Tag: 2024

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK Government honours exceptional exporters with prestigious Made in the UK, Sold to the World Awards [April 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK Government honours exceptional exporters with prestigious Made in the UK, Sold to the World Awards [April 2024]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 23 April 2024.

    The Department for Business and Trade has announced the 10 SME winners of the 2024 Made in the UK, Sold to the World Awards.

    • Ten SMEs announced as winners of the 2024 Made in the UK, Sold to the World Awards.
    • Now in their second year, the awards celebrate outstanding small businesses achieving exporting success, as new figures show UK was world’s 4th largest exporter of goods and services in 2022.
    • Winners include SMEs operating across the UK, such as Warner’s Distillery, Munro Vehicles and CIGA Healthcare.

    A family-owned craft drinks B-Corp, an electric vehicle company and a rapid diagnostic tests specialist are among the 2024 winners of the Department for Business and Trade’s Made in the UK, Sold to the World Awards announced today.

    Now in their second year, the awards celebrate the international sales success of small-medium businesses across the UK and provide a stepping stone for further growth and opportunity.

    Winners include Warners Distillery, an independent, family-owned craft drinks producer that creates 100 percent natural, sustainably sourced products crafted from ingredients grown on its farm in Northamptonshire.

    Awarded in the Agriculture, Food and Drink category, the B Corp accredited business’s range of spirits and non-alcoholic drinks are listed in major UK retailers and sold in over 30 countries, including the United States, Australia, China, and nations across mainland Europe.

    The awards come after new figures from the UN’s body that leads on global trade show the UK was the 4th largest exporter of goods and services globally in 2022, moving up from 7th in the rankings in 2021.

    For businesses looking to find out more about how to start selling internationally or to expand their international footprint, the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has a wide range of free guidance, services and experts available to help unlock new opportunities and grow their sales at GREAT.gov.uk.

    Minister for Exports Lord Offord said:

    We’re proud of our British exporters and these Awards highlight some fantastic businesses punching above their weight and selling UK-made products and services around the world.

    I hope the winners serve as inspiration to others looking to get onto the exporting ladder and encourage more businesses to showcase the incredible talent and innovation of UK businesses selling abroad.

    Cabinet Office Minister Ester McVey said:

    Selling overseas is key to driving economic growth across the UK. As part of the GREAT campaign, it’s wonderful to celebrate these businesses who showcase the best of what Britain and Northern Ireland have to offer the world.

    The winning businesses have been drawn from a diverse range of 12 sectors across 10 categories: Agriculture, Food and Drink; Creative Industries; Education & EdTech; Financial Services and FinTech; Retail & Consumer Goods; Consultancy & Professional Services; Healthcare; Infrastructure & Engineering; Low Carbon Energy; and Manufacturing, Advanced Manufacturing & Construction.

    In the Low Carbon Energy category, Glasgow-based Munro Vehicles was recognised for its next-generation, fully electric commercial vehicles that are designed to help essential but carbon-intensive industries transition to net zero. The company, which exported to 16 countries in 2023, plans to move to a new purpose-built site near Glasgow later in the year, creating up to 300 jobs.

    The Healthcare winners are pioneers CIGA Healthcare, a leading UK company specialising in rapid diagnostic tests including fertility tests, blood pressure monitors and blood glucose monitors. CIGA Healthcare’s products are supplied to national health services and international brands, such as Walmart and AmerisourceBergen, and the company’s international reach extends to over 80 countries, including the United States, the United Arab Emirates, Australia, Canada, and nations across South America.

    Within each category, three additional businesses were also awarded highly commended status for their inspiring business stories and exporting prowess.

    Marco Forgione, Director General of The Institute of Export & International Trade (IOE&IT) and judge on the panel for this year’s awards, commented:

    The calibre of businesses that entered across all categories has been incredibly high and selecting a winner has been a tough job. We are delighted to offer an IOE&IT membership to these winners alongside the businesses that are highly commended and look forward to working with this year’s companies, helping them to grow and expand through international trade.

    These awards provide an important opportunity to recognise and celebrate the global trade success stories of small businesses from all Nations and regions – and we hope these winners will inspire even more budding business owners.

    The evidence continues to tell us that businesses that trade internationally are more sustainable, more resilient, more innovative, employ more people and, ultimately, are more profitable. So, it is vital that these businesses are supported in their exporting journeys and that their success stories are celebrated.

    In 2021, DBT launched the ‘Made in the UK, Sold to the World’ campaign to celebrate exporting success from across the UK and tell businesses’ stories. The awards programme builds on this to further recognise and celebrate the global trading success of SMEs from across the UK.

    Winning businesses receive an invitation to an evening Parliamentary Reception and receive a year’s free membership with the Institute of Export and International Trade (IOE&IT). They will also win a digital badge, physical certificate and trophy and enjoy promotional activity across DBT channels, including individual profiles to share their export success.

