Tag: 2023

PRESS RELEASE : New laws helping to stop the boats and grow the economy receive royal assent [July 2023]
The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 20 July 2023.

New laws to help stop the boats, grow the economy, support families and deliver on the priorities that matter most to the country received Royal Assent on 20 July 2023.
- Delivery on pledges to build a better, more prosperous future as four major Government bills became law today.
- New laws passed vital step forward to help stop the boats and support businesses to grow.
- Prime Minister Rishi Sunak points to “action not words” as he gets on with delivering for the public.
New laws to help stop the boats, grow the economy, support families and deliver on the priorities that matter most to the country received Royal Assent today (Thursday 20 July).

The Government’s Illegal Migration Act marks a vital step forward to stopping the boats by removing the incentive for people to make these dangerous journeys in the first place.

Once operationalised, the Illegal Migration Act will mean that people who come to the UK illegally will not have a right to stay, and instead they will be liable to be returned either to their home country or relocated to a safe third country.

From today, people who arrive illegally under the new laws will be banned from lawfully re-entering the UK and will not be eligible for settlement or citizenship, except in limited circumstances.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:

The public’s priorities are my priorities.

When it comes to making people’s lives better, I am focused on action, not words.

We are getting on with the job and today passed new laws which will play an important part in our efforts to stop the boats, support businesses to grow and allow the public to access essential services in the face of disruption.

Members of the public disrupted by industrial action will welcome today’s new Strikes (Minimum Service Level) Act which will require essential services they pay for to be there when they need them. It will implement minimum service levels for rail passengers, ambulance and fire and rescue services.

The UK economy is set to see over £1 billion boost over the next decade thanks to the Electronic Trade Document Act which has also become law today. It will make trade more efficient, cleaner and cheaper for UK businesses.

The Social Housing (Regulation) Act will drive up standards of social housing and support families by giving residents a real voice to fight for the safe and high-quality homes they deserve.

Since the Prime Minister took office on 25 October the Government has taken action to deliver:
- 24 bills to Royal Assent including the Illegal Migration Bill, Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill, Electronic Trade Documents Bill and the Social Housing (Regulation) Bill.
- Introduction of 20 bills including the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill, the Victims and Prisoners Bill and the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill.
- Support for 16 Private Members’ Bills (PMB) to Royal Assent including the Child Support (Enforcement) Bill and the Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Bill.
Three Government backed Private Members’ Bills have also received Royal Assent today.

Firms will be supported to attract more talent, increase retention and boost productivity through the Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Act, sponsored by Yasmin Qureshi MP and Baroness Taylor of Bolton. It will give people across the UK even more flexibility over where and when they work.

Separated families owed child maintenance from non-paying parents will be paid quicker through the Child Support (Enforcement) Act. The new law will get money flowing significantly faster by speeding up tougher sanctions where parents choose not to pay – recouping financial support which helps to keep 160,000 children out of poverty every year. The Bill was sponsored by Siobhan Baillie MP and Baroness Redfern.

The Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act, sponsored by Greg Smith MP and Lord Blencathra, will help prevent the theft and resale of agricultural equipment such as quad bikes by making sure they’re given forensic markings before sale. The new law will allow the police to more easily identify stolen equipment and for people to be able to prove ownership – benefiting farmers by reducing rural crime.
July 26, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Millions to benefit from new flexible working measures [July 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 20 July 2023.

Millions of British workers will have more flexibility over where and when they work as the Flexible Working Bill achieves Royal Assent.
- Millions of British workers will have more flexibility over where and when they work as the Flexible Working Bill achieves Royal Assent.
- Workers will have the right to request flexible working from day one of a new job, with employers required to consider any requests and provide a reason before rejection.
- Follows a wave of wins for workers after a record National Minimum Wage uplift and boosts to employment protections for parents and unpaid carers.
Employees across the UK will be given even more flexibility over where and when they work, as the Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Bill receives Royal Assent.

Delivering on a 2019 Manifesto commitment to encourage flexible working, the Act will require employers to consider and discuss any requests made by their employee – who will have the right to two requests a year – within two months of a request, down from three.

Flexible working is a broad term and can relate to working hours or pattern including part-time, term-time, flexi-time, compressed hours, or adjusting start and finish times. It can also include flexibility over where someone works, whether that be from home or a satellite office shortening their commute.

