Tag: Foreign Office

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 June 2023.

Both of the available fields: Climate Change/Sustainability and Heritage/Museum studies are highly relevant to Pakistan given last year’s devastating floods, linked to climate change, which left 10% of the country submerged, affecting 33 million people. The floods also adversely affected the country’s rich cultural heritage, with damage inflicted on the UNESCO heritage site of Moenjodaro, the Amri site museum and the Sehwan folk and craft museum amongst others. As the UK supports Pakistan in its flood reconstruction efforts, this new scholarship pathway will offer long term capacity building support.

At the signing ceremony, Development Director at the British High Commission Islamabad, Jo Moir, said:

Congratulations to the Chevening Scholarships programme and the University of Essex for signing the Memorandum of Understanding. This partnership is a unique opportunity for mid-career professionals working on Climate Change and Sustainability, and Heritage and Museum Studies, to pursue their master’s degrees at Essex University. Chevening represents the very best of the UK-Pakistan partnership. It is a transformative experience, not just for the individual, but also for Pakistan, as scholars return and use the benefit of their UK experience to make a positive difference in their chosen field.

Whilst Professor David O’Mahony, Dean for Partnerships at the University of Essex, said:

The University of Essex has a long history of welcoming talented students from Pakistan to study, research, and grow within the vibrant international community at our University. We also have a long and proud tradition of welcoming talented students from around the world through the Chevening Scholarship scheme, and therefore the University of Essex is delighted to be the first UK University to offer Chevening Partnership Scholarships for Pakistan.

To coincide with the signing of the Chevening-Essex MOU, we are inviting applications for postgraduate Master’s scholarships covering one of two fields: Heritage & Museums Studies or Climate Change/Sustainability.

We have an international reputation in these areas and have just been ranked 56th in the world in the Times Higher Education Global Impact Rankings which highlight the leading universities for promoting the UN Sustainability Development Goals”.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 June 2023.

The British High Commission and British Council hosted a special event in Delhi on 11 June to mark Pride Month and celebrate the LGBT+ community around the world.

The evening’s celebration at the British Council Delhi included grassroots champions in India, such as InsideOut Delhi and the Humsafar Trust, members of the LGBT+ community in the city, and supporters from all walks of life. The event featured an art exhibition by celebrated British queer artist Howard Hodgkin, who worked with renowned Indian architect Charles Correa to design the iconic black and white mural that adorns the front of the British Council building.

Similar events are being organised across the UK in India network in the month of June including receptions planned at Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Chennai, and Jodhpur. The UK is committed to championing LGBT+ rights around the world and to ensuring everyone, everywhere is protected against discrimination.

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

I feel extremely proud to join so many likeminded people from across this wonderful city in celebrating the LGBT+ community. The UK believes that everyone, everywhere should be free to love whom they love and express themselves openly without fear of facing discrimination. Today, we celebrate love and pay tribute to everyone working to ensure full, equal, meaningful participation for all, across all walks of life.

Michael Houlgate, Deputy Director, British Council India, said:

The British Council believes in the importance of diversity and inclusion. Our commitment is reflected in our celebration of Pride Month and through our work in English, education, and the arts. We are committed to creating empowering platforms for the LGBTQIA+ community to express themselves authentically and stand together in support of love and equality.

Background

• the UK champions and supports grassroots LGBT+ organisations and human rights defenders globally through targeted programmes and direct engagement
• the UK has engaged in long-standing international collaborations on LGBT+ rights, including as co-chairs of the Equal Rights Coalition (ERC) and European LGBTI Focal Points Network (EFPN) in 2019
• the British High Commission New Delhi is proud to be a long-standing supporter of the Humsafar Trust in India. The UK also works to create links between British and Indian institutions and legislators to share best-practices, including improving workplace inclusion for LGBT+ employees
• in 2020, we flew the Pride Flag in Delhi for the first time and will continue to fly it each year to mark IDAHOBIT (International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia) as we did on 17 May this year

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 12 June 2023.

International Development Minister Andrew Mitchell is in India for the G20 and to announce new climate and tech partnerships.

• announcement of new climate and tech partnerships to benefit all by tackling global challenges, as Development Minister Andrew Mitchell attends the G20 Development Ministerial Meeting in Varanasi today (Monday)
• he will join India and G20 partners in calling for reinvigorated efforts to to meet the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals
• the new UK support includes funding for a tech start-up focussed on sustainable agriculture, including through growing vegetables in an environmentally-friendly way

International Development Minister Andrew Mitchell is in India for the G20 starting today (Monday) – and to boost UK-India cooperation on development including through climate and tech partnerships.

He will reinforce at the gathering in Varanasi how the UK’s partnerships and investments are having a multiplier effect in tackling the biggest shared challenges of today – including climate change, poverty and food insecurity.

The G20 Development Ministerial meeting in Varanasi is laying the groundwork to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals ahead of the G20 Leader’s Summit in New Delhi this September.

At the G20, the UK emphasised the need to redouble global efforts to tackle the climate crisis and shocks facing the most vulnerable countries demonstrating our position as a development leader set out earlier this year.

New UK programmes announced in India include an investment of £10 million in Avaana Fund, a women-led climate-tech fund which supports innovative businesses to develop solutions to climate change and create jobs for women in sectors such as clean energy, energy storage and agriculture.

An investment of £12 million from the UK government-supported Neev II fund will go to Nutrifresh, an Agri-Tech start-up enterprise focused on making agriculture more sustainable by growing vegetables in an environmentally friendly way.

Yesterday (Sunday), Minister Mitchell visited the Chakr Innovation research lab in Delhi, which is developing cutting-edge tech to tackle climate challenges.

The UK-supported lab is now developing innovative batteries for e-vehicles which do not need charging infrastructure and are fully recyclable, providing a cleaner and safer alternative to older lithium tech. The lab has previously developed devices that capture pollution-causing emissions and convert it to pigment for black inks and paints.

Targeted investments like these play a central role in tackling climate change and supporting sustainable development. They improve access to clean energy, create jobs and boost economic growth, all of which are vital to ending poverty.

UK Minister for Development Andrew Mitchell said:

We commend India for putting development and the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable at the heart of its G20 Presidency. The UK is committed to working with G20 partners to tackle the climate crisis and reduce poverty.

The UK’s new investments in India will deepen our collaboration, underlining the UK’s focus on mutually beneficial partnerships. Make no mistake: these investments benefit the British taxpayer while delivering world-changing solutions. I am proud that the UK is supporting such visionary and innovative endeavours that are needed to achieve development progress across the globe.

The investments will strengthen the UK’s trading relationship in the region and help drive growth – one of the government’s five priorities

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

The investments highlight the UK’s commitment to delivering the 2030 Roadmap – a partnership that delivers for both our countries.

As set out in the UK’s International Development Strategy, we are focused on delivering clean and green infrastructure and creating opportunities for women and girls.

Further Information

• Minister Andrew Mitchell’s 2-day (11 to 12 June) visit to India will include engagements in Delhi and Varanasi
• the 2030 Roadmap for India-UK future relations was launched in 2021. Since then, significant progress has been made, including on health collaboration, advancing the transition to clean energy, cyber-security cooperation and the expansion of our defence and security partnership
• the UK’s development finance institution and impact investor British International Investment helps to solve the biggest global development challenges by investing flexible capital to support private sector growth and innovation.  British Investment Partnership work with India towards green transition, investing in sustainable agriculture, reducing the pressure on natural resources and creating new jobs
• The Neev II fund invests in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that focus on limiting and increasing resilience to climate and environmental changes and are aiding India in meeting its carbon emissions reduction targets by 2030

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 12 June 2023.

His Majesty’s Ambassador to Libya Caroline Hurndall gave a speech at The King’s Birthday Party in Tripoli, Libya, on 11 June 2023.

Your Excellencies, distinguished guests and colleagues, ladies and gentlemen.

Thank you all for attending our King’s Birthday Party this evening – the first we have held to mark the official birthday of His Majesty King Charles III. And a special thank you to our sponsors: The Al-Sahl Holding Group, Gazelle Express Services, The Libya Cons tech group, and the British Arab Commercial Bank. Whose kind sponsorship has made this event possible.

We are gathered today to celebrate an historic occasion. On the 6th of May 2023, His Majesty the King was crowned, the first British monarch to be crowned in 70 years.

I was delighted that His Excellency Dr Almnefi represented Libya at the Coronation in a demonstration of the friendship between our 2 countries.

Something you may not know is that the King has visited Libyan shores! In 1954, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth made her second-ever state visit, to Tobruk. His Majesty the King, along with his sister Princess Anne, came to meet Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth on board the Royal Yacht Britannia at Tobruk!

Throughout his life, His Majesty has supported a wide variety of causes relating to the environment, rural communities, the arts, healthcare and education.

His Coronation ceremony celebrated the issues most important to him: youth, community, diversity, and sustainability.

I am pleased to do the same here tonight, with a display of artwork by Libyan artists. The pictures celebrate Libya’s beautiful landscape and rich diversity and communities. Do take a moment to have a look at them this evening.

Indeed, as I reflect on nearly 2 years as the British Ambassador to Libya, one of the things I have most enjoyed is meeting Libyans from different communities around the country.

I have been privileged to visit many different areas, from Tripoli to Misrata, to Sirte, to Benghazi, to Tobruk. And to see the rich jewels of Libya’s history, including Leptis Magna and Cyrene.

I am proud that, since we formally re-opened the embassy 1 year ago, the UK and Libya have continued to strengthen our cooperation, touching the lives of Libyans across the whole country. This includes:

• UK-Libyan bilateral trade in goods and services has reached £1.5 billion. We welcomed the first business delegation since 2014, as well as the launch of the first UK Trade Organisation to be based in Libya
• UK-funded projects have cleared 8000 explosive remnants of war across Libya since 2021
• 175 English teachers benefited from British Council programmes to train teachers of English, reaching approximately 18,000 students across Libya
• 17 Libyan scholars studied in the UK last year, with their studies fully funded by the Chevening scholarship
• the UK provided £12 million for Libya through the Education Cannot Wait programme, working with UNICEF, to support children impacted by conflict and instability to access basic education
• and we welcomed the British ship HMS Albion, strengthening cooperation with the Libyan Navy and Military Medical Corps

I am excited by the possibilities for the relationship between UK and Libya to strengthen and grow.

Of course, our partnership will flourish best amidst political and economic stability and security. That requires Libya’s leaders to come together to pursue compromise and cooperation and deliver on the democratic aspirations of the Libyan people.

I would like to take this opportunity to invite Libya’s leaders to be inspired, as I am, by King Charles who on the occasion of his Coronation, rededicated his life to the service of the people of his country. I hope they find themselves able to follow his example, and make the choices and compromises needed to put their people first.

Finally, thank you again for joining us this evening to celebrate both the King’s coronation, and his official birthday. Please would you join me in raising a glass to His Majesty King Charles III

Your Excellences, Ladies and Gentlemen. The King.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 12 June 2023.

Steven Boon has been made Freeman of the City of London at the Guild Hall — the First Bahamian to ever receive this honour.

The British High Commission’s Wine and Spirits Advisor, Steven Boon from New Providence, was given a rare honour on Tuesday 6 June, when he was made a Freeman of the City of London. Steven was recognised by his industry peers for making an international contribution to the industry. The ceremony took place in private at the British Residence in Nassau, with the British High Commissioner officiating on behalf of the Guild Hall in London.

Steve Boon is recognised for his contributions to the Wine and Spirits industry. He is the youngest Bahamian to qualify as a wine and spirits lecturer with WSET, the only Bahamian to be the representative of the Court of Master Sommeliers in The Bahamas, and the only Bahamian to be a liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Distillers, founded in 1637 (There are only 460 liverymen).

In 2022 Steven Boon was appointed as the British High Commissioner’s Wine and Spirits Advisor to help the UK with the promotion, distribution, and education surrounding British spirits in The Bahamas. He is working on a number of high profile events for 2023, including at the International Food Festival and involving high quality training of industry staff, and is supporting three Bahamian rum companies wanting to become the first Bahamian rum distributed in the UK.

British High Commissioner ,Thomas Hartley, said:

I am incredibly proud of Steven Boon. Ever since he joined my team he has been such a force for good in supporting Bahamian exporters and importers in the wine and spirits industry.

And this recognition – a rare honour even within the UK – rightly recognises Steven as the most qualified drinker in The Bahamas! Our huge congratulations, and thank you for helping bring Britain and Bahamas closer together.

Background on the Freedom of the City of London at the Guild Hall

The ‘Freedom’ dates back to the 13th Century, and is granted as a recognition of the prominence and influence of the individual in their trade. Known as Liverymen or Liverywomen, it has historically been used to recognise those in the private sector who are at the top of their industry and who have freedom from being under the jurisdiction of a feudal Lord.

In the Middle Ages, this developed into a freedom or right to trade, becoming closely linked to the medieval guilds – the livery companies. In 1835 eligibility for the freedom of the City was extended to anyone who lived in, worked in or had a strong connection to the City. The freedom that citizens enjoy has long associations with privileges in the governance of the City in the past, has given them privileges in London such as the right to drive sheep across Southwark Bridge.

In modern times, the Lord Mayor of London must be elected from amongst this group of Liverymen. There is a long-standing tradition of the City admitting women to the freedom. Although they are now usually called freemen as well, historically the term was free sisters. The most recent recipient of the honour is England International and Tottenham Hotspur football clubs Harry Kane.

Background on Steven Boon

• President, Wine & Spirit Guys , the leading strategic wine and spirit consultancy in the Bahamas ,100% Bahamian owned, Wine & Spirit Adviser to BHC and leading hospitality resorts.
• Consultant to Bollinger Champagne for over 20 years
• 40 years in the wine & spirit industry in the Bahamas and internationally
• Youngest Bahamian to qualify as a wine & spirit lecturer with WSET aged 21
• 1st/Only Bahamian to be the representative of Court of Master Sommeliers in the Bahamas
• 1st/Only Bahamian to be a liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Distillers , founded in 1637.(There are only 460 liverymen)
• 1st/Only Bahamian to be made a Freeman of The City of London-in connection with the wine & spirit industry

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 June 2023.

MORE than 25,000 people with health conditions will be helped to start and stay in work thanks to over £58m in new government funding.

• New funding to support over 25,000 people in England with health issues find and stay in work
• 12 areas across 41 local authorities in England to benefit from additional employment support
• Funding marks first step in delivery of Universal Support and key part of efforts to reduce economic inactivity and grow the economy

The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Mel Stride MP, today (11 June) confirmed the expansion of a programme which provides employment support to people with mild to moderate mental or physical health conditions who are out of work or need support to stay in work.

Recognising employment as an important driver of health and wellbeing, participants are referred to the service by healthcare professionals such as GPs and practice nurses, and employment support and advice are integrated with their normal health treatment.

As well as unlocking people’s potential and supporting them into a fulfilling career, a successful workforce will help deliver on Government’s priorities to halve inflation and grow the economy.

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Mel Stride MP said:

“We know that work has a positive impact on people’s health and wellbeing and this pioneering programme will help thousands more people reap the benefits of fulfilling employment with the right help.

“This is a significant milestone in our commitment to invest in employment support for people with health conditions. Through the reforms we set out earlier this year, we will continue to provide even more inclusive employment opportunities across the country as part of our efforts to unlock people’s potential and grow the economy.”

The first phase of the Individual Placement and Support in Primary Care (IPSPC) programme, launched in April 2023, providing on-the-job “place and train” employment support and advice to 12,700 people across South Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, West London, Norfolk, Cheshire West and Chester, and West Midlands, at a cost of £27.9 million.

We are now expanding IPSPC to support up to a further 12,900 people in Enfield, Essex, Newham, Nottingham, Slough and Surrey who are set to benefit from an additional £31 million joint investment from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).

This is part of the first phase of the DWP’s Universal Support employment programme, announced in the Spring Budget.

Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, Tom Pursglove MP said:

“In our Health and Disability White Paper we highlighted the importance of employment support for disabled people and people with health conditions, so it is absolutely right to expand the proven successful model of supported employment further.

“I’m delighted that we’re already seeing this approach boost participants’ employment prospects, wellbeing, self-confidence, and motivation to return to work.

“What we learn from supporting people through IPSPC will pave the way to Universal Support, which, when fully rolled out will offer people personalised support to help them flourish in work.”

Health Minister, Maria Caulfield, said:

“This expanded funding is a vital part of our drive to support disabled people and those with health conditions who deserve to live independently. This also includes our £573 million annual Disabled Facilities Grant, which funds housing modifications such as grab rails and ramps to improve independent living at home.

“We are also inviting views on how the government can better diagnose and support those with major health conditions such as cardiovascular diseases or mental ill-health, which will inform our Major Conditions Strategy later this year.”

Andrew Beardsall, Associate Director of Primary Care at NHS Bassetlaw Place, Nottinghamshire Integrated Care Board, said:

“The expansion of IPSPC is great for patients and for primary care professionals.

“GPs often report that in trying to deal with patients physical and mental health issues they are often only treating a small part of their patients’ overall problems, which cannot be tackled in isolation.

“IPSPC offers the chance to break the spiral between ill health, employment and quality of life. It is simply a good idea and warmly welcomed”

It is estimated the programme will help over 25,000 people secure or retain employment by March 2025 by offering them personalised employment support and advice integrated with their normal health treatment.

Additional information

• IPSPC represents the first step in delivery of Universal Support, a supported employment programme which will support at least 50,000 disabled people and people with health conditions per year into sustained work from 2025/26, using the proven “place and train” employment model.
• Eligible people will be able to opt into Universal Support to receive up to 12 months of support, helping them to move quickly into suitable work and followed with wraparound support to help them to sustain that employment for the longer-term.
• IPSPC is an extension of the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) programme, another example of supported employment targeting people with more severe health conditions in secondary care settings, such as hospitals.
• The expansion of IPSPC follows evaluation research into IPS in South Yorkshire and the West Midlands, which found the IPS approach boosted participants’ employment prospects, wellbeing, self-confidence, and motivation to return to work.
• “Place and train” employment models like IPS and IPSPC see participants receive a job from the outset, learning as they go rather than having to train before being allowed to start employment.
• The first phase of IPSPC, which launched this year, will support around 12,700 people across six areas and 30 local authorities, South Yorkshire (Sheffield, Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham), Greater Manchester (Manchester City, Bolton, Bury, Tameside, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Trafford, Wigan), the West London Alliance (Ealing, Barnet, Brent, Hammersmith and Fulham, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow), Norfolk, Cheshire West and Chester, and West Midlands (Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall, Wolverhampton), at a cost of £27.9m,
• The expansion will cover a further 12,900 people across six more areas and 11 local authorities, Enfield, Essex, Newham (Newham, Hackney, Waltham Forest, Tower Hamlets), Nottingham (Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, Derby), Slough and Surrey.
• The majority of participants found the service boosted their confidence, job search capability, and motivation to return to work.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 10 June 2023.

The FCDO is to provide £16 million to address widespread needs in Ukraine, including to support people affected by the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam.

The UK has today (10 June) set out an additional £16 million in humanitarian support as Ukraine deals with the aftermath of flooding caused by the destruction of Nova Kakhova dam, which has affected 42,000 people in the Kherson area, and continuing Russian attacks.

This builds on our existing humanitarian support of £220 million which is allowing partners, such as the Ukraine Red Cross, to help evacuate civilians affected by the flooding.

Alongside this the UK-led Partnership Fund for a Resilient Ukraine has already delivered 2 specialist rescue boats, search and rescue equipment, and trauma medicine to Kherson to assist the ongoing rescue operations by the State Emergency Services.

The additional £16 million is given in recognition of mounting needs across Ukraine, including in the areas affected by the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam.

Funding will support aid organisations in the area who are currently assisting people affected by the flooding with rapid response equipment, shelter and essential supplies, as well as in areas affected by fighting and communities who have been displaced.

Beyond the immediate rescue efforts, this funding will help to respond to the ongoing impacts from flooding, including waterborne infectious diseases, loss of livelihoods and risks from landmines.

The funding will consist of £10 million of support to the Red Cross Movement, £5 million to OCHA and £1 million to IOM.

The UK is also providing a package of rescue boats, community water filters, water pumps and waders to help State Emergency Services of Ukraine responders deal with the ongoing impact of the flooding. Equipment is expected to start arriving in Ukraine by next week.

Today’s announcement comes as water levels in Kherson continue to rise, with flooding spreading to other towns along the Dnipro River. The UK has moved quickly to bolster its support to Ukraine as it deals with severe flooding from the dam, which is expected to last for weeks and leave many in need of food, water and basic supplies.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Secretary James Cleverly said:

Flooding from the destruction of Kakhovka dam is having an untold impact on over 32,000 people living in Kherson, and thousands more in the surrounding area.

The UK is leading the way in providing support to those desperately in need. Our funding is playing a vital role in helping Ukrainian services and aid organisations evacuate people and get help to those in need.

We will continue to stand by Ukraine in dealing with this terrible incident.

This aid package is part of the UK’s total support for Ukraine which so far totals £1.5 billion in economic and humanitarian support, which has paid for the delivery of more than 11 million medical items as well as food supplies, ambulances, shelter kits.

Earlier this week the Foreign Secretary visited Ukraine to highlight the UK’s unwavering support for Ukraine and its recovery. During his time there he met President Zelenskyy in Kyiv and discussed how best the UK will continue to support Ukraine against Russia’s aggression.

The UK is also set to host the Ukraine Recovery Conference later this month, which will bring together governments and industry leaders to develop a concerted multi-sector plan to help Ukraine to recover from Russia’s illegal invasion.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 June 2023.

Mr Robert Chatterton Dickson has been appointed Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the UK Mission to Afghanistan in succession to Mr Hugo Shorter.

Mr Robert Chatterton Dickson has been appointed Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the UK Mission to Afghanistan, currently based in Doha, in succession to Mr Hugo Shorter who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Mr Chatterton Dickson will take up his appointment during July 2023.

Curriculum vitae

Full name: Robert Chatterton Dickson

Married to: Teresa Albor

Children: Two

Stepchildren: Two

Place of Birth: Plymouth, UK

Date	Role
2019 to 2023	Dhaka, British High Commissioner
2018 to 2019	FCO, Additional Director, West Balkans Programme
2015 to 2018	Cabinet Office, Director, National Security Secretariat
2013 to 2015	Kabul, Deputy Ambassador and Chargé d’Affairesr
2010 to 2013	Chicago, HM Consul General
2007 to 2010	FCO, Head of Counter Terrorism Department
2004 to 2007	Skopje, HM Ambassador
2003 to 2004	FCO, Review of Travel Advice for the Foreign Secretary
2003	FCO, Iraq Policy Department, Deputy Director
2000 to 2003	FCO, Security Policy Department, Head of NATO Section
1997 to 2000	Washington, Press Officer then Private Secretary to HM Ambassador
1995 to 1996	FCO, United Nations Department, Head of Peacekeeping Section
1991 to 1994	Manila, Political and Press Officer
1990 to 1991	FCO, Security Policy Department, Nuclear Section, Desk Officer

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 June 2023.

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council meeting on the League of Arab States.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 June 2023.

New sanctions legislation allows the UK to target exports from Belarus funding the Lukashenko regime and crack down on Russia’s efforts to circumvent sanctions.

New sanctions legislation allowing the UK government to target exports from Belarus funding the Lukashenko regime and crack down on Russia’s efforts to circumvent sanctions, have been announced today (8 June 2023).

The measures also give the government grounds to prevent designated Belarusian media organisations from spreading propaganda in the UK, including over the internet, as the regime continues to actively facilitate Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and spread false narratives.

The Belarusian regime has permitted the use of its territory and airspace by Russia to conduct missile and drone strikes against Ukraine in addition to the provision of significant training and logistical support to Russian forces.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly says:

This new package ratchets up the economic pressure on Lukashenko and his regime which actively facilitates the Russian war effort and ignores Ukraine’s territorial integrity.

Our support for Ukraine will remain resolute for as long as it takes and the UK will not hesitate to introduce further measures against those who prop up Putin’s war.

The UK is banning the import of gold, cement, wood and rubber to the UK from Belarus, which are sources of revenue for the Lukashenko regime, building on measures introduced last July to ban the import and export of goods worth around £60 million from Belarus.

We are also blocking exports to Belarus from the UK of banknotes and machinery, alongside goods, technologies and materials that could be used to produce chemical and biological weapons.

Our online measures provide the government with the ability to prevent designated Belarusian media companies from spreading propaganda in the UK. That means social media companies and internet service providers will restrict access to the websites of sanctioned Belarusian media organisations, as is already the case for sanctioned Russian organisations.

We have also expanded the designation criteria for Belarus allowing the government to sanction a broader range of people who prop up the regime. This means we have the basis, where appropriate, to target close family members of those already sanctioned.

In addition, our measures in this package crack down on those circumventing sanctions given the close links between the Belarusian and Russian economies, applying measures to Belarus which we have already applied to Russia to close loopholes and address sanctions circumvention.

This includes through limiting the funds that Belarus is able to raise by further restricting Belarusian access to UK financial markets and preventing the import of goods such as gold which may have originated in Russia.

This also reflects the UK’s wider work bearing down on those who prop up Putin’s war in Ukraine, coming down hard on sanctions evaders; closing loopholes; and working with our international partners to undermine attempts to build global resilience to Western sanctions.

This latest package builds upon the significant sanctions against Belarus already in place, including last year banning the import and export of goods worth around £60 million for the regime’s active support of Putin’s war. That covers bans from Belarus to the UK on the export of oil refining goods, advanced technology components, luxury goods and imports to the UK of Belarusian iron and steel.

The UK has also targeted people and companies who have engaged in, supported or promoted the repression of fundamental human rights and freedoms in Belarus. That includes sanctioning more than 100 people and organisations, such as freezing the assets of major Belarusian state-owned enterprises which are significant sources of revenue and foreign currency for the Lukashenko regime.

The UK is resolute in condemning the brutal campaign by the regime against the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the Belarusian people – such as routinely subjecting citizens to inhumane and degrading treatment and hindering any form of opposition. With over 1,400 political prisoners in Belarus, the UK calls for their immediate and unconditional release.