Tag: Press Release

PRESS RELEASE : Tougher laws to protect children from sexual abuse [February 2024]
The press release issued by the Home Office on 21 February 2024.

Children will be better protected from sexual predators under plans being brought forward by the Home Secretary today (Wednesday 21 February).

There will be a legal requirement for anyone in regulated activity relating to children in England, including teachers or healthcare professionals, to report it if they know a child is being sexually abused.

Those who fail to report child sexual abuse they are aware of, falling short of their legal duties, face being barred from working with young people.

Anyone who actively protects child sexual abusers – by intentionally blocking others from reporting or covering up the crime – could go to prison for 7 years.

By making mandatory reporting a legal requirement, the government is delivering on a key recommendation in the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) report to protect children from harm and make sure authorities never again turn a blind eye to this kind of devastating crime.

In a move to further protect people from sexual predators, the police are being given greater powers to stop registered sex offenders from changing their name if they think they still pose a risk to their communities.

This will mean those who commit these despicable crimes face the full force of the law and are managed under tough measures, preventing them from offending again.

Home Secretary James Cleverly said:

There is no excuse for turning a blind eye to a child’s pain.

Having listened to the voices of victims and survivors and reviewed the work of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, we are working at pace to get a mandatory reporting duty for child sexual abuse onto the statute book.

We’re also going further, equipping the police with more powers to prevent those who have committed abhorrent sexual crimes in the past from evading the police by changing their name.

We will continue use all levers at our disposal to tackle this horrific crime and keep women and children safe.

Minister for Victims and Safeguarding Laura Farris said:

This government has introduced robust legislation for protecting children. But we know children were failed in the past, and that’s why we commissioned the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse.

By bringing into force a mandatory duty to report child sexual abuse – the inquiry’s principal recommendation – we are sending a clear message that children will never be let down whether in schools, sports settings or any supervised environment.

As someone who worked on the Inquiry before coming into politics this is personal to me. We will continue to support the police in the toughest crack down on anyone who poses a risk to children.

Gabrielle Shaw, Chief Executive for The National Association for People Abused in Childhood said:

NAPAC welcomes this important measure by the government that will improve safeguarding of children and increase accountability amongst those who have a duty of care.

The introduction of mandatory reporting is a big step in the right direction, which must be implemented alongside an approach that prioritises the wellbeing of the child and ensures they have access to ongoing, specialist support. This will require investment in training requirements, wider supporting structures and effective tracking and review.

National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for the Management of Violent and Sexual Offenders, Assistant Chief Constable Jonny Blackwell, said:

Managing the potential risk posed by registered sexual offenders within the community is a complex area of work for police and we work closely with partners as part of a multi-agency approach to manage these offenders every day.

UK policing has some of the most advanced and stringent tools in the world to manage registered sex offenders, however we will always seek innovative ways to continue to keep up with the changing world we work in.

Any new restrictions which enable us to more effectively manage the risk posed by offenders to the public are welcome.

Chair of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Professor Alexis Jay OBE said:

I welcome the Home Secretary’s statement that measures to introduce mandatory reporting will be included in the Criminal Justice Bill. I look forward to working with the Home Secretary on the detail of this as the bill progresses.

Under the proposed changes, police will be able to issue a notice to sex offenders who continue to spark concern blocking them from changing or attempting to change their name on official documents such as passports and driving licences without their approval.

Today’s announcement builds on the UK’s existing laws to manage sex offenders, which are among the toughest in the world.

The government is also investing in a range of work to strengthen law enforcement capacity and capability to tackle child sexual abuse and exploitation. This includes:
- £6.5 million this year for the Tackling Organised Exploitation programme (TOEX), which brings together local, regional and national data to ensure police can effectively uncover and prosecute exploitation
- £1.9 million in the new Child Sexual Exploitation Police Taskforce, which is providing practical, expert, on the ground support for forces with a particular focus on group-based child sexual exploitation, including grooming gangs
The new measures will be introduced as amendments at report stage of the Criminal Justice Bill in the House of Commons.
March 5, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : Two governors reappointed to the British Film Institute Board [February 2024]

The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 21 February 2024.

The Secretary of State reappointed Michael Birshan and Eleanor Whitley as governors of the British Film Institute.

Michael Birshan

Reappointed for a four year term commencing 17 February 2024.

