Tag: 2023

PRESS RELEASE : Hundreds of new zero emission buses to connect communities in England [September 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 8 September 2023.

Government funding to help decarbonise public transport and develop innovative ideas to ensure future infrastructure is low-carbon and resilient.
- towns, villages and cities across England, including the most rural parts of the country, to benefit from new government funding for zero emission buses
- backed by £129 million, the scheme will help grow the economy by supporting green jobs at UK bus manufacturers
- comes as £10 million net zero research hub launched, boosting innovation to decarbonise transport and tackle the impacts of climate change
People across the country, including those in the most rural communities, will be able to make greener and cleaner journeys thanks to new funding for zero emission buses (ZEBs).

The Transport Secretary has today (8 September 2023) announced funding of up to £129 million to help local transport authorities introduce hundreds more zero emission buses.

These new buses will help grow the economy by connecting communities – helping people get to work or college while also providing a boost for UK manufacturing.

To make sure more parts of England benefit from green technology, particularly remote areas where building the infrastructure needed for the buses is more expensive, the government has prioritised the first £25 million for rural communities.

The Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) 2 scheme is now open for bids from all local authorities in England (outside London), with applications to be prioritised from those that did not receive funding in the previous funding rounds to ensure more people can enjoy this clean transport.

The Transport Secretary has also announced today the launch of a new research hub, backed by £10 million in funding from the Department for Transport, National Highways, HS2 Ltd, Network Rail and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

Newcastle University, Heriot-Watt University, University of Cambridge and University of Glasgow have been awarded the funding to establish the Net Zero Transport for a Resilient Future Hub, where they will develop innovative ideas to ensure future transport infrastructure is low-carbon and resilient.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said:

Todays’ funding for more zero emission buses will help decarbonise public transport and grow the economy by keeping our communities connected. We have already reached our initial target of funding at least 4,000 zero emission buses and this additional funding will improve journeys for even more passengers, reaching those in the most remote areas.

The UK is also cementing its position as a world leader in net zero tech with this new investment into climate resilience. Our Net Zero transport hub will be a centre of academic excellence, helping us keep our transport network resilient into the future.

Bus Minister Richard Holden said:

It’s been fantastic to be at Alexander Dennis and see how our £129 million investment will impact British bus manufacturing.

This brings our total investment in new zero-emission buses to almost £500 million, helping to kick-start a new generation of bus manufacturing in the UK and create good, high-quality jobs from Scarborough to Falkirk.

We’re leading the way by ensuring that Britain can take advantage of high-skill manufacturing while delivering cleaner public transport for passengers across the country.

This second phase of the ZEBRA scheme builds on the success of the first round of funding, through which 1,300 ZEBs were funded.

Through millions of pounds of investment, the government has succeeded in meeting its initial target of funding 4,000 ZEBs with this latest funding announcement bringing the country closer to a fully decarbonised fleet.

This comes on top of £3.5 billion already invested in improving bus services since 2020. The government recently announced a £500 million boost to cap fares at £2 until the end of October 2023, and then £2.50 until November 2024, as well as protect routes into 2025. This is helping people save money on travel and improving transport connections to grow the economy.

Alexander Dennis President and Managing Director, Paul Davies, said:

It has been a pleasure to welcome the minister to our Scarborough factory, which is a prime example of how government investment in zero emission buses can support communities across the country when it benefits domestic manufacturers like ourselves.

We provide thousands of skilled jobs and apprenticeship opportunities in an industry that is firmly looking ahead to a sustainable future for us all.

Our next-generation electric buses are ready to support councils’ ZEBRA 2 bids, including the innovative Alexander Dennis Enviro100EV, which is particularly suited to efficiently provide zero-emission mobility for rural communities.

Alison Edwards, Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) Director of Policy, said:

We welcome the government’s announcement of further government funding for zero emission buses. Buses have a huge role to play in helping the UK meet its decarbonisation goals.

