Tag: Press Release

PRESS RELEASE : Readout of President Joe Biden’s Call with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine [October 2022]

The press release issued by the US President on 10 October 2022.

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., spoke today with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine. He expressed his condemnation of Russia’s missile strikes across Ukraine, including in Kyiv, and conveyed his condolences to the loved ones of those killed and injured in these senseless attacks. President Biden pledged to continue providing Ukraine with the support needed to defend itself, including advanced air defense systems. He also underscored his ongoing engagement with allies and partners to continue imposing costs on Russia, holding Russia accountable for its war crimes and atrocities, and providing Ukraine with security, economic, and humanitarian assistance.

10/10/2022
PRESS RELEASE : We must ensure that our efforts to promote and protect the rights of children leave no child behind – UK Statement at UN Third Committee [October 2022]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 10 October 2022.

Statement by Richard Croker, UK Ambassador to the General Assembly, at the Third Committee meeting on the Rights of the Child.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

The UK is committed to the promotion, protection and realisation of the rights of all children. Disparities between children continue to grow, and we must ensure that our efforts to promote and protect the rights of children leave no child behind.

Following the COVID pandemic, this work is now more urgent than ever. As the Special Representative for the Secretary-General on Violence against Children noted in her annual report, violence against children increased during the pandemic while also becoming less visible. We also know that normal prevention and response mechanisms were disrupted – leaving many children without vital support networks. These challenges illustrate the critical importance of strong, pre-existing child-sensitive and gender-sensitive systems as a basis for effective responses.

In the recent Secretary General’s report on the issue of Child, Early and Forced Marriage highlights how COVID is likely to lead to an additional 10 million child brides ahead of 2030, particularly those from poor households and rural areas. To help protect our collective hard-won gains, the UK pledged £18 million of funding to accelerate efforts through the UN Global Programme to End Child Marriage, last year.

But it is not just the impacts of COVID. We are also deeply concerned by the impact of conflict and humanitarian crisis on children’s rights, safety and wellbeing. According to the Secretary General’s Annual Report on Children and Armed Conflict, cases of sexual violence and abduction have increased significantly, by over 20%. The abduction of girls has also increased by 41%. We recognise that protecting children from the effects of armed conflict is a moral, legal and strategic imperative and an essential element to break the cycle of violence.

As I’ve said in other sessions, tackling sexual violence in conflict remains a top priority for the UK. We will host an international Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative Conference next month. And in November last year, the UK launched the Call to Action to Ensure the Rights and Wellbeing of Children Born of Sexual Violence in Conflict. This call was a first step in galvanising international action to support tens of thousands of children who are marginalised and stigmatised by families and communities. Since then, we have also been collaborating with experts and children born of conflict-related sexual violence to develop a detailed framework, called the Platform for Action. We are calling upon Governments to formally endorse the Call to Action and develop their own concrete commitments under the platform to support this vulnerable group.

Finally, threats to children online continue to grow and evolve at a horrifying rate. At any given moment 750,000 people are looking to connect online with children across the globe for sexual purposes. The UK is proud to have recently been identified as a global leader in tackling all forms of child sexual exploitation and abuse and to have led a UN resolution recognising the role of the private sector and robust, coherent regulation in protecting children from sexual abuse online.

Mr. Chair, protecting the rights of children is a central part of the UK’s work at home and overseas. We remain steadfast in our commitment to protecting children everywhere, hearing their voices, and ensuring that no child is left behind. Thank you.

10/10/2022
PRESS RELEASE : Nearly twice as many Londoners support expansion of the ULEZ [October 2022]
The press release issued by the Mayor of London on 10 October 2022.
- 51 per cent of Londoners believe the proposed expansion of the ULEZ should be implemented compared with 27 per cent who think it shouldn’t.
- Same percentage of Londoners as last year see the ULEZ as positive (54 per cent), demonstrating that support has not been affected by the cost-of-living crisis
- There are a quarter of million people with asthma in outer London who are still breathing toxic air
Nearly twice as many Londoners believe the Mayor’s proposed expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone should go ahead than oppose it, a representative YouGov poll commissioned by City Hall has revealed. [1].

Tackling toxic air in London is a top priority for the Mayor, which is why he is proposing to expand the ULEZ London-wide. The proposed expansion would come into effect in August 2023 and would improve air quality for five million more Londoners and help tackle the climate emergency.

