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Tag: Press Release

  • PRESS RELEASE : Statement on the Chief of the Defence Staff’s call with the Russian Chief of the General Staff [October 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Statement on the Chief of the Defence Staff’s call with the Russian Chief of the General Staff [October 2022]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 24 October 2022.

    A statement on the Chief of the Defence Staff’s call with the Russian Chief of the General Staff, General of the Army Valery Vasilyevich Gerasimov.

    At the request of the Russian Ministry of Defence, the Chief of the Defence Staff, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, spoke with his Russian counterpart, General of the Army Valery Vasilyevich Gerasimov, this afternoon.

    The Chief of the Defence Staff rejected Russia’s allegations that Ukraine is planning actions to escalate the conflict, and he restated the UK’s enduring support for Ukraine.

    The military leaders both agreed on the importance of maintaining open channels of communication between the UK and Russia to manage the risk of miscalculation and to facilitate de-escalation.

    The conversation followed the Defence Secretary’s call with his Russian counterpart yesterday and a call between the Foreign Ministers of France, the UK, and the USA last night.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Nick de Bois CBE appointed as British Tourist Authority Chair [October 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Nick de Bois CBE appointed as British Tourist Authority Chair [October 2022]

    The press release issued by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on 24 October 2022.

    The Secretary of State has appointed Nick de Bois as Chair of the British Tourist Authority for a term of three years.

    Nick de Bois CBE

    The term of appointment will be for three years, commencing on 1 November 2022 until 31 October 2025. Interim Chair Dame Judith Macgregor will resume her duties as a BTA Board Member.

    Nick de Bois has been Chair of the VisitEngland Advisory Board for three years since June 1 2020, until his appointment as Chair of the British Tourist Authority. During this time and acting in an independent capacity, he led the government’s review into the funding and structures of England’s Destination Management Organisations.

    Nick de Bois was Member of Parliament for Enfield North from 2010 to 2015. Prior to his election, he was founder and Managing Director of Rapiergroup, an international events and exhibitions management agency that he set up in 1988 delivering conferences, exhibitions and digital content for U.K. and International based clients.

    In 2016, he was appointed Chairman of the UK Government’s first U.K. Events Industry Board bringing together industry and government agencies to advise the government on the implementation of its Business Events Strategy launched in 2015. This strategy set about securing an increase of inbound international visitors by winning new international events hosted at U.K. destinations. In addition, the board advised on securing growth of international visitors to established domestic events.

    He resigned as Chair of the U.K. Events Industry Board in July 2018 to join the Department for Exiting the European Union as Chief of Staff and Special Advisor to the Secretary of State Dominic Raab MP.

    Nick lives with his wife Helen in Hertfordshire. He is also an author of “Confessions of a Recovering MP” and his first novel Fatal Ambition as well as being a contributory program host and broadcaster.

    Nick was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list 2022.

    Remuneration and Governance Code

    This appointment has been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments. The process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Nick will be offered remuneration of £40,000 per annum. The Government’s Governance Code requires that any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years is declared. This is defined as holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation or candidature for election. Nick has declared he was the Conservative Party candidate for the constituency of Enfield North in the 2017 General Election.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Fiona Pollard appointed as VisitEngland Advisory Board Interim Chair [October 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Fiona Pollard appointed as VisitEngland Advisory Board Interim Chair [October 2022]

    The press release issued by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on 24 October 2022.

    The Secretary of State has appointed Fiona Pollard as VisitEngland Advisory Board Interim Chair for 9 months, whilst the appointment process for a permanent Chair is conducted.

    Fiona Pollard

    Nick de Bois CBE has stepped down as Chair of the VisitEngland Advisory Board to become Chair of the British Tourist Authority. Fiona Pollard has been appointed Interim Chair, with her term of appointment commencing on 1 November 2022 until 31 July 2023.

    Fiona joined the VisitEngland Advisory Board in March 2018, and was reappointed for a second term in March 2022.

