Tag: 2023

PRESS RELEASE : Wildflowers seeds for every primary school class in honour of the Coronation [May 2023]
The press release issued by Department for Education on 1 May 2023.

To mark the Coronation all state funded primary schools will be sent wildflower seeds, inspired by His Majesty The King’s love of nature.
- Government has joined forces with the Eden Project to offer all state funded primary schools the opportunity to plant wildflowers to celebrate His Majesty The King’s commitment to fighting climate change
- Planting wildflowers aims to inspire children to learn about nature and boost the biodiversity of the school estate, building on the plans to create a National Education Nature Park
- Resources for schools also launched to help young people understand the historical significance of the Coronation
To mark the Coronation all state funded primary schools will be sent wildflower seeds that will empower children across the country to discover the joys of nature.

The government-funded project was inspired by His Majesty The King’s love of nature and aims to encourage children to learn about and improve the biodiversity of school’s green spaces, while making them nicer places to work and learn. Improving children’s connection to nature and spending time outdoors will also help to support their mental and physical wellbeing.

In a collaboration between the Department for Education and the Eden Project, over 200,000 seeds packets will be sent to schools, representing 40 hectares of new wildflower areas being planted up across England to support our pollinators. If planted together that would create around 40 rugby pitch sized wildflowers meadows – a small but vital step in boosting biodiversity.

To support schools to celebrate the Coronation, the Department for Education has also commissioned a series of lesson plans and other teaching materials for primary and secondary schools to explain the significance of this historical moment.

The charity Living Paintings has also designed, created and published a pack of tactile and audio resources that will enable blind and partially sighted children to learn about the Coronation, and the Eden Project has also created free lesson resources for schools and families to learn how to make eco-decorations for their Coronation celebrations using natural objects found in their surrounding green spaces.

Schools and other education providers can continue to improve biodiversity in the months and years to come through the National Education Nature Park – which brings together schools, colleges and other education settings into a vast virtual park. It enables children and young people to get involved in taking practical action to improve the biodiversity of their green spaces, then mapping it online to see over time how the virtual park changes. The National Education Nature Park and Climate Action Award are open for registration from 18 May 2023.

Schools minister Nick Gibb said:

Giving children the opportunity to plant wildflowers will not only make school grounds more attractive, it will also help the next generation understand the importance of improving our biodiversity, while celebrating His Majesty The King’s love of nature.

To help young people understand the historical significance of the Coronation, we have also asked two history teachers and curriculum experts to produce lesson plans and other materials about the coronation and the history of the monarchy, which we are sending to schools.

Dan James, Development Director for the Eden Project said:

It is crucial that we replenish our biodiversity across the UK – and even small steps can make a difference.

Through the work of National Wildflower Centre, Eden Project works with organisations across the UK with projects to make new wildflower habitats that support wildlife and connect people to the natural world. This is a fantastic opportunity for the next generation to see the impact that wildflowers can have, even in small spaces.

By encouraging our children to plant wildflower seeds we can work towards reversing the decline of pollinators that we are seeing across the UK which is so important for our future.

The packets of seeds include native annual wildflower species; cornflower, corn poppy, corn chamomile, corncockle, corn marigold and night-flowering catchfly, which if sown this Spring, will be in bloom this Summer.

The wildflowers will provide food for a wide range of insects including bees, butterflies and other pollinators in school grounds across England. Each seed packet covers around 2square metres of blue, white, purple, red and yellow flowers that can be planted in pots, beds or borders to boost colour and biodiversity in school grounds across England.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has commissioned a film for primary school-aged children, explaining the history and significance of the Coronation. This can be played in classrooms or assemblies and gives children the opportunity to discover the history and importance of the Coronation, the role of His Majesty The King, and the significance of the Monarchy around the world.

The National Education Nature Park is just one of many initiatives in the DfE’s strategy for Sustainability and Climate Change that will provide learners with the resources to live, learn, work and participate in a contemporary global society.

Through climate education, green skills and careers, the Department is helping to create a sustainable future through education, developing the skills needed for a green economy, and supporting our sectors to reach net zero targets.
May 2, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : England’s longest national trail to be renamed the ‘King Charles III England Coast Path’ [May 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 1 May 2023.
- Trail will be fully walkable by the end of 2024 – connecting communities across England
The Government will leave a lasting public legacy for people and nature with the renaming of the England Coast Path to celebrate the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III.