    This year’s winners include:

    Agriculture, Food and Drink – Warner’s Distillery

    Warner’s Distillery is the world’s leading premium farm-born spirits gin producer.  Created and run by Tom & Tina Warner, Warner’s Distillery sits in the rolling hills of Northamptonshire. Since launching in 2012, Tom & Tina have built an expert team, producing unique spirits, elegantly crafted from ingredients grown on the farm such as elderflower, angelica, verbena and lavender. They became B Corp accredited in Summer 2022.

    Creative Industries – Media Bodies

    Media Bodies is a Performance Influencer Marketing Agency focusing on YouTube, Podcast, TikTok, Instagram, Twitch, and Experiential Marketing. Having started with a focus on the gaming industry, Media Bodies now works across industries including tech, retail, ecommerce, beauty, fashion, wellness, and more. Media Bodies’ client roster is in close to 20 countries around the world.

    Education & EdTech – SimVenture

    Used by education institutions and workplace training providers in over 20 countries, SimVenture digital software products enable educators and trainers to bring business learning to life. By providing business and entrepreneurship learning tools, learners are able to make decisions, deal with consequences, and work in a highly engaging and authentic way.

    Financial Services and FinTech – Mosaic Smart Data

    Mosaic Smart Data is a data analytics software company providing solutions to the global financial services industry. Its product uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to help its customers better understand and service their own customers.  The business model is primarily a SaaS subscription software license model, where customers are offered a cloud-hosted, fully managed solution. Exports have been central to Mosaic’s growth. The company has customers on every continent and over 70 percent of its paying customers are international, generating approximately 70 percent of total revenue.

    Retail & Consumer Goods – PG Paper Company Ltd

    PG Paper is a global, award-winning pulp, paper and board company that creates markets and solutions to enable trade for paper and packaging products worldwide. It has experienced exponential growth and is now one of Scotland’s largest trading companies, operating in over 60 countries with multiple global offices.

    Intralink is an international business development consultancy. It helps companies to expand in Asia, Europe and North America, corporates to innovate through global collaboration, and governments to grow their exports and attract foreign investment. Intralink has 120 employees across 15 offices, with 23 in the UK. Over its 34-year history, it has helped more than 1,500 companies secure deals worth around £600 million.

    Healthcare – CIGA Healthcare

    CIGA Healthcare Ltd operates in the International Rapid Test Diagnostic sector, including both electronic equipment and reagent tests. It supplies both the professional and consumer markets in its SURESIGN brand as well as in customer “own label” brands. It supplies national health services and international brands, such as Walmart and Walgreens.

    Infrastructure & Engineering – Autoflame Engineering

    Autoflame Engineering manufactures industry-leading commercial and industrial combustion management and monitoring solutions. It empowers its customers to reduce their fuel and maintenance costs, substantially lower emissions and remain compliant with environmental regulations.  Autoflame Engineering is family-owned and distributes through a network of 110+ Technology Centres around the world.  It boasts an impressive 46 patents.

    Low Carbon Energy – Munro Vehicles

    Munro Vehicles, based in Glasgow, is a designer and manufacturer of fully electric commercial vehicles, exporting to Europe. Their mission is to develop and deliver next-generation zero-emission vehicles that help essential but carbon-intensive industries transition to net zero.

    Manufacturing, Advanced Manufacturing and Construction – IceMos Technology

    IceMOS Technology is a privately held semiconductor technology corporation and manufacturer of a new class of MEMS based power and sensing advanced semiconductor technologies. This serves wide-ranging applications anywhere that power efficiency and sensing matters. The company has a manufacturing centre of excellence located in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

    This year’s highly commended businesses include:

    Agriculture, Food and Drink

    Highly Commended: Doughlicious – The London Dough Co.

    Doughlicious is a “Better for You” cookie dough platform. The Doughlicious brand is present in the frozen, chilled and ambient categories throughout retailers and food service. All its cookie dough is gluten-free and manufactured in our its factory in London, which runs on renewable electricity. The product lines consist of ready-to-bake cookie dough, cookie dough and gelato bites and baked ready-to-eat cookies.

    Highly Commended: LoveRaw

    LoveRaw is the plant-based chocolate brand; free from palm oil and artificial ingredients, creating indulgent vegan versions of the nation’s favourite chocolate bars. Husband-and-wife team Rimi and Manav Thapar launched LoveRaw, a B-Corp Certified business, in 2013.

    Highly Commended: Wootzano

    Wootzano is a British state-of-the-art robotics company based in Sedgefield, northeast of England. Their highly dexterous robotic system, Avaraia, is crafted to meet the needs of the post-harvest industry by supplementing a struggling workforce in the packing of delicate, soft produce.

    Creative Industries

    Highly Commended:  Sixteen South

    Sixteen South is focussed on the creation of the highest quality television for kids in every country across the world.   Sixteen South creates, produces and distributes its own unique and original content from their studios with the ambition that they’re seen by every child in every home in every country across the world.  Their shows air on the leading networks and broadcasters in over 160 countries across the globe.

