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PRESS RELEASE : Cyber security for airworthiness – new MAA regulations [June 2023]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 8 June 2023.

To counter threats of cyber-attack on military air systems, new regulation has been introduced to assess and mitigate potential impacts on air safety.

Cyber-attack presents a significant threat to the safe operation of modern military air systems. The MAA has now equipped the regulated community with Cyber Security for Airworthiness (CSA) regulation to ensure our safety-related systems are appropriately protected from this non-traditional, emerging threat to air safety.

Background

The aviation ecosystem is becoming more complex and connected. Modern military air systems, like their civil counterparts, are reliant on the correct functioning of avionic systems for safe operation. Increasingly, advanced network architectures are being introduced to interconnect avionic systems and other systems for internal and external data transmission. These technological advancements bring greater efficiency and performance but could introduce threats to airworthiness and air safety if not sufficiently protected. It is vital that cyber security assessments are conducted for connected systems to identify and mitigate, if necessary, airworthiness and air safety risks.

Physical access security can provide some mitigation, but it is important to note that this can only go so far. For example, cyber security vulnerabilities can be introduced to airborne electronic hardware (AEH) or safety-related airborne software through insecure supply chains. Increasing reliance on computerised ground support systems and other systems which connect to avionics, such as connected-electronic flight bags (EFB) or mission equipment, could also introduce vectors for malicious software (malware) if not mitigated. Essentially, any external connectivity for the air system could introduce new threats.

Some legacy air systems may have fewer intrinsic threats due to older federated architectures, bespoke computer technologies, and less reliance on avionic systems for safe operation. It is essential, however, that any extant risks are understood and mitigated. It should also be noted that type design changes which introduce new capabilities may establish connectivity to older systems; these could have been developed without consideration for cyber security controls, thereby introducing new vulnerabilities.

Aviation cyber security – a civil perspective

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has taken a holistic view to the development of a cyber resilient aviation ecosystem. Conceptually, the problem has been addressed in two key areas: product security (including aircraft and engines) and organisation security (for aviation organisations – concerning people and processes).

Product security

EASA has introduced requirements to the certification specifications (CS) for large aeroplanes, small and large rotorcraft, engines, and propellers for equipment, systems, and network information security protection. These requirements apply to new or modified aircraft. AMC 20-42 airworthiness information security risk assessment is the published acceptable means of compliance for these requirements and refers to the following standards, developed by the European Organisation for Civil Aviation Equipment (EUROCAE) and the Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics (RTCA): ED-202A/DO-326A, ED-203A/DO-356, and ED-204/DO-355 (note: some of these standards have since been updated). The certification specification for normal-category aeroplanes has introduced guidance material referring to AMC 20-42 (GM 23.2500(b) refers), and CS–ETSO (European Technical Standard Orders) also recognises the AMC for ETSO articles.

Organisation security

In February 2023 EASA published Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/203 which, together with the earlier released Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/1645 completes the new Information Security (Part-IS) Regulation. This regulation is cross-cutting and applies to aviation organisations which contribute to aviation safety such as Approved Maintenance Organisations (AMO), Continuing Airworthiness Management Organisations (CAMO), Production and Design Organisations, Air Traffic Management / Air Navigation Service (ATM / ANS) providers, and aerodrome operators. The regulation requires organisations to introduce an Information Security Management System (ISMS) with a focus on aviation safety. The associated acceptable means of compliance (AMC) is currently in development and expected to be published soon.

CAA

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has replicated the EASA requirements in the published certification specifications for large aeroplanes, small and large rotorcraft, engines, propellers, and the guidance material for normal-category aeroplanes and ETSO articles; these also refer to AMC 20-42 as the published acceptable means of compliance.

The CAA currently has a rulemaking task for the introduction of Cyber Security Regulation based on EASA Part-IS. There will be further consultations prior to publication of the new regulation.