Polling shows 51 per cent of Londoners believe the ULEZ expansion should go ahead, compared to 27 per cent who do not.

Almost two thirds (62 per cent) of Londoners without access to a garden or private outdoor space are keen for the ULEZ to expand and half of these want it to be implemented sooner.

Implementation of the ULEZ expansion is even more popular among those under 50, where 56 per cent say they support it compared to 21 per cent who oppose.

Overall, fifty four per cent of Londoners see the ULEZ as positive, and this percentage hasn’t changed since polling in 2021, revealing that the ongoing cost of living crisis has not swayed the support of Londoners for the ULEZ.[2]

Around 4,000 Londoners died prematurely in 2019 because of long-term exposure to air pollution, with the greatest number of deaths attributable to air pollution in outer London boroughs.[3] Air pollution is also permanently stunting children’s lungs and leading adults to suffer a range of illnesses, including lung and heart disease. Over 500,000 Londoners live with asthma and are more vulnerable to the impacts of toxic air, with more than half of these people living in outer London boroughs. While those living in central London are breathing cleaner air due to the ULEZ, with roadside nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels down by 44 per cent, those in outer boroughs are not benefiting to the same extent. The Mayor has been called on to make this fairer by expanding the ULEZ London-wide.

The Mayor believes air quality is also a matter of social justice, with air pollution hitting the poorest communities as well as Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities the hardest. The polling reveals a clear majority (55 per cent) of ethnic minority Londoners think the ULEZ expansion should be implemented – almost three times (20 per cent) those who don’t.

Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said:

“Air pollution in our city is contributing to children growing up with stunted lungs and older Londoners developing dementia.

“The ULEZ has already made a big difference – reducing air pollution by nearly half in central London and helping us to tackle the climate emergency. It’s clear that Londoners now want the zone to be expanded given the immense harm air pollution is still causing in our city – from cancer to dementia. Expansion of the ULEZ would lead to five million more people being able to breathe cleaner, less polluted air.

“In making my decision I will carefully consider all responses to the public consultation and Londoners’ views.”

“I don’t want us to miss out on any opportunities to protect Londoners from toxic air so that we can continue building a healthier, cleaner and greener London for everyone.”

Ruth Fitzharris, Mums for Lungs said “As a parent of a six-year-old child with asthma in outer London, I am really glad to see that many Londoners are in favour of a bigger ULEZ, which will benefit the health of so many children living here. One in ten kids in London have asthma. One third of those cases are caused by air pollution! All kids in London are negatively affected by air pollution and they really need to breathe clean air now”.
10/10/2022
PRESS RELEASE : Solidarity with Ukraine – EU takes new steps to provide certainty and access to employment to beneficiaries of Temporary Protection [October 2022]

The press release issued by the European Commission on 10 October 2022.

The Commission announced a series of measures to continue supporting those fleeing the unprovoked Russian aggression.

A new online job-search tool launched today will help people fleeing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to successfully find a job in the European Union. After registering with the EU Talent Pool pilot initiative, those under temporary protection can upload their CVs, so that their profiles are available to more than 4,000 employers, national public employment services and private employment agencies. Ensuring a swift and effective integration into the labour market is important both for host communities, and for those fleeing the war to rebuild their lives.

Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, Nicolas Schmit, said: “The EU Talent Pool pilot demonstrates our continued solidarity with Ukraine. Not just in words, but with action. It is a tragedy that millions of people have been forced to flee their homes. It is our collective duty to provide as much support as we can to help them make a life for themselves in the EU. Finding a quality job means financial independence and it puts you on the path for better social integration.”

Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, said: “From the first week of war the EU has granted immediate protection to those in need. Thanks to EU Temporary Protection, those same people arriving in the EU have access to the labour market. The talent pool makes access to the labour market easier. Our aim is to ensure that Ukrainians can continue to benefit from the Temporary Protection Directive, which I believe should continue to apply at least until March 2024. We also stand ready to support those who decide to go home to Ukraine and they can rely on us if they decide to come back to the EU. This week, I will discuss all these matters with Ministers in the upcoming JHA Council.”

The Executive Director of the European Labour Authority, Cosmin Boiangiu, said: “The EURES portal and network are a powerful instrument to match employers and jobseekers across Europe. There could not be a better European tool to deliver the Talent Pool pilot on such short notice, and facilitate the labour integration of Ukrainians seeking temporary protection and shelter in the EU.”

In its 2022 Communication on attracting skills and talent to the EU, the Commission proposed to launch an EU Talent Pool pilot to identify and map the skills of people that have fled Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, to facilitate their matching with EU employers and their labour market integration. This project is a joint initiative of the Commission and the European Labour Authority, with the continued involvement and assistance of the European Migration Network.

EU Talent Pool pilot helps to match jobseekers with employers

The EU Talent Pool pilot, available in English, Ukrainian and Russian, is implemented through the EURES portal, a job-searching portal managed by the European Labour Authority. It brings together national employment services, private employment agencies and employers across the EU. EURES contains over 3 million job vacancies and 4,000 employers, and new employers are welcome to sign up to it. The EU Talent Pool pilot is open to all jobseekers who benefit from temporary protection under the EU Temporary Protection Directive, or adequate protection under national law providing them the right to work. For Member States, participation in the EU Talent Pool pilot is voluntary.

After registration, the tool guides jobseekers through a process where they can identify the skills they have and upload their CV. The CVs published in the EU Talent Pool pilot will be visible to public employment services in all participating countries as well as to registered employers in all countries who are part of the European cooperation network of employment services (EURES). Jobseekers can also browse through all job vacancies published on the EURES portal.

Next steps

As indicated in the recently adopted migration report, the Commission will make full use of the provisions of the temporary protection directive and will foresee the extension of the protection afforded to those who fled Ukraine by one year, until March 2024. This will be now discussed with Member States.

At the same time, the Commission is working through the Solidarity Platform to provide guidance and solutions to ensure that those who go back de-register or notify the competent authorities safe in the knowledge that they can re-enter the EU easily and access their rights that temporary protection affords.

The pilot project launched today will build into a wider EU Talent Pool as proposed in the Skills and Talent package. The EU Talent Pool is one of the key deliverables of the New Pact on Migration and Asylum which aims at to attracting talent to the EU and support integration in local communities.

10/10/2022
PRESS RELEASE : The U.S. stands in solidarity with Ukraine and condemns the crimes of the Russian aggressor – meeting of the President and the Head of the Presidential Office with the U.S. Ambassador [October 2022]

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 10 October 2022.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak met with U.S. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Bridget Brink and Deputy Chief of Mission Christopher Smith.

Bridget Brink emphasized that the United States strongly condemns Russia’s attacks on the infrastructure facilities of Ukraine and is committed to holding Russia accountable for war crimes and atrocities committed in Ukraine.

The Ambassador noted that the US diplomatic mission continues its work in Ukraine.

10/10/2022
PRESS RELEASE : President held a meeting on the restoration of communications and energy supply damaged by Russian attacks [10 October 2022]

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 10 October 2022.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting on restoring communications and energy supply damaged as a result of Russian missile attacks on Monday morning.

The Head of State heard the report by Minister of Energy of Ukraine Herman Halushchenko on the damage caused to the Ukrainian infrastructure by air attacks of the Russian Federation.

Herman Halushchenko informed about the measures being taken to restore the electricity supply and the time necessary for the repair. He noted that in the vast majority of affected regions of Ukraine, light will appear by the end of the day.

At the same time, the meeting participants emphasized the importance of temporarily reducing electricity consumption during the hours of peak load on the networks – from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

In order to reduce the load on the power system and reduce the need for emergency blackouts, citizens are urged not to use the most energy-consuming appliances during the specified time, namely: electric heaters, boilers, electric stoves, microwave ovens, washing machines and dishwashers, electric kettles, coffee makers, irons, etc. If necessary, it is better to use these devices in the afternoon.

The State Emergency Service of Ukraine accepts requests from local communities regarding the organization of powering important objects with the help of diesel generators.

According to the Ministry of Digital Transformation, the infrastructure ensuring mobile communications was not affected. However, interruptions due to lack of power supply were observed in some areas.

Hence, the state should facilitate the provision of mobile network operators with fuel for generators and, if possible, provide access to Starlink stations.

10/10/2022
PRESS RELEASE : Liz Truss call with President Zelenskyy [10 October 2022]

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

The Prime Minister spoke to Ukrainian President Zelenskyy this afternoon.

