Tag: Press Release

PRESS RELEASE : British Army successfully tests new drone-destroying laser [December 2024]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 11 December 2024.

A high-energy laser weapon has been fired by the British Army from an armoured vehicle for the first time and successfully destroyed flying drones.

It works by directing an intense beam of infra-red light in the form of energy towards its target using advanced sensors and tracking systems which maintain lock-on and accuracy in real time.

Unlike conventional munitions, laser weapons are virtually limitless in terms of ammunition supply, which means they could represent a cost-effective alternative to some current in-service weapons.

The laser was integrated onto a Wolfhound – a protected troop-carrying vehicle – where soldiers from 16 Royal Artillery were able to track and down hovering targets at Radnor Range in mid-Wales.

Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, Maria Eagle MP, said:

“This ground-breaking technology demonstrates Britain’s commitment to staying at the forefront of military innovation.

“The successful testing of this laser weapon system represents a significant step forward in our development of possible future defence capabilities and showcases British engineering excellence.”

The laser has been developed through a collaboration between the MOD’s Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) and Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) – known as Team Hersa – and an industry consortium led by Raytheon UK.

This delivers on the Government’s Plan for Change, by rapidly advancing technologies and building on the strong foundation of national security.

Warrant Officer Matthew Anderson, trials manager for the British Army’s Mounted Close Combat Trials and Development Group, said:

“Every engagement we’ve done has removed a drone from the sky. While we’ve been testing a variety of distances, speeds and altitudes, one thing has remained – how quick a drone can be taken out.

“It’s definitely a capability that could be added to the arsenal of weapons that we use on the battlefield.”

The purpose of the capability demonstrator programme is to discover and test the potential future use of directed energy weapons by the British Army.

Having already been tested by engineers from MOD and industry, the latest experimentation by the British Army should provide knowledge, information and experience to support future requirement decisions, ensuring the UK stays at the forefront of this novel and disruptive technology.

Stephen Waller, Directed Energy Weapons Team Leader for DE&S, said:

“This is still an emerging technology, but the world has changed and we are seeing more use of drones in the battlespace. This requires a more cost-effective solution to protect our troops.

“Having the capability to track and eliminate moving drones will give UK troops a better operational advantage and these successful trials have demonstrated that we are well on our way to achieving this.”

As well as Raytheon, Fraser Nash, NP Aerospace, LumOptica, Blighter Surveillance Systems and Cambridge Pixel have been involved in developing the weapon under a £16.8 million contract awarded by Team Hersa.

UK MOD will take the learnings of the project into account and assess the necessary steps to develop Laser Directed Energy Weapons for frontline use by the British Army in the future.

Matt Cork, Head of Team Hersa Dstl said:

“The successful testing of the Laser Directed Energy Weapon demonstrator is an important step towards a future capability. This technology has the potential to offer a credible and cost-effective means to defeat a range of current and future threats, which would improve the effectiveness of our armed forces”

January 1, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : David Smith MP announced as UK Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief [December 2024]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 December 2024.

David Smith MP has today been appointed as the new UK Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB). He will take up the appointment in the New Year.

As Envoy, David will champion FoRB for all overseas, promoting tolerance and mutual respect through and alongside the UK’s global diplomatic network and engagements in multilateral fora. David will represent the UK in international discussions on FoRB, working closely with other special envoys, experts and civil society partners. This work supports the UK’s wider human rights efforts, underpinning our belief that human rights are universal.

David’s appointment underlines the UK’s ongoing commitment to freedom of religion or belief for all.

Minister for Human Rights, Lord Collins of Highbury said:

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. There is, however, still much to be done to ensure this right is upheld around the world.

David’s appointment is a clear signal of the value placed by the UK on championing freedom of religion or belief for all around the world. No one should live in fear because of what they do, or do not, believe in.

David brings a wealth of relevant experience to the role from his work in the charity sector and faith based organisations. He has spent much of his career working in the UK and overseas to promote fairness, egalitarianism, compassion and the empowerment of the vulnerable.

