UKPOL.CO.UK

Tag: 2023

  • PRESS RELEASE : Culture Secretary encourages public to add Coronation events to digital map [March 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Culture Secretary encourages public to add Coronation events to digital map [March 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport on 4 March 2023.

    An interactive map detailing events taking place to celebrate the Coronation will be launched this week by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

    • The Culture Secretary has called on the public to add their own events showcasing local celebrations that will bring communities together
    • Comes as the Prime Minister confirms he will host a ‘Big Lunch’ at Downing Street to mark the coronation weekend

    With two months to go until the Coronation, members of the public and community organisations across the UK have been invited by the Culture Secretary to share how they will celebrate this historic milestone on a digital map to be launched this weekend.

    The move comes as the Prime Minister has also confirmed today that he will be hosting a Big Lunch at Downing Street during the Coronation weekend. Guests will be community volunteers from across the country.

    Hosted on the government’s Coronation website, the map will showcase a variety of ways people can mark the Coronation of His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort in their local areas.

    The map is designed to encourage people to add their own Coronation Big Lunches, street parties, Big Help Out plans and other Coronation activities so others in the local community can find out about events near them and get involved.

    Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said:

    We want everyone up and down the country to have the opportunity to get involved in the Coronation of His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort.

    Our interactive map will help you find activities, events and celebrations nearby. Whether you’re hosting a street party, planning a Big Lunch, a screening or activity for the Big Help Out, we want to hear from you.

    This is a fantastic occasion to come together with friends, family and your local community to mark this historic moment.

    The Coronation will take place across a celebratory weekend of events to mark this historic occasion beginning on Saturday 6 May with the Coronation Service taking place at Westminster Abbey in London. Their Majesties will be crowned in the same location Her Late Majesty The Queen was crowned 70 years ago.

    On Sunday 7 May, the Coronation Concert will take place at Windsor Castle with iconic locations across the UK lit up using projections, lasers, drone displays and illuminations. Staged and broadcast by the BBC in front of a live audience of several thousand members of the public, the concert will celebrate Their Majesties’ Coronation.

    Across the weekend, tens of thousands of Coronation Big Lunches and street parties will be held in the UK and Commonwealth. Big Lunches take place across the UK annually and last year they raised more than £22 million for local charities.

    On Monday 8 May, a Bank Holiday has been proclaimed by the Prime Minister so the nation can come together to support charities in the Big Help Out. In tribute to His Majesty The King’s lifetime of service, the Big Help Out will encourage people to support the causes that matter the most to them with activity already planned by organisations including The Scouts, Royal Voluntary Service, National Trust and RNLI.

    Other resources are also available online to help everyone celebrate the Coronation at home. From bunting ideas to recipes, a party playlist, postcards and creative templates plus recipe ideas and activities for children and families.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Joint statement on Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories [March 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Joint statement on Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories [March 2023]

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

    A joint statement with France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Spain on Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs).

    France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and the United Kingdom, express their grave concern in the face of the continuing, growing violence in the occupied Palestinian territories.

    We strongly condemn recent terrorist attacks that killed Israeli citizens. Terrorism can under no circumstance be justified.

    We also strongly condemn indiscriminate violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinian civilians, including destruction of homes and properties.

    We are saddened by all loss of life. These acts can lead nowhere, except to more violence. Those responsible must face full accountability and legal prosecution. All unilateral actions that threaten peace and incitement to violence must cease.

    There has been a spark of hope coming from the recent meeting in Aqaba, where Israelis and Palestinians both affirmed reciprocal commitments, including on efforts to de-escalate and work towards a just and lasting peace. Such a result is a first in many years, and we thank the United States of America and Kingdom of Jordan for making it possible. We urge all parties to refrain from making this fragile process derail, and call on all parties to make good on the commitments they made in the Aqaba meeting by de-escalating in words and deeds and to restore calm, in order for those efforts to blossom and to make the next meeting in Egypt a success.

    There can be no desirable outcome other than a just and lasting peace for all. In this regard, we also reiterate our strong opposition to all unilateral measures that undermine the Two-state solution, including expansion of settlements which are illegal under international law. We urge the Israeli government to reverse its recent decision to advance the construction of more than 7,000 settlement building units across the occupied West Bank and to legalize settlement outposts.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Diplomatic missions visit the Palestinian community of Huwara [March 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Diplomatic missions visit the Palestinian community of Huwara [March 2023]

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

    Representatives from Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Malta, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and UK visited today the Palestinian community of Huwara to express their deepest condolences to the victims of the attacks on 26 February and condemn in the strongest terms settler violence.

