Tag: 2023

Alex Burghart – 2023 Article on a Strengthened Procurement Regime

The article by Alex Burghart published in The Times on 7 June 2023 and republished by the Cabinet Office as a press release.

Protecting the nation’s security has always been government’s primary responsibility. In an increasingly interconnected world, defending the realm goes well beyond the “front line”. It means using every lever of government to further our nation’s security and protect us from ever increasing threats.

We know that states across the world increasingly are using the tools at their disposal to project their influence and potentially threaten our security. These hybrid threats include using economic channels to attempt to undermine and compromise our government and society.

So we have to act. Today we are strengthening the Procurement Bill, which will have its report stage in parliament next week, with changes in three areas.

First, to ensure that we are alive to potential national security risks which some suppliers may pose, we are establishing a National Security Unit for Procurement. This new team, based in the Cabinet Office, will investigate suppliers who may pose a risk to national security, and assess whether companies should be barred from public procurements.

The specialist team will work across government, ensuring we use our resources to protect our citizens, and helping those responsible for public procurement avoid signing contracts with bad actors.

Second, we will introduce new powers to ban certain suppliers from specific sectors. This means that we can adopt a precautionary approach, banning companies which may pose a risk to sensitive areas of government, for example GCHQ.

Finally, we are committing to publish a timeline for the removal of surveillance equipment produced by companies subject to China’s National Intelligence Law from sensitive central government sites. We have already taken firm action in this area. Last year we halted the installation of such equipment on sensitive government sites and asked departments to consider their removal. By publicly committing to this timeline, we are providing reassurance and urgency around the removal plans.

These measures show the proactive approach that we are taking in ensuring that companies cannot threaten our national security through procurement.

But the Procurement Bill is about so much more than protecting national security, it constitutes a major piece of legislation that will repeal an array of EU rules. The Bill will deliver better value for money for the taxpayer, through slashing red tape, boosting growth and driving innovation.

The new rules will support smaller businesses by making it easier to win public contracts. For example, for the first time we are legislating to ensure that contracting authorities must help SMEs overcome the barriers they face when trying to win public contracts.

It will create a more transparent procurement system, with clearer and faster competition processes for emergency buying.

So we believe the Procurement Bill, which we call on all sides of the house to back, will deliver for Britain, protecting our security, growing our economy and helping small businesses.

June 12, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Procurement Bill strengthened to protect national security [June 2023]
The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 7 June 2023.

Stepped up measures to protect national security in government contracts are to be brought forward, the government has announced today.
New amendments tabled to the Procurement Bill to strengthen national security.

Specialist unit to be established to investigate suppliers who may pose risk to national security.

Amendment to allow bidders to be banned from sensitive sectors, while able to win contracts in non-sensitive areas.

Procurement Bill, which will rip up red-tape and help small businesses, to have its Report Stage next week.

Stepped up measures to protect national security in government contracts are to be brought forward, the government has announced.

Yesterday the government tabled amendments to the Procurement Bill, ahead of its Report Stage in Parliament next week to include two new measures:

Establishing a National Security Unit for Procurement. The new team, which will be based in the Cabinet Office, will investigate suppliers who may pose a risk to national security, and assess whether companies should be barred from public procurements.

New powers to ban suppliers from specific sectors, such as areas related to defence and national security, while allowing them to continue to win procurements in non-sensitive areas.

In addition, the Government is committing to publish a timeline for the removal of surveillance equipment produced by companies subject to China’s National Intelligence Law from sensitive central government sites.

Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General Jeremy Quin said:

Protecting the nation’s security has always been the government’s number one job.

These new measures will protect our sensitive sectors from companies which could threaten national security and are a firm deterrence to hostile actors who wish to do Britain harm.

This builds on the robust rules within the Procurement Bill to hold suppliers to account and ensure that the taxpayer is protected.

The new National Security Unit for Procurement will draw on a full range of expertise within government and respond swiftly to emerging threats, such as companies looking to win public contracts in order to gain access to sensitive information or sites which could be used to compromise government and society. The specialist team will work across government, including liaising closely with our intelligence agencies.

To further strengthen the national security measures, the government is introducing new, context-specific mandatory debarments on national security grounds. This will mean that the government will be able to ban suppliers which pose a risk to national security from specific types of contracts.

The commitment to publish a timeline for the removal of relevant surveillance equipment from sensitive sites builds on action taken last year to halt the installation of new equipment on the government estate. It will provide the necessary reassurance that departments are removing surveillance equipment from sensitive sites.

Cabinet Office Minister Alex Burghart said:

The Procurement Bill puts the government in a stronger position to get the best deal for taxpayers, while prioritising growth by cutting red tape and removing barriers for small businesses.

It’s absolutely right we continue to look at ways to strengthen central government rules when it comes to national security and I have no doubt these additional measures will ensure the Bill delivers on its objective to have a robust, modern procurement process which delivers for the British people.

The Bill, which will have its Report Stage in the House of Commons next week, will make it easier for small businesses (SMEs) to win more of the £300billion of goods, services and works that the government buys each year.

The Bill introduces new rules to help the government procure in emergency situations, such as during health pandemics, ensuring that contracting authorities can act quickly and transparently to buy vital goods.

These simpler rules take advantage of freedoms now that Britain has left the EU, as well as strengthening the government’s ability to exclude suppliers who may have previously underperformed on government work. The rules will help exclude suppliers, both in the UK and overseas who are involved in modern slavery – further clamping down on this abhorrent practice.

The Bill also confirms that value for money remains paramount during contracting, whilst also encouraging buyers to take into account other relevant wider social and environmental considerations the supplier may bring.

