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Category: Press Releases

  • PRESS RELEASE : Bereavement benefits extended to unmarried cohabiting parents [February 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Bereavement benefits extended to unmarried cohabiting parents [February 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 8 February 2023.

    Cohabiting parents with dependent children who need support following the death of their partner can apply for bereavement benefits from tomorrow (9 February 2023).

    The government has extended the eligibility criteria for Bereavement Support Payment and Widowed Parent’s Allowance, helping thousands more grieving parents to access this support.

    The benefits are designed to help parents with the financial impact of losing a partner. Previously it was only available to eligible bereaved parents who were married or in a civil partnership.

    The law change will ensure more children in bereaved families are equally supported, regardless of their parent’s legal relationship status.

    DWP Minister Viscount Younger of Leckie said:

    Losing a partner is tragic and this change will mean more bereaved parents can access this support through a profoundly difficult time for them and their children.

    It has been our priority to get this legislation right, so it is fairer to bereaved children with parents who were not married or in a civil partnership, and I am very pleased this is now confirmed in law.

    Minister for Social Mobility, Youth and Progression Mims Davies MP said:

    We have made this important change to help thousands more grieving parents access the financial support they need and deserve.

    We know so many lone parents are doing their best to support their families through such a difficult time and our bereavement benefits offer a lifeline to help them adjust to the impact of this.

    I would urge anyone who thinks they may be eligible to make an application, as crucially, some bereaved parents will also be able to receive backdated payments to ensure they don’t miss out.

    The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has opened a special 12-month application window for bereaved parents with dependent children whose partner died before 9 February 2023. The bereavement benefit and amount they are entitled to will depend on when they lost their partner.

    To qualify, claimants must have met the eligibility criteria for either Bereavement Support Payment or Widowed Parent’s Allowance on or after 30 August 2018.

    This means those who lost their partner before 6 April 2017 might be able to receive the legacy benefit Widowed Parent’s Allowance, should they be found to have been eligible for this on 30 August 2018.

    Similarly, a surviving parent who lost their partner on or after 6 April 2017 may be eligible for its replacement, Bereavement Support Payment, should they have been qualified for this on 30 August 2018.

    Alison Penny MBE, Director of the Childhood Bereavement Network said:

    We are relieved that at last, cohabiting families who have suffered the devastating loss of their mum or dad will now have the same access to bereavement benefits as married and civil partnered families.

    These benefits are a lifeline for grieving families, helping parents and carers put their children’s needs first as they begin to adjust to a life that has changed forever.

    Our charity estimates that thousands of families, some bereaved as far back as 2001, may be in line for a retrospective payment of the benefits they have missed out on, paid from August 2018. The 12-month window for claiming a retrospective payment will help Government and support organisations to raise awareness and give families time to understand the effect that a back payment could have on their wider tax and social security entitlements.

    Claims for Bereavement Support Payment can be made online via gov.uk, over the phone or through a paper application form. Claims for Widowed Parent’s Allowance will be processed by paper. Paper applications can be downloaded from gov.uk or requested over the Bereavement Service helpline.

    More details on the full eligibility criteria and claims process will be available on GOV UK from 9 February 2023.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK sends life saving support to earthquake-hit Turkey and Syria [February 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK sends life saving support to earthquake-hit Turkey and Syria [February 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 February 2023.

    The UK will provide vital items such as tents and blankets to help survivors cope with the freezing conditions, as part of its immediate response to the crisis.

    • immediate extra support will help save lives and prevent suffering
    • package to include thousands of tents, blankets and hygiene kits
    • world-class UK surgical team and equipment will help address urgent medical needs
    • 77 strong UK search and rescue team already on the ground helping to find survivors

    The UK government is today (Wednesday 8 February) announcing further support to Turkey and Syria following the devastating earthquakes. The UK will provide vital items such as tents and blankets to help survivors cope with the freezing conditions, as part of its immediate response to the crisis. The equipment being urgently deployed from the UK’s stockpile will meet the needs of up to 15,000 people.

