Tag: 2024

PRESS RELEASE : British Army trains Ukrainian military dog handlers [September 2024]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 12 September 2024.

UK personnel are training Ukrainian military dog handlers in vital skills from patrols to explosive device searches.
- Specialist training includes combat operations and explosive device searches.
- It is part of Operation Interflex, which has trained more than 45,000 Ukrainian personnel since Russia’s illegal invasion in 2022.
- 16 handlers have been trained by the British Army on two courses this summer.
Ukrainian soldiers and civilians will be better protected from unexploded ordnance and illegal weapons thanks to training offered in the UK to Ukrainian border guards and their working dogs.

This week the UK has welcomed the second group of Ukrainian military dog handlers from the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine to receive specialist training from their British counterparts.

The three week training visit includes how to conduct effective patrols and explosive device searches. UK trainers also demonstrated how UK military working dogs are acclimated to the sights, sounds and smells of the battlefield, allowing them to work safely and efficiently alongside their handlers.

Military working dogs are essential on the front line and on the border as their highly adaptable nature means they can be trained for a range of specialised roles and deployed across multiple military branches to keep personnel safe. In Ukraine, only this year Ukrainian working dogs have been used to prevent 950 border violations, including seizing 87.5kgs of drugs, nearly 20,000 piece of ammunition, 150 mines and 32kgs of explosives.

This collaborative training upholds the UK’s iron-clad commitment to Ukraine’s security and comes just days after the Defence Secretary John Healey announced the extension of Operational Interflex, having already trained over 45,000 Ukrainian recruits the programme will continue until at least the end of 2025.

More than two years into Russia’s full-scale invasion, huge areas of Ukraine are covered with unexploded ordnance and explosive remnants of war. Military working dogs play a crucial role in identifying these, with a sense of smell 42 times stronger than a human, so they can be made safe for soldiers and civilians. Their speed, agility and loyalty make them indispensable when securing high-risk areas.

In addition to their tactical roles, MWDs provide emotional support to personnel on the front lines as their presence can boost morale, reduce stress and enhance the mental resilience of troops in challenging conditions.

Minister for the Armed Forces, Luke Pollard MP said:

This government is clear that the defence of the UK and Europe starts in Ukraine and our commitment to training members of the Ukrainian military across a variety of disciplines remains ironclad.

Military working dogs perform and invaluable role in both combat, mine-clearing and border operations and this training will help protect both Ukrainian soldiers and civilians. We owe a debt of gratitude to our four-legged friends who offer a unique and irreplaceable service to both the UK and Ukrainian militaries.

The training is offered by the 1st Military Working Dog (MWD) Regiment. 1MWD support a range of operational tasks both in the UK and across the globe including arms explosive search, patrols and combat operations. They also have a full veterinary capability.

In July 2024, the Prime Minister committed £3 billion of UK aid for Ukraine per year for as long as it takes to overcome the Russian threat. Last week, the Defence Secretary confirmed the signing of a £300 million contract that will boost Ukraine’s air defences through the delivery of thousands of shells. These latest announcements will continue to support the development of Ukraine’s Armed Forces.

The UK has provided £7.6 billion in military support since Russia’s illegal invasion, and will provide £3 billion in military support for 2024 to 2025. This collaborative training is a further representation of the UK’s continued investment in Ukraine. From learning basic combat tactics, to the training of Military working dogs and their handlers, the UK is committed to teaching Ukrainian recruits vital skills to protect them on the battlefield.
September 13, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : British Army and Kenya Defence Forces provide free medical treatment to residents in Isiolo and Laikipia counties [September 2024]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 12 September 2024.

British Army troops training in Kenya provided free medical services to over 17,000 residents of Isiolo and Laikipia Counties in partnership with the Kenya Defence Forces, local hospitals, and NGOs.

Over 17,000 residents of Isiolo and Laikipia counties received free medical care from the British Army’s Medical Regiment, in partnership with medics from the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), Isiolo County Referral Hospital, Beyond Zero and the LEO Project, during this year’s annual medical outreach by British Army Training Unit in Kenya (BATUK).

Among the 17,494 people that turned up for the free medical clinics; over 5,000 required treatments of those treated 614 were children under 5.

The five-week joint exercise, dubbed Exercise HARAKA SERPENT, involved the delivery of health clinics and health education in 11 remote locations. The British and KDF soldiers worked alongside both hospitals and non-governmental organisations to set up the clinics in places where residents normally struggle to access treatment.

Speaking at the end of the exercise Col Edd Gordon MStJ, Commanding Officer 215 (Sc) MMR, said:

It was great to see our team work together with our Kenyan partners, both civilian and military. Delivering healthcare to such a diverse range of patients is of enormous benefit to our soldiers and it’s great to also give something back to the local community.

British High Commission Defence Advisor, Brigadier Olly Bryant, said:

Our militaries train and operate together not only to fight terrorism but also to share expertise, experience and techniques, making both of our armies more effective. The joint medical exercise offers an opportunity for medical regiments within the military to do give back to communities living in and around BATUK training areas.

