Tag: 2022

Hertfordshire Police – 2022 Statement on Arrest of a Journalist

The statement made by Hertfordshire Police on 8 November 2022 after the arrest of a journalist.

As always, our priority remains to ensure public safety – we have a responsibility for the health and safety of all those involved and everyone at the scene, including emergency services, members of the public, members of the press and the protestors themselves.

These operations are very fluid and fast moving, with the potential to cause widespread and sustained disruption, that not only affects Hertfordshire’s stretch of the M25 but also the wider road networks.

Our officers have been instructed to act as quickly as they can, using their professional judgement, to clear any possible protestors in order to get roads up and running and to prevent anyone from coming to harm.

Seven people were arrested yesterday. Of these seven, two were subsequently charged and two were released on police bail with conditions. Three of them were released with no further action following extensive enquiries.

Though as a matter of course we do not comment on the circumstances surrounding individual arrests, these circumstances did give us grounds to hold them in custody for questioning in order to verify their credentials and progress our investigation.

November 9, 2022
Nigel Farage – 2022 Comments on Republican Disappointment at Mid-Terms

The comments made by Nigel Farage, the former UKIP leader, on Twitter on 9 November 2022.

Tonight is a disappointment for the Republican Party. The polls were wrong and the red wave is a ripple. Massive early voting has changed American politics.

November 9, 2022
Charlotte Lynch – 2022 Comments on her Arrest as a Journalist

The comments made by the journalist Charlotte Lynch on Twitter on 9 November 2022.

Yesterday I was arrested by @HertsPolice whilst covering a protest on the M25. I showed my press card, and I was handcuffed almost immediately. My phone was snatched out of my hand. I was searched twice, held in a cell for 5 hours, and I wasn’t questioned whilst in custody.

November 9, 2022
Kate Osamor – 2022 Question on Situation on Flood Relief in Nigeria

The question asked by Kate Osamor, the Labour MP for Edmonton, in the House of Commons on 8 November 2022.

What steps he is taking to support flood relief efforts in Nigeria.

The Minister for Development (Mr Andrew Mitchell)

Nigeria is one of the world’s most vulnerable countries to climate change, and it is experiencing the worst floods in a decade. The UK is providing support through the multi-donor Start fund, which has allocated £580,000 so far this rainy season. That funding is supporting 26,288 people affected by flooding. We will continue to help Nigeria make progress towards long-term climate change adaptation and resilience.

Kate Osamor

I welcome the Minister to his place. The floods in Nigeria have already left more than 1 million people displaced, 200,000 homes destroyed and, sadly, 600 people dead. In the wake of those floods, cholera cases are skyrocketing in some areas, due to a lack of access to clean water. Will the Minister assure me that the Government will be focusing aid to help ensure access to water and sanitation, and prevent the death toll from rising further?

Mr Mitchell

I thank the hon. Lady for her comments and her question. Over the past five years, Britain has provided £425 million of humanitarian support, which has specifically reached more than 2 million people in north-east Nigeria, including individuals affected by the flooding. I give her a commitment that, working with Nigerian agencies, we will seek to strengthen flood risk management. Prior to COP26 we supported Nigeria’s national adaptation work to help cope with climate change.

November 9, 2022
Gavin Williamson – 2022 Comments on Severance Pay

The comments made by Gavin Williamson, the Conservative MP for South Staffordshire, on Twitter on 8 November 2022.

To dispel any speculation, I want to make it clear that I will not be taking any severance. This is taxpayers’ money and it should go instead toward the Government‘s priorities like reducing the NHS’s waiting lists.

November 9, 2022

PRESS RELEASE : COP27 Presidency launches Sharm El-Sheikh Adaptation Agenda [November 2022]

The press release issued by COP27 on 8 November 2022.

Launch of the Sharm El-Sheikh Adaptation Agenda – a comprehensive, shared agenda to rally global action around 30 adaptation outcomes that are needed to address the adaptation gap and achieve a resilient world by 2030
The Adaptation Agenda will accelerate transformative actions by countries, regions, cities, businesses, investors and civil society to adapt to the acute climate hazards facing vulnerable communities
COP President calls on State and non-State actors to join Agenda at COP27 and beyond

8th November: In response to the devastating impacts of climate change affecting vulnerable people all over the world, the COP27 Presidency today launches the Sharm-El-Sheikh Adaptation Agenda in partnership with the High-Level Champions.

