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Tag: 2024

  • PRESS RELEASE : The UK is deeply concerned by Special Representative Patten’s findings of sexual violence on 7 October: UK statement at the UN Security Council [March 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : The UK is deeply concerned by Special Representative Patten’s findings of sexual violence on 7 October: UK statement at the UN Security Council [March 2024]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 March 2024.

    Statement by Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon at the United Nations Security Council meeting on the Middle East.

    Thank you, Mr President.

    May I firstly thank the Special Representative Pramila Patten for briefing us on her recent visit and may I take this opportunity, SRSG, to applaud your tireless work on this agenda in standing up in defence and protection of victims and survivors of sexual violence.

    Your visit was profoundly important. And your report, an essential insight into the shocking crimes you’ve just illustrated. It is therefore right that the Security Council considers it today.

    As we have seen in conflicts around the world, it’s a tragic fact, sexual violence is used to terrorise civilians. Mr President, it shatters lives. It leaves brutal and lifelong scars on victims, their families, and communities.

    We are collectively and rightly appalled by reports of sexual violence committed by Hamas on 7 October and against hostages.

    I refer to the report and note with deep concern the findings of SRSG Patten, including “reasonable grounds” to believe that sexual violence occurred in Israel on 7 October and the existence of, and I quote, “clear and convincing” information that sexual violence has been committed against hostages.

    Mr President, it is deeply disturbing to know that “such violence may be ongoing against those still in captivity” a direct quote from the report. We continue to call an immediate, safe and unconditional release of all hostages.

    And to work through every channel to secure an immediate stop in the fighting, then progress towards a sustainable ceasefire – because, for us, that is the best route to achieve this.

    I am also deeply shocked by the very concerning reports, referenced in the SRSG report and also by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, of sexual violence perpetrated by Israeli forces against Palestinian detainees of which we’ve just heard, who have been arrested and held by Israel.

    These reports, as we’ve heard, are being investigated. I therefore call on Israel to take immediate measures to prevent conflict-related sexual violence, to abide by international humanitarian law, and to ensure thorough investigations into these reports, and ultimately for perpetrators to be held to account.

    Mr President let me be absolutely clear – we the United Kingdom condemn conflict-related sexual violence unequivocally, wherever it occurs, and stand in solidarity with all victims and survivors.

    Put it simply, it must stop. Perpetrators must be held accountable. Survivors must receive holistic support and I call on all members of this Security Council to be unequivocal on these points.

    And may I say to both Israelis and Palestinians, and their representatives here today that the United Kingdom, as a friend to both, is ready to support.

    As The PM’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, here is my offer on behalf of the United Kingdom. We have our PSVI Team of Experts, who have already deployed over 90 times.

    We have The Murad Code, launched last April in this very Council, which sets out minimum standards to ensure survivors are not retraumatised when they are interviewed.

    We have our Stigma Toolkit which provides practical measures to address the stigma faced by survivors in criminal justice systems.

    Indeed, earlier today I chaired a meeting with members of the International Alliance on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, and I was pleased that SRSG Patten was able to attend. Alongside a colleague of mine, Baroness Helic who was instrumental in establishing this very initiative I lead in 2012, to consider new and innovative ways to ensure crimes are fully investigated, testimonies are held to allow for successful prosecution and those who survive these shocking and abhorrent crimes – the incredible, courageous, brave survivors – are supported fully in rebuilding their lives.

    We fully agree with the SRSG that investigations should be conducted in a safe and ethical manner consistent with a survivor-centred approach.

    Mr President, all reports of sexual violence must be fully investigated to ensure justice for survivors and victims.

    Mr President, justice delayed is justice denied. And for the United Kingdom it remains that a two-state solution is the only way to achieve justice and security for both Israelis and Palestinians.

    The first step must be an immediate stop to the fighting leading to a permanent, sustainable ceasefire. The release of all hostages, and vital humanitarian, life-saving aid to be delivered to Gaza. It is this solution that we seek.

    We owe it to the legacy of every innocent civilian killed in Israel and across the Occupied Palestinian Territories to utilise every lever we have and every channel we have in pursuit of this noble objective.

    Thank you, Mr President.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Further agreement with telecoms firms to protect vulnerable customers [March 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Further agreement with telecoms firms to protect vulnerable customers [March 2024]

    The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 11 March 2024.

    Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan has secured a further agreement with telecoms companies to protect vulnerable customers as landlines are upgraded.

    • Network operators commit to protect vulnerable people using personal alarms, so they are not put at risk while their phone lines are upgraded
    • Openreach, CityFibre and Community Fibre are amongst those who have agreed to the new measures, joining UK phone providers who signed up last year
    • It follows the Technology Secretary convening telecom firms after becoming aware of serious incidents occurring during the digital migration

    Companies in charge of maintaining the UK’s internet and phone infrastructure have today agreed to new measures to protect vulnerable customers as their landlines are upgraded to a new digital network.

    Seven network operators – including Openreach, CityFibre and Community Fibre – have signed up to new protections which will ensure people who rely on personal alarms to call for help are not left without a working device during the migration. Nearly two million people use these vital alarms in the UK.

