Category: Press Releases

  • PRESS RELEASE : Appointment of 2 members to the Prison Service Pay Review Body [April 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Appointment of 2 members to the Prison Service Pay Review Body [April 2023]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 25 April 2023.

    The Secretary of State for Justice has announced the appointments of Roy Grant and Nigel Cotgrove as members to the Prison Service Pay Review Body (PSPRB). Both appointments will be for a tenure of five years and will commence on 1 August 2023 until 31 July 2028.

    The PSPRB provides the government with independent advice on the remuneration of operational prison staff in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, as set out in The Prison Service (Pay Review Body) Regulations 2001 (SI 2001 No. 1161).

    Appointments and re-appointments to the PSPRB are regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. These appointments have been made in line with the Commissioner’s Code of Practice for Ministerial Appointments to Public Bodies.

    Public appointments to the PSPRB are made by the Prime Minister.

    Roy Grant biography

    Roy Grant was recently a Non-Executive Director for RCNi for 9 years until 2022 and a Member of the Royal College of Nursing Remuneration Committee. He has worked on industrial relations programmes, strategy development, financial stability, governance and audit and risk. From 2015 to 2021 he was chair of the remuneration committee for Your Housing Group, a social housing organisation across the Midlands and North West. Prior to 2013 he had a long career as an HR director across multiple sectors.

    Nigel Cotgrove biography

    Nigel Cotgrove is currently a Trustee Director of the BT Pension Scheme, where he has been in post since 2020. He has also been part of the Members’ Panel at the National Employment Savings Trust (NEST) since 2016. Nigel worked for the Communication Workers’ Union (CWU) for 31 years until 2020. He served as a National Officer for over 20 years representing workers in the telecoms, IT and financial services sectors. Prior to that, he worked as a CWU Research Officer.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Prepayment meter customers urged to claim £160 million in energy bill support [April 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Prepayment meter customers urged to claim £160 million in energy bill support [April 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 25 April 2023.

    Government calls on prepayment meter users to claim bills support by redeeming their Energy Bills Support Scheme vouchers.

    • £780 million in energy bill support delivered to customers on traditional prepayment meters, with £160 million still to be claimed.
    • customers can still claim savings of up to £400 off their energy bills under the scheme
    • just over a month for off-gas-grid households to apply for energy discounts, in final push for support

    Households on traditional prepayment meters are being urged by the government to redeem their energy bill support vouchers, with £160 million remaining to be claimed.

    Prepayment meter customers have so far claimed £620 million under the government’s Energy Bills Support Scheme (EBSS).

    New figures published today show that more than £780 million in EBSS vouchers have been sent to households, with nearly 80% redeemed by customers.

    These vouchers allow eligible customers, often in low-income homes, to access vital discounts of up to £400 on their energy costs, which direct debit customers will have automatically received this winter.

    Consumer Energy Minister Amanda Solloway has urged anyone who has not yet redeemed their prepayment meter vouchers to do so now, with the scheme remaining open until 30 June. Customers can redeem the 2.4 million outstanding vouchers at their local Post Office or PayPoint.

    The EBSS, together with the cap on energy prices, saw the government cover half of a typical household energy bill over the winter – driving forward the government’s priority to halve inflation. Last month the government also announced an extension to the Energy Price Guarantee, meaning by the end of June a typical household will have saved £1,500 on their energy bill – while wholesale prices continue to fall.

    Minister for Energy Consumers and Affordability Amanda Solloway said:

    Putin’s illegal war on Ukraine had a massive impact on global energy prices and with it, people’s bills.

    The government stepped in to provide vital support to households across the country, with £780 million in support delivered to prepayment meter customers. But there’s still £160 million of that yet to claim which will make a huge difference.

    Even as the warmer weather sets in I urge anyone on a traditional prepayment meter to act now if they haven’t redeemed their voucher.

    Nick Read, Chief Executive of the Post Office said:

    We’re urging people not to miss out on this vital support from the government before the Energy Bills Support Scheme closes at the end of June. Claiming your voucher at the Post Office is really simple, just bring your voucher, your energy pre-payment key or card and the ID specified in your voucher letter and we will redeem the voucher for you at the counter. It’s important to check any post you have at home to ensure you haven’t missed any vouchers. They are valid for 3 months but if you have expired vouchers you should contact your electricity supplier and ask for a new one to be sent out.

