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Tag: 2023

  • PRESS RELEASE : Statement on bus shelters contract with Valo Smart City [August 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Statement on bus shelters contract with Valo Smart City [August 2024]

    The press release issued by Croydon Council on 12 October 2023.

    Croydon Council is taking steps to terminate its contract with Valo Smart City to deliver bus shelters in the borough.

    Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon said: “This is an incredibly frustrating and unacceptable situation which has arisen through the procurement of the contract for the supply of new bus shelters with digital advertising screens in 2020.

    “The council awarded this contract in 2021, to Valo Smart City which had no track record of delivering a contract like this in the UK and has failed to deliver a single bus shelter in our borough.

    “The worst of it is that all the existing bus shelters were removed leaving residents without shelter and facing a third winter out in the cold.

    “Since I was elected in May 2022, many attempts have been made to arrange a working plan that would deliver the shelters; timelines have been shifted, negotiations have taken place, and none of this has resulted in a satisfactory outcome. Our residents have waited long enough.

    “Bus shelters and street furniture are an important part of the transport network and street scene, and I am determined that we must restore them for the benefit of commuters, residents, and businesses. The council is taking immediate steps to terminate the contract with Valo Smart City and we have informed them of our intent to pursue damages. Meanwhile council officers are reviewing our options to get bus shelters back on our streets as soon as possible.”

  • Andrew Mitchell – 2024 Speech at the Opening of the British High Commission Dodoma Office

    Andrew Mitchell – 2024 Speech at the Opening of the British High Commission Dodoma Office

    The speech made by Andrew Mitchell, the Foreign Office Minister, on 5 April 2023.

    Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Regional Commissioner of Dodoma, officials and honoured guests, mabibi na mbwana, ladies and gentlemen,

    Hamjambo! Hello.

    Nimefurahi kuwa hapa. I am delighted to be here.

    It is an honour to open the UK’s newest overseas office. I’m on a bit of a roll here, a few days ago I was in N’Djamena, the capital of Chad, to open our first ever Embassy there.

    It is a special privilege to be opening our High Commission in Dodoma in the month that your country celebrates the 60th anniversary of the Union.

    Today is not simply a sign of the confidence and value we place in our partnership with your government. It is also an outcome of the warm and enduring ties between our people, nurtured through decades of cooperation and friendship at all levels.

    Many notable Tanzanians have studied in the UK, from Julius Nyerere to Her Excellency President Samia Suluhu Hassan.

    These illustrious names are joined by over 800 former Commonwealth scholars and 300 former Chevening scholars. We are so proud of these brilliant links between our 2 countries and the fabulous cooperation these scholarships have produced.

    And as you are aware your excellences, the UK remains Tanzania’s second largest foreign investor, and one of our key bonds is our development partnership.

    And we want to invest in it further, drawing renewed inspiration both from Tanzania’s development ambitions and our recently published white paper on international development – which I must urge you to read if you have not  done so. It is a compelling page turner that sets out the Britain’s plan for getting the SDGs back on track by 2030. And it is available on our website fcdo.gov.uk.

    It was received very well by our partners. And we were so pleased when her excellence  President Samia agreed to provide a quote welcoming it. High praise indeed.

    And as you take stock of the past 6 decades, you have much to be proud of. Whether it is the long period of peace and social cohesion, or the opening of your economy in the 1990s to drive economic growth, or the progress in improving access to healthcare and education, including the recent achievement of parity of enrolment for girls in primary school.

    These are huge achievements all of us can take inspiration from.

    On the regional and global stage, we welcome President Samia’s efforts to champion investment in Africa’s human capital and food systems; for her advocacy for gender equality and climate action is particularly commendable.

    And we recognise the contributions Tanzania has made over the years to regional peacekeeping and the hosting of refugees, including in the eastern DRC.

    I know that you face challenges in making further progress on the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly to reduce extreme poverty and to deliver growth.

    I want to assure you that the UK is with you every step of the way as we clearly set out in our white paper. Our development roadmap prioritises mobilising more money from international financial institutions and increasing private sector investment in development.

    It is worth noting that around world something like 90% of all jobs are created not by governments but by the private sector.

    There are 3 things  we think we should focus on.

    First, we must reform the international system to better serve your interests in terms of trade, tax, debt, and tackling money laundering and dirty money.

