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Tag: 2023

  • PRESS RELEASE : MHRA trialling pioneering stem cell robot that could transform the availability of life-saving cell therapies [March 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : MHRA trialling pioneering stem cell robot that could transform the availability of life-saving cell therapies [March 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 16 March 2023.

    The MHRA’s UK Stem Cell Bank is one of only two places in the world to test this technology.

    An innovative new robot that grows stem cells, the CellQualiaTM Intelligent Cell Processing System, is being trialled by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). This robotic system has the potential to bring safer and more cost-effective treatments to people with a wide range of diseases. It is currently the only one in the world outside of Japan, where it was developed.

    Stem cells have a unique ability to turn into different types of cells with specialised functions. This makes them particularly useful in medicine because they can replace cells that have been damaged or lost from disease – for example restoring eyesight after corneal disease.

    Because stem cell-based therapeutics are difficult to manufacture, their current availability is limited. This means that most treatments for degenerative diseases are focused on limiting the extent of damage rather than fixing the damage that has already occurred. The system being tested at the MHRA has the potential to change this, offering new hope to patients with serious diseases such as Parkinson’s.

    This trial is part of a UK-based international research programme, launched in 2021, and a partnership between the MHRA, SAKARTA (a Scottish Regenerative Medicine start-up), and Sinfonia Technology Co. Ltd (a Tokyo-based electrical equipment manufacturer), supported by Foundation for Biomedical Research and Innovation at Kobe (FBRI). The UK Stem Cell Bank is testing the robot over a 12-month period to see whether the cells produced by the fully automated Intelligent Cell Processing System meet the standards needed for them to be used in the manufacture of potentially life-saving treatments.

    Marc Bailey, MHRA Chief Scientific Officer said:

    At the MHRA, we’re committed to being at the forefront of the latest scientific developments so that we can help bring safe and effective treatments to the people who need them most.

    Cell-based therapeutics have the potential to treat, and even cure, a vast number of diseases but their availability has been limited because they are often very difficult to manufacture.

    The new Intelligent Cell Processing System being tested at the MHRA, of which there are only two machines in use in the world, could make this manufacturing process much easier and therefore transform the availability of these treatments. It also has the potential to reduce human error in this process and produce a more consistent final product which will result in safer and more effective treatments.

    We look forward to communicating the results of our testing.

    Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay said:

    This pioneering new robot has the potential to speed up access to more cost-effective, safer stem cell therapies. By replacing cells that have been damaged or lost, this new technology could transform the lives of tens of thousands of people with Parkinson’s and other devastating diseases.

    The UK is only the second country where this technology has been tested, thanks to a partnership between the MHRA and industry. It is yet another example of how clinical research is ensuring patients benefit from the very latest scientific breakthroughs.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Andrew Mitchell reaffirms the UK’s commitment to helping the world’s poorest [March 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Andrew Mitchell reaffirms the UK’s commitment to helping the world’s poorest [March 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 March 2023.

    International Development Minister Andrew Mitchell lays out UK’s commitment to helping world’s poorest people at Glasgow conference.

    • Minister Mitchell delivers keynote speech to aid sector experts at the Scottish International Development Alliance conference in Glasgow.
    • UK Government to reaffirm its position as a global leader in development as outlined in Monday’s Integrated Review Refresh.
    • Minister Mitchell proud of role UK is playing supporting Scottish aid workers around the world.

    International Development Minister Andrew Mitchell has reaffirmed the UK Government’s commitment to helping the world’s poorest people as a keynote speaker at an event in Scotland.

    Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Minister Mitchell was in Scotland to address an audience of aid sector experts at the Scottish International Development Alliance’s spring conference at Glasgow’s Trades Hall venue.

    His speech detailed how the UK Government has used its £11 billion foreign aid budget to be at the forefront of humanitarian responses including the Ukraine conflict and last month’s Turkey/Syria earthquake catastrophe, which has killed over 50,000 people.

    And Minister Mitchell highlighted the UK Government’s commitment to reinvigorating its position as a global leader in development, as set out in the Integrated Review Refresh published on Monday 13 March.

    The UK Government remains committed to spending 0.7% of gross national income (GNI) on Official Development Assistance (ODA) as soon as the fiscal situation allows.

    International Development Minister Andrew Mitchell said:

    The UK will go further and faster on international development, reinvigorating our position as a global leader and further driving our work around the world to improve outcomes for the poorest, and to combat climate change, poverty and some of the root causes of geopolitical instability.