    The UK is also providing a world-class team of UK medics with surgical capabilities and equipment to provide vital emergency treatment.

    The announcement comes in the critical 72 hours following the first earthquake. The support will be used to urgently provide life saving interventions to those who need it most in the region as temperatures plummet.

    The UK is coordinating closely with the Turkish government and United Nations (UN) in Syria to ensure our support meets the needs on the ground and that we can stay responsive to emerging needs in the coming days.

    Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said:

    The UK is sending life saving kit to Turkey and Syria. This will include vital medical expertise and hygiene kits and also tents and blankets to help people keep warm and sheltered in the terrible freezing conditions they are having to endure on top of the devastation of the earthquakes.

    Our priority is to ensure life saving assistance is given to those most in need, coordinated with the Turkish government, UN and international partners.

    The UK is prioritising what the Turkish government and UN are asking for. The additional support will save lives by bringing world-class UK expertise and equipment to the region.

    This £8 million of additional support comes after a team of 77 UK search and rescue specialists, equipment and four search dogs arrived in Gaziantep yesterday to begin their life saving operations.

    Their specialist skills and state-of-the-art heavy duty equipment will allow the UK team to cut their way into buildings and locate survivors in the rubble during this vital time.

    The government remains in contact with British humanitarian workers in the affected areas, and we stand ready to assist any British nationals affected.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Change to maximum Plan 2 and Postgraduate student loan interest rates [February 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Change to maximum Plan 2 and Postgraduate student loan interest rates [February 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Education on 8 February 2023.

    The Department for Education (DfE) has confirmed that the maximum Plan 2 and the Postgraduate loan interest rate will be 6.9% between 1 March 2023 and 31 May 2023.

    From 1 September 2022 to 30 November 2022, the maximum Plan 2 and the Postgraduate loan (PGL) interest rate was set at 6.3% for all Plan 2 and PGL borrowers. Following this, the Government has confirmed that the maximum Plan 2 and the PGL interest rate would be 6.5% between 1 December 2022 and 28 February 2023. Both were in line with the prevailing market rates available at the time of setting the cap.

    From 1 March 2023 to 31 May 2023, the maximum Plan 2 and the PGL interest rate will be 6.9%, to take into account an increase in the prevailing market rates.

    From 1 June 2023 to 31 August 2023 the maximum Plan 2 and the PGL interest rate will be capped at the forecast prevailing market rate for the 2022/23 academic year. This is 7.3%, in line with the Government announcement dated 13 June 2022. Should the actual prevailing market rate turn out to be lower than forecast, a further cap would be implemented to reduce student loan interest rates accordingly.

    • The prevailing market rate is not defined in law, nor does any product on the market offer a direct “market rate” comparison to student loans. The most appropriate market rate comparators for student loans are the effective interest rates available on unsecured personal loans, with the Bank of England’s effective interest rate data (series CFMZ6LI (existing loans) and CFMZ6K9 (new loans)), being the most appropriate benchmark for student loan interest rates. To determine the “prevailing” market rate, a 12-month rolling average is taken. As such, the prevailing market rate has been defined as the minimum of the 12-month rolling averages of the Bank of England’s effective interest rate data series’ CFMZ6LI and CFMZ6K9.
    • Where the Government considers that the student loan interest rate is too high in comparison to the prevailing market rate, it will reduce the maximum Plan 2 and Postgraduate Loan interest rate by applying a cap for a set period of three months (or longer, if the prevailing market rate remains below the student loan rate at the next monitoring point). This is done by amending Education (Student Loan) (Repayment) Regulations 2009. The prevailing market rate used for setting a cap in a given quarter is based on the latest CFMZ6LI and CFMZ6K9 data available, which is the data going up to 2 months prior to the start of the quarter, e.g. the cap set for between September and November 2022 was based on the end-July 2021 to end-June 2022 data.
    • Plan 2 borrowers will continue to repay 9% of their earnings over the repayment threshold. The repayment threshold for Plan 2 ICR loans is £27,295 for FY22-23.
    • Plan 2 ICR loans are those loans taken out for a course starting after 1 September 2012 (England and Wales).
    • Postgraduate loan borrowers will continue to repay 6% of their earnings over the repayment threshold. The repayment threshold for Postgraduate loans is £21,000 for FY22-23.
    • Postgraduate loans are those loans taken out for Postgraduate level study.
    • Plan 1 ICR loans, those loans taken out for a course starting before 1 September 2012 are not affected.
  • PRESS RELEASE : Government acts to overhaul Prevent in the fight against radicalisation [February 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Government acts to overhaul Prevent in the fight against radicalisation [February 2023]