Notes to editors:

The new provisions will allow Ministers to consider the risk profile of a particular supplier, supported by the new National Security Unit for Procurement, and act accordingly. Certain types of contracts can be identified on the debarment list that the supplier must not be allowed to bid for. This can be identified by the type of goods, services or works or by reference to certain contracting authorities or locations.

The new unit will be proactively monitoring the supplier landscape and will recommend to Ministers which suppliers should be investigated for debarment; the outcome of that investigation may lead to an entry on the debarment list. The proactive approach will be highly advantageous in minimising the risk posed by some suppliers and will make it easier for contracting authorities to implement national security exclusions.

We will also commit to publish a timeline for the removal of surveillance equipment produced by companies subject to China’s National Intelligence Law from sensitive central government sites. By committing to this timeline, we are providing reassurance and urgency around the removal plans.

The main benefits of the Bill are:

Delivering better value for money – Supported by greater transparency and a bespoke approach to procurement, the Bill will provide greater flexibility for buyers to design their procurement processes and create more opportunities to negotiate with suppliers.

Slashing red tape and driving innovation – More than 350 complicated and bureaucratic rules govern public spending in the EU. Removing these and creating more sensible rules will not only reduce costs for businesses and the public sector, but also drive innovation by allowing buyers to tailor procurement to their exact needs, building in stages such as demonstrations and testing prototypes.

Making it easier to do business with the public sector – The Bill will accelerate spending with small businesses. A new duty will require contracting authorities to consider SMEs and we will ensure 30 day payment terms on a broader range of contracts. The Bill will also create a single digital platform for suppliers to register their details once so that they can be used for multiple bids.

Levelling up the UK – While value for money will remain the highest priority in procurement, the Bill will require buyers to take account of national strategic priorities such as job creation, improving supplier resilience, and driving innovation. Buyers will be able to reserve competitions for contracts below certain thresholds for suppliers located in the UK, SMEs and social enterprises.

Taking tougher action on underperforming suppliers – The Bill will put in place a new exclusions framework that will make it easier to exclude suppliers who have underperformed on other contracts. It will also create a new ‘debarment register’, accessible to all public sector organisations, which will list suppliers who must or may be excluded from contracts.

Creating an open and transparent system – Everyone will have access to public procurement data. Citizens will be able to scrutinise spending decisions. Suppliers will be able to identify new opportunities to bid and collaborate. Buyers will be able to analyse the market and benchmark their performance against others, for example on their spend with SMEs.

Effective emergency procurement – The Bill will allow faster competition processes for emergency buying, reducing the reliance on direct awards while retaining (and improving) the ability to act at pace in situations similar to the COVID pandemic

Protecting national security – The Bill includes specific rules for defence and security procurements and provides flexibility for contracts to be upgraded to refresh technology to address gaps in capability. The Bill also has provisions to enable a contracting authority to exclude suppliers from procurements if they present a threat to national security. In addition, the debarment list can identify suppliers that must be excluded from certain contracts, as well as identify suppliers that contracting authorities should consider excluding from a procurement.

Strengthening exclusion grounds – The Bill toughens the rules to combat modern slavery by allowing suppliers to be excluded where there is evidence of modern slavery, accepting that in some jurisdictions it is unlikely that a supplier would ever face conviction.
June 12, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : The UK Government Launches New Trade Scheme in the Philippines [June 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 7 June 2023.

The UK’s new Developing Countries Trading Scheme comes into force this June, improving Philippine businesses’ access to the UK market.

On 7 June 2023, the UK government launched the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) in Manila – a major milestone in opening up new trade and investment opportunities between the two countries.

His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Philippines Laure Beaufils opened the event, with the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo Pascual joining as the guest of honour. Representatives from the Philippine government, exporters to the UK, and industry associations were also in attendance. The launch was delivered in partnership with the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the British Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (BCCP).

Speaking at the launch, His Majesty’s Ambassador, Laure Beaufils said:

I am delighted to announce that the UK’s new unilateral preferences scheme, the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS), will come into effect on 19 June 2023. The DCTS will cut tariff, remove conditions and simplify trading rules. It will increase trade and strengthen the trade relationship between the UK and the Philippines.  I strongly encourage businesses to take full advantage of this new scheme.

Trade Preferences Policy Advisor Sabiha Ahmed delivered a keynote highlighting high potential value chains and products that can benefit from the new scheme. This was based on research into UK retailers’ and consumers’ buying considerations, and insights from Filipino producers, financiers, trade programmes and policymakers. The programme also included presentations on customs processes and agricultural standards for Philippine exporters.

Trade between the Philippines and the UK reached an all-time high of £2.4 billion in 2022. The Philippines exports a range of high value products to the UK including tuna, shirts, and starch, which benefit from significant tariff reductions under the DCTS. . DCTS has the potential to save Philippine businesses over £20 million a year on UK export tariffs.

Philippine exports to the UK can benefit from an additional 150+ tariff cuts under the DCTS. DCTS Enhanced Preferences offer generous tariff preferences and facilitate access to the UK market for Philippine businesses across a wide range of industries.

Also present during the launch was Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Fred Pascual. In his opening message, he said:

The UK-DCTS, as one of the most generous trade preference schemes in the world, enables the Philippines to have continued access to enhanced preferences. We look forward to our country having access to duty-free, quota-free trade on 92 percent of our eligible goods—or 99 percent of our exports to the UK.

