia and/or their deportation to the Russian Federation; and to collect, consolidate, and analyze this information with a view to offer recommendations, as well as provide the information to relevant accountability mechanisms, as well as national, regional, or international courts or tribunals that have, or may in future have, jurisdiction.

We also invite ODIHR to provide any relevant information or documentation derived from any new expert mission to other appropriate accountability mechanisms, as well as national, regional, or international courts or tribunals that have, or may in future have, jurisdiction.

Thank you, Mr. Chairperson.

March 31, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : First NATO defence innovation HQ opens in London [March 2023]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 30 March 2023.

The first Regional Office of NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) was opened in London today.
London hosts NATO Defence Innovation HQ in partnership with Estonia.

Opened by UK Defence Minister and NATO Deputy Secretary General.

Leading innovation across the NATO Alliance to deter and defend against future threats.

The first Regional Office of NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) was opened in London today, with a further hub in Tallinn due to open later this year.

Located at the Imperial College London Innovation Hub (I-HUB) in the White City Innovation District, the regional office was opened by the UK Minister for Defence Procurement, Alex Chalk KC and the NATO Deputy Secretary General, Mircea Geoană on a visit to the site.

Delivering on the Prime Minister’s priority to grow the economy, the DIANA programme aims to support the foundation, growth and success of start-ups working to drive innovation and forward-thinking in Defence. Bringing together industry, government and academia from across the Alliance, DIANA will help enable NATO Allies to develop and integrate advanced dual-use technologies to address critical defence and security challenges, at pace.

Essential to delivering the NATO 2030 vision, the programme will ensure the Alliance develops the defence capabilities needed to deter and defend against existing and future threats, enhancing security within the Alliance and beyond.

Minister for Defence Procurement, Alex Chalk KC, said:

Combining the brightest and best from our thriving tech industries, government and academia, the UK’s first DIANA office will be a world-leading innovation hub to support future military technologies.

DIANA will operate to unite the best and brightest innovators across the Alliance to ensure that we are well-prepared to protect all Allied nations and nearly one billion citizens.

Mircea Geoană, NATO Deputy Secretary General, said:

DIANA is a game-changer for driving NATO’s innovation agenda forward. I am delighted that Imperial College’s White City Campus will host the first of DIANA’s regional offices. Imperial’s Innovation Hub already co-locates major defence contractors, innovators and researchers alongside UK and US government defence innovation accelerators, making it the ideal place to start this exciting new initiative.

The programme will support all nine of the key emerging and disruptive technologies that NATO has identified as priorities: artificial intelligence, data, autonomy, quantum-enabled technologies, biotechnology, hypersonics, space, novel materials and manufacturing, and energy and propulsion.

David van Weel, Interim DIANA Managing Director said:

Technology has never been as prominent on the NATO agenda as it is today. This location here in London on the Imperial College campus is a fantastic marker of our ambition. We want to bring NATO closer to the best and brightest of our innovators. Leading the establishment of DIANA has been a great pleasure over the past months. Now it is an honour to hand over to Professor Chana, who will be taking DIANA to new heights and launch DIANA’s first pilot activities in June.

Ranked in the world’s top ten innovative universities, Imperial College London will bring together academia, industry and government to host the HQ in a space shared with the UK’s Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA), Major Defence Contractors and the US Department of Defense’s Tri-Service Office.
March 31, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Green growth for Scotland with multi billion pound investment [March 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 31 March 2023.

UK Government invites bids for next Carbon Capture and Storage clusters and commits to projects that will boost UK energy independence.
New jobs and investment are set to come to Scotland 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 UK 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 Scotland, including carbon capture usage and storage (CCUS) and hydrogen, will spearhead the government’s new Energy Security Plan.

Today, the UK Government is launching Track-2 of the CCUS cluster sequencing process to identify the next two CCUS clusters that will contribute to our ambition to capture 20-30 megatonnes of CO2 per year across the economy by 2030. At this stage, we consider the Acorn Transport and Storage System in Aberdeenshire one of the two best placed to deliver our objectives.