    Second, we must work together to tackle global challenges, be it climate change, food insecurity or investing in education and health.

    Finally, we must harness innovation and digital transformation, making the best use of  technologies, science and research.

    We have already hit the ground running. Later today we hope to  have the honour of  signing  a UK-Tanzania Mutual Prosperity Partnership. Strengthening bilateral trade and investment, supporting better jobs and delivering more inclusive growth – I am very excited by what this partnership will enable us to achieve together.

    Tackling climate change will be vital in delivering on this agenda. We support President Samia’s ambition to move Tanzania away from the damaging use of charcoal in cooking and to expand the use of renewable energy.

    I am therefore delighted that the UK will be spending £5.5 million over the next 2 years on promoting clean cooking, clean energy access and urban resilience. Our programming will help bring clean cooking to 200 schools as well as thousands of households and assist several clean technology businesses to scale up their operations in Tanzania.

    We have a responsibility, as we build prosperity, to ensuring opportunities for all to share in it. Something I know is very close to the heart of the Tanzania government.

    Since 2015, the Britain  has invested over £112 million in building the social safety net for Tanzania’s poorest households. The UK will continue to partner with the Government of Tanzania in its efforts to lift the most vulnerable out of poverty and increase resilience to climate and economic shocks.

    We will also work with the government in building a resilient health system, to reduce preventable deaths, respond to disease outbreaks and build the capacity for universal health coverage by 2030. To help drive forward this ambition, I am announcing today that the UK will invest £15 million in strengthening health systems in Tanzania including through a £10 million contribution to the multi-donor Health Basket Fund.

    Tanzania is at a crossroads, undergoing a demographic transition. By ensuring women and girls have secure access to quality, affordable, and inclusive family planning services, we can accelerate progress on human capital outcomes as outlined in your Vision 2050.

    And that is why I am also delighted to announce today that the UK will be extending its Scaling Up Family Planning programme, which has reached over 4 million women since 2017, by the sum of £12 million, to deliver lifesaving and transformative SRHR services to an additional 900,000 Tanzanians. This programme will help prevent 1,400 maternal deaths, 1 million unintended pregnancies, and 207,000 unsafe abortions.

    These initiatives demonstrate  Britain’s commitment to our very close cooperation, partnership, and above all, our friendship. And after a period of very considerable budgetary pressure in Britain, I can announce too today that for the next financial year, which starts today, our bilateral programmes with Tanzania, the British and Tanzania development programme will more than triple this year from £17.6 million to £57 million.

    So this office will be a little piece of the UK here in Dodoma, setting the stage for the next 60 years. As we work together to deliver for the people of our 2 great countries.

    To those of you based in Dodoma, we will now be your jirani [neighbour]. Please do pop in for a cup of tea anytime.

    Thank you for welcoming us to the neighbourhood. Asanteni sana.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Education Secretary gives opening address at Bett show 2024 [January 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Education Secretary gives opening address at Bett show 2024 [January 2024]

    The press release issued by the Department for Education on 24 January 2024.

    Gillian Keegan sets out importance of evidence and innovation in approach to AI at Bett 2024.

    Speaking at the Bett show in London today (Wednesday 24 January), the Education Secretary encouraged the sector to innovate and explore the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to transform teaching and learning.

    The Education Secretary argued that, alongside robust regulation and an evidence-based approach, international collaboration is key if we are to take advantage of the opportunities offered by this emerging technology.

    She told the conference, which was attended by thousands of teachers, tech experts and educators:

    Since I stood on this stage in March last year, we’ve seen generative AI continue to develop at pace and spark conversations all over the globe. Those conversations have highlighted some of the opportunities and the challenges that AI might bring.

    …Today we’re publishing our latest research on AI in education, having brought together views from our world-leading experts and educators… I want to encourage countries to continue sharing evidence as it’s generated, so we can all better harness the opportunities to make a real difference in classrooms across the world.

    She continued:

    This country’s EdTech sector contains a wealth of innovators and leaders who are looking to the future.

    Alongside them are the brilliant educators, hundreds of whom responded to our recent call for evidence which told us how generative AI is saving hours of planning time and helping to reduce workloads.

    Caroline Wright, Director General of the British Educational Suppliers Association (BESA) said:

    It is good to see the Education Secretary supporting the UK’s EdTech sector at Bett. Bett is the world’s largest international EdTech exhibition and underlines the UK’s importance in leading global EdTech innovation and implementation.