    The press release issued by the Home Office on 8 February 2023.

    The Home Secretary has committed to delivering wholesale and rapid change across Prevent following a major independent review into the programme.

    • Independent Review of Prevent paves the way for a stronger, more transparent, and proportionate approach to stopping people from being radicalised into terrorism.
    • Islamist terrorism remains the primary terrorist threat to the UK. Prevent’s activity will be proportionately directed to confront this, whilst remaining vigilant against all other threats including the extreme right.
    • Prevent will recalibrate its focus towards tackling the ideological drivers of radicalisation over wider issues, including mental health.

    The Home Secretary has committed to delivering wholesale and rapid change across Prevent following a major independent review into the programme.

    The Home Secretary will deliver on all 34 recommendations made by William Shawcross, who led the Independent Review of Prevent, ensuring a robust and proportionate focus on radicalising influences rather than wider issues such as mental health.

    Published today (8 February) alongside the government response, the review makes clear that the threat from terrorism is becoming more complex, with the extreme right becoming an increasing concern, but Islamist terrorism remains our primary and deadliest threat.

    The independent review highlights several areas where serious reform is required to ensure it is able to effectively identify and respond to the Islamist threat.

    The independent review recognises the need for Prevent to better understand ideology and the individual agency of people who willingly support terrorism. The government’s response will ensure that, in the face of an enduring terrorist threat to the UK, Prevent can adequately address the dangerous ideologies which underpin it.

    Prevent will focus its activity where it will have the most impact, while remaining flexible enough to respond to evolving threats and all radicalisation risks. Greater emphasis will be placed on tackling Islamist ideology, which underpins the primary terror threat to the UK.

    Prevent is delivered by a multi-layered network of dedicated professionals who play a fundamental role in tackling radicalisation up and down the country. This network’s understanding of ideology will be strengthened through our expanded training programme, which aims to drive up standards and speed up referrals.

    Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, said:

    I am grateful to William Shawcross and welcome his independent review.

    Prevent will now ensure it focuses on the key threat of Islamist terrorism. As part of this more proportionate approach, we will also remain vigilant on emerging threats, including on the extreme right.

    This independent review has identified areas where real reform is required. This includes a need for Prevent to better understand Islamist ideology, which underpins the predominant terrorist threat facing the UK.

    I wholeheartedly accept all 34 recommendations and am committed to quickly delivering wholesale change to ensure we are taking every possible step to protect our country from the threat posed by terrorism.

    Security Minister, Tom Tugendhat, said:

    This government will always protect the British people – whether from the threat posed by terrorism, or from the hateful ideologies that underpin it.

    This review strengthens and bolsters the Prevent programme. I am determined to deliver the improvements needed to accelerate our fight against radicalisation.

    Ultimately, every community in our country deserves protection from threat of radicalisation and the violence that it brings.

    To address the disparate terrorist threat, Prevent will move from a local model of delivery to a regional one, driving up Prevent delivery standards nationwide through increased join up between the police and regional partners.

    Prevent duty guidance will be updated to ensure a consistent referral process across national and local delivery, and those sectors under the duty. Further work is already underway to consider extending the Prevent duty, to broaden the touch points in place for frontline professionals to identify and refer relevant concerns to Prevent.

    All local authorities in England and Wales will have access to expert Prevent support from the Home Office, enabling resource to be surged into areas to meet radicalisation risks.

    Prevent will overhaul its training and guidance for all staff, and introduce a security threat check, to ensure all decision-making is aligned with the current threat.

