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Tag: Press Release

  • PRESS RELEASE : “Setting out a horizon for a Palestinian state should be one of the vital conditions for moving from a pause in the fighting to a sustainable ceasefire.” [May 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : “Setting out a horizon for a Palestinian state should be one of the vital conditions for moving from a pause in the fighting to a sustainable ceasefire.” [May 2024]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 10 May 2024.

    Explanation of vote by Ambassador Barbara Woodward on the General Assembly resolution on Palestinian UN membership, rights and privileges.

    Thank you, President. The UK remains firmly committed to a two-state solution that guarantees security and stability for both the Israeli and the Palestinian people.

    As we said in the Security Council last month, we are abstaining on this resolution because we believe that the first step towards achieving this goal is resolving the immediate crisis in Gaza. The fastest way to end the conflict is to secure a deal which gets the hostages out and allows for a pause in the fighting in Gaza. We must, then, work together to turn that pause into a sustainable, permanent ceasefire.

    Setting out a horizon for a Palestinian state should be one of the vital conditions for moving from a pause in the fighting to a sustainable ceasefire. Recognising a Palestinian State, including at the UN, should be part of that process. As my Foreign Secretary has said, “while this shouldn’t be at the start of a new process, it doesn’t have to be at the very end of the process”.

    President, we remain deeply concerned about the prospect of a major operation in Rafah. We are clear that we would not support this unless there is a very clear plan for how to protect civilians, who must be safe and able to access food, water and medical care. We have not seen that plan, so in these circumstances we would not support a major operation in Rafah.

    The UK is doing all it can to reach a long-term solution to this crisis. In addition to our support for a deal which would secure a pause in the fighting and the immediate release of all hostages, we are pushing as hard as we can to get aid to Palestinian civilians; working with partners to deescalate the situation in the region; and building momentum towards a lasting peace.

    The UK has offered the Palestinian Authority our support as the new Palestinian government implements much-needed reforms. An effective Palestinian Authority is vital for lasting peace and progress towards a two-state solution.

    And just as the PA must act, so must Israel. This means releasing frozen funds, halting settlement expansion and holding to account those responsible for extremist settler violence. Last week, the UK announced a second package of sanctions targeting individuals and groups directly responsible for egregious violence against Palestinian civilians. The Israeli authorities must put a stop to this.

    President, in conclusion, we will continue to work urgently to bring the Gaza conflict to a sustainable end as quickly as possible, and to build a credible and irreversible pathway towards a two-state solution and lasting peace.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Child rapists to automatically have parental responsibility stripped [May 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Child rapists to automatically have parental responsibility stripped [May 2024]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 10 May 2024.

    Vile abusers who rape a child will have their own parental responsibilities automatically removed under new laws.

    • paedophile rapists will automatically lose the right to have a say in their child’s life
    • innocent parents saved from instigating and funding court battles
    • changes to Criminal Justice Bill build on landmark Jade’s Law

    An amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill tabled by the government today (10 May 2024) will mean when child rapists are sentenced, their ability to make decisions about their own children’s lives will also be suspended.

    The change will apply in cases where the perpetrator attacks any child.

    This builds on Jade’s Law, introduced through the Victims and Prisoners Bill currently progressing through the Lords, which applies an automatic suspension of parental responsibility in cases where a perpetrator has killed a partner or ex-partner with whom they share children.

    Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary, Alex Chalk KC, said:

    Our priority will always be to make sure the best interests of children are protected.

    This new law will ensure they are automatically safeguarded against those whose despicable actions have shown them to utterly lack any nurturing and caring instincts.

    This amendment will also provide important protections for innocent parents.

    While the courts do have the power to strip parental responsibility when it is in the best interest of a child, currently it requires families and former partners of perpetrators to instigate and fund proceedings to secure these orders to protect their children. Costs for these types of proceedings can run into tens of thousands of pounds.

    However, under the new rule, parental responsibility will be automatically suspended.

    It means the perpetrator will no longer have any say over key elements of a child’s life – including whether they can access therapeutic support, go on holiday or change schools.

    The case will then be referred to the family courts, and it will be for the perpetrator to prove to a judge it is in the child’s best interests for their parental responsibility to be reinstated.

    Justice Minister, Laura Farris, said:

    It is right that those who commit the most vile and unspeakable act against children should have their parental responsibility automatically removed rather than this being something the innocent parent is required to apply for.