As Prince of Wales, His Majesty expressed a deep love and concern for England’s wildlife, natural and rural places, frequently reflecting on his love of walking and its role in promoting a healthy mind and body.

The plans will see the England Coast Path renamed the ‘King Charles III England Coast Path’ after an unveiling on 10 May, leaving a lasting legacy to be enjoyed by people around the entire English coastline.

The King Charles III England Coast Path will be a 2,700-mile long National Trail around the whole of the English coast, passing through some of our finest countryside and some of England’s most stunning, dynamic and internationally famous coastal scenery

Natural England has worked in partnership with local authorities to open 794 miles of the route so far and the trail will be fully walkable by the end of 2024 – connecting communities from Northumberland to Cumbria via Cornwall.

Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey said:

“The King is a dedicated champion of nature in our country. He spearheaded efforts to move to more environmentally friendly farming techniques and through his Prince’s Foundation has sought to highlight how education can foster responsible stewardship towards the planet and the natural environment.

“The Coronation marks the beginning of a new chapter in our national story and it’s fitting that nature and the public will benefit from these lasting commemorations for years to come.”

In line with the spirit of sustainability championed by His Majesty, signage featuring the new name will only be installed as new stretches of the trail are established, with existing signage retained elsewhere along the route until it requires replacing.

The next two sections of the King Charles III England Coast Path to open will be in Filey, North Yorkshire, and Crosby Beach, Liverpool. Both sections will be opened on the 10 May. Please contact Defra press office for media attendance at the unveiling.

His Majesty has held number of patronages of wildlife conservation charities, including the Wildlife Trusts. As Prince of Wales he has also worked to encourage the private sector to work to respond to climate change and increase their focus on sustainability with more than 500 CEOs part of his Sustainable Markets Initiative, including the heads of some of the world’s biggest financial institutions.

Through our Environmental Improvement Plan we want to be the first generation to leave the environment in a better state than we inherited it and in this Coronation year even more people will get out and experience our incredible wildlife and landscapes

To celebrate the path’s gradual completion, a series of events will be held across England throughout the summer of 2023. Find out more about the events or plan your route along the coastal path at England Coast Path – National Trails
May 2, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Extra evacuation flight from Port Sudan announced [April 2023]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 30 April 2023.

Exceptional additional flight from Port Sudan announced, as total number of people evacuated reaches 2122.
- UK Government has arranged an extra evacuation flight from Port Sudan tomorrow (Monday, May 1).
- Final evacuation flight from Wadi Saeedna airfield, near Khartoum, departed on Saturday evening.
- Total number of people evacuated on UK flights this week is now 2122 (as of 12 noon on April 30), in the longest and largest evacuation by any Western nation.
An extra UK evacuation flight from Port Sudan will depart on Monday (May 1), extending the longest and largest evacuation effort of any Western country from Sudan.

British nationals who wish to leave Sudan on this flight are asked to travel to the British Evacuation Handling Centre at the Coral Hotel on 1 May before 1200 Sudan time tomorrow (1100 BST) to allow for processing.

This additional exceptional flight facilitates the evacuation of a limited number of UK nationals remaining in Sudan who wish to leave. This flight follows the UK’s successful evacuation operation from Wadi Saeeda near Khartoum, which has evacuated 2122 people on 23 flights.

The UK Government is no longer running evacuation flights from Wadi Saeedna airfield because of a decline in demand by British nationals, and while the situation on the ground remains volatile. The last evacuation flight departed the airfield at 2200 Sudan time on 29 April.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said:

The UK has now airlifted over 2100 people to safety from Sudan, in what has been the largest and longest evacuation of any Western country. I want to thank all of those working to deliver this evacuation and ensure as many people as possible are brought to safety.

Evacuation flights have ended from Wadi Saeedna but our rescue efforts continue from Port Sudan. We continue to do everything in our power to secure a long-term ceasefire, a stable transition to civilian rule and an end the violence in Sudan.

Defence Secretary, Ben Wallace, said:

I am grateful to our Armed Forces who have ensured there was an alternative to Wadi Saeedna and who are currently supporting FCDO and Border Force staff to facilitate the rescue effort. HMS Lancaster and the RAF are also there in support of HMG.

The evacuation criteria was expanded on Saturday to include eligible non-British nationals in Sudan who are working as clinicians within the NHS, and their dependants who have leave to enter the UK.

