Tag: 2022

Rosena Allin-Khan – 2022 Speech to Labour Party Conference

The speech made by Rosena Allin-Khan on 28 September 2022.

Good morning Conference, hasn’t it been a fantastic week?

I am so proud to be part of the Labour team.

A team with one goal – getting Labour back into office.

There are so many reasons why we must end this long, dark night of Tory rule.

And the nation’s mental health is top of my list.

Under the Tories’ 12 years of mismanagement, there are 1.6 million people waiting for mental health treatment.

That’s more than the entire populations of Birmingham and Liverpool put together.

Waiting times are soaring.

And far too often help depends on your postcode, not your need.

And children are being let down.

Referrals for children and young people with eating disorders have doubled and referrals for children who are self-harming have tripled.

Children are waiting days in A&E in crisis.

In the A&E where I work, I see it.

My colleagues across the country see it.

The Tories have cut a quarter of mental health beds and it is our communities

who are suffering.

An entire generation is being failed by this Conservative Government.

This mental health crisis is wrecking the British economy.

Last year 18 million work days were lost to mental illness – more than industrial disputes, more than injuries.

It costs the UK economy at least one hundred and seventeen billion pounds a year.

And who does the cost-of-living crisis hit the hardest?

Those already living with mental illnesses.

Do you remember Thatcher’s Britain?

One of being cold in your own home with the perpetual fear of debt and disconnection.

That should have been consigned to the history books.

I remember all too well my brother, mum and me gathered around the only heater for moments of relief from that gnawing, biting cold that saps your energy and robs you of your concentration.

I listened to my mum, awake at night, worrying how to keep us safe and warm.

This was the 1980s – how are we here again now?

I’m proud to be an NHS doctor and I’m also proud to be a socialist.

Working in A&E, I approach a patient from the point of view of their health needs.

But I know that we cannot divorce the person from their social class, gender, race and background.

The gig economy, soaring bills, rising crime, a brittle and divided society, a broken social media, brimming with hate.

For millions, modern life means poor mental health.

If ever there was an argument that prevention is better than cure, it is with mental health.

We know that the longer mental illnesses are left untreated, the harder and more costly they are to treat.

I met the fantastic team at Paul’s Place here in Liverpool on Monday.

They show how communities support one another after suicide.

Their stories are raw.

Moving.

But their work is filled with hope and love.

Conference, if there’s one word to sum up Labour’s mental health policy it is this:

Prevention.

The next Labour Government will:

• Guarantee NHS mental health support within a month and when I say ‘support’ I mean treatment, not just an assessment of need.

• Improve service quality for patients.

• Recruit more mental health staff – starting with eight and a half thousand new staff by the end of our first term in office.

• Place specialist mental health support in every school.

• Establish mental health hubs for young people in every community – open to under-25s, with no need for referral.

And finally, we will guarantee a fair share of funding for mental health.

We will not abandon those in crisis.

Whenever I meet patients and staff, all over the country, people ask me the same thing, “What practical difference will Labour’s pledges make to me?”

It’s a good question.

Conference, here’s the answer:

Our resolute commitment to prevention, early intervention and timely treatment

will make the difference.

I’ll never forget the sight of a father with an ashen face being brought into the A&E in a wheelchair with his teenage daughter on his lap.

She was, covered in cuts and her body emaciated.

How is it fair that in Tory Britain parents have to give up work to be on suicide watch because they cannot access timely CAMHS support?

Sadly, I’ve met many such parents and their faces will never leave me.

This is why it is vital that children can see someone without bureaucracy, judgement, or red tape, our new mental health hubs will make a difference.

Labour will make the difference and what a contrast to Tory indifference.

Conference, in her ten years as a government Minister, do you know how many major policy speeches Liz Truss has made on mental health?

Not one.

Her reckless mini-budget has left people terrified.

Terrified of what’s to come this winter.

Terrified of how to support their families.

Terrified for their futures.

Liz, you can’t skip the blame for Britain’s mental health crisis.

For those of us who work shifts on the NHS frontline, the length of waiting lists is no surprise.

It’s what happens after over a decade of Tory decision making.

Conference, Labour will transform our mental health services.

New staff.

New services.

Faster treatment.

Prevention as our watchword.

Better mental health for all.

Conference, thank you.

September 28, 2022
Wes Streeting – 2022 Speech to Labour Party Conference

The speech made by Wes Streeting, the Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, on 28 September 2022.

If you want to see a monument to the Conservative Party’s mismanagement of the NHS is it this.

David Wakeley, an 87-year-old pensioner with cancer.

The makeshift tent was made by his son, to provide cover for David as he lay shivering on the rainswept concrete floor where he’d fallen.

He had fractured ribs and a fractured pelvis.

And he was forced to wait 15 hours for an ambulance.

This is the state of the NHS in Tory Britain and it is an absolute disgrace.

We have the highest NHS waiting lists in history.

People unable to see their GP.

Heart attack and stroke victims left waiting longer than an hour for an ambulance when every second counts.

The Tories will try to blame the pandemic.

But we had 100,000 NHS staff vacancies before the pandemic.

NHS waiting lists were already at a record 4.5 million BEFORE the pandemic.

The number of cancer patients not getting care on time rose in every single year since the Tories came to power BEFORE the pandemic.

The longer the Conservatives are in power, the longer patients will wait.

The Tories run from their record, but we’re proud of ours.

Proud of 89,000 more nurses.

44,000 more doctors.

Faster cancer treatment.

The lowest waiting times on record.

And the highest patient satisfaction in history.

That’s the difference a Labour government makes.

But the challenge today is even greater than it was in 1997.

The very principle of an NHS publicly funded, free at the point of use, is now under attack.

Conservatives who spent the last 12 years running down the NHS are now using their failures to claim that the NHS is beyond repair.

Lots of you know that I went through kidney cancer last year.

When I received that cancer diagnosis there were so many things I worried about.

But the one thing I didn’t have to worry about was the bill.

So, to those who argue we should abandon a publicly funded NHS free at the point of use I say: over my dead body.

I’m a Labour moderniser.

I make no apology for it.

Because if we don’t modernise and change the NHS, it will become unsustainable.

So, here’s what we’ll do to make the NHS fit for the future.

Without a workforce plan, the Conservatives have no plan for the NHS.

Everything else they announce is a sticking plaster that fails to address the root cause of the NHS crisis.

Politics is about choices. Labour believes the country needs doctors and nurses more than the richest need a tax cut.

So, we will double the number of medical training places

And create an extra 10,000 nursing and midwifery clinical placements every year.

More doctors, more nurses, lower waiting times, higher standards for patients

That’s the Labour pledge at the next general election.

Alongside investment will come the change and modernisation that the public are crying out for.

Voters won’t accept pouring money into 20th century healthcare that isn’t fit for the future.

We don’t focus nearly enough on prevention, early intervention and care in the community.

Because people can’t see a GP they end up in A&E, which is worse for them and more expensive for the taxpayer.

Because people can’t get the mental health support they need, they reach a crisis point, which is worse for them and more expensive for the taxpayer.

Because people can’t get the social care they need, they’re left stuck in hospital, which is worse for them and more expensive for the taxpayer.

So, the next Labour Government will agree a 10-year plan with the NHS to shift the focus of healthcare out of the hospital and into the community.

Our plan to recruit more doctors will deliver better access to GPs and ease pressure on A&Es.

Our plan to recruit 8,500 mental health workers will provide faster treatment, support in schools, and ease pressure on hospitals.

And our commitment to deliver better pay, terms and conditions for care workers, will reduce the 400,000 delayed discharges every month and provide better quality care for older and disabled people.

The first steps on the road to a National Care Service.

There are so many people in hospital who wouldn’t need to be there if we could provide quality care at home.

District nursing will be at the heart of Labour’s plan.

The Conservatives have cut four in ten District Nurse posts.

Labour will double the number of District Nurses qualifying every year.

For kids from working class backgrounds like mine, life chances and even life expectancy can be determined from the moment we’re born.

Health visitors have such an important role to play in helping Mums and Dads but they are managing dangerously high caseloads.

So, we will train 5,000 health visitors to tackle the shortage and give every child the best, healthy start in life.

Our 10 year plan for the NHS will be the antidote to the Tory miserablism about the NHS and its future.

I want Britain leading the revolution in medical science and technology.

It offers a world of possibility for the NHS to transform patient care.

Technology can diagnose patients more accurately than the human eye.

Virtual wards allow people to receive hospital care at home.

But the biggest prize of all is the advance in genomics and the data revolution that will allow us to transform our model care from one that diagnoses and treats illness to one that can predict and prevent it.

This will be at the heart of Labour’s 10 year plan for change and modernisation.

And so will higher standards for patients.

As Labour’s Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, I’ll be the shop steward for patients.

Giving patients a voice as well as choice.

Patients deserve better than a two week wait to see a GP.

I have higher standards for patients.

When we were in government, Labour guaranteed appointments within two days.

Labour will give all patients the ability to book online, the opportunity to self-refer to specialist services where appropriate and a wider range of choice so that we can choose whether we want to see someone face-to-face, on the phone or via a video link.

The days of waiting on the phone at 8am to book an appointment with your GP will be over and we will bring back the family doctor.

Patients need a Labour government.

The NHS isn’t just Labour’s greatest achievement.

It’s Britain’s greatest achievement.

And the values that underpin the NHS – a publicly funded public service, free at the point of use – aren’t just Labour’s values, they are Britain’s values, too.

And our Party has always understood that the NHS needs to change to adapt to modern challenges.

So now it falls to our generation.

No more over-flowing A&Es and waiting weeks to see a doctor.

No more patients dying before they can get the treatment they need.

No more staff in tears, leaving the NHS, broken and exhausted.

No more cancer patients left under make-shift shelters in their gardens, waiting 15 hours for an ambulance.

Instead – a Labour Government:

Empowering patients.

Cherishing staff.

Shifting to prevention.

Caring in the community

Giving real choices.

Tackling inequalities.

Building a National Care Service.

And an NHS fit for the future.

The cavalry is coming with Labour.

So, let’s go out there and win for Labour, win for the NHS and win for Britain.

Thank you.

September 28, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Welcoming support for a peaceful two-state solution by Israeli and Palestinian leaders [September 2022]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 28 September 2022.

Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council meeting on the Middle East peace process.

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

Let me start by welcoming both Prime Minister Lapid and President Abbas’ support for a two-state solution, during their speeches to the General Assembly last week. The UK firmly believes that a two-state solution, based on 1967 lines, with Jerusalem as a shared capital and a just solution for refugees is the best way to deliver long-term peace.

The challenges facing a two-state solution however remain significant. We share deep concerns about the deteriorating security situation in the West Bank. And we urge all parties to reduce tensions and avoid de-stabilising unilateral actions.

We urge Israel not to proceed with demolitions at Masafer Yatta, which would cause unnecessary suffering, and are against international law in all but the most exceptional circumstances.

We unequivocally condemn the execution of five Gazans by Hamas this month. The UK opposes the death penalty in all circumstances.

In the West Bank, in 2022 more Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces since the UN started recording fatalities in 2005. The UK remains fully supportive of Israel’s right to self-defence, but where there are accusations of excessive use of force, we advocate swift, transparent investigations.

We are appalled too by terrorist attacks against Israeli citizens. Such attacks cannot be justified.

We appreciate Norway’s leadership in convening the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee this month. We welcome progress on economic measures, including the electronic payment of Palestinian workers in Israel, and work ensuring the continued success of E-Vat. However, bolder and faster action is needed to deliver real economic change in the OPTs. TThe UK is committed to supporting another meeting of the Joint Economic Committee as soon as possible.

We also thank Jordan and Sweden for hosting a Ministerial meeting in support of UNRWA. The UK is a long-standing financial and political supporter of UNRWA, and we welcome UNRWA’s continued support to Palestinian refugees across the region. We encourage further dialogue among partners to ensure delivery on UNRWA’s mandate.

In conclusion President,

Peace will only be achieved only through meaningful dialogue between the parties, which tackles the drivers of instability and violence in the immediate term. We encourage further and deeper engagement towards this goal.

Thank you.

September 28, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : New £50 million cyber academy to benefit influential UK-US relationship [September 2022]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 28 September 2022.
- World-class cyber training in the UK to be expanded thanks to £50m investment.
- New academy will benefit international partners, including the US, through exchanging knowledge and ideas in cyberspace operations.
- Announcement made during defence summit onboard HMS Queen Elizabeth, anchored in New York City.
The announcement comes as UK and US defence chiefs attend the Atlantic Future Forum 2022 in New York City this week.

The two-day forum seeks to advance vital defence, security, trading and economic partnerships between the UK and US, and explore how to boost innovation, economic growth and resilience.

Building on the success of the UK’s Defence Cyber School, the new Defence Cyber Academy will develop sovereign and international courses and support wider UK endeavours in developing the national cyber profession – launching in 2022.

It will bolster the ranks of the UK and international allies, including the United States, training high-quality defence personnel to be at the forefront of cyber technology, strategy and operational preparedness. Closer alliances between our nations, delivered through shared experiences and training, will allow our personnel to better prepare for NATO, joint and multi-domain operations of the future.

Backed by £50 million, the academy will support the wider development of the national cyber profession, as part of the National Cyber Strategy. It will:
- Increase the volume and scope of training and education, supporting the growth of Defence’s cyber workforce
- Collaborate with global allies, to identify and adopt best-practice, and provide international products and services
- Engage with industry and academia to enhance its Higher Education and research programme
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said:

Defence co-operation between the United Kingdom and the United States is the broadest and deepest of any two countries in the world, and will continue to expand in the coming decades.

The Defence Cyber Academy builds on that collaboration, defining closer integration and shared capability, helping us and our allies counter global cyber security threats, staying one step ahead and at the forefront of this cutting-edge military domain.

Based in Shrivenham, Oxfordshire, the launch of the academy comes after the DCMS revealed cyber-attacks, including espionage activity and ransomware infiltration, across Government has cost an estimated £100 million in the last year.

Commander of Strategic Command, General Sir Jim Hockenhull said:

As Defence’s leader for the cyber domain, Strategic Command is committed to ensuring our personnel have the cyber skills needed to maintain a competitive edge against our adversaries. The Defence Cyber Academy will allow us to expand the training opportunities we offer, and share these with our international allies. This new development will help us share our expertise and better conduct the integrated operations needed in a modern battlespace.

The Atlantic Future Forum is taking place on board HMS Queen Elizabeth, anchored in the Hudson River just off New York City’s financial district. In the coming months, the aircraft carrier will be at the heart of a powerful task group made up of thousands of sailors, up to ten ships, F-35B Lightning jets, helicopter squadrons and Royal Marines Commandos which will operate across Europe this autumn.

The conference is an opportunity to discuss the success of the UK and US working collaboratively at unprecedented speed to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine with crucial military capabilities since Russia’s illegal and unprovoked invasion.

The continued and very close relationships between US and UK suppliers and governments has seen typical procurement timelines shortened from months to days, allowing the supply of military aid in record speed.

As well as the large capabilities, such as multi-launch rocket systems, ground-to-air missiles and anti-tank weapons, non-lethal military aid has been procured at pace. For example, around 200 armoured vehicles have been fitted with sophisticated military communications capabilities and delivered to Ukraine, involving the designing of dozens of components from scratch.
September 28, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : UK condemns Iranian attacks on the Kurdistan Region of Iraq [September 2022]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 28 September 2022.

Commenting on Iranian attacks on the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, Minister of State for the Middle East, South Asia, UN and the Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, said:

Iran must cease its indiscriminate bombardment of Kurdish towns which has led to the loss of innocent lives and damaged civilian infrastructure. These attacks are a violation of Iraq’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and are wholly unacceptable. They demonstrate a repeated pattern of Iranian destabilising activity in the region.

We stand with the Kurdistan Regional Government in condemning these attacks and will continue to support the sovereignty and security of Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region.

September 28, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Liz Truss call with President Zelenskyy [28 September 2022]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 28 September 2022.

The Prime Minister spoke to President Zelenksyy this afternoon to underline the UK’s steadfast support in light of Russia’s sham referendums in Ukraine.

The Prime Minister made clear that the UK would never recognise Russian attempts to annexe sovereign territory. She reiterated that Ukraine could depend on the UK’s support until President Putin was defeated.

President Zelenskyy updated the Prime Minister on the current military situation, and welcomed her strong backing, including at the UN General Assembly last week.

The Prime Minister thanked President Zelenksyy for his work in securing the release of five British nationals held by Russian-backed proxies in eastern Ukraine.

The leaders also discussed how the UK and Ukraine could work together to secure Ukraine’s gas supplies in the long term.

Both agreed to stay in close touch in the coming days and weeks.

September 28, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Asian hornets identified in Essex [September 2022]

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 28 September 2022.

Beekeepers and members of the public are today (Wednesday 28 September) being asked to remain vigilant after Asian hornets were spotted in the Rayleigh area of Essex.

The National Bee Unit has confirmed the sighting and monitoring is underway to detect further Asian hornets in the vicinity.

The Asian hornet is smaller than our native hornet and poses no greater risk to human health than our native wasps and hornets. However, they do pose a risk to honey bees and work is already underway to monitor for any hornet activity and to identify any nests nearby.

