Tag: 2023

PRESS RELEASE : Promoting interreligious and intercultural dialogue and tolerance in countering hate speech: UK statement at the UN General Assembly [July 2023]

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

Statement by Ambassador to the General Assembly Richard Croker at UN General Assembly 94th plenary meeting 77th session.

Thank you.

We have been clear in our position: the UK fully rejects intolerance and discrimination. We denounce hatred on the basis of religion or belief, and we condemn the recent incidents of the burning of the Holy Qu’ran. Defending freedom of religion or belief for all is a priority for the UK and we shall continue to stand up for the rights of all individuals and promote mutual respect.

As we stated during the urgent debate at the Human Rights Council in Geneva just weeks ago when combatting religious intolerance, there is a balance to strike – and across different societies, this balance is struck in different ways. Determining at what point freedom of expression becomes unacceptable, and when unacceptable speech or action should be prohibited, is a complex issue.

However, international human rights law provides us with narrowly defined parameters in which freedom of expression can be limited. We do not accept that, by definition, attacks on religion, including on religious texts or symbols, constitute advocacy for hatred. Furthermore, the framework in place already defines what kind of speech must be prohibited, and what must not be restricted.

Whilst we completely reject acts seeking to incite discrimination, hostility or violence, we need to recognise that the primary function of the international human rights framework is to protect individuals from the State. There are too many examples in the world where believers – religious or not – have ben oppressed by those who are meant to guarantee their rights.

The UK has reluctantly joined consensus on this resolution. Whilst we thank our Moroccan colleagues for their engagement on this resolution, we are disappointed that our efforts to find more balanced language were not fully taken on board. We would have preferred to redouble our collective efforts to find a mutually more agreeable position.

We remain concerned with several elements of the text, particularly language which could suggest limitations on freedom of expression beyond what is well established in international human rights law. We do not think it is necessary to agree a new definition of hate speech which may undermine the existing finely balanced position in international human rights law, which already provides a clear framework. We, therefore, oppose any future attempts to agree new definitions of hate speech at UN level, including at the proposed conference in 2025. The UK dissociates itself from PP13 and OP2 of the resolution.

Our hope is that going forwards we can find a way to ensure we work together to protect and defend both freedom of religion or belief, and freedom of expression.

July 27, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Single Malt Welsh Whisky to be protected [July 2023]

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

Single Malt Welsh Whisky was successfully registered under the UK Geographical Indication (UKGI) scheme today (24th July) – protecting its name, authenticity and characteristics.

Food and Farming Secretary Therese Coffey announced the move, which gives Single Malt Welsh Whisky the same status as other Welsh fare like Gower Salt Marsh Lamb and Welsh Leeks, today at the Royal Welsh Show.

It is the first new UK spirit drink application to be registered and protected under new scheme – created after Brexit – and joins other classic British products receiving protection such as Scotch Whisky, Melton Mowbray Pork Pies and Cornish Clotted Cream.

This means consumers can be confident that the product they are buying is genuine and the efforts of producers are protected from imitation products.

Dating back to 1887, Single Malt Welsh Whisky is made using malted barley and water of 100% Welsh origin and with the new protection only whiskies made in this way can be call Single Malt Welsh Whisky. The product is registered to four distillers in Wales, who together export to over 45 countries worldwide including the USA, France, Germany and China.

Each step of the production process must take place in Wales, from brewing to bottling. The moderate and damp Welsh climate allows for an even rate of maturation, producing a smooth and refreshing flavour. Today, most Welsh distilleries still have their own well or borehole to take advantage of Wales’s fames fresh and high-quality water.

Food and Farming Secretary Therese Coffey said:

“Single Malt Welsh Whisky is widely acclaimed for its lightness of character and I am pleased to announce it will be the first protected spirit under our UKGI scheme at the Royal Welsh Show.

“It shows how the UK government is ready to get behind the best of British food and drink from across the nation – to boost sales at home and abroad, create jobs and grow our economy.

“I look forward to meeting some of the distillers at the Royal Welsh Show and celebrating this unique product’s wonderful history.”