MAA cyber security for airworthiness and air safety

The latest issues of Defence Standard 00-970 for fixed wing combat air systems, small and medium type air systems, large type air systems and rotorcraft include requirements for CSA; this applies to both new air systems and type design changes to existing air systems. Note: Defence Standard 00-970 part 9 (remotely piloted air systems (RPAS)) is currently undergoing a major review; there is an expectation that CSA requirements are included on any RPAS Type Certification Basis (TCB) in the interim, both for new air systems and depending on the specifics of any type design change.

The new CSA regulations have been introduced to ensure that all air systems on, or destined for, the UK Military Aircraft Register (MAR) are assessed for cyber security threats, and that suitable mitigations are put into place to address any potential negative impacts on airworthiness and air safety. The regulations also address a need to inform owners of air safety risks of any potential CSA risks, so that these could be understood, owned, and integrated into core air safety management activities.

Changes to the MRP include the introduction of two new regulatory articles (RA), amendments to the roles and responsibilities of two existing RAs, and publication of a supporting regulatory instruction (RI) to provide compliance latitude. The regulations introduce new responsibilities for Type Airworthiness Authorities (TAA), Type Airworthiness Managers (TAM), Aviation Duty Holders (ADH), Accountable Managers (Military Flying) (AM(MF)), and Senior Responsible Owners (SRO); a summary is detailed below.

In addition, as published in the MAA’s programme of work for regulations – Financial Year 23 / 24 (MAA/RN/2023/02) following the publication of the EASA part-IS regulations, and the expected incorporation by the CAA, the MAA will investigate the overlaps with current MoD policy and determine whether future Information Security Regulation for aviation organisations is required.

The new CSA regulations

RA 5890 – Cyber Security for Airworthiness and Air Safety – Type Design and Changes / Repairs to Type Design

The regulation introduces responsibilities for TAAs / TAMs to ensure that air system cyber security risk assessments are conducted. Identified cyber threats shall be suitably mitigated to combat the potential negative impact on CSA and air safety. The MAA recognises the risk assessment and mitigation process detailed in RTCA DO-326A / EUROCAE ED-202A and associated standards RTCA DO-356A / EUROCAE ED-203A as an acceptable means of compliance. TAAs / TAMs should provide appropriate Instructions for Sustaining Type Airworthiness (ISTA) to the relevant ADH / AM(MF), including security event management procedures.

RA 1202 – Cyber Security for Airworthiness and Air Safety

This regulation introduces responsibilities for ADH / AM(MF) / SRO to ensure that cyber security threats to airworthiness and Air Safety are identified, suitably mitigated, and managed through life. Direction to operators should be provided to mitigate cyber security threats to airworthiness and air safety during operation and maintenance of air systems. The MAA recognises RTCA DO-355A / EUROCAE ED-204A with JSP 440 as an acceptable means of compliance. ADH / AM(MF) / SRO should ensure that the ongoing CSA activity contributes to the development and management of the applicable Air System Safety Cases.

MAA/RI/2023/03 – Cyber Security for Airworthiness and Air Safety

This RI details transitional arrangements which provide compliance latitude; it is broken up into specified milestones which should be achieved.

Some future changes

To complement the new CSA regulations there will be some changes to existing 1000-series regulations as follows:

RA 1015 – Type Airworthiness Management – roles and responsibilities

There will be an amendment to this regulation with the inclusion of a new TAM responsibility to ensure that air systems are assessed for their cyber risks to combat potential impact on CSA and air safety.

RA 1020 – Aviation Duty Holder and Aviation Duty Holder-Facing Organizations – Roles and Responsibilities

Additional text will be included in the guidance material for ADH responsibilities in operations. Clarification will be included in the operating envelope guidance to state that the activities should include emerging cyber threats to air safety which have the potential to impact risk to life during operations.

Summary

The new regulations will ensure that military air systems are assessed for and appropriately protected from cyber threats to airworthiness and air safety. The MAA will continue to engage and support the regulated community as required.

14/06/2023
NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 3 June 1923

3 JUNE 1923

The Lausanne Conference reached another deadlock after the Turkish side refused to make any concessions on debt repayments.

The Southern Railway announced that an attempt had been made to derail trains heading from London to Kent by the placing of chairs on the line.

The Skye Raiders accepted the Government terms for their release.