    In Huwara, diplomats were briefed by the community about the extreme violence unleashed on Sunday when hundreds of Israeli settlers attacked the village and the nearby communities of Za’tara, Beita and Burin, resulting in the killing of one Palestinian and injuring at least 409 others, including 90 children and 136 women. The community members also testified to the horror they experienced as settlers went on a rampage and set their homes and property on fire. Visiting diplomats expressed their deepest condolences to the victims.

    The abovementioned representatives condemn in the strongest terms the heinous and violent acts committed by settlers. The representatives call on Israel, as the occupying power, to take all necessary measures to protect Palestinians from settler violence and to ensure that perpetrators are held to account. Israel’s failure to protect Palestinians and prosecute violent settlers is particularly worrying at a point in time when settler violence has reached unprecedented levels.

    Settler violence is a result of Israel’s continued settlement activities. Settlements are illegal under international law, fuel tensions and undermine the viability of the two-state solution and the prospect for a lasting peace in the region.

    The abovementioned representatives condemn the killing of Palestinians and Israelis alike, reject all incitement to violence and urge all parties to exercise restraint.

  • PRESS RELEASE : High Commissioner’s Oral Update on Nicaragua – Joint Statement [March 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : High Commissioner’s Oral Update on Nicaragua – Joint Statement [March 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 3 March 2023.

    During the 52nd UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, the UK co-sponsored a Joint Statement relating to human rights in Nicaragua. This was delivered 3 March 2023.

    Mr. President,

    On behalf of 53 countries, Canada thanks the High Commissioner for his update, which sheds light on concerning developments in Nicaragua and evidences the importance of renewing the OHCHR’s monitoring mandate.

    Whilst we welcome the recent release of 222 political prisoners, and thank the facilitating States, we condemn the Government of Nicaragua’s decision to strip these individuals and 94 other Nicaraguans of their citizenship and political rights. Nationality is a right, which cannot be revoked without due process.

    We are troubled by the testimonies of mistreatment of released political prisoners. We urge the authorities to cease arbitrary detention and release all remaining political prisoners, including leaders of the Catholic Church.

    We are further alarmed by the deteriorating human rights situation of Indigenous Peoples and Afro-descendants in Nicaragua, who face increasing repression, persecution and discrimination.

    We reiterate our concern over Nicaragua’s refusal to cooperate with international human rights mechanisms. We call on the authorities to grant them access in order to address and investigate allegations of human rights violations and torture, and to renew cooperation with the OHCHR.

    The trend to bar and expel foreign representatives from the country only isolates Nicaragua. We call on Nicaragua to open a dialogue in good faith with the international community.

    Mr. High Commissioner, what more can this Council do to bring accountability for egregious human rights violations in Nicaragua?

  • PRESS RELEASE : Government backs bill to expand pension saving to young and low earners [March 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Government backs bill to expand pension saving to young and low earners [March 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 3 March 2023.

    The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) today confirmed it will support proposals to expand Automatic Enrolment, enabling millions of people to save more and to start saving earlier.

    Jonathan Gullis MP’s Private Members Bill, backed today by the government, grants two extensions to Automatic Enrolment – abolishing the Lower Earnings Limit for contributions and reducing the age for being automatically enrolled to 18 years old.

    Minister for Pensions, Laura Trott, said:

    We know that these widely supported measures will make a meaningful difference to people’s pension saving over the years ahead.

    Doing this will see the government deliver on our commitment to help grow the economy and support the hard-working people of this country, particularly groups such as women, young people and lower earners who have historically found it harder to save for retirement.

    Jonathan Gullis MP, said:

    Auto-enrolment of pensions will benefit scores of young people in all four corners of the country, which is why I am delighted that Minister for Pensions Laura Trott is supportive of the bill.

    With all the evidence of the huge positive impact it can have, it is a no-brainer that we now need to extend auto-enrolment to those aged 18 and above. I am confident this Bill will make a huge difference to people from Kidsgrove to Consett.

