Tag: 2022

PRESS RELEASE : E3 Statement after UN Security Council Meeting on Iran [December 2022]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 19 December 2022.

The governments of France, Germany and the United Kingdom issued a joint statement on the JCPoA.

Good afternoon. Today, the Security Council discussed the implementation of UNSC Resolution 2231, particularly Iran’s nuclear, ballistic and proliferation activities inconsistent with that resolution.

Iran has been in violation of its commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA) for three and a half years and continues to escalate its nuclear programme while cutting down significantly on its transparency commitments. Iran has no credible civilian justification for these actions, which carry very significant proliferation-related risks. Today, Iran’s nuclear programme has never been more advanced.

In November, Iran announced it was increasing its enriched uranium production capabilities at Fordow and Natanz well beyond JCPoA limits. These activities provide Iran with irreversible knowledge gains. It also reduces the time needed for Iran to gather enough fissile material for multiple nuclear weapons, should it choose to do so.

Iran also continues to produce unprecedented levels of Low and High Enriched Uranium, enriching up to 60%. This is especially concerning as Iran has suspended the IAEA’s ability to monitor and verify an important part of Iran’s nuclear activities, making it harder for the IAEA to provide assurance of the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear programme.

Iran’s continued escalation has severe impacts on international security and the non-proliferation regime. Iran refused to take the deal tabled by the JCPoA Coordinator in March and August to return to full compliance with its JCPoA commitments, with continued unacceptable demands beyond the scope of the JCPoA.

The JCPoA and the implementation of IAEA Safeguards are separate. Iran has internationally binding legal obligations to account for all nuclear material and to cooperate with the IAEA.

Today, the Security Council has also discussed key developments regarding Iran’s missile programme and its destabilising transfers of missiles and drones to actors in the region and beyond.

First, Iran continues to undertake ballistic missile activities that are inconsistent with UNSC Resolution 2231, including by testing space launch vehicles, which employ technology applicable to long-range and intercontinental range ballistic missile development.

Second, Iran’s weapons proliferation poses a real and significant threat to the region and the whole international community. We strongly condemn Iran’s destabilising activity in the region and we call upon Iran to stop all ballistic missile activities and proliferation inconsistent with UNSCR 2231 and other UNSC resolutions.

Third, since August, Iran has transferred hundreds of UAVs to Russia, which has used them to kill civilians and target infrastructure, as it did once again today against Kyiv. We strongly condemn such transfers, which violate UN Security Council Resolution 2231. Indiscriminate attacks against civilian populations and infrastructure constitute war crimes. We strongly caution Iran against any further deliveries of weapons to Russia, in particular of any short-range ballistic missiles, which would constitute a serious escalation.

We encourage the Secretary General to examine and report any evidence of transfers of items, materials, equipment, goods and technology or related services inconsistent with UNSCR 2231. We would welcome a visit by competent UN experts to Ukraine as requested by the Government of Ukraine and supported by other member states.

We are discussing our next steps with our partners.

We remain determined that Iran must never develop a nuclear weapon, must refrain from supporting Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and must stop its proliferation of conventional weaponry to state and non-state actors in the Middle East. Such activities, alongside Iran’s violent repression of peaceful protests will only result in Iran’s further isolation from the international community.

Thank you.

December 20, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Iran’s continued nuclear escalation is a threat to international peace and security – UK statement at the Security Council [December 2022]

The press release issued by HM Treasury on 19 December 2022.

Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the Security Council Briefing on Iran.

Thank you, President.

I’d like to start by thanking Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo for her briefing, and the UN Secretariat for its important role supporting implementation of resolution 2231.

I’d also like to thank Ambassador Mythen for his briefing and him and his team for their work as Facilitator during the past two years. And finally, His Excellency Mr. Gonzato, for your briefing on behalf of the JCPoA Coordinator.

Colleagues are aware that in April 2021 negotiations began to return Iran to full JCPoA compliance and the US to the deal. As we’ve heard, the JCPoA Coordinator tabled viable deals in March and August this year, which would have achieved this. Iran refused both packages with unacceptable demands beyond the scope of the JCPoA.

Iran’s continued nuclear escalation is a threat to international peace and security. Today, Iran’s total enriched uranium stockpile exceeds JCPoA limits by at least 18 times and it continues to produce High Enriched Uranium, which is unprecedented for a state without a nuclear weapons programme. Its nuclear actions have no credible civilian justification.

Iranian nuclear breakout time has reduced to a matter of weeks and the time required for Iran to produce the fissile material for multiple nuclear weapons is decreasing. Iran is testing technology with direct application to intermediate and intercontinental range ballistic missiles capable of carrying a nuclear payload.

Iran’s behaviour in the region and at home betrays its claims to be a responsible international actor. As the Secretary-General’s report confirms, Iran continues to provide increasingly complex weapons systems to non-state actors, including the Houthis. It is providing support to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, with UAVs with which Russia is targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure as it did once again, today, against Kyiv. And it is responding to domestic protests in the most brutal fashion. This behaviour makes progress on a nuclear deal much more difficult.

President, Iran and Russia would try to have us believe that the concerns I have expressed today are part of a Western campaign to undermine the Iranian government. This is simply false. Iran’s actions should be a matter of profound concern for us all.

In a year that has seen increased nuclear rhetoric, including from a P5 member, the Council’s focus on Iran’s nuclear programme has never been more critical. In the months ahead it is incumbent on us to ensure that Iran is not able to develop a nuclear weapon.

Thank you.

December 20, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak thanks British military protecting global peace and security at Christmas [December 2022]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 19 December 2022.

– Prime Minister thanks troops for service and dedication in unprecedented year of global instability following the invasion of Ukraine

– Sees first-hand the important work of UK forces as part of NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence on its eastern flank

– Pays tribute to Armed Forces personnel who are spending Christmas abroad without their families, telling them their service will not go unnoticed this festive season

The Prime Minister has today paid tribute to the professionalism and bravery of UK Armed Forces in an unprecedented year of global instability.

Addressing military personnel in Tapa, Estonia, he told British troops their service and dedication would not go unnoticed this Christmas, and their selfless commitment was instrumental to keeping the UK and our allies safe.

Around 6000 marines, soldiers, sailors, and aviators will be deployed across the world this Christmas, serving on 33 military operations in 28 countries. They will be supported by dedicated merchant sailors from the Royal Fleet Auxiliary and civilian staff.

More than 1000 of those Armed Forces will be on Op Cabrit across Estonia and Poland, including the King’s Royal Hussars, from Catterick Garrison in the Prime Minister’s constituency in North Yorkshire.

The Prime Minister thanked those troops personally today, and, alongside Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, served Christmas lunch to NATO forces. He also shared mince pies with UK military personnel after dinner, hearing first-hand about their experience as part of NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence across the Baltics.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:

This year, we have seen a full-scale war return to our continent, and I am immensely proud of the selfless dedication and bravery of our Armed Forces who responded to that threat to keep the UK and our allies safe.

As thousands of our military personnel prepare to spend Christmas on deployment, I know that this year of all years we will not take their sacrifice, or the sacrifice of their loved ones, for granted.

Christmas, after all, is a time for peace, and as alongside our allies, we’ll continue to support our Ukrainian and European friends in pursuit of a return of that peace.

This year, partly in response to the invasion of Ukraine, more than 12000 UK military personnel have been deployed across Europe, from Cyprus in the Mediterranean to Norway within the Arctic Circle, across land, sea and air.

In Estonia, the UK temporarily doubled its footprint in response to rising tensions, underlining our commitment to NATO and wider European security. We have since bolstered the lethality of the deployment with multiple rocket launch systems and short range air defence, allowing force numbers to be reduced and redeployed in other areas of the world.

The UK’s contribution to European security has not just been on land in 2022, with the Royal Navy deploying on nine different operations across Europe, involving 31 ships and submarines, six Naval Air Squadrons and 1750 Royal Marines.

And the UK played a leading role in protecting European skies, with around 1900 UK military flights patrolling,  gathering intelligence and providing essential transport and resilience across the region this year.

From January 2023, UK Apache and Chinook helicopters will deploy to Estonia. This additional surge capability into Estonia will include an aviation task force of three CH47 helicopters, followed by a deployment of four AH64 and two Wildcat Helicopters.

December 19, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Government announces six-month extension to alcohol duty freeze [December 2022]
The press release issued by HM Treasury on 19 December 2022.
- Alcohol duty freeze extended six months from 1 February to 1 August 2023.
- Part of government’s responsible management of UK economy, plan aims to reassure and provide certainty to pubs, breweries and distilleries facing tough challenges ahead.
- End date aligns with new simpler alcohol tax system taking effect, with Chancellor reserving decision on future duty rates for Spring Budget 2023.
In a statement to the House of Commons, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury James Cartlidge laid out a plan designed to provide certainty and reassure pubs, distilleries, and breweries as they face a challenging period ahead.

While new duty rates usually come in on the 1 February each year, Mr Cartlidge set out that this year the duty rates decision will be held until the Chancellor Jeremy Hunt delivers his Spring Budget on the 15 March 2023.

Further, the Minister made clear that if any changes to duty are announced then, they will not take effect until 1 August 2023. This is to align with the date historic reforms for the alcohol duty system come in, and amounts to an effective six month extension to the current duty freeze.

As part of the government’s commitment to responsible management of the UK economy, these changes will provide pubs, breweries, distilleries and other alcohol-related businesses with increased certainty to plan and make investment decisions more effectively.

Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury James Cartlidge said:

“Today’s announcement reflects this government’s commitment to responsible management of the UK economy and supporting hospitality through a challenging winter.

“The alcohol sector is vital to our country’s social fabric and supports thousands of jobs – we have listened to pubs, breweries and industry reps concerned about their future as they get ready for the new, simpler, alcohol tax system taking effect from August.

“That’s why we have acted now to give maximum certainty to industry and confirmed there will be just one set of industry-wide changes next summer.”

The current alcohol duty freeze was announced at Autumn Budget 2021, saving consumers over £3 billion over five years. It was expected to come to an end on 1 February 2023, following the Chancellor’s reversal of most of September’s Growth Plan to restore trust in the economy and strengthen public finances.

At Autumn Budget 2021 the government announced the biggest reforms to alcohol duty in 140 years. The changes overhaul the UK’s outdates rules following exiting the EU by radically simplifying the entire system and slashing red-tape. To give industry more time to prepare, September’s Growth Plan set out that the reforms would take effect from 1 August 2023.

The new alcohol tax system will adopt a common-sense approach, where the higher a drink’s strength the higher the duty, whilst new reliefs will be made available to help pubs and small producers thrive.

New Draught Relief will be worth £100 million a year and will ensure smaller craft producers can benefit, the threshold for qualifying containers will be 20 litres.

Small Brewers Relief will be renamed Small Producer Relief, reformed and expanded. Until the revamp, a cliff-edge existed when relief is withdrawn for brewers who make more than 5,000 hectolitres a year. This will be addressed, there will instead be a gradual taper to the removal of relief, which will empower small breweries to grow, after they had made clear through consultation that the current design was acting as a barrier. Further, the expansion of the relief means that all producers that make drinks below 8.5% – mostly craft brewers and cidermakers – will be able to get relief on their products.

The alcohol duty reforms will help create a simpler, fairer and healthier duty system. Higher rate for sparkling wines will come to an end, meaning they will pay the same rate as still wine. Liqueurs will be put on the same footing as fortified wine, meaning a sherry and Irish Cream will now pay the same duty, and super-strength ‘white cider’ will rise to address public health concerns.

The wine industry will also be supported as they adapt to the new system. All wine between 11.5-14.5% alcohol by volume (ABV) to calculate duty as if it were 12.5% ABV for 18 months from the implementation of the new system.
December 19, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Meaningful dialogue must end the cycle of violence across Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories [December 2022]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 19 December 2022.

Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the Security Council Briefing on the Middle East.

Thank you, President, and I thank Special Coordinator Wennesland for his briefing.

Six years ago, the Security Council agreed Resolution 2334. The UK re-affirms its commitment to the core tenets of that text:

First, the status quo is not sustainable, and urgent action is required to maintain the viability of the Two-State Solution;

Second, all acts of violence against civilians, including acts of terror, provocation and destruction, must be prevented; and

Third, Israel must immediately and completely cease all settlement activities, including in East Jerusalem.

President,

Meaningful dialogue must end the cycle of violence that continues to have a devastating effect on the civilian population across Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

The death of 16 year-old Jana Zakaran on 12 December in Jenin during an Israeli arrest operation is another tragic reminder of the human cost of this ongoing conflict. We urge Israel to exercise maximum restraint in its use of live fire. Israel and the Palestinian Authority must work together to de-escalate, continue the crucial security cooperation and bring to an end appalling violence we have seen in 2022.

President,

The past month also saw the demolition of a donor-funded school in the South Hebron Hills. A second school funded in part by the UK is also threatened with demolition. The UK condemns all demolitions by Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including in Area C.

The Oslo Accords are clear – Area C should be gradually transferred to Palestinian jurisdiction. I call on Israel to avoid unilateral actions and to meet its obligations under international humanitarian law by providing a clear, transparent route to construction in Area C.

I urge donors to provide urgent support to UNRWA in closing the agency’s critical funding gap this month. UNRWA is a critical role to regional stability.

President,

The UK remains a firm supporter of a two-state solution, based on 1967 lines and Jerusalem as a shared capital, as the only way to ensure a lasting peace between the parties. I encourage all parties, and the international community, to take actions that are helpful in bringing the parties back to a productive dialogue.

Thank you.

December 19, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak meeting with Prime Minister Kallas of Estonia [December 2022]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 19 December 2022.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak held talks with Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas today, following the JEF Summit in Riga.

Speaking on the plane from Latvia to Estonia, the Prime Minister underlined the UK’s commitment to Estonia’s security as its NATO framework nation and said he was pleased we had been able to increase the lethality of the battlegroup that remained in Tapa, which sent a strong deterrence message to Russia.

Turning to the trade and technology relationship, the Prime Minister said he was delighted to be able to sign the agreement of a Tech Partnership between the UK and Estonia today. It was important like-minded, technologically advanced countries like the UK and Estonia continued to strengthen cooperation in technology fields, he added.

The leaders both looked forward to visiting troops in Tapa together this afternoon.

December 19, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak meeting with Prime Minister Kariņš of Latvia [December 2022]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 19 December 2022.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak met Krišjānis Kariņš in Riga today to thank the Latvian leader for hosting a successful Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) summit.

The Prime Minister welcomed the already strong defence cooperation between the UK and Latvia. Both agreed on the importance on continuing to strengthen that cooperation in the future.

Discussing the opportunities to strengthen bilateral ties, including in the digital and medical technology industries, the leaders agreed to work together to accelerate the trade relationship between both nations.

The Prime Minister added that he hoped to welcome Prime Minister Kariņš to the UK soon, where there is a large Latvian diaspora community.

December 19, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Record year for Armed Forces Covenant [December 2022]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 19 December 2022.

The UK is one step closer to becoming the best place in the world for veterans, as a new report reveals more than 1,600 organisations have signed the Armed Forces Covenant this year.

The Armed Forces Covenant and Veterans Annual Report, published by the Government today and covering the period 2021-2022, details the key improvements and progress on the Covenant’s core goals. These goals include improving the lives of service people and their families, and the Government’s commitment to make the UK the best place in the world to be a veteran by 2028.

The Covenant is a pledge by those that sign to ensure that members of the Armed Forces community have the same access to government and commercial services and products as any other citizen; this year signatories include Leeds United F.C. and the Ocado Group.

This is the 11th Annual Report on the Armed Forces Covenant, since its introduction as a statutory requirement in the Armed Forces Act 2011, and is the second integrated report between the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the Office for Veterans’ Affairs (OVA) in the Cabinet Office. Since its inception the Covenant has gained nearly 10,000 signatures and to date every Local Authority in Great Britain has signed it.

Minister for Defence People, Veterans and Service Families, Dr Andrew Murrison, said:

The Annual Report shows the Covenant continuing to go from strength to strength. Partners across the UK have been working hard to support those who currently serve, have served and their families.

So it’s a big thank you to all those organisations who have worked tirelessly to use the Covenant and the nation’s commitment to veterans as a springboard to improve the lived experiences of our Armed Forces community.

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Johnny Mercer said:

The Armed Forces Covenant is a key way in which organisations from across society can support our veterans.

We’ve seen good progress this year, in particular in the areas of healthcare, with the inclusion of veterans health in GP training.

I look forward to building on these successes in 2023.

Highlights from this year’s report include:
- Armed Forces Covenant signings are rapidly approaching 10,000, with 1,634 signings over the last 12 months.
- A £5 million Veterans’ Health Innovation Fund has been launched. This will support organisations looking to research and trial cutting-edge technology which could help veterans with complex healthcare needs.
- The inclusion of veterans’ health in the GP training curriculum and national GP licensing assessment in England and Scotland.
- The Office for Veterans’ Affairs published the Veterans’ Strategy Action Plan 2022-24, setting out over 60 commitments, with over £70 million of additional funding from across Government to further improve the lives of our veteran community.
- A further 528 GP surgeries have been accredited as ‘veteran-friendly’, taking the total to 1,578.
- The Government also fulfilled its 2019 manifesto commitment to ‘further incorporate the Armed Forces Covenant into law’.
Alongside this, the report celebrates the introduction of a new legal duty further reinforcing Defence’s unwavering commitment to its people. This duty places a legal obligation on specific public bodies to have due regard to the Covenant principles when delivering certain services, or deciding certain policies, in healthcare, education and housing, that could impact the Armed Forces Community.

The report also details how support has extended right across the UK with the first Veterans Commissioner for Wales being appointed, thus ensuring every nation has an independent voice-championing veteran.
December 19, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : £60 billion funding package for councils in England to deliver vital services [December 2022]
The press release issued by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 19 December 2022.

The provisional local government finance settlement has confirmed an almost £60 billion package for councils in England for the next financial year.
- Levelling Up Secretary confirms £59.5 billion funding package for councils – a 9% increase on the previous year
- Government stands behind local authorities and households in challenging times
- Health and social care prioritised with additional grant of around £2 billion
- Alongside the settlement, a new £100 million scheme for councils will protect the most vulnerable households from council tax rises
The Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove has today (19 December 2022) confirmed an almost £60 billion package for councils in England for the next financial year to ensure that councils can continue to deliver vital frontline services.

The settlement means councils across England will benefit from an additional £5 billion – a 9% increase on last year’s settlement – as the government continues to stand behind councils and public services in the face of financial pressures.

The agreement for next year includes a one-off Funding Guarantee that ensures every council in England will see at least a 3% increase in core spending power before any local decisions around council tax are taken. Alongside this, government is today confirming a new £100 million scheme for councils to protect the most vulnerable households from council tax rises – delivering on the manifesto commitment to protect local taxpayers from excessive increases.

Social care is being prioritised too, with the government providing £2 billion in additional grant funding for adult and children’s social care for 2023/24. There is also £300 million for NHS England to help boost capacity by easing patient discharge.

After listening to councils, the government has offered greater certainty up to 2024/25, outlining spending over the next 2 years, which will allow town halls to plan ahead with confidence.

Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove said:

Local government plays an absolutely vital role in helping us to level up, support the most vulnerable, and deliver key services that people rely on every single day.

We recognise the pressures councils are facing right now and this spending boost will provide the support and funding local authorities need to continue delivering first rate public services.

The provisional finance settlement includes:
- A generous total funding package for councils. Almost £60 billion for the next financial year – marking an increase of 9% on 2022-23 – will enable councils to plan ahead with more certainty and continue to deliver key services for residents.
- More funding to areas that need it most. The most relatively deprived areas of England will receive 17% more per household through this year’s settlement.
- A real-terms funding boost across England. Taken together, the local government finance settlements for 2022/23 and 2023/24 show a real terms increase in the funding available to local government in England.
- Support for all tiers of local government. Not only are we providing around £2 billion of additional grant funding for social care, we are also introducing a one-off funding guarantee. This will ensure that every council sees at least a 3% increase in core spending power next year before any local decisions to increase council tax rates.
- Help for the most vulnerable in society. We are also today announcing £100 million of additional funding for local authorities to support the most vulnerable households in England. This funding will allow councils to deliver additional support to the 3.8 million households already receiving council tax support, whilst also providing councils with the resources and flexibility to determine the local approaches to support other vulnerable households in their area. This funding supports the government’s council tax referendum package, which strikes a fair balance to ensure taxpayers are not over-burdened at a time of significant pressure on the public finances.
The provisional settlement consultation will be open for 4 weeks, closing on 16 January 2023.

The government will provide confirmation of the final local government finance settlement in the New Year.
December 19, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : New deal to protect nature agreed at COP15 [December 2022]

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 19 December 2022.

Agreement reached by almost 200 countries at the UN biodiversity summit, COP15, in Canada.

A new deal to protect nature has been agreed by almost 200 countries at the UN biodiversity summit, COP15.

The agreement – which was finalised in the early hours of Monday 19th December in Montreal, Canada – includes a global commitment to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030 and to protect 30% of land and oceans by the same date.

The framework also commits to ending human-induced extinctions of known threatened species, such as rhinos and gorillas.

Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey said:

Today’s deal is an historic milestone in protecting our natural environment for future generations.

I want to thank our fantastic UK team of civil servants and ministers in Montreal. This deal builds on the legacy of our own COP and G7 presidencies where we put nature at the top of the global agenda.

The UK has played a leading role in driving forward progress in negotiations throughout the summit, building on the actions agreed during the UK’s own COP and G7 presidencies, including securing the Leaders Pledge for Nature last year which commits world leaders to taking action to drive sustainable food production, end the illegal wildlife trade and tackle climate change.

The deal comes after the commitment last week through the Donor Joint Statement to put billions of dollars towards the protection and restoration of the natural world.

Tony Juniper, Chair of Natural England said:

The agreement reached in Montréal today is a real breakthrough, presenting a new opportunity for humankind during the course of this decade to bend historic declines of Nature toward recovery. If we do that, not only will we save threatened species and ecosystems, but bring a range of hugely valuable benefits for people.

We must continue to call for high ambition and work together to achieve stronger outcomes for Nature, with the priority now being all about delivery in the member countries of the United Nations, including across the nations of the United Kingdom. We are very much looking forward to supporting Government in doing that, and ensuring this agreement makes a difference on the ground.

December 19, 2022