Tag: Press Release

PRESS RELEASE : Government sets out plans to develop the domestic care workforce [January 2024]
The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 10 January 2024.

The government outlined plans to improve the career prospects of the domestic care workforce through training, qualifications and a clearer, care career path.
For the first time there will be a national care career structure, with defined roles and professional development

A new, accredited qualification will be introduced to help recognise the work being done by 37,000 workers

Funding for hundreds of apprenticeships and digital training to embrace the latest technology also included

Social care staff will have better training, clearer career paths and improved job prospects thanks to government plans to develop the domestic care workforce, set out today.

The Department of Health and Social Care has unveiled a package of measures that will reaffirm care work as a career, helping to recruit and retain talent by providing new, accredited qualifications, digital training and funded apprenticeships.

The reforms are underpinned by a new career pathway for care workers; the first time this has been brought together in a single place for care staff to use, to build and develop their careers. It will support people to gain the right knowledge, skills and expertise needed to deliver excellent care, giving clear differentiation between roles based on the level of expertise people should have and expect to develop.

Backed by £75 million in funding, the announcement comes in the week the government also started the second phase of the Made with Care recruitment campaign, aimed at getting more people in the UK to consider a rewarding career in care.

Minister for Social Care, Helen Whately, said:

The workforce is the heartbeat of the social care sector and staff should be given the recognition and opportunities they deserve. These changes will give brilliant care workers the chance to develop rewarding careers in social care.

There are also many talented people across the country who would thrive in care work but haven’t seen it as a career choice. We’re changing that; our new career path and qualifications recognise social care as the skilled profession it is.

Turnover of staff is lower where there is access to learning opportunities to gain skills and qualifications according to social care workforce development body, Skills for Care. Investing in better training and supporting staff to develop their careers will act as an incentive for people to join or stay in the workforce.

The plans being rolled out include:

The launch of the Care Workforce Pathway: For the first time, there will be a national career structure for the adult social care workforce, covering the breadth and complexity of care.

Over £50 million of funding for a new qualification: This will support up to 37,000 individuals in direct adult social care roles to enrol on the new Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate qualification between June 2024 and March 2025.

An investment of over £20 million for apprenticeships: Local authorities and adult social care providers will be able to use the money towards training and supervising hundreds of new social work and nurse apprentices.

Subsidised training places: An uplift to the Workforce Development Fund will expand access to learning and development, creating opportunities for the workforce to become experts in their field or progress into new roles.

A new digital leadership qualification: This will help equip social care leaders and managers with the confidence and capability to lead the implementation and use of technology in the delivery of care.

The Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate Qualification will be delivered in conjunction with Skills for Care and launch in June, backed by an investment of £53.9 million. The qualification will be accredited to ensure its quality and will be recognised by employers when care workers move roles, reducing the costs and burden of repeat training.

We will also be introducing a new digital leadership qualification which will help ensure that digital skills are embedded in core training and further support career development.

Skills for Care CEO, Oonagh Smyth, said:

The announcement from DHSC about their plans for a workforce reform package is welcome as it includes the first version of the Care Workforce Pathway and the introduction of the Care Certificate Qualification, which are both projects which Skills for Care has consulted and supported on with the sector.

Building on, and following on from, the Call for Evidence last year, the first phase of development is now complete. The DHSC and Skills for Care partnership benefited from invaluable support and collaboration with TLAP who developed the underpinning values, BILD who developed the Practice Leadership role, the Expert Consultation Group who informed the development throughout and of course, members of the adult social care sector, including the workforce and people who draw on care and support, who generously gave their time and insight.

Both initiatives will encourage learning and development opportunities for people working in different care services as well as supporting with the recruitment and retention challenges which we know employers are continuing to face. I look forward to seeing the impact this package can have for people working in care this year and beyond.

The launch of the Care Workforce Pathway in partnership with Skills for Care, is intended to ensure the adult social care workforce is recognised as the professional workforce it is, to improve people’s perception and experience of a career in care.

Meanwhile, the workforce development element will fund around 116,000 training courses and qualifications, 34,000 Care Certificate qualifications from June 2024 to the end March 2025 and continuous professional development for around 35,000 eligible professionals.