14/06/2023
NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 2 June 1923

2 JUNE 1923

Mabel Philipson won the by-election in the constituency of Berwick-upon-Tweed securing 12,000 votes, with the Liberal candidate Harold Burge Robson getting 5,858 votes and the Labour candidate Gilbert Oliver getting 3,966 votes.

The Restoration of Order in Ireland Bill passed the report stage and the third reading in the House of Commons.

The terms of a Government offer to the Skye land raiders were announced in the House of Commons by the Under Secretary of Health in Scotland.

14/06/2023
PRESS RELEASE : DCDC celebrates 10 years of Swedish Armed Forces cooperation [June 2023]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 8 June 2023.

Members of the Development, Concepts and Doctrine Centre (DCDC) and Swedish Armed Forces gathered to mark their decade-long partnership of working together.

The occasion saw the Swedish Chief of the Defence Staff Lieutenant General Michael Claesson and the UK Vice Chief of the Defence Staff General Gwyn Jenkins join members of DCDC and Swedish delegates in Main Building, London to mark the 10-year milestone.

As well as acknowledging the success of the relationship and the mutual benefits the cooperation brings, the event provided an opportunity to consider next steps and how to deepen and leverage the cooperation further.

Attending the momentous occasion, Lt Gen Michael Claesson announced:

The last ten years have seen extraordinary changes and developments in both global and European geopolitics – including the war in Ukraine and the greatest change in Swedish security policy since more than two hundred years ago. As a potential NATO-member the cooperation with DCDC will be an even more important part in preparing the defence of our nation for a changing world and new challenges – together with our partners.

The following day saw Director DCDC address staff in a townhall, commenting on how our shared insights have helped inform both nations in ways that are valuable and build resilience.

We look forward to the next decade of working alongside our Swedish allies.

How it all began

10 years ago, the then Swedish Director of Strategy concluded that collaboration in the intellectual space was the key to helping achieve efficiency within the Swedish Armed Forces.

DCDC was highlighted as the only Defence organisation in the world that provided research on the future, as well as concepts and doctrine.

Colonel Joachim Isacsson, now DCDC’s senior Swedish officer, was tasked with making the cooperation work in practice. Now in his 10th year working at DCDC, Joachim shares his reflections a decade on:

The cooperation has taken huge steps forward and forms a direct part of Swedish Defence strategy and implementation of NATO doctrine. I am immensely proud of what we have collectively achieved.

13/06/2023
Stuart Andrew – 2023 Speech at the English Football League Annual Conference

The speech made by Stuart Andrew, the Sports Minister, on 8 June 2023.

It is a pleasure to address all 72 EFL clubs today.

You represent much more than 90 minutes on a pitch – you are the beating hearts of your communities and part of the fabric of our national identity.

I want to start by thanking you for the incredibly positive impact that you have on the local communities you serve.

This is underlined by the “EFL clubs and their Club Community” report published earlier this year.

I was pleased to attend the launch of that report and enjoyed hearing from individuals who have led, supported, and benefited from the incredible work you do in local communities.

I was also pleased to hear of the EFL’s partnership with the British Red Cross in which you are working together to tackle loneliness in our society.

It was a fitting and timely intervention ahead of Loneliness Awareness Week taking place next week.

This Government is proud to support the EFL.

We have supported your work in the community, providing the English Football League Trust with £1.3 million through the Loneliness Covid-19 Fund, to make onward grants to its Football Club Community Organisations in 32 deprived locations across England, with the aim of connecting older people at risk of loneliness.

Supporting the pyramid is crucial and this Government has already committed to invest £300 million of funding to support grassroots multi-sport facilities across the UK by 2025. This is a key element of the Government’s upcoming sport strategy which will be published shortly.

This year is a significant one for English Football.

I am absolutely delighted to be backing our bid to bring EURO 2028 to the UK and Ireland.

Our incredibly inspiring and talented Lionesses, the reigning European Champions, will be taking on the world at the FIFA Women’s World Cup this summer.

The recent success of the Lionesses has accelerated interest in the women’s game, with more people now watching, attending and playing women’s football than ever before.