    It will ensure a greater understanding of antisemitism in Channel cases and ensure more effective disruption of extremists targeting Jewish communities.

    Prevent will work closely with DLUHC and the Commission for Countering Extremism to develop new training to ensure better understanding of ideology across Prevent teams. It will also review its wider training to ensure it aligns with the findings of the independent review.

    Work to implement the recommendations of the review has already started, and the majority of recommendations are expected to be actioned within 12 months. The Home Office has committed to report on implementation of the recommendations a year from now.

    The Home Office will create an independent standards and compliance unit to provide a clear and accessible route for the public and practitioners to raise concerns about Prevent activity where it may have fallen short of its standards. The Home Office will also refresh the Ministerial Prevent Oversight Board to ensure recommendations are implemented swiftly and effectively.

    Prevent has already changed and saved the lives of individuals from all walks of life, with over 3,800 people offered early interventions through the Channel programme. The review will act as a blueprint for strengthening this response.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Change of British High Commissioner to Bangladesh [February 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Change of British High Commissioner to Bangladesh [February 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 February 2023.

    Ms Sarah Cooke has been appointed British High Commissioner to Bangladesh in succession to Mr Robert Chatterton Dickson.

    Ms Sarah Cooke has been appointed British High Commissioner to the People’s Republic of Bangladesh in succession to Mr Robert Chatterton Dickson. Ms Cooke will take up her appointment during April/May 2023.

    Curriculum vitae

    Full name: Sarah Catherine Cooke

    Year Role
    2020 to present FCDO, Head, South East Asia Department
    2016 to 2020 Dar es Salaam, British High Commissioner
    2012 to 2016 Department for International Development (DFID), Head, Bangladesh Office
    2010 to 2012 DFID, Head, Growth and Resilience Department
    2007 to 2010 DFID, Head, Aid Effectiveness and Accountability Department
    2005 to 2007 DFID, Team Leader, International Division Advisory Department
    2004 to 2005 DFID, Deputy Head, Commission for Africa Secretariat
    2003 to 2004 FCO, Senior Energy Adviser, Aviation, Energy and Maritime Department
    2002 to 2003 Cabinet Office, Deputy Director, Prime Minister’s Strategy Unit
    2000 to 2001 Ministry of Trade, Foreign Trade Adviser (ODI Fellow) Guyana
    1999 to 2000 Ministry of Commerce, Adviser (ODI Fellow), Solomon Islands
    1996 to 1999 PricewaterhouseCoopers, Economic Consultant
  • PRESS RELEASE : New sanctions target Putin’s war machine and financial networks as UK accelerates economic pressure on Russia [February 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : New sanctions target Putin’s war machine and financial networks as UK accelerates economic pressure on Russia [February 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 February 2023.

    The Foreign Secretary has unleashed a new round of sanctions on Kremlin elites and entities providing military equipment such as drones.

    • New UK sanctions accelerate economic pressure on Russian military and Kremlin elites
    • Announcement comes as President Zelensky makes first visit to the UK since Russian invasion
    • Includes elusive individuals involved in Kremlin financial networks and IT company servicing those close to Putin
    • Military targets involved in the production of Russian warfare equipment also targeted

    The Foreign Secretary has today (Wednesday 8 February) unleashed a new round of sanctions on Russian military and Kremlin elites.

    In total the UK’s sanction package hits 6 entities providing military equipment such as drones for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as well as 8 individuals and 1 entity connected to nefarious financial networks that help maintain wealth and power amongst Kremlin elites.

    The announcement comes as President Zelenskyy arrives in the UK today to meet the Prime Minister and visit Ukrainian troops. The leaders will discuss a two-pronged approach to UK support for Ukraine, starting with an immediate surge of military equipment to the country to help counter Russia’s spring offensive, and reinforced by long-term support.

    Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said:

    Ukraine has shown Putin that it will not break under his tyrannical invasion. He has responded by indiscriminately striking civilian areas and critical national infrastructure across the country.

    We cannot let him succeed. We must increase our support.

