Tag: 2023

PRESS RELEASE : Lord Chancellor calls for lawyers in Mail investigation to face “full force of sanctions” [July 2023]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 27 July 2023.

The Lord Chancellor has written to the Chair of the Solicitor’s Regulation Authority following the Mail’s investigation.
calls for the use of “full force of sanctions available” if evidence found of wrongdoing

urges the SRA to undertake a review as “Ensuring public confidence in our immigration system is a top priority for the government”

The Lord Chancellor Alex Chalk has written to the Chair of the Solicitor’s Regulation Authority (SRA) to call for the “full force of sanctions” to be used against lawyers found guilty of breaching their professional obligations.

It follows an investigation by the Daily Mail which showed alleged wrongdoing by lawyers appearing to offer ways for potential clients to mislead immigration officials in exchange for payment.

While the vast majority of lawyers are upstanding individuals who work to the spirit and the letter of the law, anyone found guilty of abusing their position as legal professionals should face the consequences imposed by the independent regulator.

This is vital to ensuring that unscrupulous individuals do not undermine public trust in the immigration system.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:

While the vast majority of lawyers take their professional responsibilities seriously, these allegations of exploitation and unscrupulous practice brought to light by the Mail are truly shocking and it is vital that those found to be abusing their position face the full consequences of their actions.

I am determined to rebuild the public’s confidence that it is their country and their government who should decide who comes here, not people looking to profit from undermining our laws. That’s why this government will continue to strain every sinew to end the abuse of our system and stop the boats.

In his letter, the Lord Chancellor said:

I would strongly encourage you to use the full force of sanctions available to you against solicitors where there is a finding of a breach.

Solicitors are critical to the operation of a fair immigration system. I know that the overwhelming majority take their professional duties and obligations extremely seriously.

However, any examples of practices which fall short of the high ethical standards we expect of solicitors risk serious disruption to the immigration system, tarnishing the reputation of those working in this area, and critically undermining public confidence.

The Lord Chancellor has also called for this incident to result in a follow up to the immigration advice review done by the SRA last year, which found there were no widespread or systemic failings or issues with quality.

It did, however, agree that firms needed to make more effort to put proper supervision in place. It also identified specific firms that were falling short and referred them into the SRA’s enforcement process.

The Lord Chancellor continued:

Ensuring public confidence in our immigration system is a top priority for the government. I was therefore appalled to read recent examples in the media of apparent abuse of the system by individuals relied upon to give legal advice.

In light of these recent allegations, I would urge you to undertake a targeted follow up to last year’s thematic review as soon as possible.

The SRA is independent from government and it regulates all solicitors and most law firms in England and Wales. It takes action against solicitors who don’t follow the rules – for instance, by taking someone’s money or acting dishonestly and last year the government gave the SRA new powers to fine rule-breakers up to £25,000.
July 27, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK statement on violence in Niger [July 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 26 July 2023.

The Minister for Africa Andrew Mitchell has made a statement following violence in Niger.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Minister for International Development and Africa Andrew Mitchell said:

The UK is closely monitoring events taking place in Niger’s capital.

The UK condemns in the strongest possible terms any attempt to undermine stability and democracy in Niger.

The UK joins the African Union and Economic Community of West African States in their calls to end the unacceptable events seen today, and to ensure the full and swift restoration of Niger’s democratically elected institutions.

July 27, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : The Russian attack on the Transfiguration Cathedral in Ukraine strikes at the heart of the civilian community – UK statement at the Security Council [July 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 26 July 2023.

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

I’d like to start by joining others in thanking ASG Khiari for your informative briefing.

Since it terminated the Black Sea Grain Initiative last week, Russia has unleashed a new barrage of strikes on Ukraine’s towns and cities.

On Sunday, Russia attacked Odesa’s UNESCO-listed city centre, injuring dozens, including four children.

Among the buildings badly damaged, as we’ve heard, was the Transfiguration Cathedral – Odesa’s largest Orthodox church.

The Transfiguration Cathedral has been bombed twice in 1936 on Stalin’s orders and now by Putin’s order.

This act of cultural and religious vandalism struck at the heart of the civilian community and was condemned by the Director-General of UNESCO.

Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has left a wide trail of destruction across the country. UNESCO has verified damage to over 270 cultural or historical sites, including libraries, churches, theatres, museums and memorials.

Thousands of artworks and other artefacts have been stolen.

Russia is imposing its laws and education systems in Ukraine, restricting Ukrainian media and indigenous languages and trying to indoctrinate Ukrainian children through forced transfers to Russia.

Russia is seeking to destroy Ukraine’s history, identity and cultural heritage.

With these strikes, Russia is also harming the world’s hungriest. By targeting Ukraine’s Black Sea and Danube ports, Russia is trying to damage Ukraine’s ability to export food.

It’s already destroyed tens of thousands of tonnes of food and reduced Ukraine’s ability to store its upcoming harvest, pushing up global food prices.

We stand with the people of Ukraine as they rebuild after Russia’s attacks, and we fully support the UN’s continued efforts to bring food onto global markets.

Russia is not even trying to hide the cynicism and cruelty of its illegal war.

It is trying to bring Ukraine to its knees and to wear down the international community.

But Ukraine will not be subjugated and we will not relent in our support for Ukraine, including in this Council.

July 27, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Millions of children get access to life-saving defibrillators [July 2023]

The press release issued by the Department for Education on 25 July 2023.

The government has ensured every state school in England has a defibrillator with 20,376 devices delivered to 17,862 schools.

The government has confirmed today (25 July 2023) that all state-funded schools in England now have a life-saving defibrillator, drastically increasing the chances of surviving cardiac arrest for all state school pupils in England.

Following the government’s £19 million rollout, over 20,000 defibrillators have successfully been delivered to almost 18,000 schools since January.

In June, the Department for Education oversaw the successful completion of deliveries of defibrillators to secondary schools. Now, all eligible primary, special and alternative provision schools who did not already have a defibrillator have received deliveries, boosting their numbers in communities across the country.

Today’s milestone marks another step in the government’s commitment to delivering stronger, safer communities across the country.

In July 2022, the government committed to delivering these devices before the end of the 2022 to 2023 academic year to ensure that all state funded schools in England had access to a defibrillator, following the campaigning from Mark King of the Oliver King Foundation to ensure all schools have a defibrillator. Mark tragically lost his son, Oliver, after he suffered sudden cardiac arrest at school during a swimming lesson when he was 12-years-old.

Secretary of State for Education Gillian Keegan said:

Having access to defibrillators in schools drastically increases the chance of pupils, teachers and visitors surviving a cardiac arrest.

Thanks to the tireless campaigning of Mark King, Jamie Carragher and Nicola Carragher we are proud to say that every state-funded school in England now has access to a defibrillator.

Teachers and pupils across the country can now be reassured that they will have access to one on school grounds should tragedy strikes.

Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Steve Barclay, said:

We know that quick access to a defibrillator can save someone’s life if they’re having a cardiac arrest.

I’m proud that the government has ensured all state schools have defibrillators, but we want to go even further.

That’s why we’ll be inviting organisations to bid for a share of £1 million of government funding to buy life-saving defibrillators for community spaces, like town halls and parks across England.

Oliver King Foundation founder, Mark King: > We as a family and foundation will continue to strive for change so no other family has to suffer as we are. > > We would like to say a massive thank you to Nadhim Zahawi, Lord Stuart Polak, Jamie Carragher and the DfE for helping us aim for legislation. > > Oliver’s memory will live on and lives will be saved!

Large schools have been provided with 2 or more defibrillators so that they can be strategically placed in areas of the schools where a cardiac arrest is more likely, such as sports halls.

A defibrillator is a machine that is placed externally on the body and is used to give an electric shock when a person is in cardiac arrest i.e. when the heart suddenly stops pumping blood around the body. Prompt defibrillation can help save a person’s life.

The government is also supporting schools in making defibrillators available to the community, with 1,200 external heated defibrillator cabinets being provided to primary and special schools by the end of 2023 in areas of deprivation, where provision is generally lower.

The rollout will build on existing requirements for schools to teach first aid as part of the curriculum, with secondary school pupils being taught life-saving methods such as CPR and the purpose of defibrillators. This rollout will help protect schools and their local communities against cardiac arrest, delivering wider access to these devices.

George Woods, Chief Business Officer for Education and Enterprise at St John Ambulance, said:

It’s fantastic news that our eligible state schools will have this lifesaving technology at their fingertips should it be needed.

Defibrillators are an incredibly important piece of equipment and can often dramatically increase the chances of someone surviving a cardiac arrest.

We are delighted that pupils, staff and visitors to the school can benefit from these devices in the event of a medical emergency until further help arrives.

At St John Ambulance, we know that community first aid saves lives, and this is the perfect example of a whole community coming together to make it a safer place to be.

James Cant, Chief Executive at Resuscitation Council UK said:

It’s great news that 20,000 defibrillators have now been delivered to all state schools across England, it’s now essential that they are regularly checked, registered on the Circuit and always rescue ready.

We need to see more defibrillators placed outside school gates in high-risk areas so they are available to the community, so it’s encouraging to see that 1,200 community facing defibs will be rolled out by the end of the calendar year.

July 27, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : If Russia is serious about ensuring freedom of religion or belief in Ukraine, it should end its senseless war – UK statement at the Security Council [July 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 26 July 2023.

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council meeting on threats to international peace and security.

The United Kingdom is committed to ensuring that everyone, everywhere can enjoy their human right to freedom of religion or belief – a commitment we share with Ukraine, which has been fighting to protect democracy, plurality and human rights in Ukraine from Russian assault for decades.

The head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, has expressed open support for Putin’s illegal invasion, which has brought so much suffering upon Ukraine. This suffering includes, as Director Saad said, the recent destruction of the cathedral in Odesa.

And to think Russia has the audacity to lecture us on religious freedom.

It is entirely understandable that Ukraine wants to protect its national security in the face of these attacks, and it has every right to do so.

If Russia is serious about ensuring freedom of religion or belief in Ukraine, instead of using spurious Security Council meetings to advance the kind of disinformation we’ve heard today, and which I fear is not finished, it should end this senseless war and withdraw its forces.

July 27, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Further funding for livestock farmers to improve animal health and welfare [July 2023]

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 26 July 2023.

Funding drives forward government’s commitment to increase farm productivity and build on our world-leading animal health and welfare standards

A further £10 million is being made available to cattle farmers in England to help them replace ageing cattle buildings with state-of-the-art facilities, Defra has announced today (Wednesday 26 July).

As set out in guidance published today, the Animal Health and Welfare Infrastructure Grant will allocate awards to farmers ranging from £15,000 to £500,000, prioritising new and upgraded calf housing which will improve conditions for livestock and help to boost farmers’ productivity and profitability.

Through this grant, cattle farmers will also be able to access funding for roof-top solar panels on calf housing buildings, fulfilling a key commitment made by the Prime Minister at the Farm to Fork Summit earlier this year. This will enable farmers to improve the thermal insulation of their building whilst providing low-cost energy for calf housing.

The government has also announced that more than £19 million has been awarded to over 3,000 pig, poultry, sheep and cattle farmers who successfully applied to the first round of the Animal Health and Welfare Equipment and Technology Grant. These grants, of between £1,000 and £25,000, will help farmers with items ranging from livestock handling equipment to reduce lameness in sheep or cattle or sealed water tanks to reduce disease transmission in outdoor pigs, to automated monitoring system and sensors which free-up farmers’ time and limit environmental stress in poultry housing.

Both grants form part of the government’s wider Animal Health and Welfare Pathway, which supports farmers to transition to higher welfare practices and systems, whilst encouraging sustainable food production.

They are part of the government’s wider investment of £2.4 billion per year in farming in England for the rest of this Parliament. This includes support for farmers through our new farming schemes, with an expanded and improved Sustainable Farming Incentive 2023 offer announced last month, as well as one-off grants which are helping farmers invest in new technology and equipment that will help them be more productive.

Farming Minister Mark Spencer said:

Our animal health and welfare grants are helping farmers improve conditions for their livestock. Not only is that good for the animals, it’s also a way to improve productivity and help them be more profitable.

It’s great to see such enthusiasm for these grants, with over 3,000 farmers receiving money through the Equipment and Technology Grant from today, and many more set to benefit with our investment in new and upgraded calf housing through our brand new Infrastructure Grant.

The Animal Health and Welfare Infrastructure Grant will prioritise co-funding new and upgraded calf housing in order to promote better social contact and create a healthier environment for livestock. Successful applicants could receive funding for a variety of building types – for example, the construction of A-frame buildings to house dairy calves from birth to weaning, or a mono-pitch building on a beef unit to house calves between 3-6 months.

Improved cattle housing will not only ensure calves are healthier, more resilient and more productive, but will also ensure that farm buildings are able to adapt to the demands of our changing climate. These infrastructure improvements, which are more effective at reducing the risk of disease and calf mortality, will also mean that farmers see a benefit to their bottom line.

In 2023 alone, government is making more than £168 million in grants available to farmers to drive innovation, support food production, improve animal health and welfare and protect the environment. These grants, alongside the government’s new flexible and accessible farming schemes, will ensure that farmers remain at the heart of the rural economy and putting food on our tables.

July 27, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Government launches biggest cladding removal scheme [July 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 26 July 2023.

Cladding Safety Scheme opens to give thousands more buildings access to government funding to fix dangerous cladding for the first time.
- Cladding Safety Scheme opens to give thousands more buildings access to government funding to fix dangerous cladding for the first time
- All buildings in England over 11 metres now have a pathway to fix unsafe cladding, protecting innocent leaseholders from remediation costs
- Eligible developers given 60 days to respond to invitation to join Responsible Actors Scheme committing to make buildings safe
- Regulators have warned building owners they will face robust enforcement action if they stall on remediation
The government has announced its biggest building safety intervention to date as part of a wider package of measures to help end the building safety crisis across England.

The full opening of the Cladding Safety Scheme (CSS), announced in a speech by Housing Secretary Michael Gove, means that costs associated with removing unsafe cladding in mid-rise buildings will now be covered by government funding, protecting leaseholders from costs where the responsible developer cannot be made to pay.

It is estimated that thousands more mid-rise buildings will qualify, giving tens of thousands of residents across England a pathway to a safe home, with no cost whatsoever to leaseholders in the building.

The CSS will be funded by both the £5.1 billion allocated by government to fix the most dangerous buildings and through revenue from the Building Safety Levy on new development.

The scheme will be available to all medium-rise buildings between 11 and 18 metres across England and high-rise buildings over 18 metres outside of London where fire safety professionals have recommended that works must take place. The scheme will also be available to the social housing sector.

All building owners who believe they are eligible for funding need to apply through Homes England Cladding Safety Scheme application portal.

Any leaseholders or residents living in a building they think is eligible for funding will be able to provide further information about their building using Homes England’s ‘Tell Us tool’.

Peter Denton, Chief Executive of Homes England, said:

The Cladding Safety Scheme pilot was an important step in removing the cost burden on leaseholders trapped in unsafe homes and built on the progress made on building safety.

The full rollout of the programme allows us to go even further. Our team is ready to go, and we expect thousands of buildings to benefit over the next decade.

We will continue to work with DLUHC to ensure the pace we’re working at is maintained, so we can bring peace of mind and protection to the millions of people whose lives have been affected by unsafe cladding.

The opening of the CSS means that costs of fixing dangerous cladding for all buildings in England over 11 metres will now be covered either by government funding or by developers who built them.

Earlier this year, the Secretary of State secured the signatures of 49 of the country’s biggest housebuilders on his developer remediation contract – a major step toward ending the building safety crisis.