    The new measures agreed today include a commitment from network operators to take steps to ensure their customers’ lifesaving buttons continue to work and functioning alternatives are in place before any migration takes place.

    It means the Technology Secretary has now secured agreement from the majority of the telecoms sector – from operators in charge of maintaining the network infrastructure all the way to internet and phone providers, including VMO2 and BT, who agreed to similar mitigations in December 2023.

    The charter follows ongoing and active collaboration from telecoms operators, and is a positive step to make sure safety continues to be at the heart of the nationwide switchover – providing reassurance to vulnerable households.

    Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan said:

    The safety of vulnerable customers comes before anything else and that’s why I called on the industry to listen to concerns and take action to make sure the right protections are in place.

    I welcome more telecoms companies joining forces to make this a priority, meaning we now have agreement from those responsible for our telecoms infrastructure and those providing mobile and broadband services.

    This will provide much needed reassurance to those relying on these vital devices and I will continue to pressure organisations to do everything in their power to make sure the switchover is seamless and safe.

    Other commitments agreed today include:

    • Operators will have to work with partners, including internet providers, to check if their customers own a telecare device.
    • Operators will provide at least 12 months’ notice to phone providers before enforcing the switchover of a customer and will jointly discuss suitable migration options.
    • No telecare user will be migrated to a digital landline service without the provider, customer or telephone company confirming that they have functioning solution in place.
    • Telecom operators will work with Ofcom, Government, and phone providers to create a shared definition of ‘vulnerable’ customer, so it is no longer dependent on the company and establishes an industry wide standard.

    Digital Infrastructure Minister Julia Lopez said:

    When a person needs urgent medical attention, they must have confidence that their call for help will be responded to as quickly as possible.

    The recent incidents that left some people disconnected are unacceptable and must not happen again. The Technology Secretary and I are united in pressuring all those responsible to implement mitigations that meet the needs of the most at risk.

    I hope today’s agreement provides some peace of mind to those affected and reassures the millions of vulnerable people in our country that their concerns have been heard far and wide across the whole industry.

    Today’s agreement will better protect those using personal alarms, known as telecare, which offer remote support to elderly, disabled, and vulnerable people – with many located in rural and isolated areas.

    Last year, UK phone providers agreed to new measures to protect vulnerable customers when upgrading phone lines to a new digital network with the Technology Secretary asking all providers not to force people to switch over until enhanced protections are in place. The agreement also meant vulnerable households would have better access to emergency services during power outages.

    Phone providers have been upgrading household landlines to digital technology which uses an internet connection, to deliver a modern network which is secure, efficient, and fit for the future. For the vast majority of consumers and businesses, this change has been and continues to be straightforward. Nobody will have to lose their landline service because of this change, as there are still options for a ‘landline only’ service should a customer not wish to purchase a general internet connection. Telecoms companies will continue to be bound by the same regulatory obligations as they are today, and this Charter will further strengthen protections for vulnerable consumers.

    The upgrade of the UK’s telephone lines is not a government programme and does not result from a government decision or policy, and therefore specific questions about how the upgrade programme might affect individuals should be directed service providers.

    Rocio Concha, Which? Director of Policy and Advocacy, said:

    We’ve heard of vulnerable people being left unable to contact emergency services due to issues with digital migration, so it is positive that the government is getting assurances from operators as well as providers that they will protect customers during the switchover.

    The government and Ofcom must be prepared to take tough action if firms fail to keep up their side of the bargain. The transition to digital landlines is necessary and offers advantages, but it is vital that no one is left behind as the migration continues.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Get your blood pressure checked [March 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Get your blood pressure checked [March 2024]

    The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 11 March 2024.

    Millions at risk from ‘silent killer’ as NHS campaign warns there are often ‘no clues’ when it comes to high blood pressure.

    • Up to 4.2 million people in England could be living with undiagnosed high blood pressure, according to NHS
    • The ‘silent killer’ often has no symptoms but if left untreated, can lead to fatal heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease and vascular dementia
    • New survey data shows that despite the majority of high blood pressure cases being asymptomatic, only one in 14 respondents (7%) thought the condition has no symptoms
    • The Get Your Blood Pressure Checked campaign has been launched to highlight that there are often ‘no clues’ as to who has high blood pressure – backed by Gloria Hunniford and Graeme Souness
    • With the NHS expanding blood pressure checks in community pharmacies – including capacity for an additional 2.5 million tests – the national campaign is urging those aged 40 years and over to get a free blood pressure test at a participating pharmacy
    • Campaign backed by British Heart Foundation, Stroke Association, Heart Research UK, Blood Pressure UK, May Measurement Month, British Society for Heart Failure, and more

    Today, the NHS is launching a new national campaign to find the ‘missing millions’ who have undiagnosed high blood pressure.

    High blood pressure, often described as a ‘silent killer’, affects an estimated 32% of adults. As the condition rarely has any symptoms, approximately 3 in 10 of these remain undiagnosed, equating to 4.2 million people in England.