    The UK remains a champion for international development and one of the most generous global aid donors, spending more than £11 billion in aid in 2021. We are the third highest G7 spenders of Official Development Assistance (ODA) as a percentage of GNI.

    The UK Government is proud that brave Scottish firefighters and medics have been at the very heart of our efforts to help the Turkish people in their hour of need.

    Scottish NGOs such as Edinburgh-based Mercy Corps and demining charity The HALO Trust are making a real difference carrying out vital humanitarian work in Ukraine, backed by UK aid.

    Our task has, of course, been made much more difficult because of the pandemic and the global repercussions of Russia’s war on Ukraine.

    In spite of all these challenges, we should not lose sight of the big impact our development assistance continues to have, saving and transforming millions of lives around the world.

    The Scottish International Development Alliance is the umbrella body for civil society organisations based in Scotland.

    Its spring conference, titled ‘Out of the Storm and Towards Global Solidarity’ was chaired by broadcaster and journalist Tasnim Nazeer.

    As well as Minister Mitchell, speakers included representatives from international NGOs such as BRAC UK and Save the Children, economic experts from UN conference on trade & development and NatWest Group.

    Minister Mitchell used his speech to outline how the UK intends to use its role as a leading global player to build on the country’s commitment to sustainable development – driving the agenda on issues that matter to people across the UK, including on Ukraine, climate change and human rights.

    He highlighted how the Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly, last week (8 March) announced the FCDO’s first International Women and Girls Strategy, which put gender equality at the forefront of UK foreign policy.

    Minister Mitchell also visited the FCDO’s joint HQ Abercrombie House in East Kilbride, Lanarkshire, to address its 800 staff.

    Minister Mitchell added:

    Scotland’s civil society and the FCDO’s 800 staff in East Kilbride are at the very heart of shaping and delivering UK foreign policy as a force for good in the world.

    I am proud that the UK Government continues to use its influence as a leading player on the world stage to drive the agenda on issues that unite people from every corner of our country.

    Frances Guy, chief executive of Scotland’s International Development Alliance said:

    We’re delighted to be welcoming the Minister to our conference to discuss these issues and hear about his longer term vision for international development.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK confirms £205 million budget to power more of Britain from Britain [March 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK confirms £205 million budget to power more of Britain from Britain [March 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 16 March 2023.

    UK government confirms budget for this year’s Contracts for Difference scheme as it enters its first annual auction, boosting energy security.

    • Government announces significant financial backing for first annual flagship renewables auction, boosting Britain’s energy security
    • £170 million pledged for established technologies to ensure Britain remains a front runner in renewables and £10 million ring-fenced budget for tidal
    • Scheme will bolster investment into the sector every year, delivering clean, homegrown energy as well as green growth and jobs

    Britain’s rollout of clean, affordable, home-grown energy is moving full speed ahead, with the UK government offering £205 million in its latest renewables auction, boosting energy security, growing our economy and powering more of Britain from Britain.

    The Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme is the government’s flagship mechanism for supporting new British low-carbon electricity generation projects, so far awarding contracts to projects totalling nearly 27GW of low carbon capacity. This has helped accelerate plans to diversify, decarbonise and domesticate our energy supplies, with the last round (AR4) securing almost 11GW of low carbon capacity – enough to generate sufficient electricity to power 12 million British homes.

    Today’s announcement of a budget of £205 million for the fifth CfD allocation round – which is the first CfD auction to run annually – confirms another year of significant financial backing by government for green industries and jobs. This will bolster investment into the sector every year, helping to support green energy and jobs of tomorrow, level up Britain, and replace expensive fossil fuels with cheaper, cleaner, domestic sources of energy.

    This includes £170 million for established technologies such as offshore wind, ensuring Britain remains a front runner in global offshore wind, and £10 million ring-fenced budget available for tidal stream technologies, unlocking a thriving tidal power industry here in the UK.

    Building a cleaner, more secure energy future with thriving green industries will also help deliver on our promise to grow our economy and create good jobs across the country, with billions of pounds in private investment and 68,000 green jobs supported since late 2020.

    The competitive nature of the Contracts for Difference scheme has already proven successful at placing downward pressure on prices since the first auction was held. This process, together with solar and wind now amongst the cheapest form or electricity generation in the UK, means the scheme will play an increasingly important role in helping to meet the Energy Security Secretary’s ambition for Britain’s wholesale electricity prices to be among the cheapest in Europe.