We are pleased that the prioritisation of rural bus services in the bidding process recognises the challenges facing these operators. To help tackle these, CPT has established a Rural Zero Emission Bus Taskforce, which will seek to identify practical solutions that are required for rural areas.

Funding for the research hub will be used to develop new ways of modelling cities and towns, and understanding how vital structures such as bridges and rail lines can handle severe weather events such as flooding. The hub will work with local authorities and industry to identify practical opportunities to make it easier for people to travel with greater choice and less disruption.

By establishing the technology in the UK, the research hub will directly create new research jobs and build the talent base by providing upskilling training to develop a highly skilled workforce.

Professor Miles Padgett, Interim Executive Chair of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, part of UKRI, said:

A well-functioning low-carbon transport infrastructure is vital to sustain communities and economies.

This investment in the climate-resilient development of our transport system will keep the UK at the forefront of the green industrial revolution and accelerate the transition to a secure and prosperous green economy.

Professor Phil Blythe CBE, Professor of Intelligent Transport Systems and head of the Future Mobility Group, Newcastle University, said:

We are delighted to be awarded the hub, which will be the national focus for research into how we decarbonise and make resilient our transport infrastructure.

The hub will engage widely to bring together the leading academics from across the UK and their civic and industry partners so we can focus on understanding the underpinning science and engineering to enable us to tackle these real challenges and provide the models that will help us understand the impact and find the most appropriate solutions.
September 8, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : The Security Council must continue to ensure UN peacekeeping is fit for modern challenges – UK statement at the Security Council [September 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 7 September 2023.

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council meeting on UN peacekeeping.

Thank you President, I thank Under-Secretary-General Lacroix for his briefing and continued leadership of UN peacekeeping.

President, the United Kingdom pays tribute to those peacekeepers who lost their lives in pursuit of peace this year. Peacekeeping relies on the determination and dedication of United Nations personnel. As members of the Security Council, we must support them – as must all host nations and member states – by providing the necessary training and equipment, improving awareness of threats, and ensuring medical provision.

The UK continues to play its part, training thousands of UN peacekeepers each year. As a top contributor of extra-budgetary funds – more than $2.8m in 2022 – we remain committed supporters of peacekeeping reform.

We are also dedicated to advancing the participation of women in peacekeeping and peace processes, through our support for the Senior Women Talent Pipeline and the Elsie Initiative Fund, to which we have contributed $9m to date. We look forward to discussing these issues further at the Peacekeeping Ministerial Conference in Ghana this December.

President, UN peacekeeping operations have faced continued challenges, as we’ve heard today. Disinformation campaigns against UN peacekeeping missions are on the rise, undermining their ability to implement safely and effectively their mandates. We are grateful to co-hosts, Rwanda, the Netherlands and Indonesia, for their support ahead of our planned Peacekeeping Ministerial Preparatory Conference on countering mis- and dis-information next month.

Missions also continue to suffer from restrictions on freedom of movement, and of violations of status of forces agreements, including in Mali, CAR, Lebanon and Western Sahara.

It is not only peacekeeping missions that suffer when host governments neglect their obligations – it is the people peacekeepers protect that so often pay the price. Host states must allow the safe and effective implementation of mission mandates.

With MINUSMA withdrawing from Mali, and MONUSCO’s transition approaching, we should implement lessons learned from past peacekeeping transitions. Particularly, we should be wary of time-based, rather than conditions-based, withdrawals of peacekeeping operations, which can put lives and peace processes at risk.

President, in conclusion, let me underscore the continued importance the United Kingdom places on UN peacekeeping, which remains an essential tool to respond to peace and security threats.

As a Council, we must continue to ensure UN peacekeeping is fit for modern challenges and receives our full support.

September 8, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Online animal cruelty activity to be removed from social media platforms [September 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 7 September 2023.