The Review of Women’s Football which we launched in September and is being Chaired by Karen Carney, is looking at how to deliver bold and sustainable growth of the women’s game at elite and grassroots levels.

This was the first recommendation taken forward from the independent Fan Led Review, and I look forward to seeing the findings published this summer.

And of course, we started this year by publishing our Football Governance White Paper in response to that Fan Led Review.

This included the groundbreaking commitment to establish a new statutory and independent regulator for English football.

Despite the phenomenal success of football at home and abroad, we have seen too many examples of the devastating impact the failure of a beloved club can have on a local community.

Since the Premier League was created in 1992, there have been 64 instances of clubs collapsing into administration.

Historic clubs have been lost, taking with them chunks of our history and heritage, and leaving huge holes in their communities.

Bury Football Club was one example. A club that, just a few years ago, would have sat alongside you at today’s conference.

Over its proud 134-year history, Bury managed to survive world wars and countless economic cycles. But it was driven to the wall by financial mismanagement, which damaged the local economy and left behind a devastated fan base.

But I am pleased to say that a vote to unify Bury FC and Bury AFC passed last month and Bury Football Club will be playing once again at Gigg Lane next season!

But it is not just Bury that has been affected.

The same is true of Macclesfield Town, another century-old club, and Rushden & Diamonds. Countless others, such as Derby County, have been driven to the brink after stretching far beyond their means.

And we know there are a number of clubs across the EFL that are in real distress today.

This is where our proposals for an Independent Regulator come in.

The Regulator will have a clear focus, centred on ensuring that English football is financially sustainable and resilient for the benefit of fans and the local communities football clubs serve.

The Regulator will operate a licensing system for all clubs in the top five tiers of English football.

The Regulator will be independent of industry and Government. This will be set out in law.

The model we have set out is proportionate and flexible, allowing English Football to continue being a global-success story, while tackling harms where they exist.

Where clubs are already well run and risks are low, the Regulator will not look to intervene unless necessary, nor will the Regulator impose an extra layer of requirements to burden clubs with.

Under the Regulator’s regime…

We will legally strengthen the owners’ and directors’ tests, to protect clubs and their fans.

These new tests will reduce the likelihood of unsuitable custodians.

We will give fans more of a voice on the running of their clubs.

This will include stopping owners from changing vital club heritage, such as names, badges and home shirt colours, without approval from the fans.

Likewise, clubs will have to seek regulator approval for any sale or relocation of the stadium, and fan engagement will be a crucial part of that process.

And we will give the Regulator the power to block clubs from joining closed-shop breakaway leagues, such as the European Super League.

We want a thriving football pyramid, and more money must flow through the game to make this happen.

On financial distribution, it remains our firm belief that the best solution is a football led one. If one is not found the Regulator will have a backstop power to intervene and force a solution.

I am optimistic that discussions between the Premier League and EFL will find a solution on this urgent issue.

I am hopeful that the resolution will be found soon. I would urge both sides to reach a deal as soon as possible. It is in the game’s interests to avoid the risk of further financial uncertainty.

In short, we are protecting the long-term success of our national game, and restoring fans’ position at the heart of how football is run.

Since the publication of the White Paper in February, we have been consulting with the football industry on our proposals.

This is a crucial step in ensuring that we develop effective regulations that deliver positive outcomes for football, while minimising the harms identified in the game.

I would like to thank the EFL and many of its member clubs for your support throughout this process as we look to further develop and refine our policy.

The Government intends to publish its response to this initial period of consultation in the coming weeks.

This will represent the latest step in our ongoing commitment to support, promote and protect the national game, as well as ensuring that fans are placed at the heart of it.

We remain committed to bringing forward legislation when parliamentary time allows.

I would like to finish by encouraging you to continue progressing with your valuable work in communities across England and Wales, as well as moving forward with much needed reform.

Fans were able to have a major say in this White Paper. Football does not need to wait for an Independent Regulator to be in place before it can introduce improved governance practices. You can act now!

