Category: Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE : Bangladesh-UK Accord on Climate Change [March 2023]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 March 2023.

Bangladesh and UK signed an agreement for working together on climate action bilaterally and multilaterally to help deliver the outcomes of COP26 and COP27.
- The Governments of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland are committing to address the global challenge of climate change, the impacts of which are becoming ever more severe at both national and international levels.
- Building on the long-standing and highly-valued relationship between our two countries, we resolve to demonstrate leadership and to enhance cooperation in climate action bilaterally and multilaterally, to help deliver the outcomes of COP26 and COP27.
- We will aim to build on the climate leadership demonstrated by the Bangladesh Presidency of the 58-member Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) and the UK’s Presidency of the COP26 at Glasgow. Bangladesh’s leadership at COP26 in coordinating and promoting the voices from the most climate vulnerable countries contributed to securing additional ambition from many of the big emitters. The UK Presidency successfully brokered the Glasgow Climate Pact, which will speed up the pace of action on mitigation, adaptation, finance and loss and damage. However, even with the action committed both during and before COP26, communities around the world will continue to feel the devastating impacts of a changing climate. All countries must continue with concerted and immediate efforts to deliver on all pledges made at COP26 and COP27.
- As part of UK’s global commitment to tackle climate change, new bilateral, regional and central programmes were announced at COP26 for Bangladesh. The programmes will contribute to build resilience, protect biodiversity, expand renewable energy, prevent pollution and better manage waste, while also supporting women’s leadership, increased access to climate finance, education and skills in Bangladesh.
MITIGATION
- We recognise the urgent need to take bold and comprehensive action to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. The UK and Bangladesh will continue to take actions in line with the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius. We decide to submit ambitious and enhanced Nationally Determined Contributions expanding emissions reductions targets as far as possible. We will work together to support implementation of the measures necessary to achieve these targets. And we will encourage all other countries to be as ambitious as they can be.
- Bangladesh commends the UK for its commitment to achieve a net-zero by 2050, and for being the first major economy to put this commitment into law. The UK has also committed that by 2040 all new cars sold will have zero emissions.
- The UK welcomes Bangladesh’s Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan that calls for strategic investments into low-carbon development initiatives and tackling frontline climate threats. The UK appreciates the addition of Agriculture, Forestry and other Land use and waste management in Bangladesh’s updated NDC. The UK welcomes Bangladesh’s intention to increase the share of clean energy up to 40% of the total energy by 2041 and low carbon development pathway.
- We emphasise the importance of international cooperation and investment in achieving our mitigation targets. We also recognise the need to ensure this delivers wider benefits such as energy security and access to energy, poverty eradication, economic growth and job creations.
ADAPTATION
- We recognise that Bangladesh as a climate vulnerable country is facing multiple climate change impacts, including sea level rise, heat stress, drought and devastating natural disasters often causing displacement on a large scale.
- We look forward to working closely through the Dhaka office of the Global Center on Adaptation to develop and take integrated approaches to avert, minimise and address displacement related to the adverse impacts of climate change. The newly launched Global Hub on Locally Led Adaptation will help climate vulnerable communities throughout the South Asia region benefit from adaptation solutions developed and tested in Bangladesh, the UK, and other countries.
- Both countries have expertise to share, based on their own National Adaptation Plans, in developing the Global Goal on Adaptation. We look forward to working together to accelerate adaptation locally, nationally and globally.
- As signatories to the 75th UNGA Leaders’ Pledge for Nature, we reiterate our pledge to continue to develop and share expertise on nature-based solutions. We are committed to combine efforts and expertise to scale up nature-based solutions domestically and internationally and demonstrate their cost-effectiveness to other countries. We decide to encourage greater public and private investments in nature-based solutions for adapting to and mitigating climate change. We are determined to implement the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Land Use and to work together to halt and reverse forest loss and land degradation by 2030.
- We reiterate our shared commitment to work closely in support of collaborative global coalitions including the Resilience and Adaptation Coalition and the Adaptation Action Coalition. We resolve to work with other UN members to show greater political ambition, and to support action on the ground.
LOSS AND DAMAGE
- We welcome the agreement at COP27 to establish new funding arrangements, including the setup of a dedicated fund, to respond to loss and damage from climate change. We look forward to working to develop the detail of these new arrangements ahead of COP28, including through the UK’s role as a member of the transitional Committee.
FINANCE
- We recognise the crucial role of climate finance in accelerating the development and deployment of environmentally preferable and low carbon technologies. We will work together to encourage all global stakeholders to play their part in collectively meeting the $100 billion a year target, and in setting ambitious post-2020 financial commitments. We call upon multilateral development banks and development finance institutions to contribute to delivering climate finance goals, and to support a green, inclusive and resilient recovery from Covid-19.
- Bangladesh commends the UK for its doubling of international climate finance to £11.6 billion over 2021-2025, setting a clear benchmark for the international community. The UK commends Bangladesh for setting up the domestically resourced Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Fund financing nationwide adaptation and mitigation climate action projects.
- The Taskforce on Access to Climate Finance sets out to transform access to finance through a new, country-led approach. The UK, as co-lead, and Bangladesh as pioneer country, can play leading roles in ensuring more finance reaches more people on the frontline of climate change.
- We commit also to work domestically and internationally to enhance private finance for adaptation and mitigation, by creating an enabling environment to increase strategic investments in clean and renewable energy, and in protection of nature. We stress the need to work to increase access to climate finance by climatically vulnerable countries, secure greater funding for adaptation and to improve gender-responsiveness of climate finance.
COLLABORATION
- Bangladesh and the UK will exchange expertise, facilitate partnerships, and identify practical solutions to common climate challenges.
- The two countries will hold regular joint events and dialogues on climate action. The events would be inclusive of all parts of society and focussed on scaling up action on the ground. We recognise the critical role of young people, and seek to meaningfully engage them in climate dialogue and action.
- We stress the need for realizing the opportunities of a clean energy transition and working with national and international institutions and investors towards that end. We decide to cooperate to expand renewable energy through detailed resource assessments for offshore renewables and by testing new technologies more suited to Bangladesh’s land constraints.
- We reaffirm the importance of global collaboration on research, development and capacity building to tackle climate change, and will strive to further collaboration in these areas.
- We express our resolve to continue to work together for sustainable ocean development under the Commonwealth Blue Charter and the UK-led Global Ocean Alliance. We reaffirm our shared commitment to tackle marine plastic pollution under the Commonwealth Clean Ocean Alliance. We propose to also enhance protection of marine resources including by reducing land-based sources of pollution, supporting better management of solid waste, and restoring natural ecosystems.
- We firmly believe by taking the actions outlined above we can contribute to meeting our commitments under the Paris Agreement, and to improving the resilience of the most vulnerable people to climate change.
Signed on 12 March 2023 by

Honourable State Minister, H.E. Mr Md. Shahriar Alam, MP For the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh

Rt Hon. Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP, Minister of State (Indo-Pacific) For the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of the UK
March 14, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak meeting with US President Joe Biden [March 2023]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 14 March 2023.

The Prime Minister met US President Biden in San Diego today.

The leaders welcomed today’s announcement of the next phase in the AUKUS defence programme, which will see Australia build submarines supported by the UK and US.

The Prime Minister updated President Biden on the UK’s updated national security and foreign policy strategy, which has been published today. The leaders agreed on the convergence between the UK and US’ ambitions and interests in the world, and on the importance of working together to bring about global stability.

The Prime Minister and President Biden discussed the need to remain steadfast in our support of Ukraine and staunch opposition to Putin’s abuse of international law and disregard for human life. The Prime Minister detailed the UK’s accelerated support to Ukraine, both in terms of the volume of support and the advanced nature of the capabilities we are providing – including tanks and training.

The leaders agreed that, as Ukraine’s two biggest international supporters, the UK and US have a role to play coordinating international efforts to support Ukraine. We need to ensure that Ukraine both wins the war and secures a lasting peace where it cannot be threatened by Russia in the same way again.

On China, they noted the challenged posed by the increased assertiveness of the Chinese Communist Party. The Prime Minister outlined the steps the UK is taking to protect our national and economic security interests. The leaders agreed on the need to engage China and maintain dialogue.

The Prime Minister stressed the importance of likeminded countries working together to protect our shared economic security, providing an active alternative to those governments who use protectionism and unfair market practices to destabilise the global economy.

