Tag: 2024

PRESS RELEASE : Over 130,000 people to benefit from life-saving health checks [August 2024]
The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 30 August 2024.

More than 130,000 people across the country will be better protected from diseases such as heart disease, kidney disease and diabetes.
- Life-saving health checks being rolled out to more than 100,000 people across the country
- NHS Health Check could save hundreds from preventable deadly diseases, along with freeing up NHS appointments to cut waiting lists
- Local authorities in Norfolk, Medway and Lambeth selected as pilot sites to trial digital checks at home
More than 130,000 people across the country will be better protected from diseases such as heart disease, kidney disease and diabetes, as the government today (30 August 2024) rolls out a life-saving health check programme to workplaces across the country for the first time.

The checks, which can be completed quickly and easily for employees at work, record a range of information about each patient, which is then used to determine their cardiovascular risk.

Employers from a range of professions will take part in the programme including those from the building, hospitality and transport sectors, and social care.

Today’s announcement is part of the Health and Social Care Secretary’s commitment to supporting the government’s mission to boost economic growth by improving the health of the nation.

With every check providing the equivalent of an NHS appointment, these checks will save thousands of hours of valuable NHS time, helping to cut waiting lists and rebuild the NHS.

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

We know so many deadly diseases can be avoided if we seek help in enough time. That’s why we’re working to improve access to treatment while also taking steps to address the preventable causes of cardiovascular disease.

This innovative new programme is an important step towards community-focused healthcare and supporting economic and productivity through improving health, shifting the focus from treatment to prevention, easing the strain on the NHS and helping people to live well for longer.

Over 16 million people are eligible for an NHS Health Check, but current data shows that only around 40% of those invited went on to complete one. This is especially true for men, who are less likely to get early help but who are more likely to develop cardiovascular disease at an earlier age than women. This new programme aims to reach more people through their place of work and make it more convenient for people to understand and improve their cardiovascular health.

NHS National Clinical Director for Stroke, David Hargroves, said:

Convenient and efficient NHS checks in the workplace could spot thousands of people at risk of a range of cardiovascular diseases, and with high blood pressure the biggest risk factor for stroke, early detection will undoubtedly save lives.

This new programme shows the NHS is committed to preventing ill health and I would urge anyone invited for a check to come forward and get support to improve their cardiovascular health.

Councillor Louise Gittins, Chair of the Local Government Association, said:

Health checks can save lives. They can prevent people from developing largely preventable diseases, such as heart disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes and liver disease.

Councils are exploring new ways to boost uptake, targeting individuals or communities at increased risk, and using proactive outreach programmes to get into those communities who are less likely to attend their general practice.

However, there is more that can be done, and by partnering council and employers, we can make sure more people get a health check and hopefully prevent illness later on.

Jaguar Land Rover Chief Medical Officer, Dr Steve Iley, said:

Jaguar Land Rover is investing £15 million a year in its global health and wellbeing programmes because we know that healthy and happy colleagues help us to deliver high-quality products and ensure a positive future for our business. Health checks are a fundamental part of prevention and therefore feature in many of our programmes.

Our collaboration with Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council on the workplace cardiovascular disease checks pilot presents a unique opportunity to work together on providing awareness and signposting for our employees.

We are excited to provide these vital checks to approximately 4,500 of our Solihull employees before the end of this financial year, thus supporting the great work of our NHS.

In addition, the government has today also announced the development of a new digital version of the NHS Health Check which will be ready for testing early in 2025.

The service will be available through the NHS App, meaning users can undertake their health check at home and have the results automatically written back into their GP electronic health record, within a few clicks.

Local authorities in Norfolk (East of England), Medway (South East) and Lambeth (London) have been selected to pilot the new digital health checks in early 2025.

The digital programme will deliver around one million checks in its first 4 years. Plans are being put in place to make digital NHS Health Checks available nationally, alongside the face-to-face programme to give patients more choice.
September 5, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : UK statement in response to IDF military operation in the Occupied West Bank [August 2024]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 30 August 2024.

Statement from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) on the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) military operation in the Occupied West Bank.

A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) spokesperson said:

The UK is deeply concerned by the ongoing IDF military operation in the occupied West Bank.

We recognise Israel’s need to defend itself against security threats, but we are deeply worried by the methods Israel has employed and by reports of civilian casualties and the destruction of civilian infrastructure.

The risk of instability is serious and the need for de-escalation urgent. We continue to call on Israeli authorities to exercise restraint, adhere to international law, and clamp down on the actions of those who seek to inflame tensions. The UK strongly condemns settler violence and inciteful remarks such as those made by Israel’s National Security Minister Ben-Gvir, which threaten the status-quo of the Holy Sites in Jerusalem.

It is in no one’s interest for further conflict and instability to spread in the West Bank.

September 5, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : British Embassy welcomes roadmap for a water law in Guatemala [August 2024]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 30 August 2024.

A British Embassy official attended the launch of the plan to create a water law in Guatemala, which will start this year until 2025. This national commitment was announced on 29 August by the Executive and endorsed by Congress, civil society, and indigenous peoples.

A British Embassy spokesperson said:

We congratulate the Guatemalan Government for presenting the initiative to create a water law in Guatemala.

Guatemala now joins the path travelled by many countries to preserve their natural resources while addressing the impacts of climate change.

The UK continues to work with Guatemala on this and other environmental priorities, such as the protection of biodiversity and forests, and addressing global climate challenges.

September 5, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : Gang members sentenced in sham marriage documents scam [August 2024]

The press release issued by the Home Office on 29 August 2024.

Members of an organised crime group have today been jailed for forging more than 2,000 marriage certificates to allow people to live in the UK illegally.

Nigerian nationals Abraham Alade Olarotimi Onifade, Abayomi Aderinsoye Shodipo, Nosimot Mojisola Gbadamosi and Adekunle Kabir have been jailed for a total of 13 years after a hearing at Woolwich Crown Court.

The court heard how, between March 2019 and May 2023, the defendants conspired to make fraudulent EU Settlement Scheme applications. They provided false Nigerian customary marriage certificates and other fraudulent documentation to support the applications of Nigerian nationals in order to remain in the UK.

An investigation led by Home Office criminal and financial investigators, in partnership with Home Office international operations based in Lagos, uncovered more than 2,000 false marriage documents forged by the gang.

At trial, Onifade and Shodipo were both found guilty of conspiracy to facilitate and conspiracy to provide articles used in fraud. Gbadamosi was convicted of obtaining leave to remain by deception and fraud by false representation, and Kabir was found guilty of possession of an identity document with improper intention but cleared of obtaining leave to remain by deception.

Earlier this week (27 August) at sentencing, Onifade received 6 years behind bars, Shodipo 5 years, Gbadamosi 18 months and Kabir 9 months.

Home Office Investigation Supervisor, Chief Immigration Officer Paul Moran said:

This group was absolutely prolific in their desire to abuse our borders and have rightly been brought to justice.

As with many gangs we encounter, their sole priority was financial gain. I am delighted that my team was able to intercept their operation, and I hope these convictions will serve as a warning to unscrupulous gangs who exploit people’s desperation to remain in the UK.

We will continue to work tirelessly to secure our borders and clamp down on the gangs who prey on vulnerable people to make money.

September 5, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : People smuggler who crammed 7 migrants into lorry convicted [August 2024]

The press release issued by the Home Office on 29 August 2024.

A people smuggler who left 7 migrants requiring urgent hospital treatment after cramming them into a boiling lorry has been convicted.

Anas Al Mustafa, 43, was convicted today after ferry staff discovered the migrants screaming for help inside a tiny compartment of his lorry at Newhaven Ferry Port earlier this year.

The miniscule concealment, which was only 2 metres wide, left the 6 men and 1 woman squashed alongside each other and without the ability to move their arms from their sides.

On 15 February 2024, Mustafa booked to travel on a ferry from Dieppe to Newhaven in his van. The next morning, when he arrived in the UK, the migrants were found concealed in the rear of the van behind a fitted panel, which could only be accessed by a tiny hole measuring just 22 inches.

The court heard earlier this week that the group of migrants were heard banging and calling for help in the over-heated van on board the ferry as they were starved of oxygen. They were later taken to hospital and treated for heat exhaustion.

Mustafa was arrested at the scene for trafficking people into the country illegally. As he was arrested, he frantically deleted material from his mobile phone which was discovered later as the extent of his crimes unravelled.

Officers at the scene had already identified Mustafa as someone they had stopped previously for attempting to smuggle shisha and cigarettes into the UK.

Today (29 August), at Lewes Crown Court, Mustafa was found guilty of facilitating the breach of UK immigration law.

Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Dame Angela Eagle, said:

This appalling incident could have easily ended in tragedy, and everyone who was squashed inside this criminal’s van is incredibly lucky to still be alive.

We are sending a clear message that we will not tolerate this sort of life-threatening activity. Our new Border Security Command will work with partners across Europe to smash the business models of the criminal smuggling gangs and halt their activities long before they reach the UK.

Home Office Criminal and Financial Investigations Deputy Director, Chris Foster, said:

Today’s conviction is a clear example of the lengths evil people smugglers will go to make cash. The lives of 7 people were put on the line after being crammed into a boiling and tiny concealment in the back of a van with no access to air.

I’d like to thank my investigating teams for their work on today’s case. We will continue to tirelessly pursue people smugglers who undermine our border security in an attempt to trade lives for money.

Lauren Doshi, Specialist Prosecutor of the Crown Prosecution Service, said:

The defendant in this case attempted to conceal his involvement in smuggling people into this country. A lot of effort had been put into adapting a van to hide people within the back of it in dangerous and potentially life-threatening conditions.

All of this was designed to avoid the checks and border controls that we have to prevent unlawful immigration. He put the lives of those that he sought to smuggle into the UK at risk.

The CPS is committed to working with law enforcement to identify and prosecute those involved in people smuggling.

We will seek to pursue any money or assets gained through this criminality with our proceeds of crime division.

September 5, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer meeting with President Macron of France [August 2024]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 29 August 2024.

The Prime Minister met President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysée Palace this morning.

The Prime Minister congratulated President Macron on hosting such a successful Olympic Games and said he was looking forward to watching the Paralympics in the coming weeks.

The leaders reflected on the success of the European Political Community meeting, held at Blenheim Palace last month, and agreed on the importance of further strengthening and broadening the close relationship between the UK and France in the coming months.

Turning to the fragile situation in the Middle East, the Prime Minister said he was very concerned about the escalation in the West Bank in recent days.

The leaders agreed on the urgency of concluding the ceasefire negotiations, and the importance of pursing a political solution that creates an irreversible pathway to a Palestinian state alongside the State of Israel, which can provide lasting security for both Israelis and Palestinians.

Moving to the shared challenge of small boat crossings, the Prime Minister welcomed the joint action between the UK and France and the leaders agreed to do more together to dismantle smuggling routes further upstream and increase intelligence sharing.

The leaders looked forward to speaking again soon.

September 5, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : Ministerial appointment [29 August 2024]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 29 August 2024.

The King has been pleased to approve the appointment of Catherine Smith KC as Advocate General for Scotland.

His Majesty has also been pleased to signify His intention of conferring a peerage of the United Kingdom for Life on Catherine Smith KC.

September 5, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : Travel ban on two individuals under counter-terrorism sanctions [August 2024]
The press release issued by HM Treasury on 29 August 2024.

The travel bans are in addition to the financial prohibitions to which they are already subject.
- Nazem Ahmad and Mustafa Ayash, who were designated by HM Treasury on 18 April 2023 and 27 March 2024 respectively, are now subject to a travel ban and so cannot enter the UK.
- This is HM Treasury’s first use of the power to impose a travel ban on an individual under its Domestic Counter Terrorism Regime.
The UK Government has announced a travel ban on two individuals under the Domestic Counter Terrorism Sanctions Regime. A travel ban means persons are excluded for the purposes of section 8B of the Immigration Act 1971 – it means that they cannot enter the UK.

This action is the first use of new travel ban powers under the Domestic Counter Terrorism Sanctions Regime. The travel bans are a part of continued efforts to protect the integrity of the UK economy from terrorist financing threats. They are used to target those who are suspected of being, or to have been, involved in terrorist activity in the UK but are not UK nationals.

Further information on how the travel ban is implemented can be found on the Home Office pages of GOV.UK.

Sanctioned individuals now subject to a travel ban:
- Nazem Ahmad, suspected Hizballah financier.
- Mustafa Ayash, promoting terrorism through his involvement with Gaza Now, a terrorism-promoting media network.
September 5, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : Secretary of State for Northern Ireland announces new appointment to the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland [August 2024]
The press release issued by the Office of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on 29 August 2024.

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the Right Honourable Hilary Benn MP, has announced the appointment of Nazia Latif to the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland.

Nazia Latif will take up the appointment with effect from 1 September 2024 for a period of three years.

Background

The Equality Commission was established in 1999, as part of the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. It took over the functions of the Fair Employment Commission, Equal Opportunities Commission, and Council for Racial Equality and Northern Ireland Disability Council.

The Commission is responsible for policing the Statutory Duty on all public authorities in Northern Ireland to have due regard to the need to promote equality of opportunity across a range of areas including religion, political opinion, gender, race, age, marital status, sexual orientation, disability and those with and without dependants. The Commission is funded and sponsored by The Executive Office.

Further information about the work of the Commission can be found at:

https://www.equalityni.org/Home

Biography of Appointee

Nazia is Co-Founder of Right Practice, where she helps organisations meet their human rights and equality commitments. She has worked with clients in Northern Ireland and internationally on a range of research and training projects, including the Asia Pacific Forum and the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise. She is currently an Authority Member of the Regulation, Quality and Improvement Authority. She also serves on the NI Committee of the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust and is an Independent Assessor for Diversity Mark. Nazia previously held the position of Investigations and Policy adviser at the NI Human Rights Commission. Nazia is a graduate of Queen’s University Belfast, completed her MA at the University of Durham and completed her PhD at the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

Terms of Appointment
- This position is part-time for a period of three years ending on 31 August 2027.
- The position receives a fixed annual remuneration of £5,000.
- The position is not pensionable.
Political Activity

All appointments are made on merit and with regards to the statutory requirements. Political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity in defined categories to be made public.

Nazia Latif has declared that she has not been politically active in the past five years.

Regulation

The appointment process has been regulated by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointment (OCPA) and all stages of the process were overseen by an independent panel member.

Statutory Requirements

The Secretary of State makes appointments to the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland in accordance with the Northern Ireland Act 1998.
September 5, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : Secretary of State announces new appointment to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC) [August 2024]
The press release issued by the Northern Ireland Office on 29 August 2024.

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the Right Honourable Hilary Benn MP, has announced the appointment of Mairead Holder as a Commissioner to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission.

Mrs Holder will take up the appointment with effect from 1 September 2024.

Mrs Holder is currently a Barrister and Official Solicitor for Northern Ireland. Mairead formerly held the position of Senior Principal Legal Officer on Human Rights for the Attorney General’s Office.

Background

The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (the ‘NIHRC’) was created by the Northern Ireland Act 1998, as part of the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement.
The NIHRC was established in 1999 and operates as an executive non-departmental public body sponsored by the Northern Ireland Office.
Its powers and duties are set out in legislation, and it operates in compliance with UN General Assembly resolution 48/134 (the ‘Paris Principles’) on National Human Rights Institutions. The NIHRC’s functions include keeping under review the adequacy and effectiveness in Northern Ireland of law and practice relating to the protection of human rights and promoting understanding and awareness of the importance of human rights in Northern Ireland.

Further information about the work of the Commission can be found at: https://nihrc.org/about-us

Terms of appointment
- This position is part-time for a period of three years ending on 31 August 2027.
- The position receives a fixed annual remuneration of £7,500.
- The position is not pensionable.
Political Activity

All appointments are made on merit and with regards to the statutory requirements. Political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity in defined categories to be made public.

Mrs Holder has declared that she has not been politically active in the past five years.

Regulation

The appointment process has been regulated by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointment (OCPA) and all stages of the process were overseen by an independent panel member.

Statutory Requirements

The Secretary of State makes appointments to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission in accordance with the Northern Ireland Act 1998.
September 5, 2024