Category: Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE : Countries affected by conflict and food insecurity are on the frontlines of climate change [November 2022]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 29 November 2022.

Statement by Tom Woodroffe, UK Ambassador to the UN ECOSOC, at the Arria formula meeting on climate and security.
Thank you very much, Chair, and like others let me begin by thanking the Permanent Missions of Norway and Kenya for convening us this afternoon, and for the Panellists for their insightful and very action oriented remarks.

A number of people before me have given very obvious illustrative examples of the relationship between climate change and security. I don’t intend to repeat those, but suffice to say that the impacts of climate change present an increasingly unprecedented challenge for the security of people, states, the international community and indeed, as Martin Griffth, the USG for Humanitarian Affairs recently noted at the Security Council, many countries affected by conflict “are quite literally on the front lines of climate change”. So in our view, in the UK’s view, the links are clear and indeed they have been for some time.

The UK was the first to bring climate security to the UN Security Council in 2007. We hosted the first leader level debate in 2019, and more recently, we co-hosted an event at COP27 on anticipating climate crises and taking early action in fragile and conflict-affected states, so we very much welcome the opportunity to co-sponsor this Arria today.

The UK is pleased to have supported the Climate Security Mechanism and also to have provided funding for The Peacebuilding Support Office’s Thematic Review on Climate Security and Peacebuilding, which will provide more analysis on the links between climate impacts and the stability of regions, and it’ll also examine global trends and approaches to sustaining peace through climate security efforts.

But as others have said already today, we need to do better, and we need to better co-ordinate efforts in peacebuilding, climate action and resilience, to build on existing capacities, and to strengthen communities’ ability to mitigate the impacts of climate and security risks. And so for the UK there are perhaps three areas where we believe further work is necessary and is key to achieving this. Indeed I fear I’m about to echo a number of points that other speakers have made perhaps more eloquently than I will. But they are :

Strengthening data and evidence gathering, including the systematic monitoring and analysis of conflict risks through a climate lens so as to better understand climate security risks at local and regional level, and this to be accompanied by the development of foresight capacities to enable preparedness.

Strengthening of the capacity of the UN system, including staff resourcing and training, to share information and analysis and address the adverse impacts of climate change on peace and security and integrate this more comprehensively across decision making

And finally, by developing a cohesive, cross-cutting, and robust strategy that considers climate-related risks, and peace and security issues, in a holistic way and drives a more coherent response to climate-related security risks from the UN system

And if there’s time I would very much welcome hearing the Panel’s reflections on these suggestions.

Thank you very much.
November 30, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : United Kingdom and Brazil sign agreement to avoid double taxation [November 2022]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 29 November 2022.

The United Kingdom and Brazil signed a Double Taxation Agreement (DTA) on Tuesday (29/11). The Agreement will provide relief from the double taxation of income in both countries. It is the most significant development in the trade relationship between the United Kingdom and Brazil in many years and represents a concrete response to demands from business in both countries – exploratory dialogues have been ongoing since 2017. Double taxation makes cross-border trade and investment more expensive, as well as creating obstacles for cross-border workers, which is burdensome for both the business sector and for individuals.

The main benefits of the bilateral agreement will be to:
- Provide tax certainty and predictability to business, facilitating long-term investments;
- Help tackle tax evasion by providing for the exchange of information between the two countries;
- Intensify trade and investment between Brazil and the United Kingdom, strengthening the bilateral relationship.
The DTA brings about important benefits for the British and Brazilian economies. It will ensure that United Kingdom and Brazilian businesses encounter fewer economic and administrative burdens when doing business in the other country and reduce the costs of doing so.

As a result, we anticipate that the Brazilian market will become a more attractive place to invest for the British business community and will also facilitate Brazilian investment in the United Kingdom contributing to job creation, innovation and prosperity.

The link to the full text of the agreement will be included here once it is published on the official page of the British Government.

Before the signing of the DTA, Brazil was one of the only major trading partners of the United Kingdom that had not yet concluded an agreement to avoid double taxation.
November 29, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : New leadership of Thurrock Council outlines full financial position for first time [November 2022]

The press release issued by Thurrock Council on 29 November 2022.

A report going to next week’s Cabinet meeting will outline the council’s current financial position and provide details of the full extent of the challenge it faces for the first time.

The report shows that the council faces a grave financial situation this year (2022/23) with expected investment losses totalling £275.4 million and a further £129.2 million being set aside to repay investment debt contributing to a total in year funding gap of £469.6 million, before mitigation.