I want to finish by thanking the EFL for inviting me to speak at this year’s Annual Conference. I thank Rick and Trevor for their continued engagement on these important issues.

I appreciate our continued collaboration and look forward to hearing the outcome of discussions from the panel session.

13/06/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Peter, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill, reappointed as Chair of Network Rail [June 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 8 June 2023.

Network Rail Chair will continue to play a prominent role in bringing about rail reform.
- Peter, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill, will serve a further 2 years as Chair of Network Rail
- as Chair of the Board, he will oversee Network Rail’s multi-billion-pound budget to run a safe, reliable and efficient railway
- reappointment is vital in achieving a smooth transition to Great British Railways, bringing track and train together to drive modernisation across the network
Peter, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill, has been reappointed as the Chair of Network Rail to serve a further 2 years, the Transport Secretary announced today (8 June 2023).

As Chair of the Board, Peter, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill, will continue to oversee Network Rail’s multi-billion-pound budget to efficiently run 20,000 miles of railway track and provide reliable services for passengers and freight customers across England, Scotland and Wales.

His role will be vital in steering Network Rail’s 5-year plan, backed by £44 billion government funding, to tackle climate change, improve performance, invest in infrastructure and make the railways even greener.

Peter, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill’s continued service will ensure continuity and a smooth transition to Great British Railways (GBR) that will put customers at the heart of the railways and drive modernisation. Having held a place on Network Rail’s board since 2015, he will use his existing knowledge and experience to oversee a vital period of transformation that will bring track and train together.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said:

I am delighted to reappoint Peter, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill, as Chair of Network Rail, and with his vast experience in the industry, I have no doubt he will help oversee a seamless transition to Great British Railways, delivering our shared goals of a rail network that drives modernisation and economic growth while enhancing the role of the private sector.

Once delivered, GBR will take control of the industry’s finances to deliver efficiency and make the industry financially sustainable by working with the private sector to create a railway that puts passengers first. Alongside this, high-skilled jobs will also be created at GBR headquarters in Derby – Europe’s largest rail hub – which is already brimming with the best talent in the industry.

Peter, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill, previously served as Commissioner of Transport for London for 9 years and led the successful operation of London’s transport for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

He also provided valuable support to the government throughout the pandemic and led the Union Connectivity Review in 2021, which explored ways in which transport could better connect the UK. In November 2022, Peter, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill, received a life peerage, sitting as a crossbench peer, and was knighted in the 2013 New Year’s Honours list, having been made CBE in 2006 for services to public transport.

Peter, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill, said:

I am looking forward to supporting Andrew Haines, Chief Executive, and his team, in maintaining and improving Network Rail’s delivery now and into the next 5-year funding period. I will also do everything I can to move the reform agenda and the creation of Great British Railways forward as soon as possible.

Passengers and freight customers deserve a better, more cost-effective railway that only reform and an integrated railway can deliver. I look forward to continuing to support Network Rail’s transition to Great British Railways.
13/06/2023
PRESS RELEASE : £40 billion spent protecting families and businesses from energy costs [June 2023]

The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 8 June 2023.

£40 billion has been paid out to protect UK families and businesses from energy costs over the colder months.

The government spent nearly £40 billion protecting households and businesses from spiralling energy bills over the colder months, new figures today show.

Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine led to unprecedented turmoil in global energy markets and made a huge impact on the energy bills of households around the world. In the UK, without government intervention households would have seen bills peak at almost £4,300 per year.

In response the government covered around half a typical household bill over the winter – and today, the sheer scale of that financial support has been revealed for the first time. £39.3 billion was spent between October 2022 and March 2023, the most ever provided to subsidise household bills in UK history. This was in part funded through taxing energy producers’ excess profits – with the government’s windfall tax on producers expected to raise almost £26 billion by March 2028.

And with moves to shore up the country’s energy security, wholesale costs have now come down two thirds from their peak in the first quarter of the year. The UK has seen a full year without using Russian gas, while accelerating the move towards renewables and alternative sources of supply such as liquefied natural gas imports.

Energy Security Secretary Grant Shapps said:

Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine and his reckless attempts to hold the West to ransom sent energy prices spiralling around the world.

