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Tag: Cabinet Office

  • Liz Truss – 2022 Cabinet Following Appointment as Prime Minister

    Liz Truss – 2022 Cabinet Following Appointment as Prime Minister

    The first Liz Truss Cabinet, announced on 6 September 2022.

    The Queen has been pleased to approve the following appointments:

    • The Rt Hon Elizabeth Truss MP as Prime Minister, First Lord of the Treasury, Minister for the Civil Service, and Minister for the Union
    • The Rt Hon Dr Thérèse Coffey MP as Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. She will also be Deputy Prime Minister
    • The Rt Hon Kwasi Kwarteng MP as Chancellor of the Exchequer
    • The Rt Hon James Cleverly MP as Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs
    • The Rt Hon Suella Braverman QC MP as Secretary of State for the Home Department
    • Wendy Morton MP as Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury (Chief Whip). She will attend Cabinet
    • The Rt Hon Ben Wallace MP has been re-appointed as Secretary of State for Defence
    • The Rt Hon Brandon Lewis CBE MP as Lord Chancellor, and Secretary of State for Justice
    • The Rt Hon Nadhim Zahawi MP as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Minister for Intergovernmental Relations and Minister for Equalities
    • The Rt Hon Penny Mordaunt MP as Lord President of the Council, and Leader of the House of Commons
    • Lord True CBE as Lord Privy Seal, and Leader of the House of Lords
    • The Rt Hon Jake Berry MP as Minister without Portfolio
    • The Rt Hon Alok Sharma MP has been re-appointed as COP26 President
    • The Rt Hon Jacob Rees-Mogg MP as Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
    • The Rt Hon Simon Clarke MP as Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
    • Kemi Badenoch MP as Secretary of State for International Trade and President of the Board of Trade
    • Chloe Smith MP as Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
    • The Rt Hon Kit Malthouse MP as Secretary of State for Education
    • Ranil Jayawardena MP as Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
    • The Rt Hon Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP as Secretary of State for Transport
    • The Rt Hon Michelle Donelan MP as Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
    • The Rt Hon Chris Heaton-Harris MP as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
    • The Rt Hon Alister Jack MP has been re-appointed as Secretary of State for Scotland
    • The Rt Hon Sir Robert Buckland KBE QC MP has been re-appointed as Secretary of State for Wales
    • Chris Philp MP as Chief Secretary to the Treasury. He will attend Cabinet
    • Rt Hon Michael Ellis QC MP as Attorney General. He will attend Cabinet
    • Edward Argar MP as Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office. He will attend Cabinet
    • Vicky Ford MP as a Minister of State (Minister for Development) in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. She will attend Cabinet
    • Tom Tugendhat MBE MP as a Minister of State (Minister for Security) in the Home Department. He will attend Cabinet
    • James Heappey MP has been re-appointed as a Minister of State in the Ministry of Defence. He will be Minister for the Armed Forces and Veterans and will attend Cabinet.
    • Graham Stuart MP as a Minister of State (Minister for Climate) in the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. He will attend Cabinet.
  • PRESS RELEASE : Seven new Social Mobility Commissioners appointed

    PRESS RELEASE : Seven new Social Mobility Commissioners appointed

    The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 1 September 2022.

    • Minister for Women and Equalities, Liz Truss, appoints seven new commissioners to Social Mobility Commission board
    • The appointments will support Katharine Birbalsingh in her role as Chair of the SMC
    • The new board members will advance the independent work of the SMC following this year’s State of the Nation report

    Dr Raghib Ali, Resham Kotecha, Matthew Goodwin, Ryan Henson, Rob Henderson, Parminder Kohli and Rob Wilson have been appointed to the Board for a period of four years. They’ll make up a new panel of advisors, from diverse ethnic backgrounds, with expertise stretching from academia, to education and business.

    Following the announcement of Katharine Birbalsingh and Alun Francis as the Chair and Deputy Chair of the Social Mobility Commission (SMC), the organisation released its State of the Nation report in June. The report, and accompanying speech by the Chair, have set a new direction for the work of the SMC, which the newly appointed Commissioners will help to advance.

    Minister for Women and Equalities, Liz Truss, said:

    “Everyone in the UK should have the freedom to reach their full potential. These appointments are a positive step forward for equality in this country as we strive to improve social mobility and ensure everyone has the chance to succeed.

    “The combined expertise and experience of the new Commissioners will help the SMC to carry out its important work to ensure a person’s circumstances of birth do not determine outcomes in life.”

    Further Information:

    These appointments were conducted in accordance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments.

    The Social Mobility Commission is an independent statutory body (an organisation created by an Act of Parliament), established by The Life Chances Act 2010.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Ministers meet to continue work on tackling winter pressures

    PRESS RELEASE : Ministers meet to continue work on tackling winter pressures

    The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 31 August 2022.

    Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Kit Malthouse has led a meeting of ministers and officials from across government to drive forward preparatory work for tackling pressures this winter.

    The meeting follows work over recent weeks to identify key pressure points that will affect the public, including the global rise in energy prices, the cost of living and pressures on the NHS.

    The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster has been chairing these meetings throughout the summer to discuss the key operational decisions that can be made to reduce these risks once a new administration is in place.

    Ministers and officials have discussed priority areas, such as health, energy, cost of living, supply chain disruption, labour market shortages, and industrial action, that have the potential to compound together over the coming 18 months.

    Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Kit Malthouse said:

    “My chief priority has been to make sure that we are prepared for the significant challenges we expect to face this autumn and winter, and I have held regular meetings to make sure departments maintain pace and grip on this essential work now, and in the coming months, as this will be a marathon not a sprint.

    The cost of living, driven in part by higher energy prices, is biting for individuals, families and businesses, and the NHS is already under pressure – and that’s ahead of the flu season. These risks have potentially severe impacts, stacking up on the most vulnerable people in society, and it is vital that we develop robust plans urgently to mitigate their impact and come up with solutions.

    I’ve tasked departments with identifying the key operational decisions that should be taken without delay across priority risks such as health, energy, cost of living, supply chain disruption, labour market shortages, and industrial action, that have the potential to compound together. They will also map out the key moments over the next 18 months where specific groups of society may be significantly impacted, including the clinically vulnerable, socially and economically deprived, the elderly, the young, and the disabled, and produce further options so that decisions can be made quickly once a new administration is in place.”

    Over the coming weeks, the Cabinet Office will work with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to continue ensuring that gas and electricity system operators have the right tools to respond to fluctuations in supply and demand. Work is also underway with key international partners to monitor and share information on energy supply and demand.

    The Treasury and BEIS will also prepare options for the new administration on possible energy market interventions to lower prices, bringing down bills and helping manage overall supply.

    Today’s meeting included ministers and officials from HM Treasury, the Department of Health and Social Care, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, the Department for Transport, the Department for Work and Pensions, and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

    The meeting also builds upon the work already in train ahead of the new administration next week, and the increase of the energy price cap. This work includes:

    • Allocating £37 billion of help for households, including the £400 discount on energy bills this winter, and £1,200 of direct support to help with the cost of living
    • The Department of Health and Social Care and the UK Health Security Agency are further developing their plans for health resilience, including to boost the NHS and Adult Social Care workforce, including a new taskforce for international recruitment
    • The Department of Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy is continuing to strengthen its contingency plans for winter energy security – Equinor and Centrica recently signed a major agreement to shore up Britain’s gas supply over the next three winters, adding around one billion cubic metres of gas per year to our supply

    The meeting also follows the recent announcement by Kit Malthouse reforming emergency planning and response in the Cabinet Office. A National Resilience Framework Team in the Planning and Analysis Secretariat will take a deeper look at the government’s approach to risk and how it is mitigated, as well as collecting and analysing live data to improve future responses to emergencies. While the Cabinet Office’s COBR Unit will continue to oversee preparedness and response to emergencies and other moments of acute pressure which might arise this winter.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Progress on health, housing and employability support for veterans

    PRESS RELEASE : Progress on health, housing and employability support for veterans

    The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 31 August 2022.

    Significant progress has been made in a range of veterans’ support and services, including in healthcare, housing and employment, since the launch of the Veterans’ Strategy Action Plan six months ago, new data shows.

    Significant progress has been made on delivering the Veterans’ Strategy Action Plan which was launched more than six months ago.

    More than 100 NHS England Trusts have now gained ‘Veteran Aware’ status, providing the highest standard of care to veterans and their families.

    As well as healthcare, progress has also been made in other areas, such as employment, wellbeing support, and digital verification. These include:

    • Opening bids for the Veterans’ Health Innovation Fund, which will develop innovative projects to enhance bespoke treatment for injured veterans’ healthcare.
    • Rolling out the Great Place to Work for Veterans guaranteed progression scheme across all central government departments, making it easier than ever before for veterans to join the Civil Service
    • Completing the first tranche of the Advance into Justice programme, which helps veterans become prison officers – with job offers received in May
    • Distributing £5 million of funding through the Afghanistan Veterans Fund to charities, so they can better support veterans of recent conflicts. This includes funding to upgrade the Veterans Gateway website and for Samaritans to develop a new veterans peer support hub
    • Investing £1m in new funding for a new digital service for veterans – this will enable them to quickly and easily verify their veteran status online.

    As part of the employability support package for veterans, the Department for Education has launched an updated website for veterans interested in applying for the Troops to Teach scheme.

    Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Johnny Mercer said:

    We want to make sure that regardless of location, our veterans can access incredible employment opportunities and the support they may need.

    Schemes such as Advance into Justice and Troops to Teach allow veterans to bring their fantastic transferable skills into other areas.

    Great progress has been made on our provision for veterans but there is more to do to realise our mission to make the UK the best place in the world to be a veteran.

    With more than 1500 ‘Veteran Friendly’ GP practices across England, accessing bespoke mental health and support services is now easier to access than ever before.

    The Cabinet Office has also announced the newest members of the Veterans’ Advisory Board, which provides independent advice to ministers on current and future support for veterans.

    This refreshed board will provide views from academia, charities, employers and the veteran commissioners from across the UK to provide independent insight into the veteran community and potential opportunities to improve support.

    Notes to editors

    • The Veterans’ Strategy Update can be found here.
    • The latest Veterans Advisory Board members list can be found here:
      • David Richmond CBE
      • Susanna Hamilton
      • James Phillips
      • Danny Kinahan
      • Sir Nick Pope KCB CBE
      • Prof Beverly Bergman OBE
      • Nicky Murdoch MBE
      • Louisa Clarke
      • Lee Buss-Blair
      • Leon Lloyd
      • Paul Findlay MBE
  • PRESS RELEASE : Government commits to further £2 billion of property savings

    PRESS RELEASE : Government commits to further £2 billion of property savings

    The statement made by the Cabinet Office on 31 August 2022.

    • New Government Property Strategy to realise savings by selling off property and making buildings more efficient
    • Momentum builds for civil service relocation programme, with 7,000 roles moved already from London
    • Key commitment to invest more in regenerating derelict public land

    More than £2 billion in savings will be realised from property sales and efficiencies, Minister Jacob Rees-Mogg has announced.

    The savings are part of the new Government Property Strategy, which has been published today (31 August).

    As part of the plans, the government will sell £1.5 billion of property assets over the next three years as projects such as the Government Hubs programme sees government staff consolidated into fewer buildings. £500 million of savings will also be made by reducing operating costs, using modern building materials and energy sources, and cutting spend on leases.

    Minister for Brexit Opportunities and Government Efficiency Jacob Rees-Mogg said:

    “We are cutting the cost of the public estate so that we can return money to the taxpayer.

    All spending on government property needs to be justified.

    This will also help us deliver the Places for Growth programme, which will allow greater savings and mean the government is closer to the communities it serves.”

    The new strategy will accelerate the Places for Growth programme, which is moving 22,000 civil service roles out of London by 2030. The scheme has already relocated 7,000 jobs out of the capital, including 1,389 moved to Yorkshire & the Humber – the most of any UK region.

    The Home Office, Ministry of Justice and Department for Health and Social Care have moved more than 500 roles to Leeds while the Department for Education and Home Office contribute to around 250 Civil Service roles now based in Sheffield.

    Other areas have also benefited from the programme, with more than 1,000 government jobs newly based in the North West and 550 moved to the North East.

    The strategy also pledges to invest £300 million in grant funding, helping to unlock smaller, brownfield sites across England for housing through the One Public Estate (OPE) programme.

    OPE, which is delivered in partnership with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and the Local Government Association, and has seen numerous success stories, including in Waltham Forest where the site of an old Library is being regenerated so it can be used to build 67 new homes and a central Family & Homes Hub. West Suffolk has also benefited through the ground-breaking Mildenhall Hub, which has brought education, health, employment, culture and leisure services together working collaboratively under one roof, right in the heart of the community.

    The government estate is made up of hundreds of thousands of assets, from prisons and courts, to schools and museums, hospitals and health surgeries, job centres, military bases, administrative offices, and many more, spread all around the UK.

    It will also ensure the Government estate supports delivery of the 25 Year Environment Plan and the Greening Government Commitments. Progress has already been made in this area with emissions from the government estate having fallen 57% since 2009.

    The strategy outlines other successes which have already been delivered. These include reducing water consumption by 14%, and reducing the overall waste products from departments by 51%.

  • PRESS RELEASE : COP26 President to attend the G20 Climate and Environment Ministerial in Indonesia

    PRESS RELEASE : COP26 President to attend the G20 Climate and Environment Ministerial in Indonesia

    The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 30 August 2022.

    • The COP26 President will lead the UK delegation at the G20 Climate and Environment Ministerial in Bali
    • Mr Sharma will continue to urge G20 countries to honour their commitments and revisit their 2030 emission reduction targets this year
    • He will also meet key Indonesian ministers as the UK Presidency continues to progress implementation of the Glasgow Climate Pact

    COP26 President Alok Sharma will travel to Bali from 30 August-1 September to lead the UK delegation attending the G20. The visit is a critical opportunity to engage with G20 Climate Ministers to maintain momentum and drive action on climate, environment and biodiversity ahead of COP27.

    He will use the climate sessions to lobby G20 countries to move faster to limit global temperature increase to below 1.5 degrees. The COP26 President will push for climate action through emission reductions this decade, noting that accelerating energy transitions and building net zero green sectors is crucial to long-term economic security and sustainable development.

    Mr Sharma will continue to reiterate that current global crises relating to Vladimir Putin’s illegal, unprovoked and barbaric invasion of Ukraine and rises in the cost of living should increase G20 countries’ determination to accelerate the shift to renewables and deliver on the Glasgow Climate Pact.

    Alok Sharma, COP26 President said:

    “The current energy crisis has demonstrated the vulnerability of countries relying on fossil fuels controlled by hostile actors.

    If Countries don’t want the risk of being held to ransom they should do all they can to achieve domestic energy security as fast as possible.

    Climate security has become synonymous with energy security and the chronic threat of climate change is not going away.”

    He added: “Some Countries have already come forward with great ambition but the science clearly shows our window to act is closing rapidly. Now is the time for the G20 to step up and deliver on the commitments made in the Glasgow Climate Pact.”

    The COP President will also meet with Indonesian Ministers to welcome the country’s ongoing work to enhance its climate ambitions, encourage them to submit a 1.5C aligned Nationally Determined Contribution as soon as possible, and to place climate action and energy transition as a central aspect of their G20 Presidency.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Government re-affirms city status of Gibraltar

    PRESS RELEASE : Government re-affirms city status of Gibraltar

    The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 29 August 2022.

    A full, up-to-date list of cities in the United Kingdom, its Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories has been published.

    The UK Government will today (Monday 29 August) re-affirm the city status of Gibraltar, as granted by Queen Victoria, confirming its special status in the Realms of Her Majesty the Queen and the family of the United Kingdom, the Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories.

    The Government has undertaken detailed research in the National Archives and established that the City of Gibraltar was granted city status by Queen Victoria in 1842 but was omitted from the list of recognised cities. A newly-published record of 81 recognised cities confirms its place among the official list.

    This status is testament to the close relationship between Gibraltar and the United Kingdom, 99% of Gibraltarians reaffirmed their commitment to British sovereignty in a referendum of 2002.

    Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:

    “It is excellent to see official recognition given to the City of Gibraltar, a huge accolade to its rich history and dynamism.

    This official recognition re-affirms Gibraltar’s special status in the Realms of Her Majesty, and rightly signifies the pride that Gibraltarians feel for their community and their distinctive heritage.”

    Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Kit Malthouse said:

    “The cities in this list are incredibly rich with history and culture, and the local people of those areas are rightly very proud to see their city’s significance put to paper.

    I’m hopeful people based in these places, particularly the new cities, can reap the benefits of their home’s increased global standing and that it will attract more inward investment for local businesses.”

    In the year of the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, the updated list is being published following the award of eight new grants of city status earlier this year and the award to Southend-on-Sea in honour of Sir David Amess MP.

    The full list of recognised cities from the Overseas Territories include Hamilton (Bermuda), Jamestown (Saint Helena) and Stanley (Falkland Islands) which was awarded the status as part of the Platinum Jubilee competition.

    The publication will also highlight those cities which have received the honour of Lord Mayoralty or Lord Provostship.

    Notes to editors

    Gibraltar has been British in perpetuity under the Treaty of Utrecht of 1713. When the City of Gibraltar was awarded city status in 1842, it was awarded under Diocesan Letters Patent and not under the normal City Status Letters Patent.  Therefore the City of Gibraltar never ended up on the Home Office’s official list of recognised cities.

    The UK Government would like to thank Bluemantle Pursuivant for his assistance in bring this matter to its attention.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Alok Sharma, COP26 President, returns to Viet Nam to drive progress on a clean energy transition ahead of COP27

    PRESS RELEASE : Alok Sharma, COP26 President, returns to Viet Nam to drive progress on a clean energy transition ahead of COP27

    The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 27 August 2022.

    • The COP President will meet with senior ministers and key stakeholders to progress discussions on a Viet Nam Just Energy Transition Partnership
    • He will also visit the Mekong River Delta to observe the impact of river bank erosion and sea-level rise and meet with local communities impacted by climate change
    • Ahead of attending G20 ministerial meetings in Bali, the COP President will reiterate the urgent need for updated climate commitments from countries before COP27

    COP26 President Alok Sharma will travel to Viet Nam from 27-30 August 2022, to meet with key ministers to drive forward discussions on a Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) and to see the impacts of climate change in the country.

    The Viet Nam Just Energy Transition Partnership will be a long term political agreement between the Government of Viet Nam and an International Partner Group (IPG) of countries, comprising the United Kingdom, European Union, France, Germany, Japan, and the United States of America. .

    This country-led partnership will support Viet Nam to accelerate its transition away from coal as part of the country’s commitment to its 2050 net zero target and their ambitious Power Development Plan (PDP8). The Partnership will be underpinned by clear plans to deliver a just energy transition and catalyse clean energy investment, offering Viet Nam the opportunity to become a world leader in renewable energy.

    The COP26 President will also meet with G7 and development partner donors, as well as businesses and private sector stakeholders, to help drive public and private sector engagement and mobilisation of finance as part of the process.

    He will join a roundtable with civil society organisations, to hear their views and insights on progress since COP26, the proposed Just Energy Transition Partnership, and the opportunities and challenges presented by Viet Nam’s low carbon energy transition.

    On his third visit to the country as COP President, Mr Sharma will continue the work of the UK COP Presidency in pressing for updated climate commitments from all countries ahead of COP27 as agreed in the Glasgow Climate Pact. Mr Sharma will urge Viet Nam to bring forward a revised 2030 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), aligned with its 2050 net zero target.

    Mr Sharma will also visit Can Tho in the Mekong River Delta – accompanied by researchers from Can Tho University and Dragon-Mekong Research Institute – to observe the impact of river bank erosion and sea level rise on vulnerable areas. Mr Sharma will hear first-hand accounts from local communities benefiting from a project on urban resilience against flooding and climate change impact.

    Alok Sharma, COP26 President, said:

    “Urgent action is needed to limit global temperature increase to 1.5 degrees and help build prosperous, low-carbon, resilient communities across the planet.

    The proposed Just Energy Transition Partnership provides an excellent opportunity for Viet Nam to accelerate its transition away from coal in delivery of its 2050 net zero target. I am pleased to be back in Viet Nam to engage with government ministers, public sector bodies, business leaders, local communities, and civil society to discuss ways we can work together for effective climate action.

    A clean, just energy transition not only delivers enhanced climate action, it will help create new jobs, economic growth, clean air and a resilient, prosperous future.”

    After his visit to Viet Nam, the COP President will travel to Indonesia to attend the G20 Climate and Environment Ministerial meeting in Bali.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Infected Blood victims to receive £100,000 interim compensation payment

    PRESS RELEASE : Infected Blood victims to receive £100,000 interim compensation payment

    The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 17 August 2022.

    Thousands of victims of the infected blood scandal will each receive an interim compensation payment of £100,000, the Government has announced today (17 August).

    The Government intends to make payments to those who have been infected and bereaved partners in England by the end of October. The same payments will be made in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

    The commitment to pay interim compensation meets, in full, the recommendations set out by inquiry chairman Sir Brian Langstaff in his interim report last month. That report built on the study by Sir Robert Francis QC in his detailed consideration of the issues. Details were announced by Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Kit Malthouse today.

    The intention is that payments will be tax-free and will not affect any financial benefits support an individual is receiving. Infected individuals and bereaved partners who are registered with any of the four UK infected blood support schemes will receive payment. Advice to those people on how exactly the interim payment will be made will be outlined to them shortly.

    Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:

    “While nothing can make up for the pain and suffering endured by those affected by this tragic injustice, we are taking action to do right by victims and those who have tragically lost their partners by making sure they receive these interim payments as quickly as possible.

    We will continue to stand by all those impacted by this horrific tragedy, and I want to personally pay tribute to all those who have so determinedly fought for justice.”

    Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Kit Malthouse said:

    “Those affected by the infected blood scandal have suffered terribly over many years and that heart-breaking and unimaginable pain has been compounded by the financial uncertainty many have faced.

    These interim payments will start the process of securing that certainty. My priority is to get the money to those people as quickly as possible.

    I am grateful to Sir Brian Langstaff for the work he has done to date on the inquiry, and Sir Robert Francis, for his work on compensation. Of course, no amount of money will compensate for the turmoil victims and their loved ones have faced, but I hope these payments help to show that we are on their side and will do everything in our power to support them.”

    Health and Social Care Secretary, Steve Barclay, said:

    “The infected blood scandal should never have happened. In accepting Sir Brian Langstaff’s recommendations, today we are taking an important step in righting this historic wrong for the thousands of people infected and bereaved partners left behind.

    Building on the ongoing support we are providing through the England Infected Blood Scheme, these new interim payments of £100,000 will ensure those impacted across the whole country by this injustice can access the compensation they need, right now.

    I’m grateful to those who have campaigned extensively in support of these changes – we have listened and work is underway to ensure those impacted by this tragedy receive the support they rightly deserve.”

    In England, the intention is to make payments by the end of October.

    The Government has updated Sir Brian Langstaff that his recommendations have been accepted.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Minister announces new measures to bolster UK’s resilience

    PRESS RELEASE : Minister announces new measures to bolster UK’s resilience

    The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 16 August 2022.

    Lead Minister for Resilience and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Kit Malthouse MP, announced new measures to bolster the UK’s resilience on a visit to the Met Office yesterday (Monday 15 August).

    Minister Malthouse visited the Met Office, based in Exeter, to see how their forecasting expertise feeds into government planning to tackle severe weather and how the agency worked closely with Government and other partners to give people plenty of warning and advice about staying safe in the recent extreme heat.

    The Minister announced the launch of a new public emergency text alert system for the UK, as well as changes to the Civil Contingencies Secretariat – the Cabinet Office’s emergency planning and response team.

    Speaking in the Operations Centre of the Met Office, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Kit Malthouse MP, said:

    “To make sure that government continues to offer the best possible prevention and protection against threats, we are shaking up how we prepare for and respond to emergencies, strengthening the effective resilience capability we already have in place.

    We will launch a new public emergency alerts system in the Autumn which will focus on extreme weather, revolutionising our ability to ‘warn and inform’ people who are in significant and immediate danger. These alerts will be sent direct to people’s mobiles giving details of the emergency – such as local flooding – explaining what to do and how to seek help.

    Our vital COBR unit – which leads the government’s response to acute domestic and international emergencies – will be bolstered by a dedicated team helping to future-proof us from harm. This National Resilience Framework Team will take a deeper look at our approach to risk and how we mitigate it and help us take huge leaps forward in terms of collecting, analysing and using live data.”

    Ian Cameron, Director of Markets at the Met Office, commented:

    “The right messaging helps people take action to stay safe. It is clear that we are seeing an increase in the number of extreme weather events in the UK and overseas. Just this summer we have seen temperatures in the UK exceed 40C for the first time on record, followed closely by the heatwave which ended earlier this week. Communicating effectively is imperative so we can warn and alert people, ensuring they are aware and have more time to take action and look after themselves, their friends and family.”

    Minister Malthouse spoke with a range of staff in the Met Office to learn more about their work, from the Meteorologists who lead on weather forecasts, to the Space Weather Operations team who are part of just one of three space weather prediction centres in the world, monitoring potentially disruptive solar activity for government and industry.

    The emergency alerts system, which will focus on events like extreme weather and warning the public where there is a risk to life, will be launched in the autumn following a public awareness campaign. The free message will give details of the emergency – local flooding or wildfires, for example – what to do and how to seek help, and will relay urgent messages to over 85% of mobile phones in areas affected.

    Changes to the Civil Contingencies Secretariat – the Cabinet Office’s emergency planning and response team – will see a COBR Unit continuing to lead the government’s response to acute emergencies, and work on longer term planning being driven forward by a separate team dedicated to strengthening the UK’s underlying resilience. This National Resilience Framework Team in the Planning and Analysis Secretariat will take a deeper look at the government’s approach to risk and how it is mitigated as well as collecting and analysing live data to improve future responses to emergencies.