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Tag: Press Release

  • PRESS RELEASE : Civilians in Gaza need much more aid: UK statement at the UN Security Council [July 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Civilians in Gaza need much more aid: UK statement at the UN Security Council [July 2024]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 26 July 2024.

    Statement by UK Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council meeting on Gaza.

    President, on his recent visit to the region, my Foreign Secretary met Israelis and Palestinians and heard their stories of suffering, pain and anguish on both sides.

    He came away determined to help improve the situation and further convinced that there is no military solution to this conflict.

    That is why we are calling for an immediate ceasefire, the immediate release of all hostages and an immediate scale-up of aid into Gaza. We urge both sides to accept the deal on the table, endorsed by this Council.

    President, whilst mediation efforts continue, people in Gaza urgently need a drastic improvement in the humanitarian situation.

    First, civilians need better protection and designated civilian spaces. We are deeply concerned by Israel’s incursion into Khan Younis and into the only remaining IDF-designated humanitarian zone of Al Mawasi where some 1.5 million people are sheltering. We call on all sides to comply fully with International Humanitarian Law and on Hamas to release all the hostages immediately.

    Second, civilians in Gaza need much, much more aid. UNRWA is central to these efforts. That is why we announced $27 million in new funding for UNRWA last week, with some directed at supporting the management reforms recommended by the Colonna review. We call for full cooperation with UN and humanitarian teams, including UNRWA, and the granting of requests for visas and equipment, and the opening of all aid routes into Gaza, including reopening the Rafah crossing. Deteriorating law and order must urgently be addressed so that aid can reach people safely.

    Finally, civilians need functioning hospitals and essential supplies such as water and electricity after nine months of devastation. We are appalled by the stories of women and children living in unsanitary conditions and that diseases, including Polio, are spreading.

    Colleagues, West Bank settlement expansion and settler violence have reached record levels. The Israeli government has seized more land this year than in the past twenty years combined. This is unacceptable: it runs counter to multiple resolutions of this Council and undermines the viability of a two-state solution.

    The only way out of this cycle of violence and suffering is through diplomacy, with Israelis and Palestinians committing to a renewed peace process resulting in a two-state solution, with a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian State. We are committed to giving the people of the West Bank and Gaza the political perspective of a credible route to a Palestinian state and a new future. And it needs to be irreversible.

    Thank you.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Government watchdog to help stabilise university finances [July 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Government watchdog to help stabilise university finances [July 2024]

    The press release issued by the Department for Education on 26 July 2024.

    Interim Office for Students chair appointed as Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023 is stopped.

    The role of the Office for Students will be refocussed to prioritise the financial stability of the higher education sector and deliver better quality and outcomes for students, the government has announced.

    Analysis from the Office for Students earlier this year showed increased financial challenges for the sector, with many institutions needing to make significant changes to their funding model to avoid facing a material risk of closure.

    The OfS’ refreshed focus follows the publication of an independent report today – Fit for the Future: Higher Education Regulation Towards 2035 – which recommends that the regulator closely monitors the financial sustainability of all higher education providers.

    The government has also appointed a new interim chair of the OfS, Sir David Behan, who will be tasked with ensuring that the regulator concentrates its efforts on these key priorities following the publication of his review into the organisation.

    Under plans announced today, the Secretary of State for Education has also stopped the implementation of the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023 and re-affirmed the government’s firm commitment to freedom of speech, with universities expected to deliver on their duty to protect it. The Education Secretary will consider options for the Act in the long term, including repeal.

    The move to stop implementing the Act reflects widespread concern that the legislation is disproportionate, burdensome and damaging to the welfare of students while not addressing hate speech on campuses.

    The new rules would have exposed higher education providers to costly legal action that would impact teaching and learning. Groups representing Jewish students have also expressed concerns that sanctions could lead to providers overlooking the safety and well-being of minority groups.

    Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said:

    For too long, universities have been a political battlefield and treated with contempt, rather than as a public good, distracting people from the core issues they face. The steps announced today will sharpen the focus of the Office for Students, with greater emphasis on ensuring the financial stability of the sector.

    We are absolutely committed to freedom of speech and academic freedom, but the Free Speech Act introduced last year is not fit for purpose and risked imposing serious burdens on our world class universities.

    This legislation could expose students to harm and appalling hate speech on campuses. That is why I have quickly ordered this legislation to be stopped so that we can take a view on next steps and protect everyone’s best interests, working closely with a refocussed Office for Students.

    Phil Rosenberg, President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, said:

    We welcome the Secretary of State’s decision to halt the implementation of the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act, pending consideration of repeal.

    The Union of Jewish Students has been clear that the act, while well-intentioned, risked enabling antisemitic extremists to access university campuses by severely impacting the ability of universities to block their presence – we strongly support UJS’s concerns and reflected this in our Jewish Manifesto for the 2024 General Election.

    This halt will enable the government to consider how to ensure that freedom of speech is protected without allowing free rein to purveyors of hate speech.

    Additionally, the OfS plans to introduce strengthened protections for students facing harassment and sexual misconduct, including relating to the use of NDAs in such cases by universities.

    The Fit for the Future: Higher Education Regulation Towards 2035 report published today finds that the case for bold regulation of higher education is clear and that the OfS should concentrate on four key priorities in the short term: monitoring financial sustainability, ensuring quality, protecting public money and acting in the interests of students.

    The government accepts his core recommendations, recognising that strong regulation is crucial to ensuring a stable future for the UK’s world-leading higher education sector, which is a key engine at the heart of growth plans.

    Sir David said the OfS and the government should work together to manage financial sustainability, sharing intelligence and data proactively to protect students. He has also recommended the OfS introduces an integrated assessment of quality, creating a regulatory model that incentivises ongoing improvement for all students, and that the body is given consumer protection powers in order to defend students’ interests.

    Sir David Behan said:

    It has been a privilege to lead the review of the OfS and I now look forward to delivering the changes the review recommends, importantly financial sustainability, quality, student interest and value for money.

    A spokesperson for Universities UK said:

    Sir David Behan’s review is thorough and we welcome many of its recommendations. Its findings underline the importance of an independent regulator for higher education in England and the need for a focus on the financial sustainability of the sector.

    This will continue to strengthen the sector’s relationship with the OfS and ultimately help deliver better outcomes for students. We have already observed an improvement in the OfS’s relationship with the sector and this review will help consolidate this.

    We look forward to working closely with both the department for education and the Office for Students in the coming months.

    The higher education sector is encouraged to engage proactively with the OfS to help shape future regulation as the government seeks to build a balanced and sustainable funding model, fostering a more inclusive and resilient higher education sector that benefits all students.

    Notes to editors

    • To stop the implementation of the Freedom of Speech Act the Secretary of State has revoked the second commencement regulations made under it. She will rapidly review the legislation and confirm long-term plans as soon as possible.

    Provisions in the second commencement regulations made under the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023 which have now been stopped:

    From 1 August 2024:

    • Extending the duties on registered HE providers and constituent institutions in England to require them to take reasonably practicable steps to secure freedom of speech within the law for their staff, students, members and visiting speakers, and to promote the importance of lawful freedom of speech and academic freedom.
    • Creating duties on students’ unions at many registered HE providers to secure freedom of speech within the law for their members, staff and visiting speakers
    • Creating a statutory tort for breach of specified freedom of speech duties, enabling individuals who have suffered loss to seek legal redress
    • Creating a free to use complaints scheme to be operated by the OfS, enabling staff, students, members or external speakers to raise complaints about providers or students’ unions breaching their duties under the Act to secure or promote freedom of speech within the law
    • Enhancing protection for academic freedom by extending coverage to include recruitment and promotion of academics
    • Banning the use of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) by registered HE providers in relation to complaints to the provider of sexual misconduct, bullying or harassment.

    From 1 September 2025:

    • Introducing new registration conditions for registered higher education providers on freedom of speech and academic freedom (requiring them, for example, to have in place suitable codes of conduct).
    • Introducing new transparency measures in relation to overseas funding to enable the OfS to assess whether that funding might pose a risk to freedom of speech or academic freedom.
  • PRESS RELEASE : Discovering new maerl beds on the South Coast of Cornwall [July 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Discovering new maerl beds on the South Coast of Cornwall [July 2024]

    The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 26 July 2024.

    New maerl beds discovered just off the coast are crucial in supporting other marine species.

    Dive into the ocean…pink?

    What colours would you expect to see when dipping beneath the waves off the coast of Cornwall? Perhaps the calm blue of the waves, or the soft greens and browns of the seaweeds.

    Few people would expect the rose pink of a maerl bed – the Barbieland of the underwater realm.

    These slow growing, fragile beds of rare pink calcified seaweeds form the basis of marine food chains in the area, and as well as being breathtakingly beautiful, are hugely important for the local ecosystem.

    Maerl beds act a little like coral reefs, slowly growing to provide three-dimensional structure which is a habitat for many other seaweeds and small organisms.

    This has led maerl to be recognised for its crucial role in supporting fish populations and underpinning healthy fisheries.

    It is classed as an “irreplaceable habitat”, because of its almost complete inability to recover from damage and if the maerl is lost the species it supports will also be lost.

    Expedition ‘to find out more’

    In England, very little maerl is thought to exist outside Cornwall, where it particularly thrives in clear waters, estuaries and tide swept bays.

    The beautiful and ancient maerl beds of the Fal and Helford Estuaries in Cornwall have long been known about and were duly designated within a Marine Protected Area in 2005.

    But far less is known about the maerl that exists outside the estuaries in the bays along Cornwall’s south coast, and in July, Natural England set out on an expedition to find out more.

    A dive team of seaweed experts and specialist survey divers embarked on a mission to explore the areas just off the Roseland Peninsula and St Austell Bay.

    Using scant knowledge from the few previous surveys, the skills of dive boat skipper Mike Anselmi from Porthkerris Divers and Natural England’s underwater drone, the team were able to find and survey entirely unknown areas of maerl beds.

    Evidence will help seek better protection

    Natural England’s Marine Senior Officer, Angela Gall, who led the survey said:

    It’s incredible to think, that in Britain, within sight of the shore, there are still completely undiscovered sites. We will use this new evidence on the maerl bed sites to seek better protection for these ‘ancient woodlands of the sea.”

    The divers surveyed the sites in detail, recording 110 different seaweed species and 79 different types of animals living on the maerl.

    They assessed the health of the beds and collected photographic evidence.

    Small samples were collected for genetic work by the University of Exeter, which will help with understanding the genetic uniqueness of maerl beds in this area.

    The work was intensive, with detailed microscopic examination of many seaweeds, small snails and worms back at base camp following the dives.

    The new information about maerl sites will be used to help target mapping efforts this autumn, adding to understanding of where these precious beds can be found.

    It is hoped that by knowing where these sensitive habitats occur it will be possible to better protect them as the foundations of healthy ocean ecosystems.

    The project was funded by Defra’s Marine Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment programme, which is leading the way in integrating natural capital and ecosystem assessment approaches into Government decision making.

    Over three years, the programme is gathering evidence and developing tools and frameworks to enable us to better manage our marine natural environment, and the services it provides for people – before it is too late.

  • PRESS RELEASE : AI expert to lead Action Plan to ensure UK reaps the benefits of Artificial Intelligence [July 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : AI expert to lead Action Plan to ensure UK reaps the benefits of Artificial Intelligence [July 2024]

    The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 26 July 2024.

    UK Science Secretary Peter Kyle has commissioned an Action Plan to identify how AI can drive economic growth.

    • UK Science Secretary commissions Action Plan to identify how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can drive economic growth and deliver better outcomes for people across the country
    • tech entrepreneur, Matt Clifford, charged with leading work to explore untapped AI opportunities
    • officials to form new “AI Opportunities Unit” at heart of science and tech department to pool expertise, seize the benefits of AI and implement proposals

    New UK Science Secretary, Peter Kyle, has put AI at the heart of the government’s agenda to deliver change, sustained economic growth and improved public services.

    The Secretary of State has today (26 July), appointed Tech entrepreneur and Chair of Advanced Research And Invention Agency (ARIA), Matt Clifford, to kickstart this work. He will deliver a new AI Opportunities Action Plan to identify ways to accelerate the use of AI to improve people’s lives by making services better and developing new products.

    As well as exploring how to build a UK AI sector that can scale and compete on the global stage, the plan will also set out how to boost take up of the technology across all parts of the economy, and consider the necessary infrastructure, talent, and data access required to drive adoption by the public and private sectors.

    The Action Plan will play a vital role in driving up productivity and kickstarting economic growth. Estimates from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) show that while the exact economic impact hinges on the wider development and adoption of AI, and realisation could be gradual, the UK could ultimately see productivity gains of up to 1.5 percent annually.

    Matt Clifford will deliver a set of recommendations to the Science Secretary in September. Alongside this, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) – acting as the digital centre of government – will also establish an AI Opportunities Unit to bring together the knowledge and expertise to take full advantage of AI and implement recommendations from the Action Plan.

    Science Secretary Peter Kyle said:

    We’re putting AI at the heart of the government’s agenda to boost growth and improve our public services.

    Matt Clifford brings a wealth of experience and shares my ambition when it comes to realising the opportunities of AI, using it to drive growth and improve people’s lives.

    Together we will use AI to drive productivity and economic growth in every part of the country so we can make everyone better off.

    Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said:

    Growing our economy and rebuilding Britain to make everyone better off is our number one mission – and artificial intelligence has the potential to raise productivity and help us do that.

    Our AI Opportunities Unit will unlock its full potential to grow a more productive economy, create good jobs across the country and deliver the excellent public services that people deserve whilst saving taxpayers money”.

    Matt Clifford said:

    AI presents us with so many opportunities to grow the economy and improve people’s lives. The UK is leading the way in many areas, but we can do even better.

    I’m excited to start work and develop an ambitious road map to identify the biggest opportunities and support the new government as it makes important choices about where to focus its efforts.

    The action plan starts today and will engage key figures across industry and civil society to help in its development.

    The Action Plan will also consider key enablers such as the UK’s compute and broader infrastructure requirements by 2030, how this infrastructure is made available for start-ups and scale-ups and how to develop and attract top AI talent in the public and private sector.

    The announcement follows the Science Secretary making his first visit since being appointed to the role, where he recently met staff at the Government Digital Service (GDS) and Central Digital and Data Office (CDDO), who have newly become part of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

  • PRESS RELEASE : DCMS Ministerial Team [July 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : DCMS Ministerial Team [July 2024]

    The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 26 July 2024.

    Department for Culture, Media and Sport ministers and portfolio details.

    The Rt Hon Lisa Nandy MP Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport

    • Overall responsibility for strategy and policy across the department

    Sir Chris Bryant MP, Minister for Creative Industries, Arts, and Tourism:

    • Arts and Libraries
    • Creative Industries
    • Museums and cultural property
    • Cultural diplomacy and soft power
    • Tourism
    • Heritage

    Stephanie Peacock MP, Minister for Sport, Media, Civil Society and Youth

    • Sport
    • Media
    • Civil Society
    • Youth
    • Ceremonials

    Baroness Fiona Twycross, Minister for Gambling

    • Gambling
  • PRESS RELEASE : Vienna Mechanism on treatment of prisoners by Belarus: Joint Statement to the OSCE [July 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Vienna Mechanism on treatment of prisoners by Belarus: Joint Statement to the OSCE [July 2024]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 26 July 2024.

    UK and others regret Belarus’ lack of response to the Vienna Mechanism of July 2024 on prison conditions and call for immediate humanitarian release of political prisoners in Belarus.

    Madam Chair,

    I am delivering this statement on behalf of the following participating States, who are members of the informal Group of Friends of Democratic Belarus: Belgium, Bulgaria,  Croatia, Czechia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, the United States, and my own country, Canada.

    The following participating States are also joining this statement: Albania, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Liechtenstein, Moldova, North Macedonia, Slovakia, Switzerland and Ukraine.

    Madam Chair,

    On July 11th, this group of participating States invoked the Vienna Mechanism and conveyed a letter to Belarus posing eleven questions regarding the conditions of detention of prisoners, and reprisals against their family members. As of today, Belarus has failed to respond  to these questions.

    In the letter, we referenced the findings of the OSCE Moscow Mechanism Expert Mission Report, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, as well as reporting from leading civil society groups. Despite repeated denials by Belarus, there is ever-increasing evidence of the use of arrest, prosecution and detention as instruments of repression, and of the systematic mistreatment and abuse of political prisoners.

    At the recent 56th session of the Human Rights Council, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus, Ms. Anaïs Marin, described ongoing deterioration, with repressive measures being used to target Belarusian citizens inside and outside the country.

    The Special Rapporteur expressed particular concern about the ill-treatment of individuals convicted on politically motivated charges. Based on corroborated witness accounts, she reported that political prisoners faced harsher treatment, were frequently subjected to solitary confinement and incommunicado detention, and prohibited from receiving correspondence, packages, and medicine. She expressed acute concern that deliberately imposed malnutrition and ill-treatment, and inappropriate or untimely health care were negatively affecting the health of many of these individuals, including cases leading to hospitalizations and even deaths.

    On July 2nd, Ms. Marin and seven other UN special rapporteurs, as well as the Working Groups on Arbitrary Detention, on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances and on Discrimination against Women and Girls issued a letter urging Belarusian authorities to pardon all imprisoned older persons jailed on political charges who were excluded from the July 2024 amnesty law. They noted that most of them are serving prison sentences of up to 25 years, some are detained in pretrial detention, and some have been subjected to compulsory psychiatric care. Several detainees suffer chronic diseases, acute or grave illnesses, and some are persons with disabilities.

    Madam Chair,

    July 14th marked the third anniversary of the detention of Ales Bialiatski, chairman of Viasna Human Rights Center, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, and winner of the Democracy Defender Initiative Award. We have heard disturbing reports about his treatment including that he has been subject to solitary confinement, that he does not receive correspondence from relatives and friends, and that he has been denied access to necessary medications and medical treatment.

    Mr. Bialiatski’s detention is tragically symbolic. His organization – Viasna  – continues to document the status of over 1400 political prisoners currently held by Belarusian authorities. These 1400 individuals, in turn, are only a fraction of the thousands of individuals who have been in and out of detention since 2020 for daring to exercise their rights to freedom of expression, freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of association.

    The response of the Belarusian authorities in this Council is only denial and obfuscation and cynical claims to “non-interference in internal affairs.”

    We remind Belarus that they have a binding obligation under international law, articulated in Article 10 of the ICCPR, to ensure that all persons in Belarus that are deprived of their liberty “shall be treated with humanity and with respect for the inherent dignity of the human person.”

    We take note of the recent release of several political prisoners. Regrettably, however, this is only a fraction of the individuals at risk.

    In their “Shadow Report” on the implementation of the Moscow Mechanism report recommendations, the Coalition of Belarusian Human Rights Organizations reported that there are at least 252 political prisoners who face significant risks of mistreatment while incarcerated, including vulnerable individuals such as those with disabilities, serious health conditions, seniors, and minors.

    On July 12th, over 50 Nobel Laureates from across the globe – authors, activists, journalists, physicians and scientists – released a joint appeal urging “Lukashenko to show humanity and compassion by freeing all citizens recognized by human rights defenders as political prisoners.”

    In this regard, we reiterate the questions posed in our letter of July 11th.

    We call on the Belarusian authorities to immediately release on humanitarian grounds all  political prisoners facing serious health issues or chronic conditions. We further call for the unconditional release of all 1400 or more political prisoners  held in Belarus and for an end to the harassment and targeting of their families.

    Finally,  we call on all OSCE participating States to ensure that extradition of Belarusian citizens to Belarus complies with international law, recognising that Belarusian human rights defenders, media workers and those in political opposition can face particular risks in Belarus.

    Thank you, Madam Chair.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK joins groundbreaking global digital trade agreement [July 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK joins groundbreaking global digital trade agreement [July 2024]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 26 July 2024.

    UK joins the first global digital trade agreement negotiated under the World Trade Organization.

    • The UK and 90 other countries have negotiated a set of new rules designed to make global trade faster, fairer, cheaper and more secure
    • Once in force the agreement will permanently ban customs duties on digital content, lower costs for UK businesses and help protect UK consumers from online fraud
    • Global adoption of digital customs systems, processes and documents could significantly grow the UK economy

    The UK has today [Friday 26 July] joined a groundbreaking agreement which is designed to grow the economy by boosting global digital trade.

    After five years of negotiations, the UK and 90 other countries have finalised the E-Commerce Joint Initiative at the World Trade Organization (WTO), which will make trade faster, cheaper, fairer and more secure. It will help British businesses, workers and consumers seize the opportunities of global digital trade, which is estimated by the OECD to be worth around £4 trillion and growing.

    Once implemented, the agreement will commit all participants to the digitalisation of customs documents and processes. This will in many cases end the need to print forms off and hand them over at customs – a slow, expensive and old-fashioned way of working.

    The signatories to this agreement will also commit to recognising e-documents and e-signatures, reducing the need for businesses to physically sign contracts and post them around the world.

    Global adoption of digital customs systems, processes and documents would increase UK GDP by up to £24.2 billion in 2023 UK GDP terms. Even partial adoption could represent a significant boost to UK GDP.

    It also commits signatories to putting in place legal safeguards against online fraudsters and misleading claims about products.

    Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:

    We are proud to play our part in securing the first ever global digital trade agreement, cutting costs for business and delivering on this government’s ambition to deliver economic growth.

    Britain is back and proudly playing her role as an outward looking trading nation. Global digital trade is already estimated by the OECD to be worth around £4 trillion and counting but no common set of global rules exist. This is a huge step forward in correcting that and ensuring British businesses feel the benefit.

    Science Secretary Peter Kyle said:

    This global agreement aims to help people use technology safely by protecting them from fraud, while driving economic growth through the digitalisation of trade so it’s faster and more secure.

    We will leave no stone unturned in our work to share the benefits of technology and drive economic growth by working with partners around the world to achieve this.

    For a UK financial services provider, doing business in any of the participating countries will require far fewer paper contracts and invoices, or manual signatures or authentication, as these will be replaced with their electronic equivalents.

    Chris Southworth, Secretary General, International Chambers of Commerce UK said:

    Businesses and economies thrive when there is one common set of rules. The E-Commerce Agreement is a major breakthrough and an excellent reminder of the power of international collaboration. It creates the environment we need to drive innovation as we transition away from archaic paper-based processes and into the modern world of data and technology.

    It is an opportunity to accelerate efforts to digitalise our borders and global supply chains, and help to remove unnecessary friction and costs that prevent SMEs from trading. This is good news for business, consumers and the economy.

    Matt Hammerstein, Head of Barclays UK Corporate Bank said:

    As co-chair of the Trade Digitisation Taskforce with ICC United Kingdom, we have worked closely with the Government to support efforts to secure the competitiveness of UK exports, champion the digitalisation of trade at scale and continue to work on streamlining processes related to fraud and financial crime risk.

    We welcome this announcement, which will help make the trade process easier for small, medium and large-sized businesses in the UK by removing paper-based barriers to trade. Barclays stands ready to play its part in supporting the success of British exports.

    Reaching this agreement is part of the government’s commitment to rebuild and strengthen global partnerships and stand up for the rules-based international order. It is an important step in modernising the global trade rulebook and furthering cooperation in the World Trade Organization.

    Not only will the E-Commerce Joint Initiative deliver new growth opportunities for the UK, it also recognises the importance of supporting developing and least-developed countries, to ensure growth and prosperity for all.

    Attention now turns to working with WTO partners to incorporate the agreement into the WTO legal framework. Once incorporated, UK ratification will take place.

    Notes to editors:

    • The outcome of the E-Commerce Joint Initiative is officially called the ‘Agreement on Electronic Commerce’.
    • Global digital trade is estimated by the OECD to be worth around $5 trillion in 2020. Converting this to sterling at the market exchange rate gives around £4 trillion. The OECD have defined this as all trade that is digitally-ordered or delivered.
    • The ‘Benefits of the digitalisation of trade processes and cross border barriers to their adoption’ report estimates that global adoption of advanced digital trading systems and e-transactions for services is associated with a rise in UK GDP of up to 0.9% and 0.1 respectively.
    • Applied to 2023 ONS UK GDP of £2,687 billion in current prices, a 0.1% increase would amount to £2.7 billion, and a 0.9% increase would amount to £24.2 billion.
  • PRESS RELEASE : World Day Against Trafficking in Persons 2024 – Joint Statement to the OSCE [July 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : World Day Against Trafficking in Persons 2024 – Joint Statement to the OSCE [July 2024]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 26 July 2024.

    Erol Özakçay Príncipe, US Mission to the OSCE, delivers a joint statement on behalf of the UK and six other OSCE participating States to mark the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.

    I am delivering this statement on behalf of Canada, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and my own country, the United States. On July 30th, we will join people around the globe to recognize the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.

    This year’s theme implores us all to Leave No Child Behind in the Fight Against Human Trafficking. In the OSCE region, children are subjected to trafficking in all its forms, including victimization for forced labor, for forced criminality, and for sexual exploitation.

    Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has precipitated the largest displacement of people in Europe since the Second World War. Ukrainian refugees and internally displaced persons continue to face a heightened risk of trafficking. Children, who globally make up an estimated one-third of trafficking victims, are especially vulnerable.  Russia’s actions have separated many Ukrainians from their families and other support networks, increasing their susceptibility to trafficking.

    Across the OSCE region, we must do more. This includes supporting prevention efforts to stop trafficking before it happens and tailoring victim protection with a focus on the needs of the child. It also means increasing the prosecution of those responsible and enhancing partnerships to tackle the transnational nature of the crime.

    We welcome holistic, victim-and survivor-centered, gender-responsive, trauma-informed, and culturally and age-appropriate care for child victims and survivors. We encourage all participating States to further adopt best practices to support them. These include establishing child-friendly spaces for care, tailoring training for service providers, and implementing national referral mechanisms that reduce the risk of re-exploitation and mitigate the lasting effects of human trafficking.

    Addressing emerging trafficking trends and the unique vulnerabilities of children to familial trafficking and extraterritorial sexual exploitation and abuse requires cross-dimensional approaches.

    Mister Chair, all young people deserve a childhood free from exploitation. We strongly support the efforts of the Special Representative Dr Kari Johnstone and her office, as well as the efforts of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights and the field missions and other teams within OSCE executive structures to combat human trafficking.

    Their work, especially to prevent and respond to trafficking amid the humanitarian crisis stemming from Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, remains essential to fulfill our OSCE commitments.

    Thank you, Madam Chair.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Over £100 million boost to quantum hubs to develop life-saving blood tests and resilient security systems [July 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Over £100 million boost to quantum hubs to develop life-saving blood tests and resilient security systems [July 2024]

    The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 26 July 2024.

    Five new quantum research hubs backed by over £100 million of government funding will deliver breakthroughs in healthcare, cybersecurity and transport.

    • Five new hubs to develop practical use of quantum technology in areas like medical scanners, secure communication networks, and next-generation positioning systems
    • the hubs will be based across the UK, in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Oxford, and London, to ensure the whole of the UK benefits from these technologies
    • researchers and businesses will work together to develop this quantum technology, supported by a total of over £100 million which will support delivery of the government’s missions to rebuild Britain

    Faster medical scanners, secure communication networks, and next-generation navigation systems are set to be realised through quantum technology, thanks to £100 million in government funding for five new research hubs.

    Announced by the Science Secretary Peter Kyle today (Friday 26 July), the hubs will bring researchers and businesses together to use their scientific expertise and talent alongside the commercial know-how and resources to develop groundbreaking quantum technologies that will directly impact people’s lives in areas like healthcare, security, and clean energy.

    The new innovations in quantum will not only help deliver the government’s first mission to kickstart economic growth by creating new technologies in hubs that can be sold and exported to drive up GDP, but by innovating in the science and technology industry, it will support the delivery of the government’s missions to rebuild Britain, with quantum technology helping to build a more efficient NHS that is fit for the future and future-proofing cyber security to keep our streets safe.

    The Science Secretary made the announcement on a visit to the University of Glasgow, who will lead one of the hubs aiming to develop quantum technologies for resilient position, navigation and timing systems in national security and critical national infrastructure. This technology can offer enhanced accuracy and reliability in sectors including aerospace, autonomous vehicles, finance, maritime, and agriculture. The hub will also develop smaller, lighter devices that use quantum technology. These devices could be used in transportation systems like roads, railways, and underground networks by replacing GPS and improving systems that help vehicles find their way.

    These new hubs will be centres for advancements in areas like quantum-enhanced blood tests, faster MRI scanners, and new surgical interventions and treatments. This could mean faster detection of diseases like cancer, allowing for earlier medical interventions and potentially saving lives. Ultimately, these breakthroughs could translate to better patient outcomes and easing pressure on our hardworking NHS.

    They will also explore technologies crucial for national security. This could see aircraft operating with improved positioning systems that are resistant to GPS jamming, or submarines able to operate for extended periods without relying on satellites. Additionally, research into a ‘quantum internet’ could create secure and future-proof communication networks, safeguarding sensitive data and communications infrastructure – helping protect citizens and the economy.

    Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, Peter Kyle, said:

    We want to see a future where cutting-edge science improves everyday lives. That is the vision behind our investment in these new quantum technology hubs, by supporting the deployment of technology that will mean faster diagnoses for diseases, critical infrastructure safe from hostile threats and cleaner energy for us all.

    This isn’t just about research; it’s about putting that research to work. These hubs will bridge the gap between brilliant ideas and practical solutions. They will not only transform sectors like healthcare and security, but also create a culture of accelerated innovation that helps to grow our economy.

    The University of Birmingham will develop advanced sensing technologies with the ability to ‘see the invisible’. This could mean detecting gas leaks before they become a danger, or pinpointing hidden objects that pose safety risks. These advancements will significantly improve public safety and infrastructure maintenance.

    These five new hubs will be led by leading universities across the UK and will work closely with industry partners. This collaboration ensures that research translates into real-world applications that benefit the public. The Quantum Technology Hubs are:

    • The UK Quantum Biomedical Sensing Research Hub (University College London and University of Cambridge): Explores quantum sensors for ultra-sensitive disease diagnosis, including rapid blood tests, and biomedical scanners to facilitate earlier diagnosis and treatment of diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer’s disease.
    • UK Quantum Technology Hub in Sensing, Imaging and Timing (University of Birmingham): Focuses on the development of quantum sensing for practical applications – brain scanners for dementia, cancer diagnostics, and advanced security and infrastructure monitoring.
    • Integrated Quantum Networks Quantum Technology Hub (Heriot-Watt University): Aims to deliver the technologies for a future UK-wide ‘quantum internet’, enabling future-proof cybersecurity and powerful distributed quantum computing.
    • Hub for Quantum Computing via Integrated and Interconnected Implementations (University of Oxford): Develops technologies for building quantum computers, advancing UK capabilities across hardware and software and targeting applications in a wide range of industry sectors.
    • The UK Hub for Quantum Enabled Position, Navigation and Timing (University of Glasgow): Creates quantum-based positioning and navigation systems for critical infrastructure, autonomous vehicles, and improved indoor and underwater navigation.

    The hubs will be delivered by the UKRI Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), with a £106 million investment from EPSRC, the UKRI Biotechnology and Biological Research Council, UKRI Medical Research Council, and the National Institute for Health and Care Research.

    EPSRC Executive Chair Professor Charlotte Deane said:

    Technologies harnessing quantum properties will provide unparalleled power and capacity for analysis at a molecular level, with truly revolutionary possibilities across everything from healthcare to infrastructure and computing.

    The five Quantum Technology Hubs announced today will harness the UK’s expertise to foster innovation, support growth and ensure that we capitalise on the profound opportunities of this transformative technology.

    The government’s investment in these quantum hubs signifies a commitment to developing technologies that directly improve people’s lives. From revolutionising healthcare to bolstering national security, these hubs have the potential to shape a safer, healthier, and more secure future for all.

    Notes to editors

    Supportive quotes from the quantum hubs:

    Professor Gerald Buller, Director of the IQN Hub, said:

    The Integrated Quantum Networks Hub will provide the underpinning research required towards the establishment of a UK-wide quantum network. Harnessing excellent research from a wide range of partners, it will delivering quantum networks at different scales, from local data centres to inter-city links and up to global satellite connections. Establishing a widescale quantum internet could have impact across all sectors, predominantly allowing future-proof security for data communications, as well as linking up quantum computers and sensors with benefits ranging from healthcare to materials research, artificial intelligence and many others.

    Professor Rachel McKendry, Co-Director of the Q-BIOMED Hub, said:

    Q-BIOMED is the first UK Quantum Research Hub dedicated to health and positions the UK at the forefront of this exciting new field globally. We are bringing together an outstanding team of researchers from academia, the NHS, charities, government, regulators and industry to help accelerate advances in quantum for human health and societal good. The ultimate beneficiaries of earlier diagnosis will be patients through faster access to life- saving treatment, and the NHS though more cost-effective models of care. We also hope to grow an innovation ecosystem working with industry and international networks of excellence with leading researchers worldwide.

    Professor Douglas Paul, Project Lead for the QEPNT Hub, said:

    Much of the UK’s critical infrastructure relies on the accurate measurements of time, direction and speed which enable us to stay in constant contact with communications satellites. Currently, those connections are vulnerable to disruption through technical problems or deliberate malicious actions like signal-jamming.

    If those connections are lost for any reason, it would have a huge impact on key industries like energy, finance, communications and transport, causing an estimated economic loss of a billion pounds a day until service is restored.

    This new hub will support the development of new and improved forms of atomic clocks, quantum gyroscopes and quantum accelerometers. Those technologies, integrated into portable and affordable future devices, will help reduce our reliance on satellites by providing new ways to locally measure position, navigation and timing.

    Unlike current technologies, they will work indoors, underground and in all weathers, helping to bolster the UK’s national security and offering new applications for industry.

    Professor Michael Holynski, Director of QuSIT, said:

    We are delighted to form a new Quantum Technology Hub in sensing. Our aim is to accelerate the commercial development of quantum sensing, imaging and timing devices, which will result in real societal and economic benefits.

    We look forward to working closely with our partners, the other new QT Hubs, our funders EPSRC, and the wider academic and industry communities to ensure quantum technologies deliver their best for society.

    Professor Dominic O’Brien, Director of the QCI3 Hub, said:

    The QCI3 Hub brings together industry, academia and government partners to deliver new applications, ideas and innovations that will advance the field of quantum computing, impacting areas such as materials science, chemistry, finance and logistics. The Hub will train a new generation of scientists and engineers, providing the critical skills for a UK quantum economy, whilst also developing the commercial skills needed for those looking to play key roles in the UK’s growing quantum industry. Our rich partner network will ensure that our research is grounded around real-world problems and that we are able to transfer technology out of the lab to make meaningful impact.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Young aviators encouraged to Reach for the Sky in skills and outreach programme [July 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Young aviators encouraged to Reach for the Sky in skills and outreach programme [July 2024]

    The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 26 July 2024.

    Giving young people from under-represented groups the opportunity to pursue a career in aviation.

    • Aviation Minister rallies industry to get more people to choose a career in aviation through skills and outreach scheme
    • latest funding adds to £1.5 million funding for skills training, with wider outreach having already propelled 100,000 young people into the sector
    • recipients include 18-year-old aspiring pilot from north London making his dreams of becoming a commercial pilot a reality

    Young people from underrepresented groups will be able to pursue a career in aviation thanks to new government funding for an aviation skills and outreach programme.

    Launched today (26 July 2024) by Aviation Minister, Mike Kane,this latest round of funding for the skills and outreach programme, Reach for the Sky, serves as a way for young people aged 4 to 18 from under-represented groups that may not otherwise have had the opportunity to pursue a career in aviation, to do so.

    Now in its third year, organisations can from today apply for a share of £750,000 that will help them deliver outreach programmes which will provide events, taster days, mentorship schemes and educational initiatives with schools and universities – building on the government’s promise to secure the long-term future of aviation and give young people the opportunities they deserve.

    Aviation Minister, Mike Kane, said:

    Our aviation industry is one of the best in the world and it’s the talented people within it that makes it so successful – the primary purpose of leadership is to create new leaders.

    Having a diverse workforce that can effectively address future challenges – from growing passenger demand to decarbonisation – is crucial and our Reach for the Sky Challenge Fund is inspiring the next generation to be part of this ever-growing travel sector.

    Several barriers hinder people from joining the aviation industry – including limited access to further education, financial constraints, and lack of exposure to career pathways.

    With only 5% of pilots being women, fewer black young people being exposed to aviation opportunities than their white peers, and almost three quarters of airline staff based in London and the South East, both government and industry are working together to ensure the industry is open to everyone.

    Reach for the Sky brings fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to the table, and this new pot of funding will add to the £1.5 million already provided. Outreach programmes supported by the Department for Transport (DfT) have already helped over 100,000 young people discover a career in aviation.

    Previous recipients of DfT-funded schemes include 18-year-old aspiring pilot Joshua Merchan-Nicholls from Finchley, North London. Since 2021, he has been tirelessly working towards a career as a commercial pilot – a dream he’s had since he was 7 years old – and was recently awarded a gliding scholarship from the Air League as part of the DfT-funded Soaring to Success programme.

    The Air League, aimed at breaking down barriers into the aviation industry, offers a range of scholarships, volunteering programmes and events for people of all backgrounds, and has recently celebrated its 12,000th recipient.  Not only is Joshua hoping to start a pilot training course, but he has also set his heart on helping young people from similar backgrounds achieve rewarding careers in aviation.

    Joshua Merchan-Nicholls said:

    I was 7 when I first imagined myself as a pilot and I’ve followed this dream ever since. Thanks to the Air League, I received a gliding scholarship in 2022, which gave me my first experience of solo flying and made me even more enthusiastic!

    I’m grateful that these organisations exist because they open opportunities for people like me who always wanted to fly and they show the possibility of a career to people who hadn’t considered it before. It’s great that the government is supporting young people like this.

    Claire MacAleese, Chair of the Air League, said:

    For 115 years the Air League has been inspiring the aviators of tomorrow. The Department for Transport’s Reach for the Sky programme is an important part of keeping that momentum going. Reach for the Sky has been pivotal to our Soaring to Success programme over the past 2 years and more than 20,000 state school students have engaged in learning about a career in aviation and our flying days as a result.

    As the industry undergoes a revolution driven by technology, decarbonisation and passenger experience, creating a more inclusive and accessible pathway into the exciting world of aviation is crucial to its continuing success.

    Sophie Jones, Head of Organisational Capability and STEM Sponsor at UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said:

    The aerospace sector will stall without young people with new ideas and innovations joining it.

    The Reach for the Sky Challenge fund brings in people from diverse backgrounds to gain skills and pursue fantastic careers in aerospace.

    As the regulator we are committed to inspiring the next generation to get their feet off the ground and Reach for the Sky helps fund our extensive STEM program.

    Applications for the fund are now open until September 2024 and decisions will be agreed upon by a joint panel of DfT and the CAA – which administers the fund on DfT’s behalf.