Tag: 2024

PRESS RELEASE : David Wallace steps up as Acting British High Commissioner to Malaysia [August 2024]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 27 August 2024.

David Wallace started in the role following departure of Ailsa Terry who has returned to London to be the Prime Minister’s Private Secretary for Foreign Affairs.

Malaysia is not new to Wallace as he has been serving as the Deputy High Commissioner to Malaysia since July 2022. He is now the Charge d’Affaires until a new High Commissioner arrives in Malaysia in 2025.

On his new role, Wallace said:

The UK and Malaysia share strong historical ties and deep people-to-people links. I want to build on this and develop a modern partnership based around many shared interests.

The UK’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) will be a milestone in our bilateral relationship. By the time CPTPP enters into force in December this year, both our countries are set to benefit from the first ever free trade agreement, giving bilateral trade and economic growth a major boost.

Wallace added that the UK also looks forward to working with Malaysia on issues affecting regional security, stability and prosperity especially during the Malaysian chairmanship of ASEAN in 2025.

In his 22-year diplomatic career, Wallace has covered a range of political, economic and security roles, focused in central Europe and East Asia. Prior to Kuala Lumpur, Wallace was previously posted to Berlin, Warsaw, Seoul and Baghdad. In the Foreign Office Head Office he has worked on sanctions, counter proliferation, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Wallace, who hails from Edinburgh Scotland, has a BA (Hons) in Philosophy and an MA in International Economics. He speaks English, German and Polish. During his free time, Wallace enjoys reading, diving and baking. The Scotsman, who loves curry puffs in Malaysia, has travelled to almost all states around Malaysia including scaling Mount Kinabalu and diving off Pulau Tioman, Kapas and Gaya.

September 5, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : Government pledges new support to prepare for EU border checks [August 2024]
The press release issued by the Home Office on 27 August 2024.

£10.5 million to prepare the Port of Dover, Eurostar and Eurotunnel for the upcoming EU digital border system.
- new £10.5 million funding to help prepare for new EU checks at the border in autumn
- money will support the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel at Folkestone and Eurostar at St Pancras to help avoid queues
- comes as government continues to work closely with Kent partners to ensure smooth introduction of border controls
Ahead of upcoming changes at the border being implemented by the EU, the government has today (27 August 2024) announced £10.5 million to support preparations at the Port of Dover, Eurostar and Eurotunnel.

This autumn, the EU will introduce the Entry/Exit System (EES) – a new digital border system. Travellers from the UK and other non-EU countries will have to register at the border by having their fingerprints and photograph taken.

In order to reduce the risk of queuing and disruption, the government is taking action with this funding to help ports to install the necessary EES technology and complete work to get their sites ready for the checks coming into force.

Each port will receive a £3.5 million funding boost.

Future of Roads Minister, Lilian Greenwood said:

Nobody wants to see excessive queues at our ports, which is why we’re providing this funding to ensure our borders are as prepared as possible for the upcoming change – despite EES being an EU initiative.

Since coming into government, we have been reviewing plans and closely supporting ports to make sure they have the right processes in place so that EES registration can be smooth and queue times kept to a minimum.

Minister for Migration and Citizenship, Seema Malhotra will visit the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel today to see the ongoing EES preparations.

Minister for Migration and Citizenship, Seema Malhotra said:

While EES checks will be a significant change to the EU border, we are working hard with the European Commission, member states and ports to ensure we are well prepared, and minimise any disruption for Brits travelling into Europe.

This additional funding for ports will ensure they have the right technology and processes in place, so that EES registration can take place as smoothly as possible.

At the Port of Dover, this funding will be used to expedite work on the Granville Dock Project, where the existing marina at the Western Docks will be infilled and used as a site for EES processing.

At Eurotunnel and Eurostar, this funding will be used to install kiosks, in addition to those already installed, undertake rigorous testing to reduce the risk of disruption, and support recruitment and training of staff to contribute to smoother EES implementation.

The 3 ports have been making significant progress in their EES planning and are now on track for a smooth transition ahead of implementation later this year.

Today’s announcement forms part of the new government’s plan to prepare for EES, after the Home Office enabled French border officials to operate within an expanded border control zone at the Port of Dover, allowing more space to process passengers.