The developers all put pen to paper on the legally binding document and committed themselves to fix unsafe buildings they developed or refurbished in England over the 30 years to 5 April 2022. The government has now written to eligible developers to invite them to join the Responsible Actors Scheme giving them 60 days to respond. Eligible developers who choose not to join, or who join the Scheme but then renege on their commitments, will be prohibited from carrying out major development or obtaining building control approvals.

While funding is a major part of solving the crisis, it is also important that residents see swift progress once work has been deemed necessary. The government has been clear that there is no excuse for unsafe cladding to be left unmanaged. Building owners must meet their legal obligations to fix fire safety defects in their buildings and make homes safe quickly.

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, the Building Safety Regulator, the Local Government Association, and the National Fire Chiefs Council have today published a joint statement committing to work together to enforce the remediation of fire safety defects, underlining their commitment to see buildings made safe faster. Building owners who continue to stall can expect to face robust enforcement action from regulators, with the full support of government behind them.
July 27, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Russia continues to challenge the foundations of European security – UK Statement to the OSCE [July 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 26 July 2023.

Ambassador Neil Holland thanks Bulgaria for chairing the Forum for Security Cooperation professionally, despite Russia’s destructive behaviour.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I would like to start by thanking you for your professional stewardship of this Forum over the past trimester. You and your team have ensured that this Forum has remained relevant and able to fulfil its mandate during challenging times.

This Forum has rightly remained focused on Russia’s unprovoked, full-scale and illegal invasion of Ukraine. Russia continues to challenge the foundations of European security. To violate the UN Charter. And to flagrantly disregard the Helsinki Final Act’s core principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and the non-use of force. Under your leadership, we have shown that these principles and this Forum continue to matter. And that we will keep on defending both.

Madam Chair, the Security Dialogues this trimester focused different thematic lenses on Ukraine. The Forum discussed the Black Sea, weeks before Russia’s unilateral withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative and reprehensible attacks on civilian infrastructure in Odesa. It highlighted the environment-security nexus, in the aftermath of the destruction of the Kakhovka dam – the impacts of which could last for decades. And to mark the International Day of Women in Diplomacy, this Forum paid tribute to the women of Ukraine, and to our diplomatic colleagues. It is essential that we continue to champion women’s full, equal, meaningful, and safe participation in political and peace processes.

Madam Chair, it is over 500 days since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine. Since 24 February last year, we have seen the extraordinary determination of the Ukrainian people as they have defended their homeland. And we have seen a frustrated Russian military unleash horrendous amounts of violence on civilians and critical national infrastructure. Despite the disinformation perpetrated by our Russian colleagues, it is clear to all that Putin made a grave miscalculation when he chose to invade a sovereign neighbour. And it is clear that millions of young Russians will bear the cost for years to come for an invasion they did not choose. Indeed, far too many will have paid the ultimate price.

No one can deny the Belarusian regime is an active supporter of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. We call upon the Belarusian regime to desist from supporting Russia’s attempts to stoke further regional instability. Any complicity in the invasion itself constitutes a breach of international law.

Russia’s destructive behaviour in Ukraine has been mirrored in the OSCE. It compounded years of non-compliance by triggering the process to permanently leave the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe. This showed Russia’s ongoing disregard for the Euro-Atlantic security architecture and the principles of arms control. The Russian delegation blocked consensus on holding the Annual Security Review Conference – another unwelcome first for the OSCE. And the behaviour of the Russian delegation in this Forum has breached and at times gone way beyond diplomatic norms. So I would like, in that light, to pay particular tribute to you, Madam Chair, for standing up to that behaviour.

I would like to conclude by thanking Bosnia-Herzegovina as it leaves the FSC Troika, and to welcome Cyprus. As the incoming Chair, Canada can count on the UK’s full, continued support next trimester. As can Ukraine – as it fights a war it did not choose and against an enemy who has demonstrated a disregard for international law, sovereignty, and human rights. Ukraine must remain at the forefront of our minds over the summer and into next trimester. The UK and the international community will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes. Thank you.

July 27, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK and Turkey continue to strengthen ties at Defence industry fair [July 2023]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 26 July 2023.

The UK and Turkey’s defence relationship will continue to strengthen, following Ministerial meetings at the International Defence Industry Fair in Istanbul.
Export opportunities discussed between Defence counterparts.

UK and Turkish Minsters discussed greater military and industry cooperation.

Meeting held at International Defence Industry Fair in Turkey.

The UK and Turkey’s defence relationship will continue to strengthen, following Ministerial meetings at the International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF) hosted in Istanbul.

At IDEF, the Minister for Defence Procurement, James Cartlidge met with the Turkish Deputy Defence Minister, Celal Sami Tüfekci and the president of the Turkish Defence Industry Agency, Professor Doctor Haluk Görgün.

The meetings covered a range of topics, including equipment, exports and further opportunities for cooperation across the shared domains.

Also at IDEF, the Minister celebrated the joint venture and signing of an MOU with Nurol Mankina and NP Aerospace which declares their intent to invest in the UK Defence industry.

In recent years, the relationship between the two nations has gone from strength-to-strength, with a strong and growing defence industrial relationship with Turkey that covers air, land and sea domains, and in particular the UK industry continues to work with Turkish counterparts to develop their TF-X Combat aircraft.

Minister for Defence Procurement, James Cartlidge said:

The UK-Turkey relationship is stronger than ever. We share an enduring defence partnership with our respective industries, and we are committed to addressing our shared security challenges.

It was a pleasure to meet the Turkish Deputy Defence Minister and President of the Turkish Defence Industry Agency, and I look forward to continuing to deepening those ties.

British industry was on display during the event which was attended by BAE Systems, Leonardo and Rolls-Royce.

During the visit, the UK and Turkey reaffirmed its commitment to the UK Defence Industry and agreed to continue collaborating with international partners and industry.
July 27, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Scottish Secretary reacts to May 2023 GDP figures [July 2023]
The press release issued by the Scottish Office on 26 July 2023.

Alister Jack says despite factors affecting growth, the UK Government is prioritising halving inflation, growing the economy and reducing debt.
The monthly figures for Scotland’s onshore GDP have been published today here for May 2023 and show a fall of 0.2% This comes following a contraction of 0.5% in April, unrevised from the previous publication.

The final figures for the first three months of 2023 have also been confirmed today here, and show growth of 0.2%, revised down slightly from the estimate of 0.4% released at the end of May.

Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said:

We are still facing economic headwinds – and an extra bank holiday had an impact on growth in May – but despite that, the economy has still broadly performed more strongly than expected in recent months, aided by resilience in the job market and falling global energy prices.

While inflation is falling and stands at its lowest level since last March, we aren’t complacent and know that high prices are still a huge worry for families. That’s why we’re sticking to our plan to halve inflation this year, as well as reducing debt and growing the economy.

We’re also providing vital financial support for businesses and families and, by 2024, we will have spent £7 billion helping to ease the burden of energy bills in Scotland including £2.1 billion in targeted cost of living payments. We’re also boosting trade and encouraging investment with more than £2.2 billion ploughed directly into promoting prosperity in Scotland which will benefit the whole of the UK.

Background

The UK was the fastest growing economy in the G7 last year. Since 2010, the UK has grown faster than Japan, France, and Italy, and at about the same rate as Germany.

The IMF is predicting that around 90% of advanced economies will see a decline in growth in 2023.

A contraction in the economy in May was anticipated because of the extra bank holiday that month.

Data from the ONS shows that June CPI fell from 8.7% to 7.9%, below market expectations. Core CPI also fell to 6.9% from 7.1.

At Autumn Statement 2022, the government took difficult, but necessary, decisions across taxation and spending to restore economic stability.

The OBR have said that the measures in the Budget caused them to revise potential output upwards by the largest amount ever in their forecasts.

The government is maintaining record levels of capital investment – £600bn over the next 5 years – including investment in critical infrastructure like Northern Powerhouse Rail, HS2 and Sizewell C, and safeguarding the highest ever R&D budget.
July 27, 2023