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Tag: Press Release

  • PRESS RELEASE : British soldiers to use high-tech rifle sights in jobs boost for Wales [November 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : British soldiers to use high-tech rifle sights in jobs boost for Wales [November 2024]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 18 November 2024.

    British soldiers are to receive high-tech rifle sights, helping them to better track and shoot the enemy in dark conditions.

    • Rifle sight systems for British soldiers will upgrade night fighting capabilities.
    • High-tech kit improves rifle accuracy in the dark.
    • Jobs boost as contract will sustain 650 skilled jobs in North Wales.

    British soldiers are to receive high-tech rifle sights, helping them to better track and shoot the enemy in dark conditions, under a new contract announced by the MOD today.

    The new contract will supply up to 10,000 high performance rifle sights and is a jobs boost for North Wales, sustaining 650 jobs in St Asaph, Denbighshire.

    This supports the Government’s economic growth mission and underlines defence’s contribution to growth across the UK.

    The TALON Fused Weapon Sight is manufactured by defence company Qioptiq and is the most advanced sight the British Army will have used.

    The sight helps with war fighting at night, as it uses the latest optical technology to detect enemy soldiers better in low light. The sight also has an advanced ability to recognise adversaries through body heat, known as thermal recognition.

    The TALON sight will also provide soldiers with the ability to more accurately detect enemy targets from an increased distance up to 1 kilometre, including in the dark. They will fit seamlessly onto the Army’s SA80 A3 and HUNTER rifles.

    Minister for the Armed Forces, Luke Pollard said:

    Rolling out this high-tech rifle sight shows how we’re investing in new tech for our soldiers to take the fight to our adversaries.

    The rifle night sights are tried and tested, proving highly effective to keep British soldiers protected in difficult environments.

    The deal is also a great jobs boost for Wales, with £120 million invested and 650 jobs sustained in the local area.

    The £120 million contract continues procurement of the TALON sight, under a seven-year Framework Agreement with Qioptiq.

    While some soldiers are already using the sight in tests, the first of the new sights is expected to be in use more widely across the Army next year (2025).

    The Enhanced Light Force Battalion, 2 Royal YORKS based in Chester, have been tasked since 2021 with trialling the development of the cutting-edge rifle night sight systems. British soldiers got firsthand experience with the advanced rifle capability and provided glowing feedback.

    Brigadier Nick Serle, Head Military Capability Delivery (MCD) in the British Army Headquarters Programmes Directorate said:

    This contract results from true collaboration between the user community, our trials and development teams, Dstl, DE&S and Qioptiq. We expect the sight to continue to develop and remain truly world-leading. It is testament to the power of collaboration.

    Critical in-service support for the sights will be managed through the Surveillance and Target Acquisition support contract delivered by Excelitas, which owns Qioptiq.

    Peter White, Managing Director of Excelitas, said:

    We’re delighted that the British Army and DE&S continue to recognise the enhanced fighting capabilities of our TALON fused weapon sight delivers.

    We look forward to delivering this world-leading system for the end users for many years to come, supported by our 650 skilled employees at our facility in North Wales.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister to drive forward UK growth as he meets world’s leading economic powers at G20 [November 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister to drive forward UK growth as he meets world’s leading economic powers at G20 [November 2024]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 18 November 2024.

    The Prime Minister will use his trip to the G20 in Brazil this week to strengthen ties with the world’s leading economic powers to drive growth and deliver for the British people at home.

    • Prime Minister will strengthen the UK’s ties with major global economies in Brazil this week to drive growth at home
    • He will meet President Xi Jinping of China for the first time as government seeks sensible and pragmatic engagement rooted in the UK’s national interests
    • PM to mark 1,000 days since Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine by calling on G20 countries to step up their support or face ‘unfathomable consequences’

    The Prime Minister will use his trip to the G20 in Brazil this week to strengthen ties with the world’s leading economic powers to drive growth and deliver for the British people at home.

    He will say that building pragmatic partnerships with other countries, even where our values differ, is crucial in order to advance the UK’s national interests and galvanise proper progress on the global challenges we face.

    This year’s G20 summit takes place in an increasingly volatile context, with Putin’s barbaric invasion of Ukraine entering its 1,000th day this week, and ongoing conflict in the Middle East and beyond.

    The Prime Minister is expected to mark the sobering 1,000 day milestone by calling on G20 countries to go further and faster in their support of Ukraine, highlighting the ‘unfathomable consequences’ if Putin succeeds.

