Tag: 2023

PRESS RELEASE : Fishing industry nets new funding to train the next generation [February 2023]

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 10 February 2023.

The projects range from practical courses in seafood preparation or manning fishing boats through to degree level qualifications.

Innovative training programmes to attract new recruits and improve the quality of training in the fishing, seafood and aquaculture sectors have been awarded funding today (Friday 10 February) from the £100million UK Seafood Fund.

Recognising industry concerns over an ageing fishing workforce and with the number of UK fishers having fallen by 1,700 over the past decade*, it is now more important than ever to ensure entrants are equipped with the necessary skills to join the sector and understand the opportunities that are available to them.

Coinciding with National Apprenticeship Week and supporting the Prime Minister’s priority to grow the economy and create better paid jobs, the seven projects include pilot courses at London’s famous Billingsgate market covering technical skills such as the delivery, preparation and cooking of seafood; practical qualifications for manning fishing boats in Cornwall; right through to training for school leavers in Scotland going into the seafood industry.

A degree and higher level skills offer for aspiring managers in the seafood industry will also be developed by University of Lincoln, whilst in Grimsby training courses will be run to attract local people into the seafood sector.

Fisheries Minister Mark Spencer said:

“Our seafood and fishing sectors are a fundamental part of the UK’s heritage as well as contributing to food security and our economy.

“The UK Government is funding opportunities from the quayside to the sales counter, suitable for young people as well as those changing careers.

“It is absolutely vital we invest in our workforce so these important industries prosper for generations to come.”

The projects awarded funding today will receive grants of up to £250,000 to fund the creation or redesign of pilot training courses, with over £1 million awarded overall. It comes as a second round of funding for skills and training is launched with up to £8 million made available to modernise training facilities and increase access to opportunities across the UK – applications are open until 12pm on 21 April.

The pilot training courses in the first round aim to enhance technical skills and increase knowledge on sustainability, and ensure a high quality of training for existing workers, new entrants and young people into the sector. They also promote seafood career opportunities, raise awareness of the sector amongst young people and schoolchildren, and address access barriers commonly faced by remote coastal communities.

Professor Val Braybrooks, Dean at the National Centre for Food Manufacturing, University of Lincoln, said:

‘’We are delighted to have been awarded funds to adapt our successful food manufacturing higher and degree apprenticeship offer and develop new provision to meet the skills needs of Seafood Processing businesses. The new programmes will support the development of aspiring leaders in our sustainability led and rapidly changing sector and we look forward to collaborating with businesses and partners across the UK to fuel the talent pipeline.

“We are indebted to members of the Seafood Grimsby and Humber Alliance (SGHA) for their support in informing our plans and we now look forward to working together with the sectors’ employers across the country, along with our educational partner the University of the Highlands and Islands in Shetland, to deliver this flagship skills scheme for the industry and unite our clusters and Seafood Processing communities through it’.”

Jane Lewis, Principal and Chief Executive of UHI Shetland, said:

“We are thrilled to have been successful with our bid to the UK Seafood Fund, which was prepared in close collaboration with UHI West Highland and our partners in the seafood sector.

“This project will be run through our new Centre for Sustainable Seafood and will act as a catalyst to help provide a sustainable workforce for a sustainable seafood sector. We are delighted that we can use this funding to continue to support the seafood sector, which is such a vital part of economy of the Highlands and Islands.

“Through our joint expertise in blended learning, we will also be able to widen access to reach potential students online no matter where they live.”

The £100 million UK Seafood Fund is a landmark government investment supporting the long-term future and sustainability of the UK fishing and seafood industry. Last month, the Government announced an initial £2 million investment to trial new, greener engines and help create a safer, more sustainable fishing fleet as part of the latest round of the infrastructure scheme.

In December last year, the Government also confirmed a further £30 million will be made available for infrastructure projects across the seafood supply chain. Businesses will have until March 2025 to deliver transformational projects that will upgrade ports, processing and aquaculture facilities so they are able to meet future demand while boosting jobs and economic growth.

February 10, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK remains committed to global fight against terrorism as threat from Daesh and its affiliates continues to grow – UK Statement at UN Security Council [February 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 February 2023.

Statement delivered by Political Coordinator Fergus Eckersley at the UN Security Council briefing on counter terrorism.

Thank you, Under Secretary General Voronkov, Acting Executive Director Chen and Franziska Praxl, for your informative briefings. We are grateful to the UN for all its efforts in the fight against terrorism.

Last year, the Daesh terror campaign was dealt a severe blow by the death of two of its leaders.

But despite this, the threat from Daesh and its affiliates continues to grow and to evolve as we’ve heard today.