The amendment, which will be tabled in Parliament today will crack down on animal torture content online.
- Crackdown on animal torture content online as government boosts protections for animals and internet users.
- Social media sites will be required to proactively remove the illegal activity, with fines imposed for those that fail to do so.
- Change comes as the Online Safety Bill makes its way through Parliament – with new laws to be introduced in a matter of months.
Social media firms will be forced to remove online content facilitating animal torture in a further push to make the UK the safest place in the world to be online.

Under new proposals, social media platforms will be required to proactively tackle the illegal content and have it swiftly removed, or face fines of up to £18 million or 10% of their global annual revenue.

The amendment, which will be tabled in Parliament today, will require platforms to put in place systems and processes to tackle content that encourages or facilitates animal torture. The amendment comes after untiring campaigning by Baroness Merron to further strengthen the Online Safety Bill’s laws around animal torture content.

It also means even if the activity takes place outside the UK but is seen by users in the UK, tech companies will be made to take it down as part of a zero-tolerance approach.

Recent examples of facilitating this includes the Monkey Haters case, a year-long BBC investigation which uncovered a sadistic global monkey torture ring stretching from Indonesia to the United States. This demonstrates how social media can be used to pay for or give instruction to others on the torture of animals. Today’s amendment will force social media companies to put in place proactive steps to tackle this.

Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan said:

This kind of activity is deeply disturbing and not something an animal-friendly nation like the UK should ever tolerate.

Social media sites must not be used as platforms to promote the sadistic and harrowing actions of some deeply depraved internet users, and today we’re taking steps to make sure it is swiftly removed so both animals and users can be protected.

The Online Safety Bill will make the UK the safest place in the world to be a child online, and it will now stop the proliferation of animal abuse too.

Today will see the UK Government list section 4(1) (unnecessary suffering) of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 as a priority offence in the Bill.

The changes will work alongside other recent government amendments to protect children from content showing real or realistic serious violence or injury against an animal.

Environment Secretary Therese Coffey said:

We are a nation of animal lovers and the UK has some of the highest animal welfare standards worldwide.

Animal abuse is abhorrent and should not be circulating online, so these new rules will ensure social media platforms act swiftly to remove this content.

New strengthened protections will force social media companies to proactively tackle instances where their services are being used as part of the process of animal torture.

The Online Safety Bill is a new set of laws to protect children and adults online. It will make social media companies more responsible for their users’ safety on their platforms.

The Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act 2021 now provides one of the toughest sanctions in Europe. It strengthens the UK’s position as a global leader on animal welfare and realises our manifesto commitment to increase the maximum sentences available to our courts for the most serious cases of animal cruelty. We have raised sentences from 6 months to five years imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.
September 8, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Syria’s chemical weapons remain a threat to international peace and security – UK statement at the Security Council [September 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 7 September 2023.

Statement by Deputy Political Coordinator Tom Phipps at the UN Security Council meeting on Syria Chemical Weapons.

Let me begin by thanking Director-General Fernando Arias of the OPCW for his latest monthly report, and also to the OPCW Declaration Assessment Team for their tireless efforts to resolve the outstanding issues in Syria’s Chemical Weapons Declaration. I would also like to thank High Representative Nakamitsu for her briefing today.

President, as Ms Nakamitsu and others have said, ten years ago in the early hours of 21 August,Bashar Assad’s forces used sarin against the people of Ghouta. More than 1,000 people were killed, many of whom were women and children. The resulting UN Mission report described it as the most significant confirmed use of chemical weapons against civilians since Saddam Hussein used them in Halabja in 1988.

This Council expressed its outrage, it condemned the killing of civilians, it affirmed that any use of chemical weapons constitutes a serious violation of international law and we collectively called for accountability. Security Council resolution 2118 was adopted, unanimously.

The resolution condemned chemical weapons use in Syria and endorsed the implementation of the OPCW Executive Council decision setting out the steps for the destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons programme.

It was clear that the Syrian Arab Republic should not use, develop, produce, otherwise acquire, stockpile or retain chemical weapons. It compelled Syria to cooperate fully with the OPCW and the UN, including by providing personnel designated by the OPCW with immediate and unfettered access to, and the right to inspect in discharging their functions, any and all sites that the OPCW has grounds to believe to be of importance for the purpose of its mandate.

Ten years later, the provisions of UNSCR 2118 have not been met. As others have said today, there have been nine further confirmed chemical weapons attacks by the Syrian regime.

Next month will mark ten years since Syria acceded to the chemical weapons convention.

It is a moment for us to all reflect on our responsibility for the implementation of UNSCR 2118, and how we can move forward, collectively, and in support of the OPCW’s efforts to resolve outstanding inconsistencies with Syria’s declaration.

We owe that to the victims of Ghouta and of all chemical weapons attacks. Including the attack carried out by Russia five years in Salisbury, in the UK, which resulted in the death of the British national Dawn Sturgess.

President, Syria’s chemical weapons will remain a threat to international peace and security until its chemical weapons programme has been fully and verifiably destroyed by the OPCW.

September 8, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister call with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine [September 2023]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 7 September 2023.

The Prime Minister spoke to Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy this afternoon before he travels to India for the G20 Leaders’ Summit.

President Zelenskyy updated on Ukraine’s counter-offensive and ongoing military requirements, and the Prime Minister pledged the UK’s steadfast support and commended Ukraine’s armed forces for their progress on the battlefield.

They also discussed the impact of Putin’s continued Black Sea grain blockade, both in Ukraine and for food supplies around the world. The Prime Minister committed to galvanise work with G20 countries on circumventing Russia’s blockade and ensuring vulnerable countries can access vital grain shipments.

The Prime Minister welcomed progress on bilateral security commitments for Ukraine, with 30 partners now signing the Joint Declaration, an initiative led by the UK and allies at this summer’s NATO Summit. He said the UK would continue to drive forward plans for long term support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and security.

President Zelenskyy thanked the Prime Minister for the UK’s continued solidarity, and the leaders agreed to remain in close contact.

September 8, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK signs agreement with Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre [September 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 7 September 2023.

Minister for the Caribbean and Americas, David Rutley MP, signs memorandum of understanding for work to be done to improve access to climate finance in the Caribbean.

The UK Government delivers on COP26 promise to help strengthen Climate Resilience and Finance in the Caribbean region through collaboration with the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC).

The United Kingdom has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in the amount of £2.7 million with the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC) for work to be done under the Small Island Developing States Capacity and Resilience (SIDAR) Programme.

The SIDAR programme represents delivery on part of the UK’s overall commitment of £11.6 billion for climate finance, with a specific aim to support adaptation and resilience in Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The SIDAR Caribbean programme aims to augment access to climate finance and support programmatic acceleration of climate resilient actions in selected Caribbean countries.

The UK’s support to the CCCCC will help Member States of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to address the challenges they face in accessing climate finance. Non-Official Development Assistance (ODA) eligible Member States will be invited to participate in lesson learning and virtual training activities.

Through the CCCCC, the programme will help address the barriers that Caribbean SIDS face in planning for, accessing, and effectively utilizing climate finance. The programme aims to facilitate a sustainable increase in the flow of climate finance, enhance project development and implementation capabilities, and support simplification of the multilateral funding processes with which they must engage.

The CCCCC, in partnership with Member States, will develop funding proposals that are aligned to national priorities for submission to various financial mechanisms under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and other multilateral and bilateral financing partners.

This concerted effort by the UK is expected to help the Caribbean access US$50 million for the region over the next three years. Dedicated resources will be allocated to beneficiary countries for project preparation grants, including readiness activities, with a target of mobilizing US$3 million in readiness support during the programme’s implementation.

The SIDAR Programme will also establish a Help Desk to provide assistance to CARICOM Member States in the development and implementation of climate change projects. By fostering collaboration, knowledge sharing, and strategic leveraging of resources, the programme is expected to drive sustainable climate actions in the Caribbean region.