    On Monday, the Prime Minister is expected to meet with President Xi Jinping of China for the first time, as the government continues to seek serious, stable and pragmatic engagement with China – rooted at all times in the UK’s national interests.

    As permanent members of the UN Security Council with major economies, the Prime Minister will say that it is only right that we engage with China pragmatically where there are clear areas of mutual cooperation – including on international stability, climate and growth.

    At the same time, he will be firm on the need to have honest conversations on areas of disagreement, while competing and challenging where we have to.

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

    It is in the UK’s best interests to engage on the global stage – whether that’s building strong and fruitful partnerships with our closest allies or being frank with those whose values differ from our own.

    Close cooperation with the world’s leading economies is vital to secure investment into the UK, and create the jobs needed to catalyse growth.

    As we mark 1,000 days since Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, I will be doing all I can to bolster Ukraine as they continue to bravely defend their sovereignty.

    Under my leadership, the UK will be a responsible actor at a time of increasing volatility in the world, while ensuring our diplomacy delivers for people at home.

    The G20 will bring together the 19 countries with the largest global economies – representing 85% of global GDP and 75% of all trade.

    The Prime Minister will be focused on building partnerships that increase growth and security at home and abroad, advancing international financial reforms, accelerating the climate transition and the deployment of clean power, and supporting the economic development of developing countries.

    The Prime Minister’s trip also marks the first visit by a British Prime Minister to Brazil in twelve years.

    His visit will catalyse the UK’s relationship with the leading economic power in Latin America and advance shared areas of interest such as tackling climate change and making progress on the global green transition, protecting workers’ rights and bolstering trade.

    Bilateral trade between the UK and Brazil was worth £11.2 billion last year.

    The government is continuing to use its foreign policy agenda to deliver for people at home, working with partners across the globe on trade and investment to drive growth, galvanise action on climate change and improve energy security for the British people.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Legally qualified member appointed to the Civil Procedure Rule Committee [November 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Legally qualified member appointed to the Civil Procedure Rule Committee [November 2024]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 18 November 2024.

    The Lord Chancellor has appointed Kelly Stricklin-Coutinho as a legally qualified member to the Civil Procedure Rule Committee (CPRC) from 12 July 2025 until 11 July 2028.

    The CPRC is a non-departmental public body. It was established under the Civil Procedure Act 1997 (CPA 1997) to make rules of court, setting out the practice and procedure, for the Civil Division of the Court of Appeal, the High Court and the County Court.

    Legally qualified members of the CPRC are appointed by the Lord Chancellor under section 2(1B) of the CPA 1997. The appointment of legally qualified members complies with the Governance Code on Public Appointments and are regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

    Biography

    Called to the Bar of England and Wales, in 2006, and – in 2020 – called to the Bar of the Republic of Ireland. Kelly qualified as a solicitor of England and Wales in 2008. She has practised at 39 Essex Chambers since 2014.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Biggest overhaul in a generation to children’s social care [November 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Biggest overhaul in a generation to children’s social care [November 2024]

    The press release issued by the Department for Education on 18 November 2024.

    New powers handed to Ofsted to crack down on exploitative children’s care providers and transparency to be increased around their finances.

    The government will today embark on major reform to end years of neglect of the children’s social care support system – breaking the cycle of late intervention and helping keep families together wherever possible so every child has the opportunity to thrive.

    A wide range of new reform measures will be set out in Parliament to deliver better outcomes and a more secure life for children across the country. The government will empower social workers, and all those that work with children, to take action against children’s placements providers that deliver subpar standards of care at sky-high costs to councils and focus the system on early intervention.

    It comes as local government spending on looked after children has ballooned from £3.1 billion in 2009/10 to £7 billion in 2022/23, with social workers all too often burdened by heavy caseloads, struggling to deliver the help that children and families need before problems escalate.

    Bridget Phillipson, Education Secretary, said:

    Our care system has suffered from years of drift and neglect. It’s bankrupting councils, letting families down, and above all, leaving too many children feeling forgotten, powerless and invisible.

    We want to break down the barriers to opportunity and end the cycle of crisis through ambitious reforms to give vulnerable children the best life chances – because none of us thrive until all of us do.

    We will crack down on care providers making excessive profit, tackle unregistered and unsafe provision and ensure earlier intervention to keep families together and help children to thrive.

