Tag: 2024

PRESS RELEASE : Birth defects prevented by fortifying flour with folic acid [November 2024]
The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 14 November 2024.

New legislation being introduced today will require millers and flour producers to fortify non-wholemeal wheat flour with folic acid from the end of 2026.
- Folic acid to be added to non-wholemeal flour to protect newborn babies from serious brain and spine problems
- Move will prevent around 200 cases of neural tube defects every year and improve health of pregnant women
- Measures to come into force at the end of 2026 to help businesses prepare
Around 200 cases of debilitating brain and spine defects in babies every year will be prevented by fortifying non-wholemeal wheat flour with folic acid.

New legislation being introduced today (14 November 2024) will require millers and flour producers to fortify non-wholemeal wheat flour with folic acid from the end of 2026.

Folic acid deficiency is a leading cause of neural tube defects, which can cause a large number of serious and debilitating conditions to babies in the womb, including spina bifida.

Flour is already fortified with calcium, niacin, thiamine and iron to improve public health. The move to include folic acid will reduce neural tube defects by 20% in the UK and improve the health of pregnant women. It will also deliver savings of around £20 million to the NHS over 10 years and boost the economy by more than £90 million over 10 years.

Andrew Gwynne, Minister for Public Health and Prevention, said:

Shifting care from sickness to prevention is one of the leading ambitions in our 10 Year Health Plan, as we work to make our NHS fit for the future.

These measures are a simple and effective intervention to improve health outcomes in babies, giving them the best start in life.

Baroness Merron, Minister for Patient Safety, Women’s Health and Mental Health, said:

Fortifying bread and flour with folic acid will help reduce neural tube defects and give women greater peace of mind throughout their pregnancy.

This government is determined to support women and turn around maternity outcomes so every child can live a long, happy and fulfilling life.

The NHS recommends that women who are trying for a baby take folic acid supplements for around 3 months before getting pregnant and for at least 12 weeks after becoming pregnant. This recommendation will remain in place after the new regulations on flour are brought in. It is estimated that half of all pregnancies in the UK are unplanned. The new regulations will help provide women with a higher baseline intake of folic acid, better protecting their babies in all scenarios.

Professor Chris Whitty, England’s Chief Medical Officer, said:

The fortification of flour is a simple and effective way to help to reduce cases of neural tube defects, although it is important that women who are pregnant or intending to become pregnant continue to take folic acid supplements before and during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

The government is continuing to engage with the food industry to support them to implement the changes, which will apply to the whole of the UK. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland will introduce their own regulations in due course.

Minister for Food Security, Daniel Zeichner, said:

When it comes to public health, prevention will always be better, and cheaper, than a cure.

Fortified flour has been providing our country with a public health boost for 80 years and this latest collaboration across government will help give the nation’s children a strong start in life.

We are grateful to industry for their efforts to support a smooth transition, with manufacturers having a 24-month transition period to adjust their processes.

Background information

The new measures will deliver the NHS £20 million in reduced costs over 10 years. This is in addition to £571 million in benefits to society through an increase in live births, as well as £54 million due to increased labour market participation and £39 million due to parents prevented from leaving the labour market.

This work forms part of a wider Defra review of the Bread and Flour Regulations 1998 conducted under the Food Compositional Standards and Labelling (FCSL) UK Common Framework, working collaboratively with the devolved governments and the Department of Health and Social Care.

It included a UK-wide public consultation with the proposals also notified to the World Trade Organisation, fulfilling international obligations.

The key changes include:
- technical amendments to clarify requirements and definitions, to ensure consistency with other food standards legislation including increasing minimum levels of nutrients and updating specification criteria, enabling understanding and compliance
- an update to the compositional rules of wholemeal flour, removing barriers to compliance while maintaining consumer protection
- an exemption from fortification requirements for small-scale millers (producing less than 500 metric tonnes of flour per year). This removes disproportionate burden on smaller-scale producers without compromising the public health outcomes of the policy
- introducing the use of improvement notices. This is a more proportionate and efficient way to address non-compliance and reduces risk of excessive costs associated with court time when criminal proceedings are brought
The amending regulations published today in England ensure our rules are robust and fit for purpose, with the changes designed to lead to improved public health outcomes, protect consumers, support industry and assist enforcement authorities.

Further stakeholder quotes

Professor Ian Young, Chair of the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN), said:

SACN welcomes this important initiative which will reduce the number of lives adversely affected by neural tube defects. SACN has consistently recommended folic acid fortification since 2006, alongside ongoing monitoring and continued encouragement for women to take folic acid supplements before pregnancy. SACN is delighted to see these being implemented.