We acted swiftly and decisively to protect families and businesses from the full impact of that shock – covering around half a typical energy bill over winter. This helped safeguard jobs and livelihoods, and enabled many families to heat their homes.

And we will not stop leading the world in standing up to Putin, helping countries around the world to move away from Russian fossil fuels – just as we have done having not used any Russian gas for the past 12 months.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt said:

Putin’s weaponisation of global gas prices meant our energy bills soared, which is why we stepped in with immediate relief and cut the typical household energy bill by around half last winter, driving down inflation and relieving pressure on families.

Improvements in the wholesale market mean energy regulator, Ofgem, has been able to reduce their price cap from £3,280 now to £2,074 in July. As a result, the average household bill is expected to fall £426 lower than current charges under the Energy Price Guarantee, which will also help further lower inflation overall. The government is committed to halving inflation by the end of the year.

Today’s figures demonstrate the historic scale and nature of the schemes put in place to support households. The figures involved mean on average around £2,500 was shelled out every second since October to keep energy costs down, as Ofgem’s cap rose to almost £4,300 at the peak of the energy crisis – saving the average home roughly £1,500 by June.

The figures show that from October up to the end of March, almost £21 billion went towards the Energy Price Guarantee. An expected £12 billion has been paid out under the Energy Bills Support Scheme, which offered homes £400 payments towards their bills over winter.

Meanwhile, businesses and other organisations benefitted from a £5.5 billion boost under the Energy Bill Relief Scheme, the government’s primary non-domestic support scheme over the winter. A further £933 million was spent on other government energy support schemes, including alternative schemes providing support for households and businesses off-grid and those using alternative fuels.

13/06/2023
PRESS RELEASE : New UK sanctions legislation allows the government to target Belarus exports, internet propaganda, and crack down on circumvention [June 2023]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 June 2023.

New sanctions legislation allows the UK to target exports from Belarus funding the Lukashenko regime and crack down on Russia’s efforts to circumvent sanctions.
- further sanctions against the Belarusian regime for continuing to actively facilitate Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
- includes export bans on sources of revenue to Belarus, cracks down on sanctions circumvention and provides grounds so that Belarusian organisations cannot spread propaganda in the UK
- also expands sanctions criteria, giving the government the basis to sanction a broader range of people such as aides, advisers and government ministers who facilitate the operation of the Belarusian regime
New sanctions legislation allowing the UK government to target exports from Belarus funding the Lukashenko regime and crack down on Russia’s efforts to circumvent sanctions, have been announced today (8 June 2023).

The measures also give the government grounds to prevent designated Belarusian media organisations from spreading propaganda in the UK, including over the internet, as the regime continues to actively facilitate Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and spread false narratives.

The Belarusian regime has permitted the use of its territory and airspace by Russia to conduct missile and drone strikes against Ukraine in addition to the provision of significant training and logistical support to Russian forces.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly says:

This new package ratchets up the economic pressure on Lukashenko and his regime which actively facilitates the Russian war effort and ignores Ukraine’s territorial integrity.

Our support for Ukraine will remain resolute for as long as it takes and the UK will not hesitate to introduce further measures against those who prop up Putin’s war.

The UK is banning the import of gold, cement, wood and rubber to the UK from Belarus, which are sources of revenue for the Lukashenko regime, building on measures introduced last July to ban the import and export of goods worth around £60 million from Belarus.

We are also blocking exports to Belarus from the UK of banknotes and machinery, alongside goods, technologies and materials that could be used to produce chemical and biological weapons.

Our online measures provide the government with the ability to prevent designated Belarusian media companies from spreading propaganda in the UK. That means social media companies and internet service providers will restrict access to the websites of sanctioned Belarusian media organisations, as is already the case for sanctioned Russian organisations.

We have also expanded the designation criteria for Belarus allowing the government to sanction a broader range of people who prop up the regime. This means we have the basis, where appropriate, to target close family members of those already sanctioned.

In addition, our measures in this package crack down on those circumventing sanctions given the close links between the Belarusian and Russian economies, applying measures to Belarus which we have already applied to Russia to close loopholes and address sanctions circumvention.

