Tag: Press Release

PRESS RELEASE : UK International Trade Secretary visits New Zealand and Australia
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 28 August 2022.

Cabinet Minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan begins a 9-day tour of New Zealand and Australia following Free Trade Agreements being signed.
- Trip will encourage more businesses to reap the benefits of the UK’s newly signed deals
- Trevelyan is the first Cabinet Minister to meet the new Australian government on Aussie soil.
- Opportunity to discuss continued support for the UK’s work to accede accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)
Anne-Marie Trevelyan is visiting the region to promote Global Britain and opportunities for UK businesses after the UK signed trade deals worth £800 million with New Zealand and £2.3 billion with Australia.
- In NZ she meets Minister for Trade and Export Growth, Damien O’Connor to discuss how to maximise the benefits of the trade agreement and increase business awareness of it. She will also meet Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel.
- She will receive a formal Marae welcome, known as a pōwhiri, in Rotorua, and tour Miraka, a Māori owned and sustainable milk processing plant. She will also meet with Te Taumata, the Māori trade advisory board, to discuss the opportunities to boost Māori business cooperation through the UK-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement.
- And on the final leg in Auckland she will meet Mayor Phil Goff, and visit Babcock International to promote UK and New Zealand defence industry partnerships.
- In Sydney she will visit Qantas to be briefed about Project Sunrise and purchase of key Airbus plane components and Rolls Royce engines; host an Electric Vehicle roundtable, promote the strengths of the UK’s tech ecosystem and launch a Net Zero Innovation handbook, to showcase British expertise in climate tech. She will also visit Central Station, where UK and Australia partnership is leading the way in sustainable design and engineering.
- In Adelaide she will visit leading defence companies including BMT, MacTaggart Scott and the BAE Systems frigate shipyard.
- The Trade Secretary will also deliver a speech alongside her counterpart, Minister Farrell, on the next steps of the UK-Australia Free Trade Agreement, and the wider UK business and trading relationship.
The visit also provides an opportunity for the International Trade Secretary to discuss both countries continued support for the UK’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) by the end of the year. The CPTPP is a £9 trillion trading block, which could see 99.9% of UK exports becoming eligible for tariff-free trade with the 11 member countries. This would further boost opportunities for UK businesses in the region.

British Consul General and Deputy Trade Commissioner Asia Pacific (Australia & New Zealand), Louise Cantillon said:

“Trade is a huge part of the modern partnership between the UK and Australia and New Zealand, and I am delighted to welcome the International Trade Secretary to this region.

This is her first visit since the Free Trade Agreements were signed and is a key part of our work to prepare businesses to make the most of the deals. In NZ I’m particularly pleased we are able to meet with so many Maori businesses who will benefit from the FTA Chapter to promote the benefits of international trade.

This visit will showcase amazing British companies showing how UK innovation, technology and skills in the region are being used in partnership to deliver economic growth.”

British High Commissioner to Australia, Vicki Treadell said:

“Australia and this region are key to the UK’s Indo Pacific tilt and I am pleased to welcome International Trade Minister Trevelyan. Strong trade and investment flows are a key pillar of our partnership and having signed Free Trade Agreements our work now turns to preparing realise the benefits.

This wide-ranging visit will see the Minister engage across trade, defence and climate – testament to the importance of our modern partnership to maximise opportunities and tackle current challenges together.”

British High Commissioner to New Zealand, Iona Thomas said:

“I am delighted to host the International Trade Secretary during this important visit, focused on how to maximise the benefits of the FTA, the UK’s efforts to join the CPTPP and future cooperation on global trade. There is huge potential for economic growth by working together, increasing prosperity for both countries.

I am excited to meet thriving British Businesses across New Zealand and showcase the unique and dynamic relationship between NZ and the UK. Both countries believe strongly in global responses to global problems and challenges, in protecting our democratic values, championing free trade and taking urgent action to protect our climate and oceans.

I am particularly pleased to be engaging with Māori businesses who have sustainability at the heart of their work during this visit. Growing the UK’s relationship with all of New Zealand is a key priority for the team in New Zealand.”
August 28, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Consultation launched on NHS pension changes to boost winter workforce
The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 28 August 2022.

