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Tag: Press Release

  • PRESS RELEASE : Food security – EU contributes €100 million to IMF’s Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust to support vulnerable African, Caribbean and Pacific countries [October 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Food security – EU contributes €100 million to IMF’s Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust to support vulnerable African, Caribbean and Pacific countries [October 2022]

    The press release issued by the European Commission on 14 October 2022.

    Today, the EU signed a €100 million grant agreement (about US$97.2 million) for the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust (PRGT). These funds will allow the IMF to make about €630 million worth of zero interest loans for PRGT-eligible African, Caribbean and Pacific countries (ACP) facing balance of payments difficulties. Access to affordable finance is key to help these countries address the economic and food crisis situation worsened by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. The EU’s contribution is part of Team Europe’s response to the crisis as it complements pledges by EU Member States to channel Special Drawing Rights (SDR) to the IMF’s Trusts for on-lending and their grants to the IMF’s PRGT Subsidy Account. Team Europe has so far pledged to channel SDRs contributions equivalent to about $23 billion.

    Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, said: “Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has made many African, Caribbean and Pacific countries more vulnerable at a time when they were still struggling with the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, and millions of people are pushed into poverty and hunger. With our contribution to the IMF’s Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust, we want to help them address this crisis and avoid further deepening of inequalities. Today’s signature also marks our commitment as Team Europe to multilateral solutions to tackle today’s most pressing challenges. Our partnership with the IMF is of key relevance in this regard.”

    Commissioner for Economy Paolo Gentiloni, said: “The economic shockwaves from Russia’s war against Ukraine are hitting low-income countries hardest, spurring demand for concessional loans from the IMF’s Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust. It is essential that we maximise the resources available for this key financing tool. With today’s €100 million contribution, the Commission is playing its part and complementing the on-lending of EU Member States’ Special Drawing Rights. These efforts bring us closer to the G20 global ambition of $100 billion of voluntary contributions to vulnerable countries, a target we must strive collectively to achieve.”

    Managing Director of the IMF, Kristalina Georgieva said: “I am very grateful to the EU and its Member States for their continued support to low-income countries facing crisis after crisis. Its grant contribution today of €100 million will help to subsidize PRGT loans and support our provision of zero-interest lending to our most vulnerable members. I urge other countries to also contribute to the PRGT so we can support our members during these difficult times.”

    Access to concessional/zero-interest loans provides affordable finance that increases liquidity and available budgetary resources in countries facing balance of payments difficulties, helping them to achieve, maintain, or restore a stable and sustainable macroeconomic and fiscal position. It also prevents depletion of international reserves, supports the import of essential goods and putting in place adequate social protection schemes for the most vulnerable. Concessional support through the PRGT is interest-free, with maturities up to 10 years.

    Background

    This announcement is part of the broader €600 million package already announced from the reserves under the 10th and 11th European Development Funds to address the current food security crisis in ACP countries further aggravated by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. The package has three components that are complementary and mutually reinforcing, supporting: food production and resilience of food systems (€350 million), humanitarian assistance (€150 million) and macro-economic support through the IMF’s PRGT (€100 million). With the additional €600 million, the EU expects to allocate for food security and food systems programmes in partner countries €7.7 billion until 2024 worldwide.

    The IMF provides broad support to low-income countries through surveillance and capacity-building activities, as well as concessional financial support to help them achieve, maintain, or restore a stable and sustainable macroeconomic position consistent with strong and durable poverty reduction and growth.

  • PRESS RELEASE : ‘British government must work with EU in good faith’ – Declan Kearney [October 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : ‘British government must work with EU in good faith’ – Declan Kearney [October 2022]

    The press release issued by Sinn Fein on 14 October 2022.

    Sinn Féin National Chairperson Declan Kearney has welcomed the commitment of the European Parliament’s Committee on International Trade to resolve the issues surrounding the protocol.

    Speaking following a meeting with German MEP Bernard Lange and the influential Committee on International Trade, the South Antrim MLA said:

    “Today’s meeting is a clear signal from our European partners of their determination to resolve the issues around the protocol.

