Tag: 2023

PRESS RELEASE : The UK looks to cooperation with the Arab League to support peace and democracy in the region – UK statement at the Security Council [June 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 June 2023.

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council meeting on the League of Arab States.

Thank you, President, and I join others in thanking Under Secretary General DiCarlo, Secretary General Aboul Gheit and Dr El Omrani for their briefings.

As we’ve heard today, the Arab League has an important role to play in preventing and resolving security and humanitarian challenges in the region. And Dr El Omrani made a powerful case on the importance of involving youth, including women and girls, in addressing these challenges. In a year that has seen the eruption of new conflicts and entrenchment of old ones, the constructive engagement of all actors – including regional bodies – is more urgent than ever. How can we deepen that cooperation?

First, the League of Arab States can play a key role in resolving conflicts in its region. For example, the tragedy unfolding in Sudan, where the Sudanese people’s hopes for democracy and freedom have been set back again. We look to the partnership between the League of Arab States, the UN, IGAD, and the African Union to support a permanent ceasefire and a return to democratic transition.

And in Syria, where the conflict has displaced millions and killed hundreds of thousands. We share the objectives of our Arab partners: a stable Syria, which no longer exports instability to the region. Syria’s readmission to the Arab League must be used to press for Assad to change his behaviour, including clamping down on Captagon, and putting in place the conditions for refugees to return safely, voluntarily and in a dignified manner. We are clear that the UN-led political process remains the only route to lasting and sustainable peace.

The UK also works closely with Arab partners to counter Iran’s destabilising activity throughout the region, including through our maritime presence in the Gulf which twice last year intercepted speed boats laden with surface-to-air missiles and engines for cruise missiles.

On the Middle East Peace Process, the UK supports efforts – including by Jordan and Egypt – to de-escalate tensions and maintain calm in Jerusalem and the West Bank. Talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority must lay the groundwork for a future political process that can deliver a two-state solution.

President, Russia’s war of aggression on Ukraine has led to a devastating impact on food and energy prices in Arab countries. President Zelenskyy’s address to Arab States in Riyadh last month sent a powerful signal of the global impact of this illegal war. We continue to work with partners in the region toward bringing this illegal war to an end.

Finally, with such a young population in the Arab region, it is right that we look to the security challenges of the future. We welcome the UAE’s presidency of COP28, and look forward to discussing the impact of climate security in this Council next week and we hope all Security Council members treat this issue with the seriousness it deserves. Regional leadership and ownership of solutions to conflicts caused or exacerbated by climate change are increasingly important.

Thank you.

June 14, 2023
Robert Halfon – 2023 Speech to the Times Education Summit

The speech made by Robert Halfon, the Minister for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higher Education, at the Times Education Summit held at News UK in London on 8 June 2023.

Good morning, and thank you for that introduction.

I was honoured to be asked to take part in the Times Education Commission in 2021, to consider questions such as the purpose of education, and how it should interact with social and economic institutions. I returned to government last autumn, to discover there was still quite a lot of work to be done! But it was also gratifying to see reforms from my first term as Skills Minister bearing fruit, some of which support elements of the Commission’s recommendations. As I will describe, we are now getting serious about technical education to 18, with the continuing roll-out of T Levels. And I am determined that pupils will have earlier and earlier opportunities to see industries and occupations up close. They need to understand the world of work as something to build towards, rather than encounter it abruptly at the end of their schooling.

Anyone who knows me knows I’m a huge admirer of JRR Tolkien.

The best known Tolkien apprentice is of course Samwise Gamgee, an apprentice gardener in Lord of the Rings. I want to frame my thoughts using another Tolkien story that is less well known, Smith of Wootton Major.

It features a character called Alf, an apprentice who receives both good and bad training in the village of Wootton Major. Though he receives three years excellent training, when his master departs the villagers do not trust him to take over. ‘He had grown a bit taller, but still looked like a boy’ – and was not one of their own. Instead, an idle and incapable local man is appointed as Master Cook of the village, who spends his tenure taking credit for the apprentice’s work and talking down to him. Alf’s talent is wasted on absurd tasks like stoning raisins. I won’t tell the whole story, but eventually Alf assumes his rightful position and the older man has a comeuppance of sorts. Finally, Alf is revealed to have understood all along something fundamental to the nature of the office of the Master Cook, something that only the true master could have passed down to him.

What is the relevance of this story to today’s apprentices? Well, quite a lot actually. An appreciation of skills education, and how it’s perceived by those who haven’t acquired it. The skills required to become a Master Cook are underestimated by the villagers, who choose a bad trainer for Alf.

Examples of good and bad training – how an apprentice can be expertly trained in just three years, but side-lined and given little responsibility because of his obvious youth.

The tacit acknowledgement of his trainer that the apprentice has something to offer, but also reluctance that he should get the credit for their work.

It’s a good parable for modern times. For too long, the acquisition of vocational and technical skills has been undermined. It is not respected in the same way that academic education is.

I have always found this a false hierarchy. We will always want to know the names and types of fishes, how they spawn and miraculously breathe through gills. But in every generation, people must also be taught how to fish.

That’s why I’ve always argued we need more skills-based post-16 education. And that is what we’re now doing.

You may have heard about my Ladder of Opportunity. It is not just a slogan but a way of thinking about what we need as a country, to create a skills system that supports people of all backgrounds up the ladder into secure and well-paid employment.

The Ladder has 2 pillars:

Opportunities and social justice, and strengthening Higher and Further education.

These aren’t just two slogans slotted into a framework. They are fundamental and interconnected.

On the one side, Higher and Further education need to do a lot more collaboration.

The Lifelong Loan Entitlement, which I’ll come to later, will help to bind these strands together.

Both Higher and Further education cannot be said to be truly succeeding as a meritocratic endeavour, until the opportunities they bring are distributed widely, to everyone who can make use of them – but particularly to those who need them most.

When the most disadvantaged groups in our society are finally taking-up their fair share (or more) of university courses, apprenticeships and other technical education places, that is when the system will be at its strongest – nurturing talent wherever it is found, rather than just the talents of those who happen to find it. That is when Further and Higher education can truly be said to be serving social justice.

And that is the lens through which I see all the work we’re doing to bolster skills education in this country.