The UK continues to provide consular support to British nationals in Port Sudan and in neighbouring countries in the region.

The safety of all British nationals in Sudan continues to be our utmost priority and we urge everyone to continue to follow our travel advice. The situation remains volatile and our ability to conduct evacuations could change at short notice.

The UK is pursuing all diplomatic avenues to end the violence in Sudan and return to civilian rule, with the Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary, Defence Secretary and Minister for Africa all speaking with international partners. Ultimately a stable transition to civilian rule is the best way to protect the security and prosperity of the Sudanese people.
May 2, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Terrorist prisoners to face tougher limits behind bars [April 2023]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 30 April 2023.

Terrorist prisoners to be banned from taking leading roles in religious services.
- tough new measures will be introduced to stop terrorists hiding extremist materials in cells
- move demonstrates decisive action following landmark terror review
Convicted terrorists will be banned from taking a leading role in religious services and face more rigorous checks for extremist literature as the government redoubles efforts to crackdown on dangerous radicalisers behind bars.

New rules will prevent terrorist prisoners leading the call to prayer or delivering sermons – positions they could exploit to gain authority or influence over other offenders and spread their poisonous ideology.

This will strengthen existing measures preventing the most dangerous prisoners leading Friday prayers by extending the ban to all faiths and not just those in high-security prisons – protecting frontline staff and the public.

The government also confirmed today (30 April 2023) limits on prisoners’ property that will prevent extremists circumventing prison rules to hide and spread extremist texts.

While under prison rules there are no limits on the number of books prisoners can own, the government will toughen these restrictions by stating that they must fit into two medium size boxes with a maximum weight of 15 kilograms.

This follows instances where prisoners have gathered hundreds of books in their cells – in one case an offender had more than 200 books – in an apparent attempt to thwart prison officers searching for extremist material.

This week also sees construction beginning on a new Close Supervision Centre at HMP Frankland – a separate wing to hold the most physically violent prisoners, including terrorists ,to further tackle extremist activity.

The moves build on a bolstered approach to managing terrorists in prison that began a year ago this week following an independent review Jonathan Hall KC.

Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary, Alex Chalk said:

Faith can play a vital part in prisoners’ rehabilitation but we must never tolerate terrorists who seek to exploit religious services to advance their own sinister agenda.

These changes, alongside tougher sentences for terrorists who commit crimes behind bars and our work to separate more of the most radical terrorists, will better protect our hardworking staff, other prisoners and the public.

There are currently around 200 convicted terrorists in custody, many of whom attempt to justify their offences through their flawed interpretation of religion.

Today’s announcements are the latest in a string of decisive actions taken to prevent radicalisation and exploitation by terrorist offenders behind bars, following recommendations made by Jonathan Hall KC.

Since the report, the government has introduced a range of measures to tackle the threat of terrorist activity behind bars. This includes:
- Crime in Prisons agreement which ensures that terrorist offenders committing crime in prison are automatically referred to the police for prosecution so they face longer behind bars to keep the public safe.
- An investment of £1.2 million to establish a specialist Separation Centre and high-risk casework team, helping prevent offenders from spreading their malicious ideology to others.
- Changes to placement into Separation Centres so that offenders can be considered for placement in them sooner rather than being a ‘last resort’. Separation Centres are used to hold the most subversive extremist prisoners to prevent them from radicalising other prisoners.
- Ending the automatic early release of terrorists through the Terrorist Offenders Act 2020 and introducing a 14-year minimum jail term for the most dangerous terrorist offenders through the Counter Terrorism and Sentencing Act 2021.
- Introducing mandatory polygraph testing and making it easier for the police to search terrorist offenders or their property through the new Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022.
- A £6 million expansion of close supervision centres that house the most violent offenders, including the one now under construction at HMP Frankland.
April 30, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : National quality assurance scheme for wild venison launches [April 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 30 April 2023.

Scheme to improve traceability of wild venison, increase buyer confidence and support woodland management launches in England, Northern Ireland and Wales.
- The new standard, along with the existing Scottish scheme, will enable the industry to demonstrate best practice for food production and increase buyer confidence in British wild venison.
A new scheme to boost consumers’ confidence in the venison market and support the sustainable management of wild deer in the countryside has launched.