David Smith MP said:

I am delighted to be appointed as the Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief.

From sub-Saharan Africa to the Middle East and Asia, I have personally worked with those of different faiths who face religious persecution, and so these are issues that I care passionately about.

I look forward to taking forward the Government’s commitment to supporting freedom of religion or belief for all.

January 1, 2025
PRESS RELEASE : Rogue employers will be banned from hiring overseas workers [November 2024]
The press release issued by the Home Office on 28 November 2024.

Shameless employers who commit serious offences will be banned from hiring overseas workers as part of a government crackdown on visa abuse and prevent exploitation.

Delivering on a key manifesto commitment, businesses that repeatedly flout visa rules or commit serious employment breaches, such as not paying the National Minimum Wage, will be barred from hiring overseas workers.

Currently, employers who flagrantly flout visa rules can only be sanctioned for a maximum of 12 months. Under our changes we intend the period for repeat offences to be at least 2 years, double the current length, with final cooling off periods announced in due course.

This government will also not wait until employers have committed serious breaches of the law before taking action, when there are already signs of rule breaking. Action plans bind businesses who commit minor visa breaches to a set of specific actions to help them improve and correct any issues. These are being strengthened further, with the maximum time they can be applied quadrupled from 3 to 12 months, ensuring long-term and sustained compliance with visa rules.

The measures are part of wider efforts to tackle the root causes behind the UK’s long-term reliance on international workers and action to link migration policy with skills and wider labour market policy.

The wide-ranging crackdown will also protect vulnerable workers from exploitation, prohibiting unprincipled companies from engaging in the unethical practice of charging skilled workers for the cost of sponsorship. These costs, which can be passed onto workers at grossly inflated levels, has led to the exploitation and unfair treatment of staff, particularly within the care sector, in some cases burdened with unsustainable levels of debt to their employers.

Minister for Migration and Citizenship, Seema Malhotra MP said:

We committed in our manifesto to do everything in our power to ensure those who abuse our immigration system face the strongest possible consequences.

No longer will employers be able to flout the rules with little consequence or exploit international workers for costs they were always supposed to pay if they choose not to recruit domestically.

Worker exploitation is completely unacceptable. Shamefully, these practices have been seen particularly in our care sector, where workers coming to the UK to support our health and social care service have all too often found themselves plunged into unjustifiable insecurity and debt. This can, and must, end.

The new powers will ensure employers who recruit internationally will be required to pay associated costs themselves, which is fair and reasonable for employers that do not recruit from the domestic workforce.

While the longer action plans are in place, employers will face restrictions on their ability to bring in overseas workers. Failure to comply or make the necessary improvements will see their visa sponsor licence revoked.

These changes will be made alongside the government’s new Employments Rights Bill, which is currently going through Parliament. Under the bill, the newly-established Fair Work Agency will bring together existing state enforcement functions including regulations for employment agencies and employment businesses, enforcement of the National Minimum Wage, Statutory Sick Pay and the licensing regime for businesses operating as ‘gangmasters’ in certain sectors.

Minister for Care, Stephen Kinnock, said:

Migrant workers are a valuable part of our social care workforce, supporting vulnerable people across the country every day. Many have travelled to the UK with the promise of a rewarding and fulfilling career.

However, there has been an unacceptable rise in the exploitation and abuse of overseas social care workers from rogue operators.

Cracking down on these unethical employers will protect migrant workers from unacceptable and shameful exploitation.

This new crackdown also forms part of the government’s wider action to target rogue employers who abuse the immigration system by exploiting vulnerable migrants who are working in the UK illegally. This government is determined to clamp down on illegal working and the exploitative treatment of illegal workers, and we have rapidly expanded the action we are taking. A range of sanctions will be taken against those employing illegal workers, including:
- financial penalty notices
- business closure orders
- potential prosecution
We have delivered a major surge in Immigration Enforcement’s targeted visits to rogue businesses suspected of employing illegal workers, with 856 visits in October alone – a 55% increase on the same month last year. Between January and October this year, more than 6,600 visits have been made, and 22% increase on the same period last year, with over 4,600 arrests being made, up 21% on last year.

International care workers are particularly vulnerable to abuse, with widespread concerns of exploitation in the sector. The Department of Health and Social Care has already been working closely with the Home Office to share concerns and intelligence on bad practices in the recruitment and employment of overseas care workers, and the measures announced today will further bolster the government’s action against exploitation.

Since July 2022, the government has revoked approximately 450 sponsor licences in the care sector as the government continues to clamp down on abuse. Significant work is ongoing across government, in collaboration with the care sector, to ensure high standards across the immigration system, and to support care workers into alternative jobs when their sponsor has had their licence removed.

Fifteen regional partnerships in England have received £16 million worth of funding to support them to prevent and respond to unethical international recruitment practices in the sector. This includes funding support for international care workers to understand their rights and establishing operational processes with regional partnerships to support individuals to switch employers and remain working in the care sector when they have been impacted by their sponsor’s licence being revoked.
December 29, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : Israeli-Palestinian correspondent banking services – E3 foreign ministers’ joint statement [November 2024]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 28 November 2024.

E3 foreign ministers renew calls for the urgent extension of reciprocal banking arrangements by at least 12 months to prevent economic collapse in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

Foreign ministers’ statement:

The foreign ministers of the United Kingdom, France and Germany are deeply concerned that Israel has yet to provide assurances it will extend the indemnifications for essential correspondent banking relationships between Israeli and Palestinian banks for a minimum period of at least 12 months.

On October 31, the Israeli government renewed its indemnifications of Israeli banks for 30 days, the shortest extension to date. This disappointing decision prolongs uncertainty and endangers the Palestinian economy. Cutting off these banking ties, which Israel has a clear duty under the Paris Protocol to maintain, would create significant economic turmoil in the West Bank, jeopardising the security of Israel and the wider region.

There is no technical basis on which to withhold a year-long extension. We are fully satisfied that the Palestinian Authority has taken significant steps to counter the risks of terror financing, and that financial institutions within the West Bank maintain adequate controls to manage these risks. The issue of cross-border payments must not be leveraged to undermine the Palestinian Authorities, and Israel must pursue policies which promote internal and external financial stability.

As the deadline of 30 November approaches, we therefore renew our call for Israel to immediately extend the indemnifications by at least one year, and for future extensions to be transparent, predictable and de-politicised.

December 29, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : Council funding to be overhauled to deliver better outcomes [November 2024]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on 28 November 2024.

Funding reform kickstarted to fix the foundations of local government and better use taxpayer cash.

Long overdue reforms to council funding to ensure it offers better value for money have been outlined today (28th November) alongside more money for councils to help fix the foundations of local government.

The government will launch a consultation next month on its long-term proposals to fundamentally improve the way the sector is funded, moving away from an outdated and inefficient approach – which has seen some councils increasing their level of reserves and others struggling to deliver services and balance budgets – and shifting to a fairer system which matches funding with need.

This major reform, which will be subject to extensive consultation with local leaders, will ensure public money is spent more efficiently on improving services local people rely on through a fairer system which builds on the lessons learned through the previous government’s review of Relative Needs and Resources, better known as the ‘Fair Funding Review’, which highlighted the problem of how councils are funded and the need for change but was delayed and never implemented.

It will be launched alongside a consultation on the Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement for 2025-26, which includes a new £600 million Recovery Grant for areas most in need, an increase to the Social Care Grant by £680 million, a new £250 million Children’s Social Care Prevention Grant and the repurposing of grants to offer better value for money for the taxpayer and deliver better outcomes for local people, including the most vulnerable.

Overall, local government is expected to receive a real-terms increase in Core Spending Power of around 3.2% and no council will see a reduction in this after taking account of any increase in council tax levels. On average, places with a significant rural population will receive an increase of around 5% in their Core Spending Power, and will be better off this year compared with 2024-2025.

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said:

For too long councils have been let down by an outdated and inefficient funding system which has led to public services creaking and taxpayers’ money not being spent efficiently.