The first rung on the Ladder of Opportunity is careers guidance and information. We cannot hope to change attitudes about skills education unless it is seen as a route to progression. And it needs to be considered much earlier in school than the adolescence afterthought it’s been recently. Evidence shows that pupils start to develop stereotypes that can limit their educational and occupational aspirations at a very young age. That’s why we’re funding a £2.6 million programme to target 2,250 primary schools in the most disadvantaged areas. Running until March 2025, it will inspire pupils to consider the world of work, drawing positive role models from a range of industries and sectors. The aim is to raise aspirations, challenge stereotypes, and help children link their learning to future jobs and careers. Teachers will be supported with professional development and resources to continue delivery beyond the programme.

At the same time, our ASK programme is raising older pupils’ awareness of the benefits of apprenticeships and T-levels. And through the Skills and Post-16 Education Act 2022, we have strengthened the provider access legislation, known as the Baker Clause. We now stipulate that every school must provide pupils with a minimum of six education and training provider encounters. We are working with The Careers & Enterprise Company to support schools to comply, and will take tough action where there is persistent non-compliance.

Overall, we invested around £100 million in 2022-23 in careers provision for young people and adults. It’s money that I’m determined we will continue to spend in a focused, meaningful way.

The second rung on the Ladder of Opportunity is about championing apprenticeships and the skills employers need. Apprenticeships are at the heart of this government’s skills agenda. They are about widening the skills pipeline to drive economic growth, and bringing paid opportunities for progression to those who may not otherwise choose further training.

Our aim is that every occupation should have a quality apprenticeship attached to it. That is why we moved from apprenticeship frameworks to standards. These are carefully designed in partnership with industry, in order to truly serve their utility for the employer and their value for the apprentice. There are now accredited routes to over 660 occupations, from entry-level to expert.

To support the creation of more of these opportunities, we are increasing funding to £2.7 billion by 2024-25. In 2021-22, we spent 99.6% of the £2.5 billion apprenticeship budget handed down to us by Treasury. And despite what you may hear, it isn’t being spent on MBAs, which we removed from the Level 7 Senior Leader standard in 2021.

70% of all apprenticeship starts are at Levels 2 and 3 [2021/22 AY], and young people under the age of 25 make up more than half of all starts. But we still want older people to consider apprenticeships among their options to retrain or return to work. Hence our ‘returnerships’ initiative, announced in the Budget, to encourage adults over 50 to consider these routes back into training and employment.

Degree apprenticeships are the crown jewel within our offer. Or to Tolkien fans, the Faery star. They combine the best of vocational and academic education at some of our best universities. They hold particular value for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, giving them knowledge, training and industry insight in one complete package. That last point is particularly valuable if you lack personal connections in the area where you want to work – those invisible career foundations that you only notice if you don’t have them. Degree apprentices earn while they learn, but don’t pay tuition fees like other students. It is so important we promote these routes to those who could benefit most: young people whose social and financial position currently deters them from degree-level study.

There are now almost 160 apprenticeships offered at degree level. And contrary to what sometimes is misreported, they’re not all in management. Degree-level apprenticeships prepare students for careers in the Police, nursing, aerospace engineering – and, yes, even journalism. There have been over 185,000 starts on these prestigious courses since their introduction in 2014. They’ve made up 16% of all starts so far this year [August 2022 -Feb 2023], with numbers up 11% compared to the same period last year – building on year-on-year growth.

There is much more to do to meet rising demand – and to spread the word to build demand still further. We’re working with higher education institutions to increase both employer vacancies at degree apprenticeship level, and applications from young people. We’re providing an additional £40 million to support providers to expand degree apprenticeships over the next two years, and to help more applicants access these incredible opportunities.

While raising apprenticeship standards, we saw a gap at Level 3: a qualification to prepare students for skilled work at 18 that also provided a solid foundation for further study or training. The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education worked with employers, providers and industry experts to identify what such a qualification would look like, and the different progression routes that could follow-on from it. In 2020 we introduced T Levels, a new gold standard in technical education. These courses have a rigour gives them parity with A levels, and include a meaningful 9 week placement in industry. This reflects my belief that students should be shown the workplace well before the age of 18, to build understanding of its expectations and their own aspirations. Oldham College has been among the first to offer Supporting Adult Nursing and Supporting Midwifery T Levels, providing an incredible pipeline for the future local healthcare workforce.

We will have made £1.6 billion of extra funding available for 16-19 education by the 2024-25 Financial Year [compared to 2021-22]. This includes up to £500 million for T Levels each year, once they’re fully rolled out in 2025.

The fourth rung of the Ladder of Opportunity is lifelong learning.

So far, my focus has been on young people, and those at the beginning of a career. But the latter can of course include people who want to switch careers later on, a move we want to encourage to help the working population keep pace with the shifting labour market. To support people to study and retrain for better employment, the Lifelong Loan Entitlement will unify Higher and Further education finance under a single system. From 2025, financial support equivalent to 4 years post-18 education (£37,000 in today’s fees) will be available to use over the whole course of a working life. Crucially, this can be drawn down in modular increments to build qualifications over time. This flexibility will enable older learners to fit their study around life events and daily commitments. Like getting on and off a train, they will be able to alight and board their post-school education when it suits them – building qualifications at their own pace, rather than being confined to a single ticket.

I want the Lifelong Loan Entitlement to signify an inclusive change in how we view skills education, and the pace at which we acquire education in general. The name suggests to me (as I hope it does to you) that education has no finish line. That your fate is not cast in stone by the age of 25. It may also encourage young people to get some experience of work that interests them, rather than go straight to university, in order to inform the use of their finance allowance.

And while I have great respect for the history, traditions, and academic excellence of Oxford and Cambridge, we need to get away from this obsession with using it as a benchmark for everything else. Instead of talking about the Oxbridge of skills education, people should be pointing to colleges like Loughborough, Oldham and universities like Staffordshire. They are serving students exceptionally well, fitting them for good jobs and great careers. Their degrees give students what they need to propel them up the Ladder of Opportunity. And yet they are not among the bywords for a ‘good’ education – the age-old establishments that served many of the people in this room. Those who value education on outcomes, rather than reputation, should seek to change this.

I’ll finish by returning to my favourite Oxford professor, who could write with insight about the misconceptions that surround skills education. His apprentice heroes defied low expectations.

Samwise Gamgee not only helped Frodo deliver the Ring to Mount Doom. He was eventually elected Mayor of the Shire seven times, and became an advisor to the King.

And Alf, the apprentice of Wootton Major, is finally revealed at the end of the tale be the Elven King of Faery himself.

Tolkien once said that true education is:

“A matter of continual beginnings, of habitual fresh starts, of persistent newness.”

We want more and more people to build the skills needed for good employment in this age of ‘persistent newness’ – skills for new and shifting industries, that business leaders are crying-out for.

