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Tag: Press Release

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK Minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan travels to Australia for talks on the Indo-Pacific [November 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK Minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan travels to Australia for talks on the Indo-Pacific [November 2022]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 27 November 2022.

    Minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan will make her first visit in her new role to continue close UK-Australia cooperation and promote regional security and prosperity.

    The UK’s Indo-Pacific Minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan starts a visit in Australia today (Sunday 27 November – Canberra) in her first trip to the country in her new role, focused on joint efforts to promote peace and security in the region.

    The Minister will meet Minister for Foreign Affairs Senator Penny Wong, and Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Secretary Richard Marles, to discuss how the UK and Australia can deepen their defence and security partnerships to support a stable, prosperous Indo-Pacific.

    This includes progress on AUKUS, which will see Australia equipped with nuclear-powered, conventionally-armed submarines featuring world-leading UK technology. The initial 18-month scoping phase of the project is ongoing and expected to conclude by the spring. Beyond AUKUS, she will also discuss the two countries’ wider efforts to maintain stability and prosperity in the region, boosting bilateral trade opportunities, tackling climate change, and continued support for Ukraine.

    Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP, Minister of State for the Indo-Pacific, said:

    I’m pleased to be back in Australia for the second time this year to strengthen defence and security ties with one of our closest partners.

    Strong, ambitious partnerships with nations like Australia are at the core of our commitment to deepening our engagement with the Indo-Pacific and becoming the European nation with the broadest, most integrated presence in the region.

    Vicki Treadell, British High Commissioner to Australia said:

    I’m delighted to welcome back Anne Marie Trevelyan in her new role as the UK’s Minister for the Indo-Pacific to Australia. This visit affirms the UK’s ongoing commitment to Australia and the Indo-Pacific region, and follows on from a busy 18 months of UK engagement in the region, including the visit of the Carrier Strike Group, AUKUS agreement, our Prime Ministers meeting at the G20 in Bali and our forthcoming Free Trade Agreement.

    Trevelyan will also meet Senator Jenny McAllister, Assistant Minister for Climate Change, and Shadow Climate Change and Energy Minister Ted O’Brien.

    In addition to meetings with the federal government, she will also discuss UK priorities with key Australian parliamentarians, including members of the Defence and Trade, and Intelligence and Security committees.

    Her other engagements in Australia will include giving a speech at the Australian National Press Club on Monday 28th, and attending an event at the Australian National Security College on Thursday 29th, where she will record a podcast with Professor Rory Medcalf on the geopolitical challenges facing the Indo-Pacific.

    Trevelyan begins her visit in Brisbane, receiving a ‘Welcome to Country’, which honours the traditional owners of the land. The Minister will meet with representatives across government and civil society about the ongoing work that both state and federal governments are doing with First Nations communities across Australia.

    The Minister’s extensive programme of engagement with Australia – at a State and Federal level – reflects both the strength of the UK-Australia relationship and the importance of the Indo-Pacific to the UK, in the face of increasing regional geopolitical competition.

    Trevelyan’s visit to Australia is part of a wider nine-day trip to the Pacific, following a visit to Vanuatu earlier this week to attend the Conference of the Pacific Community and promote UK support for countries on the front line of climate change.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Gove claims Social housing tenants put at the heart of government reforms [November 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Gove claims Social housing tenants put at the heart of government reforms [November 2022]

    The press release issued by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 26 November 2022.

    Social housing tenants from across England will come together to make their voices heard and drive change, as the Government launches new resident-led panel.

    Over 250 tenants will meet today (26 November) to launch the group that will directly influence the government’s plans on improving social housing conditions and bringing about sector change.

    Members of the Social Housing Quality Residents will share their experiences with ministers, inform policy change and ensure resident voices are properly heard as the government drives forward its social housing reforms.

    The launch follows the Housing Secretary’s action, announced this week, against Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) after it failed to treat hazardous mould leading to the tragic death of Awaab Ishak.

    In a crackdown on poor standards, Michael Gove has stripped the housing association of new taxpayer funding for housing – until the Regulator of Social Housing has concluded its investigation and RBH can prove it is a responsible landlord.

    This serves as a warning to other housing providers, with Gove prepared to take robust action against those that are letting down tenants.

    Housing Secretary Michael Gove said:

    This government will not stand for any tenant being mistreated and we are acting to ensure they get the safe and decent homes they deserve.

    For too long, tenants have been denied a proper voice – this ends today. Our new residents panel will ensure that tenants are at the heart of reforms to social housing.

    I look forward to working with the panel to drastically raise the standard of social housing across the country.

    Housing Secretary Michael Gove and Minister for Social Housing Baroness Scott of Bybrook will attend the launch event to thank residents for their important contribution in the government’s work to improve social housing for tenants. Ahead of the launch, panel members from across the country have shared their views and hopes for the panel:

    Emma from East of England said:

    I would like to bring back the stronger relationships between tenants and their housing association.

    Quality of repairs has also become an issue, things being replaced for a lesser quality and the tenant is supposed to accept it in their home.

    Social landlords need to become more involved with their tenants and rebuild the fractured relationships.

    Roy from the East Midlands said:

    I have been an involved resident for nearly 12 years, and have worked tirelessly to improve the services provided by our landlord.

    It’s not always been easy and on many occasions it has been very frustrating. But we saw a chink of light with the publication of the Social Housing White Paper, as we might at least be able to make the services supplied by our landlord fit for purpose

    Abbey from the South East said:

    I am passionate about improving social housing.  I’m a scrutiny panel member and a block rep, but this initiative had the possibility to create change on a larger and less local scale. I would like to make sure that voice is heard.

    Karen from the South West said:

    I want to help improve the condition of social housing and also help remove the stigma attached to social housing.

    The panel forms part of the government’s commitment in the Social Housing White Paper to rebalance the relationship between tenants and landlords.

    Residents will shape the direction of the panel, with options to cover topics like how to raise awareness of the complaints process, or improving tenants’ access to information about their landlords.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Boost for UK fishing industry with funding for new infrastructure projects [November 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Boost for UK fishing industry with funding for new infrastructure projects [November 2022]

    The press release issued by the Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland on 25 November 2022.

    £20 million awarded to modernise and improve infrastructure across the seafood sector, with a further £30 million available from today.

    Funding to expand processing facilities for popular British fish like Scottish salmon, mackerel and herring are some of the projects which will modernise infrastructure across the UK seafood sector following a £20 million Government investment.

    Part of the £100 million UK Seafood Fund, the announcement comes as a further £30 million is being made available today (25 November 2022) for infrastructure projects as the latest round of funding opens for bidding.

    The UK Seafood Fund is a landmark government investment supporting the long-term future and sustainability of the UK fishing and seafood industry, with the infrastructure strand of the Fund helping to pay for upgrades to ports, processing and aquaculture facilities so they can meet future demand whilst also boosting jobs and economic growth.

    The infrastructure scheme also supports businesses to become more environmentally sustainable, with successful bidders in Round 1 investing in greener technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to more reusable materials.

    Successful bidders from the first round of infrastructure funding include:

    • Denholm Seafoods who with almost £3 million funding will install new equipment to increase production of mackerel and herring landed at Peterhead.
    • In the West Highlands, Mowi Scotland – an aquaculture processing facility for salmon – has been awarded £2 million funding to invest in new, modern equipment that will vastly speed up both the processing and despatch of their products.

    Fisheries Minister Mark Spencer said:

    Fishing communities are an important part of the UK’s heritage and they make a valuable contribution to our economy so we are backing them with funds to boost growth and opportunities across the industry.

    This funding will ensure seafood businesses throughout the supply chain are well-equipped to keep pace with increasing demand at home and abroad, boosting production and sustainability and building a resilient sector for the future.

    UK Government Minister for Scotland John Lamont said:

    It’s fantastic to see Scottish expertise securing a share of this multi-million pound UK Government funding. From substantially increasing the production of mackerel and herring in Peterhead, to speeding up the processing and sale of salmon from the West Highlands, the investment will boost innovation and sustainability.

    Scotland’s seafood, aquaculture and science sectors are world renowned. I look forward to continuing to work closely with them to ensure that this funding – and future allocations – helps deliver a sustainable and profitable future.

    Allan Stephen, Director at Denholm Seafoods, said:

    We are delighted with the support we have received from Defra, which from the outset has been highly productive. Securing the Defra grant will enable Denholm Seafoods to invest in our new freezing and production facilities which will maintain our high quality product.

    Scott Nolan, Mowi Scotland Operations Director Processing & Sales (UK and Ireland), said:

    The upgrade to our salmon processing plant in Fort William, Scotland, is vital to ensuring the UK remains competitive in a very global seafood market. The UK Seafood Fund Infrastructure Scheme comes at an important time, helping to safeguard and grow our domestic food supply as well as securing local jobs in rural communities.

    The UK has a thriving seafood sector with exports of salmon – one of the UK’s most important exports – worth around £600 million annually and other abundant fish stocks such as Cornish sardines in demand on the continent for their quality.

    For the second round of the UK Seafood Fund infrastructure scheme, which is worth £30 million and opens today, businesses will have until March 2025 to deliver their transformational projects meaning a wider range of organisations will be able to apply.

    Defra will also shortly announce successful applicants from the Fisheries Industry Science Partnerships (FISP) scheme, part of the UK Seafood Fund, which funds data collection and research to support sustainable fisheries management. The final FISP round will launch in December 2022.

  • PRESS RELEASE : COP27 Summit – Forests and Climate Leaders’ Event Summary [November 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : COP27 Summit – Forests and Climate Leaders’ Event Summary [November 2022]

    The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 25 November 2022.

    A summary of the Forest and Climate Leaders’ Event at COP27.

    Summary

    • The Forests and Climate Leaders’ Partnership was launched on behalf of a group of ambitious countries to drive delivery of the 2030 target to halt and reverse forest loss and land degradation by 2030.
    • 16 governments made statements on how they will work towards the 2030 goal. These included Colombia’s announcement of USD $200 million annually for the next two decades to save the Amazon, Kenya’s plans to restore 10.5 million hectares of degraded forests and rangelands, Ecuador’s plans to increase forested land by 1.4 million hectares by the end of 2023 and Germany’s increase of international climate finance for forests by €1 billion EUR.
    • Leaders demonstrated transparency to prior public finance commitments. The Global Forest Finance Pledge released a report outlining that USD $2.67 billion was contributed to forest-related programmes in developing countries in 2021, 22% of the 5-year commitment made at COP26.
    • Private sector leaders including SouthBridge Investments, &Green and Volkswagen made commitments to ensure their operations align with the 2030 goal to halt and reverse forest loss.

    At COP26, over 140 world leaders committed to “halt and reverse forest loss and land degradation by 2030 while delivering sustainable development and promoting an inclusive rural transformation” in the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Land Use (GLD). This was backed by a financial package of $19.2 billion from public donors, philanthropy and private investors.

    Demonstrating delivery on these commitments is crucial to meet the 2030 GLD ambition. At COP27, leaders from governments, companies, the finance sector, and Indigenous Peoples came together at the Forests and Climate Leaders’ Summit to focus on delivery, to share best practice and scale action aligned with the GLD. Headline announcements included:

    Political Leadership

    The Forests and Climate Leaders’ Partnership (FCLP) was launched at the Summit on behalf of 26 Governments and the European Commission who together represent a third of the world’s forests and nearly 60% of the world’s GDP. These leaders are committed to maintaining political focus on the objectives of the GLD, to inspiring and fostering ambition and positive action through providing annual high-level political platforms, to being accountable for delivery of pledges made, and to supporting each other and scaling action through collective initiatives. The FCLP will provide a space for governments to innovate, and problem solve together to drive progress towards the 2030 target, and to take stock of current progress. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, John Kerry announced that the FCLP will initially be co-chaired by the United States of America and Ghana.

    The Summit afforded the opportunity for government, business, civil society and Indigenous community leaders to set out how they are turning the GLD into practical action. This included 14 heads of state or government who spoke and a further 3 heads of delegation who represented their respective governments. For example, President Akufo-Addo of Ghana shared that Ghana’s Cocoa Forest Programme recorded its first emissions reductions which account for 972,456 tonnes of C02 equivalent and generated a result-based carbon payment of USD $4.8 million, and Ecuador announced that it will increase forested land by 1.4 million hectares by the end of 2023.

    Public Finance

    Delivery and Scaling

    At COP26,12 governments collectively committed USD $12 billion for international forests over 5 years through the Global Forest Finance Pledge. At the Summit, those governments collectively reported on progress (pdf, 287 KB). In calendar year 2021, USD $2.67 billion was contributed to forest-related programmes in developing countries. This equates to 22% of the original pledge and means that donors are on track to deliver by 2025. For example, the UK Prime Minister announced £65 million for the Climate Investment Fund’s “Nature, People and Climate” Programme (NPC). This funding will help to protect forests while supporting the livelihoods of the people who depend on them.

    In addition, governments demonstrated that public finance will be scaled to meet the 2030 target. Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro announced USD $200 million annually for the next two decades to save the Amazon, the world’s largest rainforest. Chancellor Scholz also announced that Germany will double its international climate finance for forests from €1 billion EUR to €2 billion EUR through to 2025.

    The Congo Basin

    The Congo Basin is the second largest rainforest in the world and is crucial for the supply of rainfall to the African continent. Heads of State from the Congo Basin addressed the Summit and emphasised their national ambition, their record of delivery and the need for greater support for the region, including:

    • President Ali Bongo reiterated Gabon’s intent to trade REDD+ credits as a means of increasing the value derived from their forests which cover 88% of the country.
    • President Sassou highlighted that the Republic of Congo has created 45,000 hectares of forest since 1970 and is aiming to create 1 million hectares of forest cover through its national programme of reforestation but needs international support to meet these commitments.
    • Prime Minister Lukonde highlighted the importance of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s’ forests and peatlands to global carbon sequestration efforts.

    At COP26, governments and philanthropy collectively pledged USD $1.5 billion to the Congo Basin over 5 years. At the Summit, they reported (pdf, 889 KB) that they had provided USD $508 million support for forests and people in the Congo Basin. The UK Prime Minister also announced delivery of support for forests through development of a new £90 million programme in the Congo Basin.

    In addition, Chancellor Scholz of Germany announced that the Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI) is seeking to mobilise private finance at scale through funding the design of a series of Forest Performance Bonds in Central Africa with the potential to secure co-investment from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) amongst others. The bond would invest in forest positive businesses across the region.

    Finally, the &Green fund announced that they are committing up to USD $10.6 million in addition to USD $32 million of CAFI funding to invest in sustainable agriculture in the Congo Basin.

    Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities

    At COP26, governments and philanthropies committed USD $1.7 billion through the Indigenous People and Local Communities Forest Tenure Pledge. At the Summit, the Prime Minister of Norway reported that USD $321 million of finance had been disbursed by donors in 2021 before leading a minute’s silence to pay respect to environmental defenders that had sacrificed their lives in order to protect us all. Representatives from the Global Alliance for Territorial Communities – Marleine Nguie and Levi Sucre – called for the importance of indigenous peoples to be reflected by increased action on the ground.

    Restoration in Africa

    At the One Planet Summit in April 2021, financial institutions committed USD $19.6 billion to restore degraded land and forests in Africa, primarily through the Great Green Wall (GGW) initiative. Alongside AFR100, the African Forest Landscape Restoration Initiative, GGW initiative is driving investment to restore over 100 million hectares of degraded in land in Africa by 2030. The conservation, management and restoration of land at this scale has the potential to sequester 3 GtCO2 equivalent.

    At the Summit, President Macron of France chaired a session on restoration in Africa, he announced that USD $2.57 billion of this commitment was spent in 2021, whilst President von der Leyen reported that the European Commission is on track to overdeliver on its promise to spend EUR 700 million to fund the Great Green Wall.

    President Suluhu of Tanzania outlined plans to plant 2 million trees every three years and called for assistance to ensure that Tanzania can benefit from carbon credits, whilst President Macky Sall of Senegal called on countries to help increase in-country capacity to grow trees and implement agroforestry practices.

    President Ruto announced Kenya’s tree growing programme will restore 10.5 million hectares of degraded forest and rangelands. The programme will grow 5 billion trees in the next 5 years and an additional 10 billion trees in the 5 years thereafter, generating 200,000 jobs in the process.

    The President of the African Development Bank (AFDB) Dr Akinwumi Adesina, the appointed champion of the Great Green Wall, outlined plans for a USD $20 billion investment in solar technology that will provide Great Green Wall communities with access to electricity and reduce their access on wood for fuel. He called on leaders to offer their support to the Climate Action Window, the concessional arm of the AFDB with an aim of raising USD $13 billion to restore land, deliver climate resilient technologies and secure access to water.

    Dr Frannie Léautier, CEO of Southbridge Investments, announced the development of a major new partnership, The African Forest Funds, with AFR100 and the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA). This fund will blend USD $500 million of concessional finance with USD $1.5 billion in private investment to support local restoration efforts across the continent.

    As part of its USD $2 billion commitment to landscape restoration and improving food systems made at COP26, the Bezos Earth Fund announced USD $50 million for locally led restoration aligned with AFR100. This new commitment will help restore parts of the Congo Basin and Great Rift Valley.

    Accelerating Private Finance for Forests

    Progress on COP26 commitments

    The Summit held a session on accelerating private finance for forests. Leaders announced progress on delivering against private finance commitments made at COP26:

    • The Lowering Emissions by Accelerating Forest Finance (LEAF) Coalition announced that it has increased the total amount of finance for the purchase of high-integrity emissions reductions credits to over USD $1.5 billion, of which USD $500 million is new and additional. This represents a 100% increase in financial commitments from the private sector since COP26 with Volkswagen Group and H&M Group the latest to make commitments.
    • Na Kyung-Won, Special Envoy for Climate for the Republic of Korea announced that Korea will join the LEAF Coalition and outlined its critical role in mobilising forest finance globally. In addition, Minister Manrique announced that Ecuador had become the first forest nation to sign a LEAF memorandum of agreement, which sets out next steps and a clear roadmap for the signing of a binding Emissions Reduction Purchase Agreements by April 2023.
    • The Innovative Finance for the Amazon, Cerrado and Chaco (IFACC) commitments have risen from USD $3 billion to USD $4.2 billion, an increase of $1.2 billion, and the initiative now comprises 13 financial institutions and agribusiness companies.
    • The Forest Investor Club, announced at COP26 by the United States Department of State’s Office of Global Change has selected the World Business Council for Sustainable Development to play a leading role in the coordination and engagement of members. It will annually disclose progress being made to catalyse investments in forests and nature.
    • The Natural Capital Investment Alliance has continued to target a mobilisation of USD $10 billion towards natural capital themes, with over USD $1.1 billion committed and a further USD $6.2 billion raising funds to deploy.

    New Commitments of Non-Government Financial Support

    At COP26, USD $7.2 billion of private sector funding was pledged for forest protection and restoration. At the Summit, private sector leaders reported that[1]:

    • FMO, the Dutch entrepreneurial development bank is committing to build a forestry portfolio to at least EUR €500 million with the ambition to increase it to EUR €1 billion by 2030.
    • The establishment of a new collaboration of philanthropic donors, Forests, People, Climate (FPC), was announced. Its aim is to mobilise and deploy significantly increased philanthropic funding in support of the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration goal. At the Summit, USD $400 million over five years in new philanthropic funding was committed to the FPC with a goal of raising another USD $1.2 billion over the next five years. These new commitments go beyond the USD $380 million over five years that the thirteen donors currently involved in the collaboration already planned to spend toward the FPC goal.

    Systemic Shifts

    To support delivery of the long-term systemic shifts required to ensure that all public and private financial flows are aligned to support delivery of the 2030 goal, central banks and ministers of finance highlighted work being undertaken to further understand the significance of nature-loss as part of their wider work to manage the systemic risk of climate change. Central Bank Governors from Chile, Malaysia and Zambia spoke to how they are taking vital steps to better understand nature-related climate risks, ensuring that the protection and restoration of critical ecosystems are properly accounted for in ensuring financial stability and contributing to economic prosperity. Meanwhile Prime Minister Marin of Finland reflected on the work of the Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate in this space, and how it is designed to both manage the economic and financial risks of nature loss and to unlock opportunities for investment.

    Mark Carney recalled a Statement on Deforestation Financing from the Co-Chairs and Vice Chair of Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ) which urged members of the alliance with USD $135 trillion in assets under management, to embed tackling deforestation into their transition planning by developing policies to identify and curtail financing of such activities, and to scale forest positive investment.

    Leading financial institutions from Japan to Norway to Brazil are demonstrating that it is possible to do this. Signatories of the Commitment on Eliminating Commodity-driven Deforestation have been moving forward with implementation as the Finance Sector Deforestation Action (FSDA) initiative. FSDA members have published shared investor expectations (pdf, 49.5 KB) for companies, are stepping up engagement activity and working with policymakers and data providers. New members joining FSDA in 2022 include SouthBridge Group whose CEO, Frannie Léautier, announced that they were the first African financial institution to join the initiative alongside Banco Estado de Chile, London CIV and GAM Investments.

    Governments participating in the Forest, Agriculture and Commodity Trade (FACT) Dialogue, represent over 75% of global trade in key commodities that can threaten forests. The FACT Dialogue Progress Report is a renewal of the commitment of these largest producer and consumer countries to working together to achieve shared goals and promote sustainable development and trader, while protecting forests and other critical ecosystems.

    14 of the largest agricultural commodity trading companies managing major global shares on key forest-risk commodities, shared their joint roadmap for increased supply chain action across the palm oil, soy and cattle sectors.

    List of members of the Forest and Climate Leader’s Partnership

    1. Commonwealth of Australia
    2. Canada
    3. Republic of Colombia
    4. Republic of Congo
    5. Republic of Costa Rica
    6. Republic of Ecuador
    7. European Union
    8. Republic of Finland
    9. Republic of Fiji
    10. French Republic
    11. Gabon
    12. Federal Republic of Germany
    13. Republic of Ghana
    14. Republic of Guyana
    15. Republic of Indonesia (is especially considering joining the FCLP[2])
    16. Japan
    17. Republic of Kenya
    18. Republic of Korea
    19. Kingdom of the Netherlands
    20. Federal Republic of Nigeria
    21. Kingdom of Norway
    22. Islamic Republic of Pakistan
    23. Republic of Singapore
    24. Kingdom of Sweden
    25. United Republic of Tanzania
    26. United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
    27. United States of America
    28. Vietnam

    [1] NB other new commitments made at the event layered throughout this summary including &Green, SouthBridge Investments, New Joiners to LEAF.

    [2] Indonesia is especially considering joining the FCLP and to serve on the Steering Committee. This builds upon the strong platform established by separate MoUs and bilateral climate partnerships between Indonesia and the USA, Norway and UK to support Indonesia’s FOLU Net Sink 2030 Operational Plan.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Wales Freeport bidding process closes [November 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Wales Freeport bidding process closes [November 2022]

    The press release issued by the Secretary of State for Wales on 25 November 2022.

    Applications have closed from bidders interested in setting up a new Freeport in Wales.

    Backed by £26 million in UK Government funding, the Freeport Programme in Wales aims to create jobs, boost the local economy and regenerate surrounding areas.

    Three bids have been received from ports around the country. They will be jointly assessed by officials from the UK and Welsh governments and it is expected that the successful site will be announced in early 2023 before becoming operational later in the year.

    Secretary of State for Wales David TC Davies said:

    It is fantastic to take the next step in delivering a Freeport for Wales. It will bring jobs and prosperity to its surrounding region and provide a huge boost to the Welsh economy.

    The UK Government has long been committed to bringing a Freeport to Wales and is delivering on that pledge. The Freeports programme is already returning benefits for businesses and communities elsewhere in the UK and I look forward to seeing similar results for Wales.

    Wales has already received more than £165m in levelling up funding from UK Government with more to follow in the coming months. This has gone towards projects such as transforming Haverfordwest Castle into an attraction ready for all seasons, a facelift for the Queen’s Ballroom in Tredegar and giving Llandrindod Wells a new lease of life in the form of affordable, energy efficient homes.

    Freeports are special areas within the UK’s borders where different economic and customs regulations apply. Freeports are sites centred around one or a combination of air, rail, or seaport, within an encompassing outer boundary.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Kazakhstan 2022 Presidential elections – UK statement to the OSCE [November 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Kazakhstan 2022 Presidential elections – UK statement to the OSCE [November 2022]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 25 November 2022.

    Ambassador Bush welcomes Kazakhstan’s engagement with ODIHR, whose report will support reform in Kazakhstan.

    The UK has celebrated 30 years of close partnership with Kazakhstan this year. At a time of critical global challenges, we look forward to further building on this partnership, tackling these challenges together, and improving the opportunities of our people.

    The UK notes the preliminary findings of ODIHR’s election monitoring mission, and we welcome Kazakhstan’s engagement with the process. We believe that the observations and recommendations from ODIHR’s preliminary and final reports will further support Kazakhstan as its government and people undertake this next important stage of reform, 30 years after achieving sovereignty and independence.

    Reforms adopted in the Constitutional Referendum and in other laws this year are designed to promote a new culture of open political discussion and political competition. As OSCE participating states, both the UK and Kazakhstan have signed up to the principle that lasting security cannot be achieved without respect for human rights and democratic institutions.

    We look forward to working together with President Tokayev and his government to promote Kazakhstan’s future prosperity, security and democratic path, as he looks to implement the important political and economic reforms he has outlined.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Statement by Baroness Goldie to the twenty-seventh session of the conference of the States Parties [November 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Statement by Baroness Goldie to the twenty-seventh session of the conference of the States Parties [November 2022]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 25 November 2022.

    Statement by Baroness Goldie DL, at the twenty-seventh session of the Conference of the States Parties of the OPCW.

    Director-General, Mr Chair, Distinguished Delegates,

    I would like to thank Director-General Arias and the Technical Secretariat for all their work in preparing for this Conference. Many thanks as well to our Chairperson, Ambassador Madonsela.

    I am very sorry not to be with you in person, but I am required to be in London for important business in Parliament.

    In April, we marked the 25th anniversary of the Chemical Weapons Convention coming into force. During its first quarter century, the OPCW has made enormous strides in ridding the world of chemical weapons.

    There is more to come. The UK is a proud contributor to the new Centre for Chemistry and Technology and we are looking forward to its inauguration next year.

    With the completion of destruction of declared stockpiles in sight, next year’s Review Conference is particularly timely. And there is much still to discuss in order to prepare the ground for the Review Conference.

    Mr Chair,

    The United Kingdom is not complacent about the challenges ahead. This Organisation remains as relevant as ever and there is much still to do.

    The OPCW has an important role to play in helping States Parties build capacity to implement the Convention. The UK is proud to provide a further voluntary contribution of seven hundred thousand pounds this year in support of this aim.

    And we call on all States Parties to support the proposed modest budget revision. Whilst recognising the global economic headwinds, we encourage all States Parties to pay their assessed contributions on time and in full. Late payments have a direct and material impact on whether the Technical Secretariat can deliver its planned activities.

    Mr Chair,

    Despite progress on destruction, serious verification challenges remain.

    Unfortunately, a small number of States Parties have broken the rules of the Convention in a blatant and outrageous manner.

    Russia’s use of Novichok in the United Kingdom in 2018 was horrific. A public inquiry is on-going into the circumstances of Dawn Sturgess’ tragic death. Three Russian nationals have been charged with chemical weapons offences.

    The Russian state has also used chemical weapons within their own borders. Alexey Navalny’s poisoning with a nerve agent in 2020 was appalling, as was Russia’s subsequent attempted cover-up. I call on Russia to provide substantive answers to the questions posed by 45 States Parties under Article IX of the Convention. Russia must account for and give up its chemical weapons programme.

    Mr Chair,

    The United Kingdom condemns Russia’s unjustifiable and illegal invasion of Ukraine.

    We have all heard Russian-linked separatist figures making disturbing remarks in Ukraine about supporting chemical weapons use to support war aims. We have all seen Russia’s irresponsible attacks near Ukraine’s civil chemical facilities. And we have all experienced Russia’s malicious disinformation campaigns about chemical weapons. We have seen this pattern of deceitful behaviour in Syria and now we are seeing it in Ukraine. In this context, Russia’s war is not something we can ignore here in the OPCW.

    Mr Chair,

    Syria is another State Party showing disregard for the rules.

    The Syrian authorities have undeniably used chemical weapons against their own people on multiple occasions.

    The Syrian authorities have not resolved all the glaring omissions in its initial declaration. Thousands of munitions are missing. Hundreds of tonnes of agent are missing.

    In 2021, OPCW States signalled their concern and the Syrian regime’s response was to limit its cooperation with the OPCW even further. It is a lamentable situation.

    Syria must comply with UN Security Council Resolution 2118. Syria must live up to its obligations. Syria must immediately give up its chemical weapons programme in full.

    Mr Chair,

    In 1997 the convention came into force with the vow to eliminate an entire category of weapons of mass destruction.

    25 years on and much has been achieved.

    But we know we still have a long way to go.

    And that is why we must continue to offer the OPCW our full support and make sure it has the resources it needs to deliver on the goal of a world free of chemical weapons.

    Thank you Mr Chair.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Government sets out plan to reduce water pollution [November 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Government sets out plan to reduce water pollution [November 2022]

    The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 25 November 2022.

    Plans will benefit protected wildlife sites and create new habitats for nature.

    New plans to help safeguard England’s precious protected sites by driving down nutrient pollution and allowing for the construction of sustainable new homes for families across the country were announced by the Government today.

    Nutrient pollution is an urgent problem for freshwater habitats and estuaries which provide a home to wetland birds, fish and insects. Increased levels of nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus can speed up the growth of certain plants, disrupting natural processes and devastating wildlife. While the government has taken substantial steps to tackle the issue, today’s measure will fast track progress in hotspot areas while unlocking homebuilding across the country.

    Due to excess levels of nutrients in certain English water catchments and as result of complex and bureaucratic EU-derived domestic legislation and case law, Local Planning Authorities can only approve a plan or a project if they are certain it will have no negative effect on legally protected sites for nature.

    Natural England, in its statutory role as an adviser on the natural environment, has advised a total of 74 Local Planning Authorities on the nutrient impacts of new plans and projects on protected sites where those protected sites are in unfavourable condition due to excess nutrients.

    Government plans announced today will see:

    • A new legal duty on water companies in England to upgrade wastewater treatment works by 2030 in ‘nutrient neutrality’ areas to the highest achievable technological levels.
    • A new Nutrient Mitigation Scheme established by Natural England, helping wildlife and boosting access to nature by investing in projects like new and expanded wetlands and woodlands. This will allow local planning authorities to grant planning permission for new developments in areas with nutrient pollution issues, providing for the development of sustainable new homes and ensuring building can go ahead. Defra and DLUHC will provide funding to pump prime the scheme.

    Today’s measures will not only tackle the long-term issue of nutrient pollution by significantly reducing pollution from existing homes in sensitive areas. Developers will be able to purchase ‘nutrient credits’ which will discharge the requirements to provide mitigation.

    Natural England will accredit mitigation delivered through the Nutrient Mitigation Scheme, enabling Local Planning Authorities to grant planning permission for developments which have secured the necessary nutrient credits. This will ensure developers have a streamlined way to mitigate nutrient pollution, allowing planned building to continue and creating new habitats across the country.

    These plans build on our comprehensive plan to significantly reduce water pollution, including proposed targets under the Environment Act to reduce the key sources of river pollution; a plan for the largest water company infrastructure project ever to reduce discharges from storm overflows; new funding to the Environment Agency to increase farm inspections to at least 4,000 inspections a year by 2023 and new farming schemes that will reward farmers and land managers for environmental actions, such as introducing cover crops and buffering rivers, to reduce run-off.

    Environment Secretary George Eustice said:

    The plans we have announced today will protect England’s wildlife and precious habitats from the impacts of nutrient pollution, whilst ensuring communities receive the new homes they need.

    This is just one part of ongoing Government action to improve water quality across the country, from targets in our world-leading Environment Act to action on storm overflows.

    Levelling Up Secretary Greg Clark said:

    It is essential that new homes do not impair the quality of our rivers, streams and wetlands. These measures will ensure the development can take place, but only where there is practical action taken to protect our precious aquatic habitats.

    Natural England chair Tony Juniper said:

    Wetlands and estuaries are home to a wide variety of internationally-important wildlife species, from wading birds to insects and from fish to special plants. Pollution from excess nutrients is causing serious damage to many of these fragile places and if we are to meet our national targets for Nature recovery it is vital that we take concerted, coordinated action to protect them.

    The duty on water companies and the Nutrient Mitigation Scheme mark significant steps forward, and will help join up the various approaches to improving water quality and bring about multiple other benefits. They will provide the tools needed to help planning authorities, developers and water and land managers to both build new homes and support the healthy rivers and lakes that are vital for restoring Nature and creating beautiful places for everyone to enjoy.

    The new legal duty on water and sewerage companies in England to upgrade certain wastewater plants will be introduced via a Government amendment to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill. We want these improvements to be factored in for the purposes of a Habitats Regulation Assessment.

    These upgrades will need to be made in a way that tackles the main nutrient(s) causing pollution at protected wildlife sites, for example the addition of metal salts to wastewater, which can be used in combination with wetlands and reedbeds to improve the performance of treatment works.

    Where possible, the Government will work with water companies to identify where these upgrades could be accelerated and delivered sooner. Our proposed Environment Act target to tackle wastewater pollution across the country will see upgrades brought in elsewhere in addition to those required by the new duty on companies, on a slightly longer timeframe.

    The Nutrient Mitigation Scheme will create new wetlands and woodlands in partnership with green groups and other privately led nutrient mitigation schemes. It follows DLUHC’s initial £100,000 (per catchment) package of support for planning authorities.

    This national scheme will support investment in new habitats which will ‘soak up’ or mitigate the impacts of unavoidable nutrient pollution. These new or expanded wildlife habitats will also increase people’s access to nature.

    The scheme will be open to all developers, with priority given to smaller builders who are most affected. Developers can also continue to put their own mitigation schemes in place should they choose. Natural England will work with, not crowd out, new and existing private providers and markets for nutrient offsets wherever they exist.

    The scheme is due to open in the Autumn. All affected areas can continue to access practical support from the government and Natural England in meeting nutrient neutrality requirements. Natural England will deliver the scheme by establishing an ‘Accelerator Unit’, with the support of Defra, DLUHC, the Environment Agency and Homes England.

    This announcement will support the delivery of the tens of thousands of homes currently in the planning system, by significantly reducing the cost of mitigation requirements. The mitigation scheme will make delivering those requirements much easier for developers.

    Update on the Nutrient Mitigation Scheme – November 2022

    Natural England has been working closely with Defra and DLUHC, alongside the Environment Agency, Forestry Commission, Homes England, the Planning Advisory Service and Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) to develop the scheme across affected catchments in England. The first mitigation projects are currently being negotiated with two partners in the Tees catchment. Investment in feasibility studies in five further catchments is underway to determine the schemes next mitigation sites. Natural England will invite applications from developers for mitigation credits in the Tees before the end of March 2023.

    From December 2022, Natural England will approach landowners in a targeted way to invite them to offer their land as potential sites for nutrient mitigation. These sites will start to provide the mitigation needed by LPAs and developers, and we will expand across the country to facilitate building thousands of new homes as well as making a major contribution to nature recovery through the creation of new wetlands.

    Credits from the government backed scheme will be offered in batches which any developers requiring credits can apply for. Where demand for credits exceeds supply, applications will be prioritised to minimise nutrient neutrality related delays to development, to enable development of the most homes most quickly, to facilitate small and medium enterprises, and to support the delivery of affordable and social housing. Information for developers on credit availability and price will be released ahead of the first credit sales.

  • PRESS RELEASE : £15 million funding boost for women who are victims of violence [November 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : £15 million funding boost for women who are victims of violence [November 2022]

    The press release issued by the Home Office on 25 November 2022.

    Millions of pounds are being allocated to tackle violence against women and girls (VAWG), the Home Secretary has announced today (25 November).

    Measures announced include:

    • £8.4 million to support victims of violence against women and girls
    • targeted funding for the most vulnerable communities
    • up to £7.5 million for domestic abuse interventions in healthcare settings
    • funding for rapid spiking tests to build police intelligence

    £8.4 million is being awarded to funding specialist support services for the most vulnerable. The majority of the money will go to services which are led, designed and delivered by the users and communities they serve, such as services for victims and survivors from ethnic minority backgrounds, deaf and disabled victims and survivors, and LGBT victims and survivors. Victims will benefit from trauma-informed support which could range from counselling to refuge accommodation.

    In addition, in recognition of the important role healthcare workers play in identifying domestic abuse and signposting victims to support, the government is also investing up to £7.5 million of funding for domestic abuse interventions in healthcare settings. This funding will aim to equip more healthcare professionals with the right tools to be able to better identify and respond to domestic abuse, and improve referral pathways for victims to access support services.

    The announcement comes on the International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls, which the Home Secretary marked yesterday (24 November) with a visit to Refuge, to see first-hand the support needed for domestic abuse and sexual assault victims to rebuild their lives.

    Home Secretary Suella Braverman said:

    It is paramount that victims of insidious crimes like domestic abuse and sexual assault receive the support they need to rebuild their lives, and we know that those with other vulnerabilities need dedicated support.

    This funding comes in addition to an incredibly wide range of work across the board to ensure victims are supported and criminals are brought to justice.

    After consulting the public in 2020 through the Government Call for Evidence on Violence Against Women and Girls, the government committed through the Tackling VAWG Strategy and Tackling Domestic Abuse Plan to ensure the provision of tailored victim support. This highlighted the importance of ‘by-and-for’ services, as well as trauma-informed provision and other victim support which is tailored to specific forms of VAWG.

    The Domestic Abuse Commissioner, Nicole Jacobs said:

    We know these services have been woefully underfunded, so I am delighted to see this additional money being made available for ‘by-and-for’ organisations. Domestic abuse survivors tell us that getting support from their own community is the most effective way to help them recover and rebuild their lives.

    As part of its commitment to tackling all forms of violence against women and girls, the Home Office is also granting an additional £70,000 of funding for rapid forensic testing of samples from reported incidents of drink and needle spiking.

    This is part of our support for the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s work to determine the nature and scale of spiking. The funding will cover testing of additional urine samples taken by the police, to allow us to build on our understanding of spiking, including improving geographical data on what substances are used and where.

    These are some of the many measures the government has taken to support victims, bring perpetrators to justice and protect women and girls across the country. Last month the ‘Enough’ campaign to tackle violence against women and girls, was launched. This gives bystanders safe ways to intervene if they witness an incident of violence against women and girls, ranging from sexual harassment on the street, public transport or at work, to unwanted touching, sharing intimate images of someone without their consent and coercive control in a relationship.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Changes to key stage 2 assessment dates in 2023 [November 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Changes to key stage 2 assessment dates in 2023 [November 2022]

    The press release issued by the Department for Education on 25 November 2022.

    A change to the KS2 test schedule next year will be necessary due to the additional bank holiday in honour of the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III taking place on Monday 8 May 2023.

    An additional bank holiday in honour of the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III will take place on Monday 8 May 2023. As this date had previously been announced as the first day of the 2023 key stage 2 (KS2) test week in England, a change to the KS2 test schedule next year will be necessary.

    Ministers have considered the situation carefully and have decided that KS2 tests will take place in the same week with tests following the usual order but each taking place one day later than originally planned. As such, the new schedule will be:

    • Tuesday 9 May: English grammar, punctuation and spelling (GPS) papers 1 (questions) and 2 (spelling)
    • Wednesday 10 May: English reading paper
    • Thursday 11 May: mathematics papers 1 (arithmetic) and 2 (reasoning)
    • Friday 12 May: mathematics paper 3 (reasoning)

    The KS2 timetable variation (TTV) window for each assessment will also move back one day, in accordance with this change.

    There will be no changes to arrangements for our other assessments, including KS2 teacher assessments, key stage 1 tests and teacher assessments, the phonics screening check and the multiplication tables check. Dates and deadlines for these assessments remain as previously announced.

    In making their decision, ministers have considered the views of schools and stakeholders including trade unions and have sought to minimise disruption to schools arising from the change in plans.

    We are aware that schools may have booked events or activities for their year 6 pupils on Friday 12 May. Where possible, schools should look to rearrange or delay the start of any such events or activities to accommodate mathematics paper 3.

    Where it is not possible to change plans in this way then, exceptionally for 2023, we will approve applications for TTVs arising from booked residentials, trips or similar events scheduled for Friday 12 May only. Schools will need to reschedule the date of the test (mathematics paper 3) for the affected pupils to one of the following five school days.

    Note that we will not approve TTVs for any such events that are scheduled on other test days, in line with existing rules. Other TTV rules will continue to apply as normal for Friday 12 May, including in relation to pupil absence or attendance at alternative provision.

    Our guidance, including the KS2 Assessment and Reporting Arrangements, will be updated to reflect these decisions, including any changes to other aspects of test administration such as arrangements for the collection of test papers. We are aiming to keep changes as minimal as possible. We will inform schools via the Assessment Updates when the revised documentation is available.

    Schools with urgent queries can contact the national curriculum assessments helpline on 0300 303 3013 or by email at assessments@education.gov.uk