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Tag: Press Release

  • PRESS RELEASE : Emergency pesticide authorisation to protect sugar beet crop conditionally approved [January 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Emergency pesticide authorisation to protect sugar beet crop conditionally approved [January 2024]

    The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 18 January 2024.

    The pesticide will only be used if there is a threat to the crop, and stringent controls are attached to protect the environment.

    • The threshold for neonicotinoid use has increased on previous years to the highest level it’s ever been set
    • The government is committed to finding innovative solutions to manage pests and promote food production while protecting the environment

    A neonicotinoid pesticide will be permitted for use on the 2024 sugar beet crop in England, only if there is a danger as evidenced by an independent prediction of virus incidence of 65% or more.

    Emergency Authorisations for pesticides are only granted for a limited period of time, in special circumstances where it is necessary because of a danger that cannot be contained by any other reasonable means, and the use is limited and controlled.

    Use of Cruiser SB will be permitted if levels of yellow virus are predicted by an independent model to exceed a particular threshold. If this threshold is not met, use of the product will not be permitted.

    This year’s threshold for use is at the highest level it has ever been set. Even if the threshold is passed, further conditions will be applied to minimise the risk to the environment.

    This includes restrictions on the crops which farmers can plant in subsequent years in any field where treated seed has been used, and compliance with the stewardship scheme to treat and use seed correctly and to monitor the level of neonicotinoids in the environment.

    The application of the neonicotinoid pesticide protects crops against viruses to safeguard food production, while the threshold attached to its application helps protect the wider environment.

    The government is committed to moving away from pesticide use and is supporting innovative methods to support land farmers effectively manage pests. Even if Cruiser SB were to be used on every sugar beet field in England, the amount of active substance would still be over 90% lower than the quantity of neonicotinoids applied to crops in each of the years 2012 to 2016.

    Sugar beet seedlings and young plants are vulnerable to feeding by aphids which transmit viruses leading to reduced beet size and lower sugar content. The viruses can reduce yields up to 50%, impacting individual growers, domestic sugar production and an industry which sustains almost 10,000 jobs across the country.

    More than half of the UK’s sugar comes from domestic production and in 2020, 25% of the national sugar beet crop was lost, costing £67 million of total economic loss across the industry.

    Farming Minister Mark Spencer said:

    We recognise the damaging impact that an outbreak of beet yellow virus could have on farmer livelihoods. We therefore regard issuing an emergency authorisation as a necessary and proportionate measure.

    The product can only be used if a threshold is met, and its use will be strictly controlled. This decision is based on robust scientific assessment and the risks have been evaluated very carefully.

    Sugar beet plants are harvested before they flower and do not generally exude through leaves or stems. Given this, the sugar beet crop itself is considered to be unattractive to bees, and there is little risk arising from bees foraging on pollen and nectar of the sugar beet crop.

    The Government recently held a roundtable with members of the British sugar industry and environmental organisations during which the industry’s plan to move away from neonicotinoid use was discussed. The Farming Minister urges the applicants and others in the sector to drive forward these plans, including measures to improve seed germination, so that their outputs can be implemented in the field at pace.

    The government has also set out actions to increase the use of Integrated Pest Management in agriculture. This includes new paid actions as part of the Sustainable Farming Incentive Scheme, such as an option to move to insecticide-free farming.

    These actions will support farmers to increase their use of Integrated Pest Management solutions, thereby reducing the risks associated with pesticides, combatting pesticide resistance, and supporting sustainable agricultural productivity.

    The Farming Minister considered advice on this application from Defra’s Chief Scientific Adviser, the Health and Safety Executive, the independent UK Expert Committee on Pesticides and economists.

    The UK’s approach to emergency authorisations has not changed following our departure from the EU and the overall ban on the use of neonicotinoid pesticides remains in place.

    Notes to Editors:

  • PRESS RELEASE : Attorney General launches prosecution awards [January 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Attorney General launches prosecution awards [January 2024]

    The press release issued by the Attorney General’s Office on 18 January 2024.

    Legal awards to celebrate the vital and important work of prosecutors has been launched, the Attorney General has announced.

    The Attorney General, Victoria Prentis KC MP is inviting nominations for the Prosecution Team and Prosecutor of the Year Awards.