Kate Steele, CEO of Shine, the charity that provides specialist support for people whose lives have been affected by spina bifida and hydrocephalus, said:

After more than 30 years of campaigning, Shine can finally celebrate the introduction of this very important public health initiative.

It will improve the health of the general population across the UK but, more importantly, mandatory fortification will reduce the number of babies affected by spina bifida, a lifelong, complex disability. It also means that fewer families will be given the devastating news that their baby has anencephaly and will not survive.

I am so very grateful to everyone who has kept mandatory fortification of flour with folic acid on the government’s agenda, especially Lord Jeff Rooker and Shine’s Head of Health, Gill Yaz. Collectively, we have made our long-awaited goal a reality. It will make such a difference to so many lives!

Joe Brennan, Head of Technical and Regulatory Affairs at UK Flour Millers, said:

Flour is fortified with folic acid in many countries, such as Australia and Canada, and has proven an effective way of reducing neural tube defects in babies. The UK flour milling sector has been working closely with government to facilitate this public health initiative for some years.

Flour remains one of the most widely consumed ingredients, so there is a logic to fortifying flour with folic acid, supported by public health experts. Folic acid will join other fortificants including vitamins and minerals which have been added to flour since the 1940s, in line with government bread and flour regulations.
November 25, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : East West Rail to boost Oxford-Cambridge region by billions [November 2024]
The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 14 November 2024.
- East West Rail set to bring billions of pounds worth of growth to the Oxford-Cambridge region, along with tens of thousands of new homes and jobs
- Transport Secretary visits Bletchley Station to kickstart public consultation, inviting communities to have their say on latest plans
- comes after Chancellor’s Budget confirms support to deliver the scheme in full, strengthening the region’s thriving life science, technology and innovation sectors
One of the Britain’s largest transport projects is set to boost the Oxford-Cambridge economy by £6.7 billion per year by 2050, thanks to the government’s support for delivering East West Rail in full.

As set out by the Chancellor in the Budget, the new line will bolster the area’s thriving life science cluster, enable new housing developments along the route and support up to 28,000 jobs in Cambridge alone.

The Transport Secretary, Louise Haigh, reaffirmed the government’s mission to kickstart economic growth and productivity across the region during a visit to a new-look Bletchley Station today (14 November 2024) to invite the public’s feedback on the latest plans for the scheme.

Along with East West Railway CEO David Hughes, Louise Haigh launched a 10-week consultation for the project, encouraging communities to have their say and shape the development of the line.
- East West Rail consultation 2024
This will include proposals for how trains could be powered on the route, outlining a preference for greener traction power and hybrid battery-electric trains, which would result in cleaner and faster journeys for passengers.

The public will also be invited to have their say on planned timetables and services, which include up to 4 trains per hour along the route, delivering a turn up and go style service for passengers.

With the first services between Oxford, Bletchley and Milton Keynes set to begin next year, East West Rail will provide easier and faster connectivity across the region, opening up better access to jobs and education opportunities, as well as regenerating town centres and supporting tens of thousands of new homes.

The Budget confirmed the acceleration of the Marston Vale Line, ensuring that services will run from Oxford to Milton Keynes and Bedford from 2030.

Transport Secretary, Louise Haigh said:

East West Rail will boost access to education and business opportunities while unlocking economic growth and productivity right across the region, including Cambridge’s world-leading life science cluster.

With these proposals, passengers can get ready for more frequent, faster and greener journeys through an electrified line, demonstrating our drive to deliver infrastructure that is truly fit for the future.

This consultation marks a significant moment for the project, offering the public an exciting opportunity to shape the development of this transformational line. I encourage local residents and businesses to get involved and have their say.

From today, the public will have the chance to shape how the new line between Oxford, Bedford, Milton Keynes, and Cambridge is developed, ensuring it meets the needs of local communities.

As part of this, East West Rail Company will be inviting feedback on revised infrastructure and design plans for the new stretch of railway between Bedford and Cambridge, plus essential railway improvement works to upgrade the rest of the line.

Over the next 10 weeks, local people will be able to attend drop-in events across the route, as well as online webinars and a virtual consultation room where people and businesses can find out more about the updated plans.

Feedback from the consultation will be taken into account as designs are further developed and preferred options chosen.

East West Rail Company CEO, David Hughes said:

The government set out its support for delivering East West Rail in full in the Autumn Budget, so it’s great to have the Transport Secretary officially launch our latest public consultation on this key infrastructure project.

East West Rail will support the government’s economic growth by providing faster, easier and more reliable journeys, which will improve access to jobs, education and days out.

I encourage people and businesses to get involved in our consultation by attending one of our events and reading our updated proposals, which include electrification to reflect our commitment to running a net zero carbon railway.

Network Rail North West and Central Capital Delivery Director, Christian Irwin OBE, said:

Today’s public consultation on future East-West Rail plans builds on the successful completion of the new railway between Bicester and Bletchley that was delivered ahead of time and under budget allowing passenger services to operate between Oxford and Bletchley/Milton Keynes in 2025.

This exciting new East-West service will deliver a fast sustainable transport option, improved connectivity and opportunity for local communities between Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford and Cambridge, as well as new freight connections to improve air quality and reduce congestion by taking lorries off our roads. This major investment can also unlock a multitude of other benefits that include better access to education and employment, including the 8,000 new jobs created by the project, to help drive innovation, business and economic growth.

We look forward to working with the East West Rail Company, the Department for Transport and industry stakeholders to hear local residents’ views on timetables and how trains could be powered along the route in the future.

Once up and running, the new service will provide a fast sustainable transport option for local communities improving connectivity between Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford and Cambridge, reducing travel times and providing better access to jobs, innovation and education.”

Ahead of East West Rail services running to Bletchley, the existing station has undergone significant investment over the past 4 years to ensure it’s ready to accommodate faster and more frequent services the line will deliver. This includes a new link bridge to the existing platforms and the construction of 2 new high-level platforms, which connect the station to the Bletchley Flyover and take the total number of platforms from 6 to 8.

Once the scheme is complete, the revamped station will accommodate a three-fold increase in passenger services along the Marston Vale Line between Bletchley and Bedford.

Meanwhile, a key milestone for the project was also reached last month with the first test train successfully completing its first run between Oxford and Milton Keynes.

Today’s announcement marks the latest in the Transport Secretary’s drive to transform the rail network and deliver infrastructure that works for the whole country.
November 25, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : Lanes, drains, and automobiles – new port road driving growth and changing lives [November 2024]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 November 2024.

The UK, Denmark and Kenya have officially opened a critical link road at Mombasa Port, which is driving growth through trade and improving the lives of residents.

There was cause to celebrate in Mombasa as the new Mbaraki-Nyerere Road and the Bamburi Drainage Outfall were officially opened in a ceremony at the coast.

The road and drain have been operational since July 2022, and the upgrade from a murram road to a high-quality bitumen road has transformed the lives of the businesses and residents of Mombasa.

The construction of the road was made possible by a three-way partnership between the County Government of Mombasa, the UK Government and the Royal Danish Embassy – and delivered by TradeMark Africa, a pan-African aid-for-trade organisation, whose work has reduced cargo clearance times at Mombasa Port from 11.2 to 3.4 days and led to a reduction of 16.5% in cargo transit times on the Northern Corridor, from the Port of Mombasa to Bujumbura in Burundi.

Prior to the construction of the road, traffic congestion from Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) – the workhorses of Mombasa Port – negatively impacted the productivity and profitability of businesses. The road is – literally – driving growth through trade, as it has led to higher truck utilisation rates, and quicker turnaround times for cargo at the Mbaraki Terminal. 160 local people were directly employed during construction, and 15% were women. The lower congestion has also improved air quality for residents.

The 1.2km road that runs from Mbaraki to Nyerere has also positively impacted the lives of Mombasa’s citizens, due to the incorporation of a 100-meter-long drain, funded by the Royal Danish Embassy. This drain collects water from catchment areas along the roadside, transports it underneath the road, and dispatches it to the Indian Ocean – preventing flooding.

Children’s education was disrupted due to excessive floodwater at a nearby school and an estate. At the Star of the Sea school, for example, children were carried across the floodwaters to their classrooms.

Not only has the road been built to a high-quality, but it was designed and constructed considerately, to meet the needs of the local community. The road comes complete with wide pavements which make pedestrians safer, provide access for persons with disabilities, and make climate-friendly transport options more attractive. It has also been fitted with solar streetlights, which are not dependent on the electricity grid, and also connects to existing drainage from nearby businesses. The road also increases access to local goods and services, such as markets.