The UK Government is launching the DCTS to replace the Generalised Scheme of Preferences with the aim to grow free and fair trade with selected countries. It offers one of the most generous sets of trading preferences in the world and demonstrates the UK’s commitment to building long term, mutually beneficial relationship with the Philippines.

The Trade Preferences Policy Advisor also delivered information sessions to DTI, BCCP, and other industry associations. The sessions focused on sharing insights on current trends, UK market purchasing criteria, barriers to trade and what can be done to unlock the Philippines’ trade and investment potential. Attendees also learnt about other key trade-related information including quality certification and customs requirements.

June 12, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Investing in Women Code closing the finance gap [June 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 7 June 2023.

The Government has published the third annual Investing in Women Code report.
A higher percentage of venture capital deals made by Investing in Women Code (IWC) signatories feature at least one female founder as compared to the wider market, a new report shows.

This is the third year in a row that IWC signatories have outperformed the venture capital market.

The report also shows that more diverse investment committees are key for bridging the investment gap.

With 204 signatories, the IWC now covers a significant proportion of the SME lending market and accounts for 39% of UK venture and growth equity deals, up from 24% in 2020.

35% of all venture capital deals made by Investing in Women Code signatories were in female-founded companies last year, compared to the market average of 27%, revealed in the latest report published today.

The Investing in Women Code was founded in 2019 as a landmark government-lead initiative in response to the Rose Review’s findings that a lack of funding continues to be one of the most significant barriers to women seeking to effectively scale a business.

Over 200 organisations have signed up to the code, showing the growing numbers of lenders and investors committed to increasing the levels of finance directed towards women-led businesses. Today’s report demonstrates that IWC members are leading the way in addressing the finance gap between male and female entrepreneurs. Equal access to finance will boost the potential of female founded businesses and deliver on the Government’s priority to grow the economy.

Business and Trade Secretary and Minister for Women and Equalities Kemi Badenoch said:

With equal access to funding and support, female entrepreneurs could add £250 billion to the economy.

It’s excellent that members of the Investing in Women Code are leading the way in addressing the finance gap between male and female entrepreneurs, ensuring that the UK is the best place in the world to start a business, regardless of gender.

Other key findings from the Investing in Women Code’s third annual report show that:

Venture Capital (VC) firms that have signed up to the code represent a larger share of the market than ever before. The proportion of UK VC deals involving a signatory has risen from 24% in 2020 to 39% in 2022.

New signatories included British Patient Capital, the UK’s largest domestic investor in venture and venture growth capital, M&G Catalyst, one of the first large asset managers to join the Code; and the University of Exeter, the first higher educational institution to sign up, as the reach of the Code expands into new investor groups.

The number of deals made by VCs with all-female teams rose from 6% in 2021 to 9% in 2022 in the broader market, bringing it in line with the levels achieved by VC signatories which remained constant for the last year.

Female investors remain underrepresented on investment committees. Signatories report an average of 32% female representation in their investment teams and 24% on their investment committees. The report found a relationship between more diverse investment committees, and successful pitches from all female and mixed gender leadership teams, so this is a crucial area to address.

Reflecting the challenging economic backdrop, Angel group signatories recorded a decrease in the level of funding being requested by all-female teams as compared to 2021. This aligned with a fall in the requests made by their all-male counterparts.

With the addition of Funding Circle and six others during the year, the 23 lenders now signed up to the Code provide an extensive range of products and services to SMEs across the UK alongside targeted initiatives to support women led businesses.

The findings demonstrate that there has been important progress, but more work is required to close funding gaps.

Signatories are implementing a range of measures to improve their support for female entrepreneurs, including connecting them with female-focused networks, recruiting from a more diverse pool of candidates, providing mentoring and training for female founders and implementing diversity metrics and policies to achieve gender equity in the start-up ecosystem.

Minister for Enterprise, Markets and Small Business, Kevin Hollinrake MP said:

It’s fantastic to see that we have over 200 signatories for the Investing in Women Code, and we’ve already seen dividends in the increasing success of female founders in accessing finance.

Now that we have a community of committed signatories from across industry, we must keep pushing forward to bridge the finance gap for female entrepreneurs by getting more money out of the door.

Jenny Tooth OBE, Executive Chair of the UK Business Angels Association, said:

We are delighted to have seen a 25% increase in the number of Angel groups that have now signed up to the Code since the last report. This is a clear indication that the Angel community is actively seeking to better embrace diversity and recognise the investment potential among women founders. However, the data reflects the impact of a challenging economic climate for Angel investment in the latter half of 2022.

We hope that 2023 will show an improving economic environment for Angel investing, boosted by more certainty over EIS and new enhanced SEIS and with further roll out of the Regional Angel Programme co-investment funds. At UKBAA we will be continuing to recruit more Angel Group signatories to the Code and working together with our community and Rose Review partners to redouble our efforts in taking practical steps for change, directly impacting the level of investment into female founders in the year ahead.

Catherine Lewis La Torre, Rose Review Board Member and British Patient Capital CEO said:

The British Business Bank was a founding signatory of the Investing in Women Code and British Patient Capital was one of the first institutional investors to sign up to the Code. We have seen huge progress in the number of venture capital firms becoming signatories since the Code was first launched and collectively we are driving change in investment behaviours which is resulting in better outcomes for diverse entrepreneurs. 39% of venture capital deals in the UK had an IWC signatory as a funder, providing us with good market coverage and valuable data which is already starting to demonstrate that IWC signatories are meeting their commitment to support more female-led businesses, compared with the overall market.

However, whilst celebrating this milestone, we acknowledge that there is still more work to be done to reduce the significant funding gap for female entrepreneurs. We will continue to work together to unlock potential by ensuring that more of our talented and ambitious female founders and business builders can access the finance they need to thrive.