The Sharm El-Sheikh Adaptation Agenda outlines 30 Adaptation Outcomes to enhance resilience for 4 billion people living in the most climate vulnerable communities by 2030. Each outcome presents global solutions that can be adopted at a local level to respond to local climate contexts, needs and risks and deliver the systems transformation required to protect vulnerable communities to the rising climate hazards, such as extreme heat, drought, flooding, or extreme weather. It comes as research warns that nearly half the world’s population will be at severe risk of climate change impacts by 2030, even in a 1.5-degree world according to analysis published by IPCC AR6 WG II Report.

Collectively, these outcomes represent the first comprehensive global plan to rally both State and non-State actors behind a shared set of adaptation actions that are required by the end of this decade across five impact systems: food and agriculture, water and nature, coastal and oceans, human settlements, and infrastructure, and including enabling solutions for planning and finance.

The 30 Adaptation Outcomes include urgent global 2030 targets related to:

Transitioning to climate resilient, sustainable agriculture that can increase yields by 17% and reduce farm level greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 21%, without expanding agricultural frontiers, and while improving livelihoods including of smallholder farmers
Protecting and restoring an estimated 400 million hectares in critical areas (land and freshwater ecosystems) supporting indigenous and local communities with use of nature-based solutions to improve water security and livelihoods and to transform 2 billion hectares of land into sustainable management.
Protecting 3 billion people by installing smart and early warning systems
Investing USD 4 billion to secure the future of 15 million hectares of mangroves through collective action to halt loss, restore, double protection and ensure sustainable finance for all existing mangroves.
Expanding access to clean cooking for 2.4 billion people through at least USD 10 billion/year in innovative finance.
Mobilising USD 140 to USD 300 billion needed across both public and private sources for adaptation and resilience and spur 2,000 of the world’s largest companies to integrate physical climate risk and develop actionable adaptation plans

In a sign of recognition of this major milestone for the global adaptation process, the Adaptation Agenda is being driven by the COP27 Presidency, the High-Level Champions and Marrakech Partnership, with the support of UNFCCC and underpinned by the 2,000+ organisations spanning 131 countries in the Race to Resilience campaign.

At the launch, COP27 President Sameh Shoukry, High-Level Champions Dr. Mahmoud Mohieldin and Nigel Topping, called on all State and non-State actors to get behind this critical Agenda.

COP27 President and Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry:“It is our aspiration that the Sharm El-Sheikh Adaptation Agenda represents a significant contribution to enhancing global action on adaptation and resilience as an utmost priority. The COP 27 Presidency is keen to develop an arrangement to secure continuity in scope, priorities and reporting. It will lead the work building on: a) the adaptation focused initiatives launched by COP27 Presidency at COP27 that shall accelerate action across system interventions, b) the adaptation and resilience outcome targets identified by the High-Level Champions. The Marrakech Partnership, the High-Level Champions and a number of specialised UN agencies will work together- as partners- to accelerate an agenda of global adaptation action through following up on the implementation of Sharm El-Sheikh Adaptation Agenda. The COP 27 Presidency will receive – before COP 28 – from the High-Level Champions, the Marrakech Partnership and a number of specialised UN agencies a report on the progress achieved in implementing the Sharm El-Sheikh Adaptation Agenda. Overall progress on implementation will be reported back to COP 28.”

Mr. Simon Stiell the Executive Secretary of UN Climate Change: “The Sharm El-Sheikh Adaptation Agenda firmly puts key human needs at its core, along with concrete, specific action on the ground to build resilience to climate change. As the growing number of climate emergencies throughout the world clearly shows, focusing on adaptation is a crucial, pressing necessity. The Adaptation Agenda outlines multiple actions and combines the commitments of governments and non-Party stakeholders into a joint vision and a joint plan. We need all stakeholders on board to deal with current and future impacts of climate change, and this is a prime example of how that can happen.”