Successfully matching high quality training with the talent found in all walks of life will not only enhance our country’s skills and economic profile. It will allow people to truly thrive at work and in their communities.

June 14, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : 2023 Commonwealth Trade Ministers Meeting Outcome Statement [June 2023]

The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 8 June 2023.

Statement agreed by Trade Ministers of the Commonwealth, who met on 5-6 June 2023 at Marlborough House for the Commonwealth Trade Ministers Meeting.

DELIVERING A COMMON FUTURE: CO-OPERATION FOR RESILIENT, INCLUSIVE, GREEN AND DIGITAL ECONOMIES

1 – The Trade Ministers of the Commonwealth met on 5-6 June 2023 at Marlborough House in London to build upon the initiatives agreed by our Heads of Government in Kigali, Rwanda, in June 2022.

2 – We exchanged views on current issues and challenges facing the global economy, marked by multiple and interconnected crises, and emphasised the importance of building inclusive, sustainable and resilient economies for post-COVID recovery. As we approach the mid-point of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda, we recognise the need for enhanced collaboration and strengthened partnerships to ensure that trade and investment contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, especially in developing, least developed countries and small and vulnerable economies.

Supporting the Multilateral Trading System

3 – We reaffirmed our strong commitment to a transparent, inclusive, nondiscriminatory, fair and open rules-based multilateral trading system, with the WTO at its core, and reiterated concerns about the risk of WTO-inconsistent protectionist measures and unfair trading practices that threaten the rules-based trading system. The multilateral trading system has a key role to play in addressing global challenges including supporting the post-COVID global economic recovery and achieving the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals.

4 – We discussed the outcomes from the WTO’s 12th Ministerial Conference in June 2022 and reaffirmed the importance we attach to achieving fair and balanced outcomes at the upcoming 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) in February 2024.

5 – We urged Members to conclude negotiations on outstanding issues from Ministerial decisions. In particular, in relation to the desire to ratify and implement the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, including with the support of the Fisheries Funding Mechanism. We encourage Members to conclude negotiations with respect to the Agreement, with due regard to the principle of special and differential treatment.

6 – We call for continued reform of the multilateral trading rules for agriculture and the smooth functioning of supply chains, with a view towards achieving reductions in trade distorting support and protection, to enhance food security, especially for net food importing developing countries.

7 – We recognise that member countries have differing views and official positions on various issues on the WTO agenda, such as public stockholding for food security purposes. We underscored the importance of continuing discussions on these issues.

8 – We underline the importance and urgency of restoring a fully and wellfunctioning dispute settlement system that is accessible to all Members by 2024.

9 – We urge members to decide on an extension of the TRIPS waiver to cover the production and supply of COVID-19 diagnostics and therapeutics.

10 – We also encourage members to actively engage in the e-commerce work programme, in particular the development dimension, including on the moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions.

11 – We recognise the ongoing discussions on policy coherence between trade and investment with industrial policy and note the role that regional economic integration can play in strengthening the participation of member countries in the multilateral trading system.

12 – We recognise the importance of the global agricultural and food systems, underpinned by WTO rules, bringing food, fibre, and other critical products to people all over the world. Despite its importance for ensuring global food security and sustainable economic development, agriculture remains one of the most protected sectors in global trade. We recognise the need for a meaningful outcome on agriculture at the WTO, reflecting our collective interests and sensitivities, with a view towards achieving substantial progressive reductions in trade-distorting support and protection to enhance food security, as envisaged in the continuation of the agricultural reform process provided in Article 20 of the WTO Agreement on Agriculture and existing mandates.

13 – We reflected on the role the Commonwealth can play to support and strengthen the multilateral trading system. We endorsed the proposal for the Government of Rwanda as the Chair-in-Office to deliver an agreed joint statement to MC13. Furthermore, we welcome initiatives by the Secretariat to support members with their preparations for MC13 and to assess the outcomes of the Ministerial Conference.

14 – We encourage Commonwealth members of the WTO to work across regional blocks to address the sensitivities of member countries and to accelerate convergence, where possible.

15 – We noted the discussions of the Commonwealth Caucus group in Geneva, convened by New Zealand, and encouraged the group to continue this informal exchange of views in the lead-up to MC13, while respecting the different views of member countries.

16 – We noted the report on ‘Trade, Climate Change and Natural Disasters’, as mandated by Trade Ministers, and mandated that it be further discussed at the next Caucus Meeting in Geneva.

17 – We expressed our shared commitment to deepen collaboration to support all members, especially developing countries, including least developed countries, small states and small island developing states, to participate effectively and on an equal footing in the multilateral trading system and reap the gains from international trade. We noted the crucial support provided to Commonwealth small states through the Commonwealth Small States Office (CSSO) in Geneva and reiterated the importance of maintaining this support.

18 – We further agreed to facilitate technology and knowledge transfer, including to improve the capacity of Commonwealth members to engage in policy formulation on issues within the multilateral trading system and to appropriately assess the impact of different trade and trade-related environmental policy options on developmental outcomes to better align the policies formulated in the multilateral trading system with the targets in the Sustainable Development Goals.

Deepening Commonwealth Trade and Investment

19 – We noted the progress in intra-Commonwealth trade and investment and recognise the need for more ambitious action to grow intra-Commonwealth trade to US$2 trillion by 2030. We noted the ongoing support provided by the Secretariat to improve trade competitiveness in member countries and discussed practical ways to increase this support, especially to build members’ capacity to grow and diversify exports, enhance trade and investment facilitation, and integrate effectively into the global trading system.

20 – We welcomed the recognition of the crucial role of investment in transforming economies by Commonwealth Leaders at CHOGM 2022. We agreed that strengthening intra-Commonwealth trade and investment should be a priority for the Commonwealth. We committed to working together to explore mutually beneficial investment initiatives and partnerships across the Commonwealth, particularly those which support high quality investment in infrastructure, including clean, green infrastructure, as cornerstones of sustainable economic growth as well as in productive capacity.

21 – We support the reconvening of the Working Group on Trade and Investment (either physically or virtually) to discuss ways of deepening intra-Commonwealth trade and investment.

22 – We mandate an initial focus of a sub-action group of the Working Group on Trade and Investment to generate an investment plan of action. The Group will update members at regular intervals, with tangible proposals to increase investment flows, to be agreed by Heads of Government at CHOGM.