    Lowering the age at which eligible workers must be automatically enrolled into a pension scheme by their employers from 22 to 18 will make saving the norm for young adults and enable them to begin to save from the start of their working lives.

    In addition, the bill provides for the removal of the Lower Earnings Limit, supporting those with low earnings and multiple jobs by ensuring they are saving from the first pound earned.

    Following the success of the Automatic Enrolment, the government intends to continue its work with thousands of employers and pension providers to further boost the amount of people in a workplace pension and the amount they save for retirement.

    It will also continue its work on empowering savers to know their pension options by introducing revolutionary products such as Pensions Dashboards and Mid-life MOTs, providing accessibility and innovation in how people save for their retirement.

  • PRESS RELEASE : HRC52 – Statement on Sudan [March 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : HRC52 – Statement on Sudan [March 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 3 March 2023.

    The UK’s Ambassador to the WTO and UN in Geneva, Simon Manley, delivered this statement on Sudan at the 52nd session of the UN Human Rights Council.

    Thank you, Mr President, and welcome to the Minister of Justice of Sudan

    The UK continues to stand in solidarity with the Sudanese people and their demands for democracy, freedom and justice. We therefore welcome the signing of the political framework agreement in December by different Sudanese parties – an important step for Sudan’s transition to civilian-led government.

    Let me congratulate Mr Nouicer on his appointment as the High Commissioner’s new Designated Expert, and thank him and the High Commissioner for their early visits to Sudan. We appreciate the continued cooperation of the Sudanese authorities with his mandate.

    While these developments are encouraging, there is still much to be done in addressing the overall human rights situation. The death of a protestor from live ammunition on 28 February was unacceptable and deeply concerning. We continue to urge security and military forces to fulfil their obligation to protect civilians and respect their right to peaceful protest and freedom of expression, without fear of violence or arbitrary detention. And to ensure that those responsible for human rights violations are held to account.

    High Commissioner,

    What opportunities do you and Mr Nouicer see for encouraging constructive participation in the dialogues launched to address issues central to the framework agreement?

    Thank you.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Change of British High Commissioner to The Gambia [March 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Change of British High Commissioner to The Gambia [March 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 3 March 2023.

    Mrs Harriet King has been appointed British High Commissioner to the Republic of The Gambia in succession to Mr David Belgrove OBE. Mrs King will take up her appointment during September 2023.

    Curriculum Vitae

    Full name: Harriet Catherine King

    Married to: William King

    Children: Two

    Date Role
    2022 to present FCDO, Head of Strategic Engagement, Strategy Directorate
    2018 to 2022 Rabat, Head, Political Internal and Programmes
    2014 to 2018 Dakar, Deputy Head of Mission and HM Consul
    2013 to 2014 FCO, Sahel Task Force
    2011 to 2012 FCO, Desk Officer for Egypt, Middle East and North Africa Directorate
    2006 to 2010 FCO, Head of Crisis Operations and other operational and policy roles, Crisis Management Department
    2005 to 2006 FCO, Assistant Board Secretary, Strategy Group
    2004 to 2005 FCO, Desk Officer, Strategy Group
    2002 to 2004 FCO, Visits Officer, Conference and Visits Group
  • PRESS RELEASE : HRC52 – UK Statement on Nicaragua [March 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : HRC52 – UK Statement on Nicaragua [March 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 3 March 2023.

    During the 52nd session of the UN Human Rights Council, Rita French, the UK’s Human Rights Ambassador, delivered a statement on the situation in Nicaragua.

    Thank you, Assistant Secretary-General for your update on the human rights situation in Nicaragua.

    The deterioration of human rights in Nicaragua is of great concern. The climate of repression has led to shrinking space for freedom of expression and an independent media, as well as restrictions on the right to peaceful assembly. Last November, I had the opportunity to hear first-hand from those forced into exile in Costa Rica. Reports of further harassment and arbitrary detention, represent an unacceptable degradation of Nicaraguans’ civil, political and other human rights.

    Whilst the release of 222 political prisoners in February is welcomed, the Nicaraguan government decision to expel these individuals and strip them of their Nicaraguan nationality is concerning. We also call for the release of all other political prisoners.

