Tag: Press Release

PRESS RELEASE : Mayor joins local neighbourhood policing teams working to keep London’s communities safe [November 2022]
The press release issued by the Mayor of London on 11 November 2022.
Mayor joins local neighbourhood policing teams working to keep London’s communities safe

Crime figures show knife crime, gun crime and teenage murders have reduced in the capital, but Mayor says still far too high

Prevention and early intervention work led by the Mayor of London’s Violence Reduction Unit is making a difference alongside the Met’s priority to tackle violence

Mayor and Met working together to suppress violence and make all of London’s communities safer

Mayor repeats warning that the cost of living crisis could jeopardise progress made

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan and the Met’s head of Frontline Policing Assistant Commissioner Louisa Rolfe joined local neighbourhood police officers on patrol in Peckham Town Centre yesterday to see first-hand the work being done by the police around the clock to keep Londoners safe.

With the nights drawing in earlier, Town Centre, Neighbourhood, Response Teams officers and the City Hall funded Violent Crime Taskforce are working hard to suppress violence, take weapons off our street and engage with all of London’s communities to prevent and reduce crime.

The Met are targeting the most dangerous offenders, maximising diversion opportunities and increasing their presence through targeted patrols in key hotspots across London’s communities.

The renewed focus follows the pledge from the Mayor and Sir Mark Rowley to get the basics of policing right, and for officers to be in the right place at the right time when and where the public need them most.

As a result of the Mayor’s focus on tackling violent crime and its underlying causes, and the hard work of police officers and youth workers across the capital, the level of knife crime and violence in London has been decreasing since before the pandemic.1 But the Mayor believes violent crime is still far too high and warned in June that the cost of living crisis, which is impacting huge numbers of Londoners and some of the most vulnerable groups in our society, could jeopardise the progress that’s been made. 3

London’s Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) is leading a partnership approach to tackling violence that is rooted in prevention and early intervention. This year, with support from the Mayor, the VRU is investing in positive opportunities for 70,000 young Londoners.

With hundreds of thousands of Londoners being impacted by the cost-of-living crisis and low-income families in the capital being hit hardest as food and energy bills soar, the Mayor is determined to work with the Met and partners to keep everyone safe.

With a record 34,542 officers, both the Met and City Hall are committed to doing everything possible to restore trust and confidence in the police, improve the support for victims of crime, and build on the success made in driving down violence and crime in our city to build a safer London for everyone.

The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, said: “Tackling violence is my top priority and I’m determined to continue leading from the front in London by being tough on crime and tough on its complex causes.

“Record investment from City Hall in the Met and London’s Violence Reduction Unit has meant violence in the capital has reduced since 2016, with knife crime, gun crime, burglary and teenage homicides all falling – bucking the national trend. But more must be done. It’s clear the level of violence in London remains far too high and I remain very concerned that the cost of living crisis could jeopardise the progress we’ve made.

“That’s why I am continuing to take action by supporting our hardworking police officers to keep our city safe and investing record amounts in initiatives through London’s Violence Reduction Unit to support young Londoners at critical stages in their lives.

“The officers I’ve been out with today are part of 650 Town Centre and Safer Neighbourhood police officers directly funded by City Hall to take weapons off our streets, drive down violence and be there when the public needs them most so we can build a safer London for everyone.”

Assistant Commissioner Louisa Rolfe, said: “We are working every day to fight and bring down crime. Tackling violence is a team effort and our work with the Mayor of London’s Violence Reduction Unit is crucial to this.

“Our role as police is to work alongside communities and partners and understand what affects them most. We are also using data in new ways to ensure we are in the right place to protect those most in need, and we are going after offenders, including men who commit violence in the home and on the streets.

“All this is part of regaining and earning trust and having a visible presence in areas with higher levels of violence is also what Londoners rightly expect of us. By doing this work, we are building on our relationships with communities and ensuring our neighbourhood policing provides the quality service people deserve.

“We are clear that we are proactively and forensically targeting the drivers of violent crime, and this week, specialist teams have been tackling high-harm offenders involved in supplying drugs across London, including in Southwark. This builds on the success of the Met’s county lines response and is aimed at dismantling intra-London class A drug lines. This way of working brings together the skills and experience of Specialist Crime officers with the knowledge and expertise of local officers.

“Our job is to make it harder for violent and predatory people, drug dealers, criminals and those involved in organised crime to operate.

“We are also clear that violent crime cannot be solved by policing alone and everyone in the community can play a part.”
November 18, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Mayor’s ‘allyship training’ to empower young Londoners to take a stand and help prevent violence against women and girls [November 2022]
The press release issued by the Mayor of London on 8 November 2022.
- Mayor invests £1million in new education toolkit – available to every secondary school in London – to help them recognise and tackle sexist and misogynistic behaviour.
- The innovative resource forms part of the Mayor’s public health approach to tackling violence against women and girls (VAWG) and builds on the success of his #HaveAWord campaign which urges men and boys in particular to play their part.
- Mayor’s multi award-winning #HaveAWord campaign film to be shown in schools to encourage young men and boys to identify, call out and stand up against sexist behaviour.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has today announced that a new ‘allyship training’ package will be available to every secondary school in London to educate and empower young Londoners to take a stand and help prevent violence against women and girls (VAWG).

Lessons on building healthy relationships, calling out sexism and discussions on attitudes and behaviours towards women and girls will feature in interactive workshops funded by the Mayor in the capital’s secondary schools. This ‘allyship training’ is part of the Mayor’s wide ranging public health approach to ending the epidemic of VAWG.

Today the Mayor visited Rokeby school in Newham to see first-hand how the VAWG prevention toolkit is helping boys understand why their words and attitudes towards women and girls matter.

Every single one of London’s secondary schools, colleges, community groups and faith groups will be able to access the VAWG prevention toolkit – which is now online and funded as part of Sadiq’s [Khan] record investment of more than £100million* in tackling violence against women and girls.

The Mayor will also be writing to every secondary school in London to inform them about the VAWG prevention toolkit and encourage teachers to use it from today.

This is the first toolkit for schools focusing on healthy relationships and tackling misogyny to be launched by a Mayor and this latest announcement builds on the success of the award-winning #HaveAWord campaign which launched earlier this year and encouraged men to reflect on misogynistic behaviour and call it out when they see it. The Mayor’s new VAWG prevention toolkit will take this a step further and is designed to empower the next generation of Londoners, including young boys, to stand up and prevent violence against women and girls.

The new toolkit will be delivered by teachers and supported by specially trained workshop leaders from Tender – an arts and education charity that acts to end abuse by engaging with young people in healthy relationships education. The workshop leaders will provide online support to secondary school teachers in London to deliver sessions, which are designed to educate all young people about the real impact of mistreating women empowering them to spot and challenge sexist and misogynistic behaviour. They will also be on hand for advice and support related to the toolkit.

The Have A Word campaign film – which asks men of all ages to reflect on how they can help tackle violence against women and girls – will now also be shown to students and discussed in schools across London as part of the new VAWG prevention toolkit. The multi award-winning short, which has already been viewed more than 15 million times, will be used as part of the action by the Mayor to ensure the next generation of men are positive allies against VAWG and feel confident, educated and empowered to call out sexist, misogynistic behaviour and attitudes.

The Mayor’s latest action is part of his refreshed strategy to tackle violence against women and girls and comes as NSPCC research shows that a third of all sexual abuse that children experience is committed by other children – with the majority of abuse from teenage boys to teenage girls [1]. Latest ONS figures also reveal that police-recorded sexual offences increased to their highest level over the last 12 months [2] and it is still tragically the case that in the UK, a violent man kills a woman every three days.

The toolkit will also be made available in schools already committed to delivering a new £2 million programme funded by the Mayor of London’s Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) to tackle school exclusions and help young people better develop healthy relationships. The VRU’s inclusive and nurturing programme begins in 70 schools in seven boroughs across London with the highest rates of suspensions, children in need, persistent absenteeism and domestic violence incidents. It is centred around the importance of healthy relationships and skilled practitioners will deliver targeted domestic abuse education and training for pupils, teachers and staff.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “In London and across the country we face an epidemic of violence against women and girls. As well as taking action against the perpetrators of violence, I’m determined that we do more to prevent and end the violence and misogyny too many women face on a daily basis.

“That’s why today I have launched a new VAWG prevention toolkit that will be available to every secondary school in London to help teach our next generation of men about becoming allies and building positive and healthy relationships with the women and girls they see and interact with every day.

“We must put the onus of responsibility on men and boys to change the way they perceive, treat and talk about women if we are going to truly fix the problem of violence against women and girls and build a safer, fairer London for everyone.”

Susie McDonald, Chief Executive, Tender, said: “As a charity that has been acting to end abuse by engaging with young people in healthy relationships education since 2003, we know that there has never been a more pressing time for children and young people to learn about healthy relationships and gender equality.

“Schools create the perfect environment in which young people can learn about these issues in a safe, non-judgemental and age appropriate way. But for teachers, it is essential that they feel confident and equipped with the correct knowledge and skills to deliver this type of education. Therefore Tender is delighted that this toolkit will be accessible to schools across London.

“The toolkit offers teachers lesson plans, ideas for exercises and information to deliver teaching that is accurate and addresses difficult and sensitive subjects in an accessible, proactive and positive way.”

Jo Doyle, Headteacher, Rokeby School, said: “Rokeby School has worked alongside Tender since 2018. Throughout our partnership, in each healthy relationship project and during the RE:SET programme, we have been committed to preparing our boys to be active citizens and allies to ending violence against women and girls.

“We are incredibly proud to be one of the UK’s first Healthy Relationships Champion Schools and will continue to promote the importance of healthy relationships across the school and in the wider community. We will always Dare To Be The Best”.

Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary, National Education Union, said: “The NEU welcomes this new toolkit. Our members have identified preventing sexual harassment and violence against women as a key professional concern and so we are pleased to see this practical support from the Mayor of London.

“Our own research identified that sexism and sexual harassment begins early We know prevention work to change attitudes to gender inequality and address violence against women and girls works and offers the next generation a chance to be the change they want to see in the world.”
November 18, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Mayor of London demands mortgage support for homeowners as rates spiral [November 2022]
The press release issued by the Mayor of London on 7 November 2022.
- More than a quarter of London homeowners say they will struggle to meet mortgage payments this winter
- 400,000 London mortgages are up for renewal between now and December 2023
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has called for immediate action to protect lower-income homeowners who are increasingly at risk of losing their homes because of rising mortgage costs. New YouGov polling for City Hall reveals that one in four (26 per cent) of Londoners think they will struggle to meet mortgage payments in the next six months.

The Mayor is calling for the same level of support seen in the aftermath of the global financial crisis, which avoided the high level of home repossessions seen in the early 1990s crash. Inflation is at a 40-year high and interest rates are being raised to the highest level for 14 years, meaning urgent action is needed to protect Londoners from potential homelessness.

City Hall analysis of Bank of England data from 2021, the latest available, suggests that more than half of Londoners who had fixed term mortgages at that time face their deals ending by the end of 2023. This equates to around 400,000 households who could soon be facing dramatically higher mortgage costs due to increased interest rates. The average rate for a two-year fixed-rate deal rose to 6.53 per cent on 18 October 2022, the highest rate since August 2008.

The Resolution Foundation estimates that the impact of rising interest rates will translate into an additional annual cost of £8000 a year by late 2024 across all households in London whose mortgage costs are going up

The cost-of-living crisis is already fuelling a rise in homelessness in London with the number of people seen sleeping rough in London increasing by a quarter in the last year. More than half of the people spotted sleeping rough were doing so for the first time, amounting to 1,844 people – a rise of 35 per cent on the same period last year.

Sadiq [Khan] believes this situation is so serious that the Government should now implement measures similar to those put in place following the 2008 financial crisis and at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the households affected vary greatly in their circumstances, the Government should:
- Reverse the cuts to the Support for Mortgage Interest scheme – In 2018 this was changed from a grant to an interest-bearing loan and required a nine month wait for those who fall on hard times and need to rely on benefits. The scheme is designed to help protect claimants on qualifying benefits with mortgages from repossession when out of work, retired or sick by contributing towards the interest payments on the claimant’s mortgage and certain home loans. Given the scheme is currently only available to those on certain benefits, as the cost of living crisis worsens, the Mayor believes ministers should also explore making this support available to low-income homeowners not in receipt of benefits but who are now facing unsustainable mortgages payments.
- Reinstate the Mortgage Rescue Scheme in England which was abolished in 2014 and which is currently only available in Scotland (under the title of the Home Owners’ Support Fund) – This scheme targets households within certain income bands and makes two options available: the Mortgage to Rent scheme allows households to stay in their home by selling it to a social landlord and living there as tenants, and through the Mortgage to Shared Equity scheme, the Government buys a stake in the property, which means that households carry on being the owners but they pay a mortgage for a reduced amount.
- Reinstate mortgage payment holidays – Learning from the recent experience of dealing with the financial fall-out from COVID-19, sometimes households need a short-term break from mortgage commitments due to illness, the loss of a job or another sudden change in circumstances. Payment holidays were put in place at the beginning of the pandemic so that households could have the option not to make payments or to make reduced payments for a period of time. The Government should work with lenders to ensure that this is done in such a way that it does not affect people’s credit scores nor future lending decisions.
- Consider reinstating the Homeowners Mortgage Support Scheme to further support struggling homeowners who are not in receipt of benefits – This scheme helped homeowners who were experiencing a temporary reduction in income and struggling to pay their mortgages by allowing them to defer part of their mortgage payments for up to two years. The scheme was launched in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis but ended in 2011.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said:

“Many London homeowners already face sizable monthly mortgage payments, alongside rising costs and stagnant wages. With re-mortgaging rates now hitting levels not seen in more than a decade due to the economic chaos created by this government, it is essential that ministers act to ensure Londoners do not pay the price by losing their homes.

“The measures I’ve set out today would be the right and proportionate approach to tackling a problem that is only going to become more significant and dangerous the longer ministers ignore it.”

Paula Higgins, Chief Executive of HomeOwners Alliance said:

“One thing is clear – the shocking mortgage rate trend alongside surging food and energy costs spells a gloomy winter for homeowners, with those on lower-incomes particularly hard hit. We need a government plan to support these households coming off fixed-term mortgages and this needs to be communicated sooner rather than later to reduce their financial anxiety. We support the mayor’s call for action and remind homeowners struggling with increased rates that they are not alone. Their first port of call should be to speak to their lender about options, such as extending the mortgage term to reduce monthly payments, reducing what you pay for a short period, mortgage holidays or changing temporarily to interest-only payments.
November 18, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Fight against international wildlife crime stepped up [November 2022]
The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 18 November 2022.
- UK Government pushing for further protections for endangered species including pangolin and sharks on the global stage
- Move comes just weeks ahead of crucial UN Convention on Biological Diversity
The fight against international wildlife crime received a boost today with the announcement of new funding for the International Consortium’s Vision 2030, a long-term vision of working towards a world free of wildlife crime.

The government is pledging £4m of new funding for the International Consortium on Combatting Wildlife Crime (ICCWC). The announcement has been made at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in Panama, where the UK government is pushing to secure stronger protections for some of the world’s most threatened species such as pangolins and requiem sharks. Ongoing pressures, including legal and illegal international trade, continue to threaten their survival.

CITES is an international agreement between governments that protects over 38,000 wild plant and animal species from the impacts of international trade. Wildlife crime undermines efforts to ensure that international trade is legal and sustainable. Since 2010, the ICCWC, with their collective expertise and extensive experience, has been delivering essential work to eradicate this vile trade.

The new funding will go towards the next phase of ICCWC programming and will help fight wildlife crime by increasing the detection, disruption and detention of criminals. Transnational criminal networks profit from illegal trade, causing serious security implications for many countries and regions.

Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey said:

We want to keep protecting our most endangered plants and animals. This £4 million of funding going to the ICCWC will help tackle criminals and stop this vile trade.

The UK is showing global leadership on conservation and proposing stronger protections for a range of rare species at this summit such as pangolins and sharks. We will also be driving global efforts to secure a post-2020 global biodiversity framework at the UN Convention on Biological Diversity in Montreal next month.

The UK is demonstrating global leadership on conservation and sustainable use at CITES CoP 19, advocating for:
- Better protection of 54 species of shark to help shield them from overexploitation in the fin trade.
- Strengthening commitments to protect pangolins, the most trafficked mammal in the world, through cooperation and demand reduction measures.
- Improving CITES implementation for agarwood to assist in conservation efforts.
- Upholding the ban on international commercial trade in ivory and rhino horn, managing ivory stockpiles, and ending trade in live African elephants to non-range states.
- Enhancing CITES’ role in relation to reducing the risk of zoonotic disease emergence, tackling the illegal trade in CITES species, better engagement of indigenous people and local communities.
Welcoming the additional funding as an endorsement of ICCWC’s work, CITES Secretary-General, Ivonne Higuero, said:

We’re grateful to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland for this important contribution to support the efforts of CITES Parties to combat wildlife crime. It is a vote of confidence in the coordinated work being done by ICCWC partners to put an end to this scourge affecting our planet and its people.

The 19th meeting of the Conference of the Parties has acknowledged and welcomed the excellent work with Parties conducted under the Consortium and the development of the ICCWC Vision 2030. This funding means more Parties will be assisted by the Consortium to further strengthen their capabilities in the decade to come.

Poaching and the illegal wildlife trade (IWT) has been estimated to be worth up to £17 billion a year. It fuels corruption, creates instability, impacts economic development and deprives some of the world’s poorest communities of sustainable livelihoods. For some of the most endangered species – like pangolins, succulents and turtles – the illegal wildlife trade is the gravest threat to their future.

This funding will provide for a range of training courses, tools, services and capacity building activities, designed to strengthen criminal justice systems and support co-operation among countries exposed to the threats of wildlife trafficking.
November 18, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Graves of two soldiers killed in northern France rededicated [November 2022]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 18 November 2022.

The graves of Private (Pte) James McNeilage McLean, age 24 and Lance Corporal (LCpl) Brunton Smith, age 35, who were killed at different stages of the First World War in Northern France, have been rededicated more than a hundred years after they died. Both men served with regiments that are now antecedent to The Royal Regiment of Scotland.

The services, which were organised by the MOD’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), also known as the ‘MOD War Detectives’, were held at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s (CWGC) Fosse 7 Military Cemetery (Quality Street) and Bancourt British Cemetery on 17 November.

The graves of both men were identified after two members of the public, Alan Gregson (for Pte McLean) and Andrew Pugh (for LCpl Smith) contacted the CWGC presenting evidence suggesting they had been found. Further research conducted by the National Army Museum and JCCC confirmed their findings.

Nicola Nash, JCCC case lead said:

Today we stood in two beautiful cemeteries and heard nothing but birds and the distant rumbling of everyday life. A very different scene would have faced our two soldiers over a hundred years ago, when these two men made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Having their families attend today just shows that their sacrifices will never be forgotten and they will always be remembered with grateful thanks by us all”.

The rededication services for both men were attended by members of their families.

Philip Maclean, great nephew of Pte McLean said:

The re dedication service for our Gt Uncle James was a moving and emotional experience. We are so pleased as a family he is no longer a missing soldier. We would like to thank the MOD, CWGC and the Army for their considerable efforts”.

Malcolm Clague, grandson of LCpl Smith said:

The families of Brunton Hunter and Malcolm Clague wish to thank everyone for the very poignant and fitting service for our grandfather who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

We thank the Commemorations team for your hard work and for bringing together representatives of the Regiment, the Padre and the CWGC. We were especially touched by the presentation of the flag by the Military Attaché from the British Embassy Paris as a tribute to the life given by L/Cpl Brunton Smith. A moving act of remembrance for which we offer our grateful thanks to all and will recall with gratitude in the years to come”.

The services were conducted by the Reverend Timothy Clarke-Wood CF, Chaplain to 4th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland and were attended by serving soldiers of the same regiment.

The Reverend Clarke-Wood said:

There are key moments in our shared history that stand as vital. When within the tragedy of such epic loss as WW1, we can in our present take time to honour and consider the individual who has died – we are on the right track. The celebration of inherent human dignity is found in such moment as the rededication of our fallen heroes”.

The headstones over their graves have been replaced by the CWGC. Liz Woodfield, Director of External Relations at CWGC, said:

We thank Mr Gregson, Mr Pugh and the National Army Museum for their research and dedication in helping to identify the graves of Pte McLean and LCpl Smith. We are privileged to honour these two brave men who made the ultimate sacrifice fighting for their country. We will care for their graves in perpetuity.

How they died:

LCpl Smith joined the 8th Battalion, Royal Scots in 1915. He spent almost all of the war along the Western Front, in France and Belgium. On 21 March 1918, some 6,500 German guns and 3,500 heavy mortars opened up a huge 5-hour barrage against the British 3rd and 5th Armies on the Western Front. Although the Allies knew an attack was imminent, they did not know where and how the main attack would occur. The German tactics succeeded and on the first day, British casualties amounted to 38,500 men. The Germans pushed the British back several miles, with heavy casualties inflicted during their fighting retreat. During 23-26 March, German successes continued with the capture of Peronne, Bapaume and Albert. On 24 March, as LCpl Smith’s battalion were withdrawing through Bapaume, he was one of the casualties lost during the continual artillery bombardment and fighting.

Pte McLean was living in Invergordon when he joined the 10th Battalion, Gordon Highlanders. Referred to at the time as ‘the big push’, the Battle of Loos was the biggest British attack of 1915 and saw the first engagement of New Army units. Five battalions of the Gordon Highlanders saw action in this battle, with a further two involved in a subsidiary attack in Hooge, north of the Loos battlefield. Just two days before this battle began, on 23 September 1915, the 10th Battalion, Gordon Highlanders were in the front lines facing Loos-en-Gohelle. The day was spent listening to the near constant, heavy artillery bombardment of the enemy trenches. During the afternoon, the battalion ‘shewed their bayonets and cheered’ to trick the enemy into thinking an attack was imminent. It was during this day that Pte McLean tragically lost his life.

November 18, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Protecting the marine environment is vital say public [November 2022]

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 18 November 2022.

Whether its rambling along coastal paths, walking the dog or visiting coastal heritage sites, a new survey has revealed the overwhelming value the public feel the marine environment offers to their mental and physical health. However, around half of the 12,000 people surveyed also expressed concern about our seas, with over 80% of those taking part saying how crucial it is to protect our ocean.

Almost 70% of people see marine litter and plastic pollution as the greatest threats to our marine environment, with over half saying they believe regulating the use of single use plastics is one of the main ways we can address these issues. The public continue to take action at home, with roughly 4 out of 5 recycling more over the last 12 months, and 70% reducing their use of single use plastics.

The survey, published by Defra in collaboration with the Ocean Conservation Trust, the Scottish Government and Natural Resources Wales, sheds light on public awareness, knowledge and attitudes surrounding the marine environment.

Minister for Marine, Lord Benyon said:

“This survey highlights the immense value that the general public place on our ocean and marine environment as well as their willingness to take action to help to preserve it.

“As a government we are determined to continue to build on the protective measures we already have in place in our Marine Protected Areas alongside introducing further restrictions on single use plastic.

“We are also championing the goal of protecting 30 per cent of the global ocean by 2030 to help conserve our marine environment that is evidently precious to many.”

Roughly 4 in 5 people believe spending time in the marine environment results in good mental health; and over half found it to be a good source of social connection and a way to spend time with family and friends. Around 70% believe visits to the coast are also good for their physical health. England’s coastal path, being established by Natural England, will be the longest continuous coastal walking route in the world once complete, and a previous report from Natural England found that 97% of people felt refreshed and revitalised as a result of their visit.

The survey also shows that the public consider the ocean and marine environment as fragile resources that are highly valuable when it comes to education, general life enjoyment and overall wellbeing. Many of the respondents have carried out activities to protect the environment, including changes to lifestyle choices and signing petitions, and over 80% said they support the creation of Marine Protected Areas.

Nicola Bridge, Head of Advocacy and Engagement from the Ocean Conservation Trust said:

“As an Ocean conservation charity, understanding Ocean Literacy levels in the UK is vital to help us to protect the future of our Ocean. Someone who is Ocean literate is more likely to act in ways that support the health of our Ocean. At the OCT, our goal is to support as many people as possible to connect to the Ocean, becoming ‘Ocean literate’ and thinking about their impact on the Ocean in their daily choices.

“The results from this survey will be an important tool to help us shape our public engagement and education programmes. It is uplifting to see more and more people taking action to increase their positive impact on the Ocean, which is a great baseline for us to work from.”

In June this year, the UK Government joined other world leaders at the UN Ocean Conference to announce new initiatives to protect the global marine environment, marking a significant step forward in our mission to protect at least 30% of the global ocean by 2030. At home, the UK has a strong track record in marine conservation, with 374 Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) already in place. The comprehensive network of MPAs provides protection for just over 38% of UK waters, and in England, nearly 60% of the 178 English MPAs are already protected from damaging fishing gear, with the aim to have all 40 offshore sites protected from damaging fishing activity by 2024.

The UK has also been a leading voice in attempts to tackle marine plastic pollution, co-sponsoring a proposal to prepare a new treaty and being a founding member of the High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution, a group of more than 30 countries calling for a target under the treaty to stop plastic from flowing into our lands and ocean by 2040. This builds on the UK’s world-leading efforts to tackle plastic pollution at home. We have so far introduced a plastic packaging tax on packaging that contains less than 30% recycled plastic, a ban on microbeads in rinse-off personal care products, and measures to restrict the supply of plastic straws, plastic drink stirrers and plastic-stemmed cotton buds.

This report follows the first meeting of the UK Dialogues on Ocean Plastics this month which marked a major step in developing a legally-binding global treaty that aims to end plastic pollution by 2040.

It also comes shortly after COP27 where the UK Government has continued to push for progress on ocean commitments, including announcing an additional £12 million to the Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance (ORRAA) to help protect our ocean and vulnerable coastal communities.

November 18, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Stagecoach Devon Ordered to Provide Free Bus Services in Exeter

The press release issued by the Department of Transport on 18 November 2022.

The company attended a public inquiry over two days in June and October this year. A DVSA investigation found that around 21% of services were not running to timetable. The figure was accepted by the operator who put the cause down to a lack of drivers despite efforts to recruit and retain.

In his written decision following the inquiry, Traffic Commissioner Kevin Rooney noted that this was not a case of buses running more than one minute early or five minutes late (the accepted “window of tolerance”) but one of buses not running at all. Stagecoach’s own evidence was that between six and nine percent of registered mileage had been lost. He found that the operator had not been quick enough to act and was also critical of the information available to passengers. He set the shortcomings against the significant lack of drivers across the bus and coach sectors since the pandemic and EU exit, and the significant recent action to recruit and retain drivers.

In making the order for free services, estimated to cost around £120,000, Mr Rooney also recorded the company’s intent to keep a member of staff available at peak hours at Exeter Bus Station.

The decision can be found here.

November 18, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Local authorities having to find homes for children at the ‘last minute’ [November 2022]
The press release issued by the Department for Education on 18 November 2022.

An Ofsted report published today, finds that local authorities are struggling to find homes for children coming into care.

Local authorities are struggling with a last minute dash to find homes for children coming into care due to the rising demand for places and a lack of suitable accommodation, according to Ofsted.

In a report published today, Ofsted found that the lack of enough suitable accommodation, and the need to find placements quickly, mean local authorities often struggle to plan for and meet their legal duty to offer sufficient accommodation for children in need of care. Difficulty forecasting demand and the need for urgent placements leaves local authorities with little option but to respond to individual cases as and when they arise.

Some local authorities told Ofsted that a lack of time and resources for forward planning results in a last-minute response when a child comes into care. Even when local authorities can plan, there is often a lack of available accommodation and care for children with more complex needs.

Local authorities also noted tension in their relationships with some private providers and their ‘power’ over the children’s social care market. Some suggested that providers can cherry-pick certain children, making it difficult for them to follow their plan and fulfil their sufficiency duty. Conversely, other local authorities highlighted how positive relationships with providers mean they are better able to find homes for children with more complex needs and negotiate the cost of placements.

Ofsted’s report draws on interviews and focus groups with social workers, regional commissioning groups and other local authority staff.

The research also found:
- local authorities’ knowledge about providers and agencies is often held by individuals, which can be lost when there are staff changes
- some local authorities are concerned about the ageing population of foster carers in their area and their ability to plan for long term placements
Yvette Stanley, Ofsted’s National Director for Regulation and Social Care:

Today’s report lays bare some of the challenges facing local authorities when it comes to finding the care children need. More children are coming into care, many with high-level physical and mental health needs. The need to find places for these children quickly overrides local authorities’ long-term planning.

It is clear that these findings are set against the issues affecting children’s social care nationally, and local authorities cannot solve the sufficiency issue on their own. There is a lack of suitable homes in the right places, particularly for children with the most complex needs – this needs to be addressed.

Text of Ofsted Report.
November 18, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Vice Admiral appointed NATO Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe [November 2022]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 18 November 2022.

Vice Admiral Keith Blount is to be appointed NATO’s Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe (DSACEUR), demonstrating the UK’s continued leadership in the Alliance. For the past three years, he has been Commander of NATO’s Maritime Command.

Vice Admiral Blount will take up the appointment in the rank of Admiral in succession to General Sir Tim Radford in July 2023.

Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe serves as the second in command to the Supreme Allied Commander Europe and concurrently as the deputy head of Allied Command Operations. This is the first time the role has been held by a representative from the Royal Navy.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said:

I am delighted to congratulate Vice Admiral Keith Blount on his promotion to Admiral and appointment as Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe.

His appointment demonstrates the United Kingdom’s unwavering commitment to NATO and our leadership in European defence. I pay tribute to the contribution Vice Admiral Blount has made to the Royal Navy and the Alliance in his career to date. He brings extensive leadership experience and has served on operations across the globe alongside our allies and partners. I look forward to continuing to work with him and NATO.

Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin said:

Vice Admiral Blount’s appointment as Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe is testament to his leadership of NATO’s Maritime Forces at this pivotal time for European security.

It also reflects the United Kingdom’s commitment to the Alliance on land and in the air, our exceptional nuclear contribution, our growing cyber capabilities, and our pivotal role on NATO’s northern flank, all of which make Britain the leading European ally.

Vice Admiral Keith Blount said:

It is an absolute honour to have been selected to succeed General Sir Tim Radford as the next Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe.

He has been instrumental in guiding NATO’s work at a critical time for the Alliance and its Partners and I look forward to maintaining the momentum.

The strength of NATO lies with its people and we have a highly skilled and dedicated team that is laser focused on our collective defence.

November 18, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Millions across Great Britain see energy bills reduced as £1.8 billion is paid out in first month of government scheme [November 2022]

The press release issued by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on 18 November 2022.

– £1.8 billion was paid out last month through the government’s Energy Bills Support Scheme (EBSS), reducing energy costs for over 27 million households across Great Britain

– £136 million worth of vouchers have been provided to traditional prepayment meter customers, with government urging households to redeem them

– a second instalment of the EBSS payment will reduce November bills, adding to wider government support to protect against soaring energy prices

Over 27 million households across Great Britain received money off their energy bills last month as the Energy Bills Support Scheme (EBSS) provided £1.8 billion in payments.

New figures released today show the EBSS successfully provided a £66 discount for 97% of eligible households in England, Scotland and Wales in its first month.

This is the first payment made through the EBSS since it launched in October and will see households receive a £400 discount on energy bills paid in 6 monthly instalments. The second instalment of the EBSS will reduce households’ November energy bills, which brings the total amount spent on the scheme so far to £3.8 billion.

Vouchers were sent to all 2 million customers with traditional pre-payment meters. The government today urged consumers to redeem vouchers as soon as possible, after figures showed only around two thirds had already done so. Suppliers will tell customers where to redeem them, for example at a Post Office branch or a PayPoint shop. Payzone outlets are unable to accept the vouchers.

Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Grant Shapps, said:

The government is committed to supporting people facing unique stresses with the cost of living and rising energy costs. Today’s figures show how we are making a difference in over 27 million homes across Great Britain.

All vouchers have now been sent to customers who should have them, so I urge everyone who uses a traditional prepayment meter to make sure they receive their voucher from their supplier and redeem them promptly so they get the energy bill support they are entitled to.

Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, James Cartlidge, said:

We are facing a global energy crisis driven by Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, and we know this is a huge challenge for people here in the UK.

That’s why we have taken direct action, ensuring millions of households are protected this winter.

From December onwards, the amount discounted from energy bills will increase to £67 as the scheme continues to provide support to households over the winter months.

Administered by energy suppliers, the scheme is designed so customers receive the rebate in the same way that they pay their energy bills, such as via direct debit, credit, smart meters and traditional prepayment meters. For the small minority who have not yet received the discount for October, this was down to factors such as issues around a customer’s bank details where they pay via direct debit, and customers on pre-payment meters who are yet to redeem the vouchers.

Gillian Cooper, Head of Energy Policy for Citizens Advice, said:

As winter starts to set in, this financial support should help millions of people to keep their heating and lights on. It’s vital it reaches everyone who needs it.

Most people should get the payment directly, but if you use a traditional prepayment meter, you’ll be sent monthly vouchers that you can redeem at your local shop or Post Office. If you haven’t received the first 2 payments, contact your energy supplier as soon as possible.

Earlier this year, the government introduced new powers that mean intermediaries, such as landlords, must pass on savings made under the EBSS and other energy support schemes to end users, who don’t pay their energy bills directly, for example tenants.

Those on traditional prepayment meters are sent monthly vouchers by their supplier via text, email or post with suppliers having contacted customers in advance of the scheme launching to advise how the discount will be applied.

Vouchers expire after 90 days to ensure it helps people over the winter months but can be reissued by the supplier on request. Suppliers must make several attempts to contact customers who have not redeemed their vouchers, with the scheme also allowing for consumers to transfer EBSS payments from electricity meters to gas meters. All vouchers must be redeemed by 30 June 2023.

The EBSS comes in addition to wider government support to help households with the cost of living this Winter. As well as discounts provided through the EBSS, the government’s Energy Price Guarantee (EPG) will save a typical household around £700 this winter, based on what energy prices would have been under the current price cap – reducing bills by roughly a third. The EPG will continue to provide support for another 12 months from April 2023, and with energy prices forecast to remain high, this equates to an average of £500 support for households in 2023 to 2024. An additional £1,200 of support in direct payments is being provided to vulnerable households this year, with £26 billion worth of targeted support to help protect the most vulnerable announced by the Chancellor for the next financial year.

November 18, 2022