Tag: Press Release

PRESS RELEASE : Government committed to MOT modernisation as consultation concludes [January 2024]
The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 25 January 2024.

First MOT test to remain at 3 years from registration and annually thereafter while government works to establish a programme of longer-term reform for MOTs.
- first MOT test to remain 3 years after buying new cars, as government listens to drivers
- government to explore modernising the test for electric and automated vehicles following extensive feedback
- follows the biggest ever investment to improve local roads of £8.3 billion
Motorists will still take the first MOT test 3 years after buying their new car as the government continues to listen to drivers.

Today (25 January 2024), the government has published its response to the consultation on updating MOT testing for cars, motorbikes and vans, which confirms that the first MOT will remain at 3 years from registration. Every subsequent MOT will also continue to be taken once every year, ensuring motorists can continue to drive with peace of mind.

Launched in January 2023, the consultation sought views to ensure roadworthiness checks continue to balance the cost to motorists, road safety, advances in vehicle technology and tackling vehicle emissions.

To ensure MOTs are fit for the future, the government will further investigate how to better monitor diesel vehicle emissions through the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). This will include whether testing should do more to ensure that diesel vehicles comply with emissions regulations.

Analysis from the AA suggests that an annual MOT can potentially save drivers between £200 and £400 as picking up developing faults each year means drivers aren’t hit with higher repair bills further down the road.

Roads Minister, Guy Opperman, said:

We have listened to drivers and industry, and keeping MOTs in their current form shows once again that we are on the side of motorists.

By offering clarity on MOT tests, alongside our recent street works consultation and unprecedented £8.3 billion to resurface roads, we are helping motorists drive with peace of mind and ensuring Britain’s roads continue to be some of the safest in the world.

With the constantly improving technology of modern-day cars and electric vehicles (EVs), the Department for Transport will continue to work closely with industry stakeholders and drivers to establish a programme of longer-term reform for MOTs.

To ensure they remain fit for the future, the government is exploring a more effective test for diesel particulate emissions, whether further improvements could be made to the MOT for electric vehicles and the transfer of some larger zero-emissions vans to more standard, car-style MOT testing.

Neil Barlow, Head of Vehicle Policy at DVSA, said:

Ensuring the MOT remains fit for the future is a key part of DVSA’s work and getting ready for new technology will help keep Britain’s roads safe.

We hope, this positive news will provide some certainty for garages to enable the investment in new technologies that could be needed to keep the MOT at the forefront of road safety and the environment.

DfT will also monitor technological developments that could require an altered MOT, such as advanced driver assistance systems.

Jakob Pfaudler, AA CEO, said:

AA polling showed drivers overwhelmingly (83%) supported the annual MOT for keeping their cars and other cars safe. With 1 in 10 cars failing their first MOT, we fully support the government’s pragmatic decision to maintain the first MOT at 3 years and annually thereafter.

The measures follow last week’s proposals to tackle overrunning street works from utility companies and the biggest ever funding boost of £8.3 billion to resurface over 5,000 miles of local roads in England, as the government continues to be on the side of drivers and improve journeys for more people, in more places, more quickly.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said:

Government and the automotive industry have worked together to ensure the UK has some of the world’s safest roads. The decision to retain the existing MOT system is the right one, helping maintain this proud record and giving drivers confidence in car and van roadworthiness.

With vehicle technology continuing to evolve at pace in terms of both safety and environmental performance, we will maintain this collaboration with government and other stakeholders so that the MOT continues to be fit for purpose, helping Britain improve what is already a strong road safety record.

IAM RoadSmart Director of Policy and Standards, Nicholas Lyes, said:

An MOT gives drivers confidence their vehicle is conforming to minimum roadworthiness standards and many see it as an essential technical health check. Well-maintained vehicles make our roads safer and reduce the chances of collisions caused by worn-out parts and more serious defects.

We welcome the government listening to drivers and prioritising both road safety and emissions as part of this package of announcements.
January 25, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : Bridging the gap – Essential military bridging contract secures 300 UK jobs [January 2024]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 25 January 2024.

British Army battlefield mobility will be bolstered in a new £150 million contract for military-grade general support bridges which will secure 300 UK jobs.
£150 million contract for cutting-edge Army bridges to secure around 300 UK jobs in North West.

New bridges can extend almost 50 metres across land or water and carry weight of British Army tank.