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.

Energy Security Secretary Grant Shapps is also launching the £160 million fund for projects to build the port infrastructure needed to support further floating offshore wind, through the Floating Offshore Wind Manufacturing Investment Scheme, with Scottish ports well placed to bid for funding. 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 off Scotland and in the Celtic Sea.

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

Scotland will be central to these plans, with four of the first fifteen projects announced today to be given a share of the £240 million Net Zero Hydrogen Fund (NZHF) to develop 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.

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:

Scotland 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 Scottish businesses to export their expertise around the world and set the standard for a clean, secure and prosperous future.

UK Government Minister for Scotland John Lamont said:

Scotland’s green energy potential is at the heart of the UK Government’s plans to deliver energy security, drive investment and grow the economy by developing clean domestic power sources.

Every household in Scotland and across the UK have felt the impact of energy prices and that’s why the UK Government has already taken significant action to ease cost of living pressures. This new, extensive package of measures will help reduce bills in the long term.

From the carbon capture sector where we are progressing at pace and investing up to £20 billion to help decarbonise our industries, to offshore wind, funding for low carbon hydrogen projects, and making the Contracts for Difference round an annual event, Scotland is a key part of the UK’s net zero plans and helping to boost economic growth through green jobs.

Scotland’s winning Net Zero Hydrogen Fund (NZHF) projects are:

Statera, based in Kintore, plan to develop a 3GW, grid connected, electrolytic hydrogen project that aims to use excess wind power in Scotland to produce low-carbon, green hydrogen and supply it to the UK’s most carbon intensive industrial clusters through existing gas transmission pipelines.

Octopus Energy’s Lanarkshire Green Hydrogen project plans to deploy 15MW of electrolysis directly connected to an onshore wind farm, to produce over 3.5 tonnes per day of green hydrogen.

Falck Renewables plans to develop their Knockshinnock Green Hydrogen Hub Project which will deliver one of the first fully off-grid renewable hydrogen supply systems on the mainland UK, and once operational, will supply over 160 tonnes of low-carbon hydrogen per year.

Getech aims to build a major green hydrogen hub in Inverness that will produce, store and dispense green hydrogen, upwards of 10 tonnes a day over time.

Alongside this, five Scottish companies have been shortlisted to proceed to the next stage of the process for the first electrolytic hydrogen allocation round (HAR1) to kick start the low carbon hydrogen economy across the UK and help meet the country’s wider net zero target. These are:

ERM Dolphyn

Pale Blue Dot Energy

SSE Renewables

RES and Octopus Green Hydrogen

Scottish Power

Today’s plans will help deliver on the Prime Minister’s promise to grow the economy across Scotland, supporting new green jobs, creating a strategic advantage in new clean industries, and generating opportunities for Scottish businesses to export their expertise around the world.
March 31, 2023

Category: Press Releases

Additional benefits of UK accession to CPTPP include:

Defence Secretary, Ben Wallace, said:

Commandant Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, Major General Zac Stenning, said:

Servicewomen’s Network representative Lieutenant Colonel Elisabeth Roberts said:

John Belchem

Dinah Birch

Lynn Collins

Anna Farthing

Philip Lloyd

Remuneration and Governance Code

Minister for Defence Procurement, Alex Chalk KC, said:

Mircea Geoană, NATO Deputy Secretary General, said:

David van Weel, Interim DIANA Managing Director said:

New jobs and investment are set to come to Scotland as the UK Government today unveils ambitious plans to scale up affordable, clean, homegrown power and build thriving green industries in Britain.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:

Energy Security and Net Zero Minister Graham Stuart said:

UK Government Minister for Scotland John Lamont said:

Scotland’s winning Net Zero Hydrogen Fund (NZHF) projects are: