UKPOL.CO.UK

Tag: 2022

  • PRESS RELEASE : Readout of the Prime Minister and Chancellor’s meeting with the OBR [September 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Readout of the Prime Minister and Chancellor’s meeting with the OBR [September 2022]

    The press release issued by the Treasury on 30 September 2022.

    • This morning the Prime Minister Liz Truss and Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng met with the OBR’s Budget Responsibility Committee, including the Chair Richard Hughes, at No10 Downing Street.
    • They discussed the process for the upcoming economic and fiscal forecast, which will be published on 23 November, and the economic and fiscal outlook.
    • They agreed, as is usual, to work closely together throughout the forecast process and beyond.
    • The Prime Minister and Chancellor reaffirmed their commitment to the independent OBR and made clear that they value its scrutiny.
  • PRESS RELEASE : UK strongly condemns all attacks on journalists and media workers – UK statement to the OSCE

    PRESS RELEASE : UK strongly condemns all attacks on journalists and media workers – UK statement to the OSCE

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 30 September 2022.

    Ms Saffienne Vincent-Neal highlights at OSCE’s Human Dimension Conference that independent media and journalists are essential to keep governments accountable.

    Mr Chair, strong, independent media and journalists are part of the bedrock of democratic societies and are essential to hold governments to account. We support the vital work of ODIHR and the Representative on Freedom of the Media as an early warning mechanism when fundamental freedoms are challenged.

    In times of war, the media’s role in providing timely and accurate information is even more important. As Ukraine liberates more territory, journalists expose the atrocities caused by Russia’s military aggression.

    We are appalled by the findings of the Moscow Mechanism reports on Russia’s aggression in Ukraine. Journalists have been subjected to unlawful detentions, abductions, enforced disappearances and torture. At least 15 killed so far; with reports that hundreds more have been shelled, shot, or detained. In the parts of Ukraine temporarily controlled by Russia, the information space has been severely restricted. We share the condemnation by the UN and other international organisations of the cyber-attacks on Ukraine’s media and internet infrastructure.

    The Moscow Mechanism report on Russia’s internal repression exposes a systemic and repressive war against the freedom of the Russian people. Propaganda, repressive legislation, and violence have created a climate of fear and intimidation. From 1992-2021 reportedly at least 58 journalists were killed in Russia for their work.

    Since February, legislation has suppressed freedom to express dissent and criminalised the “discrediting” of Russia’s Armed Forces. How is this legislation and practice compatible with the human dimension obligations that Russia freely signed up to as an OSCE founding member? And, what message does this send? Be quiet or be persecuted.

    As we have seen, most independent journalists and media outlets have left Russia or closed. The Russian government is isolating the Russian people from credible information, from the world outside of Russia’s borders. Those reporting accurately on Ukraine, face jail, including dual British-Russian national Vladimir Kara-Murza. As the Moscow Mechanism report clearly says, “this is military censorship”. We remind the Russian Government of the Milan Decision on Safety of Journalists in 2018, and urge them to comply with the 1991 Moscow Declaration which stressed the importance of protecting vulnerable groups in armed conflict, including journalists.

    And we call for accountability – for Ukrainians persecuted in occupied territories and for Russians seeking simply to be able to tell the truth.

  • PRESS RELEASE : GREAT campaign drives growth across the four corners of the UK [September 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : GREAT campaign drives growth across the four corners of the UK [September 2022]

    The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 30 September 2022.

    • The Great Britain & Northern Ireland Campaign (GREAT) is the UK’s flagship international marketing programme.
    • GREAT’s ‘Study UK’ campaign is set to generate £407m of investment right across the UK, from international students registered in 2021/22.
    • Students from 121 countries around the world have been attracted to UK universities by the campaign; driving impressive growth for local economies.

    International students attracted to UK universities by the GREAT ‘Study UK’ campaign and enrolled in 2021/22 will generate £407m for the economy during the course of their degrees.

    The campaign, delivered in partnership with the British Council, uses a combination of marketing channels and scholarship opportunities to promote the quality and opportunities of UK higher education to students worldwide; highlighting reasons why the UK is a first-choice study destination.

    Across the four nations, the estimated economic benefit of international students attracted to the UK by the GREAT campaign is:

    • England £339.1m
    • Scotland £44.4m
    • Wales £18.4m
    • Northern Ireland £5.1m

    The campaign supports the government’s levelling up ambition, with many parts of the UK benefiting economically and culturally from international students.

    Projected economic benefit across cities in the UK include:

    • Greater Manchester £13.3m
    • Liverpool £4.7m
    • Newcastle £6.0 m
    • Leeds £7.7m
    • Sheffield £7.1m
    • Birmingham £11.6m
    • Bristol £4.0m
    • Edinburgh £8.5m
    • Glasgow £9.1m
    • Cardiff £5.0m
    • Belfast £1.6m

    The success of the GREAT ‘Study UK’ campaign is well evidenced, for example Teesside University experienced a 40% increase on 2020/21 international student enrolments from markets where GREAT scholarships were offered.

    Cabinet Office Minister Jake Berry said:

    “The GREAT ‘Study UK’ campaign attracts and supports international students to study in the UK. International students drive growth in local economies across the country, they also enrich the university experience, bringing greater diversity and an international viewpoint for all students.”

    Higher education is a significant export for the UK. The 2018/2019 cohort of international students generated £28.8 billion for the UK economy according to a report by the Higher Education Policy Institute .

    Maddalaine Ansell, Director Education, British Council said:

    “International students not only make our universities vibrant and cosmopolitan but also, through getting to know and understand us, can become life long ambassadors for not only UK Education but our values and way of life.

    “Many international graduates go on to play important roles in the political, economic, scientific and cultural life of their own countries and their knowledge of, and affection for, the UK means we have friends in many places.”

    Minister for Skills Andrea Jenkyns said:

    “Attracting the brightest students from around the world is good for our universities and delivers growth at home, as well as supporting the creation of more places for UK students.

    “We’ve already smashed the target set in our International Education Strategy to attract 600,000 international students per year to study here – hitting it for the first time almost ten years early – and we are now focusing on bringing in £35bn from our education exports by 2030.”

    Doug W Pearce, International Recruitment, University of Leeds

    “The wider UK HE sector sees great value in the British Council’s efforts including the GREAT campaign to continue to build a strong brand profile of the UK as one of the top study destinations worldwide.”

    Shonagh Maak, International Recruitment Manager, University of Glasgow

    “Our international students enhance the learning environment of our campus, contribute to research output and add immense value to the cultural vibrancy of our campus and the wider community in Glasgow.”

  • PRESS RELEASE : Security Council must not be distracted by tactics designed to protect the Syrian regime from accountability [September 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Security Council must not be distracted by tactics designed to protect the Syrian regime from accountability [September 2022]

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

    Statement by Fergus Eckersley, UK Political Coordinator at the UN at the Security Council meeting on chemical weapons in Syria.

    Thank you, Mr. President.

    I’d like to thank the High Representative for her very clear briefing once again and all the efforts of the UN team.

    Month after month, we hear the same story.

    Syria is refusing to make any progress on its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention and under Resolution 2118.

    This is a crystal clear reminder of Assad’s disregard of international norms and of the threat his regime poses. This is not a dormant issue. This is an active refusal to implement this Council’s resolutions.

    We’ve heard countless excuses for Syria’s noncompliance. None stand up to scrutiny. We must all be clear that given Syria’s behaviour and the many inconsistencies in its declarations to the OPCW, there is a real and ongoing risk from its chemical weapons programme to international peace and security.

    We also all know that Syria’s failings are only part of the story. The actions of Russia in continuing to protect the Assad regime in its use and stockpile of chemical weapons show that they have no genuine interest in implementing the Chemical Weapons Convention or protecting international security.

    We’ve just sat through another assault on the integrity of the OPCW. But this is not just about disinformation and distraction in the Security Council. Russia has also systematically blocked or attempted to block mechanisms related to the investigation of chemical weapons use in Syria over many years.

    • They blocked the Joint Investigative Mechanism from operating 2017 and 2018.
    • They tried to block the creation of the IIT in 2018.
    • They tried to block the OPCW budget that funded the IIT.
    • And in 2018, they blocked the adoption of the outcome document at the OPCW RevCon over references to the Joint Investigative Mechanism and the IIT.
    • They tried to block the OPCW budget again in 2019.
    • They voted against an Executive Council decision on Syria in 2020.
    • They tried to block the OPCW budget again in 2020.
    • They voted against the Conference of States Parties decision on Syria in 2021.
    • They tried to block the OPCW annual report that mentioned the IIT in 2021.

    This Council must not be distracted by tactics designed to undermine the international system and to protect the Syrian regime from accountability for their crimes. We must not accept any erosion of the rules. We have all agreed. We must continue to work together to push Syria to meet its obligations in full.

    Thank you.

  • Liz Truss – 2022 BBC Radio Leeds Interview with Rima Ahmed

    Liz Truss – 2022 BBC Radio Leeds Interview with Rima Ahmed

    The BBC Radio Leeds interview between Rima Ahmed and Liz Truss, the Prime Minister, on 29 September 2022.

    RIMA AHMED

    Good morning Prime Minister.

    LIZ TRUSS

    Good morning.

    RIMA AHMED

    [asked the Prime Minister if she was well and if she slept well]

    LIZ TRUSS

    I have thank you very much. It’s great to be here on radio, Radio Leeds.

    RIMA AHMED

    [asked where the Prime Minister had been following the mini-budget, the fall of the pound to a record low and the Bank of England spending 65 billion dollars to prop up the markets.]

    LIZ TRUSS

    Well, I think we’ve got to remember the situation we were facing this winter. We were facing a situation where people could have had to pay energy bills of up to 6,000 pounds, where inflation was increasing and where we were looking at an economic slowdown, which would have had a huge impact right across the country, including in places like Leeds, so we had to take decisive action. That’s why we took action to make sure people aren’t paying a typical fuel bill of more than 2,500 pounds and that’s going to come in this Saturday.

    RIMA AHMED

    [said that this happened before the mini-budget and asked again where the Prime Minister had been.]

    LIZ TRUSS

    Well, I’m here today on Radio Leeds talking to you. The point I’m making is that we had to take decisive action to help people through this winter and next winter. I understand that families are struggling with their fuel bills and we had to take urgent action to get our economy growing, get Britain moving and also deal with inflation. Of course, that means taking controversial and difficult decisions but I’m prepared to do that as Prime Minister, because what’s important to me is that we get our economy moving, we make sure that people are able to get through this winter and we are prepared to do what it takes to make that happen.

    RIMA AHMED

    [asked how the Prime Minister felt her controversial risks had gone]

    LIZ TRUSS

    Well, what it has done is it has made sure that people and businesses will be paying lower taxes, it’s opened up new road projects, new infrastructure projects, which will mean that we can get on with doing the things that will help people, whether it’s getting to work, setting up their own business and growing the economy. And what it’s done is made sure that businesses and people are protected from these very high fuel bills this winter. And let’s remember why we’re here. We’re here because of Putin’s appalling war in Ukraine, that’s pushed up global energy prices. Countries are under pressure around the world, currencies are under pressure around the world and that’s why it’s so important that this government took urgent action and within a week of becoming Prime Minister, I took urgent action on the energy bills. We’ve taken urgent action through our fiscal statement and we will continue to make sure that we are on the side of people who work hard who do the right thing, and making sure that people aren’t facing those very, very high energy costs.

    RIMA AHMED

    [Asked the Prime Minister if she had seen the risks of the Bank of England and IMF needing to become involved.]

    LIZ TRUSS

    We’re working very, very closely with the Bank of England and it’s important that we have an independent Bank of England. They’re responsible for setting interest rates of course, the Chancellor and the Bank of England work closely together. We’re facing very, very difficult economic times, we’re facing that on a global level. I talked to a lot of my overseas counterparts about issues like energy, about making sure that we’re dealing with those global economy [sic], but the important thing is that the British government acted to make sure that people are protected from these high energy costs, to make sure we’re getting the economy going. Of course, a lot of the measures that we’ve announced won’t happen overnight, we won’t see the growth come through overnight. But what’s important is that we’re putting this country on a better trajectory for the long term.

    RIMA AHMED

    [Asked how long that would take.]

    LIZ TRUSS

    The action we’ve taken on fuel bills will start this weekend.

    RIMA AHMED

    [Asked whether given high levels of inflation if that help was just a drop in the ocean]

    LIZ TRUSS

    The National Insurance reductions will happen this autumn, that’s where we had to take urgent action to make sure people aren’t facing those higher national insurance bills. And the projects that we want to get on with like the road projects, the broadband projects and mobile projects, those will be happening over the next year. So we’re getting things done as quickly as we can to get our economy moving, but also most importantly, making sure we’re supporting families and businesses through what is a very tough winter.

    RIMA AHMED

    [Said that people had been getting in touch to tell of their financial difficulties, including Lee who she had met in a food bank. He said that without the food bank then he wouldn’t have been able to feed his children and that many people were struggling.]

    LIZ TRUSS

    The issues that Lee raises and, you know, is clearly, clearly very, very difficult for people, it’s very difficult for Lee, the issue he raises like inflation, the package that we put forward on energy is going to reduce, or likely to reduce, inflation by up to 5%. The action we’ve taken on energy bills will mean that Lee and other people living in West Yorkshire aren’t going to be facing energy bills of 6,000 pounds which is what was forecast, they’re going to be, through the energy price guarantee, a maximum of 2,500 pounds.  The action we’re taking on the economy to get the economy growing is all about making sure that people have higher wages in the future, that we are getting the investment into places like West Yorkshire, that we are building those new roads, that we are helping businesses get on so that we can have that higher wage economy. So this is exactly the reason we’re doing what we’re doing, is to help people like Lee through this winter and also make sure that he has a secure future in the long term.

    RIMA AHMED

    Thank you for being here. I don’t know whether that answer will help Lee in the short term. I don’t know whether that will give any any hope for the long term. But thank you for being here.

  • Brandon Lewis – 2022 Speech at the Lord Chancellor Swearing-in Speech

    Brandon Lewis – 2022 Speech at the Lord Chancellor Swearing-in Speech

    The speech made by Brandon Lewis, the Lord Chancellor, at the Royal Courts of Justice on 29 September 2022.

    I would like to thank the Lord Chief Justice for that warm welcome. I look forward to working with yourself and other members of the Bench during my time in office. As I look forward to working in Cabinet with you, Mr Attorney – and I would like to congratulate you on your re-appointment.

    You bring with you not only your background as a respected barrister, but also your experience serving in the role during your predecessor’s time on maternity leave. I have no doubt that you will carry out your duties as a Law Officer with both the diligence and dedication that you are renowned for.

    And I’m also delighted to welcome my esteemed colleague, Michael Tomlinson, to his new role as Solicitor General.

    As the Lord Chief Justice has described, your role is historic and vital to our democracy – providing essential support to the Attorney and overseeing the work of our prosecuting authorities.

    I know you will bring the same commitment and enthusiasm to the role as you have throughout your parliamentary career.

    It is a huge honour to become Lord Chancellor and join such a long – if slightly daunting – list of names that includes Cardinal Wolsey, Sir Francis Bacon and Ken Clarke. The patron saint of statesmen and politicians himself goes before me – Sir Thomas More is also one of my predecessors.

    Like me, Sir Thomas was fortunate enough to be the Member of Parliament for the fantastic, stunning constituency of Great Yarmouth. He was famously beheaded for treason – so I’m hoping I cannot match that similarity!

    Today is, of course, the culmination of a years-long journey for me. From being called to the bar in 1997. To getting elected as a councillor in 1998 and leading Brentwood Borough Council. All the way through to the point where I entered Parliament in 2010, my first ministerial posting in 2012 and the four departments in which I’ve served since.

    I hope to bring all of that experience to this job, but I recognise that the English legal system does have about 900 years more experience than I do! Throughout that time it has evolved to offer a crucial mix of flexibility and reliability that guarantees citizens’ rights and allows businesses to thrive and grow as well.

    As we continue to pass it down through the generations, I hope to play my part in being both a good steward and a trustworthy custodian of English Law. That is why I take my responsibility to respect its enduring principle, the Rule of Law, so incredibly seriously.

    The idea that everyone is equal before the law and that public authorities must act lawfully is the foundation of our society. It guarantees freedom and fairness in a modern democracy like ours. And we must always be aware that it is not guaranteed and therefore must be protected.

    Judges are at the forefront of that work to safeguard the Rule of Law in our justice system, and I will do all I can to defend their judicial independence. I’m clear that the work of our judiciary matters…

    …As does the work of our world-leading legal professionals, who are also represented here today. Together they not only deliver justice, they each play a crucial role in the evolution of the law and making sure that it continues to meet the needs of our country.

    What this adds up to is a legal system that works. It is not just crucial to our success as a nation, it is one that is also recognised internationally, which is why the world looks to us to be its counsel and its courtroom.

    In fact, in 2019 English law was trusted to govern some £250 billion of global mergers and acquisitions, and in 2021, over half of the cases heard in our Commercial Court were international in nature.

    We lead Europe in legal services and globally we’re second only to the United States. In terms of what this means for UK plc, the figures speak for themselves.

    Our legal services sector contributes over £29 billion gross value added to our economy each year, employing some 350,000 people. I want to make sure that justice continues to drive our economic growth as we recover from the pandemic and rise to the cost-of-living challenges that we see ahead of us.

    We’ve maintained our world-leading position because of the flexibility of our system and our willingness to embrace change. I’m clear that if we want to remain an attractive legal centre then we must continue finding those new and better ways to provide legal services.

    As Lord Chancellor, I will do all I can to support legal innovation – so that our legal services can be transformed, not just for the benefit of businesses and the public, but for our legal profession too.

    I want to see a modern justice system that is built around the people who use it. One where we do more online, with the right guidance and support.

    Whether that’s through making a claim or resolving a dispute. So that we can save time, cost, and stress to people seeking justice and reduce the burden on those who work in the system.

    And we’ve got to be agile enough to ensure that English Law provides clarity for businesses through a period of constant change – in particular when it comes to digital and emerging technologies such as blockchain and smart contracts.

    These technologies offer the opportunity for us to transform how our businesses operate, with more transparent and efficient ways of working.

    I’m very much aware that we have already begun a process of modernising the courts to make sure that they are in good working order for the digital age.

    As part of my duty for the efficient and effective running of the courts and tribunals, I intend to see through this ambitious and innovative programme.

    I am also cognisant of the fact that COVID-19 was an extraordinarily difficult period and time for the justice system, the judiciary and our hardworking court staff who played a huge part in keeping things moving. I want to thank you for your hard work and determination to meet those challenges head on, including through innovation that was delivered at rapid pace.

    While the knock-on effects of COVID-19 continue to be felt today, it is thanks to your dedication that we drove down the Crown Court backlog by around 2,000 cases from its peak in June 2021. This is a huge achievement – but there is still substantial work to be done. The family court sat to its highest ever level in 2021, and in the immigration and employment tribunals we have reduced the caseload from its peak during the pandemic.

    As Lord Chancellor I am hopeful to see an end to the disruptive strike action that risks undoing the progress we have all worked so hard to achieve, and that is delaying justice for hundreds of victims – and causing the backlog to start to increase.

    I’m pleased to have reached agreement with the leadership of the Criminal Bar Association today. They will be re-balloting their members quickly following new proposals for further reforms to criminal legal aid. These are generous and I would encourage CBA members to consider them carefully and positively.

    I would like to say something about prisons and probation, for which I am also responsible as Secretary of State for Justice.

    Prison and probation officers – some of whom were involved in the State Funeral procession – play a huge role in our justice system and are so often the hidden heroes of our society.

    I want to also take the opportunity this morning to thank them for their immense efforts throughout the pandemic – and for their continuing hard work – to keep our prisons and the public safe.

    I will continue to prioritise the creation of secure and modern prison places – ones that champion rehabilitation by equipping offenders to become active in the jobs market. This in itself will keep the public safe by preventing reoffending, but it will also help us play our part to drive the government’s agenda for economic growth.

    I also want to explore options for reforming the Probation Service, which is vital in steering prison leavers towards better futures.

    And I am determined to make public protection the overriding factor in parole decisions – so that we can be assured of the confidence of both victims and the public.

    Mr Attorney, I want to finish by thanking you all for your warm welcome and reiterating my dedication to the oath I have sworn today. As I step into this ancient role, I am very, very much aware of my constitutional responsibilities, as well as my duty to the judiciary, the courts, tribunals and to justice more broadly.

    I look forward to working with all of you as we each play our part in the justice system – to cherish and protect the ideals on which it was built and to carry on building it around the people who are using it every day. Thank you.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Media Advisory Notice – The fatal police shooting of Chris Kaba [September 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Media Advisory Notice – The fatal police shooting of Chris Kaba [September 2022]

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

    The Attorney General confirms the requirement not to publish material which could prejudice ongoing criminal investigations and potential prosecutions.

    Following the fatal police shooting of Chris Kaba on 05 September 2022 a homicide investigation has commenced in respect of the officer who fired the fatal shot.

    HM Attorney General, the Rt Hon Michael Ellis KC MP, wishes to amplify the importance of not publishing any material where there is a risk that it could prejudice any ongoing criminal investigation or potential prosecution. Publishing this material could amount to contempt of court.

    Editors, publishers and social media users should take legal advice to ensure they are in a position to fully comply with the obligations to which they are subject under both the common law and statutory regimes in relation to publications.

  • PRESS RELEASE : HM Law Officers sworn in [September 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : HM Law Officers sworn in [September 2022]

    The press release issued by the Attorney General’s Office on 29 September 2022.

    The Rt Hon Michael Ellis KC MP was sworn in as His Majesty’s Attorney General for England and Wales in a joint ceremony at the Royal Courts of Justice today.

    His Majesty’s Solicitor General Michael Tomlinson MP was also sworn in at the ceremony. Speaking after the ceremony, His Majesty’s Attorney General, the Rt Hon Michael Ellis KC MP said:

    I am honoured to be sworn in after returning as His Majesty’s Attorney General for England and Wales. As the Government’s chief legal adviser, my focus will be upholding the rule of law and strengthening our justice system.

    I also warmly welcome Michael Tomlinson MP to his role as His Majesty’s Solicitor General. Michael brings a wealth of experience and wisdom to the role.

    Commenting on his new appointment, HM Solicitor General Michael Tomlinson MP said:

    It is a privilege to be sworn in as His Majesty’s Solicitor General for England and Wales.

    There are important responsibilities that come with this unique role which has been part of our constitution for centuries, and I look forward to working with His Majesty’s Attorney General to play my part in upholding the rule of law and carrying out the public interest functions of the Attorney General’s Office.

    HM Attorney General is the Government’s chief legal advisor and also attends Cabinet. As well as providing advice to government, HM Law Officers (the Attorney General and Solicitor General) oversee the Law Officers’ Departments which include the Crown Prosecution Service, Serious Fraud Office, Government Legal Department and HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate.

    HM Law Officers carry out a number of functions in the public interest, such as considering unduly lenient sentences and taking action when there has been a contempt of court. These functions are carried out independently of their role as government ministers.

    The Rt Hon Michael Ellis KC MP was first appointed Attorney General on 2 March 2021 and held office until 10 September 2021. He was reappointed on 6 September 2022.

    Michael Tomlinson MP was appointed as Solicitor General for England and Wales on 7 September 2022.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Up to £200,000 available to test security of smart devices used by nearly all UK businesses [September 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Up to £200,000 available to test security of smart devices used by nearly all UK businesses [September 2022]

    The press release issued by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on 29 September 2022.

    • Successful bidder will research potential vulnerabilities in popular devices to better protect against cyber risks
    • Findings will help make sure current security measures and guidance are robust enough for evolving threats

    Organisations can now apply for funding to support research into the cyber security of office devices which can connect to the internet, such as printers, cameras, and room booking systems, to ensure they are properly protected against hackers.

    Thousands of UK businesses rely on these products, known as enterprise Internet of Things (IoT) devices, to increase productivity and enable hybrid working. The government is funding new research to uncover vulnerabilities in these commonly used enterprise IoT products and assess the cyber resilience of these devices.

    Smart devices in the workplace can collect sensitive data which can be accessed by other users, making them an attractive target for cyber criminals to exploit. While devices may have some protections built-in, products with poor cyber security can leave companies using them at risk.

    For example, in 2019 Microsoft’s researchers found Russian hackers were compromising conference phones and office printers in organisations across many sectors, though Microsoft was able to successfully block the attacks before they could cause any damage.

    The successful bidder will be awarded up to £200,000 to test popular devices and help identify if current security measures and guidance, such as international standards and NCSC device security principles, are robust enough to protect businesses from evolving threats.

    Cyber minister Julia Lopez said:

    Technology played a pivotal role in keeping British businesses going during the pandemic, helping the pivot to hybrid working and boosting productivity ever since.

    This research will ensure we have the right measures in place to protect our economy and keep our offices and workers safe from cyber security threats.

    The grant is part of the government’s £2.6 billion National Cyber Strategy to protect the UK from cyber threats and grow the digital economy. It supports the UK’s objective to take the lead in the technologies vital to cyber power and secure the Internet of Things and connected technologies used by consumers and enterprises.

    This work complements the Product Security and Telecommunications infrastructure bill (PSTI) going through parliament which strengthens the cyber resilience of consumer IoT devices, such as smart speakers and smart TVs.

  • Nick Boles – 2022 Article on Now Supporting the Labour Party

    Nick Boles – 2022 Article on Now Supporting the Labour Party

    A section of the article in the Guardian newspaper on 29 September 2022. Nick Boles was the Conservative MP for Grantham and Stamford from 2010 to 2019.

    Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng possess a level of intellectual self-confidence usually found among undergraduates. They always have. Since 2010, when all three of us were first elected as Conservative MPs, they have known what they believe – and have viewed those who didn’t agree with them, or didn’t share their unshakeable certainty, with amiable contempt.

    ….

    In the past few days, the values of sterling and government bonds have registered the alarm felt by international investors about the UK’s prospects. But the British economy is resilient and there is a limit to how much permanent damage even these two headstrong ideologues will be able to do.

    In two years’ time, voters will be given a choice. By then I expect that there will be millions of former Conservative voters who will have tired of being lab rats in Truss’s and Kwarteng’s ideological experiments. They will look for leaders who are prudent, responsible and steady. Who don’t think they know everything. Who listen, and are in touch with people’s everyday concerns. I predict that they will conclude, as I have done, that it is the Labour leader, Keir Starmer, and his shadow chancellor, Rachel Reeves, who best fit the bill.