    Under the Energy Bills Support Scheme more than £11.4 billion went to 28 million households across the UK to keep costs down over the winter – the equivalent of £500,000 a day.

    Households who do not have a direct relationship with an energy supplier or use alternative fuels – such as heating oil, LPG and biomass – to heat their homes are also being urged to take full advantage of government support, as a number of schemes close on 31 May, meaning from Monday they’ll have just a month to claim.

    Customers in these households can apply for:

    • the Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding which provides equivalent £400 payments to households who do not have a domestic electricity supply and were not eligible to receive the Energy Bills Support Scheme automatically. Eligible applicants include partially or wholly self-funded care homes residents and residents of park homes. These households must apply either via GOV.UK or the contact centre helpline by 31 May 2023
    • the Alternative Fuel Payment Alternative Funding scheme which supports households that use fuels such as heating oil, LPG and biomass as their main heating source but did not automatically receive £200 of support from an electricity supplier. Eligible applicants must apply via GOV.UK or the contact centre helpline by 31 May 2023

    Today’s figures on EBSS vouchers show that for the fifth month in a row London had the lowest redemption rate, with a third of vouchers still unused at the end of February. Around 26% of vouchers in both Scotland and the South East of England are also yet to be used.

    The government has urged suppliers and consumer groups to continue to make the most of this data and pinpoint help to where it is most needed, with some going door-to-door to get information out to these households.

    Londoners also benefitted from government pop-up events to help explain how they can access the support, held in partnership with Citizens Advice and the Post Office. This came as part of a targeted government information campaign, which saw adverts run on community radio, social media, national magazine titles, as well as roaming billboard vans that have been popping up in towns and cities across the country.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK Government launches evacuation flights for British nationals from Sudan [April 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK Government launches evacuation flights for British nationals from Sudan [April 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 25 April 2023.

    The UK Government is commencing an evacuation effort to help British nationals leave Sudan from today

    UK military flights are due to depart from an airfield outside Khartoum, supported by senior diplomats from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

    Flights will be open to those with British passports and priority will be given to family groups with children and/or the elderly or individuals with medical conditions.

    At this stage we will contact those who are eligible for evacuation directly and British nationals should not make their way to the airfield unless they are called.

    The safety of all British nationals in Sudan continues to be our utmost priority and we urge everyone to continue to follow our travel advice. The situation remains volatile and our ability to conduct evacuations could change at short notice.

    We are working with international partners to arrange this departure and thank them for their co-operation. We are also working on other potential options for helping British nationals leave Sudan, including from other points of exit.

    The UK government has updated its travel advice to reflect the provision of these flights. The situation in Sudan continues to be volatile.

    .

     

  • PRESS RELEASE : New Bill to crack down on rip-offs, protect consumer cash online and boost competition in digital markets [April 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : New Bill to crack down on rip-offs, protect consumer cash online and boost competition in digital markets [April 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 25 April 2023.

    New powers unveiled aimed at boosting competition, clamping down on subscription traps and fake reviews.

    • New powers aimed at boosting competition in digital markets currently dominated by a small number of firms
    • Clamping down on subscription traps that cost consumers £1.6bn a year, making it easier for consumers to opt out
    • Tackling fake reviews so customers aren’t cheated by bogus ratings

    New legislation will today (25 April) be introduced to ensure businesses and consumers are protected from rip-offs and can reap the full benefits of the digital economy with confidence.

    Fake reviews that cheat customers, subscription traps that cost more than a billion pounds a year and new powers for the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to tackle businesses that breach consumer rights law are all elements of today’s far-reaching Bill.

    In competitive markets, firms strive to give consumers the best products, most choice, and lowest possible prices. The Bill will provide the CMA with stronger tools to investigate competition problems and take faster, more effective action, including where companies collude to bump-up prices at the expense of UK consumers.

    The CMA will be able to directly enforce consumer law rather than go through lengthy court processes. The reforms will also heighten the consequences for wrongdoers as the CMA and the courts will have the power to impose penalties of up to 10% of global turnover for breaching consumer law.

    Today’s Bill will also enable the Government to ban the practice of facilitating fake reviews or advertising consumer reviews without taking reasonable steps to check they are genuine. New rules will ensure consumers can exit subscriptions in a straightforward, cost-effective, and timely way and require that businesses issue a reminder to consumers when a free trial or introductory offer is coming to an end.

    This will help deliver one of the Government’s five priorities to grow the economy by increasing consumer choice and confidence in the products they buy and services they use.

    Business and Trade Minister Kevin Hollinrake said:

    Smartphones and online shopping have profoundly changed the landscape for businesses, consumers and the foundations of a modern thriving economy, which now lie in strong consumer choice, confidence and competition.

    From abuse of power by tech giants, to fake reviews, scams and rip-offs like being caught in a subscription trap – consumers deserve better. The new laws we’re delivering today will empower the CMA to directly enforce consumer law, strengthen competition in digital markets and ensure that people across the country keep hold of their hard-earned cash.

    As part of the Bill, a Digital Markets Unit (DMU) within the CMA will be given new powers to tackle the excessive dominance that a small number of tech companies have held over consumers and businesses in the UK. This market dominance has stifled innovation and growth across the economy, holding back start-ups and smaller firms from accessing markets and consumers.

    The government’s new digital regime will give the DMU powers to ensure that businesses and consumers are not unfairly disadvantaged by the biggest players, allowing them access to dynamic and thriving digital markets that will ultimately support our economy to grow. If a firm is deemed to have strategic market status in key digital services, the DMU will be able to step in to set tailored rules on how they behave and operate.

    For example, the biggest tech firms may be instructed by the DMU to provide more choice and transparency to their customers. If firms don’t abide by these rules, the DMU will have the power to fine them up to 10% of their global turnover.

    The DMU will also be able to tackle the root causes of competition issues in digital markets by carrying out targeted interventions, opening up new paths for start-ups or smaller firms that have previously struggled to grow and compete in these markets.

    Firms may be told to give customers greater flexibility when purchasing products online and to break down restrictive technical barriers that block users from using products on different devices and systems. The new regime will drive innovation across the entire economy, maintain and further the UK as an attractive tech destination for international investment, and make the digital economy a fairer place for businesses and customers.

    Paul Scully, Minister for Tech and the Digital Economy said:

    Today’s announcement shows we are proudly pro-growth and pro-innovation across the board in the tech sector, seeking to open up new opportunities for all firms, however small or large they are, while empowering consumers.

    The Prime Minister has made his intention to secure growth and innovation within every corner of our economy very clear – the new Digital Markets Unit will help fulfil this important priority for the UK in the digital economy.

    Rocio Concha, Which? Director of Policy and Advocacy, said:

    This bill is a pivotal step to make markets in the UK work better for consumers, businesses and support economic growth.

    Whether it’s fake reviews by dishonest businesses or people getting trapped in unwanted and costly subscriptions, our consumer protections are overdue an upgrade. Which? has long campaigned for stronger powers for the Competition and Markets Authority, including tough enforcement and the ability to fine firms that break the law directly.

    The empowerment of the CMA’s Digital Markets Unit will also be a major step forward. It needs the right powers to loosen the vice-like grip of a handful of tech giants that will foster innovation and give consumers more choice and lower prices.

    Dom Hallas, Executive Director at Coadec, said:

    Startups thrive in competitive markets but currently too many are grappling with bed-blocking incumbents in broken markets. The Digital Markets Unit can become a powerful tool to help innovative companies break through.

    UKHospitality Chief Executive Kate Nicholls said:

    We’re pleased that the Government has listened to the concerns of hospitality businesses about fake reviews and have taken swift action to tackle it, by giving the CMA enhanced powers through this Bill.

    Fake reviews do irreparable damage to businesses, offer consumers a misleading view of a business and devalue the efforts of honest customers leaving genuine feedback. This Bill will help to deliver fairness for both hospitality venues and their customers in this area, and we look forward to working with Government to achieve this.

    Sarah Cardell, Chief Executive of the CMA, said:

    The new powers in this bill help the CMA take swift, decisive action to tackle rip offs, protecting consumers whether they are shopping online or on the high street. The new fining powers will provide an important deterrent to businesses seeking to take advantage of people while also ensuring fair dealing businesses can thrive.

    The bill will also strengthen the Digital Markets Unit, helping to ensure digital markets remain competitive and continue to benefit people, business, and the UK economy. We welcome its introduction to parliament and look forward to it progressing.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Over 8 million families to receive £301 Cost of Living Payment from today [April 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Over 8 million families to receive £301 Cost of Living Payment from today [April 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 25 April 2023.

