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Tag: 2023

  • PRESS RELEASE : Over 37,700 women access cheaper hormone replacement therapy scheme [April 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Over 37,700 women access cheaper hormone replacement therapy scheme [April 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 4 April 2023.

    37,700 women have purchased Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) prescription pre-payment certificates (PPC) following the launch, saving over £1.13 million.

    • Over 37,700 certificates have already been purchased following the launch of the Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) prescription pre-payment certificate (PPC)
    • As a result, over £1.13 million has been saved by women in four days alone
    • Following huge demand on the website NHSBSA confirms their website is up and running

    Over 37,700 certificates for HRT have been purchased already, both via the online website and in-person in pharmacies, following the launch of the new Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) prescription pre-payment certificate (PPC) on Saturday 1 April.

    As a result of these new certificates, it has been estimated women have saved over £1.13 million in prescription charges for the year, with the average person saving £30 for a year’s supply.

    The creation of a bespoke HRT PPC means women can access HRT as many times as they need across the year, easing pressure on supply, paying a one-off charge equivalent to two single prescription charges (£19.30) for all their HRT prescriptions. The HRT PPC can be applied for and used on or after 1 April 2023.

    The new prescription pre-payment certificate is predicted to enable around 400,000 women to have cheaper access to menopause support.

    On the launch of the scheme on Saturday, the huge demand for the much-anticipated certificate meant some patients were unable to access the website on the morning of 1 April. The NHS Business Service Authority has ensured that the site has been working, allowing thousands of women to continue to successfully purchase a prescription for a year’s worth of hormone replacement therapy products which help treat the menopause.

    Minister for Women’s Health Strategy, Maria Caulfield said:

    Over 37,700 women have come forward to claim cheaper HRT this weekend alone, showing what happens when we listen to what women want.

    Delivering on our promise to make women’s health a priority comes with challenges – but it is hugely important to everyone, and I am massively proud of the work we have done.

    Michael Brodie, chief executive of the NHS Business Services Authority, said:

    It’s great to see how many people relying on HRT are already benefitting from a more cost-effective way of accessing it.

    We are proud to be delivering the HRT PPC, which is a great addition to the range of NHS services we offer to help people manage their health costs.

    As of 12pm today (4 April), 37,240 HRT PPCs have been bought online and 501 in-pharmacy, totalling 37,741 certificates.

    HRT is a safe and effective treatment for most women going through menopause and perimenopause. It can help relieve menopause and perimenopause symptoms, including hot flushes, night sweats, brain fog, joint pains, mood swings and vaginal dryness.

    Taking HRT can also reduce the risk of hormone-related health problems including osteoporosis and heart disease.

    Making HRT more accessible, by reducing the cost, is one of the ways the government is making menopause support more readily available to women, alongside working with suppliers to encourage and support HRT supply to meet growing demand.

    The NHS England National Menopause Care Improvement Programme is working to improve clinical menopause care in England and reduce disparities in access to treatment. The NHS is also developing an education and training package on menopause for healthcare professionals.

    The introduction of the HRT PPC delivers one of our year 1 priorities for the Women’s Health Strategy for England. Published last summer, the strategy sets out an ambitious new agenda for improving the health and wellbeing of women and girls, and to improve how the health and care system listens to women. Menopause was announced as a priority area within the strategy.

    To ensure all women get the support they need, we recently announced a £25 million investment in women’s health hubs. Women’s health hubs provide integrated services for women in the community, enabling easier access to essential women’s health services such as menstrual health, contraception, pelvic pain and menopause care.

    Menopause can affect all areas of a woman’s life, we recently appointed Helen Tomlinson as the government’s first Menopause Employment Champion – and have awarded grant funding to charities across England to help employers make changes to their workplace to support women’s reproductive health, which includes menopause.

    Notes to editors:

    • The NHSBSA website temporarily crashed on 1 April, due to receiving high volumes of web traffic. This was fixed shortly after.
    • To access HRT PPC, please see online: to https://health-charge-exemptions.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/buy-hrt-ppc/start

    How to use the new PPC

    There are a few different ways to get the HRT PPC:

    • online on the NHSBSA website: www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/hrt-ppc
    • in person at some pharmacies
    • if you’re deaf or hard of hearing, you can use the textphone (or minicom) to contact the NHSBSA using the text relay service. Dial 18001 then the relevant phone number. This will be available from 25 May 2023
    • the NHSBSA also offers a telephone translation service and can provide documents in large print or Braille on request

    Patients can call 0300 330 2089 for help and support.