She strongly condemned Putin’s appalling attacks on civilian areas in Kyiv and elsewhere today. The Prime Minister said that these are a sign of Ukrainian success and increasing desperation by Putin in response.

The Prime Minister stressed that the UK stands wholeheartedly behind President Zelenskyy and Ukraine. Putin’s destructive rhetoric and behaviour will not diminish our resolve. The leaders welcomed the deliveries of British military aid which continue to arrive in Ukraine.

The Prime Minister and President Zelenskyy looked ahead to tomorrow’s virtual meeting of G7 leaders, which President Zelenskyy will join. They agreed it offers an important opportunity to reemphasise the unity of opposition to Putin’s despicable campaign.

10/10/2022
PRESS RELEASE : 2022 elections in Lesotho [October 2022]
The statement made by the Foreign Office on 10 October 2022.
The United Kingdom commends the conduct of the general election held in the Kingdom of Lesotho. Observers from the United Kingdom identified a peaceful and well-managed election along with a small number of concerns relating to the confusion surrounding the electoral roll.

The United Kingdom Observer Mission focused on 20 polling stations across 3 districts of Lesotho:

Maseru

Berea

Leribe

The Mission found calm and peaceful proceedings at all the polling stations it visited throughout the day of the elections. The voting process was lengthy at times with some voters having to wait multiple hours to cast their vote, but this did not result in any incidents during observation.

The voting process was observed as transparent with processes and procedures as outlined in the constitution of the Kingdom of Lesotho followed at the polling stations observed by the Mission.

There were concerns raised with a small number of cases with confusion for individual names on the electoral roll. The Mission noted the existence of such cases, which may have led to disenfranchisement of some voters.

The Mission noted enthusiasm amongst those voting for participating in democracy but also noted the level of turnout at some polling stations, which could benefit from greater engagement in civic education for future elections.

The United Kingdom Observer Mission would like to thank all those involved in the process of supporting these elections, including the Independent Electoral Commission, members of civil society organisations, and fellow national and international observers.
10/10/2022
PRESS RELEASE : New Permanent Secretary Treasury Team Announced – James Bowler [October 2022]

The press release issued by the Treasury on 10 October 2022.

The Cabinet Secretary, with the approval of the Prime Minister and in agreement with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, has appointed James Bowler as the new Permanent Secretary to the Treasury.

James is currently Permanent Secretary for the Department for International Trade and was previously Permanent Secretary in the Cabinet Office. James brings to the role a wealth of knowledge and experience of HM Treasury from over 20 years in the department, combined with experience working with business and representing Britain internationally from his time at DIT.

James will have overall responsibility for managing the department, will supervise Treasury policy development, and will be the principal adviser to the Chancellor and his Ministerial team.

The Cabinet Secretary and the Permanent Secretary have announced Cat Little and Beth Russell as Second Permanent Secretaries. Cat has worked as the Director General of Public Spending since March 2020 and previously worked at the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Defence and spent over a decade in the private sector. Beth has worked for the Treasury for more than 20 years, most recently as the Director General of Tax and Welfare; she also currently heads up the Darlington Economic Campus.

These appointments have been made by the Cabinet Secretary, with the approval of the Prime Minister and in agreement with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, The Rt. Hon. Kwasi Kwarteng MP.

Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng said:

I’m delighted to welcome James back to the Treasury and Beth and Cat into their new roles as Second Permanent Secretaries. James joined the Civil Service over 20 years ago and has enormous experience delivering across a range of Government departments. Beth and Cat bring experience and continuity and it’s fantastic to have them as part of the Treasury’s top team.

James has a proven track record of delivery and strong leadership, both of which will be vital as we drive towards our mission of igniting growth and raising living standards for everyone across the UK.

Cabinet Secretary Simon Case, said:

James is one of our most expert and experienced economic policy makers, who has served many chancellors over the last two decades. I am delighted for James and congratulate him on his appointment.

I would like to thank Cat and Beth for their excellent leadership of the Treasury over recent weeks and congratulate them both on their substantive promotion to Second Permanent Secretaries. HMT is at the heart of the government’s plan for growth and I know James, supported by Cat and Beth, will bring dedicated leadership to deliver on this agenda for the government and the country.

James Bowler said:

I am delighted to be returning to HM Treasury. Having spent over 20 years at the Department, I know first-hand the excellence of its people. I plan to bring my wider experience back to the Department to help navigate the opportunities and challenges of the global economy that lie ahead. I look forward to working with the Chancellor as part of a strong team alongside the proven experience and talent of Beth Russell and Cat Little.

Beth Russell and Cat Little said:

Working for the Treasury and delivering for the public are privileges – we’re both honoured to be chosen and we look forward to working with the Chancellor, James and the whole ministerial and official team as we continue to deliver for the country.

Notes to Editors

James Bowler

James has over 20 years experience in the Treasury, including as head of tax and then spending policy. He has led multiple Spending Reviews and Budgets at Treasury and was also Principal Private Secretary in Number 10. He has worked in senior roles in Cabinet Office and the Ministry of Justice. James has also helped lead international trade deal negotiations including with India, Trans-Pacific and Australia. James has been a Permanent Secretary since September 2020, first in the Cabinet Office and then in his current role at DIT.

Cat Little

Cat spent over a decade in the private sector dedicated to government and public sector finance at professional services firm PwC. Since joining government in 2013, Cat has led finance, digital and commercial teams in MoJ and most recently as Director General Finance at the MoD. Cat has been Director General of Public Spending since March 2020 and led the comprehensive spending review in 2021. Cat also is head of the Government Finance Function, leading over 10,000 finance professionals across Government, and will continue in this role alongside her new position as second permanent secretary.

Beth Russell

Beth has worked for over 20 years in the Treasury, most recently as Director General Tax and Welfare, Director Personal Tax Welfare and Pensions, and Principal Private Secretary to the Chancellor. Over the last year, Beth has been heading up the new Darlington Economic Campus (DEC) and will continue to be based in Darlington in this new role. DEC will eventually have 1100 new roles across 8 government departments.

The process to recruit the First Permanent Secretary to HM Treasury ran over three weeks. Given the seniority of the job, the process was only open to existing Permanent Secretaries. Candidates were interviewed by a panel including the First Civil Service Commissioner, the Lead NED for HM Treasury and the Cabinet Secretary. Candidates also met with the Chancellor as part of the process. As with all Permanent Secretary appointments, the Prime Minister’s approval was required.

The process to recruit the Second Permanent Secretaries at HM Treasury ran over four months, following Charles Roxburgh’s departure. The competition was open to external candidates. Candidates were interviewed by a panel including the First Civil Service Commissioner, the Lead NED for HM Treasury and the Cabinet Secretary. As with all Permanent Secretary appointments, the Prime Minister’s approval was required.

10/10/2022
PRESS RELEASE : UK sanctions Iranian ‘Morality Police’ and senior security officials [October 2022]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 10 October 2022.

The UK has imposed sanctions on senior security and political figures in Iran and the so-called ‘Morality Police’.

Mahsa Amini’s death, following her arrest by the Morality Police, has sparked protests across Iran and shocked the world. For decades the Morality Police have used the threat of detention and violence to control what Iranian women wear and how they behave in public.

In response, the UK has today sanctioned the Morality Police in its entirety, as well as both its chief Mohammed Rostami Cheshmeh Gachi and the Head of the Tehran Division Haj Ahmed Mirzaei.

The UK is also imposing sanctions today on 5 leading political and security officials in Iran for committing serious human rights violations, including:
- Gholamreza Soleimani, the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Basij force, responsible for internal security in Iran
- Hassan Karami. the Commander of the NAJA Special Forces Unit of the Iranian police
- Hossein Ashtari, the Commander-in-chief of the Iranian police
The Basij force, NAJA Special Forces Unit and the wider Iranian police have played a central role in the crackdown on protests across Iran in recent weeks, as well as the fuel-related protests in 2019.

There have been reports of live ammunition being used against protestors, including when students were blockaded by security forces at the Sharif University earlier this week, and the bodies of protestors killed by security services buried without the families’ knowledge.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said:

The UK stands with the people of Iran who are bravely calling for accountability from their government and for their fundamental human rights to be respected.

These sanctions send a clear message to the Iranian authorities – we will hold you to account for your repression of women and girls and for the shocking violence you have inflicted on your own people.

These sanctions will ensure that the individuals on the list cannot travel to the UK and any of their assets held in the UK, or by UK persons anywhere, will be frozen.
10/10/2022