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Tag: 2024

  • PRESS RELEASE : Change of British High Commissioner to Maldives – Nick Low [August 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Change of British High Commissioner to Maldives – Nick Low [August 2024]

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

    Mr Nick Low has been appointed British High Commissioner to the Republic of Maldives in succession to Ms Caron Röhsler. Mr Low will take up his appointment during January 2025.

    Curriculum Vitae

    Full name: Nicholas David Low

    Year Role
    2023 to present FCDO, Counsellor, India & Indian Ocean Directorate
    2020 to present Visiting Fellow at China & Emerging Economies Centre, University of Northampton
    2019 to 2023 Kolkata, Deputy High Commissioner
    2015 to 2019 Beijing, Head of China Regional Network & Sustainable Urbanisation
    2014 to 2015 FCO, Acting Head of Crisis Management Department
    2010 to 2014 Dhaka, Deputy High Commissioner
    2007 to 2010 FCO, Head of Nuclear Issues, Counter Proliferation Department
    2004 to 2006 Algiers, Deputy Head of Mission
    2004 French language training
    1999 to 2003 Brasilia, Head of Trade, Investment, Trade Policy & Economics
    1999 Portuguese language training
    1995 to 1999 Santiago, Second Secretary (Politics & Development)
    1994 to 1995 Spanish language training
    1994 Rabat, Secondment to Court of HRH Crown Prince Sidi Mohammed
    1993 to 1994 FCO, Security Policy Department
    1993 Joined FCO
    1982 to 1993 Metropolitan Police Service, serving in London Boroughs of Greenwich, Camden, Brent and Tower Hamlets (Uniform and CID)
    1980 to 1981 National Health Service, Guy’s Hospital London
  • David Evans – 2024 Resignation Statement

    David Evans – 2024 Resignation Statement

    The statement made by David Evans, the General Secretary of the Labour Party, on 3 September 2024.

    It has been the privilege of my life to be general secretary for the Labour Party. It has always been my plan to serve for one general election, and take the organisation from shattering defeat to being a party of government. Now both have been achieved, it is the right time both for me and the party for a new general secretary to take over. A new General Secretary being in post from the end of this year’s conference will give them the necessary time to lead the next chapter of change, taking over at the same early stage of the political cycle that I did. All my thanks go to the Labour Party staff, representatives and volunteers – without their hard work and support our successes simply would not have been possible.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Business leaders and unions to work hand in hand to deliver new plans to Make Work Pay [August 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Business leaders and unions to work hand in hand to deliver new plans to Make Work Pay [August 2024]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 14 August 2024.

    British workers are set for better working conditions as the Government takes its first steps towards its Plan to Make Work Pay.

    • Businesses and workers will get a bigger voice at the table as Government takes the next steps in its mission to Make Work Pay
    • Deputy Prime Minister and Business Secretary host senior representatives from trade unions and business organisations for the first time to discuss workers’ rights
    • This sets out Government’s commitment to engaging on the Plan to Make Work Pay and deliver an ambitious agenda to ensure workplace rights fit for a modern economy

    British workers are set for better working conditions as the Government takes its first steps towards its Plan to Make Work Pay.

    The Deputy Prime Minister and Business Secretary convened a meeting with trade unions and business leaders in a first-of-its-kind meeting today [14th August 2024].

    They agreed to wipe the slate clean and begin a new relationship of respect and collaboration to help deliver the Government’s first mission – to kickstart economic growth.

    They discussed views on the Employment Rights Bill and wider Plan to Make Work Pay, with the Deputy Prime Minister and Business Secretary carefully listening to the valuable insights of attendees.

    This comes soon after the Deputy Prime Minster and Business Secretary decided to overhaul the remit of the Low Pay Commission to deliver early progress on the Make Work Pay plan and put more money in working people’s pockets.

    The Employment Rights Bill – which will play a key role in delivering the Plan to Make Work Pay – will be introduced within 100 days of entering Government.

    Senior representatives from a cross section of major businesses representative organisations and trade unions were invited to the heart of government today to contribute to the Government’s Plan to Make Work Pay.

    Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said:

    Our plan to Make Work Pay will bring together workers and businesses, both big and small and across different industries, for the good of the economy.

    This first-of-its-kind meeting has kicked off a new era of partnership that will bring benefits to everyone across the country striving to build a better life.

    Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:

    For too long the valuable insights of business and trade unions have been ignored by Government, even on past decisions which have directly impacted them.

    Business and workers will always help to shape the ambitions of government including our plan to Make Work Pay, to ensure it boosts economic growth and creates better working conditions for all”

    Minister for Employment Rights Justin Madders said:

    It is time for the views of unions and businesses to be heard. This government understands the importance of stakeholders when deciding on policy.

    We are getting cracking on the Bill, it will be delivered in the first 100 days and it’s great to get together to share insights that will help us to make sure it does what we intend it to.

    The Plan to Make Work Pay sets out an ambitious agenda to ensure workplace rights are fit for a modern economy, empower working people and deliver economic growth.

    The Plan will support more people to stay in work, make work more family friendly, and improve living standards. This will put more money in working people’s pockets to spend, boosting economic growth, resilience and conditions for innovation.

    Further engagement is planned to discuss the detail of the Plan to Make Work Pay. Trade union and business representatives will be invited to continue to engagement on the Plan to Make Work Pay via similar meetings, as well as share vital insights via the upcoming consultations.

    Notes to editors:

    As part of its Make Work Pay plan, the Government has committed to:

    • Ban exploitative zero hours contracts
    • End fire and rehire
    • Introduce basic rights from day one to parental leave, sick pay, and protection from unfair dismissal
    • Strengthen the collective voice of workers, including through their trade unions, and create a Single Enforcement Body to ensure employment rights are upheld
    • Make sure the minimum wage is a genuine living wage by changing the remit of the independent Low Pay Commission so for the first time it accounts for the cost of living
    • Remove the discriminatory age bands, so all adults are entitled to the same minimum wage, delivering a pay rise to hundreds of thousands of workers across the UK

    The attendees of the meeting are below:

    • Deputy Prime Minister
    • Business Secretary
    • GMB
    • TUC
    • Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (USDAW)
    • UNISON
    • Unite
    • Prospect
    • British Chambers of Commerce (BCC)
    • Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development (CIPD)
    • Confederation of British Industry (CBI)
    • Federation of Small Businesses (FSB)
    • Institute of Directors (IoD)
    • Make UK
    • Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC)

    Attendee quotes:

    TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak said:

    The government’s plan to make to make work pay, including the introduction of an Employment Rights Bill within its first 100 days, can set our economy on a path towards higher growth and better living standards. Today’s meeting was an important chance for unions and businesses to discuss the shared gains that the government’s reforms will bring, and we look forward to continued close working as ministers implement their plans.

    Together, we can raise the floor so that every job has the pay and security that families need to thrive, workers have access to unions, and good employers are not undercut by the bad.

    Jonathan Geldart, Director General of the Institute of Directors, said:

    Today’s meeting is an important first step in ensuring that there is meaningful dialogue with business as these proposals move forward, as the specifics will be crucial in determining whether they support or stifle economic growth.

    We look forward to the start of a detailed engagement and consultation process, which will be essential to minimising the risk of unintended consequences of these reforms.

    UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said:

    Britain’s problems are best solved when governments, unions and businesses work together. Lifting standards and making work pay will drive the economic growth to deliver proper investment in essential services.

    The fair pay agreement promised in care will rejuvenate recruitment in a sector that’s long struggled to hold on to the workers needed to support an ageing population.

    Stephen Phipson, CEO of Make UK said:

    Manufacturers believe that good, well-paid, secure work is key to the Government’s missions of securing economic growth and breaking down barriers to opportunity, which belongs at the heart of an industrial strategy. The manufacturing sector, working closely with trade unions, pays 9% above the national average salary, and is investing increasing amounts in skills training and wellbeing to develop their workforce and improve productivity.

    We look forward to continuing to work with the Government on ensuring its Plan to Make Work Pay benefits both manufacturing employers and their employees.

    Mike Clancy, General Secretary of Prospect, said:

    The Government’s Make Work Pay programme should be an historic opportunity to improve the rights of working people in this country and should represent a symbolic shift in favour of partnership between employers, government, and workers to drive economic progress.

    This meeting represents the start of a dialogue that, done properly, can deliver the growth and stability the country needs to compete on the world stage.

    Jane Gratton, Deputy Director Public Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce:

    It was important to be in the room today to represent the views of business, and to emphasise that the Government needs to genuinely listen as it develops its plans. Our members are clear that their employees deserve high standards of protection, but it’s important to guard against any unintended consequences of the proposed changes.