Stephen Davies, CEO of Penderyn Whisky said:

“The achievement of UKGI status for Single Malt Welsh Whisky is a significant milestone for Penderyn as a producer but also for the wider Welsh whisky industry.

It assists in safe guarding both the quality of the product and also its source of origin. It’s an exciting step forward and one that puts focus on an industry that has been growing steadily over the last 20 years.”

Welsh Secretary David TC Davies said:

“Wales has a growing reputation for producing high quality food and drink and I’m delighted that Welsh whisky has now been recognised as deserving of this special status.

“UK GI status is really important for distillers and helps them market this fantastic product around the world, and consumers know they are buying a unique product entirely made and bottled in Wales. All of this helps the industry to grow, supporting jobs and driving prosperity.”

Single Malt Welsh Whisky now holds full protection and recognition throughout Great Britain as a Geographical Indication (GI), allowing consumers to be confident that the product they are buying is genuine and the efforts of producers are protected from imitation products.

July 27, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Second Investment Zone for the North to unlock multi-million pound investments [July 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 26 July 2023.

Investment Zone could unlock £320 million of private investment and deliver 4,000 jobs, across Liverpool, Runcorn, St. Helens, Maghull and Prescot over the next 5 years.
- Investment Zone focused on life sciences set to potentially unlock up to £320 million of private investment
- Liverpool, Runcorn, St. Helens, Maghull and Prescot to benefit from over 4,000 new jobs over the next 5 years
- Initial £10 million investment confirmed from a US pharmaceutical company manufacturing drugs used to treat cancers, arthritis and skin conditions.
The government has today (26 July 2023) launched England’s second Investment Zone in Liverpool which could unlock £320 million of private investment and deliver 4,000 jobs, across Liverpool, Runcorn, St. Helens, Maghull and Prescot over the next 5 years.

An initial £10 million investment will be made by US pharmaceutical manufacturer TriRx, to enhance its capabilities to manufacture monoclonal antibodies, a type of immunotherapy that work by blocking certain diseases from affecting healthy cells and are used to treat numerous types of diseases including cancers, arthritis and skin conditions.

This investment in Liverpool’s existing Speke Pharma cluster – home to one of the UK’s leading regions for bioprocessing – is the first step in unlocking a total pipeline up to £320 million of further private funding from a range of investors in the life sciences sector, helping to deliver over 4,000 jobs in the region over the next 5 years.

Backed by £80 million in government funding, the Investment Zone will benefit from a range of interventions which could include skills, infrastructure and tax reliefs, depending on local circumstances – with the potential to completely transform the region, making Liverpool a pharmaceutical production superpower.

The government will continue to work with the Liverpool City Region, University of Liverpool and other local partners to co-develop the plans for their Life Sciences Investment Zone, including agreeing priority development sites and specific interventions to drive cluster growth, over the summer, ahead of final confirmation of plans.

Minister Lee Rowley welcomed the first of those investments as he met executives from US pharmaceutical manufacturer TriRx at their state-of-the-art biotech facility in Speke.

Minister Lee Rowley said:

Investment Zones will drive growth across the UK. For Liverpool City Region that means over £300 million of private investment and 4,000 new, well-paid jobs – all building on the city’s world leading reputation in medical science.

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said:

Our area is fortunate to play home to world-leading clusters in life science research and innovation, which support thousands of secure, well-paid jobs and training opportunities for local people. I am incredibly proud of what our region has achieved in the sector – but this is just a down payment on my future ambitions. I want us to go even further and establish our region at the forefront of UK science and innovation.

With a potential £310 million worth of investment and thousands of local jobs on offer, it is clear that this is an opportunity worth exploring. Yet, throughout this process, I have been clear that any investment in our area must go much further than purely financial incentives. I want to use our status as a force for good, to connect our residents up to secure, well-paid jobs and training opportunities, and attract transformational investment into our area.

