Tag: Press Release

  • PRESS RELEASE : 3,000 hectares of spectacular Lake District landscape becomes a new National Nature Reserve [November 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : 3,000 hectares of spectacular Lake District landscape becomes a new National Nature Reserve [November 2022]

    The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 15 November 2022.

    A new National Nature Reserve is being formally created today (15 November) by Natural England in Ennerdale, West Cumbria. It will be the largest nature reserve in the county and the 9th largest in England.

    The new ‘Wild Ennerdale National Nature Reserve’ will cover over 3000 hectares of landscape comprising water, forests and mountains.  This formal declaration is among the first ‘Super NNR’s’ in England. Super NNRs are recognised for their landscape-scale approach to partnership working.

    The Wild Ennerdale Partnership began 20 years ago and has a vision to allow natural processes to shape the ecology and landscapes within the valley.  It brings together four organisations: Forestry England, National Trust, United Utilities and Natural England.

    Work over almost two decades has significantly improved nature recovery in the Ennerdale landscape and sustainable grazing has been promoted across grasslands, forests and open fells.

    Tony Juniper, Chair of Natural England, said:

    Wild Ennerdale is a diverse and varied landscape which supports some of our most unique and precious wildlife, including Red Squirrels, the Freshwater Pearl Mussels that dwell in the river there and which can live for 100 years, and the Arctic Charr – a fish that has hung on in the valley since the last Ice Age.

    We have been working with partners for some years to improve this already amazing place and its declaration as a National Nature Reserve will enhance the spectacular landscape, wildlife and habitats, safeguarding them for the future while providing space for people to get close to wild Nature. National Nature Reserves are at the very centre of our ambition to create a vibrant national Nature Recovery Network comprised of bigger and better places for both wildlife and people. The Ennerdale partnership is a great example of what we have in mind and shows how working together can achieve that aim.

    Environment Minister Trudy Harrison said:

    Ennerdale Valley is a haven for fish, birds and insects and provides much treasured access to green space for local people. The declaration today strengthens our commitment to nature’s recovery and our ambitions under the 25 Year Environment Plan to leave the natural world in a better state than we found it.

    Support from local communities is essential for the success of National Nature Reserves, and it’s vital that we work together to protect the future of these wildlife habitats. I hope the partnership will continue to build strong relationships with local landowners, communities and farmers – who are custodians of the countryside – to develop sustainable uses for these sites.

    Ennerdale Water in the valley is home to the Arctic Charr – a fish that has survived here since the ice age – and the River Ehen, which flows out of the lake, hosts the biggest population of freshwater mussels in England.

    The valley is encased by woodlands of Atlantic oakwood, rich with bryophytes, lichens, and conifers which are a vital habitat for red squirrels. As altitude increases out of the valley, woodlands are replaced by montane heath where nationally rare plants such as shrubby cinquefoil and alpine saw-wort can be spotted.

    National Nature Reserves (NNRs) were established to protect some of England’s most important habitats, species and geology, provide ‘outdoor laboratories’ for research and offer opportunities to the public, volunteers, schools and specialist interest groups to experience wildlife and nature first-hand, along with learning more about nature conservation and benefits for nature and society.

    Rachel Oakley on behalf of the Wild Ennerdale Partnership said:

    We’re delighted to achieve NNR status for this beautiful Lake District valley. We are constantly reminded of the nature and climate crisis we face now and for the future and this announcement (today) shows how working together and prioritising nature can reap rewards for us all”.

    These landscapes are constantly evolving and need to be ‘fit for purpose’ to adapt and respond to the many challenges we face. Nature can thrive if given space and a helping hand and we are seeing tangible results of that in Ennerdale. We are doing this through partnership working and today is very much about acknowledging and thanking the wide range of individuals and groups locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally who have supported this journey to date. NNR status is about prioritising nature recovery and will continue to do that at scale, along with many other great projects around the county”.

    It’s fitting that Wild Ennerdale becomes the largest NNR in the county as we mark the 70th anniversary this year of the first NNR’s back in 1952”.

    The announcement today demonstrates how the Government is delivering on the Environment Act – a key target of which is to halt the decline in our wildlife populations through a legally binding target for species abundance by 2030.