Stephen Pegge, Managing Director, Commercial Finance, UK Finance, said:

The contribution of female entrepreneurs is critical to the UK’s growth objectives and support for women-led businesses with the right mix of finance was rightly identified as a key driver of growth. That’s why I’m pleased to see not only more firms signing up to the Investing in Women Code but also the initiatives they have launched bearing fruit.

The community of banks and non-bank lenders supporting female entrepreneurs is now beginning to pull together. The figures show there is more to do, especially across the regions and nations of the UK where finance ecosystems are less developed. UK Finance and our members are keen to play our part through collaboration and practical work across the UK. As a member of the Rose Review board, I’d like to thank my colleagues for their enthusiastic support.

Michael Moore, Chief Executive of the British Private Equity and Venture Capital Association, said:

This year’s report highlights important progress, with a significant growth in signatories for the Code and a growing proportion of VC deals in the UK involving a signatory. But there is much still to do, and our industry remains committed to addressing the funding gaps between female-led and male-led investing. Our partnership with others in supporting the Code is about delivering meaningful progress and addressing the barriers which stubbornly persist.

Background:

The Third Annual Report can be found online on the British Business Bank’s website: https://www.british-business-bank.co.uk/investing-in-women-code/annual-report-2023/

The Investing in Women Code is an initiative recommended by the government-commissioned Rose Review, led by NatWest CEO Alison Rose, into how best to support female entrepreneurs. The Code is designed to directly address the lack of investment going to female entrepreneurs from all corners of the financial services and investment landscape, from early stage and seed funding, to venture capital investment and bank loans.

The Investing in Women Code is a commitment to support the advancement of women entrepreneurs in the United Kingdom by improving their access to the tools, resources and finance they need to achieve their goals.

The Code commits signatories to:

Adopt best practices to improve female entrepreneurs’ access to finance needed to start and grow successful businesses

Nominate a member of the senior leadership team responsible for supporting equality in all interactions with entrepreneurs

Provide annual funding data disaggregated by gender to DBT, based on agreed guidelines. Providing data and analysis helps to promote greater transparency across the industry, highlighting where measures are working and where further measures may be needed.

A diverse and inclusive business ecosystem is good for customers, entrepreneurs, businesses, investors, and society. DBT together with the Investing in Women Code partners and signatory firms share a commitment to work in partnership to make the United Kingdom one of the most attractive countries in the world to start and grow a business by advancing female entrepreneurship. The Investing in Women Code Partners are the UK Business Angels Association, the British Private Equity & Venture Capital Association, UK Finance, and the British Business Bank.

New signatories are not required to provide data in their first year.

Organisations are eligible to become Code signatories if they provide debt or equity finance to businesses. Examples include banks and non-bank lenders, venture capital funds, private equity firms, Angel syndicates, crowdfunding platforms, and public sector providers.

DBT welcomes interest in the Investing in Women Code from all eligible organisations. Further information about the Code and an online sign up from are available on the British Business Bank’s website: https://www.british-business-bank.co.uk/investing-in-women-code/
June 12, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK to galvanise support for Ukraine’s recovery at OECD meetings [June 2023]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 7 June 2023.

Foreign Secretary chairs the OECD’s Ministerial Council Meeting in Paris to mobilise international support for Ukraine’s recovery and tackle global challenges.
- The UK will help mobilise international support for Ukraine’s recovery as it chairs the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting in Paris for the first time in nearly 50 years.
- Foreign Secretary James Cleverly will chair the meeting on behalf of the UK, highlighting the need for partnerships, technology and innovation in tackling a range of global challenges, which are also having an impact in the UK.
- The UK and partners will also discuss the path to opening up membership of the OECD, including to Ukraine and countries in the Indo-Pacific region.
THE UK will galvanise global support to help Ukraine’s reconstruction, as it chairs the annual Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) meeting in Paris from today (June 7).

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, hosting the annual Ministerial Council Meeting after visiting Ukraine earlier this week, will set out how the UK and its fellow OECD member countries will support its reconstruction, ahead of the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London later this month (June 21 and 22).

The gathering in Paris will also set out how the UK, chairing the meeting for the first time since 1975, and the other 37 member countries of the OECD can collectively tackle global challenges. These include strengthening global economic resilience, tackling energy insecurity and climate change, and addressing the use of new and emerging technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence. The meeting will also discuss the path to Ukraine and more countries in the Indo-Pacific region becoming members of the global economic organisation.

Mr Cleverly will be joined at the meeting in Paris by Secretary of State for Business and Trade Kemi Badenoch; Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology Chloe Smith; Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Grant Shapps; and the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, Victoria Atkins, who will be chairing sessions focused on economic resilience, energy, and international tax. They will discuss issues of direct relevance to the UK, such as the Prime Minister’s priority of growing the economy, reducing debt, and halving inflation.

Countries from the G7, G20 and EU are also sending senior ministers.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said:

Every day we witness Ukraine’s suffering and tragic losses as Russia’s cruel and illegal invasion continues. This includes loss of life, loss of homes, loss of livelihoods and a colossal loss of economic opportunities, but never a loss of hope, as I saw for myself when I visited Ukraine this week.

I welcome the role that Ukraine’s international partners, including the OECD, are playing in helping them rebuild. The people of Ukraine didn’t ask for this war. They have sacrificed a lot for the values we all share. The OECD must support them. Their fight is our fight.

It is only by working together as an international community of like-minded partners that we can address global challenges and secure a resilient and prosperous future for all.