As well as clear benefits to workers, the measures are also good for British business. Research has shown companies that embrace flexible working can attract more talent, improve staff motivation and reduce staff turnover – boosting their business’s productivity and competitiveness.

CIPD research shows that 6 percent of employees changed jobs last year specifically due to a lack of flexible options and 12 percent left their profession altogether due to a lack of flexibility within the sector. This represents almost 2 and 4 million workers respectively.

Business and Trade Minister Kevin Hollinrake said:

A happier workforce means increased productivity, and that’s why we’re backing measures to give people across the UK even more flexibility over where and when they work.

Not only does flexible working help individuals fit work alongside other commitments – whether it’s the school drop off, studying or caring for vulnerable friends and family – it’s good business sense too, helping firms to attract more talent, increase retention and improve workforce diversity.

I want to thank Yasmin Qureshi MP, and all the campaigners who have helped make this Bill a reality and improved the lives of workers across the UK.

Workers will benefit from the following new protections once in force:
- New requirements for employers to consult with the employee before rejecting their flexible working request.
- Permission to make two statutory requests in any 12-month period (rather than the current one request).
- Reduced waiting times for decisions to be made(within which an employer administers the statutory request) from three months to two months.
- The removal of existing requirements that the employee must explain what effect, if any, the change applied for would have on the employer and how that effect might be dealt with.
Alongside the measures in the Bill, millions of workers will be given the right to request flexible working from day one of a new job. This will bring an estimated 2.2 million more employees in scope of the entitlement following a change in regulations.

The Government is also today launching a call for evidence on non-statutory flexible working to improve on knowledge of the extent of flexibility in the labour market. The aim is to increase understanding of the role of informal flexible working in meeting the needs of both employers and employees.

In response to this legislation, Acas will be updating its statutory Code of Practice following a consultation, which was launched on 12 July. The aim of the Code is to provide employers, employees and representatives with a clear explanation of the law on the statutory right to request flexible working, alongside good practice advice on handling requests in a reasonable manner.

Acas Chief Executive, Susan Clews, said:

There’s been a global shift and changed attitudes towards flexible working. It has allowed more people to better balance their working lives and employers have also benefitted from being an attractive place to work for staff that value flexibility.

Our new draft Code encourages employers to take a positive approach to flexible working and addresses all the new changes in the Act. We are keen to get views to ensure that it is clear and relevant for the modern workplace.

With new legislation coming into effect, charity Working Families—in partnership with the Government’s Flexible Working Taskforce and CIPD—is re-launching its ‘Happy to Talk Flexible Working’ strapline and logo to aid employers in realising the benefits of flexible working from the point of recruitment.

Working Families and the Taskforce have also developed new guidance for employers, outlining the business case for flexible working and offering step-by-step instructions for designing and advertising flexible roles that work for businesses. The initiative will give employers a head start in thinking about how all their roles can be done flexibly.

Chief Executive of Working Families, Jane van Zyl said:

There are millions of parents and carers in the UK who rely on flexible working to enter and stay in employment. It is no longer a perk; for many, it is a necessity. But flexible working isn’t just good for people–it’s also good for business, and good for the economy.

When employers implement flexible working effectively, they reap the benefits: from increased talent attraction and retention to better performance. We’re delighted to re-launch our Happy to Talk Flexible Working logo and strapline to support employers on their journey to creating high-performing, flexible workplaces.

Chief Executive of the CIPD and Chair of the Government’s Flexible Working Taskforce Peter Cheese said:

By using the tagline ‘Happy To Talk Flexible Working’ in job advertisements, employers can open up recruitment to wider talent pools and create fairer and more inclusive workplaces. This transparency supports workers to ask for flexibility and helps to normalise the conversation for all groups.

Many organisations are facing the dual challenges of skills shortages and talent retention issues and we know that offering flexible working can go a long way towards tackling these problems.

Flexible working practices can include options on the hours people work, their working patterns and their location, for example hybrid working. Employers that use a range of approaches can ensure flexible working provision is fair and available to all types of workers regardless of their job or sector.
July 26, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Strikes Bill becomes law [July 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 20 July 2023.

Government Bill to introduce Minimum Service Levels during industrial action receives Royal Assent
Minimum Service Levels balance the ability of workers to strike with the rights of the public, who expect essential services they pay for to be there when they need them.