NHS pension scheme changes could be extended to allow retired staff to retain pension benefits if they return to the workforce.
- The extension would make it easier for skilled professionals returning to the NHS to deliver high-quality care to patients
- Move would help to bolster the workforce ahead of winter so they can continue to bust the Covid backlogs
Retired and partially retired NHS staff could have important NHS pension changes extended to make it easier for them to return to the workforce or to continue supporting the health system over winter, as the government launches a new consultation today (Sunday 28 August 2022).

Ahead of what could be a challenging winter where we expect more people to come forward for checks, these measures will help support and boost the workforce. In this way, we are putting in place preparations that will put the health system in the strongest possible position to tackle the pressures and bust the Covid backlogs.

Since March 2020, certain retire and return rules in the pension scheme have been suspended to allow retired staff to return to work or increase their working commitments without having the payment of their pension benefits suspended.

The measures are currently set to run until 31 October 2022 and the consultation will gather views from the public and stakeholders on whether to extend the measures to 31 March 2023.

This would allow skilled and experienced staff that have stepped up to support the system to continue working for the NHS throughout the potentially challenging upcoming winter period, easing pressures on the system and helping to tackle the Covid backlogs.

Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay said:

“The country is hugely thankful to all the retired staff who returned to support the NHS and the public during the pandemic. This winter will be challenging too and we are putting in place the necessary preparations to support the NHS while it continues to deliver first-rate care to patients.

As part of this we are now consulting on extending temporary changes to the NHS pension scheme, which have so far allowed highly-skilled retired staff to return to the workforce without having their pension benefits affected.”

The NHS pension scheme is one of the best available, providing generous retirement benefits for hardworking staff after a lifetime of service looking after the nation’s health.

The government is committed to growing and supporting the NHS workforce, with over 4,100 more doctors and 9,600 more nurses compared to last year, and remains on track to deliver on the manifesto commitment to have 50,000 more nurses by 2024, with 29,000 more nurses already. The government has also commissioned NHS England to develop a long term workforce plan to recruit and support staff while they deliver high-quality, safe care to patients.

To prepare for winter, the government is working closely with the NHS at pace to prepare for the pressures ahead, including by increasing capacity, boosting NHS 111 and 999 support with at least 4,800 staff working in 111 and 2,500 in 999 call rooms to meet high demand, tackling delayed discharge and using new innovations such as virtual wards by creating the equivalent of at least 7,000 more beds.

The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and NHS England recently set out plans to address winter pressures. He has also launched a taskforce to drive up the recruitment of international staff into critical roles across the system, alongside recruiting and retaining more doctors and nurses, so staff can continue their work of busting the Covid backlogs, having now virtually eliminated waits of over two years as part of the Elective Recovery Plan – backed by record investment.

Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation (which includes NHS Employers), said:

“The NHS will need all of the help it can get this winter and so, we are pleased the Government will be consulting on ways to provide support to the NHS’s workforce by encouraging recent and partial retirees back to the frontline.

This is not the only action that it is needed to respond to the rising demand for healthcare services but leaders hope it will help. On behalf of our members, we look forward to providing views in the consultation.”
August 28, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : New government scheme to promote next generation of UK artists around the world
The press release issued by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on 28 August 2022.
- Known as X-UK, the project will acquire works by exciting British artists to go on display in more than 125 countries
- The collection will work with networks to support standout artists to showcase the best of Britain to the world
Contemporary British artists are set to benefit from a new scheme which will see their work displayed in the country’s network of embassies and government buildings around the world.

The Government Art Collection (GAC), which is part of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), is launching a five-year acquisitions project to acquire works from exciting talent and showcase the best of British creativity – promoting further interest in the country’s globally renowned creative sector.

GAC will work with the Contemporary Visual Arts Network in England, the Scottish Contemporary Art Network, and networks in Wales and Northern Ireland to identify the next generation of potential artistic stars.

The X-UK project initially ran as a successful pilot scheme in 2020-21 when more than 90 pieces by 45 contemporary visual artists were acquired for the collection. These works are now on display in government buildings around the country and internationally in British embassies and residences including Paris, Ankara, The Holy See in Rome, and 10 Downing Street.

