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  • PRESS RELEASE : Childcare recruitment campaign launched [February 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Childcare recruitment campaign launched [February 2024]

    The press release issued by the Department for Education on 2 February 2024.

    Brand new recruitment campaign for early years workers launches today across TV, cinema, online, radio and out of home advertising.

    A major new national recruitment campaign has been launched by the Department for Education today (2 February 2024) alongside a trial of £1,000 cash sign-on bonuses, to give nurseries and early years providers the workers they need and offer more childcare places for parents.

    The recruitment drive comes as the latest data shows that 102,480 children have been registered on the system, reflecting the strength of demand across the country before the first phase of the largest ever expansion in free childcare kicks in from April.

    The rollout is set to save working parents using the full 30-hour entitlements up to £6,500 a year, doubling down on this government’s commitment to deliver a brighter future for Britain and improve economic security and opportunity for everyone.

    Education Secretary, Gillian Keegan said:

    Parents shouldn’t have to choose between a career and a family and our expanded childcare offer is going to make sure of that.

    From April, hundreds of thousands of parents of 2 year olds will get 15 funded hours. This is good for families and good for the wider economy – ultimately putting more money in parents’ pockets at the end of the month.

    The fantastic nurseries, childminders and professionals across the childcare sector are central to the success of this rollout and our new recruitment campaign will support them in continuing to deliver the flexible and high-quality childcare parents need.

    The “Do Something Big” recruitment campaign is to encourage people to start a career working with small children – one part of this government’s ongoing sector support to ensure providers are in the best position to deliver the places parents need from April and September this year and next.

    The campaign will look to boost recruitment across the sector by highlighting the vast array of childcare career routes and progression opportunities offering on-the-job training, flexible hours, and, most importantly, the chance to shape and support young lives.

    A £1,000 sign-on bonus for childcare workers is also being launched today to increase capacity, tackle unemployment, and offer more childcare places.

    The trial – which will cover 20 local authorities across the UK – will give new-starters and returners a tax-free cash payment shortly after they take up post.

    Supporting with the cost of childcare and delivering a sustainable childcare sector is just one part of wider government efforts to grow the economy and reduce debt, with inflation falling from 11.1% to 4% and National Insurance by 2% in the last year alone.

    Chief Secretary to the Treasury Laura Trott said:

    Due to the difficult decision this government has taken, and by sticking to our plan, inflation has fallen and the economy is beginning to turn a corner. But the cost of childcare remains a major barrier for parents who want to work.

    That’s why we are delivering the biggest investment ever in childcare in England, which will save a working parent using 30 hours a week an average of £6,500. This recruitment campaign will ensure the sector is ready to deliver.

    This comes as new research finds half (51%) of Brits would consider working with pre-school children, and 2 in 5 (39%) agreed they would be more likely to do so if given £1,000 cash after joining.

    The survey highlighted just how influential early years professionals are in a child’s development, with 97% of parents agreeing an early years professional had an impact on their child’s development, and two thirds (66%) agreeing they are one of the most important people in their child’s life.

    Rebecca Mabey, Development Lead at a non-profit in Essex, has received her code from the Childcare Service and will be taking up 30 government-funded hours a week for her 3-year-old boy from April:

    I work 4 days a week, and the cost of nursery fees means my partner and I have only been able to afford a limited time there, often relying on immediate family for childcare support over the last few years.

    The new hours will mean we can increase the time our little boy spends learning and socialising at nursery, give us more flexibility at work and take some of the pressure off our family who have helped so much already.

    Our second child is due in June, so the next stage of rollout will be a huge help when baby number 2 comes along!

    Liam Erens, who works at a nursery in London as part of the London Early Years Foundation (LEYF), nearly let misconceptions about working in early years stop him pursuing a career he now loves. Liam joined LEYF 2 years ago as part of an all-male cohort of apprentices, and now works full-time as a qualified practitioner. He urges anyone considering a career in the sector to pursue it:

    I’ve always had an interest in childcare but I was concerned about how people may judge me […] At first, my friends commented on how I was “just” looking after children but there is so much more to the role than that.