    Collaboration is key to successful EdTech adoption, and given the Education Secretary’s commitment to improving access and use of technology in education, it is timely that she will officially open Bett 2024 and welcome the 30,000 educators attending to learn, network and be inspired by ground-breaking technology solutions and services.

    The Prime Minister’s AI summit at Bletchley Park last year positioned the UK as a world leader in this area, and the government is building a strong evidence base to inform its work on AI, including in education.

    The speech coincides with the publication of the Educator and expert views report from the Department for Education, which contains insights from interviews with teachers, educators and academic experts, reaffirming the view that Generative AI could have a transformative impact on education.

    For example, one teacher found that AI tools have helped her to personalise lessons and tailor resources for pupils. She said:

    Embracing AI in teaching not only significantly lightens my workload but also enhances my creative expression, allowing me to design more innovative and engaging learning experiences for my students.

    The report is supportive of the results of the Call for Evidence on Artificial Intelligence in education, published in November, which found that educational professionals are already embracing the opportunities offered by AI. The results of a two-day hackathon, held in October in conjunction with Faculty AI and the National Institute of Teaching, will be published in spring, further strengthening the department’s evidence base.

    Respondents felt that successful use of Generative AI within their education settings relied on having a strong digital infrastructure. To help achieve this, last week, the Department published new digital and technology standards on laptops, desktops and tablets, leadership and governance, and accessibility.  The digital and technology standards support school staff to understand their roles and responsibilities to make sure that technology is accessible for all.

    The report also reveals that academic misconduct is a top concern for educators and experts alike. To tackle this, the department is working closely with its regulators and the Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology (DSIT), to ensure the responsible use of AI in education, informed by the AI Regulation White Paper, Published last March.

    Secretary of State for Science, Innovation, and Technology, Michelle Donelan, said:

    The transformative benefits of AI are already being felt across society. I know that harnessing its potential to help our young minds learn and our brilliant educators teach is something we can all get behind.

    By tapping into AI we can deliver personalised support for learners to help them in their studies, and free teachers from a range of administrative tasks to give them more time in front of the whiteboard. This will ensure we can deliver a world-leading education system in every classroom in the country.

    At Bett, the Education Secretary also highlighted how the government is creating a forward-looking skills sector that is equipped to deal with AI. Last year, over 22,000 people started a digital apprenticeship, while digital Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs) and Skills Bootcamps are helping both young and adult learners to develop their skillset and grasp the opportunities associated with AI.

    Building a future-proofed skills landscape alongside a strong evidence base is helping the sector to take advantage of AI safely, allowing for innovation that could transform education for the better.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Legacy backlog cleared as plan to stop the boats delivers [January 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Legacy backlog cleared as plan to stop the boats delivers [January 2024]

    The press release issued by the Home Office on 2 January 2024.

    The legacy asylum backlog target has been met with more than 112,000 asylum cases cleared in 2023 and small boat crossing arrivals down by 36%.

    The Prime Minister’s commitment of clearing the legacy asylum backlog has been delivered, with 112,000 asylum cases being processed in the past year.

    Ending the legacy asylum backlog, a pivotal step in the government’s pledge to stop the boats, comes as end-of-year statistics show small boat crossings were down by 36% in 2023. In recent months, crossings have fallen even more sharply – by 45% in the second half of the year and 64% in the final quarter of 2023, against equivalent periods in 2022. This is despite sea crossings into Europe surging by 80% in 2023.

    In December 2022, the Prime Minister pledged to tackle the remaining legacy asylum backlog – which had more than 92,000 cases of individuals who claimed asylum before 28 June 2022, which were still waiting for an initial decision.

    Fundamental changes to the decision-making process and boosting efficiency has resulted in 112,000 asylum decisions this year, and the highest annual number of substantive decisions in a year since 2002.

    The government stepped up processing, deploying an additional 1,200 caseworkers, meeting our target to double the number of asylum caseworkers and tripling productivity to ensure more illegal migrants are returned to their country of origin, quicker.

    The increased efficiency has seen the Home Office not just clear the original 92,000 legacy asylum backlog, but exceed it, processing 112,000 cases.

    All cases in the legacy backlog have now been reviewed, with 86,800 decisions made. In one 4-week period from 20 November to 17 December 2023, there were 20,481 initial asylum decisions made, this is more than the number of asylum decisions made in the entirety of 2021.