To play our part in making that happen, we will be investing 5% of GVA in R&D over the next few years – that is nearly double national targets. Becoming an innovation superpower might sound like a lofty ambition – but I believe that if anywhere has the potential to achieve it, then it’s the Liverpool City Region.

The health and life sciences sector already contributes an estimated £290 million to the Liverpool City Region’s economy every year. Building on this strength, the Liverpool City Region’s Investment Zone includes the University of Liverpool and is part of the government’s vision to drive growth in the sectors of the future including advanced manufacturing, green industries, digital and technology.

Mark Proctor, AstraZeneca Site Lead for Speke said:

AstraZeneca welcomes the establishment of the Liverpool City Region Investment Zone focussed on life sciences, which has the potential to attract more businesses to the region’s already thriving medicine development and manufacturing cluster.

We employ 400 people at our site in Speke to manufacture our intranasal influenza vaccine, used in the UK for the child and adolescent immunisation programme and exported to markets around the world.

The site has the potential to expand into new technology platforms for vaccines and we look forward to working with the Liverpool City Region to identify opportunities to develop these capabilities in the coming years.

Six more Investment Zones are to be announced in England – ensuring that there are engines for growth and opportunities for talented people across the country.

Each was invited to identify an Investment Zone that offered an imaginative partnership between local government and a university or research institute in a way that catalyses emerging innovation clusters.

As well as delivering jobs and driving economic growth, investment zones will be used to help provide new housing in areas of need.

In a speech earlier this week, the Levelling up and Housing Secretary set out our commitment to using the planning and tax levers provided by our new Investment Zones to help regeneration and build the right homes in the right places to support our great cities.

A new “supersquad” of expert planners, backed by £13 million of new funding, will help unblock major housing and infrastructure, looking at sites across our 8 Investment Zones in England, to help provide high quality homes which complement the high-quality jobs that are being created.

There will also be 2 Investment Zones in Scotland, with Glasgow City Region and North East of Scotland offering the most potential to host these. Discussions will now begin with both regions to develop detailed proposals.

The government is also working closely with the devolved administrations to establish how Investment Zones in Wales and Northern Ireland will be delivered.

Today’s news follows the first Advanced Manufacturing Investment Zone in South Yorkshire, announced earlier this month, which has backing from Boeing and partners with an investment worth over £80 million.

Liverpool’s investment zone will complement the benefits of region’s Freeport, which became operational in January and will deliver thousands of new jobs and £850 million for local economies.
July 27, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : NHS platform a ‘major force for good’ after identifying millions of savings in its first year [July 2023]
The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 26 July 2023.

Funding by the Crown Commercial Service has helped NHS procurement teams identify millions in potential savings.
Commercial buying system, Atamis, has supported NHS teams to identify millions in potential savings in its first year

69% of all NHS organisations across the UK are benefiting from the digital system, with many more scheduled to onboard

Identified savings could help money be reinvested into patient care

A Crown Commercial Service-funded digital platform used by the NHS has identified millions of pounds of potential savings in its first year, the government has announced.

Many NHS-affiliated organisations previously used different platforms to buy goods and services. These weren’t possible to integrate, meaning it has historically been difficult for buying teams in the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS to share insights and data between organisations in order to make effective commercial decisions.

The Atamis system, which brings together each element of the commercial process in one location, has removed burdensome manual processes and saved millions of pounds in administration costs. This has also freed up capacity in NHS teams while helping health services run more efficiently.

The platform currently holds a pipeline of £24bn and active contracts with a value of £108bn.

NHS services in North West London were able to identify £34 million of savings by grouping 9 organisations on the same e-commerce system. This has helped them to identify £34 million of potential savings in the past 12 months.

Cabinet Office Parliamentary Secretary Alex Burghart said:

To meet the Prime Minister’s goal of reducing national debt, we’re making efficiencies for the taxpayer.

This platform, funded by the Crown Commercial Service in the Cabinet Office, is a major force for good, helping public bodies like NHS Trusts identify significant savings across the country as we continue working to deliver on the Prime Minister’s commitment to cut waiting lists in the health service.

The roll out of the Atamis e-commerce system, which was enabled by £12.8 million in funding from Crown Commercial Service (spread over 3 financial years), has already seen 258 NHS organisations (69% of total) sign up with a further target of 90% by 2025.

In addition to supporting NHS organisations to identify savings, Atamis provides procurement teams with a unified view of the data, which can be segmented according to the need of the organisation, ensuring it’s easier for procurement and commercial teams to make informed decisions that ensure the best value for money for the taxpayer.

The Department of Health and Social Care said that CCS funding has proved ‘invaluable’ in enabling widespread adoption of the system – one of the 2 key technology platforms that provide the foundations for most of the Central Commercial Functions workstreams – by organisations. The target is to achieve a 90% onboard rate by March 2025.

Health Minister Lord Markham said:

I’m pleased to see the success so far of this digital platform, which is already helping NHS organisations across England identify savings opportunities.

We are committed to using the latest technology and new ways of working to increase efficiencies, save staff time, and deliver value for money.

Sarah Jewell, Deputy Director for partnerships at Crown Commercial Service says:

We’re delighted with the success of the rollout of the Atamis e-commerce system. This is a great step forward in bringing the commercial activities of the health service together in one place to increase the effectiveness and resilience of NHS procurement.

Jacqui Rock, NHS England Chief Commercial Officer

The NHS is one of the most efficient health services in the world, and finding further efficiencies to be reinvested into patient care remains a key priority. Atamis is an incredibly important tool to support procurement teams to do this, and it’s encouraging to see the progress we have made in just a year to help deliver significant savings and value for the taxpayer.

As guardians of taxpayer money, having a unified view of the commercial data landscape is essential, so I expect the remaining NHS organisations who haven’t yet onboarded to do so as a matter of priority.

Lee Jackson, Managing Director North West London Procurement Services

Atamis has been key to the development of ICS based procurement across North West London. We now have a robust 3rd party intelligence suite of which Atamis is the cornerstone. In the past twelve months we have integrated all data from all nine NHS trusts into the system and also the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust. This has helped us identify and track savings opportunities worth £34.8m across our ICS.

Melinda Johnson, Commercial Director for the Department of Health and Social Care says:

CCS funding has been invaluable to DHSC, its Arm’s Length Bodies, NHS Providers, newly formed Integrated Care Systems, Integrated Care Boards and Commissioning Support Units.
July 26, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Two trustees reappointed to the Imperial War Museum [July 2023]

The press release issued by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport on 26 July 2023.

The Prime Minister has reappointed Sir Guy Weston and Professor Margaret MacMillan as trustees of the Imperial War Museum.

Sir Guy Weston

Appointed for a 4 year term commencing 3 November 2023 to 2 November 2027.

Guy is Chairman of the Garfield Weston Foundation and Wittington Investments Limited. A grandson of Garfield Weston and son of the late Garry Weston, Guy studied at Oxford University and INSEAD.

Guy’s career began in investment banking, Morgan Grenfell & Co Ltd, before he moved to Associated British Foods plc where he became the Managing Director of Jacksons of Piccadilly and The Ryvita Co Ltd.

He is Chairman of the Garfield Weston Trust for Westminster Abbey, and former Chairman of the Westminster Abbey Development Appeal and of the Bodleian Library Development Committee and is a trustee of the Imperial War Museum, the Thrombosis Research Institute, and a member of the Council of Royal College of Music.

Professor Margaret MacMillan

Appointed for a term of 3 years and 4 months from 1 October 2023 to 31 January 2027. Professor MacMillan’s first term was extended by 8 months from 31 January 2023 to 30 September 2023.

Professor Margaret MacMillan (Toronto and Oxford) is an emeritus professor of History at the University of Toronto and emeritus professor of International History at Oxford University. She was Provost of Trinity College, Toronto from 2002-7 and Warden of St Antony’s College, Oxford from 2007-2017.

Her research specialises in British imperial history and the international history of the 19th and 20th centuries. Her latest book is War: How Conflict Shaped Us and other publications include Paris, 1919, and The War that Ended Peace.

She gave the CBC’s Massey lectures in 2015 and the BBC’s Reith Lectures in 2018. Awards include the Samuel Johnson prize for non-fiction and the Governor-General’s literary award. She has honorary degrees from several universities and is an honorary Fellow of the British Academy. She is also a Companion of the Order of Canada, a Companion of Honour (UK) and Member of the Order of Merit.

July 26, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : North Korea ballistic missile launches – statement [July 2023]

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

A Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office spokesperson statement on North Korea’s ballistic missile launches overnight on 24 July.

North Korea’s ballistic missile launches overnight on 24 July are a breach of multiple UN Security Council resolutions. Illegal ballistic missile launches continue to destabilise the peace and security of the Korean Peninsula.

The UK will always call out these violations of UNSCRs. We strongly urge North Korea to return to dialogue and take credible steps towards denuclearisation.

July 26, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Gambling white paper consultations published in step forward for reform [July 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 26 July 2023.

A public consultation process has been launched to look at how to conduct financial risk checks for problem gambling and at what level stake limits should be set for people playing online slot games.
- Government launches online slot stake-limit consultation as part of plans to curb harmful gambling
- Gambling Commission also launches consultation on how financial risk checks will work to make sure people are not accumulating life-changing losses
- Outdated rules which restrict casinos and bingo halls will be looked at as part of the consultation
A public consultation process has been launched to look at how to conduct financial risk checks for problem gambling and at what level stake limits should be set for people playing online slot games.

The move is the next step of the Government’s gambling white paper to update gambling rules for the smartphone era and protect those at risk of gambling harm including young adults.

The gambling industry, clinicians, academics, those with firsthand experience of harm, and the general public are invited to share their views.

Gambling Minister Stuart Andrew said:

Three months ago we laid out proposals to update gambling laws and make them fit for the smartphone age.

Slot machines in casinos, arcades and betting shops have strict stake limits but very similar games online have none, which can lead to very large and rapid losses of money.

Today we are launching a consultation for a range of views on what the stake limit should be. I encourage you to have your say.

Online slot games are deemed a higher-risk gambling product, associated with large losses, long sessions and binge play.

According to NHS England surveys, 8.5 per cent of online slots, casino and bingo players report experiencing problem gambling, which is nearly 20 times higher than the adult population average. But unlike gaming machines in pubs, arcades and bookmakers, online slot games have no stake limits, which can make it too easy to incur potentially life-changing losses in minutes.

The Government is consulting on a maximum stake of between £2 and £15 per spin.

Public Health England research has also shown younger adults can be particularly vulnerable to gambling harms, due to a combination of common factors such as ongoing cognitive development and managing money for the first time.

The Government is also consulting on options to introduce greater protections when playing slots for 18 to 24-year-olds, such as lower stake limits of £2, £4, or requirements on operators to consider age as a risk factor for gambling-related harm.

While the online sector has seen significant growth since the 2005 Gambling Act, casinos and bingo halls continue to operate under outdated rules from that time, restricting their ability to compete.

Recommendations in today’s consultations will allow the land-based sector to thrive sustainably, respond to customer demand, and continue to recover from the impacts of Covid, while still protecting customers.

Gambling Commission Executive Director for research and policy Tim Miller said:

These consultations from the Government and the Gambling Commission offer the opportunity for people to have their say on proposals aimed at empowering and protecting consumers. Their launch represents a key moment in turning the commitments in the White Paper into reality.

Alongside the Government consultations, the Gambling Commission has also today published its own 12-week consultation on financial risk checks. These checks will force gambling operators to conduct checks to see if unusually high losses are likely to be harmful.

The Commission will also consult on improving consumer choice and giving players more control on direct marketing, meaning they will have options to opt-in to products and choose the channels they wish to receive marketing through.

Consultations to reduce the speed and intensity of online games, strengthen age verification in premises, look at management licences for operators and the processes of the Commission’s regulatory panel have also started today.

Later this summer, the Government will also launch a consultation on the details of the new gambling operator levy, a charge on betting companies, to fund gambling research, education and treatment, exploring options for the design of the levy, the amount to be collected, funding distribution and governance.

Health Minister Will Quince said:

Harmful gambling has widespread impacts. It affects more than people’s money, but their relationships and health as well.

We are working to protect people from the damaging impacts of harmful gambling by improving treatment options with specialist NHS gambling addiction treatment services.

Seven new gambling clinics will open this summer bringing vital support to more parts of the country, on top of the eight that are already open.

We will be working to better understand the evidence received in order to inform our approach.

The stake limit consultation published today will be open for 8 weeks, with the land based consultation lasting 10 weeks. Those with views or evidence to contribute are invited to do so via the gov.uk page.
July 26, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Agreement to support mental health care and free up police time [July 2023]

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

The NHS, police and government commit to a new approach to ensure those requiring urgent mental health support receive timely care from the most appropriate agency.

Patients experiencing a mental health crisis will be treated by the most appropriate agency, helping free up police time and ensuring care is provided by someone with the most relevant skills and experience, as a new national agreement is signed between health and policing partners.

Local health partners and police forces in England will work together on joint plans to implement the new approach, working towards ending the inappropriate involvement of police where no crime is being committed or there is no threat to safety. Where police officers do take a person in a mental health crisis to a health setting under the Mental Health Act, this agreement emphasises the need for local partners to work towards handovers happening within one hour. These plans and timelines for implementation will reflect the needs of local communities, as well as the capacity of local police and mental health services, and any additional resources required.

The new National Partnership Agreement outlines the principles that local areas are encouraged to adopt to implement Right Care, Right Person (RCRP), which is already showing success. Created by Humberside Police and the NHS in 2019, it is now much easier for staff in police control rooms to identify the right agency to deploy at the outset when responding to 999 calls about individuals experiencing a mental health crisis.

Under new local plans, when the threshold for police involvement is not met, partners will agree the best health-based approach; for instance in Humberside, a new dedicated response vehicle with mental health staff on board has been attending calls and providing support, alongside other community-based mental health services.

As well as patients receiving more appropriate care, Humberside Police believe it has saved 1,441 officer hours on average every single month – and a total of 46,114 officer hours have been saved between May 2020 and December 2022. If all forces in England realised time savings similar to those reported by Humberside police, this could save up to 1 million hours of police officer time per year, freeing up their time to focus on fighting crime and protecting communities.

Policing Minister Chris Philp said:

We have listened to the concerns raised by police leaders about the pressures that mental health issues are placing on policing which takes officers’ time away from preventing and investigating crime.

This landmark agreement will see those in a mental health crisis receiving the most appropriate treatment in the right environment by healthcare professionals and free up considerable amounts of police time to focus on keeping our communities safe.

Minister for Mental Health Maria Caulfield said:

Anyone going through something as awful as a mental health crisis deserves to know they’ll receive the best possible emergency response. It’s vital the right people who are trained and skilled to deal with the situation are on the scene to assist.

That’s why this national agreement is so important. It will ensure the most appropriate health care is provided as quickly as possible.

We’re going further and faster to transform our mental health services, with £2.3 billion extra funding a year by March 2024 so two million more people can get the support they need – and £150 million to build new and improved mental health urgent and emergency care services.

Committing to the RCRP approach to mental health, the new National Partnership Agreement has been signed by the Home Office, Department of Health and Social Care, National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), NHS England, the College of Policing and The Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC).

People with mental health issues are an important part of the communities the police are here to serve and protect. However, the police are often not the most appropriate agency to respond to mental health incidents, which can result in greater distress for people with mental health needs and prevents police officers from carrying out their other duties. They will continue to respond to cases where there’s a need to investigate a crime, or to protect people from an immediate risk of serious harm.

NPCC lead for policing and mental health, Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Bacon, said:

Right Care, Right Person principles are designed to make sure that our communities receive support from professionals with the appropriate skills and expertise to meet their needs. Currently many health incidents which police attend do not involve a risk to life or a crime being committed and in some cases, police attendance may even have a negative impact on an individual who is in need of specialist help.

The signing of the National Partnership Agreement is testament to our relationships with healthcare partners who are integral to the success of Right Care Right Person and we thank them for their support.

The government is investing an additional £2.3 billion annually into mental health services in England by 2024. A significant proportion of that is for community mental health services for people with serious mental illness – roughly £1 billion.

A range of services are available for people experiencing mental health crisis. For example, liaison services are working in Emergency Departments providing help for people in a mental health crisis.

Work is under way to provide 24/7 mental health crisis phone lines, and the NHS Long Term Plan is delivering the fastest expansion of mental health services in its history, so that two million more people will be able to get the mental health support they need.

The mental health workforce is growing. In December 2022, we saw almost 9,000 more mental health staff working than the previous year. The NHS Long Term Workforce plan sets out ambitions to grow the mental health workforce further.

Every area of the country is now investing in alternatives to A&E and hospital for mental health crisis, such as crisis cafes, safe havens, and crisis houses, supported by £60m investment by the end of 2023/24. £150 million will be used to build mental health urgent and emergency care infrastructure, including up to 90 specialised mental health ambulances across the country.

NHS England’s National Mental Health Director, Claire Murdoch, said:

It is vital that people experiencing a mental health crisis are given appropriate support and the NHS is committed to working with local police forces and their partners to ensure the right professional responds.

Health services and police forces should use this agreement to develop protocols that best meet the needs of their local population, including seeking the views of patients, alongside assessing the additional resources they will need to deliver this.

If you or someone you know is struggling with your mental health, the NHS has crisis helplines available 24/7, so please come forward.

The NPCC and College of Policing have developed a national toolkit to support local implementation across England, including decision-making in relation to the threshold for police response, partnership working and training requirements.

APCC Mental Health lead, Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend, said:

The National Partnership Agreement represents a vital first step in ensuring vulnerable people receive the right care from the right person.

My PCC colleagues and I welcome the new agreement and are committed to working closely with chief constables and local partners to get this approach right and ensure it delivers.

Chief Constable Andy Marsh, CEO at the College of Policing, said:

The public want police catching criminals and protecting them from harm. Attending mental health calls is not always appropriate and these changes will strike a better balance so that the public receives the service they want.

Police are not trained mental health professionals and the new toolkit will triage incoming calls to police so that the public receives the best response. The toolkit is unique in policing and will offer support and guidance to call handlers when managing mental health, concerns for welfare and missing persons.

This is a change for policing across England and Wales and the College of Policing will be supporting forces as they focus their efforts on keeping their neighbourhoods safe.

NHS England is also co-producing guidance with multi-agency professionals and people with lived experience of mental health problems, on how to strengthen the interface between multi-agency partners within the urgent mental health pathway.

July 26, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK to host 26th annual Taiwan talks to continue to strengthen trade relationship [July 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 26 July 2023.

Minister for International Trade will co-host the 26th annual Trade Talks later this year.
UK to host 26th annual UK-Taiwan Trade Talks and strengthen the long-standing trade & investment relationship.

Taiwan is an important trading partner for the UK, with bilateral trade worth £8.6bn in 2022.

The Taiwan market offers significant potential for UK companies in areas such as off-shore wind and hydrogen.

Minister for International Trade Nigel Huddleston will co-host the 26th annual Trade Talks later this year with Deputy Minister Chern-Chyi Chen. They held an introductory call to discuss it today.

The UK and Taiwan have a long-standing trade relationship with annual ministerial trade talks held since 1991.

At the last Trade Talks held in Taiwan in late 2022, the UK and Taiwan discussed barriers to trade in sectors like fintech, food and drink and pharma, aimed at helping more UK firms export and invest in Taiwan. This year’s Trade Talks will take place in London and aim to help more UK firms export and invest in Taiwan in areas of mutual interest.