Michael is a Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company and global co-leader of the firm’s Strategy & Corporate Finance Practice.

Based in London, and previously in San Francisco and Mumbai, Michael has worked with CEOs, boards, and executive teams around the world across a diverse set of industries, as well as institutions in the public and social sectors. He also serves on the Council of the McKinsey Global Institute, which researches economic, business and technology issues. Committed to helping talented leaders succeed as individuals, Michael co-leads McKinsey’s work research on CEO excellence. He writes and speaks widely on strategy, finance, economics, trends, and leadership.

Passionate about education, communication and creativity, Michael is a governor of the Royal College of Art, the world’s top-ranked art and design university, and has been a commissioner of the Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission that stewards the Marshall Scholarships, a trustee of the World Schools Debating Championships, and a member of the advisory council of King’s Business School. He is also a director of British American Business.

Michael has served as a governor of the BFI for four years and chairs the Finance Committee.

Eleanor Whitley

Reappointed for a four year term commencing 17 February 2024.

Eleanor (Nell) Whitley has a reputation for driving forward ambitious work in a variety of forms – live events, art installations & digital media – her collaborations with Marshmallow Laser Feast (where she is Partner & Executive Producer) demonstrate a unique vision for the future of creative experiences. She has produced the critically acclaimed In the Eyes of the Animal (featured at Sundance & winner of the Wired Award for Innovation in Experience Design) and other mixed reality works, including; Treehugger (Tribeca Film Festival Storyscapes Award & Best VR Film at Arles Festival) and We Live in an Ocean of Air which premiered at the Saatchi Gallery, London winning the British Animation Award for VR. Marshmallow Laser Feast’s work has been included in major exhibitions at institutions including; ACMI, Barbican Centre, YCAM, DDB Seoul, Sundance Film Festival, Quartier des Spectacles, Montreal, SXSW, and Lisbon Architecture Triennale.

Remuneration and Governance Code

Governors of the British Film Institute are not remunerated.

This appointment has been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments.

The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election. Michael Birshan and Eleanor Whitley have not declared any significant political activity.

March 5, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : Attorney General visits Israel and Occupied Palestinian Territories [February 2024]

The press release issued by the Attorney General’s Office on 21 February 2024.

The Attorney General Victoria Prentis KC MP has returned from a visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories between 14 and 16 February 2024.

The Attorney saw first-hand the horrors of Hamas terror attacks in Israel, and visited the Occupied Palestinian Territories in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

In Southern Israel, close to Gaza, the Attorney General visited Kfar Aza Kibbutz, a site of terror, murder and kidnapping on October 7th. The Attorney also met with the Israeli Attorney General, lawyers for the Israeli Defence Force and the President of the Supreme Court.

She spent the second day in the West Bank, visiting Ramallah and East Jerusalem, where the Attorney General saw first-hand the effect of illegal settlement on villages and held meetings with the Palestinian Attorney General and the Prime Minister.

The Attorney General used her frank meetings to emphasise the importance of International Humanitarian Law being respected, civilians protected, and detainees being held in compliance with the Geneva Convention.

The Attorney General said:

At Kfar Aza Kibbutz, I saw the remains of hideous atrocities perpetrated by Hamas on October 7th, within sight and sound of ongoing fighting in Gaza. This is a site of terror, murder and kidnapping. Hostages from this Kibbutz continue to be held by Hamas. The suffering and trauma of this community, and many others across Southern Israel, is immense.

Palestinian civilians in Gaza are facing a devastating and growing humanitarian crisis. I heard from those working with communities in Gaza about the serious humanitarian situation and stressed the UK’s position that more must be done, faster to get aid to those who need it.

During my visit to the West Bank, I visited a Bedouin village where villagers are unable to graze their sheep on their land, or access schools or medical clinics due to a real fear of settler violence and illegal settlement expansion. The UK has already sanctioned extremist settlers involved in violence. Israel must take stronger action to put a stop to it.

At home these events are also causing real pain and anguish. All parties need to conduct themselves in line with International Humanitarian Law and minimise the terrible and unnecessary suffering of Israeli and Palestinian civilians.

March 5, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : Australia and the United Kingdom join forces to advance online safety and security [February 2024]

The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 21 February 2024.

Memorandum of Understanding to help amplify the world class online safety regimes of both countries.

Australia and the United Kingdom have today (Tuesday 20 February) co-signed an historic Online Safety and Security Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), ushering in a new era of bilateral cooperation between the two countries to support safer and more positive experience online.

The first arrangement of its kind, the MoU has a broad focus and encompasses a wide range of digital online safety and security issues, including illegal content, child safety, age assurance, technology facilitated gender-based violence, and addressing harms caused by rapidly changing technology, like generative artificial intelligence.

The MoU will help amplify the world class regulatory regimes in both countries, including the UK’s Online Safety Act 2023, and Australia’s Online Safety Act 2021, which seek to make the two countries the safest places in the world to be online.

The UK and Australia have a shared commitment to upholding and promoting human rights, fundamental freedoms, democracy and the rule of law, both online and offline, and the MoU enshrines that commitment.

The MoU pledges to deepen and intensify cooperation across several key pillars, including deeper cooperation on online safety and security.
Both governments have committed to closer cooperation in the form of in-person dialogues, coordinated bilateral and multilateral engagement, regulatory engagement, shared research projects, and working with industry to address safety challenges posed by design choices.

The partnership will allow both countries to lead the international agenda and shape a global consensus on tackling online harms.

The MoU will be taken forward by the UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and the Australian Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts (DITRDCA), in collaboration with other relevant departments and agencies on both sides.

For more information, you can find the UK-Australia Online Safety and Security MoU on GOV.UK here.

Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, the Rt Hon Michelle Donelan MP said:

The UK and Australia are at the forefront of online safety, and I am proud of our internationally pioneering approaches which are already helping to create a safer and more secure digital world, protecting our citizens and holding platforms to account.

The signing of the joint Memorandum today signifies a new chapter in our shared history. I look forward to building on this partnership which will help address the challenges and harness the opportunities of the digital age.

Australian Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP said:

Both Australia and the United Kingdom are resolute in our commitment to keeping our citizens safe online. We are likeminded allies and key partners in the fight for safer and more positive online experiences.

This historic Memorandum of Understanding will bring our two countries closer together, ensuring greater collaboration and engagement as we deal with online harms.

Working together, we will protect the privacy, safety and security of our citizens, without stifling the innovation that is vital for economic, social and individual progress.

Online safety is a shared, global responsibility. We must be proactive in ensuring that our legislative frameworks remain fit-for-purpose, and continue to evolve as new harms emerge.

March 5, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : Government to help more black cab drivers go green with further funding support [February 2024]
The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 21 February 2024.

Plug-in Taxi Grant provides funding of £6,000 per electric taxi vehicle and is extended until April 2025.
- Plug-in Taxi Grant extended until April 2025 at a rate of £6,000 per vehicle
- funding has been a success so far, with over £50 million provided to support the purchase of over 9,000 taxis – backing skilled British jobs
- the switch to electric is well underway, with over half of London’s taxis now being zero emission
More green taxis will take to the UK’s roads thanks to an extension to the Plug-in Taxi Grant announced today (21 February 2024), following its initial success.

Cab drivers will be able to keep up momentum through extended funding until 5 April 2025 at a rate of £6,000 per vehicle, providing certainty to those who are looking to make the switch to electric in the next year.

Since its introduction in 2017, the Plug-in Taxi Grant has been met with enthusiasm, providing more than £50 million to support the purchase of over 9,000 zero emission cabs – supporting skilled British jobs in the car industry and helping to decarbonise the taxi fleet.

As a result of the grant driving change in industry, over 54% (8,299) of London’s licensed taxis are now electric, with the number of electric taxis increasing by 24% in the last year alone as more drivers utilise government funding.

Technology and Decarbonisation Minister, Anthony Browne, said:

Taxis are a vital part of our transport network, so it’s great to be supporting our iconic black cab industry with further funding to help decarbonise their vehicles, part of this government’s plan to back drivers.

From Redbridge to White City, it’s now more likely than ever that your black cab will be green, with the majority of taxis sold in London now being electric. The grant has been a huge success so far, and I’m pleased our funding will be continued for another year to help cabbies make the switch to new vehicles.

The electric taxi market has grown rapidly since the grant’s introduction, with sales overtaking the number of diesel taxis sold in London in 2022, marking a milestone for the sector. Nationally, more than one in ten (12%) taxis are now zero emission capable.

The government is continuing to target incentives where they have the most impact while delivering value for money for the taxpayer, which is why a reduced grant level of £6,000 has been chosen to support the market as it matures further.

Chris Allen, Managing Director at London EV Company said:

Today’s announcement is a positive signal to the taxi trade that the government remains committed to supporting the electrification of our iconic industry and provides important support for drivers for another 12 months.

LEVC is continually innovating to deliver the latest in clean, accessible mobility solutions. We will continue to work with government to deliver for drivers and passengers across the UK.

Steve McNamara, General Secretary of the Licensed Taxi Drivers Association said:

London’s licensed taxi drivers are proud to be leading the way in adopting zero emission electric taxis. Our members have invested record sums in these clean, green vehicles and the PiTG has played a vital role in making this possible.

Today’s announcement provides the certainty and support hard working taxi drivers and fleets need to continue investing in the future of this important sector and delivering the high-quality, accessible service London’s iconic black cabs are known for, all whilst helping to clean up our air and working towards net zero.

Since 2011 the government has provided over £1.9 billion in grant funding to decarbonise our roads, supporting the purchase of over 350,000 zero emission vehicles.

These measures follow the department’s recent announcement that the rollout of EV chargepoints is being accelerated through our Plan for Drivers. There are now over 55,000 public chargepoints across the country, with the number of chargepoints rising 46% over the last year.

Grants are also available to help the transition through the government’s workplace charging scheme (WCS) for businesses and schools, as well as people in flats and rented accommodation through the electric vehicle chargepoint grant.

In addition, the on-street residential chargepoint scheme is open to all UK local authorities, while £381 of Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) funding is already being delivered to English local authorities.
March 5, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : UK and Jordan drop life-saving aid to Gaza hospital [February 2024]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 21 February 2024.

The UK and Jordan have worked together to deliver aid by air to Tal Al-Hawa Hospital in northern Gaza.
- joint air-drop delivers life-saving aid to Tal Al-Hawa Hospital in northern Gaza
- vital supplies provided, including essential medicines, fuel and food for patients and staff
- Foreign Secretary reiterates call for an immediate pause in fighting to get more aid into Gaza
The UK and Jordan have air-dropped life-saving aid to a hospital in northern Gaza.

The UK-funded consignment of aid, delivered by the Jordanian Air Force, was dropped earlier today into the Tal Al-Hawa Hospital in northern Gaza.

Four tonnes of vital supplies were provided in the air-drop, including medicines, fuel, and food for hospital patients and staff. The Tal al-Hawa Hospital, set up by the Jordanian Armed Forces, is located in Gaza City and has treated thousands of patients since the start of the crisis.

Foreign Secretary David Cameron said:

We have worked closely with our Jordanian partners to get these life-saving supplies directly to the Tal Al-Hawa Hospital in northern Gaza.

Thousands of patients will benefit and the fuel will enable this vital hospital to continue its life saving work.

However, the situation in Gaza is desperate and significantly more aid is needed – and fast. We are calling for an immediate humanitarian pause to allow additional aid into Gaza as quickly as possible and bring hostages home.

Earlier this week, the UK signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organisation to procure and deliver £1 million worth of UK aid to Gaza, including the critical medicine and fuel included in this flight.

Secretary-General of the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organisation (JHCO), Dr Hussein Shabli, said:

We welcome this partnership with the UK to provide life-saving aid to those who need it most in Gaza. We thank our UK partners for working with us and we will continue to work with them on getting aid into Gaza for as long as its needed.

The Jordanian Armed Forces flight departed earlier today from King Abdullah II Air Base, with the aid being dispatched with ‘J-pad’ GPS trackers to ensure it reached the hospitals safely. The Foreign Secretary’s Representative for Humanitarian Affairs in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Mark Bryson-Richardson, was in Amman to finalise the details of the airdrop.

The UK has trebled our aid commitment to the Occupied Palestinian territories this financial year and we are doing everything we can to get more aid in and open more crossings, including calling for an immediate pause to get aid in and hostages out.

Humanitarian needs are particularly acute for people remaining in northern Gaza. A report issued on 20 February by UNICEF and WFP noted that 1 in 6 children under 2 years old in northern Gaza are acutely malnourished.
March 5, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : The United Kingdom urges the Government of Central African Republic to ensure all parties are included in the peace process: UK statement at the UN Security Council [February 2024]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 21 February 2024.

Statement by Alternate Political Coordinator Laura Dix at the UN Security Council meeting on Central African Republic.

Thank you, President and SRSG Rugwabiza for your briefing this morning. I’ll make three points.

First, the United Kingdom welcomes the achievements that have come from closer cooperation between MINUSCA and the Central African Republic authorities, following the Council’s reprioritisation of the Mission’s tasks. Commitments by CAR to establish human rights mechanisms to implement the Political Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation, and prepare for local elections this year, provide a basis for lasting security and prosperity. It is important that the Central African Republic authorities, with the support of MINUSCA, deliver on these commitments.

The United Kingdom urges the Government of Central African Republic to ensure all parties are included in the peace process and in local elections, and fulfil the decentralisation provisions of the Political Agreement. MINUSCA’s good offices role remains central, as ensuring inclusive dialogue at the national and local levels is the only way to address the root causes of conflict.

Second, security in Central African Republic will not come through the wrong partners. The Wagner Group’s human rights abuses against civilians threaten to cause prolonged insecurity and undo MINUSCA’s achievements. There must be accountability for all human rights abuses no matter who commits them. And to that end, the UK requests MINUSCA to ensure its annual human rights reports are shared in a timely manner.

Third, we emphasise that MINUSCA remains central to the pursuit of peace and stability in Central African Republic, and pay tribute to the UN peacekeepers who have lost their lives in the pursuit of this mission. The effectiveness of MINUSCA depends on strong cooperation with the Government of Central African Republic, including by ensuring freedom of movement for its unmanned aerial vehicles. MINUSCA’s Strategic Review should focus on how the Mission can further prepare for a sustainable transition once conditions are met.

President, the United Kingdom remains committed to working with the Central African Republic authorities to support the people of the Central African Republic achieve long-term stability and prosperity.

Thank you.

March 5, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : Baroness Neville-Rolfe’s speech at the Counter Fraud Conference 2024 [February 2024]

The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 21 February 2024.

Cabinet Office Minister Baroness Neville Rolfe addressed the Counter Fraud Conference 2024 at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre.

Last year I posed a question. What are we missing in our fight to protect taxpayers’ hard-earned money from the crime of fraud?

A crime that puts billions of pounds of taxpayer money at risk.

Since 2021 the government has invested £1bn to tackle fraud, and we continue to up our ambition and go even further.

Today I want to talk about the progress we are making through this investment and how we are furthering our efforts, building new partnerships, and finding new ways to counter fraud.

There is no silver bullet to countering fraud. We must prevent fraud where we can, mitigate risks, uncover fraud where it happens, and pursue those responsible.

And we know that while developments in technology are helping us to find new innovative ways to tackle this crime, it is also enabling fraudsters to find new ways to target the public sector.

From the rise of deep fakes, to generative AI and large language models creating professional videos to defraud people and businesses of their money.

Fraudsters continue to target the public sector in new and surprising ways.

But we have been bold and ambitious in our response, with significant achievements to date.

Progress

Since we last met, the Public Sector Fraud Authority reported on its first full year in operation.

Across its first 12 months, the Public Sector Fraud Authority far surpassed its initial target to achieve £180m in savings, preventing and recovering instead a total of £311m.

We have been striving to find new and innovative ways to not only find and recover funds from fraud, but to bolster our ability to prevent fraud before it even happens.

Thanks to the recent development of the High Fraud Risk Portfolio, we are now starting to identify the areas of the public sector most at risk of fraud, enabling departments to better prioritise the allocation of counter fraud resources.

We have launched a new Risk, Threat and Prevention service. Allowing teams of experts to surge into departments at critical points, to scrutinise and improve oversight of spending, to ensure that fraudsters cannot profit from the public purse.

Tom Tugendhat in the Home Office is also making a huge push on tackling fraud against individuals and businesses with his Stop! Think Fraud Campaign and next month the first ever Global Fraud Summit.

The government has also introduced new laws, deterring those who wish to exploit the system and ensuring we go after those who benefit from this crime.