    When the Prime Minister set out his ambition to cut the backlog, he made clear it could not be cleared at the expense of thorough security and background checks. This has meant that, despite the surge in decision-making, the grant rate for asylum decisions in 2023 is at 67%, lower than in both 2022 and 2021, which were 76% and 72% respectively.

    While all cases have been reviewed and 112,000 decisions made overall, 4,500 complex cases have been highlighted that require additional checks or investigation for a final decision to be made. These hard cases typically relate to asylum seekers presenting as children – where age verification is taking place; those with serious medical issues; or those with suspected past convictions, where checks may reveal criminality that would bar asylum.

    The robust action taken by the government to disrupt and deter small boat gangs and people smugglers has seen the UK defy trends across Europe, and large parts of the world, by having fewer small boat arrivals than the previous year, while sea crossings to Europe are up 80%.

    As well as individuals arriving by small boats dropping by 36%, there has also been a 46% decrease in the number of vessels crossing the Channel, demonstrating the success of operations to disrupt the supply of boats and engines.

    Further action by the government in 2023 includes:

    • returning more than 24,000 people who have no right to be in the UK, including more than 5,500 Albanians, some of whom were removed within 48 hours of illegally arriving by small boat
    • a surge in enforcement visits, with 10,509 in the first 9 months of 2023 compared to 6,865 in same period in 2022 and 5,576 people arrested linked to these compared to 2,175 in the previous year – including illegal working, overstaying, facilitating illegal entry and entering illegally
    • a 68% increase in illegal working visits
    • 246 arrests of people smugglers

    Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:

    I am determined to end the burden of illegal migration on the British people. That is why we have taken action to stop the boats, return hotels to their local communities, and deter those wanting to come here illegally from doing so.

    By clearing the legacy asylum backlog, deciding more than 112,000 cases, we are saving the taxpayer millions of pounds in expensive hotel costs, reducing strain on public services and ensuring the most vulnerable receive the right support.

    But we cannot be complacent, which is why I am focused on delivering on my commitment to stop the boats and get flights off the ground to Rwanda.

    Home Secretary James Cleverly said:

    While illegal entries across Europe are going up, the number of people coming into the UK illegally is going down. This is a significant achievement, but the job is far from over.

    I will continue to do everything possible to stop the boats. No people smuggler will be safe, we will work with law enforcement partners and governments across the world who want to tackle this threat and ensure that British taxpayer money is not wasted on people trying to abuse our generosity.

    The UK will continue to work with international partners to tackle illegal migration. In 2023, we signed new agreements with countries including France, Albania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Italy, Georgia and Ethiopia.

    The government will progress its Safety of Rwanda Bill through Parliament, which will enable Parliament to make clear Rwanda is a safe country, address the conclusions of the Supreme Court in November and allow flights to relocate asylum seekers to Rwanda to start.

    The UK continues to urge genuine asylum seekers to claim asylum in the first safe country they reach, and the government will continue to target, disrupt and dismantle people smuggling gangs, who continue to lure vulnerable people to undertaking the deadly journey across the Channel.

    We will be going further this year in targeting the people smugglers and breaking their business model through leveraging international cooperation and innovative disruption tactics.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak call with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine [January 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak call with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine [January 2024]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 2 January 2024.

    Prime Minister Rishi Sunak spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy today.

    He offered his condolences to all those Ukrainians killed and injured in barbaric Russian airstrikes over the Christmas period. The Prime Minister said the UK would continue to stand steadfastly by Ukraine as they fight aggression and occupation, throughout 2024 and into the future.

    The leaders discussed recent developments in the conflict, including progress in the Black Sea and the success of the Ukrainian air defence, bolstered by UK-supplied ground-to-air missiles.

    The Prime Minister set out ongoing UK work to provide military and diplomatic support to Ukraine, including through further deliveries of lethal aid, support for President Zelenskyy’s peace plan and a long-term security framework.

  • PRESS RELEASE : VAT on period pants scrapped [January 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : VAT on period pants scrapped [January 2024]

    The press release issued by HM Treasury on 1 January 2024.

    Women will save up to £2 on a £12 pair of period pants as the government scraps VAT on the underwear.

