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Tag: Press Release

  • PRESS RELEASE : Executive support needed for hospitals which are at breaking point – Declan Kearney [November 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Executive support needed for hospitals which are at breaking point – Declan Kearney [November 2022]

    The press release issued by Sinn Fein on 13 November 2022.

    Sinn Féin MLA and party chairperson Declan Kearney has said he is deeply concerned at the temporary closure of the Emergency Department at Antrim Area Hospital during the night.

    The South Antrim MLA said:

    “A Major Incident was declared at the hospital last night as a result of the number of critically-ill patients being treated and the Emergency Department was temporarily closed down.

    “Hospital staff are doing all their power to discharge patients today to free up much-needed hospital beds.

    “I urge the public to continue to co-operate with hospital staff and people should definitely attend the ED if their condition is urgent or life threatening.

    “Unfortunately the knock-on impact of last night’s closure will be that those who attend with conditions which are not urgent may endure a long wait to be seen.

    “This latest incident in our hospitals is deeply concerning with pressures increasing as we move into winter.

    “Our health service and staff are under huge stress because of a decade of Tory cuts and underinvestment, and the DUP’s blockade of the Executive.

    “Health service staff and patients need an Executive up and running, to put one billion pounds extra investment into health, to tackle waiting lists, recruit more doctors and nurses, and fund cancer and mental health services.

    “The reckless actions of the DUP are blocking this vital funding from being released into the health and social care system. Hospitals such as Antrim Area are now at breaking point as a result.

    “The DUP should get back to work and ensure that health workers have the resources needed to tackle the huge pressures across our hospitals, emergency rooms, our GP surgeries, and the entire health care system.”

  • PRESS RELEASE : People need promised energy and oil payments now as winter closes in – Conor Murphy [November 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : People need promised energy and oil payments now as winter closes in – Conor Murphy [November 2022]

    The press release issued by Sinn Fein on 13 November 2022.

    Sinn Féin MLA Conor Murphy said today that workers and families in the north need energy and oil payments promised by the British government to be delivered urgently as we move deeper into winter.

    In a letter to the British Secretary of State for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy, Grant Shapps, Conor Murphy said that people in the north still don’t know when they will receive the £400 energy discount or the £100 heating oil payment.

    Conor Murphy said:

    “It is now more than six months since people in the North were promised a £400 discount on their electricity bill.

    “This payment was rolled out to people in Britain last month, yet people here still don’t know when they will receive their discount.

    “I told Grant Shapps that this delay is unacceptable and it’s vital the £400 is now paid out in one lump sum rather than instalments.”

    The former Finance Minister also said that the two-thirds of people using home heating oil in the north were being treated less favorably than people using gas.

    “The British government has also failed to confirm when the £100 payment promised to people who use home heating oil will be delivered.

    “Two-thirds of people in the North use oil to heat their homes.

    “I made it clear to the British Treasury in my previous role as Finance Minister that the £100 payment should be increased. I provided information that people using oil were being treated less favourably than those using gas.

    “The DUP’s blockade of the Executive has made it more difficult to get these schemes out the door.

    “However, the British government agreed to take responsibility for these schemes and people urgently need this money now as we move deeper into winter.”

  • PRESS RELEASE : Chris Hazzard tells British Secretary of State to give urgent clarity on £400 energy payment date [November 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Chris Hazzard tells British Secretary of State to give urgent clarity on £400 energy payment date [November 2022]

    The press release issued by Sinn Fein on 8 November 2022.

    Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard has challenged the British Secretary of State for clarity on when workers and families will receive the £400 energy support payment.

    Speaking after meeting Chris Heaton Harris in London today, Chris Hazzard said:

    “Today, we challenged the British Secretary of State over delays in getting the £400 energy support payment out to households in the north.

    “Workers and families are struggling to pay their bills. They need help now to get through a cold and difficult winter.

    “It’s not good enough they still have no clarity on when they will get the money they were promised and are entitled to.

    “This money has been held up enough by the DUP’s cruel boycott of the Executive. There must be no more delays. People need this money quickly.”

    The South Down MP made it clear to the British government that the prolonged state of limbo they have created is failing people in the north.

    “I also made it clear to Chris Heaton Harris that the prolonged state of limbo facing our politics from British government indecision is failing people here.

    “It’s totally unacceptable that the Tories, along with the DUP, are fuelling instability and chaos and leaving people with no support during a cost-of-living crisis.

    “People want parties working together in an Executive to put money in their pockets and fix the health service. That’s why they voted in May.

    “The British Secretary of State must clearly and quickly outline what the next steps are now and end the dithering and delays.”

  • PRESS RELEASE : British government should engage in good faith with EU to reach agreed resolution – Declan Kearney [November 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : British government should engage in good faith with EU to reach agreed resolution – Declan Kearney [November 2022]

    The press release issued by Sinn Fein on 7 November 2022.

    Sinn Féin National Chairperson Declan Kearney MLA has called on the British government to ‘demonstrate political will’ and engage in good faith with the EU to reach an agreed resolution on implementation of the Protocol.

    Speaking before attending a meeting at Westminster of the Parliamentary Partnership Assembly between Britain and the EU, the Sinn Féin Brexit spokesperson said:

    “It’s very clear from our discussions with local businesses that they want certainty and stability so they can invest for the future and continue to create good jobs and attract investment.

    “Key to that is their ability to maximise the full advantages which the Protocol affords, including unique access to the EU single market which is already creating jobs and helping businesses to expand.

    “The British government must now demonstrate it has the political will to reach a genuine agreement on the way forward with the European Union. There is no credible alternative to the Protocol. That is the reality.

    “Neither the Assembly or the Executive has any mandate or role in these talks.

    “Despite that, the DUP is punishing the public by blocking restoration of our political institutions and compounding people’s suffering during a cost-of-living crisis.

    “We need an Executive to support workers and families with rising household bills, and to invest £1 billion in the health service to cut waiting lists so that people are not suffering for years waiting on medical treatment.

    “Following on from positive discussions between the new British Prime Minister and the EU Commission President last week, the next step should be to immediately resume urgent political talks between London and Brussels to find a pragmatic way forward, and a durable agreement.”

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK funding to help repair Ukraine’s damaged energy systems and get power back to Ukrainian people [November 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK funding to help repair Ukraine’s damaged energy systems and get power back to Ukrainian people [November 2022]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 November 2022.

    • The support will help with essential repairs to critical energy infrastructure following ongoing Russian attacks,and will reconnect households and key facilities to power supply.
    • The UK is the largest donor to the Fund so far, along with sending hospital generators and a financial guarantee for Ukraine’s state-owned energy provider.

    Ukraine will have further UK support to keep the lights on across the country and repair energy infrastructure damaged by Russian attacks, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly announced today.

    The UK is so far the biggest donor to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund. This latest funding will provide specialised energy equipment to keep critical national infrastructure up and running – a priority request from the Government of Ukraine.

    Since October 2022, Russia has carried out widespread missile and drone strikes, particularly targeting Ukraine’s power supplies. More than 40% of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, including transmission lines, power stations and pipelines, has been damaged or destroyed by Russian attacks. This has left millions of Ukrainians across the country living without electricity or experiencing rolling blackouts.

    Recently the UK has also provided £7 million for over 850 generators so that vital facilities, such as hospitals, have power and a further £5 million for safety and security equipment for the civil nuclear sector. In addition, the UK has put up a $50 million guarantee for financing for Ukraine’s state-owned energy provider, Ukrenergo, through the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development which will help Ukraine continue to supply electricity to its citizens.

    The Foreign Secretary is due to sign the agreement today with Ukrainian Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko, alongside Energy Community Secretariat Deputy Director Dirk Buschle, to transfer the first £5 million of the UK’s £10 million commitment to the Energy Community’s Ukraine Energy Support Fund.

    Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said:

    Russia’s attacks on vital infrastructure show that Putin is resorting to desperate measures. But even in the face of missile attacks and blackouts, the resolve of the Ukrainian people remains unbroken.

    The Government of Ukraine said it needed specialised energy equipment to repair critical national infrastructure, and the UK is delivering on their request.

    The UK has made the largest donation to date to this Fund. We need all partners to step up their support and show Putin that his attempts to destroy Ukraine will be met with fierce resistance.

    Ukrainian Minister of Energy Herman Halushchenko said:

    Russia is trying to break us by shelling the energy infrastructure to leave Ukrainians on the eve of winter without heat and light. These days the support of international partners is more important than ever.

    UK has been helping Ukraine’s energy sector since the beginning of the Russian invasion. Today it is making a significant contribution to the Energy Support Fund.

    This will make it possible to purchase the necessary equipment for our energy companies, which is difficult to do as a part of humanitarian aid.

    Many thanks to our British partners and the Energy Community Secretariat for the help in the fight against Russia on the energy front.

    The private sector also has an important role in supporting Ukraine’s reconstruction. That’s why the Business and Energy Secretary Grant Shapps is issuing a call to action to UK industry today to consider supplying emergency energy equipment, such as power generators, transformers, and cables-wires and connectors.

    Business and Energy Secretary Grant Shapps said:

    We cannot stand by and watch millions of innocent Ukrainian citizens continue to suffer due to barbaric Russian air strikes. Today’s intervention from the UK Government will be critical in helping to get Ukraine’s power back up and running.

    But this alone simply won’t suffice. In Ukraine’s hour of need, I call on the generosity of the UK industry to join the Government in donating emergency energy equipment and resources through the Energy Support Fund. This will help rebuild what has been damaged by Putin’s illegal invasion as we continue to stand with the people of Ukraine.

    The Department for International Trade is also working with relevant UK trade associations and Ukrainian energy companies to identify areas where UK expertise and equipment can be provided to help with vital maintenance of Ukraine’s energy supply infrastructure.

    The Director of the Energy Community Secretariat, Artur Lorkowski, said:

    With hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian families without electricity, heating and hot water as winter sets in, support to Ukraine is needed more than ever. The Ukraine Energy Support Fund is a transparent and efficient vehicle for international donors seeking to help Ukraine repair and rebuild its energy infrastructure which has been brutally damaged by Russia.

    The donation of the United Kingdom is a great show of solidarity and will bring essential aid to Ukraine by allowing the purchase of much needed tools and critical equipment needed to restore essential electricity and gas services to Ukrainian citizens.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Hardy Sikh prayer book revived after 100 years to help personnel practice faith in the field [November 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Hardy Sikh prayer book revived after 100 years to help personnel practice faith in the field [November 2022]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 14 November 2022.

    Waterproof and tearproof, the Nitnem Gutka (Sikh Daily Prayers) is designed to be used in modern tactical environments. Nitnem translates to Daily Routine, and the collection of Sikh meditations will allow Sikh personnel to practice their faith at 3 different times of the day, wherever they are and in any conditions.

    There is a long tradition of Sikhs carrying their religious text with them into conflict. In World Wars 1 and 2, Sikhs made up 20% of the British Indian Army. Over 120,000 Sikhs died and many more were injured from the trenches in France to the Jungles of Burma, and records from the time show Sikh troops with their prayer books in the deserts of Egypt and Mesopotamia.

    Provided by the Defence Sikh Network, the modernised Nitnem Gutka is designed to be hardy so it can cope with use on operations.

    Made from a tactical nylon paper, called Polyart paper, it is water and tearproof, and is thread bound for ultimate strength.

    It comes in two versions –camouflage for Army personnel and blue for the Navy and Air Force.

    The Nitnem Gutka has been written in 3 languages; Gurmukhi the original form of Sikh text, Romanised English, and English translation to make the Nitnem Gutka as accessible as possible.

    It also includes instruction and guidance on how to keep the Sikh scriptures in accordance with Sikh scripture code of conduct.

    Maj Daljinder Singh Virdee, who led the project, said:

    “I was inspired to undertake this initiative when I saw old images of Sikh soldiers conducting their prayers in uniform. It has been a two-year journey to get to this point but makes all the efforts worthwhile knowing that Sikhs in UK Defence no matter where they serve across the world in whatever conditions can connect to their faith and find spiritual support through this Nitnem Gutka, for generations to come”.

    The project has opened the door for other faith communities in Defence to create a similar product, such as the Hindu Gita.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Early education is vital for children born in lockdown [November 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Early education is vital for children born in lockdown [November 2022]

    The press release issued by the Department for Education on 14 November 2022.

    The review underpins the inspectorate’s new strategic focus on early education and giving children ‘the best start in life’ following the Covid-19 pandemic.

    Today’s report (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/best-start-in-life-a-research-review-for-early-years/best-start-in-life-part-1-setting-the-scene) draws on a range of published research to consider how early years practitioners deliver high-quality education for children from birth to 4 years old.

    The report stresses the value of play and teaching, and the importance of developing communication skills. What matters most is that practitioners have considered what they want children to know and be able to do, before deciding how best to teach. Making sure children catch up after the pandemic is still a key challenge in the early years, so practitioners need to think carefully about what content to prioritise. However, the report does not prescribe how to teach a high-quality early years curriculum.

    Based on the report, high-quality early years curriculum and pedagogy may have the following features:

    • The curriculum considers what all children should learn. It prioritises communication and offers plenty of opportunity for disadvantaged children, or those who speak English as an additional language, to learn and practise speaking and listening.
    • Practitioners choose what activities and experiences they are going to provide for children after deciding what it is that they want children to learn.
    • Adults think carefully about what children already know and can do when deciding what to teach first.
    • Children with gaps in their knowledge get the additional teaching they need so that they can access the same curriculum as their peers.
    • Practitioners consider children’s interests when choosing activities. They also expand children’s interests so they make progress in all areas of learning.
    • Children’s play is valued and used to teach many aspects of the curriculum. Learning through play is enhanced by skilful adult intervention.
    • Practitioners introduce children to new knowledge through explicit teaching and follow this up with practice through play.

    Amanda Spielman, His Majesty’s Chief Inspector, said:

    Every child deserves a good early education. Their first few years equip children with the building blocks they need to succeed in childhood and beyond.

    Many children in nurseries or childcare began life during the pandemic and have had to catch up with communication and social skills. Early years practitioners have worked hard to teach children things they’ve missed and to embed that knowledge through play. I hope our review helps them – and highlights the vital work that they do introducing children to education.

     

  • PRESS RELEASE : Fiona MacGregor to continue as Chief Executive of the Regulator of Social Housing [November 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Fiona MacGregor to continue as Chief Executive of the Regulator of Social Housing [November 2022]

    The press release issued by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 14 November 2022.

    The Regulator of Social Housing has today confirmed that Fiona MacGregor will continue as Chief Executive.

    Fiona had previously announced that she planned to stand down as Chief Executive due to family circumstances. Jonathan Walters, Deputy Chief Executive, assumed some additional responsibilities to support Fiona, and these will continue into the New Year.

    Fiona has served as CEO since the inception of the RSH in October 2018 and prior to that as Executive Director of Regulation within the Homes and Communities Agency on an interim and then permanent basis since July 2015.

    Bernadette Conroy, Chair of RSH, said:

    I am delighted that Fiona is able to continue leading RSH at this important time for the social housing sector. The Board and I look forward to working closely with her, Jonathan and the rest of the RSH Executive team as we take forward our regulatory agenda.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK aid will save over one million lives from killer diseases [November 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK aid will save over one million lives from killer diseases [November 2022]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 November 2022.

    • The UK is again contributing to the Global Fund to help fight three of the deadliest diseases around the world
    • The UK’s funding will save lives through prevention of and treatment for HIV, tuberculosis and malaria and strengthening health systems
    • The UK remains the third largest ever donor to the Global Fund

    New UK aid support to the Global Fund will help fight AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria around the world, Minister for Development Andrew Mitchell announced today (Monday 14 November).

    As a founding supporter of the Global Fund, the UK is its third largest ever donor, having contributed £4.4 billion since its inception. The Global Fund has saved 50 million lives since it was set up by the G7 in 2002.

    In 2021 alone, the Global Fund provided 23 million people with lifesaving antiretroviral therapy for HIV and 5.3 million with TB treatment and care. It also treated 148 million cases of malaria and helped distribute 133 million mosquito nets to protect families from malaria.

    The UK is providing £1 billion over 3 years to the Global Fund, which will help save more than one million lives around the world and pay for interventions to help a much larger number of people stay safe.

    From this new commitment:

    • 2 million people with HIV will receive antiretroviral therapy
    • More than 1 million people will receive TB treatment and care
    • 86 million mosquito nets will be distributed to protect children and families from malaria
    • Over 28 million new infections or cases across the three diseases will be avoided by diagnosing and treating those already infected to prevent further spread and supporting prevention services such as mosquito nets
    • Health systems will be strengthened which will help with pandemic preparedness

    Minister for Development Andrew Mitchell said:

    The UK and others founded the Global Fund because we refused to accept the loss of millions of lives every year to preventable and treatable diseases.

    Countries with better health systems and healthier people are more likely to be stable and prosperous and this fund gives hope and opportunity to millions who would otherwise suffer. Malaria kills a child nearly every minute of every day. These are wholly preventable deaths, and the UK is dedicated to preventing them.

    Executive Director of the Global Fund Peter Sands said:

    We are incredibly grateful to the United Kingdom for this renewed commitment to accelerate progress toward ending HIV, tuberculosis and malaria, and strengthening health and community systems everywhere.

    Over the past 20 years, British taxpayer support has helped save 50 million lives. The UK’s new £1 billion pledge is instrumental to helping us save millions more lives, get back on track following the reversals from COVID-19, and strengthen global health security.

    Pledges for the Global Fund are just one element of the UK’s efforts to strengthen global health. We are the largest donor to Gavi’s core mission to save lives and protect people by increasing access to vaccines and we hosted the CEPI replenishment this year which raised $1.5 billion to reduce vaccine development time.

    Through innovative technology, the UK is harnessing new developments to boost global health in the long term. For example, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has funded Liverpool-based Innovative Vector Control Consortium (IVCC) to create a new generation of bed nets, which kill mosquitoes resistant to traditional insecticides. To date, their innovations have averted an estimated 27 million malaria cases, especially in children.

  • PRESS RELEASE : More French officers to patrol beaches to tackle small boat crossings [November 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : More French officers to patrol beaches to tackle small boat crossings [November 2022]

    The press release issued by the Home Office on 14 November 2022.

    Numbers of officers in northern France will increase by 40% over the coming months as a result of UK funding to step up action to reduce illegal small boat crossings, following a new UK and France agreement signed today.

    The Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, is in France today (Monday 14 November) to finalise the arrangement with the French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin. The new agreement lays the foundations for deeper UK-French co-operation to tackle illegal migration and marks the next step for the close operational partnership between the 2 countries which has prevented over 30,000 crossings this year.

    The arrangement means, for the first time, specialist UK officers will also be embedded with their French counterparts, which will increase information sharing, improve understanding of the threat, and ensure UK expertise is at the heart of efforts to disrupt crossings and clamp down on people smugglers. This more integrated approach will also include strengthened operational co-operation, including joint UK-France analysis teams supporting the co-ordination and exchange of information by French-command HQ.

    Home Secretary Suella Braverman said:

    We must do everything we can to stop people making these dangerous journeys and crack down on the criminal gangs. This is a global challenge requiring global solutions, and it is in the interests of both the UK and French governments to work together to solve this complex problem.

    There are no quick fixes, but this new arrangement will mean we can significantly increase the number of French gendarmes patrolling the beaches in northern France and ensure UK and French officers are working hand in hand to stop the people smugglers.

    Joint working between UK and French officers so far has secured more than 140 convictions connected to people smuggling since the start of 2020 – and these criminals now face a combined 400 years behind bars.

    The UK-France Joint Intelligence Cell, which has so far dismantled 55 organised crime groups and secured over 500 arrests since its inception in 2020, will also be expanded.

    This latest multi-year arrangement between France and the UK is worth up to 72.2 million euros in 2022 to 2023. It will strengthen security at ports to help clamp down on illegal entry by funding investment in cutting edge surveillance technology, drones, detection dog teams, CCTV and helicopters to help detect and prevent crossings.

    It will also go towards supporting reception and removal centres in France for migrants whose journeys to the UK are prevented, to further deter crossing attempts.

    A new taskforce will also be set up, focused on reversing the recent rise in Albanian nationals and organised crime groups exploiting illegal migration routes into Western Europe and the UK.

    This enhanced approach will boost joint British and French collaboration, which has already prevented over 30,000 illegal crossing attempts since the start of the year – more than 50% more than at the same stage last year.

    The renewed partnership marks the next step in joint efforts to reduce these dangerous crossings and paves the way for deeper co-operation between the 2 countries in future, looking ahead to next year’s UK-France leaders’ summit.

    The Home Secretary will travel to Frankfurt later this week, where she will meet her international counterparts from the G7 to discuss a range of priority issues including tackling serious organised crime. She will also meet with neighbouring countries as soon as possible as part of the UK’s ongoing co-operation with European partners to drive progress on the issue of illegal migration.

    The UK’s work with international partners is a key part of the government’s wide-ranging approach to fix the broken asylum system, break the business model of people smugglers facilitating these journeys and clamp down on illegal migration.

    This includes the measures introduced through the Nationality and Borders Act to prevent abuse of the system, such as introducing life sentences for people smugglers and increasing the maximum penalty for entering the UK illegally, as well as our world leading partnership with Rwanda which will see migrants who make these unnecessary journeys relocated there to have their claims considered and rebuild their lives.