The Procurement Act will raise procurement standards by taking tougher action on fraud and corruption. Bodies convicted of certain fraud offences will not be able to bid for contracts unless they can show that they have taken appropriate action to ensure the situation leading to the conviction won’t occur again.

And The Online Safety Act imposes duties on online platforms to take stronger action on fraudulent advertising. It means they must take steps to mitigate the risks posed by online fraud and scams, if they don’t they could see their services blocked in the UK or fines of up to £18 million or ten per cent of annual turnover.

Technology and data partnerships

We are building new partnerships across and beyond the public sector to better harness the opportunities that technology and data provide us.

A key service run by the Public Sector Fraud Authority is the National Fraud Initiative, which collects and compares data sets from across the public sector. The Initiative is running a range of pilots across a number of fraud types.

And earlier this month I approved the retention of the debt and fraud powers of the Digital Economy Act.

These powers allow the sharing of data between public bodies and have resulted in more than 100 data sharing pilots across 70 local authorities and 17 government departments since 2018.

This has saved taxpayers £137 million since coming into force, including circa £99.5 million of fraud identified in ongoing Covid loan pilot and a further £5.1 million of fraud identified in companies’ “shadow accounts”.

We will also continue to reach beyond the public sector, collaborating with industry to make the most of cutting edge developments.

The benefits of this have already been seen through the partnership between the Public Sector Fraud Authority and UK based tech unicorn Quantexa, who I think are here today, and I visited them last year.

They are using a new AI platform to analyse millions of pieces of data, such as those from Companies House, to detect patterns to identify fraudsters and fraudulent activity.

International partnerships

Our international partners are facing many of the same challenges that we face at home.

The UK is a world leader in understanding, finding and stopping fraud against the public sector. However, we recognise that learning from our closest partners can only increase our resilience.

In September we hosted the International Public Sector Fraud Forum summit bringing together leaders from The Five Eyes to share best practices and to keep across new developments in fraud from around the world.

We have also further built upon the formal partnership between the Public Sector Fraud Authority and the Australian Commonwealth Fraud Prevention Centre, developing a secondment programme.

Currently, one of our own Public Sector Fraud Authority experts is in Australia developing a Fraud Loss Measurement Framework for the Australian Government.

We are also keen to learn from those beyond the Forum. Over the last few months the Public Sector Fraud Authority has hosted delegations from Malaysia and South Korea.

And tomorrow they will be meeting with counter fraud experts from the governments of Cyprus and Singapore.

People and Skills for the future

To find and fight fraud, we need the right people and the right skills at all levels. And we need them to be open to learning and looking beyond their own organisation to develop new approaches to countering fraud.

There are over 500 apprentices right across the UK in both central and local government who are being trained to counter fraud and boost fraud defences.

I met several earlier this month during National Apprenticeship Week.

We discussed a number of groundbreaking investigations they were working on.

A good example is the Department for Work and Pensions’ efforts to combat DNA fraud in Child Maintenance cases, where fraudsters have been known to use other people’s DNA to avoid maintenance payments.

Another is Brent Council’s work on tackling tenancy fraud through the National Fraud Initiative, detecting and preventing fraud – where tenants have another property or generous balances in their private bank accounts, but claim to be destitute.

The Public Sector Fraud Authority has also just launched the new Counter Fraud Leadership Programme with participants from a range of organisations including the NHS and National Highways.

This is aimed at senior civil servants, the programme will ensure that leaders have the knowledge and skills to build counter fraud capability within their organisations and departments. Designing counter fraud into public policy is a very important objective.

We now have 13,000 people working across the public sector on counter fraud. By bolstering capability at all levels, and increasing collaboration across the sector, like we’re doing today, we can ensure that we build an effective workforce for the future.

Before I close, I want to reiterate what has been a clear theme throughout the conference today.

No individual, single public body or department can solve this problem alone.

Those committing fraud will always try to find gaps to exploit the cracks in our defences.

And some are very clever and innovative.

Through collaboration and combining our efforts we can stop fraud at the source.

So I would like to finish my speech this year as I did when we met last year, by presenting a challenge to you all – How can you work with those outside your own organisation to improve the UK’s defences against fraud?

It is only if we are all supporting each other, that we will tackle public sector fraud.

I would like to thank you all for being here and for the work you do and extend a special thanks to PSFA CEO Mark Cheeseman and his great team, who I see several of here. I very much look forward to hearing about the progress of your partnerships in the year to come.

Thank you.

March 5, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : UK sanctions heads of Arctic penal colony where Alexei Navalny was killed [February 2024]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 21 February 2024.
- the UK has sanctioned 6 individuals heading up the penal colony where Alexei Navalny died on Friday after years of mistreatment by the Russian authorities
- sanctioned individuals will be subject to asset freezes and travel bans
- the UK calls for Mr Navalny’s body to be released to his family immediately and for a full and transparent investigation to take place
Those in charge of the Arctic penal colony where Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny was detained and killed will be banned from the UK and see their assets frozen under new sanctions announced by the Foreign Secretary today.

The sanctioned individuals include Vadim Konstantinovich Kalinin, who oversaw the brutal prison camp where Mr Navalny was kept in solitary confinement for up to 2 weeks at a time. Mr Navalny’s condition had deteriorated in his 3 years in prison. Mr Navalny suffered from being denied medical treatment, as well as having to walk in –32C weather while being held in the prison.

The UK is the first country to impose sanctions in response to the death of Mr Navalny, a political prisoner who dedicated his life to exposing the corruption of the Russian system, calling for free and open politics, and holding the Kremlin to account.

Foreign Secretary David Cameron said:

It’s clear that the Russian authorities saw Navalny as a threat and they tried repeatedly to silence him. FSB operatives poisoned him with Novichok in 2020, they imprisoned him for peaceful political activities, and they sent him to an Arctic penal colony. No-one should doubt the oppressive nature of the Russian system.

That’s why we’re today sanctioning the most senior prison officials responsible for his custody in the penal colony where he spent his final months. Those responsible for Navalny’s brutal treatment should be under no illusion – we will hold them accountable.

The following individuals are being sanctioned under the UK’s Global Human Rights Sanctions Regulations for their responsibility for activity that violates the right not to be subjected to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and the right to life. Namely, they are responsible for the custody of Alexei Navalny in their positions as Head or Deputy Head of Arctic Penal Colony IK-3:
- Colonel Vadim Konstantinovich Kalinin: Head of IK-3 Arctic Penal Colony ‘Polar Wolf’
- Lieutenant Colonel Sergey Nikolaevich Korzhov: Deputy Head
- Lieutenant Colonel Vasily Alexandrovich Vydrin: Deputy Head
- Lieutenant Colonel Vladimir Ivanovich Pilipchik: Deputy Head
- Lieutenant Colonel Aleksandr Vladimirovich Golyakov: Deputy Head
- Colonel Aleksandr Valerievich Obraztsov: Deputy Head
Following Mr Navalny’s death on Friday, the FCDO summoned a representative of the Russian government to make clear that Alexei Navalny’s death must be investigated fully and transparently, and those in the Russian regime responsible held to account.

Following news that Mr Navalny’s family is being denied access to his body, the UK is also calling for the Russian authorities to release his body to them immediately.

The Foreign Secretary will attend the G20 Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Brazil today, where he will use the opportunity to call out Russia’s aggression and its global impact directly to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
March 5, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : Foreign Secretary’s meeting with the Argentine Minister of Foreign Affairs [February 2024]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 21 February 2024.

Foreign Secretary David Cameron met the Argentine Minister of Foreign Affairs Diana Mondino at the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Summit in Rio de Janeiro on 21 February.

A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said:

The Foreign Secretary met the Argentine Foreign Minister Diana Mondino at the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Summit in Rio de Janeiro today [21 February 2024].

It was a positive meeting, building on the Foreign Secretary’s discussion with President Milei at the World Economic Forum in January during which they agreed to embark on a new era of relations between Argentina and the UK. The Foreign Secretary and Foreign Minister Mondino agreed to take this forward by cooperating on areas of mutual interest, such as increased economic and trade links and youth mobility, as well as shared multilateral priorities.

The Foreign Secretary also welcomed Argentina’s unwavering support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. Both sides agreed to stand united in continuing to condemn the Russian government’s reprehensible actions, which are an egregious violation of international law and the UN Charter.

On the Falklands Islands, the Foreign Secretary reiterated the UK’s ongoing support for the Falkland Islanders’ right of self-determination. However, they noted that this would not prevent cooperation on areas that would be mutually beneficial.

March 5, 2024