    • Women to save up to £2 on period pants worth £12 as government scraps VAT today.
    • Retailers, including M&S, Primark and Tesco, have committed to pass on the savings, worth 16%.
    • Move follows scrapping of tampon tax in 2021, removing VAT from sanitary products, following the UK’s decision to leave the EU.

    From today, 1 January 2024, women will save up to £2 on a £12 pair of period pants – up to 16% – as the government scraps VAT on the underwear.

    The pledge to scrap the tax was made by the Chancellor Jeremy Hunt at the Autumn Statement 2023 and follows the end of the tampon tax in January 2021.

    Around 80 MPs, charities and retailers called on the government to scrap the VAT in August 2023.

    With Marks & Spencer spearheading the campaign, other retailers including Primark and Tesco have committed to pass the tax cut straight to the consumer.

    Financial Secretary to the Treasury, Nigel Huddleston, said:

    This is a victory for women across the UK and for the campaigners who’ve helped raise awareness of the growing importance of period pants.

    It’s only right that women and girls can find more affordable options for what has become an essential and environmentally friendly product.

    Since reforming the ‘tampon tax’, the market for period underwear has expanded and they are now a mainstream choice for many women. The scrapping of the current VAT will ensure that period underwear is treated the same as traditional period products.

    Having left the European Union, the UK is no longer legally bound by EU laws which saw sanitary products subject to five different rates of VAT between 1973 and 2021.

    The move comes after the ‘Say Pants to the Tax’ campaign, led by retailers such as Marks & Spencer, women’s groups and environmentalists, called to scrap the tax.

    Victoria McKenzie-Gould, Corporate Affairs Director at Marks & Spencer, said:

    Paying tax on period pants was a bum deal for women everywhere so we’re thrilled that the Treasury has done the right thing by axing the tax and levelling the playing field on period products for good.

    Nearly 25% of women cite cost as a barrier to using period pants so we know the new legislation that comes into effect from today will make a big difference to women’s budgets across the UK.

    A big thank you to WUKA, the tens of thousands of individuals, politicians, brand and retailers, who threw their weight behind our campaign – Say Pants to the Tax – and of course a big thank you to the Chancellor and HM Treasury team who made the change we were campaigning for a reality.

    Women with sensory issues who find conventional period products difficult to use will also benefit from period pants becoming more affordable.

    The savings for women are subject to the VAT cut being passed on, with the army of retailers behind the campaign pledging themselves to play their part to pass on the 20% VAT cut.

    Laura Coryton, tampon tax campaigner and founder of social enterprise Sex Ed Matters, said:

    Ending the tax on period underwear will make a huge difference, particularly given skyrocketing levels of period poverty across the UK. It will also help to tackle the stigma associated with periods, which stops at least 10% of girls going to school every month.

    Now, it is important for retailers to pass savings on to consumers, not only in relation to period underwear, but all period products.

    Further information

    • Women’s Sanitary Products have been subject to five different tax rates since 1973. The UK first introduced VAT in 1973 with a standard rate of 10% applied to sanitary products. In 1974, standard VAT was cut to 8%, before rising to 15% in 1979 and 17.5% in 1991. The government moved sanitary products to a reduced rate of 5% in January 2001 following a campaign and debates in Parliament.
    • Read the 50 retailers’ letter to the Financial Secretary to the Treasury from August 2023.
  • PRESS RELEASE : English Sparkling Wine makers raise a glass to new opportunities [December 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : English Sparkling Wine makers raise a glass to new opportunities [December 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 31 December 2023.

    On the eve of New Year reforms for the wine industry, Environment Secretary Steve Barclay today welcomed the scrapping of outdated rules inherited from the EU.

    The reforms made possible by leaving the EU will uncork innovation, encourage sustainable practices and reduce burdens for businesses.

    In addition to the UK’s longstanding status as a global wine trading hub, with a wine market worth over £10 billion last year, England and Wales have a fast-growing winemaking industry.

    Now boasting almost 900 vineyards, hectares under vine in the UK have more than quadrupled since 2000. Viticulture – the cultivation and harvesting of grapes – is now Britain’s fastest-growing agricultural sector, employing around 2,300 people full time with a predicted 50% growth in jobs by 2025.

    WineGB also reports 2023 is Great Britain’s largest-ever grape harvest, expected to produce an estimated 20-22m bottles and over 50% bigger on Britain’s previous record year in 2018.