Speaking at the signing ceremony on 6 September 2023, UK Minister for the Americas and the Caribbean, The Honourable David Rutley expressed his optimism about the partnership, stating:

The implementation of this initiative under the SIDAR programme marks an important moment in our collective efforts to combat the impacts of climate change.

Through close collaboration with the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC), the UK is delivering on its promise to help unlock greater amounts of climate finance, strengthen resilience, and secure a sustainable future for SIDS, including those in the Caribbean.

Executive Director for Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre, Colin A. Young, Ph.D. said:

The CCCCC is pleased to partner with the UK to implement the SIDAR programme in the Caribbean, that will increase both the flow and scale of climate finance to CARICOM Member States to help build their resilience to escalating and adverse impacts of climate change, as well as strengthen their capacity to effectively utilize these resources.

We are appreciative of the UK’s commitment to tangibly assist CARICOM in increasing the flow of climate finance in the Region.

The collaborative and strategic interventions in the programme are designed to lead to sustainable change and foster a climate-resilient future for CARICOM Member States.

September 8, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Government delivers extra £50 million home adaptation funding [September 2023]
The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 7 September 2023.

Money provided to local authorities so they can make quicker home adaptations for older people or those with disabilities, ensuring they can stay independent.
- Additional funding to help older and disabled people live more independently in their own homes
- £50 million to be provided this year to adapt people’s homes
- Overall, adaptation grants support 50,000 people a year and help people to be discharged from hospital quicker, cutting waiting times
Fifty million pounds has been allocated to local authorities from today to help older people and those with disabilities live safely and independently in their own homes.

Delivered jointly by the Department of Health and Social Care and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC), eligible disabled people of all ages will be able to apply to their local authority for a grant to adapt their home to better meet their needs.

Available to homeowners, private renters and those in social housing, the funding will be delivered through the Disabled Facilities Grant and comes on top of the annual £573 million already provided to local authorities for home improvement services.

Since 2010, there have been almost half a million home adaptions, backed by £4.8 billion in funding.

Minister for Adult Social Care, Helen Whately, said:

If you’re older or living with a disability, a well-adapted home gives you independence and safety.

Living in your own home can be impossible after illness or injury without changes like wheelchair ramps, handrails or a stairlift.

This new funding will help thousands more people have homes fit for their needs – and faster. When time is of the essence, this fund will help local authorities do urgent and smaller-scale adaptations more quickly.

Sometimes all that stands in the way of a patient going home from hospital is a simple home adaptation – so this is good news for patients and hospitals too. It’ll mean more people can recover from a hospital stay at home, and more NHS beds for patients who need them.

Announced as part of the Next steps to put people at the heart of care plan, the £50 million is the first tranche of a £102 million investment over 2 years that will enable local authorities to provide additional services that are agile, make minor adaptations quickly and support speedier hospital discharge.

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at DLUHC, Felicity Buchan, said:

We want everyone to have high quality, safe and suitable homes so they can keep living more independently, including people leaving hospital care. This funding provides councils with additional resource to support those in need and builds on the funding already in place.

Providing suitable adaptations to homes, such as wheelchair ramps, handrails, stairlifts or specialist equipment, will mean that when someone is medically fit to be discharged, they will have somewhere safe to be discharged to, freeing up hospital beds for those who need them.

As a result, this will help to reduce waiting times, which will be important as the health service approaches the winter months, when pressure on the NHS increases.

The Disabled Facilities Grant is one of a range of housing support measures that a local authority can use to help enable people to live independently and safely at home. The government also provides guidance to local authorities to help them effectively and efficiently deliver home adaptations and best serve the needs of older and disabled people in their local communities.
September 8, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Overhaul of Prevent underway with new guidance published [September 2023]

The press release issued by the Home Office on 7 September 2023.

Significant improvements delivered just over 6 months after the Home Secretary committed to wholesale change following the Independent Review of Prevent.

