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Tag: Press Release

  • PRESS RELEASE : Urging all parties to ensure the ceasefire in Gaza is durable and prevents further violence: UK statement to UN Security Council

    PRESS RELEASE : Urging all parties to ensure the ceasefire in Gaza is durable and prevents further violence: UK statement to UN Security Council

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office by 8 August 2022.

    Thank you President, and my thanks go to the representatives from the UAE and others who called this important Council session.

    The United Kingdom joins fellow Council Members in welcoming the ceasefire in Gaza announced last night. We express our thanks to Egypt, Qatar and the office of UN Special Coordinator, Tor Wennesland, for their mediation efforts. We now urge all parties to do their utmost to ensure the ceasefire is durable and prevents further violence.

    These last few days we have once again seen tragic scenes in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

    We strongly condemn the firing of over 1,100 rockets at civilians by Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and the ongoing campaign of terror attacks by the group, which has resulted in the deaths of innocent civilians, Israelis and Palestinians alike.

    As my Foreign Secretary has been clear, the UK stands by Israel and its right to defend itself in the face of such terrorism and violence.

    The United Kingdom expresses its deepest condolences to the families of innocent Palestinian civilians killed over the past three days, particularly the tragic deaths of children. The UK supports a timely and thorough investigation into all of these reports. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the cycle of violence, have taken too many lives.

    We remain deeply concerned about the humanitarian situation in Gaza, including lack of movement and access, damage to civilian infrastructure, and critical supplies, such as fuel for power plants to supply electricity, including for hospitals. We welcome Israel’s announcement that it is allowing humanitarian aid through to Gaza. Immediate access for humanitarian relief is essential, and we expect that the ceasefire agreement will now allow for prompt restoration of movement and access for people and goods via the Erez and Kerem Shalom crossings.

    This escalation is yet another reminder of the urgent need for progress towards a Two State solution that ensures a safe and secure Israel, living alongside a Palestinian state based on 1967 lines, with Jerusalem the shared capital of both states.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Capacity building for sustaining peace in Africa

    PRESS RELEASE : Capacity building for sustaining peace in Africa

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 August 2022.

    Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the Security Council open debate on peace and security in Africa.

    Thank you President for convening this briefing.  And thank you to all our briefers for their valuable remarks.  I will make three points.

    First, as our Kenyan colleague said, Africa is a continent of great potential. Yet the United Kingdom shares the deep concern expressed by others with regard to the scale of challenges that many countries in Africa are facing today.

    Covid-19 has made it harder to consolidate development gains.

    Many countries have had to grapple with the impact of climate change and exacerbating humanitarian pressures.  The drought in the Horn of Africa and flooding in South Sudan are just the latest tragic examples.

    On top of this, the global economic consequences of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine have hit the continent hard, jeopardising hard-won peace and development gains.

    Second, the UK remains committed to do its part to support African countries to fulfil their potential.  Through our new International Development Strategy, we are working with governments and civil society to help partners get on track for the Sustainable Development Goals.  This includes capacity building to strengthen institutions that work for the well-being of their citizens.

    The UK remains a strong supporter of efforts to promote peace and manage conflicts across the continent.  We take our responsibilities in this Council seriously.  We work in close partnership with the AU, for example to reconfigure the AU Transition Mission in Somalia.

    We have trained over 3,000 African peacekeepers in the last financial year through the British Peace Support Team in Africa.

    And in July, we hosted the second UK-Ghana Security Dialogue where we agreed to support regional approaches to tackling growing risks of instability in coastal West African states.

    The UK is the second largest donor to the Elsie Initiative Fund, having provided over $6 million since 2019, to increase the participation of uniformed women in UN peace operations.

    Third, there are no shortcuts.  Development gains and fragile peace will be lost if large parts of a population are marginalised, or human rights are abused. Internationally, we need a model of cooperation that prioritises the values of openness and inclusion. Peacebuilding and development must be people-centred if they are to be sustainable.

    And as this Council has made clear, the meaningful participation of women in peace processes is central to building sustainable peace.

    In closing President, the United Kingdom remains fully committed to peace and development in Africa.  We look forward to the continued partnership, between this Council and the UN Peacebuilding Commission, the wider UN membership and regional organisations – to advance peace and development in Africa.

    Thank you.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Heat-health alert issued by the UK Health Security Agency

    PRESS RELEASE : Heat-health alert issued by the UK Health Security Agency

    The press release issued by the UK Health Security Agency on 8 August 2022.

    The UK Health Security Agency’s (UKHSA) heat-health alert service is designed to help healthcare professionals manage through periods of extreme temperature. The service acts as an early warning system for periods of high temperatures that may affect the public’s health.

    The alert will be in place from midday Tuesday 9 August to 6pm on Saturday 13 August for all regions of England.

    Temperatures are not forecast to reach the record-breaking levels of the most recent heatwave but are expected to rise throughout the week, potentially reaching mid-30 degrees Celsius on Friday and Saturday in the South East, London, the South West, and the East and West Midlands.

    Dr Agostinho Sousa, Head of Extreme Events and Health Protection at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), said:

    “Temperatures will feel very warm again this week, particularly in southern and central parts of the country.

    We want everyone to enjoy the warm weather safely when it arrives but remember that heat can have a fast impact on health. It’s important to ensure that people who are more vulnerable – elderly people who live alone and people with underlying health conditions – are prepared for coping during the hot weather.

    The most important advice is to ensure they stay hydrated, keep cool and take steps to prevent their homes from overheating.”

    Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist, Tony Wardle, said:

    “Heatwave criteria look likely to be met for large areas of the UK later this week, with the hottest areas expected in central and southern England and Wales on Friday and Saturday. Temperatures could peak at 35⁰C, or even an isolated 36⁰C on Saturday.

    Elsewhere will see temperatures widely into the high 20s and low 30s Celsius later this week as temperatures build day-on-day through the week due to an area of high pressure extending over much of the UK.

    Coupled with the high daytime temperatures will be continued warm nights, with the mercury expected to drop to only around low 20s Celsius for some areas in the south.”

    Read more on the forecast from the Met Office.

    The top ways for staying safe during hot weather:

    look out for those who may struggle to keep themselves cool and hydrated – older people who may also live alone, and those with underlying conditions are particularly at risk

    stay cool indoors by closing curtains on rooms that face the sun – and remember that it may be cooler outdoors than indoors

    drink plenty of fluids and avoid excess alcohol

    try to keep out of the sun between 11am to 3pm, when the UV rays are strongest

    walk in the shade, apply sunscreen and wear a wide-brimmed hat, if you have to go out in the heat

    avoid physical exertion in the hottest parts of the day

    make sure you take water with you if you are travelling

    check that fridges, freezers and fans are working properly

    check medicines can be stored according to the instructions on the packaging

    never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle, especially infants, young children or animals

    take care and make sure to follow local safety advice if you are going into the water to cool down

    High temperatures also present a risk of wildfires, especially after long dry periods. People with pre-existing heart and lung conditions such as asthma are most susceptible as breathing wildfire smoke may worsen their symptoms. Children and older people may also be susceptible to health impacts.

    If wildfire smoke affects your area, avoid or reduce your exposure to smoke by staying indoors with the doors and windows closed.

    Where possible avoid smoky areas. If you should travel through a smoky area, ensure that the vehicle windows are closed and the air conditioning is switched to recycle or recirculate if possible.

    Listen out for local news reports and information from the emergency services who will provide advice on the precautions you should take.

    Further information

    Read the UKHSA blog on staying safe in extreme heat.

    UKHSA’s Beat the heat checklist identifies suitable actions people can take to protect themselves during periods of hot weather.

    For more information on the common signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke, visit NHS.UK.

    UKHSA has also published advice for the public on how to stay healthy during periods of drought.

     

  • PRESS RELEASE : European Commission welcomes international condemnation of Russia for violation of aviation rules and EU sanctions

    PRESS RELEASE : European Commission welcomes international condemnation of Russia for violation of aviation rules and EU sanctions

    The press release issued by the European Commission on 4 August 2022.

    The Commission welcomes the decision by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to call on the Russian Federation to immediately cease its infractions of international aviation rules, in order to preserve the safety and security of civil aviation. The ICAO decision refers to the violation of Ukraine’s sovereign airspace in the context of Russia’s war of aggression, and to the deliberate and continued violation of several safety requirements in an attempt by the Russian government to circumvent EU sanctions. These actions include illegally double-registering in Russia aircraft stolen from leasing companies, and permitting Russian airlines to operate these aircraft on international routes without a valid Certificate of Airworthiness, which is the necessary safety certificate.

    Adina Vălean, Commissioner responsible for Transport, said: “It is of utmost importance for all countries to defend the international aviation rules-based system, for the safety of passengers and crew. Russia continues to disrespect the fundamental rules of international aviation and to instruct its airlines to work against these rules. I welcome the ICAO Council’s clear condemnation, which reflects the gravity of the actions undertaken by Russia.”

    Josep Borrell, High Representative/Vice-President, said “The aim of EU sanctions, in addition to all our other actions, is to stop the reckless and inhuman invasion by Russia of Ukraine. In this context, I welcome ICAO’s report, which points to another example of Russia’s blatant disregard of international rules and standards, putting the lives of people at risk, including Russian citizens.

    ICAO informed yesterday its 193 Member States about Russia’s blatant non-respect of crucial international aviation law and will bring the issue to its next general Assembly, taking place from 27 September to 7 October 2022.

    Background

    ICAO was the first UN agency to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Since then, it has taken a number of actions.

    On 15 June 2022, in its role as global safety oversight authority, the ICAO Secretariat issued a “Significant Safety Concern” against the Russian Federation in relation to the treatment of the stolen aircraft. The posting of a Significant Safety Concern is a measure which ICAO reserves to only the gravest of violations of international safety rules.

    The ruling of ICAO’s governing body, the ICAO Council, was issued on 22 June 2022. It is wider than the issues covered by the “Significant Safety Concern” and also covers the airspace violations committed by Russia. The issue will also be on the agenda of the upcoming 41st ICAO Assembly in September/October 2022.

    ICAO is the guardian of the international civil aviation system. ICAO States and in particular the individual members of the ICAO Council must respect these rules. An ICAO Council member actively working against these principles puts ICAO’s overall credibility at risk.

  • PRESS RELEASE : NPCC led review: operational productivity of policing

    PRESS RELEASE : NPCC led review: operational productivity of policing

    The press release issued by the Home Office on 8 August 2022.

    Total funding for policing in 2022 to 2023 is nearly £17 billion – the highest for over a decade. By April 2023 we will have invested over £3.5 billion in supporting the recruitment of 20,000 additional police officers through the Police Uplift Programme, of which 13,790 have been recruited so far.

    It is therefore crucial that we deliver the best possible value for the public from this investment. This review will improve our understanding of effectiveness and productivity in policing, identifying the barriers and the most efficient operating models.

    The review will also look at the scope for using new technology or streamlining processes and removing bureaucracy to drive efficiency and better outcomes.

    The review will be led by Sir Stephen House, supported by an advisory board including Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary and Fire Service (HMICFRS), the chief executive of the College of Policing and Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC). Terms of reference will published in due course, following agreement by the advisory board and Home Office. It is expected to report within 12 months and with interim findings in spring 2023.

    National Police Chiefs’ Council Chair, Martin Hewitt, said:

    “We want to provide the best possible policing to the public. This review, commissioned by the Home Office and led by the NPCC, will make recommendations on how to improve effectiveness and productivity in policing, identifying the barriers and the most efficient operating models.

    In the coming weeks, we will work with Sir Steve to draw together an advisory board of policing partners and external experts to shape the terms of reference and put a review team in place.”

  • PRESS RELEASE : OIM accepts landmark first request to examine proposed law change

    PRESS RELEASE : OIM accepts landmark first request to examine proposed law change

    The press release issued by the Office for the Internal Market on 8 August 2022.

    The UK government has consulted on banning the sale of peat in England. The proposed ban, designed to address environmental concerns surrounding the use of peat in horticulture, would not apply in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.

    The UK government has requested that the Office for the Internal Market (OIM) – which sits within the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) – report on how the proposed ban may impact the effective operation of the Internal Market.

    The OIM has considered this request in line with the criteria set out in the UK Internal Market Act and the principles stated in its operational guidance and has accepted the request. It will aim to provide its analysis by February 2023.

    OIM Panel Chair, Murdoch MacLennan said:

    “This request is a significant development for the UK Internal Market and for the OIM. Since the OIM was launched less than a year ago, we have taken important steps to ensure we are ready to perform this new role and our decision to accept this request is another milestone.

    We’ll now examine any potential economic impacts the proposed ban could have on the UK Internal Market and provide our report within 6 months.”

    The OIM was launched in September 2021 and published its Overview of the UK Internal Market report in March of this year.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK first – Welsh Senedd gives green light for 20mph legislation

    PRESS RELEASE : UK first – Welsh Senedd gives green light for 20mph legislation

    The press release issued by the Welsh Government on 12 July 2022.

    Legislation to lower the default national speed limit on residential roads and busy pedestrian streets from 30mph to 20mph has been approved by the Senedd today.

    Wales becomes the first UK nation to make the move – helping to save lives, develop safer communities, improve the quality of life and encourage more people to make more sustainable and active travel choices.

    The new slower speed limits are currently being trialled in eight communities across Wales and will be rolled out nationally in September 2023.

    The new legislation will not apply a blanket speed limit on all roads, it will simply make the default limit 20mph, leaving local authorities, who know their area best, to engage with the local community to decide which roads should remain at 30mph.

    Currently, just 2.5% of Welsh roads have a speed limit of 20mph, but from next year this is expected to increase to approximately 35%, helping to create safer roads and communities across Wales.

    Speaking after the vote, Minister for Climate Change, Julie James said:

    “I am delighted that the move to 20mph has received cross-party support across the Welsh Parliament today.

    The evidence is clear, decreasing speeds not only reduces accidents and saves lives, but helps improve people’s quality of life – making our streets and communities a safer and more welcoming place for cyclists and pedestrians, whilst helping reduce our environmental impact.

    We know this move won’t be easy – it’s as much about changing hearts and minds as it is about enforcement – but over time 20mph will become the norm, just like the restrictions we’ve introduced before on carrier bag charges and organ donation.

    Once again Wales is leading the way for other UK nations to follow.”

  • PRESS RELEASE : New actions to protect Welsh-speaking communities

    PRESS RELEASE : New actions to protect Welsh-speaking communities

    The press release issued by the Welsh Government on 3 August 2022.

    The Minister for Education and Welsh Language will today provide a preview of the actions which are part of the Welsh Government’s plans to safeguard communities where Welsh is the main language and where there are large numbers of second homes.

    The interventions include encouraging homeowners to give local people a fair chance when selling their property. The Minister will also announce a new Commission for Welsh-speaking Communities, Comisiwn Cymunedau Cymraeg, which will bring together experts to make policy recommendations to protect and strengthen Cymraeg as a community language.

    The Minister will discuss these actions today at the National Eisteddfod in Tregaron, ahead of the publication of the final Welsh Language Community Housing Plan (WLCHP) in the autumn.

    The Minister will share details of the proposed schemes including a voluntary ‘fair chance scheme’, to help sellers make decisions about how they sell property, by allowing properties to be marketed locally only, for a fixed period. The Welsh Government will also work with organisations such as estate agents to address the housing needs of those communities.

    The WLCHP will also include support for social enterprises and community housing co-operatives, as well as steps to protect Welsh place names.

    As part of the Programme for Government and Co-operation Agreement commitments to tackle the negative impact second homes and a lack of affordable housing can have, the Welsh Government has extended the discretionary powers for local authorities to increase council tax on second and long-term empty homes by up to 300%.

    Last month, the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru announced further plans for new planning laws, a licensing scheme for visitor accommodation and proposals to change land transaction tax in areas with large numbers of second homes, as part of their Co-operation Agreement.

    Jeremy Miles said:

    “For the Welsh language to thrive, we need sustainable communities and good job opportunities in the areas where it is widely spoken.

    Through our Welsh Language Communities Housing Plan, and the Commission for Welsh-speaking Communities we’re announcing today, we and our partners will work together with communities where Welsh is the main language and help them develop plans which protect their identity and our language.

    This isn’t about imposing solutions, so everything we do will be in line with local communities’ aspirations.

    The Commission will help us develop future policies to sustain the language in those communities traditionally considered its heartlands. This isn’t about setting up a new body, it’s a group of experts in a range of fields who will give us a completely candid view about how the economy, policy decisions and demographics are affecting the Welsh language.

    I’ve said many times that the Cymraeg belongs to us all, as does the responsibility for its future. We’ll have to be brave and tackle things together that might be difficult. I’m sure that some of the things the Commission will tell us will be challenging, but that’s important – that’s what will help us find the most effective answers!”

    Dr Simon Brooks, who previously published Second homes: developing new policies in Wales for the Welsh Government, will chair the Commission.

    The members of the Commission are:

    Talat Chaudhri
    Lowri Cunnington Wynn
    Cynog Dafis
    Meinir Ebbsworth
    Delyth Evans
    Dafydd Gruffydd
    Myfanwy Jones
    Shan Lloyd Williams
    Cris Tomos
    Rhys Tudur

    Dr Brooks said:

    “As a Commission, we’ll examine the linguistic reality of Welsh-speaking communities today in order to make policy recommendations which will help safeguard them for future generations.

    The Commission will produce a comprehensive report, bridging policy areas from education to the economy. By looking at these together, we want to help develop answers to the challenges facing our Welsh-speaking communities as a whole. Cymraeg belongs to us all and developing Welsh-speaking communities is crucial to its future as a living language.”

  • PRESS RELEASE : Rural areas and poorer people suffering from ‘sub-par, unreliable broadband’ – Senedd Committee

    PRESS RELEASE : Rural areas and poorer people suffering from ‘sub-par, unreliable broadband’ – Senedd Committee

    The press release issued by the Welsh Government on 1 August 2022.

    The Senedd’s Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee is warning that people in Wales are being left behind with ‘sub-par, unreliable broadband’ that risks ‘excluding people from modern life’ due to barriers in receiving high-quality superfast internet.

    The Committee’s latest report examined broadband connectivity in Wales and found that, despite improvements over the last few years, many people are still unable to access adequate internet speeds.

    Although superfast broadband availability in Wales is now at 96%, figures from Ofcom show that take-up in Wales is only around 63%.

    Mountainous Wales

    The report found that the provision of superfast broadband across Wales was uneven, with urban areas being the first to benefit from better connectivity but many rural areas still being unable to access a decent internet connection.

    Ofcom estimates that around 15,000 premises cannot get a broadband service of at least 10Mbps download speed and 1Mbps upload speed from fixed or fixed wireless networks in Wales.

    The UK Government’s Project Gigabit is a £5bn project designed to address this issue across the UK with the ‘Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme’ created to support rural areas with the installation costs of high-speed broadband.

    But because of the mountainous Welsh topography there is a higher proportion of difficult-to-reach properties in Wales compared to other parts of the UK.

    And according to Lee Waters MS, the Deputy Minister for Climate Change who gave evidence to the Committee, “UK funding has failed to reflect the true cost of deploying in the Welsh landscape”. To address this issue, and despite it being a non-devolved area, the Welsh Government provided top-up funding to the UK Government scheme to “plug the gap” in Wales.

    But from 31 March 2022, the Welsh Government stopped topping-up the gigabit voucher scheme, which has led the Committee to call for the UK Government to raise the amount of support available for individuals and businesses to address the particular needs in Wales.

    The report warned that without meaningful engagement between governments there is nothing to prevent the UK administration creating a scheme that again does not meet the needs of Wales.

    Connections and Cost

    Since March 2020, households that cannot get a download speed of 10 Mbps and an upload speed of 1 Mbps, can request an upgraded connection from BT under the Universal Service Obligation (USO).

    This obliges BT to improve the connection for free if the installation cost is estimated to be below £3,400 for the customer. But if the cost exceeds the £3,400 cap, the customer must pay the excess.

    The Committee expressed serious concerns that this would simply be unaffordable to many people -particularly in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis – and urged the Welsh Government to discuss raising the level of the cap with the UK Government.

    And according to Ofcom, there are an estimated 7,000 ‘hard to reach’ locations where, even with the USO, access to a stable broadband connection wouldn’t be guaranteed.

    Inclusion and Affordability

    The Committee also heard that one of the many reasons for the lack of take-up of superfast broadband by people was cost. Many internet providers offer ‘social tariff’ packages which are only available to people receiving government benefits which allows them to access cheaper internet deals.

    But the report highlights the worrying fact that only 1.2% of those eligible for a ‘social tariff’ had accessed the scheme, potentially leaving thousands of low-income households paying over the odds for their broadband.

    The Committee proposes that action should be taken to increase the number of households enrolling on ‘social tariffs’ by making the process clearer and simpler. Lack of awareness of ‘social tariffs’ was noted as a significant issue with the Committee proposing that their promotion must be improved and consideration should even be given to the automatic enrolment of those eligible.

    In light of the severe cost-of-living crisis, the report warns that there is a risk that superfast broadband access will become a luxury that many will not be able to afford.

    LLyr Gruffydd MS, Chair of the Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee, said:

    “It is extremely disappointing to hear of many people in Wales still unable to access superfast broadband. Especially since the pandemic, more and more of our lives are lived online, and it’s simply unfair that many in rural areas are expected to put-up with sub-par, unreliable broadband. Everyone in Wales, not just those in urban areas, should be able to access a high-speed internet connection – this shouldn’t be a luxury.

    Many of the issues we examined are non-devolved so we urge the Welsh Government to take on board our recommendations and present the solutions in this report to the UK Government – or the failures we see in this report will be repeated.

    “With living costs rising sharply, the UK Government must urgently look at raising the Universal Service Obligation cap and improving the take-up of broadband services offering a ‘social tariff’. If things don’t change, we will undoubtedly see more people excluded from modern life.”

  • PRESS RELEASE : We must do better to prevent drowning deaths – Senedd report

    PRESS RELEASE : We must do better to prevent drowning deaths – Senedd report

    The press release issued by the Welsh Government on 2 August 2022.

    Clearer leadership is needed from the Welsh Government to prevent drowning deaths in Wales, according to a Senedd report.

    The Petitions Committee has investigated water safety and drowning prevention in Wales after a campaign by Leeanne Bartley from Ruthin saw over 11,000 people sign her petition.

    Leeanne’s son, Mark Allen, died after jumping into cold water at Gorton Reservoir, Manchester, in June 2018. Since then, she has campaigned tirelessly for better water safety measures in Wales and across the UK, including the petitions calling for rescue equipment to be mandatory.

    The report found that drowning prevention measures are hindered by a lack of coordination from the Welsh Government. In fact, the issue of water safety does not fall under one specific minister’s responsibility and straddles various Government departments.

    The Committee has recommended a package of measures to increase awareness of the dangers posed by water and to improve water safety – including allocating a specific minister to lead this work. That would help campaigners deliver one consistent educational message across all of Wales – which experts say is crucial for preventing drowning deaths.

    During the seven months the Committee was investigating the issue, at least three young people died from drowning in Wales. It shows that action is needed urgently, says Committee Chair Jack Sargeant MS:

    “During our inquiry, we heard from the petitioner and other families who have lost loved ones to drowning. We’ve heard about the devastating impact such a tragedy has had on their lives, but also of their steely determination to raise awareness and prevent future loss of life through drowning.

    “Their work is already saving lives – but with clear leadership and coordination from Welsh Government, these campaigns can reach even more people and ultimately, prevent deaths.

    “We must do better as a country, and I hope this report will give a boost to all those working hard to do so.”

    The inquiry heard evidence from Chris Cousens, Chair of Water Safety Wales. He said:

    “Around 50 people a year lose their lives to water-related fatalities in Wales every year. The rate of accidental drowning per head of population here in Wales is around double that of the UK as a whole. The number of accidental drowning deaths, sadly, is also higher than the number of deaths in fires, for example, motorcycle accidents and cycling—three other very high-profile causes of accidental deaths.”

    Water Safety Wales brings together individuals and organisations with an interest in water safety and drowning prevention. It worked with the Welsh Government to develop the Wales Drowning Prevention Strategy 2020-2026, with the aim to reduce the number of water-related deaths in Wales reduced to zero.

    However, it was noted in the inquiry that this partnership with the Welsh Government needs to be formalised and funding arrangements secured to enable Water Safety Wales to deliver this important work.

    The Committee heard about the challenges of installing, maintaining and using throw lines effectively and recognised that they are one of a range of safety measures to consider to mitigate the risks identified in water, and can in some circumstances give a false sense of security.

    Leeanne Bartley says she welcomes the report and its recommendations:

    “The report is even more than we could have asked for when we started the petition – I’m so thankful to the Senedd for hearing our story and listening to us and the other families that have been affected by drowning deaths.

    “But there is still work to be done and I will carry on campaigning – I hope Welsh Government takes these recommendations on board and continues to work with us on water safety.”