Tag: Press Release

PRESS RELEASE : Northern Ireland Secretary announces 27.5% reduction to MLA pay [December 2022]
The press release issued by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on 7 December 2022.

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland the Rt Hon Chris Heaton-Harris has confirmed that he will make a determination to cut Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) pay by 27.5%.
- The Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act has reached Royal Assent, extending the period for Executive formation and permitting the Secretary of State to take a number of actions, including on MLA pay.
- This legislation has been put in place to support Executive formation and to take limited but necessary steps to maintain the delivery of Northern Ireland’s public services.
- The Bill also allows for a further six week extension to the period for Executive formation, until 19 January 2023, if needed.
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has received Parliamentary support to reduce the salaries of Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs).

Since February 2022, Northern Ireland’s devolved government has not been functioning fully and MLAs have subsequently been unable to perform all of the duties they were elected to do.

The Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act, which reached Royal Assent yesterday (Tuesday 6 December 2022), enables the Secretary of State to make this 27.5% reduction to MLA pay.

Through this Act, the Government has demonstrated its continued commitment to address the governance gap in Northern Ireland, by enabling the Secretary of State to extend the time period for Executive formation. The Bill also allows for a further six week extension to the period for Executive formation, until 19 January 2023, if needed.

The legislation also considers the pressures put on senior officials in the civil service, and clarifies the limited decision-making powers provided to NI Civil Servants to ensure decisions are made where necessary.

The Secretary of State Rt Hon Chris Heaton-Harris MP said:

For over 200 days MLAs have been receiving full pay while failing to fulfil the full duties they were elected to do. Reducing their pay until an Assembly is restored reflects the work they are currently carrying out.

This pay reduction is a necessary step when the people of Northern Ireland are tackling significant cost of living challenges and, after long-term mishandling of the NI public finances [by NI ministers] that has left a staggering £660m black hole, further protecting public finances.

I urge Northern Ireland’s parties to use the time that this Act allows to work together and return to their full roles in a devolved government so that they can better serve the people of Northern Ireland.
07/12/2022
PRESS RELEASE : Rail union RMT has decided today to put a new offer from Network Rail to members [December 2022]

The press release issued by the RMT on 5 December 2022.

Rail union RMT has decided today to put a new offer from Network Rail to members in an electronic referendum with a recommendation to reject which will close next Monday, December 12 at Noon.

All strike action planned for December 13,14, 16 and 17 will go ahead as planned.

Furthermore, further strike action will take place and members will be instructed not to book on from between 18.00 hours on December 24 through to 05.59 hours December 27 2022.

This strike coincides with the wind down of passenger services and the commencement of engineering works.

All scheduled overtime bans have been cancelled.

On the train operating companies there has been no improved offer from the Rail Delivery Group who still await a mandate from the government. As a result, all scheduled strike action will go ahead and the union awaits the outcome of a planned meeting with the RDG tomorrow.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said that it was unfortunate that that union had been compelled to take this action due to the continuing intransigence of the employers.

“We remain available for talks in order to resolve these issues but we will not bow to pressure from the employers and the government to the detriment of our members,” he said.

07/12/2022
PRESS RELEASE : RMT today rejected the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) offer [December 2022]

The press release issued by the RMT on 4 December 2022.

Rail Union, RMT today rejected the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) offer and demanded a meeting tomorrow morning to resolve the dispute.

After months of no offer at all from the RDG, finally the DfT gave rail operators a mandate to make a proposal to the RMT.

The RDG is offering 4% in 2022 and 2023 which is conditional on RMT members accepting vast changes to working practices, huge job losses, Driver Only Operated (DOO) trains on all companies and the closure of all ticket offices.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “We have rejected this offer as it does not meet any of our criteria for securing a settlement on long term job security, a decent pay rise and protecting working conditions.

“The RDG and DfT who sets their mandate, both knew this offer would not be acceptable to RMT members.

“If this plan was implemented, it would not only mean the loss of thousands of jobs but the use of unsafe practices such as DOO and would leave our railways chronically understaffed.