The UK’s deer population is believed to be at its highest level for 1,000 years, with some two million deer in our countryside and semi-urban areas. A growing deer population with no natural predator puts more browsing pressure on woodland ground flora through their consumption of tree shoots, shrubs and woody vegetation that sequester carbon. Increased wild deer management is essential if we are to protect existing woodland and newly planted saplings, meet England’s tree planting targets, protect agricultural crops and biodiversity and increase carbon stocks in woodlands.

The wild venison quality assurance scheme, which will be open to applicants in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, will ensure a set of audited standards are met throughout the supply chain, from forests, to the processing chain, to supermarket shelves. Successful applicants – including venison producer and processers – will support the development of a wider, more robust marketplace for British wild venison, which is a sustainable and healthy food source.

Applicants must demonstrate they comply with the new scheme, ensuring carcasses are handled correctly, premises are registered as food businesses with the local authority, and that standards expected for producing food are met in line with relevant regulations and best practice, ensuring that full traceability occurs. It is hoped the first quality-assured meat badged under this scheme will go on sale next year.

Forestry Minister Trudy Harrison said:

“We must develop ways to manage deer more sustainably if we are to meet our tree-planting targets and protect our precious woodlands and biodiversity. This announcement is an important step towards achieving that aim and creating a thriving market for British wild venison.”

Richard Stanford, Chief Executive of the Forestry Commission, said:

“A healthy native wild deer population that is in balance with its ecosystem will allow woodland to flourish, and support biodiversity. However where there are high-density populations of wild deer these can negatively impact the establishment, growth and biodiversity of woodland. Deer therefore must be managed as part of sustainable forestry in England which will also support the development of the wild venison market as a healthy meat.

“Boosting confidence in the British venison market encourages deer management and is a sustainable alternative to fencing and plastic tree guards in the landscape. As such, I strongly encourage producers to apply for this new scheme.”

Rachel Lawrence, Business Manager Grown in Britain, said:

“Wild deer are an important part of our natural landscape but without proper management their numbers are escalating, causing damage to existing and new woodlands. For Grown in Britain, writing the BQWV standard, in partnership with the venison sector, was an important step towards bringing that balance back to our natural habitats, securing a better future for our woodlands and the many benefits they deliver.”

Martin Edwards, Head of Deer & Woodland Management British Association for Shooting and Conservation, said:

“The British Quality Wild Venison standard has the capability to grow confidence in the wild venison market through opening doors and allowing wild venison to reach its full potential. A wild venison market working at full capacity across the supply chain will assist with the management of wild deer in England & Wales and maximise the use of a healthy source of protein.”

The scheme is a cross-sector initiative developed by the Forestry Commission, Grown in Britain, Forestry England, Natural Resources Wales, National Game Dealers Association, British Association for Shooting and Conservation, British Deer Society, and the National Gamekeepers Organisation.

Venison is an affordable meat option high in essential amino acids and in addition, a rich source of thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, iron, and zinc, low in cholesterol and saturated fats compared to other red meats and is a high-quality source of protein.

In the England Trees Action Plan and the Environment Improvement Plan the Government committed to releasing a deer management strategy. We recently consulted on deer management and will be publishing a response in due course.

To apply for the British Quality Wild Venison scheme visit: British Quality Wild Venison – Quality assurance for British Wild Venison.
April 30, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : 1888 airlifted to safety by UK evacuation [April 2023]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 29 April 2023.

1888 airlifted to safety by UK evacuation, as focus turns to supporting those remaining in Sudan.
- The final UK evacuation flight will depart from Wadi Saeedna airfield this evening after the longest and largest evacuation by any western nation
- Follows the successful evacuation of 1888 people since flights started on Tuesday
- The UK government remains committed to supporting British nationals who remain in Sudan or are sheltering in other parts of the country
The final UK evacuation flight from Wadi Saeedna airfield will depart this evening, ending the longest and largest evacuation from Sudan of any Western country.

The successful operation has evacuated more than 1888 people on 21 flights, the vast majority of them British nationals and their dependents.

Focus will now turn to providing consular support to British nationals in Port Sudan and in neighbouring countries in the region.

The government decided to end flights today because of a decline in demand by British Nationals, and because the situation on ground continues to remain volatile.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said:

The UK has brought more than 1888 people to safety from Sudan thanks to the efforts of staff and military working around the clock to deliver this evacuation – the largest of any Western country.

