Tag: Press Release

PRESS RELEASE : Crucial summit over CalMac ferry services [February 2024]

The press release issued by the Secretary of State for Scotland on 7 February 2024.

Island communities affected by poor ferry services have raised their concerns direct with CalMac, thanks to a UK Government summit.

At a meeting on Monday 5 February – convened by Scotland Office Minister John Lamont – community representatives talked about the effects of unreliable services on families, business, and the tourist trade, with warnings the viability of some islands is at risk.

Minister Lamont said

I saw first-hand the problems many islanders are experiencing when I visited Oban, Mull and Arran in the summer. There was clear frustration that their voices were not being heeded and, when I spoke with CalMac Chief Executive Robbie Drummond, I was struck by the opportunity to improve lines of communication between the people who suffer when ferries are out of action, and the major operator of those vessels.

I am very grateful to Mr Drummond for attending today’s meeting, along with his Operations Director Robert Morrison. Discussions were full and frank.

The Scotland Office will now pass information from the meeting to the UK Government, including its Islands Forum. The Forum – part of the Levelling Up agenda – brings together representatives of islands right around Britain, from Shetland to Scilly, to share best practice, and considers a variety of issues, including connectivity.

Minister Lamont said:

Transport in Scotland is devolved to the Scottish Government, and the UK Government respects that. But it would be remiss of me as a Scotland Office Minister if I did not heed the growing chorus of voices alarmed that CalMac’s fleet is ageing, and promised new vessels linger on blocks or the dockyard quay.

It is for the Scottish Government to act to improve the situation for our island communities, but I want to amplify the voices of those I met over the summer.

Attendees at the meeting included CalMac Ferries Communities Board, Colonsay Lifeline Transport Group, Arran Ferry Action Group, Arran Community Development Trust, Mull and Iona Community Trust, Tobermory Harbour Association, key businesses, MSPs and MPs.

Minister Lamont added:

The meeting has, I hope, opened new channels of two-way communication between islanders and CalMac.

Last year it was reported that official figures showed that Scottish Government owned CalMac cancelled 40,989 sailings between September 2018 and April 2023.
Non-weather related cancellations rose from 1,371 in 2017-18 to a peak of 5,805 in 2021-22, before dropping in 2022-23.

There were 4,620 sailings axed for reasons not related to the weather in 2022-23 – 237pc higher than the number in 2017-18.

The roundtable comes as one of the overdue and over budget ferries at Ferguson’s Shipyard at Port Glasgow has suffered another delivery delay. The Glen Sannox is now scheduled to enter service in May – its original delivery date was 2018.

Arran has also suffered a blow with the closure of a berthing facility at Ardrossan used by a relief vessel brought in by CalMac to ease pressure on the key Brodick route.

February 12, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : Diplomatic missions urge Israel to cease demolitions of schools [February 2024]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 7 February 2024.

Diplomatic missions call on Israel to halt demolitions and confiscations of Palestinian houses and property in the West Bank

Representatives of Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the European Union together with the Palestinian Ministry of Education call on Israel to rescind its recent decision of the Israeli Civil Administration to demolish a donor-funded school in Amera, Hebron.

Israeli authorities issued a final demolition order against the school on Education Day (24th January), leaving the school at imminent risk of demolition. Should the demolition go ahead, 39 Palestinian school children will be deprived of their basic right to education. The nearest alternative schools are approximately 5km away. Without adequate transport, students must make the long journey by foot, exposed to settler attacks, a heavily trafficked road and inclement weather. Under these conditions, girls and children with disabilities in particular are at a high risk of dropping out.

Palestinian schools in Area C – including those funded by donors – remain vulnerable to Israeli demolitions and settler violence. Since 2022, Israeli authorities have demolished three donor-funded schools. In addition, three donor-funded schools have been vandalised by Israeli settlers and are currently not operational.

Under international law, Israel, as occupying power, has an obligation to ensure that the occupied civilian population has adequate access to basic education. Palestinian children’s right to an education is undermined by Israel’s planning and zoning system in Area C which prevents Palestinian development, and construction of schools in Area C.

Representatives of Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the European Union call on Israel to halt demolitions and confiscations of Palestinian houses and property in accordance with its obligations as an occupying power under international humanitarian law, and to cease the policy of settlement construction and expansion, of designating land for exclusive Israeli use and of denying Palestinian development. Failure to do so seriously undermines a two state solution and is a major impediment to peace and security.