High-tech capability is interoperable with UK’s NATO partners.

British Army battlefield mobility will be bolstered in a new £150 million contract for military-grade general support bridges which will secure 300 UK jobs.

Stockport-based company KNDS UK (Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and Nexter), which has a long history of manufacturing military bridge systems, will deliver the support bridges based on their Dry Support Bridge design.

Extending up to 46 meters – the length of five buses – and able to carry the weight of the Army’s future tank, the Challenger 3, the bridges can be used to cross both wet and dry gaps.

Enabling the safe movement of personnel and equipment across the battlefield, the bridges will also ensure the resupply of forward fighting elements and humanitarian aid in disaster relief situations.

Replacing the BR90 ABLE system previously in service with the British Army, the new capability will be interoperable with other NATO partners’ bridge systems, meaning that resources can be shared between nations during joint exercises and deployments.

Minister for Defence Procurement James Cartlidge said:

This is a fantastic example of this government delivering on our Land Industrial Strategy – investing in UK industry and delivering world-class bridging capabilities to our Armed Forces.

Securing hundreds of jobs in Stockport, this contract is a crucial step forward in our military capability, improving interoperability with our NATO allies as we work closer together.

The £150 million contract for General Support Bridges has been placed by Defence Equipment and Support as part of Project TYRO. TYRO will provide a significant capability improvement for the British Army, facilitating the mobility of future Armoured Brigade Combat Teams, and equipment across gaps in the terrain.

Defence Equipment & Support Fires, Infrastructure & Manoeuvre Support (FIMS) Portfolio Lead Mr Mark Bunyan said:

Military Equipment Bridging is the bedrock of successful operations and is vital to ensuring that our personnel can move around a battlefield in the safest and quickest way.

Project TYRO GSB will enable the UK to maintain an operational advantage and is a great example of British Industry supporting UK Defence Capability.

The TYRO general support bridge system will be one of the world’s most technically advanced, rapidly deployable military bridges and will be mounted on Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicle (RMMV) HX2 tactical trucks.

AHQ DProgs – Col Adam Foley, SRO for Military Engineering Capability said:

Project TYRO GSB has been an excellent example of close collaboration with industry and our NATO and ABCANZ partners to meet our bridging requirements now and into the future.

Managing Director, KNDS UK – Ian Anderton said:

We are delighted that the British Army will join the ever-growing community of Dry Support Bridge users. The Dry Support Bridge is a proven capability that is manufactured in the UK and exported globally.

Project TYRO also marks over 50 years as a prime contractor to the UK MoD and we remain very proud to support the UK Defence Capability.
January 25, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : Putin’s War of Aggression in Ukraine increases Russia’s Diplomatic Isolation – UK statement to the OSCE [January 2024]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 25 January 2024.

UK military advisor, Nicholas Aucott, says Putin’s disastrous military campaign has diplomatically diminished Russia as it turns to North Korea and Iran.

Thank you, Mr Chair. I look forward to working with you and your team over this trimester and note the rich programme of Security Dialogue topics that will be discussed during this period. Sadly, however, the overwhelming concern of this Forum remains Russia’s ongoing war of aggression in Ukraine. Russia’s invasion of its sovereign neighbour has contravened international law and the underlying principles of this organisation. It is important that we, as a collective organisation of responsible states, reflect on the reality of this point because Russia is keen that this brutal action becomes lost in the noise of diplomatic obfuscation and a sense of normality.

There is nothing ‘normal’ in this reality; everyday innocent Ukrainian lives are lost as a consequence of Russia’s war of choice. Russia has continued to terrorise the Ukrainian civilian population, exemplified in its missile and drone attacks which struck residential areas in Kyiv and Kharkiv yesterday. Viewed from any angle, Russia’s full scale invasion of Ukraine is nothing short of an unmitigated disaster for Russia. Having failed in the pursuit of its war aims, Russia’s campaign in the last week has achieved little except an increase in its own casualties and equipment losses.

In order to continue its war, Russia has needed to ramp up its defence spending, which has come at the expense of other areas and accelerating inflation. This has forced the Central Bank of Russia to double interest rates to 16% since July 2023. The cost of Russia’s war continues to rise.

As a consequence of the resilience of the brave people of Ukraine, and with the support of the vast of majority of this Forum, Ukraine remains resolute in the face of aggression and continues to thwart Russia’s malign intentions. On 14 January, Ukraine destroyed a Russian A-50 MAINSTAY, a key enabler for Russian operations over Ukraine, providing airborne early warning of threats as well as command and control functionality. Ukraine has increased its agricultural exports in December 2023 to the highest level since the war began, reopened its main Black Sea ports and it has established a unilateral shipping export channel. Additionally, it has largely repelled the Russian Black Sea Fleet from operating in the western Black Sea.

These achievements are demonstrative of what can be accomplished when illegal aggressive actions are confronted. This situation is a far cry from Putin’s assertion that Russia’s subjugation of Ukraine would be accomplished within a matter of days and, almost two years on from the full scale invasion, Russia is now diplomatically diminished, aligning with North Korea and Iran.

Following the UK Prime Minister’s visit to Ukraine on 12 January, the United Kingdom has committed to an increased package of support amounting to £2.5Bn next financial year and signed an historic security agreement to provide Ukraine with the assurances it needs for the long term. As a consequence of this package, the United Kingdom has provided Ukraine with close to £12Bn of military, economic and humanitarian support in a clear signal of our unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Ukraine has fought with great courage to defend their country and defend the principles of freedom and democracy. But Ukraine will never be alone. The United Kingdom will stand with Ukraine today, tomorrow and for as long as it takes. Thank you.

January 25, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : Owners urged to take action ahead of XL Bully ban [January 2024]
The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 25 January 2024.

Owners must act now to register their dog by 31 January.
XL Bully dogs will be banned in less than one week, as the Government takes action to protect the public.

From the 1st February, anyone found in possession of one of these dangerous dogs, if it is not registered and does not adhere to strict conditions, will face a criminal record and an unlimited fine.

The decision to ban XL Bully comes after a concerning rise in tragic dog attacks and fatalities caused by XL Bully dogs.

In order to safely manage the existing population of these dogs, owners of XL Bully dogs have less than one week to register their dog, if they have not already done so. The registration system for the breed will close at noon on Wednesday 31 January and owners have until then to obtain their certificate in time.

The UK’s Chief Vet is urging any remaining unregistered XL Bully owners not to delay any further and register their dog. Alternatively, the owner can arrange an appointment with their veterinarian for their dog to be put down by 31 January.

By registering their XL Bully, owners will have to comply with restrictions to ensure pets do not pose a danger to the public. This includes having them microchipped, kept on a lead and muzzled when in public and, to make sure these dogs cannot continue breeding, they must also be neutered. For most dogs, this will be by 30 June, and for dogs under one year old, this should be by the end of 2024.

Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss said:

“Please do not risk leaving it to the last minute if you want to keep your dog, you should register it now.

“If you are unsure if your dog is an XL Bully or whether any puppies may grow up to be of this dog type, you should comply with the relevant requirements and restrictions.”

If owners are unsure whether their dog could be classed as an XL Bully, they should check their dog carefully against our guidance and photo examples of XL Bully dogs to help them decide. If someone has a dog that is clearly another established breed, the ban does not apply.

Owners can access the most up to date information on what action they need to take and when on this dedicated page, Prepare for the ban on XL Bully dogs – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Notes to editors:

Over 30,000 dogs have now been registered.

There have been over 100 claims for compensation.
January 25, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : UK announces new aid support for Gaza on Foreign Secretary visit to Middle East [January 2024]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 25 January 2024.

The UK and Qatar are working together to get more aid into Gaza.

The Foreign Secretary has announced that the UK and Qatar are working together to get more aid into Gaza, with our first joint consignment containing 17 tonnes of family sized tents being flown today [Thurs 25th].

On the visit, the Foreign Secretary will witness first-hand both the UK and Qatar’s humanitarian aid being loaded onto a plane destined for Egypt, after which it will go by road to Gaza. The tents will provide critical shelter for people and are desperately needed, as more families are displaced by the conflict and a cold winter continues.

Foreign Secretary David Cameron said:

The scale of suffering in Gaza is unimaginable. More must be done, faster, to help people trapped in this desperate situation. We have trebled our assistance for Gaza, and cooperation with partners like Qatar is helping move life-saving aid and equipment over the border to those living in devastation.