    Fiona runs her own events company and sits on several boards, including the Roman Baths, one of the most visited tourist attractions in England.

    After a career in The City working in the derivatives sector with a number of international banks, Fiona ran the Hop Farm Country Park in Kent until 2006. She still has close connections with the County organising the Leeds Castle Classical Concert each summer. She is a former Board member of the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) and the Kent Messenger group of radio stations. Fiona was also a founding member of the Kent Tourism Alliance and one of the original Trustees behind the Turner Contemporary art gallery in Margate.

    Remuneration and Governance Code

    This Interim Chair appointment has been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments. The process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. This role is remunerated at £345.00 per day. The Government’s Governance Code requires that any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years is declared. This is defined as holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation or candidature for election. Fiona has declared no activity.

  • PRESS RELEASE : What works in youth justice – ideas for now and the future [October 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : What works in youth justice – ideas for now and the future [October 2022]

    The press release issued by the Home Office on 24 October 2022.

    Keith Fraser, Chair of the YJB, summarises a report which brings together thoughts on achieving a Child First system from 200+ youth justice experts.

    For decades academics, policy makers, practitioners and other experts have deliberated on how best to create safer communities by preventing offending by children. For the past 20 years or more, the body of evidence known as the ‘Child First’ approach has been proven to be the best way of achieving this.

    With that in mind, at the YJB we set out to answer two questions:

    How far do we think we are from achieving a “Child First” system?
    What could we do to achieve a “Child First” system?
    To provide answers we brought together more than 200 stakeholders – all experts in their fields within or connected to youth justice. They came together in groups across England and Wales to provide their thoughts on the current system and ideas for the future.

    Using a systems map methodology, with independent validation generously provided by Professor Kate Williams from University of South Wales, we looked at the themes which appeared in stakeholders’ answers.

    The results were fascinating. Not just the themes suggesting where we could improve, but also the breadth of ideas for change. It’s difficult to distil the thousands of thoughts we collated into just a few key messages, so I encourage everyone to view the full presentation. But to give you a flavour, across both England and Wales experts consistently raised the need to do the following:

    recognise the youth justice system as part of a wider system and make changes beyond – like improving understanding of why children offend
    collect the right data and to share it with agencies effectively
    enable greater child and workforce participation and collaboration
    challenge current reforms to go further, including police and courts, and to reflect this in changes to inspection
    review training for youth justice staff, including supporting staff to deal with trauma, and in Wales to build on in-depth trauma informed training already delivered
    From the above, it’s clear there’s lots to work on to finally achieve a system which fully utilises Child First evidence, but we didn’t just receive a ‘wish list’ from partners, they also came full of brilliant ideas – from quickly implementable, no-cost ideas to long-term ideas involving complex changes to law, policy or investment.

    We recognise that with complex systems there is no quick and free panacea. At the YJB we’ve committed to continue bringing together experts and to provide spaces for collaboration and further discussion. We will also consider how we can act on ideas for change within our gift and support others to make changes that are within their power.

    As youth justice experts we all agree that the success of the youth justice system is reliant on many organisations and individuals. That’s why I’m asking all of you who are directly and indirectly involved in youth justice to read the findings, share them with colleagues and to consider how you and your organisation can use this information to support your own work and contribute to the changes suggested.

    I take great heart in the number of ideas for improvement. For me it shows that there are solutions, that there is great hope and that there are many of us that care deeply for the communities and children who are most affected by crime. Thank you to all of you who took part in discussions and offered your expertise, to those who have helped make sense of the evidence and to everyone who continues to work tirelessly to improve the lives of children and our communities.

     

  • PRESS RELEASE : Providers committed to making T levels a success, but challenges remain [October 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Providers committed to making T levels a success, but challenges remain [October 2022]

    The press release issued by the Department for Education on 24 October 2022.

    Ofsted has today published an interim report evaluating the quality of the new T-level courses. It finds that providers are working hard to ensure that T-level courses equip learners with the knowledge, skills and experiences needed for future study or employment. However, the first providers to offer these new qualifications have faced some challenges.

    Read the review of the quality of T-level courses: interim report.

    The review also finds that the T Level Transition Programme (TLTP) is not always resulting in learners progressing to a T level as intended.

    The interim report was commissioned by the Department for Education and is the first stage in a two-year evaluation of T-level courses. It draws on evidence from visits to 24 providers, 10 of which also offered the transition programme, between December 2021 and April 2022.

    Overall, Ofsted found that learners were appreciative of the quality of teaching on their T-level course. However, not all learners felt prepared for how much work they had to do. Effective industry placements gave learners broad, high-quality and appropriate experiences that helped them to make informed decisions about their future career path. However, many learners experienced delays in going on placements.

    Work experience is a fundamental component of the transition programme that gives learners the opportunity to gain the skills needed to progress to a T-level course.

    In some cases, providers failed to help learners secure meaningful work experience relevant to their course, which resulted in learners sourcing their placements independently.

    The review also found that many teachers did not receive comprehensive training and some found teaching the new curriculum challenging. Providers did not always have access to the resources they needed from awarding bodies in good time.

    The recruitment and retention of staff with sufficient knowledge and experience were also a challenge, due to sector shortages and the effects of the pandemic. The more effective T-level curriculums involved frequent collaboration between education providers and employers.

    Inspectors found that, although teaching on the transition programme was generally of a high standard, most learners appeared unlikely to progress on to a T-level course on completion.

    Ofsted’s interim report recommends that all T-level and T Level Transition Programme providers:

    • provide initial advice to learners before they start a T-level course to help them decide which pathway to follow
    • collaborate with employers to make sure the design and delivery of the curriculum is of a high quality
    • make sure that the curriculum sequences the different components of a T level in a coherent way that develops learners’ knowledge and skills
    • reduce delays to learners work placements
    • ensure that learners in the transition programme get relevant work experience
    • monitor learners’ achievements and progress and the impact of work placements on their knowledge and skills

    Ofsted also recommends that employers provide placements that give learners experiences relevant to their T level.

    The Department for Education should evaluate the effectiveness of the transition programme in helping learners progress to T-level courses, and work with universities to make sure they accept T levels for entry to relevant courses.

    In addition to this, awarding bodies should make sure that teachers and learners have the resources they need, in good time.

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

    It’s clear that T-level courses are giving learners career-building pathways. The right balance of theory and practical elements helps learners gain the skills, knowledge and confidence they need to enter the workforce. However, we have also identified a number of concerns that need to be addressed.

    I am looking forward to seeing the progress providers have made at our next visits in 2023, and to see the additional courses added into the scheme in the next few years.

    A full report will be published in 2023. Providers visited for this interim report will be visited again next year, along with others, to see how T-level courses and the T Level Transition Programme have developed.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Russian war in Ukraine – P3 statement [October 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Russian war in Ukraine – P3 statement [October 2022]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 24 October 2022.

    We, the Foreign Ministers of France, the United Kingdom, and the United States, reiterate our steadfast support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of Russia’s ongoing aggression. We remain committed to continue supporting Ukraine’s efforts to defend its territory for as long as it takes.

    Earlier today, the defence ministers of each of our countries spoke to Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu at his request. Our countries made clear that we all reject Russia’s transparently false allegations that Ukraine is preparing to use a dirty bomb on its own territory. The world would see through any attempt to use this allegation as a pretext for escalation. We further reject any pretext for escalation by Russia.

    The Foreign Ministers also discussed their shared determination to continue supporting Ukraine and the Ukrainian people with security, economic, and humanitarian assistance in the face of President Putin’s brutal war of aggression.

  • PRESS RELEASE : New report shows scale of UK Government promotion of Scotland abroad [October 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : New report shows scale of UK Government promotion of Scotland abroad [October 2022]

    The press release issued by the Scottish Office on 24 October 2022.

    The scale of the UK Government’s activity is set out in a submission to the Scottish Affairs Committee from Scottish, Foreign and International Trade ministers.

    That support includes one of the world’s largest diplomatic networks, committed to promoting Scottish interests across foreign policy, security, defence, international trade, investment, culture, education, and the arts – as well as vital consular assistance.

    Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said:

    Across our entire network of 282 missions in 180 countries and territories, British diplomats represent the interests of the whole United Kingdom, generating trade and investment and proudly promoting Scotland’s rich culture and heritage.

    The UK’s permanent membership of the UN Security Council and our leading position in NATO, the G7, the G20 and other global organisations enable us to drive forward the agenda on vital issues that matter to everyone in the UK, including Ukraine, climate change and human rights.

    The FCDO’s joint HQ in East Kilbride has almost 1,000 staff who are at the heart of shaping and delivering UK foreign policy as a force for good in the world.

    Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said:

    The UK Government acts on behalf of the entire country, representing the interests of all parts of the United Kingdom, right around the world. Scotland benefits hugely from the scale of our international engagement.

    International relations and development, defence and regulation of international trade, are reserved matters. The UK Government takes seriously its duty and responsibilities in representing Scotland abroad.

    The UK Government works around the world to promote and protect the economic interests of Scotland, including securing foreign investment and helping Scottish businesses expand their exports markets.

    And of course, people in Scotland benefit from and contribute to the UK’s leading international voice on the world stage – including through membership of international organisations such NATO.

    Minister for Trade Policy Greg Hands said:

    The Department for International Trade is working tirelessly to boost Scotland’s economic interests. Our worldwide footprint offers Scottish businesses access to support and opportunities across the globe, and allows us to sell Scotland as a destination for foreign investment.

    And through free trade agreements we’re opening up international markets to Scottish good and services.

    We’ll continue these efforts and work closely with Scottish Development International and the Scottish Government to promote Scottish interests overseas.

    The UK Government submission is in response to the Scottish Affairs Committee’s call for evidence for its inquiry into Promoting Scotland Internationally. The UK Government submission is available here:

  • PRESS RELEASE : How the Climate Change Act helped the Friends of the Earth hold the government to account [October 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : How the Climate Change Act helped the Friends of the Earth hold the government to account [October 2022]

    The press release issued by the Friends of the Earth on 17 October 2022.

    What’s the Climate Change Act?

    The UK’s Climate Change Act became the world’s first national law to require cuts in greenhouse gas emissions, and hold the government accountable for these cuts. Under the Act, a scientifically informed, long-term, legally binding target was adopted, to achieve an 80% cut in emissions by 2050. In 2019 this long-term target was revised to the still more ambitious Net Zero target.

    Since the pioneering UK Act was passed, there’ve been many new climate laws enacted around the world. The UK can’t claim credit for all of these, but it’s been influential: those in Northern Ireland, Sweden, Denmark, Ireland and Finland were all closely modelled on the UK Act.

    How does the Climate Change Act help us hold government to account?

    The Climate Change Act and its implications have never been more important. Despite the chaos in Westminster, we can still make government accountable for its actions. The Act is powerful as it creates a framework in which action can and must be taken by the government.

    Most significantly, the Act can be enforced through our court system if government doesn’t comply with its legal duties. This is something we’ve proved through our pioneering Net Zero Strategy legal case. The Climate Change Act may have been established in 2008, but we’re still seeing its benefits today. It’s enabled us to hold government accountable, years later, and has allowed us to carry out vital and successful legal challenges against government’s inaction.

    Net Zero Strategy court case win

    Alongside ClientEarth and the Good Law Project, we recently took the government to court and won. In a landmark victory, the High Court ruled in July that the UK government’s Net Zero Strategy is unlawful. This strategy is supposed to explain how emissions targets will be achieved, but we argued successfully that it was legally inadequate and didn’t contain sufficient detail. The government sought an appeal, but we’re delighted to confirm that it recently decided not to pursue this after all. That means our win in the High Court stands. Now the government has to revise its strategy and lay out a credible plan for meeting emissions targets.

    The Climate Change Act directly enabled this victory. It was this very Act that allowed us to hold the government to account over its Net Zero Strategy. This is the kind of good news we desperately needed while seeing the impact of the climate crisis, through record-breaking heatwaves and fires sweeping across the country and around the world.

    A lasting legacy

    The journey for climate action can sometimes feel long, but we need to take a step back and celebrate our victories. The Climate Change Act has enabled us to hold government accountable for its climate inaction and win campaigns that have a lasting legacy. The Act has also enabled policy changes across the board, like the government banning the sale of fossil fuel cars beyond 2030. Thanks to a law we campaigned for and succeeded in establishing back in 2008, we’re winning more battles today.

    Change doesn’t happen overnight. It’s the result of collective action over many years of sustained campaigning. Our latest Net Zero Strategy win against the UK government can point the way to a more climate-friendly economy and a greener and healthier world for all. This win is proof that our actions can have a big impact, even if you have to wait a while to see it happen.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Statement on Defence Secretary’s call with Russian Defence Minister [October 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Statement on Defence Secretary’s call with Russian Defence Minister [October 2022]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 23 October 2022.

    At the request of the Russian Ministry of Defence, the Secretary of State for Defence spoke with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Shoigu, this afternoon. Minister Shoigu alleged that Ukraine was planning actions facilitated by Western countries, including the UK, to escalate the conflict in Ukraine.

    The Defence Secretary refuted these claims and cautioned that such allegations should not be used as a pretext for greater escalation.

    The Defence Secretary also reiterated UK and wider international support for Ukraine and desire to de-escalate this conflict. It is for Ukraine and Russia to seek resolution to the war and the UK stands ready to assist.

    The Secretary of State observed that both Ministers were professional and respectful on the call.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Cost-of-living crisis [October 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Cost-of-living crisis [October 2022]

    The press release issued by the National Association of Local Councils on 18 October 2022.

    With the highest rates of inflation in decades and a collapse in the pound’s value, the UK is facing a cost-of-living crisis that will affect millions of working people across the UK.

    The crisis has a disproportionate impact on low-wage households, who spend a larger proportion of their income on fuel and food. According to the Living Wage Foundation ‘Life on Low Pay’ report, there are currently an estimated 4.8m workers earning a wage below the cost of living. 42% of such workers report missing meals regularly due to financial reasons, and 56% report using food banks regularly. During the winter months, many of these workers are facing bleak choices such as whether to ‘heat or eat’.

    Why is it important to address the cost-of-living crisis?

    We understand that the cost-of-living crisis is having a huge impact on the mental health of workers, which is already estimated to have cost the UK private sector between £53-56bn in 2020-21. Workers under financial pressure are unlikely to perform at their best, and businesses are likely to face reduced productivity, higher turnover and increased training costs.

    The government has a primary role in ensuring that people are protected, and they have introduced measures in response to rising energy costs. While these measures (to cap energy prices to £2,500 for a typical household) will make a difference, it should be noted that this is double what the average household bill was in 2020.

    Businesses and specifically the largest publicly listed employers, can play an essential role in shielding their lower-paid workforce from the impacts of the cost-of-living crisis.

    What are we doing?

    For this reason, CCLA and the Church Investors Group have written to the largest publicly listed employers about their response and specifically asking them:

    • Whether they have taken any steps to support their lowest-paid employees through this winter, or if they have any plans to be implemented over the next few weeks?
    • What proportion of their workforce will be impacted by these activities, and how were they selected for assistance?
    • Whether the third-party contracted staff whose principal place of work is one of your premises (such as cleaners, caterers and security guards) eligible for assistance through any ‘cost-of-living’ programme that they offer?
    • If they have no plans, why are they not acting on this issue?

    We will be summarising their responses on the website. Our intention for this engagement is to encourage large employers to respond and to showcase how businesses are already addressing the challenges of the cost-of-living crisis.