    Benefiting from perfect growing conditions in the south of England, English Sparkling Wine has seen a surge in popularity in recent years with 8.3 million bottles produced last year. The home-grown fizz is expected to be a popular choice for Brits to see in the New Year.

    From tomorrow (1 January 2024), makers of English Sparkling Wine will no longer have to use mushroom-shaped stoppers and foil covers on bottlenecks, giving producers the choice to opt for simpler packaging to reduce both waste and costs.

    Restrictions will also be scrapped on the making and selling of piquette – a lower-alcohol drink dating back to antiquity, made by extracting the remaining goodness from grapes left over after winemaking. This gives producers the option to create new income streams and tap into consumer demand for lower-alcohol drinks.

    In a move welcomed by wine traders, the government will also remove the requirement for imported wines to have an importer address on the label, reducing administrative burdens for businesses.

    Environment Secretary Steve Barclay said:

    Our departure from the EU gives us the opportunity to review and scrap outdated and burdensome rules that have been holding back our wine sector.

    The reforms we’re introducing tomorrow will help our wine producers and traders become more profitable, dynamic, and sustainable – while freeing them from pointless red tape.

    Looking ahead to 2024, I’m committed to this government continuing to support our world-class winemakers, vineyards and traders to grow and innovate.

    Nicola Bates, CEO of WineGB, the trade association for Great British vineyard and wine producers, said:

    We welcome the additional choice that comes from this first phase of actions from the wine reform consultation. There will be producers who are keen to take advantage of all and every option to reduce materials on bottles, so we can expect to see fewer foils on sparkling allowing you to celebrate that bit faster, and with an environmental benefit.

    We look forward to working with Government and the Defra team on future consultations, and am sure they will be as constructive as those now being implemented.

    Earlier this week, the government announced that businesses will be able to sell prepacked still and sparkling wine in 500ml and 200ml sizes as well as a new 568ml ‘pint’ quantity.

    The reforms coming into force tomorrow (1 January 2024) follow this year’s Wine: reforms to retained EU law consultation) on the overly complex and bureaucratic existing 400-page rulebook for wine. The changes aim to facilitate international trade and foster domestic innovation and growth.

    • The UK wine market was worth over £10 billion in 2022 in off-trade and on-trade sales, and the UK’s developing domestic production sector has attracted significant global investment.
    • The UK is a global hub for wine. It is home to a diverse and dynamic wine sector and is the second largest importer of wine in the world by value.
    • In 2022, off-trade sales of still, sparkling, and fortified wine via supermarkets, convenience stores, and specialist off-licences in the UK were worth around £7.6 billion, while on-trade sales through hospitality outlets were worth an estimated £3.5 billion.
    • The domestic winemaking sector in England and Wales is by comparison very small, but rapidly growing and developing a global reputation for quality. Production reports for 2022 show a 36% increase in production. There has been a 74% growth in hectarage of vines between 2017 and 2022 (from 2257ha to 3928 ha).
  • PRESS RELEASE : New legal restrictions on XL Bully dog now in force [December 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : New legal restrictions on XL Bully dog now in force [December 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 31 December 2023.

    It is now illegal to breed, sell, advertise, gift, exchange, and abandon these dogs or let them stray.

    New restrictions on the XL Bully dogs are now in force (31 December) making it a legal requirement for all XL Bully dogs to be kept on a lead and muzzled when in public. It is also illegal to breed, sell, advertise, gift, exchange, abandon or let XL Bully dogs stray from today.

    The decision to ban XL Bully dogs was made following a concerning rise in attacks from these dangerous dogs, with 23 people sadly losing their lives after vicious dog attacks in the last three years. XL Bullies have been involved in many of these tragic deaths.

    Owners are also being urged to apply to register their current XL Bully dogs, as the Government takes action to safely manage the existing population of the breed. There is only a month left to meet the deadline when the ban comes into force on 1 February.

    Owning an unregistered dog after this date will be a criminal offence, with owners who don’t facing a criminal record and an unlimited fine.

    Owners who do not want to keep their dogs after this date should take them to a vet to have them put down.

    If owners are unsure whether their dog could be classed as an XL Bully, they should check their dog carefully against our guidance and photo examples of XL Bully dogs to help them decide.