The impact of the road is not just limited to Kenya, but also the East Africa region. The Port of Mombasa handles 31 million tons of cargo annually- expected to increase to 50 million by 2050 – and is a gateway for the flow of goods between Burundi, DRC, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda.

Principal, The Star of the Sea School, said:

This small intervention is having a big impact on the lives of our students. The construction of the drain has prevented severe flooding, meaning our girls at the Star of the Sea school can learn without interruption, they can access school safely, and they have a happy and healthy learning environment.

Mohammed Ali, CEO, BossFreight, said:

The construction of the road has been a game changer for us – we can now transport more cargo, more efficiently, and have happier clients. We would welcome the construction of more high-quality roads that can handle more HGVs.

Mr. Abdullswamad Sheriff Nassir, Governor of Mombasa County, said:

Today marks a pivotal step towards realising our vision of a modern, efficient, and resilient Mombasa. This road is not just an infrastructural improvement; it is a transformative investment that will catalyse trade, enhance mobility, and foster economic growth for our people. We are committed to continuing our collaboration with international partners like TradeMark Africa, Denmark, and the United Kingdom to drive projects that uplift our communities, support sustainable development, and cement Mombasa’s role as a key gateway for regional trade.

Leigh Stubblefield, Deputy British High Commissioner to Kenya and Development Director, said:

As the Swahili proverb goes – unity is strength. One of the best ways we can drive growth is through partnerships that deliver high-quality infrastructure, that facilitate smooth trade, that do not load Kenya with debt – and crucially, are considerate of the needs of the local community. The UK is proud to have helped deliver this project with the County Government of Mombasa, The Danish Embassy, and TradeMark Africa. We go far, when we go together.

Elma Adwa, Regional Manager, Royal Danish Embassy, said:

Denmark and the United Kingdom have worked together for over a decade with TradeMark Africa in various projects. Denmark is extremely excited to be part of this initiative of officially opening a critical link road at Mombasa Port, which is driving growth through trade and improving the lives of residents within Mombasa County and beyond. We look forward to more projects that will enable the smooth flow of trade in Kenya.

TMA Deputy CEO and Chief of Programmes, Ms Allen Asiimwe, reaffirmed TMA’s dedication to regional trade, saying:

>TradeMark Africa recognises that efficient physical infrastructure is the backbone of regional trade, directly impacting economic growth, job creation, and community welfare. This road is more than a logistical upgrade—it is an investment in the economic future of Mombasa and Kenya. With our partners, we are committed to facilitating green growth and enhancing trade routes that empower local industries and uplift communities. TMA remains focused on developing resilient trade infrastructure that supports sustainable development goals and strengthens Africa’s trade competitiveness on the global stage.

November 25, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : Innovation and international comparisons front and centre of Sentencing Review [November 2024]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 14 November 2024.

Technological innovations and international prison policies are among things being studied as part of the government’s Sentencing Review.
- Panel of experts appointed to support review chair David Gauke
- Public call for evidence opened for 8 weeks
- Review to consider international best practice to tackle growing prison population and reduce reoffending
The review, which aims to end the crisis in our prisons and make sure the country always has the prisons space needed to keep people safe, will consider how other jurisdictions who have faced similar capacity challenges have been able to tackle rising prison populations and reducing reoffending.

To ensure the review considers all aspects of the justice system, including the impact of changes on victims, an expert panel has been appointed to support independent chair David Gauke. This includes former Chief Executives of the Crown Prosecution Service, Peter Lewis and HMPPS, Michael Spurr, as well as former Lord Chief Justice Lord Burnett and Executive Director of End Violence Against Women Andrea Simon.

The review will be further informed by a call for evidence launched today [14 November 2024] with academics, experts and the public encouraged to share ideas for innovation and reform over the next eight weeks.

Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice Shabana Mahmood said:

No Lord Chancellor should be put in the invidious position I was on taking office – faced with a prison system on the verge of collapse. We must make sure there are always a cell to lock up dangerous offenders.

This panel represents a wealth of experience. I have no doubt it will be invaluable in delivering a review which will help set out the long-term plan for our prisons.

