Category: Press Releases

HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : Bank of England Act 1998 [April 1998]

The press release issued by HM Treasury on 23 April 1998.

The Bill, which establishes the Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee and transfers banking supervision from the Bank of England to the Financial Services Authority received Royal Assent today.

The Bank of England Act 1998, gives effect to the policy changes announced by the Chancellor Gordon Brown in May 1997 when he announced a new framework for monetary policy and the transfer of banking supervision. The Act also puts in place a new accountability framework for the Bank, and greater transparency in the Bank’s operations.

Welcoming the swift passage of the legislation, the Chief Secretary Alistair Darling said:

“Less than a year after taking office, the Government has put in place the most far reaching changes the Bank has seen in centuries.

“The Bank of England Act is a keystone in modernising Britain’s economy and creating a modern bank ready for the 21st century.

“The Act puts in place a new framework which will promote economic stability and give a long-term focus to monetary policy.

“It maximises openness and transparency and ensures that the Bank is fully accountable and that its conduct of monetary policy meets the economic needs of the nation.”

The intention is the Act will come into force on 1 June 1998.

December 19, 2022
HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : Taskforce PFI Training Programme launched [April 1998]

The press release issued by HM Treasury on 24 April 1998.

In the third Public/Private Partnership (PPP) of its own, the Treasury’s Private Finance Taskforce has awarded a contract for the provision of a programme of in-depth Private Finance Initiative (PFI) training for civil servants to Price Waterhouse, one of the UK’s leading providers of PFI advisory services to the public sector.

Announcing the award of the contract, made in response to Recommendation 24 of the Bates Review of PFI, Paymaster General Geoffrey Robinson said:

“With a growing number of PFI projects signed or close to signature, it is vital that Government Departments capture this knowledge and build on it through attending training events delivered by PFI practitioners with real extensive experience in the field. This is another welcome step forward to ensuring that the Government delivers a steady flow of high quality PFI projects as efficiently and effectively as possible.

It is also good to see the Treasury Taskforce itself actively practising what it preaches. PPP’s are all about negotiating deals that are good for both sides and the Government is keen to exploit the potential for better value for money through the use of a wide spectrum of partnerships that combine public and private sector skills”.

The contract has been awarded following a competitive tender. Pilot training courses are being run in London and Edinburgh during April, with a full roll-out of the Taskforce approved PFI training programme planned from early summer onwards. The programme will be open to all public sector PFI practitioners, in both central and local government.

December 19, 2022
HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : Statement on the 1998 Community Budget European Community Finances [April 1998]
The press release issued by HM Treasury on 22 April 1998.

The Government today published its Annual Statement on the Community Budget, entitled “European Community Finances”. The Statement gives details of the 1998 Community Budget, including:
- total payment appropriations of 83,529 million ecu (55,693 million Pounds), 1.4% higher than 1997, and 1.14 % of Community GNP (well within the Own Resources ceiling of 1.26%);
- total commitments of 91,013 million ecu (60,683 million Pounds), 2.1% above 1997; and
- information about the UK’s contributions to, and receipts from, the Community Budget.
Economic Secretary Helen Liddell announced publication in reply to a Parliamentary Question from Jackie Lawrence (Preseli Pembrokeshire). The full text of her reply is attached. Commenting on the announcement, Mrs Liddell said :

“The Statement provides a useful guide to the breakdown of expenditure and sources of revenue in the 1998 Community Budget, along with details of the UK’s contributions to, and receipts from, the Budget.

“As the Statement shows, the very small overall increase in expenditure over 1997 demonstrates the Council’s determination to apply the same budgetary rigour to the Community Budget as is being applied at Member State level. The UK is using its Presidency to seek to ensure a similarly rigorous approach during the 1999 Budget negotiations”.

As in previous years, the Statement outlines the key developments in EC financial management and measures to counter fraud including:
- the European Court of Auditors’ Annual Report for 1996 and Statement of Assurance, published on 18 November 1997;
- the Council’s recommendation to the European Parliament on the discharge to be given to the Commission for its implementation of the 1996 budget. The recommendation, which the Council drew up under the UK Presidency, is based on the findings in the European Court of Auditors’ Annual Report. The recommendation to grant discharge is accompanied by an in-depth commentary, which emphasises the need to learn lessons for the future from the Report and to focus not only on whether monies are properly accounted for, but on setting clear aims for expenditure and ensuring these are achieved as effectively as possible.
- details of progress on the major areas of work under the Commission’s Sound and Efficient Management 2000 Programme.
December 19, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Millions encouraged to Get Around for £2 by bus [December 2022]
The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 19 December 2022.
- millions of people across England will be able to travel by bus for £2 from 1 January to 31 March 2023, thanks to £60 million in government funding to cap single tickets
- people can save almost a third of the average £2.80 bus fare, while in some rural areas tickets can reach over £5 for a single journey
- over 130 bus operators outside London will be part of the scheme, taking an estimated 2 million cars off the road and reducing emissions
Passengers are being encouraged to Get Around for £2 by bus from January to March next year, with bus operators launching a campaign to promote the government fare cap scheme today (19 December 2022).

