UKPOL.CO.UK

Tag: 2024

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK convenes global coalition to boost cyber skills and tackle growing threats [September 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK convenes global coalition to boost cyber skills and tackle growing threats [September 2024]

    The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 16 September 2024.

    Three days of talks begin with like-minded nations as the UK calls for a renewed focus on tackling global cyber threats and boosting cyber skills.

    • Three days of talks begin with like-minded nations as the UK calls for a renewed focus on tackling global cyber threats and boosting cyber skills
    • To plug skills gap, a new scheme will be launched to fund cyber training in England and Northern Ireland
    • Comes ahead of new laws to better protect the UK from cyber-attacks and follows decision to classify data centres as Critical National Infrastructure (CNI)

    The UK will convene leading nations including the US and EU for talks on how to tackle the growing threat of cyber-attacks, as new figures show nearly half of British businesses do not have the skills needed to protect against cyber-crime.

    Taking place at Wilton Park in West Sussex, the discussions come at a critical time following recent high-profile incidents – including the global IT outage, an attack impacting NHS service providers, and attempts to disrupt London’s transport network.

    Over the next three days countries including the EU member states, Canada, Japan and international organisations such as the World Economic Forum (WEF) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) will discuss how global cyber security workforces can be strengthened, from agreeing ways to boost cyber skills to developing new professional standards.

    To help this effort, the UK will commission a new report, with attendees set to agree key areas it should focus on. The recommendations are expected to be published by the end of the year and will advance international collaboration to improve cyber skills and face down cyber-crime.

    Taking more immediate action, the UK government is also launching a new scheme to deliver tailored support across regions of England and Northern Ireland. By tapping into local know how, the move will fund initiatives which will directly address the cyber skills needs of individual areas – whether it’s through apprenticeships or companies developing new forms of cyber security.

    It follows the government’s decision to designate data centres as Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) alongside energy and water systems, which will bolster the UK’s security and allow the government to support the sector in the event of critical incidents. Supporting UK cyber skills will also boost the £11.9 billion cyber security industry and help protect growth in the UK economy.

    Cyber Security Minister Feryal Clark said:

    The UK needs a significant improvement in its cyber defences after the previous government failed to strengthen our cyber laws – we’re fixing that.

    Later this year, we’ll bring forward new measures to better protect the nation from cyber-crime and our new regional skills programme will support the next generation of cyber talent and innovators.

    But this is a shared challenge, which is why we’re bringing together global allies to discuss and agree steps to keep us safe online, improve cyber skills and protect our economy and public services.

    A total of £1.3 million is being made available for organisations such as universities, local councils and businesses to provide cyber skills training, and fund organisations developing new innovations in cyber defence across Northern Ireland and England. Delivered by Innovate UK, applications for the scheme open today and will see grants of up to £150,000 awarded to winning applicants by March 2025.

    Alongside this, the UK government has also launched a competition to find the best young cyber talent to represent the UK on the international stage.

    The event demonstrates the UK’s leadership in bringing likeminded countries together to discuss one of the biggest threats facing nations around the world today. It’s hoped it will firmly place cyber on the global agenda and become a regular fixture – with other nations expected to host going forward.

    To mark the opening, the UK has published the latest figures from its Cyber Security Skills in the UK Labour Market Survey. The findings show that while the estimated annual shortfall for jobs in the UK’s cyber workforce has reduced – down from 11,200 last year to just 3,500 this year – 44% of UK businesses do not have the fundamental skills to protect themselves from cyber-attacks.

    The figures highlight the need for further targeted action to ensure the UK’s cyber security workforce can continue to develop a rich pipeline of diverse talent to help keep the nation safe online in the years to come – which the new regional skills programme will help to address.

    To further bridge the global cyber skills gap, the UK is also teaming up with CREST International – a non-profit organisation representing standards in the global cyber security community – to launch the CREST Cyber Accelerated Maturity Programme (CAMP).

    This Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) sponsored scheme will provide mentoring to cyber service providers to develop their capabilities, experience and skills in line with CREST’s standards, and bolster training. Countries in Europe, Africa, South-East Asia, and the Middle East have been invited to join as founding partners.

    The UK government is taking swift action to address vulnerabilities and protect the nation’s digital economy to deliver growth, by bringing forward the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill. This will strengthen the UK’s cyber defences, ensure that critical infrastructure and the digital services that companies rely on are secure.

    Wilton Park CEO Tom Cargill said:

    Cyber security is becoming harder, but also ever more essential. That’s why it’s vital that we have a strong international framework of standards for cyber professionals.

    Wilton Park plays a discreet but critical role in supporting the skills & knowledge required to protect and advance global freedoms, both on & offline, so we’re delighted to be hosting this dialogue aimed at building an effective and internationalised cyber security profession.

    Notes to editors

    Countries and organisations in attendance

    • Australia (Australian Public Service Commission)
    • Canada (Canadian Centre for Cyber Security)
    • Government of Dubai (Dubai Electronic Security Center)
    • European Union (European Union Agency for Cybersecurity)
    • Ghana (Cyber Security Authority)
    • India (Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology)
    • Italy (National Cybersecurity Agency)
    • Ireland (National Cyber Security Centre is a government computer security organisation in Ireland)
    • Japan (Embassy)
    • Oman (Advanced Cybersecurity Academy, Cyber Defense Centre)
    • Singapore (Cyber Security Agency of Singapore)
    • United States (National Institute of Standards and Technology, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency)
    • Republic of Korea (Ministry of Science and ICT)
    • African Union
    • United Kingdom (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, National Cyber Security Centre)

    Other organisations involved

    • BAE Systems
    • BT Security
    • CyberSafe Foundation
    • World Economic Forum (WEF)
    • Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
    • Global Forum on Cyber Expertise (GFCE)
    • International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
    • Protection Group International (PGI)
    • TechUK
    • UK Cyber Security Council

    Certification bodies

    • International Information System Security Certification Consortium (ISC2)
    • Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA)
    • CREST
    • SANS
    • Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC)
    • Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA)

    Representatives from the academic community such as University of Manchester, Southampton and Oxford.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Minister visits West Africa to bolster partnerships for growth [September 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Minister visits West Africa to bolster partnerships for growth [September 2024]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 September 2024.

    Minister for Africa Lord Collins of Highbury embarks on a week-long visit to Ghana and Senegal to bolster partnerships for growth.

    • UK support to boost growth, clean energy, food security and women’s empowerment announced as Minister for Africa Lord Collins begins week-long visit to West African regional powers, Ghana and Senegal
    • in Ghana, UK funds will help small businesses to access clean energy sources and in Senegal, the minister will lead a delegation of 40 companies to explore opportunities to deepen trade and investment ties
    • new funding will also improve access to reproductive health services for women and girls in Senegal

    Modern economic partnerships are high on the agenda as UK Minister for Africa, Lord Collins for Highbury, embarks on a week-long visit to Ghana and Senegal to drive mutual growth and prosperity.

    In Senegal, Lord Collins will meet Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko. Leading a delegation of 40 companies, he will explore opportunities for increasing trade and investment between the UK and Senegal with a focus on partnerships that deliver mutually beneficial, sustainable growth.

    He will also highlight new UK Export Finance-backed investment in infrastructure worth hundreds of millions of pounds, and commit UK support for Senegal’s new industrial strategy.

    Visiting the Port of Dakar, Lord Collins will see first-hand how UK investment will support Senegalese and intra-African growth and trade and create jobs; and ride the UK-funded Dakar Bus Rapid Transit System, the first electric bus network in sub-Saharan Africa.

    Approximately £7.24 million of UK funding has also been announced to empower women and girls to have greater voice, choice and control over their reproductive health and rights in Senegal, through the new Women’s Integrated Sexual Health (WISH) Dividend programme.

    Subject to contract, the programme will be delivered by MSI Senegal, alongside Senegalese and international partners, the programme is expected to prevent almost 400,000 unintended pregnancies, 92,000 unsafe abortions, and over 550 maternal deaths. It is also estimated to save approximately £24.3 million in direct healthcare costs that would otherwise be paid for by families or the healthcare system.

    Ahead of his visit, Lord Collins of Highbury said:

    The UK is reconnecting with the world. We are deepening our relationships with our African counterparts based on genuine respect, focusing on partnerships that deliver mutually beneficial and sustainable investment and growth.

    In Senegal, I’m leading a UK trade mission of 40 companies and announcing support to their flagship connectivity programme and their new industrial strategy. In Ghana, we’re unlocking access to a network of clean, green energy for small businesses through an innovative partnership with the private sector. These are the growth initiatives of the future.

    But a country cannot grow sustainably without empowering its women. That’s why I’m also announcing new funding to empower women and adolescents to have more freedom to control their bodies and their future and to contribute economically.

    Alain Christian Mbengue, MSI Senegal’s Country Director, said:

    I want to thank the UK government, not only for this important investment, but for their longstanding partnership and support.

    Through this funding we and our partners will be able to expand access to lifesaving sexual and reproductive health services that will support the Ministry of Health and Social Action to reach its ambitious targets and give women and girls from the poorest and most vulnerable communities the opportunity to follow their dreams and become our next generation of leaders.

    During his time in Ghana, Lord Collins will meet with the President Nana Akufo-Addo and political leaders ahead of the country’s election in December 2024. The minister will also meet with the World Food Programme (WFP) to understand more about how climate change is contributing to food insecurity, launching a £500,000 food fortification programme, alongside new funding of at least £1 million to support Ghanaian communities suffering from drought and crop deprivation.

    The UK, together with Shell Foundation, will also announce support for innovative energy firms Kofa and PASH Global to accelerate the green energy transition in Ghana. Backed by a commitment of £3.8 million, Kofa and PASH will help small businesses switch from petrol generators to sustainable batteries for powering appliances like refrigerators. The initiative also promotes the use of electric motorbikes, providing green energy solutions for everyday mobility.

    The project is part of the UK’s Transforming Energy Access programme which works with countries to provide sustainable energy for millions of people, creating jobs and supporting livelihoods.

    Background

    • during his visit to Senegal, Lord Collins will also launch the British Council’s English Connects programme for 2024 to 2025 to increase access to learning English in Senegalese secondary schools
    • subject to contract, MSI Senegal will lead a consortium, building on longstanding collaboration with international partners like IPAS, Options and Sightsavers. They will also bring in vital local knowledge and expertise from African organisations including RAES, Women in Law and Development in Africa (WiLDAF) to improve women’s access to sexual and reproductive health and rights services in Senegal, with a focus on reaching the poor, vulnerable and hard-to-reach, such as women living with disabilities
    • during his visit to Ghana, Lord Collins will launch a food fortification programme alongside new funding of at least £1 million to support Ghanaian communities suffering from drought and crop deprivation
    • he will also launch a new £1.9 million Sankore call for proposals to support research and innovation in Ghana and Nigeria. Sankore is part of the UK’s Africa Technology and Innovation Partnership (ATIP) Programme
  • PRESS RELEASE : New Border Security Commander appointed as Prime Minister’s European reset continues in Italy [September 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : New Border Security Commander appointed as Prime Minister’s European reset continues in Italy [September 2024]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 15 September 2024.

    Martin Hewitt CBE QPM has been appointed to lead the UK’s new Border Security Command – marking a significant step forward in the fight against illegal migration and criminal smuggling gangs.

    • Martin Hewitt CBE QPM appointed as new Border Security Commander
    • Prime Minister announces former NPCC Chair with “unique expertise” ahead of Rome visit
    • Commander will lead a new international effort to destroy criminal smuggling gangs

    Martin Hewitt CBE QPM has been appointed to lead the UK’s new Border Security Command – marking a significant step forward in the fight against illegal migration and criminal smuggling gangs.

    Signalling a new approach to securing our borders, the Border Security Command will be armed with enhanced powers and will coordinate the work of all our law enforcement and intelligence agencies to lead joint investigations with European counterparts to address organised immigration crime.

    Martin Hewitt has over 30 years’ experience tackling serious crime and protecting national security. As former Chair of the National Police Chiefs’ Council he led strategic coordination across all UK police forces and played a critical role in shaping national responses to major security threats, including terrorism, organised crime and illegal migration.

    His ability to bring together policing, law enforcement, intelligence agencies and government bodies in response to major security threats was key to his appointment. His leadership was most visibly demonstrated in managing the UK’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, coordinating policing efforts.

    The announcement comes as part of the Prime Minister’s visit to Italy, where he is continuing his drive to reset relations with key international partners and deliver tangible results for the British people on migration, trade and security for the UK.

    As part of the visit Keir Starmer will discuss with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni her country’s success in tackling irregular migration. Italy has seen a 60 per cent drop in irregular migration by sea over the past year thanks to tough enforcement and international cooperation.

    The Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

    “No more gimmicks. This government will tackle the smuggling gangs who trade the lives of men, women and children across borders.

    “Martin Hewitt’s unique expertise will lead a new era of international enforcement to dismantle these networks, protect our shores and bring order to the asylum system.”

    Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said:

    “I am delighted to welcome Martin to this role. Following decades working at the top of law enforcement on national security, public safety and serious organised crime he has the experience and track record we need to lead our Border Security Command.

    “Dangerous criminal smuggling gangs have been making millions out of small boat crossings, undermining our border security and putting lives at risk, and getting away with it for far too long.

    Under this Government we have taken early action against the smuggler gangs including increasing British officers stationed at Europol and commencing recruitment of 100 specialist investigators to go after these criminal networks and their supply chains, including seizing boats and engines.

    “With the Border Security Command we can go much further – building new law enforcement partnerships across Europe and getting new powers into place, to go after the gangs, tackle dangerous boat crossings and save lives.”

    Newly appointed Border Security Commander Martin Hewitt said:

    “I am honoured and excited to lead this new and groundbreaking Command. I am under no illusions of the challenges that lie ahead, but I am determined to face them head-on.

    “For too long, the criminal gangs who smuggle people through Europe have abused our borders in the name of profit, and they are responsible for the deaths of scores of vulnerable, innocent people. We will dismantle them, bring them to justice and prevent them from using exploitation and deceit to fill their pockets.

    “It is great to see that progress has been made in recent weeks, and we will build on this to forge deeper relationships with all of the organisations within Border Security Command, as well as our friends and partners across the world.”

    The Prime Minister will be joined in Rome by the new Commander and will outline the UK’s strategy to work more closely with European partners to pursue, disrupt and arrest those responsible for this vile trade.

    During the visit the Prime Minister and Mr Hewitt will tour the National Coordination Centre for Migration to see first-hand how Italy responds to irregular migration and discuss future cooperation.

    The Prime Minister is leading a reset in the relationship with Europe, with work to increase security co-operation already leading to a 50 per cent uplift in the number of National Crime Agency officers stationed in Europol, working on organised immigration crime.

    This month the National Crime Agency (NCA) hosted a summit of Cabinet ministers and law enforcement partners that discussed plans for further collaboration with European partners.

    This renewed cooperation has already led to success, including co-operation with Bulgaria seeing more than 40 small boats and engines being intercepted in recent weeks – enough to have enabled 2,400 people to attempt the deadly crossing. This work is among 70 live operations the NCA is currently running with international partners.

    The planned Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill will bring forward intrusive state powers mirroring Counter Terror legislation, to allow law enforcement partners to disrupt, investigate and prosecute those facilitating organised immigration crime.

    The Prime Minister is visiting Italy to forge stronger ties with one of the UK’s key European partners following productive trips to Berlin, Paris and Dublin.

    Italy is a pivotal NATO, G7 and EU player and the UK’s 9th largest trading partner with bilateral trade flows worth over £50 billion.

    While in Rome the Prime Minister will focus on building an ambitious partnership with Italy that will deliver for the British and Italian people. He will meet with business leaders to explore ways to unlock further trade potential between the two countries and discuss closer co-operation with Prime Minister Meloni on defence and security.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer meeting with President Biden of the United States [September 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer meeting with President Biden of the United States [September 2024]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 14 September 2024.

    The Prime Minister and U.S. President Joe Biden held talks at the White House this afternoon.

    The leaders both welcomed the opportunity for an in-depth discussion on a wide range of foreign policy issues, including the situation in Ukraine, the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific.

    With both conflicts continuing, they agreed that now was the time for a more detailed discussion focused on immediate co-operation as well as long-term strategy over the next few months.

    On Ukraine, they heard from the Foreign Secretary and the U.S. Secretary of State about their recent visit to Kyiv. They updated on the courageous campaign of the Ukrainians to defend their territory and deter Russian aggression. They strongly condemned the transfer of lethal weapons to Russia from North Korea and Iran.

    Both leaders agreed on the importance of sustaining support to Ukraine in all aspects, including military, economic and diplomatic, for as long as it takes for Russia to withdraw.

    On the Middle East, they discussed the urgent need for a ceasefire deal, the imperative of ensuring much greater flows of humanitarian aid into Gaza and the deeply concerning escalation in the West Bank – including settlement expansion and increasing settler violence. They agreed to work together to tackle these concerns. The Prime Minister reiterated his view that the only viable long-term solution to this conflict is the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside the State of Israel, that provides security for both Israelis and Palestinians.

    They moved on to discuss the Indo-Pacific region and agreed on the vital importance of our global defence partnerships, including AUKUS.

    They agreed to continue their discussions.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK funding for those impacted by Typhoon Yagi in Vietnam [September 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK funding for those impacted by Typhoon Yagi in Vietnam [September 2024]

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

    The UK government has announced £1 million of humanitarian assistance to Vietnam to support the initial phase of the response to the impact of Typhoon Yagi.

    • the UK government is providing £1 million of humanitarian assistance in response to the devastating impact of Typhoon Yagi in Vietnam. It will provide emergency supplies, cash assistance and critical services, such as health, water and sanitation to those affected
    • Typhoon Yagi is the most powerful storm to hit the South China Sea in 30 years and has caused widespread damage and loss of life in multiple provinces
    • this vital humanitarian assistance will support the initial phase of the response, including life-saving interventions and early recovery via humanitarian partners

    The UK government has today announced £1 million of humanitarian assistance to Vietnam to support the initial phase of the response to the impact of Typhoon Yagi. The vital assistance will be allocated to humanitarian partners and will reach individuals directly through providing emergency supplies, cash assistance and critical services, such as health, water and sanitation.

    Typhoon Yagi hit Vietnam with sustained winds of 142 mph and heavy rainfall. [As of 14 September] 351 people are reported to be dead or missing, and over 800 people have reported injuries following landslides, falling trees, and widespread flooding. Furthermore, over 188,000 houses are damaged, destroyed or flooded and there has been significant damage to power infrastructure, bridges, and educational facilities.

    Vietnam is one of the world’s most climate vulnerable states. The UK is at the forefront of climate cooperation with Vietnam as co-leaders of the Just Energy Transition Partnership. In addition to supporting the initial phase of the typhoon response, this funding will help to boost Vietnam’s ongoing resilience to climate change.

    Minister for Development Anneliese Dodds said:

    The UK government stands beside the people affected by the devastating impact of Typhoon Yagi in Vietnam.

    We have coordinated closely with the Vietnamese government and humanitarian partners to identify where our support can have greatest impact.

    The funding announced today will reach those most in need, providing emergency supplies, cash assistance and critical services, such as health, water and sanitation to those in the worst affected areas.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Russia’s procurement of Iranian ballistic missiles – G7 foreign ministers’ statement [September 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Russia’s procurement of Iranian ballistic missiles – G7 foreign ministers’ statement [September 2024]

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

    Statement by the foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America and the High Representative of the EU.

    We, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America and the High Representative of the EU, condemn in the strongest possible terms Iran’s export and Russia’s procurement of Iranian ballistic missiles.

    Evidence that Iran has continued to transfer weaponry to Russia despite repeated international calls to stop represents a further escalation of Iran’s military support to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. Russia has used Iranian weaponry such as UAVs to kill Ukrainian civilians and strike their critical infrastructure. Russia’s aggression constitutes a flagrant violation of international law including the UN Charter.

    Iran must immediately cease all support to Russia’s illegal and unjustifiable war against Ukraine and halt such transfers of ballistic missiles, UAVs and related technology, which constitute a direct threat to the Ukrainian people as well as European and international security more broadly.

    We remain steadfast in our commitment to hold Iran to account for its unacceptable support for Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine that further undermines global security. In line with our previous statements on the matter, we are already responding with new and significant measures.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK-US Strategic Dialogue – Joint statement [September 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK-US Strategic Dialogue – Joint statement [September 2024]

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

    Joint statement by the governments of the United Kingdom and United States on the occasion of the UK-US Strategic Dialogue in London.

    United Kingdom Foreign Secretary David Lammy and United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken met in London to open the UK-US Strategic Dialogue.

    The Strategic Dialogue – led by the Secretaries of State of the United Kingdom and United States – celebrates and deepens the long-standing and special relationship between the United Kingdom and United States.

    The dialogue, held 10 to 11 September 2024, covered the key elements of the UK-US partnership, including unwavering support for Ukraine, the promotion of peace and security in the Middle East including through a ceasefire in Gaza, cooperation towards a free and open Indo-Pacific, and alignment on secure, resilient and sustainable growth.

    At the dialogue, the United Kingdom and United States emphasised the interconnectedness of the security and economies of the Euro-Atlantic and the Indo-Pacific.

    Foreign Secretary Lammy and Secretary Blinken reaffirmed the enduring support of the United Kingdom and United States for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

    They discussed next steps to mobilise military and financial resources for Ukraine, restrict Russian revenues, put pressure on the Kremlin’s war machine, and restore Ukraine’s energy networks. They condemned strongly Russia’s recent air strikes that devastated Ukrainian civilians.

    They decided to work together to support the European and Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine, Moldova, and the Western Balkans, highlighting Ukraine’s irreversible path to NATO membership. The dialogue expressed particular concern about China’s support to Russia’s defence industrial base.

    Both leaders noted the importance of addressing security and stability in Europe; addressing threats from foreign disinformation, malicious cyber actors, and organised crime; and encouraging stable, inclusive, and prosperous societies.

    Secretary Blinken confirmed intelligence findings that Russia has received ballistic missiles from Iran. Both Foreign Secretary Lammy and Secretary Blinken recognised the significance of this escalation and the concerning trend of Iran’s ever closer military support to Russia.

    They condemned the transfer and made clear that, alongside international partners, they would take coordinated action to respond with new and significant measures for Iran and Russia.

    The United Kingdom and United States also noted that Iran continued to bring instability to the region through its proliferation of advanced weaponry, alongside providing financial and political support to its partners, including Lebanese Hizballah, Hamas, the Houthis, and other groups in Iraq and Syria.

    Both agreed that Iran’s nuclear programme had never been more advanced and posed a clear threat to regional and global peace and security.

    Foreign Secretary Lammy expressed the United Kingdom’s clear support for the ongoing mediation efforts by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar to conclude the agreement for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages.

    Both the United Kingdom and United States underlined their support for Israel’s security and the importance of avoiding any escalatory action in the region which would undermine the prospect for peace and progress towards a two-state solution.

    In that regard, they affirmed their shared commitment to securing a political agreement for a lasting security solution along the Blue Line that will allow Israeli and Lebanese civilians on both sides to return to their homes with safety and security.

    They discussed the humanitarian situation in Gaza and reiterated calls for all parties to the conflict to protect civilians and for Israel to facilitate the flow of aid, including ensuring the UN and humanitarian partners can deliver their operations safely.

    They welcomed the ongoing polio vaccination campaign and underlined the importance of cooperation from all parties with the WHO and health agencies to ensure that all children who need to be are vaccinated.

    The United Kingdom and United States reaffirmed their commitment to continue their Indo-Pacific Dialogue and pledged to explore new opportunities to coordinate approaches, work with others to support a free and open region, and oppose any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion.

    Both nations recognised that their partnership with Australia, through AUKUS, is a demonstration of that continued collective commitment to the region. They welcomed last month’s publication of the United Kingdom’s AUKUS Nations Open General Licence, alongside an International Traffic in Arms Regulations exemption granted by the United States and looked forward to implementation.

    These changes will enable enhanced collaboration and the rapid development of some of the most advanced capabilities in the world – revolutionising AUKUS partners’ defence trade sectors and unlocking growth and export opportunities for all of our industries.

    The United Kingdom and United States affirmed the importance of close coordination to advance shared objectives and common values and interests with respect to the Indo-Pacific.

    On China, the two sides confirmed our shared commitment to upholding international law and the rules based international system and noted with concern dangerous and destabilising actions in the South China Sea by Chinese vessels towards Philippines vessels.

    The United Kingdom and United States emphasised the need to respect the law of the sea as reflected in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. They restated the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait as indispensable to the security and prosperity of the international community and called for the peaceful resolution of cross-Strait issues.

    The dialogue discussed the United Kingdom and United States’ shared priorities in Africa.  This includes efforts to end the conflict and promote expanded humanitarian access in Sudan and supporting Somalia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and long-term stability, including through the transition to a new African Union led security mission.

    In the dialogue, the United Kingdom and United States reaffirmed a shared commitment to strengthening the resilience of democracies around the world.  Both noted longstanding US-UK collaboration on anti-corruption issues, and the United States welcomed increased UK focus on countering corruption – specifically kleptocracy – including by addressing illicit finance, beneficial ownership transparency, and enablers of corruption.

    The United States and United Kingdom look forward to building on our cooperation in these areas, including through measures such as sanctions, multilateral and bilateral diplomacy, law enforcement, and foreign assistance.

    Recognising the threat foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI) poses to democracies, the United Kingdom and United States decided to increase the pace and scale of our joint efforts to disrupt Kremlin and other state-sponsored FIMI and to advance joint capabilities among our closest partners.

    This effort was bolstered by a commitment from the United Kingdom and United States to take joint action to expose and disrupt covert foreign information operations around the world, which seek to spread lies and discord to undermine free and open societies.

    The United Kingdom and United States affirm our ambition to deliver through the G7 Collective Response Framework in 2025. These efforts will include as special focus joint assistance to Ukraine to counter Kremlin disinformation and propaganda seeking to justify an unjustifiable invasion.

    This work will build on and support both the United Kingdom and United States’ intention to continue bilateral cooperation on the five key action areas in the US Department of State’s Framework to Counter Foreign State Information Manipulation.

    Drawing on Prime Minister Starmer and President Biden’s recent commitment to aligned ambitions for greater economic growth, Foreign Secretary Lammy and Secretary Blinken noted how the UK-US security partnership underpinned the prosperity that allows both economies to grow, while working on a suite of tools to protect our critical technologies at the same time.

    They highlighted the centrality of the clean energy transition to economic security and growth and the criticality of strong climate leadership, as well as key domestic policies, such as the UK Clean Energy Superpower Mission and the US Inflation Reduction Act, and noted the considerable existing bilateral energy co-operation, including through the United Kingdom-United States Energy Dialogue.

    The United Kingdom and United States committed to work together ahead of COP29 in Azerbaijan, including on global climate finance goals and driving progress on the effort to triple renewable energy capacity globally by 2030. They also committed to continue working through the G7 and other multilateral fora to enhance economic security and resilience.

    Foreign Secretary Lammy and Secretary Blinken expressed their enthusiasm for continuing to build on the steadfast relationship between the United Kingdom and United States. They affirmed the importance of Prime Minister Starmer’s September 13 meeting with President Biden in Washington DC and decided to continue discussions across the full range of foreign and security policy priorities.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Statement on RT [September 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Statement on RT [September 2024]

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

    A FCDO spokesperson said:

    The UK supports the US in their assessment that RT is not only a state-funded propaganda house, but deliberately working to undermine our collective security on behalf of the Kremlin.

    Already a mouthpiece for Russian disinformation, RT has mutated into an altogether more harmful organisation.

    US information shows that RT is engaged in information operations and covert influence across the world. These activities strike at the democratic foundations of other countries, using intelligence operations and shadowy networks to incite political violence, and spread dissent across the world. Working in direct cooperation with the Kremlin, RT has sought to influence democratic processes in Moldova and to spread damaging lies designed to inflame tensions.

    As part of this cooperation the Russian Government had embedded an entity with cyber operational capabilities and ties to Russian intelligence within RT with the full knowledge of RTs senior leadership.

    Alongside its public lies and disinformation RT has also used proxy outlets under the guise of independent media to disseminate false pro-Kremlin narratives.

    Together with our international partners we have already taken strong measures to prevent RT from achieving its pernicious objectives, sanctioning its parent company TV Novosti and working to restrict its influence. We will continue to bear down on those who would threaten our collective security and democratic values.

    In its control of RT, we see the extent of the Russian state’s duplicity: weaponising the media in order to spread lies, threaten global security and further its illegal invasion of Ukraine. We have seen these shoddy attempts to obscure the truth and they have failed.

  • Stephanie Peacock – 2024 Speech at ParalympicsGB Homecoming

    Stephanie Peacock – 2024 Speech at ParalympicsGB Homecoming

    The speech made by Stephanie Peacock, the Sports Minister, on 12 September 2024 at the Birmingham Town Hall in Birmingham.

    Thank you Andria, David and the whole National Lottery family for inviting me to speak today.

    It is an absolute privilege to be here in Birmingham to welcome home ParalympicsGB and get the chance to celebrate your remarkable achievements in Paris.

    I cannot imagine how the last few weeks must have been for all of you. The build up… the excitement… the adrenaline.

    What you achieved out there was absolutely phenomenal.

    Second place in the medal table – for the third consecutive Paralympic Games.

    Unbelievable displays of stamina, skill and strength.

    You built on the record-breaking performances of Rio and Tokyo, and you made the whole country very proud.

    Whether you brought home a medal or not, your performances were testament to what can be achieved through focus and commitment.

    You withstood pain and overcame everything in front of you, pushing yourselves to the absolute limit.

    I hope you’ve all had a chance to relax and really soak in everything you accomplished.

    I was delighted to be in Paris to cheer you on as I know people up and down the country were doing the same.

    This Government wants to support the next generation of athletes to make their dreams a reality, and that is exactly what we are going to do.

    We are reviewing the ways we can put sport back at the centre of the curriculum.

    We want to make sure that every child, wherever they live, can access first class grassroots facilities.

    I will continue to work with our Arm’s Length Body Sport England, who do great work in making sure each of their programmes directly impacts disabled people and those with long term health conditions.

    This includes initiatives such as the We Are Undefeatable campaign, and partnerships with disability sports organisations.

    We are fully committed to enabling you to excel on the world stage and will continue to support you in the run up to LA 2028.

    None of that would have been possible without the infrastructure that UK Sport and ParalympicGB support, and of course the enduring support of the National Lottery.

    The National Lottery has been instrumental to our continued success at the last few Paralympic Games.

    Thanks to the funding generated by National Lottery players, ParalympicsGB has continued to excel, cementing its remarkable position of second place on the all-time Games medal table.

    I know that many of you, straight after you finished your event, spoke about how important the National Lottery has been to your journey, and how it has been the bedrock of your success.

    So I would like to thank everyone at the National Lottery, and all the people who play, for helping to do their bit and backing successive generations of GB Paralympians.

    All of you here today have helped to inspire and paved the road for the next generation, so I hope you enjoy the celebrations tonight.

    I hope to see as many of you as possible in the coming months, encouraging others to follow in your footsteps.

  • Chris Bryant – 2024 Speech at Connected Britain 2024

    Chris Bryant – 2024 Speech at Connected Britain 2024

    The speech made by Chris Bryant, the Minister for Data Protection and Telecoms, at ExCel in London on 12 September 2024.

    I’m here to make you an offer. An offer I hope you won’t want to refuse.

    We all know this country has great potential, but we have struggled in recent years. Too many things just don’t seem to work. Economic growth has been anaemic at best GDP growth per head of population has fallen. The cost of-living crisis has hit family budgets and businesses.

    People are desperate to turn the corner.

    Which is why we as a government are keen to fix the foundations – the foundations of our society and our economy. And no foundations are more important than our digital telecoms infrastructure.

    And the phrase that keeps on coming back to me is from E M Forster’s novel, Howard’s End. He wrote ‘Only connect! Only connect the prose and the passion and both will be exalted. Live in fragments no longer.’

    So my offer to you, my ask, is simple: help us fix the foundations, help us achieve that ambition of ‘only connect’, so that our society and our economy can stop living in fragments. If we can do that together, UK productivity could improve, your customers would have more fruitful lives economically and socially, government could be more efficient, the economy could grow and the financial return to your companies would be more secure.

    This is a two way street. We know that investment needs to be driven by competition and we recognise the challenging investment climate against an international background, so we want to support industry to invest – through a stable fiscal framework and the right regulatory framework, light touch where it can be, but timely where enforced standards can facilitate secure decisions and investments.

    I would also add that we as ministers want to make timely and evidence-based decisions.

    Let me be specific about what that looks like.

    First, the basics of infrastructure rollout.

    Nobody seriously doubts that digital infrastructure underpins the modern digital economy, is a key driver of productivity and growth and is as essential as water and electricity.

    I won’t bore you with the statistics that you already know, but suffice it to say that we have made significant progress on superfast broadband, on gigabit capable broadband, on 4G and 5G non-standalone. Project Gigabit and the shared rural network have brought connectivity to many who would otherwise have missed out and I can assure you that our ambitions have not changed.

    Second, opportunities for better government.

    The Police and courts services are significant consumers of voice and data services. Standalone 5G could enable  video transmission from body cameras and drones, in vehicle connectivity and support virtual court hearings in rural areas.

    Standalone 5G can also transmit high resolution images from scans in hospitals, support autonomous medicine distribution – and enable more care in the community rather than in hospital beds. Future diagnostic imaging is likely to get greedier – and patients and local health services are going to need gigabit broadband to meet the challenge.

    So help us build better, more productive public services.

    Thirdly, opportunities for better lives.

    If we get the legislation right on smart data, smarter gas and electricity metres could make it far easier for households to heat their homes and save on fuel bills. That would be good for personal finances and help us meet our net zero commitments.

    There are economic advantages as well. Just think of the video games industry, one of our great success stories. It sits at the junction between tech and creativity. It needs strong connectivity, not just in offices in Leamington Spa, Dundee and Guildford, but in the countless flats and homes where designers work and in consumers’, customers’ and players’ homes. The circle of buffering doom is not the name of the latest game, but it is still a reality for too many.

    Fourthly, we need to safely and responsibly retire obsolete legacy systems and future-poof our infrastructure.

    The classic case here is Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), the old copper wires that provided our landlines for generations. They are failing at an increasing rate and need replacing. But that poses a real challenge for Telecare devices, 3 million of which are still operating on the old system. Government must and will do its part here. I have written to all the key local authorities to ensure that they work with operators to protect all vulnerable customers as they safely transition to fibre. And I have written to those who provide telecare devices to urge them to stop selling analogue-only kit that will very soon be unusable. In return, I’m delighted that all the operators are working on greater security during transition and greater battery resilience.

    I could make very similar arguments about 2G. So, let’s work together.

    Fifthly, I want us to connect everyone, but the truth is that far too many individuals and communities are excluded from the digital world.

    Around 1.5 million people live in digital poverty with either no or limited access to connectivity. 2% of school children are only able to access the internet at home via a mobile phone and that figure rises substantially amongst the poorest families. 27% of adults on low incomes only access the internet by smartphone.

    It is a shocking fact that the UK’s digital inclusion strategy is now more than ten years old – and ten years out of date. That cannot be right. Tackling digital inclusion is a key priority for this government. We want to take everyone with us – because if people are excluded by geography, age, financial status or lack of skills, that is a problem for the whole of society – and for you.

    So we want to work with you to find creative solutions to digital inclusion.

    I am grateful for the many social tariffs that are available, but only 8.3% (380,000) of over 4.6 million houses on Universal Credit take one up; only 45% of those eligible know that social tariffs exist, and 1.5 to 2 million are likely to struggle to afford even a social tariff.

    I’m certain we can do better – but we need to work together, government and industry, to realise the full potential of every community.

    Sixthly, we need to make the connection between two different aspects of my portfolio – telecoms and space.

    The UK has a real competitive advantage in space and I want to exploit that to its full potential. I’m also conscious that Al working with telecoms data stands a real chance of driving far more efficient use of telecom connectivity. I hope to say more about this soon.

    Seventh, I want us all to think about not-spots that have been a bit neglected.

    Why, oh why, can’t we sort connectivity on trains? And in urban areas, many of which are falling behind rural areas for all sorts of complex reasons to do with wayleaves. And after live music events – or rugby matches in Cardiff – when you can’t call a friend, text them or WhatsApp them to arrange to meet up. My plea is simple – help!

    Let me turn to what we are already doing as a government.

    We want to support commercial investment, so we are  ensuring we have the right policy and regulatory framework for the fixed and mobile (wireless) networks; we are undertaking a Mobile Market Review to understand the technological and structural changes taking place in the sector; and we are looking at how we can further reform planning regulations to remove barriers to infrastructure deployment.

    In order to remove barriers to rollout, we will implement the remaining telecoms provisions of the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022 as soon as possible; we will support the deployment of full-fibre to multi-dwelling units, such as blocks of flats and social housing, whilst remaining mindful of the need to maintain wholesale competition.

    And we will put additional momentum into flexible permitting for street works and supporting their implementation as early as possible. That said, I do want to ensure far greater cooperation between operators to prevent unnecessary telegraph pole deployment or street  excavation. I understand the economic realities, but the market was made for humanity, not humanity for the market. Today I met with representatives of the fixed-line industry, and I welcome the industry’s initiative to revise the Cabinet Siting and Pole Siting Code of Practice. I am hopeful that industry can deliver changes leading to better engagement and more considerate siting. But we reserve the right to take further action if this doesn’t deliver the goods for consumers.

    In order to realise the full benefits of adopting advanced connectivity, we are delivering the £36 million 5G Innovation Regions programme which empowers 10 regions across the UK to develop stackable use cases and commercial models for investing 5G in key sectors; and we are delivering the UK Telecoms Innovation Network (UKTIN) 5G Adoption programme to promote the adoption of 5G by businesses and local authorities.

    We also want to help shape the next generation of telecoms technologies and develop more UK-based and UK-generated innovation. To that end we have made a £70 million R&D investment in three university-led Future telecoms research hubs and provided funding for 16 innovative UK business consortia, developing the next generation of tech. And we are building alliances internationally including through joint R&D partnerships  with India and Korea, through more UK participation in Horizon Europe and by establishing the Global Coalition on Telecoms with the US, Australia, Canada and Japan. I should also say a word about security and resilience.

    We continue to work with communications providers and Ofcom to strengthen the security and resilience of UK networks and services.

    On network resilience, I am keen that mobile consumers are able to have continued access to the network, even when power cuts disrupt local access. Climate change shows us we must be prepared for severe adverse weather and the disruption that can bring, often in rural and remote communities. Mobile operators have some power back up mitigations in place, but they vary significantly by site and by operator. Some sites have back up power lasting several hours or even days, but there is a lack of consistency nationwide.

    Universal solutions may be difficult and expensive, but it’s  important to look closely at what solutions might be appropriate. I know Ofcom are looking at this closely following a Call for Input earlier this year, and we will want to work with Ofcom — and the power and telecoms sectors — to explore the right approach that balances the relevant factors.

    An important aspect of that resilience is maintaining diverse and healthy supply chains, without which the UK  network is vulnerable to disruption. I am especially grateful to the Telecoms Supply Chain Diversification Advisory Council for their new report, released today (Thursday 12 September), setting out recommendations on telecoms diversification policy. Obviously we need to carefully review their recommendations, but we will provide an official government response as soon as possible and we are already acting in this area, delivering the £250 million ‘Open Networks’ R&D Fund focussed on development of interoperable Open RAN to increase the number of actors in the supply chain; building testing infrastructure — including UK Telecoms Lab, focused on security.

    Let me end where I began, with E M Forster’s ‘Only Connect’. He wanted us to connect the heart and the brain. I want us to connect our artistic and our technical abilities; I want us to connect our finance, venture capitalist and tech industries; I want us to connect every   part of the country, every community and every family. And above all I want us as a government to be plugged in to the solutions to connect us all. I hope you’ll work with us.