    I want to thank those who have campaigned for this change including Harriet Harman and Sanchia Berg for bringing this issue to the fore.

    The new law will be subject to a review after three years to ensure it is working for victims and innocent parties, and to evaluate how the power may be developed.

    The government also tabled amendments to the Criminal Justice Bill to:

    • Introduce a new offence of creating a sexually explicit deepfake image, meaning anyone who creates such an image without consent for their own sexual gratification or to cause alarm, humiliation or distress faces a criminal record and unlimited fine.
    • Create a new statutory aggravating factor to tackle offenders who cause death through abusive, degrading or dangerous sexual behaviour meaning so-called ‘rough sex’ killers face tougher sentences than ever before.
    • Strengthen the law on sexual activity in the presence of a child, removing the need to prove the perpetrators knew, believed, or intended that the child was aware of the sexual act ensuring no prosecutions are missed.
    • Update the language of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, to make crystal clear in law and to the public that spiking is illegal.

    The government previously amended the Victims and Prisoners Bill to introduce an automatic suspension of parental responsibility in tragic cases where one parent has killed the other, also known as ‘Jade’s Law’.

    This law is named after Jade Ward, who was murdered by her former partner in 2021. Her family campaigned tirelessly to change the law after her murderer was able to continue to take part in decisions relating to their four children inflicting further trauma on them and Jade’s parents.

    Notes to editors

    • Under this new approach local authorities will be responsible for making the application to the family courts, shielding the families involved from the burden of initiating proceedings and meeting legal costs. MOJ will be funding the additional costs this will create for local authorities via the New Burdens process.
    • The family court ‘review’ stage will allow for detailed consideration of the best interests of any children involved in the case, the cornerstone of the Children Act 1989. It will also provide an opportunity for the perpetrator to make representations as to why they feel they should retain their parental responsibility, in line with Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
    • In determining the child’s welfare needs, the family court will apply the factors set out in the ‘welfare checklist’ in the Children Act 1989. These include the ascertainable wishes and feelings of the child concerned, the impact on the child of any change in circumstances, and how capable each parent is of meeting the child’s needs. The court will also consider any harm the child has suffered or is at risk of suffering.
    • Parental responsibility can already be restricted by the court through a range of orders if it is in the best interests of the child. In the most serious cases, this can effectively amount to restricting all exercise of parental responsibility. These types of orders include Prohibited Steps Orders and Specific Issues Orders and they can be made whether the parent has been convicted of a crime or not.
    • The family court can also prevent an individual attempting to repeatedly bring issues back before the court as a form of abuse through measures such as a Section 91(14) Order. These orders prohibit an individual from making further applications without the court’s permission, for example in cases where a perpetrator may seek to repeatedly bring a victim back to court as a means of perpetuating their abuse.
  • PRESS RELEASE : More than 1,000 newly-refurbished homes for UK families [May 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : More than 1,000 newly-refurbished homes for UK families [May 2024]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 10 May 2024.

    Over a thousand properties have been brought back into use for the Armed Forces and their families thanks to £400m investment in military accommodation.

    • Military accommodation refurbishments mean over 1,000 properties available to home personnel and their families
    • £400 million programme of military housing investment
    • Heat efficiency improvements in more than 4,000 properties

    Over a thousand properties have been brought back into use for the Armed Forces and their families thanks to £400m investment in military accommodation, it has been announced today (10 May).

    The programme of extensive refurbishments to long-term, so called ‘void’ houses, launched in September last year following a £400m additional investment by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) into military homes.

    The programme of works has allowed the MOD to significantly increase the number of high-quality homes available to service families.

    Minister for Defence Procurement, James Cartlidge, said:

    Improving accommodation for our service personnel and their families is a top priority – that’s why we are investing an additional £400 million into maintaining and upgrading homes.

    I am grateful for the collaborative work between the Defence Infrastructure Organisation and contractors to ensure as many of our people as possible have access to high-quality homes, which will include damp and mould improvements to around 5,000 properties.

    One beneficiary of the refurbishment programme has been Corporal Tom Amponsah-Dadzie, who serves with the Royal Logistic Corps. He has recently moved, along with his wife and children, into one of the newly available properties in Aldershot, Hampshire.

    He said:

    This new home is one of the best places I have ever lived in – I can’t express the reaction on the face of my wife when she saw the house for the first time. She couldn’t stop talking about it, she took so many pictures of everywhere. But not only her, my Army friends when they come to visit always ask if this is a military house.  They keep thinking it’s a newly purchased home.