It also outlines a budget gap of £184.4 million for 2023/24, which includes money that must be set aside to write down the debt associated with the remaining investment balances and the interest payable on that debt. This also includes the write down of the exceptional financial support that will be sought from central government in respect of the 2022/23 funding gap.

Cllr Mark Coxshall, Leader of Thurrock Council, said: “These are shocking numbers but the first stage to creating a good plan for recovery is to understand the full extent of the problem. I know that Thurrock residents will be concerned and rightly so about what this means for local services. Please rest assured that this report is the first stage of planning for our recovery.

“Everybody now has a fuller understanding of the gravity of the issues we face. We know the council cannot find a way to finance its expenditure in-year and will not achieve a balanced budget next year without external support.

“We will have to request exceptional financial support from the government over a number of years to stabilise our financial position and give us time to have balanced budgets. Alongside this support we will have to use other levers including asset disposal, efficiency savings, council tax increases and funding flexibilities from central government to recover our financial position.

“Although it is impossible for local authorities to go bankrupt, it is clear there will be incredibly difficult decisions to come. These are uncertain and unsettling times but there are no immediate changes to services for residents, and the council’s much valued staff will continue to deliver for Thurrock’s residents and be paid.

“I am absolutely determined to break the council’s past culture of secrecy with complete openness, honesty and transparency. Simply by publishing this information I am making it clear that is not how Thurrock Council intends to work going forward and that this takes place in a way that can be scrutinised by all councillors and the public.

“Further reports will come to Cabinet and update the position before setting a budget in February. Thurrock Council continues our work with the Commissioners to develop a plan that addresses the scale of this challenge and takes us towards a stable and sustainable financial position in the medium to longer term.”

Gavin Jones, Lead Commissioner, said: “The financial position the Commissioners have outlined is a grave one; it is also not yet complete as further work is underway. We have made good progress working alongside Thurrock Council’s leadership to understand the position and to begin to take positive action to address the situation.

“That support will continue as we ensure that essential services can continue to be delivered. We have to be realistic, however, about changes to the Council’s operations which the financial position mean are inevitable.”

The position outlined in this report is correct at the time of publication but is not definitive and could change in the future as more is learned about investments and the council’s portfolio is managed down.

Further reports will come to Cabinet and update the position before a budget is set in February 2023. Thurrock Council continues its work with the Commissioners to develop a plan that addresses the scale of this challenge and takes the council towards a stable and sustainable financial position in the medium to longer term.

The full report is available to view online at Cabinet agenda, Wednesday 7 December 2022.

November 29, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Nothing can replace the scope or scale of the cross border humanitarian operation in Syria [November 2022]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 29 November 2022.

Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the Security Council briefing on Syria.

Thank you President.

And thank you Special Envoy Pedersen and Under Secretary General Griffiths, for your clear briefings and your commitment to Syria.

The key to ending this conflict is through the full implementation of Security Council Resolution 2254. We welcome your untiring efforts, Special Envoy Pederson, to facilitate a sustainable resolution to the conflict and the clear steps you’ve set out this morning. Reconvening the Constitutional Committee in Geneva is the step we particularly need to see. And Russia has stopped standing in the way of this. Political progress desperately needed.

While the conflict drags on, we continue to receive reports of torture and killings in detention centres across Syria, in particular at Sednaya prison. UN Member States have been clear in condemning these systematic violations of human rights, adopting a resolution on human rights in Syria this month. We condemn these violations, and again call for the release of detainees.

In this context, the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate. This is clearly not about sanctions, which are strictly enforced against entities involved in repressing the civilian population, and which include specific humanitarian provisions and exemptions. So let’s be clear about the facts.

14.6 million Syrians are in desperate need of humanitarian aid. A huge increase since three other border crossings were unnecessarily closed in 2020.

The UN has repeatedly told us that the cross-border mechanism is a lifeline for 4.1 million people. On average 20 trucks of food, lifesaving medicines passing through Bab-al Hawa reach people in need every day.

Nothing can replace the scope or scale of this cross border humanitarian operation, and it must continue. The ‘fate’ of this mandate is the ‘fate’ of 4.1 million people who rely on its assistance. And those who are concerned with the humanitarian situation will not delay or compromise their lifeline.

The current cholera outbreak highlights the importance of an effective and predictable UN response, including in early recovery. 30% of UK funding to Syria in 2022 will go to such projects, most of which are focused on water and healthcare. We also welcome progress on crossline efforts. But this is slowed by the Syrian regime’s insistence on new approvals for each convoy, and ongoing fighting. It is simply impossible to replicate with crossline assistance, what is being delivered through the cross-border operation.