    England’s first Nature Reserve was created on 19 May 1952. Wild Ennerdale is the 221st site to be formally recognised, with sites spanning more than 106,000ha across England. These ‘nature hotspots’ are key to restoring nature across England and helping to bring green spaces and wildlife to everyone, including those who live in towns and cities.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Putin’s regime will hear the chorus of global opposition to its actions [November 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Putin’s regime will hear the chorus of global opposition to its actions [November 2022]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 14 November 2022.

    • G20 meeting this week is the largest summit of major economies since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine
    • The UK and allies will use talks to call out Putin’s actions and their devastating, far-reaching impact on global food and energy prices
    • A new generation of British frigates will bolster the UK’s defences and sustain 4,000 UK jobs

    The Prime Minister is in Indonesia today (Tuesday) for the first meeting of the G20 in the group’s 15-year history held in the shadow of a major European war instigated by one of its members.

    The summit comes as countries grapple with the ramifications of Putin’s brutality and disregard for sovereignty, with rising costs of food and energy hitting the world’s poorest.

    Russia has acted with disregard for sovereignty and international law – pillars of the stable international system the G20 was created to preserve. At this week’s meeting, the Prime Minister and his fellow leaders will call out Putin’s callous disregard for human rights and stress that Russia’s role in the international system will never be normalised while the war in Ukraine continues.

    The UK and allies are taking steps to bolster their security in the face of increased Russian threats. Today the Prime Minister has announced the next phase in the Type 26 frigate programme, with a £4.2 billion contract awarded to BAE Systems to build five more ships for the Royal Navy – in addition to the three already under construction.

    The project will support 1,700 jobs at the BAE systems sites in Govan and Scotstoun, Glasgow, over the next decade. 2,300 additional jobs will be supported in the supply chain across the UK.

    The Prime Minister said:

    “There can be no normalisation of Putin’s behaviour, which has no place in the international community.

    “Russia’s actions put all of us at risk. As we give the Ukrainian people the support they need, we are also harnessing the breadth and depth of UK expertise to protect ourselves and our allies. This includes building the next generation of British warships.

    “Putin and his proxies will never have a legitimate seat at the table until they end their illegal war in Ukraine. At the G20, the Putin regime – which has stifled domestic dissent and fabricated a veneer of validity only through violence – will hear the chorus of global opposition to its actions.”

    The UK-pioneered Type 26 is an advanced warship with the primary purpose of anti-submarine warfare. It will work to protect the UK’s continuous at-sea nuclear deterrent and Carrier Strike Group.

    Maritime security is crucial for defending our island nation, enabling global trade, and for the ongoing operation of seabed energy and communications infrastructure. The importance and vulnerability of these connections was made clear in September when a series of explosions critically ruptured the Nord Stream pipelines, cutting off a major gas route to Europe.

    Adversaries such as Russia are continually seeking to exploit any weaknesses in this area and any gaps in our security or that of our allies put our people and economies at risk.

    Construction of all eight of the Type 26 frigates is expected to be completed by the mid-2030s. When operational, the ships can be deployed all over the world in defence of the UK and allies’ security.

    Alongside calling out Russia’s behaviour, the Prime Minister will use the G20 Summit to reiterate the UK’s staunch support for Ukraine. As Chancellor the Prime Minister committed £4.1bn in direct support to Ukraine, including £2.3bn in vital military aid. Today the Prime Minister will re-commit to matching that level of spending on military support next year.

    While Chancellor, the Prime Minister also spearheaded the UK’s contribution to a G7-wide cap on the price of Russian oil on international markets. Last week the UK introduced legislation to prevent countries using the UK’s maritime services to transport Russian oil unless it is purchased below the price cap – a hugely influential measure given the UK provides around 60% of global maritime insurance.

    President Zelenskyy is expected to virtually address the first session of the G20 today, ensuring Russia is forced to reckon first-hand with the senseless violence they are inflicting.

    The impact of this violence reaches beyond Ukraine and has forced a more difficult and dangerous future on people throughout the world. The most vulnerable people continue to be the ones who are suffering the most with rising food, energy and other costs.

    The Prime Minister will use today’s meeting to emphasise the importance of the world’s most powerful economies reducing their dependence on Russian exports and supporting others to do the same.

    We must ensure Putin’s attempt to divide the international community fails. That requires likeminded countries to end their dependence on Russian hydrocarbons and secure long-term energy supplies for our countries.

    The UK quickly legislated to ban the import of Russian coal, oil and liquified natural gas. At the G20 we will continue our work with partners to completely phase out dependence on Russian energy, shifting to more reliable and less exploitative sources.

  • PRESS RELEASE : An important first step in Ukrainian efforts to seek justice in accordance with international law – UK statement at UN [November 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : An important first step in Ukrainian efforts to seek justice in accordance with international law – UK statement at UN [November 2022]

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

    Statement delivered by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN General Assembly discussion on a resolution on remedy and reparation for aggression against Ukraine.

    Thank you President.

    Russia’s unprovoked and illegal invasion of Ukraine, including its attacks on civilians, schools, hospitals and power supplies, has caused and continues to cause immense damage and loss to Ukraine and its people.

    In contrast, the scenes of relief and joy we have seen as Ukrainian civilians in Kherson greet the liberating Armed Forces of Ukraine should leave us in no doubt at the cruel and destructive nature of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

    It will take a broad international effort to support Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction in order to build a safe and prosperous future for the Ukrainian people.

    But only one country, Russia, is responsible for the damage to Ukraine and it is absolutely right, as this resolution sets out, that Russia pay for that damage. Russia must be held to account for actions which are in clear violation of international law, including the UN Charter.

    The United Kingdom supports Ukraine’s ambition to establish a register of damage to ensure that the evidence of the destruction caused by Russia is documented and preserved. This is an important first step in Ukrainian efforts to seek justice in accordance with international law. It is right that we begin that process now.

    Putin must end his war of choice, end the lies and distortion, end the global devastation in its wake, and withdraw his troops from Ukraine.

    We remain steadfast in our support for Ukraine, and for justice and compensation for the damage which Russia has caused. Thank you President.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Ensuring long term stability in the Central African Republic [November 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Ensuring long term stability in the Central African Republic [November 2022]

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

    Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the Security Council briefing on the situation in the Central African Republic.

    Thank you, President.

    The United Kingdom welcomes the renewal of MINUSCA’s mandate and thanks France for its efforts as penholder to reconcile differing views of Council members.

    Delegations made difficult compromises.

    The United Kingdom is disappointed by the loss of agreed Responsibility to Protect language. But we maintain that the Government of the Central African Republic remains primarily responsible for the protection of all civilians from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity, and that this issue will remain a key factor in future conversations.

    This mandate renewal takes place in a difficult political and security context, and MINUSCA itself is facing significant challenges. But the Mission retains a key role in helping to build long-term peace in the Central African Republic. And while we recognise the views expressed by our A3 partners and welcome recent overall reductions in violations of the Status of Forces Agreement, we remain deeply concerned by night flight restrictions imposed by the government.

    Such restrictions limit MINUSCA’s ability to implement its mandate and jeopardise the safety and security of peacekeepers and of civilians. We support new language in the mandate to address this critical issue. And we call on the authorities to ensure MINUSCA’s freedom of movement, with unhindered and immediate access throughout the territory of the Central African Republic, including by air and at night, as set out in the Mission’s Status of Forces Agreement.

    President, with this mandate MINUSCA can continue to provide effective support to long-term stability in the country. It is now up to the government to deliver on their stated commitments: to protect civilians and human rights; to take definitive steps on the peace agreement; and to uphold MINUSCA’s freedom of movement.

    Thank you.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK Government partnership with Montserrat bolstered by additional funding support [November 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK Government partnership with Montserrat bolstered by additional funding support [November 2022]

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

    A new agreement between the Governments of Montserrat and the United Kingdom comprises a protection against exchange rate fluctuations for the UK’s contribution to Montserrat’s annual recurrent budget, and new capital investments for essential equipment.

    Recurrent Budget support

    • The recent fluctuations in exchange rate and continued pressure on the cost of living has meant a reduction in real terms to the cash value of the UK’s support for Montserrat’s recurrent budget.
    • In recognition of this, the UK Government has agreed to an uplift of up to £4.72m to ensure that Montserrat is protected for the rest of this financial year from currency exchange impacts; to enable continued delivery of public services for the people of Montserrat.
    • This will enable the delivery of essential services which otherwise would have been at risk.
    • However, there is still a need to prioritise spending in what are challenging economic times.

    Governor Sarah Tucker expressed her thanks to the FCDO and UK Government for offering this much needed additional support to Montserrat during these exceptional times.

    Referring to the budget support, Honourable Premier, Joseph Farrell said:

    On behalf of the government and people of Montserrat I wish to express my sincere thanks to the FCDO and the United Kingdom Government for providing the additional funds towards our 2022/23 financial aid package, these monies will allow the government to continue providing essential services to the people on island.

    Capital support

    • The UK Government has agreed to provide an additional £3 million of funding for essential equipment.
    • Specifically, this money will provide a foam fire engine for the airport, a new two megawatt generator to provide greater resilience to the Montserrat Utilities Limited’s (MUL) energy provision across Montserrat, and additional health service support including a CT scanner, 3D mammography unit, oxygen generator, emergency room and incubator equipment, and a medical incinerator. Procurement work will be completed by the end of this financial year.

    Her Excellency the Governor, Sarah Tucker, said:

    This new additional support will enable a more resilient power source, whilst we continue to develop greener energy alternatives, ensure our fire officers have the equipment they need to keep us safe, and, very importantly, bring forward the ability to offer CT scans and mammography here in Montserrat, enabling faster diagnosis and therefore faster more effective care.

    Deputy Director of the Overseas Territories Directorate, Adam Pile, said:

    This additional funding demonstrates the UK Government’s continued commitment to Montserrat, I am delighted that additional support has been provided for capital equipment and that we are able to protect Montserrat from the exchange rate volatility this year. Credit is due to the Financial Secretary and her team for all of their continued hard work and support.

  • PRESS RELEASE : The contribution of United Nations Police to the Action for Peacekeeping Plus Priorities [November 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : The contribution of United Nations Police to the Action for Peacekeeping Plus Priorities [November 2022]

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

    Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the Security Council briefing on UN Peacekeeping Operations.

    Thank you President. My thanks here to Under-Secretary-General Lacroix, and to all our briefers for the presentations today. And let me take the opportunity to thank all our UN Police forces for their essential work in sometimes really tough conditions.

    I am pleased today’s discussion is focusing on A4P and A4P+. UN Police have an important role to play in delivering whole-of-mission approaches to these reform priorities. So I will focus on the areas covered by the two Police Commissioners – protection of civilians and performance.

    First, I thank Commissioner Fossen for her invaluable insight into implementing a protection of civilians mandate in UNMISS. We can sometimes forget when talking about Protection of Civilians how important unarmed approaches are. Of course, it is only part of the picture, and both armed and unarmed activity complement each other. We must consider the full range of tools to prevent and respond to civilian threats.

    Peacekeepers need not only to protect civilians from physical violence, but provide a protective environment, and the space for mediation and dialogue. UNPOL are uniquely placed for this task. They are often the first and the last to meet with the local population during any intervention or response to a crisis. They need to establish strong relationships with those populations founded on trust.

    Secondly, President, on performance. I thank Commissioner Berethe for speaking to this point in the MONUSCO context. Operating in any mission environment has its challenges, but MONUSCO is arguably one of the most challenging, as demonstrated by increased violence directed toward the Mission in recent months.

    The UK welcomes the ongoing implementation of the Integrated Peacekeeping Performance and Accountability Framework and of CPAS to monitor and evaluate performance and review progress against mandate implementation. Better performance means better missions.

    For UNPOL to operate and perform at its best, it needs to deliver the full range of policing roles it is mandated to fill. This should include capacity-building and development efforts of host-State police and justice and corrections institutions.

    In line with the findings of the 2016 External Review of UNPOL, there could be more focus on institution building and specialist capabilities, not simply the number of personnel deployed. It is these skills that support sustainable peace and restoration of the Rule of Law.

    Finally Mr President, our briefers and many speakers today have underlined the importance of the contribution UNPOL makes to the Women, Peace, and Security agenda. The UK strongly supports this, and welcomes the progress made to date.

    We look forward to continuing to work together to strengthen UNPOL to deliver on its full potential. I thank you.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Welsh Conservatives respond to RCN strike decision [November 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Welsh Conservatives respond to RCN strike decision [November 2022]

    The press release issued by the Welsh Conservatives on 9 November 2022.

    The Royal College of Nursing have voted to strike across six health boards in Labour-run Wales.

    Nurses in all but one health board (Aneurin Bevan UHB covering Gwent) will go on strike on various days in the coming months.

    Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust Headquarters, Velindre NHS Trust, Public Health Wales, NHS Shared Services Partnership, and Digital Health and Care Wales have also met the required threshold for strike action.

    Commenting, Welsh Conservative Shadow Health Minister Russell George MS said:

    “It is highly regrettable that nurses have decided to go on strike, with all the implications for patients who depend on NHS services, but let there be no doubt that nursing pay and conditions are the responsibility of the Labour Government in Cardiff Bay.

    “This will only compound the problems facing the UK’s worst-run NHS as, under Labour, Wales has the longest treatment waiting lists, A&E waiting times, and ambulance response times in the country.

    “I would stress that we cannot make the NHS permanently dependent on agency nurses but, in Labour-run Wales, it is already the case, with nurse vacancies going up by a thousand in just the last year, with £134m spent on agency workers.

    “I hope the Minister finally engages with the Royal College of Nursing to bring this dispute to an end as swiftly as possible – it is disgraceful that she has avoided doing this so far to the detriment of patients and staff across Wales.”

  • PRESS RELEASE : 20 years of Labour inaction to blame for bridge closure [November 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : 20 years of Labour inaction to blame for bridge closure [November 2022]

    The press release issued by the Welsh Conservatives on 9 November 2022.

    Commenting on the news that the defect which led to the closure of the Menai Bridge in October was first identified in the 1990s, Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Transport, Natasha Asghar MS said:

    “This is an absolute disgrace. For over 20 years successive Labour Governments have failed to act in the knowledge that the Menai Bridge had this defect. Just yesterday, Labour’s Deputy Minister failed to turn up to a briefing with various Members of the Senedd and the Member of Parliament for Ynys Môn, Virginia Crosbie.

    “Labour ministers must come forward at outline what they knew about the state of the bridge and when. Crucially, why wasn’t more regular work undertaken to prevent the bridge falling into this state?

    “The people of Wales deserve answers as to why hard-working families and businesses are being made to pay for Labour’s ineptitude.”

  • PRESS RELEASE : Welsh Conservative comment on councillor abuse over RSE stance [November 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Welsh Conservative comment on councillor abuse over RSE stance [November 2022]

    The press release issued by the Welsh Conservatives on 9 November 2022.

    A Gwynedd councillor has been threatened over her support for new relationship and sex education (RSE) teaching in Wales.

    Commenting, Welsh Conservative Shadow Local Government Minister, Sam Rowlands MS said:

    “The abuse received by local elected representatives is abhorrent. I have raised this in the Senedd chamber and it is clear to me that there still is not enough being done to protect councillors’ safety.

    “Welsh Conservatives stand wholeheartedly with parents and their right to choose what their own children are taught, with the option to opt-out of RSE lessons if they feel they are not age appropriate.

    “Others will have differing views and have the right to air them without the fear of abuse or threats. The Labour Government, while respecting the legitimate concerns of parents, need to do far more to support councillors in their plight to stand up for and represent their local communities.”

  • PRESS RELEASE : Taxpayers ‘left holding the bag’ on Cardiff Airport, says Davies [November 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Taxpayers ‘left holding the bag’ on Cardiff Airport, says Davies [November 2022]

    The press release issued by the Welsh Conservatives on 9 November 2022.

    Andrew RT Davies has said Labour have left the Welsh taxpayer ‘holding the bag’ on Cardiff Airport, as flight numbers from the airport drop.

    His comments come as Labour’s Deputy Climate Change Minister refused to set a date for the resumption of the direct bus service between Cardiff Airport and Cardiff City Centre.

    Third quarter figures for 2022 show that flights from the airport were down by 52% compared with the equivalent period in 2019.

    Commenting, Andrew RT Davies said:

    “When Labour ministers purchased Cardiff Airport in 2013, they were making an investment with the hard earned money of taxpayers in Wales.

    “But since then, it’s been a turbulent time, with passenger numbers under pressure and a failure to give the airport a competitive edge.

    “By failing to provide adequate transport links to Wales’ capital city, Labour are setting the airport up to fail, and taxpayers are the ones left holding the bag.”