    These new sanctions accelerate the economic pressure on Putin – undermining his war machine to help Ukraine prevail. I am determined, consistent with our laws, that Russia will have no access to the assets we have frozen until it ends, once and for all, its threats to Ukraine’s territorial sovereignty and integrity.

    Today’s sanctions target organisations that Putin’s military relies on to maintain its illegal invasion of Ukraine. They are:

    • CST, a manufacturer of Russian drones which have been used to destroy Ukrainian combat vehicles.
    • RT-Komplekt who produce parts for helicopters used by Russia in its assault on Ukraine.
    • Oboronlogistics who organise the transportation and delivery for Russian military equipment.
    • Universalmash and Lipetsk, who manufacture or modify the tracked chassis for anti-aircraft missile systems used by Russia’s armed forces in Ukraine.
    • Topaz, a software company involved in military aviation.

    These designations, alongside the unprecedented trade measures implemented by the UK and international partners, continue to undermine the Russian military complex – causing shortages in critical components that Russia needs to sustain its assault on Ukraine and hampering military capabilities for years to come.

    A group of those connected to Putin through opaque financial networks have also been targeted in today’s sanctions. These Kremlin elites owe their positions of power and authority to Putin – enjoying personal riches and oversight of state owned industries as a thanks for their allegiance.

    IT services company Moscoms LLC has been sanctioned. The company acts as a nexus for the Russian elite, providing host domains to many involved in destabilising Ukraine. This includes LLCinvest.ru, which is connected to 86 companies within Putin’s web that are worth a total of £3.7 billion. The ‘LLCInvest’ domain is also used by the organisation that owns the ‘Shellest’, a yacht linked to Putin and used regularly for travel to his palace.

    Also included within today’s package are 5 individuals connected to Putin’s luxury residences, including the 100 billion rouble ‘Putin’s palace’ and Putin’s lakeside Dacha. This includes:

    • Boris Titov –  Presidential Commissioner for Entrepreneur’s Rights, which he was awarded after purchasing 740 acres of vineyards on the grounds of the palace.
    • Nikolay Egorov –  Until recently, Deputy Chairman of the largest privately owned oil refinery in Russia.
    • Sergey Rudnov –  the owner of pro-Kremlin news outlet Regum.
    • Svetlana Krivonogikh – a shareholder in Bank Rossiya and the National Media Group, who consistently promote the Russian assault in Ukraine.
    • Viktor Myachin – Owner of Aerostart, a Russian aircraft maintenance and repair company.

    By consolidating wealth and power into his network, Putin is also able to extend his reach into industries across Russia. Also sanctioned today are:

    • Alexey Repik – the Chairman of the Board of R-Pharm, a Russian pharmaceutical company which received funding from the Russian Direct Investment fund. Repik has reportedly had four meetings with Putin in the last year, and owns the jet M-FINE, which is used by Putin’s daughter.
    • Evgeny Shkolov, a former presidential aide and Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors for JSC System Operator of the Unified Energy System.
    • Pavel Titov – President of Delovaya Rossiya, an association that represents entrepreneurial interests and was set up by his father, Boris Titov.

    The UK has sanctioned over 1,300 individuals and entities since Putin began his full scale invasion, as well as unprecedented trade measures co-ordinated with international partners.

    Over £20 billion of trade in goods is now under full or partial sanction, and exports of machinery and transport equipment have decreased by 98% – forcing them to desperately scrounge sub-par semiconductors from fridges and dishwashers to build military equipment.

    Through maximising economic pressure on Russia, providing £2.3 billion in military aid and £1.5 billion in economic and humanitarian support, the UK will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine until they can secure peace.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Next generation innovators powering UK towards net zero to get £24 million cash boost [February 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Next generation innovators powering UK towards net zero to get £24 million cash boost [February 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on 8 February 2023.

    Energy entrepreneurs to get the chance to turn their green technology ideas into reality thanks to government funding.