A resurgence of Daesh core in Syria and Iraq remains a significant danger. We need to maintain our resolve, including through the Global Coalition to Counter Daesh.

In 2022, for the first time in Daesh’s history, the majority of Daesh attacks took place outside their core focus of Syria and Iraq.

We have a collective responsibility as UN members to use all the legal tools and levers at our disposal to counter this threat.

In Afghanistan, Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) continues to show it has the capacity to carry out high profile attacks on civilian and international targets inside the country, and to use it as a base to encourage attacks abroad.

This Council must continue to demand of the Taliban that Afghan territory does not provide a shelter for terrorist groups.

We are also deeply concerned about the spread of the Daesh through its affiliates across Africa.

Instability, famine and climate-related crises are creating conditions that are being exploited by terrorist groups.

We must rally the UN system behind an approach that tackles the drivers of these conditions.

The Secretary-General’s New Agenda for Peace is an opportunity to galvanise this work.

We must also use UN sanctions regimes rigorously to prevent the proliferation to terrorist groups and to choke off their access to finance.

There is one other point to note in all of this: the Secretary-General’s report is clear that the presence of non-state armed groups is a destabilising factor. Groups like Wagner are not the answer.

As the Secretary General also notes in his report, we must ensure all counter terrorism efforts involve civil society, are gender sensitive and anchored in human rights.

President, in closing, please allow me to underscore the UK’s commitment to working together, including in this Council, to continue the global fight against all forms of terrorism and violent extremism.

Thank you.

February 10, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK sending medical aid and specialist equipment to earthquake-hit Turkey [February 2023]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 9 February 2023.

The UK will send a field hospital and C130 Hercules critical care air support team and aircraft in the coming days to help provide vital emergency treatment to those critically injured by the catastrophic earthquake in Turkey.

This comes on top of key personnel arriving at the British Embassy in Ankara and a A400M RAF transport plane departing tonight carrying humanitarian aid, including thousands of thermal blankets to keep survivors warm in sub-zero temperatures.

The field hospital, which will include an emergency department, 24/7 operating theatre, and accompanying clinical staff, will deploy to support the post-earthquake response in country.

An eight-person specialist military team is already assisting with planning in Ankara, Turkey and tonight an RAF transport aircraft is due to depart RAF Brize Norton (Thurs) with humanitarian aid announced by the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said:

The UK stands ready to assist our close allies and friends during this terrible time. We will keep options open for further assistance as requested.

The Hercules C130 will be used to move casualties within Turkey.

Development Minister Andrew Mitchell said:

The UK has moved quickly to get vital emergency supplies to survivors of the recent earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. We’re sending thousands of thermal blankets to Turkey to help those in the hardest-hit areas keep warm in the sub-zero temperatures.

This is part of a wider package of UK support to the people of Turkey and Syria.

As the search and rescue operation continues in Turkey, a specialist planning team, sent from the UK’s high-readiness unit Joint Force Headquarters, will support the British Embassy with coordinating the UK’s support, using their experience in operational delivery, logistics and communications.

Joint Force Headquarters commander Brigadier Dan Reeve said:

Our thoughts are with the many victims of this catastrophic earthquake. Our team is trained, equipped and configured to assist our Embassy in Ankara in coordinating the UK’s offer of humanitarian support to Turkey’s disaster response operation.

The Defence Secretary agreed to deploy the assets after the Ministry of Defence and his Turkish counterpart liaised over the last 24 hours.

February 10, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Transport Secretary holds talks in Paris on border controls and decarbonisation efforts [February 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 9 February 2023.

Mark Harper meets French counterpart Clément Beaune.
- Transport Secretary meets French counterpart in Paris to discuss the new EU Entry/Exit System coming into effect by the end of 2023 and wider decarbonisation work
- agenda includes separate meeting with European Space Agency highlighting UK spaceflight ambitions
- visit reaffirms strong partnership between UK and France, underlining our shared values and supporting our national interests
Transport Secretary Mark Harper met his French counterpart Clément Beaune in Paris today (9 February 2023) to discuss the implementation of the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) by the end of the year and both nations’ efforts to decarbonise their transport networks.

Highlighting the importance of maintaining reliable, quick, and safe travel routes between France and the UK, the Secretary of State reaffirmed the UK government’s commitment to working alongside the French government to ensure any new system works for both countries and passengers.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said:

Our two nations continue to build on the deep and longstanding Anglo-French relationship, and it’s been a pleasure to meet my colleague, Clément Beaune, to discuss our shared priorities.