The government is on track to fulfil the majority of the recommendations from the Independent Review of Prevent by February 2024, with significant changes already implemented to bolster governance and embed oversight.

Ten out of the 34 recommendations have been delivered in full, and progress has been made against every single recommendation, with 68 of the 120 required tasks completed.

Refreshed draft Prevent duty guidance has been published today and a statutory instrument laid in the House of Commons to bring it into force under the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act, aiding frontline professionals in stopping people from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.

Strengthened due diligence checks on civil society organisations will ensure that under no circumstances will Prevent work with or fund those who legitimise or support extremists. Prevent funding has ceased with groups which have fallen foul of these standards.

Updated Prevent duty guidance, published today, delivers on several key recommendations of the independent review, making it clear that Prevent’s objective is to tackle the ideological causes of terrorism. It includes practical advice for those with responsibility to stop people from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.

This guidance will help frontline professionals in healthcare, education, local authorities, prisons, probation and the police comply with the Prevent duty.

Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, said:

Terrorists seek to destroy the freedoms and values we cherish. It is the duty of government to disrupt this enduring and evolving threat.

Ongoing improvements to Prevent are paving the way for a stronger, more transparent and proportionate approach to tackling radicalisation in this country. This includes ensuring that we are no longer working with or funding groups who legitimise extremists.

The updated Prevent duty guidance provides frontline professionals in education, healthcare and local government with a renewed focus as well as new tools and information to stop people from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.

Education Secretary, Gillian Keegan, said:

Our schools are committed to protecting pupils from radicalisation and extremist influences, and this guidance along with the support of frontline workers will be pivotal to achieving that.

These changes will provide greater clarity, practical advice and access to best practice for all teachers and education settings.

A new security threat check will ensure that Prevent activity is always in line with the national threat picture.

New training on the ideological foundations of extremism and terrorism is being rolled out throughout the country.

Terminology has been updated in the guidance throughout to reflect an individual’s susceptibility to terrorism and vulnerability will only be used where appropriate.

A refreshed ministerial oversight board will meet in the coming months to oversee continued implementation of the independent review and ensure delivery remains in line with Shawcross’ recommendations.

Delivery of Prevent has moved from a national to a regional model which provides support for all local authorities in England and Wales. The areas with the highest radicalisation risk will also receive multi-year funding to combat the local threat.

To address the reviewer’s concerns about the prevalence of antisemitism in Channel cases, specialist intervention providers have been recruited. There is also new training being provided to civil society organisations to tackle antisemitism.

The government has completed 68 of the 120 subsets of the 34 recommendations of the independent review and the vast majority of these recommendations are expected to be fulfilled by February 2024.

September 8, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK sanctions members of Russian cybercrime gang [September 2023]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 7 September 2023.

UK sanctions members of Russian cybercrime gang responsible for attacks on hospitals and critical infrastructure.
- sanctions hit 11 from Russian cyber gang that targeted hospitals and other critical infrastructure
- sanctions will disrupt ransomware attacks and expose attackers behind them
- new measures delivered in coordinated effort with the United States
Members of a Russian cyber criminal gang behind the Trickbot/Conti ransomware attacks, which included the hacking of critical infrastructure and hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic, face new sanctions today (7 September).

Eleven cyber criminals, whose gang also threatened those who oppose the illegal Russian invasion of Ukraine, have been targeted with asset freezes and travel bans in a coordinated effort by UK and US authorities to counter the threat of ransomware both in the UK and abroad. The US Department of Justice (DOJ) is concurrently unsealing indictments against seven of the individuals designated today.

The National Crime Agency (NCA), who conducted a complex investigation into these individuals, assesses that the group was responsible for extorting at least $180 million from victims globally, and at least £27 million from 149 UK victims. The attackers sought to target UK hospitals, schools, local authorities and businesses.