Government will now launch a public consultation on the reasonable steps unions should take to ensure their members comply with a work notice given by an employer.

The Strikes (Minimum Service Level) Act has today [Thursday 20 July] received Royal Assent in Parliament, ensuring workers maintain the ability to strike whilst giving the public access to the essential services they need.

Government will now proceed with plans to implement minimum service levels for passenger rail services, ambulance services and fire and rescue services.

Minimum service levels will ensure a minimum service operates in specified services during periods of strike action.

This will help protect the safety of the general public and ensure essential services are there when they need them – whether getting the train to work or being able to call an ambulance in times of emergency.

This will follow public consultations on the most appropriate approach for delivering Minimum Service Levels in passenger rail and blue light services. The Government is currently analysing responses and will respond in due course.

A public consultation will also be launched this Summer on the reasonable steps unions must take to comply with a work notice issued by employers under minimum service levels legislation.

This Government firmly believes that the ability to strike is an important part of industrial relations in the UK, rightly protected by law, and understands that an element of disruption is inherent to any strike. But the public expects government to act when their essential services are put at risk.

Business Minister Kevin Hollinrake said:

This legislation is an appropriate balance between the ability to strike, and protecting lives and livelihoods.

The UK remains a world leader for workers’ rights and these new laws will not prevent a union from organising industrial action.

Industrial action has had a strong impact on access to emergency services and the UK economy, resulting in over 600,000 rescheduled medical appointments since December 2022 and at least £1.2 billion lost in the period June 2022-23 according to analysis by the Centre for Economic and Business Research (CEBR).

Following public consultation and approval by both Houses of Parliament, the Government will be able to set minimum service levels within key sectors, including emergency services, border security, education, passenger rail and the nuclear sector.

Rail Minister Huw Merriman said:

The ability of workers to take strike action is an integral part of industrial relations, however, this should not be at the expense of members of the public.

The passing of this Bill will help give passengers certainty that they will be able to make important journeys on a strike day.

When minimum service levels are in force for a specified service, if the relevant trade union gives notice of strike action, employers can issue a work notice ahead of the strike, to specify the workforce required to maintain necessary and safe levels of service. They must consult with the relevant unions on the number of persons and the work to be specified in the work notice and take their views into account before issuing the work notice.
July 26, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : New consultation on UK-related domain names powers [July 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 20 July 2023.

We are seeking views on proposals for the design of regulations in relation to UK-related domain name registries.
Government consulting on proposals for the design of regulations in relation to UK-related domain name registries.

consultation will ensure procedures remain in place to deal with both misuse and unfair uses

work will help ensure the UK continues to meet international best practice on domain name governance, in line with our key global trading partners

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) is seeking views on proposals for the design of regulations in relation to UK-related domain name registries.

This consultation asks for views on the abuse of relevant domain names, to ensure procedures remain in place to deal with both misuse and unfair uses of domain names.

Responses to the consultation will help DSIT design a set of regulations which are workable, proportionate and fit for purpose. While anyone can respond to the consultation, views are particularly welcome from UK-based registries, users of domain names, registrars, industry bodies, cybersecurity organisations, trade associations, relevant charities, and intellectual property rights holders.

The consultation will run for six weeks and will close on 31 August 2023.

Minister for Tech and the Digital Economy Paul Scully said:

I recognise the good work that the registries in scope of these powers already do to tackle abuses of their domain names, and it is only right that we continue to meet the expectations of international best practice on governance of domain names which represent the UK.

Read the consultation proposals and offer your views.

Notes to editors

DSIT will be commencing sections 19-21 of the Digital Economy Act 2010.

This legislation sets out the Secretary of State’s powers of intervention in the event when any in-scope UK-related domain name registry fails to address serious, relevant abuses of their domain names, posing significant risk to the UK electronic communications networks and its users.

Following our review of the consultation responses, DSIT will be setting out in secondary legislation a list of misuses and unfair uses of domain names that registries in scope must take action to mitigate and deal with, and cover the registry’s arrangements for dealing with complaints in connection with the domain names in scope.

It is important we undertake this work to ensure that the UK will continue to meet international best practice on governance of country code top-level domains in line with our key global trading partners and our future global trading commitments.