President,

As winter approaches, this Council should do everything it can to respond to the needs of the Syrian people.

I thank you.

November 29, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Countries agree concrete change to end sexual violence in conflict [November 2022]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 29 November 2022.

More than 50 countries and the UN agreed urgent action to end sexual violence in conflict at the UK-hosted PSVI Conference this week.
- More than 50 countries have signed a UK-led declaration to end the scourge of sexual violence in conflict.
- Around 40 countries, including the UK, have also made national commitments outlining the steps they will take to tackle sexual violence in conflict.
- On the first day of the UK’s Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict conference (Monday 29 November) the First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, said sexual violence is being used “systematically and openly”.
More than 50 countries and the UN have agreed urgent action to end sexual violence in conflict, by signing up to a new declaration at a UK-hosted summit this week.

The countries agreed to take action to address triggers such as gender inequality, remove the stigma faced by victims, and make sure national laws are in place to prosecute perpetrators.

Around 40 countries, including Colombia, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Japan have also gone further, and set out national commitments on the practical steps they will take to tackle these crimes and make a difference on the ground.

For example, Nigeria has committed to champion the Murad Code, a UK-backed code of conduct to ensure that the experiences of survivors of sexual violence in conflict are documented ethically and effectively.

The USA has committed $10 million over two years to support civil society organisations to document sexual violence in conflict in line with the Murad Code.

President Biden has also issued a memorandum setting out the USA’s intention to promote accountability for conflict-related sexual violence, including through economic sanctions, visa restrictions, and additional measures and authorities.

After Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, reports of sexual violence committed by Russian soldiers against civilians escalated. In addition, assessments conducted in Moldova, Poland, and Romania revealed high risks of organised trafficking and sexual exploitation and abuse of women and children.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said:

Rape in war violates international values as severely as the use of chemical weapons. We must hold perpetrators to account and deliver justice for those affected.

By signing this declaration, we are clear that sexual violence in conflict is a line that should never be crossed. Now is the time to take real action globally to end this horrific crime.

When opening the conference, the Foreign Secretary announced a three-year strategy to tackle sexual violence in conflict which will be backed by up to £12.5 million of new funding.

Minister of State at the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office and the Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon said:

In the last 10 years, we have come a long way, but we know that much more must be done, both to help survivors and to prevent others from suffering such violence. Rape, torture, sexual violence is real, it is happening today. It is a shocking reality of our world in 2022.

Our aim is to make a long-lasting, tangible change in the lives of survivors, while preventing others from going through similar horrific ordeals in the future. We owe it to the courageous survivors who are an inspiration to us all.

Representatives from around 40 countries attended the two-day conference in London, which brought the international community together to take action to end these horrific crimes.

The conference heard from survivors whose moving testimony demonstrated how sexual violence in war and conflict can shatter lives.
November 29, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Serious Fraud Office on track to implement Calvert-Smith review recommendations [November 2022]

The press release issued by the Attorney General on 29 November 2022.

The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has made significant progress towards better record keeping, case assurance and resourcing, following recommendations made by Sir David Calvert-Smith, the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) has announced today.

Following the Court of Appeal’s judgment in the Unaoil case (R. v Akle & Anor) in December 2021, the then Attorney General, the Rt Hon. Suella Braverman KC MP, commissioned Sir David Calvert-Smith to conduct an independent review into the SFO’s handling of the case.

Sir David’s review, and a response to his 11 recommendations, were published on 21 July 2022. Following the commitment made when the review was published, the Attorney General, the Rt Hon. Victoria Prentis MP today updated parliament on the progress that has been made in delivering Sir David’s recommendations. The AGO has also published a detailed progress update.

At the same time, the SFO has also today published an update on its progress to date against the recommendations set out in Brian Altman KC’s independent review of R. v Woods & Marshall, which was also published on 21 July 2022.

Commenting on the updates, the Solicitor General, Michael Tomlinson MP said:

The Attorney General and I are pleased to see real progress being made in line with Sir David’s review. The Serious Fraud Office has put measures in place for nine of his 11 recommendations and in the longer term, work has begun on the remaining two to make sure these important changes are completed to a high standard.

We also welcome the SFO’s further improvement work, highlighted today, in bringing forward and implementing the recommendations set out in Brian Altman’s KC’s review of R. v Woods & Marshall.