    • £19 million awarded to British entrepreneurs to develop greener technologies
    • projects will increase energy efficiency and produce clean energy, potentially creating hundreds of green jobs and kick-starting private sector investment worth millions
    • new £5 million competition launching this summer to help industrial businesses work together to develop decarbonisation plans

    Next generation energy innovators will receive a £24 million cash boost to develop new technologies that will decarbonise UK industry, build home-grown energy supplies and help prepare the country for a net zero future.

    Thirty-seven British companies, including small and medium sized enterprises and start-ups, will get a share of the £19 million Energy Entrepreneurs Fund.

    The money will drive forward their innovations to reduce carbon emissions, develop clean energy and improve energy efficiency in people’s homes.

    The UK-wide projects will allow industry to play its part in helping the country meet its 2050 net zero target by delivering decarbonisation solutions, as well as potentially creating hundreds of green jobs and triggering private sector investment worth millions. The winning projects include:

    • offshore wind robotic inspectors: Inductive Power Projection Ltd, based in Cornwall, which will use their £444,080 funding to develop an innovative high-frequency wireless charging demonstrator to power floating off-shore wind autonomous ‘robotic’ drones, to inspect and maintain offshore wind farms
    • solar architecture: Build Solar Ltd (a spin out from Exeter University) received £271,933 to develop a low-cost glass brick called Solar Squared for buildings, collecting solar energy via the walls themselves, allowing buildings to generate their own power
    • offshore wind communications: Jet Engineering System Solutions, based in the south-east, received £255,754 to develop a 5G floating network enabling high-speed, dependable long-range communications at sea to aid wind farm installation
    • decommissioning oil wells: Clearwell Technology Ltd, based in Scotland, received £223,872 to design a thermal pipe milling tool for well plugging – a green tech that could transform how oil and gas wells are sustainably decommissioned

    Secretary of State for the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero, Grant Shapps said:

    The UK is a nation of innovators, and this funding will help the next generation of energy pioneers develop cheap and green technologies of the future.

    This will not only deliver more green jobs and cheaper energy but also create world-leading solutions to help us reach net zero and economic growth.

    Also announced today, the government will launch a £5 million Local Industrial Decarbonation Plans competition this summer. The competition will support groups of industrial businesses such as glass, cement and ceramics manufacturers, join together in ‘clusters’. Along with other key stakeholders including local authorities and Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs), these ‘local industrial clusters’ will develop coordinated and collaborative decarbonisation plans that will kickstart their journey towards a low-carbon future.

    The Local Industrial Decarbonation Plans competition will take a similar approach to how existing clusters like Teesside and Black Country are tackling industrial carbon emissions. Representing a major step forward in helping dispersed industrial sites begin their journey to decarbonise in the 2020s, this builds on one of the key commitments the government set out in their Net Zero Strategy. Winners are set to be announced in later in 2023, and further detail about the competition will follow in the spring.

    The Energy Entrepreneurs Fund and Local Industrial Decarbonisation Plans competition will not only help to supercharge the UK’s move to domestic renewable energy – they also form part of the government’s wider plans to bring down the cost of energy by enabling the development of green global solutions of the future.

    Bruce Cardo, Director of Clearwell Technology said:

    We are thrilled to have the support of the Energy Entrepreneurs Fund which will allow us to bring our thermal pipe milling technology for oil and gas well decommissioning to market faster, helping us to achieve our goal of delivering step change in the cost of decommissioning of legacy oil and gas infrastructure.

    James Thomas, CEO of Jet Engineering System Solutions, said:

    EEF funding support is an incredibly valuable step for JET in our innovation deployment roadmap, facilitating a major trial of our 5G base station platforms. We are looking forward to getting started with the project R&D and making the most of the support of the government throughout.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Encouraging diversity in public appointments [February 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Encouraging diversity in public appointments [February 2023]

    The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 8 February 2023.

    Public boards should reflect the diversity of society and welcome a range of skills and experience, Baroness Neville-Rolfe, Minister of State at the Cabinet Office has said at an event encouraging greater disability inclusion in Public Appointments.