This is the first confirmed UK sighting since April 2022, when a single Asian hornet was captured in Felixstowe, Suffolk.

Defra’s Chief Plant and Bee Health Officer Nicola Spence said:

By ensuring we are alerted to possible sightings as early as possible, we can take swift and effective action to stamp out the threat posed by Asian hornets. That’s why we are working at speed to locate and investigate any nests in the area following this confirmed sighting.

While the Asian hornet poses no greater risk to human health than other wasps or hornets, we recognise the damage they can cause to honey bee colonies and other beneficial insects.

Please continue to look out for any Asian hornets and if you think you’ve spotted one, report your sighting through the Asian hornet app or online.

It is important to take care not to approach or disturb a nest. Asian hornets are not generally aggressive towards people but an exception to this is when they perceive a threat to their nest.

If you suspect you have seen an Asian hornet you should report this using the iPhone and Android app ‘Asian Hornet Watch’ or by using our online report form. Alternatively, e-mail alertnonnative@ceh.ac.uk.

Please include a photograph if you can safely obtain one.

Identification guides and more information are available and if you keep bees you should keep up to date with the latest situation on the gov.uk sightings page and on BeeBase.

September 28, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Full, equal and meaningful participation of women demystified: UK statement to the OSCE [September 2022]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 28 September 2022.

Joanna Hamer MBE (UK Ministry of Defence) highlights the importance of the Women, Peace and Security agenda at the OSCE, and outlines UK government actions.

I would like to thank Her Excellency Hadja Lahbib and the four panellists for their interventions. Hugely informative to the discussion today.

Mr Chair, as Colonel Romanova has so eloquently set out, the conflict in Ukraine has underlined the ongoing importance of today’s topic. We have already heard of the thousands of women serving in the Ukrainian Armed Forces to defend their homeland, of whom many are serving at or near the frontlines. Beyond service in the armed forces, in times of war, women are often the first responders, stepping up to organise and serve their communities. This is true in Ukraine, where women have been instrumental to the humanitarian, political, and security efforts in the defence of their country, including the collection of evidence to help bring the perpetrators of war crimes to account. The world has watched in horror as overwhelming evidence has emerged of heinous atrocities committed by the Russian Armed Forces against civilians, a large majority of them women. The UK has committed up to £2.5m this year to support Ukraine to deliver justice for these crimes, including sexual violence, through the Atrocity Crimes Advisory Group.

The UK is determined to ensure the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in our own Armed Forces. Women have served in the British Armed Forces for over a century. Since 2016, women have been able to serve in Ground Close Combat roles. And since 2018 they have been able to serve in any Armed Forces role, including that of the Special Forces. And as of last year, around sixteen thousand women are serving in the UK Regular Armed Forces – about 11% of the total strength. And of that 13.6% of women officers. Our Ministry of Defence has set a Level of Ambition to achieve a 30% inflow of women to the Armed Forces by 2030 – but this recognises that this must be combined with a greater focus on retention, inclusion and advancement into leadership positions. Following the report last year by the Defence Sub-Committee on Women in the Armed Forces, the Ministry of Defence has enacted new measures. I would just like to highlight three of these today:

Firstly, the Ministry published three new measures in July on preventing and addressing sexual exploitation. The Ministry has combined these with new trainings, transforming the Service Complaints Reform, setting up an independent Defence Service Crimes Unit and publishing statistics to improve transparency. Tackling all types of harassment, including sexual harassment, is important to creating an inclusive working environment.

Secondly, the Servicewomen’s Health Improvement Focus Team (SHIFT) was established to deliver key women’s health policies and initiatives. This ranges from procuring personal hygiene products, to starting a conversation through a series of blogs on women’s health – normalising discussion of women’s health topics. This conversation has supported the wellbeing of servicewomen, and helped others to better understand and support their colleagues.

Thirdly, all branches of the Armed Forces have made amendments to the uniform and clothing that address women’s sizing, body shape and body changes. This includes the development of the Narrow Scalable Tactical Vest (STV) and is part of UK efforts to ensure that our soldiers’ body armour is fit for purpose, improves comfort and represents the modern UK military, where men and women serve on equal terms.