Dr.Mahmoud Mohieldin UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP27: “The Outcomes were identified jointly with a broad range of active stakeholders, reflecting existing and new global targets based on science along with local knowledge and initiatives. The Outcome targets will continue to be refined and expanded by the High-Level Champions with inputs from State and non-State actors to support their operationalization. At the core of the Outcomes is the recognition that adaptation is often locally-driven and globally relevant, while simultaneously needing to address equity, diversity and justice. This agenda will accelerate the Race to Resilience’s global goal of making 4 billion vulnerable people more resilient by 2030.Of particular importance is the role of key enablers like finance and planning to accelerate adaptation in the near-term. USD140 to USD300 billion needs to be mobilised across both public and private sources annually with a minimum target of 50% for adaptation, as called by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Of particular concern and focus is Africa, where the private finance share in the total financing of climate adaptation efforts is not more than 3% ($11.4 billion). Seven times that amount will be needed annually until 2030. “

The Agenda emphasises the urgency for counting with evidence-based, actionable adaptation plans for all actors, making climate risks visible and accessible, and to deploy the locally-led adaptation principles.

The Sharm El-Sheikh Adaptation Agenda can be found here

Impact System	Sharm El-Sheikh Adaptation Agenda with Global 2030 Adaptation Outcome Targets
1. Food Security and Agriculture Systems	Climate resilient, sustainable agriculture increases yields by 17% and reduces farm level greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 21%, without expansion of the agricultural frontier.
	Halve the share of food production lost, and per capita food waste (relative to 2019).
	Healthy alternative proteins capture 15% of the global meat and seafood market.
	The global consumption of fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts and legumes increases 1.5 times.
2. Water and Nature Systems	Protection of 45 million hectares (lands and inland waters), 2 billion hectares sustainable management and 350 million hectares restoration of land securing legal indigenous and local communities with use of nature-based solutions to improve water security and livelihoods.
	By 2025: financial institutions contribute to halting land conversion by eliminating commodity-driven deforestation from portfolios and tap into nature-based solutions investment opportunities of USD 354 billion/year needed by 2030.
	Water systems are smart, efficient and robust with a reduction in water loss through leakage.
	Wastewater systems maximise recycling and reuse alongside natural wetland filtration with zero environmental spillage.
	Sustainable irrigation systems are implemented across 20% of global croplands to preserve water availability whilst supporting yield growth.
3. Human Settlements Systems	1 billion people have better design, construction and access to finance to live in decent, safe homes.
	Smart and early warning systems reach 3 billion people.
	USD 1 trillion invested in nature based solutions for communities in urban areas.
	Harden social infrastructure to ensure access to basic and essential community services.*
	Increased use of waste as a secondary resource boosts the livelihoods of informal workers and reduces open waste burning by 60%, lowering pollution levels and improving the health of local communities.
4. Ocean and Coastal Systems	Invest USD 4 billion to secure the future of 15 million hectares of mangroves globally through collective action on halting mangrove loss, restoring half of recent losses, doubling protection of mangroves globally and ensuring sustainable long-term finance for all existing mangroves.
	Halt loss, protect and restore coral reefs to support people in tropical communities.
	Halt loss, protect and restore seagrass, marshes, and kelp forests to support people in temperate communities.
	Urban coastline is protected by grey and hybrid solutions.
5. Infrastructure Systems	A diverse set of energy generation sources enable affordable access to electricity for 679 million unconnected people and higher quality access for 1 billion underserved people through climate resilient energy systems.
	2.4 billion people with access to clean cooking through at least USD 10 billion/year in innovative finance for clean cooking action worldwide.
	585 GW of battery storage capacity and extension of transmission and distribution networks enable decentralised generation and consumption.
	2.2 billion people access low-cost, clean vehicles and mobility solutions through the expansion of affordable public and private transport services.
	Transport infrastructure is resilient to climate hazards through adoption of new technology, design and materials.
6. Cross-cutting: Planning	10,000 cities and 100 regional governments have evidence-based, actionable adaptation plans.
	2,000 of the world’s largest companies developed actionable adaptation plans.
	Universal access to the tools and information required to integrate climate risks into decision making from local to global levels.
	Operationalisation of National Adaptation Plans and Locally-Led Principles, enabling adaptation in a country-driven localised and consultative manner.
7. Crosscutting: Finance	Private sector integrates physical climate risks into investment decisions and continues to innovate mechanisms for financing adaptation and resilience so as to enable the mobilisation of the USD 140 to USD 300 billion that will be needed across both public and private sources.
	Public finance actors increase provision of climate finance and allocate 50% of climate funds to adaptation and resilience.
	Global property and casualty insurance sector has an industry capabilities framework, actively supports project implementation, and institutionalises a longer-term industry approach to climate adaptation.