    To use your HRT PPC, ask your prescriber for your HRT items on a separate prescription to any other medicines you are prescribed (one prescription per item). This is to ensure the prescription can be processed correctly at the pharmacy.

    Take your prescriptions and HRT PPC to a pharmacy and use it as many times as you need over 12 months.

    Before getting the HRT PPC:

    • check that you’re not already eligible for free NHS prescriptions using the eligibility checker on the NHSBSA website
    • check that your medicine is covered by the HRT PPC – see the list of eligible HRT medication
    • check whether a 3 or 12-month general PPC is more suitable for you – it covers all NHS prescriptions, not just HRT items, and may be more cost-effective if you are prescribed other medicines as well as HRT
  • PRESS RELEASE : Government unveils taskforce chair to boost older people’s housing [April 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Government unveils taskforce chair to boost older people’s housing [April 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 4 April 2023.

    A new taskforce to help improve housing options for older people will be headed by Professor Julienne Meyer.

    Professor Meyer, a leading expert in care for older people, will chair the Older People’s Housing Taskforce, spearheading work to support the growth of a thriving older people’s housing sector across the country.

    The taskforce will work across housing, heath, and care sectors to drive an increase in the volume and range of housing options and make recommendations to the Government.

    The appointment was unveiled as part of the government’s Adult Social Care Implementation plan published by the Department for Health today.

    Housing Minister Rachel Maclean said:

    Making sure older people can access the right homes that meet their needs later in life is a government priority. And by unlocking more housing for older people, we can also have a hugely beneficial impact on their health and wellbeing.

    I am very excited to have Professor Meyer leading this taskforce, as we radically improve the choices available to older people, whether that’s retirement housing or support to help people live independently for longer.

    Older People’s Housing Taskforce Chair Professor Julienne Meyer said:

    I am delighted to be leading the taskforce, an opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of older people. Working between housing, health and social care will be critical to its success and I’m looking forward to advising government on proposals that give older people more choices in later life.

    The taskforce will run for up to 12 months and will produce an independent report to DLUHC and DHSC Ministers, with interim findings available after 6 months.

    The panel is expected to include up to 14 members with expertise from the social and private retirement sector, local government, adult social care, and from investors and developers.

    Professor Meyer co-founded My Home Life, an international collaborative initiative to promote quality of life in care homes for older people. A former nurse, she has led research in care for older people at City University of London for 23 years. During her career, she worked in a variety of different settings (health, social care, and housing; general and mental health; primary, secondary, and tertiary care).

    Professor Meyer will work with the government to finalise the Taskforce membership and the group’s Terms of Reference, with a first meeting to take place by Spring once all members are confirmed.

    This work will be taken in partnership with the Department of Health and Social Care, building on the commitments set out in DHSC’s adult social care reforms today.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UN HRC52 – Statement on human rights in Syrian Arab Republic [April 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UN HRC52 – Statement on human rights in Syrian Arab Republic [April 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 4 April 2023.

    Draft resolution L.16 on the human rights situation in the Syrian Arab Republic, as delivered by Simon Manley, UK Ambassador to the WTO and UN in Geneva.

    Thank you Mr President,

    I have the honour to present draft resolution L.16 on the human rights situation in the Syrian Arab Republic, on behalf of France, Germany, Italy, Jordan, the Netherlands, Qatar, Turkiye, the United States, and the United Kingdom.

    Mr President,

    The recent earthquakes have had a devastating impact on the Syrian people and will continue to do so for years to come. We welcome efforts by the UN to ensure humanitarian aid reaches all those affected, and we reiterate our condolences to the victims and survivors. We are appalled, though not entirely surprised, that the regime attempted to use the disaster for political gain.

    These events did not occur in a vacuum – it is a natural disaster within a man-made tragedy which has unfolded over the last 12 years. The latest Commission of Inquiry report explains clearly how Assad continues to inflict unimaginable pain and acts of violence on his own people.

    In our resolution we highlight these persistent violations of human rights and humanitarian law in Syria.

    Homes, schools, markets, farms – nowhere is safe from the targeted assault on civilians and their livelihoods.

    The so-called “amnesty laws” have yet to result in any further clarity on the tens of thousands of individuals forcibly disappeared, and those detained under appalling conditions.