UK expertise is set to support the OECD’s Ukraine Country Programme, due to be launched today. UK government experts will support and advise the OECD to establish a programme that has impact and delivers for the people of Ukraine. Funding from the UK’s Good Governance Fund will back the programme for an initial two-year period.

The fresh support for Ukraine’s recovery announced today follows the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam in Ukraine this week.

The FCDO is also due to announce at the OECD meeting a £50m portfolio of research projects to be implemented via the Climate Adaptation and Resilience (CLARE) programme, launched at COP26, which is co-funded by the UK and Canada to support science and innovation for climate resilience in lower income countries.

In addition, the FCDO will propose a strategic framework to strengthen the OECD’s future engagement with the Indo-Pacific region. This follows the publication of the Integrated Review Refresh in March 2023, which set out how the UK will prioritise the Indo-Pacific in the long-term, making the region a permanent pillar of the UK’s international policy.

OECD members will also discuss the issue of energy security, with Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine having triggered a spike in global energy prices, impacting households around the world, including in the UK where the government has taken unprecedented action by covering around half of the typical household’s bill.

Energy Secretary Grant Shapps said:

Putin’s weaponisation of energy served as a global wake-up call that we must secure our energy supply and independence.

The UK is leading the world in the pursuit of cleaner, cheaper and more secure energy such as nuclear, solar and wind power, which will ensure we can never again be held ransom through a dependency on fossil fuels.

We are committed to freezing Putin out of global energy markets and working with our international partners and allies, including the OECD, will deliver energy security for generations to come.

The Business and Trade Secretary will chair a session of OECD Ministers on economic resilience where they will discuss how together we can build trade, investment and diversify supply chains in response to the challenges our economies are facing. They will agree the launch of key trade and investment-related deliverables, including the updated OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct and the launch of the OECD Trade Strategy.

Secretary of State for Business and Trade Kemi Badenoch said:

Stronger supply chains and fairer trading systems are vital for our economic security so that British companies can ensure access to the materials they need to manufacture the vital goods we all depend on.

Defending free trade is one of my top priorities, and the UK will use this summit to work with our closest international partners to tackle shared global challenges and grow our economy.

Recognising the importance of corporate tax revenues to developing countries, the Financial Secretary to the Treasury will chair a session on tax for development, in which developing countries will discuss how the OECD can accelerate efforts to help them tackle tax avoidance and support sustainable development.

Victoria Atkins, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, said:

As countries continue to face global headwinds and new challenges, the OECD has never played a more vital role in helping us tackle these together.

From delivering our historic global tax deal and helping developing nations implement it, to driving through new global standards for crypto-regulation, I am proud the UK continues to play a leading role in the new economic world.

On Tuesday (June 6), Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology Chloe Smith also chaired discussions at the first ever Global Forum on Technology, where participants from over 50 countries and stakeholders from industry and civil society discussed the opportunities and risks presented by emerging technologies, including immersive technology and the metaverse, engineering biology and the role of Artificial Intelligence.

Notes to editors:

The UK government is due to announce the following at the OECD summit:
- The Ukraine Country Programme is an OECD programme focused on supporting the country’s reconstruction and working towards Ukraine becoming an OECD member.
- The UK will be announcing a £50m portfolio of research projects implemented via the Climate Adaptation and Resilience (CLARE) programme, co-funded by UK and Canada, to support climate resilience in lower income countries.
- The Indo-Pacific Strategic Framework sends a signal of OECD intent for a deeper level of future engagement with the countries of the region including the prospect of welcoming Indo-Pacific countries as potential members. It will be followed up by an implementation plan.
- The Ukraine Recovery Conference will take place in London on June 21 and 22.
June 12, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : New drugs pilot to tackle obesity and cut NHS waiting lists [June 2023]
The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 6 June 2023.

More people living with obesity will have access to the newest and most effective obesity drugs to help cut NHS waiting lists, following the announcement of a £40 million two-year pilot today.
Two-year pilot backed by up to £40 million will explore ways to make obesity drugs accessible to patients living with obesity outside of hospital settings

The newest weight loss drugs can help adults living with obesity lose up to 15 per cent of their body weight when prescribed alongside diet, physical activity and behavioural support

Pilots build on government’s work to tackle obesity, reducing pressure on the NHS and cutting waiting lists

More people living with obesity will have access to the newest and most effective obesity drugs to help cut NHS waiting lists, following the announcement of a £40 million two-year pilot today [Wednesday 7 June].

Earlier this year, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommended the use of Semaglutide (Wegovy) for adults with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of at least 35 and one weight-related health condition – such as diabetes or high blood pressure. Other drugs are currently under consideration in clinical trials.

There is evidence from clinical trials that, when prescribed alongside diet, physical activity and behavioural support, people taking a weight-loss drug can lose up to 15 per cent of their body weight after one year. Taking them alongside diet, physical activity and behavioural support can help people lose weight within the first month of treatment.

Obesity is one of the leading causes of severe health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer, and it costs the NHS £6.5 billion a year. There were more than 1 million admissions to NHS hospitals in 2019/2020 where obesity was a factor.

Using the latest treatments to tackle obesity will contribute to cutting waiting lists by reducing the number of people who suffer from weight-related illnesses, who tend to need more support from the NHS and could end up needing operations linked to their weight – such as gallstone removal or hip and knee replacements.

NICE advise that Wegovy should only be available via specialist weight management services, which are largely hospital based. This would mean only around 35,000 people would have access to Wegovy, when tens of thousands more could be eligible.