    “This determination from the European Parliament must be matched with a similar resolve from the British government to reach agreement on any outstanding issues.

    “It is crucial now that the British government engages in good faith, constructive negotiations with the European Union and that they abandon the reckless approach of the past.

    “In our discussions this morning, I told the committee that the protocol protects people and businesses here across the north from the damage caused by Brexit and that the protocol continues to help in the creation of jobs and attracting investment.

    “In the current economic climate and with the worrying forecasts about what may be coming down the line, the Protocol must be built upon and protected rather than undermined. I emphasised that there is no credible alternative to the Protocol and that it must be allowed to work properly.

    “At a time when we are enduring an unprecedented cost of living crisis, our businesses, farmers and families cannot afford to lose access to both the British and European markets with access to more than 500 million people.”

  • PRESS RELEASE : Cabinet and Ministerial Reshuffle Statement [October 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Cabinet and Ministerial Reshuffle Statement [October 2022]

    The press release issued by Downing Street on 14 October 2022.

    The King has been pleased to approve the following appointments:

    • Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP as Chancellor of the Exchequer
    • Rt Hon Edward Argar MP as Chief Secretary to the Treasury
    • Rt Hon Chris Philp MP as Paymaster General, and Minister for the Cabinet Office
  • PRESS RELEASE : International Day of the Girl – Joint statement to the OSCE [October 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : International Day of the Girl – Joint statement to the OSCE [October 2022]

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

    Ambassador Jocelyn Kinnear from Canada marks International Day of the Girl, and urges that human rights of all girls must be respected.

    Mr Chair,

    I am delivering this statement on behalf of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and my own country, Canada.

    On October 11th, the global community commemorated the 10th anniversary of the International Day of the Girl. In 2012, Canada tabled UNGA resolution 66/170 whereby states agreed to dedicate this day to celebrating the voices and power of girls, championing their rights worldwide, and reflecting on the challenges they continue to face because of their gender.

    Over the past ten years, we have seen a growing recognition that the empowerment of and investment in girls is integral to achieving each of the Sustainable Development Goals. We have acknowledged repeatedly that the meaningful participation of girls in decisions that affect them is essential to breaking cycles of discrimination and violence. OSCE participating States have consistently underlined that gender equality and ending violence against women and girls is vital to fulfilling OSCE commitments. Through the Women, Peace and Security and Youth, Peace and Security agendas, we have accepted that it is impossible to achieve lasting peace if you exclude half of society from the process.

    Over the past ten years, we have witnessed girls acting as agents of change in their communities and far beyond. They are leading the way as students, entrepreneurs, volunteers and activists, and proving that you are never too young to shape the future and improve the lives of others.

    Yet, girls remain at risk and their voices are too often ignored.

    The COVID-19 pandemic has amplified existing gender inequalities. It has put girls at higher risk of early marriage due to a combination of economic shocks, school closures and interruptions in reproductive health services. Up to 10 million girls worldwide are at risk of child marriage.

    Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine is having a devastating impact on the safety and security of women and girls. The aggression against Ukraine must end.

    Mr Chair, we know that violence against women and girls further escalates in both scale and severity in situations of conflict and crisis. The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, ODIHR and the OSCE Moscow Mechanism have documented egregious cases of sexual and gender based violence perpetrated against women and girls by Russian troops. Women and girls make up the majority of the almost 14 million IDPs and refugees who have been driven from their homes by Russian aggression. Women and girls are the most at risk for human trafficking. All of these risks are exacerbated where there are intersectional vulnerabilities such as for persons with disabilities; LGBTQI people; and members of racial and ethnic minorities.

    Outside the OSCE region, in Iran, we have witnessed the reprehensible detention and death of a young woman, Mahsa Amini, as a direct result of the systemic repression of women and girls in Iran. In the ensuing weeks, we have witnessed the courage of young Iranian women and girls – and the men and boys who have joined them as allies – as they have peacefully protested and fought for their human rights and for their rightful role in Iranian society and government. We stand in solidarity with Iranian women and girls.

    Mr Chair, we know what needs to be done. The human rights of all girls must be respected. They must be heard and given a meaningful voice in decision-making.

    We must ensure that girls are not attacked, violated, abused or silenced. Our future depends upon it.

    Thank you very much Mr Chair.

     

  • PRESS RELEASE : National Drought Group forecasts drought may remain beyond spring 2023 [October 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : National Drought Group forecasts drought may remain beyond spring 2023 [October 2022]

    The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 14 October 2022.

    Average rainfall levels over winter will still not be sufficient to avoid impending drought or drought conditions next year, the National Drought Group has forecast.

    At a meeting today (14 October), chaired by Environment Agency Chief Executive Sir James Bevan, members discussed projections for a dry autumn and winter on the water, agriculture and environment sectors in 2023. Many water companies have suggested impending drought or drought conditions will remain beyond spring in some areas– notably in parts of the South West, South East, East and Yorkshire and East Midlands – if rainfall is below average.

    The group, made up of senior decision-makers from the Environment Agency, government, water companies and key farming and environmental groups, also discussed actions needed over the next six months to sustain essential water supplies in preparation for spring/summer next year. This will include water companies implementing their drought plans and accelerating infrastructure plans to improve resilience of water supplies. Amongst other actions, the Environment Agency will manage water abstraction licences, take decisions on drought permits and operating its water transfer schemes.

    NDG members heard that:

    • Water companies expect water resources to recover to either normal or recovering conditions by spring if we receive average rainfall – but several companies forecast that some supply areas will still remain in drought or impending drought conditions.
    • The lack of moisture in soils led to significant agricultural impacts and reduced water availability for farmers this year. Winter refill of farm storage reservoirs may be constrained if there is below average rainfall this winter
    • Even with typical rainfall over winter, we could still see environmental impacts in 2023 due to a lag in the environmental response to the dry weather. These include impacts on fish populations, and a higher number of environmental incidents such as fish rescues being needed as a result of lower river flows.
    • All sectors must plan for all scenarios, continue using water wisely and maximise access to water for all sectors and the environment.

    Projections were presented by the Environment Agency on behalf of contributing NDG members such as the water companies, the NFU and Canal and Rivers Trust.

    Alongside this, the latest monthly national water situation report, published by the EA today, shows that for the first time in six months, September rainfall across England as a whole reached average levels. However, due to soils remaining drier than usual, this has made little or no difference to reservoir levels and most of the country remains in drought.

    River and groundwater levels remain low and reservoir stocks continue to decrease at all the reservoirs the Environment Agency reports on.

    Essential water supplies remain safe, but recent rainfall has not changed the underlying drought situation caused by the prolonged dry weather of the last several months.

    EA Chief Executive and NDG chair, Sir James Bevan said:

    “Our lives, livelihoods and nature all depend on one thing – water. Climate change and population growth mean we need to take action now to ensure we have enough over the coming decades to manage everyday supplies, and more intense drought events.

    “We have a plan to do that and delivering it will require all of us to work together – government, water companies, regulators, farmers and businesses, and each of us as individuals. The Environment Agency is determined to do its part.”

    Water Minister Trudy Harrison said:

    “The record-breaking temperatures, unusually low rainfall and widespread drought the country has experienced this year are a reminder that we need to adapt to ensure our water supplies are resilient and secure in future.

    “The work of the National Drought Group is ensuring that we can manage down the risk of continuing drought conditions, so that the impact is less severe for all of us.”

    In addition to the actions already being taken by the Environment Agency to manage the impacts of the drought, it has recently approved the following water company drought permits:

    • A drought permit for South West Water to manage the abstraction of water from the Tamar Lakes in Cornwall;
    • A drought permit for South East Water to manage the abstraction of water from the Ardingly (River Ouse) reservoir.

    The following drought permits have recently been submitted to the Environment Agency by water companies:

    • Yorkshire Water has applied for drought permits to conserve water by reducing the flows out of the North West group of reservoirs;
    • Thames Water has applied for a drought permit to manage the abstraction of water from the River Thames to help refill Farmoor reservoir;
    • Thames has applied for two further drought permits to manage the abstraction of water from groundwater at Baunton and Meysey Hampton;
    • Severn Trent has applied for a drought permit for reservoirs in Derwent Valley.

    Ensuring long term water security

    The NDG’s projections place more focus than ever on the actions that must be taken now to enhance resilience to dry periods and the Environment Agency is redoubling its efforts to secure long term water security.

    The National Framework for Water Resources (NFWR), launched by the Environment Agency in 2020 and agreed with the other regulators, the government and the water companies, sets out the scale of action needed to ensure resilient supplies and an improved water environment.

    The NDG noted that many of the actions needed to ensure long term water security, notably the investment in new water infrastructure, will also play an important part in driving growth for the country as a whole. Members identified a set of actions to help accelerate delivery of that infrastructure and the water security it will help to ensure.

    The NDG will meet again later this autumn to assess the latest position and take further action as necessary.

    Further information:

    Attendees at today’s NDG meeting:

    • AHDB
    • Angling Trust
    • Cabinet Office
    • CLA
    • Canal and River Trust
    • Consumer Council for Water
    • DLUHC
    • Defra
    • DWI
    • Environment Agency
    • HTA
    • Met Office
    • MOSL
    • National Farmers Union
    • Ofwat
    • UKHSA
    • Natural England
    • Water UK
    • Welsh Government
    • UKWRC
    • National Framework WR Steering group
    • Water companies
    • Affinity Water
    • Anglian Water
    • Bristol Water
    • DCWW
    • Northumbria Water
    • Portsmouth Water
    • SES
    • Severn Trent
    • Southern Water
    • South East Water
    • South Staffs Water
    • South West Water
    • Thames Water
    • United Utilities
    • Yorkshire Water
    • Wessex Water
  • PRESS RELEASE : Government announces cutting-edge new telecoms lab for Solihull [October 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Government announces cutting-edge new telecoms lab for Solihull [October 2022]

    The press release issued by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on 14 October 2022.

    New research for Birmingham Tech Week shows West Midlands is one of the UK’s fastest growing tech sectors – valued at £15.3 billion, up from £11.5 billion in 2021

    Hiring by Birmingham tech firms is up by a fifth in 2022 and a third across the West Midlands, with over 2,300 startups and scaleups in the region

    A new state-of-the-art UK Telecommunications Lab will be based in Solihull, creating dozens of high-skilled jobs for the region, Tech Minister Damian Collins has announced today.

    The first of its kind in the country, the Lab will act as a secure research facility bringing together telecom operators, suppliers and academics to research and test innovative new ways of boosting the security, resilience and performance of the UK’s mobile networks. It will help close the digital skills gap locally as well as nationally by creating dozens of specialised jobs in telecoms and cyber security.

    New research out today, which has been commissioned by the government for Birmingham Tech Week, also shows a large increase in the number of tech startups and scaleups across Birmingham and the West Midlands.

    There has been a 21.3 per cent increase in tech jobs in Birmingham in the seven months to July 2022, rising to 31 per cent across the West Midlands region, according to analysis by smarter job search engine Adzuna for the UK’s Digital Economy Council.

    There are now over 144,000 people employed in tech startups and scaleups across the West Midlands, with over 56,000 in Birmingham alone. The boost to hiring follows a sharp increase in the value of West Midlands tech companies, with the region’s tech ecosystem now valued at £15.3 billion, up from £11.5 billion in 2021, according to new data from Dealroom.

    The analysis shows the West Midlands has become one of the UK’s biggest digital sectors – with health, transport and sports tech companies flourishing in particular. Since 2020, West Midlands tech companies have raised over £850 million in venture capital funding.

    Tech Minister Damian Collins said:

    After this summer’s stunning Commonwealth Games it is great to feel the buzz in the city yet again in Birmingham Tech Week.

    Fast-growing firms are cementing Birmingham’s status as a tech powerhouse – boosting jobs and spreading economic growth right across the West Midlands.

    As a result, there is no better home for the new UK Telecoms Lab, which will turn the region into a centre for expertise and innovation in the security of next-generation mobile networks.

    New cutting-edge telecoms test lab
    The ever-increasing speed and reliability of mobile and broadband networks has supercharged the UK’s economy, but it also means we are more dependent on telecoms infrastructure.

    As the demand for 5G grows and next-generation 6G is on the horizon, having a new national research facility in one location will enable telecom companies and suppliers to test their equipment – such as radio network infrastructure and the software which underpins it – in a realistic environment.

    The UK Telecoms Lab will help get faster mobile technology rolled out quicker and ensure people can continue to have full confidence in UK networks by identifying national security risks and vulnerabilities and ensuring vital equipment and software are protected against cyber attacks.

    The lab will help new businesses enter the UK telecoms market by testing to ensure equipment is fully ‘interoperable’, meaning it can connect to kit supplied by different manufacturers, which is increasingly important to the government’s £250 million strategy to diversify the UK 5G telecoms market.

    The Lab will be based in the Metropolitan Borough of Solihull. The government will announce further details about the Lab in due course.

    Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, said:

    Tech is one of the most exciting and fastest growing sectors in our region. This fantastic announcement that Solihull will be the home of the new UK Telecoms Lab yet again underlines the strength of this important sector for us here in the West Midlands. The Lab will bring a wide range of stakeholders together to drive innovation and create high quality new jobs for local people.

    As we mark Birmingham Tech Week, it’s a great time to remember that we are at the cutting edge and – with our tech sector already valued at over £15 billion – we have an exciting future ahead of us.

  • PRESS RELEASE : OSCE report on combating trafficking in human beings – UK response [October 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : OSCE report on combating trafficking in human beings – UK response [October 2022]

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

    Ambassador Neil Bush welcomes OSCE’s work on combating the risk of trafficking in human beings resulting from Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine.

    Thank you, Special Representative Richie, for preparing this report and for your and your team’s work during this particularly challenging time.

    I welcome your office’s reaction to Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine and prioritisation of this most pressing issue and its possible consequences for human trafficking.

    As Russia continues its war of aggression against Ukraine we are used at this council to hearing about the terrible price innocent Ukrainian civilians pay for Russia’s bloody war. For those living in temporarily Russian-controlled areas life can be unbearable in many ways, but reports that Ukrainian parents are being separated from their children are particularly heart breaking.

    The second Moscow Mechanism report documented large-scale deportations of people to Russia against their will, and cases of orphaned children brought to Russia, whose whereabouts are now unknown.

    Ukrainians forced to flee their homes are vulnerable to human trafficking. The UK is helping these people through our Ukraine Family Visa and Homes for Ukraine scheme. We recognise that there are organised criminals who would exploit vulnerable refugees entering the UK, which is why our foreign ministry works closely with our visa issuing agency and housing ministry to mitigate these risks.

    Dear Val,

    Your response to the war in Ukraine was quick and effective. We welcomed the immediate policy responses to enhance anti-trafficking prevention and the specific recommendations for cyber and trafficking police, technology companies, and NGOs working to prevent and combat online exploitation. The existing guidelines for the identification and referral of victims among migrants and refugees was also a useful tool following Russia’s invasion.

    We share your assessment of the highly gendered and toxic demand for sexual services that resulted from the migration flows, as criminals preyed on the vulnerability of those fleeing. We welcome your gender-sensitive approach. The specific needs of women and children are also factored into our humanitarian response to the war in Ukraine.

    The UK is pleased to be able to financially support your office’s project to respond to the increasing risk of trafficking as a result of the migration from Ukraine, particularly targeting destination and transit countries.

    At the Alliance conference this year, we were grateful for the conference’s specific focus on migration risks from Ukraine and the needs of victims, especially on methods for identifying victims, the scale of the problem, and the types of support that victims in these cases may require.

    Ensuring victims get the support they need and are empowered requires us to better understand drivers and vulnerabilities. This is done by listening to survivors, and having their voices shape the support and protection we can offer, which is why the UK has commissioned independent research through the Modern Slavery Policy and Evidence Centre to inform our approach. We look forward to sharing the findings of this research with you all at a later date.

    We support your office’s efforts to focus on partnerships. Indeed, modern slavery is not an issue that can be fought alone. Earlier this year G7 leaders continued the focus on supply chains from the UK’s Presidency in 2021. New commitments included calling on others to align to the UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights, the ILO Principles, and the OECD Guidelines for responsible business.

    In concluding, I was pleased to see you were able to resume travel this year, and completed country visits to Poland, Moldova, Romania and Hungary, working with national and local governments and civil society organisations to raise awareness, offer targeted advice, and develop project proposals.

    We look forward to welcoming you and your staff next month for your country visit to the UK, and the helpful and constructive recommendations and findings that we are sure will result.

    Thank you again, Val, to you and your team for your tireless work and this report.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Over £800m to boost innovation, growth and improve patient safety [October 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Over £800m to boost innovation, growth and improve patient safety [October 2022]

    The press release issued by the Department for Health and Social Care on 14 October 2022.

    • £790 million to support breakthroughs in new treatments, diagnostics and medical technology to improve patients’ lives and bolster the economy
    • £25 million for research on patient safety to improve the safe delivery of health and care and better address health challenges, such as cancer treatment and reducing medication error
    • Exceeds funding commitments to boost research across all areas of the country, levelling up innovation and addressing health inequalities

    Patients up and down the country are set to benefit from innovative new treatments and improved delivery of health and care services following significant funding to support ground-breaking experimental medicine research and advance the UK’s response to patient safety challenges.

    Today (Friday 14 October) the government has announced that over £800 million of funding, to be allocated by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), will go to support specialist research facilities bringing together scientists to create an environment where experimental medicine and patient safety research can thrive.

    This boost to the country’s research infrastructure will see further investment in scientific expertise which supports access to innovative technology and novel research projects. As well as this, it will improve regional economic growth through employment opportunities, giving private sector organisations confidence to continue to invest in research across the country.

    Nearly £790 million has been awarded to 20 NIHR Biomedical Research Centres (BRCs) across England – including a new centre in Exeter – over the next five years to drive innovation in the diagnosis and treatment of illness across a variety of high-priority disease areas including cancer, mental health and dementia.

    In addition, £25 million over the next five years has been awarded to six NIHR Patient Safety Research Centres (PSRCs) to help improve understanding and resolution of patient safety challenges. The funding will support research to improve incident reporting and investigations, digital innovations to improve patient safety and harness learning from service adaptation during the Covid pandemic.

    Funding will be distributed across the country, with over £260 million being invested outside of London, Oxford and Cambridge. This will increase the coverage of experimental medicine across England and exceed the government’s previous commitments in the Levelling Up White Paper. Not only will this enable more areas to benefit from innovation and facilitate faster uptake where research takes place, it will help to improve health and care services across the country and reduce health inequalities by better understanding and treating illness and improving the delivery of care.

    Health and Social Care Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister Thérèse Coffey said:

    The pandemic has highlighted the importance of our booming research sector and the potential it has to not only strengthen health and care services, but lead to lifesaving developments.

    This additional funding will harness the UK’s world-leading innovation and allow research centres up and down the country to attract experts in their field and conduct research that saves lives.

    From helping develop the Covid vaccine to discovering world-first treatments, these centres have already delivered ground-breaking research and will continue to help us tackle some of the biggest health challenges we face, including cancer, to ensure the NHS continues to deliver world-class care.

    Over the past nine years, the NIHR BRCs have supported almost 60,000 experimental medicine research studies. These have resulted in direct health benefits for patients, including progressing innovative and faster diagnosis, as well as:

    • The development of the Oxford AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccine – the world’s first approved vaccine – and support for the RECOVERY Trial – the world’s largest trial of potential treatments for Covid.
    • A promising new treatment for motor neurone disease which has been shown to be safe, well tolerated and could help slow the progression of symptoms in people with a genetic form of this disease.
    • Novel gene therapy which has the potential to be a ground-breaking cure for patients with haemophilia – a genetic defect that affects their body’s ability to stop bleeding.
    • A study that supports lower exposure to radiotherapy for women with breast cancer which reduces the damage to healthy tissue in the body and minimises subsequent side effects.

    Over the last nine years, the current NIHR PSRCs have supported over 800 patient safety research studies. They have driven improvements in the safety of health and care services, for example:

    • Use of artificial intelligence in detecting breast cancer from mammogram images.
    • Reducing medication errors in primary care settings.
    • Development of patient safety culture improvement programmes in NHS hospitals.
    • Development of guidance for the involvement of patients and families in serious incident investigations.

    Minister of State for Health, Robert Jenrick, said:

    Clinical research has been vital in our fight against Covid and the UK’s innovation is enabling us to transform our health service and ensure it is firmly at the cutting edge of health and care.

    Our NIHR clinical research infrastructure provides crucial access to expertise in designing and delivering high quality, innovative research for the life sciences industry. This supports companies to conduct their clinical studies of new treatments in the UK for patient and public benefit and grows the UK’s share of the global market.

    We’re continuing to build on our world-leading advances to find new treatments and better diagnose illness as well as better understand how we can improve patient safety.

    Professor Lucy Chappell, Chief Executive of the NIHR said:

    This huge investment into early stage health and care research and patient safety innovation recognises the strength of expertise in these areas across the country, and gives our best researchers more opportunities to improve care and treatment for patients nationwide.

    These investments showcase our scientific excellence, ensuring that the UK benefits from the latest innovations and advancements in research and enables a strong and competitive research workforce to be further developed. They are crucial to ensuring that patients receive the highest quality, safest care.

    Investing in the NIHR Biomedical Research Centres and Patient Safety Research Collaborations will contribute to increased economic growth and build a healthier, more resilient nation.

    More broadly, these centres will strengthen the resources and facilities for research across the NHS through access to experts at the forefront of their fields. A key feature of the centres is the collaboration between academics, clinicians, patients and life sciences industry.

    The Patient Safety Research Collaborations will support the NHS to improve patient safety and reduce health inequalities, while the Biomedical Research Centres will help boost advancements in medical treatments and technology and advance our ability to diagnose and treat illness.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Additional £10 million of UK aid for flood relief efforts in Pakistan [October 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Additional £10 million of UK aid for flood relief efforts in Pakistan [October 2022]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 October 2022.

    • the UK will provide an additional £10 million of life-saving humanitarian support for Pakistan’s flood relief efforts
    • Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, UK Minister of State for South Asia (FCDO), arrives in Pakistan today [Friday 14 October]
    • the Minister will meet with key government counterparts, community leaders, and aid agencies to discuss the response to the humanitarian crisis and long-term recovery for the country

    The UK is providing further humanitarian support to Pakistan following the devastating floods that have killed over a thousand people and affected more than 33 million.

    As part of a visit to the country, FCDO Minister Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon has today announced a further £10 million of humanitarian aid, bringing the UK Government’s total contribution to £26.5 million.

    The extra support will be spent on urgent life-saving needs such as providing shelter, water and sanitation to prevent waterborne diseases. It will focus on supporting people who are still displaced and those that are returning to their land, by helping re-establish communal water supplies.

    During his visit to Pakistan, Lord Ahmad will meet the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and other government counterparts to discuss the impact of the floods, visit the areas most affected and speak with key UK-funded aid agencies on the ground in Sindh.

    UK Minister of State for South Asia, FCDO, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon said:

    The UK continues to help the people of Pakistan recover from the recent devastating floods.

    Our support will help to tackle the spread of waterborne diseases and to improve access to clean water, sanitation, medical care and shelter across the country.

    We are working night and day with Pakistan and our international partners to ensure that UK aid reaches the hardest hit areas.

    As well as helping with urgent life-saving needs, the UK is supporting Pakistan’s economic recovery and resilience against future climate disasters.

    The UK’s new Developing Countries Trading Scheme will help grow trade by giving duty-free access to 94% of goods exported from Pakistan to the UK.

    In addition to the UK’s £26.5 million donation in humanitarian funding, a UK Royal Air Force flight recently delivered eight boats and ten portable generators for use in flood relief operations.

    As well as discussing the floods, the Minister will also use this visit to raise the need for strong international support for Ukraine following Russia’s illegal annexation of sovereign territory, and reaffirm the strong people-to-people links between the UK and Pakistan in the context of the 75 year anniversary of Pakistan’s independence.

  • PRESS RELEASE : COP26 President Alok Sharma calls for shake up of the international system to confront urgent climate challenges [October 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : COP26 President Alok Sharma calls for shake up of the international system to confront urgent climate challenges [October 2022]

    The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 13 October 2022.

    • Alok Sharma to address audience at Wilson Center in Washington, D.C. on Friday 14 October, with last keynote speech before COP27
    • Mr Sharma will urge global institutions to urgently adapt and ensure tackling the climate crisis is a fundamental part of their overall purpose
    • Address follows Mr Sharma’s engagements at the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) Annual Meetings this week

    COP26 President Alok Sharma will today (Friday 14 October, 2022) deliver a major keynote address at the Wilson Center think-tank in Washington, D.C., outlining key climate finance priorities ahead of COP27 next month.

    Mr Sharma is expected to address how the international system – including multilateral development banks, businesses, central banks, finance ministries and regulators – must reform to support faster climate action in line with the Paris Agreement and the Glasgow Climate Pact, which was agreed by nearly 200 countries at COP26 last year.

    Mr Sharma is expected to say: “The world is recognising that we cannot tackle the defining challenge of this century, with institutions defined by the last.

    “We have to incentivise every aspect of the international system to recognise the systemic risk of climate change, and to make managing it effectively its central task,” he will add.

    The COP26 President is also expected to echo a “compelling call for an overhaul of our global financial architecture” as set out in the Bridgetown Agenda by the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley.

    Mr. Sharma will say that multilateral institutions of today were not set up with the purpose of tackling an existential climate crisis and that “climate must be at the very heart of what they do, and they must do more to lead on this agenda.

    “The world cannot afford for such institutions to be cautious in how their considerable climate resources are deployed. That, I think, is a matter of social justice as well as environmental security.”

    Speaking to an audience of policy, finance and business representatives, with just three weeks remaining until the start of COP27, Mr Sharma will also reflect on the legacy of COP26 and the UK’s Presidency.

    “It will soon be time for Egypt to pick up the baton. I want COP27 to build on the success of COP26, just as COP26 built on COP25, and COP24 before that,” he will say.

    Mr. Sharma will say that this momentum has been challenged by competing priorities governments have faced this year, but will also emphasise these priorities cannot be tackled in isolation or distract from the net zero transition. The COP President will also recognise that despite progress during the UK Presidency year, including 24 new Nationally Determined Contributions, countries are not on track to deliver the full promise of the Glasgow Climate Pact.

    He will conclude by urging all Parties to arrive in Egypt with the same spirit of urgency, collaboration and compromise that underpinned the success of COP26 in Glasgow. As the impacts of climate change become more extreme and spiral, this will include addressing core issues like loss and damage.

    Mr. Sharma will call on countries to tackle loss and damage by building “on our collective progress at COP26” but “go further still.” He will also confirm that the UK believes it is right that there is a new agenda item on this issue.

    The event is hosted by the Wilson Center, in partnership with the British Embassy, Washington D.C.