23 – We noted the update on the work of the Commonwealth Connectivity Agenda and the operationalisation of the Commonwealth Connectivity Action Plan; and commended the respective cluster leads for shaping the direction and focus of the five connectivity clusters in partnership with the cluster members. We further recognised the need for the mobilisation of additional resources to upscale the work of the clusters.

24 – We welcomed the Secretariat’s work on international trade policy, particularly the research, policy and capacity building support to member countries to develop and implement their trade policies, including through strengthened partnerships with UNCTAD, the WTO and the ITC.

25 – We encourage the Secretariat to deepen trade policy support and capacity building and call on members who may be in a position to do so to provide technology transfer and financial support for developing countries, least developed countries and small and vulnerable economies, including small island developing states and landlocked developing countries, given their unique national circumstances and respective capabilities. In particular, we request the Secretariat to work with least developed countries to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and implement and monitor the Doha Programme of Action for the decade 2022-2031, and to support member countries with the ratification and implementation of the WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement.

26 – We noted progress on the biennial Commonwealth Trade Review, which will be presented at the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in 2024.

Inclusive and Sustainable Trade

27 – We note that trade and investment can play a role in addressing global challenges, including enabling food security, bridging the global digital divide, empowering women, youth and other vulnerable groups in trade, collaborating and supporting the sustainable energy transition, halting and reversing biodiversity loss in the ocean and on land, co-operating for managing the risks and challenges arising from climate change, and promoting sustainable development in its economic, social and environmental dimensions, in a manner consistent with the respective needs and concerns of members at different levels of economic development.

28 – The Commonwealth provides a valuable platform to exchange knowledge and experiences about the role of trade and investment in inclusive and sustainable development and we call for greater collaboration in this regard. We underline that trade-related measures taken to tackle climate change and other environmental challenges should not constitute a means of arbitrary or unjustifiable discrimination or disguised restrictions on international trade. We urge our trade partners to give full consideration to the impact of the implementation of such measures, especially on members of the Commonwealth, and to provide the requisite assistance.

29 – We further acknowledge that this kind of partnership can help to facilitate continued growth in both intra-Commonwealth and international trade across all levels of development while assisting developing member countries with achieving compliance, over time, with trade standards in a way that drives sustainability in climate change mitigation and other areas, including through technical assistance and capacity building, technology transfer and financial support. In this regard, we encourage the Secretariat to facilitate collaboration amongst the member countries.

30 – We recognise that women continue to face barriers to full and equal participation in the economy and international trade. We are committed to promoting women’s economic empowerment and increasing opportunities for womenowned businesses to trade, including by facilitating capacity building programmes providing targeted support for businesses and fostering an enabling business environment. We expressed our deep appreciation for the ongoing work on gender and youth mainstreaming undertaken by the Secretariat and encouraged such efforts to continue, working in partnership, where feasible, with other Commonwealth accredited organisations.

31 – We reflected on the Bridgetown Initiative and noted its potential benefits in addressing the financing challenges of climate vulnerable countries and the longterm financing needs of the Sustainable Development Goals.

32 – We reflected on how the Commonwealth can promote trade and trade policy as solutions for addressing the climate crisis, including through promoting sustainable production, trade and supply chains, and encouraging access to affordable technologies and enhanced access to climate finance; and note efforts to address environmentally harmful subsidies and contribute to the development of blue and green economies in a manner consistent with the respective needs and concerns of Members at different levels of economic development, in the light of different country circumstances and respective capabilities. We noted the WTO fora available for co-operation and information sharing in support of these objectives, particularly the potential of the Committee on Trade and Environment to progress these deliberations.

33 – We emphasised the importance of exchanging knowledge on good practices and local solutions to help mitigate and adapt to climate change and engage in green economy and trade as part of a just transition to a lower-carbon future. We acknowledge that an appropriately designed industrial strategy can support this transition and meet the Sustainable Development Goals.

Fostering Digital Transition

34 – We reflected on how the Commonwealth, both collectively and as individual member countries, can support an inclusive digital transformation for all and facilitate digital trade for growth and development, with a particular focus on supporting micro, small and medium enterprises. We emphasised the importance of enabling everyone, everywhere to access the benefits of technological change and innovation. To this end, we stressed the need to address the digital divide and digital skills gaps, with particular attention to supporting marginalised, disadvantaged and vulnerable groups to access digital skills.

35 – We emphasised the need to develop digital public infrastructure and connectivity and ensure digital technologies are accessible and affordable for all. We underscored the importance of enabling access to digital financial services as part of an inclusive digital ecosystem and the need to develop efficient crossborder digital payment systems to support digital trade.

36 – We exchanged views on the merits of designing robust, supportive and effective regulatory frameworks to govern and facilitate digital trade and the broader operation of the digital economy. We noted the opportunities for Commonwealth members on co-operation in promoting coherence in regulatory and policy frameworks governing digital trade and the digital economy.

37 – We agreed to establish a Legal Reform and Digitalisation Working Group under the Connectivity Agenda’s Business-to-Business Cluster, with the support of other clusters within the Commonwealth Connectivity Agenda, to assist Commonwealth members in moving towards paperless trade.

38 – We discussed the need to strengthen the capacity of developing countries to engage in digital trade and to build human capacity in all our member countries to empower individuals – particularly women and youth – and businesses to harness the potential of the digital economy and digital trade.

39 – We expressed our shared commitment to deepen pan-Commonwealth cooperation in the digital economy and digital trade particularly moving towards increasing digitisation of trade and paperless trade, and noted the continued role of the Commonwealth Connectivity Agenda in supporting collaboration, sharing of best practice and experience, and providing support to member countries in the promotion of intra-Commonwealth trade.

Towards CHOGM 2024 and Beyond

40 – With a view to deepening Commonwealth co-operation in the areas highlighted above, we recommended that our Heads of Government reflect on these issues when they meet in Apia, Samoa, for the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

June 14, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : New projects launched to reduce parental conflict and help families thrive [June 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 8 June 2023.

Thousands of families struggling with parental conflict will receive increased support to improve their relationships, thanks to a £2.8 million government boost.
- Eight new projects launched across England to reduce parental conflict and put children first
- Funding to target families at risk of conflict and catch problems early, including those with more complex needs
- Face-to-face and digital support to promote healthier relationships between parents, helping families lead more fulfilling lives
Eight projects from Cornwall to Manchester helping parents to reduce conflict and protect their children’s mental health have received a share of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) funding.

The projects will support a diverse range of parents across England to manage their relationship difficulties, including those with children who have special educational needs; those in rural areas; young parents; LGBTQ+; black, Asian, minority ethnic families, and parents at risk of unemployment.

New programmes and tools will help parents whether they are together or separated, creating more stable communities and supporting employment, in turn helping to grow the economy.

Minister for Work and Pensions Viscount Younger of Leckie said:

“We are stepping up this vital programme to fund innovative initiatives which support a wide range of families with a focus, always, on children’s wellbeing.

“The organisations benefitting from our funding will help parents in early stages of conflict to deal with their difficulties, improve their lives and ensure a stable and healthy environment for the children.”

Successful organisations include: Vennture in Herefordshire, which will collaborate with schools in rural areas where parents struggle to access services, increasing teachers’ awareness of parental conflict and helping families to get support. The Write Time in South London is trialling a six-week programme for parents whose children have special educational needs and disabilities, to develop their relationships and reduce conflict.

As well as local-level interventions, funding has been allocated to two nationwide digital projects which will support parents and practitioners to reduce conflict and protect children.

OnePlusOne will develop a new app to help separating parents. It will provide advice and support on the practical aspects of separation including childcare, financial and legal arrangements as well as online access to professional mediators. Relate is developing digital self-help tools including a chatbot, a free Reducing Parental Conflict toolkit and a resource hub for professionals, including a national database of support services.

Both of these projects will eventually be available to local authorities to help support struggling families and for those working in family law to recommend.

Since launching in 2018, the DWP’s Reducing Parental Conflict programme has been pivotal in finding ways to address relationship distress between parents, to protect children’s mental health.

The programme has supported thousands of couples and separated parents to manage their conflict better, equipping their children to reach their full potential as adults. It has already worked with all local authorities and dozens of organisations in England to lead the way in building a solid evidence base on what works to help families.
June 14, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Negotiations on an enhanced UK-Switzerland Free Trade Agreement [June 2023]

The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 8 June 2023.

Update on the first round of negotiations for an enhanced UK-Switzerland Free Trade Agreement.

Trade negotiators from the UK and Switzerland held the first round of negotiations for an enhanced UK-Switzerland Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in London between 22 May and 2 June.

Discussions between negotiators were productive and reflected the shared ambition to secure a modernised and comprehensive deal that boosts trade and investment between two like-minded economies.

Technical discussions were held on 30 policy areas over 53 sessions. In talks, both countries emphasised their desire to be ambitious in areas such as services, investment and digital trade which are not covered in the existing FTA. Trade in goods was also discussed, including how the FTA could streamline and simplify customs procedures and support the removal and reduction of tariff and non-tariff barriers.

The Government is committed to negotiating a bespoke agreement with Switzerland that is fit for the 21st century. The Government will make its next statement on progress following the second round of talks which is currently planned to take place in the autumn.

His Majesty’s Government remains clear that any deal we sign will be in the best interests of the British people and the United Kingdom economy. Any organisations or individuals interested in speaking to the Department for Business and Trade about negotiations with Switzerland should do so by emailing ch.fta.engagement@trade.gov.uk.

June 14, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK Science Minister unveils over £24 million in new science and innovation agreements to deepen collaboration with Canada [June 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 8 June 2023.

UK Science Minister George Freeman was in Canada today to agree a package of science and research agreements between the UK and Canada.
UK and Canadian Ministers agree deeper collaboration on quantum, climate change and biomanufacturing to upskill workforces and boost growth

package sees Canada named as a partner to UK’s £119 million International Science Partnership Fund scheme, through initial £4.5 million funding

ministers signed Memorandum of Cooperation on biomanufacturing including a £20 million joint programme

The UK and Canada has today (Thursday 8 June) unveiled agreements on biomanufacturing, quantum, climate change and alternative protein research, as part of a package of announcements aimed at greatly deepening collaboration on science and innovation between the two countries.

UK Science Minister George Freeman was in Ottawa today, meeting Canada’s Minister of Science, Innovation and Industry, Francois-Phillipe Champagne, to sign a Memorandum of Cooperation on biomanufacturing and launch a £20 million joint biomanufacturing programme.

The £20 million joint biomanufacturing programme, which will receive £10 million from each government, is designed to grow the biomanufacturing sector between the UK and Canada to ensure both countries are fully prepared for future pandemics.

This will include efforts to build a talent pipeline for biomanufacturing, providing the skilled workforce needed to grow the sector in the future, funding UK and Canadian businesses and research organisations to work together on joint projects developing the future products and services, and backing businesses in the sector to grow and scale at speed through greater links with investors and shared knowledge.

The focus of the Biomanufacturing Collaboration is to drive economic growth by bringing together the complementary strengths from Canada and the UK to support the growth of businesses in this area, delivering economic growth for both nations and creating highly-skilled jobs.

The memorandum is just one of several agreements being made today by the two science and innovation powerhouses, aimed at tackling some of the biggest issues facing our world, from tackling climate change through to ensuring both nations have the vaccine production capabilities to meet the needs of future pandemics.

They will also drive economic growth in both the UK and Canada, ensuring high-growth industries like quantum and biotechnology benefit from both government investment and closer international collaboration.

UK Minister of State for the new Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, George Freeman MP, said:

The UK and Canada are natural partners, with shared cultural, economic and historical ties that stretch back centuries and a strong recent history of collaboration on science and innovation across a range of key sectors from agri-tech to genomics and space.

In the global race for science and technology investment, and as we turn towards innovation in order to tackle urgent global challenges, the UK and Canada share deep values and interests in harnessing science for global good.

As we deepen our global science and technology collaborations with key R&D economies, I’m delighted to be in Canada to agree a range of sectors in which to deepen our longstanding collaboration: from AI, biosecurity and engineering biology through to quantum, space sustainability and polar research.

The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry said:

The United Kingdom and Canada have a uniquely profound and positive relationship, nourished by our shared history and values.

Today’s memorandum of cooperation on biomanufacturing and the joint statement on quantum science and technology are important steps to make the most of our world-class capabilities, which will drive innovation and economic growth in our both countries. We will continue to work together to foster greater collaboration in science and research to shape the economy of the future.

Alongside the Memorandum of Cooperation on biomanufacturing, the UK and Canada has agreed a range of collaborations as part of today’s announcement, including:

Canada announced as a partner to the UK’s £119 million International Science Partnership Fund (ISPF). Initially, this would see £4.5 million in funding to enable UK researchers to take part in the Canada-led International Joint Initiative for Research in Climate Change and Adaptation and Mitigation, which sets out plans to help the most vulnerable people globally to deal with the impact of climate change.

a Statement of Intent on Quantum, which sets out a roadmap of activity including the introduction of joint research programmes and increased mobility for researchers. Collaboration begins immediately, with 20 PhD students from Canada travelling to the UK to participate in the UK-Canada quantum summer school.

an Innovate UK–Protein Industries Canada to advance innovation in plant-based foods through collaborative R&D projects between businesses and research organisations from Canada and the UK.
June 14, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Sheffield to be centre for policy jobs under Whitehall shake-up [June 2023]
The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 8 June 2023.

A new policy campus has been launched in Sheffield.
First ever policy campus established outside of London

More than 2,400 government roles moved to Yorkshire and the Humber under flagship Whitehall reform programme

New local graduate scheme will establish talent pipeline

A first-of-its-kind campus for government staff in key policy roles has been launched in Sheffield, as new figures show Yorkshire and the Humber have benefitted from more than 2,400 relocated roles.

It comes as the Cabinet Office announces today the pilot of a new regional fast stream, part of the government’s ambitious plans to bring jobs and drive local economic growth across the UK.

The scheme will prevent graduates having to leave the Yorkshire region to move into decision-making policy teams.

There are also plans for expanded policy apprenticeships and events to attract university-leavers within the city, providing greater opportunities for the young people of Yorkshire.

Traditionally most civil service teams based outside of London have been operationally-focussed, but the aim of the policy campus is to create a hub of core policy jobs, where people can advance their careers in key decision-making positions. Under these new plans, people will no longer have to move to, or work in, London to have a long and fulfilling career in the civil service.

This forms part of a broader strategy to ensure people from all regions and backgrounds are contributing to the creation of government policies. Levelling up the civil service in this way is key to ensuring it reflects the communities it serves, whilst delivering on the Government’s priority to grow the economy.

New figures show that 2,400 roles have moved out of London and into Yorkshire and the Humber under the Places for Growth programme, and 12,000 have been relocated out of the capital and across the UK so far. The programme will move 22,000 government roles out of London by 2030, in a bid to harness the vast talent that exists up and down the country. It’s expected this will generate economic benefits for the region as well as government research has shown that people put around 50% of their incomes back into the local economy.

Latest relocation studies suggest a local economic benefit of £30 million per 1,000 roles relocated.

Cabinet Office minister Alex Burghart said:

This Government is delivering on its promise to level up across the country by ensuring that we create opportunities for people across the country.

This policy campus is a commitment to the people of Sheffield that local people will have a central role to play in the development of major national policies.

Relocating roles out of London and establishing skills clusters will provide a fantastic economic boost for the people of Yorkshire and the Humber.

This region has an immense array of talent and I’m delighted that we’re going to make use of it.

Around 1,000 civil servants working a range of departments including the Department for Education (DfE), the Home Office and the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) are based at the site.

The Department of Health and Social Care, the Department for Transport and the Cabinet Office have moved the most roles to Yorkshire and the Humber.

637 roles have relocated into Sheffield, primarily in the Home Office alongside more DWP, DfE and Ministry of Justice jobs which have moved to the city under the scheme. Sheffield also has 75 senior civil servants based in the city, one of the highest proportions outside of London.

Cabinet Office Minister Alex Burghart and Cabinet Secretary Simon Case attended the launch of the campus with senior officials from DfE and DWP on Thursday.

Cabinet Secretary Simon Case said:

For too long in the Civil Service, talented people wanting to build careers in specific policy areas within government have needed to leave their home town or city and move to the South East to get on.

Initiatives such as this are absolutely critical if we’re going to remove that barrier and spread fulfilling career opportunities across the whole of the UK.

We need people with a broad range of experiences, backgrounds and insights if we are going to deliver for the whole of the UK and initiatives such as the Sheffield Policy Campus will allow us to do exactly that.

The plans were undertaken in conjunction with the City Council, The University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University and the combined authority with the intention of building a strong talent pipeline for policy jobs in the city.

The campus will enable better collaboration between departments with similar goals. For example, policy teams at DfE and DWP can work together on boosting skills and moving people into better paid work through initiatives such as the National Careers Service.

The initiative forms part of a broader strategy to establish sites around the UK which will see specific sectors or disciplines within government aligned with regions. Further announcements will be made in due course.
June 14, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Cyber security for airworthiness – new MAA regulations [June 2023]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 8 June 2023.

To counter threats of cyber-attack on military air systems, new regulation has been introduced to assess and mitigate potential impacts on air safety.

Cyber-attack presents a significant threat to the safe operation of modern military air systems. The MAA has now equipped the regulated community with Cyber Security for Airworthiness (CSA) regulation to ensure our safety-related systems are appropriately protected from this non-traditional, emerging threat to air safety.

Background

The aviation ecosystem is becoming more complex and connected. Modern military air systems, like their civil counterparts, are reliant on the correct functioning of avionic systems for safe operation. Increasingly, advanced network architectures are being introduced to interconnect avionic systems and other systems for internal and external data transmission. These technological advancements bring greater efficiency and performance but could introduce threats to airworthiness and air safety if not sufficiently protected. It is vital that cyber security assessments are conducted for connected systems to identify and mitigate, if necessary, airworthiness and air safety risks.

Physical access security can provide some mitigation, but it is important to note that this can only go so far. For example, cyber security vulnerabilities can be introduced to airborne electronic hardware (AEH) or safety-related airborne software through insecure supply chains. Increasing reliance on computerised ground support systems and other systems which connect to avionics, such as connected-electronic flight bags (EFB) or mission equipment, could also introduce vectors for malicious software (malware) if not mitigated. Essentially, any external connectivity for the air system could introduce new threats.

Some legacy air systems may have fewer intrinsic threats due to older federated architectures, bespoke computer technologies, and less reliance on avionic systems for safe operation. It is essential, however, that any extant risks are understood and mitigated. It should also be noted that type design changes which introduce new capabilities may establish connectivity to older systems; these could have been developed without consideration for cyber security controls, thereby introducing new vulnerabilities.

Aviation cyber security – a civil perspective

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has taken a holistic view to the development of a cyber resilient aviation ecosystem. Conceptually, the problem has been addressed in two key areas: product security (including aircraft and engines) and organisation security (for aviation organisations – concerning people and processes).

Product security

EASA has introduced requirements to the certification specifications (CS) for large aeroplanes, small and large rotorcraft, engines, and propellers for equipment, systems, and network information security protection. These requirements apply to new or modified aircraft. AMC 20-42 airworthiness information security risk assessment is the published acceptable means of compliance for these requirements and refers to the following standards, developed by the European Organisation for Civil Aviation Equipment (EUROCAE) and the Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics (RTCA): ED-202A/DO-326A, ED-203A/DO-356, and ED-204/DO-355 (note: some of these standards have since been updated). The certification specification for normal-category aeroplanes has introduced guidance material referring to AMC 20-42 (GM 23.2500(b) refers), and CS–ETSO (European Technical Standard Orders) also recognises the AMC for ETSO articles.

Organisation security

In February 2023 EASA published Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/203 which, together with the earlier released Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/1645 completes the new Information Security (Part-IS) Regulation. This regulation is cross-cutting and applies to aviation organisations which contribute to aviation safety such as Approved Maintenance Organisations (AMO), Continuing Airworthiness Management Organisations (CAMO), Production and Design Organisations, Air Traffic Management / Air Navigation Service (ATM / ANS) providers, and aerodrome operators. The regulation requires organisations to introduce an Information Security Management System (ISMS) with a focus on aviation safety. The associated acceptable means of compliance (AMC) is currently in development and expected to be published soon.

CAA

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has replicated the EASA requirements in the published certification specifications for large aeroplanes, small and large rotorcraft, engines, propellers, and the guidance material for normal-category aeroplanes and ETSO articles; these also refer to AMC 20-42 as the published acceptable means of compliance.

The CAA currently has a rulemaking task for the introduction of Cyber Security Regulation based on EASA Part-IS. There will be further consultations prior to publication of the new regulation.

MAA cyber security for airworthiness and air safety

The latest issues of Defence Standard 00-970 for fixed wing combat air systems, small and medium type air systems, large type air systems and rotorcraft include requirements for CSA; this applies to both new air systems and type design changes to existing air systems. Note: Defence Standard 00-970 part 9 (remotely piloted air systems (RPAS)) is currently undergoing a major review; there is an expectation that CSA requirements are included on any RPAS Type Certification Basis (TCB) in the interim, both for new air systems and depending on the specifics of any type design change.

The new CSA regulations have been introduced to ensure that all air systems on, or destined for, the UK Military Aircraft Register (MAR) are assessed for cyber security threats, and that suitable mitigations are put into place to address any potential negative impacts on airworthiness and air safety. The regulations also address a need to inform owners of air safety risks of any potential CSA risks, so that these could be understood, owned, and integrated into core air safety management activities.

Changes to the MRP include the introduction of two new regulatory articles (RA), amendments to the roles and responsibilities of two existing RAs, and publication of a supporting regulatory instruction (RI) to provide compliance latitude. The regulations introduce new responsibilities for Type Airworthiness Authorities (TAA), Type Airworthiness Managers (TAM), Aviation Duty Holders (ADH), Accountable Managers (Military Flying) (AM(MF)), and Senior Responsible Owners (SRO); a summary is detailed below.

In addition, as published in the MAA’s programme of work for regulations – Financial Year 23 / 24 (MAA/RN/2023/02) following the publication of the EASA part-IS regulations, and the expected incorporation by the CAA, the MAA will investigate the overlaps with current MoD policy and determine whether future Information Security Regulation for aviation organisations is required.

The new CSA regulations

RA 5890 – Cyber Security for Airworthiness and Air Safety – Type Design and Changes / Repairs to Type Design

The regulation introduces responsibilities for TAAs / TAMs to ensure that air system cyber security risk assessments are conducted. Identified cyber threats shall be suitably mitigated to combat the potential negative impact on CSA and air safety. The MAA recognises the risk assessment and mitigation process detailed in RTCA DO-326A / EUROCAE ED-202A and associated standards RTCA DO-356A / EUROCAE ED-203A as an acceptable means of compliance. TAAs / TAMs should provide appropriate Instructions for Sustaining Type Airworthiness (ISTA) to the relevant ADH / AM(MF), including security event management procedures.

RA 1202 – Cyber Security for Airworthiness and Air Safety

This regulation introduces responsibilities for ADH / AM(MF) / SRO to ensure that cyber security threats to airworthiness and Air Safety are identified, suitably mitigated, and managed through life. Direction to operators should be provided to mitigate cyber security threats to airworthiness and air safety during operation and maintenance of air systems. The MAA recognises RTCA DO-355A / EUROCAE ED-204A with JSP 440 as an acceptable means of compliance. ADH / AM(MF) / SRO should ensure that the ongoing CSA activity contributes to the development and management of the applicable Air System Safety Cases.

MAA/RI/2023/03 – Cyber Security for Airworthiness and Air Safety

This RI details transitional arrangements which provide compliance latitude; it is broken up into specified milestones which should be achieved.

Some future changes

To complement the new CSA regulations there will be some changes to existing 1000-series regulations as follows:

RA 1015 – Type Airworthiness Management – roles and responsibilities

There will be an amendment to this regulation with the inclusion of a new TAM responsibility to ensure that air systems are assessed for their cyber risks to combat potential impact on CSA and air safety.

RA 1020 – Aviation Duty Holder and Aviation Duty Holder-Facing Organizations – Roles and Responsibilities

Additional text will be included in the guidance material for ADH responsibilities in operations. Clarification will be included in the operating envelope guidance to state that the activities should include emerging cyber threats to air safety which have the potential to impact risk to life during operations.

Summary

The new regulations will ensure that military air systems are assessed for and appropriately protected from cyber threats to airworthiness and air safety. The MAA will continue to engage and support the regulated community as required.

June 14, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : DCDC celebrates 10 years of Swedish Armed Forces cooperation [June 2023]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 8 June 2023.

Members of the Development, Concepts and Doctrine Centre (DCDC) and Swedish Armed Forces gathered to mark their decade-long partnership of working together.

The occasion saw the Swedish Chief of the Defence Staff Lieutenant General Michael Claesson and the UK Vice Chief of the Defence Staff General Gwyn Jenkins join members of DCDC and Swedish delegates in Main Building, London to mark the 10-year milestone.

As well as acknowledging the success of the relationship and the mutual benefits the cooperation brings, the event provided an opportunity to consider next steps and how to deepen and leverage the cooperation further.

Attending the momentous occasion, Lt Gen Michael Claesson announced:

The last ten years have seen extraordinary changes and developments in both global and European geopolitics – including the war in Ukraine and the greatest change in Swedish security policy since more than two hundred years ago. As a potential NATO-member the cooperation with DCDC will be an even more important part in preparing the defence of our nation for a changing world and new challenges – together with our partners.

The following day saw Director DCDC address staff in a townhall, commenting on how our shared insights have helped inform both nations in ways that are valuable and build resilience.

