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Tag: Press Release

  • PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister overhauls apprenticeships to support opportunity [September 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister overhauls apprenticeships to support opportunity [September 2024]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 24 September 2024.

    Reforms to apprenticeship system in England announced, alongside publication of first Skills England report highlighting nationwide skills gaps.

    The government is boosting opportunities for young people through ambitious apprenticeship reforms in England.

    The Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson today announced a new growth and skills levy which will replace the existing apprenticeship levy and include new foundation apprenticeships.

    These new apprenticeships will give young people a route in to careers in critical sectors, enabling them to earn a wage whilst developing vital skills.

    The new levy will also allow funding for shorter apprenticeships, giving learners and employers greater flexibility over their training than under the existing system – where apprenticeships must run for at least 12 months.

    The training eligible for funding under the new levy will develop over time, informed by Skills England’s assessment of priority skills needs.

    The Department for Education will set out further details on the scope of the offer and how it will be accessed in due course.

    To fund this, employers are being asked to rebalance their funding for apprenticeships, asking them to invest in younger workers. This will also involve businesses funding more of their level 7 apprenticeships – equivalent to a master’s degree and often accessed by older or already well qualified employees – outside of the levy.

    The first report from Skills England, the government’s new body for the skills system, has also been published today [24 September 2024]. It provides an initial assessment of the nation’s working skills, as well as future skills needs and gaps which employers are struggling with across the country.

    The report has found that employer investment in training has been in steady decline over the past decade, with training expenditure at its lowest level since records began in 2011, with investment per employee down by 19% in real terms. This highlights the need for government reforms to the skills and apprenticeships system.

    It also shows that, across the UK, almost 1 in 10, or over 2.5 million roles are in critical demand, with more than 90% being in roles that require training or education.

    The government launched Skills England in July to help identify skills needs. Skills England will play a crucial role in determining which types of training will be eligible for the expanded growth and skills levy and will set out shortly how they will work with stakeholders to inform their advice to DfE.

    The need for jobs and skills varies across industries, with the health and social care sector experiencing the highest demand, followed by education, manufacturing, and science and technology.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Extra support for women through the criminal justice system announced [September 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Extra support for women through the criminal justice system announced [September 2024]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 24 September 2024.

    The Government plans to reduce the number of women in custody by using early intervention and tackling the root causes of offending, the Lord Chancellor announced today.

    A Women’s Justice Board will be established to bring together senior leaders in the criminal justice system, charities and government departments and publish a new strategy in the spring, Shabana Mahmood has confirmed.

    Female offenders are often vulnerable, with over 60 per cent of women in prison reporting having experienced domestic violence and more than half having experienced abuse as a child.

    The creation of the Women’s Justice Board recognises these distinct needs and advocates for a tailored approach to divert women away from custodial sentences. It will meet regularly to discuss and implement ways to intervene earlier before women’s offending becomes serious and better tackle the root causes of their offending.

    The strategy will also focus on enhancing alternatives to prison, such as community sentences and residential women’s centres. Only around one third of female offenders sentenced to custody have committed a violent offence and prisons are not working to rehabilitate this group, with women serving short custodial sentences significantly more likely to reoffend than those serving community sentences.

    The Board will be chaired by Lord Timpson, Minister of State for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending.

    It will be held to account by experts from the voluntary and community sector, recruited by open competition to the new Women in Justice Partnership Delivery Group. This Group will regularly review and publish reports on the on the Board’s progress towards its goal of reducing the number of women in custody.

    The Lord Chancellor also announced that free independent legal advocates will be in place from next year to support adult victims of rape across England and Wales.

    Almost two-thirds of rape victims drop out of their case before it reaches trial so this service will help victims understand their rights and ensure access to mobile phones and medical data is proportionate to the investigation. When trialled in Northumberland, two-thirds of challenges to a request for victims’ data were successful and, in turn, reduced the volume of indiscriminate police requests in the first place.

    More information on the scheme will be published in the coming months.

  • PRESS RELEASE : British nationals should leave Lebanon, as UK bolsters contingency teams in region [September 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : British nationals should leave Lebanon, as UK bolsters contingency teams in region [September 2024]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 24 September 2024.

    British nationals should leave Lebanon immediately, ministers have warned, as the government bolsters its presence in the region.

    • Brits warned to act now, and leave Lebanon as soon as possible
    • military teams move to Cyprus as contingency planning is rolled out to support British nationals in Lebanon and the region
    • ministers continue to call for a ceasefire immediately to end the cycle of violence, as more than 500 people killed in Lebanon in the past 24 hours

    British nationals should leave Lebanon immediately, ministers have warned, as the government bolsters its presence in the region.

    Around 700 UK troops will move to Cyprus in the coming hours, as the government continues to prepare its contingency plans following significant escalation between Israel and Lebanon in recent days.

    The military teams will be supported by Border Force and FCDO officials.

    The government continues to advise against all travel to Lebanon, as the situation continues to deteriorate rapidly, with devastating consequences.

    Defence Secretary John Healey MP said:

    Events in the past hours and days have demonstrated how volatile this situation is, which is why our message is clear, British nationals should leave now.

    We continue to urge all sides to step back from conflict to prevent further tragic loss of life. Our government is ensuring all preparations are in place to support British nationals should the situation deteriorate. I want to thank the British personnel who are deploying in the region for their commitment and professionalism.

    The UK already has a significant diplomatic and military footprint in the region, including RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus and Royal Navy ships RFA Mounts Bay and HMS Duncan, which have remained in the eastern Mediterranean to support British nationals and allies over the summer.

    The Royal Air Force also have aircraft and transport helicopters on standby to provide support if necessary.

    The call comes after the Defence Secretary held a meeting with ministers, intelligence chiefs and diplomats on Tuesday afternoon to test government planning.

  • PRESS RELEASE : “Putin’s invasion of Ukraine is in his interest alone – to expand his mafia state into a mafia empire” – UK statement at the UN Security Council [September 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : “Putin’s invasion of Ukraine is in his interest alone – to expand his mafia state into a mafia empire” – UK statement at the UN Security Council [September 2024]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 24 September 2024.

    Statement by Foreign Secretary David Lammy at the UN Security Council meeting on the maintenance of peace and security in Ukraine.

    President Zelenskyy, the UK commends you not only for standing up for your people but for standing up for democracy.

    Seeing you in Kyiv a few weeks ago with Secretary Blinken I saw ordinary people from all walks of life. The soldiers and the civilians. The firefighters and the first responders.

    The mothers and the fathers working together in defence of freedom. Your bravery and courage is an inspiration to us all.

    But Mr. President, I also want to speak directly to the Kremlin and its representative here today. And Vladimir Putin.

    Russia sits on this Council. But its actions tear up the UN Charter.

    Russia sits on this Council. But over the weekend we saw it put forward amendments designed to wreck the UN’s future.

    Russia claims to stand for the Global South. But it runs roughshod over international law.

    Vladimir Putin, when you fire missiles into Ukraine hospitals. We know who you are.

    When you send mercenaries into African countries. We know who you are.

    When you murder opponents in European cities. We know who you are.

    Your invasion is in your own interests. Yours alone. To expand your mafia state into a mafia empire. An empire built on corruption.

    Robbing from the Russian people as well as Ukraine. An empire built on crushing dissent. Courageous opponents like Navalny.

    An empire built on lies. Spreading disinformation at home and abroad to sow disorder.

    Mr President, I speak not only as a Briton, as a Londoner, and as a Foreign Secretary.

    But I say to the Russian representative, on his phone as I speak, that I stand here also as a black man whose ancestors were taken in chains from Africa, at the barrel of a gun to be enslaved, whose ancestors rose up and fought in a great rebellion of the enslaved.

    Imperialism. I know it when I see it. And I will call it out for what it is.

    In this week, when I’m here talking to other partners around the world about our shared futures, and the future of the UN, Russia is trying to return us to a world of the past.

    A world of imperialism. A world of redrawing borders by force. A world without the UN Charter.

    We cannot allow this to happen. Ukraine’s fight matters to all of us. The UK will remain Ukraine’s staunchest supporter.

    Because Mr. President these are the stakes.

    If we let an imperialist redraw borders by force those will not be the last borders to be redrawn.

    If we let an imperialist deny a nation its path Ukraine will not be the last state to be subjected. Maduro will take encouragement and go for Guyana next.

    So let me be clear. We want peace in Ukraine. We want it for the Ukrainian people.

    As President Zelenskyy has said, it must be a peace that respects the fundamental principles that underpin the United Nations.

    The principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity, as enshrined in this UN Charter. The Charter of the United Nations.  Putin’s Russia wants to unravel it. We want to uphold it. And we will.

    As President Zelenskyy said, the UN Charter will prevail.

    Slava Ukraini!

  • PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 5: UK Statement for Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine [September 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 5: UK Statement for Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine [September 2024]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 23 September 2024.

    UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue with the Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine. Delivered by the UK’s Permanent Representative to the WTO and the UN, Simon Manley.

    Thank you, Commissioners, for your update which as ever is all the more shocking and compelling for its sobriety and precision

    As you make clear, Russia continues to commit appalling atrocities against the Ukrainian people.

    It’s indiscriminate attacks on civilian targets have intensified dramatically. August and July saw the highest number of civilian casualties in 2024.

    Thousands of deported Ukrainian children remain in Russia.  We will not know the exact number or whereabouts of these children until Russia shares this information.

    Your update only reinforces the already overwhelming evidence of the systematic and widespread use of torture against Ukrainian detainees, including sexual violence. We have also seen reports of POWs being executed in the most barbaric manner.

    Three volunteers from the International Committee of the Red Cross were tragically killed in Donetsk this month.

    Soon we will mark two years since Russia’s attempted annexation of four oblasts in eastern Ukraine. Those living under Russian occupation in these regions have endured violence, Russification, and the suppression of their Ukrainian identity.

    Russia must be accountable both for specific atrocities and its act of aggression. From the battlefield to the courtroom, the UK stands with Ukraine.

    Commissioners, what more can be done to protect communities in Ukraine ahead of a worsening humanitarian situation this Winter, exacerbated by Russia’s ongoing strikes to critical energy infrastructure?

  • PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 57 – UK Statement on Belarus [September 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 57 – UK Statement on Belarus [September 2024]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 23 September 2024.

    UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue with group of Independent Experts on Belarus. Delivered at the 57th Human Rights Council in Geneva.

    We are deeply concerned by brutal and systematic human rights violations in Belarus.  We condemn ongoing arbitrary arrests and widespread repression.

    To mark the fourth anniversary of deeply flawed presidential elections in Belarus, we announced new sanctions on four commanding officers of penal colonies in response to ongoing human rights violations.

    In addition, we announced £2.5 million support to Belarusian human rights defenders and civil society.

    To the representatives of Belarus: while we welcome the recent release of some political prisoners, we urge you to immediately release the over 1,300 political prisoners who remain detained without reason.

    Many face isolation, mistreatment, and a lack of medical care.

    Six political prisoners are reported to have died since 2021.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Change of British High Commissioner to Canada – Robert Tinline [September 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Change of British High Commissioner to Canada – Robert Tinline [September 2024]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 23 September 2024.

    Mr Robert Tinline has been appointed British High Commissioner to Canada in succession to Ms Susannah Goshko CMG, who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment.

    Mr Tinline will take up his appointment during February 2025.

    Curriculum vitae

    Full name: Robert Tinline

    Year Role
    2022 to present FCDO, Director Americas
    2020 to 2022 FCDO, Director COVID
    2017 to 2019 Joint Intelligence Committee, Chief of the Assessments Staff
    2015 to 2017 Head of HMG Counter Proliferation and Arms Control Centre
    2012 to 2015 UK Representation to the EU, Deputy Head of Mission
    2011 to 2012  Madrid, Deputy Head of Mission
    2010 to 2011 FCO, Head of Consular Assistance
    2008 to 2010 FCO, Head of Near East Department
    2007 to 2008 Basra, Deputy Consul General
    2005 to 2007 FCO, Press Office
    2003 to 2005 FCO, Counter Terrorism Department
    1999 to 2002 Bogotá, Second Secretary
    1997 to 1998 FCO, Security Policy Department
    1997 Joined FCO
  • PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 57 – UK Statement for the Commission of Inquiry on Syria [September 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 57 – UK Statement for the Commission of Inquiry on Syria [September 2024]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 23 September 2024.

    Interactive Dialogue with the Commission of Inquiry on Syria, as delivered by the UK’s Permanent Representative to the WTO and UN, Simon Manley.

    Thank you, Madam Vice President.

    We regret that due to timetabling problems, the Commissioners could not be here this morning. If they had been, I would have thanked them for their latest report, which clearly highlights the horrific violations and abuses Syrians continue to endure.

    Of all the horrors of this conflict, one of the greatest tragedies is of those forcibly detained and missing. As the Commissioners report, over 100,000 Syrians remain missing yet Syrian authorities continue to obstruct families’ efforts to find their loved ones.

    The UK firmly supports families, survivors and victims in their quest for the truth. So, we commend efforts to operationalise the Independent Institution on Missing Persons and call for the swift appointment of its Assistant Secretary-General, so that it can help clarify the fate of those missing Syrians and support their long-suffering families.

    The Assad regime must address the issue of the missing and cease arbitrary detention. The Syrian people need assurances on their safety and security, if they are ever to return home.

    This Council must not, will not, turn its back on the Syrian people, and those responsible for the abuses and violations of human rights must, will be held to account.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Rural Flood Resilience Partnership launched to help farmers and rural communities adapt to a changing climate [September 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Rural Flood Resilience Partnership launched to help farmers and rural communities adapt to a changing climate [September 2024]

    The press release issued by the Environment Agency on 23 September 2024.

    Partnership unites six organisations including: Action with Communities in Rural England; Association of Drainage Authorities; Country Land and Business Association; Environment Agency; National Farmers Union; and Natural England.

    With rural communities increasingly on the frontline of extreme weather and the devastating impacts of flooding, a unique partnership has been launched today (23 September 2024) to support rural flood resilience and help farmers and communities adapt to a changing climate.

    Climate change means that people, places and nature are facing more frequent and more severe storms and floods. Last winter saw one of England’s wettest periods since records began in 1836.

    The Rural Flood Resilience Partnership has been established to improve collaboration, deepen understanding of vulnerabilities, and support rural communities and agricultural businesses in building their resilience to present and future flood risks and coastal erosion.

    The Partnership unites organisations representing government agencies, trade associations, rural communities and businesses to tackle a joint challenge with joint solutions.

    The six equal founding partners are: Action with Communities in Rural England; the Association of Drainage Authorities; Country Land and Business Association; the Environment Agency; the National Farmers Union; and Natural England.

    Today, the Partnership publishes its work plan covering 2024 to 2026. Partners and a wide range of projects will work together to improve their evidence base and will draw on this to co-develop solutions.

    The work plan sets out 21 actions supporting seven strategic outcomes focused on: developing the evidence base behind decision-making to increase resilience; ensuring communities, farmers and landowners have access to quality advice and support; and engaging rural communities in flood resilience.

    James Blake, Chair of Trustees Action with Communities in Rural England, said:

    It’s vital that everyone living and working in rural communities – not just those involved in land management and agriculture – have an opportunity to engage with and influence plans to manage the consequences of climate change.

    As one of the founding members of this partnership, we look forward to drawing on the experience and reach of ACRE members to build the capacity of rural communities to come together and consider what can be done based on local circumstances in response to this most pressing global issue.

    Robert Caudwell, Chair of the Association of Drainage Authorities, said:

    Our climate is changing rapidly, and those living and working in rural parts of England are some of the most aware of, and most vulnerable to, those changes.

    Listening to the voice of rural communities is essential if we are to build England’s resilience to flooding and drought in the future.

    The best solutions can often be achieved when public authorities work together with local businesses and communities, combining their land and water management expertise with a deeper understanding of our local landscape and those impacted.

    ADA is proud to play its part in this new Partnership in support of our members, England’s flood and water management authorities.

    Country Land and Business Association (CLA) President Victoria Vyvyan said:

    The damage to rural land and businesses from flooding is localised but acute, and the frequency of these events will increase with climate change.

    It is crucial to improve the resilience of rural businesses and communities to flooding. The CLA hopes this partnership will provide the evidence, awareness of risks, and access to practical advice that will allow them to improve their resilience.

    This partnership will look for short and medium-term solutions whilst raising awareness of the rural-specific costs and challenges from flooding which our members face.

    Caroline Douglass, Executive Director for Flood and Coastal Risk Management, Environment Agency, said:

    Flooding presents specific challenges to those living and working in rural communities, from ruined crops to having road access cut off by floodwaters.

    Since 2015, flooding and coastal change projects have been completed to protect more than 400,000 hectares of agricultural land better. This includes 280,000 hectares between 2015-2021, helping to avoid more than £500 million worth of economic damage to agricultural land production.

    While the Environment Agency continues to work to strengthen rural flood resilience, no single organisation can tackle these challenges in isolation. This partnership provides the opportunity to accomplish more than any one organisation can manage alone.

    The new Rural Flood Resilience Partnership will help farmers, land managers and rural communities become more resilient to the impacts of climate change while retaining the vital role of managing land and producing sustainable food.

    NFU Vice President Rachel Hallos said:

    The NFU is pleased to be involved in this new Partnership and hope it will enable farmers and rural communities to strengthen the resilience of their homes and businesses by providing practical solutions based on tangible evidence to some of the challenges they face in the event of flooding.

    It will also give rural communities the means to influence decision making, provide access to resources and support action on the ground, strengthening rural resilience to flooding in a changing climate.

    Farmers are on the frontline of climate change – our biggest challenge. The extreme weather this brings is one of the main threats to UK food security and more severe storms, devastating floods, and increased periods of little or no rain are all impacting our ability to produce food.

    The country has just experienced its wettest 18 months since records began in 1836 which left many thousands of acres of productive farmland under water. There are still many farm businesses in dire need of support, and we are awaiting details of how the Farming Recovery Fund can help those businesses recover from the impacts of the devastating flooding and saturated ground.

    Natural England’s Greener Farming & Fisheries Director, Brad Tooze, said:

    Natural England champions the power of nature and nature-based solutions to help tackle the joint climate and biodiversity emergencies.

    NE welcomes the opportunity to join this partnership and add our science and evidence expertise and our local farm advice offer into the mix. Together we can support farmers and land managers to farm in more flood resilient ways – supporting communities to become more flood resilient and recovering nature at the same time.

    From signing up to the Sustainable Farming Incentive to manage arable land for flood/drought resilience and water quality or by working with others to restore a river and floodplain in Landscape Recovery every farmer and land manager can make a difference.

    The Partnership forms part of the wider work that all partners are undertaking on flood and coastal resilience.

    All flood and coastal risk management schemes delivered by risk management authorities in England are carefully assessed to make sure they benefit the most people and property. Approximately 40% of all schemes and 45% of investment better protect properties in rural communities.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Home upgrade revolution as renters set for warmer homes and cheaper bills [September 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Home upgrade revolution as renters set for warmer homes and cheaper bills [September 2024]

    The press release issued by the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero on 23 September 2024.

    New plans to boost minimum energy efficiency standards for all rented homes.

    • Over 1 million households to be lifted out of fuel poverty
    • government confirms move to boost minimum energy efficiency standards for rental properties, bringing all homes up to a decent standard by 2030

    Over 1 million households are set to be lifted out of fuel poverty, as the government announces plans for the biggest potential boost to home energy standards in history.

    Families across the country are continuing to grapple with the consequences of high energy bills amid a cost-of-living crisis – with too many tenants exposed to a harsh daily reality of cold, draughty homes and expensive bills.

    Government intervention is now well overdue to transform living standards and deliver the safety and security of warmer, cheaper homes that are free from damp and mould.

    The Energy Secretary pledged to take action to reverse these failures of the past and stand with tenants, with a commitment to consult by the end of the year on boosting minimum energy efficiency standards for private and social rented homes by 2030.

    Currently, private rented homes can be rented out if they meet Energy Performance Certificate E, while social rented homes have no minimum energy efficiency standard at all.

    The government will now shortly consult on proposals for private and social rented homes to achieve Energy Performance Certificate C or equivalent by 2030.

    The government has also announced a new Warm Homes: Local Grant to help low-income homeowners and private tenants with energy performance upgrades and cleaner heating, and confirmed the continuation of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, as well as the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund, which replaces the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, to support social housing providers and tenants.

    Today’s announcements kickstart delivery of the government’s Warm Homes Plan, which will transform homes across the country by making them cleaner and cheaper to run, from installing new insulation to rolling out solar and heat pumps.

    Notes to editors

    The number of tenant households in fuel poverty which are set to benefit from higher minimum energy efficiency standards is a preliminary estimate using the DESNZ National Buildings Model based on the assumptions from the government’s preferred position in the 2020 consultation on Improving the Energy Performance of Privately Rented Homes in England and Wales . The same assumptions were also applied to social housing to estimate the impact of new standards in the social rented sector. This includes assuming an energy efficiency target rating of C based on SAP2012 and the estimate refers to fuel poor households in England only. No account is taken of other future policies that might interact, such as the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund. Fuller analysis will be set out in an Impact Assessment for the Regulations.

    Guidance for Local Authorities on the new Warm Homes: Local Grant, which replaces the Local Authority Delivery scheme, and which will start delivery in 2025. The expression of interest window for local authorities wishing to participate will open in October this year. Low-income, private tenants will be eligible for support, with the agreement of their landlord. Private tenants are also eligible for support under the Energy Company Obligation. Further details of the Warm Homes Plan will be set out through the Spending Review.

    Guidance for Wave 3 of the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund, which opens for applications in week commencing 30 September.

    Guidance for Phase 4 of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, which is delivered by Salix Finance.

    We will shortly set out a consultation with proposals for improvements to Energy Performance Certificates to make them more accurate and reliable.