But our efforts will only make a difference if aid gets to those who need it most, which is why we need more access for UN staff. As I said to PM Netanyahu yesterday, far more trucks need to be able to enter Gaza and more crossings need to open. We need an immediate humanitarian pause to get aid in and hostages out, followed by a sustainable ceasefire, without a return to hostilities.

The UK has trebled its assistance and is continuing working with partners like Qatar to provide life-saving aid and equipment.

With reports of 9 out of 10 people in Gaza living on less than a meal a day in northern Gaza, our focus must be on practical solutions to save lives.

The Foreign Secretary pushed Israeli leaders for Ashdod to be used for the delivery of life-saving aid into Gaza on his visit to the region. The UK and its partners efforts can only make a difference if they can reach those in urgent need.

Israel must take steps, working with other partners including the UN and Egypt, to significantly increase the flow of aid into Gaza including allowing prolonged humanitarian pauses, opening more routes into Gaza and fully restoring water, fuel and electricity supplies.

The Foreign Secretary’s Representative for Humanitarian Affairs in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Mark Bryson-Richardson, is based in the region and is working intensively to address the blockages preventing more aid reaching Gaza.

January 25, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : Foreign Secretary’s meeting with the Prime Minister of Israel [January 2024]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 24 January 2024.

The Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron met the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Prime Minister’s office in Jerusalem.

The Foreign Secretary reiterated UK support for Israel’s efforts to secure the release of the 136 hostages from Gaza after the barbaric Hamas attack of 7 October. The Foreign Secretary explained that he wants to see an immediate humanitarian pause to get hostages out and aid in, leading to a sustainable ceasefire without a return to hostilities. To enable this, Hamas must agree to the release of all hostages, they could no longer be in charge in Gaza firing rockets at Israel, and an agreement must be in place for the Palestinian Authority to return to Gaza to provide governance, services and security.

The Foreign Secretary underlined the need for a political strategy to achieve long term peace. This must be based on a credible and irreversible pathway to achieve a Palestinian State alongside Israel, allowing Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace and security.

They discussed the urgency of getting significantly more aid into Gaza to alleviate the desperate situation there. The Foreign Secretary reiterated the need for Israel to open more crossing points into Gaza, for Nitzana and Kerem Shalom to be open for longer, and for Israel to support the UN to distribute aid effectively across the whole of Gaza. The Foreign Secretary also underlined the need for Israel to ensure effective deconfliction in Gaza, and to take all possible measures to ensure the safety of medical personnel and facilities.

The Foreign Secretary also met Foreign Minister Israel Katz, Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer, and Minister without Portfolio Benny Gantz whilst in Jerusalem, and Palestine Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah.

January 25, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : The fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States is a critical moment – UK statement at the UN [January 2024]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 22 January 2024.

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the first session of the Preparatory Committee of the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States.

Thank you, Chair.

First, let me thank the co-chairs New Zealand and the Maldives, Samoa as AOSIS chair, and Antigua and Barbuda, for your preparations for the SIDS4 Conference.

SIDS4 is a critical moment to drive transformational action on priorities that matter most for Small Island Developing States, including climate action, reform of the international financial system, and delivering the SDGs.

The UK is providing over £1.5 million pounds, as well as technical expertise, to support the conference. We know that for SIDS, climate and economic shocks are impacting the already faltering progress made on the SDGs.

The UK’s new International Development White Paper sets out how we will help address the interlinked challenges of ending poverty and tackling climate change and biodiversity loss. SIDS4 is an opportunity for ambitious work and collaborative partnerships to champion and accelerate progress across the SDGs for people on the frontline of climate change.

As negotiations of the outcome document begin, we encourage all parties to recognise the urgency of SIDS’ challenges, a message heard at COP28, and to come together with an ambitious approach for the next 10-year Programme of Action. This must address SIDS-specific needs, such as blue economies, data, and access to finance.

We are also working with AOSIS and Antigua and Barbuda to co-chair a DAC-AOSIS Taskforce to deliver a new donor-SIDS partnership by SIDS4 focused on shared areas for progress and reform, including the priorities above.

In the lead-up to the conference, the UK will also continue to convene events to help advance action, include a SIDS Capacity Building Conference in February with the OECD and UN ESCAP, a ‘SIDS Futures Forum’ with ODI later this Spring, and a side event later today on ‘Evidence-based pathways for resilient prosperity’.

We look forward to your participation.

Thank you.