    Free and fair elections offering real choice are a necessary foundation of any stable, healthy democracy. Municipal elections in Nicaragua on 6 November 2022 were not free, fair or credible as confirmed by the Inter-American Commission of Human Rights, which noted the absence of an independent electoral system and the continued violation of the rights of those identified as ‘opposition’ politicians.

    Assistant Secretary-General,

    We would welcome your views on how we can protect democratic opposition and human rights defenders from further persecution?

    Thank you.

  • Michael Tomlinson – 2023 Statement on the Sentencing of David Carrick

    Michael Tomlinson – 2023 Statement on the Sentencing of David Carrick

    The statement made by Michael Tomlinson, the Solicitor General, on 3 March 2023.

    David Carrick’s crimes were abhorrent, and the scale of his offending over so many years, and against so many women, will stay in our minds for years to come.

    The fact he acted with apparent impunity – as though his status as a serving police officer made him untouchable – is a particularly disturbing factor.

    Because of the strong feelings this case evokes, it came as little surprise that I received so many referrals under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme to consider the term of 32 years minus time served handed to Carrick .

    I have received full and detailed legal advice and considered the issues raised very carefully and concluded Carrick’s case cannot properly be referred to the Court of Appeal.

    Such a referral can only be made if the legal test is met, irrespective of the seriousness of the offending or the emotions the offending may evoke in all of us. But my duty as a Law Officer in considering whether sentences may be unduly lenient is to act quasi-judicially and independently of government, even when it is not easy or popular.

    At sentence, Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb described the “irretrievable devastation” Carrick has wrought on the women who were victims of his sickening offences, and I am satisfied that she gave careful and detailed consideration to all the features of this case. These include the seriously aggravating factor that David Carrick was a serving police officer and the impact of his horrendous crimes on public confidence in policing, particularly in relation to cases of rape and sexual violence.

    She also had to consider the guilty pleas that were entered by David Carrick and the reduction in sentence guilty pleas attract.

    The threshold for referral is a high one, and that was not met in this case. It is only met if the sentencing judge made a gross error or imposed a sentence outside the range reasonably available in the circumstances of the offending.

    My thoughts remain with the offender’s victims, and everybody affected by his despicable acts.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Eurofighter Typhoon programme progresses [March 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Eurofighter Typhoon programme progresses [March 2023]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 3 March 2023.

    Defence Ministers from participating nations meet in Italy to discuss the pan-Europe Eurofighter Typhoon programme.

    From the UK, the Minister for Defence Procurement, Alex Chalk KC, joined the cohort in Milan to discuss on-going cooperation on the programme – a joint venture between UK, Germany, Spain and Italy, under the governance of NATO.

    They discussed existing Eurofighter export campaigns and ongoing investment in the aircraft to further increase its military capability in the coming years.

    As previously announced, Typhoon fighter jets are to be fitted with the world’s most advanced radar – as part of a £2.35 billion investment and the programme continues to support more than 20,000 jobs throughout the UK.

    Showcasing the successes of defence collaboration between allied nations, the Eurofighter Typhoon continues to be a highly capable, combat proven, air defence and ground attack aircraft with a range of world-beating capabilities.

    Minister for Defence Procurement, Alex Chalk KC, said:

    The Eurofighter Typhoon continues to be a world-beating aircraft and that is thanks to the strong and enduring relationship we have with our partners on the programme.

    I am reassured by their commitment and look forward to further strengthening those ties in Combat Air Capability.

    With 137 serving with the RAF, the Eurofighter Typhoon forms the backbone of the UK’s combat air capability. It entered service in 2003 and is planned to remain in service until at least 2040.

    The fighter has been vital to UK operations in air-policing in Estonia, Op SHADER in the Middle East, quick reaction alerts at home and in the Falkland Islands, as well as working with the Qatari Emirati Airforce to provide air-security at the FIFA World Cup 2022

    The UK’s defence cooperation with Italy extends further than the Eurofighter Typhoon programme. The UK and Italy have a proven 50-year track record of working closely together on Combat Aircraft development.

    Last year, the Prime Minister announced that the UK, Italy and Japan would form an international coalition to develop the next generation of combat aircraft through the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP).

    Combat air capabilities will remain vital to controlling airspace, helping protect our nations, our allies and our interests worldwide, and making a vital contribution to our overall military capability across all domains.