We continue to press all diplomatic levers to secure a long term ceasefire and end the bloodshed in Sudan. Ultimately a stable transition to civilian rule is the best way to protect the security and prosperity of the Sudanese people.

Those still in Sudan who wish to leave should continue to follow our travel advice. The UK is pursuing all diplomatic avenues to end the violence in Sudan and return to civilian rule, with the Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary, Defence Secretary and Minister for Africa all speaking with international partners. Ultimately a stable transition to civilian rule is the best way to protect the security and prosperity of the Sudanese people.
April 30, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : We will not abandon the women and girls of Afghanistan [April 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 29 April 2023.

Statement by Ambassador Woodward at the UN Security Council meeting on the situation in Afghanistan.

Colleagues,

Let me start by commending the penholders, UAE and Japan, for their approach to securing the Council’s support for this important resolution.

Since the Taliban took power, they have imposed restriction after restriction, resulting in the systematic erasure of women and girls from society. Banning Afghan women from working for the UN in country is the latest example of the Taliban’s complete disregard for women’s fundamental rights.

This latest ban is a direct violation of the core tenets underpinning the UN Charter, including the principle of non-discrimination. It will severely impede the delivery of life-saving aid to women and girls in a time when 28 million people – over two-thirds of all Afghans – are in need of assistance.

So we welcome the Council’s unanimous condemnation of the Taliban’s latest decision and call for an immediate reversal of all policies which restrict women’s rights and fundamental freedoms.

We join other Council members and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation countries in co-sponsoring this resolution to send an unequivocal message to the Taliban: there is no justification for what you are doing to women and girls in your country.

Since April 2021, the UK has given $662 million to address the deepening humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. We remain committed to supporting the UN and our partners working in country. We will not abandon the women and girls of Afghanistan.

April 29, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Starting gun fired on preparations for new product security regime [April 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 29 April 2023.

Countdown begins for new minimum security standards regime for all consumer products with internet connectivity.
The world-leading Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure (Product Security) Regime will come into effect one year from today on 29 April 2024

UK consumers and businesses alike will benefit from greater security protections from the threat of cyber-crime on devices such as phones, smart speakers, and games consoles

the new regime will be the first anywhere in the world to require minimum cyber security requirements before consumer connectable products are made available for sale, and is the first piece of nationwide consumer protection legislation to be implemented since the UK’s departure from the European Union

The countdown has begun for a new regime setting the minimum security standards for all consumer products with internet connectivity to come into effect in 12 months – making the UK the first country in the world to introduce these protections.

Minister for Artificial Intelligence and Intellectual Property Viscount Camrose today confirmed the new Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure (Product Security) Regime will be introduced on 29 April next year, at which point consumers and businesses will benefit from world-first protections against potentially insecure tech. Telecoms and technology industries and manufacturers now have 12 months to prepare for the implementation.

The measures include requirements for manufacturers to implement minimum security standards on all consumer products with internet connectivity such as smartphones, smart speakers, games consoles, and smart doorbells before they can be made available for purchase.

In bringing forward this new regime, the UK becomes the first country anywhere in the world to require minimum protections for consumers and businesses using these devices from cyber security risks. It has only been made possible by the freedoms gained through Brexit, granting the government the ability to implement sector-specific regulations which would not have been possible as an EU Member State.

This new regime will help deliver one of the Government’s five priorities to grow the economy by increasing consumer confidence and protection in the products they buy and use.

Minister for AI and Intellectual Property, Viscount Camrose, said:

These new regulations coming into force next April will transform how we protect and secure consumer devices with an internet or network connection.

When this regime comes into force, every household and business in the UK who buys a new connectable product, whether it’s a smart phone, a smart speaker, or a piece of wearable tech, will benefit from these increased protections, which are the first of their kind anywhere in the world.

We’ve laid the foundations for a new system to protect our consumers and businesses while also supporting technological innovation, and we’ll now work closely with industry over the next 12 months as we prepare for its implementation.

The new measures will introduce a series of improved security protections to tackle the threat of cyber crime including:

the banning of universal default and easily guessable default passwords on consumer connectable products.

Increased manufacturer transparency on how long products will receive security updates for. This will provide standardised security information to better inform consumer purchasing decisions.

manufacturers will be required to make customers aware of a product’s security update support period before allowing product purchases on the manufacturer’s website.

device manufacturers will be required to publish contact information to allow vulnerabilities relating to their devices to be reported.