It is important for the users of UK-related domains that there continue to be procedures in place to deal with domain name abuse.
July 26, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : New Chair of the Criminal Legal Aid Advisory Board appointed [July 2023]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 20 July 2023.

The Lord Chancellor has approved the appointment of Her Honour Deborah Taylor as the new Chair of the Criminal Legal Aid Advisory Board for 18 months from July 2023.

The CLAAB was established following Lord Bellamy’s Criminal Legal Aid Independent Review (CLAIR) recommendation that an independent Advisory Board be established to take a wider view and encourage a more joined-up approach to criminal legal aid within the criminal justice system.

The CLAAB will ensure that criminal defence practitioners have ongoing input into the future development of the criminal legal aid system.

Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Alex Chalk said:

Her Honour Deborah Taylor’s extensive experience in criminal law will be invaluable to the Board as we continue our work to strengthen the legal aid system.

Legal Aid is a crucial part of ensuring victims get access to justice and strengthening the rule of law, and our reforms are putting it on a sustainable footing both now and for the future.

Biography

HH Deborah Taylor was a Senior Circuit Judge, Resident Judge at Southwark Crown Court and Recorder of Westminster until her retirement from the Judiciary in December 2022. In 2022 she was Treasurer of Inner Temple, where she advocated for greater diversity at the Bar.

Since March 2023, Deborah has been Chair of the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) which deals with doctors’ fitness to practise and ensures members of the public are adequately protected. Deborah is also a member of the Advisory Board of Durham University Law School and a Trustee of Shakespeare’s Globe.

Notes

The CLAAB’s purpose is to provide independent advice to the Lord Chancellor on the operation and structure of the existing and future criminal legal aid schemes and to assess how these schemes should adapt to support a high-performing criminal justice system and the wider objectives of the legal profession.

The CLAAB has met three times since it was first established – in October 2022, then in January and April 2023. The Board will meet again on 20 July 2023.

The membership currently includes representatives from the Bar Council, the Law Society, Criminal Bar Association, London Criminal Courts Solicitors’ Association, Criminal Law Solicitors’ Association, CILEX and Ministry of Justice officials.

July 26, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Michael Smyth CBE KC (Hon) appointed as Northern Ireland Member of the BBC Board [July 2023]

The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 20 July 2023.

His Majesty the King has appointed Michael Smyth CBE KC (Hon) as the Northern Ireland Member of the BBC Board.

Michael Smyth CBE KC (Hon)

Appointed for a four year term commencing 20 July 2023 to 19 July 2027.

Michael Smyth is an experienced lawyer and regulator. For 20 years, he was a partner in international law firm Clifford Chance, latterly as head of the firm’s government and public policy practice and leading on assignments including the Hutton Inquiry and a number of high-profile corporate crises.

He wrote the textbook Business and the Human Rights Act and is also joint author of works on political donations and sanctions law.

He has been Senior Independent Director at the Legal Services Board, the oversight regulator of the legal profession and also been a member of the Press Complaints Commission. He was also a founder director of the Fundraising Regulator, and was for two terms a member of the Advisory Council on National Records and Archives.

Amongst his many not-for-profit activities, he was for a decade chair of Protect, the whistleblowing charity and later Community Links, the pioneering east London charity.

Michael, who was born in Northern Ireland, is also non-executive chair of Glastry Advisory Partners, a music management company.

Remuneration and Governance Code

The BBC Northern Ireland Member is remunerated £38,000 a year. 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.

Article 23(10) of the BBC’s Royal Charter requires the agreement of Northern Ireland’s Executive Committee to make this appointment. On 6 December 2022 the Northern Ireland Office secured passage of the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2022. This includes provision on the exercise of appointment functions in the absence of the Executive Committee, including section 7 on public appointments. This came into force on 7 February by virtue of S.I 2023/89 (C.7). The effect of section 7 is to convert the Royal Charter’s requirement to obtain the agreement of the Executive Committee to a requirement to consult a Northern Ireland department during the current period in which there is no Executive. The Department for Communities were consulted on this appointment and confirmed it was content for this appointment to proceed.

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. Michael Smyth KC CBE (Hon) has not declared any significant political activity.

July 26, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Sovereign Grant recalculated as offshore wind profits rise [July 2023]
The press release issued by HM Treasury on 20 July 2023.

The Royal Trustees have today (20 July) published their review of the Sovereign Grant which sets the proportion of The Crown Estate’s net profits used to calculate the amount of government funding to support His Majesty The King.
Sovereign Grant to be 12% of The Crown Estates net profits next year, down from 25%

Change comes following a significant increase in Crown Estate’s profits from offshore wind

As a result, the Royal Household’s budget will be £24 million lower next year and £130 million lower in both 2025 and 2026, than if the rate remained at 25%

The Trustees – made up of the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt and the Keeper of the Privy Purse Sir Michael Stevens – have reduced the proportion of Crown Estate profits used to calculate the Sovereign Grant from 25 per cent to 12 per cent for 2024-25 onwards, reflecting a significant increase in Crown Estate Profits from offshore wind developments.

Cutting the rate to 12% is expected to reduce the Sovereign Grant by £24 million in 2024/25, compared with the rate staying at 25%, and over £130 million lower in each of 2025 and 2026. This money will instead be used to fund vital public services, for the benefit of the nation.

This means the total Sovereign Grant for 2024/25 will remain flat at £86.3 million, with part of the Grant going towards the Reservicing of Buckingham Palace – works that seek to prevent a serious risk of fire, flood, and damage to the building.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt said:

Our Monarchy is a source of immense national pride and constitutional strength, widely admired around the world.

For almost 300 years, Kings and Queens have surrendered the profits from The Crown Estate to the British people, and in return the Government has provided a fraction of that to properly support the King in undertaking his official duties.

The new Sovereign Grant rate reflects the unexpected significant increase in The Crown Estate’s net profits from offshore wind developments, while providing enough funding for official business as well as essential property maintenance, including completing the ten year reservicing of Buckingham Palace.

The review took into account the Royal Household’s current income and expenditure, the level of the Sovereign Grant Reserve, and the costs of major projects to be carried out.

The new 12 per cent rate will deliver the remaining funding for the 10-year reservicing of Buckingham Palace, due to complete in 2027, as well as funding for wider property maintenance and to support the official duties of The Head of State.

It will come into effect once legislation changing the rate has passed in the Autumn, and be used in the calculation of the Grant for 2024-25 onwards until the completion of the Reservicing Programme in 2027. Following the completion of the Reservicing Programme, the Sovereign Grant will be recalculated.

Since 2020, the Grant has been largely unchanged due to the adverse impact of Covid-19 on The Crown Estate’s profits. The total Sovereign Grant for 2022-23 is £86.3 million, as confirmed in The Annual Report of the Royal Trustees, published in March.

The Crown Estate is a public corporation run independently of both the King and the government, tasked with managing a portfolio of land and property that belongs to the Sovereign.

Further information

Read the The Report of the Royal Trustees on the Sovereign Grant Review 2023

The Crown Estate’s profits are paid into the Consolidated Fund, from which the government funds public spending.

The Grant is paid from the Consolidated Fund based on how much revenue is generated by The Crown Estate two years previously. When Crown Estate profits fall, the Grant cannot be set lower than the previous year’s level.

Since 1760, each Monarch has surrendered the revenue from the Crown Estate to the Exchequer in return for government support
July 26, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Stronger powers to combat illicit tobacco come into force [July 2023]

The press release issued by HM Treasury on 20 July 2023.

New sanctions come into effect for those found selling illicit tobacco products.

More than 27 million illicit cigarettes and 7,500kg of hand-rolling tobacco were seized under Operation CeCe in its first 2 years, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and National Trading Standards have revealed.

This comes as new powers come into force from today, 20 July, which could see penalties of up to £10,000 for any businesses and individuals who sell illicit tobacco products. The sanctions will bolster the government’s efforts to tackle the illicit tobacco market and reduce tobacco duty fraud.

The new powers will also see Local Authority Trading Standards given the ability to refer cases to HMRC for further investigation. HMRC, where appropriate, will administer the penalties and ensure the appropriate sanction is applied and enforced.

Operation CeCe is a joint HMRC-National Trading Standards operation which has been working to seize illicit tobacco since January 2021.

Nis Bandara, HMRC’s Deputy Director for Excise and Environmental Taxes, said:

Trade in illicit tobacco costs the Exchequer more than £2 billion in lost tax revenue each year. It also damages legitimate businesses, undermines public health and facilitates the supply of tobacco to young people.

These sanctions build on HMRC’s enforcement of illicit tobacco controls, will strengthen our response against those involved in street level distribution, and act as a deterrent to anyone thinking that they can make a quick and easy sale and undercut their competition.

Kate Pike, Lead Officer for the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, said:

Trading Standards Officers across the country work with colleagues in Public Health to reduce the harm from smoking and with enforcement partners to disrupt criminality in our communities.

We welcome this addition to our toolkit of measures to tackle illegal tobacco, ensuring that those who seek to profit from supplying these products face substantial penalties for doing so, and their ability to continue to trade is severely impacted.

Lord Michael Bichard, Chair of National Trading Standards, said:

The illegal tobacco trade harms local communities and affects honest businesses. Through Operation CeCe, we have removed 27 million illegal cigarettes and 7,500kg of hand-rolling tobacco from the supply chain and we welcome these new measures to clamp down further on the illicit tobacco trade.

HMRC will launch a new illicit tobacco strategy later in the year which will replace ‘From Leaf to Light’, which has been the guiding strategy for tackling the illicit tobacco market since 2015.

July 26, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Government acts to boost the quality of care for mothers and babies [July 2023]
The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 20 July 2023.

Measures to be taken on a national level to further improve safety standards in maternity care.
- Comes as government responds in full to the independent review into East Kent maternity services led by Dr Bill Kirkup
- It follows unprecedented levels of funding to grow the maternity workforce and boost neonatal services
Further action will be taken on a national level to improve safety for mothers and their babies within the NHS to ensure maternity and neonatal care everywhere is of the highest standard.

The government has published its full response to an independent review – led by former Regional Director of Public Health Dr Bill Kirkup CBE – into maternity failings at East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust. The review was launched because of concerns about the quality of care being provided by the trust.

Minister for Women’s Health, Maria Caulfield, has announced she will now personally chair a new group overseeing maternity services nationwide.

The maternity and neonatal care national oversight group will bring together key people from the NHS and other organisations. It will look across work being carried out by a range of programmes set up to improve maternity and neonatal care, including the implementation of Dr Kirkup’s and other recommendations, to ensure they are joined up and effective.

Minister for Women’s Health Maria Caulfield said:

Every woman deserves to feel confident in the care they and their baby receive. I’d like to thank Dr Kirkup and all those involved in investigating the circumstances behind what’s happened in these horrendous cases.

In particular, I’d like to thank the women and their families, who have gone through so much pain, for engaging with the investigation and helping it reach its findings.

I’m determined to see safety standards in maternity and neonatal care improve across the country. While this invaluable report focuses on the situation in East Kent, I want to see its recommendations implemented nationwide.

This government will continue investing in the maternity workforce and working with the NHS to raise standards.

In East Kent in particular, the minister will chair a local forum bringing together local NHS representatives, the Care Quality Commission and local MPs to share information and updates on the improvements being made to maternity services.

The Minister for Women’s Health has also appointed Dr Kirkup to lead work with healthcare partners in response to 2 of the key recommendations, helping to ensure teams in maternity and neonatal care across England can work together more collaboratively so the best quality, compassionate care is provided.

Organisations from across the health and care system – including the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) and the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) – have been asked by the government to support its efforts to promote and improve team-working in healthcare settings.

Royal colleges, professional regulators and employers have also been asked to investigate how they can improve workplace culture so standards of professional behaviour in maternity and neonatal settings are high. They’ll consider what appropriate action can be taken if high standards fail to be met.

Dr Bill Kirkup said:

I see the government’s response to ‘Reading the signals’ as an important step forward in addressing the issues that I identify.

I welcome the opportunity to lead this significant work. I look forward to drawing together an action group to advise me in doing so.

Following Dr Kirkup’s report, the below actions are being or have been taken:
- a special data taskforce has been set up by NHS England to better monitor patient safety in maternity and neonatal care nationwide
- relevant bodies will work with DHSC to investigate how teamwork in maternity and neonatal care spaces can be improved
- relevant bodies will work with DHSC to investigate how doctors in training can be better trained to improve teamworking and their own personal development
- trusts will have to ensure there is proper representation of maternity care on their boards
- the government will continue to work with NHS England on its approach to poorly performing trusts and their leadership
- East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust will continue working to address the problems identified and improve standards
Dr Matthew Jolly, National Clinical Director for Maternity Review and Women’s Health at NHS England, said:

We welcome the government’s response to Dr Bill Kirkup’s report – the failings in care for women, babies and their families using East Kent Hospital must not continue to be repeated.

NHS England has installed an improvement director at the trust alongside a senior advisor, and both are providing expert practical advice to the organisation on the actions it needs to implement to improve its maternity and neonate care, while senior national NHS clinical leaders are regularly visiting both maternity units to monitor progress.

In March, we published a delivery plan for maternity and neonatal care, which sets out what the NHS will do over the next 3 years to make care safer, more personalised and more equitable for all women, babies and families.

The government has taken steps to improve the quality of care for mothers and babies within the NHS, including £165 million of additional investment a year to improve maternity and neonatal services.

The NHS recently published the first ever Long Term Workforce Plan, backed by over £2.4 billion in government funding to deliver the biggest training expansion in NHS history to help meet the challenges of a growing and ageing population by recruiting and retaining hundreds of thousands more staff over the next 15 years.

The government also continues to build on the Maternity Transformation Programme, and continues to work closely with NHS England to implement the 3 year delivery plan for maternity and neonatal services that was published in March 2023. This plan looks to guide services towards safer and more personalised care for women, babies and families.
July 26, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Russia is playing havoc with the world’s food supply – UK Statement to the OSCE [July 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 20 July 2023.

Ambassador Neil Holland condemns Russia’s decision to collapse the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

Thank you, Mr Chair. Last week, we urged Russia to renew the Black Sea Grain Initiative (BSGI) and stop holding the world’s food supply hostage. However, on 17 July, Russia took the unilateral decision to withdraw from the deal. By leaving the Initiative, Russia is harming global food security, restricting supplies, and making food less affordable. Because of Russia’s decision, up to 24 million tonnes of food will not now reach global markets over the next year. This will particularly impact the world’s poorest.

The UN Secretary General issued a statement on Monday which makes clear that it was a Russian decision alone to cause the collapse of the BSGI. Despite Russian claims to the contrary, the UN and the international community have made significant progress to support the export of Russian food and fertiliser. Since the summer of 2022 Russian exports of food have been above pre-war levels.

The United Kingdom regrets Russia’s withdrawal from the BSGI and urges Russia to return to implementation, to enable it to operate as intended. The omens are not good. It was depressingly predictable that Russia’s withdrawal from the BSGI should be followed immediately by three destructive nights of intensified missile strikes on the Ukrainian ports which are so central to the passage of grain through the Black Sea.

Reports indicate that these attacks caused civilian casualties, and that they struck grain infrastructure, including a wholesale market, storage capacity, loading facilities, and an oil terminal at the port. Not content with withdrawing from their own participation in the BSGI, Russia seems intent on denying any passage of grain at all through the Black Sea for delivery to those who need it most. This destruction of grain infrastructure exacerbates food security issues and puts civilians at risk. Estimates suggest that two thirds of Ukrainian grain goes to feed people in Africa and Asia. It is the food supply to these people that is being attacked, as well as Ukrainian national infrastructure and freedom to trade. We urge Russia to stop these attacks.

Mr Chair, today I would also like to speak about the temporarily controlled territories of Ukraine. These are of course Ukraine’s sovereign territories, despite Moscow’s claims to annex Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts in September 2022 following falsified and illegal so-called referendums. The international community has not recognised these referendums. Ukraine maintains its control over two regional capitals within these territories: Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.

The so-called “elections” which Russian authorities plan to hold in these territories on the 10 September will therefore be a sham. They will not be recognised by the international community. They are part of Russia’s ongoing attempt to legitimise their control over these regions. According to Human Rights Watch, this attempted Russification also includes forced passportisation and imposition of Russian media, education, and currency. The elections and these other measures are all gross violations of the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, and a violation of the UN Charter. These actions convince no-one. These regions are not Russian. They are Ukrainian.

People living in the temporarily controlled territories are enduring horrors at the hands of the Russian authorities. Civilians in Odesa and other Black Sea ports are being terrorised by missile strikes. The world’s poor and hungry are paying the price as Russia holds global food supplies hostage. All of this suffering could end if Russia simply withdrew from Ukraine’s internationally recognised territory, let grain shipments resume, and allowed the Ukrainian people to live in peace. Thank you.

July 26, 2023