    The public are today being warned that there are often ‘no clues’ about who might have high blood pressure – the only way to know is to have a simple test.

    With the NHS announcing an additional 2.5 million blood pressure checks in community pharmacies over this year and next, those aged 40 years and over are now being urged to get a free blood pressure test at a participating pharmacy. The procedure is quick, non-invasive and you do not need to book in advance.

    This comes as new survey data reveals widespread misconceptions about the condition among those at risk.

    Despite the majority of high blood pressure cases being asymptomatic, only one in 14 respondents (7%) thought the condition has no symptoms. The survey also revealed one in 6 (17%) of those surveyed have been put off having a blood pressure check because they do not feel unhealthy or stressed.

    Health Minister Andrea Leadsom said:

    Millions of adults in England unknowingly have high blood pressure, without experiencing any symptoms. As part of our Pharmacy First programme, the NHS has expanded its pharmacy offering to include 2.5 million more blood pressure checks within local pharmacies.

    Knowing if you have a healthy blood pressure is so important and this new drive will help to prevent the potentially fatal consequences of untreated high blood pressure.

    I urge people to go to their local pharmacy today to get their blood pressure checked. It could be a life-saving trip.

    Left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease and vascular dementia.

    However, the survey of over 2,000 adults aged 40 and over revealed worrying numbers who do not know the potentially fatal effects of high blood pressure – with 4 in 10 (41%) unaware that, if left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to heart disease, and over a fifth (22%) being unaware that it can cause strokes and heart attacks.

    To encourage more over 40s to come forward for potentially life-saving blood pressure checks, new advertising features a fictional detective struggling to solve the mystery of high blood pressure, due to a lack of ‘clues’ and ‘insufficient evidence’.

    The campaign is being backed by Graeme Souness, TV pundit and former footballer, who is affected by high blood pressure and had a heart attack, and Gloria Hunniford, TV presenter and broadcaster, whose dad and husband have suffered strokes.

    The pair appear alongside other patients affected by the condition, and pharmacist Deepak Bilakhia, in a mock police line-up to demonstrate how any of us could be unknowingly walking around with the condition.

    Gloria Hunniford said:

    This campaign is very close to my heart – both my husband and my father sadly suffered from a number of strokes due to high blood pressure, so I know from personal experience just how important it is to get your blood pressure checked, even if you feel healthy.

    That’s why I’m so pleased to hear that pharmacies offer free, quick blood pressure checks for people aged 40 and over – thankfully, this really will save lives.

    Graeme Souness said:

    It’s so important to get your blood pressure checked – in my experience, high blood pressure doesn’t only affect the ‘usual suspects’, it can and does affect anyone so you could be at risk without knowing it.

    I’ve had high blood pressure for years but have been able to manage it with a routine of healthy eating, regular fitness and regular blood pressure checks.

    It is hoped that the campaign will urge those at risk to prioritise getting their blood pressure checked, even if they have no symptoms – after the survey revealed that blood pressure checks are low on the list of people’s annual priorities.

    The majority of those at risk currently prioritise annual tasks such as getting their car MOTd (56%), getting their boiler serviced (55%) or renewing insurances (60%), above checking their blood pressure (43%) – despite its life-saving potential.

    Meanwhile 2 in 5 (44%) were not aware they could get a free blood pressure check at a pharmacy, with even more being unaware that they do not need an appointment (59%).

    Chief Medical Officer for England Sir Professor Chris Whitty said:

    High blood pressure usually has no symptoms but can lead to serious health consequences such as a fatal heart attack, a stroke, kidney disease and vascular dementia.

    The only way to know if you have high blood pressure is to get a simple, non-invasive blood pressure test. Even if you are diagnosed, the good news is that it’s usually easily treatable.

    Getting your blood pressure checked at a local pharmacy is free, quick and you don’t even need an appointment, so please go for a check today – it could save your life.

    Helen Williams, Pharmacist and National Clinical Director for CVD Prevention, NHS England, said:

    It can be easy to dismiss the risks of stroke and heart attack associated with high blood pressure, especially as it often has no signs or symptoms so I would encourage everyone over the age 40 to know their blood pressure numbers.

    With thousands of pharmacies across the country now offering free blood pressure checks with healthy living advice, it’s a quick, easy and convenient way to keep on top of your cardiovascular health at a time and place that suits you.

    Deepak Bilakhia, a Nottingham-based community pharmacist, said:

    Campaigns like this are so important because high blood pressure can be a silent killer and really can affect anyone, including those with no symptoms at all.

    Too many people are unaware that pharmacies offer this kind of service, without needing to book an appointment.

    So, if you’re 40 and over and have not had a check in the last 6 months, don’t put it off any longer.

    Checking your blood pressure at a local pharmacy is so simple to do but could save your life – and your pharmacist is here to help.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK hosts world leaders for first Global Fraud Summit [March 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK hosts world leaders for first Global Fraud Summit [March 2024]

    The press release issued by the Home Office on 11 March 2024.