    On a personal level, living in a house like this brings excitement and peace to my life. Coming home makes me happy. The house allows me to sleep well at night and gives me peace of mind during the day so I can carry out my job effectively.

    The houses that have benefited from the refurbishments were previously deemed uninhabitable, primarily due to their age and condition. The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), working alongside contractors VIVO Defence Services and Amey, have carried out the works with funds prioritised for accommodation, allocated through last year’s Defence Command Paper Refresh.

    Over a thousand properties across the UK, including 142 in Tidworth, Wiltshire; 134 in Aldershot, Hampshire; 48 in Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, and 41 in Catterick, Yorkshire, have all now undergone the extensive work needed to bring them back to the required standard. Works varied from new kitchens and bathrooms to new boilers carpets and curtains.

    A number of properties have had a full refurbishment, including rewiring, new heating, new doors and windows, internal redecoration work and external work to outside spaces. All completed houses are now warm, comfortable, safe, more energy efficient and, most importantly, available to military personnel and their families.

    In addition to the refurbishment, DIO is also carrying out work to more than 4,000 properties to improve their thermal efficiency. New doors, windows, roofs, and external wall insulation will act to prevent issues with damp and mould and reduce the overall cost of living for service families.

    Phil Riley, Director of Accommodation at DIO, said:

    Improving the standard of Service Family Accommodation is my top priority, I’m delighted to see the tremendous work that has been done to ensure high-quality homes have been made available to our service families.

    These high-standard refurbishments, along with the steps taken to improve ventilation and thermal efficiency, are making Service family homes more energy efficient and resilient to issues such as damp and mould. DIO will continue to work closely and collaboratively with our contractors to build on the progress made.

    Jerry Moloney, Managing Director of VIVO Defence Services, said:

    We at VIVO are very proud of the part we have played bringing such a quantity of previously uninhabitable homes back into use.

    Our teams have worked at exceptional pace since last summer transforming these unused properties into high-quality, energy efficient homes, ready for Service personnel and their families to move into.

    Tom Silvey, Business Director Defence at Amey said:

    Amey is proud to have demonstrated consistently high standards throughout an extremely challenging programme. The properties have been expertly refurbished in the Central and North regions, increasing the housing options for Service families and providing comfortable and modern homes that are sustainable for the long-term.

    We are now building on this success by piloting an initiative across our contracts that will see additional staff specifically tasked with managing voids. This will reduce turnaround times and ensure quicker delivery of homes for families.

    Of the thousand homes, VIVO Defence has refurbished 667 homes across southeast and southwest England and Amey has completed 195 across the central and northern regions. Due to the large number of refurbishments works to be completed in a short timeframe, DIO engaged Mitie to deliver 180 in the North and Central Regions.

    In addition to the refurbishment programme, Amey has carried out External Wall Insulation (EWI) to hundreds of homes across sites in Woodbridge, East Anglia; Catterick, North Yorkshire and Old Dalby, East Midlands.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Treasured pets to be safer as microchipping deadline approaches [May 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Treasured pets to be safer as microchipping deadline approaches [May 2024]

    The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 10 May 2024.

    Mandatory microchipping of cats will help reunite thousands of lost or stray pets every year.

    Cat owners are today being urged to have their pets microchipped ahead of new legislation coming into force on 10 June to keep treasured pets safe.

    The legal deadline was previously confirmed in legislation laid in March 2023, following a Government call for evidence and consultation on the issue in December 2020, in which 99% of respondents expressed support for the measure.

    With the number of pet cats in England now more than 9 million, the introduction of mandatory microchipping will make it easier for lost or stray pet cats to be reunited with their owners and returned home safely. Microchipping is proven to be the most effective method for identifying lost pets, with microchipped dogs more than twice as likely to be reunited with their owner.

    Microchips are safe and easy to implant with an average cost of around £25 for microchipping and registration. Often, charities and reputable cat rescue organisations may be able to microchip your cat for a reduced rate.

    The process of microchipping involves the insertion of a chip, generally around the size of a grain of rice, under the skin of a pet. The microchip has a unique serial number that the keeper needs to register on a database. When an animal is found, the microchip can be read with a scanner and the registered keeper identified on a database so the pet can quickly be reunited with them.

    The introduction of mandatory microchipping follows a public consultation where there was overwhelming support for the measure. Owned cats must be microchipped before reaching 20 weeks of age, with their contact details stored and kept up to date in a pet microchipping database.