We look forward to the next decade of working alongside our Swedish allies.

How it all began

10 years ago, the then Swedish Director of Strategy concluded that collaboration in the intellectual space was the key to helping achieve efficiency within the Swedish Armed Forces.

DCDC was highlighted as the only Defence organisation in the world that provided research on the future, as well as concepts and doctrine.

Colonel Joachim Isacsson, now DCDC’s senior Swedish officer, was tasked with making the cooperation work in practice. Now in his 10th year working at DCDC, Joachim shares his reflections a decade on:

The cooperation has taken huge steps forward and forms a direct part of Swedish Defence strategy and implementation of NATO doctrine. I am immensely proud of what we have collectively achieved.

June 13, 2023
Stuart Andrew – 2023 Speech at the English Football League Annual Conference

The speech made by Stuart Andrew, the Sports Minister, on 8 June 2023.

It is a pleasure to address all 72 EFL clubs today.

You represent much more than 90 minutes on a pitch – you are the beating hearts of your communities and part of the fabric of our national identity.

I want to start by thanking you for the incredibly positive impact that you have on the local communities you serve.

This is underlined by the “EFL clubs and their Club Community” report published earlier this year.

I was pleased to attend the launch of that report and enjoyed hearing from individuals who have led, supported, and benefited from the incredible work you do in local communities.

I was also pleased to hear of the EFL’s partnership with the British Red Cross in which you are working together to tackle loneliness in our society.

It was a fitting and timely intervention ahead of Loneliness Awareness Week taking place next week.

This Government is proud to support the EFL.

We have supported your work in the community, providing the English Football League Trust with £1.3 million through the Loneliness Covid-19 Fund, to make onward grants to its Football Club Community Organisations in 32 deprived locations across England, with the aim of connecting older people at risk of loneliness.

Supporting the pyramid is crucial and this Government has already committed to invest £300 million of funding to support grassroots multi-sport facilities across the UK by 2025. This is a key element of the Government’s upcoming sport strategy which will be published shortly.

This year is a significant one for English Football.

I am absolutely delighted to be backing our bid to bring EURO 2028 to the UK and Ireland.

Our incredibly inspiring and talented Lionesses, the reigning European Champions, will be taking on the world at the FIFA Women’s World Cup this summer.

The recent success of the Lionesses has accelerated interest in the women’s game, with more people now watching, attending and playing women’s football than ever before.

The Review of Women’s Football which we launched in September and is being Chaired by Karen Carney, is looking at how to deliver bold and sustainable growth of the women’s game at elite and grassroots levels.

This was the first recommendation taken forward from the independent Fan Led Review, and I look forward to seeing the findings published this summer.

And of course, we started this year by publishing our Football Governance White Paper in response to that Fan Led Review.

This included the groundbreaking commitment to establish a new statutory and independent regulator for English football.

Despite the phenomenal success of football at home and abroad, we have seen too many examples of the devastating impact the failure of a beloved club can have on a local community.

Since the Premier League was created in 1992, there have been 64 instances of clubs collapsing into administration.

Historic clubs have been lost, taking with them chunks of our history and heritage, and leaving huge holes in their communities.

Bury Football Club was one example. A club that, just a few years ago, would have sat alongside you at today’s conference.

Over its proud 134-year history, Bury managed to survive world wars and countless economic cycles. But it was driven to the wall by financial mismanagement, which damaged the local economy and left behind a devastated fan base.

But I am pleased to say that a vote to unify Bury FC and Bury AFC passed last month and Bury Football Club will be playing once again at Gigg Lane next season!

But it is not just Bury that has been affected.

The same is true of Macclesfield Town, another century-old club, and Rushden & Diamonds. Countless others, such as Derby County, have been driven to the brink after stretching far beyond their means.

And we know there are a number of clubs across the EFL that are in real distress today.

This is where our proposals for an Independent Regulator come in.

The Regulator will have a clear focus, centred on ensuring that English football is financially sustainable and resilient for the benefit of fans and the local communities football clubs serve.

The Regulator will operate a licensing system for all clubs in the top five tiers of English football.

The Regulator will be independent of industry and Government. This will be set out in law.

The model we have set out is proportionate and flexible, allowing English Football to continue being a global-success story, while tackling harms where they exist.

Where clubs are already well run and risks are low, the Regulator will not look to intervene unless necessary, nor will the Regulator impose an extra layer of requirements to burden clubs with.

Under the Regulator’s regime…

We will legally strengthen the owners’ and directors’ tests, to protect clubs and their fans.

These new tests will reduce the likelihood of unsuitable custodians.

We will give fans more of a voice on the running of their clubs.

This will include stopping owners from changing vital club heritage, such as names, badges and home shirt colours, without approval from the fans.

Likewise, clubs will have to seek regulator approval for any sale or relocation of the stadium, and fan engagement will be a crucial part of that process.

And we will give the Regulator the power to block clubs from joining closed-shop breakaway leagues, such as the European Super League.

We want a thriving football pyramid, and more money must flow through the game to make this happen.

On financial distribution, it remains our firm belief that the best solution is a football led one. If one is not found the Regulator will have a backstop power to intervene and force a solution.

I am optimistic that discussions between the Premier League and EFL will find a solution on this urgent issue.

I am hopeful that the resolution will be found soon. I would urge both sides to reach a deal as soon as possible. It is in the game’s interests to avoid the risk of further financial uncertainty.

In short, we are protecting the long-term success of our national game, and restoring fans’ position at the heart of how football is run.

Since the publication of the White Paper in February, we have been consulting with the football industry on our proposals.

This is a crucial step in ensuring that we develop effective regulations that deliver positive outcomes for football, while minimising the harms identified in the game.

I would like to thank the EFL and many of its member clubs for your support throughout this process as we look to further develop and refine our policy.

The Government intends to publish its response to this initial period of consultation in the coming weeks.

This will represent the latest step in our ongoing commitment to support, promote and protect the national game, as well as ensuring that fans are placed at the heart of it.

We remain committed to bringing forward legislation when parliamentary time allows.

I would like to finish by encouraging you to continue progressing with your valuable work in communities across England and Wales, as well as moving forward with much needed reform.

Fans were able to have a major say in this White Paper. Football does not need to wait for an Independent Regulator to be in place before it can introduce improved governance practices. You can act now!

I want to finish by thanking the EFL for inviting me to speak at this year’s Annual Conference. I thank Rick and Trevor for their continued engagement on these important issues.

I appreciate our continued collaboration and look forward to hearing the outcome of discussions from the panel session.

June 13, 2023