National Cyber Security Centre CEO Lindy Cameron said:

The NCSC welcomes these new standards which will put security at the heart of technology design and ensure the connected devices that consumers rely on daily are secure from the outset.

Up until now there has been an unreasonable expectation for ordinary users to shoulder the burden of cyber risk.

The NCSC will continue to support manufacturers in implementing the necessary changes with advice like our recently published Secure by Design guidelines.

When in effect, the new regime will result in visible changes for consumers as they move through the purchasing process, with new information on security updates and support periods being available to inform purchasing decisions. If a product is being purchased directly from a manufacturer’s website, the measures will require its support period to be clearly advertised alongside the usual product specifications.

We are also engaging with online marketplaces in preparation for the changes, exploring how they can work to complement these changes and further protect consumers.

Co-Founder and Managing Director of the IoT Security Foundation, John Moor, said:

The IoT Security Foundation welcomes this announcement as it brings important cybersecurity assurance to consumers and the networks they connect to, worldwide. It is the culmination of a lot of hard work and determination by many stakeholders, over several years, including consultations with our members.

Regulation is notoriously difficult to get right, especially as the nature of cyber-attacks change and new vulnerabilities are discovered over time. The PSTI regime not only includes requirements that help address immediate challenges, but its method also anticipates the need for new requirements to be added without stifling innovation or adding unwelcome business costs.

This is truly a milestone moment to support the global digital transformation, making connecting to the digital world safer. We therefore applaud its introduction and encourage policymakers worldwide to work with this ground-breaking regime as it is in our common interest to avoid fragmentation and minimise complexity.

Offering individuals and businesses across the country point-of-access protection in accessing online services through connectable devices represents a watershed moment, and will establish the UK as a global leader in consumer cyber security when the regime takes effect next April.
April 29, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Boost for nature recovery as new multi-million-pound grant scheme opens [April 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 29 April 2023.

Darwin Plus Strategic initiative opens for the first time, supporting ambitious, transformative projects to tackle biodiversity loss in the UK Overseas Territories.
- UK government also opens applications for Darwin Plus Main, Fellowship and Local, continuing to support nature recovery and species under threat
- Funding delivers on government’s target to halt and reverse biodiversity decline
Efforts to boost biodiversity recovery in the UK Overseas Territories have been bolstered with large-scale projects funded for the first time to tackle nature loss.

The UK Overseas Territories, including the Falkland Islands and Montserrat, are some of the most nature-rich and biodiverse areas in the world. Thick forests, shimmering oceans and vast grasslands thrive with wildlife, many of which are under threat from climate change and habitat loss.

The new Darwin Plus Strategic Fund will support projects up to £3 million over the next three years to strengthen species and habitat recovery in the Overseas Territories.

The funding will be awarded to projects in the UK Overseas Territories which are designed to tackle invasive species, improve internationally important habitats such as cloud forests and coral reefs, and expand monitoring of climate change to improve resilience.

Environment Minister Trudy Harrison said:

“From dense rainforests to marshlands which capture carbon, our Overseas Territories are full of unique habitats and diverse wildlife which must be protected for future generations.

“The new grant scheme announced today is a flagship commitment which will support transformative improvements in biodiversity, halt nature-loss and build climate resilience.”

Howard Nelson, Chair of Darwin Plus Advisory Group, said:

“Every annual call for projects for Darwin Plus is important, as it provides a way to fund important efforts to conserve the unique biodiversity of the territories.

“The addition of the Darwin Plus Strategic Fund enables the stakeholders from the Overseas Territories with an opportunity to scale up and accelerate actions that work for conservation, and bring positive change for biodiversity across these amazing places. We are very excited to see the proposals and the new opportunities this will create for conservation action.”

Under the Environmental Improvement Plan, the government reiterated the commitment to bolster support for biodiversity in the Overseas Territories. Today’s announcement delivers on this pledge and will help achieve the target to halt biodiversity decline by 2030 and improve species abundance by 10% by 2042.