    Environment Secretary Steve Barclay said:

    The Prime Minister pledged to take quick and decisive action to protect the public from devastating dog attacks with measures in place by the end of 2023. We have met that pledge – it is now a legal requirement for XL Bully dogs to be muzzled and on a lead in public. It is also now illegal to breed, sell, advertise, gift, exchange, abandon or let XL Bully dogs stray.

    All XL Bully owners are expected to comply with the law and we will continue to work closely with the police, canine and veterinary experts, and animal welfare groups, with further restrictions on XL Bully dogs coming into force on 1 February.

    The Government has taken a staggered approach to safely manage the existing population of XL Bully dogs, while ultimately banning the breed.

    On the 31 October, XL Bully dogs were added to the Dangerous Dogs Act, with owners given two months to prepare for the first stage of the ban.

    Since the 31 December [today], it is illegal to breed, sell, advertise, gift, exchange, abandon or let XL Bully dogs stray. All XL Bully dogs must also be kept on a lead and muzzled when in public.

    From 1st February all XL Bully dogs must be registered.

    From 30 June, XL Bully dogs over 1 year old must be neutered, this is extended until the 31 December for younger dogs.

    Notes to readers:

    • Leading animal welfare organisations including Blue Cross, Dogs Trust, PDSA and Battersea Dogs and Cats Home have developed a range of helpful resources and free online learning opportunities to support owners to muzzle train their dogs.
    • To register an XL Bully, owners must hold active public liability insurance for their dog, have had their dog microchipped, and pay the application fee. Owners will also be required to provide proof that their dog has been neutered. This will be by 30 June 2024 for most dogs, and by the end of 2024 for dogs under one-year-old on 31 January 2024.
    • Owners who no longer wish to keep their dogs and who arrange for a vet to put them down may apply for compensation towards this. Owners and their vets will need to complete a form to make a claim.
    • Owners can access the most up-to-date information on what action they need to take and when on this dedicated page, Prepare for the ban on XL Bully dogs – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

    If the dog is:

    • less than one year old on 31 January 2024, it must be neutered and evidence received by 31 December 2024
    • more than one year old on 31 January 2024, it must be neutered and evidence received by 30 June 2024
    • If your dog is already neutered, a vet must confirm this by:
      • 31 December 2024 for dogs less than one year old on 31 January 2024
      • 30 June 2024 for dogs more than one year old on 31 January 2024
  • PRESS RELEASE : Russia has now turned to indiscriminate attacks on civilians – UK statement at the UN Security Council [December 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Russia has now turned to indiscriminate attacks on civilians – UK statement at the UN Security Council [December 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 30 December 2023.

    Statement by Deputy Political Coordinator Tom Phipps at the UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine.

    President, the United Kingdom deeply regrets any civilian deaths in conflict, wherever they happen and particularly where children are involved. We are committed to upholding international humanitarian law and we remind all parties to conflicts everywhere of their obligations.

    We are also committed to upholding the UN Charter, and its principles of respect for sovereignty and the right to self-defence. Yesterday, we discussed Russian airstrikes on civilians in Ukraine. Today, Russia has called this meeting to discuss Ukrainian strikes in Russia.

    Russia is attempting to draw equivalence, but let’s be absolutely clear: there are hundreds of thousands of Russian soldiers in Ukraine. There is not a single Ukrainian soldier in Russia. The war in Ukraine is an invasion started by Russia – a fact that no amount of disinformation can obscure.

    President, first Russia blamed Ukraine for these strikes. Then it tried to demand Czechia appear before the Council. Now the Russian ambassador is blaming the UK, the US and the EU.

    If Russia wants someone to blame for the deaths of Russians in this war, it should start with President Putin. President Putin is responsible for sending many thousands of Russian servicemen and women to their needless deaths.

    In 2022, President Putin claimed his invasion was to stop a supposed genocide in the Donbas. The International Court of Justice rejected this and ordered Russia immediately to end its invasion.

    Russia’s real objectives were revealed when it attempted the illegal annexation of further Ukrainian territory and the UN membership rejected this and repeatedly demanded Russia end its invasion and withdraw.

    As we discussed yesterday, having failed to defeat Ukraine militarily, Russia has now turned to indiscriminate attacks on civilians. The death toll from this week’s attacks across Ukraine, the largest since the war started, continues to rise. Innocent children were among the casualties here too.  In total, over 10,000 civilians, including more than 560 children,  have been killed and over 18,500 have been injured in Ukraine since 24 February 2022.