    Public bodies play an important role in public life across the UK in sectors from healthcare to education, criminal justice to trade, energy, security and defence. Roles of public bodies include NHS England, the British Museum, Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission, the Parole Board, the Royal Parks, VisitBritain, Forestry Commission, National Park Authorities, and the Big Lottery Fund.

    Appointees to the boards of public bodies provide leadership, strategic direction, and hold public bodies to account; or they provide specialist expertise. That is why the Minister has highlighted the importance of making public bodies more representative of the country.

    Published figures show that 46% of our public appointees are women, 11% are from an ethnic minority background and 8% report having a disability.

    Addressing a talent pool within the disabled community at a reception hosted by the Cabinet Office, Korn Ferry and Purple, Baroness Neville-Rolfe, Minister of State said:

    The makeup of public boards ought to reflect our diverse society; welcoming a wide range of skills, experience and expertise. Involving more people on boards from across the country is very important to me and we are continuing our programmes of regional outreach to this end.

    We have to continue to find ways of attracting the best in class which means encouraging  talented people of all backgrounds from across the UK to join public boards. We must continue to ensure representation of all groups and improve accessibility, ensuring opportunities are open to all.

    The government is working to make the Public Appointments process more accessible for candidates. For example, location should no longer be a barrier to appointment, with boards facilitating participation in board activities remotely for disabled board members where appropriate and if the board member would like to do so.

    In May 2022, the Public Appointments team launched a new, improved digital service for public appointments built to meet government accessibility standards. This project will help to open up public appointments to more people by helping the government to better target future interventions to support both new applicants and appointees.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Business and Trade Secretary signs landmark first partnership with EU nation to boost British exports [February 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Business and Trade Secretary signs landmark first partnership with EU nation to boost British exports [February 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for International Trade on 8 February 2023.

    Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch signs UK-Italy export and investment partnership boosting UK exports, help create jobs, increase wages and grow the economy.

    • Kemi Badenoch signs UK-Italy export and investment partnership on visit to Rome – the first such partnership between the UK and any EU country.
    • Partnership will strengthen our post-Brexit export and investment links with Italy and intends to boost a trade relationship worth more than £43 billion.
    • Business and Trade Secretary will also co-chair the first UK and Italy CEO Forum, bringing together businesspeople from the two countries to bang the drum for the UK as a top investment destination.

    The UK and Italy have today (Wednesday 8 February) agreed a momentous trade partnership to boost UK exports, help create jobs, increase wages and grow the economy.

    On her first overseas visit as the Business and Trade Secretary, Kemi Badenoch MP and Italy’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani met in Rome today to sign the UK-Italy Export and Investment Promotion Dialogue – the first agreed between the UK and any EU country.

    The partnership aims to strengthen exports in high-performing and growth sectors of the future, such as Life Sciences and Digital and Tech, as well as promoting inward investment, including low-carbon industries such as Offshore Wind and Carbon Capture Storage.

    The agreement reinforces the UK’s position as a vital trade partner within Europe and the G7. It demonstrates how we can use our position as an independent trading nation to agree comprehensive trade deals with new markets, while also strengthening partnerships with EU members.

    Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch MP said:

    “This partnership marks a significant milestone in the UK’s trading relationship with Europe and shows how an independent UK can benefit from striking ambitious trade deals with the world, while also reinforcing our already strong and prosperous trading relationship with EU members such as Italy.

    “This partnership will boost trade and investment between British and Italian businesses, ease the path for valuable investment, and will crucially grow UK exports as we aim for our target of selling £1 trillion of goods and services a year to the world by the end of the decade.”

    Both the UK and Italy are in the top 10 global economies. Trade between the UK and Italy is worth more than £43 billion, making it the UK’s 11th largest trading partner.

    The most popular UK exports to Italy include cars, worth £932.5 million and equivalent to 10.1% of all UK goods exported to Italy, and £507.7 million worth of mechanical power generators.

    In 2020-21, Italy was also the 6th largest source of UK Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) projects globally.