    This is first of three new Cost of Living payments adding up to £900 in 2023/24 – though some people will receive up to £1,350.

    • Over 8 million households to receive £301 from the Government with payments hitting bank accounts from today
    • Those eligible will be paid between Tuesday 25 April and Wednesday 17 May, with HMRC making payments to tax credit-only customers between Tuesday 2 and Tuesday 9 May

    Over eight million households across the UK will receive a £301 Cost of Living Payment from the Government, with payments rolled out from today, demonstrating the Government’s relentless focus on our five priorities – including halving inflation, growing the economy and reducing debt.

    As the cost of living continues to affect families across the UK, these payments are designed to target support towards the most vulnerable in society and provide them with a financial boost.

    The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will send payments automatically and directly to recipients’ bank accounts, with a reference of their National Insurance number followed by ‘DWP COL’.

    This is the first of up to three payments for those eligible on means-tested benefits, including Universal Credit, Pension Credit and tax credits, totalling £900 through 2023/24. These will be accompanied by a £150 payment for people on eligible disability benefits this summer, and a £300 payment on top of Winter Fuel Payments for pensioners at the end of 2023.

    This builds on the significant cost of living support already provided to eligible households throughout 2022 – now worth an average of £3,300 per household over this year and last.

    Those entitled do not need to do apply for the payment or do anything to receive it. Payments made during this window will be staggered over the next couple of weeks meaning not everyone entitled to receive a payment will receive it today.

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

    This latest additional payment will be welcomed by millions of families – as will further payments due over the next year.

    We have continually supported those most vulnerable to rising costs, including through record benefits and national living wage increases as well as these exceptional Cost of Living Payments responding to the global pressures we are facing.

    We will also continue to deliver on our five priorities, including halving inflation, as this will ease pressure on households currently struggling with household bills and rising prices.

    Jeremy Hunt, Chancellor of the Exchequer, added:

    The best thing we can do to help people’s money go further is deliver on our priorities to halve inflation and grow the economy.

    But we’re also here to help people through these tough times, which is why we’re holding down energy bills, freezing fuel duty, increasing Universal Credit, and giving £900 payments to low income and vulnerable families – all in part funded through windfall taxes on energy profits.

    People will be eligible for the Cost of Living Payment if they have been entitled to a payment for one of seven benefits between 26 January and 25 February 2023. The eligible benefits are:

    • Universal Credit;
    • Pension Credit;
    • Income-based Jobseekers Allowance;
    • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance;
    • Income Support;
    • Working Tax Credit;
    • Child Tax Credit.

    Once the majority of those who are entitled to a payment by DWP have been paid, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will make payments of £301 between Tuesday 2 and Tuesday 9 May to one million eligible families receiving tax credits only, with the banking reference ‘HMRC COLS’.

    The latest payment follows on from the £650 Cost of Living Payment delivered by the Government in 2022, along with another £150 disability payment and a £300 pensioner payment.

    While payments are made automatically, people must be receiving one of the eligible qualifying benefits during the specified period to qualify. Those who wish to check their entitlement to benefits should use a benefits calculator on Gov.uk to get a better idea of what they could receive.

    Low-income pensioners particularly should check their eligibility for Pension Credit, as they may still be able to receive the £301 Cost of Living Payment, and subsequent payments, if they make a successful backdated application by 19 May 2023.

    Those in need are also encouraged to contact their local council to see if any additional support is available in their local area, such as through the DWP’s Household Support Fund in England, worth over £2 billion across its lifetime.

  • PRESS RELEASE : ‘I see nothing effective nor multilateral in Russia’s foreign policy’ – UK Statement on Multilateralism [April 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : ‘I see nothing effective nor multilateral in Russia’s foreign policy’ – UK Statement on Multilateralism [April 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 24 April 2023.

    Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the Security Council meeting on Effective Multilateralism.

    At the outset let me echo the strong concerns set out by the Secretary-General about the situation in Sudan and the call for an immediate end to the violence. We have requested a Council meeting to address the situation tomorrow.

    I join others in thanking the Secretary-General for his briefing.

    Minister Lavrov has called this meeting to share the Russian vision for the future of multilateralism.