This visit highlighted the importance of reliable transport links between our countries, our ongoing efforts to lead the world in decarbonising transport networks, and our commitment to securing the growth of international rail services.

Whilst in Paris the Transport Secretary also held an introductory meeting with Eurostar’s CEO, Gwendoline Cazenave, to see first-hand Eurostar’s unique operation at Gare du Nord. The meeting shone a light on the important connections international rail services provide for millions of people each year, as well as the need to address border-related challenges, prevent lengthy queues from forming, and support the future growth and success of the sector.

Elsewhere, the Secretary of State met representatives from the European Space Agency (ESA), to discuss how ESA supports the UK’s spaceflight ambitions and the wider benefits of UK ESA investment.

This follows the establishment of the UK’s first operational spaceport in Cornwall, with the government also providing £31.5 million in grants to help establish vertical launch services from two spaceports in Scotland.

Also on the agenda was a meeting with Hiba Fares of the Paris Transport Authority Regie Autonome des Transport Parisiens (RATP), where the Transport Secretary heard about the authority’s roll-out of zero-emission buses and the recovery of bus services following the pandemic.

Upon arriving in Paris on Wednesday night, the Transport Secretary met with Getlink Group, which manages and operates the infrastructure of the Channel Tunnel and Shuttle services between England and France, to signal the UK’s willingness to support preparations ahead of the implementation of EES.
February 10, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : New Chair appointed to deliver HS2 and drive forward growth across the North and Midlands [February 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 9 February 2023.

Sir Jonathan Thompson appointed as Chair of HS2 Ltd.
- Sir Jonathan Thompson named new HS2 Ltd Chair after stepping into deputy role in March 2022
- he will provide oversight, leadership, and accountability while driving forward Europe’s largest infrastructure project
- HS2 already supporting tens of thousands of jobs and 1,000 apprenticeships
Sir Jonathan Thompson will be taking on the mantle of HS2 Ltd Chair and the responsibility of driving forward Europe’s largest infrastructure project.

Sir Jonathan’s appointment, which follows almost a year as Deputy Chair, comes at a pivotal time for the HS2 programme as the Crewe-Manchester Bill moves through Parliament and work at Euston continues to progress and regenerate the surrounding area.

In his role, Sir Jonathan will be providing strategic leadership, oversight and accountability for the HS2 programme, ensuring it is delivered on time and in budget while continuing to create jobs, boost local economies and provide much needed capacity on our railways.

Sir Jonathan brings decades of experience delivering major projects and world-class leadership having previously served as the Permanent Secretary at both the Ministry of Defence and HM Revenue and Customs. This is on top of overseeing huge landmark moments HS2 has already achieved during his time as Deputy Chair, including providing 1,000 apprenticeships and the completion of the first mile of tunnels at Long Itchington Wood.

HS2 is a once-in-a-lifetime project, which will improve transport connectivity across the North of England and the Midlands. As well as being the largest infrastructure project in Europe, HS2 is also spearheading new methods of construction such as 2000 tonne tunnel boring machines and using new technology to ensure the natural landscape across the route is left in the same, if not better, condition than it was found.

This comes just months after the Chancellor and Prime Minister set out the government’s commitment to HS2 in the Autumn Statement, and reiterated their dedication to ensuring the project provides fast, more reliable services and connects people to new job opportunities.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said:

HS2 goes far beyond simply making journeys quicker. It is a world-leading project that is already having a huge impact by regenerating communities and creating tens of thousands of jobs across the country.

I am delighted to appoint Sir Jonathan as Chair, and with his breadth of experience I have no doubt he will be successful in delivering our shared goals of increasing capacity on our rail network, levelling up our country and driving economic growth for generations to come.

Sir Jonathan Thompson said:

I am delighted to have been appointed as HS2 Chair. During my time on the board, this monumental project has already achieved some incredible milestones and I’ve seen first-hand how it will transform not only journeys but the lives of people across the country.

I look forward to working with our first-class stakeholders and partners in my new role, to ensure it this once in a lifetime opportunity fulfils its pioneering potential.

Also appointed today is Elaine Holt, as Deputy Chair of the HS2 Ltd board. Elaine is an existing non-executive director and an expert in both transport and the service industries. She will support the Chair in leading the board.
February 10, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Additional Funding to the White Helmets Search and Rescue Efforts [February 2023]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 February 2023.

Given the difficulties in accessing affected areas in North West Syria, the UK will be providing additional funding to aid major search-and-rescue operations.
- Increased support to provide life-saving Search and Rescue and emergency relief operations in North West Syria.
- At least an additional £3m funding, bringing our total to £3.8m, which will enable enhanced operational capacity of the White Helmets (Syria Civil Defence)
- This will support recovery projects including assessing building safety, reopening roads and reconnecting utilities.
- Over 2,500 White Helmets volunteers are involved in the response across some 40 communities in northwest Syria.
Minister of State for the Middle East, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon said:

The White Helmets are playing a critical and life-saving role in Syria in the most desperate circumstances following the earthquakes.

The UK is proud of our longstanding partnership with them. The White Helmets, throughout the conflict, have demonstrated unwavering commitment and dedication. This has included saving over 115,000 lives and providing essential services to more than four million Syrians.

Our collective priority now is to ensure life-saving assistance is given to those most in need. The White Helmets are best placed to deliver this in North West Syria.

The UK is giving at least an additional £3m to aid the White Helmets major search-and-rescue operations. This takes our total funding to the White Helmets this week to £3.8m following the announcement on 7 February by Lord Ahmad.
February 9, 2023
Jessica Morden – 2023 Parliamentary Question on Public Procurement of UK-Made Steel

The parliamentary question asked by Jessica Morden, the Labour MP for Newport East, in the House of Commons on 2 February 2023.

Jessica Morden (Newport East) (Lab)

What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to promote the use of UK-made steel in public procurement.

The Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office (Alex Burghart)

The Government are ensuring a competitive future for the UK steel industry, and the reported value of UK-produced steel procured by the Government was up last year by £160 million, from £108 million to £268 million.

Jessica Morden

In last week’s Westminster Hall debate, the steel Minister, the hon. Member for Wealden (Ms Ghani), said

“there is huge scope for more procurement to take place in the UK.”—[Official Report, 25 January 2023; Vol. 726, c. 331WH.]

Will the Cabinet Office commit to publishing up-to-date data on the Government’s record in using UK steel, because it has not been good enough so far, and to adopting ambitious targets across Departments on the use of domestic steel in public projects?

Alex Burghart

I am pleased to tell the hon. Lady right now that 67% of the steel required for High Speed 2 is UK-produced, 94% of the steel used to maintain our rail track is produced in the UK and 90% of the steel used to build schools is produced in the UK. I understand there will be an urgent question after Question Time, which will give her the opportunity to ask a Minister from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy about this.

February 9, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : NI party-to-party dialogue in roundtable discussion with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland [February 2023]

The press release issued by the Northern Ireland Office on 9 February 2023.

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Rt Hon Chris Heaton-Harris MP today met NI parties to discuss the issues caused by ongoing governance gap in Northern Ireland, the UK-EU negotiations on the NI Protocol and NI’s challenging budgetary situation.

In attendance were Emma Little-Pengelly MLA and Gordon Lyons MLA of the DUP, Mary Lou McDonald TD and Michelle O’Neill MLA of Sinn Féin, Naomi Long MLA and Stephen Farry MP of Alliance, and Doug Beattie MC MLA and Steve Aiken MLA of the UUP, and Claire Hanna MP and Matthew O’Toole MLA of the SDLP.

During the meeting, the Secretary of State set out the next steps concerning Executive formation, following the introduction of legislation in Parliament today extending the period for formation by one year to 18 January 2024. The legislation will also enable the Government to bring this new period to an early end and move to elections sooner, if it becomes necessary.

During discussions about governance in NI, the Secretary of State informed the parties that the quickest and simplest way to implement Dáithí’s Law is to affirm the legislation in the NI Assembly. He has written to the NI parties with a step by step guide to how they can achieve this.

Discussions also reflected upon the recent passing of the 2022/2023 Northern Ireland Budget Bill as well as the priorities and challenges for 2023/2024 NI Budget with the Secretary of State stating that he will shortly be setting the NI Regional Rate for the next financial year.

The meeting ended with the Secretary of State stressing the importance of restoring the Executive in the interests of people in Northern Ireland.

Commenting after the meeting, Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris said:

It is disappointing that further legislation to extend the period for Executive formation has had to be introduced but I am aware that many people in Northern Ireland are not in favour of another Assembly election at this time.

I’ve been encouraged by my discussions with the parties today but there is no doubt that the absence of a devolved government is having an impact on Northern Ireland with important legislation and public services impacted by the lack of an Executive.

My priority remains the restoration of fully-functioning power-sharing institutions and I will continue to work with the NI parties to ensure this happens as soon as possible.

February 9, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK and Italy agree to deepen cooperation in space and cyber domains [February 2023]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 9 February 2023.

Defence Ministers agreed to work together to support Ukraine, as NATO partners. Further collaboration will take place through shared projects like the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP).

The UK and Italy have agreed to further strengthen military collaboration as Defence Ministers Ben Wallace and Guido Crosetto signed a new Joint-Statement of Intent on bilateral defence co-operation.

The agreement was signed on Thursday following a bilateral meeting and will see deeper cooperation and collaboration across military operations, particularly in the space and cyber domains.

The ability of the UK and Italian armed forces to operate together and develop shared capabilities to minimise costs is also part of the agreement.

During a bilateral meeting, Ministers discussed the Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, as well as the security situation in Libya and ongoing tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean and Western Balkans.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said:

Through this new defence agreement with Italy, our long-standing ally and friend, we are deepening our defence collaboration at a vital time for security across Europe and the wider world.

Working together as NATO allies to support Ukraine, and also on joint projects including the Global Combat Air Programme, we continue to promote our collective industries and increase our capabilities.

The Defence Ministers were joined by UK and Italian Foreign and International Trade Ministers at the Pontignano Conference – the biggest and longest-running UK-Italian diplomatic event, taking place on an annual basis.

The meeting of the UK and Italian Defence Secretaries was the first since the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) agreement – a trilateral project between the UK, Italy, and Japan, which was announced by the Prime Minister in December and will deliver the next phase of a combat air fighter jet development.

Due to enter service by 2035, the ambition is for a next-generation jet fighter, enhanced by a network of capabilities such as uncrewed aircraft, sensors, weapons and advanced data systems. Collaboration among the three advanced industrial nations allows sharing of advanced technologies to get the best military capabilities, shares the cost of development as we modernise our capabilities and will strengthen the industrial base in each country.

As part of the trip, the UK Defence Secretary also visited the Leonardo’s aircraft division in Turin, where he met the company’s CEO and discussed the work on GCAP.

February 9, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Government to deliver Awaab’s Law [February 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 9 February 2023.

Awaab’s Law will force social landlords to fix damp and mould within strict time limits, in new amendment to the Social Housing Regulation Bill.
Crackdown on damp and mould under new legislation in memory of Awaab Ishak

Landlords must investigate and fix serious problems within strict time limits

New powers for Housing Ombudsman to help landlords improve performance, in amendments to the Social Housing (Regulation) Bill.

Social housing landlords will have to investigate and fix damp and mould in their properties within strict new time limits, Housing Secretary Michael Gove announced today (Thursday 9 February).

The Government has tabled amendments to the Social Housing Regulation Bill to introduce ‘Awaab’s Law’, which will require landlords to fix reported health hazards within specified timeframes.

The move comes in the wake of the tragic death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak, caused by the damp and mould in his home, which was managed by Rochdale Boroughwide Housing. The Government continues to block funding to Rochdale Boroughwide Housing to build new homes until it can prove it is a responsible landlord.

The Housing Secretary made the announcement on a visit to Rochdale today where he met with Awaab’s family and the Interim Chief Executive at Rochdale Boroughwide Housing.

A consultation will be launched later this year to set the timeframes within which landlords will have to act to investigate hazards and make repairs.

The new rules will form part of the tenancy agreement, so tenants can hold landlords to account by law if they fail to provide a decent home.

The changes come as the government makes amendments to the Social Housing (Regulation) Bill that will drive up standards in the sector and hold landlords to account over the service they provide to their tenants.

Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Michael Gove said:

The tragic death of Awaab Ishak should never have happened. He was inexcusably let down and his family repeatedly ignored. I want to pay tribute to Awaab’s family for their tireless fight for justice over the last two years.

Today we have announced tough new laws to force social landlords to fix their homes within strict new time limits.

Those landlords who continue to drag their feet over dangerous damp and mould will face the full force of the law.

Our Social Housing Bill will enshrine tenants’ rights in law and strengthen the Housing Ombudsman and Regulator’s powers so that poor social landlords have nowhere to hide.

Awaab’s Law will help to ensure that homes across the country are safe, decent and warm.

The government has already committed to a rapid review of existing guidance on the health impacts of damp and mould, followed by new guidance tailored to the housing sector, to be published by Summer 2023.

Further powers, announced today, will continue to bolster the Housing Ombudsman in ensuring landlords learn from past mistakes.  The Ombudsman will be able to instruct landlords to measure their service against guidance on issues such as damp and mould, to help drive improvements following complaints from tenants.

Other amendments tabled today will continue to strengthen the Bill, including improvements to insolvency arrangements, data protection and the requirement for written reports after inspections.

The new proposals for Awaab’s Law will be introduced via secondary legislation. It follows the Housing Secretary’s recent announcement of £30 million for Greater Manchester and the West Midlands to begin works on improving the quality of social housing in their region.
February 9, 2023