    The first Global Fraud Summit, hosted by the Home Secretary, begins in London today. Ministers from the G7, Five Eyes, Singapore and South Korea are attending.

    International ministers are set to agree new action to take down fraudsters as the first ever Global Fraud Summit begins today.

    Home Secretary James Cleverly will discuss the threats posed by organised crime groups, and how global law enforcement can tackle it, during a series of meetings with senior ministers and representatives from the G7, Five Eyes, Singapore and South Korea, at Lancaster House.

    Ministers will explore how closer partnerships with the private sector can be used to counter criminality and reimburse victims of crime.

    The need for a bolstered law enforcement response is clear, with a forthcoming Interpol threat assessment expected to show a concerning rise in fraud in all corners of the globe.

    Senior leaders from the world’s biggest companies will also be in attendance, to explore further ways of collaboration with the private sector.

    Home Secretary James Cleverly said:

    This summit delivers on yet another pledge we made to the British people in our Fraud Strategy and is a clear sign of the UK’s status as a world leader.

    Fraudsters have no regard for boundaries, they devastate citizens in all our countries. We will only put a stop to this scourge if we fight it head on together, and that’s precisely what we plan to do.

    Security Minister Tom Tugendhat said:

    Fraud ruins lives. Con artists and thieves are a threat to hard-working families across the country.

    The action we’ve taken has already reduced fraud by 13% in England and Wales. However, the majority of frauds originate from overseas, and many are linked to international crime groups.

    That’s why we’re hosting the first ever global fraud summit. To lead the international response. And to help bring the global community into this global fight.

    Fraud is a global problem, with around 70% of all offences in the UK having ties to overseas criminals, with £3 billion lost to overseas accounts last year. Reversing this trend is not possible without a united global community.

    Interpol’s latest report shows fraud is often perpetrated by organised criminal groups, including human traffickers, who force people to work in scam centres which target potential victims of fraud across the world.

    A key aim of the summit is to increase partnership work between law enforcement agencies, such as the National Crime Agency, the FBI, Interpol, Europol and the Japan National Police Agency. Sharing more intelligence, expertise and resources will help turn the tide against fraudsters.

    Interpol Secretary General Jürgen Stock said:

    Changes in technology and the rapid increase in the scale and volume of organized crime has driven the creation of a range of new ways to defraud innocent people, business and even governments. Urgent action is required.

    It is important that there are no safe havens for financial fraudsters to operate. We must close existing gaps and ensure information sharing between sectors and across borders is the norm, not the exception. This summit is both timely, and needed.

    Attending nations will not be starting from zero.

    In 2022, UK law enforcement agencies worked with international partners, including the FBI, and Europol, to take down an online service known as iSpoof. The website was used to make more than 10 million fraudulent phone calls. Its administrator was jailed for more than 13 years.

    The UK, United States and Canada also issued a joint sanctions package against human rights abusers who were forcing trafficked people to work at scam farms in Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar, in December 2023.

    Graeme Biggar, Director General of the National Crime Agency, said:

    Over 70% of fraud has an international element, and it is clear that we need an efficient and effective joint response with partners across the globe.

    The Global Fraud Summit is an important step forward, bringing together colleagues from the public and private sectors to tackle this persistent and pervasive threat.

    It is a priority for the National Crime Agency to reduce the harm that fraud causes, and it is events like this that will help us make an impact at scale.

    Temporary Commissioner Peter O’Doherty, from the City of London Police, said:

    Fraud is a global threat, requiring a global response from senior leaders from around the world, including law enforcement agencies and industry partners, working together to effectively tackle the ever-growing threat to all our populations.

    As the national lead force for fraud in the UK, we work in partnership with international law enforcement agencies to pursue those who seek to defraud the public.  Fraudsters don’t recognise international boundaries and nor should we. This summit is an important opportunity to further build our overseas partnerships.

    Industry collaboration to prevent fraud will also be a key focus, which is why senior figures from the world’s biggest companies will also be in attendance. This provides a unique opportunity for international lawmakers to engage with private sector in one place.

    The summit will encourage greater collaboration between government and industry to tackle fraud.

    The UK is spearheading collaboration with the private sector, as shown by the world-first Online Fraud Charter, a voluntary agreement the UK agreed with 12 leading tech companies in November 2023. It includes measures to verify sellers on peer-to-peer marketplaces, promptly remove fraudulent advertising and allow people using online dating services to only interact with people who have confirmed their identities.

    Partner countries agreeing similar charters will severely hinder fraudsters, who rely upon new technologies to commit fraud.

    The UK will also raise the prospect of creating a mechanism to repatriate funds that are lost overseas due to fraud.

    Antony Walker, Deputy CEO, techUK said:

    The Global Fraud Summit will provide tech companies with the platform to build upon their existing efforts and enable better and more consistent cooperation between the private sector, government, and law enforcement in the fight against fraud and online scams.

    As the nature of online fraud continues to evolve, tech companies remain committed to taking measures against online fraud, adapting their approaches to effectively counter this criminal activity and protect users.