Continued work to deliver and embed the recommendations of both reviews will remain a key priority for both the Law Officers and the Director of the SFO.

Commenting on the updates, Director of the Serious Fraud Office, Lisa Osofsky said:

We haven’t stopped fighting serious economic crime, as shown by the recent sentencing of Glencore Energy UK Ltd for seven counts of bribery and a record-breaking penalty, which the company paid in full last week.

“Thanks to the dedication and persistence of my team, we are on track to embed the organisational improvements that will ensure our continued success.”

November 29, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Mobile and broadband firms meet with ministers to look at further support to help people facing cost of living difficulties [November 2022]
The press release issued by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on 29 November 2022.

The UK’s biggest broadband and mobile operators have today met with the government to follow up on commitments agreed in the summer to support customers with the cost of living.
- Summit comes as the government launches a public awareness campaign to raise awareness of cut-price social tariffs
- Attendees identified the barriers for those not currently taking up social tariffs starting at £10
- Minister urged telecoms companies to consider the impact price rises may have on struggling households
The UK’s biggest broadband and mobile operators have today met with the government to follow up on commitments agreed in the summer to support customers with the cost of living.

Digital minister Julia Lopez called together leaders from the telecoms sector – including BT, Virgin Media, O2, Sky, Vodafone, TalkTalk, Three Mobile, Hyperoptic and Ofcom – at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) for an update on work to boost awareness of social tariffs.

Minister Lopez urged the sector to commit to raising awareness of these affordable deals available for people in receipt of Universal Credit, which could save them up to £180 per year when compared to the average tariff.

An Ofcom report in September found that only 31 per cent of eligible groups were aware that social tariffs were available, despite them being available in 99 per cent of the UK to reach those who need the support most.

The meeting took place on the day the government launched a UK-wide public awareness campaign as part of its Help for Households programme. The campaign aims to help people through the cost of living this winter and will help increase awareness and uptake of the cut-price broadband and mobile deals available to help those struggling with bills.

As well as agreeing to make vital steps to make sure eligible customers know about social tariffs starting from as little as £10, the industry agreed to share insight into the barriers beyond consumer awareness that are preventing households from taking up social tariffs.

The Minister also reminded broadband and mobile companies to be mindful of the impact price rises have on households struggling with the global rise in the cost of living.

In a move welcomed by the government, attendee Hyperoptic also marked the occasion by announcing that they will be dropping the price of their fastest speed social tariff from £25 to just £20.

Digital Infrastructure Minister Julia Lopez, said:

Helping families manage the cost of living is a priority for this winter and beyond. It is vital to find out what more we and the telecoms industry can do to support families worried about their bills.

Everyone should have access to affordable mobile and broadband services. Today we agreed that more has to be done to raise awareness of social tariffs and stressed the impact price increases have on people and families up and down the country.

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

We have already made it easier for vulnerable families receiving certain benefits to access cheaper broadband rates through our automatic verification system. I do welcome today’s discussion which further shows our commitment to working innovatively with industry to keep low-income families connected and able to progress as a result of this support.

Social tariffs are just one of the ways we are assisting households at this challenging time, with millions already receiving £1,200 in direct payments and more on the way next year. I encourage anyone who thinks they might be entitled to further support to check their eligibility via our online benefits calculator.

The move follows a roundtable in June where the Government and operators agreed a raft of new commitments to support people with rising costs, including more manageable payments and switching to a cheaper deal free-of-charge.

Following this, the Department for Work and Pensions also launched a new service to verify – with customers’ permission – whether they are in receipt of a relevant benefit and therefore eligible for extra financial support such as a social tariff. The new system will simplify the process by removing the need for customers to prove their entitlement to broadband providers as regularly as every month.
November 29, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Green Party reaction to government go ahead for Sizewell C nuclear power plant [November 2022]

The press release issued by the Green Party on 29 November 2022.

Responding to the government’s decision to give the go ahead to the Sizewell C nuclear power plant in Suffolk [1], Green Party co-leader Adrian Ramsay said:

“This is an ideological decision driven by a misguided energy policy. It is clear there are cleaner, quicker and much less expensive options to meet our electricity needs. Investment in renewable energy and insulation at scale are what is needed to tackle both the climate emergency and cost of living crisis with the urgency needed.

“The design of Sizewell C will follow the much criticised Hinkley Point C scheme in Somerset which has been delayed by years and beset by technical difficulties and mushrooming costs. It is clear that large nuclear reactors are far too slow to help solve our climate crisis and way too expensive to address sky-high energy bills.”