The £40 million pilots will explore how approved drugs can be made safely available to more people by expanding specialist weight management services outside of hospital settings. This includes looking at how GPs could safely prescribe these drugs and how the NHS can provide support in the community or digitally – contributing to the government’s wider ambition to reduce pressure on hospitals and give people access to the care they need where it is most convenient for them.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:

Obesity puts huge pressure on the NHS.

Using the latest drugs to support people to lose weight will be a game-changer by helping to tackle dangerous obesity-related health conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes and cancer – reducing pressure on hospitals, supporting people to live healthier and longer lives, and helping to deliver on my priority to cut NHS waiting lists.

Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay said:

Obesity costs the NHS around £6.5 billion a year and is the second biggest cause of cancer.

This next generation of obesity drugs have the potential to help people lose significant amounts of weight, when prescribed with exercise, diet and behavioural support.

Tackling obesity will help to reduce pressure on the NHS and cut waiting times, one of the government’s five priorities, and this pilot will help people live longer, healthier lives.

Health Minister Neil O’Brien said:

We know that obesity puts additional pressure on the NHS and is linked to a whole host of health problems – including diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Expanding how to access these innovative new drugs will ensure as many eligible patients as possible have the opportunity to try these treatments if they are right for them to help achieve a healthier weight.

These pilots build on our ongoing work to tackle obesity – including introducing calorie labelling on menus to empower people to make informed decisions and investing in school sport to give children an active start in life.

NHS medical director Professor Sir Stephen Powis said:

Tackling obesity is a key part of the NHS Long Term Plan – it can have devastating consequences for the nation’s health, leading to serious health conditions and some common cancers as well as resulting in significant pressure on NHS services.

Pharmaceutical treatments offer a new way of helping people with obesity gain a healthier weight and this new pilot will help determine if these medicines can be used safely and effectively in non-hospital settings as well as a range of other interventions we have in place.

NICE is also considering potential NHS use of another drug known as Tirzepatide – which is currently licenced to treat diabetes but may also help with weight loss – if it receives a license for weight loss in the coming months.

NHS England is already working to implement recommendations from NICE to make this new class of treatment available to patients through established specialist weight management services, subject to negotiating a secure long-term supply of the products at prices that represent value for money taxpayers.

Losing weight can help to reduce the risk of obesity-related illness which in turn can reduce pressure on the NHS, cut waiting times, and realise wider economic benefits.

The pilot builds on the firm action the government is already taking to tackle obesity, including:

Introducing calorie labelling on menus, which are expected to bring health benefits of £4.6 billion and provide NHS savings of £430 million

Restrictions on the location of unhealthy foods in shops, which are expected to bring health benefits of over £57 billion and provide NHS savings of over £4 billion over the next 25 years

Introducing the Soft Drinks Industry Levy which has seen the average sugar content of drinks decrease by 46 per cent between 2015 and 2020

Investment to boost school sport to help children and young people have an active start to life.

Last year the government announced £20million for the Office of Life Science’s Obesity Mission. This will explore innovative ways to best utilise promising medicines and digital technologies to help NHS patients achieve a healthy weight.

The Better Health: Rewards App is also being piloted in Wolverhampton. It is offering incentives such as vouchers for shops, gym discounts and cinema tickets for people who eat healthily and exercise more.

The 2019 Health Survey for England estimated that over 12 million adults were living with obesity – 28 per cent of the population in England – while a further 16 million (36 per cent) were overweight. This means that around two-thirds of the adult population were above a healthy weight – defined as having a BMI of 25 or above.

DHSC launched a call for evidence in May to inform the Major Conditions Strategy, including further work to tackle obesity.
June 12, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak – The UK and US must build an alliance that protects our economies [June 2023]
The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 6 June 2023.

Economic and defence cooperation must be the two pillars of the UK-US alliance, the Prime Minister will tell say as he travels to Washington DC.
Prime Minister in Washington DC for meetings with President Biden, congressional figures and US business leaders

PM and President Biden expected to step up work to protect key industries and safeguard supply chains against threats, including from hostile states

£14 billion in major new investments by US companies create thousands of UK jobs and enhance an investment relationship now worth more than £1 trillion

Economic and defence cooperation must be the two pillars of the UK-US alliance, the Prime Minister will tell US lawmakers and businesspeople this week, as he travels to Washington DC.

Pointing to the role our defence partnership has played in protecting our people for decades, the Prime Minister will say that extensive cooperation on economic issues will allow us to do the same thing for the next century.

In recent months and years, the world has seen an increasing number of examples of hostile states using economic coercion to their advantage. From Putin driving up European energy prices, to China’s extensive use of sanctions to punish individuals and government who speak out against human rights abuses.

While our traditional security remains paramount, those who seek to do us harm are increasingly targeting other domains. They are manipulating global markets, withholding crucial resources and trying to establish a stranglehold over the industries that will define our future.

If we are to stay one step ahead and ensure the safety and prosperity of our citizens, we need to make sure our cooperation on economic security is as extensive as our cooperation on traditional security.

The existing strength of the UK-US economic relationship means we are ideally placed to take on these challenges together. Our trade relationship is worth £279 billion a year, and the amount invested in one another’s economies has now surpassed £1 trillion.

US firms have committed more than £14 billion of new investment in the UK, announced today. This includes £583 million of investment in projects including World Fuel Services and Meld’s green hydrogen facility in Hull, a new Mars facility in the London Gateway Freeport, expansions of BNY Mellon’s existing and Vanguard’s new Manchester offices and a new HCA Healthcare facility in Birmingham. Between them these new investments will create almost 2,500 jobs.

