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Tag: Press Release

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK commitment to Falkland Islands as strong as ever as Minister travels to pay respects on Remembrance Day [November 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK commitment to Falkland Islands as strong as ever as Minister travels to pay respects on Remembrance Day [November 2024]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 12 November 2024.

    Minister for the Armed Forces, Luke Pollard, met service personnel and members of the Falkland Islands Government, and also attended a Remembrance Day service.

    The UK has reaffirmed its commitment to the security and prosperity of the Falkland Islands, as the Minister for the Armed Forces visited the Territory to commemorate Remembrance Day.

    During the first visit to the Falkland Islands by a Minister from the new Government, and as the first Defence Minister to visit since 2022, Luke Pollard MP met with service personnel who play a key role in defending the UK’s interests in the South Atlantic.

    The Minister also met the Governor of the Falkland Islands, Members of the Legislative Assembly, and officials from the governments of South Georgia and the Sandwich Islands to reaffirm the UK’s commitment to support security and prosperity in the region.

    At a poignant Remembrance Sunday ceremony, the Minister joined residents and military personnel in paying tribute to all those who have served in defence of the Falkland Islands and conflicts across the world.

    The Minister laid a wreath in remembrance of the 255 service personnel who lost their lives in the Falklands conflict, honouring the courage and sacrifices made by British servicemen and women in 1982.

    The ceremony highlighted the strong bond between the United Kingdom and the Falkland Islands, with the UK remaining steadfast in supporting the islanders’ right of self-determination and security.

    Minister for The Armed Forces, Luke Pollard MP, said:

    The UK’s commitment to the Falkland Islands’ security and economic prosperity is as strong as ever – from protecting the region’s incredible wildlife to upholding the islands right of self-determination.

    I am honoured to have been able to join islanders and service personnel as they commemorated those who sacrificed so much to protect the Falklands.

    The UK stands with the Falkland Islands today and always.

    During the visit, the Minister met with service personnel stationed on the islands, where he thanked them for their dedication to securing peace and stability in the South Atlantic.

    The UK continues to retain a strong defence presence on the Falkland Islands, on land, sea and air, highlighting an unshakeable commitment to the security of the region.

    Minister Pollard visited HMS Forth, which patrols the sovereign waters of the Islands, to meet her crew.

    He also met personnel from the Royal Air Force’s 905 Expeditionary Air Wing, which currently operates four typhoons as part of a Quick Reaction Alert, which are poised 24/7 to intercept any unidentified aircraft.

    Alongside the RAF, the Royal Navy’s HMS Forth patrols the region seas, with their focus on reassurance and joint training operations, search and rescue support, fishery protection and general maritime security in the area.

    On land, around 100 troops from 2 Royal Gurkha Regiment are currently stationed on the island as part of the British Forces South Atlantic Islands forward presence.

    The Minister’s visit serves as a clear message of the UK Government’s enduring commitment to the Falkland Islands and its Overseas Territories, highlighting ongoing efforts to foster regional stability and reinforce the UK’s historical and strategic ties in the South Atlantic.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer meeting with President Erdoğan of the Republic of Türkiye [November 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer meeting with President Erdoğan of the Republic of Türkiye [November 2024]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 12 November 2024.

    The Prime Minister and President Erdoğan met in Baku earlier today.

    The Prime Minister gave his condolences following the appalling attack in October, he reiterated the UK stands with Türkiye against terrorism.

    The Prime Minister said the UK is keen to continue to collaborate with Türkiye on the clean energy transition, and the economic opportunities for businesses and jobs of the growing renewable industry.

    The leaders spoke of their commitment to further boosting the trading relationship between the two countries, currently worth £26 billion.

    Building on their meeting at the NATO Summit in July, the Prime Minister welcomed Türkiye‘s ongoing support to Ukraine – including bolstering security in the Black Sea.

    The leaders also spoke about tackling migration, and the continued positive cooperation on returns.

    Turning to the Middle East, the Prime Minister said there needed to be de-escalation and for partners to work together to ensure regional security and stability.

  • PRESS RELEASE : New National Youth Strategy to break down barriers to opportunity for young people [November 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : New National Youth Strategy to break down barriers to opportunity for young people [November 2024]

    The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 12 November 2024.

    Young people will be invited to be part of a national conversation to help co-produce the Strategy to unlock opportunities in every community.

    • Plans launched to create new National Youth Strategy by young people, for young people, as part of the government’s mission to improve opportunity
    • An initial £85 million from government and £100 million from the Dormant Assets Scheme committed to improving youth outcomes

    Plans for a new National Youth Strategy designed to put the views of young people at the centre of decision-making on policies that affect them has been unveiled today by Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy.

    Young people from across the country will be given the opportunity to co-produce a new approach with the government towards the support services, facilities and opportunities they need outside the school gates to benefit their lives and futures.

    The Strategy will prioritise delivering better coordinated youth services and policy at a local, regional and national level. It will make sure decision-making moves away from a one-size-fits all approach, handing power back to young people and their communities, and rebuilding a thriving and sustainable sector. This will help deliver on the government’s missions, spreading opportunities, making our streets safer and taking pressure off health services.

    To kickstart the process, the government is inviting young people to take part in a series of face-to-face engagements to ensure their perspectives and aspirations are at the heart of decision making. They will then be asked to share their views as part of a ‘Today’s Youth, Tomorrow’s Nation’ conversation on how best to help the next generation of young people.

    A youth advisory board will be established to work with the government throughout the development process, alongside in-depth engagement with youth organisations, industry leaders and academics specialising in youth issues.

    Following a pandemic where young people were denied valuable experiences, and with the pressures of social media and new technologies growing ever present, the Culture Secretary firmly believes that the challenges facing young people today are urgent and pressing, demanding a substantial change in direction of approach to young people and youth policy-making.

    As part of this shift in strategy, the Culture Secretary has confirmed in the House of Commons the difficult decision to wind down the National Citizen Service (NCS) programme from March 2025. The government believes that a new approach is needed to support young people with the challenges of today.

    More than £85 million will be allocated in recognition of the urgent need for more youth facilities. This will include £26 million of new funding for youth clubs to buy new equipment and undertake much needed renovations via the Better Youth Spaces programme. Existing youth centre projects already underway via the Youth Investment Fund will also be completed as part of the Government’s commitment to young people.

    The Culture Secretary has also announced that £100 million from the next tranche of dormant assets funding will be used to deliver youth outcomes between 2024 and 2028, supporting the provision of services, facilities and opportunities for young people across the country.

    Culture Secretary, Lisa Nandy said:

    For too long, the nation’s young people have been deprived of a meaningful seat at the table in the decisions that directly impact their lives.

    That is why this Government is committed to taking a bold, transformative approach to young people – one that walks alongside them and values their experiences and perspectives, rather than assuming we can simply swoop in and fix things for them.

    Through the co-production of a new National Youth Strategy, we will put young people back in charge of their own destiny, starting with better understanding of their lives and needs.

    This will allow us to shape policy that not only keeps up with the rapidly evolving challenges of today, but is also effective in ensuring that opportunity for young people is abundant in every postcode.”

    Minister for Youth, Stephanie Peacock said:

    The challenges faced by young people across the country are profound, yet this generation remains resilient and hopeful, driven by an ambition to create a future where opportunities are abundant, regardless of circumstances or postcode.

    To match this ambition, our approach to policymaking must adapt to embrace young voices and listen to their aspirations for a better future.

    Real change doesn’t happen overnight, and we’re committed to a long-term approach that unites multiple areas of government to work side by side with young people to find solutions together.

    As the new National Youth Strategy is developed, the government will continue to support access for young people to regular clubs and activities, adventures away from home and volunteering opportunities. In addition, the government is committed to breaking down the barriers to opportunity for all young people across the country by:

    • Launching the Local Youth Transformation pilot. It will provide tools, guidance, peer challenge and funding to build back local authorities’ lost capability in the youth space, sowing the seeds for a much-needed rejuvenation of local youth services.
    • Expanding the Creative Careers Programme, which will open up new opportunities to access careers in the arts, and continue investment in multi-sport facilities that provides young people access to quality sports facilities on their doorsteps.

    This funding will complement the creation of a new Youth Guarantee to ensure every 18-21 year old in England is earning or learning, with eight trailblazer areas to be rolled in Spring 2025 and more details to be announced in the upcoming Get Britain Working White Paper. It will also complement the set up of the first trailblazer Young Futures Hubs and Local Prevention Partnerships.

  • PRESS RELEASE : £15 million funding boost to Help to Claim as Government ramps up move to Universal Credit [November 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : £15 million funding boost to Help to Claim as Government ramps up move to Universal Credit [November 2024]

    The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 12 November 2024.

    A £15 million funding boost to the Help to Claim scheme will support thousands of people moving from Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) to Universal Credit, the Department for Work and Pensions has announced.

    • £15 million funding boost to support Government’s acceleration of Move to Universal Credit programme, before it ends in March 2026.
    • 943,343 households contacted between July 2022 and September 2024, with more than 60,000 migration notices expected to be issued each month from February 2025 to the end of the year.
    • Minister for Social Security and Disability urges people receiving migration notices to “act without delay.”

    The cash injection will support the free and independent advice delivered by Citizens Advice, in partnership with Citizens Advice Scotland, which has supported over one million people making a claim to Universal Credit since the programme launched in 2019.

    The additional funding follows an announcement at Budget bringing forward benefit reform with more than 800,000 people on the old ESA benefit moving to Universal Credit by March 2026 instead of 2028.

    The acceleration will bring more people into a modern benefit regime, continuing to ensure they are supported to look for and move into work, and comes ahead of the Get Britain Working White Paper – set to be unveiled later this Autumn.

    Minister for Social Security and Disability, Sir Stephen Timms MP, said:

    This funding boost will support many people as they make the move from old benefits to Universal Credit – ensuring customers feel confident and informed throughout the application process.

    I want to encourage anyone receiving a migration notice over the coming months to act without delay to secure quick access to benefit entitlement.

    The biggest reforms to employment support for a generation will also ensure more people get the help they need to get into work and on at work, by overhauling jobcentres, tackling inactivity with local work, health and skills plans, and delivering a Youth Guarantee.

    Help to Claim’s trained advisers provide help and support to anyone making a new Universal Credit claim, including people moving from a legacy benefit, and offer support up to their first correct payment. The advisers offer guidance on how Universal Credit works, how much you will get, collecting relevant evidence, and helping people complete the application.

    Dame Clare Moriarty, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice, said:

    Over the last five years our specially trained advisers have supported thousands of people across Britain to navigate the move from old benefits to Universal Credit.

    We make our service as accessible as possible, offering phone, chat and British Sign Language options, so we’re there for people as they move over.

    This funding boost is credit to the vital support our advisers provide and means we’ll be able to help even more people make their first application.

    The £240 million for Get Britain Working White Paper includes funding for the rollout of “trailblazers” in local areas. These trailblazers will focus on reaching people who are not normally in touch with the system, while ensuring work and skills support is better integrated with the health service, so people get the joined-up health and employment support they need to get back into work and stay in work.

    The White Paper will develop:

    • A new jobs and careers service to help get more people into work, and get on in their work, by linking jobseekers with employers, with an increased focus on skills and careers;
    • Joined-up work, health and skills plans to tackle economic inactivity and boost employment, led by Mayors and local areas;
    • A new Youth Guarantee so that every young person is given the opportunity to earn or learn.

    The timeline for migration to Universal Credit can be found below:

    Your current benefit: When you may get your letter
    Tax credits, only if you are below State Pension age From March 2023
    Tax credits with Housing Benefit From April 2024
    Income Support, Income Support only, Income Support with tax credits, Income Support with Housing Benefit, Income Support with Housing Benefit and tax credits From April 2024
    Housing Benefits only From June 2024
    Income-related Employment Support Allowance (ESA), with Child Tax Credits From July 2024
    Tax credits (if you are of State Pension age and are asked to move to Pension Credit) From July 2024
    Tax credits (if you are of State Pension age and are asked to move to Universal Credit) From September 2024
    Income-based Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) From September 2024
    Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) only From September 2024
    Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) with Housing Benefit From September 2024
  • PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer meeting with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva [November 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer meeting with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva [November 2024]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 12 November 2024.

    The Prime Minister met with the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Kristalina Georgieva today during the COP29 summit.

    The Prime Minister said that growing the economy was his number one mission, and the recent Budget was about fixing the foundations to deliver on the promise of change after years of stagnation.

    They spoke about the climate challenge, and the Prime Minister reiterated that generating private finance was important to addressing the scale of the issue.

    They reflected on the strong and collaborative relationship between the UK and the IMF. The Prime Minister said he was committed to continued cooperation to support global growth, including in clean energy and renewable investment.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Bathing water reforms to consider water sports and water quality [November 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Bathing water reforms to consider water sports and water quality [November 2024]

    The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 12 November 2024.

    Defra invites the public, community and environmental groups, farmers, businesses and local authorities to share views on modernising bathing water regulations.

    • Consultation launched to modernise bathing waters in first shake up in over a decade
    • Reforms include removing fixed season dates from regulations and improved water quality measures
    • The public, environmental groups and businesses invited to contribute

    Changes to bathing water rules will prioritise public safety and water quality so more people can enjoy our rivers, lakes and seas throughout the seasons in the first shake up since 2013.

    Bathing waters are officially designated outdoor swimming sites. England and Wales have over 550 designated bathing waters, which are monitored by the Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales. Annual ratings classify each site as ‘excellent’, ‘good’, ‘sufficient’ or ‘poor’ on the basis of water quality.

    In a consultation launched today (12 November), Defra and the Welsh Government are inviting the public, community groups, environmental groups, farmers, businesses and local authorities to share their views on modernising bathing water regulations to ensure a more flexible approach to designation and monitoring.

    The proposed changes, which will benefit cold water swimmers and other water sports enthusiasts, include:

    • Removal of fixed bathing water season dates (which currently runs from May to September) from the regulations to allow for a more flexible approach to monitoring, extending the dates of the bathing season to better reflect when people use bathing waters.
    • Expanding the legal definition of ‘bathers’ to include participants in water sports other than swimming, including paddle boarders and surfers.
    • Further considering water quality and public safety when applications for new bathing waters are assessed.
    • Introducing multiple testing points at bathing water sites.
    • Ending the automatic de-designation of bathing water status after 5 consecutive years of a site being rated ‘poor’, which can damage local tourism and businesses. Instead, underperforming sites will be individually reviewed by regulators, taking into account their unique circumstances.

    Water Minister Emma Hardy said:

    Bathing water sites are the pride of local communities across the country.

    But the current system is not working for all those who use and enjoy our bathing waters, and reform is long overdue.

    That is why this Government will give more people the opportunity to experience the benefits of our beautiful waters and connect with nature.

    Mark Lloyd, Chief Executive of The Rivers Trust said:

    We welcome these proposed reforms to the Bathing Water rules, several of which we and other NGOs have been requesting for some time.

    Our rivers, lakes and beaches are a fantastic natural resource which should be available for people to enjoy confidently for their mental and physical wellbeing as well as providing opportunities for economic growth.

    We are particularly pleased to see the ending of automatic de-designation for waters which failed to meet standards after 5 years – the focus must be on driving improvements in our natural environment and not giving up when it gets hard.

    We will be urging Ministers to make the new system more transparent and to include a wider range of pollutants that can cause risks to public health. We hope that applications for new designations can open again in the Spring without any further delay.

    Ben Seal, Head of Access and Environment at Paddle UK, on behalf of the Clean Water Sports Alliance said:

    Access to clean, healthy, nature-rich blue spaces is crucial to the health and wellbeing of millions of people around the UK.

    We are a water sports nation, however, as a result of the sewage scandal, the public have become increasingly fearful of getting sick, doing the activity they love.

    Paddle UK and the 10 other National Governing Bodies of watersports that make up the Clean Water Sports Alliance, welcome the announcement that bathing waters rules are to be consulted on and brought up to date with new reforms.

    The 6 week consultation will be an important opportunity for the voices of recreational users to be heard. We encourage as many people to feed into the process as possible”.

    Gail Davies-Walsh, CEO of Afonydd Cymru, said:

    Afonydd Cymru welcomes this consultation and support any resulting measures that improve the ecological health of rivers and the safety of recreational users.

    The review will need to give consideration to the extent that the current designation for Bathing Water, primarily designed for coastal waters, meets the different needs of our rivers including microbiological quality, levels of other potentially harmful pollutants, monitoring, public safety and damage or disturbance to flora and fauna, particularly for designated rivers.

    We look forward to engagement with the Consultation to ensure these matters are considered for Wales.

    Chris Coode, CEO of Thames21, said:

    We welcome the government’s announcement to reform the Bathing Water Regulations.  This is a crucial step towards improving water quality and the health of our rivers, especially in the areas we cover across London and the Thames Basin.

    Extending the dates of the bathing season and having a flexible approach to monitoring will generate valuable data, helping people to decide on whether they want to use their local river on any given day. We are also pleased with the government’s proposals to broaden the legal definition of ‘bathers’ to include other water lovers, not just swimmers.

    We look forward to playing our part in this consultation by contributing evidence alongside other key stakeholders. Additionally, we hope that the government will recognise the work of countless communities, groups and volunteers who have applied or plan to apply for bathing water designation and hope that the shortcomings of the bathing water application process are resolved.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer meeting with World Bank Group President Ajay Banga [November 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Keir Starmer meeting with World Bank Group President Ajay Banga [November 2024]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 12 November 2024.

    The Prime Minister met with the President of the World Bank Ajay Banga at the COP29 summit in Baku today.

    They agreed on the importance of mobilising private finance to strengthen action to tackle the climate challenge, and the Prime Minister welcomed the World Bank’s ambition in this area.

    The Prime Minister said he was delighted to announce the launch of the new CIF Capital Market Mechanism which will list on the London Stock Exchange. He thanked the President for his support and engagement in this area, and welcomed the confidence this showed in the UK’s economy.

    The Prime Minister said that this demonstrated London as a green finance capital, and bolstered Britain as an attractive place to invest in the future.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Reappointment of His Honour Peter Rook KC as vice chair and member of the Parole Board [November 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Reappointment of His Honour Peter Rook KC as vice chair and member of the Parole Board [November 2024]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 12 November 2024.

    HH Peter Rook KC has been reappointed for 1 year from 1 February 2025 until 31 January 2026.

    The Parole Board is an executive non-departmental public body sponsored by the Ministry of Justice (MOJ). It works with its criminal justice partners to protect the public by risk assessing prisoners to decide whether they can be safely released into the community. It was established by the Criminal Justice Act 1967.

    The Lord Chancellor has reappointed His Honour Peter Rook KC as a judicial member of the Parole Board. In addition, the Chair of the Parole Board, Caroline Corby, has designated His Honour Peter Rook KC as the board’s vice chair. The vice chair will be expected to share in the leadership and governance of the Parole Board.

    Appointments and reappointments to the Parole Board (with the exception of judicial members) are regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

    Biography

    HH Peter Rook KC was called to the Bar in 1973 and appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1991. In June 2005, he was appointed a senior circuit judge to sit at the Old Bailey retiring in 2017. He also sat as a judge in the Court of Appeal. He sat as a coroner between 2017 and 2019. He sat as a judge sitting in retirement until September 2024.

    HH Peter Rook KC was Chair of the Criminal Bar Association from 2002 until 2003. He was head of chambers, at 18 Red Lion Chambers, from 2002 until 2005. He is the co-author of a leading textbook now in its sixth edition “Sexual Offences: Law and Practice” – seventh edition to be published in 2025.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Change of His Majesty’s Ambassador to Mauritania – Guy Harrison [November 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Change of His Majesty’s Ambassador to Mauritania – Guy Harrison [November 2024]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 12 November 2024.

    Mr Guy Harrison has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Mauritania in succession to Mr Colin Wells. Mr Harrison will take up his appointment during January 2025.

    Curriculum vitae

    Full name: Guy Andrew Harrison

    Year Role
    2023 to 2024 Yaoundé, Deputy High Commissioner (temporary duty)
    2022 to 2023 Conakry, Head of Mission
    2018 to 2022 Lagos, Economic Counsellor
    2015 to 2018 FCO, Team Leader, South Asia Department
    2010 to 2015 Kathmandu, Deputy Head of Mission and Head of Political Section
    2010 FCO, Team Leader Strategic Finance Directorate (Spending Review)
    2009 FCO, Head of Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) Unit
    2006 to 2009 FCO, Team Leader, later Deputy Head, Global Economy Group
    2002 to 2006 Brussels Embassy, Director of Trade and Investment
    1998 to 2002 Seoul, Second Secretary (Economic)
    1995 to 1998 FCO, Migration and Visa Directorate
    1993 to 1995 Hanoi, Vice-Consul
    1992 Munich, Attaché (G7 Summit)
    1987 to 1992 Seoul, Third Secretary Political (Full-time Korean Language Training 1987-89)
    1986 to 1987 FCO, West European Department
    1986 Joined FCO
  • PRESS RELEASE : Interim Chair appointed to the Judicial Pension Board [November 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Interim Chair appointed to the Judicial Pension Board [November 2024]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 12 November 2024.

    The Lord Chancellor has approved the appointment of Josephine Magure as the interim Chair of the Judicial Pension Board.

    Ministers consulted the Commissioner for Public Appointments before making the appointment which will ensure that the Judicial Pension Board has an Interim Chair while a recruitment exercise is run.

    The Judicial Pension Board is responsible for helping the Lord Chancellor manage and govern the Judicial Pension Schemes by ensuring they comply with the requirements of the Pensions Regulator.

    Appointments and reappointments are made by the Lord Chancellor and are regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. The appointments has been made in line with the requirements of the Governance Code on Public Appointments.

    Biography

    Jo Maguire is a Trustee of the DH&S Retirement and Death Benefits Plan and the Price Waterhouse Coopers (PwC) Pension Fund. Previously, she was a Pensions Assurance director with PwC and an Executive Director of the Pensions Research Accountants Group.