The individuals being designated in the UK are:
- Andrey Zhuykov was a central actor in the group and a senior administrator. Known by the online monikers ‘Defender’, ‘Dif’ and ‘Adam’
- Maksim Galochkin led a group of testers, with responsibilities for development, supervision and implementation of tests. Known by the online monikers ‘Bentley’, ‘Volhvb’ and ‘Max17’
- Maksim Rudenskiy was a key member of the Trickbot group and was the team lead for coders. Known by the online monikers ‘Buza’, ‘Silver’ and ‘Binman’
- Mikhail Tsarev was a mid-level manager who assisted with the group’s finances and overseeing of HR functions. Known by the online monikers ‘Mango’, ‘Fr*ances’ and ‘Khano’
- Dmitry Putilin was associated with the purchase of Trickbot infrastructure. Known by the online monikers ‘Grad’ and ‘Staff’
- Maksim Khaliullin was an HR manager for the group. He was associated with the purchase of Trickbot infrastructure including procuring Virtual Private Servers (VPS). Known by the online moniker ‘Kagas’
- Sergey Loguntsov was a developer for the group. Known by the online monikers ‘Begemot’, ‘Begemot_Sun’ and ‘Zulas’
- Alexander Mozhaev was part of the admin team responsible for general administration duties. Known by the online monikers ‘Green’ and ‘Rocco’
- Vadym Valiakhmetov worked as a coder and his duties included backdoor and loader projects. Known by the online monikers ‘Weldon’, ‘Mentos’ and ‘Vasm’
- Artem Kurov worked as a coder with development duties in the Trickbot group. Known by the online moniker ‘Naned’
- Mikhail Chernov was part of the internal utilities group. Known by the online monikers ‘Bullet’ and ‘m2686’
This action was taken in coordination with the US, where these key cybercriminals have also been sanctioned, and is a continuation of joint efforts by the UK and US to disrupt and impose costs on high harm cyber criminals. It is assessed that sanctions have hampered the ability of cyber threat actors to monetise their cyber criminal activities.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said:

These cyber criminals thrive off anonymity, moving in the shadows of the internet to cause maximum damage and extort money from their victims.

Our sanctions show they cannot act with impunity. We know who they are and what they are doing.

By exposing their identities, we are disrupting their business models and making it harder for them to target our people, our businesses and our institutions.

The individuals, all Russian nationals, operated out of the reach of traditional law enforcement and hid behind online pseudonyms and monikers – many of which are revealed today. Removing their anonymity undermines the integrity of these individuals and their criminal businesses that threaten UK security.

Several of those facing sanctions today held significant roles within the group. Those targeted include high-level managers and administrators, as well as two individuals, Maksim Khaliullin and Mikhail Tsarev, who focused on recruiting and inducting new members.

The group was also one of the first to offer support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, maintaining links and receiving tasking from the Russian Intelligence Services.

Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State in the Cabinet Office Oliver Dowden said:

By targeting these malicious cyber actors, who have been known to work with some of the most damaging ransomware strains, we are seeking out and exposing those who threaten the UK’s national security. We will always take decisive action with international partners to protect the UK, its people and businesses.

Security Minister Tom Tugendhat said:

These sanctions demonstrate that the UK will crackdown on those trying to hold UK businesses and infrastructure to ransom. We will use our law enforcement agencies to go after the perpetrators and punish their crimes.

We have the skills and resources to find and unmask criminals who attempt to steal from British businesses, schools and hospitals.

We will keep working with our partners, like the US, to defeat these threats.

NCA Director General of Operations Rob Jones said:

These sanctions are a continuation of our campaign against international cyber criminals.

Attacks by this ransomware group have caused significant damage to our businesses and ruined livelihoods, with victims having to deal with the prolonged impact of financial and data losses.

These criminals thought they were untouchable, but our message is clear: we know who you are and, working with our partners, we will not stop in our efforts to bring you to justice.