Mr Chair, the UK is transparent about our national efforts and provides full information, including in our National Action Plan. The UK will launch its fifth National Action Plan later this year, in which will continue the important tradition of reporting to the UK Parliament. This transparency is also critical at the international level to hold us all to account. Our annual voluntary report on Women, Peace and Security under the OSCE’s Code of Conduct on Politico-Military Aspects of Security is an important method of sharing information and best practice on an issue where we can all learn from each other.

Mr. Chair, I wish to conclude by highlighting again the importance of the Women Peace and Security Agenda. As experience has taught us, the full, equal and meaningful participation of women leads to better outcomes during and after conflicts. The joint statement supported by 53 of the 57 participating States at the Ministerial Council last year shows the overwhelming support for doing so. And as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine reminds us daily – we have a clear moral and practical imperative to act.

September 28, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Deaf jurors supported by sign language interpreter for first time [September 2022]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 28 September 2022.
- First Deaf jurors complete jury service with British Sign Language interpreter support
- Law change allows interpreters in the jury deliberation room as the thirteenth person
- Move opens jury service up to thousands more people
This summer, Karen – a volunteer at charity DeafCOG in London – became the first Deaf person to complete jury service with a BSL interpreter at Croydon Crown Court, deliberating over a racially aggravated harassment case. Karen was also chosen by the other members of the jury to act as the jury foreperson – the spokesperson responsible for announcing the verdict.

Others are now following in Karen’s footsteps, including Paul who served on a serious sexual assault case at Norwich Crown Court last month. Both jurors had three interpreters who rotated every 20 minutes to assist them, as well as the full support of the judge and HM Courts and Tribunals Service staff.

The move follows changes brought in through the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act, which allow BSL interpreters into the jury deliberation room. It is expected that this will open up jury service to over 80,000 Deaf people across England and Wales.

Speaking about her experiences in court, Karen said:

My jury experience at Croydon Crown Court went smoothly and exceeded my expectations.

The staff, from the jury manager, ushers, clerks and judges were extremely aware of the needs of myself and the BSL interpreting team. I was made to feel included every step of the way.

An excellent and amazing opportunity for me and what a great start to leading the way for other Deaf jurors in the future, now that BSL is recognised as a language.

Paul said:

Being on jury duty has been a dream of mine and I believe the Deaf/BSL community has so much to offer. When the law changed to allow the Deaf/BSL community to sit on a jury, and I received my summons, naturally I was excited but nervous as I did not know what to expect.

Upon arriving at Norwich Crown Court, I was made to feel very welcome and there were three BSL interpreters ready. It was surreal experience and the whole process was streamlined and smooth. The training was clear and easy to follow, then the trial began, and I was amazed that I was treated equally to other jurors. This give me a sense of respect as the other jurors were keen to work with me and make me feel involved.

The trial ran over and the interpreters I had been working with were now unavailable. However, I was pleased to see the judge and court staff went above and beyond to find alternative interpreters for the rest of the trial. It was sorted without a hinderance. The judge requested feedback from me on how to improve for future cases and expressed a strong desire to make sure Norwich Crown Court is accessible and fair for all. I was deeply touched by this.

I was so honoured to be selected as the foreperson by other members of the jury, making me the first Deaf/BSL foreperson at Norwich Crown Court! It was a very empowering experience and I want to say thank you to everyone at the court and in the jury for making this possible. I look forward to seeing more of the Deaf/BSL community being part of the justice system, as it should be.

Guidance on working with jurors supported by BSL interpreters was provided to court staff, judges and other jury members to ensure they could communicate effectively with Karen and Paul, as well as the interpreters. Printed oaths for the interpreters were also placed in the courtrooms which contained new wording specific to not influencing, interfering or disclosing the deliberation of the jury.

Justice Minister Gareth Johnson said:

We are breaking down the barriers for Deaf people carrying out jury service, ensuring they can fully and equally participate in court proceedings.

I am delighted that the door is now open to thousands more potential jurors as we establish a more accessible and inclusive justice system for all.

Work and Pensions Secretary Chloe Smith said:

The first Deaf juror completing jury service is an historic moment on our path towards a more inclusive and accessible society. I am so glad to hear of Karen and Paul’s positive experiences while undertaking an important act of public service.

Earlier this year the British Sign Language Act became law, and I’m delighted to see that our work to recognise BSL as a language is fulfilling its promise to help remove barriers faced by the D/deaf community.

The move has been well-received within the Deaf community.

