Tag: Press Release

PRESS RELEASE : A transparent approach to benefit take-up progress in Scotland [October 2022]
The press release issued by the Scottish Government on 31 October 2022.

A new annual publication with estimated take-up rates of Scottish social security benefits has been published for the first time.

The report will help track progress against the Scottish Government’s Benefit Take-up Strategy which is a requirement of the 2018 Social Security (Scotland) Act.

The Scottish Government is committed to delivering a transparent social security system and reporting annually on progress will support that aim. This first publication covers estimates from introduction of the benefits up to the end of March in the 2021-2022 financial year and will sit alongside existing performance reporting on Social Security Scotland.

Minister for Social Security Ben Macpherson said:

“We are committed to making sure everyone gets the financial support they are entitled to and our benefit take-up strategy outlines how we are doing this. We actively work to encourage take-up of Scottish social security benefits by promoting our 12 benefits, collaborating with various organisations and removing barriers to access.

“This new publication of estimated take-up rates provides us with valuable insights, and will help us to identify where we can do more. Our commitment to continuous improvement ensures we are making progress in breaking down the barriers to access, and in reducing stigma that may have previously led to people not accessing the benefits they are entitled to.

“For example, we have been working with supermarket retailers to promote Best Start Foods, we have shared over 42,000 leaflets about our five family payments and Child Disability Payment in NHS Scotland’s baby boxes, and we have included information on Scottish social security benefits in welcome packs supporting refugees.

“Our efforts to maximise incomes and support benefit take-up are even more important during the current cost of living crisis. Our new cost of living website is a trusted ‘one stop shop’ for advice and information about financial support available in Scotland, including all our Scottish benefits. I would encourage everyone to use and share this website, to make sure people are accessing the financial support they are entitled to.”

Background:
- View and download Take-Up Rates of Scottish Benefits: October 2022.
- A take-up rate is the percentage of people entitled to a benefit that actually receive it. While the number of people receiving Scottish social security benefits is known through published official statistics, the number of people eligible to receive these benefits has to be estimated internally by Scottish Government analysts using a range of data sources. This means the take-up rates in this publication are estimates only.
- Visit gov.scot/costoflivingsupport to find out more about information on help available for households to meet rising energy, housing and other costs. The website also provides details on accessing Scottish and UK social security payments, including online benefit calculators, as well as wider health and wellbeing information.
- View and download the second Benefit Take-up Strategy, published in October 2021, which sets out how the Scottish Government is working to ensure people can access the support they are entitled to
- Since the Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018 was passed, the Scottish Government has introduced 12 benefits, seven of which are completely new forms of financial support, only available in Scotland
- When all benefits have been introduced and clients have transferred from the Department for Work and Pensions, Social Security Scotland will support approximately 2 million children and adults – around one in three people in Scotland.
November 2, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Young people to have their say at COP27 [October 2022]

The press release issued by the Scottish Government on 31 October 2022.

Young people from some of the countries already facing the worst impacts of climate change are being given the opportunity to attend COP27 in Egypt as part of the Scottish Government’s work to widen access to climate negotiations.

The Climate Youth Negotiator Programme will support 35 young people from countries including the Solomon Islands, Liberia and Bhutan to attend the UN climate negotiations, which take place from 6-18 November. The initiative is being delivered in partnership with the Future Leaders Network, with financial backing from the Scottish Government.

The programme will fund their participation and training with the aim of giving young people a voice in the talks and developing their negotiations and leadership skills.

The Scottish Government is also providing funding to help women from the Global South participate. The Women’s Delegate Fund, delivered in partnership with the Women’s Environment Development Organisation, will support four women from Bhutan, Cambodia, Lao Peoples Democratic Republic and Timor-Leste to take part in discussions at COP27.

The Scottish Government will be hosting an event at COP27 with attendees from the Climate Youth Negotiator Programme and Women’s Delegate Fund.