National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) Chief Executive Officer Lindy Cameron said:

Alongside this latest round of sanctions, I strongly encourage organisations to proactively obstruct the activities of ransomware operatives by bolstering their online resilience.

Ransomware continues to be a significant threat facing the UK and attacks can have significant and far-reaching impact.

The NCSC has published free and actionable advice for organisations of all sizes on how to put robust defences in place to protect their networks.

Today’s sanctions announcement reinforces the UK’s commitment to cracking down on cyber criminals. They follow on from the first ever joint UK-US sanctions against ransomware actors in February this year. The total number of group members sanctioned is now 18.

View the full UK Sanctions List and more information about UK sanctions relating to Russia.
September 8, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Environment Minister launches construction of British designed and manufactured Bewdley flood scheme [September 2023]

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 7 September 2023.

Event to mark official start of work on major flood risk management scheme at Beales Corner in Bewdley, Worcestershire

Environment minister Rebecca Pow and local representatives today (7 September) celebrated the start of construction on a major flood risk management scheme at Beales Corner in Bewdley, Worcestershire, with a sod-cutting event.

Construction is helping to support jobs and stimulate the economy by employing British companies, including Arup as lead designer and Jackson Civil Engineering as lead contractor. The new protection consists of a combination of demountable flood barriers and permanent raised walls with glass panels on top to maintain views across the river.

As part of the scheme, off-site environmental improvements will take place at Limekiln Bridge Storage area to support habitats for wildlife and increase biodiversity in hedgerows and trees. The choice of materials for the scheme and archaeological works also recognise the significance of the area and the design aims to preserve its heritage ahead of construction.

Once complete, the scheme will provide decades of invaluable service to the community, reducing flood risk for more than 50 properties and maintaining access to 160 businesses, as well as schools and other public services in the town.

The project will replace the low-level temporary flood barriers currently used and provide a far higher standard of flood protection.

Meanwhile, Minister Pow also announced today that the Bewdley scheme will be one of three in the area to share £9.3 million in additional funding, reallocated from economic recovery funding. The Beales Corner scheme will receive £1.5 million, Tenbury Wells £4m and Greyfriars in Hereford £3.8 million.

To celebrate the official start of work on the scheme, Minister Pow, Mark Garnier, MP for Wyre Forest, and Environment Agency Operations Manager for the West Midlands Anthony Perry all took part in today’s ceremony.

Environment Minister Rebecca Pow said:

I am determined that we do whatever we can to prevent the devastating flooding that affects so many towns and villages across the country like Bewdley.

Our investment means work is underway on this significant new scheme and we can use this investment to back British companies. It should provide the community comfort and confidence in their town’s resilience and forms part of our record investment in better protecting hundreds of thousands of properties across the country.

Environment Agency Operations Manager for the West Midlands Anthony Perry said:

We are very happy to mark the official start of the main construction on this important and much-needed flood risk management scheme at Beales Corner.

We know the devastating impact flooding can have, which is why protecting the people of Bewdley is our top priority as we adapt to the increased threat of flood events caused by climate change.

Bewdley is subject to significant flood risk from the River Severn and has flooded a number of times in the past decade. Houses and businesses have flooded, with transport links and commuter routes through the town also affected.

After flooding in 2020, the Government made funding available for the communities impacted, enabling the Environment Agency to consider a flood risk management scheme for the Beales Corner area of Bewdley and keep the main Kidderminster and Stourport roads into the town open at times of flood.

Construction work will take approximately 18 months to two years to complete, depending on weather conditions, flooding and interactions with historic structures.

The Environment Agency’s new flood defences have ensured the better protection of 374,000 homes since 2015. We continue to do more, delivering a record £5.2 billion investment to protect better hundreds of thousands of properties and the National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) Strategy for England will prepare us for more extreme weather and build a more resilient nation.

You can find out if you are at risk of flooding by checking your postcode on the government’s website and you can also sign up for flood warnings. You will be alerted by phone, email or text when flooding is expected.

September 8, 2023