    We are keeping children safe, nurturing them, scaffolding their learning and building the foundations for their life. An inclusive ethos is an important part of this.

    The government has also today taken steps to provide greater funding certainty to nurseries and childcare providers. Each year, the government sets out funding rates in the autumn, to take effect in the following financial year. A window – likely to be 8 weeks – will be introduced, within which local authorities have to confirm rates, after the point the department announces local authority rates. We will work with the sector in the coming weeks to finalise the approach.

    The government has also made clear to all local authorities that they should confirm local funding rates that come into force from 1 April no later than the end of February.

    Clare Roberts, Kids Planet CEO said:

    Many parents already recognise how amazing early years and childcare professionals are, but it’s time that everyone else does too, and that the sector is given the recognition and importance it deserves in the valuable job it does to shape future generations.

    To deliver the government’s expansion of childcare and for it to be successful, we need to see significant growth across the sector, and what better way than to spotlight the incredible people already supporting and shaping our children.

    I welcome the launch of this campaign and would urge anyone interested in pursuing a career in childcare to take that first step and start exploring the opportunities available.

    Minister for Employment, Jo Churchill said:

    Our Back to Work Plan is extending help for over a million people to find, stay and succeed in work. We know just how essential accessible childcare is for working parents, which is why we’ve increased the amount parents on Universal Credit are able to claim from £1,108 to £1,630 a month for 2 or more children.

    The government’s expanded childcare offer also presents new opportunities in the sector, and we know how a career in childcare can be incredibly rewarding. Our Jobcentre teams stand ready to support those interested in early years work.

    With the expansion of free childcare, parents across the country – including those on Universal Credit – can return to work, extend their hours or look for new opportunities confident that their children are well taken care of.

    In October last year, the government allocated local authorities their share of £289 million to support the expansion of wraparound childcare, so that every parent of a primary school-aged child could access childcare from 8am to 6pm by September 2026.

    Today, 4 areas have confirmed they will be rolling out expanded wraparound provision from April 2024 – 5 months ahead of the national programme launch in September. Central Bedfordshire, the bi-borough of Westminster and Kensington and Chelsea, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire will begin expanding provision – increasing access to flexible childcare for local working parents as part of a test and learn phase to strengthen the delivery of national rollout.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Secretary of State announces appointment of a new member of the Board of the Northern Ireland Fishery Harbour Authority (NIFHA) [February 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Secretary of State announces appointment of a new member of the Board of the Northern Ireland Fishery Harbour Authority (NIFHA) [February 2024]

    The press release issued by the Department for Northern Ireland on 2 February 2024.

    The Secretary of State, Rt Hon Chris Heaton-Harris MP, has today announced the appointment of a new member of the Board of NIFHA.

    The Secretary of State, the Rt Hon Chris Heaton-Harris MP, has today announced the appointment of Robert Ryans as a new member of the Northern Ireland Fishery Harbour Authority Board. In the absence of Ministers in the Northern Ireland Executive, this appointment was made under the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2022.

    Mr Ryans will take up the post on 12 February 2024.

    Robert Ryans has extensive senior management experience in a highly competitive domain of the retail sector. He brings an in-depth knowledge of people development, strategic and financial planning and commercial and operational performance.

    Details of body

    The Northern Ireland Fishery Harbour Authority is an Executive non-departmental  public body (Executive NDPB) sponsored by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA). It was established in 1973 under the Harbours Act (Northern Ireland) 1970 and the Northern Ireland Fishery Harbour  Authority Order (Northern Ireland) 1973 and has responsibility for the fishery  harbours and harbour estates of Ardglass, Kilkeel and Portavogie.

    Terms Of Appointment

    • The member role requires approximately 16-18 days per annum.
    • The appointment is for a four-year term.
    • The Member position is remunerated at £5,099 per annum.

    Regulation

    The procedure for these appointments is designed to adhere to the Code of Practice  issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland. This  means that the process will be based on merit after a fair, open and transparent  process that involves independent scrutiny. A copy of the code can be found at: https://www.publicappointmentsni.org/

    Political Activity

    All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection  process. However, the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland  requires the political activity of appointees to be published. The appointee has declared they have had no political activity in the last 5 years.