Further investments by US companies in the UK include £9 billion from investment management company BlackRock – taking BlackRock’s total UK investment to £500 billion, £2.4 billion invested by Blackstone, £2 billion invested by KKR and £521m invested by CD&R.

These investments are just a snapshot of the vast economic connections between the UK and the US. In recent months US company Nuveen has acquired Arcmont Asset Management for £800 million and Longfellow have established a £1.5 billion life sciences and innovation real estate fund – bringing the total value of major investments by US companies into the UK to nearly £17 billion since the Prime Minister took office.

Because our economies are so interlinked, with nearly 1.5 million Brits working for American companies and more than 1.2 million Americans working for British companies, it is paramount that we approach these issues in a unified and coordinated way.

The Prime Minister will use his visit to the US this week to drive forward these efforts. In his meetings with President Biden, Congresspeople and American business leaders he will advocate for further joint action to safeguard against external threats to our economies, strengthen our supply chains and support the industries of the future.

The Prime Minister said:

The UK and US have always worked in lockstep to protect our people and uphold our way of life. As the challenges and threats we face change, we need to build an alliance that also protects our economies.

Just as interoperability between our militaries has given us a battlefield advantage over our adversaries, greater economic interoperability will give us a crucial edge in the decades ahead.

By combining our vast economic resources and expertise, we will grow our economies, create jobs and keep our people safe long into the future.

A re-energised and enhanced economic relationship between the UK and the US presents huge opportunities for our people – supporting the PM’s priority to grow our economy and create better paying jobs.

Every day, innovations in science and technology are unlocking new possibilities for our people and businesses – doing everything from bringing down the cost of the things we buy to accelerating our transition to clean energy.

In recent years the UK and US have taken a number of steps to enhance our economic relationship, removing barriers including the ban on British beef and lamb exports, and tariffs on steel and whisky. In recent weeks we agreed a new deal to give architects more access to US markets.

Quotes from US businesses:

Stephen A. Schwartzman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Blackstone

As one of the largest overseas investors in the UK, Blackstone is a strong believer in the resilience of the UK economy. The building of our new headquarters in London is a clear vote of confidence in its future as a financial centre.

Adebayo Ogunlesi, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Global Infrastructure Partners

The United Kingdom has always been, and remains, an important market for Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP). We believe the UK is an attractive market for infrastructure investments and are privileged to have invested in some market-leading infrastructure companies that provide essential services in the UK, including London City Airport, London Gatwick Airport, Edinburgh Airport, Hornsea 1, Peel Ports, Vantage Towers and Scotia Gas Networks. We look forward to continuing to invest in and grow our companies and explore new investment opportunities.

Rob Sharps, CEO and President, T. Rowe Price

The UK continues to be a world-leading center for asset management. We appreciate the UK government’s commitment to pursue targeted policy reforms to ensure that remains true for many years to come. T. Rowe Price has been in the City of London since 1979 and intends to stay for the foreseeable future. Our expanded presence in the City underscores our commitment to our clients, helps us attract and retain top talent, and supports our long-term international growth plans.

Adam Sichol, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Longfellow Real Estate Partners

With a rich history of innovation and research, the United Kingdom is the next logical step of growth for Longfellow. Our two nations have an incredible bond that encourages collaboration, growth, and ultimately the creation of thoughtful, world-class space that supports the UK’s leading industries such as life science and innovation ecosystems.

Jose Minaya, Chief Executive Officer, Nuveen

We have seen continued potential to expand our investment capabilities and talent in the UK, most recently demonstrated through our $1 billion acquisition of Arcmont Asset Management, one of the largest private lenders in Europe. We also continue to deepen our real estate and alternatives capabilities in London and Edinburgh. Our continued success has naturally required a need to support that growth with top industry talent, and we now have almost 400 employees in the UK, including several key global company leaders. That is double our head count from 2019 and makes the UK our largest base by personnel outside of the US.

Michael J. Kasbar, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, World Fuel Services Corporation

We are excited to continue investing in the United Kingdom to support their critically important energy transition objectives that drive energy independence and decarbonization. This is just the latest chapter of World Fuel’s commitment to clean energy and one that we expect will foster further investment in the United Kingdom’s energy diversification strategy.

Phebe N. Novakovic, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, General Dynamics

General Dynamics has been a partner with the UK defence industry and the Ministry of Defence for over 20 years to provide mission essential equipment to the UK military. We are proud of the investment and partnerships we have built over the years.

Greg Hayes, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Raytheon Technologies

Raytheon Technologies’ businesses have been investing across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland for over a century. We are especially proud that our 6,750 local employees, nearly £1 billion annual aerospace and defence supply chain investment, and more than a dozen sites support innovation and contribute to economic growth in every region of the United Kingdom

Thomas A. Bell, Chief Executive Officer, Leidos

Leidos’ investments represent our continued commitment to the UK and our transatlantic partnership. We firmly believe in the strength of the UK defence and national security industry and the tremendous potential it offers. By continuing our investment, we aim to accelerate technological advancements, develop local skills and forge stronger ties between our two countries, ultimately enhancing our collective defence and security capabilities.

Ravi Kumar S, Chief Executive Officer, Cognizant

The UK is a very important market for Cognizant and we see tremendous growth opportunity. Last year we delivered on our promise to open delivery centres in Leeds and Northern Ireland and just this year opened our flag ship London Collaboration Hub for our Cognizant employees. As a business we remain committed to investing in the UK and see the success of our UK business as a pivotal part of Cognizant’s growth overall.

