Tag: 2023

PRESS RELEASE : Government must now ‘draw a line’ under disgraceful Rwanda scheme [November 2023]

The press release issued by Amnesty International on 15 November 2023.

In response to the Supreme Court unanimous judgment today ruling that the UK Government’s Rwanda policy is unlawful, Sacha Deshmukh, Amnesty International UK’s Chief Executive, said:

“This judgment is vital to protect people seeking asylum in this county, but the Government must now draw a line under a disgraceful chapter in the UK’s political history.

“The deal with Rwanda – a country with a track record of serious human rights violations, including arbitrary detention, torture and the repression of free speech – was massively ill-conceived and cruel.

“It is now time for the Government and the new Home Secretary to not only abandon the idea of doing a deal with Rwanda, but to scrap the underlying policy of refusing to process people’s asylum claims and the Illegal Migration Act that has entrenched that dismal policy.

“This policy has made complete chaos of the UK’s asylum system and this shameful deal has simply exacerbated the mess.

“The only responsible, effective and decent response to this judgement should be to get down to the serious task of fairly and efficiently determining people’s claims.

“The idea that the UK should withdraw from the European Convention to pursue this failed policy is nonsensical and should be immediately binned. The Government should make policies which fit with the law, not fit the law around their policies.”

November 15, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : £267 million to boost local drug and alcohol treatment [November 2023]
The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 13 November 2023.

Every local authority across England to be allocated additional funding to help combat drug and alcohol misuse.
- Funding will boost treatment, helping to cut crime
- Part of government’s landmark 10-year drug strategy to improve quality and access of drug and alcohol treatment by reducing drug use to a 30-year low
Local authorities across England will benefit from almost £267 million of government funding next year to improve drug and alcohol treatment and recovery services.

The funding, which will be rolled out in April 2024, will enable local authorities to:
- recruit more specialised staff to work with people with drug and alcohol problems
- support more prison leavers into treatment and recovery services
- help reduce crime by increasing the number of people receiving structured drug and alcohol treatment, as well as improving the quality of treatment provided, which in turn helps make streets safer by getting people out of drug use addictions which is known to drive offending
Health Minister Neil O’Brien said:

Drug addiction drives about half of all crimes, so by investing in high quality and greater availability of treatment we can reduce crime rates and save lives.

We aim to raise the number of people getting drug and alcohol treatment to a record high by investing through the long-term investment we’ve been making over the last 3 years.

Today’s allocations will see £267 million go directly to local authorities and their partners to improve services, increase capacity and quality of treatment and recovery systems, and is based on the recommendations made by Dame Carol Black in her independent review.

More people will benefit from residential rehabilitation or inpatient detoxification, while improvements to the recovery services will sustain people’s treatment and help to reduce relapse rates.

This funding is in addition to £95.4 million made available in 2022 to 2023 and £154.3 million for this year – with an overall additional investment of £421 million into drug and alcohol treatment since April 2022.

From Harm to Hope, published in December 2021, sets out the government’s 10-year ambition to ensure as many people as possible can get the treatment they need by significantly increasing the number of treatment places and recovery services.

Over the first 3 years of the strategy, the additional investment in treatment and recovery will help prevent nearly 1,000 drug-related deaths – reversing the upward trend in drug deaths for the first time in a decade.

The strategy also sets out that illegal drug use such as heroin and crack addiction are connected to half of all homicides, and nearly half of all burglaries, robberies and other acquisitive crimes. Dame Carol Black’s independent review of drugs found the best way to tackle this issue is by boosting the capacity of the treatment and recovery system.

Professor Dame Carol Black, independent adviser to the government on combating drug misuse, said:

A key aim of my report was to make sure vulnerable people with substance misuse problems can access the support and tools needed to recover and lead full lives.

Today’s allocations of almost £267 million will go directly to local authorities and their partners, meaning they can deliver treatment that is tailored to meet local needs.

The end goal is to get many people into world-class recovery and treatment system, reduce drug use and drug related crime – and ultimately save lives.

Delivering quality treatment provision is core to recovery, and in addition to this significant investment additional grant funding has gone into accommodation and employment support.