Emma Ward, Chief Operations Officer, Port of Dover, said:

The funding is a welcome step towards the significant investments we are making to support government plans to prepare for the introduction of the EU’s EES scheme.

We are doing all that we can to be ready with the facilities that will be used by French border officials operating the new system whilst we continue to work with the UK government to deliver more seamless travel between the UK and EU.

Simon Lejeune, Eurostar Chief Safety and Stations Officer, said:

To ensure our customers continue to enjoy a seamless Eurostar experience as we prepare for the implementation of EES, we have made substantial investments in our station infrastructure.

With support from the government, we have enhanced our facilities and upgraded our technology to meet the new requirements. Eurostar will be fully prepared and compliant by November, ensuring a smooth transition for all our passengers.

Yann Leriche, CEO, Getlink (Eurotunnel) said:

Getlink started working 2 years ago on the adaptation of its terminal for the new EES regulation – the focus has always been on customer satisfaction, delivering the most competitive crossing time and experience at the border for non-EU travellers.

This funding will be used to test and add new technology on the UK terminal, that will be deployed during peak periods, providing more kiosks, if needed, in addition to the 106 already installed in the UK, plus the recruitment and training of staff whose focus will be to assist EES passengers.

The Group has invested more than £70 million since the beginning of the process, designing and building a new dedicated EES Zone on each terminal, making sure that when the new regulation is introduced people will travel through the Channel Tunnel just as easily as they do today.
September 5, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : New wild bird sampling project to improve understanding of bird flu infections [August 2024]

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 27 August 2024.

Animal and Plant Health Agency leading £2.3 million project to fill knowledge gaps on avian influenza disease status, transmission and risks to mammals.

Work to understand how avian influenza behaves in wild bird and mammal populations will be accelerated with the launch of a new £2.3 million research consortium it has been announced today (27 August).

Scientists from the UK’s world leading Animal Plant Health Agency (APHA), alongside the British Trust for Ornithology, RSPB, NatureScot, and various academic institutions will collect and analyse samples from a range of bird and mammal populations to better understand how the virus behaves and fill current gaps in understanding about its transmission within wild birds, as well as the wider risks to mammals.

The most recent outbreaks of the current H5N1 strain of high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI), commonly known as bird flu, were the largest ever in the UK and devastated wild bird populations including seabirds such as gannets and black-headed gulls. This strain has also infected numerous species of wild mammals around the world, including otters and foxes in Great Britain.

To improve the existing data on wild birds, teams from across the consortia are sampling different bird species under license to assess the presence of active infection or antibodies from previous exposure to avian influenza viruses. This will help understand the extent to which native bird populations have developed an immune response to the virus and how the circulation of different avian influenza virus subtypes might impact upon the emergence of new notifiable avian influenza viruses.

During the recent HPAI outbreak in GB, the genetic make-up of the H5N1 virus changed on multiple occasions following the exchange of genetic material between notifiable and non-notifiable viruses. This led to the emergence of the H5N1 virus in a broader range of species, which was a critical factor in the devastation of populations of great skua, gannets and various gull species. Evaluating the spectrum of notifiable and non-notifiable viruses that are circulating in different wild bird species will fill a huge knowledge gap in our understanding of the origin and risk of virus emergence.

The research team will also consider the impact of avian influenza on wild mammals. In GB, mammals have been affected where they have likely scavenged on birds that have died from the disease. The project will assess the susceptibility of different species and the potential mechanisms by which the virus spreads between bird species and mammals and what role mammals might play in disease spread during an outbreak – such as via the feet and fur. The team will test mammals including rats, foxes and otters in high-risk environments – where there have been mass mortality events recorded in birds in the past two years – to understand whether exposure from infected wild birds and the carcasses of animals that have succumbed to infection has led to an antibody response.

Professor Ashley Banyard, Influenza and Avian Virology workgroup leader at the Animal and Plant Health Agency, said:

Having access to a wider range of samples will mean we can study avian influenza viruses in much greater detail to learn more about how they behave and interact and how this might affect future disease outbreaks.

This vital research project brings together some of the leading ornithological organisations to help gather the samples, and ultimately, following diagnostic testing, increase our understanding of avian influenza viruses across bird populations within Great Britain.