Whilst there’s no magic wand to fix what we’ve inherited, we’re taking the necessary steps to fix the foundations of local government by creating a fairer system and ensuring every penny is spent on the services so many people rely on every day.

The £680m increase for the Social Care Grant will help local authorities address social care pressures, whilst the new £250m Children’s Social Care Prevention Grant will help ensure children stay with their families or in safe loving homes where possible as part of a planned overhaul of the system next year. Legislation will be brought forward to crack down on the profiteering of vulnerable children and ensure local government can deliver safe, loving homes for children in care.

The Budget also set out more than £4 billion of investment in local government – of which £1.3 billion will come through the Settlement – to build new homes, invest in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities and improve homelessness services, and tackle potholes.

On funding reform, further consultations are planned before the final proposals will be developed, published and again consulted on ahead of the provisional settlement for 2026-2027 – ensuring the views of local leaders are reflected, in another demonstration of the government’s push to reset relationships with councils.

Implementation of these reforms will take place alongside multi-year funding settlements, the first in 10 years come 2026-2027, allowing local authorities the certainty to plan and invest for the long-term. The number of funding pots will also be reduced to allow councils to have more flexibility to judge local priorities, to meet the needs of local people, and to decide how best to deliver on national priorities.

The Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement for 2025-2026 will further maintain the previous government’s referendum threshold for council tax at 3% with 2% for the adult social care precept, balancing the need between protecting local taxpayers who are still feeling the impact of the cost of living and funding local public services.

The government also confirmed it will: provide support to the public sector, including local government, to meet the increased costs of directly employed staff arising from changes to employer National Insurance Contribution (NICs); plans to merge grants and simplify funding; and a commitment to overhauling the local audit system and to hold talks with local government over reorganisation if appropriate.

Several grants including the Rural Services Delivery Grant and the Services Grant will be repurposed. The government will ensure the impact of rurality on the cost of service delivery and demand is reflected in the public consultation next year. Places with a significant rural population will still on average receive around a 5% increase in their Core Spending Power, which is a real terms increase. No council will see a reduction.

Councils will also receive over £1 billion in total through the Extended Producer Responsibility for Packing scheme (pEPR) which will cover the existing costs they incur for managing household packaging waste, provide additional funding for new legal duties, and support much needed investment in the waste and recycling industry. Provisional payment figures will be shared with councils by the end of November.

December 29, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : Unpaid carers supported by £22.6 million investment in innovation [November 2024]
The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 28 November 2024.

£22.6 million invested in innovative projects across the country to support unpaid carers as well as people with care needs.
- Technology, digital innovations and projects to support unpaid carers to be rolled out across England
- Funding boost will help give carers much-needed breaks and greater flexibility with caring responsibilities
- It follows the biggest rise in the Carer’s Allowance earnings threshold since the 1970s, allowing unpaid carers to earn more
New technology and innovations in care will improve the lives of unpaid carers and care users following a funding boost announced by the Minister of State for Care today (28 November 2024).

The Minister of State for Care, Stephen Kinnock, will announce a £22.6 million boost for initiatives that will improve support for unpaid carers in England, including projects to help give carers much-needed breaks and greater flexibility, as well as technology to make their lives easier, at the National Children and Adult Services Conference on Thursday 28 November.

Money will be released next week through the Accelerating Reform Fund (ARF) to support successful schemes run by local authorities. They include:
- new ways to identify and recognise unpaid carers to ensure nobody is left behind
- digitising carers’ assessments so that they are easier to access
- setting up carers’ support services in hospitals
Minister of State for Care, Stephen Kinnock, said:

Unpaid carers are the country’s unsung heroes. They provide invaluable support to vulnerable people every day.

It is vital they too have the support they need so they can look after their own health and wellbeing. This funding will allow local authorities to harness the full potential of technology to give carers more flexibility and help with these crucial roles.