    President, Russia chose to start this war, Russia can choose to end this war; Ukraine did not start it and has the right to defend itself. This is why the UK reiterates that we stand resolutely with Ukraine and will continue to do so. So, we call once again on Russia to respect the UN Charter, to end this war and to withdraw its forces from Ukraine.

  • Alister Jack – 2024 New Year’s Message

    Alister Jack – 2024 New Year’s Message

    The message issued by Alister Jack, the Secretary of State for Scotland, on 30 December 2023.

    Scottish Secretary Alister Jack looks back on 2023 and ahead to 2024.

    As another New Year dawns, I’d like to pass on my best wishes for 2024 to my fellow Scots at home and abroad.

    As we get ready to make our resolutions for the year to come, it is also time to take stock of the departing 12 months.

    Looking back, we have worked hard on our mission to level up communities across Scotland.

    Creating equality of opportunity for all – regardless of background – has been our ambition. Our levelling up initiatives are doing this by helping people and their neighbourhoods flourish.

    Listening to local communities – and working closely with the Scottish Government and councils – is bearing fruit on our investments.

    In 2023 we broke through the £2.9 billion barrier when it comes to UK Government levelling-up investment in Scotland.

    Among the highlights of the last 12 months have been the creation of two Freeports with a UK Government investment of £26 million each, one on the Firth of Forth and the other on the Cromarty Firth.

    These were followed by the establishment of two Investment Zones in Glasgow and the North East, both of which are benefitting from up to £160 million each from the UK Treasury.

    Businesses in these areas will get special tax breaks and other support to help them flourish and create jobs.

    Seven Scottish towns are receiving £20 million each as part of our Towns Fund. Levelling Up Partnerships have also been set up which will result in Dundee, the Western Isles, Argyll and Bute and Dumfries and Galloway receiving £20 million each. This funding will help transform these communities, boosting investment and jobs.

    And 2023 saw the announcement of two further rounds of the Levelling Up Fund, which will pay for multi-million-pound community investment right across Scotland.

    Along with my ministerial colleagues in the Scotland Office, Malcolm Offord and John Lamont, it has been great to visit many of these projects and see for ourselves the difference they are making.

    Reflecting on 2023, it would be remiss of me not to mention the Scottish Government’s Gender Recognition Reform legislation. The decision to issue a Section 35 Order for the first time in the history of devolution was not one which I took lightly. But when faced with proposals that would have an adverse impact on reserved equalities legislation I felt there was little option other than to act. I strongly believe the comprehensive judgement issued by Lady Haldane in the UK Government’s favour entirely justifies this stance.

    Scotland is famous across the world for our culture and sport. We were delighted to contribute to the arts scene by contributing almost £9 million to the world-famous Edinburgh festivals.

    I was thrilled that Scotland’s men’s team qualified for next year’s European Championships. It was a pleasure to welcome Steve Clarke to Dover House when we hosted a reception marking the 150th anniversary of the Scottish Football Association. Like all Scotland fans I’m tremendously excited by the thought of our team going to Germany in 2024.

    A highlight of 2023 for so many was the Coronation of King Charles III. As Scottish Secretary I was greatly honoured to play a small part in an uplifting and moving ceremony which marked the beginning of a new era in the history of the United Kingdom.

    I know that for many people the last few years have been extremely difficult. We are still feeling the impact of the Covid pandemic and Vladimir Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine has put pressure on our economy. Under the leadership of Rishi Sunak, the UK Government has made great strides in bringing inflation down. And just as the broad shoulders of the UK Treasury provided unprecedented support during Covid, we have provided unprecedented financial help to tackle the cost of living crisis. Our £105 billion funding package is providing each household with an average of £3,700 in support.

    By working together as one United Kingdom we can withstand the challenges the coming months and years throw at us.

    And, looking ahead to 2024, my resolution is to keep working to bring more prosperity and jobs to Scotland. With that in mind, I’m looking forward to the opening of the Perth Museum, backed by £10 million from the UK Government and which will be a splendid new home for the Stone of Scone.

    We will also see the signing of the full growth deals for Falkirk and Argyll and Bute, partnerships in which we will invest £40 million and £25 million respectively. And yet more money for community projects as we continue our levelling up mission.

    Happy New Year.

    Alister Jack, Secretary of State for Scotland