“RMT is demanding an urgent meeting with the RDG tomorrow morning with a view to securing a negotiated settlement on job security, working conditions and pay.”

07/12/2022
PRESS RELEASE : RMT members working as security staff for Eurostar will walkout [November 2022]

The press release issued by the RMT on 30 November 2022.

RMT members working as security staff for Eurostar will walkout on the 16,18,22 and 23 of December in a dispute over pay.

The workers, some of whom earn as little as £10.66 per hour rejected a below inflation pay offer and emphatically voted for strike action with an 81% ‘yes’ vote.

The strike action will severely affect Eurostar services and travel plans for people over the December period.

Security staff perform essential duties of keeping passengers safe during international rail travel and are contracted out to facilities management company Mitie.

Mitie made £50m in profit between March and September this year.

Over 100 staff are expected to take part in the action.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “Eurostar security staff are essential to the running of Eurostar, and it is disgraceful they are not being paid a decent wage.

“They work long unsocial hours and a multimillion-pound company like Mitie can easily afford to pay them decently for the essential work they do.

“We do not want to disrupt people’s travel plans, but our members need a pay rise, and this is the only way management will listen.

“I urge Mitie and Eurostar to come to a negotiated settlement with RMT as soon as possible.”

07/12/2022
PRESS RELEASE : Compensation scheme for postmasters who helped expose Post Office Horizon scandal unveiled by Business Secretary [December 2022]
The press release issued by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on 7 December 2022.

The scheme, to be delivered by government and overseen by an independent advisory board, will enable these postmasters to claim reasonable legal fees.
- New compensation scheme unveiled for postmasters who were first to take legal action against Post Office over the Horizon IT scandal
- delivered by government and overseen by an independent advisory board, the scheme will enable these postmasters to claim reasonable legal fees
- Business Secretary Grant Shapps: “Today’s compensation scheme will ensure that these trailblazing postmasters who did so much to uncover this injustice receive the compensation they deserve.”
Postmasters who played a key role in exposing the Post Office Horizon IT scandal from the 1990s will be able to access the compensation they deserve, thanks to a new funding scheme unveiled by Business Secretary Grant Shapps today (7 December).

In 2019, 555 postmasters who had taken the first legal action against the Post Office over Horizon received £43 million plus legal costs in a settlement. However, much of this money was taken up by the associated costs of funding their case, and they were ineligible for the Historical Shortfall Scheme (HSS) that was subsequently set up to compensate others who were affected by the failure.

Recognising the unique position of these postmasters in the Group Litigation Order (GLO) group, today’s compensation scheme will enable them to receive similar compensation to their peers. From today, claimants are being asked to start preparing their compensation claims ahead of submitting their application next year. The Business Secretary has also confirmed that the government will pay £900 per claimant as part of reasonable legal fees to prepare their claim.

Business Secretary Grant Shapps said:

I am acutely aware of the pain and suffering that these postmasters and their families have been through as part of the Horizon IT scandal. As Business Secretary I will always stand by them.

Today’s compensation scheme will ensure these trailblazing postmasters who did so much to uncover this injustice receive the compensation they deserve.

Following extensive consultation by government with postmasters, the scheme will be delivered directly by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), with independent claims facilitators following an alternative dispute resolution model – meaning cases can be settled between parties without the need to go to court.

To ensure the scheme works effectively, the government is setting up an independent advisory board of respected parliamentarians and academics, including Kevan Jones MP and Lord Arbuthnot who has tirelessly campaigned for wronged postmasters.

While BEIS has been working at pace to finalise today’s scheme, GLO postmasters have been able to access a £19.5 million interim compensation package which the government announced in June 2022.

Today’s announcement comes following significant progress on compensation for other postmasters affected by the Horizon scandal.

On the Overturned Historical Convictions Compensation, as of 1 December 2022, Post Office has paid out over £12 million in compensation to those with overturned historical convictions.

On the Historical Shortfall Scheme, as of 30 November 2022, 93% of eligible claimants to the Historical Shortfall Scheme have now received offers of compensation.
07/12/2022
PRESS RELEASE : New plans to strengthen tech ties between UK and Japan [December 2022]

The press release issued by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on 7 December 2022.

UK and Japan to collaborate on joint digital priorities including supply chain resilience, cyber security and data.

Today the UK and Japan have unveiled details of a new digital partnership to turbocharge their joint working in an era of increasing global competition on tech and data.

The UK and Japan are modern tech powerhouses, with combined IT sectors worth more than £406 billion. The newly launched partnership will develop the unique strengths of both countries and deliver on the UK’s ambition, set out in this year’s Digital Strategy, to increase international collaboration on complex tech issues.

The partnership will structure engagement between the UK and Japanese governments on a range of digital issues, including how to improve the resilience of globally significant supply chains such as semiconductors and telecommunications. The countries will develop joint research and development initiatives to share expertise about these vital technologies.

The UK and Japan will strengthen foundations for trade and investment between their tech economies and make it easier for businesses to operate in both countries by aligning approaches to digital regulation.

Improving cyber resilience is a priority for the partnership, which will see the UK and Japan promote initiatives to standardise the security of internet-connected products and apps and address the risks of digital services in supply chains.

Collaboration between the UK’s data regulator, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), and Japanese regulators will be supported through the partnership to give businesses and citizens greater certainty about the security of data sharing between both countries.

At the centre of the partnership will be the UK-Japan Digital Council, an annual meeting between ministers from the UK’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and representatives from the Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Digital Agency to drive forward new priorities.

UK Digital Secretary Michelle Donelan said:

The UK’s relationship with Japan has grown from strength to strength in recent years based on a foundation of shared goals and values. Our thriving tech sectors are another opportunity for us to work together to benefit citizens and businesses across both countries. I look forward to deepening our relationship through the UK-Japan Digital Partnership in the future.

Both governments will use international settings such as Japan’s G7 Presidency and the G20 to tackle shared goals and challenges with other global partners.

This new partnership further delivers on the UK’s goal, set out in the Integrated Review, to become the European nation with the broadest presence in the Indo-Pacific region which is increasingly critical as global tech competition and international assertiveness intensifies.

07/12/2022
PRESS RELEASE : UK Government urges countries to agree a deal for nature as UN Convention of Biological Diversity gets underway [December 2022]
The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 7 December 2022.

The United Kingdom Government is set to lead a coalition of high ambition countries in crucial UN talks with the aim of halting species extinctions and biodiversity loss.

The UK Government is today (7 December) calling on the world to unite and agree a deal that delivers for nature and ends species extinction.

The 15th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP15) is taking place in Canada from today until 19th December. The meeting will set the framework for the next decade of global action on biodiversity loss.

We are losing nature around the world faster than ever before, with more than 1 million species at risk of extinction, and there is stark evidence of habitat loss as coral reefs, rainforests and peatlands reduce in numbers globally. Nature is the foundation of our livelihoods, supporting food production, economic prosperity and security.

The UK has already led the way in driving action to tackle these challenges and is a global leader on the environment and nature. Under the UK’s COP Presidency, 145 countries – representing over 90% of the world’s forests – signed a pledge to halt deforestation and land degradation by 2030 while delivering sustainable development and rural transformation. At home, we have introduced the Environment Act which delivers a raft of measures to protect our rivers, tackle deforestation and preserve habitats, and will be backed up by a set of legally binding targets due to published soon. This government has also committed £750 million of nature for climate funding to restore peatlands, drive tree planting, and create wildlife rich habitat.

Hosting a reception with prominent environmentalists at the Natural History Museum (Wednesday 7 December), the Environment Secretary will reiterate the importance of reaching a robust agreement to restore and conserve nature at this year’s summit and set out the UK’s role in helping drive this.

Environment Secretary Therese Coffey is expected to say:

After two years of intensive global effort towards making ambitious environment targets, it is vital that the world agrees to tackle together the decline in nature and habitats and set out a road to recovery.

WWF Chief Executive Tanya Steele said:

COP15 is about saving our own life support system. Nature is the source of our health, security and prosperity but WWF’s Living Planet Report 2022 revealed the sheer scale of its loss, with an average 69% decline in the size of global wildlife populations since 1970.

The stakes are high, and time is running out. This summit is a chance the world must not miss to agree a global deal to reverse nature loss by 2030. World leaders must deliver a landmark agreement for nature to bring our world back to life.”

At the conference, the UK will negotiate to:
- Halt and reverse biodiversity loss
- Protect 30% of the world’s land and ocean by 2030.
- Halt species extinctions
- Increase the mobilisation of resources from all sources to fund the global effort to halt nature loss
- Eliminate environmentally harmful subsidies
- Align all financial flows with the goals and targets of the Global Biodiversity Framework
- Agree mechanisms for holding countries to account for implementing the framework
- Share benefits that arise from the use of digital sequence information on genetic resources.
The UK government is also pledging today to launch a new multi-million fund next spring as a key part of our plan to help halt and reverse species decline in England. The new funding will support habitat creation and ecosystem restoration, including in England’s most special sites for nature, and support delivery of our own ambitious commitments at home, including our legally binding 2030 species target and ‘30by30’ pledge.
07/12/2022
PRESS RELEASE : UK and US announce new energy partnership [December 2022]
The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 7 December 2022.
- PM and President Biden create a new high-level bilateral group to focus on energy security, efficiency and affordability
- The venture will give further high-level political backing to our accelerated energy transitions and Net Zero commitments
- Over the coming year, US aims to more than double the amount of gas exported to the UK in 2021 to secure supply and reduce price volatility
The UK and US will work together to increase energy security and drive down prices, as part of an initiative announced by the Prime Minister and US President Biden today (7th December).

Under the new ‘UK-US Energy Security and Affordability Partnership’, the UK and US will drive work to reduce global dependence on Russian energy exports, stabilise energy markets and step up collaboration on energy efficiency, nuclear and renewables. The initiative will be steered by a new UK-US Joint Action Group, led by senior officials from the UK Government and the White House.

This new partnership follows the Prime Minister and President Biden’s meeting at the G20 Summit in Indonesia, where they agreed to take forward work to address our short-term energy needs and spearhead efforts to speed up our energy transition.

Putin’s war in Ukraine has caused an international spike in energy prices. To help deal with the resulting rise in the cost of living, the group will work to ensure the market delivers sustained increases in the supply of Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) to UK terminals from the US and will collaborate on energy efficiency measures.

As part of this, the US will strive to export at least 9-10 billion cubic metres of LNG over the next year via UK terminals, more than doubling the level exported in 2021 and capitalising on the UK’s leading import infrastructure. This will be good for both UK and European partners as we look to replenish gas storage next year. To fulfil this shared objective, both governments will work to proactively identify and resolve any issues faced by exporters and importers.

The group will also work to reduce global reliance on Russian energy by driving efforts to increase energy efficiency and supporting the transition to clean energy, expediting the development of clean hydrogen globally and promoting civil nuclear as a secure use of energy.

The Prime Minister said:

Together the UK and US will ensure the global price of energy and the security of our national supply can never again be manipulated by the whims of a failing regime.

We have the natural resources, industry and innovative thinking we need to create a better, freer system and accelerate the clean energy transition. This partnership will bring down prices for British consumers and help end Europe’s dependence on Russian energy once and for all.

The partnership will build on the work of the UK-US Strategic Energy Dialogue led by energy ministers, with a focus on gas supply, energy efficiency, civil nuclear and clean energy.

On civil nuclear, the partnership will promote nuclear energy as a safe and reliable part of the clean energy transition. This includes deepening global collaboration on nuclear fuels and advanced nuclear technologies.

The partnership will also drive international investment in clean energy technologies, from offshore wind to carbon capture. This will complement the work the UK and US are doing together with G7 partners to support the use of clean and sustainable energy in developing countries through the Just Energy Transition Partnerships.

In tandem with shoring up security of energy supply, the group will exchange best practice and work on measures to increase energy efficiency and reduce demand for gas. It is already estimated that there could be an 8% reduction in demand for gas in the UK this winter. The Joint Action Group will explore policy solutions to enhance this efficiency, building on UK Government initiatives such as the Help to Heat Programme.

The initiative will pursue innovative energy solutions, such as the decarbonisation of the aerospace industry and development of sustainable aviation fuel technologies, collaborative efforts on electric vehicles, and Energy Smart Appliances.

We will also continue our close collaboration on Carbon Capture Usage and Storage, and progress the Clean Hydrogen Mission. The UK and US are already co-leads of the Hydrogen Breakthrough Agenda, a flagship initiative to push forward clean hydrogen internationally.
07/12/2022
PRESS RELEASE : First Freeports launched in major economic boost [December 2022]
The press release issued by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 7 December 2022.

The United Kingdom’s first Freeports in Plymouth, Solent, and Teesside are now fully up and running after receiving final government approval.
- Teesside, Plymouth and South Devon and Solent Freeports fully operational after final government sign off
- Up to £25 million in seed funding from Government will be released to turbocharge development in each Freeport
- Freeports will play key role in creating tens of thousands of jobs and driving economic growth with billions of pounds of investment
The United Kingdom’s first Freeports in Plymouth, Solent, and Teesside are now fully up and running after receiving final government approval today (Wednesday 7 December).

The Freeports becoming fully operational is a major milestone in the government’s mission to level up communities across the country and will help spread opportunity and drive economic growth.

Each of these Freeports will now receive up to £25 million seed funding and potentially tens of millions of pounds in locally retained business rates to upgrade local infrastructure and stimulate regeneration.

Businesses in Freeports can take advantage of tax incentives, unlocking much-needed investment and bringing high quality jobs in industries of the future to some of the nation’s most overlooked communities.

Combined, the first three Freeports are expected to bring millions of pounds in investment and thousands of highly skilled jobs, turbocharging local economies and benefitting the whole of the UK.

Levelling Up Minister Dehenna Davison said:

We are taking full advantage of the freedoms of leaving the EU and these Freeports in Teesside, Plymouth and South Devon and Solent will attract new business to often overlooked areas, creating thousands of jobs.

Now they are up and running, these Freeports will harness local expertise to grow vital industries and turbocharge our national economy.

Freeports will generate prosperity and spread opportunity throughout the UK by driving innovation and throwing open our doors to trade with the world.

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has given the final greenlight for the Freeports which are set to receive up to £25 million each to drive local plans.

This means:

• Teesside can continue to drive investment and industrial growth in renewables, advanced manufacturing and the chemicals and process sectors, creating more than 18,000 highly skilled jobs in the northeast.

• Plymouth and South Devon will harness the region’s marine and defence expertise to deliver thousands of skilled jobs injecting millions of pounds of investment into the region.

• Solent will grow its ambitious maritime economy, making the Solent a thriving hub for the world’s marine and maritime sector.

Ben Murray, Maritime UK Chief Executive, said:

The freeport programme is catalysing economic growth and job creation in coastal towns and cities around the UK. We’re delighted to see the first three officially launched with ambitious plans to develop their local proposition for inward investment, innovation, and exports.

From marine autonomy to defence, advanced manufacturing to decarbonisation, these freeports will help strengthen our maritime clusters and grow our maritime sector; already one of Britain’s biggest industries. We look forward to continuing to work with government to harness the potential of maritime to accelerate levelling-up.

Richard Ballantyne OBE, Chief Executive, British Ports Association said:

Congratulations to the Plymouth, Solent and Tees Freeports as there has been a lot of hard work to get to this stage. We welcome the next chapter of this key economic policy and want to see Freeports work for their regions as well as the whole of the UK.

We believe strongly that the business benefits Freeport areas include will be pivotal in attracting new investment and jobs to our important coastal regions. This is an exciting time to be involved in the ports sector and we are pleased that policy makers see our industry as a focal point for levelling up.

Freeports benefit from a package of measures, comprising tax reliefs, customs advantages, business rates retention, planning, regeneration, innovation and trade and investment support.

We expect the remaining five English Freeports to join Plymouth, Solent, and Teesside in receiving final approvals shortly, and we remain committed to ensuring all four corners of the UK can reap the benefits of our Freeports programme.
07/12/2022
PRESS RELEASE : Foreign Secretary promises honest, reliable UK investment in Africa [December 2022]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 7 December 2022.
- The Foreign Secretary pledges to build “mutually beneficial partnerships of the future” on a visit to Kenya and Ethiopia.
- James Cleverly will announce new UK support to the Africa Development Fund to tackle climate change, strengthen food security and boost Africa’s growing economies.
- He will break ground on the Railway City regeneration project – a high-tech green development, designed by British architects and supported by UK export finance.
The UK will announce new support for the African Development Fund (ADF) today to help the poorest communities in Africa grow their economies, create jobs and improve healthcare.

The Foreign Secretary will confirm the funding in Kenya as a key plank of the UK’s honest, reliable investment offer, on his first visit to Sub-Saharan Africa since becoming the Foreign Secretary.

The UK will contribute £650million as part of a wider international financing package of $9 billion for the ADF over the next three years, providing high impact and low-cost finance to Africa’s poorest countries. This includes £200 million provided to the ADF’s new Climate Action Window that was announced at COP27.

The UK funding will help deliver electricity for almost 20 million people, improved sanitation for over 30 million people and create over 2.3million new jobs across the continent. The fund supports 37 of the most vulnerable countries across the African continent.

The Foreign Secretary said:

We hugely value working with our allies and friends across Africa. Such relationships benefit us all. The UK offers honest, reliable investment that does not load countries with debt, but instead unlocks huge potential for economic growth, while boosting global health and tackling climate change.

The UK’s contribution to the African Development Bank shows our long-standing commitment to the continent. We will go far when we go together.

Arriving in Kenya today (7 December) the Foreign Secretary will also see how the UK’s support is helping to grow Kenya’s green economy.

Just one month after the Prime Minister and President Ruto promised to fast-track green British investment, the Foreign Secretary will break ground on the construction of Railway City – Nairobi’s renovated central station, designed by British architects with the latest green technology. The Kings Cross London-style development, backed by £80m of UK Export Finance, will regenerate Nairobi’s bustling central business district as a green urban environment of the future.

And ahead of the Railway City launch, the UK’s development finance institution British International Investment (BII) will sign a new risk-sharing agreement with the African Guarantee Fund (AGF), to support green economic development and job creation across Africa.

The agreement will unlock $150million of affordable finance for small and medium enterprises – expected to facilitate up to 17,300 loans for businesses across Africa. BII and AGF will each underwrite 25% of the loans.

It is reflective of the UK’s ongoing support to small businesses in Africa to create jobs and transition to green energy, while helping vulnerable countries to deal with the adverse impacts of climate change.

During a climate reception at the British High Commission the Foreign Secretary will congratulate a winner of the Earthshot Prize, launched two years ago by Prince William and David Attenborough. He will announce that the UK is supporting new re-forestation projects in Kenya through the UK PACT programme with an £3.8million investment.

The Foreign Secretary will head to Ethiopia on Thursday 8 November, where he will see first-hand the devastating impacts of climate change, conflict and food insecurity.

In both countries, the Foreign Secretary will meet with key government figures where he will reiterate his vision of stronger partnerships between the UK and African countries, built on mutual respect and benefits, and supporting populations in Africa, the UK and beyond to be more prosperous, healthier and greener.
07/12/2022