The medical outreach activities provided vital medical services to communities living in and around Kinna, Isiolo town, and Nanyuki who would otherwise not be able to access medical diagnosis and treatment. The team offered preventive, diagnostic, and curative healthcare interventions such as monitoring nutrition problems, supporting communities with health checks, dental treatment, ophthalmology, and health education sessions.

As well as their outreach activities the British Army and KDF shared their experiences and practices from their varied medical training, field exercises and operational deployments. The British and Kenyan teams compared their drills and techniques as well as reviewing the range of medical equipment each carried.

September 13, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : ‘Martyn’s Law’ introduced to Parliament to better protect the public from terrorism [September 2024]

The press release issued by the Home Office on 12 September 2024.

The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill will increase preparedness for, and protection from, terrorist attacks at public venues.

The public will be better protected from terrorism under new laws requiring many public venues to improve preparedness against attacks and bring in measures to help keep people safe.

The new legislation, also known as ‘Martyn’s Law’ in tribute of Martyn Hett who was killed alongside 21 others in the 2017 Manchester Arena attack, will make sure venues across the UK must consider the security of the public, and take steps to protect them from harm.

This will deliver on the government’s manifesto commitment to strengthen the security of public events as well as the Prime Minister’s personal promise to Martyn’s mother, Figen Murray, that he would bring in this law.

Under the changes, a new duty will be placed on those responsible for premises and public events, requiring them to take appropriate action to strengthen public safety, with requirements reflecting the size of the venue and the activity taking place.

Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, said:

Martyn’s Law has been a long time coming.

I want to pay tribute to Figen Murray and her campaign team who have tirelessly worked to make this happen.

This legislation will strengthen public safety, help protect staff and the public from terrorism and ensure we learn the lessons from the terrible Manchester Arena attack and the inquiry that followed. It is important we now take this forward through Parliament in Martyn’s memory and to help keep people safe.

Figen Murray, mother of Martyn Hett, said:

I want to thank everyone who has played a part in getting the bill to this stage, and especially the Prime Minister, who gave me his word that he would act quickly to introduce Martyn’s Law. He said he would act quickly and he has.

Today means we are one step closer to making public spaces safer for everyone. It is also hugely important for my family that Martyn’s Law will be on the statute book ahead of the next anniversary of Martyn’s death.

As set out in the bill, those responsible for premises will be required to fulfil necessary but proportionate steps, according to their capacity, to help keep the public safe. This includes a tiered approach, linked to the size of the venue, how many people will be there and the activity taking place, making sure undue burdens are not placed on small businesses.

A standard tier premises will apply to locations with a capacity of more than 200 people but under 800. These businesses will be asked to undertake simple yet effective activities to put in place procedures to reduce harm to the public in the event of an attack. These could be as simple as training staff to lock doors, close shutters and identify a safe route to cover.

The enhanced tier will apply to premises and events with a capacity of more than 800 individuals, given the devastating impact an attack could have in these spaces. These locations will need to put in place measures such as CCTV or hiring security staff.

Security Minister, Dan Jarvis, said:

We are determined to strengthen security at public events and venues and passing Martyn’s Law will be vital step forward in this objective.

Today’s bill is the result of a considerable amount of consultation, consideration and collaboration. I look forward to working with colleagues in Parliament to deliver this important legislation.

Head of Counter Terrorism Policing, Matt Jukes, said:

Through Martyn’s Law we can ensure that the public have additional protection from terrorist attacks while at events and public venues. Counter Terrorism Policing welcomes today’s bill and we look forward to seeing it progress through Parliament.

We’re all inspired by and motivated by the experience of victims and survivors. Figen Murray has campaigned tirelessly for Martyn’s Law and it’s thanks to her unwavering determination that we are one step closer to ensuring the public has additional protection in the form of this legislation.

We will continue to work with the public, with businesses, and with the government to ensure that when a terrorist attack takes place we have the right mitigations in place that will prevent other families from experiencing those tragedies.

Following Royal Assent, businesses will be given time and support to understand and implement their new obligations and allow for the new regulator to be established. This will include dedicated guidance so that those affected will have the required information on what to do and how best to do it.

September 13, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : Royal Navy’s nuclear submarine support facility upgraded [September 2024]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 12 September 2024.

UK submarines will be able to go through maintenance work faster and therefore redeploy more quickly, following major upgrade works at a key naval base facility.

The biggest dry dock in Devonport, known as 9 Dock, has reopened today following a major refurbishment project worth £200 million completed under a contract with Babcock International Group.

At an opening ceremony in Plymouth, Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry Maria Eagle MP announced that 9 Dock and Devonport are pivotal to the government’s triple-lock nuclear guarantee to deliver our next generation, Continuous-At-Sea Nuclear Deterrent.

Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, Maria Eagle MP said:

The Vanguard fleet is at the heart of deterring our adversaries and keeping the UK safe. This government is committed to a ‘triple-lock’ on our nuclear and to bolstering national security through crucial refurbishments such as this one.

I am honoured to open 9 Dock today, and to have the opportunity to speak with personnel and staff on their vital contribution to our nation’s security.

Devonport is the biggest naval base in Western Europe and has been a vital support for the Royal Navy since 1691. Spread across a vast area of more than 650 acres, it features 15 dry docks, four miles of waterfront, 25 tidal berths, and five basins.

With a workforce of 7,000 Service people and civilians, Devonport also contributes to the local economy by supporting approximately 400 local businesses and generating around ten percent of Plymouth’s income. Employing more than 10% of Plymouth’s workforce it contributes 14% of Plymouth’s economy Nationally, Devonport plays a vital role in supporting the UK’s Maritime industry by creating high-quality jobs, attracting further investment and subsequently strengthening the UK’s strategic position on the global stage.

There were 1,250 people employed during upgrades to 9 Dock, through the project team and the supply chain. More than 900 people were local and commuted daily with 25 apprentices employed during the project.

The upgrades made to the dock have been undertaken to maintain and upgrade the support services, buildings, security arrangements and the equipment in the Dock, such as the installation of the Alternative Mechanical Handling package that will help reduce the maintenance durations by driving up productivity. This major refurbishment to 9 Dock allows the continuation of the upkeep of ballistic missile submarines, officially known as Deep Maintenance Period (DMP), for Vanguard Class submarines. The four Vanguard Class SSBNs form the backbone of the United Kingdom’s Continuous At Sea Nuclear Deterrent which keeps the nation safe 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

The Vanguard Class undergo cycles of planned Deep Maintenance Periods throughout their lifetime. These maintenance periods ensure they remain fitted with the latest technology and systems to fulfil their operational capabilities.

Babcock CEO, David Lockwood said:

Supporting the Continuous at Sea Deterrent is the most important thing we do. The huge investment and increase in digital technology in this submarine facility ensures the UK has a sovereign, fit-for-purpose, deep maintenance capability now and in the future.

Opening our Engineering & Skills establishment at City College Plymouth on the same day, demonstrates our commitment to securing the critical nuclear skills the UK needs to continue to deliver these vital defence programmes.

Since 1969 our Continuous at Sea Deterrent has been the bedrock of our nation’s defence. The Minister also used her visit to reinforce the new government commitment to its ‘triple-lock’ on the deterrent, which includes building four new nuclear submarines in Barrow-In-Furness, in Cumbria; maintaining our continuous at sea nuclear deterrent; and delivering all future upgrades needed. Last week the Defence Secretary greeted submariners on the Clyde returning from the latest nuclear patrol mission and thanked our submariners and all those shoreside for their dedication and service.

September 13, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : UK and Scottish governments announce joint plan to secure industrial future of Grangemouth [September 2024]
The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 12 September 2024.
- UK and Scottish governments respond to Petroineos’ decision to close the refinery with investment plan for workers
- Three-point plan for a just transition for the workforce and community, including new funding for £100m package
- Commitment from UK Government to develop Project Willow options, with potential for future support from the National Wealth Fund
The UK and Scottish governments have announced a joint investment plan for Grangemouth following Petroineos’ decision to decommission its oil refinery and pledged to work together for an industrial future for the site (12 September).

The company has confirmed it will cease refining oil at the site during the second quarter of 2025 onwards due to global market pressures and competition from bigger, more modern and efficient sites in the Middle East, Asia and Africa. This follows years of loss-making, with the company stating that it has lost more than $775 million since 2011, despite having invested more than $1.2 billion to maintain the refinery’s safe operation.

The UK Government has been working with the Scottish Government to deliver an investment plan that will help secure Grangemouth’s industrial future and protect its skilled workforce.

This includes:
- £100 million package: This includes £20 million in joint funding from the UK and Scottish governments announced today on top of £80 million in joint funding from the 2 governments for the Falkirk and Grangemouth Growth Deal. This funding will support the community and its workers, investing in local energy projects to create new opportunities for growth in the region. Over the next 30 years, it is estimated that the Falkirk & Grangemouth Growth Deal will deliver over £628 million in economic benefits and create 1,660 jobs across the Falkirk Council area
- Immediate career support for workers: UK and Scottish governments to provide tailored support that will help affected workers in finding new employment
- Investment in the site’s long-term future: The £1.5 million joint-funded Project Willow study has identified a shortlist of 3 credible options to begin building a new long-term industry at the refinery site, including low carbon hydrogen, clean eFuels and sustainable aviation fuels
It comes as the UK Government confirmed today it stands ready to engage on how the National Wealth Fund could back projects that have the potential to yield a viable long-term future for the site. Ministers have confirmed that both governments will put local businesses, workers, and trade unions at the heart of decision-making on determining the region’s industrial future.

UK Government Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said:

It is deeply disappointing that Petroineos have confirmed their previous decision to close Grangemouth oil refinery.

We will stand with the workforce in these difficult times, that is why we are announcing a package of investment to help the workforce find good, alternative jobs, invest in the community and serve a viable industrial future for the Grangemouth site, with potential for future support from the National Wealth Fund.

Unlike in the past, the government is working in lockstep with the Scottish Government across every front. Workers and their families should be in no doubt this is a government that stands with workers, trade unions, and businesses to fight for jobs and investment in Scotland.

Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy Gillian Martin said:

My immediate thoughts are with the workforce. This is a very challenging time for them and their families, and we will support every worker affected by this decision.

We are working very closely with the UK Government and together we have communicated our disappointment to Petroineos today.

The Scottish Government has consistently made clear our preference was for refining to continue as long as possible, and we have continued to press the shareholders for a positive decision until the 11th hour.

This significant package of support combines immediate help for affected workers and a long-term contribution to ensure that Grangemouth continues to thrive in the future. We are clear that there should be a just transition for the refinery site and we remain committed to bringing forward low carbon opportunities that will sustain skilled jobs across the wider area for many years to come.

Secretary of State for Scotland Ian Murray said:

I understand this is a worrying time for the workers at the refinery and the UK Government is working closely with the Scottish Government and Petroineos to ensure they are being supported.

Both governments have invested in Project Willow to examine how Grangemouth remains an energy hub in Scotland. The enhanced £100 million Falkirk and Grangemouth Growth Deal announced today will help ensure the long-term future of the site – a key part of our journey to clean energy by 2030.

We remain committed to working together looking at how we can help the area build on its skilled workforce and local expertise to boost economic growth.

The Energy Secretary Ed Miliband and Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy Gillian Martin have taken joint action to urgently engage with Petroineos, industry experts, and trade unions in exploring all possible solutions to secure a viable industrial site for the future, in the event of a decision from the company to close the refinery.

Ministers continue to urge the company to keep refining open for as long as possible, emphasising the company’s responsibility to its employees and the community. As the company has made clear that there is no viable commercial future for the refinery business, the UK and Scottish governments have today unveiled a package to help the workforce, invest in the area and secure a viable industrial future for the Grangemouth site, as one of Scotland’s key industrial heartlands.

The company’s decision to convert to an import terminal means that their fuel supply will now be maintained by importing refined products directly, rather than importing crude oil to refine on site. This will form part of the UK’s diverse and resilient fuel market, covering both imported fuel and refined oil production. Since 2013, the UK has been a net importer of refined products, with imports accounting for 51% of UK demand for all petroleum products in 2023.

In response to today’s news from the company, the Energy Secretary Ed Miliband will co-chair an immediate virtual meeting of the Grangemouth Future Industry Board, with Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy Gillian Martin, and the UK Government Secretary of State for Scotland Ian Murray. Ministers will discuss next steps with local industry leaders, Falkirk Council, trade bodies and unions – ahead of an in-person meeting of the Grangemouth Future Industry Board later in Autumn.

Further information

The Grangemouth support package announced by UK and Scottish governments today includes:

Joint Grangemouth support package

The UK and Scottish governments have today confirmed a joint £100 million support package for Grangemouth.

This includes a total of £20 million in additional investments, to support the local Grangemouth community following the closure of the refinery. It covers:
- The £10 million Scottish Government ‘Greener Grangemouth’ programme, that aims to deliver projects at the heart of Grangemouth’s just transition
- £10 million from the UK Government for local energy projects, as well as new skills support from the Office for Clean Energy Jobs to help the site’s workers into good clean energy jobs
Today’s additional funding comes on top of an £80 million Falkirk and Grangemouth Growth Deal, match-funded by the 2 governments, to back new industries across the region. The Growth Deal will support a range of new projects, including:
- A bioeconomy plant already in the pipeline, which could use waste whisky and food in chemical production processes to reduce reliance on fossil fuels – via technology currently unavailable in the UK
- A new £9 million technology centre to support the development, manufacture and use of low carbon technologies. This will help companies substitute their products and industrial processes for greener alternatives, and will be linked to wider hydrogen and carbon capture use and storage projects
- An employment hub led by one of the UK’s largest operators, Forth Ports, will help develop the skilled workforce needed to support emerging energy sectors. The move will help to drive innovation and attract new investment across sectors, such as offshore wind energy, renewable energy production, storage and distribution, and tidal power
Immediate career support for workers

The UK and Scottish governments are working closely with the company, Petroineos, to provide immediate support for affected workers at Grangemouth refinery, while longer-term projects get up and running on the site.

The trade body Fuels Industry UK will ensure affected Grangemouth workers have direct access to a wide range of potential employers. The association will also work with the specialist skills provider Cogent to host job vacancies from relevant employers for the Grangemouth workforce.

Workers at the refinery will also receive tailored advice, helping them to identify new training opportunities – backed by the Scottish Government’s Partnership Action for Continuing Employment framework.

The UK Government has also confirmed that Grangemouth will be among the first areas that the new Office for Clean Energy Jobs will work with to help deliver a just transition for workers.

Project Willow

A range of proposals to deliver a viable long-term future for the Grangemouth refinery site have been shortlisted by the UK and Scottish Governments, as part of a joint-funded £1.5 million feasibility study.

The project is exploring how the region can build on its skilled workforce, local expertise and long heritage as a fuel leader in Scotland to forge a new path in clean energy production.

Following an initial research phase, the project has identified 3 potential industries that could be hosted on the refinery site. These are:
- The production of low-carbon hydrogen
- Clean eFuels synthesised from chemical components like hydrogen or carbon dioxide
- Sustainable aviation fuels which use lower carbon sources like forestry and agricultural waste, used cooking oil and carbon captured from the air to produce jet fuel
These options will now be tested against their potential to create long-term industries in Grangemouth, support new jobs and contribute to the UK’s clean energy transition. The project will engage extensively with the local community, trade unions, businesses, and industrial experts on rapidly assessing the most viable candidates for industrial production on the Grangemouth site.
September 13, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister – ‘Major surgery, not sticking plaster solutions’ needed to rebuild NHS [September 2024]
The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 11 September 2024.

The Prime Minister will pledge the ‘biggest reimagining of our NHS since its birth’ in a speech this morning [12 September 2024], following the publication today of a full and independent investigation into the state of the NHS.
- PM to set out plan for long term, fundamental reform to fix broken NHS
- Lord Darzi’s independent investigation concludes NHS is in ‘critical condition’
- Findings provide a diagnosis of the challenges facing the health service, which will inform government’s 10 year plan to reform the NHS
The PM will pledge the ‘biggest reimagining of our NHS since its birth’ in a speech this morning [12 September 2024], following the publication today of a full and independent investigation into the state of the NHS.

Lord Ara Darzi’s probe has concluded the service is in a ‘critical condition’ amidst surging waiting lists and a deterioration in the nation’s underlying health, identifying serious and widespread problems for people accessing services.

The PM will say that the scale of the damage done to the NHS revealed by the report is “unforgivable”, recognising the tragic consequences for too many patients and their families:

People have every right to be angry. It’s not just because the NHS is so personal to all of us – it’s because some of these failings are life and death.

Take the waiting times in A&E. That’s not just a source of fear and anxiety – it’s leading to avoidable deaths.

People’s loved ones who could have been saved. Doctors and nurses whose whole vocation is to save them – hampered from doing so. It’s devastating.

He will also address the causes behind the state of the NHS, including the long term impacts of the 2012 Health and Social Care Act which is described in the report as “a calamity without international precedent” which “proved disastrous”, as well as the far reaching consequences of underinvestment throughout the 2010s. The PM is expected to say:

Our NHS went into the pandemic in a much more fragile state.

We had higher bed-occupancy rates, fewer doctors, fewer nurses and fewer beds than most other high income health systems in the world.

And let’s be clear about what caused that…a “scorched earth” approach to health reform, the effects of which are still felt to this day.

Lord Darzi describes [the 2010s] as “the most austere decade since the NHS was founded”. Crumbling buildings, decrepit portacabins, mental health patients accommodated in Victorian-era cells infested with vermin.

The 2010s were a lost decade for our NHS…which left the NHS unable to be there for patients today, and totally unprepared for the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow.

As well as recognising the cost to people’s health, the PM will also address the inextricable link between the state of the NHS and the nation’s economy:

It’s not just the state of our National Health Service in crisis – it’s also the state of our national health.

There are 2.8 million people economically inactive due to long term sickness, and more than half of those on the current waiting lists for inpatient treatment are working age adults.

Getting people back to health and work will not only reduce the costs on the NHS, it will drive economic growth – in turn creating more tax receipts to fund public services.

In the face of these dire findings and the growing pressures on the NHS from an ageing society and preventable illnesses, the PM will set out his belief in the ‘profound responsibility’ of government to do the hard work necessary to tackle them:

What we need is the courage to deliver long-term reform – major surgery not sticking plaster solutions.

The NHS is at a fork in the road, and we have a choice about how it should meet these rising demands.

Raise taxes on working people to meet the ever-higher costs of aging population – or reform to secure its future.

We know working people can’t afford to pay more, so it’s reform or die.

Rooted in Lord Darzi’s diagnoses of the challenges facing the NHS, the PM will outline three fundamental areas of reform and the imperative to work with staff and patients throughout this process. He is expected to say:

This government is working at pace to build a Ten-Year Plan. Something so different from anything that has come before.

Instead of the top-down approach of the past, this plan is going to have the fingerprints of NHS staff and patients all over it.

And as we build it together, I want to frame this plan around three big shifts – first, moving from an analogue to a digital NHS. A tomorrow service not just a today service.

Second, we’ve got to shift more care from hospitals to communities… And third, we’ve got to be much bolder in moving from sickness to prevention.

Only fundamental reform and a plan for the long term can turn around the NHS and build a healthy society. It won’t be easy or quick. But I know we can do it.

The challenge is clear before us; the change could amount to the biggest reimagining of our NHS since its birth.

Lord Darzi is an independent peer and practising surgeon with 30 years’ experience in the NHS. He examined over 600 pieces of analysis from DHSC, NHS England and external organisations during his investigation. His report will inform the government’s 10-year plan to reform the health service.

Lord Darzi said:

Although I have worked in the NHS for more than 30 years, I have been shocked by what I have found during this investigation – not just in the health service but in the state of the nation’s health.

We want to deliver high quality care for all but far too many people are waiting for too long and in too many clinical areas, quality of care has gone backwards.

My colleagues in the NHS are working harder than ever but our productivity has fallen.

We get caught up frantically trying to find beds that have been axed or using IT that is outdated or trying to work out how to get things done because operational processes are overwhelmed. It sucks the joy from our work – we became clinicians to help patients get better, not to go into battle with a broken system.

We need to rebalance the system towards care in the community rather than adding more and more staff to hospitals. And we need a more honest conversation about performance – the NHS is now an open book.

In the last 15 years, the NHS was hit by three shocks – austerity and starvation of investment, confusion caused by top-down reorganisation, and then the pandemic which came with resilience at an all-time low. Two out of three of those shocks were choices made in Westminster.

It took more than a decade for the NHS to fall into disrepair so it’s going to take time to fix it. But we in the NHS have turned things around before, and I’m confident we will do it again.

Despite the damning analysis, Lord Darzi insists the NHS’s vital signs ‘remain strong’ and he praised staff for their ‘shared passion and determination to make the NHS better for our patients’.

In carrying out the review, Lord Darzi brought more than 70 organisations together in an Expert Reference Group and sought input from NHS staff and patients through focus groups and frontline visits.

Responding to the report, Secretary of State Wes Streeting said:

I asked Lord Darzi to tell hard truths about the state of the NHS. He has produced an honest, expert, comprehensive report on the appalling state our health service is in.

Today’s findings will inform our 10-year plan to radically reform the NHS and get patients treated on time again.

The damage done to the NHS has been more than a decade in the making. We clearly have a long road ahead. But while the NHS is broken, it’s not beaten. We will turn the NHS around so it is there for you when you need it, once again.

Today’s report has been welcomed by NHS England and health organisations who have pledged to work closely with the government on its mission to rebuild the NHS.

Amanda Pritchard, NHS England Chief Executive, said:

As this report sets out, staff are the beating heart of the NHS with a shared passion and determination for making the NHS better for patients – but it is also clear they are facing unprecedented challenges.

Our staff are treating record numbers of patients every day despite ageing equipment and crumbling buildings, a surge in multiple long-term illnesses, and managing the long-lasting effects of the pandemic.

While teams are working hard to get services back on track, it is clear waiting times across many services are unacceptable and we need to address the underlying issues outlined in Lord Darzi’s report so we can deliver the care we all want for patients.

As Lord Darzi rightly points out, many of the solutions can be found in parts of the NHS today. That is why we are fully committed to working with government to create a 10-year plan for healthcare to ensure the NHS recovers from Covid, strengthens its foundations and continues to reform so it is fit for future generations.

Key findings from Lord Darzi’s 142-page report include:
- Deterioration: The health of the nation has deteriorated over the past 15 years, with a substantial increase in the number of people living with multiple long-term conditions.
- Spending: Too great a share of the NHS budget is being spent in hospitals, too little in the community, and productivity is too low.
- Waiting times: Waiting lists have swelled and waiting times have surged, with A&E queues more than doubling from an average of just under 40 people on a typical evening in April 2009 to over 100 in April 2024. 1 in 10 patients are now waiting for 12 hours or more.
- Cancer care: The UK has appreciably higher cancer mortality rates than other countries, with no progress whatsoever made in diagnosing cancer at stage one and two between 2013 and 2021.
- Lasting damage: The Health and Social Care Act of 2012 did lasting damage to the management capacity and capability of the NHS. It took 10 years to return to a sensible structure, and the effects continue to be felt to this day.
- Productivity: Too many resources have been being poured into hospitals where productivity had substantially fallen, while too little has been spent in the community.
September 13, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : Landmark reforms to give greater security for 11 million renters [September 2024]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on 11 September 2024.

Section 21 evictions banned to protect renters from key driver of homelessness and empower them to speak up against discriminatory treatment.

No fault evictions will be banned, and renters will receive greater protections and security from eviction thanks to historic legislation to level the playing field between tenants and landlords.

The Renters’ Rights Bill, introduced to Parliament today, will ban Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions for new and existing tenancies, extend Awaab’s Law into the private rented sector and end blanket bans for those on benefits or with children.

Banning Section 21 alone will reassure tenants they can challenge bad practice without the fear of retaliatory eviction, as landlords will need to provide a valid cause to end a tenancy early. Going further than ever before, the Bill will abolish Section 21 evictions for both new and existing tenancies at the same time, giving all private renters immediate security and assurance.

Last year alone, nearly 26,000 households faced homelessness as a result of a Section 21 eviction and had to go to their council for support. Greater security will give renters peace of mind, so they can build their lives in their communities.

Standards will also be driven up, as the Decent Homes Standard will be applied to the private rented sector for the first time. Currently 21% of privately rented homes are considered non-decent and more than 500,000 contain the most serious of hazards. Clear expectations will be set so tenants can expect safe, well-maintained, and secure living conditions.

Good landlords who provide these standards will benefit from clear regulation. This will eliminate unfair competition from those who, for far too long, have got away with renting out substandard properties to tenants.

Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner said:

Renters have been let down for too long and too many are stuck in disgraceful conditions, powerless to act because of the threat of a retaliatory eviction hanging over them.

Most landlords act in a responsible way but a small number of unscrupulous ones are tarnishing the reputation of the whole sector by making the most of the housing crisis and forcing tenants into bidding wars.

There can be no more dither and delay. We must overhaul renting and rebalance the relationship between tenant and landlord. This Bill will do just that and tenants can be reassured this Government will protect them.

Other measures introduced in the Bill include:
- Applying Awaab’s Law to the private rented sector. This will ensure that all renters in England are empowered to challenge dangerous conditions.
- Apply a Decent Homes Standard to the private rented sector for the first time. Landlords who fail to address serious hazards can be fined up to £7,000 by local councils and may face prosecution for non-compliance.
- A ban on rental bidding wars, by cracking down on those who make the most of the housing crisis by forcing tenants to bid for their properties. Landlords and letting agents will be legally required to publish an asking rent for their property. They will also be banned from asking for, encouraging, or accepting any bids above this price.
- Ban on in-tenancy rent increases written in to contracts to prevent landlords implementing too high rents mid-tenancy, often to push out the current tenants. Under these reforms, landlords will only be allowed to raise the rent once a year, and to the market rate.
- Abolishing blanket bans on tenants with children or those in receipt of benefits to ensure fair access to housing for all.
A new Private Rented Sector Database will also be created to help landlords understand their obligations for compliance and provide tenants the information they need to make informed choices for new tenancies. It will also enable councils to focus enforcement where it is needed most.

Earlier this week, the Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook met with landlord and tenant groups and committed to engaging with them as the Bill progresses, to ensure the sector is ready for the changes.

We will ensure homes in the private rented sector meet minimum energy efficiency standards by 2030, more detail will be set out in due course.

The Bill is a crucial step towards ending the housing crisis, along with a commitment to deliver 1.5 million homes over this parliament. Work is already underway to get Britain building, with the introduction of new mandatory housing targets and ‘golden rules’ which will ensure developments build more affordable homes.
September 13, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : New bill introduced in Parliament to clarify crypto’s legal status [September 2024]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 11 September 2024.

Tech-savvy owners of Bitcoin and other digital assets will benefit from greater legal protection thanks to an important clarification to the law.
- Bitcoin and other digital assets can be considered personal property under new draft law introduced in Parliament today (11 September 2024)
- Owners to benefit from increased legal protection
- Changes will keep English and Welsh law at the forefront of the global tech industry
The Property (Digital Assets etc) Bill, introduced in Parliament today, will mean that for the first time in British history, digital holdings including cryptocurrency, non-fungible tokens such as digital art, and carbon credits can be considered as personal property under the law.

The Bill will also ensure Britain maintains its pole position in the emerging global crypto race by being one of the first countries to recognise these assets in law.

Previously, digital belongings were not definitively included in the scope of English and Welsh property law – leaving owners in a legal grey area if their assets were interfered with.

The new law will therefore also give legal protection to owners and companies against fraud and scams, while helping judges deal with complex cases where digital holdings are disputed or form part of settlements, for example in divorce cases.

Justice Minister Heidi Alexander said:

Our world-leading legal services form a vital part of our economy, helping to drive forward growth and keep Britain at the heart of the international legal industry.

It is essential that the law keeps pace with evolving technologies and this legislation will mean that the sector can maintain its position as a global leader in cryptoassets and bring clarity to complex property cases.

Today’s news also means the UK legal sector will be better equipped to respond to new technologies, attracting more business and investment to the legal services industry which is already worth £34 billion a year to the economy.

It is estimated that English law governs £250 billion of global mergers and acquisitions, and 40 per cent of global corporate arbitrations, so keeping the law up to date is vital to ensuring that the UK remains the law of choice internationally.

Notes to editors
- Digital asset is an extremely broad term, encompassing a variety of things such as digital files, digital records, email accounts, digital carbon credits, cryptoassets and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). The Law Commission’s recommendations only apply to a subset of digital assets, of which the main one is cryptotokens.
- Currently there are two categories of property, “things in possession” (e.g. gold, money, cars) and “things in action” (e.g. debts, shares). This Bill introduces a third category of “thing” to allow for certain digital assets to attract personal property rights.
- The action being taken on digital assets is in response to the Law Commission’s report in 2023. The MOJ commissioned the report to identify any barriers to the recognition of digital assets as property under English and Welsh private law and to recommend solutions.
- The Law Commission’s report summary can be found here.
September 13, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : IAEA Board of Governors on the JCPoA [September 2024]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 September 2024.

France, Germany and the UK (E3) gave a joint statement to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors on Iran’s implementation of its nuclear commitments under the JCPoA.

Chair,

On behalf of France, Germany and the United Kingdom, I thank Director General Grossi for his latest report on Iran’s nuclear programme.

The E3 are very grateful to the Agency for the professional, independent and impartial work of their team of inspectors and for their objective reporting on Iran’s nuclear programme. We encourage the Director General to keep the Board informed of all relevant activities and developments.

Once again, the IAEA reports the continued expansion of Iran’s nuclear activities, in increasing violation of its JCPoA commitments. The Agency recalls once again that it is not able to ensure Iran’s nuclear programme is exclusively peaceful, and highlights that Iran is the only state without nuclear weapons to undertake production and accumulation of high enriched uranium.

Chair,

In the reporting period, Iran has continued to enrich uranium far beyond its JCPoA commitments :
- It has been blatantly violating all JCPoA limits on both enrichment and accumulation of enriched uranium. Its stockpile of high enriched uranium up to 60 % has continued to grow significantly, without any credible civilian justification;
- Iran now has almost four IAEA significant quantities of high enriched uranium, which the IAEA defines as the approximate amount of nuclear material from which the possibility of manufacturing a nuclear explosive device cannot be excluded;
- Over the last three months, Iran has also substantially expanded its overall production capacity by installing and operating new advanced centrifuges;
- For the first time in years, the DG also reported that Iran undertook some construction work at the Khondab Heavy Water Research Center, without communicating all the needed information to the Agency.
We also recall previous IAEA reports of Iran’s uranium metal-related work. The production of Uranium metal is a key step in the development of a nuclear weapon and we urge Iran not to undertake this work again.

Chair,

Iran continues obstructing the IAEA, which has detrimental implications for the Agency’s ability to provide assurance of the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear programme :
- For more than three and a half years, Iran has seriously hindered effective JCPoA verification and monitoring;
- As a result of this lack of transparency, the Agency has lost continuity of knowledge in relation to the production and inventory of centrifuges, rotors and bellows, heavy water and uranium ore concentrate;
- Iran refuses to reverse its decision to withdraw the designation of several experienced Agency inspectors. We condemn this decision, which seriously affects the Agency’s ability to conduct its verification in Iran, particularly at the enrichment facilities;
- The DG also notes that it has been more than three years since Iran stopped applying its Additional Protocol.
Chair,

We would like to remind this Board of the statements made in Iran about its technical capability to produce nuclear weapons and the possibility of changing its so-called nuclear doctrine.

We again call on Iran to urgently:
- Halt and reverse its nuclear escalation and refrain from making threats to produce nuclear weapons;
- Return to the limits imposed by the JCPoA, in particular those regarding enrichment;
- Implement the March 2023 Joint statement and the commitments it made regarding transparency and cooperation with the IAEA including re-applying all transparency measures that it stopped in February 2021;
- Allow the Agency to install surveillance and monitoring equipment where requested;
- Re-implement and swiftly ratify its Additional Protocol; and
- Reverse its September 2023 decision to withdraw the designations of experienced inspectors.
Chair,

Iran’s escalating nuclear activities significantly harm international security and undermine the global non-proliferation architecture. We will continue consultations, alongside international partners, on how best to address collective doubts of the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear programme. In 2022, Iran twice refused a negotiated outcome and instead chose to escalate and expand its nuclear programme to alarming levels. We remain committed to a diplomatic solution and stand ready to use all diplomatic levers available to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

Finally, we ask the Director General to keep the Board of Governors informed on the status of Iran’s nuclear programme. We ask for the report to be made public.

Thank you.
September 13, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 57 – UK Statement for Item 2 General Debate [September 2024]

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

UK Statement for Item 2 General Debate. Delivered at the 57th Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Thank you, Mr President.

The continued growth in this Council’s agenda reflects more, not less, human rights violations and abuses throughout the world.

Russia continues to disregard the UN Charter through its illegal invasion of Ukraine. As the Commission of Inquiry concluded, many Russian atrocities amount to war crimes. Those responsible must be held accountable.

The UK condemns, and demands full investigation of, all alleged violations and abuses committed in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories including sexual violence. We are shocked at ongoing deaths, including the killing of six hostages by Hamas. The ongoing suffering of Palestinians in Gaza is appalling. We call for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages and rapid humanitarian aid into Gaza.

High Commissioner,

We welcome your engagement with Venezuela. Elections cannot be credible without the National Electoral Council publishing full results. The Venezuelan people have the right to protest and decide their future. We urge dialogue and an end to repression.

And finally, China continues to persecute and arbitrarily detain Uyghurs and Tibetans, restrict civil society and independent media, and target human rights defenders and lawyers. Two years after the Office of the High Commissioner’s Assessment on Xinjiang, it is time for China to implement its recommendations and engage meaningfully with the Office.

Thank you.

September 13, 2024