    During her visit, the Business and Trade Secretary will co-chair the first UK and Italy CEO Forum, alongside the Minister for Enterprises and Made in Italy Adolfo Urso. The meeting is the first of its kind and she will discuss her top trade priorities which include breaking down trade barriers, making the UK the undisputed top investment destination in Europe and attracting new investment helping to level-up the country.

    She will also meet with the heads of major Italian investors in the UK including innovative wind turbine business ACT Blade, and Eni, world leading energy company.

    Badenoch will also make the opening remarks at the 30th anniversary of the Pontignano Forum where she will discuss the importance of economic security and trade in turbulent times.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Security, migration and trade on the agenda as Foreign Secretary visits Italy and Malta [February 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Security, migration and trade on the agenda as Foreign Secretary visits Italy and Malta [February 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 February 2023.

    Foreign Secretary James Cleverly will visit Italy and Malta to discuss how to accelerate support for Ukraine and discourage illegal migration.

    • working with our European friends to accelerate support for Ukraine and tackle illegal migration are the Foreign Secretary’s top priorities during the visit
    • in Rome, James Cleverly joins Defence and Trade Secretaries for the annual UK-Italy ‘Pontignano’ civil society forum
    • UK to sign enhanced cooperation agreement with Malta

    Stopping illegal migration and accelerating support for Ukraine will be top of the agenda during Foreign Secretary James Cleverly’s 3-day visit to Italy and Malta (8 to 10 February).

    There will also be a focus on bolstering relations between the UK and the 2 countries, as the Foreign, Defence and Trade Secretaries all join the annual UK-Italy Pontignano forum and a new UK-Malta Bilateral Cooperation Framework is signed.

    As Ukrainians enter their second year living under relentless and full-scale Russian bombardment, Cleverly will galvanise European support for Ukraine.

    In Rome, the Foreign Secretary will lay out the UK’s ambition to deepen defence and security ties with the new Italian government as we accelerate efforts to support Ukraine. This will build on the Global Combat Air Programme announced between the 2 countries, and Japan, in December 2022, which will develop sixth-generation air fighter jets.

    Cleverly and Italian Foreign Minister Tajani will also discuss how the UK and Italy can work more closely together to discourage migrants from travelling to and around Europe illegally, including through joint-work in countries of origin and transit routes through Europe.

    In Valletta, he will encourage the Maltese government to use their seat in the United Nations Security Council to stand up for the international rules-based order at a time when it is being threatened by Putin’s illegal actions in Ukraine – and encourage Malta to remain steadfast in its support to Ukraine, alongside other international partners. The Foreign Secretary will welcome the support Malta has provided to Ukraine so far, including vital medical assistance to Ukrainian soldiers, and the provision of generators and protective equipment.

    Looking ahead to the visit, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said:

    Italy and Malta are seen as gateways to Europe for many hundreds of thousands of desperate people seeking refuge from conflict and persecution. However, it is important that we stop illegal migration and criminal smuggling gangs, and instead ensure there are safe and legal routes.

    Over the next 3 days, I will discuss with my Italian and Maltese counterparts exactly how we tackle the problems of illegal migration that affect all our countries.

    We will also discuss how we accelerate support for Ukraine over the coming months by providing military, humanitarian and economic assistance.

    Europe’s response to Russia’s barbaric attack on Ukraine has taken the Kremlin by surprise. Where Putin expected to sow division, he has instead fostered greater unity between nations.

    The UK and our European partners will ensure Ukraine wins the war and protect our collective peace and security.

    Malta is part of the Commonwealth family, and whilst there the Foreign Secretary will visit Villa Guardamangia, the former home of HM Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. Cleverly will also pay tribute to murdered journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia and meet her family.

    He will also join his Malta’s Foreign Minister Borg in signing an agreement – the Bilateral Cooperation Framework – outlining the UK’s commitment to boost ties in trade, defence and culture and intensify our work on the rule of law.

    Alongside his programme in Rome, the Foreign Secretary will meet Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States.

    The Foreign Secretary will join the 30th edition of the Pontignano forum – the annual flagship event on UK-Italy relations. The UK Defence and Trade Secretaries will also take part in the event.