February 12, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : North East moves one step closer to historic Mayor [February 2024]
The press release issued by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 7 February 2024.

The North East of England will soon enjoy the economic benefits of a £1.4bn investment as legislation is laid in Parliament to implement a new devolution deal.

The reforms will provide a directly elected mayor for seven local authority areas across the North East with the first election taking place in May 2024. It will result in new powers and major new funding for the region, including the largest investment fund of any of the deals announced since the Levelling Up White Paper’s publication in February 2022.

Over 30 years, £1.4 billion will help to level up all seven local authorities in the North East; Northumberland, Newcastle upon Tyne, North Tyneside, Gateshead, South Tyneside, Sunderland and County Durham. Today’s legislation also establishes them as a new combined authority which will have control of up to £563 million to shape and improve local rail and bus services.

It will give greater power to local leaders by allowing them to shape adult education provision in a way that meets the needs of business and the community while allowing them to kick start regeneration by supporting the construction of affordable homes on brownfield sites.

Minister for Levelling Up, Jacob Young, said:

Today is an important milestone for communities across the North East as their landmark devolution deal moves one step closer to becoming a reality.

The reason we’re so excited for this to get over the line is because a major part of levelling up is giving local people, who know their areas best, the levers and money they need to improve their areas. That’s exactly what this deal does – from Sedgefield to the Scottish Border – providing new decision-making powers, billions in funding and a new mayor who can champion their area on behalf of the two million who live there.

The political leaders of the seven councils and North of Tyne Combined Authority said in a joint statement:

It‘s exciting that the devolution deal we secured is now moving through Parliament. It’s an important final step before the formation of our new combined authority.

As a group of leaders we are working together already to put plans into place to deliver for our residents, businesses and communities. That collaboration means we will hit the ground running and deliver results for the people of this region.

The new powers and funding we negotiated will mean important decisions about our region will be made here, in the North East. This is set to be a transformative year for the North East.

The region boasts long standing sector strengths in advanced manufacturing and clean energy which continues to grow. Aligned to the arc of innovation – running from Northumberland down to Sunderland and Durham, with opportunities along the Tyne corridor – the devolution deal will empower the region and its people by giving them more control, money and opportunities to improve their communities.

This devolution deal is part of a plan to bring long-term change, delivering a brighter future for Britain and the North East of England, improving economic security and opportunity for everyone.

ENDS

Notes to editors:
- The Order implementing the North East devolution deal and establishing the new mayoral combined authority is subject to Parliamentary approval before it can come into force.
- The North East Mayoral Combined Authority will replace the existing North of Tyne Mayoral Combined Authority and the non-mayoral North East Combined Authority.
- The City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements (CRSTS) Programme is a five-year £5.7 billion government investment in the local transport networks of eight key city regions in England from 2022/23 to 2026/27. The programme provides eligible Mayoral Combined Authorities with integrated and long-term funding model that allows elected leaders to drive forward their public and sustainable transport priorities.
- The North East will receive £17.4 million to support and accelerate the building of new homes on brownfield land, as well as £20 million to level up and kick start regeneration.
February 12, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : North projects awarded funding to improve lowland peat soils [February 2024]
The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 7 February 2024.

The government has announced the recipients of awards to improve lowland peat soils, including over £1.3m to projects across the North.

Peatlands are our largest terrestrial carbon store, however, as a result of centuries of drainage for agriculture, just 1% of England’s lowland peatlands remain in a near-natural state, and these drained peatlands account for 88% of all greenhouse gas emissions from England’s peat.

The projects will use government funding to improve the management of water on lowland peat and enhance understanding of climate change impacts and flood risk.

The projects in the North are:
- Lancashire Wildlife Trust were awarded £327,500 for a wetter farming trial and a feasibility study.
- Groundwork Cheshire, Lancashire and Merseyside were awarded £100,200 to investigate the feasibility of re-wetting areas of Lindow Moss.
- National Trust, Cheshire, were awarded £65,000 to produce a wider costed water-management plan, including undertaking detailed surveys to understand the extent and nature of the peat soils.
- Mersey Rivers Trust were awarded £55,000 to develop knowledge of the current condition of the lowland peat soils and explore whether wetter farming is a viable option.
- Yorkshire Wildlife Trust were awarded £342,000 for a project focused on the technical and economic implications of raising water levels on 7 farms, enabling farmers to make informed decisions about long-term land use.
- Reedness and Swinefleet Internal Drainage Board were awarded £264,000 for a connectivity and hydrological study at the Thorne, Crowle & Goole Moor Peatlands to ensure cross-beneficial needs for both peat restoration and flood management.
- Vale of Pickering Internal Drainage Board were awarded £160,000 to develop a better understanding of the River Hertford catchment in terms of water management, with a view to how IDB operations need to change if re-wetting peatlands were pursued.   The four successful projects in the north west will use government funding to look to improve the management of water on lowland peat and enhance understanding of climate change impacts and flood risk.
Philip Duffy, Chief Executive of the Environment Agency, said:

I was incredibly encouraged by the number of exciting applications to the Lowland Agriculture Peat – Water Discovery Pilot. They represent a diverse array of applicants, from across the breadth of the lowland peat areas.

Over the coming year, evidence from these local collaboration pilots will be the first step in understanding costs, benefits and risks from changing water management within lowland agriculture peat soils. The pilots will produce costed water-management plans, which will help us to balance our aims to reduce climate change impacts and flood risk, improve biodiversity and support sustainable agriculture.

Helen Earnshaw, Peat Project Officer at Lancashire Wildlife Trust, added:

We are really excited to have been awarded this funding which will help us expand our work looking at wetter farming practices on lowland agricultural peat.

We know that many conventional farming practices need to change, but the farming community need to know what will and won’t work before they can make the shift to more sustainable farming techniques.

This funding will allow us to undertake a farm-scale wetter farming trial, on a real working farm, providing vital data and evidence for both farmers and policymakers.
February 12, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : Air Services Agreement signed between UK and Mongolia [February 2024]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 7 February 2024.

The agreement opens up opportunities for direct flights between the two countries.

On 23 January 2024, the Minister of Roads and Transport Development of Mongolia, Sandag Byambatsogt, and His Majesty’s Ambassador to Mongolia Fiona Blyth, signed an air services agreement between the government of Mongolia and the government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The agreement opens up opportunities for direct flights between the two countries.

An agreement on air services between the governments of Mongolia and the UK was established on March 1, 2000. However, with the departure of the UK from the European Union, the agreement has been renewed with the UK. During the signature meeting, the two parties discussed ways to strengthen mutual co-operation in air, road and railway transportation.

The newly signed agreement on air transport includes new provisions:
- compliance with laws and regulations
- fair competition
- flight safety
- code sharing
- lease
- take-off and landing slots
- ground services
- environmental protection
- registration with the international civil aviation organization
The agreement also includes an aviation security article which makes provision for In-Flight Security Officers.

“MIAT” the Mongolian flag carrier has been appointed to operate passenger flights from Mongolia to London while “Eznis Airways” LLC has been appointed to operate cargo flights.
February 7, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : UK research investment to boost UK semiconductor industry [February 2024]
The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 7 February 2024.

Two new ‘Innovation and Knowledge Centres’ will receive £11 million each to help bring new chip technologies to market.
- Two new ‘Innovation and Knowledge Centres (IKC)’ will receive £11 million each to help bring new chip technologies to market.
- each focuses on an area of British leadership on the world stage – silicon photonics and compound chips – as DSIT delivers £1 billion semiconductor strategy.
- £4.8 million funding for semiconductor skills projects have also been announced.
New funding and support has been unveiled today to back British scientists working on world-leading chip development which could help to power advancements in AI and will underpin the technologies needed to reach net zero.

To coincide with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology’s one-year anniversary – two new research hubs in Southampton and Bristol have received a cash injection to boost research in silicon photonics and compound semiconductors.

Semiconductors are a key component in nearly every electrical device in the world from mobile phones to medical equipment. They underpin future technologies in net zero, AI and quantum and are increasingly recognised as an area of global strategic significance.

Visiting the Southampton centre, Minister for Tech and the Digital Economy Saqib Bhatti said:

This investment marks a crucial step in advancing our ambitions for the semiconductor industry, with these centres helping bring new technologies to market in areas like net zero and AI, rooting them right here in the UK.

Just nine months into delivering on the National Semiconductor Strategy, we’re already making rapid progress towards our goals. This isn’t just about fostering growth and creating high-skilled jobs, it’s about positioning the UK as a hub of global innovation, setting the stage for breakthroughs that have worldwide impact.