    One of the most entrenched challenges facing children and social workers is some private providers, that are siphoning off money that should be going towards vulnerable children, making excessive profits or running unregistered homes that don’t meet the right standards of care.

    According to analysis by the Local Government Association, there are now over 1,500 children in placements each costing the equivalent of over £0.5 million every year, while the largest 15 private providers make an average of 23 per cent profit.

    New rules will require key placements providers – those that provide homes for the most children – to share their finances with the government, allowing profiteering to be challenged. Increasing financial transparency will ensure the providers that have the biggest impact on the market don’t unexpectedly go under and leave children without a home.

    There will also be a “backstop” law to put a limit on the profit providers can make, that the government will introduce if providers do not voluntarily put an end to profiteering.

    Not-for-profit providers and those backed by social investment are being called on to come forward to set up homes to strengthen the system.

    To protect quality and safety in children’s homes, Ofsted will also be given new powers to issue civil fines to providers, working more quickly to deter unscrupulous behaviour than with existing criminal powers.

    More widely, the government is beginning the process of rebalancing the whole children’s social care system in favour of early intervention, giving every family the legal right to be involved in decisions made about children entering the care system.

    Further plans for funding for children’s social care including investment in preventative services, are set to be laid out in the coming weeks in the upcoming Local Government Finance Settlement.

    Cllr Arooj Shah, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Children and Young People Board, said:

    It is positive to see the Government building on recent progress following the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care, and pursuing an approach rooted in what we know works for children and their families.

    We are particularly pleased to see an ongoing focus on early help and family networks, and a strong commitment to tackling profiteering and other problems in the market for children’s social care placements.

    Moving forward, progress will be limited by the significant funding and workforce challenges within children’s social care, councils and amongst partners more widely.

    It is vital that the Government uses the forthcoming Spending Review to ensure that all those working to keep children safe and to help them thrive have the resources they need to do that well.

    Children’s Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza said:

    Every child deserves to grow up safe, happy, healthy and engaged in their communities and in their education. With this Bill we have an opportunity to repair how we treat childhood in this country.

    Children are paying the price of a broken social care system that allows profits over protection. They are enduring things no child should ever have to: living in isolation in illegal children’s homes, often at enormous cost, deprived of their liberty without due process, often surrounded by security guards instead of receiving love and care.

    Children in the social care system today are living week to week in limbo. They need action without delay, not plans or strategies, so I welcome the urgency with which this government is setting out plans to tackle some of the most entrenched challenges. There must be no limits on our ambition for these children and I will look forward to working closely with ministers to push for radical reform.

    Sir Martyn Oliver, Ofsted’s Chief Inspector said:

    These new powers will allow Ofsted to do more to make sure all children’s homes are safe and nurturing places, and to combat illegal and poor-quality homes quickly and effectively. We welcome these reforms and stand ready to deliver the Government’s new asks as soon as possible.

    Sarah Cardell, CEO of the CMA, said:

    We are pleased to see the government taking this next step towards reforming the children’s social care market, in line with our recommendations. Our market study found multiple concerns – including a shortage of appropriate places – which need to be tackled to ensure vulnerable children and young people are getting the homes they need. We will continue to work with the government to make sure the plan delivers longstanding improvements.

    Other key measures set to be announced today include:

    New powers for Ofsted to investigate multiple homes being run by the same company, acting on the recommendations made in response to the vile abuse uncovered at the Hesley group of children’s homes.

    Delivery of the manifesto commitment to introduce a consistent child identifier, making sure information can be shared between professionals so they can intervene before issues escalate.

    The requirement for every council to have ‘multi-agency’ child safeguarding teams, involving children’s schools and teachers, stopping children from falling through the cracks.

    The requirement for all local authorities to offer the Staying Close programme – a package of support which enables care leavers to find and keep accommodation, alongside access to practical and emotional help, up to the age of 21, ending the cliff-edge of support many experience at 18.
    A new duty on parents where if their child is subject to a child protection enquiry, or on a child protection plan, they will need local authority consent to home educate that child.
    The government will continue to work closely with the sector and local authorities as these changes are introduced to ensure the best possible outcomes for all children and young people, and their families.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK and US join forces to speed up advanced nuclear technologies [November 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK and US join forces to speed up advanced nuclear technologies [November 2024]

    The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 18 November 2024.

    New agreement for civil nuclear collaboration signed by UK and US at COP29 in Baku, helping strengthen energy security.

    • New agreement for civil nuclear collaboration signed by UK and US at COP29 in Baku, helping strengthen energy security
    • alliance aims to pool billions in R&D to help speed up deployment of advanced nuclear technologies
    • forum will exclude Russia from future nuclear R&D collaborations

    The United Kingdom and United States have joined forces at COP29 to speed up the deployment of cutting-edge nuclear technology to help decarbonise industry and boost energy security.

    The UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband and US Deputy Secretary of Energy David Turk have today (Monday 18 November) signed a new agreement while in Baku for climate talks that will help pool together billions of pounds worth of nuclear research and development – including the world’s leading academic institutions and nuclear innovators.

    The UK will take a leading role in the forum, which aims to support information-sharing on advanced nuclear technologies and make them available for use in industry by 2030.

    New technologies such as advanced modular reactors can help decarbonise heavy industry such as aviation fuel, hydrogen or advanced steel production, by providing low-carbon heat and power. They are also smaller and can be made in factories, making them quicker and cheaper to build.

    This will support the commitment made last year at COP28 to triple nuclear energy capacity globally by 2050, with 31 countries signed up including the US and UK.

    The UK is reversing a legacy of no nuclear being delivered and moving forward with its advanced nuclear reactor programme and Great British Nuclear’s small modular reactor competition, as well as continuing development of the Sizewell C project. New nuclear will help to secure thousands of good, skilled jobs and support energy independence beyond 2030.

    Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said:

    Nuclear will play a vital role in our clean energy future.

    That is why we are working closely with our allies to unleash the potential of cutting-edge nuclear technology.

    Advanced nuclear technology will help decarbonise industry by providing low-carbon heat and power, supporting new jobs and investment here in the UK.

    As part of this new agreement, the Generation IV International Forum will no longer include Russia – ensuring future collaborations remain among mutually willing parties who respect nuclear safety norms.

    The new agreement will come into force from 1 March 2025.

  • PRESS RELEASE : International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law: UK Statement to the OSCE Warsaw Human Dimension Conference [November 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law: UK Statement to the OSCE Warsaw Human Dimension Conference [November 2024]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 18 November 2024.

    Hazel Cameron, Head of the FCDO Human Rights Department, expresses the UK’s commitment to international law and its ironclad support for Ukraine.

    Thank you very much Chairman. My name is Hazel Cameron, I am Head of the Human Rights Department in the Foreign Office in London. I am very pleased to be here.

    We are deeply alarmed by the ongoing breaches in International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law being committed by Russian forces in Ukraine. As we are all aware in this room, there are reports from numerous credible international and local organisations documenting the scale of the atrocities, including indiscriminate attacks across Ukraine, the destruction of critical national infrastructure, including energy supply with the onset of winter, forced deportation of children and refusal to return those children, and a failure to protect basic human rights standards in Russian-occupied areas.

    In the face of this, it’s easy to feel despondent, and I would like now to quote our Prime Minister Keir Starmer when he spoke at the UN General Assembly last week, when he said, ‘people talk about an age of polarisation, impunity and instability, and I fear a sense of fatalism has taken hold.’ However, ‘our task is to say: no. We won’t accept this slide into greater and greater conflict, instability and injustice’. Instead, we will do all we can to change it and to recommit to internationalism and to the rule of law. He then went on to evoke a number of situations, including the need to prevent regional war in the Middle East, the call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, he evoked the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, and above all he spoke of the need for the international community to stand together and to stand firm in condemning Russian aggression in Ukraine, and in upholding accountability.

    Our support in the United Kingdom for Ukraine is ironclad. We will provide at least 100 million pounds in humanitarian aid in this financial year, bringing our total humanitarian contribution to 457 million pounds since the start of the invasion. We will continue to support the work of this organisation and the rest of the international architecture, including the International Criminal Court, the Council of Europe, United Nations and its specialist bodies, as well as brave human rights defenders, journalists and activists in Ukraine.

    We will work with our community of lawyers in the UK, who bring expertise through the UK-US-EU cooperation in the Atrocity Crimes Advisory Group, helping the Ukrainian Prosecutor General to ensure that justice is not only done, but is seen to be done. We remain resolute in supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty, protecting civilians and seeking justice for those affected by Russia’s ongoing violations.

    Through our collective action and solidarity, we hope to achieve a just and lasting peace and uphold the principles of international law. Thank you.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK sanctions Iran for aiding Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine, as Foreign Secretary chairs UN Security Council [November 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK sanctions Iran for aiding Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine, as Foreign Secretary chairs UN Security Council [November 2024]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 18 November 2024.

    The UK has announced further measures against Iran in response to its transfer of ballistic missiles to Russia, aiding its war in Ukraine. This follows the initial UK response and commitments outlined by the E3 (UK, France and Germany).

    Iran’s national airline, Iran Air, is today subject to an asset freeze which will further restrict its direct, scheduled commercial air services to and from the UK, following financial sanctions imposed by the UK government.

    As a state-owned airline, Iran Air, is sanctioned in response to the Government of Iran’s transfer of ballistic missiles to Russia, following commitments outlined by the E3 in September.

    The UK is also announcing sanctions against the state-owned national shipping carrier of Iran, the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL), and the Russian cargo ship, PORT OLYA-3 (IMO 9481910). These measures include an asset freeze and shipping sanctions respectively, taken against both entities for their role in supporting the Iranian defence sector or transporting weapons to Russia for use on the battlefield in Ukraine.

    Today’s announcement comes as the Prime Minister prepares to mark 1,000 days since Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine at the G20 tomorrow, and as the Foreign Secretary visits New York to chair the UN Security Council (UNSC).

    The Foreign Secretary will address the UNSC and reiterate the UK’s ironclad commitment to Ukraine, and to securing a lasting peace in the Middle East.

    In his meeting at the UN Security Council, Foreign Secretary David Lammy will say:

    Iran’s attempts to undermine global security are dangerous and unacceptable.

    Alongside our international partners, we were clear that any transfer of ballistic missiles from Iran to Russia would face a significant response.

    That’s why today we are sanctioning Iran Air and the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines, in response to Iran’s deliveries of ballistic missiles to Russia.

    We reiterate our call on Iran to cease its support for Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine which continues to bring devastation to the Ukrainian people. We will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.

    These measures follow initial steps taken by the UK government on 10 September in response to Iran’s transfer of ballistic missiles to Russia, which included the cancellation of the UK’s bilateral air services arrangements with Iran.

    The UK also amended the Iran sanctions regime to strengthen trade sanctions on Iran, targeting items that are used in the production of ballistic missiles, UAVs and other weaponry.

    Transport Secretary Louise Haigh said:

    This government stands firmly with the people of Ukraine and we have been clear that any support for Russia’s illegal war will not be tolerated.

    We will continue to use every lever at our disposal to put pressure on Iran to end the transfer of ballistic missiles and bring an end to this needless destruction.

    Today’s sanctions follow action taken previously, alongside international partners, whereby the UK sanctioned key Iranian and Russian individuals and organisations for their role in facilitating Iran’s military support to Russia, including Russian cargo ships that transporting military supplies from Iran to Russia.

    To date, the UK has sanctioned more than 450 Iranian individuals and entities, including those that seek to use malign influence regionally and internationally. The UK has also sanctioned 2,100 individuals and entities under the Russia sanctions regime, with over 1,900 designated since the start of Putin’s full-scale invasion.

    The UK is clear that Iran must stop supporting Putin’s unprovoked, premeditated and barbaric attack against a sovereign democratic state, and that we will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK to strengthen partnership with global family to tackle shared challenges [November 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK to strengthen partnership with global family to tackle shared challenges [November 2024]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 18 November 2024.

    Minister for the Overseas Territories, Stephen Doughty will welcome elected leaders and ministers from across the 14 Overseas Territories to the Joint Ministerial Council.

    • Growth, climate, security, governance, and transparency top of the agenda as the new UK government strengthens partnership with the UK Overseas Territories at annual Joint Ministerial Council meeting
    • New UK government reaffirms commitment to defending Overseas Territories’ sovereignty, security, and right to self-determination
    • Leaders will discuss ways to transform how the UK and Overseas Territories work together on shared challenges, within a respectful and sustainable constitutional partnership

    The new UK government has committed to working more closely with the Overseas Territories to boost growth, tackle climate change, crack down on crime, boost good governance and improve financial transparency, as the leaders of the Overseas Territories meet with UK Ministers at the Joint Ministerial Council in London this week.

    The event marks a key point in the new UK government’s relationship with the Overseas Territories, as the new government seeks a fresh approach based on closer working and mutual respect, to further strengthen bonds with the British family of Overseas Territories.

    Minister for the Overseas Territories Stephen Doughty will welcome elected leaders, ministers, and representatives from the 14 Overseas Territories to listen to their ideas on how to transform the UK-Overseas Territories’ relationship to deliver greater security and prosperity, deliver high standards of governance and transparency, and address the dual climate and nature crises.

    The UK’s enduring partnership with the Overseas Territories is highly valued by this government. Alongside our deep people to people ties and shared history, the Overseas Territories make strong economic contributions, oversee 94% of Britain’s unique species and key marine and land ecosystems, and extend Britain’s global presence in a range of strategically important regions. Many too are on the frontline of the impacts of climate change.

    This week, Minister Doughty will also underline the UK’s unwavering commitment to defend the Overseas Territories and their sovereignty and rights, including to self-determination.

    Minister for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories Stephen Doughty said:

    The Overseas Territories are an invaluable part of the British family, and we are focussed on delivering on the issues that matter to them, including prosperity, climate change, infrastructure, and security – as well as working in partnership with them to ensure sustainable societies, good governance and transparency that deliver positive outcomes for all of us.

    This new government is committed to further building our relationship with the Overseas Territories on the basis of mutual respect and inclusion, and I’m looking forward to continued working with leaders to transform how we deliver for all our people and bring our family closer together.

    Delegates will attend meetings at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in London over the next four days, where the Minister will lead conversations with leaders and representatives on collective action to be taken on a range of key issues, including security, irregular migration, financial transparency, climate change, infrastructure and economic resilience.

    Overseas Territories present at the meeting will include Anguilla, Ascension, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, the Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Montserrat, Pitcairn, the Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia, St Helena, Tristan da Cunha and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

  • PRESS RELEASE : New British Ambassador presents credentials to the President of Guatemala [November 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : New British Ambassador presents credentials to the President of Guatemala [November 2024]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 18 November 2024.

    The new British Ambassador to Guatemala, Juliana Correa, presented her credentials to President Bernardo Arevalo on 18 November 2024.

    President Arevalo welcomed Ambassador Correa to Guatemala and expressed appreciation for the UK’s continued support and cooperation.  The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carlos Ramiro Martinez, was present in the event.

    Ambassador Correa reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to strengthening its longstanding partnership with Guatemala. She highlighted the shared goals of promoting sustainable development, fostering economic growth, and enhancing environmental protection and governance. She pledged continued investment in Central America biodiversity and climate resilience through the UK’s Biodiverse Landscapes Fund.

    The UK has been a key partner for Guatemala in working to tackle climate change while promoting human rights and rural development.  Ambassador Correa looks forward to continuing strengthening those ties.

    Ms Juliana Correa was appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of Guatemala in April 2024 and arrived in the region in October this year. You can read her full biography here.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK minister reiterates commitment to deepen partnership with India [November 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK minister reiterates commitment to deepen partnership with India [November 2024]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 18 November 2024.

    Catherine West, the UK’s Minister for the Indo-Pacific visits India to reiterate the UK’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations.

    Climate, tech, health, education and development on the agenda as Catherine West, the UK’s Minister for the Indo-Pacific, visits India to reiterate the UK’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations.

    During her 2-day visit she will hold meetings with senior Indian ministers and officials and learn more about the unique living bridge both countries share.

    Building upon the ambitions for the UK-India relationship set out by the Foreign Secretary in his visit in July, Minister West will continue to unlock the full potential of the UK-India partnership and drive forward greater growth for both countries.

    Her visit will include a meeting at the Ministry of External Affairs in Delhi, where she will reinforce the UK’s commitment to a stronger partnership and the importance of the enduring links between our people.

    She will also reiterate that the UK remains committed to negotiating a mutually beneficial Free Trade Agreement and Bilateral Investment Treaty.

    Minister for the Indo-Pacific Catherine West said:

    I am delighted to be visiting India for the first time as Minister for the Indo-Pacific. As one of the fastest growing economies in the world, India is a vital partner.

    My visit reaffirms the UK’s commitment to fostering deeper cooperation with India and to driving forward greater growth and prosperity for both our nations.

    During an education roundtable at the British Council, the Minister will learn more about the unique “living bridge” between the UK and India, representing the 1.7 million people in the UK with Indian heritage and connecting our two countries across our culture, education, food, sport and more.

    Further deepening this cultural understanding, the Minister will visit the Jama Masjid in Delhi, where she will learn about its history and architecture.

    Her visit follows a 2-day visit to Bangladesh, where she reaffirmed UK support for the Interim Government’s work to build a more prosperous and democratic future for the country.