Minister Huddleston also spoke to John Deng, Trade Representative / Minister without Portfolio, to endorse the start of official-level talks on an Enhanced Trade Partnership (ETP), which will be underpinned by non-legally binding Memoranda of Understanding in key areas such as two-way investment, digital trade, and energy & net-zero.

The ETP will build on our ongoing collaboration through annual Trade Talks to tackle barriers to trade and promote UK expertise, deepening our relationship to take advantage of increasing commercial opportunities. Both sides will begin engaging businesses on the ETP in due course.

Like the UK, Taiwan is a champion of free and fair trade underpinned by a rules-based global trading system. The UK is already a major partner in Taiwan’s green transition, with more than 40 British companies already having set up offices in Taiwan.

The British Office holds regular discussions with the Taiwanese authorities focusing on how to enhance trade and investment ties and tackle market access issues and those relating to the wider business environment.
July 26, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Game-changing fund opens in UK to boost science and tech research [July 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 26 July 2023.

£50 million Research Ventures Catalyst to support cutting-edge research, built on partnerships with private and philanthropic investors.
New fund launched by government to support cutting-edge research, built on partnerships with private and philanthropic investors which will unlock tens of millions of pounds to drive new discoveries in health, tech and science

the Research Ventures Catalyst will deliver up to £50 million of government investment, with industry and philanthropic backing, to pilot new ways of joint-funding research in the UK – in turn helping to grow the economy

capitalising on the UK’s status as a key global financial centre to create new sources of funding, the catalyst will support UK scientists and innovators to take risks and tackle some of the world’s most pressing challenges

Up to £50 million of government investment in new UK research ventures will encourage greater private and philanthropic backing for UK science, research and innovation under new plans unveiled today (Wednesday 26 July).

This will help deliver the cash that is vital to finding new ways to tackle deadly diseases, and to harnessing new technologies that will underpin the economy of the future. The launch of the Research Ventures Catalyst will drive more private and philanthropic funding into UK R&D, building on the City of London’s position of strength as an international financial centre for the benefit of our scientists and innovators.

The new fund has been set up to pilot new ways of delivering research in the UK, allowing our brightest minds to take greater risks and pursue new means of working that might not be supported via traditional funding avenues. The Catalyst is opening for bids of up to £100,000 in ‘seedcorn’ funding to allow researchers to develop full plans for their proposed ventures.

Eventually, it will deliver up to £50 million of investment, backed by government with additional private and philanthropic co-investment.

Secretary of State Michelle Donelan said:

“From Edward Jenner’s invention of the very first vaccine, to the scientists in Manchester who isolated graphene, so many of the Great British breakthroughs which have changed the world would not have been possible without people who dared to do things differently, and take calculated risks. In today’s world, that approach is just as important as ever.

“Research and innovation hold the keys to a vast range of benefits and opportunity, from radically improving healthcare to creating whole new industries in fields from quantum to engineering biology. But this work is impossible without funding. That is why, I am making an open invitation to private and philanthropic partners in the City and beyond to work with us through the Research Ventures Catalyst to put real financial firepower behind the world-leading science happening in the UK.”

Unlocking greater private and philanthropic investment in UK R&D is one of the key objectives of the The UK Science and Technology Framework, and partnerships with industry and philanthropic investors are already delivering for the UK’s science sector.

The government is continuing to engage with Schmidt Futures, a philanthropic initiative of Eric and Wendy Schmidt, about their support of up to $20 million as part of our work to spur co-investment in science from private and philanthropic sources.

Delivering new, innovative, agile models of funding such as these delivers on the government’s response to the findings of Sir Paul Nurse’s Landscape Review, and builds on the already-record levels of public sector commitment to spending on R&D. This government has committed to invest £20 billion in R&D in 2024-2025.

Notes to editors

The up to £50 million to spur co-investment in science from the private sector and philanthropy through the Research Ventures Catalyst is subject to business case approvals. Applicants will be required to secure co-investment for their proposals. – If you would like to make an application to the Research Ventures Catalyst, or contact us regarding related investment opportunities, further details can be found here on gov.uk.
July 26, 2023