Environment Minister Mairi McAllan said:

“At COP26 in Glasgow, one of our biggest achievements was raising awareness that the people least responsible for global warming are often the ones suffering its worst consequences. Young people in the global south are all too aware of this injustice – they have not caused this crisis, but their lives are already being impacted by its consequences. That is why it is so important that their voices are heard at COP27 and I am proud that Scotland is able to help make that happen.”

Sophie Daud, Chief Executive Officer of the Future Leaders Network and Co-founder of the Youth Negotiators Academy, added:

“For too long, young people have been systematically underrepresented in climate change negotiations. Recent developments have seen young people as powerful motivational speakers, but are often tokenistic and continue to exclude youth from decision making. The Scottish Government’s transformative support will help to change this – by enabling 35 young negotiators from the global south to take their rightful seats at the decision making tables at COP27. We are delighted to partner with them, and look forward to seeing the positive impacts of meaningful youth participation this COP.”

Background

At COP25, only a quarter (25%) of negotiators were under 35 despite this age group making up more than half (56%) of the world’s population.

The 2008-2014 average for women’s participation in Eastern and Western European delegations was 45%, but only 21% for Africa and the Asia-Pacific.

The Scottish Government has provided funding of up to £206,000 to support the Climate Youth Negotiator Programme and £150,000 to support the Women’s Environment Development Organisation deliver the Women’s Delegate Fund and other activity to enhance women’s participation in climate action.

November 2, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak must show global leadership at COP27, say Greens [October 2022]

The press release issued by the Green Party on 31 October 2022.

As speculation continues to grow on whether Rishi Sunak will bow to mounting pressure and attend this year’s COP27 climate talks in Egypt after all, Green Party co-leader Adrian Ramsay, said:

“Despite being pushed into attending, if he does ultimately go to the COP27 climate talks, we should welcome this news. With the UK holding the COP26 presidency, attending to hand the baton on to Egypt is absolutely essential to demonstrate the UK’s commitment to building on last year’s climate talks.

“Rishi Sunak must show global leadership. The UK government must push for real finance for the loss and damage being experienced by poorer countries that are on the front line of climate breakdown. At home there must be urgent action to address both the climate emergency and the cost of living crisis. That should begin with a mass home insulation programme to cut energy bills and carbon emissions and ramping up renewable energy generation. We also need to phase out fossil fuels. More North Sea oil and gas licences takes us in the wrong direction and is the exact opposite of the kind of global leadership needed.

“With the UN warning that there is no credible pathway to keeping temperatures within the 1.5C limit, this year’s COP negotiations are more important than ever. The UN says that only an urgent transformation of society and our economy can avoid disastrous climate impacts. If our government rises to this challenge we can show global leadership and create a better society at the same time.

“Reversing the attacks on nature and restoring the natural environment, funding farmers to manage land for wildlife, good quality and affordable public transport, warmer homes, cheaper energy bills: the policies we need to tackle the climate emergency can create real improvements to people’s everyday lives.”

November 2, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Liberal Democrats Fight Draconian Measures in the Public Order Bill [November 2022]

The press release issued by the Liberal Democrats on 1 November 2022.

Today, Liberal Democrats in the House of Lords have strongly opposed the Government’s draconian Public Order Bill.

This Bill is yet another desperate Conservative attempt to distract from their incompetence by giving the police yet more unnecessary powers.

Having served as a Public Order Specialist in the Metropolitan Police, I know the limiting factor in controlling protests is the lack of suitably trained police officers, not inadequate police powers, and currently serving police officers agree with me.

Of course, no one should be obstructing ambulances from taking patients to hospital, but those found guilty of obstructing our roads can already be sent to prison, and some are already behind bars. This Government wants more.

These are about cracking down on everyone’s rights to peacefully gather and to protest. These rights are fundamental to democracy and our principles as liberals. We will not stand by as this Government strips them away from us.

The already disgraced Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, is pushing for new powers to:

● Ban people from future protests even if they’ve never been to a protest before and have never been convicted of any offence

● Give the police even more ‘stop and search’ powers, including blanket powers to search without any reason to suspect someone of wrongdoing

● Target climate change protestors

People could be banned from protests based on rumour or gossip on the balance of probabilities but sent to prison if they breach any of the conditions imposed on them, which could include being electronically tagged. All this for merely encouraging or facilitating a protest that ends-up causing disruption, even if they did not know that would be the result.

These new laws will not only restrict the democratic rights of every citizen, but they will also disproportionately affect those from minority backgrounds – you’re 19 times more likely to be targeted by the police if you’re black under existing suspicionless stop and search powers.

Many minorities feel they are not represented in Parliament, so their right to protest is even more important, and yet they are the most likely to be discouraged from taking to the streets by these dreadful new laws.

As Liberal Democrats, we will not tolerate this clear assault on our human rights.

Alongside my Liberal Democrat colleagues in the House of Lords, we will fight this Bill every step of the way.

November 2, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Local politicians to answer young people’s questions about voting in upcoming radio shows [November 2022]

The press release issued by Haringey Council on 1 November 2022.

Young people will have the chance to quiz local politicians about voting and political participation in two upcoming radio shows.

The shows, hosted by Haringey-based online radio station Unity Xtra, are being aired to mark London Voter Registration Week, which is taking place from 14-20 November.

The first show, on Monday 14 November, will feature Leader of Haringey Council Cllr Peray Ahmet and Leader of the Opposition Cllr Luke Cawley-Harrison, while the second show on Thursday 17 November will feature Deputy Mayor Cllr Lester Buxton.

Both shows will be on air from 7-9pm and you can tune in by visiting www.unityextra.com

London Voter Registration Week is a strictly non-political, impartial, non-election-specific project funded and supported by the Greater London Authority to encourage voter registration in the capital.

London has one of the lowest voter registration rates across the UK, so make sure that you and your friends and family are registered so that you have a voice in decisions affecting you.

November 2, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Pre-Raphaelite painting by Rebecca Solomon at risk of leaving the UK [November 2022]
The press release issued by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on 2 November 2022.
- Solomon was a pioneering Jewish painter who campaigned for women artists
- Export bar is to allow time for a UK gallery or institution to acquire the painting
A Pre-Raphaelite painting worth £314,880 is at risk of leaving the UK unless a buyer can be found to save the work for the nation.

Rebecca Solomon was known for showing an awareness of inequality in her work and this painting titled A Young Teacher depicts sitter Fanny Eaton, whose mother was a former enslaved woman in Jamaica, posing as an Indian nursemaid. The piece provides a nuanced and sensitive perspective on gender and ethnicity in the 19th century.

Rebecca Solomon hails from a prominent Jewish family and went on to become a pioneering pre-Raphaelite artist. She was also active in social reform movements, including as part of a group of thirty-eight artists who petitioned the Royal Academy of Arts to open its schools to women.

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State Stuart Andrew said:

Rebecca Solomon’s work shone a light on inequality and prejudice at a time when these subjects were far from mainstream. Her painting A Young Teacher has more to tell us about gender and ethnicity in the 19th century and I hope a UK buyer comes forward so we can continue to learn more about attitudes at the time.

The Minister’s decision follows the advice of the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest. The committee agreed that the painting was extremely important in the context of diversity and representation of Black and Asian figures in 19th century Britain, as well as noting the lack of professional, female Jewish artists of this period in British public collections.

Committee member Professor Mark Hallett said:

Despite its seemingly undramatic character, Solomon’s painting is a bold and ambitious meditation on issues of gender, race, intimacy and education. The Young Teacher cries out for further investigation and interpretation: new research on its creator, subject-matter, production and display has the potential to enrich our understanding not only of the picture itself, but of Victorian art and culture more generally. For all these reasons, the Committee very much hopes it finds a home in the UK.

The RCEWA made its recommendation on the grounds that its departure from the UK would be a misfortune because it was of outstanding significance for the study of women artists and Jewish art in 19th century Britain, as well as to the history of art and Empire.

The decision on the export licence application for the painting will be deferred for a period ending on 1st February 2023 inclusive. At the end of the first deferral period owners will have a consideration period of 15 business days to consider any offer(s) to purchase the painting at the recommended price of £314,880. The second deferral period will commence following the signing of an Option Agreement and will last for three months.
November 2, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Putin’s only aim is to spread terror in Ukraine – UK statement to the OSCE [November 2022]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 2 November 2022.

Ian Stubbs (UK delegation to the OSCE) says Putin has continued to mercilessly punish the Ukrainian people for Russia’s poor performance on the battlefield.

Thank you Mr Chair. This week, President Putin has continued to mercilessly punish the Ukrainian people for Russia’s poor performance on the battlefield. His military commanders have conducted missile strikes targeting power stations and water supplies throughout Ukraine. More widely, they continue to employ Iranian-provided Shaed-136 UAVs (otherwise known as suicide drones) and cruise missiles against civilians, residential buildings and civilian infrastructure in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities.

None of this achieves any military purpose. Putin’s only aim is to spread terror and to deprive Ukrainian families of shelter, light, and heat as harsh winter approaches. This is a particularly cruel act of vengeance which will cause most suffering amongst Ukraine’s most vulnerable, including the elderly and young.

President Putin and his Russian military leaders have consistently planned and authorised operations which have breached international humanitarian law.

Mr Chair, when this Forum last convened, I asked our Russian colleague directly to explain how they could justify such callous attacks on civilians. He did not respond. Instead, he again elected to retreat from this chamber – a message in itself.

Perhaps my Russian colleague knows he is complicit in trying to hide the disastrous truth of the Kremlin’s appalling and failing illegal invasion of Ukraine from his fellow citizens. Perhaps he knows that deliberate attacks on civilians are a clear breach of international humanitarian law. Perhaps he recognises the horrifying irony that whilst President Putin claims that Ukraine is part of Russia and Ukrainians are Russians, he also calls them Nazis who must be bombed without mercy.

Mr Chair, today we have again heard a litany of the Kremlin’s lies, disinformation and incredulous conspiracy theories. These are clumsy attempts to distract from the enduring poor performance and failings of the Russian military on the battlefield.

The Wagner Group, the private military company on which the Russian military has been increasingly reliant, now appears not only to be recruiting Russian convicts, but has expanded its recruitment to include individuals suffering from serious diseases and medical conditions – a sign of desperation to recruit numbers not fighters.

Meanwhile, in many cases, newly mobilised Russian reservists have been deployed to Ukraine poorly equipped. Open source images suggest they are typically issued with AKMs, a weapon first introduced in 1959, many of which are likely to be in barely usable condition. Some appear to have been sent to Ukraine without weapons at all.

Badly trained and badly equipped amateurs are being sent to reinforce Russia’s poorly equipped and poorly led, demoralised professional soldiers.

Mr Chair, the nuclear rhetoric we have heard today is irresponsible, including the absurd claim that Ukraine plans to detonate a radiological “dirty bomb” on its own territory. No other country is talking about nuclear use. No country is threatening Russia nor threatening President Putin. He should be clear that for the UK and our Allies, any use at all of nuclear weapons would fundamentally change the nature of this conflict. There would be severe consequences for Russia.

Mr Chair, as we have discussed previously, the Russian/Belarusian “regional grouping of forces” remains unlikely to be combat capable, not least because Russia is unlikely to be able to generate combat-ready formations of the size announced because of the number of forces it has committed in Ukraine and associated resourcing issues.

Separately, on 17 October, imagery showed two MiG-31K interceptor jets were almost certainly parked at the Machulishchi Airfield in Belarus. Also located with the aircraft were objects likely associated with the AS-24 KILLJOY air launch ballistic missile – which has not previously been deployed in Belarus.

It is worth noting that neither the “regional grouping of forces” nor the deployment of the KILLJOY ballistic missile currently provide a significant tactical advantage to Russia and so it is likely that these deployments aim to provide a distraction and to portray Belarus as increasingly complicit in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

We call on the Belarusian regime to recognise this, desist from supporting Russia’s attempts to stoke further instability in the region and to stop its active support of Russia’s illegal invasion, which itself constitutes a breach of international law.