    The awards are open to prosecutors and teams who are members of the Whitehall Prosecutors’ Group and signatories to the 2009 Prosecutor’s Convention, including the Environment Agency, the Insolvency Service, SFO, CPS and the AGO.

    This year’s awards will see a new category looking to recognise the best individual prosecutor, in addition to celebrating an excellent prosecuting team.

    The Attorney General, Victoria Prentis KC MP said:

    As Attorney General, I have seen first-hand the excellent work across the range of prosecuting authorities. From larger bodies who tackle serious economic crime and convict violent offenders to smaller bodies who protect people from unsafe food or pollution – their work benefits us all.

    I am pleased to announce the launch of the Prosecution Team of the Year and Prosecutor of the Year Awards and welcome entries that clearly demonstrate innovation, best use of resources and outcomes that improve public confidence. Good luck to all those who enter.

    Entries can focus on one significant, complex, or sensitive case or an effective ongoing relationship between one or more signatories.

    Judges will be looking for submissions that can demonstrate prosecuting excellence and entries will be sifted by an independent cross-Government panel.

    The winners and runners-up will be picked by the Law Officers and the deadline to submit is midnight 31 January 2024.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Families to save on bills through new energy saving trials [January 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Families to save on bills through new energy saving trials [January 2024]

    The press release issued by the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero on 18 January 2024.

    12 projects receive a share of up to £16 million from Green Home Finance Accelerator to help families improve their home’s energy efficiency.

    • New innovative projects awarded funding to help families improve their home’s energy efficiency and save money
    • projects awarded a share of up to £16 million include a solar panel subscription service and ‘green mortgages’
    • part of efforts to help households cut their energy bills and emissions

    Families will be able to access instant savings on their electricity bills through a new solar panel subscription service – one of 12 ground-breaking projects awarded funding today (Thursday 18 January).

    Sunsave will receive £1.9 million of government funding to test its Electric Roof project, which aims to reduce the barriers to the widespread installation of solar panels.

    Rather than an upfront cost of installing solar panels, homeowners will pay a monthly fee, covering their monitoring and maintenance. It will also include gaining access to ‘smart tariffs’ which offer households different electricity rates at different times of the day, increasing the savings available.

    The 12 projects receiving funding today also include E.ON’s optimised Energy as a Service, receiving £1 million to pilot a one-stop-shop for energy advice and funding for up to 350 households for low-carbon technology such as heat pumps, solar panels and battery storage.

    The awards form part of the Green Home Finance Accelerator programme, which aims to support new ways of giving families access to funding to improve their home’s energy efficiency.

    Lord Callanan, Minister for Energy Efficiency and Green Finance, said:

    When energy bills reached record highs, we stepped in to lessen the burden on hardworking families across the country.

    But we haven’t stopped there and these innovative projects will allow more families to save money and cut emissions.

    We are always looking to test progressive ways to make energy saving measures more accessible and affordable, allowing people to make their homes greener and warmer.

    Projects to receive a share of the £16 million government funding also include:

    • Perenna, which will receive £888,000 to develop a long-term, fixed-rate ‘green mortgage’ incentivising customers to make their homes more energy efficient by offering a reduced mortgage rate
    • Chameleon Technology’s HTC-Up project, which will receive £795,000 to provide domestic homeowners and landlords bespoke green loans and cashback rewards, to help make their properties more energy efficient
    • Scroll Finance Limited’s Glocers Project, which will receive £1.5 million to pilot a project that uses equity in a home to provide a loan that funds the upfront costs of installing energy saving measures in a flexible and affordable way

    Emma Harvey-Smith, Programme Director for the built environment at the Green Finance Institute, said:

    Delivering a range of innovative and affordable financing solutions will help homeowners to make their homes more energy efficient, lowering bills and reducing emissions. Developing and piloting new green finance mechanisms to ensure they successfully support as wide a range of customers as possible, and unlock barriers to retrofit, will enable more energy efficiency home upgrades at pace and scale.

    The GFI continues to play a central role in developing the market for financing a net zero and climate-resilient built environment across the UK and Europe, by catalysing finance markets to deliver on ambitious decarbonisation goals and driving real-economy impact.

    The winning projects will operate until February 2025, implementing and testing their products with homeowners across the UK.

    The £20 million Green Home Finance Accelerator is funded through the £1 billion Net Zero Innovation Portfolio.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Independent Review to guide libraries strategy in 2024 [January 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Independent Review to guide libraries strategy in 2024 [January 2024]

    The press release issued by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport on 18 January 2024.

    New independent review published on how to support and improve libraries in England.

    • Arts Minister Lord Parkinson says recommendations will inform new government strategy on libraries due to be published this year
    • Government will host a series of cross-government roundtable meetings every year to help address the challenges facing libraries

    A series of recommendations proposed in an independent review to ensure that public libraries are supported and providing the best possible service for their communities will be taken forward by the government, Arts and Heritage Minister Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay has confirmed today.

    The independent review, led by former journalist and government adviser Baroness Sanderson of Welton, was commissioned in September 2022 to seek views and develop innovative ideas on how to improve public libraries across England, in order to inform a new government strategy.

    The government response to her review welcomes Baroness Sanderson’s recommendations for an expanded library membership, closer work with the British Library, improvements to the branding and visibility of libraries, and the establishment of a national data hub to collate better evidence. Lord Parkinson confirmed that these recommendations will help to inform future work on the government’s public libraries strategy for England, which is expected to be published later this year.

    Lord Parkinson has also committed to hosting a series of cross-government roundtable meetings every year to help address the challenges facing libraries, and to consider the ways in which public libraries can be recognised and included in future government policy work.

    A celebratory event to thank the many people and organisations from across the country who contributed to the review will take place in the House of Lords, hosted by Baroness Sanderson and Lord Parkinson.

    Arts and Heritage Minister Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay said:

    Libraries are a vital public resource, helping to inspire, educate, and entertain people of all ages and backgrounds.

    They’ve played an important role in my life, and provided a vital lifeline to so many people during the pandemic. That’s why I wanted to ensure that, as we prepare the government’s new strategy for libraries, we were building on all the brilliant work and bright ideas coming from across the sector.

    Baroness Sanderson shares my passion for libraries. Her excellent report captures that work and those ideas, and adds shrewd recommendations of her own, which I welcome and will take forward. Her review – and the contributions of everyone who took part in it – will inform our new strategy and help us to ensure that communities across the country can benefit from great public library services in the next few years, and for generations to come.

    Baroness Sanderson of Welton, author of the independent report, said:

    Libraries are a crucial part of our social infrastructure, helping to inspire a love of reading while also tackling a host of issues from digital exclusion to loneliness and isolation. Yet all too often they are overlooked and underappreciated.

    Throughout the course of this work I have met with hundreds of people working within the library sector and have been struck by their enthusiasm and willingness to adapt to changing circumstances. Far from being out of touch, libraries are weathervanes of their communities, reflecting and forerunning societal trends, good and bad.

    I am grateful to Lord Parkinson for commissioning this review which looks at ways to improve awareness of our libraries and the work that they do so that we may enable them to flourish, both now and into the future.

    Councillor Liz Green, Chair of the Local Government Association Culture, Tourism & Sport Board, said:

    Libraries are a key public asset which provide extra services in providing community spaces. This independent review includes thoughtful proposals which – if implemented – will go some way to contributing to the smoother delivery of library services and collecting accurate reports of their impact on communities.

    Liz Jolly, Chief Librarian of the British Library, said:

    We welcome the publication of the Sanderson Review and the Government’s response, which recognise the vital role of public libraries and the success of the thriving partnerships we’ve developed with the public library sector through the Business and IP Centre Network, the Living Knowledge Network, the Public Lending Right and LibraryOn. We look forward to working with DCMS and partners across the sector on the shared challenges and opportunities identified by Baroness Sanderson.’’

    Laura Dyer, Deputy Chief Executive of Places, Engagement & Libraries at Arts Council England, said:

    We were delighted to have representatives take part in all of Baroness Sanderson’s roundtable sessions where she made every effort to ensure that a wide reaching and inclusive discussion was had, allowing people from within and outside the sector to be heard. We welcome the recommendations and the Minister’s response and look forward to working with both DCMS and the sector to deliver on them.