    Rape and other forms of sexual and gender-based violence is known to be widespread, yet underreported, due to a woeful absence of paths for redress and support for survivors.

    Mr President,

    The resolution put forward today condemns the continued violence inflicted on the Syrian people, demands that humanitarian aid is unimpeded and reaches its intended recipients.

    It supports the timely implementation of a humanitarian mechanism to clarify the fates of the missing and demands support and justice for victims of sexual and gender-based violence.

    And it seeks to renew the mandate of the Commission of Inquiry, whose excellent work remains vital for ensuring accountability.

    Let me thank all those who have engaged constructively in the informal consultations on this resolution.

    Mr President, at a time when the Syrian people face devastation anew, it is vital that this Council adopts this resolution to continue our efforts to ensure accountability. If a vote is called on this resolution, I urge our fellow members of this Council to vote in favour of it.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Paedophile’s (Thomas Timpson) sentence is doubled [April 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Paedophile’s (Thomas Timpson) sentence is doubled [April 2023]

    The press release issued by the Attorney General on 4 April 2023.

    A man found guilty of multiple sexual offences with a child has had his sentence doubled after the case was referred under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.

    Thomas Timpson (36), of Kirton, Nottinghamshire, denied the allegations but was convicted after trial at Nottingham Crown Court and was originally sentenced to 3 years in prison.

    Over a period of five to six months, Timpson bought his 15-year-old victim gifts and engaged in sexual activity with her.

    Timpson was found guilty on six counts of sexual activity with a child, one of sexual communication with a child and one of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

    He was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £181, was added to the sex offender’s register and made the subject of a Restraining Order for 10 years.

    Following the sentencing on 20 January 2023, the case was referred to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.

    Timpson’s original sentence was found to be unduly lenient by the court on 4 April 2023 and was increased to 6 years’ imprisonment.

    Speaking after the hearing, the Solicitor General Michael Tomlinson KC MP said:

    Despite denying the allegations, the court found that Thomas Timpson had groomed his underage victim and took full advantage of her.

    This was a truly appalling breach of trust and I welcome the court imposing an increased custodial sentence on Thomas Timpson recognising the heinous nature of his crimes.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Foreign Secretary welcomes Finland to NATO [April 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Foreign Secretary welcomes Finland to NATO [April 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 4 April 2023.

    The Foreign Secretary is in Brussels today for a two-day meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers coinciding with Finland’s historic accession to the Alliance.

    • UK welcomes Finland’s accession to NATO as the 31st member and calls for Turkey and Hungary to swiftly ratify Sweden’s bid.
    • Foreign Secretary is attending an historic meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers in Brussels on Tuesday, in which Finland will attend as a fully-fledged member – 74 years after the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty.
    • UK has pledged £10 million to NATO’s fund for non-lethal aid, supplying items such as medical equipment, rations and counter-drone equipment to Ukraine, and £2 million for countries affected by malign Russian activity.

    The Foreign Secretary is in Brussels today (Tuesday 4 April) to attend a two-day meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers, marking 74 years to the day since the North Atlantic Treaty was signed to promote peace in the aftermath of the Second World War.

    Following Finland’s formal accession to NATO today, the meeting will see the raising of Finland’s flag at NATO Headquarters, and Finnish Foreign Minister, Pekka Haavisto, take his seat at the table between Estonia and France.

    13 months ago, Finnish membership was not on the horizon. Russia thought its aggression in Ukraine would divide members of NATO. Instead the Alliance is safer and more secure with another Ally in its ranks, promoting the principles of freedom and the rule of law.

    The UK was one of the first NATO Allies to ratify Finland’s and Sweden’s bids to the Alliance and played a significant role in securing agreement from all NATO allies for Finland’s accession. We continue to urge Türkiye and Hungary to provide a clear path for Sweden’s accession to the Alliance as swiftly as possible. Alongside the Foreign Ministers’ meeting, the Foreign Secretary will meet his Turkish and Hungarian counterparts, Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu and Péter Szijjártó, and impress this urgency.

    Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:

    This is an historic day for Finland and for NATO. Their accession has made our Alliance stronger and every one of us safer.

    All NATO members now need to take the steps necessary to admit Sweden too, so we can stand together as one Alliance to defend freedom in Europe and across the world.

    Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said:

    Today will go into the history books for NATO as a defensive Alliance. 31 countries strong, we welcome Finland to the table.

    Russia thought its aggression would divide us. Instead, we are bound tighter together, resolute in our defence of the principles of freedom and the rule of law.

    Let us be clear that our door remains open. We will welcome further Allies with open arms and we continue to push for Sweden’s swift accession.

    Finland and Sweden share the Alliance’s unwavering commitment to international security – a commitment the UK also shares, last year signing mutual security declarations with both countries. Finland and Sweden have years of experience in training and operating with Allies and have made significant contributions to NATO-led operations and missions and the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force. The UK values their role in the region and applauds their support for Ukraine.

    Ukraine continues to be at the top of the Allies’ agenda, with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba also invited to attend the meeting. A just and lasting peace for Ukraine, on Ukraine’s terms, is in the interest of all NATO Allies.

    Allies will discuss ongoing efforts to accelerate support to Ukraine to ensure it wins against Russia’s illegal and unprovoked invasion.

    We will do this in three ways: by being more proactive with our military support; by ensuring Ukraine is never left so vulnerable to attack again; and by helping to build a strong Ukraine to secure a prosperous peace.

    The UK is announcing £10 million for NATO’s Comprehensive Assistance Package for Ukraine, which provides urgent non-lethal aid such as medical equipment, rations, fuel and counter-drone equipment as it continues to fight against continued Russian aggression. Additionally, £2 million will go to NATO’s Tailored Support Packages to help Georgia, Moldova and Bosnia & Herzegovina defend themselves against malign Russian activity.

    The UK has committed over £6.5 billion in military, humanitarian and economic support to Ukraine since the start of the invasion. Last week Ukrainian tank crews completed training on Challenger 2 tanks in the UK, following the Prime Minister’s announcement in January that the UK would donate 14 of these tanks and accompanying munition to Ukraine.

    NATO’s four Asia Pacific Partners, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Republic of Korea, will also attend a session at the meeting to discuss tackling the challenges posed by China.

    The Foreign Secretary will hold talks with Pekka Haavisto to personally congratulate Finland on its accession to the Alliance, as well as with Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billström, and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.

  • PRESS RELEASE : More funding for farmers as new blueprint for water announced [April 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : More funding for farmers as new blueprint for water announced [April 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 4 April 2023.

    £34 million will be made available to farmers through the first round of the Slurry Infrastructure Grant.

    Farmers will benefit from significant additional funding to better manage slurry storage and to store and use water more efficiently, as a key part of a new Plan for Water published by the government today.

    Better management of slurry from farming means less pollution washing off into our rivers when it rains. More investment into water supply will mean farmers are more prepared for climate change impacts – from reservoirs to better irrigation.

    Nearly £34 million will be made available through the first round of the Slurry Infrastructure Grant – more than two-and-a-half times the original budget.

    The government will also publish the guidance for the second round of the Water Management Grant, which will open for applications later in April and provide £10 million in funding to help farmers manage their water use through better irrigation and more on-farm reservoirs.

    The government’s new Plan for Water has been published today, covering both the quality of the water environment – how clean it is – and water resources – how much of it we have. It will transform the whole water system – tackling every source of pollution, including from storm overflows, agriculture, plastics, road run-off, chemicals and pesticides, as well as the pressures on our water supply as a result of hotter, drier summers and population growth.

    The announcements by the government today go even further to support farmers on water, from doubling funding to £15 million to give free advice to farmers across the country through the Catchment Sensitive Farming scheme, to accelerating the rollout of the Sustainable Farming Incentive which will help farmers to use their land in a way that keeps valuable nutrients and soil on the farm and stops them running off into our rivers, lakes and streams. .

    The funding is being provided through the government’s £2.4 billion annual investment in the farming sector for the rest of this Parliament.

    Farming Minister Mark Spencer said:

    Communities across the country want to see clean and plentiful water in our rivers and streams, and farmers have a huge role in helping to deliver this.

    We know that farmers want to do the right thing, which is why – as part of today’s Plan for Water – we’re providing even more funding for farmers both to reduce their water pollution from slurry and better manage the water on their farms.

    Funding boost for slurry storage

    Investing in good slurry management is an important step that farmers can take to protect the environment. With around half of slurry stores in England not being fit-for-purpose, the grant will provide farmers with between £25,000-£250,000 to build, replace or expand storage and can contribute towards a range of solutions like lagoons, steel and concrete ring tanks and large slurry bags.

    More than 1,200 applications were received for the first round of the grant. Defra wants to help as many farms as possible to upgrade their slurry storage, but needs to balance the high demand for grants with the capacity of slurry store suppliers to increase production.

    374 projects have been invited to submit a full application for a share of £33.9 million in funding – up from £13.2 million when the grant was first announced last year. This is based on an assessment of what the market could handle following conversations with suppliers and installers and considering the types of store farmers have applied for.

    Second round for water management grant

    The second round of the Water Management Grant will see £10 million in funding made available for farmers to improve farm productivity through more efficient use of water for irrigation, and to secure water supplies for crop irrigation by constructing on-farm reservoirs and adopting best practice irrigation application equipment.

    Grants will be available for between £35,000 and £500,000, which will ensure that funding supports farms of all sizes while committing to supporting higher value projects which align with the fund’s objectives.

    The grant will be open later in April with an online checker available to help farmers determine their eligibility and likelihood of success.

    Further information:

    • Enlarging and covering slurry stores is a key step in Defra’s Environmental Improvement Plan to meet new targets for water and air quality, by reduce the 60% of nitrate pollution, 25% of phosphate pollution and 87% of ammonia emissions that come from agriculture. It will also help farmers to cut costs on artificial fertilisers, delivering long-term productivity benefits through improved nutrient management and soil health.
  • PRESS RELEASE : UN HRC52 – UK General Comment on the situation in Myanmar [April 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UN HRC52 – UK General Comment on the situation in Myanmar [April 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 4 April 2023.

    UK General Comment on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, as delivered by Simon Manley, UK Ambassador to the WTO and UN in Geneva.

    Thank you, Mr President,

    Let me start by thanking our European colleagues for presenting this draft resolution and for leading such constructive negotiations.

    This initiative comes at a crucial moment for the people of Myanmar. The text before us today rightly details the dramatic deterioration in the human rights situation since the Myanmar military coup. The junta has consistently shown it holds no respect for international rule of law, human rights or democracy. Across the country, we see arbitrary arrests, targeting of civilians, including the Rohingya and other minorities and civilian infrastructure, torture, mass gender and sexual-based violence, and other restrictions and assaults on rights and freedoms.

    Indeed just last week, the junta decided to dissolve forty political parties, including the National League for Democracy, underscoring their assault on the rights of the Myanmar people.

    We are appalled by the ongoing and egregious actions of the junta. The people of Myanmar have shown immense courage in the face of this, and we continue to stand with them.

    Mr President,

    Accountability is the only way to end the military’s culture of impunity. Thus we are strongly supportive of new elements in this text to strengthen accountability efforts including by urging all UN bodies to collaborate fully with the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar.

    And as this Council recently heard from the Special Rapporteur, and as his report details, weapons used to kill civilians should no longer be transferred to Myanmar. No Member State should sell arms to Myanmar, a trade which is enabling the crimes he has set out. The UK has a longstanding arms embargo on Myanmar and let me once again encourage other Member States to do the same.

    We reiterate our support for the people of Myanmar and their aspirations for a peaceful, democratic and inclusive future. The UK has co-sponsored this resolution and we urge our fellow members of this Council to support it.

    Thank you.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UN HRC52 – General Comment – L.19 Situation of human rights in DPRK [April 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UN HRC52 – General Comment – L.19 Situation of human rights in DPRK [April 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 4 April 2023.

    UN HRC52: General Comment – L.19 The situation of human rights in the DPRK, as delivered by UK Ambassador to the WTO & the UN in Geneva, Simon Manley.

    Thank you Mr President.

    Let me begin by thanking the main sponsors of this initiative for their constructive efforts on a critical resolution detailing the dire human rights situation in the DPRK.

    The UK continues to support the vital mandate of the Special Rapporteur in continuing to shine a spotlight on the systematic and widespread human rights violations by the DPRK.

    As the latest OHCHR report has painfully detailed, and in the words of the High Commissioner himself: forced repatriations, State-sponsored abductions and enforced disappearances demand action. Widespread and systematic sexual and gender-based violence must end. Which is why we support this text as presented to the Council today.

    The DPRK must cease diverting resources to its illegal weapons programme, and instead prioritise its peoples’ basic economic needs which are so desperately required. We urge the DPRK to engage constructively with the international community to address its human rights record, and to work to bring about permanent change and improvements for the people of North Korea.

    We remind the DPRK that restrictive COVID-19 measures should not be used as a tool to further constrain the freedom of its citizens, or to restrict the ability of the international community to engage with authorities in Pyongyang.

    Mr President,

    The UK has co-sponsored this text and we call upon all other delegations to do so.

    Thank you.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK charges up ties with Western Australia in new critical minerals pledge [April 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK charges up ties with Western Australia in new critical minerals pledge [April 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 4 April 2023.

    Anne-Marie Trevelyan travels to Western Australia to sign critical minerals pledge and inaugurate new Consulate-General in Perth.

    • UK Minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP travels to Western Australia to sign joint UK-Australia pledge to secure future supplies of critical minerals and inaugurate new Consulate-General in Perth
    • Indo-Pacific Minister to meet Resources Minister Madeleine King in Perth on Tuesday (4 April) to sign letter of intent and discuss how to secure supplies of minerals that will power a net zero future
    • Part of UK strategy to diversify global supply chains of critical minerals, amidst growing geopolitical competition for resources

    The UK’s Indo-Pacific Minister, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, begins a visit to Western Australia today (2 April), focussed on working with Australia to futureproof supplies of minerals that will be central to delivering the world’s net zero pledges.

    The Minister will meet Federal Government Minister for Resources, Madeleine King, on Tuesday (4 April) to sign a joint pledge to boost the global supply of critical minerals such as the lithium used in electric vehicle batteries.

    Minister for the Indo-Pacific Anne-Marie Trevelyan said:

    Critical minerals will be a driving force in the world’s journey to net zero, and the UK and Australia are digging deep to futureproof supplies of the materials that power our phones, our cars, and uncountable other aspects of modern life.

    Australia’s unmatched production capacity, combined with the UK’s mineral trading and finance expertise, will boost global supplies, help protect supply chains from future shocks, and support thousands of skilled, high-paying jobs.

    The International Energy Agency expects that as the need for electronics and battery technology comes to permeate every aspect of the modern economy, the global demand for critical minerals will grow four-fold by 2040. Australia is the world’s top producer of lithium, with the Greenbushes Mine, 210 kilometres (131 miles) due south of Perth, producing 40% of Australia’s lithium alone in 2021.

    Meanwhile, the London Metals Exchange remains the world’s centre of minerals trading and finance, and the UK is a leading expert in processing as well as a top international deal-broker.

    The two countries will also work together to promote the highest environmental, social and governance standards in critical minerals markets.

    The Minister will visit Rio Tinto’s operations centre in Perth, see the world’s largest bulk export port at Port Hedland, and meet with the Chairman of Alkemy, Paul Atherley, whose firm will supply lithium to a planned refining facility in Teesside, in the North-East of England.

    She will also officially inaugurate the new British Consulate General in Perth, which, combined with Tuesday’s pledge, underlines the UK’s commitment to build diplomatic and economic ties across the whole continent of Australia.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Government sets out next steps to support social care [April 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Government sets out next steps to support social care [April 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 4 April 2023.

    Building on the People at the Heart of Care white paper, the government has set out plans to further digitise the social care sector and bolster the workforce.

    • Building on the People at the Heart of Care white paper, the government has set out plans to further digitise the social care sector and bolster the workforce
    • Alongside the plan, the Better Care Fund framework, published today, will ensure at least £16.8 billion is spent to make sure people receive the right care in the right place at the right time.
    • Plans will support Prime Minister’s ambition to cut waiting lists by reducing pressure on urgent and emergency care and freeing up beds for those who need them

    People who receive care, staff and providers will benefit from a refreshed plan to bolster the adult social care workforce, speed up discharge from hospital and accelerate the use of technology in the sector over the next two years.

    The update builds on commitments outlined in the People at the Heart of Care white paper – published in December 2021 – to support career progression in the sector and make sure those who receive care get it in the right place at the right time.

    Today’s allocations of over £2 billion previously announced funding include:

    • Launching a call for evidence in partnership with Skills for Care on a new care workforce pathway and funding for hundreds of thousands of training places, including a new Care Certificate qualification – aiming to increase opportunities for career progression and development, backed by £250 million
    • £100 million to accelerate digitisation in the sector, including investment in digital social care records so staff have the latest information at their fingertips to best meet the needs of those receiving care
    • A new innovation and improvement unit to explore creative solutions for improving care, such as supporting local authorities to reduce care assessment waiting times and using best practice from those areas where waiting times have already been cut by a third – backed by up to £35 million
    • A £1.4 billion Market Sustainability and Improvement Fund which local authorities can use flexibly including to increase the rates paid to social care providers or reduce waiting times
    • £102 million over two years to help make small but significant adaptations people need to remain at home, stay independent and avoid hospital – including grab rails and ramps, small repairs and safety and security checks
    • £50 million to improve social care insight, data and quality assurance – including person-level data collections and new Care Quality Commission assessments of local authorities to improve poor performance on social care and identify where further support is needed

    Alongside these reform commitments, the Better Care Fund, which brings together health, social care and housing to help older people and those with complex needs live at home for longer, will increase from £7.7 billion last year to £8.1 billion in 2023 and £8.7 billion in 2024. The total fund includes £1.6 billion to improve hospital discharge arrangements – £600 million next year and £1 billion the year following.

    This is part of the government’s wider commitments to support adult social care services, backed by up to £7.5 billion over the next two years to help local authorities address waiting lists and workforce pressures in the sector, as announced in the Autumn Statement.

    The government remains fully dedicated to the 10-year vision for adult social care set out in the People at the Heart of Care white paper, and since then, has boosted workforce capacity with 55,000 visas issued for people to take up care worker roles, increased uptake of Digital Social Care Records by 10 percentage points, and have launched new and improved data collections.

    Health Minister Helen Whately said:

    Care depends completely on the people who do the caring – that’s over a million care staff working in care homes and agencies, and countless relatives, friends and volunteers, acting out of the kindness of their hearts.

    That’s why this package of reforms focuses on recognising care with the status it deserves, while also focusing on the better use of technology, the power of data and digital care records, and extra funding for councils – aiming to make a care system we can be proud of.

    Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care, Deborah Sturdy, said:

    Working in social care is such a varied, exciting and rewarding career, and I’m pleased that these reforms recognise the enormous potential in investing in the professional development of our highly skilled workforce.

    Along with technological advancements that will make the lives of care workers easier, this plan is an exciting continuation of the government’s commitment to reform social care.

    Since launching the People at the Heart of Care white paper the government has already invested hundreds of millions of pounds on reform including digital transformation, hospital discharge and staffing support but the government plans to go further and faster during the next two years of the 10-year plan.

    Advances in technology mean there are many aids and devices which could improve care such as smart speakers to remind people to take medication or sensors which can detect falls and alert people to provide support quickly.

    By utilising these developments and digitising records, backed by a further £100 million, the aim is for 80% of registered providers to have a digital care record by March 2024, ensuring all information that staff need to support a person’s care can be available digitally – which speeds up shift handovers and can save 20 minutes of admin time per care worker per shift.

    The government is also asking for expressions of interest from integrated care systems to fund care technologies which focus on the quality of care and help reduce avoidable hospital admissions, or which will support for people to live independently.

    From April 2023 the Care Quality Commission will begin to assess local authorities to identify where further support is needed and help identify good practice. This will ensure a continued focus on delivering quality care and improving services.

    New national data collection will also begin, to provide better information on care journeys and outcomes, bringing social care data more in line with NHS collections.

    Further reforms include the use of Home Improvement Agencies to help make the small but significant adaptations people need to remain at home, stay independent and avoid or reduce the need to stay in hospital. These could include modifications such as grab rails and ramps, small repairs and safety and security checks.

    In partnership with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities, we are launching a new, independently chaired Older People’s Housing Taskforce to decide how best to provide a greater range of suitable housing depending on the support people need.

    As well as reducing the need for people to go to hospital the government is committed to reducing the time people stay in hospital with £1.6 billion being allocated over the next two years to improve hospital discharge, following the £700 million provided in 2022/23.

    These reforms will support social care as well as the wider health sector, contributing to wider efforts to tackle backlogs and cut waiting lists.

    Skills for Care CEO Oonagh Smyth said:

    Skills for Care is working in partnership with the DHSC to develop the Care Workforce Pathway that will create a clear shared understanding of the knowledge, skills, values and behaviours needed to work effectively in adult social care. People who draw on care and support, the workforce, managers and employers will know what to expect and can make informed choices that are right for them.

    The pathway must build on what works, so I would encourage anyone involved in delivering, or accessing, social care to make sure your voices are heard as part of the call for evidence to influence the training and career progression pathways of tomorrow.

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