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Tag: 2025

  • PRESS RELEASE : Joint Statement on the resumption of India-UK trade negotiations [February 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Joint Statement on the resumption of India-UK trade negotiations [February 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 24 February 2025.

    Today the Republic of India and the United Kingdom have resumed negotiations towards a trade deal between our two countries.

    The Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom the Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer met on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in November 2024 to underline the importance of resuming trade negotiations at an early date.

    Today the Republic of India and the United Kingdom have resumed negotiations towards a trade deal between our two countries. This announcement has been made by Minister for Commerce and Industry of India Shri Piyush Goyal and Secretary of State for the Department for Business and Trade of the United Kingdom the Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds in Delhi. This announcement is an outcome of the above stated discussions held at the level of Prime Ministers of the two countries.

    India and the United Kingdom have a close partnership, built through collaboration on security and defence, new and emerging technologies, climate, health, education, research and innovation, green finance and people-to-people contacts. At the centre of this relationship is the collective aspiration to deliver economic growth and sustainable development.

    Both sides have agreed to resume negotiations towards a balanced, mutually beneficial and a forward-looking deal that delivers mutual growth and builds on the strengths of the two complementary economies. The strengthening of the trading relationship between our two countries has the potential to unlock opportunities for business and consumers across both our nations and build further on our already deep ties.

    The two leaders directed the negotiators to work together to resolve the outstanding issues in the agreement to ensure a fair and equitable trade deal for shared success.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Kremlin-linked elites face exclusion from UK [February 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Kremlin-linked elites face exclusion from UK [February 2025]

    The press release issued by the Home Office on 24 February 2025.

    Elites with known links to the Kremlin may be subject to exclusion from the UK in show of steadfast support for Ukraine on 3 year anniversary of invasion.

    Elites linked to the Russian state can be excluded from entering the UK under new measures announced by the Home Secretary today.

    Under the new measures, the government will expand the criteria for exclusion to cover Kremlin-linked elites. This will ensure that, while Russia remains an acute national security threat, elites linked to the Russian state can be prevented from entering the UK.

    Those who could be barred from the UK include anyone who:

    • provides significant support to the Russian state
    • owes their significant status or wealth to the Russian state
    • enjoy access to the highest levels of the Russian state

    Kremlin-linked elites can pose a real and present danger to our way of life. They denounce our values in public while enjoying the benefits of the UK in private – benefits which they look to deprive Ukraine of through their support of Russia’s war.  They can act as tools for the Russian state, enabling the continuation and expansion of Russia’s aggression.

    The move will bolster both UK national interest and national security, one of the key priorities underpinning the government’s Plan for Change, by blocking the physical access of those who undermine UK national security. These new measures will complement the UK’s existing sanctions regime against Russian elites who are supporting Putin’s war effort, which will remain in place as long as Russia threatens Ukraine’s sovereignty.

    The move follows continued action from the UK to respond to Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine including through imposing extensive sanctions on elites linked to the Russian state, strengthening law enforcement capabilities through the National Crime Agency’s (NCA’s) Combatting Kleptocracy Cell and closing the legislative loopholes open to money laundering by criminal actors.

    These measures also follow ramped up efforts to tackle Russian illicit finance through the NCA’s Operation Destabilise, successfully disrupting 2 Russian money laundering networks which provided services to Russian oligarchs and helped fund Russian state espionage operations. The NCA-led action led to 84 arrests and over £20 million in illicit funds seized. This work continues and since the disruption, a further £1 million of cash has been seized and a further 6 arrests made.

    This change builds on the UK-Ukraine 100 Year Partnership signed in January, which commits both countries to work together to tackle the malign influence of elites linked to the Russian state.

    Security Minister Dan Jarvis said:

    Border security is national security, and we will use all the tools at our disposal to protect our country against the threat from Russia.

    The measures announced today slam the door shut to the oligarchs who have enriched themselves at the expense of the Russian people whilst bankrolling this illegal and unjustifiable war.

    My message to Putin’s friends in Moscow is simple: you are not welcome in the UK.

    Since the start of the full-scale invasion, the UK’s total military, economic and humanitarian support for Ukraine amounts to £12.8 billion. We remain committed to the provision of £3 billion of military support a year to put Ukraine in the strongest position possible.

    Earlier this month, the Defence Secretary led the 50-nation strong Ukraine Defence Contact Group for the first time and announced a further £150 million firepower package for Ukraine, including drones, tanks and air defence systems.

    Defence Secretary, John Healey MP, said:

    As we mark the third anniversary of Russia’s illegal invasion, Putin is still waging a war he thought he would win in three days, because of fierce resistance from the Ukrainians. Our support for them is unshakeable.

