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Tag: 2023

  • PRESS RELEASE : Government announces new plan to help those impacted by ME/CFS [August 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Government announces new plan to help those impacted by ME/CFS [August 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 10 August 2023.

    Interim delivery plan outlines 21 actions to improve understanding, research and care for those living with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

    • Plan has been developed in close collaboration with people living with the condition, carers and family members, and healthcare and support professionals
    • Government invites views on interim delivery plan with consultation open for eight weeks

    Plans to help improve the lives of people living with myalgic encephalomyelitis / chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) have been outlined by the government today and a consultation launched on how best to deliver the plan.

    The interim delivery plan identifies how care and support for those who experience ME/CFS can be practically improved, and sets out the next steps necessary to improve understanding of ME/CFS and support for those affected.

    Developed around three key themes – research, attitudes and education, and living with ME – the government is also launching a consultation on the proposals, inviting views on how well the proposed actions address issues important to the ME/CFS community, and to help identify where it needs to go further. This consultation will inform development of a final plan.

    Minister of State for Health, Will Quince, said:

    We know more needs to be done to understand this debilitating illness and to make sure those affected feel heard and understood by the health service and society more widely.

    To help us ensure this plan is as thorough and considerate of personal experience as possible in its delivery, it’s important that those living the condition, their families, carers and professionals share their views.

    ME/CFS affects the lives of children and adults across the country and can be an incredibly debilitating condition with fluctuating symptoms making it difficult to take part in everyday activities, enjoy a family or social life, access services and engage in work or education – especially for the estimated 25% of people who have severe or very severe symptoms.

    Whilst there are currently no known cures or treatments, people with ME/CFS can be supported to manage their symptoms and maximise their quality of life. As a result, the proposed plans around the theme of ‘living with ME’ has been divided into sub-topics covering children and young people, social care, health, welfare, employment and quality of life.

    To address the low capacity and capability of the research community to respond to ME/CFS research needs, low awareness of research needs, and a lack of funding of biomedical research on ME/CFS, six rapid actions are outlined in the plan. This includes UK Clinical Research Collaboration (UKCRC) working groups developing case studies of research, and raising awareness of both research funding and how to increase public involvement in research.

    People with ME/CFS have also reported not feeling listened to by professionals, and the impact of ME/CFS on daily life not being understood or acknowledged.

    To address this, proposed actions include; NHS England developing an e-learning module on ME/CFS to be available to all professional groups and the public, the Medical Schools Council promoting this to all UK medical schools, and encouraging medical schools to provide undergraduates with direct patient experience of ME/CFS.

    For those living with ME/CFS, the aim is to improve awareness and understanding of the services that are available to people who need additional support, including carers.

    Measures to enhance support include the Law Commission reviewing existing social care legislation relating to disabled children, and further discussions with stakeholders about health services and adaptations to support better access.

    The consultation is open for eight weeks, closing at 11:59 on 4 October.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Bas Javid appointed new boss of Immigration Enforcement [August 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Bas Javid appointed new boss of Immigration Enforcement [August 2023]

    The press release issued by the Home Office on 10 August 2023.

    Decorated police officer will join the Home Office later this year.

    One of the UK’s most senior police officers will be joining the Home Office to lead the efforts to tackle illegal migration.

    Bas Javid, currently Deputy Assistant Commissioner at the Metropolitan Police Service, will become Director General of Immigration Enforcement in November.

    Mr Javid will come to the Home Office following a 30 year career in policing, previously serving at Avon and Somerset Police, West Midlands Police and the Met.

    As Director General of Immigration Enforcement, he will spearhead the operational response to immigration offending in the UK and build on the efforts already being made to tackle this problem.

    Immigration enforcement visits are at their highest since 2019 and are up by almost 50% on last year.

    His team will work in conjunction with other law enforcement, including police and Border Force.

    Bas Javid said:

    Protecting the integrity of the UK’s immigration system is vital, so it is an honour to be appointed to this important role.

    I am excited to begin leading a group of dedicated, hardworking and talented public servants to ensure we uphold our rules and laws.

    Home Secretary Suella Braverman said:

    Immigration abuse is a scourge on our society and I will leave no stone unturned in clamping down on this illegality.

    Bas brings a wealth of law enforcement experience and will further ramp up our efforts to tackle immigration offending, as the British people would expect.

    His appointment was overseen by the Civil Service Commission which regulates senior civil service recruitment and followed a rigorous, fair and open competition.

    Home Office Permanent Secretary Sir Matthew Rycroft said:

    I look forward to welcoming Bas to the Home Office and working alongside him to tackle illegal migration, which is the top priority for the department.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Experts to lead AI Safety Summit preparations as new funding announced to modernise healthcare [August 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Experts to lead AI Safety Summit preparations as new funding announced to modernise healthcare [August 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 10 August 2023.

    Two leading experts appointed to spearhead preparations for UK to host AI Safety Summit as £13 million unveiled to revolutionise healthcare research.

    • Leading tech and diplomacy experts appointed to coordinate landmark global talks on safe use of artificial intelligence ahead of UK summit later this year
    • first major international summit of its kind will be hosted in the UK and include country leaders, tech companies and academics
    • announcement comes as £13 million is granted to revolutionise AI healthcare research in the UK

    Two leading experts have been appointed to spearhead preparations for the UK to host the first major international summit of its kind on the safe use of artificial intelligence, as the Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan announces £13 million to transform healthcare research.

    Matt Clifford, CEO of Entrepreneur First and Chair of the Advanced Research and Invention Agency, and Jonathan Black, Heywood Fellow at the Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford and former UK G7 and G20 Sherpa and Deputy National Security Adviser, will be charged with rallying leading AI nations, companies and experts, ahead of the event in the UK this autumn.

    Bringing a wealth of skills, they’ll serve as the Prime Minister’s representatives, coordinating and galvanising efforts to make sure the summit results in the development of a shared approach to mitigating the risks of AI. Matt is one of the only private sector representatives to be appointed to this kind of diplomatic role.

    The announcement comes as the Technology Secretary visited University College London (UCL) to announce £13 million is to be channelled into research that will deliver cutting-edge AI innovation in healthcare, with 22 winning university and NHS trust projects stretching from Edinburgh to Surrey set to receive a share.

    The cash boost will support everything from the development of a semi-autonomous surgical robotics platform for the removal of tumours, to the ability to predict the likelihood of a person’s future health problems based on their existing conditions – showcasing the real-world impact artificial intelligence is having.

    Technology Secretary, Michelle Donelan, said:

    The UK has a proud history of demonstrating diplomatic leadership on the most important issues of the day and Matt and Jonathan’s experience and expertise means that they are perfectly placed to lay the groundwork ahead of talks this year on safe and responsible AI.

    We’re already a leading nation when it comes to artificial intelligence – and this summit will help cement our position as the home of safe innovation.

    By leading on the international stage, we will improve lives at home. AI will revolutionise the way we live, including our healthcare system. That’s why we’re backing the UK’s fantastic innovators to save lives by boosting the frontline of our NHS and tackling the major health challenges of our time.

    Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly, said:

    Artificial intelligence will fundamentally alter every aspect of human life. As AI rapidly evolves, we need a global approach that seizes the opportunities that AI poses while grasping the challenges and minimising the risks.

    No country will be untouched by AI, so with the support of our two expert representatives, the UK is proud to play a leadership role in the global effort to address the challenges and opportunities of AI.

    The multi-million-pound funding will see more than £500,000 go to the University College London’s Centre for Interventional and Surgical Sciences, which the Secretary of State will visit to see how the early development of this technology could revolutionise surgery for one of the most common types of brain tumour.

    The project will develop a real-time AI ‘assisted decision support framework’ to improve surgical outcomes, including avoiding complications following surgery and shortening recovery time for patients.

    Further winning projects include those led by:

    University of Sheffield: £463,000 to carry out an external validation of an approach that could lead to much wider, effective treatment of chronic nerve pain, which affects one in ten adults over 30.

    University of Oxford: £640,000 to accelerate research into a foundation AI model for clinical risk prediction which could determine the likelihood of future health problems based on an individual’s existing conditions.

    Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh: £644,000 to develop a system that assists trainee surgeons to practice laparoscopy procedures – commonly known as keyhole surgery – with real-time feedback on their movements.

    University of Surrey: £456,000 will see researchers work closely with radiologists to develop AI that improves the mammogram analysis process and could allow radiologists to join the clinical force earlier in their careers – boosting the numbers of cancer specialists.

    Health and Social Care Secretary, Steve Barclay, said:

    AI can help the NHS improve outcomes for patients, with breakthroughs leading to earlier diagnosis, more effective treatments, and faster recovery. It’s already being used in the NHS in a number of areas, from improving diagnosis and treatment for stroke patients to identifying those most at risk of a heart attack.

    This funding is yet another boost to help the UK lead the way in healthcare research. It comes on top of the £21 million we recently announced for trusts to roll out the latest AI diagnostic tools and £123 million invested in 86 promising tech through our AI in Health and Care Awards.

    With the final dates to be confirmed shortly, the AI safety summit will consider the risks of AI, especially at the frontier of development, and discuss how they can be mitigated through internationally coordinated action. It will also provide a platform for countries to work together on further developing a shared approach to mitigate these risks.

    The UK is well-placed to convene discussions on the future of AI as a world-leader in AI – ranking third behind the US and China. Britain’s AI sector already contributes £3.7 billion to the UK economy and employs 50,000 people across the country.

    The UK was one of the first leading nations to set out a blueprint for the safe and responsible development of AI, which will be adaptive to the speed of advances in this technology. Earlier this year the UK also launched an expert taskforce to help build and adopt the next generation of safe AI, backed by an initial £100 million of funding, alongside a commitment to spend £900 million developing compute capacity, including an exascale supercomputer in the UK.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK to host new London Energy Security Conference to rewire global energy resilience [August 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK to host new London Energy Security Conference to rewire global energy resilience [August 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 10 August 2023.

    The UK will host a new global energy security conference.

    • Landmark conference in London will bring together international governments and industry leaders on energy security
    • conference will take place in the Spring, to boost international co-operation and support countries to speed up the deployment of clean and resilient energy infrastructure
    • builds on government efforts to bolster UK energy security, including accelerating renewables and nuclear, and supporting North Sea oil and gas production

    The UK will host a new global energy security conference next year, bringing together countries from around the world to shore up critical energy supplies and make the system more resilient to shocks.

    Energy Security Secretary Grant Shapps will invite senior government ministers and industry bosses to the landmark London Energy Security Conference, around the time of the second anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

    The war in Ukraine, and other historic shocks such as the oil crisis of the 1970s, show how interconnected global energy security and critical supply chains are, with the impacts hurting consumers the world over. To prevent this happening again, the UK is convening this new conference to enhance international cooperation and build global resilience against these shocks.

    The conference will take place in the Spring and focus on:

    • building energy resilience nationally and internationally
    • speeding up the deployment of clean and resilient energy infrastructure
    • advancing technologies and innovation to promote greater energy independence
    • cooperating internationally to boost energy security around the world
    • helping provide consumers and businesses with cheaper, more secure energy

    The London Energy Conference follows a significant programme of international engagement by the Energy Security Secretary. In recent months, Grant Shapps has agreed greater collaboration on visits to the United States, Japan, South Korea, India, France and the North Sea Summit in Belgium. These have been on top of holding key talks with global leaders including at the COP27 negotiations at Sharm El-Sheikh, the G7 Energy and Climate Ministers Meeting in Sapporo, the G20 Energy talks in Goa and the UK’s recent leadership in hosting the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London.

    Energy Security Secretary Grant Shapps said:

    As history has shown, including more recently with the Russian invasion of Ukraine, global energy security and supply is interconnected. Shockwaves quickly travel around the world and hurt consumers and businesses by sending global prices soaring.

    We acted swiftly to protect the British public, providing unprecedented energy bills support, cutting off all Russian gas supplies and setting out our blueprint for boosting homegrown energy production to power up Britain.

    But energy security does not stop at our borders – our landmark London Energy Security Conference will bring together international governments and industry leaders to help rewire the global energy system and build collective resilience.

    Next year’s London Energy Security Conference will build on the UK’s existing work to boost domestic energy security – with the UK’s decarbonisation leadership to reach net zero by diversifying its energy mix also bringing benefits for global energy security as well. The government has set out plans to power up Britain, by scaling up the deployment of cheap renewables and boosting our homegrown supply of nuclear, while also maximising North Sea production.

    Recent steps taken include:

    This has come alongside the UK working together with allies across Europe, G7 countries, and across the world to accelerate the global transition to clean, reliable sources of power and energy efficiency – both to improve energy security and tackle climate change.

    The UK is also well-placed to bring the international community together on energy, building on world-leading achievements in delivering cleaner, cheaper renewable technologies.

    This includes being the first major economy to legislate for net zero, and between 1990 and 2021, cutting emissions by 48% while growing the economy by 65% – decarbonising faster than any other G7 country.

    The UK has increased the amount of energy coming from renewables from 6.7% in 2010 to 41.5% in 2022, is home to 4 largest offshore wind farms in the world and last year, saw the biggest increase ever in the installation of offshore wind capacity.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Sudan is now one of the worst countries in the world for humanitarian access – UK statement at the Security Council [August 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Sudan is now one of the worst countries in the world for humanitarian access – UK statement at the Security Council [August 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 August 2023.

    Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council meeting on Sudan.

    Thank you, President, and let me start by thanking ASG Pobee and Director Wosornu for your very helpful updates to the Council.

    President, I want to start by echoing the alarms that we have heard today on the conflict’s catastrophic impact on civilians in Sudan, with an estimated 24.7 million in need of humanitarian assistance. The country, as we’ve heard, is now one of the worst in the world for humanitarian access.

    The Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces continue to double down on fighting, while the Sudanese people face rolling blackouts and the horrifying daily reality of decomposing bodies in the streets.

    The humanitarian impacts are made worse by credible evidence to suggest serious violations of International Humanitarian Law by both the SAF and RSF, which could amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity. This includes, as we’ve heard, incidents of sexual violence and air strikes in populated areas resulting in heavy loss of civilian life.

    There are also credible reports of the targeted killing of civilians and atrocities against specific ethnic groups in Darfur, with much of the bloodshed attributed to RSF units and allied militias.

    We welcome the ICC Prosecutor’s decision to commence investigations into offences committed in the current conflict and also call on the Sudanese authorities to ensure full accountability.

    President, we need to see the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces put the interests of their people first immediately to end hostilities and enter negotiations in good faith.

    And in this context, we welcome the diplomatic efforts of regional partners, including the African Union, IGAD [Intergovernmental Authority on Development] and the League of Arab States to restore peace to Sudan.

    Second, in the 11 May Jeddah Declaration, as we’ve heard, both parties committed to act in accordance with their international obligations and to enable and facilitate unhindered humanitarian access in line with International Humanitarian Law.

    I congratulate OCHA on their extraordinary efforts to get humanitarian aid into Sudan but I also echo Ms Wosurnu’s calls.

    As we’ve heard, attacks on humanitarian convoys in areas under RSF control, and we need to see the removal of bureaucratic obstacles, such as restrictive customs procedures causing delays in issuing visas and travel permits.

    President, the people of Sudan have suffered far too long. Those who have the ability to end this suffering should spare no effort to bring an end to the conflict.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Glasgow spirits producer expands into North America [August 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Glasgow spirits producer expands into North America [August 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 9 August 2023.

    A Glasgow premium spirits business has agreed a deal to sell its produce in Canada following an introduction provided by the Department for Business and Trade.

    • Courageous Spirits agree deal to export their leading gin and whisky brands to Canada.
    • The Glasgow premium spirits business will now sell to 12 markets across the globe.
    • Deal emerged from a ‘Meet the Buyer’ event organised by UK Government’s Department for Business and Trade.

    A Glasgow premium spirits business will now be selling its produce in Canada after striking a deal with buyers there.

    Courageous Spirits had been looking to expand into North America for several years, and having met with importers, their ‘Glaswegin’ gin and ‘King’s Inch’ single malt whisky brands will now be available in stores across Canada.

    Distilled and bottled in the heart of Glasgow’s Tradeston area and designed by award-winning designer and Glasgow School of Art graduate Paul Gray, Glaswegin Premium Gin was launched in 2018.

    Courageous Spirits then sold the first bottles of their King’s Inch single malt whisky in 2021, and it has already become a triple gold medal winner in some of the industry’s leading blind taste tests.

    UK Government Minister for Scotland and Exports Malcolm Offord said:

    It’s great to see yet another Scottish exporting success story. Courageous Spirits makes exceptional gin and whisky so it’s no wonder there’s demand across the globe.

    This move into the Canadian market is just another step in their growth and shows the opportunities that are out there for businesses who want to export.

    The UK Government is here to support any business looking to either expand their exporting horizons, or those looking to start selling goods or services abroad.

    The agreement was reached after the company attended a ‘Meet the Buyer’ event run by the Department for Business and Trade, where they were introduced to a range of companies interested in buying in British produce.

    After meeting several potential Canadian buyers, the company then received guidance from members of the UK Government team in Canada as they worked out the details of the agreement.

    CEO and Founder of Courageous Spirits, Andy McGeoch said:

    We’re delighted to have reached an agreement to export our gin and whisky brands to Canada. We’d been looking to expand into North America, and this deal will open up a lot of opportunities for us.

    Having met with buyers there it was clear that there was a real demand for premium produce, and they could see our brands performing well over there. It goes to show the demand that is out there for high-quality Scottish goods.

    The support we received from the UK Government throughout the process was fantastic, and we’ll be looking to use them again as we expand into more markets in the future.

    By selling its goods into Canada, Courageous Spirts now exports into 12 markets around the world.

    Any companies looking to attend other ‘Meet the Buyer’ events, or to receive support in starting their exporting journey can find out more at great.gov.uk.

  • PRESS RELEASE : G7+ oil price cap continues to pile pressure on Putin six months on [August 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : G7+ oil price cap continues to pile pressure on Putin six months on [August 2023]

    The press release issued by HM Treasury on 9 August 2023.

    UK-backed price cap on Russian oil and oil products is successfully undermining Putin’s ability to fund his illegal war in Ukraine, according to official data collated six months on from implementation.

    • The oil price cap is significantly impacting Russia’s ability to use oil to finance its illegal war.
    • 45% plunge in Russian Finance Ministry energy revenues.
    • UK continues to monitor effectiveness of the cap alongside its Coalition partners amid expected market price fluctuations.

    UK-backed price cap on Russian oil and oil products is successfully undermining Putin’s ability to fund his illegal war in Ukraine, according to official data collated six months on from implementation.

    Russian government income declined by over 20% between January and March 2023 compared to a year ago. The Russian Ministry of Finance posted a 45% plunge in government energy revenues in the same period.

    According to the International Energy Agency’s Oil Market Report for July 2023, Russian oil export revenues were down by $1.5 billion month-on-month in June to $11.8 billion (down $9.9 billion year-on-year).

    Independent research by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air has estimated that the price cap on crude oil is costing Russia around €160 million per day.

    Treasury Lords Minister Baroness Penn said:

    The oil price cap is succeeding in its dual objectives – bearing down on Putin’s most lucrative source of revenues that could otherwise be used to fund his illegal war, while ensuring that vulnerable countries can continue to secure affordable oil.

    The oil price cap forms a critical part of the largest and most severe package of sanctions ever imposed on a major economy. We will continue to keep the pressure on Russia alongside our international partners.

    The G7 and Australia (G7+), who collectively constitute the Price Cap Coalition, agreed to cap the price of Russian seaborne oil and refined oil products in September 2022 as a way to undermine Putin’s ability to fund his illegal war in Ukraine through inflated global oil prices, while ensuring that third countries can continue to secure affordable oil. The crude oil price cap and high- and low-value refined oil price caps (collectively referred to as the G7+ oil price cap) were introduced on 5 December 2022 and 5 February 2023 respectively.

    UK guidance has been periodically updated to assist market participants with implementation of, and compliance with, the cap, and OFSI will continue to engage collaboratively with industry partners to ensure as much clarity is provided as possible.

    Recent routine fluctuations in oil prices have seen the average price of Urals rise above the G7+ cap level. For any above-cap trades, Russia will face significant headwinds in securing alternative service providers, with data from market intelligence provider Argus indicating that the cost to Russia of moving its product is considerable. This added burden on Russia will continue to contribute to depressed revenues.

    The Price Cap Coalition continues to monitor the effectiveness of the price cap and is prepared to review and adjust the measure as appropriate to ensure that it continues to meet its twin goals.

    The cap sits alongside an extensive range of measures the UK has taken against Russia. The UK has sanctioned over 1600 individuals and entities involved in Russia’s invasion and sanctioned over £20 billion of UK-Russia goods trade compared to 2021.

    Further Information

    • The price cap was legislated for in the “The Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) (No. 16) Regulations 2022” laid on 3 November 2022. The crude oil price cap was introduced on 5th December 2022, with the high-value and low value refined oil products price caps following on 5th February 2023.
    • The UK has banned the import of Russian oil and oil products into our markets. As such the oil price cap mechanism only applies to UK persons that transport or provide associated services that facilitate the transportation of Russian oil and oil products to and between third countries.
    • Alongside this update OFSI is publishing updated compliance forms, and instructions for using them, for the maritime services ban and Oil Price Cap to assist industry in complying with their obligations and monitoring implementation (see Russian Oil Services ban)
  • PRESS RELEASE : New Chair appointed to Historic England [August 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : New Chair appointed to Historic England [August 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport on 9 August 2023.

    The Secretary of State has appointed Neil Mendoza as the new Chair of Historic England for a term of four years commencing 01 September 2023.

    Lord Neil Mendoza

    Appointed from 01 September 2023 until 31 August 2027.

    Lord Mendoza was appointed Provost of Oriel College, Oxford, in 2018, following a career building businesses in the creative and finance sectors. He is focused on successfully sustaining Oriel’s 700-year history for the College’s 550 students and 250 academic and support staff.

    Lord Mendoza was previously the government’s Commissioner for Culture and chaired the Culture and Heritage Capital Board at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). Prior to that, he served four years as a non-executive director at DCMS. He is Chair of The Illuminated River Foundation, Chair of Civic Future and on the board of the Ashmolean Museum. He is a member of the House of Lords.

    Prior to joining Oriel College, Neil led the year-long Mendoza Review of Museums in England on behalf of DCMS (2016-17). He was formerly Chair of Children and the Arts, Vice Chair of Soho Theatre, and Chair of The Landmark Trust (2011-2021). He joined the Board of MeiraGTx, a US-based gene therapy company, in 2015. He co-founded Forward Publishing in the late 1980s, now a part of WPP plc.

    Lord Mendoza is an advocate of building and supporting talent, creativity and enterprise through high quality educational, cultural and heritage engagement. He is a mentor to young professionals across a range of sectors. He graduated from Oriel College, Oxford with an MA in Geography.

    Remuneration and Governance Code

    The Chair of Historic England is remunerated £40,000 per annum. This appointment has been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments. The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election. Lord Mendoza declared that he takes the Conservative Whip in the House of Lords.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK and Türkiye strengthen partnership to help tackle illegal migration [August 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK and Türkiye strengthen partnership to help tackle illegal migration [August 2023]

    The press release issued by the Home Office on 9 August 2023.

    The UK and Türkiye have agreed a new partnership to enhance cooperation on tackling the illegal movement of migrants, and keep both countries safer.

    UK and Turkish law enforcement officers will step up joint operations to tackle organised immigration crime and disrupt the supply chain of boat parts and other materials used as part of illegal migration journeys.

    The move follows Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick’s visit to Türkiye last month, the latest in a number of strategically important international visits to strengthen cooperation on the challenge of tackling illegal migration and disrupting the routes used by smugglers.

    This has included visits to Belgium, Tunisia, Italy and Türkiye, where he visited the Turkish-Bulgarian Border Check Point at Kapikule – the largest and busiest border crossing point in Europe – and saw first-hand the joint operational work to target organised crime, and the importance of close collaboration between the UK and its international partners on this issue.

    This enhanced partnership also follows recent agreements with countries including Bulgaria and Georgia, as well as strengthened partnerships with France and Albania which have resulted in a 90% drop in Albanian small boat arrivals in the first quarter of 2023, compared to the same period last year, and a 40% increase in the number of illegal crossing attempts prevented by the French last year, compared to the year before.

    The deepened partnership between the UK and Türkiye includes support by the UK for a new centre based in Türkiye to be established by the Turkish National Police, which will act as a new operational “Centre of Excellence” to tackle organised immigration crime. The centre will build on existing collaboration between our law enforcement agencies and increase alignment of UK and Turkish intelligence, allowing operational staff to act more quickly on information.

    A new memorandum of understanding will also cover the increase and quicker exchange of customs data, information and intelligence feeds between the UK and Turkish authorities, to further support our joint efforts to disrupt the small boats supply chain.

    The 2 countries are also bolstering their resources to pursue these common goals. The centre will strengthen collaboration between NCA and Home Office Intelligence staff based in Türkiye and their Turkish counterparts; and the UK will deploy more officers in Türkiye to enable collaboration on joint operations to disrupt the criminal gangs who are facilitating illegal journeys.

    Home Secretary Suella Braverman said:

    As I’ve made clear, we must do everything we can to smash the people smuggling gangs and stop the boats.

    Our partnership with Türkiye , a close friend and ally, will enable our law enforcement agencies to work together on this international problem and tackle the small boat supply chain.

    Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick said:

    Illegal migration is a global challenge, and this new partnership with Türkiye cements our 2 countries as foremost strategic partners, working together in the fight against organised immigration crime.

    We will be intensively sharing intelligence, people and technology to disrupt and dismantle people smuggling gangs and the manufacture and supply of materials which enable small boat crossings.

    Having met our partners in Europe, North Africa and indeed Türkiye recently, I’ve seen first-hand the benefits our increased cooperation has on stopping the boats. I am determined that the UK is a leading force in tackling illegal migration and a partner to all those allies who share our determination to defeat it.

    The export of small boats and boat parts across the continent of Europe in order to facilitate illegal crossings to the UK is a vital element of people smugglers’ tactics. It is estimated that hundreds of small boats and boat parts are transported through Europe each year for this purpose.

    This will be supported through strengthened UK-Turkish engagement at a working level including through the next UK-Türkiye Migration Dialogue meeting taking place this autumn in London. Both countries also committed to raise the issue of illegal migration in international platforms.

    This partnership marks the next step in the UK’s efforts to strengthen cooperation with international partners on the global challenge of illegal migration. This joint work with allies is a key strand of the Prime Minister’s plan to stop the boats, driving efforts upstream to clamp down on the criminality that enables illegal crossings to the UK.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Third anniversary of the fraudulent presidential election in Belarus – Minister for Europe statement [August 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Third anniversary of the fraudulent presidential election in Belarus – Minister for Europe statement [August 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 August 2023.

    Minister for Europe Leo Docherty calls for the immediate and unconditional release of political prisoners in Belarus.

    On the anniversary of the start of a brutal crackdown against peaceful protestors in Belarus following the flawed 2020 presidential election, Minister for Europe Leo Docherty said:

    Three years ago, the Belarusian regime unleashed violence on peaceful protesters, civil society groups, journalists and political opponents for seeking to pursue their desire for freedom and democracy.

    Alexander Lukashenko continues a repressive campaign against his own people, aimed at depriving ordinary Belarusian citizens from exercising their fundamental democratic rights. His regime’s support for Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine further demonstrates its complete disregard for international norms.

    The UK Government has already introduced sanctions targeting those responsible for the suppression of human rights in Belarus and will continue to work alongside our international partners to hold Lukashenko’s regime to account for its appalling actions.

    The close to 1,500 political prisoners who remain detained in Belarus today must be released immediately and unconditionally. We stand in solidarity with the Belarusian people.