The scheme will help families, commuters and other passengers save money this winter, backed by £60 million of government investment to cap single tickets at £2 from 1 January to 31 March 2023 across England, outside of London.

With the average single local bus ticket costing £2.80, passengers will save almost a third of the ticket price per journey. In some rural areas a single ticket can cost over £5.

The scheme seeks to get more commuters on buses and helps to reduce emissions and congestion by taking an estimated 2 million cars off the roads.

Today, the government has confirmed over 130 bus operators, such as National Express and Stagecoach, managing routes from the north to the south of England will charge no more than £2 for their single tickets, helping passengers with travel costs for education, work and medical appointments as they face pressures from the rising cost of living.

Buses Minister Richard Holden said:

Brits love buses. They’re the most popular form of public transport in England, making up half of all journeys. So we’re investing £60 million to cap single bus fares at £2 to help families, students and commuters and help get people back on the bus.

The scheme will also take 2 million car journeys off the road and it’s fantastic to see so many bus operators signing up. So, if you’re in Carlisle or Weston-Super-Mare, Birmingham or Doncaster, make sure you hop on the bus and ‘Get Around for £2’ between 1 January and 31 March.

Bus fares vary across different parts of the country and between bus operators, and the cap is an important step in ensuring passengers across the country are getting a fair deal.

The scheme forms part of the government’s Help for Households campaign, as the new cap can deliver real savings for those most affected by the rising cost of living.

The bus fare cap will also help the bus industry continue its recovery from the pandemic by encouraging greater bus use.

This initiative builds on the allocation of more than £2 billion to support bus services in England through the pandemic and a commitment to fund improved services, new bus priority measures and new electric or hydrogen buses as part of Bus Back Better, the ambitious national bus strategy, published last year.

Tom Stables, CEO of National Express UK, said:

More people using buses is good for the economy, environment and wider society. We know that great value, low fares encourage people to switch to the bus so are proud to join this scheme. And even better, we’re also freezing child fares at £1. Bus travel is simple, cheap and easy and there’s never been a better time to get onboard.

Elsewhere, a bus fares pilot scheme, backed by £23.5 million of government funding, launched in Cornwall this April has already seen a significant increase in passenger numbers.

Working alongside the ‘Any Ticket Any Bus’ campaign, the fares pilot, running over 4 years, includes a £2.50 day ticket within towns or a £5 day ticket across all of Cornwall, which is valid across different bus operators.

Ensuring the public can access affordable bus fares will encourage more people to choose buses for local journeys, which in turn will help to reduce carbon emissions as the country moves towards our Net Zero targets.

Graham Vidler, Chief Executive of the Confederation of Passenger Transport said:

We look forward to welcoming more customers on board when the £2 fare cap in England starts in January, as it complements great value fares already in place that make taking the bus more attractive and environmentally friendly this winter.

Travelling for £2 on the bus both helps customers facing rising cost challenges and enables them to try a new travel option to get to work, education, public services, leisure or see loved ones.

The government will continue to work closely with bus operators and local authorities and consider future support to help passengers continue accessing reliable and affordable bus services after March.
December 19, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak to meet leaders on Europe’s northern frontier to strengthen efforts to counter Russian aggression [December 2022]
The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 19 December 2022.
The Prime Minister will meet his Nordic, Baltic and Dutch counterparts at the second in-person leader gathering of Joint Expeditionary Force in Riga today

He will call on the group to sustain their strong military support to Ukraine in 2023, and announce a major new artillery package

The Prime Minister will then travel on to Estonia to meet UK troops and sign a new technology partnership with Estonia to bolster digital ties

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is set to travel to Latvia today [Monday] to discuss ongoing efforts to counter Russian aggression in the Nordic and Baltic region with his Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) counterparts.

The JEF brings together ten like-minded nations who share a commitment to democracy, human rights and the rule of law, as well as a long history of shared military operations.

Acknowledging the regional challenges faced by the Nordic and Baltic countries, including Russia’s continued aggression, the Prime Minister will call on leaders at JEF to sustain or exceed 2022 levels of support for Ukraine in 2023 through ongoing lethal aid, economic resilience and political backing.

His call will come as the UK announces it will supply hundreds of thousands of rounds of artillery ammunition next year, under a £250 million contract that will ensure a constant flow of critical artillery ammunition to Ukraine throughout 2023.