    I am proud of the UK’s leadership and unity on Ukraine. Keeping the Ukrainians in their fight and as strong as possible at any negotiating table is critical not only for them, but for the security of the UK. These new measures send a powerful message that we will do what it takes to turn the tables on Putin’s aggression.

  • PRESS RELEASE : New law to ban bonuses for polluting water bosses [February 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : New law to ban bonuses for polluting water bosses [February 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 24 February 2025.

    The Water (Special Measures) Act 2025 has today received Royal Assent, boosting the powers of water sector regulators to tackle pollution.

    Major legislation to crack down on water bosses polluting Britain’s rivers, lakes and seas has today been signed into law in the most significant increase to enforcement powers in a decade.

    The Water (Special Measures) Act 2025 will give regulators new powers to take tougher and faster action to crack down on water companies damaging the environment and failing their customers.

    The Act delivers on the manifesto pledges to clean up the water sector, including increasing the ability of the Environment Agency to bring forward criminal charges against water executives who break the law. It will create new tougher penalties, including possible imprisonment, for water executives who obstruct investigations.

    The new legislation will provide powers for Ofwat to ban the payment of bonuses to water bosses if they fail to meet high standards to protect the environment, their consumers, and their company’s finances.

    Other measures in the Act include automatic penalties to allow regulators to issue penalties more quickly, without having to direct resources to lengthy investigations. It will also introduce independent monitoring of every sewage outlet, with water companies required to publish real-time data for all emergency overflows. Discharges will have to be reported within an hour of the initial spill.

    Environment Secretary Steve Reed said:

    “We promised to put water companies under tough special measures to clean up our waterways. Today, the Government has delivered on that promise as we continue to deliver on our Plan for Change.

    “Polluting water bosses will no longer be paid undeserved bonuses. And if they break the law over water pollution, they could end up in the dock and face prison time.

    “This is just the beginning. The Independent Water Commission will report back later this year to shape new laws that will transform our water system so we can clean up our rivers, lakes, and seas for good.”

    The Act introduces bold new measures to clean up the industry, including:

    • Enhanced enforcement powers: The Environment Agency will have increased ability to bring criminal charges against water bosses who break the law, who could face tougher penalties such as imprisonment of executives when companies fail to cooperate or obstruct investigations. The cost recovery powers of regulators will be expanded to ensure that water companies bear the cost of enforcement action taken in response to their failings.
    • Ban on bonuses: Ofwat will have the power to set rules prohibiting the payment of executive bonuses if companies fail to meet high standards in protecting the environment, their consumers, and financial resilience.
    • Automatic penalties: Automatic penalties will be introduced for a range of offences, allowing regulators to issue penalties more quickly without redirecting resources to lengthy investigations.
    • Independent monitoring: Every emergency sewage outlet will be monitored, with data independently scrutinised and made publicly available within an hour of sewage spills occurring. This will ensure transparency and direct further investment to improving sewage infrastructure.
    • Pollution Incident Reduction Plans (PIRPs): Water companies in England will be required to publish annual Pollution Incident Reduction Plans and report regularly on their progress, enabling the public and regulators to hold companies accountable for reducing pollution incidents.

    The Act marks a major milestone in the government’s long-term approach to tackling the systemic issues in the water sector – helping to meet the challenges of the future, such as climate change, and driving economic growth.

    Further legislation aimed at fundamentally transforming how our entire water system operates will be guided by the findings of the Independent Water Commission, led by Sir Jon Cunliffe, which is currently conducting the largest review of the industry since privatisation.

    Action taken so far

    Immediate steps:

    In his first week, the Secretary of State for Environment Food and Rural Affairs Steve Reed announced a series of initial steps towards ending the crisis in the water sector:

    • After writing to Ofwat, the Secretary of State secured agreement that funding for vital infrastructure investment is ringfenced and can only be spent on upgrades benefiting customers and the environment not diverted for bonuses, dividends or salary increases.
    • Water companies will place customers and the environment at the heart of their objectives. Companies have agreed to change their ‘Articles of Association’ – the rules governing each company – to make the interests of customers and the environment a primary objective.
    • Consumers will gain new powers to hold water company bosses to account through powerful new customer panels. For the first time in history, customers will have the power to summon board members and hold water executives to account.
    • Strengthen protection and compensation for households and businesses when their basic water services are affected. We have now doubled the compensation customers are legally entitled to when key standards are not met. The payments will also be triggered by a wider set of circumstances including Boil Water Notices.

    Independent Commission:

    • We have launched an Independent Commission into the water sector and its regulation, in what is expected to form the largest review of the industry since privatisation.
    • Former Deputy Governor of the Bank of England, Jon Cunliffe, has been appointed as the chair of the Commission. With several decades of economic and regulatory experience, his appointment demonstrates the Government’s serious ambitions. The Commission will draw upon a panel of experts from across the regulatory, environment, health, engineering, customer, investor, and economic sectors.
    • A set of recommendations will be delivered to the Defra Secretary of State, and Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs.
    • These recommendations will form the basis of further legislation to attract long-term investment and clean up our waters for good – injecting billions of pounds into the economy, speeding up delivery on infrastructure to support house building and addressing water scarcity, given the country needs to source an additional 5 billion litres of water a day by 2050.

    Further information:

    Please see further details on the Water (Special Measures) Act here.

    Stakeholder quotes:

    Alan Lovell, Chair of the Environment Agency, said:

    “The passing into law of the Water (Special Measures) Act is a crucial step in making sure water companies take full responsibility for their impact on the environment.

    “The increased regulatory powers introduced by this legislation will allow us to close the justice gap, deliver swifter enforcement action and ultimately deter illegal activity.

    “Alongside these reforms, we are undertaking the biggest ever transformation to the way we regulate. By investing in additional resources, training and updated digital assets, we are ensuring the water system better meets the needs of both people and the environment, now and in the future.”

    Huw Irranca-Davies, Wales’s Deputy First Minister for Wales with responsibility for Climate Change, said:

    “Restoring our rivers and improving water quality is a key priority for us.

    “We’ve been working in partnership with the UK Government to tackle pollution in our rivers, lakes, and seas, and to make sure the water industry is properly regulated.

    “Today’s Royal Assent of the Special Measures Bill is another step forward and shows what we can achieve working together.”

    Helen Campbell, Ofwat’s Senior Director for Sector Performance, said:

    ‘’We welcome today’s Royal Assent of the Water (Special Measures) Act 2025, which provides a clear signal to create a water sector that delivers for all customers and the environment.

    “The Act gives Ofwat new powers to set requirements for companies on remuneration and governance, including prohibiting performance-related executive pay. These rules are an important step towards rebuilding public trust within the water sector, while also prompting water companies to focus on delivering a change in their culture that better meets the expectations of their customers.

    “We are working at pace to implement these new rules and intend to launch consultations on the final proposals later this year.”

    Mike Keil, Chief Executive of the Consumer Council for Water (CCW), said:

    “Repairing people’s fractured trust in the water sector requires not only a vast improvement in environmental performance, but also a sea change in water company culture so customers’ priorities are put before profit.

    “It will take time to transform the water sector, but these new legal powers mark an important step in tackling two issues which make people’s blood boil – water company executives being rewarded for failure and pollution in our rivers, lakes, and seas.

    “Water companies will be placing much bigger demands on billpayers’ finances over the next five years, so people have a right to expect far more for their money.”

    Mark Lloyd, Rivers Trust CEO, said:

    “The Water Special Measures Bill is a welcome first step from the government towards building a water system which restores nature, builds resilience to drought and flooding, and tackles the widespread issues of pollution.

    “We welcome the improvements made to the bill in its passage through the Lords and the Government’s acceptance of amendments strengthening the environment duty of Ofwat and a greater emphasis on Nature Based Solutions.

    “We are engaging closely with the current Independent Water Commission which we see as a once in a generation opportunity to take several more, and bolder steps towards a more integrated and catchment-based approach to managing water.”

    “We welcome Royal Assent of the Water (Special Measures) Act 2025, an important step toward cleaning up the freshwater environment. Regulators must make decisive use of new enforcement powers wherever companies continue to pollute, and Ofwat should make the most of new financial disclosure rules to ensure that funds that ought to be spent cleaning up rivers are never again siphoned off for profit.

    “As the Government has recognised, the Act is just a first step. It must be followed promptly by further legislation and action to clamp down on pollution and ramp up environmental investment across whole catchments and across all the sectors responsible for polluting our rivers.”

    Ali Morse, Water Policy Manager at the Wildlife Trusts, said:

    “It’s encouraging to see The Water (Special Measures) Act bringing welcome powers and resourcing for regulators, as well as protections for the environment, with additional sewage spill monitoring and a focus on reducing pollution. These are topics that customers really care about. It lays important groundwork for the future legislative changes which are vital to ensure that the water sector can achieve what it needs to in the interests of its customers, and the rivers, lakes, and seas which people cherish.

    “The work of the Independent Water Commission offers a once in a generation opportunity to reshape the way that we secure the improvements our waters desperately need, across catchment and sectors, and we’ll continue to work with the Commission and Government to ensure that these vital changes are driven forward.”

    Jamie Cook, Angling Trust CEO, said:

    “We welcome the government’s early action on water pollution with this bill. The behaviour of water companies is a national scandal, and illegal sewage pollution must result in prosecutions.

    “The Angling Trust’s network of water-testing volunteers regularly exposes horrendous pollution in waterways and damage done to fisheries. The Environment Agency must use its powers to prosecute any law-breaking water bosses and address any illegal sewage spills uncovered in its long-standing investigation into potential permit breaches.

    “This bill is a first step toward cleaning up waterways and fixing the regulatory system. The Independent Water Commission must now drive systemic reform, leading to a stronger water bill later in this Parliament—one that transforms water management and safeguards rivers, lakes, seas, and the fish that depend on them.”

    Ben Seal, Head of Access and Environment at Paddle UK, said:

    “Paddle UK and The Clean Water Sports Alliance welcomes the Water (Special Measures) Act receiving Royal Assent today. This legislation is a shot across the bows of polluting companies. Banning bonuses for failures and issuing tougher penalties is a very welcome first step by the Government – a down payment on the promised future reform that our broken system so desperately needs”

    “Enjoying time in, on, or alongside water is vitally important in supporting the health and wellbeing of millions of people. Our community has campaigned tirelessly to raise awareness of the impact pollution is having on both people and nature. We will be watching closely to ensure that these new powers are used to their fullest, to hold polluters to account and begin to restore our precious blue spaces”.

  • PRESS RELEASE : OSCE Reinforced Permanent Council – UK statement [February 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : OSCE Reinforced Permanent Council – UK statement [February 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 24 February 2025.

    UK Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, addresses a Reinforced meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council on the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion and underlines continued UK support for Ukraine.

    Three years ago, when Putin unleashed his full-scale invasion of Ukraine in a clear breach of the UN charter, he expected a swift victory.  What he got instead was a catastrophic failure.

    Putin’s imperial ambitions have killed and injured close to a million in his own forces and driven its economy into the ground.  The rouble is plummeting, inflation is soaring, and the deficit at record levels.  All for a war that he thought would be over in three days.

    The extent of death, destruction, and suffering caused by one man’s selfish ambition is staggering.  Tens of thousands of Ukrainians have been killed and millions more injured, displaced, and in need of urgent help as civilians are relentlessly attacked.

    Repeated findings of the Moscow Mechanism and other independent reports document Russian atrocities.  There are increasing reports of Russian forces deporting children and using rape, torture and execution as weapons of war.  The OSCE is playing a crucial role in securing justice for survivors and victims.

    Yet, in the face of this brutality, Ukrainians continue to defend their homeland with extraordinary courage and ingenuity.  This proves that, with the right support, they can defy Putin’s barbarism.

    The UK has been at the forefront of this effort from day one.  Our military support worth £3 billion a year is putting Ukraine in the strongest possible position.  And our new 100 Year Partnership cements our unwavering commitment for generations to come.

    Make no mistake, Putin’s invasion violates laws and principles which underpin Euro-Atlantic security – including the Helsinki Final Act.

    Laws which Russia itself signed up to, and we cannot allow such aggression to succeed.

    The days ahead will determine the future security of our continent.  This is the moment for all of us to step up.  Because it is the right thing to do for the values we hold dear and because it is fundamental to European security.

    That’s why the UK will stand with Ukraine—today, tomorrow, and for generations to come.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Government commits to get more veterans into meaningful jobs [February 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Government commits to get more veterans into meaningful jobs [February 2025]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 24 February 2025.

    Thousands of veterans and their family members across the UK will have access to enhanced career support thanks to government plans to expand Op ASCEND.

    • Government to expand UK-wide career support for the armed forces community, ensuring support for all veterans, regardless of when they left service
    • Careers advice service Op ASCEND offer to include broader range of job support for veterans, helping more into employment and boosting growth under this government’s Plan for Change
    • Service will work with industry bodies to make sure businesses are set up to make the most of the talents veterans have to offer, showing how the government is renewing the contract with those who serve and have served

    Thousands of veterans and their family members across the UK will have access to enhanced career support thanks to government plans to expand Op ASCEND. The free service has so far equipped 3,000 veterans and family members with the tools to make their next career move.

    When jobseekers sign up to Op ASCEND for employment advice, specialist-trained advisors can support with:

    • CV writing and interview preparation
    • advice on entering new sectors such as energy, data and digital, telecommunications and construction
    • tips on how to navigate recruitment schemes run by veteran-friendly employers
    • access to employment fairs
    • advice on retraining or setting up a business

    The changes underline the government’s commitment to renewing the contract with those who serve and have served, and will help boost economic growth by helping more veterans into employment.

    The government is committed to improving services and maximising the impact of every penny spent under its Plan for Change, which the improvements will help deliver on.

    Speaking today at an audience of industry leaders and veterans at Mission Community’s annual National Transition Event in Silverstone, Veterans Minister Alistair Carns announced plans to expand the support available under Op ASCEND, which is run by the Forces Employment Charity (FEC). The service will align more closely with the MOD’s official resettlement programme – the Career Transition Partnership (CTP).

    Minister for Veterans and People, Alistair Carns DSO OBE MC MP said:

    This government is committed to renewing the nation’s contract with those who serve and have served.

    Op ASCEND is a natural extension to the government’s resettlement scheme, enabling veterans and their families to further maximise their potential and take their careers to the next level.

    This is about delivering a clear, easily accessible offering for veterans. From the time they join, to the time they leave service and beyond, veterans will be empowered to succeed, whether that be in protection of our nation, or through meaningful careers which maintain and develop their skills.

    For those just leaving the forces, there is a range of transition and resettlement support available through the CTP. For those who left service more than 2 years ago and are looking for a new job or to progress within their career, Op ASCEND is available to them. This could include provision for those veterans looking to set up their own business or hone their enterprise and entrepreneurial skills.

    Sam, a British Army veteran who recently secured a role as a physical oil trading contracts analyst in the energy industry thanks to Op ASCEND, said:

    I found Op ASCEND online, and was assigned a mentor to help me navigate the process. There’s the intangible side of the service – knowing there’s people around that care, are interested and want to see you succeed. Knowing you can connect with an advisor, write to them or call them up if you’re having problems and get some advice. Then there’s the tangible impact of the employment events – they’re actionable, you can go ahead and do something with it.

    As well as offering career advice to the armed forces community, Op ASCEND has worked with over 300 businesses to date, helping them understand the commercial benefits of hiring veterans. The service encourages employers to:

    • review their work in recruiting, progressing and retaining talent from the armed forces and their families
    • run employment events to connect job-seeking members of the military community with job opportunities
    • expand or create new military pathways to help veterans with their transition and keep them connected to those with similar backgrounds

    Ian Fortune, Head of Pathways, Centrica, said:

    Working with the Forces Employment Charity through the delivery of Op ASCEND has enabled high-calibre service leavers and the wider military family to bring their significant talent and skillsets into our organisation with confidence.  With fantastic Pathways events such as Women Into Employment, we have been bringing diversity of thought, background and experience into our company and with it, fresh perspectives and thinking that is helping to energise a greener, fairer, future.

    Op ASCEND is being run alongside a veteran industry engagement programme, both backed by £2.1 million of government funding. Run by service charity Mission Community, the programme works with industry bodies – such as the Society of Motor Manufacturing and Traders – to drive practical, cultural and behavioural change within their sectors. Through this partnership with business, the government will help ensure that the value veterans bring to UK businesses is fully recognised, and that industries make the most of the talents they have to offer.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Dr. Swati Dhingra reappointed to the Monetary Policy Committee [February 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Dr. Swati Dhingra reappointed to the Monetary Policy Committee [February 2025]

    The press release issued by HM Treasury on 24 February 2025.

    Dr. Swati Dhingra has been reappointed as an external member to the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, has announced.

    Her three-year term was due to end on 8 August 2025. Following her appointment for a second term, Dr. Dhingra will continue to hold the post until 8 August 2028.

    Dr. Swati Dhingra is an Associate Professor of Economics at the London School of Economics (LSE), and an Associate of the Centre for Economic Performance at LSE. Her research has been funded by the Economic and Social Research Council; European Research Council; International Growth Centre; UK Research and Innovation; and she was awarded the Office for National Statistics’ Research Excellence People’s Choice Award 2019.

    From 1 January 2023, Dr. Swati Dhingra has been Director of the Review of Economic Studies. She has also been a member of the UK’s Trade Modelling Review Expert Panel and the LSE’s Economic Diplomacy Commission.

    About the reappointment process

    Reappointments are not automatic, and each case is considered on its own merits. This reappointment was made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in line with the requirements of the Governance Code for Public Appointments.

    About the Monetary Policy Committee

    The independent MPC makes decisions about the operation of monetary policy. It comprises of the Governor of the Bank of England, three Deputy Governors, the Bank of England’s Chief Economist and four external members. External members, who are appointed by the Chancellor, may serve up to two three-year terms on the MPC.

    The appointment of external members to the MPC is designed to ensure that the Committee benefits from thinking and expertise in addition to that gained inside the Bank. Each member of the MPC has expertise in the field of economics and monetary policy. They are independent and do not represent particular groups or areas.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Vehicle theft equipment to be banned under new government law [February 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Vehicle theft equipment to be banned under new government law [February 2025]

    The press release issued by the Home Office on 24 February 2025.

    Possession or distribution of electronic devices used to commit vehicle theft will be banned, carrying a maximum sentence of 5 years.

    Sophisticated electronic devices used by criminals in 40% of vehicle thefts in England and Wales will be banned under new laws, as part of the government’s mission to make the nation’s streets safer.

    Having your vehicle stolen is a costly and distressing experience for victims. It disrupts livelihoods, stopping people from working and from seeing their families.

    As the government works to prevent crimes from impacting working people’s lives, police officers and the courts will be given new powers to target criminals who steal vehicles using electronic devices, including ‘signal jammers’, along with the organised groups who manufacture and supply these devices.

    Previously, prosecution for handling these devices was only possible if it could be proved by police that they had been used to commit a specific crime.

    Under these new laws, anyone who is found in possession of one, or to have imported, made, adapted or distributed them, could receive a maximum penalty of 5 years’ imprisonment and an unlimited fine. The burden of proof will instead fall on the owner to prove they were using the device for a legitimate purpose, to avoid being prosecuted.

    This new measure acts on a key milestone in our Plan for Change to protect our neighbourhoods and is part of the government’s flagship Crime and Policing Bill, which will be introduced to Parliament on Tuesday.

    Minister for Policing, Crime and Fire Prevention, Dame Diana Johnson, said:

    These thefts have a devastating effect on victims, who need their vehicles to go about their everyday lives. We are aware of the real concerns people feel with the use of these electronic devices being so prolific.

    This is why we are introducing new laws focused on tackling this issue at source, which is what our Safer Streets mission and Plan for Change are all about. These new laws will prevent these devices from getting into the hands of thieves and organised crime groups.

    We will also continue to work closely with the National Police Chiefs’ Council, which includes supporting their National Vehicle Crime Reduction Partnership, which brings together the police and manufacturers to clamp down on vehicle crime.

    The most common way theft from a vehicle – or the theft of the vehicle itself – occurs is with the use of these electronic devices, with keyless repeaters and signal amplifiers being used to scramble the signal from remote locking devices.

    According to the 2022 to 2023 Crime Survey for England and Wales, an offender manipulated a signal from a remote locking device in 40% of thefts of vehicles. There were also 732,000 incidents of vehicle-related theft in the year ending September 2024.

    The Metropolitan Police Service estimates that, in London, signal jammers are used in approximately 60% of vehicle theft.

    A significant proportion of vehicle theft is driven by organised crime groups, as there is a demand for stolen vehicles, which means this is a highly attractive and lucrative area for criminals to gain profit. Organised criminals are constantly trying to find ways to overcome security measures on vehicles, even in the latest models, by exploiting vulnerabilities in vehicles and new technologies.

    In support of the new measures, RAC head of policy Simon Williams said:

    With government statistics showing an average of 370 vehicles being stolen every day, outlawing the possession and distribution of signal jammers cannot come soon enough and we welcome the government’s action on this.

    Having your car stolen is not only a violation, it causes massive amounts of stress and inconvenience as well as higher insurance costs for the individual concerned and drivers generally.

    AA president, Edmund King, said:

    This is a positive step, and these tougher sentences should make would-be thieves think again before stealing cars. As fast as vehicle technology has evolved, thieves have always tried to keep pace and beat the security systems.

    Relay theft and signal jamming is all too frequent and these measures will give police forces more opportunities to tackle car crime.

    ACC Jenny Sims, National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for vehicle crime said:

    We welcome the announcement of new offences to criminalise the possession, manufacture, sale and supply of signal jammers which have provided an easily accessible tool for criminals to use in the theft of vehicles for far too long.

    These devices have no legitimate purpose, apart from assisting in criminal activity, and reducing their availability will support policing and industry in preventing vehicle theft which is damaging to both individuals and businesses.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK announces largest sanctions package against Russia since 2022 [February 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK announces largest sanctions package against Russia since 2022 [February 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 24 February 2025.

    Three years on from President Putin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the UK has today imposed over 100 new sanctions directly targeting those who continue to aid the invasion.

    • 107 new sanctions announced as UK unleashes our largest sanctions package since the early days of the invasion.
    • milestone package targets Russian military supply chains, revenues fuelling Putin’s illegal war, and Kleptocrats driving profits for the Kremlin
    • strengthening Ukraine’s hand will help to build a secure and prosperous Europe and UK – a foundation of the government’s Plan for Change

    Today’s measures will target funds going into Putin’s war chest and propping up Russia’s kleptocratic system.

    As the Prime Minister said last week, we are facing a once in a generation moment for the collective security of our continent.  The UK is working with our Allies to put Ukraine in the best position to achieve peace through strength. Today’s action is a further step towards this.

    The sanctions will also target Russia’s military machine, entities in third countries who support it and the fragile supply networks that it relies on.

    Targets include:

    • producers and suppliers of machine tools, electronics and dual-use goods for Russia’s military, including microprocessors used in weapons systems. These are based in a range of third countries including Central Asian states, Turkey, Thailand, India and China, which is the largest supplier of critical goods for Russia’s military
    • North Korean Defence Minister No Kwang Chol and other North Korean generals and senior officials complicit in deploying over 11,000 DPRK forces to Russia. Putin is using DPRK forces as cannon fodder; DPRK has suffered over 4,000 casualties
    • 13 Russian targets, including LLC Grant-Trade, its owner Marat Mustafaev and his sister Dinara Mustafaeva, who have used the company to funnel advanced European technology into Russia to support its illegal war

    For the first time, we are also using new powers to target foreign financial institutions supporting Russia’s war machine.  We are sanctioning the Kyrgyzstan-based OJSC Keremet Bank, disrupting Russia’s use of the international financial system to support its war efforts.

    Foreign Secretary, David Lammy said:

    Today’s action, the largest in almost 3 years, underscores the UK’s commitment to Ukraine.

    Every military supply line disrupted, every rouble blocked, and every enabler of Putin’s aggression exposed is a step towards a just and lasting peace, and towards security and prosperity in the UK as a part of this government’s Plan for Change.

    Lasting peace will only be achieved through strength. That is why we are focused on putting Ukraine in the strongest possible position.

    As the world marks the grim milestone of Putin’s full-scale invasion entering its fourth year, we cannot and will not turn our backs on Ukraine in their fight for our shared security.

    Keeping the country safe is the Government’s first priority and an integral part of the Prime Minister’s Plan for Change. Sanctions against Russia’s military machine and the revenues fuelling it will improve the chances of a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, which will benefit security and prosperity in the UK.

    The new sanctions will put further pressure on Putin’s energy revenues, the most vital source of funding for his illegal invasion. They include specification of another 40 ‘shadow fleet’ ships carrying Russian oil. These vessels have collectively carried more than $5 billion worth of Russian oil and oil products in the last six months alone. The specifications bring the total number of oil tankers sanctioned by the UK to 133 – the highest of any nation in Europe.

    Finally, we are sanctioning 14 ‘New Kleptocrats’, some of whom are fronting up strategic sectors of Russia’s economy.  Among them are Roman Trotsenko, one of the wealthiest men in Russia, worth £2.2 billion.

    After three years of the full-scale invasion, Ukrainians continue to defend their country and way of life with ingenuity and courage. They have shown that with the right support they can defend themselves against Russian aggression. Today’s action will strengthen Ukraine’s hand at a critical time in their fight for our shared security.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Delivery driver, Amraiz Mahmood, who spent Covid funds on drugs and gambling also withdrew cash for home renovations just before he went bankrupt [February 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Delivery driver, Amraiz Mahmood, who spent Covid funds on drugs and gambling also withdrew cash for home renovations just before he went bankrupt [February 2025]

    The press release issued by the Insolvency Service on 24 February 2025.

    Bounce Back Loan fraudster handed suspended sentence and curfew

    • Amraiz Mahmood secured more than £20,000 in Covid support funds by falsely declaring he had a turnover of £81,000 as a self-employed delivery driver and courier
    • Mahmood spent the money on drugs and gambling and also used a separate non-Covid related loan for almost £40,000 worth of renovations to his home just before he filed for his own bankruptcy
    • Insolvency Service investigations have resulted in Mahmood being given a suspended prison sentence and 12-month curfew

    A delivery driver who spent Covid support funds he was not entitled to on drugs and gambling has been sentenced.

    Amraiz Mahmood fraudulently secured a £20,250 Bounce Back Loan from his bank in 2020 by overstating his 2019 turnover by more than £65,000.

    The 41-year-old then claimed to have assets of only £100 despite withdrawing almost £40,000 in cash for home improvements in the weeks before he filed for his own bankruptcy.

    Mahmood, of Booker Lane, High Wycombe, was sentenced to 10 months in prison, suspended for two years, when he appeared at High Wycombe Magistrates’ Court on Friday 21 February.

    He is also now subject to a 12-month daily curfew between 9pm and 7.45am which will be monitored with an electronic tag.

    Mark Stephens, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, said:

    Amraiz Mahmood hugely inflated his turnover to secure taxpayers’ money he did not deserve. He then clearly failed to use the loan as it was intended.

    Bounce Back Loans were designed to support small businesses through the pandemic. They were not intended to be used for personal gain and the Insolvency Service will not hesitate to take action when we identify such blatant abuse of the scheme.

    Mahmood also concealed tens of thousands of pounds in assets from the Official Receiver when he was declared bankrupt.

    Mahmood fraudulently applied for his Bounce Back Loan in May 2020, claiming his turnover as a self-employed courier and delivery driver was £81,000.

    His self-assessment return for 2018-19 however showed an income of only £15,018.

    Mahmood said that he spent the majority of the money he claimed on recreational drugs and gambling.

    In May 2021, one year on from fraudulently securing the Bounce Back Loan, Mahmood applied for bankruptcy, stating he had assets of just £100 and liabilities of more than £200,000.

    However, just one month before his bankruptcy, Mahmood had secured a non-Covid related loan from his bank worth £25,000 having also withdrawn £2,000 from his account in the days and weeks before.

    He then withdrew a further £37,950 in cash across several transactions before being declared bankrupt.

    Mahmood said he withdrew the money as he needed to make repairs to his home and he knew the assets would be frozen once the bankruptcy order was made.

    Invoices for the house renovations were dated after Mahmood’s bankruptcy however, meaning he was in possession of the funds when he told the Official Receiver he only had £100 in assets.

    Mahmood signed an eight-year Bankruptcy Restrictions Undertaking in March 2022, restricting him from being able to borrow more than £500 without disclosing his bankrupt status.

    Efforts are now being made to recover the funds from Mahmood.

    Further information

  • PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 58 – UK statement for the annual High-Level Segment [February 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 58 – UK statement for the annual High-Level Segment [February 2025]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 24 February 2025.

    UK statement at the annual High-Level Segment of the Human Rights Council. Delivered by Lord Collins, FCDO Minister for Africa, UN, Commonwealth & Human Rights.

    Mr Vice President,

    I stand here not just as a life-long trade unionist but also as a Minister of a government committed to human rights and the rule of law.

    We have gathered today against the backdrop of an increasingly volatile and uncertain world. Conflicts and geopolitical tensions are robbing people across the world of their most basic rights.

    That’s why the United Kingdom backs Ukraine’s right to choose its own future. That’s why the ceasefire in Gaza must be fully implemented. We want to see an end to the conflict, with every hostage released and vital aid reaching Gaza, leading to a credible process towards a two-state solution.

    That’s why we welcome the Syrian interim authorities’ efforts to build a more inclusive future for all Syrians. It’s why we welcome Bangladesh engaging with the High Commissioner as it addresses past crimes and future aspirations.

    It’s why we are heartbroken by the suffering in Sudan and commend the DRC for bringing the appalling situation in the East of their country to this Council just two weeks ago.

    That’s why we are urging China to implement the recommendations of the United Nations High Commissioner’s Xinjiang assessment and respect the Joint Declaration on Hong Kong.

    Against this worsening global climate, the United Kingdom is determined to champion equal and inalienable rights for all. So I’m proud that the United Kingdom is standing for election to the Council for the 2026 to 2028 term.

    Throughout its many terms on the Council, the United Kingdom has always put respect and partnership at the heart of our approach. And we promise to collaborate in the same spirit once again. If elected, we pledge to defend civic space and fundamental freedoms, supporting civil society organisations and human rights defenders.

    We pledge to champion equal rights for all, by standing up for the rights of women and girls and LGBT+ people whose hard-won rights and freedoms are being so cruelly undermined, and by promoting women’s economic empowerment. And we will do all we can to uphold the rule of law. Because human rights and the rule of law are the basic building blocks of sustainable economic growth, stable societies, and humane migration policies.

    We will prioritise human rights and governance principles, including the use of new technologies and responding to modern slavery.

    But the United Kingdom is under no illusion that we can do all this alone. We cannot. That’s why we need your support. And if we have the honour of serving on the Council, we will prioritise practical action to achieve our shared human rights goals and change people’s lives for the better.

    Ultimately, it is only by building genuine, respectful partnerships that we can work together to defend the freedoms we all hold so dear.