Mark Atkinson, Chief Executive at RNID, said:

RNID and our supporters are delighted that deaf BSL users can now serve on juries and are no longer excluded from this act of citizenship. This move will allow tens of thousands of deaf people who use BSL as their first language to take part in jury service, a duty which all of us should have a responsibility to undertake.

We are pleased to see another step forward towards inclusion for the Deaf community, yet there are still many barriers which exist for deaf BSL users in society. We’re pleased to see this positive step, and eagerly anticipate many more barriers being broken as Government works towards the delivery of the British Sign Language Act.

David Buxton, British Deaf Association Chair, said:

After decades of campaigning, the 87,000 Deaf people in the UK whose first or preferred language is BSL are now finally able to serve as jurors alongside their hearing fellow citizens.

We are pleased that the Ministry of Justice has recognised that a BSL interpreter is there to support the Deaf juror, rather than to act as a thirteenth juror. Interpreters follow a strict professional Code of Conduct which prevents them from influencing the judicial process in any way.

This represents a crucial and long overdue step forward in the equality, inclusion and participation of Deaf people in our democracy, combined with the BSL Act – which passed on the same day in April 2022 – recognising British Sign Language as a language of Great Britain in law for the first time.

Barriers to Deaf people’s full democratic participation remain – we have yet to see the election of a Deaf MP – but we hope that this important step demonstrates the potentially huge contribution that the Deaf community in the UK can make to our society when reasonable adjustments such as BSL interpreters are provided as standard.

We look forward to continue working with the Government to break down further unnecessary barriers and challenge discriminatory attitudes and practices in future.
September 28, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Transport Secretary calls for international action to decarbonise global aviation [September 2022]
The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 28 September 2022.
- Transport Secretary will call on countries worldwide to agree long-term goal for reducing aviation carbon emissions
- earlier this week, the UK led a meeting of 56 states pushing for higher ambition to tackle aviation’s climate impacts
- government continues to deliver on COP26 commitments
Decarbonising the aviation sector requires global action, new Transport Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan will tell the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Assembly in Montreal today (28 September 2022).

The UK is attending the assembly with the aim of reaching agreements that help secure the sustainability and resilience of global aviation.

During the Transport Secretary’s opening statement, ICAO – the United Nations’ body in charge of ensuring aviation is safe, secure and environmentally friendly – will be urged to adopt a long-term goal to clean up the sector and reduce its emissions in line with the Paris Agreement.

The Secretary of State for Transport will also highlight the need for countries around the world to learn lessons from the international response to the COVID-19 pandemic and to ensure the global aviation sector is better prepared for future threats, such as public health crises.

Her intervention comes after the International Aviation Climate Ambition Coalition, launched by the UK at COP26, met on Monday in Montreal.

Now bringing together governments from 56 countries across the world, the coalition calls for ambitious action by ICAO and is committed to promoting the use of new fuels and technologies to tackle aviation’s contribution to climate change.

Transport Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan is expected to say:

We value international aviation’s important contribution to global commerce, travel and tourism and to economic growth globally. Now it must do so sustainably. Failure here puts the future of aviation itself at risk.

We cannot ignore the threat that rising temperatures pose to our planet. This year alone we have seen extreme weather events affect all of our regions.

As one of the fastest growing sources of greenhouse gas emissions, aviation has an important role to play in tackling climate change.

Suzi Kerr, Senior Vice President and Chief Economist, Environmental Defense Fund, said:

There’s a bright future ahead where we can all thrive in a stable climate and where we can chart a more sustainable flight path while protecting ecosystems and supporting communities.

Now is the time for countries to set a long-term path, define waypoints and ambition in the short term and enhance transparency and cooperation. Coordination and cooperation, such as through the International Aviation Climate Ambition Coalition and engagement with civil society are critical to this effort.

The assembly will be asked to agree to focus on new aircraft technologies and unlocking the full potential of sustainable aviation fuels on a global scale.

The push for stronger international action comes after the government published its Jet Zero strategy in July, which set out how UK aviation will achieve net zero emissions by 2050 through new fuels, technologies and other measures, and made clear how crucial international action and collaboration through ICAO is to effectively address aviation’s emissions.

The UK has also committed to introduce a sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) mandate from 2025, requiring at least 10% of jet fuel to be from sustainable sources by 2030, with increasing proportions of SAF blended from 2025.

Turning to support for Ukraine, the Transport Secretary will reaffirm the UK’s continued condemnation of the Russian government’s reprehensible actions which violate international law, the UN Charter and global aviation rules.
September 28, 2022