The leaders discussed the US’ Inflation Reduction Act. The Prime Minister expressed his hope that our governments can continue to work together to increase jobs and growth in both of our countries as we transition towards Net Zero.

The President and Prime Minister discussed the importance of further deepening the strong, enduring economic relationship between the UK and US. President Biden invited the Prime Minister to visit Washington in June to continue this conversation.

The US and UK will work and invest together to drive the clean energy transition, foster the industries of the future and bolster our economies’ resilience to a range of shocks. Our two countries will explore ways to deepen our trade and investment relationship and confront the shared economic and national security challenges we face.

The leaders agreed that their teams should work intensively to advance this agenda, making progress ahead of the G7 Summit in May. As part of these efforts, the US and UK will work within the G7, with other international partners and bilaterally to strengthen and diversify critical supply chains, including for critical minerals.

The Prime Minister invited President Biden to Northern Ireland next month to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.

March 14, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : British-led design chosen for AUKUS submarine project [March 2023]
The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 13 March 2023.

The first generation of AUKUS nuclear submarines will be built in the UK and Australia, based on the UK’s world-leading submarine design.
- A new fleet of submarines will be built by the UK and Australia based on the UK’s nuclear-powered submarine design.
- UK’s submarines will be in operation by the late 2030s following massive, trilateral building project which will create thousands of jobs in the UK.
- Next stage of AUKUS submarine project announced by the Prime Minister, Australian Prime Minister Albanese and US President Biden in San Diego.
The first generation of AUKUS nuclear submarines will be built in the UK and Australia, based on the UK’s world-leading submarine design, the Prime Minister has announced today alongside the leaders of Australia and the United States.

In September 2021 the UK, Australia and the United States of America announced an historic, trilateral endeavour to support Australia to acquire a conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarine or ‘SSN’ – a partnership known as AUKUS.

Following an 18-month scoping period to establish the optimal pathway to Australia acquiring this capability, a model has been chosen based on the UK’s world-leading design and incorporating cutting-edge US submarine technology.

Australia and the UK will both build new submarines to this design, known as ‘SSN-AUKUS’, with construction of the UK’s submarines taking place principally in Barrow-in-Furness. Australia will work over the next decade to build up its submarine industrial base, and will build its submarines in South Australia with some components manufactured in the UK.

The first UK submarines built to this design will be delivered in the late 2030s to replace the current Astute-Class vessels, and the first Australian submarines will follow in the early 2040s.

The SSN-AUKUS submarines will be the largest, most advanced and most powerful attack submarines ever operated by the Royal Navy, combining world-leading sensors, design and weaponry in one vessel.

This massive multilateral undertaking will create thousands of jobs in the UK in the decades ahead, building on more than 60 years of British expertise designing, building and operating nuclear-powered submarines. As the home of British submarine building, most of these jobs will be concentrated in Barrow-in-Furness with further roles created elsewhere along the supply chain, including in Derby.

Choosing an interoperable submarine design will allow the Royal Navy, with its Australian and US counterparts to work together to meet shared threats and deter aggression. This includes in the Indo-Pacific where the refresh of the UK’s Integrated Review, published today, has confirmed the importance of increased engagement in this febrile region. The strategy confirms the Indo-Pacific ‘tilt’ as a permanent pillar of the UK’s international policy.

The UK’s SSN-AUKUS submarines will also help us maintain our commitment to defending the Euro-Atlantic region, adding to the work we do through NATO as the alliance’s largest European contributor.

The Prime Minister said:

“The AUKUS partnership, and the submarines we are building in British shipyards, are a tangible demonstration of our commitment to global security.

“This partnership was founded on the bedrock of our shared values and resolute focus on upholding stability in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.

“And I am hugely pleased that the plans we have announced today will see pioneering British design expertise protect our people and our allies for generations to come.”

The Prime Minister announced today (Monday) that an additional £5 billion will be provided to the MoD over the next two years, which will be spent in a number of areas including modernising the UK’s nuclear enterprise and funding the next phase of the AUKUS submarine programme.

This will be followed by sustained funding over the next decade to support the SSN-AUKUS programme and will build on the £2bn invested last year in our Dreadnought-class submarine programme.

Construction will start on the UK’s SNN-AUKUS submarines towards the end of this decade. Decisions about how many submarines the UK requires will be made in the coming years, based on the strategic threat picture at the time. The UK’s SSN-AUKUS submarines will be built by BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce. Once they are operational, the UK’s new SSN-AUKUS submarines will replace our current Astute-Class submarines.

The Defence Secretary said:

“This is a significant step forward for our three nations as we work together to contribute to security in the Indo-Pacific and across the world.

“Supporting thousands of jobs across the UK, with many in the north-west of England, this endeavour will boost prosperity across our country and showcase the prowess of British industry to our allies and partners.”

To deliver the new submarines by the earliest possible date, Royal Australian Navy personnel will be embedded in the Royal Navy and US Navy, and – subject to necessary arrangements – at British and American submarine industrial bases, by the end of this year. This process will accelerate the training of Australian personnel required for them to operate a submarine fleet.

US submarines will also increase port visits to Australia from this year with the UK increasing visits from 2026. British and American SSNs will make longer term deployments to Australia from as early as 2027 to accelerate the development of Australia’s workforce, infrastructure and regulatory system.

As part of the agreement, to fulfil Australia’s need for a nuclear-powered submarine until the SSN-AUKUS is operational, the US intends to sell Australia a number of Virginia-Class submarines in the 2030s.

The approach we have taken on the AUKUS programme has included extensive engagement with the International Atomic Energy Agency, with all countries committed to developing an approach which protects classified information and strengthens the global non-proliferation regime.
March 14, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Diplomatic missions visit Palestinian families under imminent threat of forced eviction in East Jerusalem [March 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 March 2023.

Diplomatic missions met with Palestinian families under imminent threat of forced eviction from Silwan, Sheikh Jarrah and the Old City of Jerusalem today.

Representatives from Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Ireland, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and United Kingdom call on Israeli authorities to reverse the decisions on the intended evictions.

This month, six Palestinian families in Silwan, Sheikh Jarrah and the Old City of Jerusalem are facing imminent forced eviction and/or decisive hearings on eviction cases initiated by Israeli settler groups, placing more than 80 individuals under imminent threat of forced displacement.

The abovementioned representatives reiterate their strong opposition to Israel’s settlement policy, which is illegal under international law, and actions taken in this context, including evictions, and call on Israeli authorities to reverse the decisions on the intended evictions.

Domestic laws do not exempt Israel, as the occupying power, from meeting its obligations to administer the occupied territory in a manner that provides for and protects the local population.

The continuation of Israel’s illegal settlement policy fuels tensions. In the context of escalating violence in the West Bank, it is particularly worrying that Israeli authorities plan to continue demolitions in East Jerusalem during the month of Ramadan.

Israel’s illegal settlement policy undermines the viability of the two-state solution and the prospect for a lasting peace in the region and seriously jeopardises the possibility of Jerusalem serving as the future capital of both states.

March 14, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Police will prioritise freedom of speech under new hate incident guidance [March 2023]

The press release issued by the Home Office on 13 March 2023.

New statutory guidance on the recording of so-called non-crime hate incidents will ensure police prioritise freedom of expression, the Home Secretary has announced.

Under a new draft code of practice laid before Parliament today, the police will only record non-crime hate incidents when it is absolutely necessary and proportionate and not simply because someone is offended. The measure will better protect people’s fundamental right to freedom of expression as well as their personal data.

The draft code follows concerns around police involvement in reports of ‘hate incidents’ which are trivial or irrational and do not amount to a criminal offence.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman said:

I have been deeply concerned about reports of the police wrongly getting involved in lawful debate in this country.

We have been clear that in recording so called non-crime hate incidents, officers must always have freedom of expression at the forefront of their minds.

The new code will ensure the police are prioritising their efforts where it’s really needed and focusing on tackling serious crimes such as burglary, violent offences, rape and other sexual offences.

The draft code introduces new safeguards to ensure that personal data may only be included in a non-crime hate incident record if the event is clearly motivated by intentional hostility and where there is a real risk of escalation causing significant harm or a criminal offence.

It addresses concerns that those who express views which some consider offensive, but are not against the law, are at risk of becoming the subject of a non-crime hate incident report, and that this may result in their personal data being stored on a policing record.

Minister for Crime, Policing and Fire, Chris Philp said:

We are committed to supporting the police to fulfil their vital role of keeping the public safe, including tackling the scourge of hate crime.

Their focus must remain on catching dangerous criminals and bringing them to justice.

That’s why we’re taking action to ensure a clear threshold must be met in order for incidents of this type to be recorded.

The code will better protect people’s fundamental right to freedom of expression as well as their personal data, while continuing to ensure vulnerable groups are appropriately safeguarded.

It also provides detailed guidance on freedom of expression, and clear case studies to illustrate how this fundamental right should be considered by the police.

Chief Constable Stephen Watson of Greater Manchester Police said:

Crimes that are motivated by hate cause great distress for the victims, many of whom can be both marginalised and vulnerable. It is right and proper therefore that the perpetrators of hate crime are dealt with robustly and prosecuted in line with the well-defined legal provisions which are specifically designed to safeguard the interests of the victim. The duty of the police in these cases, as with all incidents of criminal offending, is to do our outmost part in ensuring that justice is properly served.

It is not automatically unlawful to say or do things which can be unpleasant, hurtful, distasteful or offensive. This guidance is replete with sensible provisions to safeguard victims of hate crime and better distinguishes between that which should involve the police and that which, in a free country, should emphatically not. It gives effect to what the public actually expect the police to do. I support the new code of practice and consider the revised guidance to be fair, timely and welcome.

The new code will provide democratic oversight to the recording of non-crime hate incidents, as it is subject to Parliamentary scrutiny. The College of Policing will update their operational guidance so that it is in line with the new code.

It is the latest measure announced by the Home Secretary focused on delivering ‘common sense policing’, which includes putting more police officers on the beat and focusing on tackling crimes that impact people the most.

Under the government’s unprecedented recruitment drive, we are on track to deliver 20,000 additional police officers by the end of March – which will see the highest number of officers in England and Wales in history.

Police forces across England and Wales have agreed to send an officer to attend every domestic burglary and the government is working on an action plan to crack down on anti-social behaviour causing misery in communities.

And last month we set out plans for a new agreement between policing and health partners to free up police officers’ time to focus on fighting crime after concerns over the amount of resource being diverted away from police work to respond to mental health emergencies.

We are determined to reduce unnecessary burdens keeping police from their primary focus – fighting crime and keeping people safe.

March 14, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Forestry funds open to boost biodiversity and futureproof forests against pests, diseases and climate change [March 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 13 March 2023.
- £4m funding will enable innovative projects to enhance tree planting stocks and woodland resilience to help meet Government net zero by 2050 ambitions
- Funding will support multi billion pound sector to create new markets for wood products, driving trade and growing the economy
Applications for the Forestry Commission delivered Woods into Management Forestry Innovation Funds and the Tree Production Innovation Fund have today (13 March) reopened to further support expansion and management of our nation’s trees and forests and futureproof them against stresses like pests, disease and climate change.

This year, almost £4 million will be allocated to successful applicants across both funds, which together boost nature regeneration efforts, promote biodiversity, and support innovative approaches to tree production, tree health, and woodland resilience through increased and improved active management of woodlands, amidst a changing climate.

As tree planting across the country increases, the Tree Production Innovation Fund will support the development and deployment of new technologies and ways of working which will provide a diverse supply of healthy young trees. This will support Government ambitions to treble tree planting rates by the end of this Parliament and plant 30,000 hectares of trees across the UK per year by 2025.

The announcement comes ahead of the new woodland episode of the BBC wildlife documentary Wild Isles, presented by Sir David Attenborough, that will explore how ecosystems and habitats support wildlife around the UK, including the importance of protecting our woodlands.

Richard Stanford, Chief Executive, Forestry Commission, said:

“Our trees and forests are under threat from climate change, pests and diseases. Trees have to be resilient for the very long term of their lives and we need to innovate to ensure the woods we have, and those we must grow, thrive.”

“The projects supported through these funds are essential in supporting efforts to build larger, more diverse and more resilient treescapes across the country and I strongly encourage all suitable projects to apply today.”

The Woods into Management Forestry Innovation Funds aims to bring an additional 20,000 hectares of existing woodland into active management, which can help boost biodiversity and protect against pests and diseases. The fund will also support projects which will develop new technologies and working practices to help homegrown timber production meet domestic and international demand.

This will help to bolster timber security and grow the United Kingdom’s forestry and primary wood processing sectors, which support 30,000 jobs and contribute over £2 billion to our economy every year.

The third round of the Woods into Management Forestry Innovation Funds and the Tree Production Innovation Fund are now open. The closing date for the Tree Production Innovation Fund is Tuesday 9th May. The closing date for the Woods into Management Forestry Innovation Funds is Monday 15th May.

Forestry Commission are hosting webinars to support with the application process. To sign up to a webinar, for further information about the funds and to apply visit:

Tree Production Innovation Fund – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Woods into Management Forestry Innovation Funds – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
March 14, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UN HRC52 – Statement on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities [March 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 March 2023.

During the 52nd session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, the UK delivered a statement on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on 13 March 2023.

We thank you, Special Rapporteur, for your report on transformation of services for disabled people highlighting, among other points, the importance of devolved, personalised budgets and personal support plans.

The United Kingdom remains committed to championing the rights of persons with disabilities and implementing the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities through strong policies and legislation. Our 10-year vision to transform support and care in England is set out in the adult social care white paper, published in December 2021.

Under the Care Act 2014, local authorities have a duty to produce a care and support plan and offer a personal budget following a needs assessment. The Act allows people to receive personal budgets enabling them to plan their own care and support as well as exercise control over how it is provided.

In line with the report’s recommendation to improve transparency and accountability, the Health and Care Act 2022 includes a new duty for the Care Quality Commission to assess local authorities’ delivery of adult social care duties and to better understand the quality of care in local areas.

Special Rapporteur,

What more can States do to ensure disabled people are systematically included in the process of designing new models of services?

March 14, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : New fund announced to support UK’s national security priorities [March 2023]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 13 March 2023.

The new UKISF will help keep the UK safe and address global sources of volatility and insecurity.

The Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, has announced today (Monday 13 March) the launch of a new fund to help keep the UK safe and address global sources of volatility and insecurity.

The UK Integrated Security Fund (UKISF) will replace the existing Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF), and will have a wider remit, funding projects both at home and overseas to tackle some of the most complex national security challenges facing the UK and its partners. Combining several smaller funds across government, the UKISF will have a budget of almost £1 billion.

The UKISF will also support the work of the new Economic Deterrence Initiative (EDI), which will tackle sanctions evasion across the UK’s trade, transport and financial sanctions. An additional £50m in funding has been provided to improve enforcement of the UK’s sanctions regime and prepare the Government for responding to potential future hostile acts. The government will also work with the private sector to maximise the reach of sanctions against those who pose a threat to the UK.

The current CSSF was launched in 2015 and operates in over 80 countries and territories, delivering more than 90 programmes and combines Official Development Assistance (ODA) and other, non-ODA funding sources.

Current programmes include assistance to Ukraine following the illegal invasion by Russia and countering Russian disinformation on the invasion, as well as developing a number of regional cyber strategies which help the UK’s allies deter cyber-attacks on their national infrastructure.

Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly, said:

“The new Integrated Security Fund will allow the UK to deliver on the core priorities of the Integrated Review, from fostering security in fragile states to deterring cyber threats and holding human rights abusers to account.

“As part of this, the Economic Deterrence Initiative will ensure there is nowhere to hide from our sanctions regime. Since Russia began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the UK and our international partners have imposed an unprecedented package of sanctions in order to damage Putin’s capacity to fund his illegal war, undermine his military machine, and target those who prop up the regime.”

The UK can impose a range of sanctions against individuals or organisations that pose a threat to the UK or its interests. These include asset freezes, travel bans, trade sanctions and transport sanctions.

March 13, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK announces increased funding for China Capabilities Programme [March 2023]
The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 13 March 2023.

The Prime Minister is increasing funding to further boost skills and knowledge for government staff on China.
- The Prime Minister announces doubling UK funding for 2024/25 to build expertise on China.
- Will boost Mandarin language skills and UK’s ability to engage with and understand China, while protecting national security.
The Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, is increasing funding to further boost skills and knowledge for government staff on China, including on economic and military policy as well as Mandarin language skills.

Extra financial support will be provided for the cross-department ‘China Capabilities Programme’ which operates to increase Chinese expertise across the UK government.

Since the last Integrated Review in 2021, the government has taken a number of steps to increase knowledge of and expertise on China, including provision for the training of more than 170 civil servants in Mandarin.

The Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly, said:

It’s vital that our diplomats and civil servants have the understanding and expertise to engage and adapt to the increasing challenge posed by China, and China’s growing role in world affairs.

This extra resource will help boost knowledge and language skills across government, in the face of the systemic challenge that China poses to the UK’s security, prosperity, and values.

The Integrated Review Refresh launched today (Monday 13 March) sets out how – in the last two years – the UK has become increasingly concerned about the military, diplomatic and economic activity of the Chinese Communist Party.

This includes military activity over Taiwan, attempts at coercion, and the sanctioning of British MPs. China is becoming more authoritarian at home and more assertive overseas.

This increase in funding is another example of the action the UK is taking to ensure effective engagement with China, while protecting national security.

Notes to editors:

A smaller pilot programme was launched last year, which delivered:
- The training of 170 civil servants in Mandarin, with 20 going through a language immersion programme in Taiwan.
- Training to hundreds of HMG staff, increased China expertise in the tech and military sectors. Courses also delivered on culture, government structures and policymaking.
- Establishment of the China experts’ advisory group to test and inform Government policymaking, with a broad range of external specialists.
March 13, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : GMC promises to tackle decision-making bias [February 2023]

The press release issued by the BMA on 15 February 2023.

Internal review triggered after medical watchdog found to have racially discriminated against a doctor in an FTP investigation.

The GMC has pledged to reform its working practices with a view to tackling bias in its decision making, in a move welcomed by the BMA.

The medical watchdog has committed to implementing changes designed to improve fairness and transparency in processes such as FTP (fitness-to-practise) proceedings, following the publication of an internal review.

The review, which includes a total of 23 recommendations concerning equality and diversity and mitigating bias, was initiated after an employment tribunal ruled in June 2021 the regulator had racially discriminated against consultant urological surgeon Omer Karim during an FTP investigation.

Dr Karim successfully took action against the GMC after he was subjected to almost four years of investigation and an FTP tribunal that concluded he had done nothing wrong.

He has since been supported by the BMA following the GMC’s appeal of that decision.

BMA welcome

Publishing the report of its review today the GMC has said it has already undertaken many of the changes set out and will continue to implement those remaining during the course of this year.

BMA equality lead Latifa Patel welcomed the recommendations set out by the review, the GMC’s acknowledgement of bias and its commitment to change.

She said: ‘This review acknowledges that bias in the GMC exists and needs to be systematically challenged, rather than simply looking for reassurance that it doesn’t. This change in approach is to be welcomed.

‘We have been campaigning for reform of the GMC for years so it is good to see it moving away from repeatedly comforting itself that there is no evidence of bias in its decision making processes. The landmark case of Dr Karim, who the GMC was found to have racially discriminated against in an FTP case, had shown this was far from true.’

She added: ‘Only time will tell if the actions set out today to mitigate against bias and provide greater transparency and reassurance will be effective and improve doctors’ confidence in their regulator.

‘While this review’s findings and actions are a step in the right direction, the recent case of Dr Arora (where there were multiple missed opportunities for GMC staff to raise concerns) shows there is still a long way to go to address the flaws in the GMC’s FTP processes. We will continue to monitor the GMC’s progress and press for improvements until we have a regulator worthy of the full confidence of UK doctors.’

External scrutiny

Describing its recommendations as a ‘step change in the way the GMC monitors, assesses and assures fairness in its decisions’, the review calls for a number of important culture changes in how decision-makers at the GMC consider referrals.

These include a recommendation that external organisations such as the BMA be involved in future audits, and that anti-bias competency be included in staff professional-development plans.

Commenting on the review’s findings, GMC chief executive Charlie Massey said: ‘This was a comprehensive review of processes and decision-making across the GMC. We are already implementing many of its recommendations, and work on others will follow as part of our ongoing commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, and to learning from recent cases.

‘A degree of bias is inherent in human nature, and so a fundamental principle of our approach is to look for the risk of bias and to assess the controls we have in place to manage it. The recommendations in this report are key to that.’

March 13, 2023