This includes through limiting the funds that Belarus is able to raise by further restricting Belarusian access to UK financial markets and preventing the import of goods such as gold which may have originated in Russia.

This also reflects the UK’s wider work bearing down on those who prop up Putin’s war in Ukraine, coming down hard on sanctions evaders; closing loopholes; and working with our international partners to undermine attempts to build global resilience to Western sanctions.

This latest package builds upon the significant sanctions against Belarus already in place, including last year banning the import and export of goods worth around £60 million for the regime’s active support of Putin’s war. That covers bans from Belarus to the UK on the export of oil refining goods, advanced technology components, luxury goods and imports to the UK of Belarusian iron and steel.

The UK has also targeted people and companies who have engaged in, supported or promoted the repression of fundamental human rights and freedoms in Belarus. That includes sanctioning more than 100 people and organisations, such as freezing the assets of major Belarusian state-owned enterprises which are significant sources of revenue and foreign currency for the Lukashenko regime.

The UK is resolute in condemning the brutal campaign by the regime against the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the Belarusian people – such as routinely subjecting citizens to inhumane and degrading treatment and hindering any form of opposition. With over 1,400 political prisoners in Belarus, the UK calls for their immediate and unconditional release.
13/06/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Russia’s brutality cannot break Ukraine’s spirit – UK statement to the OSCE [June 2023]

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

Ambassador Holland says that despite countless Russian attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure, Ukraine stands strong.

Thank you, Mr Chair. Once again I would like to express our deep concern regarding the destruction of the Kakhovka dam. This is a despicable act, which has reportedly put over 42,000 people at risk from flooding. As my Prime Minister said, “Attacks on civilian infrastructure are appalling and wrong”. As I speak, the reservoir continues to empty, and will continue to do so for days. But even within the last two days we have seen lives, homes, and livelihoods destroyed. Civilians have been left stranded. The environment has sustained terrible, lasting damage. Food production will be severely impacted. And all this destruction is the consequence of Russia’s unwarranted, unprovoked invasion. The UK stands ready to support Ukraine and all those affected by this latest humanitarian catastrophe.

Mr Chair, throughout its war of aggression, Russia has wrought enormous damage on many areas of Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure – including on healthcare provision and facilities. Last week, the World Health Organisation reported that since February last year, Russia has made more than a thousand attacks on healthcare in Ukraine. This is the highest number that the WHO has ever recorded in any humanitarian emergency. Over a hundred Ukrainians have lost their lives, including health workers, patients, and the injured. This is inexcusable.

However, despite these challenges, the Ukrainian health system shows remarkable resilience. Ukrainian health workers demonstrate heroic levels of commitment as they continue to provide treatment for their communities and save lives, sometimes under fire.

As my Foreign Secretary noted during his visit to Kyiv this week, “the Ukrainian people are not going to allow themselves to be broken”. And Ukraine’s indomitable spirit is reflected in its economic outlook too. The International Monetary Fund has commended the “remarkable resilience” of the Ukrainian economy. It has upgraded its growth predictions for Ukraine and revised down inflation.

In two weeks the UK will co-host, with Ukraine, the 2023 Ukraine Recovery Conference in London. The conference will bring together the international community in support of Ukraine’s recovery and economic future. It will build on the work done by the 2022 recovery conference and the G7 Summit by mobilising public and private sector tools and financing to support Ukraine’s immediate recovery and long-term investment needs.

This will involve cooperation with a broad range of governments, including many represented here today, as well as the Secretary General. It will also include collaboration with international organisations such as the OSCE, as well as civil society and of course the private sector. Together, this broad coalition will facilitate investment and recovery, enabling Ukraine to pursue its transformation and reform goals and build an economy that is more modern, open and resilient.

Mr Chair, the people of Ukraine remain united, unbowed, and defiant. It is this Ukrainian spirit that means Russia cannot and will not win its war of aggression. The UK’s support for Ukraine will not waver – neither now as it is under attack, nor on its journey to a more prosperous and peaceful future.