The UK is already Europe’s leading provider of defensive aid to Ukraine, including sending Multiple Launch Rocket Systems and recently, 125 anti-aircraft guns. We have also provided more than 100,000 rounds of ammunition since February, with the deliveries directly linked to successful operations to retake territory in Ukraine.

The Prime Minister personally updated President Zelenskyy on the new support last week, which will form part of the UK’s 2023 package of defensive aid.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:

From the Arctic Circle to the Isle of Wight, the UK and our European allies have been in lockstep in our response to the invasion of Ukraine, and we remain steadfast in our ambition for peace in Europe once again.

But to achieve peace, we must deter aggression and our deployments across the region together are vital in ensuring we are able to respond to the gravest of threats.

I know this Joint Expeditionary Force summit will only underline our close friendships and unwavering support for Ukraine.

The JEF meeting, which brings together the leaders of Denmark, Finland, Estonia, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and the United Kingdom, will also be addressed by President Zelenksyy.

At the summit the leaders will discuss the defensive capabilities needed by Ukrainian forces, including further air defence. They are also expected to accelerate cooperation among JEF nations, bolster intelligence sharing, strengthen defences to hybrid threats and protect critical national infrastructure. As part of that increased collaboration, they will also discuss support to Finland and Sweden ahead of their accession to NATO, and scaling up joint exercises to further strengthen the JEF alliance.

Following the JEF summit, the Prime Minister will meet the newly-reappointed Latvian Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš, underscoring the close partnership between the two countries, before traveling on to Estonia, where he will meet UK and NATO troops serving on NATO’s eastern flank.

He will also sign a new innovative tech partnership with the Prime Minister of Estonia, Kaja Kallas. The joint partnership is set to harness the shared expertise between the two countries, helping both the UK and Estonia bolster technology ties and support new digital infrastructure.

The agreement will see both countries accelerate digital research and innovation, and strengthen cooperation across health, education, cyber security, data and connectivity.
December 19, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : UK signs agreement on offshore renewable energy cooperation [December 2022]
The press release issued by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on 18 December 2022.
- The agreement between the UK and the North Seas Energy Cooperation (NSEC) sets the framework for greater cooperation with North Seas neighbours.
- Collaboration on development of offshore renewable energy and grid infrastructure essential for meeting UK net zero commitment and bolstering European energy security
- Initiative expected to support the UK’s ambitious targets to increase offshore wind fivefold to 50GW by 2030.
The UK Minister for Energy and Climate Graham Stuart has today (18 December) signed a landmark agreement on renewable energy cooperation with EU and North Seas countries.

The Memorandum of Understanding with the North Seas Energy Cooperation (NSEC) forum fulfils commitments in the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), enabling the UK to work with NSEC members to develop renewables projects in the North Seas – specifically projects linking electricity interconnectors and windfarms. The countries involved include Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and the European Commission, signalling a new phase in UK-EU cooperation.

The MoU sets out the terms for future cooperation between the UK and NSEC and enables closer cooperation in the development of offshore renewable energy, including offshore grids in the North Seas.

The initiative is expected to support the UK’s ambitious targets to increase offshore wind fivefold to 50GW, and deliver 18GW of electricity interconnector capacity – up from 8.4 GW today – by 2030.

Minister of State for Energy and Climate, Graham Stuart, said:

I’m pleased to agree even greater energy cooperation with our North Seas neighbours, which will be vital in helping the UK meet it ambitious renewables target, including increasing offshore wind fivefold to 50GW by 2030.

The development of renewables in the North Seas is critical for accelerating our clean transition and boosting energy security for the UK and our European neighbours.

The UK currently sends and receives electricity through cables that link us with neighbours like France, Belgium and the Netherlands. The agreement bolsters the mission to facilitate further interconnection.

Analysis by National Grid Electricity System Operator shows that a well-integrated grid linked to offshore wind farms can deliver savings to consumers of up to around £3 billion.

The former Prime Minister Liz Truss set the ground for the MoU at the European Political Community summit in Prague in October, setting out the strong case for close cooperation with the UK’s European neighbours on energy security and boosting renewables.
December 19, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : North Korea missile launches – Foreign Office Statement [December 2022]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 18 December 2022.

A Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office spokesperson said:

North Korea continues to violate UN Security Council Resolutions by launching two medium-range ballistic missiles on 18 December.

We call on North Korea to prioritise the well-being of their people instead of the illegal pursuit of nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. The UK, alongside our allies and partners, is committed to peace on the Korean Peninsula, the upholding of the rules-based international system and securing an end to North Korea’s illegal activities.

December 18, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Tribute to Lord David Ramsbotham [December 2022]

The press release issued as a tribute to Lord David Ramsbotham by the Prison Reform Trust on 16 December 2022.