Notes

1. https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/nov/29/sizewell-c-nuclear-plant-confirmed-edf-suffolk-jobs-uk

November 29, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Greens call for winter rent freeze and ban on evictions [November 2022]

The press release issued by the Green Party on 24 November 2022.

The Green Party of England and Wales is calling for the government to urgently bring forward its promised Renters Reform Bill in time to stave off a winter of evictions and homelessness.

The call came as new figures showed so-called no fault evictions leaping 76 per cent [1}

Carla Denyer, co-leader of the Green Party of England and Wales, said the Bill must include:

“An immediate cap on rent increases until at least the end of March 2023, as well as a ban on no-fault evictions over the same period to prevent landlords evicting tenants in order to raise rents.”

In Scotland, where the Scottish Greens are in government with the SNP, similar measures have already become law [2].

Average rental prices outside London have hit a high of £1,162 a month, jumping 11% in the past year [3].

The UK government produced a White Paper in June [4] and Housing Minister Andrew Stephenson told Parliament in October the legislation was still a “priority.” [5]

Carla Denyer added:

“Knowing that you have a secure home over winter is vital for both physical and mental health. Households already face soaring energy and food costs; the last thing they need, on top of everything else they have to contend with, is unaffordable rent rises and the fear of being evicted.

“Rising private rents and increasing evictions have also been cited as major causes of a dramatic increase in homelessness in London and other cities. The number of people sleeping rough on the capital’s streets has jumped by a shocking 24% in the past year [6]

“We are calling on the government to introduce an immediate freeze on rent rises and a ban on evictions by landlords who simply want to increase rents between tenancies. The Scottish government has introduced legislation to safeguard tenants this winter. We want to see the Housing Minister introduce similar measures in England, and for the Senedd to use its devolved powers to do so in Wales [6].”

Notes

[1] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-63719126

[2] Cost of living: rent and eviction – gov.scot (www.gov.scot )

[3] Average rent climbs to £1,162, according to Rightmove, up 11% in a year – as charities warn tenants are struggling to make ends meet (msn.com)

[4] A fairer private rented sector

[5] Housing Minister Andrew Stephenson

[6] Number of people sleeping rough in London up 24% in a year | Homelessness | The Guardian

[7] Rent freeze call by Plaid Cymru voted down by Labour – BBC News

November 29, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : UK Attorney General signs statement of international unity in securing justice for war crimes in Ukraine [November 2022]

The press release issued by the Attorney General on 29 November 2022.

Justice Ministers from across G7 nations signed a pledge of unwavering solidarity to the war-torn country.

The UK commitment to securing justice for the atrocities being committed in Ukraine was reaffirmed today as Justice Ministers from across G7 nations signed a pledge of unwavering solidarity to the war-torn country.

The Attorney General, Victoria Prentis MP, led the UK justice response in Berlin as signatory to a renewed commitment to international co-operation.

The Berlin Declaration seeks to strengthen cross-border responses to Russian war crimes at an international level to increase effectiveness and communication between investigative authorities.

The Attorney General, Victoria Prentis MP, said:

The conflict in Ukraine has had a devastating impact on the lives of innocent people. Like many UK families, we have invited a Ukrainian citizen into our home and heard first-hand how lives have been ruined and futures compromised by Russia’s illegal invasion.

The UK is proud of the support it has given harnessing the breadth of our legal capabilities and expertise to seek justice, but the growing importance of G7 unity is clear if we are to see accountability for the atrocities being committed. Our individual efforts must be coordinated at an international level.

Proposals in the declaration include the nomination of national contact points for coordination of the prosecution of international crimes to complement the work of existing well-established mechanisms, including Eurojust and the Genocide Network.

The declaration also recognises the vital role of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in supporting survivors at the scene of war crimes and helping to document offences and the accounts of local people. It commits to further improving networking among criminal prosecution authorities and NGOs to streamline information flow and, in some cases, improve standards in collecting evidence and avoiding the retraumatisation of witnesses.

Deputy Prime Minister, Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary Dominic Raab said:

War criminals should know they cannot act with impunity and we are united with international partners to ensure those responsible are held to account.

The UK has been at the forefront of the global response in assisting the International Criminal Court’s investigations, providing extra funding and expertise, and we will continue to work with likeminded countries until justice is served.

The UK has already committed a strong package of support to aid justice in Ukraine, providing £1 million and offering specialist legal and police assistance to the International Criminal Court’s investigations.

November 29, 2022