    Minister of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Graham Stuart said:

    Our flagship Contracts for Difference scheme is already delivering clean, homegrown energy as well as growing a green economy with green jobs.

    Today’s budget announcement, the move to annual auctions and continued investment in renewable energy will limit the impact of events like Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine and drive our overriding priority for the UK to have amongst the cheapest wholesale electricity prices in Europe.

    I am excited to see the opportunities that will open for Britain’s world-class renewable industries as annual auctions kick off this year, enhancing the UK’s reputation as among the most attractive places to invest in for a secure, affordable and prosperous future.

    The UK government continues to support the deployment of renewable power right across Britain, with the scheme so far having awarded contracts to 52 projects in Scotland, which represents around 30% of all CfD projects and around 25% of total CfD capacity.  In Wales, the scheme has so far awarded contracts to 9 projects, totalling around 260MW of capacity.

    The scheme is designed to be fair and deliver low carbon deployment at low-cost to consumers – so that when wholesale electricity prices are higher than the price agreed in the CfD, generators pay back the difference. This will be passed on to energy suppliers and over time, is expected to translate to lower bills for consumers.

    Offshore wind has been at the heart of the scheme and the industry is a major UK success story thanks to Britain’s flagship CfD scheme. The UK has the largest operational fleet in Europe, the world’s 4 biggest individual windfarms and a world-leading ambition to deploy up to 50GW by 2030, including up to 5GW of floating offshore wind, which the scheme continues to help deliver. As set out in the British Energy Security Strategy, by 2030 the UK is set to generate more than enough electricity from offshore wind to power every home in Britain, attracting vital investment to UK coastal communities, supporting 90,000 direct and indirect jobs.

    This follows an unprecedented £20 billion investment into carbon capture announced yesterday in the Spring Budget, alongside the first state backing of a nuclear project in almost 40 years at Sizewell C and confirming the next steps for Great British Nuclear to revolutionise how new nuclear projects are delivered in the UK.

    Neil McDermott, CEO of the Low Carbon Contracts Company (LCCC), said:

    We welcome the announcement from the government on CfD Allocation Round 5. We look forward to working with investors and generators for these important projects as we continue the journey to Net Zero.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Appointment of the Dean of Christ Church [March 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Appointment of the Dean of Christ Church [March 2023]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 16 March 2023.

    The King has approved that The Reverend Canon Sarah Foot, Regius Professor of Ecclesiastical History, University of Oxford, be appointed Dean of Christ Church, Oxford from 1st July 2023 in succession to the Very Reverend Martyn Percy.

    Background

    Canon Professor Foot has been the Regius Professor of Ecclesiastical History at Oxford since 2007. She was educated at Newnham College, Cambridge (BA; MA; PhD), served as a Lay Canon at Christ Church from 2007-2017, and as a Residentiary Canon since her ordination in 2017.

    Previously, Professor Foot was a Research Fellow then Fellow and Tutor at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge 1989-93, then successively Lecturer, Senior Lecturer, and Professor of Early Medieval History at the University of Sheffield 1993-2007, where she was Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Arts 2005-7.

    She served as Chair of the Board of Faculty of Theology and Religion at Oxford University 2011-14. She writes on women in religion, medieval monasticism, and the early history of the Church in England, and is currently working on a study of the life and work of the Venerable Bede.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Non-Executive Director of Gov Facility Services Limited reappointed [March 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Non-Executive Director of Gov Facility Services Limited reappointed [March 2023]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 16 March 2023.

    The Deputy Prime Minister, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State has approved the reappointment of James Hayward as a Non-Executive Director of Gov Facility Services Limited (GFSL) for 3 years from 1 April 2023.

    GFSL is part of the Ministry of Justice established, in February 2018, as a limited not for profit company. GFSL’s role is to provide facilities management services to the prisons in the south of England.

    Biography

    James was first appointed a GFSL NED, for 3 years, on 1 April 2020.

    James is a Professional Building Services Chartered Engineer with over 40 years’ experience. He has worked, at Trust Board level, in medium and large sized acute NHS healthcare settings responsible for delivering estates, facilities and capital project services. Currently semi-retired, in addition to being a GFSL NED, he is also the Chairman of Beyond Housing; a highly performing large housing association in North Yorkshire and Cleveland. He has also been involved with several local and national charitable organisations.

    James has declared no political activity.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Government announces team of leading experts to boost energy efficiency [March 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Government announces team of leading experts to boost energy efficiency [March 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 16 March 2023.

    Government announces members of Energy Efficiency Taskforce following first meeting.

    • Membership announced of Energy Efficiency Taskforce tasked with boosting efforts to improve homes and push down bills
    • panel of experts comes from across UK industry – from finance and tech to education and sustainability
    • the Taskforce is drawing up priorities and ways forward to turbocharge energy efficiency, including accelerating household insulation and boiler upgrades

    A stellar team of leading experts has today been announced as the members of a new dedicated taskforce charged with improving the energy efficiency of the nation’s homes and buildings and with it, cutting the country’s energy use.

    The new Energy Efficiency Taskforce is chaired by Minister Lord Callanan and NatWest CEO Alison Rose, and has a clear target to support cutting energy use in the UK down by 15 per cent by 2030, from 2021 levels.

    The membership of this group includes Chair of the National Infrastructure Commission Sir John Armitt, head of leading housebuilder Barratt Developments, David Thomas and leading experts from the University of Salford, the Green Industries Council and National Energy Action to name but a few.

    Drawing on their unique experiences and perspectives, they bring together a vast wealth of knowledge to deliver on the government’s ambitious commitments, which in turn will help grow the economy, create new jobs and cut bills for people across the country.

    The Energy Efficiency Taskforce was first announced by the Chancellor in last year’s Autumn Statement and has been established to support a step change in the reduction of energy demand through accelerated delivery of energy efficiency measures across the economy.

    The Taskforce will devise a workplan to help reduce total UK energy demand by 15% from 2021 levels by 2030 across domestic and commercial buildings and industrial process – while cutting bills and helping push down inflation. This will include accelerating household insulation and boiler upgrades. As the work of the Taskforce progresses, it will also look at ways of drawing on the expertise of a wider group of stakeholders.

    The Taskforce has met for the first time to establish key priorities and explore ways of working to reach the 15% reduction ambition, sounding out avenues such as green finance, the resolution of supply chain issues and changing consumer behaviour.

    Lord Callanan, Minister for Energy Efficiency and Green Finance, said:

    We have scoured the UK’s industry to amass a top team of the best and brightest, and I am excited to learn from the unique expertise that each member brings to the table.

    We firmly believe the will of people and industry to drive down energy use is there, but we need to put in place the right mechanisms to channel this. That means smart investment, effective engagement, and building the right skills base – and this is precisely what the Taskforce will be focussing on.

    Alison Rose, Energy Efficiency Taskforce co-chair and Chief Executive Officer of NatWest Group, said:

    I am delighted to welcome experts from across industry, academia and government to the Energy Efficiency Taskforce. Addressing the climate crisis is a team sport, and building vital partnerships between the public and private sector is key to tackling this challenge. The Taskforce is bringing together a breadth of experience and expertise from a range of sectors and we will work together to deliver concrete proposals that help support the ambition of reducing total UK energy demand from 2021 levels by 15% by 2030.

    Our focus on reducing energy use across homes, commercial buildings and industrial processes is important not only for cutting carbon emissions but also for delivering greater energy security and lower bills for people, families and businesses up and down the UK.

    Responding to industry’s call for long-term funding certainty to help strengthen UK supply chains, £6 billion of government funding will be available from 2025 to support this objective, in addition to the £6.6 billion allocated this Parliament – taking the total to £12.6 billion this decade.

    The Energy Efficiency Taskforce Steering Group is comprised of the following individuals:

    Co-Chairs:

    • Lord Callanan, Minister for Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
    • Alison Rose DBE, Group Chief Executive Officer, NatWest Group

    Additional Steering Group members:

    • David Thomas, Chief Executive Officer, Barratt Developments
    • David Halpern, Chief Executive Officer, Behavioural Insights Team
    • Graham Bell, Chief Executive Officer, B&Q
    • Mitesh Dhanak, Chief Executive Officer, Cenergist
    • Laura Sandys, Chair, Government’s Energy Digitalisation Taskforce
    • Professor Will Swan, Director, Energy House Laboratories at University of Salford
    • Emma Pinchbeck, Chief Executive Officer, Energy UK
    • Dr Rhian-Mari Thomas, Chief Executive Officer, Green Finance Institute
    • Michael Liebreich, Chairman and CEO, Liebreich Associates
    • Stephen Phipson, Chief Executive of Make UK
    • Adam Scorer, Chief Executive Officer, National Energy Action
    • Sir John Armitt, Chair, National Infrastructure Commission
    • Carl Ennis, Chief Executive, Siemens plc
    • David Postings, Chief Executive Officer, UK Finance
    • Simon McWhirter, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, UK Green Building Council
  • PRESS RELEASE : Major exercise tests response to terrorist attacks [March 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Major exercise tests response to terrorist attacks [March 2023]

    The press release issued by the Home Office on 16 March 2023.

    A large-scale exercise has been taking place over 2 days, to test the response of the emergency services and government to a major terrorist incident.

    The Home Office planned and co-ordinated the National Counter-Terrorism Exercise, working closely with partners from:

    • British Transport Police
    • Metropolitan Police
    • North Yorkshire Police
    • Counter Terrorism Policing North-East
    • London Fire Brigade
    • London Ambulance Service
    • North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service and Yorkshire Ambulance Service

    Exercise Spring Resolve aimed to test the collective emergency services response to a series of no-notice violent attacks across multiple regions, effective multi-agency command and control arrangements to stop the attacks, save lives and undertake effective and timely consequence management and recovery.

    The exercise formed part of the regular counter-terrorism testing and exercising programme which takes place across the UK. Agencies all set clear exercise objectives that were to be tested, and many of those objectives were linked to the recommendations made following the Manchester Arena Inquiry – Volume 2.

    Security Minister, Tom Tugendhat, said:

    The first duty of government is to protect the British people. Exercises like Spring Resolve are critical to ensure all agencies and departments are prepared for any type of attack.

    I would like to thank all our frontline services for their diligent and brave work to protect and safeguard our country and people in the face of complex threats.

    The exercise scenario involved a mixture of live and notional play and included multiple attacks in rapid succession in London, designed to test fast and effective multi-agency response, communication and co-ordination. Attack locations included the transport network and other publicly accessible locations.

    The scenario incorporated a further no-notice attack at a publicly accessible location close to York city centre on the second day, again designed to test and exercise effective multi-agency response and recovery arrangements.

    The exercise tested communication flows from attack scenes, through strategic command centres and directly into central government, with COBR meetings being held on both days, government Ministers and senior officials also being exercised.

    Counter Terrorism Policing’s Senior National Coordinator for Protect and Prepare, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor said:

    We know how vital it is that everyone involved in the response to a terrorist attack is fully prepared so that should the worst happen, together we are able to provide the best possible response.

    Ensuring our plans are fit for purpose will ultimately help save lives and testing them regularly is crucial in ensuring police officers and our partners right across the UK understand their roles.

    Strategic exercise lead for North Yorkshire Police, Superintendent Jason Dickson said:

    This was a welcome opportunity for the emergency services in North Yorkshire to take place in a national CT exercise. It provided an opportunity to test our joint working in dealing with a no-notice violent attack.

    We tested the strategic prioritisation and decision-making for the safe and effective deployment of specialist and non-specialist resources to scenes and the early consideration of recovery measures.

    This exercise has been planned for more than a year and has taken place a few weeks after the conclusion of the Manchester Arena Inquiry. Volume 2 of this Inquiry recommended emergency responders enhance their interoperability for better effectiveness, and this aim was placed at the heart of Spring Resolve.

    The exercise demonstrated how to bring together available information, reconcile potentially differing priorities and make effective decisions together.

  • PRESS RELEASE : New support for Moldova and Georgia against “threat on their doorstep” as Foreign Secretary visits region [March 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : New support for Moldova and Georgia against “threat on their doorstep” as Foreign Secretary visits region [March 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 March 2023.

    Foreign Secretary James Cleverly will visit Moldova and Georgia and announce new funding to boost regional resilience against Russian malign interference.

    • Foreign Secretary will announce new funding to boost regional resilience against Russian malign interference
    • UK to underline support for territorial integrity and sovereignty as part of work with Russia’s neighbours to deal with the threat on their doorstep
    • funding will support governance reforms and fair elections and builds on anti-corruption programmes

    The UK is ramping up its financial support to Moldova and Georgia, as they continue to suffer from the destabilising impact of Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.

