Tag: 2025

PRESS RELEASE : 1,400 and counting – record number of charging sockets at UK schools thanks to government funding [February 2025]
The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 28 February 2025.

Home and workplace charging schemes extended for another year to support jobs and help make the UK a clean energy superpower.
- more than 1,400 electric vehicle charging sockets installed at UK schools and colleges thanks to £3 million government boost
- home and workplace chargepoint funding extended for another year, helping school staff and EV drivers charge easily and conveniently
- alongside 74,000 public chargers now in the UK and £2.3 billion government boost to support the transition to EVs, helping deliver the Plan for Change
School teachers and EV drivers can charge their electric cars more easily with 1,407 sockets now outside schools and colleges in the UK.

Today (28 February 2025), Future of Roads Minister, Lilian Greenwood, has confirmed the landmark number of chargers that have been fitted at UK schools since March last year, thanks to £3 million from the government’s Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS).

It marks a crucial milestone in the government’s mission to boost charging infrastructure across the country. The new chargepoints at schools follow over 59,000 workplace charging sockets that the scheme has funded since 2016. In addition to schools, the workplace charging scheme supported a further 6,500 sockets in workplace car parks in 2024.

Sitting at the heart of communities, schools can also open the chargepoints to local residents and visitors, helping to fit charging around people’s daily lives and providing an additional revenue stream to schools.

The Workplace Charging Scheme, alongside the Electric Vehicle Chargepoint Grant, has also been extended for another year, the government confirmed today. This provides the certainty needed to continue rolling out chargepoints to flats, rental properties, schools, offices and workplaces so that drivers can charge in more and more places.

Future of Roads Minister, Lilian Greenwood, said:

Schools are the beating heart of our towns and communities and rolling out chargers here shows we are building a practical and reliable charging network designed around people’s daily lives.

Reaching 1,000 sockets at schools is a particularly significant milestone and builds on a record January for electric car sales, as consumer confidence in the electric transition grows every day. This is helping support jobs, make the UK a clean energy superpower and deliver our Plan for Change.

Education Minister, Stephen Morgan said:

We are determined to break down the barriers to opportunity to ensure every child can get the best start in life – and that includes educating the next generation about climate change and ensuring schools are sustainable.

By making EV charging ports readily available, schools can lead by example, encouraging greener travel options and expanding the community’s charging network.

While the government is investing almost £300 million to build 300 miles of new cycle and footways to encourage more children, parents and teachers to cycle, walk and wheel to schools, today’s announcement will also make greener journeys easier and more accessible for those who need to drive.

The UK’s public chargepoint network continues to grow every day, with over 74,000 public chargers now available across the country and a record of nearly 20,000 added last year alone.

With £200 million announced at Budget 2024 to continue powering the chargepoint rollout and £6 billion of private investment in the pipeline, the UK’s charging network will continue to see tens of thousands of chargers added in the coming years, delivering resilient infrastructure so that EV owners can drive with the confidence that they’re never too far from a socket.

Chris Norwood, Headteacher of the Northfleet School for Girls, said:

Developing an environmentally friendly site is an important part of our school vision and practice. We have been able to play our part in reducing emissions whilst working with students to educate in creating a more sustainable future. Through installing solar panels, LED lighting and car chargers, we have been able to save over £500,000 in energy costs (since 2017), funds which are directed back into ensuring the best possible education for our students.

The car chargers have created over £2,000 in additional school funding, which has helped to create an additional farm classroom for all students to utilise. We expect that by modelling the best environmental practice possible, we are supporting our students to be proactive in this area in their adult lives.

With over 382,000 EVs sold in 2024 – up a fifth on the previous year – the UK is the largest EV market in Europe. There’s never been a better time to switch to EVs, with one in 3 used electric cars under £20,000 and 21 brand new electric cars RRP under £30,000.

Owning an EV is also increasingly becoming cheaper, with drivers able to save up to £750 a year compared to petrol if they mostly charge at home.

The average range of a new electric car is now 236 miles – that’s about 2 weeks of driving for most people – all the while emitting just one-third of the greenhouse emissions of a petrol car during its lifetime.

With 24/7 helplines, contactless payments and up-to-date public chargepoint locations, charging has now become easier than ever.
March 17, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Intertrade UK kickstarts drive to boost trade [February 2025]
The press release issued by the Northern Ireland Office on 28 February 2025.

Boost to internal market as Intertrade UK holds its first meeting today. The new body, chaired by Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee, was a key Safeguarding the Union commitment.

In a further move to strengthen and protect the UK internal market for businesses across the country, Intertrade UK will hold its first meeting today.

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn has today announced the five panel members of Intertrade UK who will join the Chair of Intertrade UK, The Rt Hon. the Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee DBE.

The new body will advise on opportunities to promote and boost trade across the UK, utilising the wide-ranging expertise of its members drawn from industry and academia who are recognised leaders in their fields.

Intertrade UK will do this through promoting trade in goods and services across the UK and advising on overcoming identified barriers, considering how best businesses can take advantage of the full opportunities of the UK internal market, and conduct research and publish insights aimed at advancing domestic trade.

The first meeting of Intertrade UK will be held this morning in Enniskillen where members will formally adopt the Terms of Reference, discuss and agree a programme of work with key priorities to take forward over the next 18 months.

Speaking about today’s appointments, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Hilary Benn, said:

The UK internal market is vital for businesses right across the country, and the Government is committed to taking all steps to protect and strengthen it.

East West trade is essential for UK growth, and part of the success of Intertrade UK will be to ensure that people can enjoy the full benefits of the UK internal market for both goods and services.

This was an important commitment in the Safeguarding the Union command paper, and with this experienced panel of members in place, I look forward to seeing Intertrade UK play an important role in promoting UK-wide trade and economic growth.

Chair of Intertrade UK, Baroness Arlene Foster, said:

The Safeguarding the Union Command paper had strengthening the UK internal market at its core. I am very pleased that we will have our first meeting of Intertrade UK today which was set up as a consequence of that Command paper so we can take this important work forward.

The panel members which have been appointed by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland have a wealth of experience on trade in and out of Northern Ireland and we will immediately get to work looking at challenges which have been identified and if and how these can be practically resolved.

The establishment of Intertrade UK represents another significant step in delivering on the commitments set out in the Safeguarding the Union Command Paper and a key asset in delivery of this Government’s Growth Mission.

Notes to editors

Intertrade UK full panel members:
- The Rt Hon. the Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee DBE – Chair of Intertrade UK
- Dr Esmond Birnie – Senior Economist, Ulster University
- Kirsty McManus – Northern Ireland Director, Institute of Directors
- Suzanne Wylie – Chief Executive Officer, Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce
- Roger Pollen – Head of Federation of Small Businesses Northern Ireland
- Angela McGowan – Director for Northern Ireland, Confederation of British Industry
The Terms of Reference will be formally adopted during the meeting.
March 17, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 58: UK Statement at the Interactive Dialogue on Nicaragua [February 2025]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 28 February 2025.

UK Statement at the 58 Human Rights Council at the Interactive Dialogue on the report of the Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua. Delivered by the UK’s Human Rights Ambassador, Eleanor Sanders.

Thank you, Mr President.

Yesterday, Nicaragua declared that it is leaving this Council. We want to make it clear that this will not change the need to hold the authorities accountable for the suppression of human rights in Nicaragua.

In this spirit, we welcome the report of the Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua. We are alarmed by its findings, including further reports of extrajudicial killings and arbitrary detention. We are concerned that authorities have used physical and psychological violence (including threats, rape, beatings and prolonged solitary confinement) against those who participated in the 2018 protests, and against individuals who have been accused of publicly criticising the authorities.

In addition, the approval of the wide-ranging constitutional amendments passed on 30 January undermine the separation of the powers of the state and mark a further tragic development in the dismantling of the rule of law in Nicaragua.

Moreover, the increase in reports of transnational repression, including intimidation and harassment of Nicaraguans in exile, represents a further attack on human rights.

The ongoing limitation of Nicaraguans’ civil, political, and other human rights is unacceptable.

Thank you.

March 17, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : UK and United Arab Emirates strengthen co-operation on Illicit Finance [February 2025]

The press release issued by the Home Office on 28 February 2025.

Security Minister Dan Jarvis visited the United Arab Emirates to continue the 2 nations’ shared aim to tackle illicit finance and counter-terrorism financing.

The Security Minister met with Minister of State in the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Ahmed bin Ali Al-Sayegh, and completed a significant visit, including meeting with the Dubai Police Commander in Chief.

These meetings marked a significant step forward in the UK and United Arab Emirate’s (UAE) ongoing shared efforts to further deliver on the UK-UAE Partnership to Tackle Illicit Financial Flows. Both parties agreed to increase judicial co-operation, and ensure the continuous alignment in their approach to illicit finance.

It reaffirmed the UK and UAE’s commitment and ambition to increase co-operation and to build a stronger, more effective partnership in the fight against illicit finance, reinforcing both nations’ roles as leaders in global efforts to tackle this threat.

Security Minister, Dan Jarvis, said:

The government understands the importance of international co-operation in tracking, intercepting, and stopping the flow of illicit funds between the UK and UAE.

This partnership remains critical to our nations’ missions for countering global crimes and protecting national security, which is the foundation of our Plan for Change.

The UK and UAE have worked to target the financial infrastructures that organised crime groups heavily rely on. This includes the work of the Combined Anti-Money Laundering Operational Team (CAMLOT), a joint initiative designed to tackle money laundering operations and identify hidden financial networks tied to illicit activities.

Through this initiative, the UK and UAE have targeted criminal organisations, weakening the sophisticated financial operations used to fund crime globally.

March 17, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : New deal for GPs will fix the front door of the NHS [February 2025]
The press release issued by the Department for Health and Social Care on 28 February 2025.

GP contract reforms will ‘fix the front door’ of the NHS and see the return of the family doctor, while helping to end the ‘8am scramble’ for appointments.
- Biggest doctors’ union backs new government deal with GPs to ‘fix the front door’ of the NHS to make it easier for patients to book appointments and bring back the family doctor
- Slashing red tape and cutting box-ticking targets will free up GPs and take the first steps to end the ‘8am scramble’ for appointments
- Reforms will be backed by increased funding to reverse years of underinvestment in general practice
- Agreement with the British Medical Association (BMA) on the GP contract for the first time in 4 years is a reset of relations after recent collective action that has blighted the health service
For the first time in 4 years, government and GP representatives have agreed reforms to GP contracts, to fix the front door of the NHS and bring back the family doctor, which was identified as a priority by the Health and Social Care Secretary when he first joined the department.

The new deal agreed yesterday (27 February 2025) between the government and the BMA will free up doctors from red tape and box-ticking targets to concentrate on what they do best – treating patients.

The new agreed contract will modernise general practice by requiring GP surgeries to allow patients to request appointments online throughout working hours from October, freeing up the phones for those who need them most and making it easier for practices to triage patients based on medical need. The reforms are part of the government’s Plan for Change to make general practice fit for the future and will support GPs in taking the first steps to end the 8am scramble for appointments, which so many patients currently endure every day – in turn improving access to GPs for everyone.

The deal for family doctors is backed by the biggest funding boost for general practice in years, reversing the decade-long cuts to general practice funding as a share of the NHS budget.

Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting, said:

Rebuilding the broken NHS starts with GPs. Patients need to be able to easily book an appointment, in the manner they want, with their regular doctor if they choose.

Today, we have taken the first step to fixing the front door to the NHS, bringing back the family doctor, and ending the 8am scramble.

Over the past decade, funding for GPs has been cut relative to the rest of the NHS, while the number of targets for GPs has soared. That’s why patients are struggling to get an appointment.

This government is cutting the red tape that ties up GPs’ time and backing them with an extra £889 million next year. In return, more patients will be able to request appointments online and see their regular doctor for each appointment. Through the Prime Minister’s Plan for Change, we will work with GPs to rebuild the NHS and make it fit for the future.

Dr Amanda Doyle, NHS England National Director for Primary Care and Community Services, said:

Improving patients’ access to general practice is a huge priority for the NHS and this contract sets out the next steps to put the family doctor at the heart of the shift to a neighbourhood health service.

This is the first time in 4 years that the GP contract has been accepted as proposed and I hope it will be seen as positive for practices, GP teams and patients when introduced in April.

It shows how NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care have listened and delivered on the priorities that matter most to patients and general practice teams, including a significant increase in funding and extra flexibility in the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme to recruit more staff including GPs.

Other key changes include improved digital access for patients, setting out what patients can expect from their practice in a new charter and encouraging GP teams to identify patients with the greatest need that would most benefit from seeing the same clinician at every appointment.

Today’s reforms will be underpinned by an extra £889 million to fix the front door of health, bringing total spend on the GPs contract to £13.2 billion in 2025 to 2026.

The 7.2% boost to the GP contract is faster than the 5.8% growth to the NHS budget as a whole, helping to reverse the decade long trend of GP practices receiving an ever-decreasing percentage of NHS funding and supporting the shift from hospital to community. Lord Darzi found that the share of the health service’s budget dedicated to primary care had fallen by a quarter between 2009 and 2021.

Burdensome red tape on GPs will be reduced by scrapping unnecessary targets like those requiring practices to report on staff wellbeing meetings or to explain how they are reviewing staff access to IT systems. Under the new GP contract, nearly half of the targets (32 of 76) that GPs must report their progress against will be removed. The reforms will free up GPs from pointless box-ticking, so they can spend more time treating patients and delivering the government’s promise to bring back the family doctor.

In addition to patients being able to request GP appointments online, they will also gain clearer information about the care they can expect to receive through the online patient charter – including the services available to them – along with more consistent care as the government introduces measures to bring back the family doctor. To make sure those most in need are prioritised, GPs will be incentivised to identify patients who would benefit most from seeing the same GP at every appointment, so more patients see their regular doctor each appointment.

As part of the government’s plan to cut waiting lists, announced earlier this year as part of the Prime Minister’s Plan for Change, GPs will be encouraged to seek specialist advice and guidance when unsure about making a referral to hospital. Up to £80 million of funding will be made available for doctors to liaise with specialist consultants, which can avoid people being added onto waiting lists unnecessarily and speed up patient care.

A majority of respondents to the government’s Change NHS online portal have stated fixing difficulties in accessing primary care as a top 3 priority, and a recent poll by the Health Foundation claims it is the number one health concern for 38% of the public.

As part of ongoing efforts to rebuild relationships with NHS staff following years of underfunding and neglect, the government and the BMA engaged in constructive discussions which have led to the BMA’s general practice committee voting in favour of the proposed GP contract. All parties have worked together to find a fair deal for hardworking NHS staff, but also one that acknowledges the wider economic pressures facing the UK and the need to continue to bring down inflation.

By fixing the front door of the NHS, these reforms will also ease pressures on other parts of the health service including A&E.

The reforms form part of the government’s Plan for Change, which will deliver our mission to build an NHS fit for the future, starting with tackling waiting lists. It will also drive progress on making sure fewer lives are lost to the biggest killers by making sure people are diagnosed and treated earlier. Underpinning this work are 3 big reform shifts, from:
- hospital to community – bringing care closer to where people live, including through a new neighbourhood health service to deliver more proactive and personalised care
- analogue to digital – by rolling out new technologies and digital approaches to modernise the NHS
- sickness to prevention – shortening the amount of time people spend in ill-health by preventing illnesses before they happen
This landmark agreement – the first contract agreement reached in 4 years – represents a step change in relations with NHS staff to help ease workloads for GPs while providing better services to patients, as we rebuild the NHS.
March 17, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer call with President of Egypt Abdel Fattah El-Sisi [February 2025]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 28 February 2025.

The Prime Minister spoke to President of Egypt Abdel Fattah El-Sisi this afternoon.

The Prime Minister offered reflections on his visit to the US, where he held positive and productive talks with President Trump.

On the situation in Gaza, the leaders agreed on their hopes for the ceasefire to become a lasting peace and for Gaza to be rebuilt. The Prime Minister reiterated his view that Palestinians must be allowed to return to their homes in Gaza, and that a two-state solution was the only way to deliver a secure and stable future for the region.

Turning to wider issues, the Prime Minister and the President discussed the importance of their countries’ strategic relationship, including on trade and investment. They looked forward to building on this relationship further to deliver significant benefits for both the UK and Egypt.

The Prime Minister discussed the case of British national Alaa Abd El-Fattah with President Sisi. He pressed for Alaa’s release, having met his mother Laila Soueif in recent weeks.

The leaders agreed to speak again soon.

March 17, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : We must ensure UN policing has the capabilities it needs to effectively deliver mandates and tackle emerging challenges – UK statement at the UN Security Council [February 2025]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 27 February 2025.

Statement by Fergus Eckersley, UK Minister Counsellor, at the UN Security Council meeting on UN Peacekeeping Operations.

Let me start by recognising the contributions and sacrifices of the 6,100 UNPOL women and men currently deployed across 12 UN missions worldwide.

As we’ve heard, UNPOL’s role is is fundamental to the successful delivery of the Action for Peacekeeping Plus Initiative (A4P+). Supporting and advising countries in crisis, conflict, and post-conflict situations, preventing crime, protecting life and property, and maintaining public order and safety.

In particular, we support UNPOL’s vital work to protect civilians and maintain public safety, with full respect for the rule of law and international human rights law, contributing to more responsive and accountable policing by host nations.

The United Kingdom also continues to champion the principles of the landmark WPS resolution 1325 on this, its 25th year, and are pleased to support – in collaboration with the UN Institute for Training and Research and police contributing countries – gender-responsive courses and training, including for sexual and gender-based violence investigations and police logistics.

As we look to the future, we must ensure UN policing has the capabilities it needs to effectively deliver mandates and tackle emerging challenges.

This includes ensuring effective policing structures within the wider UN peacekeeping architecture, bringing in specialist expertise and, critically, making best use of new technologies.

In conclusion, the United Kingdom remains committed to supporting UNPOL, in line with the principles of Action for Peacekeeping Plus, and to continuing to work together to ensure they contribute positively to peace and security around the world.

March 17, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Thousands of fish released to restock Cheshire river [February 2025]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 27 February 2025.

A total of 4,000 fish, including chub dace and roach, have been released into the River Weaver at two key locations in Cheshire.

The restocking aims to help replenish populations after two pollution incidents in October 2023, which sadly led to the loss of thousands of fish.

The two key locations include Mill Island Weir and downstream in “The Willows” area.

Restocking is done where natural population numbers have been depleted or to create new fisheries and opportunities for anglers. It occurs in winter because water temperatures are low and this minimises any stress on the fish, giving them the best possible survival rates.

February is a good time to introduce the fish into rivers, as it enables them to acclimatise to their new surroundings, ahead of their spawning season in the spring.

Fish also play a critical role in sustaining a river’s finely-balanced eco-system, so the wider natural environment will also get a helping hand, as a result of the restocking.

James Grosscurth, Fisheries Officer for the Environment Agency in Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire, said:

Sometimes our native fish populations need a helping hand, particularly following pollution incidents.

After careful and consistent monitoring, increased agricultural site inspections and enforcement and an enhanced officer presence upstream of Nantwich Lake, we were pleased to confirm that the water quality in the River Weaver can provide a healthy habitat for thousands of new recruits.

This first restocking will form part of a three-year program, funded by rod licence income, to encourage natural recovery. Our thanks go to Nantwich Angling Society who have been working tirelessly, alongside our officers, to help make this happen.

All of the fish introduced to the Weaver have been reared at the Environment Agency’s National Coarse Fish Farm in Calverton, Nottinghamshire.

Every year, the Environment Agency stocks almost half a million fish of nine different species into England’s rivers. Being the principal supply of coarse fish for 32 years, the fish farm plays a crucial role to help improve fisheries around the country.

Fisheries officers use data from national surveys to identify where there are problems with poor breeding, issues with survival rates, or where numbers have been impacted following a pollution incident.

These surveys help the officers ensure that fish are released into the right locations and where the need is greatest as well as supporting angling clubs to boost local fishing spots.

Fisheries Officers inspect rod licences 24/7 throughout the North West, and work continually on cases of illegal fishing and other associated fisheries crime. Fishing illegally can result in a fine of up to £2,500, and offenders can also have their fishing equipment seized.

It’s easy to buy a rod fishing licence online. Get yours here: Buy a rod fishing licence: When you need a licence – GOV.UK

illegal fishing and other offences can be reported to the Environment Agency’s Incident Hotline on 0800 807060.

March 17, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Millions have now taken action to access their eVisa [February 2025]

The press release issued by the Home Office on 27 February 2025.

Published statistics show millions have accessed their eVisa, as an extension to the period expired immigration documents can be used for travel is confirmed.

Over 4 million UK visa holders have successfully created an account to access their eVisa, according to Home Office statistics published today. An estimated 600,000 people are yet to switch from their physical document to an eVisa.

Securing our borders is a key part of the government’s Plan for Change and eVisas are a key part of delivering a border and immigration system which is more digital and streamlined. This change will enhance the experience of people using the system, and increase the immigration system’s security and efficiency.

To support a continued smooth transition to eVisas, and ensure no one is disadvantaged, the Home Office is extending the ‘grace period’ announced in December 2024. We committed to keep this transitional measure under review and we are extending the end date from 31 March 2025 to 1 June 2025.

This allows people with a biometric residence permit (BRP) or EUSS biometric residence card (BRC) that expired on or after 31 December 2024, and who continue to hold underlying immigration status, to continue to use their expired document for international travel up to and including 1 June 2025.

From the 2 June 2025, expired BRPs and EUSS BRCs will no longer be acceptable evidence of immigration status when travelling to the UK.

Minister for Migration and Citizenship, Seema Malhotra MP said:

Today’s encouraging eVisa statistics show that a significant majority of the immigration status holders who needed to take action have done so.

We continue to listen carefully to feedback, and our confirmation that expired immigration documents can be used for travel until June this year will help to further ensure the transition to eVisas continues to be as smooth as possible.

Those yet to create an account to access their eVisa are encouraged to do so as soon as possible, to make the most of the benefits of using an eVisa and join the millions – including all EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) status holders – who already have an eVisa. It is free, and straightforward for those who hold physical and paper documents to create a UKVI account to access their eVisa.

People with indefinite leave to remain (ILR, also known as settlement) who use an ink stamp or vignette in a passport to prove their rights can continue to use their documents as they do today, including for travel, but are encouraged to make the switch to an eVisa to take advantage of the benefits it brings.

We had previously estimated the number of BRP holders who need to create an account to access their eVisa at over 4 million, but this number is hard to establish accurately given the daily fluctuations in this data. This is because of people’s leave expiring, people leaving the country before their leave expires, or leave being cancelled or curtailed.

Since the first eVisa statistics publication in December 2024, we have carried out further analysis and quality assurance to enhance our understanding of who has not yet acted, though the data is presented in same format for clarity.

A number of people who created a UKVI account already had one created as part of their visa application, and therefore now have 2 UKVI accounts – although only one eVisa. This should not cause issues for those people, but it does mean that the published data includes a number of duplicate accounts. To maintain consistency, we are continuing to publish data on eVisa account creation numbers, recognising that this contains duplicates.

However, we are also clarifying our revised estimate of the numbers of immigration status holders who still need to access their eVisa, which we anticipate to be approximately 600,000 BRP holders. This number will decrease as people’s leave expires and they leave the UK.

Further information can be found in our eVisa factsheet.

March 17, 2025
David Lammy – 2025 Statement on Thailand’s deportation of 40 Uyghur Muslims to China

The statement made by David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, on 27 February 2025.

The UK disagrees in the strongest terms with Thailand’s decision to deport 40 Uyghur Muslims to China. This is despite Thailand’s international obligations in relation to non-refoulement and the well-documented ongoing human rights violations in Xinjiang.

The UK calls for the human rights of this group to be upheld, and we urge China to implement the wider recommendations of the Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights in relation to Xinjiang.

March 17, 2025