The pilot revealed the impact that an acquisition by the Government Art Collection can have on an artist’s career by helping to bring their art to new audiences and raising their profiles.

Glasgow-based artist Alberta Whittle went on to represent Scotland at the 59th Biennale di Venezia in 2022 and currently has pieces on display in the National Galleries of Scotland following the pilot scheme’s acquisition of her work.

The acquisition of work by Manish Harijan led to his being granted a global talent visa by the British Council, and Ghanian-born artist Harold Offeh saw his art join a national collection for the first time in his career.

Arts Minister Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay said:

“This fantastic new scheme will shine a light on the UK’s brilliant up-and-coming artists and promote our cutting-edge creative industries on the world stage.

The five-year X-UK project aims to be a true reflection of every part of the United Kingdom and will bring some of our most exciting artists to audiences in more than 125 countries.”

UK Government Minister for Scotland Iain Stewart said:

“As the Edinburgh summer festivals draw to a close, the international appetite for Scottish culture and creativity has never been more apparent. Through the UK Government’s extensive global network of embassies and residencies, this fantastic project will showcase the best of Scottish creative talent to the world and help raise the global profile of our outstanding homegrown visual artists.”

Secretary of State for Wales, Sir Robert Buckland said:

“I’m delighted that the UK Government is supporting contemporary Welsh art. Acquiring pieces by emerging artists for the Government Art Collection immediately provides publicity and recognition and showcases this wonderful work to the world.

Wales has a rich heritage of celebrated artists from Richard Wilson’s 18th century landscapes to Gwen John and Sir Kyffin Williams, and it’s great to see the new generation of Welsh talent supported and promoted by the X-UK project.”

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Shailesh Vara said:

“The X-UK project by the Government Art Collection is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the very best of Northern Ireland’s artistic talent alongside the rest of the United Kingdom in over 125 countries across the world.

I am excited to see the high calibre of artwork, which will undoubtedly serve as a fantastic springboard for new and emerging artists from Northern Ireland to display their talent on the world stage.”

Contemporary visual artist Manish Harijan said:

“Coming from the foothills of the Himalayas in Nepal, this is a valuable opportunity that has opened doors for me into the art world. Connecting with important art networks like CVAN Yorkshire and Humber, who nominated me to the Government Art Collection, has been inspiring, and following the acquisition of my work by the Collection, the British Council granted me a Global Talent visa.”

Contemporary visual artist Harold Offeh said:

“As a Cambridge-based artist having my work selected for the Government Art Collection was a huge boost. The recognition and validation of my practice has been extremely encouraging, and I’m excited to be part of a national collection for the first time.”

The project will also provide a focus for the Government Art Collection’s public engagement activity with artists and young creatives during this five-year period. This will include work in 2022-23 with Glynn Vivian Art Gallery in Swansea, the Museum-in-Residence in 10 Downing Street, and work in Bradford during its time as UK City of Culture in 2025-26.
August 28, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Alok Sharma, COP26 President, returns to Viet Nam to drive progress on a clean energy transition ahead of COP27
The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 27 August 2022.
- The COP President will meet with senior ministers and key stakeholders to progress discussions on a Viet Nam Just Energy Transition Partnership
- He will also visit the Mekong River Delta to observe the impact of river bank erosion and sea-level rise and meet with local communities impacted by climate change
- Ahead of attending G20 ministerial meetings in Bali, the COP President will reiterate the urgent need for updated climate commitments from countries before COP27
COP26 President Alok Sharma will travel to Viet Nam from 27-30 August 2022, to meet with key ministers to drive forward discussions on a Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) and to see the impacts of climate change in the country.

The Viet Nam Just Energy Transition Partnership will be a long term political agreement between the Government of Viet Nam and an International Partner Group (IPG) of countries, comprising the United Kingdom, European Union, France, Germany, Japan, and the United States of America. .

This country-led partnership will support Viet Nam to accelerate its transition away from coal as part of the country’s commitment to its 2050 net zero target and their ambitious Power Development Plan (PDP8). The Partnership will be underpinned by clear plans to deliver a just energy transition and catalyse clean energy investment, offering Viet Nam the opportunity to become a world leader in renewable energy.