    On a visit to the 2 countries (16 to 17 March), Foreign Secretary James Cleverly will announce an extra £10 million to support economic and governance reforms in Moldova, and new funding to strengthen the security of next year’s elections in Georgia.

    Cleverly will reiterate that the UK stands with the people of Moldova and Georgia in defending their democratic choice to pursue a path of freedom, independence and sovereignty.

    Ahead of the visit, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said:

    Few societies understand the underhand tactics of Russian malign activity more than Moldova and Georgia.

    The UK will not stand idly by while Moscow blatantly undermines their democracy, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

    We must reinforce their resilience to Russia’s hybrid threats, safeguard the democratic choices of their people and protect them from the threat on their doorstep.

    Both countries are vulnerable as they suffer from the effects of the Kremlin’s hybrid tactics, aggression and attempts to extend Russian control over the region. The Foreign Secretary will demonstrate the UK’s unwavering commitment to protecting their territorial integrity and sovereignty.

    While in Chișinău, the Foreign Secretary will announce UK government plans to bolster Moldova’s resilience to this malign interference through an additional £10 million of funding for economic and governance reforms, including in the energy sector.

    In Georgia, Cleverly will see how UK cooperation is helping to counter subversive Russian meddling, including collaboration on defence and cyber security.

    To help strengthen democracy in Georgia, the UK will also be providing £500,000 aimed at creating an environment for free and fair elections in 2024, protecting them from external interference.

    The new provisions to be announced during the Foreign Secretary’s visit build on the UK government’s existing support to both countries.

    The new pledge for Moldova comes on top of the £12 million already contributing to critical anti-corruption and transparency work in the country.

    Work is also underway to help Moldova strengthen its defences against cyber-attacks, combat pro-Russian disinformation, reform the armed forces, build a stronger economy and tackle corruption. This is accompanied by a further £10 million of support for UN agencies providing to provide essential services and financial help to Ukrainian refugees and the Moldovan citizens that are hosting them.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers’ Meeting 2023 and the Foreign Secretary’s bilateral meetings – an overview [March 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers’ Meeting 2023 and the Foreign Secretary’s bilateral meetings – an overview [March 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 15 March 2023.

    Foreign Secretary James Cleverly attended the 22nd Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers’ Meeting at the Commonwealth Secretariat headquarters in London.

    Foreign Secretary James Cleverly today (15 March) reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to the Commonwealth, a diverse network of 56 nations, at the 22nd Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting (CFAMM) in London.

    He stressed a focus on developing intra-Commonwealth trade and investment, tackling climate change, protecting the environment, and promoting the Commonwealth’s shared democratic values.

    Foreign ministers discussed progress made on shared Commonwealth objectives since they last met in Kigali in June 2022.  They also discussed tackling climate change, boosting trade and investment between Commonwealth countries, and supporting free and democratic societies.

    They reviewed plans for the next meeting of Commonwealth Heads of Government (CHOGM), scheduled to take place in Samoa in 2024, and considered a number of country-specific situations.

    The Foreign Secretary encouraged a focus on efforts that can deliver clear benefits for all Commonwealth members and where the Commonwealth has a comparative advantage.

    The Foreign Secretary set out 3 UK priorities during the meeting:

    • increase trade and investment between Commonwealth countries. Members should ensure the benefits of the Commonwealth Advantage, the 21% lower average cost of trade between Commonwealth countries, are built on and extended to new members. The Foreign Secretary stressed the need to support Commonwealth members facing challenges in attracting inward investment
    • use the Commonwealth’s powerful collective voice to continue to counter the impact of climate change, and work with small and vulnerable members, including Small Island Developing States, to build their resilience to shocks
    • support and further embed democracy, good governance, the rule of law and gender equality across the Commonwealth

    In addition to CFAMM, James Cleverly also held a number of individual bilateral meetings, including with the Prime Minister of Samoa, and with foreign ministers from Rwanda, Jamaica, Malaysia, Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Levelling up at heart of Budget [March 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Levelling up at heart of Budget [March 2023]

    The press release issued by HM Treasury on 15 March 2023.

    Budget measures announced by the Chancellor are set to put powers and money in the hands of communities most in need.

    Budget measures announced by the Chancellor are set to put powers and money in the hands of communities most in need, to help achieve the Prime Minister’s objective to grow the economy and level up across the UK. These measures will deliver more jobs, better services and more opportunities for local people.

    A ground breaking devolution package and funding for community projects in the Budget will help further our ambitions to spread opportunity more equally.

    The measures build on our place-based approach, as set out in the Government’s Levelling Up White Paper, to ensure targeted measures which best suit the unique economy, geography and expertise of each area.

    The Government will be working closely with local leaders in key areas to help attract investment and unleash economic potential. These initiatives include:

    Trailblazer devolution deals

    • Two new trailblazer devolution deals will see money and powers handed directly to the Mayors of the West Midlands and Greater Manchester, including a direct funding settlement, devolution of post-19 skills funding and functions and greater control of the affordable homes programme.
    • A new framework will ensure that decision-makers in areas with devolution deals are accountable to their residents and deliver value for money.
    • These agreements are designed to pave the way for future deals in other Mayoral regions.

    Investment Zones

    • 12 Investment Zones across the UK to drive business investment and levelling up, each backed with £80 million over five years including generous tax incentives. Investment Zones will be based around research institutions such as universities and will be focused on driving growth in one of the UK’s key sectors.
    • Eight places in England have been shortlisted to develop proposals in collaboration with the UK Government including the East Midlands; Greater Manchester; Liverpool; the North East; South Yorkshire; the Tees Valley; the West Midlands; and West Yorkshire.
    • We are also working closely with the devolved administrations to establish how Investment Zones in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will be delivered.

    Levelling Up Partnerships

    • The rolling out of Levelling Up Partnerships to provide bespoke place-based regeneration in an initial twenty of England’s areas most in need of levelling up over 2023-24 and 2024-25.
    • Areas will be invited to form partnerships include the City of Kingston upon Hull, Sandwell, Mansfield, Middlesbrough, Blackburn with Darwen, Hastings, Torbay, Tendring, Stoke-on-Trent, Boston, Redcar and Cleveland, Wakefield, Oldham, Rother, Torridge, Walsall, Doncaster, South Tyneside, Rochdale, and Bassetlaw.
    • This will build on the success of deep dives in Grimsby, which saw cross-government working to help avoid the effective closure of the town’s fish processing sector, and in Blackpool, which unlocked a £100 million regeneration plan.
    • Partnership locations have been selected based on the analysis in the Levelling Up White Paper which considered places in England against four key metrics: the percentage of adults with Level 3+ qualifications; Gross Value Added (GVA) per hour worked; median gross weekly pay; and healthy life expectancy.
    • The Government will consult with the Devolved Administrations and local government to explore potential options in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

    Through the Budget the government is also providing money for levelling up projects which will deliver benefits to communities, including through:

    • Grants for 16 regeneration projects across England, worth a combined £211 million, in Blackburn with Darwen, Blackpool, East Suffolk, Kirklees, London Borough of Waltham Forest, North East Lincolnshire, Northumberland, Redcar and Cleveland, Rotherham, Salford, Sandwell, Tameside, Telford and Wrekin, Tendring, Wigan and Wolverhampton. These are regeneration projects that can start to spend and deliver quickly, including funding to revitalise town centres and transform derelict buildings for use by communities. These projects, including regeneration of Tipton town centre and a new skills and education campus in Blackburn, will help encourage investment, deliver high quality jobs and level up opportunities. Since the conclusion of the Levelling Up Fund round two, the department has identified further funding to support shortlisted regeneration and town centre bids that were originally made into the Fund.
    • £161 million directly to Mayoral Combined Authorities for 32 regeneration projects in city regions across England, including business premises and food science facilities in Tees Valley, and major transport upgrades in the West Midlands. This funding is designed to give Mayors the resources they need to level up their areas and strengthen devolution
    • Levelling up projects in the North West worth around £58 million in total, including transport connectivity improvements in Rossendale. Following the second round of the Levelling Up Fund, in which the full £2.1 billion allocation was awarded, the department is using unallocated departmental budgets to fund three further bids which narrowly missed out.
    • 30 projects across the UK which will receive a total of £7.73 million from the Community Ownership Fund, bringing valued neighbourhood assets back to the community, including Tollesby playing fields in Middlesbrough and Inveraray pier in Argyll & Bute.

    The Spring Budget 2023 takes DLUHC’s overall Levelling Up funding – including our flagship funds and grants – to more than £11 billion. This does not include the billions of pounds of investment from across Government into schools, transport and other services.