Lord David Ramsbotham — as good as it gets

Everyone at the Prison Reform Trust, and everyone with an interest in prison reform, will have been saddened by the news of David’s passing this week. He was literally and metaphorically a towering figure in our world — instantly recognisable for his bearing and the meticulous care with which he framed his devastating critique of all that needed changing in our prison system.

Indefatigable is probably the best the dictionary can offer to describe his persistence and energy, but it feels completely inadequate. Until a very short time before his death, he was as active and as sharp as ever; a fount of wisdom and a polite but incessant reminder to those in authority about where their duty lay in the care of the people we choose to imprison.

He never forgot the gap that can exist between what the policy says should happen and the real experience of people on the ground.

David set a standard for prison inspection — and the personal courage of the Chief Inspector — that has long outlived his tenure of that office. Whatever the Home Office expected when he was appointed in 1993, it got a good deal more than it had bargained for. Prisons are a secret, forgotten world for most of the time, and can suffer political neglect as a consequence. David recognised that he could change that, bringing the work of the inspectorate firmly into the public eye as a means to force change in a public service that desperately needed it. I first came across him when I was a young policy civil servant in the prison service, and I suspect he would have been quietly pleased to know that I and my colleagues found ourselves irritated and frequently wrong footed by him. But face to face he was unfailingly generous and quick to assume that, whatever your role, you would be as enthusiastic to change things for the better as he was. If a little fur needed to fly to achieve that, there was no need to take it personally.

David set a standard for prison inspection — and the personal courage of the Chief Inspector — that has long outlived his tenure of that office.

After entering the House of Lords, David developed a mastery of the parliamentary process to match his skill in navigating Whitehall. He co-chaired the All Party Parliamentary Group for Penal Affairs for many years until very shortly before his death. His presence undoubtedly encouraged a steady stream of ministers and other senior office holders to expose themselves to the careful scrutiny of that group, and most would leave both challenged and better informed about the history of the problems which they were charged to solve. David’s support of many and varied charities devoted to helping people in prison said much about his passion, but also meant that he was continually one of the best informed people in any room. He never forgot the gap that can exist between what the policy says should happen and the real experience of people on the ground.

As a consequence he leaves something of a chasm in our world. But he will also be remembered with huge affection at a personal level. He had an astonishing memory for people, perhaps especially for those at the bottom of the pile. It would be inconceivable for David to treat a prisoner with any less respect or attention than a secretary of state, and his recall not just of individuals, but of their achievements and opinions, was extraordinary. It is easy to conjure up an image of David speaking in the Lords, chairing meetings or being interviewed on the TV, but I think that stored knowledge of people speaks to someone who listened as brilliantly as he spoke.

We have lost a great man.

Peter Dawson
Director

December 18, 2022
David Ramsbotham – 2022 Tribute to HM Queen Elizabeth II (Baron Ramsbotham)

The tribute made by David Ramsbotham, Baron Ramsbotham, in the House of Lords on 10 September 2022.

My Lords, I had the privilege and pleasure during my Army career to have audiences with Her Majesty the Queen. When I became Chief Inspector of Prisons, those audiences continued. What was very impressive was the Queen’s knowledge about our prisons. May she rest in peace. God save the King.

December 18, 2022
HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : Government Task Force on the industrial Use of Energy [April 1998]

The press release issued by HM Treasury on 9 April 1998.

The Government Task Force on the industrial use of energy, chaired by Sir Colin Marshall, held its first meeting on 6 April.

Sir Colin Marshall was appointed by the Chancellor, Gordon Brown, as announced in the recent Budget, to examine the use of economic instruments to improve the industrial and commercial use of energy, and to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Government Task Force will assist him in carrying forward this important exercise.

The UK has taken a strong lead internationally on the issue of climate change. Later this year, a legally binding commitment will be agreed as part of the EU’s undertaking at Kyoto to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. All sectors of society will need to play their part in meeting this.

Within industry, the Government believes that economic instruments may offer the potential to achieve greenhouse gas reductions most cost-effectively. The Chancellor has asked Sir Colin Marshall to consider whether and, if so, how best to use economic instruments – such as an industrial energy tax and/or other market mechanisms – to improve the industrial and commercial use of energy and to help reduce industrial emissions of greenhouse gases.

Sir Colin Marshall and the Task Force intend to consult widely throughout industry and with other interested parties in the preparation of the report, which the Chancellor has asked for by the start of November 1998.

A consultation paper will be issued shortly, seeking responses as to whether, and if so, how best, economic instruments – such as an industrial energy tax and/or other market mechanisms – could be used to improve the industrial and commercial use of energy, and to help reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. All interested parties are invited to contribute their views at that stage.

Sir Colin Marshall said:

“I am looking forward to the work that lies ahead for myself and the Task Force. These are truly vital issues. I want to give an opportunity to everyone who has an interest to feed in views, and hope that as many people as possible will take time to respond to the consultation paper.”

December 18, 2022