In addition to opening of the new Darwin Plus Strategic Fund, existing funding allocated through Darwin Plus Local will support over 40 projects including:
- Support for Bermuda’s Living Reef foundation which preserves and restores coral reefs by rearing young corals in its land-based hatchery and planting them on the reef habitat. The funding will support increased monitoring, the use of 3D computer modelling infrastructure and train four scientists to enhance coastal protections
- Biodiversity surveys in Antarctica to better understand and implement new biodiversity protection measures around the Western Antarctic Peninsula and increase protection for flora and fauna sites. The grant will support the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust to create a new Environmental Management Plan to address climate adaptation
- The protection and hand-pollination of endemic ghost orchids in the Cayman Islands to address the threat of extinction. The funding will support partners who raise seedlings in nutrient-rich media to combat pollination limitations observed in natural populations
Since 2012, the Darwin Plus programme has invested over £45 million in over 240 biodiversity and conservation projects in the UKOTs. For further information on Darwin Plus programmes and the full list of projects visit: https://darwinplus.org.uk/
April 29, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Snow leopards, elephants and pangolins to be better protected with funding boost for world’s most endangered animals [April 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 29 April 2023.

UK government awards nearly £40 million to more than 80 projects through the Darwin Initiative and Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund.
- Projects from Ghana to Ecuador will support global action to protect wildlife and reverse biodiversity loss
- Next round of funding also opens to new projects, building on government’s target to halt biodiversity loss by 2030
Threatened plants and animals, including elephants and pangolins are set to be protected thanks to new UK government funding announced today, Saturday 29 April.

Over 80 conservation projects across the globe will benefit from nearly £40 million funding aimed at boosting international biodiversity, supporting the communities that live alongside nature and tackling illegal wildlife trade.

Some of the successful projects include:
- Support for the International Snow Leopard Trust to provide specialised training to combat the poaching of snow leopards in countries like Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, and Pakistan;
- Supporting the work of the Wildlife Conservation Society to reduce demand for collagen rich Pangolin scales in Traditional Chinese Medicine;
- Supporting the Zoological Society of London’s effort to create sustainable ways for humans and elephants to coexist in areas such as Thailand, where they are often in conflict.
Environment minister Trudy Harrison said:

“The fantastic projects announced today will enhance efforts to protect threatened wildlife, support economic growth of developing countries and drive nature recovery.

“The UK is a global champion when it comes to biodiversity and driving action to halt and reverse the decline of nature. I am proud that – through our Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund and the Darwin Initiative – we will continue to play a leading role in conservation efforts around the world.”

Dr Charudutt Mishra, from the International Snow Leopard Trust said:

“The snow leopard, an iconic species of Asia’s high mountains, is threatened by retaliatory killing due to their predation on livestock, and illegal trade of its pelt and other body parts. With support from the Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund, we are empowering local and indigenous communities of High Asia with livelihood and conflict management initiatives to enable them to better coexist with snow leopards, and to support conservation efforts.

“We are also helping rangers improve their capacity and motivation in Illegal Wildlife Trade disruption with training, resources and enhanced social recognition in three countries.”

Chair of the Darwin Expert Committee Professor E.J. Milner-Gulland said:

“I’m thrilled that the Darwin Initiative is funding such a wide range of outstanding projects, which will improve both biodiversity and human wellbeing in such a diversity of ways and in so many places. These projects bring fresh thinking and new ideas to conservation practice, produce evidence to support better conservation, as well as building the capacity of the next generation of conservationists around the world.

“It was a pleasure and honour to support Defra in their selection of these projects and I look forward to a new set of exciting proposals in the upcoming 30th round of the Darwin Initiative.”

The Darwin Initiative, a grants scheme to conserve and restore biodiversity and the communities that live alongside in developing countries, supported 63 of these successful projects with over £31.5 million funding. Projects will conserve nature-rich areas in developing countries and support communities who live and work in biodiverse areas to build resilience to climate change.

The Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund has supported 21 projects through £7.8 million funding to enhance the protection of threatened species. The projects will protect species including elephants, pangolins and threatened timber – and cement our leading role in cracking down on the £17 billion a year illegal wildlife trade which fuels corruption, deprives communities of sustainable livelihoods and degrades ecosystems.
The UK is a global leader in supporting efforts to halt the decline in nature, protect wildlife and restore the natural world. Our efforts will help to deliver on the ambitious new global deal for nature agreed at the UN Nature Summit COP15 in December, which will protect 30% of our land and ocean by 2030.

Today’s announcement also confirms that the launch of Round 10 of the Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund and Round 30 of the Darwin Initiative will be opening to applications in May 2023. Projects will soon be able to access up to a further £40 million funding building on the government’s commitment to combat biodiversity loss and improve animal welfare standards.
April 29, 2023