January 25, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : Specialised Committee on the Implementation of the Windsor Framework [January 2024]

The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 24 January 2024.

Joint statement by the UK government and European Commission:

The Specialised Committee on the Implementation of the Windsor Framework met today in Brussels, co-chaired by officials from the European Commission and the UK Government.

The Committee co-chairs took stock of the work undertaken by both sides on the implementation of the Windsor Framework since the last meeting on 20 September 2023. In particular, they discussed the implementation of the Windsor Framework in the areas of agri-food and customs in light of the provisions which took effect in autumn 2023 and the implementation milestones ahead. They agreed to continue meeting on a regular basis to monitor and ensure the full implementation of all the elements of the Framework in a faithful way.

The Committee co-chairs also took stock of the work of the Joint Consultative Working Group and its structured sub-groups. They reiterated the importance of continued joint engagement with Northern Ireland stakeholders.

January 25, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : New laws to introduce digital labelling for businesses and reduce regulation costs [January 2024]
The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 24 January 2024.

Businesses are set to benefit from savings as import labels are made digital for the first time.
New legislation to introduce digital labelling for British businesses to cut red tape and save millions in unnecessary regulation costs

Recognition of CE marking continued for products such as toys and machinery, easing burdens to businesses

Digital labelling reforms made possible by Brexit and ensures the UK’s regulatory requirements are fit for the modern world

Businesses are set to benefit from reduced costs and burdens as import labels are made digital for the first time.

Digital labelling will allow businesses to put important regulatory or manufacturing information online rather than requiring them to physically print it on their products – saving time and money which can be pushed towards scaling up and growing their company.

This measure has been made possible by leaving the EU and provides greater flexibility than the EU’s regulatory requirements while better reflecting the modern and digital world of business and international trade.

This follows the Product Safety Review consultation and extensive industry engagement – looking at ways to cut costs while benefitting consumers and ensuring our regulatory system is agile and a move towards digital labelling has been something the industry have consistently called for.

Business and Trade Minister Kevin Hollinrake said:

“I know first-hand the difficulties businesses face with regulations and red tape, and what we’re announcing today will not only ease business burdens and costs but will enable them to spend their time growing their companies and creating jobs.

“We’ve worked closely with multiple sectors to create policy that works for them and this is another step in the right direction to back British businesses.”

The CE or UKCA marking is used on products to demonstrate the manufacturer is compliant with legal requirements. Last summer, DBT announced the intention to indefinitely recognise current EU requirements, including the CE marking, for the 18 product regulations under the department’s remit.

Following feedback from industry, we are introducing legislation to continue the recognition of CE marking indefinitely for a range of additional regulations which will benefit products including vacuum cleaners and televisions. Full list of covered regulations are below. The UK government is taking a tailored approach to product regulation to ensure the interests of UK businesses, consumers and the economy are taken into account.

This comes as part of wider range of measures as part of our smarter regulation programme, which ensures our laws and regulatory regime are better tailored in the interests of UK businesses, consumers and the economy.

This announcement does not apply to regulations for medical devices, construction products, marine equipment, rail products, cableways, transportable pressure equipment and unmanned aircraft systems, led by relevant government departments.

The indefinite recognition of current EU requirements, including the CE marking, for these 21 regulations means businesses have the flexibility to use either the UKCA or CE marking (Or reverse epsilon marking where applicable) to sell products in Great Britain.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive:

“Recognising CE marking indefinitely is very welcome and a common sense decision that will benefit the motorist and the competitiveness of the UK automotive industry. It means that thousands of aftermarket and supply chain businesses can continue to source vital automotive parts without unnecessary additional cost and complexity, keeping costs low for consumers and ensuring vehicles are built and maintained to the highest possible standards.”

A GAMBICA spokesperson said:

“UK suppliers of instrumentation, control, automation and laboratory equipment, within the membership of GAMBICA, appreciate the government’s engagement and practical steps to facilitate movement of goods across the GB border to ensure the long-term supply of critical components from a complex global supply chain.”

Stephen Phipson, CEO of Make UK, Stephen Phipson, said:

“The addition of three further regulated sectors that will benefit from the indefinite recognition of current EU requirements including the use of CE marking, is a welcome move that manufactures who develop and sell products in these areas will very much welcome and support.

“The added introduction of a ‘fast track’ process for products that are covered by multiple regulations, new permanent arrangements for labelling flexibility and an option for digital labelling, will all work together to help safeguard the competitiveness of manufacturers and aid the UK as a destination for investment. Make UK has called for the indefinite extension of a CE marking recognition for all UK manufactured goods to be a permanent change, and this should cover all goods and products sectors produced using a manufacturing process.”

TechUK Director of Markets Matthew Evans said:

“We strongly support the government’s decision to allow the voluntary use of e-labelling, in line with our key recommendations during the UK’s product compliance framework review. This represents a modern and progressive approach by DBT and will undoubtedly cut compliance costs, foster innovation, and lessen environmental impact. It will also align the UK with major trading partners like the United States, China, Japan, and South Korea, improving our trading relationships.”

A new ‘Fast-Track UKCA’ process will also be introduced, allowing manufacturers to use the UKCA marking to demonstrate compliance with either UKCA or recognised EU conformity processes. Where products are covered by multiple regulations, a mixture of both UKCA and CE conformity assessment procedures can be used.

This is designed to provide longer-term certainty and flexibility for businesses should the UK mandate UKCA for certain regulations in the future.

Notes to Editors:

Regulations in scope of this announcement

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) regulations in scope of this announcement are:

· Equipment for use in potentially explosive atmospheres Regulations 2016/1107

· Electromagnetic compatibility Regulations 2016/1091

· Lifts Regulations 2016/1093

· Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016/1101

· Pressure Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016/1105

· Pyrotechnic Articles (Safety) Regulations 2015/1553

· Recreational Craft Regulations 2017/737

· Radio Equipment Regulations 2017/1206

· Simple Pressure Vessels (Safety) Regulations 2016/1092

· Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011/1881

· Aerosol Dispensers Regulations 2009/ 2824

· Gas Appliances (EU Regulation) 2016/426

· Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008/1597

· Noise Emission in the Environment by Equipment for use Outdoors Regulations 2001/1701

· Personal Protective Equipment (EU Regulation) 2016/425

· Measuring Instruments Regulations 2016/1153

· Non-automatic weighing instruments Regulations 2016/1152

· Measuring Container Bottles (EEC Requirements) Regulations 1977

For the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA):

· The Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2012 (‘The RoHS Regulations’)

For the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ):

· The Ecodesign for Energy-Related Products Regulations 2010

For the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) [The Health and Safety Executive (HSE)]:

· The Explosives Regulations 2014

Regulations not in scope of this announcement:

The UK government is taking a tailored approach to product regulation to ensure the interests of UK businesses, consumers and the economy are taken into account. There are certain sectors which require a bespoke approach to conformity assessment, and therefore extending recognition of the CE marking for products under the following regulations is not being included in this legislation. This includes:

For The Department for Levelling up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC):

· Construction Product Regulations 2013

For The Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) [- Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)]

· The Medical Devices Regulations 2002

For the Department for Transport (DFT)

· The Railways (interoperability) Regulations 2011

· Merchant Shipping (Marine Equipment Regulations) 2016

· The Cableway Installations Regulations 2018 (SI 2018/816) and The Cableway Installations (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (SI 2019/1347).

· The Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2009

· Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Regulation 2019/945
January 25, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : Government announces a further £600 million boost for councils [January 2024]
The press release issued by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 24 January 2024.

Extra £500 million earmarked to enable councils to provide crucial social care services.

Councils across England will receive a £600 million support package, in addition to funding outlined at the provisional settlement, to help them deliver key services, the Levelling Up Secretary has announced today.

The support package comes as the government has made significant progress on its economic priorities of halving inflation, growing the economy and reducing debt. Because of the progress made, we are able to support councils to deliver key services across the country.

The government values the important contribution councils make and has conducted an extensive engagement and listening programme with councils to understand the pressures they are facing including high inflation, driven by the legacy of Covid, and global instability with war in Ukraine and the Middle East. Today’s £600 million announcement reflects the unprecedented challenges that they have faced.

The support package will primarily see an additional £500 million added to the Social Care Grant to bolster social care budgets, a key concern raised by councils.

All councils will also see an increase in Core Spending Power of at least 4% through the Funding Guarantee before any local choices on council tax, efficiencies or reserves – an increase from the 3% announced at the provisional settlement. The Government’s manifesto commits to continuing to protect local taxpayers from excessive council tax increases. The proposed referendum principles strikes a fair balance. Local authorities must be mindful of cost-of-living pressures when taking any decisions relating to council tax.

This funding builds on the £64 billion package already announced at the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement for 2024-25, and has been welcomed by leading local government organisations including the Local Government Association, County Councils Network and District Councils Network.

Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove said:

We have listened to councils across England about the pressures they’re facing and have always stood ready to help those in need.

This additional £600 million support package illustrates our commitment to local government. We are in their corner, and we support the incredible and often unsung work they do day-to-day to support people across the country.

Minister for Local Government Simon Hoare added:

This injection of funding will help ensure services which people rely on can continue – and demonstrates how important we view local government. We have listened to various organisations and considered their views seriously and I’m grateful to those who reached out to me.

The funding offers something for all of our hard-working councils, with additional funding for social care as well as help for rural authorities to deliver essential services.

In light of the exceptional circumstances, the Treasury will be providing £500m with further details set out at the upcoming Budget whilst details on the distribution of this funding will be included in the final Local Government Finance Settlement early next month. The further £100m comprises of an increase to the Funding Guarantee from 3% to 4%, £15m for the Rural Services Delivery Grant, £3m for authorities with Internal Drainage Boards, and additional funding for the Isle of Wight and the Isles of Scilly with the remainder distributed through the Services Grant.

The £15m through the Rural Services Delivery Grant for rural councils is the largest cash increase since 2018-19 and the second successive year of above-inflation increases, whilst the £3 million is for authorities facing high levies from Internal Drainage Boards which help protect residents from flooding. The £500 million increase in social care funding is in addition to the £1 billion in additional funding announced at Autumn Statement 2022 and in July 2023, to enable councils to continue to provide crucial social care services for their local communities, particularly for children.

The government is clear this funding is to be used to address the pressures facing councils and improve performance. It should not be put aside for later use or spent on areas that are not a priority. Separately, councils will be asked to produce productivity plans which will set out how they will improve service performance and reduce wasteful spend – including on consultants and HR spending on equality, diversity and inclusion.

Alongside this, an expert panel to advise the government on financial sustainability in the sector will be established by DLUHC and contain both internal and external experts. Work will also continue between DLUHC, DfE and DHSC to ensure value for money and sustainability of the sector.

We are committed to improving the local government finance system beyond this settlement in the next Parliament and the Minister for Local Government will be engaging with the sector on this over the coming months.

The announcement has been welcomed by leading figures in the sector today:

Councillor Shaun Davies, Chair of the Local Government Association, said:

The LGA welcomes that the Government has acted on the concerns we have raised and recognised the severe financial pressures facing councils, particularly in providing services to the most vulnerable children and adults through social care services and delivering core front-line services to communities.

We will continue to work with Government to achieve a sustainable long term funding settlement and updated distribution mechanisms, as well as legislative reform where needed, so that local government can play its full part in delivering inclusive prosperity and growth through investment to support people, places, and the planet.

Councillor Tim Oliver, Chairman of the County Councils, said:

We strongly welcome the government listening to our concerns, and today’s announcement of an additional £0.5 billion will go some way to easing the pressures and in particular addressing the escalating demand and costs of delivering social care and home to school transport. Whilst this extra funding will undoubtedly help us protect valued frontline services, councils, of course, still face difficult decisions when setting their budgets for 2024/25.

Looking further ahead, reform of local government finance and the way in which we are expected to provide services is imperative. Councils require a long-term financial settlement to enable us to plan for, and meet, the demand from our growing elderly populations and the more complex needs of residents requiring social care. This must be coupled with a comprehensive reform programme to bring in line the funding envelope available to enable us to deliver effectively our statutory responsibilities.

Councillor Sam Chapman-Allen, Chairman of the District Councils’ Network, said:

The District Councils’ Network welcomes the Government’s decision to allocate additional funding for essential district services, a move that will benefit residents and businesses throughout England. This offers some relief to district councils and the communities we support. It will help mitigate potentially extensive reductions to valued local services.

But it’s important to note that the financial and operating challenges for district councils remain significant. It is clear that more comprehensive solutions will still be needed to fully address the ongoing financial pressures, including homelessness.

Further information:
- Core Spending Power is a measure of the resources available to local authorities to fund service delivery. It sets out the money that has been made available to councils through the local government finance settlement.
- The Barnett formula will apply in the usual way.
January 25, 2024