    We’ve seen what Russia’s idea of multilateralism means for the world. More than a year into Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, President Putin has brought unimaginable suffering to that country, while trampling over the UN Charter. Thousands of Ukrainians have been killed. Millions have been displaced. Across the world, billions have faced rocketing commodity prices and food insecurity.

    It has been an unmitigated disaster for Russia, too.

    Neither Russia nor its neighbours feel safer.

    Trust in Russia’s promises to other States and to its own people is at a catastrophic low.

    Again and again the UN General Assembly has voted overwhelmingly to condemn Russia’s invasion. President Putin can count the supporters of his war on one hand.

    Russia has severely damaged its reputation in the international community, and now President Putin is threatening to move nuclear weapons into a neighbouring State.

    For Russians the world is getting smaller. Many tens of thousands of Russian men and women have been killed. Hundreds of thousands have been mobilised against their will, millions are fleeing the country to escape the draft. Independent journalists have been arrested, free speech has been crushed. Russia’s economy is shrinking, its army is in disarray, reliant on Wagner – an unaccountable mercenary group whose existence was denied a year ago, but who now offers your Ministry advice on you Security Council presidency.

    A Russian generation has lost its future, and the Russian Government can’t even explain why. Russia’s justifications for the war – defeating Nazis and defending against bioweapons – are obvious falsehoods. Russia’s claims to Ukraine’s territory will never be recognised. For all of Mr Lavrov’s claims about effective multilateralism, I see nothing effective nor multilateral in Russia’s foreign policy.

    Multilateral institutions can and should evolve – the Security Council included, and we support reforms to make it more effective and representative. Change must be underpinned by respect for basic principles of the Charter, above all the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity.

    The world also needs a free and safe Ukraine that can return to supplying the world with food. The UK will continue to stand together with Ukraine as it lawfully defends itself.

    Foreign Minister Lavrov claims he is interested in ending the conflict as soon as possible. To do so, Russia must immediately remove its troops from all Ukrainian territory.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Education initiative highlights the hidden plastic in period products [April 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Education initiative highlights the hidden plastic in period products [April 2023]

    The press release issued by the Environment Agency on 24 April 2023.

    Schoolchildren taught about period products and why they should never be flushed down the loo.

    Over 10,000 school children across South West England and East Anglia have been taught about period products and why they should never be flushed down the loo.

    Award-winning education programme Rethink Periods has reached thousands of pupils across the Interreg Preventing Plastic Pollution (PPP) project area in the last 18 months (see attached list).

    The Rethink Periods programme, run by environmental not-for-profit organisation City to Sea and funded via the Environment Agency as a PPP partner, is a free schools training programme updating mainstream period education in primary and secondary schools.

    It offers unbiased training and materials on all period care products available and explores the social and environmental context that periods sit in.  Part of the PSHE (Personal Social Health Education) accredited programme highlights the environmental damage caused by flushing menstrual products.

    Many people do not realise how much plastic is embedded into the products, not just the outer packaging. For example, a big-brand pack of 14 menstrual pads contains the same amount of plastic as 5 carrier bags.

    Pupils also learn that period products block sewer pipes, creating overflow that escapes into our rivers and seas. Currently, around 2.5 million tampons, 1.4 million pads and 700,000 panty liners are flushed every single day in the UK, costing water companies around £100 million every year as they deal with the resulting blockages.

    An early pilot of the programme found that:

    • 72% of teachers had previously thought that flushing tampons down the toilet was okay
    • Students were 25% less likely to use disposable tampons and 50% less likely to use disposable pads after the unbiased lessons
    • Students were 4 times more likely to try  plastic-free disposables after the unbiased lessons and three times more likely to try  menstrual cups.

    Sarah Martin, Environment Agency project lead, said:

    We are proud to have played a part in such a culturally and environmentally significant project informing young people about the hidden plastic in period products to help promote reusable and plastic-free period care as an alternative to brands we’re more familiar with. It has been very encouraging to have such a positive response to the training programme.

    Jo Taylor, Rethink Periods co-ordinator at City to Sea, said:

    Historically period education has been monopolised by big-brands only talking about the products that they sell. We don’t think this is fair – everyone has different needs, different bodies, different lifestyles, and financial means. We believe that every child should receive unbiased, clear, and accessible information about periods and period products so they can decide about what is right for them and their bodies.

    The initiative is one of many projects being funded by the 3 year cross channel Interreg PPP project – a partnership of 18 organisations which aims to identify and target plastic hotspots, embed behaviour change in local communities and businesses, and implement effective solutions and alternatives.

    The project builds on Environment Agency goals and commitments outlined in its five year plan to create better places for people, wildlife and the environment.

    Background

    City to Sea

    City to Sea is  a  Bristol-based not-for-profit organisation, campaigning to stop plastic pollution at source. It’s award-winning campaigns are tackling the single-use plastic items most found on beaches and in rivers and oceans by providing practical solutions and championing reuse over single-use.

    City to Sea is behind the award-winning Plastic Free Periods campaign, the Refill Campaign, which has saved 100 million plastic bottles from entering our waste stream and #SwitchTheStick preventing over 478 tonnes of single-use, plastic-stemmed cotton buds from being produced each year.

    Interreg Preventing Plastic Pollution (PPP) (@Plastic_EU):

    PPP seeks to understand and reduce the impacts of plastic pollution in the river and marine environments by looking at the catchments from source to sea.

    PPP is a €14million funded EU INTERREG VA France (Channel) England Programme project co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund which works mainly across pilot catchments: Brest Harbour, Bay of Douarnenez, Bay of Veys, Test and Itchen, East Hampshire, Poole Harbour,  Medway, Tamar, and the Great Ouse catchments.

    Partners are the Environment Agency, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Queen Mary University of London, LABOCEA Conseil, Expertise et Analyses, Syndicat mixte établissement public de gestion et d’aménagement de la baie de Douarnenez, Office Français De La Biodiversité, Parc naturel marin d’Iroise, Brest Métropole, Centre national de la recherche scientifique, Counseil départemental de la Manche, Institut français de recherche pour l’exploitation de la mer, The Rivers Trust, Syndicat de bassin de l’Elorn, ACTIMAR, Brest’aim, Westcountry Rivers Trust, South East Rivers Trust, and Plymouth City Council.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Levelling Up Secretary to chair Islands Forum on Isle of Wight [April 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Levelling Up Secretary to chair Islands Forum on Isle of Wight [April 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 24 April 2023.

    Islands Forum to level up island communities and further work together on shared opportunities and challenges.

    The Isle of Wight has been chosen as the location for the second Islands Forum, which will take place on 24th – 25th May and be chaired by Secretary of State Michael Gove.

    The Islands Forum will help to level up island communities by encouraging collaboration to tackle common challenges such as connectivity, infrastructure, and demographic trends, and explore opportunities including the transition to net zero. It will also allow the UK government to hear and learn from island communities to inform future policy.

    The UK government has invited eligible council leaders and chief executives of island communities in all parts of the UK to take part in the second Forum. The devolved administrations will also have a key role, with ministers from the Scottish and Welsh governments invited and the Permanent Secretary of the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland.

    The first Islands Forum took place on the Orkney Islands in September last year.

    Secretary of State for Levelling Up Michael Gove MP said:

    Island communities contribute richly to the UK and share their own unique set of challenges as well as opportunities.

    The Islands Forum creates a space for islanders to work together and give feedback directly to the Government, ensuring that islands can be even better places for people to work and live.

    I am delighted that the inaugural forum in Orkney was a success and look forward to meeting with islands representatives in May, at the next forum on the Isle of Wight.

    Council leader, Councillor Lora Peacey-Wilcox, said:

    The Islands Forum is a superb opportunity to establish the challenges for our islands, and continue our engagement with government ministers and civil servants to find the right steps to address our issues.

    Several projects in island communities are set to benefit from cash injections through levelling up funds. This includes:

    • Nearly £27 million has been guaranteed for a new roll-on, roll-off ferry for Fair Isle in the Shetland Islands. The service is a lifeline for the island, supporting its residents, visitors and supply chains, and without its replacement the community will become further isolated.
    • £5.8 million for East Cowes Marine Hub project on the Isle of Wight, which sits within the proposed Solent Freeport zone. The funding will futureproof the marine engineering hub, creating jobs and boosting productivity.
    • Anglesey has seen a boost of £2.7 million through the UK Community Renewal Fund for 6 projects including schemes to develop youth enterprise and provide high quality Health and Social Care education. Anglesey is also set to establish a new freeport, aiming to attract £1.4 billion worth of investment in the green energy sector and create at least 3,500 jobs.
    • £173,400 to Argyll and Bute Council for investment into the West Coast UAV Innovation Logistics and training hub, which helps explore using drones to transport medical supplies to islands.
    • The Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar was awarded more than £166,000 to fund projects for the Port of Ness Harbour and Horshader Community Asset Development.
  • PRESS RELEASE : Initial £100 million for expert taskforce to help UK build and adopt next generation of safe AI [April 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Initial £100 million for expert taskforce to help UK build and adopt next generation of safe AI [April 2023]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 24 April 2023.

    Prime Minister and Technology Secretary announce £100 million in funding for Foundation Model Taskforce.

    • Prime Minister and Technology Secretary announce £100 million in initial start-up funding for taskforce responsible for accelerating the UK’s capability in rapidly-emerging type of artificial intelligence – on top of £900 million investment into compute technology at Budget
    • foundation models, including large language models like ChatGPT and Google Bard, are AI systems trained on massive data sets which can be used for a wide range of tasks across the economy
    • investment will fund new government-industry taskforce to ensure sovereign capabilities and broad adoption of safe and reliable foundation models, helping cement the UK’s position as a science and technology superpower by 2030

    £100 million to kickstart the delivery of the government’s major ambitions for the UK’s capability in safe and reliable foundation models has been announced by the Prime Minister and Technology Secretary.

    The Taskforce, modelled on the success of the COVID-19 Vaccines Taskforce, will develop the safe and reliable use of this pivotal artificial intelligence (AI) across the economy and ensure the UK is globally competitive in this strategic technology.

    Foundation models – including large language models like ChatGPT and Google Bard – are a category of artificial intelligence systems trained on huge volumes of data such as text, images, video or audio to gain broad and sophisticated capabilities across many tasks.

    ​​With AI set to contribute billions of pounds to UK GDP, the work of the Taskforce will help deliver on the Prime Minister’s priorities to grow our economy, whilst generating better outcomes for people across the country through better public services. Research suggests that the broad adoption of such systems could triple national productivity growth rates.

    In areas like healthcare, this type of AI has enormous potential to speed up diagnoses, drug discovery and development. In education it could transform teachers’ day-to-day work, freeing up their time to focus on delivering excellent teaching.

    This technology is also predicted to raise global GDP by 7 percent over a decade, making its adoption a vital opportunity to grow the UK economy. To support businesses and public trust in these systems and drive their adoption, the Taskforce will work with the sector towards developing the safety and reliability of foundation models, both at a scientific and commercial level.

    The investment will build the UK’s ‘sovereign’ national capabilities so our public services can benefit from the transformational impact of this type of AI. The Taskforce will focus on opportunities to establish the UK as a world leader in foundation models and their applications across the economy, and acting as a global standard bearer for AI safety.

    The funding will be invested by the Foundation Model Taskforce in foundation model infrastructure and public service procurement, to create opportunities for domestic innovation. The first pilots targeting public services are expected to launch in the next six months.

    The Taskforce, announced as part of the Integrated Review Refresh last month, will bring together government and industry experts and report directly to the Prime Minister and Technology Secretary.

    This follows last week’s Cabinet meeting where Ministers agreed on the transformative potential of AI, the vital importance of retaining public confidence in its use, and the need for regulation that keeps people safe without preventing innovation.

    Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:

    Harnessing the potential of AI provides enormous opportunities to grow our economy, create better-paid jobs, and build a better future through advances in healthcare and security.

    By investing in emerging technologies through our new expert taskforce, we can continue to lead the way in developing safe and trustworthy AI as part of shaping a more innovative UK economy.

    Science, Innovation and Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan said:

    Developed responsibly, cutting-edge AI can have a transformative impact in nearly every industry. It can revolutionise the way we develop new medical treatments, tackle climate change and improve our public services, all while growing and future-proofing our economy.

    We need to act now to seize the opportunities AI can offer us in the future. We’re backing our expert taskforce with the funding to make our ambitions for an AI-enabled country a reality and keep the UK at the front of the pack in this emerging technology.

    To ensure such leadership, the greatest capability we can develop is in the safety and reliability of such systems. This will ensure that the public and business have the trust they need to confidently adopt this technology and fully realise its benefits. That is exactly what this taskforce will prioritise.

    The taskforce will be led by an expert Chair, who will be announced later in the summer. Matt Clifford, Chair of the Advanced Research and Innovation Agency, will advise the Prime Minister and Technology Secretary on the development of the taskforce while the appointment is ongoing.

    Foundation models rely on significant compute power, and this investment comes on top of around £900 million for a new ‘exascale’ supercomputer and a dedicated AI Research Resource to equip the UK with the processing power it needs to support the next generation of AI innovation. The Taskforce will play a crucial role in ensuring the major, multi-year funding announced at the Budget for compute is strategically invested to prioritise and strengthen the UK’s capability in foundation models.

    The Taskforce will ensure the UK’s capability in this rapidly developing area is built with safety and reliability at its core, in line with the approach set out in the AI Regulation White Paper published last month.

    Doug Gurr, Chair,  The Alan Turing Institute, said:

    We congratulate the government on this exciting investment which will keep the UK at the cutting edge of this transformative technology and look forward to continuing to work with all the relevant partners to help develop breakthrough AI applications in a safe, reliable, trustworthy and ethical way.

    Marc Warner, CEO of Faculty, said:

    Artificial intelligence is an epoch-defining technology, which – if deployed safely and responsibly – will revolutionise how we live and work. To reap the rewards and manage the risks, the UK urgently needs the public and private sector to work effectively together to seize the vast opportunities from foundational models. It is welcome to see initial funding towards this goal, which will help ensure safe deployment and protect national security, whilst harnessing AI’s power to transform public services.

    The funding follows Business Connect, an event bringing government and industry together to focus on making Britain the most innovative economy in the world. DSIT Minister of State George Freeman led a panel on the government’s work in digital technology and life sciences and, together with the Chancellor, spoke about how these high-priority sectors could help accelerate economic growth across the UK.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK and international partners announce new sanctions on Iranian regime [April 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK and international partners announce new sanctions on Iranian regime [April 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 24 April 2023.

    The UK, US and EU are today announcing further sanctions on Iranian regime officials responsible for human rights violations, including from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

    The UK has designated more than 70 Iranian officials and entities for human rights violations since October 2022, with the total number of Iran-related designations amounting to more than 300. The list includes the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in its entirety, the Iranian Prosecutor General and the Morality Police.

    The UK, US and EU have taken consistent and coordinated action to hold the regime to account, announcing sanctions on a monthly basis on those response for human rights abuses. The latest UK sanctions are against 4 IRGC commanders, under whose leadership IRGC forces have opened fire on unarmed protestors resulting in numerous deaths, including of children, and have arbitrarily detained and tortured protestors.

    Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said:

    The Iranian regime are responsible for the brutal repression of the Iranian people and for exporting bloodshed around the world. That’s why we have more than 300 sanctions in place on Iran, including on the IRGC in its entirety.

    The UK and our international partners are again making clear today that we will not overlook the regime’s brutal oppression. We will continue to take a range of action to hold the regime to account for its actions.

    Those sanctioned include:

    • Mohammad Nazar Azimi: IRGC Commander Najaf Ashraf West HQ, responsible for the violent repression of protests in Kermanshah Province, with IRGC forces using machine guns against unarmed protestors resulting in multiple deaths
    • Habib Shahsavari: IRGC Commander provincial corps West Azerbaijan Province, responsible for repression of protestors in Mahabad and Piranshahr, with IRGC forces using heavy weapons that resulted in multiple deaths. IRGC forces are accused of the death of protestors following torture in detention facilities
    • Mohsen Karimi: IRGC commander Markazi Province, responsible for the violent repression of protests, including 19-year-old protestor Mehrshad Shahidi who was reportedly beaten to death in an IRGC detention centre, and the arrest of women for failing to wear the hijab (head covering) in public
    • Ahmad Kadem: IRGC Commander of the Operational Base Karbala, responsible for the repression of protests in the town of Izeh, Khuzestan Province, during which a 10-year-old child was shot and killed. IRGC forces under the command of Kadem in Kohgilyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province are blamed for the abduction of a child labour activist who subsequently died after torture

    The UK has also played a leading role in international efforts to hold the Iranian regime to account for its repression, for example through working with partners to kick Iran off the UN Commission on the Status of Women and to establish a UN-led investigation into the response to the protests.

    These sanctions will ensure that the individuals on the list cannot travel to the UK and any of their assets held in the UK will be frozen.