    Between October 2022 and July 2023, Baroness Sanderson travelled around the country to consult people from the libraries sector and beyond on how to improve libraries. To inform her report, she held nine roundtable sessions across the country to seek a diverse range of views to inform her work.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Foreign Secretary’s meeting with the Foreign Minister of Iran [January 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Foreign Secretary’s meeting with the Foreign Minister of Iran [January 2024]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 17 January 2024.

    Foreign Secretary David Cameron met Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian at the World Economic Forum in Davos on 17 January.

    A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said:

    The Foreign Secretary met the Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian today (17 January) at the World Economic Forum.

    The Foreign Secretary condemned the attacks in Erbil in Iraq, which killed UK-Iraqi dual national Karam Mikhael. Attacks like this violate the sovereignty of other states.

    He also made clear that the Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea are illegal and unacceptable, and that Iran must use its influence with the Houthis to prevent further threats.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK statement on third anniversary of the arrest of Alexei Navalny [January 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK statement on third anniversary of the arrest of Alexei Navalny [January 2024]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 17 January 2024.

    The UK has issued a statement on the third anniversary of the arrest of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

    Minister for Europe, Leo Docherty said:

    Today marks three years since Alexei Navalny was arrested.

    His continued imprisonment is an indictment of Russia’s deteriorating human rights record, and demonstrates Russia’s contempt for freedom of speech and its international obligations. The Russian state’s increasing repression at home both enables and is driven by its aggression abroad.

    Alongside our partners, we reiterate our call for Russia to immediately and unconditionally release Alexei Navalny and all those imprisoned on political grounds.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Foreign Secretary’s meeting with the President of Argentina [January 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Foreign Secretary’s meeting with the President of Argentina [January 2024]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 17 January 2024.

    Foreign Secretary David Cameron and Argentine President Javier Milei met for the first time at the World Economic Forum in Davos on 17 January.

    A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said:

    The Foreign Secretary met the President of Argentina Javier Milei at the World Economic Forum in Davos today [17 January 2024]. It was a warm and cordial meeting, setting out mutual support for a more constructive relationship between the UK and Argentina.

    The Foreign Secretary and President Milei discussed how to enhance UK-Argentina relations through greater cooperation on areas of mutual interest including trade, education, culture and enhancing people to people links.

    On the Falkland Islands, the Foreign Secretary and President Milei said they would agree to disagree, and do so politely. The UK position and ongoing support for the Falkland Islanders’ right to self-determination remains unchanged.

  • PRESS RELEASE : New official portrait of King Charles III released for public authorities [January 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : New official portrait of King Charles III released for public authorities [January 2024]

    The press release issued by Cabinet Office on 17 January 2024.

    New official portrait of The King in Naval uniform taken at Windsor Castle last year.

    The Cabinet Office has released a new official portrait of His Majesty The King that will soon hang in public buildings the length and breadth of the United Kingdom.

    The portrait, taken at Windsor Castle last year by photographer Hugo Burnand shows His Majesty wearing a Royal Navy uniform of an Admiral of the Fleet and official medals and decorations.

    A copy of the portrait is being offered to public authorities across the United Kingdom free-of-charge as part of a scheme to celebrate the new reign.

    Applications are open for eligible institutions – including principal Local Authorities, courts, schools, police forces and fire and rescue services – to apply for the new portrait under the scheme. In February, the scheme will be extended to include town, parish and community councils and Ministry of Defence-sponsored cadet forces.

    Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden said:

    The accession of His Majesty The King marked a new chapter in our national story.

    Displaying this new portrait will serve as a reminder to us all of the example set by our ultimate public servant and I hope as many eligible organisations as possible will wish to continue this proud British tradition and honour our King’s reign.

    His Majesty’s accession has marked the beginning of a new reign and the UK Government considers it right that public authorities, as part of the fabric of our nation, have the opportunity to commemorate this moment, strengthen civil pride and reflect the new era in our history.