The government’s work to clamp down on criminal gangs profiting from the trade in illegal drugs is backed by £300 million investment (over 3 years). Since the County Lines Programme was launched in 2019, police activity has resulted in over 4,700 lines closed, 14,800 arrests and 7,200 safeguarding referrals.

Examples of the work supported in 2023 to 2024 include:
- Lancashire launching a specific service to support women affected by problem alcohol and drug use who are engaged in the criminal justice system. This includes targeted support within police custody suites, enhanced support to help women engage in treatment, and providing safe spaces for women to access mental health support
- Halton further strengthening its investment in its recovery support services and recovery community, including the expansion of its Recovery Café in Widnes – a service user and volunteer led initiative in Widnes, which supports people in their recovery
- in Devon, the local authorities expanding their early support response to young people who have been identified with co-occurring substance use and mental ill health through providing a 7 day a week service. Targeted key workers and specialist nurses will provide rapid assessment of young people admitted to hospital and expediate access to alcohol and drug treatment
- Hartlepool establishing a non-fatal overdose (NFO) team to improve service response to people vulnerable to death. This specialist team proactively engages the community of people identified at higher risk of overdose, as well as accepting referrals for people who have recently experienced an NFO. The team offer brief, intensive interventions aiming to reduce the risk of repeated overdose
This funding is prioritised for areas with the highest need, based on the rates of drug deaths, deprivation, opiate and crack cocaine prevalence and crime, considering of the size of the treatment population.

Alice Wiseman, Policy Lead for Addiction at the Association of Directors of Public Health (ADPH), said:

At a local level, directors of public health and their teams work together with a range of services, including amazing organisations and people from the voluntary and community sector, to deliver effective, life-changing drug and alcohol treatment services.

As well as supporting people to overcome addiction, the programmes we support really empower people by listening to those with lived experience to shape treatment so that it makes a difference not only to individuals, but to the whole community.

We know this work is incredibly valuable, both for individuals and communities, but it does require the long-term commitment of this 10-year strategy. The extra funding announced today is very welcome and will enable us to support more people in this way.

Treatment will be available for a wide range of substances, including heroin, crack, powder cocaine, ecstasy and cannabis – the latter remaining the most common substance (87%) for which young people receive treatment.

This investment should have clear links to support the plans from Combating Drugs Partnerships on how it will reduce drug-related crime, including improving access and take up of quality treatment for those dependent on opiates and crack cocaine.

To support this, the government has targeted work across the criminal justice system to increase referrals, including a new police-led referrals into treatment plan, led by the National Police Chiefs’ Council and supported by the Home Office and Department of Health and Social Care.
November 15, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Deputy Prime Minister reviews national security powers to respond to geopolitical and tech threats [November 2023]
The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 13 November 2023.
Against a backdrop of geopolitical uncertainty, the Deputy Prime Minister is calling for businesses’ feedback about the way the government screens investment to protect the UK’s economic security.

The National Security and Investment Act, which came into force in January 2022, gives the Deputy Prime Minister the power to scrutinise investment and take action to protect assets that are vital to the UK’s national security.

13 November 2023: The Deputy Prime Minister, Oliver Dowden, has today announced the publication of a ‘Call for Evidence’ on potential updates to the National Security & Investment Act to ensure the government’s investment screening powers remain up to date, proportionate and transparent for businesses, while protecting national security.

The ‘Call for Evidence’ will be open for nine weeks and close on 15 January 2024. In this time, the government expects to receive feedback from a variety of stakeholders, including domestic and international businesses, investors, academia, and advisory firms. None of the changes are expected to require primary legislation.

All of the responses will contribute towards an internal review of the government’s investment screening powers, including:

the scope of mandatory notification requirements, to ensure that businesses and investors only need to notify the government about deals that warrant consideration on national security grounds – including the 17 sensitive areas of the economy subject to mandatory notification requirements, such as Artificial Intelligence, to ensure they remain up to date

the notification and assessment processes, to minimise the administrative burden imposed on businesses while ensuring the government gets the information it needs

the content of government guidance, to ensure businesses understand the aims of the National Security & Investment Act and how to comply

The National Security & Investment Act gives the Deputy Prime Minister the power to scrutinise, impose conditions on or block the acquisition of businesses and assets that are vital to the UK’s national security. It has been used in a proportionate and targeted way since coming into force in January 2022.