November 9, 2022

PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister announces crucial winter kit delivery for Ukrainian Forces as he meets NATO Chief [November 2022]
The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 9 November 2022.
- The Prime Minister will welcome the NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, to Downing Street today
- Ahead of the UK’s Integrated Review refresh, the visit will cement the UK’s ongoing support for NATO and discuss how the alliance can evolve to meet continued and new threats
- It comes as the Prime Minister announces the UK will send a further 12,000 extreme cold weather sleeping kits and 150 heated tents to help the Armed Forces of Ukraine as the temperatures plummet in the country
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will host the NATO Secretary General in Downing Street today (Wednesday) to discuss the future of security and deterrence in the Euro-Atlantic area.

Jens Stoltenberg will be the first international leader the Prime Minister has hosted at 10 Downing Street since he took office last month.

The leaders are expected to discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine and how best allies can support their courageous defence. They will also look to the future of the NATO alliance and how we can ensure it is fighting fit for generations to come.

The meeting will be an opportunity for to discuss the UK’s ongoing update to the Integrated Review. The update builds on the strategy published last year which highlighted NATO’s central role in the UK’s defence. The UK is the largest European contributor to NATO, and has committed both our aircraft carrier and our nuclear capability to the alliance.

Ahead of the visit, the Prime Minister has announced the UK will provide a package of winter kit to the Ukrainian Armed Forces to assist as they defend their country in gruelling winter conditions. NATO allies have been at the forefront of global support for Ukraine, after Russia’s invasion permanently shifted the dial on both Euro-Atlantic security and global relations.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:

NATO is the cornerstone of our security, and the security of our allies. As the war in Ukraine continues to rage, we must not take peace at home for granted.

I am determined the UK will be the bedrock of NATO for generations to come. But in order to face the challenges future we must evolve as an Alliance to meet, and remain ahead of, the threat from our adversaries.

We must also continue backing the Ukrainian people in their resistance to Putin’s brutality. I’m pleased that UK-donated kit will be keeping the Ukrainian Armed Forces warm and safe as they face a perilous winter fighting for their country.

The Secretary General will arrive at Downing Street after visiting Ukrainian troops at Lydd Army Camp as part of Operation Interflex – the training programme for the Ukrainian Armed Forces pioneered by the UK. The recruits are being put through their paces by UK military trainers, ensuring they are front-line-ready as the Armed Forces of Ukraine continue to push back Russian invaders.

The Secretary General’s visit comes as the Prime Minister announces that the UK will send a further 12,000 sleeping kits and 150 heated tents to help Ukrainian troops fight through the winter.

The UK is set to deliver more than 25,000 sets of extreme cold weather clothing by mid-December, ensuring troops are able to operate and survive the plunging temperatures in Ukraine.

The extreme cold weather kits are in addition to more than 7,000 sets of normal cold weather kit distributed to recruits on Operation Interflex.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said:

With winter fast approaching, this equipment will ensure that the Armed Forces of Ukraine are able to operate effectively through the next few months. Alongside our training programme and the provision of lethal aid, it demonstrates our commitment to making sure that the basic Ukrainian soldier is well trained, well equipped and given the best possible chance to fight and determine their own future.
November 9, 2022
Michelle Donelan – 2022 Speech at the Rugby League World Cup Number 10 Reception

The speech made by Michelle Donelan, the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, on 8 November 2022.

Hi everyone, thank you very much for having me here. I want to start by saying a huge thank you to the Elmbridge Eagles for their amazing display. I don’t think anything like this has happened before in No10, and I’m sure you can all go home knowing you’ve smashed some records.

We’ve had such a great year of major sporting events in this country – first with the Women’s EUROs, then the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, and also the World Gymnastics Championships in Liverpool.

But as a proud northerner who grew up just down the road from the Warrington Wolves, I’m particularly pleased to see the Rugby League World Cup rounding off that list.

I was lucky enough to get to a game on Saturday – England’s women vs Canada. Sadly they can’t be here today because they’re preparing for their next game.

But as I said, I watched them on Saturday, and I can tell you it was absolutely brutal. It was such a physical game.

But that’s what makes this sport so thrilling – and it’s why Rugby League fans are some of the most diehard out there.

So to see places where this sport was born, and where it grew…

…places where rugby league is the lifeblood of the local community…

…to see those places now host matches that are at the pinnacle of the international game has been absolutely brilliant.

It’s been a great tournament so far, and we’ve still got all three finals in Manchester next weekend to look forward to.