    UK Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss said:

    Microchipping is by far the most effective and quickest way of identifying lost pets. As we’ve seen with dog microchipping, those who are microchipped are more than twice as likely to be reunited with their owner.

    I urge all owners to ensure their cat is microchipped before the legal deadline so they can increase the likelihood that they will be reunited with their beloved pet in the event of it going missing.

    British Veterinary Association President Anna Judson said:

    Microchipping is a safe, simple technology that can have a big impact; enabling vets to reunite hundreds of lost, stray and stolen cats with their families each year, and allowing injured cats to be quickly identified and treated. With the deadline for compulsory microchipping fast approaching we urge owners with unchipped cats to make an appointment with their practice today. If you have any concerns or are unsure if your cat needs to be chipped, please speak to your vet.

    Battersea’s Head of Policy and Public Affairs, Michael Webb, said:

    Last year more than two thirds of the cats brought to our centres were sadly not microchipped, making it incredibly difficult for us to trace an owner or help the cat return home.

    Now that owners will be required to get their pet cats microchipped and keep their details up to date, rescues like Battersea can reunite more missing cats, and owners can avoid the devastation of losing their pet. We would urge anyone who hasn’t yet got their cat microchipped to do so as soon as possible ahead of the change in law next month. It’s a simple and painless procedure and an up-to-date microchip is the easiest way for missing pets to be reunited with their worried owners.

    Alice Potter, Cat Welfare Expert at the RSPCA said:

    We all want the best for our cats and microchipping them is a responsible and kind part of pet ownership as it means should your pet become lost, stolen, or injured, they can more easily be reunited with you.

    In one month, cat microchipping becomes mandatory for all cat owners, so – as we strive to create a better world for every kind – we’d urge owners who haven’t got their cat microchipped yet to contact their vet to book an appointment.

    Being on the frontline of animal rescue, we have seen cats coming into our care who are sadly not microchipped and may never be reunited with their owners. We’ve also rescued cats who have been microchipped, but the details haven’t been kept up-to-date which is arguably even more frustrating as it means cats spend a long time in our care whilst we fruitlessly try to contact the owner with out of date information. But we’ve also seen countless stories of cats who have been missing days, weeks, months, years and even decades, being reunited with their owners thanks to a tiny microchip – showing what this change of legislation will achieve for animal welfare.

    Madison Rogers, Head of Advocacy, Campaigns and Government Relations for Cats Protection said:

    With just one month to go, it’s vitally important that all pet cats are microchipped with the details kept up to date. It isn’t a question of just doing it because it’s the law. Microchipping a pet cat vastly improves the chances of a happy reunion should they go missing as it’s a safe and permanent means of identification that remains with a cat for their lifetime.

    No matter how far from home they are found, or how long they have been missing, if a cat has a microchip there is a good chance they can be swiftly returned home.

    This legislation forms part of wider work to reform microchipping and clamp down on pet theft by taking forward key recommendations from the Pet Theft Task Force. We recently announced reforms to the pet microchipping system including making microchip records easier to access, improving the accuracy of microchip information, and standardising database operator processes. We have also confirmed Government support for the Pet Abduction Bill.

    This forms part of a wider Government effort to build on our existing world-leading animal welfare standards. Since publishing the Action Plan for Animal Welfare in 2021, we have brought in new laws to recognise animal sentience and introduced tougher penalties for animal cruelty offences.

    ENDS

    Notes to editors

    • Microchipping is not compulsory for free living cats that live with little or no human interaction or dependency, such as farm, feral or community cats.
    • Owners failing to comply by June 10, 2024, could face a fine of up to £500.
    • The new microchipping rules follow a Government call for evidence and consultation on the issue in which 99% of respondents expressed support for the measure. The introduction of compulsory cat microchipping was a manifesto commitment and an Action Plan for Animal Welfare pledge.
  • PRESS RELEASE : Announcement of reappointments – Defra’s Science Advisory Council [May 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Announcement of reappointments – Defra’s Science Advisory Council [May 2024]

    The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 10 May 2024.

    The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has confirmed the reappointment of four members to the Science Advisory Council.

    The Secretary of State has confirmed the reappointment of 4 members to the Science Advisory Council for a second term of 3 years. These members are:

    • Professor Lisa Collins
    • Professor Nicholas Hanley
    • Professor Susan Owens
    • Professor Richard Bardgett

    Members are reappointed for a further 3-year term taking effect on 6 July 2024 and expiring on 5 July 2027.

