Tag: 2023

PRESS RELEASE : Details of Government Reshuffle [February 2023]
The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 7 February 2023.

His Majesty The King has been pleased to approve the following appointments:
- Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP as Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero
- Rt Hon Michelle Donelan MP as Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
- Rt Hon Kemi Badenoch MP as Secretary of State for Business and Trade. She remains as President of the Board of Trade, and Minister for Women and Equalities
- Rt Hon Lucy Frazer KC MP as Secretary of State for Culture, Media, and Sport
- Rt Hon Greg Hands MP as Minister without Portfolio in the Cabinet Office
- Rt Hon Graham Stuart MP as a Minister of State in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
- George Freeman MP as a Minister of State in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
- Nigel Huddleston MP as a Minister of State in the Department for Business and Trade
- Nusrat Ghani MP as a Minister of State jointly in the Department for Business and Trade and the Cabinet Office
- Andrew Bowie MP as a Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
- Paul Scully MP as a Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
- Kevin Hollinrake MP as a Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Department for Business and Trade
- Rt Hon Stuart Andrew MP as a Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, and as a Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister for Equalities) in the Department for Business and Trade
- Maria Caulfield MP as a Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister for Women) in the Department for Business and Trade, in addition to her current role as a Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Department of Health and Social Care
- Lord Johnson of Lainston CBE as a Minister of State in the Department for Business and Trade
- Rachel Maclean MP as a Minister of State in the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
- Julia Lopez MP as a Minister of State in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport
- Lord Callanan as a Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
- Amanda Solloway MP as a Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, in addition to her current role as a Government Whip (Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury)
- Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay as a Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport
- Ruth Edwards MP as a Government Whip (Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury)
February 7, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Assad has been actively rebuilding chemical weapons in Syria [February 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 7 February 2023.

Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the Security Council meeting on Syria.

On behalf of the UK, I give my condolences to those people affected by the earthquake in Turkiye and Syria. Our thoughts are with those families still searching for answers and loved ones from the rubble and those in mourning in the aftermath of the earthquake and its aftershocks and with those helping them in any way. The UK is contributing immediate support and stands ready further to support humanitarian efforts.

Madame President, I start by thanking High Representative Nakamitsu, Director-General Arias and IIT Coordinator Oñate for their briefings.

We welcome the publication of the OPCW Investigation and Identification Team’s latest report which has decisively found the Assad regime responsible for the 2018 chemical weapons attack on Douma, which killed 43 men, women and children and injured dozens more, in horrifying circumstances.

Yet again, we are faced with undeniable evidence that the Syrian state has used chemical weapons to murder its own citizens.

This is the ninth such finding of Syrian regime responsibility for chemical weapons attacks in investigations by the UN and OPCW. We welcome this report, and once again commend the expertise, independence, dedication and professionalism of the OPCW’s staff.

We owe it to the victims of Douma and the thousands of other victims of chemical weapons attacks across Syria to hold the Syrian regime to account.

Moreover, President, today we are gravely concerned that the Assad regime has been working actively to rebuild its chemical weapons stockpile since at least 2018 – in flagrant violation of its obligations and the commitments 193 states parties have made under the Chemical Weapons Convention in pursuit of a world free from chemical weapons.

This is why it remains vital that we support the OPCW in efforts to resolve inconsistencies and discrepancies with Syria’s Chemical Weapons declaration. The Syrian regime must now change its behaviour on chemical weapons, and must provide this Council with concrete assurance that it has destroyed all stockpiles and no longer possesses the capability or intent to use chemical weapons anywhere, under any circumstances.

Despite the latest overwhelming evidence of Syria’s chemical weapons use, we have heard again today Russia’s usual barrage of lies, denials, disinformation and unfounded criticism of the OPCW. But the OPCW’s painstaking report, which considers the ‘alternative scenarios’ put forward by Russia, specifically, comprehensively and credibly rejects them on the basis of evidence.

If the Assad regime, and its protector Russia, prevent progress, block accountability and deny justice for the victims, they also risk further erosion of the global norm against the these abhorrent weapons. All of us here today have a responsibility to support the OPCW, to uphold the Chemical Weapons Convention, insist on compliance with the resolutions of this Council, and continue to seek accountability for the victims of these heinous attacks.

Thank you.

February 7, 2023
Patrick Grady – 2023 Parliamentary Question on the 1998 Scotland Act and the Constitution

The parliamentary question asked by Patrick Grady, the SNP MP for Glasgow North, in the House of Commons on 2 February 2023.

Patrick Grady (Glasgow North) (SNP)

What recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the potential impact of the use of section 35 of the Scotland Act 1998 on the constitution.

The Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office (Alex Burghart)

Alas, I am a mere junior Minister and I rarely get to talk to my illustrious Cabinet colleagues, but I can assure the hon. Gentleman that the Government used section 35 very carefully and very reluctantly, in order to preserve the balance of powers between our countries.

Patrick Grady

If the Government were so determined to resolve their dispute with the Scottish Government, they would publish the amendments that they say would make the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill acceptable to them. Is not the reality that the Tories are prepared to veto and undermine the elected Scottish Parliament because they never really wanted devolution in the first place?

Alex Burghart

As the hon. Gentleman knows, section 35 of the Scotland Act is part of our constitution. He will also know that it is now for the Scottish Government to bring forward a Bill that addresses the adverse effects set out in the statement of reasons. Once again, the nationalists do not wish to take responsibility.

February 7, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Warning on ‘Cestui Que Vie Trust’ car insurance scams [February 2023]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 7 February 2023.

Fraudsters are offering false ‘common law’ car insurance and claiming that the insurance is backed by the holder’s ‘cestui que vie trust’.

We’re aware of fraudsters claiming to sell car insurance and advising users to claim the funds from a personal trust held by the government. They have called it a ‘cestui que vie trust’. Others are selling instructions on how to claim the funds.

Cestui que vie trusts

A cestui que vie trust does not exist and there’s no such trust held by the government. The phrase appears to be a combination of 2 genuine legal terms:
- ‘cestui que trust’, which means someone entitled to money in a trust which has been set up for their benefit
- ‘cestui qui vie’, which means a holder of a life interest in land which was settled on them before life interests were abolished in 1997, or the holder of a lifetime lease
The term has been used from time to time by people claiming that it means they do not have to pay debts or comply with court orders, but there’s no reported example of this being successful in the UK.

What this means

A cestui que vie trust is a made-up term and does not exist. There’s no fund held by the government which you can claim against. This means that the car insurance is not backed by any funds and holders are driving without insurance.

It’s illegal to drive a vehicle on a road or public place without valid insurance. If you’re not correctly insured, you can be penalised. You could receive a fixed penalty, or be prosecuted in court, and the police might seize your car.

Protecting yourself from scams

We advise you to:
- recognise the signs – always take a moment to stop and think before parting with money or your personal information
- check GOV.UK for information on how to avoid and report scams
February 7, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : HM Treasury and Bank of England consider plans for a digital pound [February 2023]
The press release issued by HM Treasury on 7 February 2023.

A digital pound is likely to be needed in the future according to a consultation paper published today by HM Treasury and the Bank of England.
- the Treasury and the Bank of England are consulting on a potential digital pound, or central bank digital currency (CBDC)
- a digital pound would be issued by the Bank of England and could be used by households and businesses for everyday payments in-store and online
- if introduced a digital pound would be interchangeable with cash and bank deposits, complementing cash
- no decision has been taken at this stage to introduce a digital currency
The Bank of England will now take forward further research and development work and the public are being invited to give their views on the scheme to be taken forward.

The consultation is being launched because both HM Treasury and the Bank want to ensure the public have access to safe money that is convenient to use as our everyday lives become more digital, while supporting private sector innovation, choice and efficiency in digital payments.

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt said:

While cash is here to stay, a digital pound issued and backed by the Bank of England could be a new way to pay that’s trusted, accessible and easy to use.

That’s why we want to investigate what is possible first, whilst always making sure we protect financial stability.

Governor of the Bank of England, Andrew Bailey, said:

As the world around us and the way we pay for things becomes more digitalised, the case for a digital pound in the future continues to grow. A digital pound would provide a new way to pay, help businesses, maintain trust in money and better protect financial stability.

However, there are a number of implications which our technical work will need to carefully consider. This consultation and the further work the Bank will now do will be the foundation for what would be a profound decision for the country on the way we use money.

What would a digital pound look like?
- It would replicate the role of cash in a digital world, so that it is risk-free, highly trusted and accessible
- £10 of a digital pound would always be worth the same as £10 of cash
- Issued by the Bank of England, widely available and convenient to use
- Subject to rigorous standards of privacy and data protection – neither Government nor the Bank would have access to personal data and holders would have the same level of privacy as a bank account
- Accessed through digital wallets offered to consumers by the private sector through smartphones or smartcards
- Intended for payments, online, in-store, and to friends and family, rather than savings, with no interest paid on holdings
- Initial restrictions on how much an individual or businesses could hold
Countries around the world are considering similar proposals including the Eurozone and the US and China.

Unlike cryptoassets and stablecoins, the digital pound would be issued by the Bank of England and not the private sector. We are separately already legislating to protect Access to Cash.

This means that it will have intrinsic value and not be volatile, unlike unbacked cryptoassets as there would be a central authority to back it.

The needs of vulnerable people are being considered in the digital pound design process ensuring that it would be simple and straightforward to use and understood and trusted by the public as a form of money.

A decision about whether to implement a digital pound will be taken around the middle of the decade and will largely be based on future developments in money and payments. The earliest stage at which the digital pound could be launched would be the second half of the decade.
February 7, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Over 8 million families in the UK to receive new Cost of Living Payment this Spring [February 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 7 February 2023.

Over 8 million families in the UK will continue to receive direct financial support from Government, with the first of five Cost of Living Payments – worth £301 – hitting bank accounts this spring.
- Over 8 million families in the UK on means-tested benefits will automatically receive £301 this Spring, and over 6.5 million people on disability benefits in the country will receive a £150 payment this summer
- £301 payment is the first of five direct cost of living payments for the most vulnerable households, including pensioners and disabled people, with the total amount of support reaching up to £1,350
- Full breakdown released showing recipients of Cost of Living and disability payments by local authority and parliamentary constituency
After confirming the payment schedule for five cost of living payments through the 2023/24 financial year, The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has today announced in Parliament more detail on the support.

This includes estimates of how many people across the UK, and in each local authority and parliamentary constituency, will receive the first £301 Cost of Living Payment and the £150 Disability Payment, which follows on from up to £1,200 in support for low-income households in 2022.

Work and Pensions Secretary, Mel Stride said:

These direct payments will help people right across the UK over this year and the start of the next, as we continue to provide consistent, targeted and substantial support for the most vulnerable.

Our wider support package, including the Energy Price Guarantee, will ensure every household is being helped through this challenging period of high inflation, caused by Putin’s illegal war and the aftershocks of the pandemic.

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt added:

High inflation, exacerbated by Putin’s illegal war, is hurting economies across the world and making people poorer.

These payments are the next part of the significant support we are providing through this challenging time, with millions of vulnerable households receiving £900 directly into their bank accounts this financial year alongside additional help for pensioners and those with disabilities.

This latest payment will provide some temporary relief, but the best thing we can do to help families and businesses is to stick to the plan to halve inflation this year.

Exact payment windows and qualifying periods for eligibility will be announced in due course, but are designed to ensure a consistent support offer throughout the year. Payment windows will be broadly as follows:
- £301 – First 2023/24 Cost of Living Payment – during Spring 2023
- £150 – 2023 Disability Payment – during Summer 2023
- £300 – Second 2023/24 Cost of Living Payment – during Autumn 2023
- £300 – 2023 Pensioner Payment – during Winter 2023/4
- £299 – Third 2023/24 Cost of Living Payment – during Spring 2024
There are several benefits that could make claimants eligible for the £301 Cost of Living Payment, including Universal Credit and tax credits – through which 5.4 million households across the UK are expected to qualify, and Pension Credit, through which 1.4 million pensioner households are expected to be paid. 1.3 million will be eligible through legacy DWP benefits such as Jobseekers Allowance and Income Support, reaching a total of 8.1 million households.

Eligible individuals do not need to apply for payments, as they are made automatically. Those eligible for cost of living payments through tax credits, and no other means-tested benefits, will be paid by HMRC shortly after DWP payments are made.

This builds on the government’s wider support package, which includes further funding for the Household Support Fund, bringing its total value for October 2021 to March 2024 to over £2 billion. The fund is distributed to English councils, who know their areas best and are then able to offer direct support for those most in need in their local area. Every household with a domestic electricity supply is also benefitting from the Energy Price Guarantee, which is saving the average household around £900 this winter and a further £500 in 2023/24 by capping energy costs.

Benefits will also rise in line with inflation from April, which will see a 10.1% increase for pensioners and those on the lowest incomes, whilst the National Living Wage will see its biggest ever cash rise, bringing it to £10.42 an hour.

This all follows on from 2022’s support package, which included:
- A £650 Cost of Living Payment for means-tested benefit claimants, split into two payments, each of which supported over eight million households
- Further £300 and £150 payments, which reached over eight million pensioner households and six million disabled people respectively
- A £150 Council Tax rebate for all households in Council Tax bands A to D in England
- A £400 energy bill discount for all households, which will continue to run through March 2023
February 7, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Angiolini Inquiry to investigate David Carrick [February 2023]

The press release issued by the Home Office on 7 February 2023.

Lady Elish Angiolini to examine David Carrick case as part of the ongoing Angiolini Inquiry.

The Angiolini Inquiry will look at David Carrick’s criminal behaviour and the decision-making around his police vetting, in Terms of Reference published today (7 February 2023).

In the wake of the shocking crimes committed by David Carrick and acknowledged failures within the Metropolitan Police, the Home Secretary confirmed that Lady Elish Angiolini’s Inquiry will look specifically into this case.

The Angiolini Inquiry was established in the wake of the murder of Sarah Everard to understand how a serving police officer was able to carry out such a horrendous crime, and a public consultation is currently open on Part 2 of this Inquiry to examine police culture, vetting processes and the safety of women.

The Terms of Reference will also look at any issues relating to Carrick’s behaviour or conduct that were known or raised by his colleagues, his abuse of police powers and intimidation of witnesses, and the impact of police treatment on his victims.

The Home Secretary Suella Braverman said:

The crimes of David Carrick are a scar on our police, and it is only right that he now faces at least 30 years behind bars. I pay tribute to the brave women who have come forward to hold him to account for his vile abuse.

It is vital we uncover how he was able to wear the uniform for so long, and I welcome the Angiolini Inquiry’s investigation into David Carrick’s criminal behaviour and the decision-making around his vetting.

There is no place in our police for such heinous and predatory behaviour, and I look forward to receiving Lady Elish’s findings.

This specific investigation into Carrick will take place alongside the Angiolini Inquiry’s other investigations, and will commence as soon as practicable.

Alongside the Angiolini Inquiry, the government has commissioned His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary, Fire and Rescue Services to conduct a rapid review of all forces’ response to the inspectorate’s recent report into vetting and counter-corruption. This will make sure Chief Officers are taking the necessary action to remove those who are not fit to serve. The NPCC is asking all forces to conduct a data-washing exercise of their staff against the Police National Database to check for sexual violence and domestic abuse markers on case files.

The Home Secretary has also launched an internal review into police dismissals to make sure the system is effective at removing officers who fall short of the standards expected of them.

February 7, 2023
Victoria Prentis – 2023 Statement on the Prosecution Fee Increase

The statement made by Victoria Prentis, the Attorney General, on 7 February 2023.

Parity of fees paid to prosecution and defence barristers ensures fair representation on both sides of criminal cases.

Like many, I have been concerned to hear reports that on occasion, the CPS has struggled to recruit suitably experienced staff to prosecute complex cases, especially those involving rape and serious sexual offences. Ensuring that victims’ voices are heard requires prosecutors, delivering a core part of this Government’s commitment to breaking down barriers to justice.

That is why it is welcome news the Treasury will provide the Crown Prosecution Service with the additional funding it needs to increase prosecution fees in line with those agreed for defence legal aid fees last year.

This is an issue that I have championed alongside the Bar Council and CPS, and it is an outcome that reflects the importance of a well-functioning justice system.

February 7, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : First-of-its-kind veterans dashboard launched as new census data emerges [February 2023]
The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 7 February 2023.

The Government is stepping up its use of data with a new dashboard showing information about the veteran community.
- Dashboard launched to bring together veterans’ data from different public bodies for the first time.
- Data will be regularly updated, allowing individuals and organisations to monitor progress.
- It comes as the ONS releases more data on the veteran population in England and Wales.
The Government is stepping up its use of data with a new dashboard showing information about the veteran community.

The Veterans Data Dashboard from the Office for Veterans’ Affairs, allows the public to scroll through data in areas such as population, housing, mental health and employment.

The dashboard will provide a snapshot to the public, veterans and service providers so they can learn about the community, as well as the different services offered by the government to support veterans.

It comes as the Office for National Statistics released new data from the 2021 Census on the veteran population. The data covers areas such as age, health, gender and ethnic and religious breakdown.

Minister of Veterans’ Affairs Johnny Mercer said:

In order to step up services for veterans and standardise support across the country, we need a better picture of the community we’re serving.

So it’s a key part of our job at the Office for Veterans’ Affairs to improve the data we have on the veteran community and today shows that we’re making good strides forward.

Data and evidence is at the heart of our veterans policy and I encourage everyone to check out the new dashboard.

The dashboard will be updated regularly as new data emerges and marks another step forward for the Office for Veterans’ Affairs.

Alongside the release of the dashboard, the Office for National Statistics have released further findings and analysis from the 2021 Census. For the first time, the demographic characteristics of our veteran population, including age, gender, nationality and reported health, are revealed.

The data shows that of the total (just over 1.85 million) UK armed forces veteran population in England and Wales, 13.6% were women and 86.4% were men. It also provides insights into the reported health of veterans, with veterans reporting their overall health similarly to the general population, when adjusted for age and gender.

The ONS is working to further analyse the Census 2021 data set, which for the first time included a question on if the respondent was a veteran.
February 7, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Phillip Bowen and Duwayne Brooks appointed as members of the Youth Justice Board [February 2023]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 7 February 2023.

The Secretary of State for Justice has announced the appointments of Duwayne Brooks OBE and Phillip Bowen as members of the Youth Justice Board.

The Deputy Prime Minister, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Rt Hon. Dominic Raab MP, has announced the appointment of Phillip Bowen and Duwayne Brooks as members of the Youth Justice Board (YJB) for a tenure of 3 years. Their appointments will commence on 1 March 2023 and run until 28 February 2026.

YJB is a non-departmental public body, responsible for overseeing the youth justice system in England and Wales. As a non-departmental public body, its primary function is to monitor the operation of the youth justice system and the provision of youth justice services.

Appointments and reappointments to YJB are made by the Secretary of State for Justice and are regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. These appointments have been made in line with the Governance Code on Public Appointments.

Phillip Bowen

Phil Bowen is Director of the Centre for Justice Innovation, leading the organisation and overseeing the implementation of its overarching strategy since 2012. During that time, he has been a policy fellow to 2 Lord Chancellors. Prior to running the Centre, Phil spent the majority of his career in the British civil service, working for the Home Office, Ministry of Justice, and as an adviser on criminal justice reform in the Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit.

Duwayne Brooks OBE

Duwayne is currently the Chair of Trustees at Juvenis, A charity dedicated to improving the lives of young people, diverting those who may be vulnerable to crime, exclusion from school and exploitation. Duwayne has been instrumental in youth engagement within policing for over a decade and was an associate at the College of Policing, working on improving youth engagement within policing at a local level across England and Wales. He has also held roles including member of the Metropolitan Police Stop and Search Strategy, Firearms & Taser Reference Groups as well as a Critical friend on Stop and Search at London Mayor’s Office of Policing and Crime. Duwayne has also served as an elected Councillor on Lewisham Council and spent 4 years as the lead member on the Safer Communities Board at the Local Government Association, leading on policy projects like VAWG, Prevent, Probation, Hate Crime and ASB.

February 7, 2023