Thank you.

13/06/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Over £30m for new equipment to boost sustainable food production [June 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 8 June 2023.

£31 million has been made available for equipment and technology to boost farm productivity, increase environmental sustainability and help slurry management.
Farmers will benefit from new equipment and technology to boost sustainable food production and reduce emissions and waste after £31 million was today (Thursday 8 June) made available in the latest round of the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF).

Successful applicants can now claim for grants under the Productivity and Slurry budget to help cover the costs of over 90 pieces of equipment, from rainwater harvesting tanks to reduce water scarcity for farmers in the summer; tree shears to help stop the spread of pests and diseases; to equipment to minimise grass contamination and ammonia emissions when spreading slurry.

The Farming Equipment and Technology Fund provides funding to farming businesses so they can invest in the tools they need to improve sustainable production across agriculture, horticulture and forestry. Productivity and Slurry grants will specifically support the procurement of equipment and technology that will help farmers use fewer inputs, reduce emissions and cut waste.

With over 3,000 applications received for the FETF 2023 Productivity and Slurry grants, the government is matching this high demand by increasing the total funding offered from £17 million to £31 million. Twenty-one additional items have been added under the scheme in 2023, including camera-guided inter-row sprayers to help reduce herbicide usage, and mulchers for forestry, orchards and vineyards to help reduce input costs and improve carbon retention in the soil.

This will ensure as many farmers as possible can claim for the equipment they need to run a profitable farming business that delivers for both food production and the environment.

Secretary of State for Food and Farming Thérèse Coffey said:

The tremendous interest shown in the FETF 2023 Productivity and Slurry underscores the determination of our farmers to drive ever more productive and sustainable farming practices to keep food on our plates whilst protecting our important landscapes and habitats.

By empowering farms to invest cash in new kit, we are ensuring our farmers, growers and foresters have the equipment they need to embrace innovation, protect the environment, and contribute to a thriving and sustainable agricultural sector.

Items applied for in the FETF 2023 Productivity and Slurry budget include:

Direct drill with fertiliser placement for precision drilling of arable and cover crops to help reduce crop establishment costs and increase efficiency of fertiliser usage. 250 applicants to be offered this grant worth £6.25m.

Robotic drill and guided hoe – an autonomous robotic vehicle which can precisely place seed in the ground and return to mechanically weed – this helps to reduce herbicide usage and associated costs. Ten applications accepted with a value of £250,000.

Rainwater harvesting tanks with a minimum capacity of 5,000 litres which will help to reduce water scarcity for farmers in the summer months. This equipment will now benefit 86 recipients with a value of £110,802.

Tree shears with the capacity to fell 300mm diameter trees to stop the spread of pests and diseases across our woodlands. This funding helped 113 recipients with a total value of £363,747.

Dribble bars with a minimum working width of 6m designed to apply slurry to the soil surface as accurately as possible to minimise grass contamination and ammonia emissions. This equipment was made accessible to 94 farmers, amounting to a value of £403,200.

Direct drills with a width of 3m to conserve moisture and reduces soil erosion. This initiative assisted 129 applicants, totalling £1.555m in value.

The FETF 2023 forms part of the government’s wider manifesto commitment to invest £2.4 billion per year in farming for the rest of this Parliament. In 2023 alone, £168 million is being made available to increase farming productivity through 16 different grants and competitions themed around productivity, research and innovation.

The FETF 2023 is made up of two themes: Animal Health and Welfare, and Productivity and Slurry. The Animal Health and Welfare FETF 2023 has been given a separate portal to streamline the application process and has seen 66 new items added to its books. Applicants can still apply to the Animal Health and Welfare strand of FETF 2023 until the 15 June 2023.

We intend to offer further rounds of FETF funding. Meanwhile, our larger grants offering will support further investment in water storage and improving irrigation slurry infrastructure, as well as funding for automation and robotics.

This announcement follows the Farm to Fork Summit at Downing Street last month where the government announced a package of support for the farming sector, including new measures to ensure the sector remains at the forefront of adopting new technologies and techniques.
13/06/2023