The COP26 President will also meet with G7 and development partner donors, as well as businesses and private sector stakeholders, to help drive public and private sector engagement and mobilisation of finance as part of the process.

He will join a roundtable with civil society organisations, to hear their views and insights on progress since COP26, the proposed Just Energy Transition Partnership, and the opportunities and challenges presented by Viet Nam’s low carbon energy transition.

On his third visit to the country as COP President, Mr Sharma will continue the work of the UK COP Presidency in pressing for updated climate commitments from all countries ahead of COP27 as agreed in the Glasgow Climate Pact. Mr Sharma will urge Viet Nam to bring forward a revised 2030 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), aligned with its 2050 net zero target.

Mr Sharma will also visit Can Tho in the Mekong River Delta – accompanied by researchers from Can Tho University and Dragon-Mekong Research Institute – to observe the impact of river bank erosion and sea level rise on vulnerable areas. Mr Sharma will hear first-hand accounts from local communities benefiting from a project on urban resilience against flooding and climate change impact.

Alok Sharma, COP26 President, said:

“Urgent action is needed to limit global temperature increase to 1.5 degrees and help build prosperous, low-carbon, resilient communities across the planet.

The proposed Just Energy Transition Partnership provides an excellent opportunity for Viet Nam to accelerate its transition away from coal in delivery of its 2050 net zero target. I am pleased to be back in Viet Nam to engage with government ministers, public sector bodies, business leaders, local communities, and civil society to discuss ways we can work together for effective climate action.

A clean, just energy transition not only delivers enhanced climate action, it will help create new jobs, economic growth, clean air and a resilient, prosperous future.”

After his visit to Viet Nam, the COP President will travel to Indonesia to attend the G20 Climate and Environment Ministerial meeting in Bali.
August 28, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : UK assisting Pakistan in flood relief efforts

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 27 August 2022.

The UK is providing urgent support to Pakistan after flooding in the south of the country killed at least 900 people. Extreme monsoon rainfall has affected millions, with at least 700,000 homes destroyed.

In response to the disaster, the UK will provide up to £1.5 million for the relief effort. The UN is carrying out a needs assessment over the weekend, and a UN appeal is expected to be launched on Tuesday.

Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State for South and Central Asia, North Africa, UN and the Commonwealth and the Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, said:

“The floods in Pakistan have devastated local communities and the UK is providing up to £1.5 million to help the immediate aftermath. We are witnessing the catastrophe that climate change can cause and how it impacts the most vulnerable.

My thoughts and prayers are with all the victims and their families, and I would like to pay tribute to everyone involved in the relief efforts. We are also working directly with the Pakistan authorities to establish what further assistance and support they require. The UK stands with the people of Pakistan during this time of need.”

The UK also provides assistance to Pakistan through international organisations working directly with the victims of the disaster, including the World Bank and the United Nations.

August 28, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference – Speech by UK Permanent Representative to the Conference on Disarmament

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 27 August 2022.

Aidan Liddle, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the Conference on Disarmament. has given a speech at the Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference.

Mr President

In taking the floor, especially under an Argentinian President, I am reminded of Jorge Luis Borges’ injunction not to speak unless you can improve the silence. I cannot promise to do that, but I will at least be brief.

We have finally reached the culmination of a seven-year review cycle. Throughout your almost three years as President-designate, and over the last four weeks of sometimes gruelling negotiations, you have guided us with great skill, professionalism, transparency, and good humour, and I thank you very sincerely for that. I know that you have been supported in this by a superb team, including the Chairs of the Main Committees and Subsidiary Bodies, by the Secretariat, led most ably by Mr Tudor, and by your own Argentinian team. Many others have facilitated and brokered discussions between delegations on various issues to prepare the ground for the final document you produced. You and they are all a credit to your services and your countries.

Mr President

That one delegation has prevented us from adopting a substantive consensus outcome document does not negate the four weeks of intensive discussions we have had on all aspects of our Treaty. I recognise that many delegations were disappointed at what was in your text—or perhaps rather what was not in it. But it was an honest attempt—by you and by all of us—to identify areas of agreement, which my delegation was ready to support. I deeply regret that it was unable to garner consensus.