    This will require thorough and detailed consultation with firms of all sizes.  The Government must take its time, engage with employers, and ensure that any changes are proportionate and affordable for businesses.”

    John Foster, CBI Chief Policy and Campaigns Officer, said:

    Politicians and businesses are united in wanting to raise living standards through higher levels of growth underpinned by increased productivity. Creating the conditions in which businesses can invest and create jobs is key to this. Today’s meeting was a welcome a step in beginning the constructive dialogue that can deliver solutions that will be both lasting and effective.

    Creating the space for meaningful consultation will be vital because it is business input that can ensure these reforms support growth, investment and jobs, while avoiding unintended consequences.

    Paddy Lillis, General Secretary of Usdaw, the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers, said:

    After 14 years of dither and delay, it’s great to sit down with a government committed to delivering for working people and talking about how to implement the change Usdaw members need.

    The Government’s plans for workers’ rights will massively improve the lives of our members and we are pleased to see grown up government, bringing together politicians, employers and unions to ensure the changes outlined during the election are delivered.

    Peter Cheese, Chief Executive of the CIPD, the professional body for HR and people development, said:

    We recognise and welcome a number of the changes in the Government’s Plan to Make Work Pay. Together they amount to the biggest transformation of workers’ rights in a generation.

    Therefore, consultation will be essential to ensure that any reforms achieve the right outcomes for individuals and employers. We look forward to being part of that process.

    Neil Carberry, Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) Chief Executive, said:

    The longest-lasting and most successful changes to the jobs market have been those developed with businesses, not just handed down to them.

    Today’s meeting is an opportunity to re-discover that principle and ensure that the work of the new Government supports business growth and opportunity for workers, including over a million temporary workers across the UK.

    Tina McKenzie, Policy Chair at The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), said:

    We had positive engagement with Angela Rayner and Jonathan Reynolds in Opposition, including on their commitments to working in partnership with small business. We hope this meeting is a signal that the Government will soon start a proper, meaningful and constructive engagement process as it moves from campaigning into practical policy making.

    It will be crucial the Government starts to demonstrate it is prepared to try and reduce harm to employment, small business, and the economy from any and every negative impact of these proposals. The new administration must listen to the real needs of small businesses on the ground and help, not harm, small business efforts to get people into work and secure the high levels of growth the country desperately needs.

  • David Lammy – 2024 Article “Only with diplomacy can we deliver long-term peace”

    David Lammy – 2024 Article “Only with diplomacy can we deliver long-term peace”

    The article written by David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, for Asharq Al-Awsat and issued as a press release on 14 August 2024.

    For months, the Middle East has been teetering on the brink of full-scale conflict. None of us can know precisely how close we are to falling into the abyss of all-out war. But everyone recognises that this is a critical moment for the stability of the entire region. And that the risk of things spiralling out of control has been growing sharply.

    The new British Government is doing all it can to push for de-escalation. At the end of my first full week in office, I travelled to Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Ramallah, meeting Israeli and Palestinian leaders and communities. British Defence Secretary, John Healey, and I made a joint visit to Qatar and Lebanon.

    Our message to counterparts in the region and beyond has been simple. A widening of the conflict is in nobody’s interest – least of all civilians on all sides. Britain is committed to getting behind a diplomatic solution so that together, we can ease the current tensions.

    This week, there has been a renewed push for precisely such a diplomatic solution, starting with a ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza. Such a deal is absolutely critical. Britain and our European partners welcome the efforts by Qatar, Egypt and the United States: there is no more time to lose. The fighting must stop – now. All the hostages still cruelly detained by Hamas must be released – now. Urgent delivery of unfettered aid into Gaza needs to start – now.

    All sides must seize this opportunity to open a pathway towards a lasting solution. That requires restraint. Iran and Iranian-aligned groups must refrain from attacks that would jeopardize this. We cannot risk further delay.

    Of course, a ceasefire is just a first step on the path to long-term peace. The UK will play a full diplomatic role in seizing the opportunity for momentum towards a two-state solution, creating safety, security and dignity for Israelis and Palestinians alike.

    At the same time, we must support a sovereign Lebanon with strong state institutions. The Lebanese Armed Forces and Internal Security Forces have a critical role to play in Lebanon’s future, and we continue to back them with training and equipment. Investing in Lebanese institutions like these will maintain the country’s stability and reduce the threat of terrorism in Lebanon and the wider region.

    And we urge Israel and Lebanon to engage with the US-led discussions to reach a political settlement and resolve their disagreements diplomatically. UN Security Council Resolution 1701 remains the basis for a long-term solution. It calls for the disarmament of all armed groups in Lebanon. For no foreign forces in Lebanon without its government’s consent. And for no armed forces other than UN and Lebanese government troops south of the Litani river near the border with Israel.

    While diplomatic efforts intensify, the UK continues to offer extensive humanitarian support. Our new government has restarted funding for UNRWA, the UN agency whose life-saving aid is most critical for Palestinians in Gaza and the wider region. We have announced new funding for UK-Med field hospitals in Gaza and UNICEF’s efforts to give food, water and essential services to vulnerable Palestinian families.

    And I will continue to speak out over actions which make a diplomatic solution more difficult. The deaths of civilians at Madjal Shams were appalling – Hizballah and Hamas must both cease their rocket strikes, which only make a ceasefire less likely. And Israel must comply with international humanitarian law – the loss of life at the al-Tabeen school was also a tragedy.

    The Israeli government should retract and condemn Minister Smotrich’s recent remarks – international law is clear that the deliberate starvation of civilians is a war crime. An Israeli government minister praying at the holy sites at Al-Aqsa Mosque Compound was also inflammatory – we oppose unilateral action in Jerusalem absent a final status settlement.

    At a time of such serious tension, our guiding star is diplomacy. Only with diplomacy can we end the current destructive cycle of retaliatory violence. Only with diplomacy can we deliver long-term peace and security for all.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK Government Minister for Scotland reacts to LMS for August 2024 [August 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK Government Minister for Scotland reacts to LMS for August 2024 [August 2024]

    The press release issued by the Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland on 13 August 2024.

    Kirsty McNeill underlines plans to tackle poverty, grow the economy, and make work pay for hard-working Scots.

    The latest Labour Market Statistics have been published today here.

    UK Government Minister for Scotland Kirsty McNeill said:

    Today’s figures are encouraging but there is still a lot of work to do and the UK Government is going to deliver the change the country needs. Giving people support to join the workforce and the security they need to remain in fairly-paid jobs is vital as we tackle poverty and grow the economy.

    We’re banning exploitative zero hour contracts, we’ve taken the first steps to make the national minimum wage a real living wage, and we’re planning JobCentre reform.

    Background:

    • More information on the Plan to Get Britain Working is available here: Back to Work Plan will help drive economic growth in every region – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
    • A new Labour Market Advisory Board has been announced, chaired by Professor Paul Gregg. It is a new group of external experts who will provide labour market insight and advice to drive change throughout the system.
    • The unemployment rate in Scotland during April to June 2024 was 4.4 per cent, unchanged over the quarter. Scotland’s unemployment rate was slightly above the UK rate of 4.2 per cent.
    • The employment rate in Scotland during April to June 2024 was 73.4 per cent, up 0.3 percentage points on the quarter. Scotland’s employment rate was below the UK rate of 74.5 per cent.
    • The economic inactivity rate (the proportion of people aged 16 to 64 years who were not working and not seeking or available to work) in Scotland was 23.1 per cent, down 0.3 percentage points on the quarter. Scotland’s economic inactivity rate remains higher than the UK rate of 22.2 per cent.
    • Early seasonally adjusted estimates for July 2024 show payrolled employees increased in Scotland by 16,000 (0.7%) up to 2.47 million.This compares with the UK where the number of payrolled employees had risen by 0.8 per cent over the same period.
  • PRESS RELEASE : Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Fleur Anderson visits Cookstown [August 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Fleur Anderson visits Cookstown [August 2024]

    The press release issued by the Northern Ireland Office on 13 August 2024.

    The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Fleur Anderson, has visited Cookstown to meet with local organisations Northern Ireland Rural Women’s Network (NIRWN) and Super Stars Café.

    NIRWN is a membership based organisation with a mission to amplify and articulate the voice of rural women at local, regional and strategic level. The Minister took the opportunity to hear directly from service users and members of NIRWN, discussing the most pressing priorities of rural women in Northern Ireland.

    Founded in 2005, Super Stars Café is a unique and dynamic charity whose purpose is to provide learning opportunities and new skills for people with learning disabilities which are not available elsewhere.

    Speaking following her visit to Co Tyrone, Minister Anderson said:

    “Northern Ireland’s community sector is united on many issues and I’ve been privileged to meet many groups across Northern Ireland already.

    “I wanted to take today as an opportunity to focus on the fantastic work of NIRWN and hear about the issues most pressing to women in rural communities.

    “It was also great to hear about the work of the Super Stars Café and how they enable young people in the local community to reach their full potential.”

  • PRESS RELEASE : 312,000 rural homes and businesses  to get access to faster broadband in overhaul of old infrastructure [August 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : 312,000 rural homes and businesses  to get access to faster broadband in overhaul of old infrastructure [August 2024]

    The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 13 August 2024.

    Hundreds of thousands of rural homes and businesses will receive major internet speed upgrades, as the UK Government fixes the digital divide and powers up all regions of Britain.

    • Up to £800 million in UK Government funding to end the plight of poor broadband for around 300,000 across Great Britain
    • For the first time, Wales is included in the initiative to enhance connectivity, expanding the reach of improved infrastructure to homes and businesses
    • Marks start of UK Government’s ‘renewed push’ to reach full gigabit coverage by 2030 to plug connectivity black holes across the country

    Hundreds of thousands of rural homes and businesses struggling to fulfil basic online tasks due to outdated broadband infrastructure will receive major internet speed upgrades, as the UK Government fixes the digital divide and powers up all regions of Britain.

    Up to £800 million in government investment will be made available to modernise broadband infrastructure in rural areas of England, Scotland and Wales, ending the plight of buffering so people can fulfil everyday online tasks, such as streaming films, video calling, or downloading large files, which is currently particularly challenging in some areas of Wales and Scotland.

    The deal will provide access to lightning-fast gigabit-capable broadband to around 312,000 homes and businesses across Great Britain. It is the first time Wales, the region with the lowest percentage of gigabit coverage, will benefit from this programme.

    It will mean residents and businesses in remote areas of Britain, such as the South Wales Valleys, Exmoor National Park and the Forest of Bowland will finally gain access to the fastest connection on the market. This will help deliver improved productivity, as part of the government’s mission to kickstart economic growth.

    The landmark deal with telecoms provider Openreach represents one of the biggest milestones in the rollout of Project Gigabit, which targets places too expensive for providers to reach in their commercial build and which would otherwise be left behind with poor digital infrastructure. It will help meet the growing demand for reliable connectivity, stimulating local rural economies and reducing regional disparities, by enabling remote working and attracting new businesses.

    The announcement follows this Government’s vow to redouble its efforts to achieve full gigabit coverage by 2030 and harness the enormous potential of technology to grow the economy, accelerate innovation and improve people’s lives.

    Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology Peter Kyle said: 

    Over the past decade, the UK’s broadband rollout has clearly not happened fast enough and has overlooked too many areas, especially in Scotland and Wales. Robust digital infrastructure is essential for growth, productivity and competitiveness and this shortfall not only poses risks to our economic stability, but also entrenches existing inequalities across the country.

    We are fixing this by delivering for hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses up and down the country, focusing on the areas that were not prioritised by the previous government, such as Wales.

    Today marks a significant milestone in delivering on our promise to redouble our efforts to achieve full gigabit coverage by 2030 and lay the foundations for a more inclusive, dynamic and prosperous future for all citizens.

    Today’s announcement will also improve learning opportunities for students, who will be able to gain better access to online resources and remote learning platforms, as well as healthcare patients, who will be able to further rely on remote consultations – as the UK Government continues its mission to improve public services and grow the economy.

    Contracts worth £288 million have already been signed with Openreach under the agreement to connect approximately 96,600 homes and businesses in England and, for the first time, Wales. Areas to benefit include Lancashire, North Wiltshire, South Gloucestershire, West and Mid-Surrey, Staffordshire, West Berkshire and Hertfordshire, West and North Devon, and North West, Mid and South East Wales.

    Talks are now underway with Openreach to agree further contracts to benefit around 215,800 more premises across England, Scotland and Wales, with more announcements expected in the coming months. Areas expected to benefit from these future contracts include Central and North Scotland, North and South West Wales, Mid and South Devon, East and South Shropshire, North Herefordshire, North Somerset, Essex, North East England and Worcestershire.

    Minister for Digital Infrastructure Chris Bryant said:

    Far too many rural citizens and businesses are still stuck with outdated internet infrastructure, not being able to fulfil day-to-day tasks as easily as people living in our towns and cities.

    We have been clear we want to achieve sustained economic growth in every corner of Britain, and this starts by ensuring our communities have the infrastructure they need to thrive.

    This monumental deal with Openreach will make a real difference to communities – such as staying in touch with loved ones or being able to do business no matter where you are.

    Project Gigabit will support the government’s plans to kickstart economic growth, creating and supporting thousands of high-paid, high-skilled jobs, empowering industries of all kinds to innovate and increasing productivity by taking up digital technology. It will also ensure people can access vital services they need now and, in the future, from giving patients improved access to healthcare through virtual appointments and remote health monitoring to helping pensioners combat loneliness by catching up with loved ones over higher quality video calls.

    For households, gigabit-capable broadband delivers faster speeds and fewer dropouts. Unlike traditional copper-based networks, gigabit connections won’t slow down at peak times, meaning no more battling for bandwidth with the neighbours. Gigabit networks can easily handle over a hundred devices all at once with no buffering, meaning the whole family can seamlessly surf, stream and download at the same time.

    Clive Selley, CEO of Openreach said:

    Research shows that full fibre provides a host of economic, social and environmental benefits – and I believe we’re the best in the business at delivering it.

    I’m proud we’ve been chosen, through a fiercely competitive process, and we’re already cracking on with the job.

    This is a British infrastructure success story. Our network already reaches more than 15 million urban and rural premises and, wherever we build, we bring the widest choice of providers for customers. I’m confident we can reach as many as 30 million homes by the end of the decade if the conditions remain supportive.

    Trinity House, a charity dedicated to safeguarding lighthouses and maritime navigation aids in England and Wales is set to benefit from this investment. Chief Executive Rear Admiral Iain Lower welcomed the rollout:

    As an organisation that works in remote parts of the nation, we applaud this rollout by Openreach and Government. This rollout will, among other things, help our operational teams work, connect and live better at our remote lighthouses, an invaluable improvement for when they are away from their homes and families.

    Looking at the wider benefits, improved working conditions help ensure that our lighthouses work exactly as expected for the tens of thousands of mariners in our waters that rely on our aids to navigation. Safer seas make for a more prosperous island nation, as we depend on merchant shipping to carry 95% of the goods we use daily.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Bandwidth boost for 70,000 homes and businesses as UK Government vows to fix broadband divide in Wales [August 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Bandwidth boost for 70,000 homes and businesses as UK Government vows to fix broadband divide in Wales [August 2024]

    The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 13 August 2024.

    Tens of thousands of Welsh homes and businesses struggling to fulfil basic online tasks due to outdated broadband infrastructure will receive major internet speed upgrades, as the UK Government fixes the digital divide in Wales.

    • First UK Government contract signed in Wales under monumental new deal to end plight of poor broadband, as the nation records lowest levels of gigabit connectivity
    • UK Government to make around £170 million available to deliver digital infrastructure fit for the future and ensure rural businesses can thrive in Wales
    • Deal struck with Openreach will benefit around 70,000 hard-to-reach Welsh homes and businesses

    Tens of thousands of Welsh homes and businesses struggling to fulfil basic online tasks due to outdated broadband infrastructure will receive major internet speed upgrades, as the UK Government fixes the digital divide in Wales.

    Around £170 million in UK Government investment will be made available to deliver top-of-the-range ‘gigabit-capable’ broadband for around 70,000 hard-to-reach premises in Wales, as figures show the nation records the lowest levels of gigabit connectivity in Great Britain.

    It will apply to some of the most remote parts of the country from the South Wales Valleys to the Llyn Peninsula – so residents and businesses have access to the fastest connection on the market.  This will help deliver improved productivity, as part of the government’s mission to kickstart economic growth.

    It is the first UK Government contract under Project Gigabit to boost connection in Wales which had until now not benefitted from the support.

    The deal, which is part of a wider UK Government plan which will make up to £800 million available to deliver gigabit connection across Great Britain, is set to provide lightning-fast gigabit-capable broadband to Welsh communities that would otherwise be left behind with poor digital infrastructure. It will help meet the growing demand for reliable connectivity, stimulating local rural economies and reducing regional disparities, by enabling remote working and attract new businesses.

    The announcement follows this Government’s vow to redouble its efforts to achieve full gigabit coverage by 2030 and harness the enormous potential of technology to accelerate innovation and improve people’s lives.

    Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology Peter Kyle said:

    Within weeks of taking office, we have already taken the steps to begin providing faster broadband to tens of thousands of people across Wales. The signing of this major contract with Openreach ensures we are on track to achieve full gigabit coverage by 2030.

    Robust digital infrastructure is vital for competitiveness, productivity and growth, and we are committed to delivering for hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses, focusing particularly on areas that have been left behind, such as Wales.

    Minister for Digital Infrastructure Chris Bryant said:

    Communities across Wales are set to benefit from our deal with Openreach, from young pupils having an easier time completing their homework to seafarers in the Vale of Glamorgan feeling more connected personally and professionally.

    This Government is determined to address the regional disparities we have inherited and provide the necessary infrastructure for all communities to prosper, including the digital infrastructure vital in today’s world.

    Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said:

    I’m delighted that so many people in harder to reach areas in Wales will be benefitting from this deal between the UK Government and Openreach. We are all increasingly dependent on high-speed broadband to work efficiently, access vital services and enjoy our leisure time.

    At the moment we have too many people, especially in the more remote areas, of Wales who can’t properly access the online world, and I’m pleased that thanks to this substantial investment from the UK Government work, on fixing that is starting now.

    Project Gigabit will support the government’s plans to kickstart economic growth, creating and supporting thousands of high-paid, high-skilled jobs, empowering industries of all kinds to innovate and increasing productivity by taking up digital technology. It will also ensure people can access vital services they need now and, in the future, from giving patients improved access to healthcare through virtual appointments and remote health monitoring to helping pensioners combat loneliness by catching up with loved ones over higher quality video calls.

    For households, gigabit-capable broadband delivers faster speeds and fewer dropouts. Unlike traditional copper-based networks, gigabit connections won’t slow down at peak times, meaning no more battling for bandwidth with the neighbours. Gigabit networks can easily handle over a hundred devices all at once with no buffering, meaning the whole family can seamlessly surf, stream and download at the same time.

    Clive Selley, CEO of Openreach said:

    Research shows that full fibre provides a host of economic, social and environmental benefits – and I believe we’re the best in the business at delivering it.

    I’m proud we’ve been chosen, through a fiercely competitive process, and we’re already cracking on with the job.

    This is a British infrastructure success story. Our network already reaches more than 15 million urban and rural premises and, wherever we build, we bring the widest choice of providers for customers. I’m confident we can reach as many as 30 million homes by the end of the decade if the conditions remain supportive.

    This announcement builds on work already underway through other Project Gigabit contracts to build faster networks for up to 910,000 hard-to-reach premises across England. Dozens of contracts representing more than £1.9 billion investment have now been signed with 11 suppliers to deliver the upgrades, including many smaller, independent broadband providers.

    Trinity House, a charity dedicated to safeguarding lighthouses and maritime navigation aids in England and Wales is set to benefit from this investment. Chief Executive Rear Admiral Iain Lower welcomed the rollout:

    As an organisation that works in remote parts of the nation, we applaud this rollout by Openreach and Government. This rollout will, among other things, help our operational teams work, connect and live better at our remote lighthouses, an invaluable improvement for when they are away from their homes and families.

    Looking at the wider benefits, improved working conditions help ensure that our lighthouses work exactly as expected for the tens of thousands of mariners in our waters that rely on our aids to navigation. Safer seas make for a more prosperous island nation, as we depend on merchant shipping to carry 95% of the goods we use daily.

    Notes to editors

    Data provided by Think Broadband shows Wales lags behind all other nations in Great Britain, with only 74% of its landmass covered by gigabit-capable connection. This is compares with 84% in England, 78% in Scotland and 95% in Northern Ireland.

    All figures are based on the latest available data provided by Ofcom and broadband suppliers, which the government’s broadband delivery agency Building Digital UK uses to calculate which premises will not be connected through commercial rollout and will therefore require subsidy. All figures are subject to change as existing rollout plans develop and discussions on the scope of future contracts continue.

    Welsh constituencies in line to benefit from the contract (call off 2) announced today include: Arfon, Clwyd South, Dwyfor Meirionnydd, Ceredigion, Montgomeryshire, Brecon and Radnorshire, Monmouth, Torfaen, Newport West, Caerphilly, Blaenau Gwent, Cardiff North, Cardiff Central, Cardiff West, Cardiff South and Penarth, Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney, Ogmore, Islwyn, Pontypridd, Cynon Valley, Rhondda, Vale of Glamorgan, Bridgend, Neath, Aberavon, Swansea East, Swansea West, Gower.

    The new agreement will make up to £800 million government investment available from funding which was already committed to Project Gigabit.

    Under the agreement, Openreach has now signed contracts valued at around £280 million to connect around 96,000 homes and businesses.

    Talks are happening now with Openreach to agree further contracts to connect more remote areas across Britain, and we’ll have more to say on these in the coming months.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Health and Social Care Secretary responds to CQC review [August 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Health and Social Care Secretary responds to CQC review [August 2024]

    The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 13 August 2024.

    Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting responds to the Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) report outlining failings in Valdo Calocane’s care.

    • NHS England has already started actioning CQC recommendations, with every provider of mental health services reviewing serious mental health care
    • Valdo Calocane killed 3 people and injured 3 others in Nottingham in June 2023

    Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting has today (13 August 2024) called for the recommendations made by an independent review to improve mental health services to be implemented across the country following the tragic death of 3 people in Nottingham.

    Valdo Calocane was known to police and mental health services prior to the attack in June 2023 where he killed Ian Coates, Barnaby Webber and Grace O’Malley-Kumar and seriously injured 3 others with a van. He had previously been treated by Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust for mental health issues.

    Earlier this year, the government commissioned CQC to carry out a rapid review into the local NHS trust and mental health services provided, in order to get answers for the victims’ families and ensure any failings are urgently addressed. The report published today is the final strand of that review, which has found that failings in Calocane’s care may have contributed to the tragic events after he was discharged from the trust’s mental health services.

    The NHS has already accepted all of CQC’s recommendations from strands 2 and 3 of CQC’s review and initiated a series of measures, including ensuring every provider of mental health services across the country reviews the care that people with serious mental illness receive.

    Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said:

    My thoughts are with the families and friends of Barnaby, Grace and Ian. This report makes for distressing reading, especially for those living with the consequences of their loss in the knowledge that their untimely deaths were avoidable.

    Action is already underway to address the serious failures identified by CQC and I expect regular progress reports from the Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.

    I want to assure myself and the country that the failures identified in Nottinghamshire are not being repeated elsewhere. I expect the findings and recommendations in this report to be considered and applied throughout the country so that other families do not experience the unimaginable pain that Barnaby, Grace and Ian’s family are living with.

    Other measures the NHS has already undertaken include:

    • ensuring every provider of mental health services has clear policies and practice in place to treat patients with serious mental illness
    • issuing guidance to trusts reiterating instructions not to discharge patients with serious mental health issues if they do not attend appointments
    • commissioning an independent investigation into the incident, which will be published by the end of 2024
    • increasing funding to community mental health services by £2.3 billion per year to transform services
    • continuing to improve data on community mental health services including developing metrics around access to psychological therapies for severe mental health problems and outcomes for people accessing community mental health services
    • establishing an expert advisory group to oversee the development of core standards for safe care in community mental health services

    While there is no single point of failure identified in the report, part 2 of CQC’s review, published today, identified serious shortcomings in Valdo Calocane’s care including being discharged too early and failings in follow ups when he evaded contact with the community mental health team.

    The findings of the first part of the section 48 review, which were published in March 2024, assessed the progress made at Rampton Hospital as well as patient safety and the quality of care provided by Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.

    The Health and Social Care Secretary recently met with NHS England to discuss how they and the Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust are taking all the recommendations from all 3 strands of the CQC review forward and how they will work together to make swift, sustained improvements to mental health services.

    Specific actions the local trust has taken include:

    • putting a new crisis telephone system in place, attending to the issues with responsiveness
    • reviewing the approach to managing beds – there are early positive signs of a reduction in patients being placed in incorrect care settings as a result
    • the patients waiting to access community support have been reviewed and the waiting list has reduced from 1,500 to 1,092
  • PRESS RELEASE : Joint Statement from the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Italy on the Middle East [August 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Joint Statement from the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Italy on the Middle East [August 2024]

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

    Joint Statement from the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Italy on the Middle East.

    We, the leaders of the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Italy discussed the situation in the Middle East. We expressed our full support for ongoing efforts to de-escalate tensions and reach a ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza. We endorsed the joint call from President Biden, President Sisi of Egypt, and Amir Tamim of Qatar to renew talks later this week with an aim to concluding the deal as soon as possible, and stressed there is no further time to lose. All parties must live up to their responsibilities.

    In addition, unfettered delivery and distribution of aid is needed. We expressed our support for the defense of Israel against Iranian aggression and against attacks by Iran-backed terrorist groups. We called on Iran to stand down its ongoing threats of a military attack against Israel and discussed the serious consequences for regional security should such an attack take place.