    David Postings, Chief Executive of UK Finance, said:

    Fraud is a global problem and we know the devastating impact it has on people. The UK and its financial services sector are at the forefront of efforts to tackle this criminal activity.

    We’re delighted to be part of the UK government’s international summit and will continue working to stop fraud from happening in the first place.

    It is anticipated all attending nations will agree a communique, pledging more combined action to fight fraud.

    Day 2 of the summit will consist entirely of working level meetings between the private sector, civil society and senior civil servants from across the world.

    Attending overseas ministers are:

    • Stephen Jones, Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services, Australia
    • Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs, Canada
    • Sabrina Agresti-Roubache, Secretary of State for Citizenship, France
    • Rita Schwarzelühr-Sutter, Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister of the Interior and Community, Germany
    • Matteo Piantedosi, Minister of the Interior, Italy
    • Yoshinobu Kusunoki, Deputy Commissioner of the National Police Agency, Japan
    • Casey Costello, Minister for Customs, Seniors, New Zealand
    • Josephine Teo, Minister for Communications and Information, Singapore
    • Lee Sang-Min, Minister of the Interior and Safety, South Korea
    • Arun G. Rao, Deputy Assistant Attorney General, United States
    • Kelli Ann Burriesci, Deputy Under Secretary for Office of Strategy, Policy and Plans, Department for Homeland Security, United States
  • PRESS RELEASE : UK supports millions of people globally in bid to end gender-based violence [March 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK supports millions of people globally in bid to end gender-based violence [March 2024]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 March 2024.

    UK support has reached over 4 million people over 2 years, helping tackle domestic abuse, child marriage and female genital mutilation, and support survivors of violence.

    • first ever results of their kind show the scale of the UK’s work to prevent and respond to this issue around the world, including in Bangladesh, South Sudan, Zimbabwe, and Syria
    • Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, Lord Ahmad, visits United Nations for the UN Commission on the Status of Women to call on partners to protect and promote the rights of every woman and girl

    New figures on the UK’s support to end Gender-Based Violence (GBV) show how this funding has transformed the lives of over 4 million of the world’s most vulnerable people.

    Gender-based violence is a systematic, pervasive, human rights abuse. It threatens the lives and wellbeing of women and girls, and prevents them from accessing opportunities for education, employment and healthcare. However, it is preventable.

    Between April 2021 and March 2023, the UK has provided 4.2 million people across the globe with gender-based violence prevention or response services.

    The Foreign Secretary, Lord Cameron said:

    The UK is determined to work with our partners to resist the rollback of rights we are seeing around the world.

    Gender-based violence is holding back women and girls, but things can and must change. The UK’s approaches have shown reductions in violence of up to 50% in some countries.

    By investing in sexual and reproductive health services, and reaching millions of girls with services to end devastating practices like Female Genital Mutilation and child marriage, we are proud to help women and girls to reach their full potential.

    Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State for the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, United Nations and the Commonwealth, and the Prime Minister’s Special Representative for Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict (PSVI) said:

    I’m honoured to be at the UN Commission on the Status of Women, joining the global conversation on reforming the humanitarian system to protect women and girls against gender-based violence. This is a critical issue that affects millions – a violation of human rights that demands a united front.

    I am proud that the UK has reached over 4 million people, including survivors, with vital support, but our work doesn’t stop here. We are committed to this collective effort for a future free from gender-based violence.

    Examples of the UK’s work include:

    • working in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund to help over 1 million Rohingya refugees living in camps in Bangladesh by providing 56 safe spaces that ensure the rights, health and safety of women. These spaces have helped provide access for sexual and reproductive health services, including psychosocial support, family planning, and support for survivors of rape. The UK has also supported community leaders and women-led organisations with prevention activities including skill training, campaigning, and male engagement initiatives to shift attitudes and stop stigma
    • addressing intimate partner violence, which is the most prevalent form of violence against women globally. The Stopping Abuse and Female Exploitation (SAFE) Programme in Zimbabwe which is working with couples and communities to prevent violence against women and girls, particularly those most at risk. It focuses on addressing economic insecurity and discriminatory attitudes that drive violence
    • preventing gender-based violence in a crisis, as an estimated 20 to 30% of women and girls experience non-partner sexual violence in conflicts. Through our Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict initiative, we have helped Sisma Mujer, a women’s rights organisation in Colombia to provide legal support to survivors of sexual violence
    • the UK is investing £35 million in the Africa-Led Movement to end femail genital mutilation (FGM) (2019 to 2027) –  Phase II of FCDO’s flagship ending FGM programme in Kenya, Senegal Ethiopia and Somaliland to support activists and grassroots African organisations who are leading change from within their communities
    • supporting women’s rights organisations and survivor-led organisations including through the UN Trust Fund to End Violence Against Women and Girls which partners with grassroots organisations, and the Africa-Led Movement to End Female Genital Mutilation Programme, which is supporting activists to drive change from within their communities

    The new results come as Lord Ahmad, Minister for the United Nations today (March 11) attends the United Nations Commission for Status of Women (CSW) – the biggest multilateral forum on women and girls’ rights to discuss how to accelerate progress towards gender-equality.