That we were so close to reaching consensus is a tribute not only to how hard you and most delegations here have worked these past four weeks, but actually is also testament to the fact that there remains more that unites us than divides us.

But we cannot escape the fact that there are deep divisions, in this Treaty and in the world. They are only exacerbated by Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine. As well as trampling on the values and the Charter that underpin the United Nations, imperilling international peace and security, and plunging the world into a food crisis, Russia’s aggression also poses grave challenges to the nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime and to the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. Many of us have highlighted those challenges consistently throughout this Review Conference, and they have been restated with admirable clarity in the statement delivered earlier by the distinguished Representative of France, with which my delegation fully associates itself. Perhaps it was inevitable that Russia would not allow this Conference to adopt a document that exposed those challenges to the world, even as obliquely as the one you put before us did. But they have been laid bare throughout these four weeks. Just as they have this evening, they try to to blame everyone but themselves for their actions. But while Russia can block the adoption of a document, or filibuster an international conference, they cannot hide from the world’s revulsion at their actions.

Mr President

Even if there is no common agreement on the way forward, our obligations under the NPT endure. Our prior commitments, from 1995, 2000 and 2010, remain valid. We must continue to make progress along this path, even if we have been unable to update the roadmap.

The United Kingdom will do its part. In particular, we look forward to taking forward, with Norway, the initiative on clarifying and applying the principle of irreversibility; to contributing to the working group on strengthening the review process that we have agreed to this evening; and to establishing, with the United States and 30 other partners who have joined so far, the Sustained Dialogue on expanding access to the peaceful uses of nuclear technologies. We also remain committed to working internationally to reduce the risk of nuclear conflict and enhance mutual trust and security—an increasingly urgent task.

Final document or no, the NPT remains, and will remain, the cornerstone of the international nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation architecture, and makes a vital and integral contribution to international peace and security. The United Kingdom takes its obligations, commitments and responsibilities seriously. My country will continue to play its part in bringing about a safer world for all and achieving the peace and security of a world without nuclear weapons.

August 28, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : UK donating undersea minehunter drones to help Ukraine clear coastline

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 27 August 2022.

The UK is giving underwater drones to Ukraine and training Ukrainian personnel in Britain to use them to clear their coastline of mines.

Six autonomous minehunting vehicles will be sent to the country to help detect Russian mines in the waters off its coast. Three of these will be provided from UK stocks, with a further three to be purchased from industry.

The lightweight autonomous vehicle is designed for use in shallow coastal environments, operating effectively at depths of up to 100m to detect, locate and identify mines using an array of sensors so the Ukrainian Navy can destroy them.

Dozens of Ukrainian Navy personnel will be taught to use the drones over the coming months, with the first tranche having already begun their training.

Russia has been weaponising food by destroying Ukrainian agriculture and blockading the country’s Black Sea ports to prevent exports, with devastating consequences for the world’s poorest people as food prices rise.

A small number of ships carrying grain have left Ukraine since the UN brokered a deal in July to allow food exports, but efforts to get food out of the country continue to be hampered by sea mines left by Russian forces along Ukraine’s coast.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said:

“Russia’s cynical attempts to hold the world’s food supply to ransom must not be allowed to succeed.

This vital equipment and training will help Ukraine make their waters safe, helping to smooth the flow of grain to the rest of the world and supporting the Armed Forces of Ukraine as they look to defend their coastline and ports.”

The Royal Navy’s Diving & Threat Exploitation Group will conduct the three-week training courses, alongside the US Navy 6th Fleet. Having considerable experience using the equipment already they will conduct training at sea to operate the vessels and interpret the data they send back to identify mock mines.

Admiral Sir Ben Key, First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff, said:

“Through the expert skills being taught here, our Ukrainian allies will be able to clear their own waters of mines. These weapons target shipping indiscriminately, but particularly affect civilian traffic and trade and have had a devastating impact on freedom of navigation in the Black Sea.

This training is another powerful demonstration of the UK’s ongoing commitment to Ukraine in their fight to defend their country and repel Russian aggression.”