Kathryn Smith, Chief Executive at Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE), said:

SCIE is excited to be delivering the ARF support programme to participating local authorities. Nearly 70% of the local projects address the needs of unpaid carers. Others are using innovation to drive greater productivity and to improve people’s care experiences. We expect the learnings from the programme to generate insights about how to scale and spread innovation within social care.

Initiatives that are being rolled out across the country include:
- in Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire, local authorities are rolling out technology to enable remote monitoring of people with care needs at night. This helps provide greater flexibility for unpaid carers and more independence for people with care needs
- Worcestershire is deploying video technology to support carers when people are discharged from hospital to allow remote monitoring from healthcare workers, reducing the risk of re-admission
- in Lincolnshire, local authorities are developing a workshop programme of arts, heritage and nature activities for unpaid carers and people with care needs, namely sessions in painting, floral art and printing. They work with unpaid carers to shape the programme with activities of their choice and they are supported with respite care and transport to ensure that unpaid carers can attend the sessions to have a break
- in London, local authorities have set up a Think Carer campaign to help people to recognise themselves as carers and provide additional support through introducing health and lifestyle checks and carers’ counselling services
- Medway Council and Kent County Council are in the early stages of digitising self-assessments so unpaid carers can easily find the information, advice and guidance that they need to make their lives easier. They have also published an employer carers toolkit for local businesses supporting carers in their workforce
The ARF is also supporting some areas in the country to scale up community-based care models. These enshrine ‘home first’ principles that enable people to live independently for longer, such as through the Shared Lives service, which matches people with care needs with approved carers who share their homes.

At the Budget last month, the Chancellor announced the Carer’s Allowance earnings threshold will increase by over £2,300, providing unpaid carers the opportunity to earn more while simultaneously caring for their loved ones. This is the largest increase to the earnings limit since the Carer’s Allowance was introduced in 1976.

Councils will also receive £1.3 billion of new funding for 2025 to 2026, including at least £600 million for social care. This is alongside an extra £86 million for the Disabled Facilities Grant to bolster support for councils and those with social care needs to prolong their independence and reduce hospitalisations.

The government is determined to tackle the challenges facing adult social care and build a National Care Service so everybody can access the high-quality care they deserve.

Background information

The Accelerating Reform Fund (ARF) provides a total of £42.6 million over 2023 to 2024 and 2024 to 2025 to 123 local projects, covering 149 local authorities and over 35 delivery partners in all 42 integrated care systems across the country. The fund supports innovation and adopts new, creative initiatives to improve support for unpaid carers and in the adult social care sector.

The first tranche of funding, £20 million, was released in 2023 to 2024. The second tranche of funding, £22.6 million, will be released to local authorities next week.

The projects will be evaluated to ensure that we learn from them about how to best support and encourage ongoing innovation in the adult social care sector.
December 29, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : Transport Secretary unveils her vision for integrated transport across England [November 2024]
The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 28 November 2024.

The Integrated National Transport Strategy will set out a ‘people first approach’ to getting people around the country.
- Transport Secretary reveals new ‘people-first’ approach to transport, in a speech to Metro Mayors, Council leaders and transport bodies in Leeds
- new transport strategy aims to join up transport networks, empower local leaders and drive economic growth
Transport Secretary, Louise Haigh, has today (28 November 2024) set out her vision for more joined up and locally-led transport across England in a speech to Mayors and transport bosses.

Speaking at Leeds Civic Hall, she outlined her vision for a new Integrated National Transport Strategy, the first in a quarter of a century – which will set out a ‘people first approach’ to getting people around the country. Recognising that different passengers have different needs, and the quality of transport varies across the country, it will set out how government can support local areas to make all forms of transport work together better.

The strategy will set out a clear vision for how transport across England can evolve over the next 10 years so that more places offer better, more seamless journeys door-to-door – like those facilitated by the successful Bee Network in Greater Manchester and Transport for London. The Bee Network brings together bus, metro and active travel under one name, meaning transport works together better for people.

The Transport Secretary has looked to Dijon for inspiration, having visited it earlier this year to see how a city roughly the size of York, or Chester, is running buses every five minutes in rush hour, the tram every three and has a dial-a-ride service to the outlying villages. Dijon has also created a single app that brings together every mode of transport – from bus to tram, car hire to bike hire, planning journeys to paying for parking.

The department is also reforming its appraisal system, so that projects deliver good value for money as well as the right outcomes – such as more jobs, improved access to education and healthier communities. These reforms include giving sufficient weight to transport projects that enhance access to jobs, boost productivity, and help businesses grow, particularly in less affluent areas.

To support this, an internal panel of experts are also reviewing the department’s capital spend portfolio, to drive better economic outcomes in our transport system.

The Transport Secretary said:

Integrated transport in this country is lagging behind our European counterparts, and for too long our fragmented transport networks have stunted economic growth and made it harder for people to get around.

Today, I’m launching a new national vision of transport that seamlessly joins all modes of transport together, and puts people at the heart of our transport system.

I want everyone to be able to contribute to this vision and have launched a call for ideas on how the strategy can best deliver greater opportunity, healthier communities and better lives.

Regional roadshows will be hosted around the country to hear more from local leaders, transport operators and passenger bodies, as well as taking feedback from the public, to hear how to best deliver integrated transport.

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire said:

A better integrated public transport system is vital to growing our economy.

In West Yorkshire, I have big plans for a world-leading mass transit system that will be fully integrated with railways and a publicly controlled bus network, helping people to access new jobs and opportunities across the region.

The Secretary of State’s new Integrated National Transport Strategy will support me and other mayors to deliver on our ambition for better-connected and faster growing regions.

The Transport Secretary also emphasised the importance of using data in rural areas, where driving is a more practical choice, to manage traffic flows and help drivers easily find, and pay for, parking spaces. She also outlined her intention to promote cycling and walking as the best choice for shorter journeys, and prioritise pavement repairs, safe crossing and cycle infrastructure where they are needed most.

It is hoped that joining up all forms of transport will particularly benefit people in those areas that haven’t seen the links they need to get to jobs and services, thereby enhancing opportunities and driving national economic growth.

To oversee this new vision, the department will be recruiting a new Integrated Transport Commissioner to help deliver real change.
December 29, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : Tens of thousands more pensioners now in receipt of Pension Credit [November 2024]
The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 28 November 2024.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has released new statistics today [Thursday 28 November] on the amount of Pension Credit applications, as well as applications processed and those claims that were successful.

Tens of thousands more pensioners now in receipt of Pension Credit
- Since July, an extra 42,500 pensioners are now in receipt of Pension Credit and will receive the Winter Fuel Payment
- Average number of Pension Credit claims a week have more than doubled since July
- Comes as government continues to urge pensioners to check their eligibility and apply for pension credit
New figures released today show an extra 42,500 households are now in receipt of Pension Credit, and therefore the Winter Fuel Payment, since the government launched its pension credit awareness campaign.

The average weekly number of Pension Credit applications have more than doubled since the Chancellor’s announcement, with 150,000 more Pension Credit applications since July.

It comes as the Department continues to urge pensioners to check their eligibility and apply for pension credit, with DWP deploying 500 extra staff to process applications as quickly as possible.

It only takes 16 minutes on average to apply, and anyone who makes a successful claim for Pension Credit before 21 December will receive both backdated Pension Credit and a Winter Fuel Payment.

Minister for Pensions Emma Reynolds MP said:

We’re pleased to see more pensioners are now receiving Pension Credit and our staff are processing claims as quickly as possible.

With the 21 December approaching, my message is clear: check if you are eligible for Pension Credit and if you are then apply, as it unlocks a range of benefits including the Winter Fuel Payment.

Pension Credit acts as gateway benefit, so not only is it worth £3,900 per year on average, it means that people who are eligible may also qualify for help with housing costs such as rent and council tax as well as energy bills.

The government will continue to stand behind vulnerable households this winter, including through the £150 Warm Home Discount for low-income households from October and by extending the Household Support Fund with £1 billion to ensure local authorities can support vulnerable people and families.

Millions of pensioners are also set to benefit from an increase of up to £470 to the state pension in April and up to £1,900 more over the next five years.
December 29, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : New UK investment to unlock billions to tackle root causes of irregular migration, climate change and growth crises [November 2024]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 28 November 2024.

UK announces contribution to International Development Association (IDA), the World Bank’s fund for the world’s lowest income countries.
- UK’s boost to World Bank signals “new partnership” between the UK and the Global South and will mobilise billions of dollars in private finance.
- Boost will provide growth and stability around the world in our shared interest, as the UK Government announces pledge and calls on other countries to step up.
- Grants and low-interest loans will tackle root causes of issues facing the UK such as the climate crisis and irregular migration.
The world’s lowest-income countries will receive access to billions of dollars in transformative grants and low-interest loans as a result of a new UK investment announced today.

Development Minister Anneliese Dodds today announced that the UK will provide £1.98 billion over three years to the International Development Association (IDA), the World Bank’s fund for the world’s lowest income countries, to go towards projects promoting economic growth, tackling poverty and addressing the impacts of climate change.

Through a unique funding mechanism, the UK contribution will help to unlock billions of dollars through other sources of finance, including from private markets: for every $1 a country pledges, up to $4 can be spent. This will be funded from the UK’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget.

IDA is the largest source of grants and low interest loans for low-income and vulnerable countries and the UK’s contribution will help the World Bank support more than 1.9 billion people across the globe.

The World Bank’s model has seen it provide $93 billion in finance to 75 countries, 39 in Africa, over the last 3 years. In that time, IDA has supported more than 86.5 million children with a better education and 75 million people with new or improved access to electricity, lifting individuals out of poverty and boosting economic growth in recipient countries.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said:

Growth and stability in lower income countries is firmly in the UK’s interest. If we are to grow our economy, tackle the climate crisis and reduce irregular migration, we need to work in partnership with these countries.

IDA’s track record shows that it is one of the best ways to do this. I urge other donors to step up at next week’s conference.

Minister for Development Anneliese Dodds said:

Britain is back with a voice on the world stage. When we said we would take a new approach to development, built on genuine partnerships and based on respect, we meant it.

Leaders of low-income countries around the world called for stronger IDA contributions and we listened.

We listened because we understand that more growth in IDA countries means stronger global growth, which benefits all of us. This funding will unlock billions to support vital economic growth, changing and saving lives.

Today’s announcement is the latest example of the UK’s updated and modern approach to development, based on respect, partnership and common interests.

The UK is a strong support of IDA due to its strong track record of working in partnership with recipient countries and delivering sustainable growth. Since 1960, 36 countries have ‘graduated’ from IDA.

For example, South Korea, formerly a low-income country supported by IDA loans, is today one of the world’s wealthiest countries, and will be hosting the IDA donor conference next week.

Anneliese Dodds set out the government’s “new approach to development” at a major speech to Chatham House in October. She outlined four key “shifts” needed to modernise the UK’s approach to development and restore its world-leading status: partnership, multilateral reform, harnessing UK expertise and growing opportunity for all.
December 29, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : Government launches Tree Planting Taskforce to oversee planting of millions of trees across our four nations [November 2024]
The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 28 November 2024.

The Taskforce will strengthen collaborative working across the UK to improve tree planting and ensure the long-term survival of woodland.
- Forestry Minister Mary Creagh hosts new Tree Planting Taskforce to oversee tree-planting across the UK.
- Taskforce brings together ministers from across the four UK nations, key forestry delivery partners and arm’s-length bodies.
- Forestry leaders to provide oversight, share best practice and identify shared blockers and barriers to tree-planting.
A new Tree Planting Taskforce has been launched today to oversee the planting of millions of trees across the UK (Thursday 28 November).

The Taskforce, chaired by the forestry ministers from the four nations, brought together representatives from key arm’s-length bodies and delivery partners from across the UK.

Top of the agenda at the meeting was how to drive forward the UK’s tree planting in order to meet our collective net zero targets, as part of the Government’s critical mission to make the UK a clean and green energy superpower.

The UK has less tree cover than almost anywhere in Europe and more work is needed to close this gap. Our nation’s woodlands and trees are the heart of communities around the UK, essential to supporting wellbeing and improving quality of life, alongside providing sustainable timber and being home to some of our most important species.

The Taskforce is designed to strengthen collaborative working across the UK, identifying opportunities to work together, to improve tree planting and ensure the long-term survival of woodland, safeguarding their benefits for future generations.

Forestry Minister Mary Creagh said: 

This Government was elected on a mandate to protect and restore nature.

That is why today I am proud to fulfil our promise to set up a Tree Planting Taskforce that will oversee the planting of millions of trees across our four nations.

Trees deliver huge social, environmental and economic benefits – from absorbing carbon dioxide, cooling our cities, improving wellbeing and helping reduce NHS costs, while a thriving forestry sector supports green jobs and drives economic growth.

Richard Stanford, Chair of the Forestry Commission said:

There has never been a more crucial time to take action to increase and improve the number of trees, woods and forests growing across the UK for future years. It is vital that our four nations unite and work in partnership on this mission.

This new Tree Planting Taskforce, is committed to delivering the shared aims of forestry across the four nations so we can continue to tackle some of society’s biggest challenges with thriving trees, woods and forests.

Scotland’s Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon said:

I welcome the formation of this Taskforce as we all have a collective interest in increasing woodland cover and obtaining the multiple benefits this will bring, especially for climate change and addressing biodiversity loss.

Currently Scotland has delivered around 75% of all new woodlands in the UK. In 23/24 we created 15,000 ha of new woodland and this accounted for over 50% of the UK target. Whilst this is a substantial contribution, we know there is potential for us all to do more.

The new Taskforce will be a great opportunity for all the countries to share valuable insights and ideas to expand our woodlands and create resilient forests for the future.

Northern Ireland Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir said:

I welcome the establishment of a Tree Planting Task Force across the UK and believe that the Taskforce represents a powerful vehicle to facilitate collaborative working to achieve our challenging tree planting targets.

The work of this taskforce will be pivotal to finding ways to encourage a greater level of tree planting to deliver on climate change goals, enhance our biodiversity and underpin the sustainability of forests and woodlands for successive generations.

Deputy First Minister for Wales with responsibility for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies said:

Wales was one of the first nations in the world to declare a climate emergency and we welcome the opportunity to be members of the UK Tree Planting Task Force.

Forestry is a devolved matter, but we all face some common challenges and there are clear benefits to sharing good practice between nations. We want to continue to make it easier for landowners in Wales to plant trees in ways which both add value to their businesses and help us tackle the climate and nature emergencies.

Creating green jobs and growth in our rural communities is a key priority for us, and a prosperous trees and forestry sector alongside a thriving agricultural sector is crucial to this. That’s why I’m delighted that we’ll be publishing a consultation on a Timber Industrial Strategy for Wales in the new year. I’m looking forward to the task force helping us deliver on our commitments for Wales.

The announcement today comes after a commitment in the Budget to provide up to £400 million in England across the next two years (2024/5 and 2025/6) for tree planting and peatland restoration.

This Government is delivering its promise to protect and restore nature. It has launched a rapid review of the Environmental Improvement Plan to ensure we meet our legal targets, including the Environment Act target of 16.5% tree cover by 2050.

It has also pledged to restore our place as an international leader on nature and climate – recently announcing the next steps towards meeting the international target of 30% of our land and seas protected for nature by 2030 and appointing the first ever Special Representative for Nature.

Notes to editors: 

List of attendees:
- Defra Minister for Nature, Mary Creagh
- Deputy First Minister (DFM) for Wales and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies
- Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, Mairi Gougeon Northern Ireland Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir
- Representatives from Forestry Commission, Natural Resources Wales, Scottish Forestry, Northern Ireland Forest Service
- Representatives from England’s Community Forests, Community Forest Trust, National Forest Company, Woodland Trust, Confor
- Government officials
December 29, 2024