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Tag: 2022

  • PRESS RELEASE : Mali’s actions and statements call into question its commitment to partnership with the UN [October 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Mali’s actions and statements call into question its commitment to partnership with the UN [October 2022]

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

    Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council Quarterly Briefing on Mali.

    Thank you, President, and thank you, SRSG Wane, for your insights, your leadership of MINUSMA and the hard work of your team in the toughest of circumstances. I join others in expressing our deepest condolences following the deaths of the four Chadian peacekeepers in Kidal.  I also welcome the participation of Foreign Minister Diop in our meeting and express condolences for the deaths of civilians and military losses on the Malian side.

    Mr. President, when the Council met to discuss Mali in June, we encouraged the transitional authorities to continue engaging with ECOWAS on an election timetable. Since then, agreement has been reached, sanctions lifted and some positive steps made toward elections. The peace agreement monitoring committee has also met for the first time in over a year. As these endeavours move forward, we hope the authorities will ensure inclusive processes, particularly of women and young people, while promoting dialogue.

    We understand the Malian authorities are dealing with multiple challenges. AQ and IS-affiliated groups continue to expand their territory, preying on communities and attacking military bases. The 40% increase in cases of conflict-related sexual violence reported by the Secretary-General is a shocking illustration of just how urgent it is to improve human rights protection.

    But the terror imposed by these groups must not be countered with a military response that itself fails to protect civilians and their human rights. In August, the UN Independent Expert on human rights in Mali reported violations committed by Malian forces alongside – and I quote – ‘foreign military personnel described as Russian military officials’. The malign presence of the Wagner Group can no longer be ignored or denied.

    All perpetrators of human rights abuses and violations must be held accountable. Without accountability and justice, trust cannot be rebuilt and grievances will endure. MINUSMA must be granted unrestricted access to investigate human rights allegations independently. Mali’s statement in June that the authorities would not guarantee the mission’s freedom to achieve this was deeply concerning and it is part of a pattern of actions and statements that call into question Mali’s commitment to full partnership with MINUSMA. We urge the authorities to work constructively with the mission, lifting restrictions and facilitating the vital work of peacekeepers.

    The United Kingdom remains a strong supporter of MINUSMA and its mission. The UN’s forthcoming review of MINUSMA will need to answer some fundamental questions. These include whether and how the mission can maintain a viable presence in Mali. The review should present credible options reflecting realities on the ground. We look forward to engaging with colleagues on this in the coming weeks.

  • Kemi Badenoch – 2022 Speech at the Netherlands Trade Mission in London

    Kemi Badenoch – 2022 Speech at the Netherlands Trade Mission in London

    The speech made by Kemi Badenoch, the Secretary of State for International Trade, at the Tobacco Dock in London on 18 October 2022.

    Good afternoon everyone.

    Thank you Ambassador and thank you Liesje for that excellent speech and also an extra special thank you to the Dutch government for organising this event. I think it’s going to be very successful. It’s good to see you all here.

    What I’d start off by saying is welcome to Tobacco Dock. This is a symbol of our trading past. It’s a modern building now, but I think if you can imagine 200 years ago what it would have looked like, full of barrels shipped from all over the world – some no doubt from the Netherlands.

    Today it’s great to see it filled not with barrels but with people, and more importantly with businesses who are helping to shape our shared economic future. The future of the UK and the Netherlands are aligned. Our success relies on each other’s success.

    It’s wonderful to see you all here because it’s the symbolic nature of the steady stream of Dutch firms that are making the UK their home.

    In the last year Heineken and the chemicals company DSM, have injected tens of millions of pounds into their UK operations, creating hundreds of jobs…

    And smaller Dutch firms, in some of the sectors represented here today, like the e-bike manufacturers Van Moof and Ebke, are investing on this side of the North Sea too.

    The UK and the Netherlands exchanged almost £88 billion of goods and services in the year ending March – that makes the Netherlands our fourth largest trading partner.

    And by our most recent reckoning, Dutch business make up over 10pc of this country’s foreign direct inward investment.

    But, as we’re finding today, we can achieve more.

    I want you to know that we want companies, like yours, pioneers in new forms of transport, AI and data analytics, to flourish in our country.

    Why? First, because you will help drive the growth that will support our long-term economic security for both countries.

    Second, because your ideas and expertise will maintain the UK’s place as a technological trail blazer, helping to future proof us against a changing world.

    But I must emphasise, it is not a one-way street because we have something to offer as well.

    In return we can offer you one of the best places in the world for an innovative business to call home.

    We have four of the world’s top universities.

    We have a growing, energetic talent pool…

    We’ve committed through our National Infrastructure Strategy to invest in roads, railways and internet connections – making it easier for businesses both in the UK and the Netherlands to set up and thrive.

    And we’ve created a pro ambition, pro business regulatory environment.

    We’re also looking at how we can unlock opportunities in some of your sectors today:

    For example, last year we launched our AI Strategy, which spells out how we will support the sector and harness its advances.

    I’m sure my international trade team at the back of the room will be delighted to talk more about this.

    They’re a great team. Over the last three years, they’ve helped Dutch businesses to invest in scores of projects in this country – creating over 8,000 jobs.

    Of course, today is also a reminder of the strength of the UK-Dutch relationship.

    Britain’s prosperity didn’t come about by accident.

    It was built through a commitment to democracy, free markets and strong and mutually-beneficial partnerships, like the one we share with the Netherlands.

    We are both monarchies, long-standing allies, and our friendship has lasted from the era of Erasmus to the age of AI.

    For many years now, British expats have been making each other’s country home.

    Our universities welcome students from either side of the North Sea and our academic collaborations, like the one between the Universities of York and Maastricht, are advancing knowledge in critical areas like medical technology and data science.

    The UK and the Netherlands work together to make the world a better place.

    For over six decades, our Royal Navy has prepared large numbers of Royal Dutch Navy warships so they’re ready for operations around the world.

    Today we’re together standing up for freedom by imposing economic sanctions on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine…and our businesses are collaborating on major clean energy projects that will help us keep the lights on.

    We don’t have many differences. But like any good friends, when we come across issues, we work through them.

    So, I know that there is great potential for our relationship to hit new heights.

    As two old friends with a love of enterprise, innovation and independence…we have a real opportunity to create an even deeper and more productive trading partnership, that will serve us both well in future.

    I’ve just been discussing our shared priorities with Liesje in our meeting earlier.

    And I’m looking forward to continuing the conversation about how we can make it even easier for us to cooperate.

    I’ll end by saying that this trade mission is the latest in a long list of pioneering and productive collaborations between our nations…

    In the sixteenth century, the Dutch philosopher Erasmus, discussed with the English scholar Sir Thomas More, ideas that would shape our societies.

    In the 19th century, Vincent van Gogh was inspired by his stay in London to paint ­and influenced countless artists around the world.

    And your businesses, with their amazing advances, show how together we can push forward the boundaries of progress in the 21st.

    Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth once said that our nations are: Innovators, traders and internationalists.

    That’s been true for five centuries. And from everything I’ve seen here today, I know it is more the case now than ever before.

    So, I’ll wish you all a fantastic trade mission. And every success for the future. Thank you.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Construction begins on brand new flagship London court in the Square Mile [October 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Construction begins on brand new flagship London court in the Square Mile [October 2022]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 18 October 2022.

    The construction of a state-of-the-art combined court is underway in the heart of London’s legal centre as part of Salisbury Square, a new development on Fleet Street.

    • New civic quarter will increase the number of courtrooms from 8 to 18 in the City of London
    • Lord Chancellor unveils foundation stones of new court and police station
    • The court’s foundation stone will be the first to be inscribed with ‘KC’ in over 70 years

    The Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary, Brandon Lewis, unveiled the foundation stones at the construction site today (18 October 2022).

    The City of London Law courts will be a modern, efficient and flexible centre for London’s legal services, providing a total of 18 hearing rooms, an increase of 10 on the courts they will replace in 2026. This consists of 8 Crown, six civil and four magistrates’ courtrooms. The court will focus on high-level fraud, cyber and economic crime.

    It forms part of wider HM Courts and Tribunals Service estate investment, with £105 million spent during 2021 to 2022 to transform courts and tribunals across England and Wales.

    Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary, Brandon Lewis, said:

    The City of London Law courts represent a vision of how justice will work in future – with modern, innovative and flexible courts in fit for purpose buildings.

    The Salisbury Square development symbolises our place as one of the leading centres for business, law and justice as we ensure that the UK remains attractive to global business and investment.

    The court’s foundation stone is the first in the courts estate to be laid under the reign of King Charles III and the first to be inscribed with ‘KC’ – ‘King’s Counsel’ – in over 70 years.

    Developed by The City of London Corporation, Salisbury Square creates a new civic quarter in the Square Mile, bringing together first-class legal and law enforcement facilities. It will generate 400 new jobs and support 2,100 more, enhancing the UK’s reputation as a global destination for business and investment. Once complete, it will see millions invested into the City of London’s economy, thanks to the global appeal of the UK’s legal services.

    Policy Chairman at the City of London Corporation, Chris Hayward, said:

    Fraud is now the most common crime in the UK, costing the economy billions every year and causing misery for businesses and individuals.

    By strengthening our capability to crack down on economic crime, we will enhance the City’s reputation as a world-leading location to do business and keep consumers across the UK safe from fraud.

    The Salisbury Square Development will play a vital role in ensuring we can adapt to the changing demands of policing and delivering justice, supporting the UK economy and helping attract international business.

    The new building will provide ease of access for all those that use the court, from legal professionals to victims. Facilities will include lifts and wide corridors that provide access for wheelchair users, helping to ensure there are as few barriers as possible for people with disabilities or limited mobility.

    The court will be fitted out with all available courtroom technology, with screens and cameras enabling courtrooms to seamlessly transmit and receive video evidence with other court locations.

    The court complex has a lifespan of 125 years – triple the design life of a typical building – and sustainability is at the core of its construction, with the new court to run on clean energy sources. It will include an all-electric heating and cooling system provided by 300 metre deep thermal piles to store summer heat below ground for reuse in the winter months. The highly insulated external facades reduce the winter energy demand whilst façade solar shading reduces the cooling required in the summer. Materials will be reclaimed from the buildings that have been demolished for reuse in the new construction.

    Designed by Eric Parry Architects, Salisbury Square also includes a new headquarters for the City of London Police, as well as a commercial building. The development will rejuvenate its historic surroundings, forming a gathering place for people to enjoy with outdoor seating and new shops, bars and restaurants.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Joint statement of the Financial Provisions Specialised Committee [18 October 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Joint statement of the Financial Provisions Specialised Committee [18 October 2022]

    The press release issued by the Treasury on 18 October 2022.

    The sixth meeting of the Specialised Committee on Financial Provisions (SCFP) was held today, 18 October 2022. The meeting was co-chaired by officials from the UK Government and the European Commission. This Committee is assigned by the Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee to undertake work related to the implementation of the financial provisions in Part V of the Withdrawal Agreement.

    The UK and the EU exchanged updates on the tasks carried out under the remit of this Specialised Committee. Both parties noted the positive engagement on the annual reporting package required by the Withdrawal Agreement and the associated invoices. The fourth invoice was provided by the European Commission in September. The payment of these amounts will be made in eight monthly instalments, with the first due date set on 31 October 2022, in accordance with the terms of the Withdrawal Agreement. The European Commission will continue submitting these payment communications to the UK twice annually, in April and September, until outstanding net liabilities are extinguished.

    The UK and EU sides reaffirmed their commitment to complying with their legal obligations under the Withdrawal Agreement.

    The two sides appreciated the ongoing good cooperation in this field, and committed to continue working collaboratively on a range of implementation issues, in recognition of the mutual benefit of a smooth implementation of the financial provisions of the Withdrawal Agreement.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Three new non-executive directors appointed to the Court of the Bank of England [October 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Three new non-executive directors appointed to the Court of the Bank of England [October 2022]

    The press release issued by HM Treasury on 18 October 2022.

    Lord Jitesh Gadhia, Sabine Chalmers and Tom Shropshire will take up their roles at the Bank’s Court in the coming months.

    Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second approved the appointment of three new non-executive directors (NEDs) of the Court of the Bank of England. These appointments will be made by the King.

    The new NEDs will take up their roles at the Bank’s Court in the coming months for terms lasting four years.

    The Bank’s Court acts as the governing body responsible for setting the organisation’s strategy, budget and taking key decisions on resourcing and appointments. The Court is not responsible for the matters reserved to the Bank’s main policy committees, the Monetary Policy Committee, the Financial Policy Committee and Prudential Regulation Committee.

    Jeremy Hunt, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, said:

    “I am delighted to be able to announce the appointment of Lord Jitesh Gadhia, Sabine Chalmers and Tom Shropshire. Each of them will bring immense skill and experience to the Bank’s Court.

    “I look forward to continuing to work closely with the Bank’s leadership, and remain fully committed to its independence.”

    Andrew Bailey, Governor of the Bank of England, said:

    “I am very pleased to welcome Lord Jitesh Gadhia, Sabine Chalmers and Tom Shropshire as non-executive directors of Court. Their varied experiences make them invaluable additions to Court and the running of the Bank. I look forward to working with them all.”

    David Roberts, incoming Chair of Court, said:

    “I am delighted to welcome Jitesh, Tom and Sabine to the Bank’s Court of Directors. They will bring fresh insights, deep wisdom and wide experience to help Court fulfil its role of promoting the good of the people of the United Kingdom.”

    About the appointments

    The Bank of England is the central bank of the UK. It is governed by the board of directors known as the Court of Directors. Further information can be found at the Bank of England website.

    All members of the Court are appointed by the Crown on the recommendation of the Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

    All appointments to the Court are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process.

    These appointments are regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments, who provides independent assurance that appointments are made in accordance with the Government’s Principles of Public Appointments and Governance Code.

    About Lord Jitesh Gadhia

    Lord Jitesh Gadhia has over 25 years of investment banking and financial services experience, having held senior positions at Blackstone, Barclays Capital, ABN AMRO and Baring Brothers. Lord Gadhia currently serves on the boards of Rolls-Royce Holdings plc, Taylor Wimpey plc and Compare The Market Limited. He previously served on the boards of UK Financial Investments Limited (UKFI) and UK Government Investments Limited (UKGI).

    About Sabine Chalmers

    Sabine Chalmers is general counsel, company secretary, and director of regulatory affairs at BT. Sabine was previously chief legal and corporate affairs officer and company secretary of Anheuser-Busch InBev. Sabine is currently a non-executive director at Anheuser-Busch InBev and has also served as a non-executive director at Coty.

    About Tom Shropshire

    Tom Shropshire is the general counsel and company secretary of Diageo plc. Prior to this, he was a partner at Linklaters LLP, where he was global head of the US Practice, founder and co-head of the Risk and Resilience Practice and a member of their executive committee.

    Footnotes:

    In accordance with the original Nolan principles, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity (if any is declared) to be made public. Lord Jitesh Gadhia was appointed as a Conservative Peer in 2016 and he became a non-affiliated member of the House of Lords in February 2017. Sabine Chalmers and Tom Shropshire have confirmed they have not engaged in any political activity in the last five years.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Announcement of the UK State Visit by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa [October 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Announcement of the UK State Visit by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa [October 2022]

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

    The British High Commission in Pretoria has welcomed the news that South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will pay a State Visit to the United Kingdom to meet The King and The Queen Consort.

    This is the first invitation of a State Visit made by His Majesty King Charles III.

    British High Commissioner to South Africa, Antony Phillipson said:

    I am delighted that President Cyril Ramaphosa, accompanied by Dr Tshepo Motsepe, has accepted an invitation from His Majesty King Charles III to pay a State Visit to the United Kingdom from Tuesday, 22 November to Thursday, 24 November 2022. The King and The Queen Consort will host the State Visit at Buckingham Palace.

    This will be the first State Visit hosted by His Majesty. It reflects the importance of the relationship between South Africa and the United Kingdom. The visit will offer a chance to celebrate our modern-day partnerships delivering prosperity and security for both countries, as well as to set out how we can work together bilaterally and globally to strengthen those links for the future.

    Over the next few weeks the British High Commission will work closely with the Presidency, the Department for International Relations and Cooperation, and the South African government to finalise the details of the President’s State Visit.

    His Majesty The King has visited South Africa on a number of occasions. His Majesty’s first visit was to Pretoria, Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town from 31 October to 5 November 1997. The King and The Queen Consort also visited Pretoria and Johannesburg from 2 to 6 November 2011. The King and Queen Consort also attended the funeral of President Nelson Mandela on 15 December 2013.

    Her Late Majesty The Queen invited President Nelson Mandela to pay a State Visit to the UK in July 1996. She also invited President Thabo Mbeki to pay a State Visit to the UK in June 2001, and President Jacob Zuma to pay a State Visit to the UK in March 2010.

    The press release from Buckingham Palace announcing the State Visit can be found here: Announcement of the State Visit by the President of South Africa (PDF, 156 KB, 2 pages).

    Further details of the State Visit programme will be announced in due course.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Second Permanent Secretary appointed at BEIS [October 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Second Permanent Secretary appointed at BEIS [October 2022]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on 18 October 2022.

    The Permanent Secretary at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has today (18 October 2022) announced, with the approval of the Prime Minister, that Clive Maxwell has been appointed as the new second Permanent Secretary at BEIS. Clive is currently Director General, High Speed Rail, at the Department for Transport.

    The second permanent secretary will provide leadership across the whole breadth of the department’s delivery portfolio, ensuring the department has the expertise and experience to deliver across a wide range of programmes, from energy support this winter to longer term investments.

    The Secretary of State, Jacob Rees-Mogg, said:

    Clive brings a wealth of experience to the new position of second permanent secretary at the department. BEIS has much to deliver for consumers and businesses, from vital support for energy bills to securing essential economic growth, and Clive will ensure this work is delivered successfully.

    Permanent Secretary, Sarah Munby, said:

    Clive is a fantastic addition to the team and will help ensure we’re successful in delivering one of the most challenging and diverse portfolios in government. His recent experience leading one of the government’s very largest delivery programmes, HS2, will be invaluable and I look forward to working with him and welcoming him to the team.

    Clive Maxwell said:

    I’m delighted and excited to be joining BEIS, and playing a part in its vital work supporting economic growth and reform of energy markets. I’m looking forward to using my experience to help the Department with one of the biggest delivery portfolios in government.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Support for new affordable green finance products to drive up energy efficiency [October 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Support for new affordable green finance products to drive up energy efficiency [October 2022]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on 18 October 2022.

    New fund to boost the choice of affordable green finance products for homeowners to help them reduce energy consumption
    government encourages lenders to innovate in the green finance market so families can lower their energy bills and reduce their carbon emissions
    research shows houses with Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating C sell for 5% more than less energy efficient ones
    New support launched by the government today will help banks, building societies and the wider finance industry to create more green finance products for homeowners.

    The new products will be designed specifically for those looking to improve the energy efficiency of their properties.

    Ministers are keen to scale up the green finance market and provide households with more choice of affordable finance options to retrofit their homes, helping them spend less on energy. It is part of wider efforts towards ensuring as many homes as possible to EPC band C by 2035 as possible.

    Up to £20 million is being made available for lenders and other organisations, through the Green Home Finance Accelerator, to develop new lending products which provide upfront and affordable capital to those who can afford it, to help make their homes more comfortable, cheaper to run and with lower carbon footprints.

    The funding will be used to support lenders and other providers to develop, test, and pilot new and innovative green finance products that can help a wide range of homeowners overcome the upfront costs of larger retrofit. It also seeks to boost knowledge and understanding about green finance and how energy efficiency can make homes cheaper to run.

    It follows the launch of the new Energy Price Guarantee, which has capped the bill for a typical UK household to an average of around £2,500 a year until April next year. It also comes in addition to the £400 energy bills discount for all UK households.

    20% of emissions come from buildings and nearly 2 thirds of owner-occupied homes are below EPC C rating, meaning their energy bills could be hundreds of pounds more than homes with a higher EPC rating.

    The average EPC rating of owner-occupied homes is D. Owners of these properties can help push their homes to EPC C through various measures, depending on the property. This can often be by fitting small things like LED bulbs or heating controls. On other properties it might mean installing cavity wall and loft insulation and possibly insulating draughty floors, which together would cost on average £6,500. But these could save households over £300 a year on their energy bills. The financial products today’s funding will help create would ensure households have access to the money they need to make this kind of investment in their homes.

    Minister for Business, Energy and Corporate Responsibility, Lord Callanan, said:

    Driving up the energy efficiency of homes won’t only reduce our impact on the climate, but will also help houses stay warmer for longer.

    Green finance products will allow households with greater means to spread costs over time, empowering them to be able to invest in their properties, improving their energy efficiency and resale value.

    Today’s funding will give more companies in the financial sector the opportunity to create and offer these products, and in so doing help households reap the benefits both in the investment to their properties, and in the savings they can make on their energy bills.

    Today’s announcement is the latest in a raft of measures designed to help improve the energy efficiency of the country’s housing stock.