  • PRESS RELEASE : New action to tackle ethnic and other biases in medical devices [March 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : New action to tackle ethnic and other biases in medical devices [March 2024]

    The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 11 March 2024.

    Government outlines action to make UK a world leader in tackling ethnic and other biases in medical devices.

    • Plan comes in response to independent report identifying the extent and impact of ethnic and other biases in the design and use of medical devices
    • It is part of ongoing work to tackle disparities within the healthcare system, which includes addressing issues from the design stage and extra funding for applications for new devices that work without bias

    The government has today announced action to tackle potential bias in the design and use of medical devices, as it accepts recommendations from a UK-first independent review into equity in medical devices.

    The Department of Health and Social Care commissioned senior health experts to identify potential biases in these devices and recommend how to tackle them.

    The government fully accepted the report’s conclusions and has made a series of commitments, including ensuring that pulse oximeter devices used in the NHS can be used safely across a range of skin tones, and removing racial bias from data sets used in clinical studies.

    Minister of State, Andrew Stephenson, said:

    I am hugely grateful to Professor Dame Margaret Whitehead for carrying out this important review.

    Making sure the healthcare system works for everyone, regardless of ethnicity, is paramount to our values as a nation. It supports our wider work to create a fairer and simpler NHS.

    Ministers agree that unless appropriate action is taken, ethnic and other unfair biases can occur throughout the medical device life cycle, from research, development and testing, to approval, deployment and post-market monitoring, as well as in the use of devices once deployed.

    As a result, significant action is already being taken to overcome potential disparities in the performance of medical devices. This includes:

    • the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) now requests that approval applications for new medical devices describe how they will address bias
    • NHS guidance has been updated to highlight potential limitations of pulse oximeter devices on patients with darker skin tone
    • the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) is currently accepting funding applications for research into smarter oximeters

    The government will also:

    • work with MHRA to ensure regulations for medical devices are safe for patients, regardless of their background, while allowing more innovative products to be placed on the UK market. This includes a commitment to ensure pulse oximeters are safe and effective for all patients, with work underway to mitigate any inaccuracy in the devices
    • drive forward work to remove racial bias in datasets, including ensuring diverse skin tones are included in data used by researchers for clinical studies
    • support ongoing work with NHS England to upskill clinical professionals on issues including health equity
    • work with partners to improve transparency of data used in the development of medical devices using artificial intelligence (AI), as well as AI products which influence clinical decisions

    The government appointed Professor Dame Margaret Whitehead, professor of public health at the University of Liverpool, to lead the review. Professor Whitehead has vast experience in tackling health inequalities, and for many years has led the work of the World Health Organization’s Collaborating Centre for Policy Research on the Determinants of Health Equity.

    The review followed concerns that pulse oximeters – widely used during the COVID-19 pandemic to monitor blood oxygen levels – were not as accurate for patients with darker skin tones, which could have led to delays in treatment if dangerously low oxygen levels in patients with darker skin tone were missed. However, the review found no evidence from studies in the NHS of this differential performance affecting care.

    The medical devices review focused on 3 areas – optical devices such as pulse oximeters, AI-enabled devices and polygenic risk scores (PRS) in genomics.

    Professor Dame Margaret Whitehead, chair of the review, said:

    The advance of AI in medical devices could bring great benefits, but it could also bring harm through inherent bias against certain groups in the population, notably women, people from ethnic minorities and disadvantaged socio-economic groups.

    Our review reveals how existing biases and injustices in society can unwittingly be incorporated at every stage of the lifecycle of AI-enabled medical devices, and then magnified in algorithm development and machine learning.

    Our recommendations therefore call for system-wide action, requiring full government support. The UK would take the lead internationally if it incorporated equity in AI-enabled medical devices into its global AI safety initiatives.

    The review also recommended ways of developing bias-free medical devices in the future and to improve standards globally.

    Dr June Raine, MHRA chief executive, said:

    MHRA acknowledges that inequities can exist within medical devices and we therefore welcome the publication of Dame Whitehead’s independent review.

    We are highly committed to ensuring equitable access to safe, effective and high-quality medical devices for all individuals, and the recommendations set out in this report will support and strengthen the impact of our ongoing work in this area.

    We are committed to working collaboratively with government, regulatory bodies, healthcare professionals and stakeholders to address these issues effectively.

    Professor Bola Owolabi, NHS England’s director of healthcare inequalities, said:

    Ensuring all patients get equitable access to high-quality healthcare remains crucial to reducing health inequalities and a priority for the NHS.

    I welcome the report’s findings and the NHS will work alongside government and MHRA to implement them and ensure NHS staff have the resources and training they need to tackle racial bias.

    There is ongoing work to ensure healthcare is equitable. In recent years, the government has created schemes providing targeted support for the cost of living and the COVID-19 pandemic and established the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID), a government unit dedicated to reducing negative health disparities across the country.