Arvind Krishna, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, IBM

The government of the United Kingdom has adopted a bold strategy for securing the country’s place as a global leader in technology and innovation. Prioritizing the responsible creation and use of powerful technologies, and especially AI and quantum computers, is not only a value that IBM shares, but one that is essential to ensuring these innovations have a net positive impact on society. IBM applauds this approach by the Prime Minister and his government. His visit to Washington only underscores how important the strong relationship between the two countries will be in guiding society into this exciting new era of technology.

Saeed Amidi, Chief Executive Officer, Plug and Play

At Plug and Play we are excited and committed to investing and continuing to grow in the United Kingdom. Since we officially launched in 2022 we have been growing our own team and now have over 60 investments in UK startups. We are particularly excited about the green technology startups that the UK is beginning to build – just this week we invested and partnered with a EV Battery startup called About:Energy.

Our mission is to build ecosystems and invest across the United Kingdom. In the West Midlands we Founded a new Mobility Innovation Platform in collaboration with Jaguar Land Rover and other key partners such as The University of Warwick. The platform continues to grow with Bentley Motors and Novelis joining in 2024. We have bold ambitions to build other globally recognised innovation platforms, across the West Midlands and other important cities.

Kathy Jenkins, Chief Executive Officer, Marshall Group

We believe Greensboro is the ideal home of our US Aerospace operations and are very grateful for the exceptional support and partnership we have received from Greensboro City Council and the State Government of North Carolina.

We are excited to put over 55 years of C-130 experience to work in providing an unmatched standard of in-country support for existing and new US-based partners and customers.
June 12, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Iran’s Fattah missile – FCDO statement [June 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 6 June 2023.

FCDO statement on Iran’s reveal of its new ballistic missile, the Fattah, which was unveiled today.

An FCDO spokesperson said:

“Iran has announced the development of a new ballistic missile, despite repeated calls from the UN Security Council to halt its programme. This, only weeks after Iran claimed to have successfully test-launched a ballistic missile of similar capability, further proves its continued disregard of international restrictions and the grave threat posed by the regime to global security.

“Alongside partners, the UK remains committed to taking every diplomatic step to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons and to hold the regime to account for its malign activity around the world.”

June 12, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : If Russia proves to be responsible, it would be a new low – UK at the UN [June 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 6 June 2023.

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine.

Thank you, President. And I am grateful to USG Griffiths for his briefing.

The destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam is truly an abhorrent act. The UK stands in solidarity with Ukraine and the thousands of Ukrainians who are tonight evacuating from their homes or facing terrible damage to their livelihoods or water supply.

We stand ready to support Ukraine and all those affected by this catastrophe. And we are already working with humanitarian partners on the ground to supply aid. The UK has helped support them to pre-position supplies in case of an emergency like this.

As we have heard, this act has put thousands of civilians in danger and is causing severe environmental damage to the surrounding area. Flooding threatens to contaminate water supplies and vital natural habitats.

Vast swathes of agricultural land and electricity supplies are also at risk. And this in turn threatens food production and the international food trade.

President, this is the latest of many tragic consequences of President Putin’s war, which will bring further terrible suffering to the people of Ukraine.

We have seen Russia indiscriminately attack civilians and critical civilian infrastructure time and time again in this war.

If Russia proves to be responsible, it would be a new low in its conduct of this brutal war.

We will continue to carefully assess the evidence in the coming days. But let me repeat what we have said throughout: now is the time for President Putin to withdraw all his forces from Ukraine’s sovereign territory and bring his war of aggression to an end.

June 12, 2023
Ben Wallace – 2023 Speech at the D-Day 79 Commemorations

The speech made by Ben Wallace, the Secretary of State for Defence, on 6 June 2023.

Mr. Minister, Your Excellency, veterans, ladies and gentlemen.

Before coming here my officials drafted a speech they thought I might want to deliver.

It celebrated the heroes, objectives captured and the units.

And if I had not served myself I would have no doubt I would have delivered it.

But what I wanted to say today was that this day belongs as much to the ordinary soldier, sailor, airman as it does the outstanding.

Because the 6th June was an achievement of the platoon commanders, the non-commissioned officers, the private, and the airman and then naval rating.

Because it is they who had to conquer first the fear.

Who had to sort order from chaos, and who in the end had to stand up and walk towards the guns.

It was they who had to inspire their section or troops.

They who had no certainty of survival.

Each man on 6 June would have to have rationalised the potential death they faced with themselves.

That was the first obstacle on the day to overcome.

And once that fear was overcome the task of turning the vast enterprise that was Operation Overlord could commence.

As we celebrate the victory of the Allied forces on these beaches 79 years ago today, we should reflect that at this very moment there are men and women of Ukraine trying to overcome that same fear and trepidation.

In assembly areas and on start lines along the vast front, each individual will be mentally preparing themselves for potential death or victory.

They will be experiencing that same anxious feeling in the stomach. They will be trying to think of their home in the same way those Allies who had come from so very far away to this beach, on this day, 79 years ago.

They will be looking to their friends beside them and their Corporals for encouragement or reassurance.

The fear that many of us have witnessed first-hand will be somewhere behind the eyes.

They will be doing what the Free French did so powerfully on this day. They will be fighting for their lands, their soil.

They will be fighting for Europe to be free.

We should not underestimate the challenge it is to go forward under fire.

Attacking is a very different task from defending.

The memorials here today remind us of that.

We must be grateful as a generation that on that day of days courage was on our side.

That despite all the chaos, and fear and noise, it was the ordinary who grabbed their rifle, overcame fear and fought for us all.

June 12, 2023