Each £11 million site will help convert scientific findings into business realities. They will support promising research and projects, offering researchers access to state-of-the-art prototyping technology essential for testing their complex designs, and nurturing early-stage companies. This includes empowering spin-outs with training, workshops, and vital industry contacts, ensuring they are fully equipped for when their products are market-ready.

The REWIRE facility at the University of Bristol will support chip companies across the South West and Wales, helping to accelerate the UK’s net zero ambition by advancing high-voltage electronic devices with cutting-edge compound semiconductors.

The “Cornerstone” Information and Knowledge Centre in Southampton will build on the University’s specialism in silicon photonics. This is an emerging area of research in semiconductors, where light is used to communicate information instead of electricity – meaning the chips that are made using this technology are much, much quicker than standard semiconductors.

World-leading silicon photonics researcher Professor Graham Reed, who will lead the Cornerstone facility, said:

The Cornerstone IKC will unite leading UK entrepreneurs and researchers, together with a network of support to improve the commercialisation of semiconductors and deliver a step-change in the silicon photonics industry.

A further funding of £4.8 million in 11 semiconductor skills projects nationwide aims to elevate talent across all educational tiers, from school through to university and beyond. This funding will not only raise awareness of the semiconductor industry but also help to address key gaps in the UK’s workforce talent and training framework.

The centres will help to deliver on the ambitions of the government’s £1 billion National Semiconductor Strategy, a 20-year plan detailing how the government will drive forward the UK’s strengths and skills in design, R&D and compound semiconductors.

This investment is a clear example of the government’s commitment to working in partnership with industry to support the semiconductor sector and achieve the goals of the National Semiconductor Strategy, building on our strengths to grow the UK’s sector
February 7, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : UK and Egypt sign sustainable cities and infrastructure pact [February 2024]

The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 7 February 2024.

The UK and Egypt signed a Memorandum of Understanding to deepen cooperation in infrastructure development.

His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Arab Republic of Egypt Gareth Bayley and Deputy Chairman of The New Urban Communities Authority Eng. Amin Ghoneim signed a Sustainable Cities and Infrastructure Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Tuesday 6th February 2024 in Cairo.

The new partnership between the UK and the Government of Egypt will boost cooperation in the development of sustainable cities and infrastructure in Egypt by establishing a joint working group that will meet twice a year in London and Cairo.

This working group will bring together government bodies and industry representatives from both countries to exchange technical knowledge, training, expertise and best practice in the prioritisation, financing, and management of infrastructure projects.

The MoU aims to position both countries to draw on their strengths to support the delivery of infrastructure projects in Egypt. It will seek to grow the bilateral trading relationship and increase foreign investment into the Egyptian construction sector. Projects will be identified by the working group and delivered in accordance with international quality and sustainability standards.

British Ambassador to Egypt Gareth Bayley said:
This agreement reinforces our commitment to sustainable development, fostering economic growth, and attracting foreign investment into the Egyptian infrastructure sector.

It sets yet another example of a stronger and growing green partnership between both our countries, while boosting bilateral trade relations.

I am confident this collaboration will pave the way for a more sustainable and resilient future for Egypt.

The two countries already share a strong trading relationship. Total trade in goods and services between the UK and Egypt was £4.8 billion in the 12 months to September 2023, of which total UK exports to Egypt amounted to £2.6 billion.

The MoU also builds upon the UK and Egypt’s commitment to the UN’s sustainable development goals and action on climate change. In November 2022, Egypt, as COP27 President, developed the Sustainable Urban Resilience for the Next Generation Initiative in collaboration with the UN.

The initiative is committed to achieving sustainable and resilient urban cities, which the UK and Egypt are dedicated to delivering via this MoU.

The new agreement commits both countries to making progress on the sustainable development goals and climate change mitigation and adaption, including by deploying innovative climate technologies.

February 7, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : The quickest path to peace is for President Putin to end his illegal invasion of Ukraine – UK statement at the UN Security Council [February 2024]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 6 February 2024.

Statement by UK Political Coordinator Fergus Eckersley at the UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine.

Thank you Madam President, and thank you to Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo for your briefing. And we welcome the representative of Ukraine to the Chamber for this meeting. The UK deeply regrets all loss of life in this war wherever it occurs. But perhaps we should start with a few facts which Russia tries to hide from the world and its own people.

In the 700 days since Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine began, many, many thousands of people have been killed or injured at the hands of Russian forces.

Russia has carried out relentless attacks on civilian infrastructure, homes, schools, hospitals, and places of worship. Russian forces are reported to be responsible for large-scale atrocities, including torture, sexual violence, forced deportations and summary executions.

In the process, staggering numbers of Russian soldiers have themselves been killed and Russian families bereaved. It is the Russian Government alone that is responsible for the death and suffering caused by this war.

No amount of disinformation can obscure the very basic fact that it was Russia who invaded Ukraine unprovoked, and in clear violation of the UN Charter. It is a war that President Putin refuses to end, despite all the damage that it has done to Russia’s standing in the world, and despite the enormous numbers of Russian men and women who have been killed. He has instead chosen to double down on an imperialist fantasy.

Russian strikes continue to rain down on Ukraine using weapons procured from Kim Jong Un in violation of Security Council Resolutions. So, when Russia comes to this Council, intent on disseminating their propaganda, let us instead all remember who is responsible for this war and its terrible human cost; who continues to trample all over the principles of this organisation; and who has the power to immediately bring this war to an end.

And when Russia campaigns to undermine the supply of Western weapons, as they do again today, let us instead be proud to stand resolutely with Ukraine in defence of their sovereignty and territorial integrity. The quickest path to peace is for President Putin to end his illegal invasion. We repeat our call for Russia to respect the UN Charter and to withdraw its forces from Ukraine.

Thank you.

February 7, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : Iraq has the potential to play a strong stabilising role in the region: UK statement at the UN Security Council [February 2024]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 6 February 2024.

Statement by UK Political Coordinator Fergus Eckersley at the UN Security Council meeting on Iraq.

Thank you, Madam President, I would like to welcome the representatives of Iraq and Kuwait to the chamber.

Let me start by thanking the Special Representative for her briefing, and for the important work of the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq. I would like to highlight three points of particular importance for the UK.

First, we commend the progress being made by Iraq across the breadth of political and economic issues set out by the Special Representative. UNAMI’s contribution to that progress is deeply valued by the United Kingdom. We look forward to discussing the outcome of the Strategic Review being led by Volker Perthes and the future shape and function of UNAMI, in discussion with relevant parties, including of course the sovereign state of Iraq.

Second, Iraq has the potential to play a strong stabilising role in the region. To do so, it is critical that its territory not be used by Iranian proxies to destabilise the region. We offer our condolences to the families of those killed in Iran’s 15 January strike on Erbil. We urge Iran to deescalate tensions in the region. We reiterate our commitment to the Global Coalition against Daesh, which operates within Iraq at the invitation of the Iraqi government, as well as our commitment to a secure and sovereign Iraq.

Third, we congratulate Iraq on holding its first provincial elections for a decade. We look forward to the holding of elections in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq without further delay and encourage all relevant actors to take steps to ensure necessary preparations are made to ensure they are free, fair and timely. We hope a sustainable outcome on the transfer of budget allocations from Baghdad to Erbil can be agreed and we encourage relevant political parties to play a constructive role to support that.

Finally, Madam President, we welcome the Special Representative’s update on missing Kuwaiti and third-country nationals and missing Kuwaiti property and reiterate the UK’s commitment to the work of the Tripartite Commission. We urge further progress to resolve this long-standing issue.

In closing, can I express the UK’s sincere thanks to you, Special Representative, for your outstanding work in Iraq since 2018 and we commend your powerful and hopeful words as you depart about the future of a stable and prosperous Iraq.

I thank you.

February 7, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : 45th Universal Periodic Review of human rights – UK statement on Monaco [February 2024]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 6 February 2024.

The UK’s statement during Monaco’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) at the Human Rights Council in Geneva. Delivered on 29 January 2024.

Thank you, Mr President,

The UK welcomes Monaco’s commitment to the protection of human rights, and its longstanding guarantees on the freedom of religion and belief within the Principality.

We commend Monaco’s efforts to improve women’s rights, and welcome the repeal of the civil code provisions which prohibit women from remarrying within 310 days of the dissolution of a previous marriage.

We note, however, that there is still work to be done to ensure the protection of women, and provision of equal rights for same-sex couples.

We recommend:
1. Improvements to conditions inside prisons, such as access to daylight, and increasing space for activities, including those outdoors.
2. Reviewing legislation concerning same-sex couples to ensure continuity with rights and recognitions afforded to opposite-sex couples.
3. Conducting an official review of legislative barriers to justice for victims of sexual crimes and domestic violence, including adopting a broader definition of domestic violence in line with the Istanbul Convention.
Thank you.
February 7, 2024