    We have:

  • PRESS RELEASE : £35 million investment to boost maternity safety [March 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : £35 million investment to boost maternity safety [March 2024]

    The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social on 10 March 2024.

    The investment will be provided over the next 3 years to ensure maternity services listen to and act on women’s experiences.

    • £35 million investment to fund specialist training for staff and additional midwives to improve maternity services
    • £9 million dedicated to prevent avoidable brain injuries in childbirth
    • women’s voices and experiences to be prioritised with funding allocated to improve care

    Almost £35 million will be invested to improve maternity safety across England with the recruitment of additional midwives and the expansion of specialist training to thousands of extra healthcare workers.

    The investment, which was announced as part of the Spring Budget 2024, will be provided over the next 3 years to ensure maternity services listen to and act on women’s experiences to improve care.

    The funding includes:

    • £9 million for the rollout of the reducing brain injury programme across maternity units in England, to provide healthcare workers with the tools and training to reduce avoidable brain injuries in childbirth
    • investment in training to ensure the NHS workforce has the skills needed to provide ever safer maternity care. An additional 6,000 clinical staff will be trained in neonatal resuscitation and we will almost double the number of clinical staff receiving specialist training in obstetric medicine in England
    • increasing the number of midwives by funding 160 new posts over 3 years to support the growth of the maternity and neonatal workforce
    • funding to support the rollout of maternity and neonatal voice partnerships to improve how women’s experiences and views are listened to and acted on to improve care

    Ahead of Mother’s Day, the Health and Social Care Secretary visited Cambridge University Hospital. She spoke with health experts from the hospital and microbiology faculty about a range of women’s health issues, including maternity care and breast cancer.

    Health and Social Care Secretary Victoria Atkins said:

    I want every mother to feel safe when giving birth to their baby.

    Improving maternity care is a key cornerstone of our Women’s Health Strategy and with this investment we are delivering on that priority – more midwives, specialist training in obstetric medicine and pushing to improve how women are listened to in our healthcare system.

    £35 million is going directly to improving the safety and care in our maternity wards and will move us closer to our goal of making healthcare faster, simpler and fairer for all.

    This investment follows a recent announcement of a new set of Women’s Health Strategy priorities for 2024, which include:

    • better care for menstrual and gynaecological conditions
    • expanding women’s health hubs to improve women’s access to care
    • tackling disparities and improving support for vulnerable women including victims of sexual abuse and violence
    • bolstering maternity care before, during and after pregnancy by continuing to deliver on NHS England’s 3-year delivery plan for maternity and neonatal services and focusing on preconception and postnatal care for women, raising awareness of pregnancy sickness and actioning the recommendations set out in the Pregnancy Loss Review
    • investment into more research in women’s health and improving how women are represented in medical research

    Minister for the Women’s Health Strategy, Maria Caulfield, said:

    This extra funding will help clinicians deliver the best care for expecting mothers and improve maternity safety.

    I especially welcome the expansion of posts for midwives, who play a crucial role in delivering babies safely and caring for expectant mother pre- and postnatally.

    Crucially, as part of this investment, we’re also rolling out a training programme to prevent avoidable brain injuries in childbirth.

    As part of the government’s  commitment to action the recommendation of the Pregnancy Loss Review, the baby loss certificate service launched last month to allow parents who experienced a pregnancy loss before 24 weeks to apply for a certificate to acknowledge their loss. Since the launch of the service, as of 4 March 2024, the total number of completed requests was 37,268.

    Chief Midwifery Officer for England, Kate Brintworth, said:

    We are focused on ensuring that women receive the safest high-quality care before, during and after their pregnancy.

    The rollout of maternity and neonatal voice partnerships is an important step in improving care by listening to women’s views and experiences and acting upon them.

    Our workforce must also have the right skills for improving maternity safety and this investment helps ensure all those working in maternity services in England have the tools and training to reduce avoidable brain injuries in childbirth.

    We will continue our plans to grow the midwifery workforce and nearly double the number of staff who have received specialist training in obstetric medicine in England.

  • PRESS RELEASE : New ‘Elizabeth Emblem’ unveiled to commemorate public servants who died in line of duty [March 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : New ‘Elizabeth Emblem’ unveiled to commemorate public servants who died in line of duty [March 2024]

    The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 9 March 2024.

    Family members of police officers, firefighters and other public servants who have died in public service will be recognised by a new emblem.

    • Police officers, firefighters and other public servants who died in the line of duty will be commemorated with new Elizabeth Emblem
    • National form of recognition conferred by His Majesty The King will be awarded to next of kin
    • Elizabeth Emblem incorporates a rosemary wreath surrounding the Tudor Crown

    Family members of police officers, firefighters and other public servants who have died in public service will be recognised by a new emblem.

    The Elizabeth Emblem, which is conferred by His Majesty The King, is a national form of recognition awarded to the next of kin of police officers, firefighters, and many other public servants.

    The award is the civilian equivalent of the Elizabeth Cross, which recognises members of the UK Armed Forces who died in action or as a result of a terrorist attack.

    The design of the Emblem incorporates a rosemary wreath, a traditional symbol of remembrance, which surrounds the Tudor Crown. It is inscribed with ‘For A Life Given In Service’, and will have the name of the person for whom it is in memoriam inscribed on the reverse of the Emblem. It will include a pin to allow the award to be worn on clothing by the next of kin of the deceased.

    The Emblem recognises how the sacrifices made by public servants who have lost their lives as a result of their duty could be recognised within the honours system.

    From today, next of kin of the deceased will be able to apply for the Emblem via gov.uk. Nominations will be reviewed by the George Cross Committee and recommendations then made to His Majesty The King via the Prime Minister.

    Recipients of The Elizabeth Emblem will receive their award from a senior representative such as a Chief Constable, Chief Fire Officer or His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant.

    Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden said:

    “We will not forget those who died in our service.

    “The Elizabeth Emblem will bring the nation together to honour the dedication and commitment of these exceptional public servants who have given their lives in service of the United Kingdom.”

    Policing Minister, Chris Philp said:

    “We owe so much to our public servants who make sacrifices every day to keep us safe.

    “The Elizabeth Emblem will recognise those who tragically lost their lives in public service and rightly enshrine them in our country’s history so that their sacrifices are never forgotten.”

  • PRESS RELEASE : The UK repeats its call to Russia to withdraw its troops, cease the bloodshed and end this senseless war – UK statement at the UN Security Council [March 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : The UK repeats its call to Russia to withdraw its troops, cease the bloodshed and end this senseless war – UK statement at the UN Security Council [March 2024]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 March 2024.

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

    Thank you President and I thank ASG Khiari and Ms Doughten for their briefing today.

    “You see who we are dealing with. They don’t care where to hit”. Words spoken by the President of Ukraine on Wednesday, which could have been spoken on countless occasions during this war.

    We are compelled to gather again to respond to another appalling series of missile attacks on Ukraine.

    On 2 March, 12 civilians, including 5 children, died when debris hit an apartment block in Odesa.One of the victims was a baby, only four months old.

    On 6 March, as President Zelenskyy and Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis paid their respects to the dead, a further Russian strike hit the city. While they narrowly escaped the impact, five others were not so lucky.

    President, we have met too often in this chamber to address the human suffering Russia has inflicted upon Ukraine. This week it was attacks on residential buildings.

    In other weeks it has been hospitals, schools, train stations, hotels, restaurants. Each time it is innocent Ukrainian civilians who pay the price with their lives.

    The day before this latest strike, the International Criminal Court announced two new indictments of senior Russian military figures for an alleged campaign of strikes against Ukraine’s electricity infrastructure.

    These are not the actions of a country that is interested in peace. Putin claims that he launched this war to “protect” Ukrainian civilians. In fact he is terrorising them.

    Russia’s actions show an utter disregard for international law and the UN Charter. It is attempting to intimidate Ukraine, its people, and those who support Ukraine.

    It will not succeed.

    Russia’s previous attacks on Odesa have utterly failed. Ukraine has now driven back much of the Black Sea Fleet from Crimea, and is exporting the highest volumes from its ports since the war began.

    As my Defence Secretary said in Kyiv yesterday, the UK’s support remains unwavering, and we will provide an additional £325 million to help Ukraine defend itself.

    Ukrainians have shown that they will not be bullied into submission. And Russia should know that the UK stands proudly by their side.

    And so, we repeat our call again to Russia: withdraw your troops, cease the bloodshed and end this senseless war.

    Ukraine deserves a just and lasting peace that respects its territorial integrity. And with our support, that is what Ukraine will achieve.

    Thank you.

  • PRESS RELEASE : The UK calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities during the month of Ramadan in Sudan – UK statement at the UN Security Council [March 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : The UK calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities during the month of Ramadan in Sudan – UK statement at the UN Security Council [March 2024]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 March 2024.

    Explanation of Vote by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council meeting on Sudan.

    Thank you, President, with the adoption of this resolution the Council has sent a strong and clear message to the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces to agree an immediate cessation of hostilities during the month of Ramadan. This follows the call of the Secretary-General and of the African Union.

    We urge the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces to act on this united international call for peace and to silence the guns.  We further urge the warring parties to build trust and seek a sustainable resolution to the conflict through dialogue.

    President, the situation in Sudan is of grave concern and the humanitarian needs of Sudan’s population are acute. We support the work of UN agencies and civil society organisations in their efforts to support those in need and underline the need for full, rapid, safe, and unhindered humanitarian access.

    We welcome all mediation efforts to help achieve an end to this brutal conflict and further encourage the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy Ramtane Lamamra to complement and help coordinate regional efforts.

    President, this Council needs to continue to support efforts for peace in Sudan. We look forward to continuing to work across the UN, the region and Council members towards this goal.

    And in that regard, I thank my colleagues across the Council for their engagement on this resolution.

    Let me express my thanks also to our team and all of the colleagues and experts who agreed this text, thank you.