    Notes to editors

    1. The NIFHA was added by Statutory Instrument to the Northern Ireland Executive  Formation Act 2022 on 11 July 2023.
    2. Media queries should be directed to the DAERA press office: pressoffice.group@daera-ni.gov.uk or phone 02890 524619.
    3. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media  enquiries only between 1800 hrs and 0800 hrs Monday to Friday and at  weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028  9037 8110.
  • PRESS RELEASE : Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Polar Medal at risk of leaving the UK [February 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Polar Medal at risk of leaving the UK [February 2024]

    The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 2 February 2024.

    A temporary export bar has been placed on Antarctic Explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Polar Medal.

    • The medal is valued at more than £1.7 million
    • The export bar will allow time for a UK gallery or institution to acquire the medal for the nation

    Arts and Heritage Minister Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay has placed an export bar on Antarctic Explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Polar Medal.

    The medal, valued at £1,760,000 (plus VAT of £44,000), is at risk of leaving the UK unless a domestic buyer can be found to save it for the nation.

    The Arctic Medal was instituted in 1857 and renamed the Polar Medal in 1904. It is given to individuals for outstanding service to the field of polar research. It was first awarded to the participants in Captain Robert F. Scott’s successful first expedition to the Antarctic, and then to reward future expedition members and leaders.

    The Polar Medal was awarded to Shackleton in recognition of his three polar expeditions (1902–04, 1907–09, 1914–16), the latter two of which he led. It is the most important of the UK medals awarded to him, given it is the only medal to recognise all three of his expeditions. It is also the last of Shackleton’s medals still in the UK.

    Shackleton made three expeditions to the Antarctic in the early twentieth century with his 1907 Nimrod expedition aiming to be the first to reach the South Pole. Although unsuccessful, the expedition was the first in history to travel within 100 miles of the South Pole, successfully ascend Mount Erebus and the first to set foot on the South Polar Plateau. His 1909 expedition was the greatest advance to the Pole in history until Amundsen and Scott reached the South Pole separately three years later in 1912.

    Arts and Heritage Minister Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay said:

    Over the course of three Antarctic expeditions, Sir Ernest Shackleton demonstrated his dedication to polar research, his extraordinary bravery, and a thirst for adventure unrivalled even by many of his contemporaries.

    The admiration and interest which Shackleton’s exploits inspired continues to this day, so it is right that this medal – a recognition of his immense contribution to polar exploration – should be saved for the nation so that it can continue to inspire the public for many years to come.”

    The Minister’s decision follows the advice of the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest.

    Committee Chairman, Andrew Hochhauser KC, said:

    The Polar Medal was instituted in September 1904, at first to reward the participants in Captain Robert F. Scott’s successful first expedition to the Antarctic region, and then to reward future expedition members and leaders. Besides Captain Scott, its other most distinguished recipient was Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton. This is the original, full-sized version of the medal awarded to Shackleton. This unique artefact is of outstanding significance as the most important and original of the UK medals to have been awarded to one of Britain’s greatest polar explorers. It should go to a UK public institution where it can remind visitors of Shackleton’s extraordinary achievements and inspire future generations of leaders.

    The Committee made its recommendation on the basis that the medal was found to meet the first Waverley criterion, that its departure from the UK would be a misfortune because it was so closely connected with our history and national life.

    In 2020, an export bar was placed on the sledge and flag from the Nimrod expedition successfully saving them for the public, with the 11ft sledge now owned by the National Maritime Museum (NMM) in Greenwich and the sledge flag owned by the Scott Polar Research Institute in Cambridge.

    The decision on the export licence application for the medal will be deferred for a period ending on 1 May 2024 (inclusive). At the end of the first deferral period owners will have a consideration period of 15 Business Days to consider any offer(s) to purchase the medal at the recommended price of £1,760,000 (plus VAT of £44,000). The second deferral period will commence following the signing of an Option Agreement and will last for five months.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK Government welcomes request by the DUP leader to recall Northern Ireland Assembly [February 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK Government welcomes request by the DUP leader to recall Northern Ireland Assembly [February 2024]

    The press release issued by the Northern Ireland Office on 1 February 2024.