    Official portraits of Queen Elizabeth II are currently on display in many public institutions, and the offering of the new official portrait of His Majesty will enable organisations across the UK to carry on that tradition.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Secretary of State statement on the recall motion for the Northern Ireland Assembly [January 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Secretary of State statement on the recall motion for the Northern Ireland Assembly [January 2024]

    The press release issued by the Northern Ireland Office on 17 January 2024.

    The statement follows the failure to elect a speaker for the NI Assembly.

    Commenting on the failure of the Northern Ireland Assembly to elect a speaker Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Heaton Harris said:

    “It is disappointing that the Assembly was unable to elect a speaker and restore the Northern Ireland Executive today.

    “The return of a locally elected, accountable and effective devolved government is the best way to govern Northern Ireland.

    “However, in the absence of an Executive, the Government will proceed with a pragmatic and reasonable approach to support Northern Ireland.”

  • PRESS RELEASE : Ministers see Denbighshire levelling up projects [January 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Ministers see Denbighshire levelling up projects [January 2024]

    The press release issued by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 17 January 2024.

    Wales Office Minister Fay Jones joined Levelling Up Minister Jacob Young to see how £20 million in UK Government funding is benefiting North Wales.

    • Levelling Up Minister Jacob Young was joined by Wales Office Minister and the MP for Vale of Clwyd during a tour of Rhyl town centre following the Levelling Up Fund Round 3 announcement.
    • Minister Young also visited the recently renovated Salusbury Arms in Tremeirchion which received £175,000 thanks to the Community Ownership Fund (COF).

    UK Government ministers have been to Denbighshire to see how tens of millions of pounds of levelling up money is regenerating the area.

    Jacob Young, the Levelling Up Minister and Fay Jones, Wales Office Minister, saw first-hand how transformational regeneration projects in Rhyl, made possible by UK Government funding, will benefit the local community.

    Denbighshire County Council was awarded £20 million in the most recent round of the Levelling Up Fund, with £11 million committed to regenerating Rhyl. Local people will benefit from a regeneration of the town centre, creation of more community centres, and improvements to cycle and footpaths and routes between the town and coast.

    This latest funding from the third round of the Levelling Up Fund follows two previous rounds which invested just under £1.7 billion and £2.1 billion into projects across the UK – bringing the total fund to £4.8 billion. These infrastructure investments aim to improve everyday life for people by regenerating town centres and high streets, upgrading local transport, and investing in cultural and heritage assets.

    Alongside the transformation of Rhyl’s high street, the Ministers also saw where money is being used to revive Queens Market and Central Promenade. Queens Market will be turned into a mixed used retail development to boost business, while improved travel routes will reconnect the town centre with the promenade and beach.

    Ministers also visited the Salusbury Arms pub, a much-loved pub in Tremeirchion which recently reopened its doors thanks to £175,000 from the UK Government’s Community Ownership Fund, which protects beloved community places at risk of closure. The 200-year-old pub, which is an integral part of the community and only remaining pub in the village, is now renovated and community-owned with the help of UK Government funding – preserving a cherished place for families and residents to enjoy.

    UK Government Minister for Levelling Up Jacob Young said:

    I loved being in North Wales to see first-hand how levelling up will be made a reality here thanks to millions of pounds of UK Government support.

    I was also delighted to visit the Salusbury Arms, a much loved pub in Tremeirchion with a great deal of history, that has been saved through a mix of the local community’s brilliant campaigning work and our Community Ownership Fund support.

    These projects show how committed we are to levelling up in Wales and it is heartening to see how the money will positively impact communities for generations to come.

    Wales Office Minister Fay Jones said:

    It was fantastic to see these wonderful projects that will make a huge difference to local people’s lives. The ambitious plans for the regeneration of Rhyl will be a huge boost for the town, helping to attract businesses, create jobs and grow the local economy.

    And I much enjoyed meeting the people behind saving the Salusbury Arms who have worked so hard to safeguard the pub for future generations – congratulations to them.

    Vice Chair of the Salusbury Arms pub Jane Marsh said:

    Securing the Community Ownership Fund to support our bid to own The Salusbury has meant that we were able to purchase the building outright not only without taking on debt but also to convey to almost 200 shareholders that the Government had confidence in our vision for the future of this treasured Community asset.

    The process was straightforward and I would urge other Communities like ours to apply”.

    Notes to editors: