Tag: Press Release

PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister Liz Truss’s call with the Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte [September 2022]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 10 September 2022.

The Prime Minister spoke to Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte this afternoon.

Prime Minister Rutte expressed his condolences on the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and said that the people of the Netherlands had been shocked and saddened by her passing.

The Prime Minister thanked Prime Minister Rutte for his kind words and the leaders paid tribute to King Charles III on the day of his proclamation.

The Prime Minister and Prime Minister Rutte agreed on the importance of the UK-Netherlands relationship and looked forward to working together as close neighbours and likeminded partners.

September 11, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister Liz Truss’s call with President Emmanuel Macron of France [September 2022]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 10 September 2022.

The Prime Minister spoke to President Macron of France this afternoon.

President Macron expressed his deepest condolences on the loss of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The leaders agreed on the profound mark Her Majesty The Queen made not just on the UK but the world, and the Prime Minister thanked President Macron for his words.

The leaders agreed on the value of a strong UK-France relationship as we work together to tackle the energy crisis caused by Putin’s illegal war, as well as other security, defence and strategic issues.

They looked forward to meeting soon to discuss these issues.

September 11, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister Liz Truss’s call with Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki of Poland [September 2022]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 10 September 2022.

The Prime Minister spoke to the Prime Minister of Poland, Mateusz Morawiecki, this afternoon.

Prime Minister Morawiecki expressed his condolences on the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The leaders agreed that Her Majesty The Queen’s long reign and life of public service is as an inspiration to many.

The Prime Minister and Prime Minister Morawiecki agreed on the strength of the UK-Poland relationship, particularly as we work together to support the people of Ukraine.

September 11, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister Liz Truss’s call with India Prime Minister Narendra Modi [September 2022]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 10 September 2022.

The Prime Minister spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi this afternoon, following the death of Her Majesty The Queen.

The Prime Minister thanked Prime Minister Modi for his heartfelt condolences, which he said were on behalf of 1.3 billion Indians.

The leaders acknowledged the grief felt by the many people of the UK and India, and paid tribute to Her Majesty The Queen’s lifetime of service.

The two agreed on the vital importance of the UK-India relationship and looked forward to meeting in person in the near future.

September 10, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Bank holiday announced for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s State Funeral on Monday 19 September 2022

The press release issued by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on 10 September 2022.

Monday 19 September, the date of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s State Funeral, will be a national bank holiday.

This will allow individuals, businesses and other organisations to pay their respects to Her Majesty and commemorate Her reign, while marking the final day of the period of national mourning.

This bank holiday will operate in the same way as other bank holidays, and there is no statutory entitlement to time off. Employers may include bank holidays as part of a worker’s leave entitlement.

The bank holiday will take place across the United Kingdom.

More information

The bank holiday will be a unique national moment, and we would encourage employers to respond sensitively to requests from workers who wish to take time off.

Does this bank holiday mean individuals can have the day off work?

This is a matter for discussion between individuals and their employer. There is no statutory entitlement to time off for bank holidays, but employers may include bank holidays as part of a worker’s leave entitlement.

The government cannot interfere in existing contractual arrangements between employers and workers. However, we would expect that many workers will be able to take the day off on the bank holiday. We also expect employers to respond sensitively to requests from workers who wish to take the day of the funeral off work.

Some employment contracts ask individuals to work some Saturdays/bank holidays. Can these individuals take this bank holiday off work?

This is a matter for discussion between individuals and their employer.

If an individual will have to work on the day of the funeral – can they take an additional day’s holiday another day?

This is a matter for discussion between you and your employer.

If an individual will have work on the day of the funeral – will they be paid extra?

This is a matter for discussion between you and your employer. There are no statutory rules regarding extra pay on bank holidays.

If an individual has annual leave booked for the day of the funeral – will they be able to reclaim this leave?

This is a matter for discussion between you and your employer.

Will this bank holiday apply everywhere in the UK?

Yes, this bank holiday will apply in all parts of the UK.

Is this an official bank holiday, or does it have a special status?

This bank holiday is official and applies in the same way as all others.

Was King George VI’s funeral a National Holiday?

No, King George VI’s funeral was not a bank holiday, but the government wants to help give as many people as possible the opportunity on the day of the State Funeral to mark Her Majesty’s passing and commemorate Her reign.

Will there be a bank holiday for the Coronation?

No decision has yet been made. A decision will be made nearer the time.

Will the bank holiday to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral be an annual holiday?

There are currently no plans for an annual holiday.

Will schools be closed on the day of the bank holiday?

Yes, schools will be closed, we are not asking them to remain open on the day of the bank holiday.

September 10, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister Liz Truss’s call with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 10 September 2022.

The Prime Minister spoke to New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern this morning, following the death of Her Majesty The Queen.

The leaders spoke about the fondness felt for Her Majesty The Queen, both in the United Kingdom and New Zealand, and shared their condolences.

The Prime Minister also expressed her sincere condolences for New Zealand after the capsize of a boat off the coast of the South Island in recent hours.

September 10, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister’s call with Taoiseach Micheál Martin

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 9 September 2022.

The Prime Minister spoke to Taoiseach Micheál Martin this afternoon.

The Taoiseach shared Ireland’s sincere condolences with the Prime Minister following the passing of Her Majesty The Queen, and reminisced about her momentous visit to Ireland in 2011.

The Prime Minister thanked the Taoiseach for his condolences, and the leaders agreed Her Majesty The Queen had played a central role in healing divides and bringing people together.

September 9, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Flag flying guidance following the death of Her Majesty The Queen

The press release issued by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport in the House of Commons on 9 September 2022.

Following the death of Her Majesty The Queen, all official flags, including the Union Flag, should be half-masted from as soon as possible today until 08.00 the day following The Queen’s State Funeral. Flags may be flown overnight during this period but should remain at half-mast.

Official flags in this instance are defined as national flags of the home nations, Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories, Ensigns and Ships’ colours.

Any non-official flags flying or due to be flown, such as the Rainbow Flag or the Armed Forces Day Flag, should be taken down and replaced with a Union Flag at half-mast. Other official flags scheduled to be flown can be flown as normal, but at half-mast.

Half-mast means the flag is flown a third of the way down the flagpole from the top, with at least the height of the flag between the top of the flag and the top of the flagpole.

On poles that are more than 45° from the vertical, flags cannot be flown at half-mast and should not be flown at all.

The Union Flag must be flown the correct way up – in the half of the flag nearest the flagpole, the wider diagonal white stripe must be above the red diagonal stripe. Please see the College of Arms website

Royal Standard

The Royal Standard is never flown at half-mast even after the death of a monarch, as there is always a Sovereign on the throne and it would therefore be inappropriate for it to fly at half-mast. The Union Flag will be flown at half mast on all Royal Residences.

Exceptions for half-masting during this period of mourning

The only exception to half-masting during this period of mourning is on the day of the Accession Council on 10 September when His Majesty The King is formally proclaimed. The Union Flag and all other official flags should be raised to full mast between the hours of 09:00 and 10:30 and remain at full mast until 13:00 the following day, at which time the Union and official flags should return to being flown at half mast.

September 9, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : PM call with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 8 September 2022.

The Prime Minister spoke to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese this morning.

The leaders shared their condolences following the passing of Her Majesty The Queen, and agreed she had touched the lives of many, both in Australia and the UK.

September 9, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Death of Her Majesty The Queen – Initial public information on funeral and ceremonial arrangements

The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 9 September 2022.

We recognise that many people will travel to Buckingham Palace and other Royal Residences as a mark of their respect. We expect large crowds, which can pose risks to public safety. Those who do travel are asked to follow any instructions given to them by stewards and the police.

We expect significant crowding and delays on some public transport. The public should check ahead and plan accordingly.

As you would expect a number of organisations will now be making practical preparations including contingency planning for the State Funeral and related events. Access to some areas, especially in central London, will be restricted, with road closures and diversions that will cause delays to vehicles and pedestrians.

Those who wish to lay floral tributes near Royal Residences in London, Windsor, Edinburgh, Balmoral, Hillsborough Castle and Sandringham are asked to do so only in designated areas, as directed by stewards. Further details will be made available shortly.

September 9, 2022