Mr Chair, President Putin and the Russian military leadership are demonstrating an unimaginable level of barbarity and depravity as they unleash their frustrations on the Ukrainian people. But they continue to fail to understand that every horrendous attack strengthens the Ukrainian resolve to defend their homeland from a brutal and barbaric invader. The UK remains steadfast – for however long it takes – to ensure that the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the independence of Ukraine is fully restored. Thank you.

November 2, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : UK sanctions Russian steel and petrochemical tycoons funding Putin’s war [November 2022]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 2 November 2022.
- Oligarchs Abramov and Frolov, known for owning major stakes in Russian steel manufacturer Evraz, have been sanctioned for their involvement in sectors of major significance to Putin’s military machine
- Shaimiev and Shigabutdinov, who are both connected to major petrochemical company AO TAIF, have also been sanctioned
- The UK has sanctioned more than 120 oligarchs with a global net worth of more than £140 billion
The UK has today (Wednesday 02 November) sanctioned four oligarchs who have enabled Putin to mobilise Russian industries to support his military effort.

Amongst those sanctioned today are Alexander Abramov and Alexander Frolov, who have been targeted for their involvement in the extractive, transport, and construction sectors.

The pair, known to be business associates of Roman Abramovich, previously owned major stakes in Russian steel manufacturer Evraz plc, are thought to have an estimated global net worth of £4.1 billion and £1.7 billion respectively, and are reported to have UK property investments worth an estimated £100 million.

The Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said:

Putin continues to rely on his cabal of selected elite to maintain control of his industrial complex and fuel his illegal invasion of Ukraine. Today we are sanctioning an additional four oligarchs who rely on Putin for their positions of authority and in turn fund his military machine.

By targeting these individuals, we are ramping up the economic pressure on Putin and will continue to do so until Ukraine prevails.

Also sanctioned today are Airat Shaimiev, who has an estimated global net worth of £902 million, and Albert Shigabutdinov, who has an estimated global net worth of £977 million. Like Abramov and Frolov, they are both subject to travel bans, asset freezes and transport sanctions.

The AO TAIF group, for which Shigabutdinov is the General Director and CEO, controls an estimated 96% of chemical and petrochemical processing in the Tatarstan region of Russia, including the production of crude oil. They are also known as one of the world’s largest producers of synthetic rubber and a major producer of plastics.

Shaimiev is the CEO of state owned transport and construction company, OAO Tatavtodor.

Today’s designations expand upon the UK’s sanctions against oligarchs, targeting those who operate in the areas of strategic significance that prop up Putin’s industrial military machine.

The UK has sanctioned more than 1,200 individuals and 120 entities, including more than 120 oligarchs with a net worth of more than £140 billion.

Background
- Alexander Grigoryevich Abramov is a former non-executive director of Evraz PLC. In this role, Abramov had been involved in obtaining a benefit from or supporting the Government of Russia by working as a Director at Evraz PLC, an entity carrying on business in sectors of strategic significance to the Russian Government, namely, the extractive sector, the transport sector, and the construction sector. Abramov’s net worth is reported to be an estimated £4.1 billion. Abramov is subject to a travel ban, asset freeze and transport sanctions.
- Alexander Vladimirovich Frolov is a former director and former CEO of Evraz PLC. In this role, Frolov had been involved in obtaining a benefit from or supporting the Government of Russia by working as a Director at Evraz PLC, an entity carrying on business in sectors of strategic significance to the Russian Government, namely, the extractive sector, the transport sector, and the construction sector. Frolov’s net worth is reported to be an estimated £1.7 billion. Frolov is subject to a travel ban, asset freeze and transport sanctions.
- Airat Mintimerovich Shaimiev is the CEO and a member of the board of directors of OAO Tatavtodor, a large state-owned transport and construction company which is engaged in the construction and servicing of public highways in Russia. In this role, Shaimiev had been involved in obtaining a benefit from or supporting the Government of Russia by working as the CEO at OAO Tatavtodor, an entity carrying on business in sectors of strategic significance to the Russian Government, namely, the transport sector, and the construction sector. Shaimiev’s net worth is reported to be an estimated £902 million. Shaimiev is subject to a travel ban, asset freeze and transport sanctions.
- Albert Kashafovich Shigabutdinov is the General Director and CEO of the AO TAIF Group of companies, which comprises companies operating in the Russian energy, financial services and information, communications and digital technologies sectors. In this role, Shigabutdinov had been involved in obtaining a benefit from or supporting the Government of Russia by working as the CEO at AO TAIF Group of companies, an entity carrying on business in sectors of strategic significance to the Russian Government, namely, the energy, financial services and information, communications and digital technologies sectors. Shigabutdinov’s net worth is reported to be an estimated £977 million. Shigabutdinov is subject to a travel ban, asset freeze and transport sanctions.
November 2, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Camden Council applies to name area in Highgate ‘Boris Nemtsov Place’ [October 2022]

The press release issued by Camden Council on 14 October 2022.

Camden Council has applied to rename the area at the junctions of Highgate Road, Highgate West Hill and Swains Lane after assassinated Russian pro-democracy campaigner Boris Nemtsov.

Boris Nemtsov repeatedly spoke out against Vladimir Putin’s regime and campaigned to uphold democracy in Russia. Tragically, having become a prominent and effective voice of opposition, he was assassinated in Moscow on February 27th, 2015.

His supporters and friends who were seeking to commemorate his life’s work have successfully lobbied global cities home to Russian embassies and consulates to rename locations near them. Camden is the latest authority to show solidarity by beginning the formal process to rename a junction in Highgate ‘Boris Nemtsov Place’ – near the Russian Trade Delegation.

Camden would join Washington DC, Vilnius, Kyiv, Bratislava, Prague and Greater Toronto in naming an area after Boris Nemtsov – and become the first place in the UK to do so.

“Boris Nemtsov’s life and death are an invaluable reminder of the constant need to fight for democracy, liberty, and rule of law, and stark warning not to take them for granted. It would be an honour to join the other cities around the world who chose to pay tribute to his legacy.

I am grateful to the extraordinary courage of democracy campaigner Vladimir Kara-Murza who has championed this project and his wife Evgenia Kara-Murza who has carried the torch following his imprisonment in Moscow for speaking out against the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This tribute honours Boris Nemtsov and all those following in his legacy who continue to put their lives at risk for democracy and freedom” – Councillor Georgia Gould, Leader of Camden Council

November 2, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Appointment of a new Lady Justice of Appeal [November 2022]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 2 November 2022.

His Majesty The King has approved the appointment of Mrs Justice Falk as a Lady Justice of Appeal in the Court of Appeal.

The Court of Appeal is the Senior Court of Appeal in England and Wales. The Court consists of Senior judges including The Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales, the Master of the Rolls, and the Heads of Division of the High Court, alongside Lord or Lady Justices of Appeal.

The appointment of Lord and Lady Justices of the Court of Appeal are made by His Majesty The King on the advice of the Prime Minister and the Lord Chancellor following the recommendation of an independent selection panel.

The selection panel was chaired by Lord Chief Justice, Lord Burnett of Maldon. Panel members include Sir Geoffrey Vos, the Master of the Rolls; Lord Kakkar, the Chairman of the Judicial Appointments Commission; and lay Judicial Appointments Commissioners, Ms Sue Hoyle OBE and Ms Jane Furniss CBE.

Biography

Mrs Justice Falk qualified as a solicitor in 1986 and went on to become a partner at a city law firm. In 2015 she was appointed as a fee-paid deputy judge of the Upper Tribunal (Tax and Chancery Chamber). From then until her appointment to the High Court she sat regularly in the First-tier Tax Tribunal and Upper Tribunal. She was appointed as a High Court Judge in 2018, assigned to the Chancery Division. She was a Judicial Commissioner of the Judicial Appointments Commission from 2019 to 2022.

November 2, 2022