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Tag: 2025

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK launches visa fraud awareness campaign ‘Visa Fraud Ton Bacho’ [February 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK launches visa fraud awareness campaign ‘Visa Fraud Ton Bacho’ [February 2025]

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

    The UK has launched the ‘Visa Fraud Ton Bacho’ campaign to help protect Indian citizens from the physical, financial, and emotional risks of visa fraud and irregular migrations.

    • Campaign will raise awareness of visa scam tactics in Punjab, helping protect people from exploitation, financial loss, and emotional distress.
    • It encourages those traveling to the UK to check facts and stay safe. Visa application guidance is freely available on gov.uk, and via a new WhatsApp support line.

    The UK Government has today [27 February] launched the ‘Visa Fraud Ton Bacho’ campaign to help protect Indian citizens from the physical, financial, and emotional risks of visa fraud and irregular migration.

    The campaign includes a new dedicated WhatsApp support line (+91 70652 51380) in English and Punjabi, helping to identify common visa scam tactics and providing access to official guidance for those seeking legal routes to travel to the UK.

    The campaign was launched at the Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Jalandhar in the presence of LPU Chancellor and Member of Parliament from Rajya Sabha, Dr Ashok Kumar Mittal.

    Alongside the WhatsApp line, the campaign will highlight the warning signs of visa scams.  People will be advised to look out for the common spurious claims such as the promise of jobs in the UK, no requirement for English-language tests (IELTS), and exorbitant fees.

    Visa fraud leads to unacceptable and unnecessary levels of debt and puts people at risk of physical harm and exploitation. A person found committing visa fraud could receive a 10-year ban on travel to the UK. Under the Mobility and Migration Partnership Agreement, the UK and India have a shared commitment to tackling irregular migration. The campaign represents a further element of joint efforts to step up the fight against irregular migration and visa fraud.

    Christina Scott, British Deputy High Commissioner to India, said:

    The opportunity to visit, study, and work in the UK has never been greater and Indian nationals continue to receive the largest share of UK visit and work visas. However, young peoples’ dreams are being exploited, and too many are becoming victims of visa fraud. That’s why we are launching the Visa Fraud Ton Bacho campaign. The campaign seeks to raise awareness of the risks and help people to check the facts on safe and legal routes to the UK.

    Caroline Rowett, British Deputy High Commissioner Chandigarh, said:

    Punjab is known for its hardworking and ambitious people who have made significant contributions both in the UK and globally. We want to ensure that these dreams are fulfilled safely and legally. We urge people to spread the ‘Visa Fraud Ton Bacho’ message and help protect individuals from falling victim to fraudulent agents.

    Further information

    • The WhatsApp support line is available in English and Punjabi language on +91 70652 51380.
    • Under the Visa Fraud Ton Bacho campaign, outreach activities will be conducted in and around Amritsar, Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Chandigarh to make people aware of potential scams while applying for visas.
    • Indian nationals now receive almost a quarter of all UK visas worldwide and the UK is expected to issue approximately 1 million visas this year.
    • February has also marked the third year of the UK-India Young Professionals Scheme, which has increased opportunities for internships and cultural exchanges in both the countries.
  • PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 58 – UK Statement at the Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on Eritrea [February 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 58 – UK Statement at the Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on Eritrea [February 2025]

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

    UK Statement at the 58 Human Rights Council during the Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on Eritrea. Delivered by a UK spokesperson.

    Thank you Mr President,

    We thank the Special Rapporteur for his update and share his deep concern about the human rights situation in Eritrea.

    And we express our disappointment. Despite Eritrea’s membership on this Council, it has not improved its own Human Rights record, nor made any progress in engaging with the Special Rapporteur.

    We reiterate the urgent need for Eritrea to reform its national service. Eritrea should take steps to regularise the duration of national service and increase the exemptions to it. This would enable young people to determine their own career path, as well as restoring their trust in the government.

    We also call upon Eritrea to address concerns surrounding transnational oppression. Reports of refugees being harassed and facing intimidation, including in the UK, are completely unacceptable. We will not hesitate to prosecute any perpetrators.

    Finally, we call for all those arbitrarily detained in Eritrea to be released, and for concrete steps to protect freedom of expression to be urgently taken. A free and open society is the bedrock of stability and prosperity.

    Special Rapporteur, what is your assessment of the state of civic space in Eritrea and what are your recommendations to address this?

  • PRESS RELEASE : 11 years since Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea – UK statement to the OSCE [February 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : 11 years since Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea – UK statement to the OSCE [February 2025]

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

    Ambassador Holland comments on the eleventh anniversary of Russia’s illegal annexation of Ukraine, a violation of international law, and the campaign of systematic human rights violations and abuse against its people that followed.

    Thank you, Mr Chair.  This month marks 11 years since Russia illegally annexed Crimea —a violation of international law.

    Yesterday marked the Day of Resistance, commemorating the courage and resilience of Ukrainians who continue to stand against Russian occupation of Crimea. On that day in 2014, thousands of Ukrainians gathered peacefully in Simferopol, defending Ukraine’s territorial integrity and their democratic rights.

    Since 2014, the situation in Crimea has deteriorated significantly. Russia’s occupation has been characterised by systematic human rights abuses and a campaign to suppress dissent, erase Ukrainian cultural identity, and silence those who speak out.

    The UN reports that the Crimean Tatar community continues to face serious persecution, including arbitrary detentions, forced disappearances, and the closure of media outlets. It concludes that their cultural and political rights have been violated.

    OHCHR reports that at least 219 Ukrainians from Crimea, including 133 Crimean Tatars, have been arbitrarily detained in Russia since Russia’s annexation of Crimea. At least 40 of these are being denied the urgent medical care they need — among them, human rights defenders Tofik Abdulhaziiev and Enver Ametov.

    Religious freedoms are also under attack. Communities that refuse to conform to the Russian Orthodox Church, including Ukrainian Orthodox believers, Muslims, and Jehovah’s Witnesses face harassment, surveillance, and unjustified legal action. These actions violate fundamental human rights, including the freedom of religion and belief, which are enshrined in international law.

    And since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia’s repressive measures in Crimea have become the blueprint for the restrictions on human rights and fundamental freedoms in the newly occupied territories.

    Russia’s attempts to legitimise its occupation of sovereign Ukrainian territory through sham referenda and forced passportisation are equally concerning. These actions attempt to manipulate the demographic and political landscape of Ukraine, further isolating the occupied regions from Ukraine and the international community. The UK rejects these measures as unlawful.

    We call for the immediate release of all those arbitrarily detained by Russia in Ukraine, including the three members of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission—Vadym Golda, Maxim Petrov, and Dmytro Shabanov—who have been unjustly held since 2022 for performing their official duties. International human rights monitoring bodies be granted full and unrestricted access to Crimea. Justice must be served for victims of human rights abuses, including those forcibly disappeared or tortured.

    The UK reaffirms its unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders, including Crimea. We will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes, and we will continue to work with our international partners to hold the Russian authorities accountable.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Using automation to save time processing consultation responses [February 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Using automation to save time processing consultation responses [February 2025]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on 27 February 2025.

    How City of London saved hours of manual labour by using a Digital Planning automation.

    During the consultation for their City Plan 2040, the City of London Corporation received 2,000 comments from almost 300 individuals—87% of which were sent by email.

    To organise these responses efficiently, the Corporation partnered with the MHCLG Digital Planning programme to test an email processing automation designed to improve the handling of public consultation responses.

    The approach

    Following this approach allowed them to:

    • automate response processing using Microsoft 365
    • create a detailed SharePoint database
    • make data-driven decisions without manual labour

     Understanding local opinion

    Public consultations are a key part of community engagement, particularly in local plans. They help local planning authorities (LPAs) understand local opinions and priorities. However, processing the thousands of responses often received can be time-consuming and labour-intensive.

    Developed as part of the MHCLG Digital Planning programme, the automation helps this by organising and storing email submissions. It’s a Microsoft 365 add-on, which is free for existing licence holders. It automates the categorisation and storage of email submissions, removing the need for manual data entry.

    Reducing manual work

    It simplifies the process of collating responses, allowing LPAs to focus on analysing feedback and making informed decisions. This significantly reduces manual work and frees up staff time for other priorities.

    The automation can potentially save 1 to 2 months of administration per consultation and comes at no extra cost to those with Microsoft 365. It is completely optional and at every LPA’s discretion as to whether they install and use it.

    Creating effective databases

    The Power Automate add-on connects to the consultation email inbox in Microsoft 365. It automatically categorises unread emails that come in during the consultation period.

    It then collects:

    • the person’s name
    • email address
    • subject line
    • any attachments
    • body text of the email

    It stores these in a centralised SharePoint location, removing the need for manual entry.

    To review responses, you access the stored data in the designated folder or database on Microsoft 365. You can then analyse feedback, generate reports, and make data-driven decisions without manually sorting through individual emails.

    The automation is compatible with various IT systems used by LPAs. City of London has shown that it not only reduces administrative burden, but also enhances the accuracy and organisation of consultation data.

    In summary

    Michelle Rowland, City of London Planning Policy Officer, praised the automation’s impact:

    The program worked well for us, saving us hours of manual data entry in one step of the representation processing. Instead of painstakingly inputting emails, names, and relevant details by hand, the program automated the entire process.

    From the spreadsheet export, we were easily able to add additional columns for summarising and analysing the comments.

  • PRESS RELEASE : £230m DHL investment in Coventry to create hundreds of local jobs [February 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : £230m DHL investment in Coventry to create hundreds of local jobs [February 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 27 February 2025.

    DHL Group has announced a £230 million e-commerce hub investment in Coventry creating up to 600 local jobs.

    • Major £230m investment in new state-of-the-art e-commerce hub in Coventry will create up to 600 local jobs.
    • New hub near Coventry Airport can handle up to 1 million parcels a day and is part of DHL e-Commerce’s wider £482m investment into the UK.
    • Minister Justin Madders will open the hub today, celebrating the latest in a series of job-boosting investments across the country.

    Logistics giant DHL has invested £230 million in a new state-of-the-art e-commerce hub in Coventry which will create up to 600 local jobs, in the latest in a series of job-boosting investments across the UK.

    Today (27 February), Business Minister Justin Madders will formally open the new hub which covers 25,000 m² of space and can handle up to a million parcels a day, speeding up delivery times for UK consumers in a major win to the Coventry and wider West Midlands economy.

    During his visit, the Minister will meet with DHL Group’s senior leadership, including CEO of DHL eCommerce Pablo Ciano, tour the new site to see the latest e-commerce technologies in action, and learn about how the new hub will benefit not only Coventry but the wider West Midlands.

    This announcement comes as the latest research shows the UK is expected to reach a turnover in e-commerce of £176 billion by 2029, leading all European economies. The latest figures from the Department for Business & Trade also show the West Midlands region landed 133 foreign direct investments in 2023/24, generating 7,581 new jobs.

    Securing investment is central to the Government’s mission to deliver economic growth which will create jobs, improve living standards, and make communities and families across the country better off as part of our Plan for Change.

    Since entering office, the Government has been focused on restoring economic stability – which is the foundation of growth – to give businesses the confidence to invest and expand in the UK, and today’s announcement from DHL is a major vote of confidence in the UK’s investment environment.

    Business Minister Justin Madders said:

    The West Midlands is a powerhouse for investment, and this state-of-the-art hub in Coventry will not only create hundreds of local jobs but give a major boost to our logistics sector and speed up delivery times for consumers.

    The UK is open for business, and DHL’s investment is the latest vote of confidence in the country which will deliver economic growth and raise living standards, showing our Plan for Change is working.

    Stuart Hill, CEO of DHL eCommerce UK said:

    As e-commerce continues to shape the way we live and work, this expansion will enable us to meet growing demand. The investment reflects our confidence in British business and our dedication to helping our customers thrive in the digital marketplace through innovation and best-in-class service delivery.

    By increasing our capacity with a state-of-the-art operation, we’re creating long-term jobs, growth opportunities for our customers and a blueprint for more sustainable logistics.

    DHL’s cutting-edge new site will help to grow UK e-commerce businesses and improve delivery to consumers across the UK, as well as improving export logistics for businesses in the region. The hub features secure bonded storage and customs capabilities to support international e-commerce, making it quicker and easier to dispatch parcels internationally.

    The hub also provides EV charging points and 7,000m² of solar panels along with LED lighting. This minimises the site’s environmental impact and preserves the area’s natural biodiversity – supporting the government’s ambitions to make the UK a clean energy superpower.

    Economic growth is the foundation of our Plan for Change, and DHL’s vote of confidence will play a vital role in not only unlocking further investment but turbocharging the UK’s logistics sector.

    DHL’s announcement today is the latest in a series of recent investment wins for the UK, including:

    • Creating nearly 38,000 jobs across the UK following our record-breaking International Investment Summit last October, with £63 billion worth of investment secured by companies such as Amazon Web Services, Iberdrola and Octopus Energy.
    • Car manufacturer Nissan, and the Japan Automatic Transmission Company (JATCO) securing a £50 million investment deal in partnership with the government to create a new manufacturing plant in Sunderland.
    • US company Knighthead’s £3 billion regeneration project in East Birmingham, creating 8,400 new jobs annually, paving the way for a new 60,000-seater stadium alongside a sports campus of training facilities, a new academy, and community pitches.
    • Rolls Royce investing £300m in the expansion of their Goodwood facility to meet the growing demand for bespoke upgrades.
    • JLR investing £500 million in its Halewood facility to enable the production of electric vehicles, alongside existing combustion and hybrid models.
    • Blackstone’s £10 billion investment to create the biggest AI data centre in Europe, creating 4000 jobs.
    • Eren Holding investing £1 billion in the redevelopment of Shotton Mill in North Wales, safeguarding 147 jobs and creating a further 220 jobs.
    • Heathrow Airport announcing a multibillion-pound investment programme to expand the airport, including new terminal buildings, aircraft stands, passenger infrastructure and work towards its third runway.

    Background:

  • PRESS RELEASE : Nearly fifty thousand extra pensioners receiving vital Pension Credit support following surge in claims processed [February 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Nearly fifty thousand extra pensioners receiving vital Pension Credit support following surge in claims processed [February 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 27 February 2025.

    New figures published today [Thursday 27 February] show a significant spike in Pension Credit applications following a DWP campaign to boost uptake, the highest since comparisons began in 2020.

    • Record high number of Pension Credit applications with updated online claim form taking an average 16 minutes to complete
    • DWP processing record number of claims a week, bringing down outstanding applications and giving the poorest pensioners vital support
    • Support comes as the State Pension is set to rise by up to £1,900 for millions thanks to the government’s commitment to the Triple Lock

    The department has now processed a record number of claims, reducing the number of applications yet to be cleared from its peak of 85,500 to just 33,700 by 23 February, which is in line with normal levels of Pension Credit claims waiting to be processed.

    This has resulted in a record 117,800 applications being awarded – an increase of 45,800, or 64% – since the Chancellor’s announcement compared to the same period last year.

    The department has also successfully boosted the numbers applying for Pension credit with a record 300,000 Pension Credit applications received this year alone. In response to the surge in applications, the DWP deployed 500 additional support staff to process them, resulting in a near doubling of cleared claims between 29 July 2024 and 23 February 2025.

    The Pension Credit campaign and commitment to the Triple Lock deliver on this government’s Plan for Change, demonstrating our commitment to raise living standards for pensioners and provide security in retirement.

    Building on the success of the campaign last autumn to boost Pension Credit applications, DWP is exploring further options to drive up claims by reaching the most isolated and poorest pensioners who are eligible for support, including:

    • Writing to all pensioners who make a new claim for Housing Benefit and who appear to be entitled to Pension Credit – directly targeting this group to make a claim
    • Starting new research on the triggers and motivations that encourage people to apply for Pension Credit and to understand what the barriers to claiming are – interviewing pensioners to hear their views and learn from their experiences
    • Working across departments including HMRC to access databases with detail on household income, enabling us to identify pensioner households most likely to be eligible for Pension Credit and targeting them directly.

    Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Liz Kendall said:

    I’m delighted we’ve been able to reach so many pensioners who need to be on Pension Credit, which can be a lifeline to so many on low incomes.

    The record high number of claims awarded follows months of work to drive awareness of Pension Credit and then to process the huge spike in applications we received, and now thousands more pensioners are accessing the range of support on offer.

    We won’t stop there. We are absolutely committed to ensuring every pensioner is supported in their retirement – whether through our ongoing Pension Credit campaign, extending the Household Support Fund and our commitment to the Triple Lock on the State Pension.

    Pension Credit provides a lifeline in retirement to pensioners on low incomes, providing access to additional support, including housing costs, council tax and the Winter Fuel Payment.

    The online claim form – updated by the Work and Pensions Secretary after listening to the views of pensioners– means it now takes just 16 minutes on average to apply for Pension Credit and be eligible for up to £4,300, with 90 percent of new customers applying using the simple online form, or over the phone.

    The Government is forecast to spend £174.8 billion on benefits for pensioners in Great Britain in 2025-26. This includes spending on the State Pension which is forecast to be £146.6 billion in 2025-26. Crucially the government’s commitment to the Triple Lock for the entirety of this Parliament means that spending on people’s State Pensions is forecast to rise by over £31 billion.

    Sarah Pennells, consumer finance specialist at Royal London said:

    There was a lot of focus on December’s deadline to claim Pension Credit in order to qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment for 2024, but people can apply for Pension Credit any time, and it could be worth over £4,000 a year.

    Our research shows that many people are missing out because they haven’t checked to see if they qualify.  Three in ten people over State Pension age who were on a low income hadn’t checked to see if they were entitled to Pension Credit, while one in ten pensioners who had been told they qualified for Pension Credit have yet to apply.

    You can backdate your claim for Pension Credit by up to three months, and the sooner you claim, the sooner you could start receiving payments. Not only that, but, if you’re entitled to Pension Credit, you’ll be able to get extra help with costs such as rent and Council Tax, which could make a big difference.

    Anyone who knows a low-income pensioner who may be isolated and needs support has been urged to remind or assist family members and friends to check their eligibility and apply today. Eligible claims can also be backdated by up to 3 months, ensuring pensioners do not miss out on the support they are entitled to.

    To better support DWP customers, State Pension and Pension Credit teams have been working more closely together to support customers. When someone contacts the State Pension claim line, DWP staff identify those with potential eligibility for Pension Credit and take a claim there and then. This means customers don’t have to call both claim lines, getting new pensioners onto Pension Credit as soon as they are eligible.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Preferred candidate to lead Office for Students confirmed [February 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Preferred candidate to lead Office for Students confirmed [February 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Education on 27 February 2025.

    Professor Edward Peck CBE named as preferred candidate to be the next Chair of the Office for Students by Education Secretary.

    The Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has named Professor Edward William Peck CBE as her preferred candidate to be the next Chair of the Office for Students.

    Professor Peck will now go on to attend a pre-appointment hearing before the Education Select Committee on 4 March.

    The Office for Students (OfS) is the independent regulator of higher education in England. It is responsible for ensure that every student has a fulfilling university experience that enriches their lives and careers. Following last year’s election one of its top priorities has been monitoring the financial sustainability of the sector.

    Professor Peck has been selected following a rigorous assessment process conducted in accordance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments. He currently serves as Chair of the HE Mental Health Implementation Taskforce and is the DfE’s Student Support Champion, and will stand down as Vice Chancellor of Nottingham Trent University this summer.

    If appointed Professor Peck will take over from Sir David Behan, who was appointed interim chair last year following Lord Wharton of Yarm’s resignation. Sir David’s independent review, Fit for the Future, was published in July and is informing the OfS’s priorities on financial sustainability and quality.

    Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said:

    Professor Peck has played a key role in supporting students and has a wealth of experience that will be instrumental in guiding the OfS forward. I look forward to finalising his appointment.

    He will play a vital part in supporting higher education providers’ financial sustainability and breaking down barriers to opportunity. Through our Plan for Change we want to ensure students from all backgrounds are at the heart of the higher education system, and receive a high quality education that will help them drive growth as we fix the foundations of our economy.

    I would like to thank Sir David for his independent review and the work he has done as interim chair which will inform the strategic direction of the OfS as it implements his core recommendations.

    The Chair leads the OfS at board level, working with Ministers and the Chief Executive to provide clear leadership and priorities for the next phase of the OfS’ critical work.

    Since 2014 Professor Peck has served as Vice Chancellor of Nottingham Trent University, and currently holds roles as a trustee of UCAS, Chair of the HE Mental Health Implementation Taskforce and the DfE’s first Student Support Champion. Following his appointment he will stand down from these roles.

    He has also served on the Independent Advisory Panel for Post-18 Education and Funding (the Augar Review), and from 2008-2014 was Pro Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College of Social Sciences at the University of Birmingham.

    Following his pre-appointment hearing, the Education Select Committee will publish their recommendations, which the Education Secretary will consider before deciding whether to finalise the appointment.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Ministers approve long awaited A47 road scheme to support over 40,000 homes and 30,000 new jobs [February 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Ministers approve long awaited A47 road scheme to support over 40,000 homes and 30,000 new jobs [February 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 27 February 2025.

    Road scheme will speed up journeys and revive economic growth across Norwich.

    • A47 road scheme which was held up in the courts given the green light for construction as the government delivers another vital road project
    • long-awaited A47/A11 Thickthorn junction scheme will speed up journey times, support 44,000 new homes in the area and creating 33,000 new jobs as part of the wider city deal
    • over £200 million set aside for the scheme as part of the government’s commitment to renew national infrastructure and drive growth as part of the Plan for Change

    Norwich residents are set to see faster journeys and thousands of new homes and jobs in the region as ministers approve the long delayed A47/A11 Thickthorn Junction scheme, the government has announced today (27 February 2025).

    Backed by over £200 million, this road development will significantly speed up journey times, reduce pressure on the junction and save commuters, businesses and freight hundreds of hours off journeys each week.

    On the eastbound A11 to A47, drivers will save 3 to 4 minutes off journeys in the morning and afternoon travel peaks. Along the A11, the route will also shave off 2 to 3 minutes in the morning and afternoon peaks.

    The scheme is supporting the Greater Norwich City Deal, attracting more businesses to operate in Norwich and is expected to create over 44,000 homes, 33,000 new jobs and 360 additional hectares of new commercial land by 2038.

    Today’s announcement follows the Prime Minister’s commitment to ‘clear the path to get Britain building’ by overhauling rules that allow vital infrastructure projects including the A47 to be challenged in courts 3 times – causing years of delays and costing taxpayers hundreds of millions of pounds.

    The A47 is an example of an infrastructure project which has been delayed by over a year due to expensive legal challenges which have been dismissed by the courts as having ‘no logical basis’ – preventing areas like Norwich from unlocking their full potential.

    Ministers have now finally given the go ahead to the project as part of a wider drive to unblock vital transport infrastructure development. Since entering office, the government has approved the A130 Fairglen Interchange, the A647 scheme in Leeds and is supporting expansion of Heathrow Airport.

    This is an important milestone for this pro-growth and pro-infrastructure government, cutting the red tape which has for too long held up vital schemes and cost the taxpayer millions as part of the Plan for Change.

    To mark this significant milestone for drivers in Norwich, the Future of Roads Minister, Lilian Greenwood, has visited the A47 to mark the approval of the scheme and understand its impact on the local economy.

    The Future of Roads Minister, Lilian Greenwood, said:

    This scheme is finally getting to go-ahead it deserves, after years of expensive legal blocks, as we are now able to unlock this vital scheme that Norwich has waited long for. We are determined to get Britain building again as this scheme is set to not only improve journeys but create thousands of new homes and jobs.

    To help deliver our Plan for Change, we’re investing in more vital road schemes such as this over £200 million funding for Norwich, and the recently announced £90 million for other schemes across England, to renew our national infrastructure, speed up journeys and revive economic growth.

    The upgraded junction will also improve links between Norwich and Peterborough, expanding job opportunities and better connecting communities, and is also a key route to Norwich University Hospital.

    The new design will also improve safety, with rerouted traffic and safer pedestrian and cycle routes, projected to save as many as 26 fatal or serious injury collisions over the next 60 years.

    The plans include the construction of 2 new free-flowing slip roads that will connect the A47 with the A11, re-routing traffic away from the junction and flowing it under new underpasses.

    The government is providing over £200 million for the scheme which is expected to generate millions more for the local economy of Norfolk. It is part of the government’s Plan for Change to renew infrastructure and grow the economy.

    With the aim to accelerate the delivery of infrastructure across the UK, the government is focused on improving the UK’s road network to increase economic growth.

    As well as faster journeys, drivers in Norfolk are also set to benefit from improved road surfaces, thanks to a recently announced £56 million uplift in highway maintenance funding for Norfolk. This is part of the government’s record £1.6 billion investment to fill the equivalent of 7 million potholes and repair roads across England.

    Nicola Bell, Executive Director of Major Projects at National Highways, said:

    Getting the green light to improve the junction at Thickthorn is great news for local people and those who regularly work or travel in and around Norwich.

    This will help support economic growth in the area, significantly reduce congestion, improve journey times, and make the road safer.

    Councillor Graham Plant, Cabinet member for Highways Infrastructure and Transport, Norfolk County Council, said:

    We’re thrilled that this long-anticipated project has received approval. Thickthorn Junction has been a persistent bottleneck and we’ve been pushing for these improvements for a number of years.

    This scheme will unlock significant economic growth, helping to supercharge the vital connection between the A11 and the nationally significant businesses that have found a home in Norfolk. Norfolk residents will benefit from safer and more reliable journeys as they make their way to Norwich and beyond.

    Nova Fairbank, Chief Executive, Norfolk Chambers of Commerce, said:

    The Norfolk business community has long campaigned for improvements to the whole of the A47, our main route from east to west and a key part of this route is the Thickthorn Junction, which connects the A11 to the A47. As a result, they welcome the allocation of much needed funding for the Thickthorn Junction scheme. Businesses are looking forward to seeing safety improvements and the reduction of congestion and journey times.

    The ability to deliver further housing, jobs and new commercial opportunities, as a result of this junction upgrade, will make a significant difference. This infrastructure investment will give more businesses confidence to invest in their own growth and thus, help unlock wider economic growth for our region.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Minister for Gambling Baroness Twycross’s speech to the Betting and Gaming Council AGM 2025 [February 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : Minister for Gambling Baroness Twycross’s speech to the Betting and Gaming Council AGM 2025 [February 2025]

    The press release issued by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport on 27 February 2025.

    Minister for Gambling Baroness Twycross’s speech to the Betting and Gaming Council Annual General Meeting 2025.

    Good morning everyone. Thank you for the invitation to speak today. It is great to be here to speak to so many of you.

    It was a huge privilege to be appointed as the Government’s gambling minister last year. I would like to thank everyone I have met so far for sharing your knowledge and perspectives on your sector. I am particularly grateful to Michael and Grainne for their constructive engagement on key issues facing your industry.

    I have also enjoyed meeting a range of people from the wider gambling sector, such as John from Bacta, and Miles from the Bingo Association.

    Whilst you are all facing different issues, I recognise there are key similarities, one thing you also do have in common is the experience and passion there is in the industry.

    In my short time in post, I have seen the value this sector brings. Not just in tax receipts and jobs created, but as a leisure activity, for example through a day at the races, enjoying a game of bingo, or time spent in a seaside arcade.

    I have enjoyed being shown round the Grosvenor casino in Liverpool last year and the Hippodrome earlier this month, and look forward to visiting more venues as soon as possible.

    You will know that the Government is focused on economic growth. I believe that a growing gambling sector is compatible with creating an even safer one. I want a gambling sector in this country that is one we can be proud of – one that offers good jobs, interesting careers, brings social value, and is one that people enjoy while having vital protections in place.

    As set out in our manifesto, and as you will be aware, we are also committed to reducing harmful gambling. The licensed, regulated gambling industry is a crucial part of that.

    I want to work with you to see a safer, more responsible gambling industry.

    I know that the vast majority of people who gamble do so without experiencing harm, but it is in all our interests that we do better for those customers who could be vulnerable to gambling harm. I have found it helpful to hear from a number of you about measures you are already taking.

    I am pleased to be able to update you on significant progress on key reforms that deliver on the Government’s agenda.

    I am sure many of you will have followed the progress of the statutory gambling levy in Parliament over the last few weeks. The legislation has been affirmed by both Houses and became law on Tuesday this week. It will come into force on the 6th of April and operators will be required to make their first levy payments by the 1st of October.

    I know the BGC has been largely supportive of the introduction of a levy, and we recognise the work done by the sector through the voluntary levy previously. This is a huge step forward for the sector and will see increased investment to expand projects and services to reduce harmful gambling. I know that we have a shared aim in this area.

    The financial support that BGC members have given to research, prevention and treatment services has enabled people in need access to crucial treatment services, and laid a foundation which the levy can build on. It is vital that funding for these services is maintained in the transition to the levy. I welcome the BGC’s commitment that this will be delivered.

    We have now appointed the commissioning bodies for research, prevention and treatment.

    We are working at pace with the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, NHS England, UK Research and Innovation, and with partners in Scotland and Wales, to build robust foundations for the future system.

    It is crucial we put the right commissioning, accountability and governance arrangements in place.

    We want to build on the successes of the current system. But the levy will mean funding certainty. This will allow the expert bodies we have appointed to boost efforts to further understand, tackle, and treat gambling harm. We and the commissioning bodies will be led by the best evidence to get funding where it is needed most.

    The online slots stake limits statutory instrument was also made into law on Tuesday. I know you are all keen to understand exactly when these stake limits will come into force.

    I can confirm the five pound limit will be in force on the 9th of April, while the two pound limit for younger adults will be in force on the 21st of May. I know that implementing these stake limits is a technical challenge and I am grateful for all the work you have done in preparation for this moment.

    I can confirm that we are moving forward with measures to modernise the regulations for land-based casinos. These changes will allow casinos to offer up to 80 gaming machines, mirroring the rules for small 2005 Act casinos. There will be a sliding scale of machine entitlements, meaning that smaller casinos can also benefit from more machines, commensurate with their size.

    We will also allow sports betting in all casinos, giving operators the opportunity to expand their product offering. These changes will unlock investment in the casino sector and should provide an economic boost for both operators and machine manufacturers. We are working as quickly as we can to ensure that legislation is laid in Parliament as soon as possible. I know the significance of these measures to many of you here today.

    Turning now to advertising and sponsorship, which you will know has been of significant media and Parliamentary interest in recent months.

    One of the biggest issues raised with me as Gambling Minister is advertising.

    I have tasked the industry with doing more to work together to ensure that gambling advertising and sponsorship is appropriate, responsible, and does not exacerbate harm.

    I am grateful to the BGC for coordinating this work across your membership, and I completely understand that the ability to advertise is an important activity generally, and key advantage that licensed operators have over the illegal market.

    We know that some people can feel they are being inundated with gambling advertising – and this can be especially true whilst watching sport. Crucially, we know that advertising can have a disproportionate impact on those who are already suffering from gambling harm. We must also be vigilant to any adverse impacts on children and young people.

    So I am keen for the industry to take the lead in making a robust assessment of the scale and impacts of advertising, so that we are working with the best available evidence.

    Lastly, I want to touch on the issue of the illegal market, which I know is of concern to many of you here today.

    Illegal gambling is a concern for us all. And we are committed to working closely with the Gambling Commission, to ensure that illegal gambling, in all its forms, is addressed. I have heard your argument that overregulation leads to, or risks, displacement to the illegal market. This is something that was carefully considered in the development of the white paper and in the decisions that have been made since.

    We believe the reforms we have introduced together with the Gambling Commission are proportionate and targeted interventions.

    However, I agree that vigilance is vital when the illegal market threatens revenue for the licensed sector and player protections for vulnerable customers. That is why I have been pleased that the Gambling Commission has increased disruption activity and has a renewed focus on finding innovative ways to tackle the illegal market.

    On Tuesday, the Crime and Policing Bill was introduced to Parliament. One of the provisions in this Bill will give the Commission greater powers to move quickly and effectively to take down IP addresses and domain names associated with illegal websites. This is an important step in equipping the Commission to tackle the illegal market and protect legitimate businesses.

    Thank you again for the invitation today, and the time many of you have given me since I took up my role.

    I will keep listening and look forward to working with you all to realise our shared vision of a better, safer gambling industry. I hope you are all as keen as I am to take these challenges on.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK and Mongolia’s joint statement after the first annual UK-Mongolia political dialogue [February 2025]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK and Mongolia’s joint statement after the first annual UK-Mongolia political dialogue [February 2025]

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

    Respect for sovereignty, international law, and territorial integrity were key areas of discussion during the first annual UK-Mongolia political dialogue in London on 26 February, 2025.

    British Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Indo-Pacific, Minister Catherine West MP, welcomed Mongolian Deputy Prime Minister Amarsaikhan Sainbuyan to London on 26 February 2025 for the 15th UK-Mongolia roundtable, and the first annual political dialogue under the UK-Mongolia Joint Cooperation Roadmap towards a Comprehensive Partnership.

    Minister West and Deputy Prime Minister Amarsaikhan affirmed the strong partnership between the UK and Mongolia, grounded in shared democratic values, open societies, and a growing economic relationship.

    Both sides noted deepening geopolitical tensions, stressed their commitment to upholding the principles of the UN Charter, and called on all countries to refrain from using force against the territorial integrity and political independence of any state. They agreed to continue to work closely to uphold international law and advance our shared principles.

    Economic growth

    The Ministers confirmed that the UK and Mongolia will work together with a view to increasing the volume of trade and investment between the two countries – to drive mutual economic growth

    They agreed to continue discussions with UK Export Finance to explore support for the construction of the metro system in Ulaanbaatar.

    Talks also focused on facilitating trade and investment by working towards the removal of barriers to trade and red tape, and creating stable and transparent business environments.

    Energy transition

    The Ministers stressed the urgency of action to address the impacts of climate change. They committed to achieving the UK and Mongolia’s NDC and welcomed the recent allocation from the NDC Partnership to Mongolia, including funding from the UK, to reach Mongolia’s climate goals.

    They encouraged greater public-private partnerships to leverage public finance for private sector investment in line with both countries’ climate strategies.

    They looked forward to Mongolia hosting COP17 on Desertification in 2026 and agreed to facilitate an exchange of experts to support preparations for and the outcome of COP17.

    Women’s empowerment

    The Ministers reaffirmed both countries’ commitment to gender equality and to expanding the number of women elected to both parliaments. Minister West welcomed the expanded number of female parliamentarians in the Mongolian parliament following elections in 2024, and commended Mongolia for its quota target of 40% of female candidates by 2028. UK and Mongolia’s joint statement after the first annual UK-Mongolia Political Dialogue Amarsaikhan welcomed the UK achieving its highest level of female representation in the UK parliament following the 2024 UK general election.

    The ministers agreed to work together in multilateral fora ahead of the 30th anniversary of the “Beijing Declaration and Platform Action”.

    Critical minerals

    The Ministers agreed on the importance of extracting Mongolia’s mineral wealth in a manner that preserves Mongolia’s unique environmental legacy. They discussed the importance of responsible mining, and of high environmental, social and governance standards, as well as investing in Mongolian’s skills development.

    In this regard, both sides expressed their commitment to cooperate within the framework of Memorandum of Understanding on critical minerals.

    Education, Civil Society and People-to-people ties

    The Ministers noted the strength of people-to-people ties between the UK and Mongolia, including the exchange of students through the Chevening Scholarship programme and “Mission 2100” scholarship programme initiated by the President of Mongolia.

    Minister West reaffirmed the UK’s support for English language teaching in Mongolia and both ministers welcomed the progress in expanding English language provision. This could include building on existing partnerships with British companies to increase access to and improve the quality of English Language teaching, as well as supporting remote and disadvantaged communities with UK Overseas Development Assistance.

    The Ministers agreed to explore possibilities to expand higher education opportunities for Mongolian students, including through the Chevening Scholarship, and to expand partnerships between universities.

    They looked forward to the exhibition of the Arts of the Mongol World to be held at the Royal Academy in 2027, and welcomed expanding cultural cooperation.

    They noted the important contribution that civil society organisations play in democratic societies, and committed to continue to engage with and seek inputs from civil society organisations representing a broad range of communities to strengthen democratic debate.

    Minister West and Deputy Prime Minister Amarsaikhan looked forward to and highlighted the importance of future high-level visits between the UK and Mongolia.

    On the side lines of the roundtable meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Amarsaikhan held a bilateral meeting with Minister Gareth Thomas. During the meeting, the Ministers held constructive and fruitful discussions on further broadening the bilateral relationship in areas of mutual interest, including the promotion of trade and economic cooperation.