    The reappointments have been made in accordance with the Ministerial Governance Code on Public Appointments published by the Cabinet Office. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process.

    There is a requirement for appointees’ political activity (if significant) to be declared. All candidates declared that they have not taken part in any significant political activity in the past 5 years.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Leading tech firms invest over £2 billion in the UK in one week [May 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Leading tech firms invest over £2 billion in the UK in one week [May 2024]

    The press release issued by HM Treasury on 10 May 2024.

    Major investments have been made in the past week alone.

    • Over £2 billion invested by world leading tech companies in the UK this week
    • AI firm CoreWeave are investing £1 billion in the UK
    • Comes as the Chancellor visits the Siemens Healthineers site, marked for a new factory supporting more than 1,300 skilled jobs

    The Chancellor has welcomed the “safe bet” world leading tech and AI companies are making in Britain, as over £2 billion of investment in the UK has been secured in a single week.

    Supporting more than 1,300 skilled jobs, Siemens Healthineers have today announced that they are investing £250 million to design and manufacture superconducting magnets for MRI scanners at a new Siemens Healthineers facility in North Oxfordshire.

    This comes as world leading AI firm CoreWeave are also investing £1 billion in the UK, as well as confirming their new European Headquarters will be based in the capital.

    These two UK data centres will be opened in 2024, with a further expansion planned in 2025, helping secure the necessary processing power for machine learning and AI, graphics and rendering, life sciences and real-time streaming.

    This £2 billion investment also follows Scale AI, the data infrastructure company for AI, selecting London as the location for its first European headquarters.

    Earlier this week, Wayve announced they had secured over $1.05 billion to develop the next generation of AI-powered self-driving vehicles in the UK.  Founded in the UK in 2017, Wayve is a home-grown British success story and a testament to the UK’s global leadership in creating the economic and regulatory conditions for start-ups in the AI and self-driving vehicle industries to grow and thrive.

    Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt said:

    Businesses are making a safe bet in Britain. We have attracted the third highest amount of greenfield foreign direct investment since 2010 and the UK accounts for around half of all AI private capital investment in Europe. We really are turning a corner, and the businesses of the future agree.

    The UK accounts for around half of all AI private capital investment in Europe and hundreds more AI companies are starting up in the UK every year, growing our economy and creating highly-skilled, well-paid jobs. The AI sector employs more than 50,000 people in the UK and contributes more than £3.7 billion to our economy every year. By 2035, our AI market is forecast to grow to over $1 trillion.

    Taken together, these investments cement the UK’s position as a world leader in the AI and tech industry and builds on our strong record of attracting the best and biggest investments from world leading AI companies.

    Bernd Montag, Chief Executive of Siemens Healthineers said:

    MRI technology plays a vital role in diagnosing disease, helping patients to get healthy and stay healthy. As a world leader in medical imaging, we are very proud to open the next chapter of our history here in Oxford.

    This factory will be the global centre for our innovative low-helium magnet technology, meaning we consume far less of a scarce natural resource and enable access to MRIs for many more patients.

    Mike Intrator, Cofounder and Chief Executive Officer, CoreWeave said:

    We are seeing unprecedented demand for AI infrastructure and London is an important AI hub that we are investing in. Expanding our physical footprint in the UK is an important milestone in the next phase of CoreWeave’s growth.

    CoreWeave’s infrastructure will fill a void in the cloud market by providing AI enterprises with localized high-performance compute solutions that will help build and deploy the next generation of AI applications.

    Secretary of State for Science, Innovation, and Technology Michelle Donelan said:

    I have always said that the proof will be in the pudding when it comes to cementing the UK’s place as a technology superpower – and there is no better proof than the fact that our tech sector has received £2billion of private investment in a single week! Time and again, world leading tech companies are choosing the UK to invest in – bringing new jobs and opportunities for people to gain valuable skills.

    Siemens, Wayve, CoreWeave, ScaleAI – these are major players that countries all across Europe and the world are keen to attract. Yet it is our unique, agile and highly-ambitious tech ecosystem that I have proudly helped to build that is winning the race for the UK.

    Some of the world’s biggest AI companies including Open AI and Anthropic have also chosen London as the base for their first international offices in a huge vote of confidence in our approach to AI. Microsoft recently announced a new AI hub in London, and one of the leaders in the field, Google DeepMind was also founded here over a decade ago and remains in the UK to this day.

    We also have a world-leading AI and tech industry in the UK which is continuing to grow. The UK is only the 3rd country (behind the US and China) in the world to have a tech sector valued at over $1 trillion in total. The UK is also home to 3rd highest number of AI companies and private capital investment in AI in the world.

    The single biggest way we’re backing businesses is by creating the economic conditions for them to thrive, which is why we have worked with the Bank of England to reduce inflation from over 11.5 to 3.2%, this means that wages have been rising faster than inflation for nine months in a row.

    Because the economy has turned a corner we can cuts taxes, including our cuts to National Insurance worth £900 for the average worker, and full expensing which effectively cuts corporation tax by more than £50 billion to help firms invest for less – the biggest business tax cut in modern British history.

    Further information

    • CoreWeave is a specialized GPU cloud provider, designed to power the most complex workloads with customized solutions at scale. The company’s portfolio of cutting-edge technology delivers a broad range of capabilities for machine learning and AI, graphics and rendering, life sciences, real-time streaming, and more. Its world-class teams, talent, and engineering prowess bring unmatched speed-to-market for advanced compute. CoreWeave operates a growing footprint of data centres covering every region of the US. It was founded in 2017 and is based in New Jersey.
    • Siemens Healthineers pioneers breakthroughs in healthcare. For everyone. Everywhere. Sustainably. The company is a global provider of healthcare equipment, solutions and services, with activities in more than 180 countries and direct representation in more than 70. As a leading medical technology company, Siemens Healthineers is committed to improving access to healthcare for underserved communities worldwide and is striving to overcome the most threatening diseases. The company is principally active in the areas of imaging, diagnostics, cancer care and minimally invasive therapies, augmented by digital technology and artificial intelligence. In fiscal 2023, which ended on September 30, 2023, Siemens Healthineers had approximately 71,000 employees worldwide and generated revenue of around €21.7 billion.
    • Further information on the Wayve investment.
    • Further information on the Scale AI European headquarters.
  • PRESS RELEASE : Change of His Majesty’s Ambassador to Sweden: Ms Samantha Job [May 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Change of His Majesty’s Ambassador to Sweden: Ms Samantha Job [May 2024]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 10 May 2024.

    Ms Samantha Job CMG MVO has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Sweden in succession to Ms Judith Gough CMG.

    Curriculum Vitae

    Full name: Samantha Louise Job

    Date Role
    2023 to present Full time language training
    2019 to 2022 FCDO, Director, Defence and International Security
    2016 to 2019  Washington, Counsellor, Foreign and Security Policy
    2013 to 2015  FCO, Joint Head, North Africa Department (Job Share)
    2010 to 2012  FCO, Deputy Head, Digital Diplomacy Department
    2004 to 2008  UK Mission to the United Nations, First Secretary (New Threats, Counter Terrorism and Counter-Proliferation)
    2003 to 2004 FCO, Head, European Security and Defence Policy, Security Policy Department
    2001 to 2003 FCO, Head, Weapons of Mass Destruction Export Controls, Non-Proliferation Department
    1999 to 2001 FCO, Head, War Crimes Section and International Criminal Court Bill, United Nations Department
    1994 to 1999 Bangkok, Full Time Language Training (Thai), then Second Secretary (Political)
    1992 to 1994 FCO, Desk Officer, Libya/Tunisia then Middle East Peace Process, Near East and North Africa Department
  • PRESS RELEASE : New bomb disposal robots for the British Army [May 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : New bomb disposal robots for the British Army [May 2024]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 10 May 2024.

    New high-tech bomb disposal robots will provide greater protection for soldiers and the public in a new deal for the British Army announced today (10 May).

    • High-tech robots will protect soldiers and the public from variety of threats including explosives and hazardous materials.
    • Can operate in narrow spaces, tough terrain, and climb stairs.
    • £21m investment will see 50 robots delivered by end of the year.

    New high-tech bomb disposal robots will provide greater protection for soldiers and the public in a new deal for the British Army announced today (10 May).

    50 of the T4 bomb disposal robots will be able to be used in situations of bomb and hazardous material disposal, helping the explosives team who attend thousands of call outs every year, all over the country. This will greatly reduce the risk to service personnel and the public when neutralising bomb and chemical threats.

    A £21 million contract with L3 Harris Technologies – based in Tewkesbury – will deliver with the first T4 units before the end of 2024.

    Adept at navigating narrow urban spaces, with its tough all terrain treads and adjustable manipulation arm, the T4 can operate in narrow aisles of planes, trains and buses and can even climb stairs.

    Advanced controls, high-definition cameras and lightning-fast datalinks will enable the operator of the T4 to perform complex tasks like unzipping bags and opening glove boxes from a safe distance.

    We are ensuring that our Armed Forces have the best kit available, and we have recently announced plans to spend 2.5% of GDP on defence by 2030 – meaning an additional £75 billion spent over the next six years

    Minister for Defence Procurement, James Cartlidge said:

    Procuring this high tech robot means that we can provide our forces with the tools they need to safely handle a range explosive threats.

    Rapidly delivering uncrewed systems, like the T4, that ensure our armed forces can safely face future threats is a key part of our Drone Defence Strategy.

    Weighing in at just over 100kg, the T4s are significantly smaller and nimbler than their bigger brother – the 300kg T7 UGV –­­ and will be used as the rapid response system for emergency situations as its compact size means it can be transported in a standard 4×4 vehicle.

    However, both models use ‘advanced haptic feedback’ which allow operators to ‘feel’ their way through the intricate process of disarming devices from a safe distance, reducing the risk to life of the explosive ordnance operators.

    The systems, which underwent rigorous testing, have been contracted by Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), the procurement arm of the UK MOD and include an initial three years of in-service maintenance and repair support.

    Major General Lizzie Faithfull-Davies, Director Land Equipment at DE&S, said:

    I’m incredibly proud of the project team at DE&S, who have worked with their industry partner to harness available cutting-edge technology and have identified a critical capability that can respond to hostile explosive threats and help in keeping the wider general public safe.

    The T4’s will enter service with the 29 EOD & Search Group and the Diving Threat and Exploitation Group, Royal Gibraltar Regiment (RG) and Cyprus Operational Support Unit (COSU).

    Ed Zoiss, President, Space and Airborne Systems, L3Harris, said:

    The T4 EOD robots are the world’s most capable robot for operations in crowded and difficult environments like subways, airports and even hospitals.

    These highly advanced, durable robots provide best-in-class mobility and uncompromised performance to protect human lives.

    We’re honoured to continue working with the U.K. Ministry of Defence as they provide this technology to the British Army.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Levelling Up Partnerships rolled out in Scotland for first time [May 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Levelling Up Partnerships rolled out in Scotland for first time [May 2024]

    The press release issued by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 10 May 2024.

    Dundee announced as first place in Scotland to benefit from tailored Levelling Up Partnerships .

    Dundee has been chosen as the first area in Scotland to benefit from a major tailored regeneration programme designed to support communities across the UK.

    The city will receive a £20 million Levelling Up Partnership from the UK Government designed to root out inequalities by attracting investment and increasing opportunities for local people, including by building a new Dundee and Angus College campus to boost skills.

    The investment will help tackle barriers to growth and turbo-charge regeneration, and the UK Government will be working hand-in-hand with local leaders to ensure this makes a major difference to people’s lives. This investment follows the £2.6 million for the V&A Dundee announced at Spring Budget.

    Levelling Up Partnerships, first announced in the 2023 Spring Budget, are bespoke regeneration programmes targeted in areas that have too often been ignored. The government uses them to level up skills and opportunities, improve people’s quality of life, and address deep-rooted local challenges, giving these areas the best possible chance to thrive. The partnership for Dundee follows similar announcements for places in England including Hull and Mansfield.

    In Scotland, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) and the Scottish Government have collaborated to identify a methodology for which areas most need investment, and how best to address inequalities. The other areas in Scotland that have been selected for LUPs are the Scottish Borders, Argyll and Bute, and Na h-Eileanan Siar (Western Isles). Scottish areas receiving LUPs have been chosen based on a number of metrics, with emphasis on the tough challenges posed by rural geography.

    UK Government Levelling Up Minister Jacob Young, who visited Dundee on Thursday, said:

    “It’s fantastic to announce our tailored regeneration programme has been rolled out in Scotland for the first time, beginning by transforming the lives of people right across Dundee.

    “This Levelling Up Partnership will allow us to tackle the historical issues faced by this city head-on, ensuring overlooked communities get what they need to fully reach their potential.”

    The funding for Dundee will help unlock a key development on the Waterfront to provide Grade A office space and lever in more investment, refurbish vacant and underused buildings in the city, build a legal education centre to boost opportunities, and provide support for people struggling with addiction.

    UK Government Minister for Scotland John Lamont said:

    “Our Levelling Up Partnership with Dundee – backed by £20 million UK Government investment – is a real game changer for driving regeneration in the city and boosting opportunities.

    “Collaborative working between the UK and Scottish Governments and local leaders means the lives of people living in, working in and visiting Dundee will be transformed with exciting initiatives such as new educational centres specialising in digital, green skills, health, social care and life sciences; improved access to housing; better transport connectivity; improved city streets; tackling anti-social behaviour and substance abuse and attracting business to the area.

    “I look forward to seeing Dundee and the three other areas in Scotland that have each been allocated £20 million for Levelling Up Partnerships – the Scottish Borders, Argyll and Bute, and Na h-Eileanan Siar –  benefiting from the fruits of this funding.”

    Dundee’s £20m Levelling Up Partnership includes:

    • £5m backing for Dundee and Angus College, including £4.5m to build a new campus providing training opportunities in the digital, green skills, energy transition and construction sectors, and £500,000 for a new health and social care training facility
    • £3m towards the creation of new Grade A office development on the Waterfront
    • £2.5m for grassroots projects focused on enhancing opportunities for young people, improving safety and benefitting the community
    • More than £2m to improve access to housing and boost regeneration in the city centre, including by refurbishing vacant properties, and reviewing the condition of the local private rented sector
    • £2m to develop a specialist centre for protein science in the Life Sciences Innovation District
    • £1.2m to develop a bespoke permanent home for the Dundee Museum of Transport
    • £1.1m to establish a legal tech education centre and workspace
    • £500,000 to complete a 26-mile active travel route around the city, connecting neighbourhoods on the outskirts with each other and the centre

    Dundee City Council leader Cllr John Alexander said:

    “As a city, we’ve been working extensively in the background to attract and deliver investment, public and private, and to create jobs and economic growth.

    “With Dundee already featuring in positive ratings, such as a top 20 UK destination for foreign direct investment (FDI), a top city break destination and attracting world-renowned opportunities such as the Eden project, the future is bright.

    “We welcome the £20 million of investment through the Levelling Up Partnership, which will strengthen the efforts by all local partners to transform Dundee and the lives of people across our city.

    “Although Dundee’s challenges are well known, I believe that the opportunities that exist for the future significantly exceed these.

    “Organisations in Dundee are working together to create the conditions that will enable growth and prosperity in the years ahead.

    “There is a realisation that we cannot do this alone, and that is why we have been in discussions with both the UK and Scottish Governments for strategic investment to drive Dundee’s economy forward.”

    The LUP also includes £1m to help transform the Eastern Quarter by improving its streets, tackling anti-social behaviour and attracting new business; £1m to refurbish the fabric of historic buildings and bring vacant spaces in the city centre back into use; £500,000 to help tackle substance abuse; £200,000 to develop the next phase of the City Centre Strategic Plan, attracting investment to the city; and £120,000 for commercial training and networking to support high-potential businesses.

    This funding builds on almost £23m of wider UK Government levelling up investment in Dundee, which has received more than £14m from Round 2 of the Levelling Up Fund for a new green transport hub in the city centre featuring electric vehicle charging points, and £5.6m from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund for projects including improvements to the district centre of Perth Road and digital skills training opportunities.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Change of His Majesty’s Ambassador to Uruguay – Mr Malcolm Green [May 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Change of His Majesty’s Ambassador to Uruguay – Mr Malcolm Green [May 2024]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 10 May 2024.

    Mr Malcolm Green has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Oriental Republic of Uruguay in succession to Ms Faye O’Connor OBE.  Mr Green will take up his appointment during August 2024.

    CURRICULUM VITAE

    Full name:  Malcolm Christopher David Green

    Date Role
    2023 to present FCDO, Africa Directorate, Deputy Director (Sahel, Sudan and South Sudan)
    2018 to 2023 FCDO, UN and Multilateral Department, Head of the UN Peacekeeping Joint Unit
    2017 to 2018  Buenos Aires, Deputy Head of Mission and Consul General
    2013 to 2017  Santiago, Deputy Head of Mission and Consul General
    2009 to 2013  UK Mission to the United Nations, New York, First Secretary – Peacekeeping, Human Rights and Conflict
    2006 to 2009  FCO, Security Policy Department, Team leader – Military Operations and Exercises
    2003 to 2006 Buenos Aires, Second Secretary – Political Affairs
    2001 to 2003 FCO Policy Officer – Future of Europe, European Union Department