    Highly Commended: Katapult

    Katapult is an award-winning themed attractions and experiences design company that amaze and engage visitors globally. Its work is enjoyed by 95 million visitors, at 120 attractions, in 26 different countries, every year. It works alongside the biggest names in the leisure industry to create theme parks, themed resorts, experience and visitor attractions, including The LEGO Group, Merlin Entertainments, Warner Bros Discovery, Ferrari and many more. Katapult is a B-Corp certified business.

    Highly Commended: Wales Interactive

    Wales Interactive is a multi-award-winning indie video games and interactive movie developer, publisher and investor. As well as creating our own in-house titles, we have evolved into a publishing label collaborating with some of the most talented game developers and film makers across the globe to help bring their original creations to gaming platforms.

    Education & EdTech

    Highly Commended: TransformELT Ltd

    TransformELT is an English Language Teaching consultancy enabling individuals, institutions and education systems to define, design and meet their development goals by building progressive strategies for change.  Launched in 2017, TransformELT has taken part in a succession of high-profile projects in 44 countries.

    Highly Commended: International Dyslexia Learnings Solutions Ltd

    International Dyslexia Learning Solutions provides specialist multi-sensory software to schools in the UK and around the world. Our goal is to provide learning support to those most in need and our software is used by thousands of learners across the globe.   IDL Literacy dramatically increases reading and spelling ages for those with dyslexia or low literacy ability.

    Highly Commended: Learning with Experts

    Learning with Experts is an online learning platform, uniting enthusiastic learners with leading experts in diverse subjects like gardening, photography, and Food. The courses are enriched through partnerships with the Royal Horticultural Society and River Cottage, and focus on interactive, community-centric education.

    Financial Services and FinTech

    Highly Commended: Exus

    EXUS helps Financial Institutions and Utilities improve their debt collection results through state-of-the-art technology. EFS (EXUS Financial Suite) is the main product offered and this is a comprehensive suite of software products that manage credit risk along the whole lifecycle of accounts.

    Highly Commended:  Tapoly

    Tapoly is an award-winning Insurtech providing business insurance for SMEs and freelancers. Winner of Technological Development at the European Business Awards 2021 and Insurance Broker of the Year at the British Business Awards 2023, Tapoly provides a comprehensive list of insurance products to cater for businesses of all sizes, including the gig economy.

    Highly Commended: Konsentus

    Konsentus provides specialist advisory services and technology solutions to support the national implementation of open finance ecosystems. Subject matter experts, Konsentus advisors have a proven track record in navigating complex, multi-stakeholder ecosystems and understanding individual regulatory and market requirements. Konsentus’ award-winning technology powers national open finance infrastructures. Modular and scalable by design, our trust infrastructure solutions are tailored to individual market requirements, enabling ecosystem participants to seamlessly identify each other and interact within a safe and trusted environment.  Founded in 2018, Konsentus is active across 37 markets and counts many of the largest global financial institutions as clients.

    Retail & Consumer Goods

    Highly Commended: Katy Sue Designs

    Katy Sue Designs is an award-winning British company specialising in crafting innovative food safe silicone moulds and unique paper craft products. Proudly manufacturing in the UK, Katy Sue Designs brings an exceptional range of die-cut, foiled paper crafts, stickers, and more.

    Highly Commended: Urban Apothecary London Limited

    Urban Apothecary London started life at the kitchen table in 2012 as founder and perfumer-alchemist Tajinder Banwait MBE sat surrounded by aromatic botanicals spilling from beautiful bottles and her notebook of scent stories. This modern apothecary British brand is fuelled by a passion for blending flowers, fruits, resins and woods in unconventional, contemporary ways.

    Highly Commended: Captain Fawcett Ltd

    Founded in 2010 by Richard Finney, Captain Fawcett Ltd is an international lifestyle brand specialising in First Class Gentlemans Grooming Requisites. The company was established after Richards Moustache Wax, initially crafted for personal use, won acclaim among film industry professionals.

    Consultancy & Professional Services

    Highly Commended: Luminance

    Built on a proprietary legal Large Language Model (LLM), Luminance’s specialised legal co-pilot uses next-generation AI to automate the generation, negotiation and analysis of contracts. Developed by world-leading AI experts, validated by leading lawyers, and in use by over 600 customers in 70 countries, Luminance’s ‘legal-grade’ AI is a key component of any legal team.

    Highly Commended: People 1st International

    People 1st International partners with industry, development banks, government agencies, NGOs and education providers to create sustainable approaches to workforce development. Providing consultancy, research and training solutions globally, it develops skilled, productive and inclusive workforces to help drive social and economic growth.

    Highly Commended: EECO2

    EECO2 works with global life science organisations – empowering them to reach their decarbonisation targets ahead of promised deadlines through proven energy efficiency and sustainability initiatives. It works across the globe with the smallest and largest pharma organisations to decarbonise their operations.

    Healthcare

    Highly Commended: Dulas Ltd

    For over 40 years, Dulas has been a pioneer in renewable energy. Its mission is to develop and implement renewable energy solutions that improve lives, help to combat climate change, and support communities in the most rural parts of the world.

    Highly Commended: Chemian Technology

    Chemian Technology Limited (CTL) has developed, patented and now makes almost all its income from a naturally derived, but highly effective insect repellent active substance, that it supplies to producers of consumer insect repellent brands under its general Trade Name of Citrepel.

    Highly Commended: Evenly Ltd

    Evenly Bra Balancers are for all those with uneven breasts, no matter what the cause. Breast asymmetry, where there is a noticeable difference in the size of the breasts, affects up to 90% of women. Multiple studies have shown the damaging effects this can have on a woman’s self-esteem, mental health, physical comfort and quality of life and researchers repeatedly stress that this is more than just a cosmetic issue. Evenly’s silicone breast forms offer a non-surgical, affordable and natural-looking solution.

    Infrastructure & Engineering

    Highly Commended: Inciner8

    Inciner8 manufactures cutting-edge incinerators for diverse customers and applications in more than 180 countries. Inciner8 has been built on one simple principle: well-designed incinerators, suitable for installation anywhere, providing a safe, environmentally responsible, and convenient form of waste disposal.

    Highly Commended: Xrail Group Ltd

    Xrail is an international rail engineering solutions provider delivering turnkey multi-disciplinary signalling, telecommunications, overhead line (OLE) and trackside civils engineering services.

    Highly Commended: Belzona Ltd

    Belzona designs and manufactures polymeric repair and protection materials for industry. Across its 72-year history, the Business has engineered an extensive portfolio of solutions that prolong the asset-life in an ever-growing number of industries, thereby reducing the need for replacement. This mitigates not just the financial costs of replacing equipment, but also the harmful environmental consequences.

    Low Carbon Energy – Munro Vehicles

    Highly Commended: Silverstream Technologies

    Silverstream Technologies is a market-leading maritime clean technology company specialising in hull air lubrication. The company is headquartered in London with offices in Shanghai. The Silverstream® System reduces frictional resistance between the water and the ship’s hull, reducing average net fuel consumption and GHG emissions. They export to all corners of the world including Japan, China, Dubai and Europe.

    Highly Commended: Rosehill Polymers Group

    Based in Sowerby Bridge, Rosehill Polymers Group specialises in creating innovative infrastructure products from recycled tyre rubber. Rosehill has a global reach and export their products to over 40 countries.

    Highly Commended: Clearly

    Together Global Ltd. (trading as Clearly) is a data-driven mobility emissions platform which offers net-zero solutions for decarbonising road transportation. It integrates diverse data sources, like vehicle/GPS data, operations/shipments data, fuel & energy data, financial data, and sustainability regulations, to provide a unified view and calculates accurate fleet emission/energy intensity. They currently export to US, Norway and Thailand.

    Manufacturing, Advanced Manufacturing and Construction

    Highly Commended: I Holland Ltd

    I Holland has been specialising in superior quality punches and dies for the pharmaceutical industry for over 75 years, making us the longest established tool manufacturer in the world.

    Highly Commended:  Vikoma International Limited

    Vikoma designs and manufactures oil-spill response, industrial clean up and environmental protection equipment, with a reputation for innovation, quality and reliability.  The company provides products and services to various industries and has solutions for all scenarios; offshore oil & gas, ports and harbours, shoreline, refinery & petrochemical and onshore.

    Highly Commended:  Silson Ltd

    Silson is a manufacturer of ultra-thin films, specialising in silicon nitride, silicon carbide and silicon membranes, as well as more advanced, customer-specified products. Our products are used during scientific research experiments and often in equipment on beam-lines.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak call with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine [April 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak call with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine [April 2024]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 23 April 2024.

    The Prime Minister spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy this morning, to assure him of the UK’s steadfast support for Ukraine’s defence against Russia’s brutal and expansionist ambitions.

    He confirmed that the UK would provide an additional £500 million in immediate funding to support the highest priority capabilities, including further ammunition, air defence and drones – taking our support this year to £3 billion.

    The Ministry of Defence would also make our largest-ever single commitment of military equipment to help Ukraine fight back across land, sea and air – including 60 boats, more than 400 vehicles and over 1,600 missiles.

    President Zelenskyy thanked the Prime Minister for the UK’s continued support, saying the new military assistance would make a material difference to ordinary Ukrainians fighting on the frontline to defend their country.

    Ahead of a visit to Poland and Germany, the Prime Minister reiterated that Ukraine’s security was central to all of Europe’s security. He said the UK would continue to work to galvanise the international community to support Ukraine’s defence.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak meeting with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg [April 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak meeting with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg [April 2024]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 23 April 2024.

    The Prime Minister met NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg in Warsaw today.

    He set out the UK’s historic plan to steadily increase defence spending to 2.5% and fire up our national defence industrial production, ensuring we remain the foremost military power in Europe and a core contributor to NATO operations.

    The Prime Minister and Secretary-General discussed the growing threat from autocratic countries like Russia and Iran, which were increasingly aligned and assertive. They agreed on the importance of all NATO countries stepping up and keeping pace to support our collective defence, as well as industrial cooperation across the alliance.

    The Prime Minister said supporting Ukraine’s defence was also central to Europe’s security, and they discussed progress towards Ukraine’s membership of NATO. The Prime Minister looked forward to discussing this further at the NATO Washington Summit in July, and he invited the Secretary-General to attend the UK-hosted European Political Community Summit.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Criminal armed gangs cannot be allowed to hold Haiti hostage: UK statement at the UN Security Council [April 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Criminal armed gangs cannot be allowed to hold Haiti hostage: UK statement at the UN Security Council [April 2024]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 22 April 2024.

    Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council meeting on Haiti.

    Thank you, President. I thank SRSG Salvador, Executive Director Waly, and Executive Director Russell for briefing us today. And I also welcome the participation of the Permanent Representative of Haiti as well as the Foreign Minister Álvarez Gil of the Dominican Republic.

    I would like to express our gratitude to SRSG Salvador and her team for their steadfast commitment to the Haitian people during these difficult times. We pay tribute to the UN’s efforts, especially the establishment of a humanitarian airbridge to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian supplies and personnel.

    President, we commend the courage of the Haitian national police.  Criminal armed gangs cannot be allowed to hold the country hostage and to continue this appalling violence against the Haitian people. There are continued reports of indiscriminate killing, burning of camps for internally displaced people, and sexual and gender-based violence. We hear chilling accounts of girls facing collective rape by gangs on their way to school. No child should have to choose between their personal safety and education.

    We are calling on all those with influence over the gangs to rein them in now, for the good of the Haitian people. And we should use our UN sanctions regime to change the behaviour of those who are destabilising Haiti. The United Kingdom will continue to work with all Council members to this end.

    A political solution remains critical to resolving this crisis. We commend the efforts of CARICOM to secure an agreement on a new power-sharing transitional government. This transitional government should be in place as soon as possible to begin its work towards inclusive, free, and fair legislative and presidential elections.

    President, the United Kingdom will continue to support the rapid deployment of the Multinational Security Support Mission to help deliver the security the Haitian people deserve. We thank Kenya for leading these efforts and thank all countries that have contributed personnel and funds. These efforts are critical, and the United Kingdom has pledged over $6 million dollars to the UN Trust Fund.

    Thank you.

  • PRESS RELEASE : North Korea ballistic missile launch on 22 April – FCDO statement [April 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : North Korea ballistic missile launch on 22 April – FCDO statement [April 2024]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 22 April 2024.

    Following North Korea’s ballistic missile launch on Monday 22 April, an FCDO spokesperson gave a statement.

    An FCDO spokesperson said:

    North Korea’s ballistic missile launch on 22 April is another breach of multiple UN Security Council resolutions (UNSCRs). Unlawful ballistic missile launches continue to destabilise the peace and security of the Korean Peninsula.

    The UK strongly urges North Korea to stop such provocations, return to dialogue and take credible steps towards denuclearisation.

  • PRESS RELEASE : The UK is a long-standing supporter of Kosovo’s sovereignty and independence: UK statement at the UN Security Council [April 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : The UK is a long-standing supporter of Kosovo’s sovereignty and independence: UK statement at the UN Security Council [April 2024]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 22 April 2024.

    Statement by UK Political Coordinator Fergus Eckersley at the UN Security Council meeting on Kosovo.

    Let me say at the outset that the UK welcomes the clear commitments to peace and dialogue that we heard today from both Serbia and Kosovo. Despite the differences, we believe that is the only approach that can bring stability and prosperity to the region.

    President, the UK is a long-standing supporter of Kosovo’s sovereignty and independence. We commend the government’s efforts to strengthen the rule of law and welcome the implementation of the 2016 Constitutional Court ruling on the Decani Monastery’s property.

    This commitment to reform brought Kosovo a step closer to realising its aspiration to join the Council of Europe. This will bring tangible benefits for all of Kosovo’s citizens. The UK looks forward to working with Kosovo on the next steps towards a positive decision by the Committee of Ministers.

    Yet the absence of a comprehensive and conclusive normalisation agreement between Kosovo and Serbia continues to have negative implications across the region.

    While we welcome the progress in December on the energy roadmap and licence plates, fundamental issues remain unresolved. We encourage both sides to engage constructively in the EU-facilitated Dialogue, delivering on their respective obligations, including establishing an Association of Serb-Majority Municipalities.

    This needs to be accompanied by a commitment to build a conducive environment for further progress on the Dialogue.

    In our view, three factors are particularly important:

    First, this means Kosovo should exercise its sovereign powers in a way which reflects its multiethnic population, demonstrating sufficient regard for Kosovo’s non-majority communities. We urge the parties to work with EUSR to identify technical solutions to ongoing challenges around the implementation of the new regulation on foreign currencies.

    Second, it means Srpska Lista and other Kosovo-Serb political actors should not stand in the way of Kosovo-Serbs exercising their democratic rights and having their voices heard. We believe that the boycott of the mayoral recall votes in the four northern municipalities yesterday has only left us further away from restoring the representative democracy that the local population deserves.

    And finally, it means justice for any, and all, violence. Serbia should ensure that the perpetrators of the shocking events in Banjska last September, and the attacks on NATO KFOR personnel last May, are held to account.

    And in that context, as a long-standing supporter of international action and accountability for victims of conflict-related sexual violence, let me on behalf of the UK salute the immense courage of all those who speak out about their own personal experiences.

    In closing, I’d like to express the UK’s gratitude to the Special Representative and all Mission staff who have contributed to UNMIK’s work over the last 25 years.

    With conditions on the ground now unrecognisable from 1999, we believe it is a good moment for the Council to review UNMIK’s role and responsibilities. This will ensure it can continue to effectively support security, stability and human rights in Kosovo, in a way that reflects the world of 2024.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Post Office Offences Bill to be extended to Northern Ireland [April 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Post Office Offences Bill to be extended to Northern Ireland [April 2024]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 22 April 2024.

    • Legislation introduced to automatically quash convictions relating to the Horizon scandal to be extended to Northern Ireland.
    • Affected postmasters across the UK will have the option of accepting a fixed sum offer of £600,000 after their conviction is quashed.
    • Comes as £190 million paid to over 2,800 victims so far.

    The Government has today [Monday 22 April] tabled amendments to expand the territorial extent of the Post Office Offences Bill. Convictions resulting from the Post Office Horizon scandal in Northern Ireland will now be within scope.

    This blanket exoneration will automatically quash convictions brought about by the scandal, including 26 in Northern Ireland, clearing the names of many people who have had their lives ruined.

    As in England and Wales, convictions in Northern Ireland will need to meet a set of criteria before they are quashed, including:

    • Prosecutions brought about by the state prosecutor or the police.
    • Offences carried out in connection with Post Office business between 1996 and 2018.
    • Were for relevant offences such as theft, fraud and false accounting.
    • Were against sub-postmasters, their employees, officers, family members or direct employees of the Post Office working in a Post Office that used the Horizon system software.

    Postal Affairs Minister Kevin Hollinrake said:

    We always carefully consider the territorial extent of each piece of legislation and are rigorous in our commitment to devolution. However, it has become apparent that the Northern Ireland Executive does not have the ability to rapidly address the 26 convictions known to be within its purview.

    It has become clear that postmasters in Northern Ireland could have their convictions quashed significantly later than those who were convicted in England and Wales, which would be unacceptable.

    This follows the decision to introduce landmark legislation – which is making its way through parliament – to quash the convictions of hundreds of innocent sub-postmasters wrongly convicted as a result of the Horizon scandal. This will speed up the financial redress process – where we are offering a £600,000 fixed sum which can be administered quickly for those who accept it.

    Secretary of State, Chris Heaton-Harris, said:

    I am pleased that the Post Office Horizon legislation will be amended to include Northern Ireland. I’ve been speaking to Minister Hollinrake, the Northern Ireland First Minister, Deputy First Minister and Justice Minister about this important issue regularly.

    It’s clear that, in the context of a recently restored Executive and Assembly, adding Northern Ireland to this Bill is the best way to deliver justice for the victims as quickly as possible.

    That is alongside plans to enhance the financial redress for postmasters who were not convicted, or part of legal action against the Post Office, but who still suffered considerably due to Horizon failures. These individuals, also known as the Horizon Shortfall Scheme cohort, will have the option to receive a fixed sum payment of £75,000.

    Scotland has an historically separate legal jurisdiction to England and Wales, and the Lord Advocate and Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal service had a unique role in respect of prosecutions in Scotland. Additionally, the Scottish Government do not have the same kind of obligations to consult on new legislation as in Northern Ireland or challenges resulting from the NI Assembly not sitting for nearly two years.

    The Scottish Government has already indicated that they are bringing forward legislation and the UK Government will continue to support them in developing their proposals to overturn all convictions relating to the Horizon scandal.

    Regardless of the UK jurisdiction in which convictions are quashed, claimants will be entitled to financial redress which will be delivered on a UK-wide basis by the Department for Business and Trade.

    Notes to Editors

    • The Post Office Offences Bill continues its passage through Parliament, with Committee in the House of Commons scheduled for Monday 29 April. It is expected to receive Royal Assent as soon as possible before Summer recess, when all convictions in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will automatically be quashed.
    • In total, the Government has paid out £190 million to over 2,800 Post Office victims.
    • This includes:
    • £39 million paid out to members of the GLO scheme.
    • £111 million offered to those in the HSS scheme.
    • £41 million paid out to those in the Overturned Convictions scheme, with 103 convictions now overturned.
  • PRESS RELEASE : Government launches fund to help farmers manage water resources [April 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Government launches fund to help farmers manage water resources [April 2024]

    The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 22 April 2024.

    Fund will help groups of farmers investigate how they can better manage water for use in time of drought, helping to safeguard food security.

    Groups of farmers will be offered support to work together to store water and protect against the impact of drought through a new fund launched by the government today (Monday 22 April).

    The £1.6 million fund will be used by farmers to investigate different methods to manage water in their area. Projects could include multi-farm reservoirs, treated waste-water recycling systems, water trading and sharing schemes.

    The fund will support around 20 studies and will also investigate water demand and availability in the most water-stressed agricultural areas over the next 25-year period.

    It delivers on the Prime Minister’s commitment at last year’s Farm to Fork Summit to support farmers to identify local water resource schemes which will help to build resilience into the water supply, support food production and safeguard food security.

    Applications open today with groups of two or more neighbouring farms eligible to apply. The closing date for applications is 23:59 on 16 June.

    Water Minister Robbie Moore said:

    Water is our most valuable resource, and we want to support farmers to come together to manage it efficiently on their land.

    By storing water when it’s wet, they’ll have more to use when it’s dry – helping to support food production and boost the resilience of farm businesses across the country.

    Philip Duffy, Chief Executive of the Environment Agency, said:

    Climate change, increased demand, and the need to protect the environment mean that up to 5bn extra litres of water will be needed in England every day by 2050.

    By working together, farmers can make a huge positive impact in improving our use of water resources, making sure they have water to use in times of drought and safeguarding our food security.

    The fund will help to identify opportunities to build on the success of existing projects, including:

    • Felixstowe Hydrocycle – a multi-farm project currently repurposing more than 0.5 million tonnes of excess land drainage water per year – the equivalent of more than 225 Olympic swimming pools which would otherwise be lost to sea, for agricultural irrigation on six farms.
    • Lincoln Water Transfer – a member organisation where 19 farms share a single abstraction licence to take water from Fossdyke Navigation to irrigate 4,600 hectares of land – using a pool system to allocate water which creates greater flexibility in land and water use.

    The Environment Agency will also use the fund to work with stakeholders such as farmers, landowners and Water Abstractor Groups to safeguard a healthy farming sector in future and highlight the needs of agriculture in Regional Water Resources Plans.

    The funding builds on existing support from government to help farmers make efficient use of water resources – such as the Water Management Grant – as well as setting strict targets for water companies to deliver a 50% reduction in leakage from 2017/18 levels by 2050.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Millions to take home more cash as new guidance on Tipping is published [April 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Millions to take home more cash as new guidance on Tipping is published [April 2024]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 22 April 2024.

    The government’s Tipping Act is a step closer to coming into force, as today the Code of Practice is published and laid before Parliament. The new Code of Practice will protect the tips of more than 2 million workers giving them a fair share of the tips received by a company.

    • Tipping Act is a step closer to coming into force as Code of Practice is published and laid before Parliament.
    • New Code of Practice will protect the tips of more than 2 million workers giving them a fair share of the tips received by a company.
    • Workers will be able to view an employer’s tipping policy, their tipping records and will be able to use the Code as evidence in an employment tribunal.

    Millions of UK workers are set to take home an estimated £200 million more of their hard-earned cash, as landmark legislation on tipping took a step towards coming into force.

    Today, Government introduced the Code of Practice on the fair and transparent distribution of tips that will have legal effect under the Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act 2023.

    The updated Code of Practice will be statutory and have legal effect, meaning it can be introduced as evidence in an employment tribunal.

    The Act and secondary legislation make it unlawful for businesses to hold back service charges from their employees, ensuring staff receive all of the tips they have earned. The measures are expected to come into force on 1st October 2024, once they have been approved by Parliament.

    Alongside the updated Code of Practice, we have also published the formal Government response to the public consultation which sets out the feedback received during the consultation, the Government’s response and next steps.

    Many hospitality workers rely on tips to top up their pay and are often left powerless if businesses don’t pass on service charges from customers to their staff.

    This overhaul of tipping practices is set to benefit more than 2 million UK workers across the hospitality, leisure and services sectors helping to ease cost of living pressures and give them peace of mind that they will keep their hard-earned money.

    Business and Trade Minister Kevin Hollinrake said:

    It is not right for employers to withhold tips from their hard-working employees.

    Whether you are cutting hair or pulling a pint, this government’s legislation which will protect the tips of workers and give consumers confidence that when they leave a tip, it goes to the hardworking members of staff.

    The secondary legislation laid today reinforces our commitment to legally protecting our low paid workers and ensuring a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work.

    CEO of Tipjar, Ben Thomas said:

    Hospitality and service industries are part of the fabric of our culture and a cornerstone of our economy.

    We are honoured to have consulted with the Department of Business and Trade as they have developed this important Code of Practice clarifying employers’ responsibilities as they pass tips to their hard-working teams.

    As a business that exists to help employers distribute tips on the same principles of fairness and transparency, we are confident that this Act will support millions of tipped workers across the UK, and level the playing field for businesses across these sectors. We’re excited to support employers in leveraging the opportunities this will present, as we build a more fair and transparent future.

    These measures follow a series of wins for workers after a record National Minimum Wage uplift and boosts to employment protections for parents and unpaid carers, as well as giving all employees easier access to flexible working.

    Notes to Editors

    • The Code and Practice and consultation response can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/distributing-tips-fairly-draft-statutory-code-of-practice
    • The Government strongly believes that tips, gratuities and service charges should go to workers, rather than employers. Tips are intended to reward staff for hard work and good service, and they should be distributed fairly and transparently. The Government has made this clear since announcing its intention to legislate on this and confirming its support of this Private Members’ Bill.
    • The new measures on tipping are expected to come into force on 01 October, once parliamentary approval has been secured. The Government has delayed this implementation due to extenuating circumstances. We remain committed to protecting workers’ rights, and we also wish to ensure employers have enough time to prepare.
    • We encourage all businesses to follow the new requirements immediately, before they come into legal effect.
    • If someone is concerned that they’re not being paid the correct wage, they should speak to their employer. If the problem is not resolved, they can contact Acas (the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) by phoning 0300 123 1122,
    • These new measures will apply to England, Scotland and Wales. Employment policy is devolved to Northern Ireland.
    • These new measures apply to all industries.
    • Tips cannot be used to count towards minimum wage pay – this has been the case since 2009.
  • PRESS RELEASE : UK and Saudi Arabia to host major trade expo [April 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK and Saudi Arabia to host major trade expo [April 2024]

    The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 22 April 2024.

    The Deputy Prime Minister will lead a 300+ strong delegation to the Saudi GREAT FUTURES flagship event in Riyadh on 14 and 15 May 2024.

    • This event launches a year-long campaign to drive business engagement between the UK and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
    • GREAT FUTURES will encourage trade and promote UK business, education and culture to a Saudi Arabian audience of senior Government and business figures.

    In partnership with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Government, the UK Government’s GREAT Britain and Northern Ireland campaign is holding a major business, tourism and cultural expo in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on 14 and 15 May 2024.

    The flagship event will host around 750 delegates for a two-day exposition in Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD). The Deputy Prime Minister, Oliver Dowden, will spearhead a 300+ strong British delegation which will showcase the best of UK excellence and innovation.

    GREAT FUTURES flagship event is the launch for a 12-month campaign to highlight UK expertise and capability in sectors that support Saudi Arabia’s ‘Vision 2030’.

    Vision 2030 is the Saudi government’s strategy to diversify the economy, boost productivity, and strengthen competitiveness. Its flagship programme, including five lead ‘giga projects’, will attract $3 trillion investment by 2030 to build the industries of the future, while also serving as a showcase of the nation’s geographical richness, cultural heritage, hospitality, business dynamism, and commitment to social inclusion, and environmental sustainability.

    The UK has advanced specialist expertise in these industries and its delegation will include senior business leaders from across the UK which represent key sectors including tourism, education, clean tech, trade, insurance, fashion, architecture, sport and culture.

    Deputy Prime Minister, Oliver Dowden, commented:

    GREAT FUTURES will be an important opportunity to forge partnerships for the future between the UK’s most creative and innovative companies and their Saudi business and Government counterparts.

    I’m delighted to be leading such a talented delegation to this landmark event. From emerging technologies to academia the UK has an exceptional skill base to share with the world.

    Our two nations work closely on security and energy. We look forward to strengthening those connections in new areas that feed the Vision 2030 agenda.

    The UK and Saudi Arabia have a deep historic relationship, based on a long history of working together diplomatically and strong economic and commercial links.

    The event will focus primarily on two areas of collaboration between the UK and Saudi Arabia:

    • Innovation in research collaboration, disruptive technologies, emerging clean tech, finance and sustainable construction
    • Quality of Life sectors, encompassing art, fashion, media, education, sport, architecture and tourism

    The government is ensuring that businesses can seize the opportunities of Brexit, which is why we’re doing trade deals around the world. Since the PM has been in office, we’ve joined the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, and since leaving the EU, have secured trade deals with 73 countries plus the EU, accounting for £1.1 trillion of trade in 2022, and 7 US state-level MOUs, with a combined GDP of £3.3 trillion – just under the GDP of Germany.

    Minister of Commerce for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Majid bin Abdullah Al Kassabi, commented:

    Saudi Arabia is very proud to be hosting this major event and bringing together leading minds in business, academia and entertainment from both of our nations.

    This event heralds the beginning of an extended and productive partnership focused on innovation, technology and our flourishing cultural sectors. We look forward to collaborating with the UK Government and the private sector to realise the ambitions of Vision 2030.

    Minister for Investment at the Department for Business and Trade, Lord Johnson, added:

    The UK has a thriving trade and investment relationship with Saudi Arabia, and this campaign will strengthen those ties further.

    There are huge opportunities for businesses in both countries as we look to work closer together in important sectors such as innovation and creative industries. I look forward to showcasing the best of British innovation and creativity on a global stage.