This will help APHA inform the development of future strategies to protect our wildlife and minimise the impacts of this awful disease on both animals and humans.

Defra Deputy Chief Scientific Adviser Justine Betja said:

This collaboration brings together a wealth of expertise to enhance our understanding of one of our most serious animal health challenges.

The results from this co-ordinated scientific effort will be a vital contribution to our preparations for future disease outbreaks to help us protect the health of animals, humans and the environment.

Between 2021-2023 the emergence of the current H5N1 strain of avian influenza saw the UK experience its largest ever outbreak of bird flu. The outbreak led to the death of 97 million birds globally (3.8 million in the UK), with significant consequences for agriculture and the environment. Thousands of wild birds tested positive for the virus across the country, with more than 90% of recorded bird flu detections in UK poultry happening during this period.

HPAI was previously only seen as a seasonal risk with incursions into Great Britain being linked directly to wild bird migration. However, the shift in infection dynamics seen with H5N1 has meant that the virus has ‘over-summered’ in different avian species and has also extended beyond avian populations.

By evaluating a broad range of species APHA will be able to define the likely impact of infection with different avian influenza viruses on different populations, not just where infection has caused clinical disease, but also where these viruses circulate in the absence of clinical disease.

This new, multidisciplinary project, funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, will enhance our understanding of the factors behind the spread and evolution of avian influenza viruses, including the apparent decline in cases since January 2024 and the potential drivers behind this.

The work, which will run until next year, will inform future risk assessments and strategies for disease control in both animal and human populations. It takes a One Health approach, recognising the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health in addressing the risks posed by emerging infectious diseases.

September 5, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : Russia’s efforts to erase Ukrainian identity and culture will fail: UK statement to the OSCE [August 2024]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 26 August 2024.

Ambassador Holland marks Ukraine’s Independence Day and condemns Russia’s efforts to eradicate Ukrainian identity through its illegal war of aggression.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Last Saturday we marked two milestones: 30 months since Russia launched its illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine and 33 years since the Ukrainian people chose independence. The contrast between these two events could not be greater.

President Putin’s illegal war is a story of desperation and attempted subjugation, the latest chapter of which has been the massive barrage launched on Ukraine’s cities and energy infrastructure last night. Ukraine’s independence story, however, is one of values; of hope and freedom. Ukraine’s Act of Declaration of Independence received overwhelming support across the country. It received broad international recognition, including from President Yeltsin. In contrast, Russia’s war has resulted in sham referenda that received almost no international recognition. And because the Ukrainian people, and the majority of the world, stand united behind Ukraine’s sovereignty, its independence will endure, while this illegal war will ultimately fail.

Madam Chair, following Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion, which is a violation of the UN Charter and OSCE principles, Ukrainians are fighting for their land and their centuries-old identity. Russia has tried to erase Ukrainian identity and culture through a systematic effort of repression.

Since the start of the full-scale invasion, Russian attacks have damaged as many as 400 cultural sites, including religious sites, museums, and other cultural property. Russian forces are believed to have stolen more than 28,000 artworks and artefacts from the Kherson Regional Museum. In May, a Russian missile destroyed one of the largest printing houses in Europe, Factor Druk in Kharkiv, destroying 50,000 books.

These attacks on Ukraine’s past and its present are abhorrent, but we are seeing evidence that Russia is also targeting Ukraine’s future. Thousands of Ukrainian children have been taken from their families, forcibly deported from their homes and subjected to targeted re-education in an attempt to sever their link with their homeland. The independent OSCE Moscow Mechanism report on this issue concluded that Russia’s actions constitute violations of international humanitarian law, international human rights law and, in some cases, war crimes.

Madam Chair, Ukraine’s culture is important in its own right but also significant for what it represents. Now more so than ever, it stands as a symbol of resilience and resistance. Ukrainian national identity burns brightly despite Russia’s efforts to steal artefacts, re-educate children and eliminate national traditions. And Ukraine’s identity – forged in the face of adversity and hardship – will endure. For this reason, I look forward to 2025, when we will again celebrate Ukraine’s independence, resilience and national identity, and I hope we can do so without needing to remark on another milestone in this senseless and illegal war.

Madam chair, before I conclude, we are deeply saddened by the news that a British national media worker has died following a Russian strike on a hotel in Kramatorsk. Our thoughts are with his family, and we join all those who are mourning their loved ones as a result of this war. Thank you.

September 5, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : Signal boost for bank holiday ramblers as UK government’s 4G rollout picks up pace in Great British countryside [August 2024]

The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 26 August 2024.

Ramblers, hill climbers, and wildlife watchers in dozens of UK tourist hotspots will enjoy faster, more reliable mobile coverage to explore the Great British countryside this bank holiday.

Four masts providing 4G coverage in some of Britain’s most visited national parks have now been switched on following UK Government funding, improving safety for tourists and local residents, and reducing the number of signal losses in these remote areas.

The key locations targeted by the programme include areas of outstanding natural beauty across England and Wales, such as Snowdonia, the Shropshire Hills, the Wye Valley, and the Brecon Beacons, which are benefitting from improved connectivity without new infrastructure being installed. It will mean residents and visitors who previously struggled to fulfil basic tasks on their mobiles, such as finding routes via online maps, uploading pictures on social media, and using messaging platforms to text and make calls, will no longer face frustrating mobile dropouts.

The boost comes as the UK Government seeks to fix the digital divide to ensure Britons up and down the country can have the same opportunities and are not held back by lack of connectivity.

Minister of State for Telecoms Chris Bryant said:

We want everyone to be able to enjoy the breath-taking views of our mountains, parks, and lakes and this connectivity boost without any impact on scenery will give visitors the peace of mind to be able to call a friend should they get lost, or find their way to enjoy a much-needed lunch break in a local pub.

The upgrade is also set to reduce the risks of tourists needing emergency assistance, easing pressures on the emergency services who normally receive higher number of calls during bank holidays.

Where people do find themselves at risk, the masts will give first responders immediate access to life-saving data, images and information – making it quicker and easier for them to rescue anyone in danger.

Mike Park, Chief Executive Officer of Mountain Rescue England and Wales said:

Teams across the country are seeing a year-on-year increased demand for our unpaid, voluntary services. This announcement means that we are being given the best chance to be alerted when people require our life-saving services.

Thirty years ago, when mobile phones and network coverage were in their infancy, it was typical that simply getting off the mountain to a telephone to alert Mountain Rescue could add more than 2 hours before a rescue could be initiated. Because of the improvement in the mobile phone networks in these remote areas, mountain rescue teams are now able to be alerted so much quicker, which is a benefit to all of us – casualty and rescuer.

The boost is the latest milestone of the Shared Rural Network programme, a £1 billion funding project geared towards improving connectivity in rural areas of the country. This part of the programme upgrades existing masts so that the impact on the surrounding environment is kept to a minimum.

Beyond national parks, the upgrade will also benefit tourists visiting historic landmarks, such as the UNESCO world heritage site Blaenavon Industrial Landscape and the Norman-era Caldicot Castle and Country Park in South Wales.

The Shared Rural Network has already led to an additional 14,800 square kilometres – an area roughly the size of Northern Ireland or two million football pitches – receiving coverage from all four operators.

The UK government is investing in upgrades to the Home Office’s Emergency Service Network mobile masts to provide coverage from all four mobile operators – mostly in Scotland and Wales. To date, 16 Extended Area Service (EAS) mast upgrades have been switched on – including 13 in Wales, one in Scotland and two in England.

Mobile operators are also investing over £500 million to target partial ‘not spots’, where customers can only access 4G if they are signed up with a mobile network operator that is active in the area. This part of the programme has already delivered significant coverage improvements across the UK, including in the areas of Shetland, Yorkshire, Fermanagh and Devon.

Bryn Jones, Director of SRN at Digital Mobile Spectrum Limited which represents the four major mobile operators, said:

With 16 publicly funded mobile sites now live, residents, businesses and tourists across the UK are benefitting from the sharing of existing infrastructure. The Shared Rural Network will continue to deliver improved 4G coverage as more upgrades go live.

September 5, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : Establishing the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme in Regulations [August 2024]

The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 23 August 2024.

Today, the Government has laid regulations to establish the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme, as required by the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024. These regulations will give the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA) the powers to pay compensation through the Core Route to infected persons, both living and deceased, as set out in the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme Summary: August 2024. The Government expects the IBCA to begin making payments to infected persons by the end of 2024.

A second set of regulations will provide for the payment of compensation to affected persons, and for claims under the Supplementary Route. This will ensure that the IBCA can begin compensation payments to affected persons in 2025.

Sign up to the Infected Blood Compensation Authority mailing list for regular updates on this work as it progresses – https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/Z55REY/.

The Regulations, the Explanatory Memorandum and the Equality Impact Assessment are available to view on the National Archives website.

September 5, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : Sentence increase for thug who carried out substance attack [August 2024]

The press release issued by the Attorney General’s Office on 23 August 2024.

A violent thug who permanently blinded his victim in one eye after he threw a corrosive substance in his face has had his sentence increased.

Robbie Scott (21), of Newcastle, has had his sentence increased after it was referred to the Court of Appeal.

The court heard that Scott stole a gold chain from a younger man in February 2024 after threatening him with a zombie knife.

The victim’s father challenged Scott to return the chain before Scott squirted him in the face with a corrosive substance from a drinks bottle. Scott also threatened to stab the victim before fleeing the scene.

The victim has undergone further operations to rescue his vision but has completely lost sight in one of his eyes.

Solicitor General Sarah Sackman MP said:

Robbie Scott’s actions were cowardly and shameful. Not only did he violently rob someone younger than him with a zombie knife but when challenged he callously threw a corrosive substance in another person’s face.

His victim has suffered life-altering injuries and thankfully the courts recognised the severity of Robbie Scott’s crimes when they extended his sentence. Those who violently attack and intimidate others should be warned that you will be dealt with the full force of the law.

On 20 May 2024, Scott received eight years and six months’ imprisonment with a licence extension of one year and six months at Newcastle-Upon-Tyne Crown Court for robbery, having a bladed article and a corrosive substance in a public place, grievous bodily harm with intent, and resisting a constable in the execution of his duty.

On 23 August 2024, Robbie Scott’s sentence was increased to eleven years imprisonment with an extended license period of three years after it was referred to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme.

September 5, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer call with President Xi Jinping of China [August 2024]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 23 August 2024.

The Prime Minister spoke to President Xi Jinping of China this morning.

The Prime Minister began by setting out his priorities for his government, including national security, secure borders and economic stability.

The leaders discussed areas of shared collaboration, and potential areas of cooperation between the UK and China, including on trade, the economy and education.

As permanent members of the UN Security Council, the leaders agreed on the importance of close working in areas such as climate change and global security.

The Prime Minister added that he hoped the leaders would be able to have open, frank and honest discussions to address and understand areas of disagreement when necessary, such as Hong Kong, Russia’s war in Ukraine and human rights.

The leaders also agreed on the need for a stable and consistent UK-China relationship, including dialogue between their respective foreign and domestic ministers.

They agreed to stay in touch.

September 5, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : Action taken against Devon business owner, Matthew Littechild, following £250,000 covid loan abuse [August 2024]

The press release issued by the Insolvency Service on 23 August 2024.

Devon-based businessman is subject to 13 years of sanctions after abusing the Bounce Back Loan scheme five times during the Covid pandemic.

Matthew Littlechild claimed five separate £50,000 Bounce Back Loans for his businesses, including a Totnes pub

He overstated his turnover for each business to falsely claim a quarter of a million pounds from the scheme

Littlechild must now abide by 13 years of stringent bankruptcy restrictions which prevent him acting as a company director or borrowing more than £500 without declaring the sanctions against him

A businessman from Devon is subject to 13 years of bankruptcy restrictions after he falsely claimed Bounce Back Loans worth a total of £250,000 for five of his businesses.

Matthew Littlechild, 37, from Mount Pleasant Road in Newton Abbot, agreed to abide by the tough sanctions after the official receiver found he had overstated the turnover of five separate businesses to claim the maximum £50,000 Covid support loans for each one.

Samantha Crook, Deputy Official Receiver at the Insolvency Service, said:

Matthew Littlechild repeatedly took advantage of a scheme designed to help businesses in genuine need, and abused taxpayers’ money when the country was facing one of its toughest times.

We are pleased that these lengthy bankruptcy restrictions will help to protect the public from further financial harm.

Littlechild set up four of the businesses involved in the abuse of the scheme between April 2018 and November 2019.

They included the Matthew Littlechild Business Consultancy, an event catering business known as Pig Out, Treby Essentials home food delivery and the ML Properties cleaning business. Littlechild also began running a pub, the Sea Trout Inn in Staverton,Totnes, in November 2019.

Between May and June 2020 he applied for £50,000 Bounce Back Loans on behalf of all five businesses.

Under the rules of the scheme, businesses could borrow between £2,000 and £50,000 of government-backed loans, based on their 2019 turnover.

Littlechild received loans for his businesses worth £250,000, but later became bankrupt, in January 2024.

The official receiver investigating the cause of his bankruptcy discovered that the businessman had provided false information about the turnover of all five businesses, to claim the money.

Littlechild signed a Bankruptcy Restrictions Undertaking (BRU) which extends the restrictions imposed by his original bankruptcy until 20 August 2037.

The restrictions prevent him from acting as a company director without the court’s permission, and borrowing more than £500 without declaring he is subject to restrictions. He is also prevented from holding certain roles in public organisations.

The Secretary of State for Business and Trade accepted a Bankruptcy Restrictions Undertaking from Matthew Littlechild on 21 August 2024.

The Official Receiver continues to review potential asset realisations following the investigations.

September 5, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : British High Commissioner pays first visit to Wajir County [August 2024]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 23 August 2024.

British High Commissioner Neil Wigan pays first visit to Wajir County to discuss partnership and the impact of UK programming in the county.
- British High Commission team visited Wajir County 22 and 23 August.
- British High Commissioner announced INSPIRED programme to ensure quality education for 100,000 children and met beneficiaries of innovative cash assistance programme.
- The British High Commissioner and Development Director held meetings with Wajir County Commissioner and Governor, Mandera County Governor and the Wajir Women Council.
- The team also visited Wajir County Police Station to better understand the impact of UK-funded gender desks in tackling VAWG.
British High Commissioner to Kenya, Neil Wigan, visited Wajir County on 22 and 23 August, accompanied by Development Director Leigh Stubblefield.

During the visit, the High Commissioner met Wajir County Governor Ahmed Abdullahi and County Commissioner Karuku Ngumo to discuss the UK-Wajir partnership and the impact of UK programming in the county, particularly in support of women and girls, regional peace and security and cash assistance to vulnerable communities.

On 23 August, the High Commissioner announced INSPIRED, our new flagship education programme. INSPIRED will provide quality education for 100,000 children in Wajir and Mandera Counties over the next three years, ensuring Kenya’s future generations can reach their full potential. He discussed details of this new and impactful programme with Wajir and Mandera County Governors.

The High Commissioner also spent time at Wajir County Central Police Station, hearing about the impact of UK-funded gender desks at Wajir Central, Giriftu, Habaswein and Bute police stations, which are helping prevent and handle cases of violence against women and girls in the County. Delivered through the UK’s REINVENT programme, gender desks offer a safe space for victims of sexual and gender-based violence to speak to specially trained officers, which has helped increase reporting rates by 57%.

UK funding through REINVENT previously helped establish the Wajir Women Council. At a dinner with the Council, the High Commissioner heard how the forum had ensured women’s voices were heard at the political and leadership level in the county, how it had helped transform how cases of violence against women and girls are handled, and its role in peacebuilding.

With partners in the Boma Consortium, the team met beneficiaries of the UK-Government of Kenya cash transfer programme, provided under the Hunger Safety Net Programme. Residents of Wajir town explained how cash grants had helped them set up businesses and even a community level loan scheme, enabling them to support their families and establish a regular income.

Local partners in the UK-funded Borderlands programme set out to the High Commissioner how projects are helping provide education and skills development to women entrepreneurs, as well as contributing to women’s participation and trust-building initiatives in support of peace.

British High Commissioner Neil Wigan said of his visit:

Travelling outside of the capital, I am always struck by the strength of the UK’s partnership with Kenya’s counties and their residents.

In Wajir, UK support is helping tackle violence against women and girls, increase access to education and improve security and stability. I’m proud of our partnership with the county – we’re going far, together.

The UK-Kenya partnership is delivering real impact for Kenyans across the country, whether improving economic growth, local governance and stability, access to education and healthcare, empowering women and girls, or working together to ensure regional peace and security.
September 5, 2024