And it goes without saying that putting on this kind of event requires an incredible amount of hard work and dedication – particularly when a global pandemic gets in the way. That caused all sorts of delays and difficulties.

But this room is full of people who battled through all of those challenges, and ultimately made this event possible…

…from social impact partners, to tournament ambassadors, to the players themselves.

You haven’t just delivered a major international tournament. You’ve delivered an event that has been genuinely groundbreaking.

For the first time ever, it’s one where the mens’, womens’ and wheelchair tournaments have all been held at the same time…

…one where everyone playing has received equal participation fees…

…and one where women and wheelchair tournament winners will all receive prize money – again, for the first time ever…

Together, all of those things have sent a very loud signal across the world that rugby league is a sport for all.

Those kinds of signals really matter. Visibility matters. Particularly for children and other people who might be thinking of taking up the sport, but who assume it’s not for them.

But thanks to your efforts, they’ll be able to turn on the BBC and see that it is.

And that’s all while the tournament is going on.

But of course there’s the legacy, too.

And the last thing that makes this tournament groundbreaking is that we haven’t waited for the event to be over to get going on that legacy.

In fact, we’ve flipped it round.

In the run-up to the event, this tournament had already invested a significant part of the government’s £30 million pot of funding into the grassroots, through its social impact programme.

It did so by partnering with multiple organisations – many of whom are here today…

…and that programme has already funded the refurbishment of dozens of clubhouses, changing rooms and artificial pitches – as well as all sorts of equipment, a mental fitness programme, international development and a special volunteer scheme.

And that was before a single try was even scored.

It’s a fantastic achievement, and proof that in the end, an event like this is about so much more than sport.

It’s about uniting communities…

…it’s about instilling a real sense of pride in the towns and cities that get to host the games…

…and most of all, it gives us all something to feel good about – in a way that we don’t often get with other things.

That’s what makes sport so powerful – and you all played a role in that.

So thank you, and I hope you have a wonderful afternoon celebrating your achievements.

November 9, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Government ministers visit spaceport ahead of first UK launch [November 2022]

The press release issued by the UK Space Agency on 8 November 2022.

Science Minister, George Freeman, and Transport Technology Minister, Jesse Norman, joined representatives from the UK Space Agency to meet those behind the mission and saw Virgin Orbit’s LauncherOne rocket and its carrier aircraft, Cosmic Girl – which will launch from Spaceport Cornwall – up close.

Ministers also toured the spaceport’s new Space Systems Integration Facility, the first of its kind at a spaceport in the UK, where the satellites have been integrated into the rocket ready for launch. Spaceport Cornwall will deliver 150 direct jobs and 240 indirect jobs by 2030.

Science Minister George Freeman said:

The first ever satellite launch from UK soil, here at Spaceport Cornwall, will be a giant leap for our fast-growing commercial satellite and space sector. This is one of our most innovative industries, generating new opportunities in Cornwall and beyond, with high-growth companies such as Space Forge, Surrey Satellites, Astroscale, Inmarsat, Open Cosmos, and the thriving Scottish space cluster.

By establishing the UK as the leading European base to launch small satellites, we can build on our existing strengths in areas such as space manufacturing, in-flight manufacturing, satellite and debris retrieval, and launch licensing insurance and finance, to create jobs across the country, grow the economy and attract international investment.

Transport Technology Minister Jesse Norman said:

We have one of the most advanced space sectors in the world, and the first commercial space launch from the UK will be a landmark moment both for the country and for our transport sector.

The mission, which has been named ‘Start Me Up’ in tribute to the iconic British band, the Rolling Stones, will be the first orbital launch from the UK, meeting a key ambition of the Government’s National Space Strategy, as well as being the first commercial launch from Europe and the first international launch from Virgin Orbit.

Both Cosmic Girl – an adapted Boeing 747 – and LauncherOne arrived separately in Cornwall last month, and the rocket is now in place under the wing of the aircraft.

Ian Annett, Deputy CEO at the UK Space Agency, said:

We are at the dawn of a new era for space launch in the UK and about to achieve the goal of putting satellites into orbit in 2022. This is an immensely proud moment for the UK Space Agency and all those who have worked so hard to make this ambition a reality.

Establishing orbital launch capabilities in the UK is already bringing new growth through investment and jobs into Cornwall and other communities across the UK, inspiring a new generation of space professionals whether in science, engineering, law and other disciplines.

Melissa Thorpe, Head of Spaceport Cornwall, said:

It’s been phenomenal to welcome so many supporters of the UK space sector here to Spaceport Cornwall ahead of our first launch.

My team and I loved showing the world how much work and how much international collaboration is going into making this world-first a reality. This marks just the beginning of a global movement with Space For Good at its core.

Dan Hart, CEO Virgin Orbit, said:

We’re honoured to be part of this historic mission to open up the UK’s first international spaceport in Cornwall. With this mission we break new ground across the commercial space sector and important allied collaboration in space. Our company is here to serve our customers and their ambitions. Virgin Orbit is up and running and working to obtain final approvals to move forward.

The UK Government’s National Space Strategy sets out how the UK will become the first country in Europe to launch satellites into orbit in 2022. Spaceport Cornwall is one of seven spaceport sites being developed across the UK which will help unleash a wave of innovation and create hundreds of new jobs across the country. All UK launches are subject to receiving a licence from the Civil Aviation Authority.

Councillor Louis Gardner, Cornwall Council portfolio holder for economy, said:

We’re delighted that ministers were able to visit Spaceport Cornwall as we gear up for the UK’s first ever satellite launch.

This is an incredibly exciting time, not only for the Spaceport and those directly involved in “Start Me Up” but for Cornwall as a whole, and I’d like to pay tribute to all those involved for their hard work and dedication in getting us to this point.

We have a long and storied history of engineering excellence in Cornwall, and the potential benefits that Spaceport Cornwall brings to our economy have never been clearer. From new jobs and new investment to inspiring the next generation of tech pioneers and space professionals, this promises to be yet another red letter day in our shared history.

November 9, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : UK and Estonia commit to closer defence cooperation [November 2022]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 8 November 2022.
- UK Apache and Chinook helicopters to deploy to Estonia periodically from January 2023.
- Exercise Spring Storm will take place in Estonia in May next year – part of more regular deployments high readiness forces.
- UK to support development of Estonia’s warfighting Division and provide a Brigadier to lead the enhanced Forward Presence Battlegroup.
The United Kingdom will periodically deploy helicopters to Estonia as part of enhancing our nations’ deep defence relationship built on shared interests and values. The Defence Secretary Ben Wallace hosted his counterpart Estonian Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur in London for a meeting, during which the Ministers committed to stronger ties and issued a joint statement. A Guard of Honour welcomed Minister Pevkur on arrival.

The Ministers signed a roadmap which sets out a shared plan to implement commitments made at the NATO Summit in Madrid earlier this year. The roadmap will see a more capable UK presence in Estonia, continuing our commitment to deter aggression and defend European and NATO security.

UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said:

The UK’s commitment to Estonia and European defence and security is unwavering. The deployment of assets such as Apache and Chinook helicopters to exercise in Estonia is a clear example of the strength of our relationship, and the importance we place on our ability to effectively operate side by side.

Estonia Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur said:

In the roadmap, Estonia have committed to start the development of an Estonian warfighting Division which will ensure coordinated use of national and allied forces in the defence of Estonia. This work will be supported by the UK, who are providing training and mentoring through an advisory team and close links with the UK’s 3rd Division.

The UK has an enhanced forward presence (eFP) Battlegroup in Estonia, and this deployment will be enhanced through divisional-level assets such as short range air defence and multiple rocket launch systems in the country. These will be augmented with periodic deployments of additional capabilities including Apache and Chinook helicopters. The first of these surges will begin January 2023, when Chinook Helicopters will deploy to Estonia.

From April 2023, the UK’s eFP Headquarters in Estonia will be led by a Brigadier, enhancing the HQ’s capabilities. In addition, the UK will hold a Brigade sized force at high readiness in the UK, ready to reinforce Estonia and the Baltics at a time of need. These forces will regularly exercise in Estonia and the first exercise, Spring Storm, is planned for May 2023.

Estonia is supporting these plans by building four additional accommodation halls and other necessary support facilities at Tapa Camp which will be completed before the exercise begins.

Separately, the UK will be providing Baltic Air Policing in Estonia from March to July 2023 using Typhoon aircraft and will continue to contribute to NATO maritime patrols in the Baltics.

Estonia and the UK are both part of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), a group of ten European nations who work together in support of European security.
November 9, 2022

Tag: 2022

UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said:

Estonia Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur said: