Tag: Press Release

PRESS RELEASE : Government to unleash the North Sea’s clean energy future [March 2025]
The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 5 March 2025.

The government is consulting on plans to put the North Sea at the heart of Britain’s clean energy future and drive economic growth.
- UK government consults on plan to unleash the North Sea’s clean energy future and ensure prosperous and sustainable transition for oil and gas
- this plan backs industry to make North Sea a world-leader in offshore industries, such as hydrogen, carbon capture and wind, as part of the government’s clean energy superpower mission
- it also offers oil and gas industry long-term certainty on the fiscal landscape by ending the Energy Profits Levy and consulting on a new regime to boost investment in jobs and growth
- consultation gives certainty to industry about the lifespan of oil and gas projects by committing to maintain existing fields for their lifetime and work with business and communities on a managed transition, while implementing the commitment not to issue new licences to explore new fields
The government has today (Wednesday 5 March) launched a consultation that will put the North Sea – its communities, workers, businesses and supply chains – at the heart of Britain’s clean energy future to drive economic growth and deliver the Plan for Change.

This will support private investment into the technologies that will deliver the next generation of good jobs for North Sea workers, invest in local communities, cut carbon emissions and help the UK become energy secure.

The consultation sets out the next steps in the government’s overarching objective for the North Sea to make it a world leading example of an offshore clean energy industry, building on the UK’s world-class oil and gas heritage. In addition to maintaining existing oil and gas fields, and continuing ongoing domestic production, which have been critical to the UK’s energy system and will continue to play an important role for decades to come, the government wants to boost the economy through the expansion of clean technologies, protecting the country’s energy security in the process. To achieve this, the government needs to ensure the oil and gas industry and its workers can take advantage of a clean energy future.

Separately, HM Treasury and HM Revenue and Customs are confirming that the Energy Profits Levy will end in 2030. They are consulting on what a new regime could look like, to respond to any future shocks in oil and gas prices. The government will work closely with the sector and other stakeholders to develop an approach that protects jobs in existing and future industries and delivers a fair return for the nation, during times of unusually high prices. The government will ensure that the oil and gas industry has the long-term certainty it needs on the future fiscal landscape, helping to support investment and protect businesses and jobs now and for the future.

The government is committed to working with industry, communities, trade unions and wider organisations to develop a plan that will ensure a phased transition for the North Sea – creating tens of thousands more jobs in offshore renewables estimated by 2030.

The government recognises the call of workers and trade unions for a coordinated plan to protect good jobs, pay terms and conditions in the North Sea, and commits to shaping this plan with workers and unions.

The consultation also includes delivering the government’s commitment not to issue new licences to explore new oil and gas fields in the UK, in line with the science of what is required to keep global warming to 1.5 degrees. The consultation also engages with industry on how to manage existing fields, which will continue to make an important contribution during the clean energy transition, for the entirety of their lifespan.

This comes after the government has backed new investment into Scotland’s clean energy future, awarding £55.7 million to the Port of Cromarty Firth, securing critical facilities needed for the rapid development of new floating offshore wind farms and ensuring that they are built from the UK.

By sprinting to achieve this mission, the UK can take back control of its energy and protect both family and national finances from fossil fuel price spikes – with cleaner, affordable, homegrown power. As part of this, Britain must also reduce its dependency on oil and gas, which leaves consumers exposed to unstable global energy markets, as its price is set on international markets.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said:

The North Sea will be at the heart of Britain’s energy future. For decades, its workers, businesses and communities have helped power our country and our world.

Oil and gas production will continue to play an important role and, as the world embraces the drive to clean energy, the North Sea can power our Plan for Change and clean energy future in the decades ahead.

This consultation is about a dialogue with North Sea communities – businesses, trade unions, workers, environmental groups and communities – to develop a plan that enables us to take advantage of the tremendous opportunities of the years ahead.

Diversifying the North Sea industries while domestic production is managed for decades to come is key to protecting its jobs and investment in the long-term. Today’s consultation explores how to harness the North Sea’s existing infrastructure, natural assets and world-leading expertise to deploy new technologies – like hydrogen, carbon capture and storage, and renewables – to create skilled jobs, meet the UK’s climate obligations, and make the UK a clean energy superpower.

It is estimated that the offshore renewables workforce, including offshore wind, CCUS and hydrogen, could increase to between 70,000 and 138,000 in 2030, Meanwhile, an up-and-running carbon capture industry alone is expected to add around £5 billion per year of gross value to the UK economy by 2050.

New proposals could also see changes to the role of North Sea Transition Authority, as the regulator of UK oil and gas, offshore hydrogen, and carbon storage industries. This includes ensuring the authority has the regulatory framework it needs to support the government’s vision for the long-term future of the North Sea and enable an orderly and prosperous transition to clean energy.

The government has already taken rapid steps in accelerating clean energy industries – with the biggest ever investment in offshore wind and up to £21.7 billion in funding over the next 25 years for carbon capture and storage and hydrogen projects. This comes alongside the launch of Great British Energy, headquartered in Aberdeen, and the creation of a National Wealth Fund, both of which will unlock significant investment in clean power projects across the UK and help create thousands of skilled jobs.

The government has also consulted on revised environmental guidance offshore oil and gas projects and will respond to give certainty to the industry and enable developers to resume applying for consents for already-licensed projects. This follows a Supreme Court ruling last year that requires regulators to consider the impact of burning oil and gas – known as scope 3 emissions – in the Environmental Impact Assessment for new projects.

Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, James Murray, said:

We are committed to working together with the sector on the future of the North Sea by providing the stability they need to keep investing and supporting jobs across the country while ensuring they make a fair contribution at times of unusually high prices.

Tania Kumar, Net Zero Director, CBI said:

The North Sea has long been a cornerstone of the UK’s energy sector and will continue to play a vital role in securing energy independence and transitioning to a low-carbon economy. Today’s consultations highlight the government’s commitment to a managed transition. Success hinges on our collaboration with communities, workers, and businesses to develop a practical plan.

Robust regulation and the pivotal role of the North Sea Transition Authority will be essential. The UK’s net zero economy is growing faster than the rest of the economy – the future is green growth and managing the transition away from fossil fuels to a clean energy future for the North Sea is vital to achieving it.

Dhara Vyas, CEO, Energy UK said:

Today’s announcement offers a positive step toward a just transition for offshore workers. The North Sea has been an engine of economic growth and energy security for the UK, but it’s critical to ensure pathways are available for offshore workers to transition to the low carbon industries of the future. The government has a sent a strong signal about the UK’s clean energy future, and the role the North Sea will continue to play in fostering clean technologies such as offshore wind, hydrogen, and carbon capture and storage. The clean energy mission can help ensure the North Sea’s best days are ahead of it, powering economic growth and enabling the UK to lead the way in the global clean industrial revolution.

David Whitehouse, Chief Executive, OEUK said:

The UK offshore energy industry, including its oil and gas sector, is responsible for thousands of jobs across Scotland and the UK, and today the government has committed to meaningful consultation on the long-term future of our North Sea. That is important and welcomed. Energy policy underpins our national security – how we build a clean energy future and leverage our proud heritage matters.

Today’s consultations, on both the critical role of the North Sea in the energy transition and how the taxation regime will respond to unusually high oil and gas prices, will help to begin to give certainty to investors and create a stable investment environment for years to come. We will continue to work with government and wider stakeholders to ensure a future North Sea which delivers economic growth and supports the communities that rely on this sector and workers across right and the UK.

Rachel Solomon Williams, Executive Director, Aldersgate Group said:

The private sector recognises the growth opportunity of the clean energy transition alongside the risks associated with investments that are incompatible with the 1.5C target. This consultation is an important step on the path to building a prosperous and resilient economy, with wider benefits across all regions of the UK. Investing in assets that risk becoming stranded is sustainable for neither the UK economy nor the environment – the government’s recognition of this position will contribute to resolving uncertainty and building private sector confidence for clean energy investments in the region.

The skills and expertise built over recent decades in the North Sea are invaluable. They are highly transferable for clean energy and other growth sectors, both directly and with further upskilling. We welcome the government’s announcement that it is ensuring that the North Sea transition makes best use of the strengths in the region, creating opportunities and jobs. Capturing this growth opportunity for the UK must ensure that the local communities and workers can play a role in future energy sectors. The right policy framework and engagement with industry and local communities can enable a transition to net zero emissions without deindustrialisation.

Dan McGrail, Chief Executive, RenewableUK said:

The biggest offshore wind farms in the world are being built in the North Sea and even more ambitious projects are being planned. Offshore wind is at the very heart of the government’s mission to reach clean power by 2030 and net zero by 2050, and the industry also offers the UK one of its biggest opportunities for job creation, industrial regeneration and economic growth.

The North Sea is already playing a crucial role in powering the UK and this is set to grow in the years ahead. A future focused on offshore wind isn’t just cleaner – it provides a more stable energy system for billpayers as we will be less exposed to volatile international fossil fuel prices. Offshore wind also offers opportunities for skilled workers from other industries to transfer into this dynamic and innovative sector.

Sue Ferns, Senior Deputy General Secretary, Prospect said:

As the UK moves away from oil and gas production as part of the commitment to meet Net Zero, it is critical that the creation of new good, unionised jobs in clean energy is at the heart of the government’s agenda.

This consultation is right to recognise this role of jobs, skills and communities in achieving a meaningful just transition, and we welcome the government’s commitment to work with trade unions and industry to make this a reality.

Delivering meaningful numbers of new jobs will also require bringing supply chains for the renewables sector on shore, something that will need the government’s industrial strategy to run in lock step with this plan.
21/03/2025
PRESS RELEASE : India expands UK footprint as £41 billion partnership boosts countries’ growth [March 2025]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 5 March 2025.

Britain and India bolster trade ties during Indian External Affairs Minister Dr Jaishankar’s visit to UK.
- Indian External Affairs Minister Dr Jaishankar visits UK to boost £41 billion trading relationship
- UK welcomes the opening of 2 new Indian consulates in Belfast and Manchester
- move set to enhance economic growth and support further regional Indian investments in the UK delivering on the government’s Plan for Change
The UK-India partnership will strengthen further with the opening of 2 new Indian consulates in Belfast and Manchester, boosting regional economic ties and delivering on the growth agenda.

It comes as the UK welcomes Indian investment deals worth more than £100 million which is creating jobs, strengthening growth, and helping working people by putting more money in their pockets.

Before opening the consulates, Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar will meet with Foreign Secretary David Lammy at Chevening House.

At Chevening, the foreign ministers will drive forward the UK-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This will focus on fostering mutual economic growth, technological innovation, and collaboration on global challenges including climate change. They will also discuss Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, the Middle East and other global affairs.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said:

One of my first visits as Foreign Secretary was to India because deepening our partnership for our shared growth and security is a key part of this government’s Plan for Change.

Dr Jaishankar and I are supercharging our £41 billion trading relationship with India, after trade talks were relaunched in Delhi. It is the floor, not the ceiling of our ambitions that will benefit both our economies.

The opening of new Indian consulates in Belfast and Manchester demonstrate the growing links between our peoples and how we are working together to deliver growth not only in London, but right across the UK. This expansion of India’s diplomatic presence will further boost our trading relationship and support the valued Indian community in the UK.

Ministers are also set to discuss the Technology Security Initiative, launched during the Foreign Secretary’s visit to Delhi in July 2024. They will touch on the opportunities for citizens in both countries that will come from closer collaboration in sectors such as artificial intelligence, telecoms and critical minerals. Opportunities include more effective and affordable healthcare and more resilient supply chains, as well as greater innovation, investment and job creation.

And the visit will highlight the living bridge between the UK and India, including a special reception with Chevening scholars at Chevening House, celebrating India’s position as home to the world’s largest Chevening programme.

Background
- Chevening is the UK government’s flagship international scholarships and fellowships programme. It offers fully funded scholarships (including tuition, travel and living expenses) for a one-year postgraduate course in the UK
- it also offers short term fellowships to mid-career professionals in cyber security, science and innovation, journalism, and leadership and excellence
- it is mandatory for scholars and fellows to return to their home country upon completion of their course
- the Chevening programme in India is the largest in the world, benefiting over 3,900 scholars and fellows since 1983. Over 40% of Chevening scholars in India come from outside metro cities, are first generation learners, and belong to lesser privileged groups
21/03/2025
PRESS RELEASE : UK to extend electronic travel to European visitors [March 2025]

The press release issued by the Home Office on 5 March 2025.

Europeans can now apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to travel to the UK and will need one from 2 April 2025.

The UK government is taking the last major step in the rollout of Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for the millions of visitors who pass through the UK border every year. From today, eligible Europeans can apply for an ETA and will need one to travel to the UK from Wednesday 2 April 2025.

This expansion follows the successful rollout of ETAs to all eligible non-European nationals last year, which includes visitors from the USA, Canada and Australia who now need an ETA to travel. Almost 1.1 million visitors have been issued with ETAs and will benefit from smoother, easier travel to the UK for short trips in the future.

ETAs will strengthen the immigration system’s security and keep our country safe by screening people before they set foot in the UK.

Minister for Migration and Citizenship, Seema Malhotra, said:

Securing our borders is a foundation of the UK government’s Plan for Change and by digitising the immigration system we are paving the way for a contactless UK border, ensuring visitors enjoy a seamless travel experience in the future.

Expanding ETA worldwide cements our commitment to enhance security through technology and innovation.

Applying for an ETA is quick and simple through the UK ETA app and, with the vast majority of applicants currently receiving a decision automatically in minutes, spontaneous trips to the UK should still be possible. Prospective visitors can also apply on GOV.UK if they do not have access to a smartphone.

Applicants provide their biographic and biometric details and answer questions on suitability and criminality. Once an applicant has successfully applied, their ETA is digitally linked to their passport.

While most applications are approved quickly, it is still recommended to allow up to 3 working days to account for the small number of cases that require additional review.

An ETA currently costs £10 and allows multiple visits to the UK of up to 6 months over a 2-year period, or until the holder’s passport expires – whichever is sooner. An ETA is not a visa, it is a digital permission to travel.

The UK government continues to work closely with the travel industry, including major airline, maritime and rail carriers, to ensure the smooth implementation of our new digital requirements.

21/03/2025
PRESS RELEASE : Cenotaph draped in Union Flags, Westminster Abbey service, concert and Flypast among plans unveiled to mark VE Day 80 [March 2025]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 4 March 2025.

Four day celebrations will mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe in May.
- Commemorations will kick off on Bank Holiday Monday, which will see the Cenotaph dressed in Union flags, a Military procession and a flypast in London
- Street parties will also be held across the country and ceremony on HMS Belfast will kick off community celebrations
- 8 May will see a service of remembrance and thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey followed by a concert
- Service planned to mark VJ Day and the end of the war in the Far East in August
The 80th anniversaries of VE and VJ Day will be marked this year with a series of events and celebrations that will share stories of the Second World War generation.

Victory in Europe (VE Day), which takes place on 8 May, marks the Allied victory in Europe. The news resulted in millions celebrating the end of the war, with street parties, dancing and singing across the country. The war in the Far East did not end until 15 August 1945 with VJ Day (Victory Over Japan).

The commemorations will pay tribute to the millions of people across the UK and Commonwealth who served in the Second World War, telling the stories of those who fought, the children who were evacuated, and those who stepped into the essential roles on the Home Front.

The early May Bank Holiday will see the beginning of the events to mark VE and VJ Day 80 with events planned including a Military procession and flypast of current and historic military aircraft, the return of the poppies to the Tower of London and a nationwide call for families to delve into their lofts and discover their own Second World War stories:

Monday 5 May:
- To ensure the commemorations act as a point of remembrance of the millions who lost their lives in the conflict as well as a celebration of peace, the commemorations will begin in Whitehall. The Cenotaph, the nation’s focal point of remembrance, will be dressed in Union Flags for the duration of the four day commemorations, echoing the 1920 unveiling of the monument to the fallen. From Monday 5 May, it will provide a focal point for the commemorations and a place to pay silent tribute to all those who died, both at home and abroad, during the Second World War.
- To honour and remember those who fell during the Second World War, there will be a Military procession from Whitehall to Buckingham Palace followed by a flypast of current and historic military aircraft including the famous Red Arrows.
- The VE Day 80 commemorations will continue with a street party on HMS Belfast. HMS Belfast fired some of the opening shots on D Day in 1944 and protected Arctic convoys during the Second World War and is the most significant surviving Second World War warship.
- Street parties, barbecues and community get togethers, supported by ideas and inspiration from The Together Coalition and The Big Lunch, will be held by communities across the country, echoing the celebrations 80 years ago as the population welcomed the end of the war.
Tuesday 6 May:
- An installation of ceramic poppies will return to the Tower of London to mark the anniversary. Nearly 30,000 of the original poppies from the 2014 display at the Tower, which commemorated the centenary of the First World War, will be displayed in a new installation within the walls of the fortress. This poppies installation will resemble a ‘wound’ at the heart of the Tower, which was itself bombed during the Blitz and still bears some of those scars today. It will mark and reflect on the sacrifices made by so many during the Second World War.
- Historic landmarks across the UK will be lit up this evening.
Wednesday 7 May:
- On the evening of the 7th May 1945, a newsflash announced that the following day would be Victory in Europe Day. To commemorate this important moment in the nation’s history, the Parliament Choir will host a Victory in Europe Day Anniversary Concert in the famous Westminster Hall at the Palace of Westminster, eighty years to the day that victory was declared.
Thursday 8 May:
- A service will take place at Westminster Abbey that will be both an act of shared remembrance and a celebration of the end of the war. It will be a moment to give thanks and to honour a generation that showed extraordinary courage and resilience.
- The events will conclude with a concert at the historic Horseguards Parade to finish the VE Day 80 commemorations in a celebratory tone, echoing how the nation reacted to the news 80 years before. With more than 10,000 members of the public in attendance, the concert will feature stars of stage and screen and military musicians and tell the story of victory and the legacy of the Second World War in Europe.
Friday 15 August:
- To mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the war in the Far East, a service will take place at the National Memorial Arboretum. In partnership with the government, the Royal British Legion will lead the nation in honouring and remembering those who fought and died during the War in the Far East.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said:

The 80th anniversaries of VE and VJ Day are important opportunities for communities to come together to pay tribute to all those who served in the Second World War and to reflect on the values that they were fighting for.

By taking part in these significant commemorations, people across society will be able to hear our veterans’ stories first hand, to reflect and remember, and ensure that their stories of sacrifice and service are remembered for generations to come.

Ruth Bourne, 98, a Second World War Wren working as a link in the chain of codebreakers who intercepted Nazi messages at Bletchley Park said:

There was an electric buzz among everyone and eventually the Royals came out and waved, and we cheered like crazy waving whatever we had on us. People climbed on every available lamppost, lit bonfires in Hyde Park and we sat around singing songs. Not many went to bed that night!

In partnership with Imperial War Museums, Letters to Loved Ones will encourage the public to delve into their family history to find letters sent by their relatives to loved ones during the Second World War. It is hoped that this will bring together first-hand testimonies from soldiers on the front line, and the women and children on the home front. Letters to Loved Ones will culminate in an event in May, bringing together school children and their families from across the UK.

From April through 2025, Arts Council England will work with arts organisations to join with their communities and creatively commemorate, celebrate and reflect on the 80th anniversary of VE and VJ Day. Funding will also be made available through the National Lottery Community Fund Awards For All programme for organisations to bid for grants to host events, activities and projects this year for communities to come together to commemorate the war and its impact on individuals and communities across the country.

Resources and educational material will be made available for schools and youth groups to help young people learn about the Second World War and the importance of the role played by their forebearers in securing the peace we enjoy today.

The Royal British Legion, the nation’s largest military charity, will be making resources available for schools and local communities across the country and working through its network of membership branches to mark the anniversary.

The commemorations will be UK wide with activities across the nations and regions. Further details on the fly past, national events and plans to mark the 80th anniversaries of VE and VJ Day across the UK, and how the public can get involved, will be announced in due course.

Defence Secretary John Healey MP said:

80 years ago, the freedoms we enjoy today were defended by our remarkable Second World War generation.

Our duty today is to safeguard the British values they sacrificed so much to uphold.

As we mark 80 years since the end of the Second World War, our grateful nation looks forward to joining our brave Armed Forces and veterans to reflect, rejoice and remember.

Dr Tara Knights, the Royal British Legion’s Head of Remembrance, said:

The Royal British Legion is proud to be marking the 80th anniversaries of VE Day and VJ Day and will put Second World War veterans at the heart of these commemorations. These are significant anniversaries, and we owe it to all those from the Second World War generation to thank them for their bravery and sacrifice in the defence of freedoms we still enjoy to this day. We will be running educational and community engagement programmes to encourage everyone to get involved in this momentous occasion. The RBL is inviting veterans, or their family or carers on their behalf, to come forward and register to join in the commemorations.

Caro Howell MBE, IWM Director-General said:

As we mark 80 years since the end of the Second World War, we are reminded that this devastating conflict will soon pass from living memory. Through ‘Letters to Loved Ones’, we want a new generation of children across the UK to learn about the Second World War and its aftermath, through the stories and memories of their own families and the voices of those who were part of the fight against tyranny.

2025 marks the 80th anniversaries of some of the most significant moments in our history. The anniversaries that we are marking this year serve as a solemn reminder of the sacrifices made across the world, and the events that have shaped our lives ever since.

Brendan Cox, co-founder of the Together Coalition which is helping to organise the community celebrations said:

We spend a lot of our time focusing on the things where we might disagree. VE day 80 is a great opportunity to celebrate what we have in common, and to use the celebrations to reach out to neighbours, friends and our wider communities.

A dedicated interactive website has been launched with latest information and ways to get involved at ve-vjday80.gov.uk
21/03/2025
PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 58 – UK Statement at the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Freedom of Religion or Belief [March 2025]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 4 March 2025.

UN Human Rights Council 58: UK Statement at the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Freedom of Religion or Belief. Delivered by MP and the UK Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief, David Smith.

Thank you, Madame Vice-President.

The UK reiterates its commitment to protecting and promoting FoRB for all – including through my role as the UK’s Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief.

The Special Rapporteur’s recent report on the intersection of FoRB and torture highlighted deeply concerning cases of violations and torture in detention centres. The report notes that in Myanmar, detainees were denied the right to observe their  faith through psychological torture and attempts by the State to change their religious identity. And in Sudan, non-Muslims were reportedly coerced to change their beliefs through denial of work, food aid and education.

The UK unreservedly condemns the use of torture. Preventing torture and tackling impunity for those who torture is vital to safeguarding our security and rule of law.

We must collectively do more to address and prevent torture and ensure the fundamental right to freedom of religion or belief is protected.

Special Rapporteur,

What steps would you advise to ensure more States investigate cases of torture, and safeguard the right to freedom of religion or belief, in detention centres?

21/03/2025
PRESS RELEASE : Statement to the 108th Session of the Executive Council of the OPCW [March 2025]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 4 March 2025.

Statement to the 108th Session of the Executive Council of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, by Her Excellency Joanna Roper, Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Mr Chairperson, Director General, Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates,

Let me start by extending my thanks to His Excellency, Director General Fernando Arias, for his comprehensive report demonstrating the significant and increasing demands on this organisation and the progress he has made. I would also like to thank His Excellency, Ambassador Terán Parral for chairing this session and for his excellent leadership of the Executive Council since May 2023.

Mr Chairperson,

At long last, with the collapse of the Assad regime, Syria is now in a position to take a fresh approach to its engagement with the OPCW and finally close the file on the chemical weapons programme. This is an opportunity that few could have imagined 12 months ago.

We welcome commitments made by Syria’s Interim Authorities to cooperate with the Technical Secretariat and international community to this end. We warmly welcome the DG’s report of his recent visit and note on the way forward. We look ahead to the rapid deployment of OPCW technical teams on the ground to help Syria deliver a full, complete and accurate declaration; and to start destruction. And I would like to thank the Permanent Representative of Qatar for representing Syria’s interests at the OPCW since December so effectively.

After more than a decade, we are urging Syria to turn the page on the horrific legacy of Assad’s chemical weapons programme and we must support it to do so. We call on States Parties to support the Technical Secretariat and the Syrian Arab Republic to complete the job of destroying the Assad Regime’s chemical weapons. The UK has recently announced additional funding for the OPCW’s Syria Missions – we have given a total of more than £1m to the OPCW’s Syria Trust Fund over the past year. And yesterday, Mr Chairperson, I sent a letter to the Director General, confirming that we will provide a comprehensive offer of practical support to him and his team later this month.

Mr Chairperson,

I wish that I could reflect positive progress on other states of concern. Russia continues to undermine the Chemical Weapons Convention. It is now three years since Russia started a war of aggression against Ukraine – a brutal attack on the sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity of a democratic state. As my Prime Minister said last week: “For three years we have been united in opposition to Russia’s barbaric invasion. And for three years we have been full of admiration for the incredible response of the Ukrainian people.”

Let there be no doubt, UK support to Ukraine will remain steadfast.

Russia continues to use chemical weapons in Ukraine. We note the conclusions of the Technical Secretariat’s most recent Technical Assistance Visit report issued on 14 February. This report confirmed the presence of CS gas in samples taken from three separate incidents in Ukraine, establishing a pattern of violations of the CWC across a wide geographic area. There must now be attribution for such attacks, and the perpetrators must be held to account.

We must not forget Russia has form in regularly violating international law concerning chemical weapons. Seven years ago today, on 4 March 2018, Russia deployed Novichok nerve agent on the streets of the United Kingdom. This attack resulted in the tragic death of Dawn Sturgess. Russia also used Novichok to poison Alexei Navalny in Russia in 2020.

Mr Chairperson,

Russia has set a damaging example. We must defend the fundamental principles of the Chemical Weapons Convention. We are extremely concerned by reports which suggest that the Sudanese Armed Forces have used chemical weapons in Sudan. Sudan, like any other State Party to the Chemical Weapons Convention, must abide by its obligations.

Mr Chairperson,

We also welcome the Technical Secretariat’s response to the opportunities and risks of emerging technology. The excellent Morocco AI Conference in October, and the AI Research Challenge, co-funded by the UK, provide a sound foundation for our collective efforts to capture the benefits of new technologies, and to understand the security risks they will pose.

Mr Chairperson,

The Director General is critical to the success of this organisation. This body has important work to do over the coming months to find a worthy successor to Director General Arias. As the British say, they will have big shoes to fill.

Events in Syria and continuing Russian breaches demonstrate that the OPCW remains central to international security. This Council must provide its unwavering support for every aspect of the OPCW’s work at this critical juncture.

21/03/2025
PRESS RELEASE : Government funding for rural communities set out [March 2025]
The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 4 March 2025.

Rural communities are set to benefit from up to £38 million in funding.

Up to £33 million will be directed to the Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF), which is used to improve local infrastructure and essential services that benefit rural communities and help businesses in rural areas to expand, creating jobs and kickstarting the rural economy.

Examples of the types of projects that will be eligible for funding from the REPF include:
- Creation of rural business hubs providing shared workspace and networking opportunities for rural businesses.
- Development of new products, facilities or building conversions to help rural businesses diversify outside of agriculture.
- Community gardens and greenspaces.
- The creation of new footpaths and development of local visitor trails.
- Kitchens in community hubs and improvements to premises used by local volunteering groups, such as youth charities or carers groups.
In addition, Defra has also announced up to a further £5 million in funding to go towards the continuation of important services for rural communities. Part of this funding will go towards The Rural Community Assets Fund, which provides capital funding for the refurbishment and development of community-owned assets, such as village halls or community centres.

This funding will also support Rural Housing Enablers, who help to bring forward sites to provide affordable housing opportunities in rural areas with people who need them. This comes alongside a grant for Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE) to provide advice and support to rural community and voluntary groups that offer social inclusion activities, affordable warmth advice, and community transport.

As part of the Plan for Change, the Government is working to promote economic growth across the country, including in rural areas. This funding will help to support local economies and sustain communities across the countryside

REPF allocations to individual local authorities will be made in line with the existing allocations methodology, with final confirmed allocations to be published in due course.
21/03/2025
PRESS RELEASE : NI Secretary announces Equality Commission appointments [March 2025]
The press release issued by the Northern Ireland Office on 4 March 2025.

Secretary of State announces appointment of commissioners to the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland.

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the Right Honourable Hilary Benn MP, has announced the reappointment of seven Commissioners (Maureen Brunt, Siobhan Cullen, Ellen Finlay, Monica Fitzpatrick, Colin Kennedy, John McCallister and Preeti Yellamaty) and the new appointment of Harry Robinson to the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland.

Background

The Equality Commission was established in 1999, as part of the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. It took over the functions of the Fair Employment Commission, Equal Opportunities Commission, and Council for Racial Equality and Northern Ireland Disability Council.

The Commission is responsible for policing the Statutory Duty on all public authorities in Northern Ireland to have due regard to the need to promote equality of opportunity across a range of areas including religion, political opinion, gender, race, age, marital status, sexual orientation, disability and those with and without dependants. The Commission is funded and sponsored by The Executive Office. Further information about the work of the Commission can be found at:

https://www.equalityni.org/Home

Biographies for the seven re-appointees can be found on the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland website:

https://www.equalityni.org/HeaderLinks/About-Us/Our-structure#gsc.tab=0

In addition, Harry Robinson is currently employed as Head of School at Belfast Metropolitan College and has a background of over 20 years working in Further Education to provide equality of opportunity for those facing barriers to education. He has a lead role in the provision of English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) for refugees and those seeking asylum in Northern Ireland as well as the delivery of Community Education and Lifelong Learning. Harry is also a member of the Board of Trustees for Voice of Young People in Care (VOYPIC) a local charity that works to promote the rights and voice of children in care and care leavers in Northern Ireland.

Terms of Appointment
- These positions are part-time for a period of three years ending on 31 May 2028. Both the reappointments and new appointment will commence from 1 June 2025.
- The positions receive a fixed annual remuneration of £5,000.
- The positions are not pensionable.
Political Activity

All appointments are made on merit and with regards to the statutory requirements. Political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity in defined categories to be made public.

None have declared any political activity in the past five years.

Regulation

These appointments are regulated by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointment (OCPA).

Statutory Requirements

The Secretary of State makes appointments to the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland in accordance with the Northern Ireland Act 1998.
21/03/2025
PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 58 – UK Statement at the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Torture [March 2025]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 4 March 2025.

UN Human Rights Council 58: UK Statement at the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

A UK spokesperson said:

Thank you, Mr President,

We thank the Special Rapporteur for her work and welcome the recommendations in the recent report on hostage-taking.

The UK unreservedly condemns the use of torture. There are no circumstances whatsoever that justify the use of torture or hostage taking. It is an abhorrent violation of human rights and human dignity.

We strongly believe that the prevention of torture, and tackling impunity for those who use torture, are essential components of safeguarding our security and integral to a fair legal system and the rule of law.

We are proud to work with partners and civil society to support torture prevention initiatives globally, including through our support for the Association for the Prevention of Torture. The UK is a signatory of the Declaration against Arbitrary Detention in State-to-State Relations and remains a vocal supporter of the Canadian-led initiative in its efforts to combat this practice.

We encourage the small minority of states which have not yet done so to ratify and implement the UN Convention against Torture, and the International Convention against the Taking of Hostages.

Special Rapporteur,

How can we better support states to overcome the barriers preventing them from ratifying the UN Convention against Torture?

21/03/2025
PRESS RELEASE : Employment Rights Bill to boost productivity for British workers and grow the economy [March 2025]
The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 4 March 2025.

The Government will today table amendments to the Employment Rights Bill.
- The Government will lay amendments to the Employment Rights Bill following weeks of consultation with business groups and unions.
- The Bill will support the Government’s mission to increase productivity and create the right conditions for long-term sustainable, inclusive, and secure economic growth, delivering on the Plan for Change.
- Improving workers’ rights is a key element of the government’s Plan for Change by putting more money in people’s pockets, improving working people’s day to day lives and delivering real life improvements felt by working people.
The Government will today [Tuesday 4 March] table amendments to the Employment Rights Bill following weeks of consultation and responses from business groups, trade unions and wider civil society.

These amendments demonstrate the Government’s commitment to working in partnership with businesses and trade unions to ensure the plan to Make Work Pay is firmly pro-business and pro-worker.

Responses to five consultations ranging from zero-hours contracts to Statutory Sick Pay will also be published which show how the Government has listened to the views of stakeholders.

The Government’s Plan to Make Work Pay is a core part of the mission to grow the economy, raise living standards and create opportunities for people across the country. These amendments will deliver on the Plan for Change by tackling the low pay, poor working conditions and poor job security that has been holding the UK economy back.

This landmark Bill will extend the employment protections already given by the best British companies to millions more workers. This will put the UK back in step with competitors in other advanced economies, who are already acting to adapt to the changing world of work.

The Bill’s impact assessment, which was published last year, showed that many of the policies within the Employment Rights Bill could help support the Government’s Mission for Growth.” It concluded that that the package could have “a positive but small direct impact on economic growth” and will “help to raise living standards across the country and create opportunities for all.” This is the result of a pro-business, pro-worker, approach which is going to help usher in a decade of national renewal.

The Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said:

For too long millions of workers have been forced to face insecure, low paid and irregular work, while our economy is blighted by low growth and low productivity.

We are turning the tide – with the biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation, boosting living standards and bringing with it an upgrade to our growth prospects and the reforms our economy so desperately needs.

We have been working closely with businesses and workers to progress this landmark bill and deliver our Plan for Change – unleashing growth and making work pay for everyone.

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:

Past Governments’ low growth and low productivity economy simply did not deliver what the UK needs, which is why we are choosing stability, investment and reform, not chaos, austerity and decline. This is why our mission to grow the economy as part of our Plan for Change is based on putting more money in working people’s pockets by making wages fairer and work more secure.

Many businesses already have worker friendly practices in place and can attest to the positive impact they have on retention, productivity and job satisfaction. We want to go further and untap the UK’s full potential by attracting the best talent and giving business the confidence to hire to help the economy grow.

The amendments set out later today carefully consider different views and needs of workers, businesses and the whole economy and looks to deliver measures that support the mutual interests required to drive a growing, modern economy. We are delivering reform through our Plan for Change to create a decade of national renewal, meaning increased living standards across every part of the UK and putting politics back in the service of working people.

They come following responses received to five Government consultations:
- Application of zero hours contracts measures to agency workers
  
  All workers, including up to 900,000 agency workers in the UK, should be able to access a contract which reflects the hours they regularly work. These amendments will ensure that agency work does not become a loophole in our plans to end exploitative zero hours contracts. They will offer increased security for working people to receive reasonable notice of shifts and proportionate pay when shifts are cancelled, curtailed or moved at short notice – whilst retaining the necessary flexibility for employers in how they manage their workforces.
- Strengthening remedies against abuse of rules on collective redundancy
  
  The Government will increase the maximum period of the protective award from 90 days to 180 days and issue further guidance for employers on consultation processes for collective redundancies. Increasing the maximum value of the award means an Employment Tribunal will be able to grant larger awards to employees for an employer’s failure to meet consultation requirements. We want to enhance the deterrent against employers deliberately ignoring their collective consultation obligations and ensure it is not financially beneficial to do so.
- Creating a Modern Framework for Industrial Relations
  
  The government is updating the legislative framework in which trade unions operate to align it with modern work practices. We are ensuring industrial relations are underpinned by collaboration, proportionality, accountability, and a system that balances the interests of workers, businesses and the wider public, with further details in the consultation response.
- Strengthening Statutory Sick Pay
  
  The Government will ensure the safety net of Statutory Sick Pay is available to those who need it the most, making it a legal right for all workers for the very first time. Up to 1.3 million employees on low wages who find themselves unable to work due to sickness will either receive 80 per cent of their average weekly earnings or the current rate of Statutory Sick Pay – whichever is lower. We are also ensuring employees have a right to Statutory Sick Pay from the first day of sickness absence, so they are able to take the time off they need to recover and stay in work rather than risk dropping out altogether. The changes will also reduce the amount of people going to work when ill and therefore the spread of infections in the workplace – boosting productivity and benefiting businesses.
- Tackling non-compliance in the umbrella company market
  
  The Government will act to ensure that workers can access comparable rights and protections when working through a so-called umbrella company as they would when taken on directly by a recruitment agency. Enforcement action can be taken against any umbrella companies that do not comply.
A strong package of workers’ rights and protections goes hand in hand with a strong economy because a secure workforce will be more productive and have more confidence to spend in the economy. This contributes to growth – both through the work that people do, and the money that they spend.

As well as creating protections for people at work, the Government is determined to create a modern economy that works for businesses and workers alike. We are delivering these reforms collaboratively, pragmatically, and in a reasonable timeframe where businesses can prepare.

For businesses to thrive they must operate on a level playing field. The Fair Work Agency will take strong action against rogue employers that exploit their workers, and it will provide better support to the majority of businesses who want to do right by their staff.

The Government will continue to hold continuous extensive engagement as we develop our Plan to Make Work Pay and as the details of these polices are developed.

Paul Nowak, TUC General Secretary said:

Everyone deserves security and respect at work. These common-sense reforms will improve the quality of jobs in this country, boost growth and put more money into people’s pockets.

Policies like banning exploitative zero-hours contracts, ensuring protection from unfair dismissal from day one, and tackling ‘fire and rehire’ are long overdue and necessary.

This is about creating a modern economy that works for workers and business alike. Driving up employment standards in Britain will stop good employers from being undercut by the bad and will mean more workers benefit from a union voice.

Jane Gratton, Deputy Director of Public Policy at the BCC, said:

Employers will be relieved to see some amendments, at what is clearly a milestone moment for Government. It has consulted business – and this is reflected in some of the decisions on the future shape of the legislation. There is much here to welcome as sensible moves that will help ensure that employment works for both the business and the individual, including the nine-month statutory probation period and the promise of a light touch approach, as well as simplifying rules on collective consultation.

But businesses remain cautious, and it is important to continue ensuring the Bill strikes the right balance. Employers will look forward to hearing, engaging with and shaping further detail. The government must continue its positive approach to engagement with firms and remain open to changes. Doing so will ensure this legislation is proportionate, affordable, and right for both firms and their employees.

Centrica Group Chief Executive, Chris O’Shea said:

We are fully supportive of this legislation. This isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s a foundation for the high-growth, high-skill economy the UK needs. While no one business has all the answers, our experience at Centrica shows that our business thrives when our people thrive – so stronger rights for workers mean stronger businesses, and that’s a win for everyone.

As we look to invest billions in green energy, nuclear, and hydrogen storage, having a skilled and engaged workforce is critical to delivering on the UK’s energy security and net zero ambitions. The Government’s wider growth and energy missions rely on businesses and workers pulling in the same direction—I hope this Bill helps make that possible.

Julie Abraham, CEO of Richer Sounds said:

At Richer Sounds, we have always put the treatment and wellbeing of our colleagues at the forefront of everything we do. Any responsible business will know that well-treated and well-paid colleagues will be beneficial in numerous ways.

Happy colleagues are likely to be more productive. This also leads to reduced stock loss and higher staff retention, which in turn, minimises recruitment and training costs, not to mention disruption to established teams. We support any government legislation that will help end exploitative working practices and improve the lives of working people.

Ann Francke OBE, Chief Executive Officer of the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), said:

The Employment Rights Bill represents a significant step forward in improving conditions for the UK’s workforce. Many of these measures reflect what successful, responsible and forward-looking employers are already doing.

CMI has welcomed the Government’s collaborative approach in progressing this Bill, working alongside both businesses and unions to find the balance needed. The real key to success, however, will be the ability of skilled managers to implement these changes, ensuring they get it right and can deliver growth and productivity benefits for organisations whilst ensuring individuals are treated fairly.

We look forward to working closely with the Fair Work Agency to ensure managers and leaders are equipped with the skills they need to navigate this milestone piece of legislation.

Simon Deakin, Professor of Law, University of Cambridge said:

The research we have done in Cambridge shows that on average, strengthening employment laws in this country in the last 50 years has had pro-employment effects.

The consensus on the economic impacts of labour laws is that, far from being harmful to growth, they contribute positively to productivity. Labour laws also help ensure that growth is more inclusive and that gains are distributed more widely across society.

Claire Costello, Chief of People and Inclusion Officer – Co-op

The Co-op support the Government’s ambitions to strengthen rights for workers through the Employment Rights Bill. It’s our belief that treating employees well – a key objective of this Bill – will promote productivity and generate the economic growth this country needs.

Neil Carberry, CEO of Recruitment & Employment Confederation, said:

Regulating the umbrella market closes a loophole in addressing non-compliance. Recruiters have long called for regulations that ensure a level playing-field. Like all aspects of the Government’s changes, proper enforcement will be key to protecting both businesses and workers.
21/03/2025