Captain Ben Vickery Royal Navy, Captain of Royal Navy Diving and Mine Warfare said:

“The Ukrainian personnel have been fantastic, and it is a pleasure to be working with them and helping them in their struggle to defend their homeland against the aggression they are currently suffering.

These incredible, motivated and very professional sailors have thrown themselves into the task and have made incredible progress gaining an excellent level of proficiency.

I am hugely proud of them, and the Royal Navy Clearance Divers and Mine Warfare specialists delivering the training, standing shoulder to shoulder – stronger together to achieve this vital training mission driven by our shared values and a common bond.”

The Royal Navy is also training Ukrainian sailors to operate Sandown Class Minehunter vessels.

Armed Forces Minister James Heappey and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Havrylov visited Scotland in July to watch trainees practicing key skills at sea, such as weapon drills and damage control, whilst learning to operate the machinery on the vessels.

The UK is also leading a major international programme to train up to 10,000 Ukrainian volunteer recruits in basic military skills, which Canada, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway, New Zealand, Lithuania and the Netherlands have all announced they will support.

August 28, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Sale of horticultural peat to be banned in move to protect England’s precious peatlands

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 27 August 2022.

All sales of peat to amateur gardeners in England will be banned by 2024, the Government has announced today (Saturday 27th August).

Peatlands are the UK’s largest carbon store but only approximately 13% of our peatlands are in a near-natural state. This degradation has occurred due to drainage for agricultural use, overgrazing and burning, as well as extraction for use in growing media. Bagged retail growing media accounts for 70% of the peat sold in the UK and is frequently misused, for example being used as a soil improver rather than a medium in which to propagate plants. When this extraction takes place, the carbon stored inside the bog is released as carbon dioxide, contributing to climate change.

Peat extraction also degrades the state of the wider peatland landscape, damaging habitats for some of our rarest wildlife such as the swallowtail butterfly, hen harriers and short-eared owls, and negatively impacting peat’s ability to prevent flooding and filter water. A significant proportion of the UK’s water supply lands or flows through peatlands.

The measures announced today will contribute to efforts to achieve our ambitious target of restoring 35,000 hectares of peatlands by 2025 and wider efforts to achieve net zero.

The announcement follows an extensive public consultation, which received more than 5,000 responses with over 95% in favour of government taking action to ban retail peat sales. The Government has also pledged to continue to work closely with the professional horticulture sector on speeding up their transition to peat-free alternatives ahead of a ban for the professional horticulture sector, recognising that the professional horticulture sector faces additional technical barriers that will take longer to overcome.

The Government is also launching a new £5 million fund to promote the use of peatlands for sustainable farming. It will support the uptake of paludiculture – the practice of farming on rewetted peatland – which will help further safeguard food security, produce alternatives to horticultural peat and reduce environmental impacts.

Environment Minister Richard Benyon said:

“This Government understands the importance of keeping peat healthy and in the ground, here and around the world – to lock up carbon, strengthen drought resilience and serve as a powerful nature-based solution to climate change.

The actions announced today mark a new chapter in the story of our iconic peatlands – safeguarding their long-term health and vitality as part of our commitments to achieve Net Zero and deliver our 25 Year Environment Plan.”

Chair of Natural England, Tony Juniper said:

“Peatlands are precious ecosystems that harbor beautiful and fascinating wildlife, shape the character of iconic landscapes, purify water and help to reduce flood risk. They are also our largest natural carbon stores, locking away over 580 million tonnes. This ban on the sale of peat-based compost and work to phase out use in other areas is an essential step toward protecting these valuable natural assets and allowing for the recovery of degraded areas.

We are working with Defra and partners on the ground to restore thousands of hectares of peatland habitats, and today have awarded over £11 million to restore lowland sites in the south-west of England, and upland sites in the north of England. These projects will have multiple benefits, holding carbon, helping some of our scarcest wildlife to recover, reduce flood risk and render landscapes more resilient to climate change impacts such as drought and fire.”

Professor Alistair Griffiths, Director of Science and Collections at the Royal Horticultural Society, said:

“Peatlands are the world’s largest carbon store on land, with great potential to store carbon long term, helping to reach net zero. They reduce flooding, when rewetted reduce fire risks and provide valuable habitats for both plants and animals. To tackle the climate and biodiversity crises, it is essential that we have a sustainable transition to peat-free alternative growing medias. The RHS stopped selling peat-based growing media bags in 2019 and will continue to work with Defra, industry and gardeners to accelerate the transition to peat-free.”

Through round two of the Nature for Climate Fund Peatland Restoration Grant, Natural England has today awarded nearly £11 million to six projects to support restoration works on over 7,000 hectares of peatland, adding to more than 8,000 hectares already funded through round one.

Round two of the Restoration Grant has supported a blend of lowland and upland restoration works, with the Somerset Peatland Partnership convening to restore lowland sites in the south-west of England, and the Great North Bog and Moors for the Future partnerships restoring upland sites in the north of England. We will also shortly be announcing the winners of our second round of Discovery Grants.

New alternatives to horticultural peat, produced through paludiculture and otherwise, present the opportunity for England to protect nature through green job creation, as well as become one of the global leaders in the production and sale of sustainable growing media.

August 28, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Museums and galleries urged to sign up for VAT refund to support free entry for the public
The press release issued by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on 27 August 2022.
- Minister encourages more museums and galleries to join the scheme
- Those added to the scheme in 2020 are set to benefit from more than £70 million
Museums and galleries are being urged to apply for VAT refunds to support opening free of charge as part of plans to boost visitor numbers and give more people access to arts and culture.

Any museum and gallery open to the public free of charge for 30 hours a week can apply. It will help organisations boost their finances and open up their collections more regularly.

The VAT Refund Scheme, which has been running since 2001, was last open to new applicants in 2018/19 and is estimated to have refunded up to around £1 billion to museums and galleries so far.

Ahead of a speech at the Edinburgh International Culture Summit, Arts Minister Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay today announced that the scheme will reopen for new applications in the autumn.

He is encouraging museums and galleries which are considering putting on exhibitions for free, as well as institutions already eligible but not currently taking advantage of the scheme, to apply.

Arts Minister Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay said:

“The UK’s brilliant museums and galleries can be proud of the huge range of free exhibitions they put on and the role they play in increasing access to arts and culture.

We want to see even more museums offering free entry, and to support organisations which are providing great opportunities for the public to enjoy.

I encourage cultural institutions across the UK to apply for the VAT refund scheme so they can help make sure people from all backgrounds get to experience great arts and culture for free.”

Institutions taking part in the scheme are entitled to a refund on VAT incurred on goods and services which are purchased in order to provide free admission. A total of 159 sites across the UK currently benefit from the scheme, including the People’s History Museum in Manchester, the Peter Scott Gallery in Lancaster, the Burns House Museum in Kilmarnock, Falkirk’s Callendar House, the National Gallery of Scotland in Edinburgh, the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool, and National Museum Cardiff.

The Athelstan Museum in Malmesbury used the scheme to improve its public exhibition spaces for visitors. When the museum acquired a J.M.W. Turner watercolour of Malmesbury, it used the scheme to help enhance its mezzanine gallery area to display the artwork.

It is estimated that museums and galleries which were added to the scheme in 2020 will benefit from more than £70 million in VAT refunds in the six years after joining. New museums and galleries wishing to benefit from the scheme can apply in the autumn.

Commissioner for Cultural Recovery and Renewal Lord Mendoza said:

“In my review of museums I identified this specially designed scheme as one of the most important government interventions to help museums right across the United Kingdom.

I hope that we continue to see growth in the number of applications to ensure that as many people as possible can visit our outstanding museums for free.

Free entry for museums is a distinctive cultural intervention and I’m thrilled that the government hopes to help even more places this year.”

Helen Smout, CEO, Culture Perth and Kinross Limited, said:

“The VAT Refund Scheme for museums and galleries alongside the Museums and Galleries Tax Relief has been of enormous benefit to our organisation and critically has helped us sustain a programme of free-to-access exhibitions.

This work has helped us re-engage with audiences after the disruptions of the pandemic and to date in 2022 we are outperforming our pre-pandemic footfall bringing additional benefits and income to the organisation.

Without the support this scheme provides for museums our programmes would not be as rich, ambitious, or engaging and our future would be much bleaker.”

Sharon Nolan, Chair of Trustees, Athelstan Museum, Malmesbury, said:

“Athelstan Museum Malmesbury has benefited greatly from the VAT Refund Scheme for museums and galleries. When we first joined the scheme we were in the process of acquiring an old Moravian Church (now the Julia and Hans Rausing Building) for renovation, to create a new museum store and event/ workshop/ talks space to attract more diverse audiences. The scheme enabled us to save the VAT on our building work and supplies.

Similarly, when we acquired a Turner watercolour of Malmesbury and wanted to enhance our mezzanine space to display it, we again benefited from the scheme. It helps with the day-to-day running of the museum; we receive no funding other than donations, Gift Aid, and income from the gift shop.

We are totally volunteer-run. The scheme is invaluable to small, volunteer-run museums like ourselves. It enables us to retain our free-entry status, and to be ambitious and take on new projects. Our visitors really appreciate the museum and numbers are now increasing post-Covid.”

The Government has also extended the sunset clause on the Museums and Galleries Exhibitions Tax Relief scheme, which aims to encourage cultural venues to develop new exhibitions through financial incentives. The scheme has been given a temporary uplift, meaning there will be 45 per cent tax relief for permanent and temporary exhibitions and 50 per cent tax relief on touring exhibitions respectively up to a maximum of £100,000. From 1 April 2023, these rates will be reduced to 30 per cent and 35 per cent respectively, before returning to their usual rates of 20 per cent and 25 per cent on 1 April 2024.
August 28, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Volodymyr Zelenskyy handed over a completed questionnaire for Ukraine’s obtaining of the EU candidate status to Matti Maasikas

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 18 April 2022.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy handed over a completed questionnaire for Ukraine’s obtaining of the EU candidate status to Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine Matti Maasikas.

“I want to thank you for this important meeting. Today is one of the stages for our country in joining the European Union, the aspiration that our people are striving for and fighting for,” he said.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy reminded that the questionnaire was handed over to him by President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen during her visit to Kyiv together with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell.

The President of Ukraine noted that our country’s progress towards the EU is taking place at a very tragic time, when many Ukrainians who profess European values are losing their lives.

“However, the people of Ukraine are united by this goal – to feel equal, part of Europe, part of the European Union,” he said.

The President thanked Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Council Charles Michel, Josep Borrell and Matti Maasikas for the prompt work on providing the questionnaire.

“It’s an important signal. We believe that we will gain support and become a candidate for accession. After that, the next, final stage will begin. We believe that this procedure will take place in the coming weeks and that it will be positive for the history of our people, given the price it paid on the path to independence and democracy,” the President said.

According to Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, the government and the team of the Office of the President have prepared responses in a prompt manner, and work is already underway on Ukraine’s integration into the European Union.

“We are already integrated into the EU electrical grid. We are now continuing to work with the European Commission on the integration and joint network of free roaming and free payment space,” the Prime Minister said.

He noted that this work took place in parallel with the completion of the questionnaire for EU membership.

For her part, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olga Stefanishyna noted that the questionnaire is a “book of Ukrainian statehood.”

“All these changes that we have made, that we are fighting for now. It’s about human rights, the highest human values, the economy, the changes and transformations we’ve really fought for,” she said.

Andriy Yermak, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, stressed that accelerating the process of European integration of our country would be impossible without the heroism of the Ukrainian military and all our people.

“Therefore, I believe that this is a very powerful step for our victory,” Andriy Yermak stressed.

Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine Matti Maasikas said he also feels part of a team working to give Ukraine EU candidate status.

He noted that this process is taking place in a very difficult situation for the Ukrainian state, but everyone feels the importance and significance of this moment.

According to Matti Maasikas, Ukraine’s answers in the questionnaire will be analyzed very quickly.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked him for the fact that the EU Delegation had resumed its work in Kyiv.

“This is an important signal that the ambassadors are returning, we are glad to see you,” the President said.

August 26, 2022