    The statement follows the the request made by Sir Jeffrey Donaldson to recall the NI Assembly and work with the other parties.

    The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Heaton-Harris MP has welcomed the request made by Democratic Unionist Party leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson to work with the other Northern Ireland Parties to recall the Northern Ireland Assembly.

    The move followed the Government’s introduction of legislation to affirm Northern Ireland’s place in the Union and to guarantee unfettered access for Northern Ireland goods to the whole of the United Kingdom internal market.

    Northern Ireland Secretary, Chris Heaton-Harris said:

    “I am delighted that the Democratic Unionist Party have taken this next step to work with the other Northern Ireland Parties to recall the Assembly.

    “The Government made commitments to introduce legislation in our Command Paper and we have now followed through on those commitments.

    “I look forward to working with the new First Minister, deputy First Minister, and all the Ministers in a returned Northern Ireland Executive, alongside Northern Ireland Assembly members, to improve the lives of people living here.”

  • PRESS RELEASE : International Holocaust Remembrance Day: UK statement to the OSCE [February 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : International Holocaust Remembrance Day: UK statement to the OSCE [February 2024]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 1 February 2024.

    Deputy Ambassador Brown marks International Holocaust Remembrance Day and condemns Holocaust denial and distortion.

    Thank you Ambassador Gras, for your introductory comments and Croatia’s work as President of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA).

    Last week we marked International Holocaust Remembrance Day, remembering and honouring the 6 million Jewish people, Roma, disabled, gay men, political opponents and Jehovah’s Witnesses who were murdered. All murdered for who they were and what they believed.

    The Holocaust was one of the darkest moments in human history. Tragically, recent events have underlined its continued relevance today. Israel was founded in the shadow of the Holocaust as a place of sanctuary for the Jewish people. And as we have seen the ugly face of antisemitism resurface, with an unprecedented surge in hate crime globally since the barbaric attacks on the 7th of October. Shamefully, this was also the case in the United Kingdom.

    The UK will succeed Croatia as President of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance later this year, convening meetings in Glasgow in June and in London in December. During our Presidency we will mark the 85th anniversary of the first Kindertransport, the rescue of almost ten thousand Jewish children. Children who became Nobel prize winners, members of our legislatures and – in the UK – include the midwife who first held the future King Charles the Third.

    We will soon reach a point where the march of time means that the Holocaust will no longer be part of our living history. With that comes a growing concern about the rise of Holocaust denial and distortion – recasting history to erase the devastating horrors faced by the Jewish people and others.

    Our Presidency therefore aims to help children understand that the Holocaust did not happen in secret, hidden away in the dark corner, beyond most citizens’ gaze. We want to shine a spotlight on the circumstances that led up to the Holocaust and the nature of society that allowed it to happen in plain sight.

    Alongside this, we will prioritise tackling the continued rise of Holocaust distortion. We have a duty to protect the facts, fighting back against attempts to minimise or erase the devastation endured by the Jewish people. As IHRA Presidency and working with the OSCE, the UK will therefore convene AI, social media and other experts to discuss Holocaust distortion, including risks from deep fake technology and online disinformation.

    Today is above all a day for remembering. We remember all those who were murdered.  And as we remember them, I reiterate the UK’s commitment to continuing that remembrance among future generations and to combating antisemitism domestically and across the OSCE region.

    Thank you Chair.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK and France agree to closer cooperation [February 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK and France agree to closer cooperation [February 2024]

    The press release issued by the Home Office on 1 February 2024.

    The UK and France will go even further and faster in tackling illegal migration and build even closer law enforcement and security cooperation ties in 2024.

    During talks in Paris on Tuesday (30 January), Home Secretary James Cleverly and French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin discussed the breadth of their shared priorities, the enduring strength of the UK-France relationship and the opportunities for further deepening of cooperation.

    This year marks the 120th anniversary of the Entente Cordiale, which brought a new age of UK-French relations.

    The Home Secretary welcomed the excellent work from French law enforcement to reduce the number of small boats reaching the UK by 36% in 2023 compared to the previous year. He also welcomed the action to target ‘taxi-boat’ launches, including by constructing barriers and increasing patrols, where UK-France cooperation directly impacted organised criminal activity.

    To go further in our response, the Home Secretary and Interior Minister Darmanin welcomed plans to accelerate delivery of the March 2023 UK-France Summit agreement. These plans will expedite deployment of key aerial surveillance equipment, ensuring unprecedented levels of coverage to enable French law enforcement to intercept crossing attempts as quickly as possible. The Home Secretary underlined that cross-Channel cooperation to save lives at sea remains an important priority.

    The Home Secretary also endorsed both countries’ commitment to new UK-France cooperation focused on disruption of small boats materials’ supply through enhanced intelligence sharing.

    As part of further pan-European efforts to tackle illegal migration, the ministers discussed convening a meeting of the Calais Group Interior Ministers in the spring to lead discussions with key near neighbour partners on further efforts to tackle illegal migration.

    The Home Secretary committed to the UK continuing to share security experience and expertise to support France’s preparations for the Olympics.

    Home Secretary James Cleverly said:

    The UK and France are friends, neighbours and partners. Our cooperation against the full range of security threats and challenges is vital for both our countries and for Europe.

    France is an essential partner to prevent illegal migration. The UK continues to support the challenges faced by French law enforcement, operating under increasingly difficult circumstances to save lives and disrupt organised criminal gangs. Their commitment is exemplary, and the results are impressive.

    I want to thank my friend Gérald Darmanin for his continued leadership and support in tackling the small boat crisis and pledge to see our countries continue to work closely together, not least as France takes on the challenge of hosting the Olympics this summer.

    Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin said:

    In the follow-up of 2023, France and the UK will deepen their cooperation, which is essential in the very intense fight against violent and reckless smugglers’ networks.

    They will also continue calling for a UK-EU agreement on migration issues so as to better manage illegal as well as legal migration.

    Besides, their joint action will also cover the security of major upcoming events this year, with a particular focus on the Summer Olympics.

    The dialogue between our 2 countries should also help improve the fight against radicalisation as well as crimes committed online.

    Both countries continue to deliver against the landmark deal agreed between the Prime Minister and President Macron during the March 2023 Leaders’ Summit. Already, over half of the 500 UK-funded French personnel have been deployed to tackle small boats.

    The recent fatal incidents in the Channel are a tragic reminder of the human cost of these dangerous crossings. It is imperative to dismantle the organised criminal gangs responsible, whose action is increasingly violent and inhuman.

    Since May 2023, the UK and France have worked even more closely together in northern France, with UK liaison officers permanently based in Lille and in Calais, enhancing information exchange at working level between our countries in order to prevent crossings and investigate organised criminal groups.

    The UK and France continue to have a strong and highly valued relationship on security and counter terrorism issues. This includes cooperation to tackle terrorism at home and overseas, including action against Hamas and other terrorist groups.

    The UK continues to offer France with support for the upcoming Olympic Games, having shared experiences from London 2012 and other major events including Her Majesty The Late Queen’s funeral and His Majesty The King’s Coronation.

  • PRESS RELEASE : OSCE Co-operation with the Council of Europe: UK statement to the OSCE [February 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : OSCE Co-operation with the Council of Europe: UK statement to the OSCE [February 2024]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 1 February 2024.

    Deputy Ambassador Brown thanks Minister Hasler for outlining Liechtenstein’s priorities at the Council of Europe, and for the close collaboration with the OSCE.

    On behalf of the UK, I warmly welcome you, Minister Hasler, to the Permanent Council. Thank you for outlining your priorities at the Council of Europe and for collaboration with the OSCE. The Council of Europe has been, and will continue to be, important to the UK’s human rights and foreign policy agenda.

    The longstanding relationship between the OSCE and the Council of Europe is rooted firmly in the promotion of human rights, rule of law, and democracy. Respect for these common principles defines our shared endeavours in Vienna and in Strasbourg. We meet today at a particularly challenging time for European Security and while President Putin’s unprovoked and unjustified war in Ukraine is about to enter a third year. We call on all OSCE participating States to uphold our common commitments to shared security on our continent and condemn, once again, Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.

    The UK is proud to be Chair of the Conference of Participants for the Register of Damage for Ukraine. The Register will serve as a record for damage, loss or injury caused by Russia’s aggression – a significant step towards securing justice for the Ukrainian People. We call on any OSCE participating States who have not yet done so, to join this vital work

    The Council of Europe and the OSCE share much common ground – joint work on serious organised crime, elections,  counter-terrorism, human trafficking, Artificial Intelligence, migration and gender. As both the OSCE and the Council of Europe face up to a series of common challenges this year, it is important that we continue to recognise each organisation’s individual merits and distinctiveness. We need to work in a coordinated way to employ the unique set of instruments and tools which each organisation offers to its participating and member States.

    Minister Hasler, the UK is – and will remain – a steadfast supporter of the work of both the Council of Europe and the OSCE. We offer you, and your team, our best wishes for your work in the year ahead.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Secretary of State announces appointment of new Independent Reviewer [February 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Secretary of State announces appointment of new Independent Reviewer [February 2024]

    The press release issued by the Northern Ireland Office on 1 February 2024.

    The Secretary of State, Rt Hon Chris Heaton-Harris MP, has today announced the appointment of Dr Jonny Byrne as the Independent Reviewer of the exercised powers under the Justice and Security (Northern Ireland) Act 2007 and National Security Arrangements.

    Dr Byrne will replace Professor Marie Breen Smyth with effect from 1 February 2024.

    Dr Jonny Byrne is currently a Lecturer in criminology and criminal justice, in the School of Criminology, Social Policy and Politics at Ulster University. He lectures on issues relating to policing and security, countering violent extremism and psychology within the criminal justice system.

    He has completed a number of research projects on public attitudes to peace walls, paramilitary violence, young people’s participation in political violence, community experiences of public order policing in Northern Ireland, bonfires, and the manipulations of commemorations and celebrations in a contested society.

    Background:

    The role of the Independent Reviewer of Justice & Security is set out within the Justice and Security (Northern Ireland) Act 2007. The reviewer plays a key role in providing confidence that the powers are being closely scrutinised and used proportionately by the policing and legal system.

    The Independent Reviewer of National Security Arrangements provides assurances around the role of security services in Northern Ireland and their interactions with the PSNI.

    Terms of appointment:

    • Length of appointment: Three years from 1 February 2024
    • Remuneration: £650 per day
    • Pension: The position is not pensionable
    • Time Requirements: 45 days per annum across both roles

    Political Activity:

    All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity in defined categories within the last five years to be made public. Dr Byrne has not been engaged in any political activity in the last five years.

    Regulation:

    The Commissioner for Public Appointments does not regulate this appointment.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Russia is inflicting hardship and suffering on Ukrainian people in territories it claims to have “liberated” – UK statement to the OSCE [February 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Russia is inflicting hardship and suffering on Ukrainian people in territories it claims to have “liberated” – UK statement to the OSCE [February 2024]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 1 February 2024.

    Deputy Ambassador Deirdre Brown condemns reports of the declining humanitarian situation in the Ukrainian territories temporarily under Russian control and Russia’s attempts to erase Ukrainian identity.

    Thank you, Madam Chair. Firstly, I would like to thank you and your team for convening last week’s Special Permanent Council.  We heard 22 statements condemning Russia’s heinous attacks and underscoring our unwavering support for Ukraine. We must, and will, continue to hold Russia to account for failing to uphold the OSCE’s founding principles and abide by international humanitarian and human rights law.

    The humanitarian situation in the regions of Ukraine temporarily under Russian control is deeply concerning. Millions of people live in these areas where access for humanitarian organisations has been mostly impossible. Reports suggest civilians are struggling to access water, food, shelter and other essential services. Russia has repeatedly ignored calls to allow humanitarians safe access to these areas. Russia claims to have “liberated” these territories. Instead, it has brought hardship and suffering. There are reports that Russia has carried out enforced disappearances, summary executions of civilians, and unlawful detention and torture, especially targeting civil servants, pro-Ukraine activists and journalists, and other civilians presumed to oppose the occupation.

    We condemn Russia’s decision to hold Russian presidential elections in Ukraine this year, further violating Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. Russia will not succeed in legitimising its attempted illegal annexation in this way. As the UN General Assembly made overwhelmingly clear in October 2022, these regions are and always will be Ukrainian.

    Russia’s despicable and systematic attempt to erase Ukrainian identity, and with it, Ukraine’s future, is unfortunately not limited to changes on a map. Ukrainian children have been targeted by Russia’s appalling forced deportation strategy.

    We are seriously concerned by reports that over 19,000 Ukrainian children have been forcibly deported to Russia or temporarily controlled Russian territory since Russia launched its full-scale invasion; that fewer than 400 have so far been returned to Ukraine; and that a senior Russian politician has even illegally adopted a Ukrainian child.

    Under a new Russian citizenship law passed in January, Russian authorities claim they can confer Russian citizenship upon vulnerable Ukrainian children deported to Russia. We call upon Russia to cease these deportations immediately. We condemn these actions, and are determined to hold to account those responsible for forcibly deporting and attempting to indoctrinate Ukrainian children.

    The UK is pleased to be joining the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children tomorrow. We welcome its establishment and fully endorse the joint Declaration. This is an important step towards a global coordinated effort to return Ukrainian children to their homeland, and an initiative the UK fully supports.

    In closing, Madam Chair, we have raised the case of Vladimir Kara-Murza, a dual British-Russian national imprisoned in Russia, on several occasions in this Forum. While we welcome the news that he has been located following a prison transfer, he should not be in prison at all. He is in prison for engaging in legitimate criticism of the political situation: for speaking out against the war in Ukraine and against Putin’s regime. We reiterate our call for his immediate and unconditional release. And, as we raised last week, we remain concerned at Russia’s continued detention of our three OSCE colleagues of the Special Monitoring Mission. The UK again calls for their immediate release, along with all Ukrainians currently victims of arbitrary detention.

    The United Kingdom will stand with Ukraine today, tomorrow and for as long as it takes. Thank you, Madam Chair.

  • PRESS RELEASE : New guidance to enhance e-bike and e-scooter safety [February 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : New guidance to enhance e-bike and e-scooter safety [February 2024]

    The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 1 February 2024.

    Guidance includes information on how to safely buy, store and charge e-cycles and e-scooters.

    • information issued for users, owners and transport operators
    • guidance designed to ensure public safety and mitigate fire risk

    Information around how to safely purchase, charge and use e-bikes and e-scooters has been published by the government today (1 February 2024) to improve consumer safety.

    Following extensive consultation with industry, guidance on battery safety for both e-scooters and e-bikes will raise awareness for owners on how to safely purchase an e-cycle or e-scooter, ensure it meets manufacturing requirements and is only bought from reputable sellers. The documents also cover safe storage and charging, the warning signs for fire risk and how to address them, and how to dispose of batteries responsibly.

    The guidance also reminds people that e-scooters cannot be used legally on roads unless they are part of an official rental trial.

    Separate guidance has been issued to help public transport operators assess and manage fire risks associated with the carriage of e-bikes and e-scooters on trains and buses. Similar information has been produced for those managing premises such as schools and workplaces.

    Technology and Decarbonisation Minister, Anthony Browne, said:

    Safety has always been our top priority, which is why our latest guidance aims to improve the awareness of e-bike and e-scooter users in the trial areas where they’re authorised.

    Today’s announcement follows the Home Offices’s advice on fire safety for e-scooters and e-bikes, which was published last year. To further understand the safety of the lithium-ion batteries used in e-cycles and e-scooters, the Office for Product Safety and Standard (OPSS) is currently conducting a safety study and taking enforcement action where unsafe products are found.

    The extension of e-scooter trials until May 2026 will also enable us to build on current learning across areas including usage, safety and environmental impacts, and to explore changing travel patterns since the COVID-19 pandemic.