As set out in the latest figures published in July, the vast majority of businesses have not needed to interact with the investment screening powers at all. Among those who have, the government has been clearing around 93 per cent of notifications without calling in deals for further assessment, allowing investment to flow.

Where necessary and proportionate, the government has issued 17 final orders to impose conditions on or block or unwind specific deals to protect national security.

Rt Hon Oliver Dowden CBE MP, Deputy Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, said:

At a time of rising tensions around the world the UK Government must stay ahead of the game to ensure our legislation to protect economic security keeps pace with rapid technological advances.

At the same time, the best way to foster economic security is through a strong and open economy. That’s why we’ve been using the powers effectively so far, only intervening when absolutely necessary to protect national security. Yet two years on, it’s right that we formally engage with stakeholders to ensure the process remains as frictionless and effective as possible as we take the long-term decisions for the country.

The significance of semiconductors and critical minerals is well established, but their importance has only increased since the NSI Act came into force. That’s why we’re considering carving out these industries into stand alone sectors under the National Security & Investment Act.

I encourage businesses and advisors from any relevant sector, anywhere in the world, to share their experience of the investment screening process.

Nusrat Ghani MP, Minister of State Responsible for the Investment Security Unit, said:

The Deputy Prime Minister and I regularly meet with business leaders from around the world, gathering feedback about the government’s approach to national security and economic investment. Our conversations make it clear that effective national security regulations provide a sure foundation for secure growth.

This Call for Evidence is the natural next step in our engagement with businesses. Against a rapidly changing geopolitical backdrop, I’m pleased that we’re considering ways to ensure the investment screening process remains frictionless for those looking to invest and grow businesses here in the UK.
November 15, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Tribunal Procedure Committee member appointed [November 2023]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 13 November 2023.

The Lord Chancellor, after consultation with the Lord Chief Justice, has announced the appointment of Matthew Jackson as member of the Tribunal Procedure Committee.

The Lord Chancellor has announced the appointment of Matthew Jackson as member of the Tribunal Procedure Committee (TPC) for 3 years from 7 November 2023 to 6 November 2026.

Mr Jackson was called to the bar in 2011, and practises primarily in employment & discrimination and public law from Cloisters Chambers. He is a member of the Industrial Law Society and Employment Lawyers association and has contributed to the Crown Court Compendium.

He has declared no political activity.

The TPC was established, on 19 May 2008, under the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act (TCEA) 2007 to make rules governing practice and procedure in the First-tier and Upper Tribunals. The introduction of the Judicial Review and Courts Act 2022 transferred responsibility for Employment Tribunal and Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) procedure rules to the TPC.

This appointment is made by the Lord Chancellor,and regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments and comply with the Cabinet Office Governance Code on Public Appointments.

November 15, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Foreign Secretary’s meeting with Indian External Affairs Minister, Dr S Jaishankar [November 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 November 2023.

Foreign Secretary David Cameron met Indian External Affairs Minister, Dr S Jaishankar, on 13 November 2023.

A Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office spokesperson said:

For his first bilateral meeting as Foreign Secretary, David Cameron welcomed Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar in London today.

They discussed shared global challenges, including the concerning situation in Israel and Gaza and Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine. In the meeting they also covered the importance of the Indo-Pacific region to global growth and prosperity.

They also reflected on the strength of the UK-India relationship – including meeting the ambition of the UK-India 2030 Roadmap.

The Foreign Secretary and Dr Jaishankar also discussed progressing a free trade agreement and partnerships on defence, science and technology.

November 15, 2023
Rishi Sunak – 2023 Statement on Armistice Day protests

The statement made by Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, on 11 November 2023.

I condemn the violent, wholly unacceptable scenes we have seen today from the EDL and associated groups and Hamas sympathisers attending the National March for Palestine. The despicable actions of a minority of people undermine those who have chosen to express their views peacefully.

Remembrance weekend is a time for us to come together as a nation and remember those who fought and died for our freedoms. What we have seen today does not defend the honour of our Armed Forces, but utterly disrespects them.

That is true for EDL thugs attacking police officers and trespassing on the Cenotaph, and it is true for those singing antisemitic chants and brandishing pro-Hamas signs and clothing on today’s protest. The fear and intimidation the Jewish Community have experienced over the weekend is deplorable.

All criminality must be met with the full and swift force of the law. That is what I told the Met Police Commissioner on Wednesday, that is what they are accountable for and that is what I expect.

I will be meeting the Met Police Commissioner in the coming days.

November 15, 2023
Rishi Sunak – 2023 Message for Diwali

The message issued by Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, on 11 November 2023.

Happy Diwali to all those celebrating around the world and across the UK, and a very happy Bandi Chhor Divas to our friends in the Sikh community.

With the lighting of the Diyas, let this be a moment we can look to the future with hope. My guiding light as Prime Minister is the determination to change things for the better, and as a symbol of the triumph of light over darkness, I believe Diwali is a poignant representation of the endeavour for a brighter tomorrow.

As your first British Asian Prime Minister, and a devout Hindu, I also hope this can be a celebration of the fantastic ethnic and cultural diversity which makes the UK the place it is today.

November 15, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : His Majesty The King to unite nation in annual two-minute silence to remember fallen heroes [November 2023]
The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 11 November 2023.

His Majesty The King will lead the nation, alongside the Prime Minister and defence chiefs, in a two-minute silence to remember those who died in conflict.
Almost 10,000 veterans will march past Cenotaph in tribute to servicemen and women that made the ultimate sacrifice

For the first time veterans of Britain’s nuclear testing programme will wear new medals announced by the Prime Minister to recognise their special service

In the first Remembrance Sunday service since the Coronation in May of this year, His Majesty The King will be joined by Members of The Royal Family, the Prime Minister, senior politicians, defence chiefs and faith leaders to mark the Armistice of the First World War and all other conflicts involving British and Commonwealth forces.

Around 10,000 veterans and 800 Armed Forces personnel members from all three services will march past the Cenotaph on Sunday, with thousands more members of the public expected to line Whitehall in London to pay their respects.

Remembrance Sunday is a time of extraordinary unity as communities gather to remember all those who have died on our behalf and tens of thousands of Armed Forces personnel will take part in Remembrance services and events across the country and around the world, including on operations overseas. The National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph will be broadcast live by the BBC and Sky News.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:

The courage and commitment shown by our servicemen and women, both today and throughout the generations that came before them, is humbling and I know many across the country will be honouring their memory today in quiet reflection.

Recent events have served as a stark reminder that we cannot take the hard-earned peace we live in for granted, which is why I am honoured to lay a wreath on behalf of the nation in the memory of all those that have lost their lives defending our country and the values we hold so close.

I am determined to ensure we never forget the ultimate sacrifice they have made.

Of the 9,910 individuals marching this year, 304 different Armed Forces and civilian organisations will be represented, as well as around 300 veterans not affiliated with an association, who have been invited by The Royal British Legion to march for the first time. Those marching will also include Nuclear Test Veterans who for the first time, will wear a medal acknowledging their important service. The Nuclear Test Medal was announced by the Prime Minister in November 70 years after the first British test of a nuclear weapon, and recognises military, civilian, and overseas staff and personnel who participated in Britain’s nuclear testing programme in the 1950s and 1960s.

Among those marching will be people of all ages – from 100-year-old Second World War veterans through to children of servicemen and women who have died in conflict, with the youngest marcher being just eight years old.

Many of those marching will reflect particularly on conflicts which mark a major anniversary this year, such as the 70th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice Agreement and the 20th anniversary of the start of the UK’s military operations in Iraq.

Among the hundreds of Armed Forces personnel on parade at the Cenotaph will be Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin and the service chiefs of the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said:

As the nation comes together to remember all those who died serving their country, we remember with gratitude the sacrifices of the entire Armed Forces community and thank all those in uniform who protect our country and its way of life.”

Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said:

For the men and women that gave their today for our tomorrow. For the generations before that fought for the freedom of the generation after. For those who stood up, fought for and died to protect our values – today we thank and remember them. I encourage everyone, no matter where you are, to join us in a national two-minute silence in memory of those who served our country.

Remembrance also reminds us of our solemn responsibility to support the entire Armed Forces community all year round. The Office for Veterans’ Affairs has been leading government efforts to make the UK the best country in the world to be a veteran. This includes launching Op FORTITUDE, a new housing pathway earlier this year, and Op COURAGE, a dedicated mental healthcare pathway.

The Defence Secretary has also made it his personal priority to ensure serving personnel are properly supported during their time on active duty. This week the Ministry of Defence will announce the roll out of more than £400 million of improvements to living accommodation for service personnel, including upgrades to more than 4,000 military homes.

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Rt Hon. Johnny Mercer MP, said:

Today we remember those who sacrificed so much for our country and the freedoms we enjoy.

20 years after the start of the Iraq War, I know that during the two minute’s silence at eleven o’clock, I will be remembering in particular those veterans of that conflict, and the contribution they made.

This year is also particularly poignant, as it is the first year our Nuclear Test Veterans will march past the Cenotaph with their new medal.

Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin said:

At the Cenotaph, around the country and on operations overseas, members of the Armed Forces will pause to remember all those who have died in service of their country. The legacy of the fallen lives on in the dedication and duty of today’s Armed Forces.

Philippa Rawlinson, Director of Remembrance at the Royal British Legion said:

Remembrance is about bringing communities and individuals together to honour the sacrifices of the Armed Forces community, past and present.

This year, 60 years on, we are remembering the extraordinary contribution of the millions of National Servicemen conscripted during the post-war years, as well as the sacrifices made by those who served in the Korean War 70 years ago. We also mark the 75th anniversary of the arrival of HMT Empire Windrush and the contribution of the Windrush generation, who travelled from the Caribbean to help rebuild Britain after the Second World War.

Our Armed Forces make sacrifices every day so we can enjoy our freedoms and way of life. This weekend we encourage people to take a moment to reflect and remember their service.
November 15, 2023
Supreme Court – 2023 Decision on Sending Asylum Seekers to Rwanda

The text of the Supreme Court decision on sending asylum seekers to Rwanda, published on 15 November 2023.

Judgement (in .pdf format)

November 15, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : We must see humanitarian pauses that allow enough time for aid into Gaza – UK statement at the UN Security Council [November 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 10 November 2023.

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

I thank the UAE and China for organising this session and our moment of silence earlier. I’d also like to thank Dr Tedros and Dr Jilani, not just for your briefings, but for the life saving work that you and your teams are doing.

Colleagues, we are in no doubt: there is a humanitarian crisis in Gaza. And as Dr Tedros set out, that humanitarian crisis is deteriorating day by day. Of course, we welcome the opening of the Rafah border, and we thank partners for their work in allowing foreign nationals to leave. But it is essential and urgent that more aid flows in the other direction into Gaza.

Access both through Rafah and other crossing points needs to improve so that aid can reach the people who so desperately need it. For this to happen, we must see humanitarian pauses that allow enough time for aid to be delivered to those who need it and for hostages to be released. Fuel must be allowed to enter Gaza so that hospitals and water desalination plants can operate and for aid to be delivered. The pauses in northern Gaza are a first step but any pauses in hostilities should allow sufficient time and security both for civilians to move and for humanitarian aid to be delivered.

Since the 7th of October, the UK has been firm in its support for Israel’s right to self-defence following Hamas terrorist attacks against Israel. In this context, international humanitarian law is not a nice to have. International humanitarian law is what keeps humanitarian workers and medical staff safe to assist those in need and protects civilians and civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, wherever possible. So we urge all parties to the conflict to take all possible steps to minimise harm to civilians, health and humanitarian workers and to protect its sites. And we express our condolences for each life lost.

Finally, Mr President, we have been clear that Israel must do more to prevent escalation in the West Bank. We welcome statements, including that made by Prime Minister Netanyahu, condemning settler violence. But we must see tangible action to bring perpetrators to justice. We also condemn attacks against Israel emanating from armed groups in the region. The UK Foreign Secretary was in Riyadh yesterday where he discussed preventing regional escalation with the foreign ministers and representatives of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Lebanon, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and the Palestinian Authority. The Foreign Secretary also reaffirmed the UK’s unwavering commitment to a two-state solution.

Thank you, President.

November 15, 2023