    The government’s £12 billion Help to Heat schemes includes the £450 million Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which opened to voucher applications in May 2022. This is already incentivising people to move towards low carbon heating, offering grants of £5,000 towards the upfront cost of the installation of an air source heat pump, and £6000 for a ground source heat pump.

    The government is providing £4 billion between 2022 and 2026 to improve the energy efficiency of buildings, with 450,000 low-income households having their homes retrofitted with the likes of wall and loft insulation, solar panels and modern heating controls.

    Homes Director for Lloyds Banking Group, Andrew Asaam, said:

    Around 2 thirds of homes don’t currently achieve an EPC C rating, meaning millions of people are living in colder, draughtier, more expensive to heat homes than they need to.

    We are committed to helping people improve their properties, cut their carbon emissions, lower their fuel bills, and live more comfortably in their homes. We will continue to develop, test, and launch products that incentivise, support, and reward energy efficiency home improvements.

    It follows the Green Home Finance Innovation Fund in 2019, which supported the likes of Monmouthshire Building Society and Lloyds Banking Group to develop online home energy saving tools and green mortgages. They help customers work out how energy efficient their homes are and create an individualised plan for improving this, with additional borrowing at preferential rates to existing customers and tailored green mortgages to new ones.

  • PRESS RELEASE : £2,000 in government funding available to help with childcare costs [18 October 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : £2,000 in government funding available to help with childcare costs [18 October 2022]

    The press release issued by HM Treasury on 18 October 2022.

    Families could save up to £2,000 a year towards their childcare costs to help pay for October half-term holiday clubs and wraparound care during the school terms, reminds HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

    More than 391,000 families saved money on their childcare costs in June 2022, worth a total of £41.6 million in top-up payments, and HMRC is urging thousands of other families to not miss the chance to save up to £500 every 3 months, or £1,000 if their child is disabled.

    Families can sign up to Tax-Free Childcare to help pay for holiday clubs, before and after-school clubs, childminders and nurseries, and other approved childcare schemes. It is available to families with children up to the age of 11, or 17 if their child has a disability.

    The government will pay 20% of childcare costs by topping up the money paid into a Tax-Free Childcare account. This means for every £8 paid into the online account, families will automatically receive an additional £2 in government top-up.

    Families can find out more about Tax-Free Childcare via the Childcare Choices website.

    Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said:

    Tax-Free Childcare can make a big difference to families, helping with the bills for things like holiday clubs, nurseries, childminders and after school clubs. It’s easy to register – search ‘Tax-Free Childcare’ on GOV.UK.

    For thousands of families who use Tax-Free Childcare, the money they save each month on their childcare costs is money that goes back into their pockets. Accounts can be opened at any time of the year and can be used straight away, money can be deposited at any time and used when needed. Any unused money that is deposited can be simply withdrawn at any time.

    More than one million families in the UK are entitled to some form of government childcare support and the government is encouraging those eligible to not miss out on their entitlements. Families can find out what childcare support is best for them via Childcare Choices.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Appointment of Bishop of Liverpool [18 October 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Appointment of Bishop of Liverpool [18 October 2022]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 18 October 2022.

    Her Late Majesty The Queen approved the nomination of The Right Reverend Dr John Perumbalath, Area Bishop of Bradwell, for election as Bishop of Liverpool, in succession to The Right Reverend Paul Bayes following his retirement.

    Background

    John hails from the ancient Syrian Christian community in Kerala, India, and trained for ministry at Union Biblical Seminary, Pune. He worked as a youth worker for university students and as a theological educator before his ordination in the Diocese of Calcutta, Church of North India.

    He was Curate at St John’s Church, Calcutta, from 1994 and was appointed Vicar at St James’ Church in 1995. John then served as Vicar of St Thomas’ Church in 2000, as well as Chaplain at St Thomas’ Secondary School.

    In 2002, John moved to the UK and was appointed Associate Rector at St George’s Church, Beckenham, in the Diocese of Rochester. He then served as Team Vicar of Northfleet and Rosherville in addition to Diocesan Advisor for Thames Gateway Regeneration. In 2008, he was appointed Vicar at All Saints Perry Street and served also as Diocesan Urban Officer.

    John was appointed Archdeacon of Barking in 2013, in the Diocese of Chelmsford, and took up his current role as Area Bishop of Bradwell in 2018. He chairs the Churches Refugee Network for Britain and Ireland and is the Church of England’s lead bishop for Churches Together in Britain and Ireland.