The panel appointed to support David Gauke are:
- Lord Burnett – Previous Lord Chief Justice (2017 – 2023)
- Catherine Larsen KPM – A retired inspector from Avon and Somerset whose work included transforming the way rape and serious sexual offences are investigated by the police
- Nicola Padfield KC (Hon) – Criminal Law Barrister Emeritus Professor of Criminal and Penal Justice at the Law Faculty, University of Cambridge
- Sir Peter Lewis – Former Chief Executive of Crown Prosecution Service (2007-2016), Former Registrar of the International Criminal Court (2023).
- Michael Spurr – Former Chief Executive of HMPPS (2010-2019)
- Andrea Simon – Executive Director at End Violence Against Women Coalition (EVAW)
The call for evidence will explore key themes including the structure of sentencing, use of technology as tough alternatives to custody, custodial and non-custodial sentences, as well as the individual needs of both victims and offenders.

Review Chair David Gauke said:

This review will investigate how we can create a more effective criminal justice system, looking to jurisdictions who have faced similar challenges, and at how we can harness new technology to manage offenders in and out of prison.

I welcome responses to the call for evidence which challenge current thinking, are innovative, and which spotlight how best practice can be scaled, so we can build a justice system which works both now and in the future.

Alongside the call for evidence, international learnings will be a central focus for the panel. Sweden and the Netherlands have both used technology to manage offenders in and outside of prison and tackle rising prison populations. This has included an electronic monitoring system integrated between prisons and probation in the Netherlands, and using mobile apps in Sweden to support rehabilitation outside of prison, such as improving attendance at probation meetings.

Texas faced similar capacity challenges to England and Wales in the early 2000s. In 2007, prisons were at capacity and the population was predicted to rise, needing an additional 17,000 cells over the next five years. Under a system implemented by a Republican governor, prisoners can now reduce the time they spend in custody by participating in courses aimed at tackling the root causes of crime, and for good behaviour. The Texan prison population has now decreased by over 20,000 and crime in the area has fallen.

In developing its recommendations, the Sentencing Review will follow 3 core principles to ensure a sustainable justice system:
- make sure prison sentences punish serious offenders and protect the public, and there is always the space in prison for the most dangerous offenders
- look at what more can be done to encourage offenders to turn their backs on a life of crime, and keep the public safe by reducing reoffending
- explore tougher punishments outside of prison to make sure these sentences cut crime while making the best use of taxpayers’ money
The review will submit its findings in full to the Lord Chancellor by Spring 2025.

Notes to editors

The seven key themes the call for evidence will explore are:
- History and Trends in sentencing
- The Structure of sentencing
- The use of technology within sentencing
- Community sentences
- Custodial sentences
- The progression of custodial sentences
- The individual needs of victims and offenders
November 25, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : Defence Secretary meets counterparts in Türkiye and Saudi Arabia to further Defence Cooperation [November 2024]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 14 November 2024.

Deepening defence cooperation and urgently de-escalating tensions in the Middle East will be the focus of the Defence Secretary’s visit to Türkiye and Saudi Arabia.
- UK to commit to expanding cooperation on shared defence industrial priorities with Türkiye
- In his first visit to Riyadh, John Healey will reaffirm the UK’s commitment to a ‘future-facing’ defence relationship with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)
- Defence Secretary will also discuss ongoing efforts to secure a lasting ceasefire in Gaza and in Lebanon.
Deepening defence cooperation and urgently de-escalating tensions in the Middle East will be the focus of discussions between the Defence Secretary and his counterparts in Türkiye and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia today (Thursday 14 November).

During his meetings in Ankara and Riyadh, John Healey will reaffirm the UK’s commitment to global security and securing an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon.

Discussions with both nations will also focus on shared priorities, such as deepening ties between our defence industries and tackling regional security challenges.

In a mutual commitment to bolster regional stability, NATO Allies UK and Türkiye will agree to deepening their defence industrial cooperation, focusing efforts on exploring mutually beneficial opportunities.

And in his first visit to Saudi Arabia, the Defence Secretary will build on the decades-long defence relationship between the UK and KSA to enhance cooperation on shared security priorities.

Defence Secretary John Healey MP said:

Deepening our defence relationships with key partners across the region will help the UK to support regional stability and economic growth at home.

This government is determined to work with our partners and across the Middle East to boost military cooperation and help lead a renewed push for peace.

While in Ankara, the Defence Secretary and his counterpart, Yaşar Güler, will reaffirm plans to work together towards greater military cooperation and pursue a joint strategy for industry, providing significant opportunities for mutual growth and security.

Talks will aim to initiate a structured dialogue to explore procurement opportunities, and joint export ventures.

After travelling on to Riyadh this afternoon, the Defence Secretary is scheduled to meet Defence Minister HRH Prince Khalid bin Salman (KbS), and the Minister for the National Guard Abdullah bin Bandar (AbB).

The UK and KSA share a decades-long defence partnership, founded in mutual security interest, reliable UK support and longstanding industrial collaboration.  Engagements today will provide the opportunity to explore how to further enhance cooperation and capability development in pursuit of shared security priorities; including support to KSA’s Vision 2030 Transformation programme.
November 25, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : Pension megafunds could unlock £80 billion of investment as Chancellor takes radical action to drive economic growth [November 2024]
The press release issued by HM Treasury on 13 November 2024.

Biggest pension reforms in decades will merge Local Government Pension Scheme assets and consolidate defined contribution schemes into megafunds.
- Changes could unlock around £80 billion of investment for infrastructure projects and businesses of the future
- Local Government Pension Scheme changes will free up money for local public services in the long-term and secure more than £20 billion for investment in local communities
Pension megafunds will be created as part of the biggest set of pension reforms in decades, unlocking billions of pounds of investment in exciting new businesses and infrastructure and local projects.

After her inaugural Budget that fixed the foundations to deliver stability, Rachel Reeves will use her first Mansion House speech as Chancellor to announce bold action to tackle the fragmented pensions landscape, deliver investment and drive economic growth – which is the only way to make people better off.

The radical reforms, which will be introduced through a new Pension Schemes Bill next year, will create megafunds through consolidating defined contribution schemes and pooling assets from the 86 separate Local Government Pension Scheme authorities.

These megafunds mirror set-ups in Australia and Canada, where pension funds take advantage of size to invest in assets that have higher growth potential, which could deliver around £80 billion of investment in exciting new businesses and critical infrastructure while boosting defined contribution savers’ pension pots.

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves said:

Last month’s Budget fixed the foundations to restore economic stability and put our public services on a firmer footing. Now we’re going for growth.

That starts with the biggest set of reforms to the pensions market in decades to unlock tens of billions of pounds of investment in business and infrastructure, boost people’s savings in retirement and drive economic growth so we can make every part of Britain better off.

Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner said:

We’ve all seen the fantastic work carried out day in, day out, by our frontline workers and it’s about time their pension started working just as hard by driving investment in their communities.

This is about harnessing the untapped potential of the pensions belonging to millions of people, and using it as a force for good in boosting our economy.

Pensions Minister, Emma Reynolds said:

Harnessing the power of this multi-billion-pound industry is a win-win, benefiting future pensioners, and our wider economy.

These reforms could unlock £80 billion of investment into exciting new businesses and critical infrastructure.

The UK pension system is one of the largest in the world – with the Local Government Pension Scheme and Defined Contribution market set to manage £1.3 trillion in assets by the end of the decade. However, our pension landscape is fragmented and lacks the size needed to invest in exciting new businesses or expensive projects like infrastructure.

The government’s analysis – published today in the interim report of the Pensions Investment Review at Mansion House – shows that pension funds begin to return much greater productive investment levels once the size of assets they manage reaches between £25-50 billion. At this point they are better placed to invest in a wider range of assets, such as exciting new businesses and expensive infrastructure projects. Even larger pensions funds of greater than £50 billion in assets can harness further benefits including the ability to invest directly in large scale projects such as infrastructure at lower cost.

This is supported by evidence from Canada and Australia. Canada’s pension schemes invest around four times more in infrastructure, while Australia pension schemes invest around three times more in infrastructure and 10 times more in private equity, such as businesses, compared to Defined Contribution schemes in the UK. Benchmarking against domestic and international examples show how consolidation of the Local Government Pension Scheme and defined contribution schemes into megafunds could unlock around £80 billion of investment in productive investments like infrastructure and fast-growing companies.

The government is therefore consulting on proposals to take advantage of pension fund size and improve their governance.

Local Government Pension Scheme

The Local Government Pension Scheme in England and Wales will manage assets worth around £500 billion by 2030. These assets are currently split across 86 different administering authorities, managing assets between £300 million and £30 billion, with local government officials and councillors managing each fund.

Consolidating the assets into a handful of megafunds run by professional fund managers will allow them to invest more in assets like infrastructure, supporting economic growth and local investment on behalf of the 6.7 million public servants – most of whom are low-paid women – whose savings are managed.

These megafunds will need to meet rigorous standards to ensure they deliver for savers, such as needing to be authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority. Governance of the Local Government Pension Scheme will also be overhauled to deliver better value from investment decisions, which independent research suggests could free up money in the long-term to support local public services.

Local economies will be boosted by the changes as each Administering Authority will be required to specify a target for the pool’s investment in their local economy, working in partnership with Local and Mayoral Combined Authorities to identify the best opportunities to support local growth. If each Administering Authority were to set a 5% target, that would secure £20 billion of investment in local communities.

A new independent review process will be established to ensure each of the 86 Administering Authorities is fit for purpose.

Defined contribution schemes

Defined contribution pension schemes are set to manage £800 billion worth of assets by the end of the decade.

There are currently around 60 different multi-employer schemes, each investing savers’ money into one or more funds. The Government will consult on setting a minimum size requirement for these funds to ensure they deliver on their investment potential.

The government will also consult on measures to facilitate this consolidation into megafunds, including legislating to allow fund managers to more easily move savers from underperforming schemes to ones that deliver higher returns for them.
November 25, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer meeting with Prime Minister Ciolacu of Romania [November 2024]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 13 November 2024.

The Prime Minister welcomed Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu to Downing Street this afternoon.

The leaders began by discussing the historic visit, which was the first by a Romanian Prime Minister to the United Kingdom in more than 17 years.

Across defence, security, trade and investment, the relationship between the two countries was full of opportunity and potential, the leaders agreed.

They reflected on the new treaty announced by their defence secretaries today to deepen defence cooperation and procurement, and underscored the importance of supporting allies in the region from ongoing Russian aggression.

The Prime Minister welcomed Prime Minister Ciolacu’s reflections on the situation in the Black Sea, including the UK’s ongoing demining support.

They also discussed how the UK could further support Romania’s critical national infrastructure through investment and expertise, including on clean energy.

The Prime Minister then updated on his EU reset and said he hoped it would allow for a closer relationship with partners across Europe.

The leaders agreed to stay in touch.

November 25, 2024
David Lammy – 2024 Speech at the Asian Development Bank Event

The speech made by David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, on 13 November 2024.

Thank you, President Asakawa, for bringing us all together today.

I am really very, very pleased to see such a strong line-up as we launch this important initiative.

In my first major speech as Foreign Secretary, the Kew Lecture, I spoke about the need to put tackling the climate and nature crisis at the heart of our foreign policy.

I passionately believe this is the right course for Britain – given the size of the threat, and the scale of the opportunity.

And we are putting climate at the centre. Already domestically, we have got rid of the onshore wind ban. Already domestically, we have set up GB Energy – the first public utility to really harness and race us forward on that clean energy mission. Later on today, our Prime Minister will announce an ambitious NDC target, and we have already said that there will be no renewal of oil and gas licenses in the North Sea and we’ve seen the end of coal in the United Kingdom. We have got off to a major, major start. I passionately believe that this is the right course for Britain given the size of the threat then and the scale of the opportunity.

But clearly, no one country can tackle this problem alone.

So it is very important to see countries from the Indo-Pacific and the Euro-Atlantic, all working together, all recognising that our security is indivisible, and that this is a true climate-nature moment where we come together and we see that acutely in conflicts like the conflict that we see in Ukraine.

I am also delighted that the UK will be playing its part, announcing today a 280 million dollar guarantee as part of this collective effort.

I said it in my Kew speech and I have heard it frequently at past COPs, but it really bears repeating.

Words are not enough. If we are to avoid the worst, all of us need to take action. And for countries like those on this panel, whose economies prospered in the age of hydrocarbons, that means putting our money where our mouth is.

But it’s not just about what we commit, it’s also about making the most of that money.

All of us on this panel will have experienced difficult conversations with our finance ministries.

And at the same time, all of us will have heard again and again in conversations with partners in the Global South the shortages in climate finance and how big they are, and they risk getting bigger.

The best way to manage this is through innovative and multilateral solutions like this finance facility. Whether we say we want to get our penny’s worth or bang for our buck, the point remains the same – this is about maximising our impact.

I congratulate the Asian Development Bank and our friends here today for their work in reaching this milestone.

Thanks to the design of this Facility, you will be able to use every pound, dollar, krona, yen or won from us, and lend four and a half times as much.

As a result, we will have leveraged eleven billion dollars between us.

And we are going a long way towards fulfilling your ambition to be the climate bank of Asia.

This is urgently needed.

Over half of our global emissions come from Asia, almost half from developing Asia.

This is not surprising given the region’s size and impressive growth in recent years.

But it highlights the need for climate action.

Not least given how climate change risks reversing development gains particularly in the region, with over 40 million people at risk of falling back into extreme poverty because of the impact of the climate emergency.

Ultimately, like all the work we do at COP, this event is about them, not us.

It’s about taking the action they need.

It’s about getting them access to the finance they deserve.

It’s about changing their lives for the better.

And preserving a planet on which they and we can live in harmony with our natural environment for generations to come.

Thank you.

November 25, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : The human cost of Russia’s illegal war is appalling – UK statement to the OSCE [November 2024]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 November 2024.

The UK highlights the appalling human cost of Russia’s illegal, unprovoked war against Ukraine with Russian forces suffering their heaviest losses of the conflict so far in October 2024.

Thank you, Mr Chair. We are approaching 1000 days of Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The costs for Ukraine have been immense, and we will continue to hold Russia accountable against its OSCE commitments for its actions. But President Putin, who chose to start this war, should also be held accountable for the cost of his war to Russia and the Russian people.

For example, the cost to Russia’s international credibility, after it so clearly violated its commitments under the UN Charter, the Helsinki Final Act and the Geneva Conventions. Undermining fundamental commitments, including sovereignty, territorial integrity and the non-use of force – principles which we all rely on for our safety and security.

But Mr Chair, the human cost of this war is extraordinary and appalling. Almost 12,000 Ukrainian civilians have been killed as a direct result of Russian aggression and 6.2m Ukrainians forced to leave their country as refugees. Each day President Putin continues with his war of choice, more lives are lost – including those of his own people. October 2024 saw the highest number of Russian casualties since the full-scale invasion began. Nearly 42,000 losses were reported, taking the total number of Russian casualties since the war began to approximately 700,000. Hundreds of thousands killed and seriously wounded, not out of necessity, but because of the Russian President’s imperial ambitions. Tragically, human lives are a commodity in which the Russian leadership appears to place little value.

We know that the human rights situation within Russia is dire. Last month the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Russian Federation, Mariana Katzarova published a report on the Russian State’s complicity in and encouragement of widespread and systematic torture and ill-treatment, including against the brave Russians who dare to speak out against the invasion. But also among the victims mentioned in this report are Russia’s own mobilised men and regular servicemen, some for refusing to obey orders to fight against Ukraine. Hundreds are reportedly detained in unofficial detention centres near the front lines. This goes against the OSCE’s Code of Conduct, which compels States to abide by international law, including the Geneva Conventions.

And how are these soldiers seen by Russia’s elite? Well, a member of President Putin’s ruling party in the State Duma, Mr. Alexander Borodai, boasted that Russian authorities were sending troops with “no social value” to fight in Ukraine. According to Mr Borodai, they are seen as “expendable” or “spare people”.

Perhaps having exhausted these “spare people”, Russia’s leadership is now turning to Pyongyang to bolster its combat capability. Not only does this latest move recklessly endanger security in the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific, it is a stark reminder of Russia’s increasing reliance on third-country support. At last week’s joint meeting of this Forum and the Permanent Council, participating States and Partners for Cooperation made clear their concern at the growing military relationship between Russia and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, which stands in violation of several UN Security Council Resolutions. Regrettably, Russia chose not to engage seriously and erroneously claimed that the topic was outside the OSCE’s remit. Preventing unintended escalation or misunderstandings, including from unusual military activity within the OSCE’s Zone of Application, is why the OSCE was built. Russia owes participating States transparency on why these troops are there and with what intent. Enhancing transparency and risk reduction is in our collective security interests.

Thank you, Mr Chair.

November 25, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : Universal Periodic Review 47 – UK Statement on Nicaragua [November 2024]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 November 2024.

Statement by the UK’s Human Rights Ambassador, Eleanor Sanders, at Nicaragua’s Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Thank you, Madam Vice-President,

We too are increasingly alarmed by the deterioration of human rights in Nicaragua, including the closure of church-affiliated organisations and the harassment and arbitrary detention of members of the Church.

We are also concerned by the shutdown of civic space, including space for freedom of expression and independent media, and the growing climate of intimidation and repression affecting Nicaraguans in exile.

We therefore recommend that Nicaragua:
1. Releases all political prisoners immediately and without condition, and amends the Special Law 1145, relating to Nicaraguan nationality.
2. Addresses concerns regarding this year’s reform to the Penal Code, which allows the prosecution and confiscation of the assets of exiled Nicaraguans or foreigners accused of crimes against the State.
3. Ensures that religious and non-religious individuals can share information and materials about their beliefs without interference or threat to their safety.
Thank you.
November 25, 2024