Creating career paths and qualifications in the care system aims, in the long-term, to support the domestic workforce so we can strike the right balance between ethical international recruitment and filling vacancies with staff based in the UK, following the Prime Minister and Home Secretary’s recently announced plan to curb abuse of the visa system.

We’re also supporting local authorities to expand the workforce with almost £2 billion over two years as part of the Market Sustainability Improvement Fund and in addition, councils will benefit from a new investment to help recruitment of social work and nurse apprentices into adult social care. This will allow local authorities and care providers to apply for a contribution towards the costs of training and supervising new social work and nurse apprentices.
January 10, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : UK plans to deploy Spearhead Carrier Strike Group to Indian Ocean Region in 2025 [January 2024]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 10 January 2024.

The UK and India have today vowed to continue strengthening ties during the first visit of an Indian Defence Minister to the UK in more than 20 years.
Plans to send UK’s high-readiness Littoral Response Group to Indian ocean region in 2024 and the Carrier Strike Group in 2025 for joint training. Both will visit and operate with Indian forces.

Deployment of the UK’s most advanced naval capabilities mark a decisive step in bolstering UK-India security ties.

Partnership stepped up as Indian Defence Minister makes his first visit to the UK.

The UK and India have today [Wednesday 10 January] vowed to continue strengthening ties during the first visit of an Indian Defence Minister to the UK in more than 20 years.

In a move that signals the growing importance of the strategic relationship between the UK and India, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps welcomed the Honourable Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh to the UK to agree unprecedented levels of UK-India defence cooperation.

The Defence Secretary announced the UK’s plans to send its Littoral Response Group to Indian Ocean Region later this year, with plans for the Carrier Strike Group to visit in 2025. Both will operate and train with Indian forces.

The two nations also discussed future cooperation in defence from joint exercises to knowledge sharing and instructor exchanges. These steps build on the comprehensive strategic partnership envisaged in the 2030 India-UK roadmap, announced in 2021.

In the coming years, the UK and India will also embark on more complex exercises between their respective militaries, building up to a landmark joint exercise to be conducted before the end of 2030, supporting shared goals of protecting critical trade routes and upholding the international rules-based system.

Defence Secretary, Grant Shapps, said:

There is absolutely no question that the world is becoming increasingly contested, so it’s vital that we continue to build on our strategic relationships with key partners like India. Together we share the same security challenges and are steadfast on our commitment to maintaining a free and prosperous Indo-Pacific.

It is clear that this relationship is going from strength-to-strength, but we must continue to work hand-in-hand to uphold global security in light of threats and challenges that seek to destabilise and damage us.

Collaboration with industry is also key in the strategic defence partnership between the UK and India, with the two nations working together on electric propulsion systems that will power our future fleets and cooperating on the development of complex weapons.

Building on the existing strategic partnership, during the visit the UK and India also confirmed several new joint initiatives. These include:

Launching Defence Partnership-India – a bespoke office designed to further defence collaboration between the two countries.

A commitment to several instructor exchanges between our world-leading Officer Training Colleges and specialist schools, alongside signing of a Youth Exchange MOU to solidify the already strong relationship between our cadet organisations.

Signing a Letter of Arrangement that will enable further emphasis to be placed on research and development between our two nations, focused on next-generation capabilities.

Solidifying an agreement on logistics exchange, allowing for the provision of logistic support, supplies and services between the United Kingdom and Indian Armed Forces, for joint training, joint exercises, authorised port visits and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations.
January 10, 2024

PRESS RELEASE : Trustees appointed to the UK Anti-Doping Agency [January 2024]

The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 10 January 2024.

The Secretary of State has appointed Ama Agbeze and Nicola Shannon as Board Members of the UK Anti-Doping Agency for a term of 4 years.

Ama Agbeze

Appointed for a four year term commencing 30 October 2023.

Ama has a diverse and distinctive mix of talent and skill. Two decades as a professional athlete culminated in Ama captaining Team England to netball gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

As a dedicated advocate for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Ama consults and serves as a keynote speaker, leveraging her influence to champion organisational change and cultural development, improving life opportunities in areas of deprivation, leadership and mental health. Her legal expertise as a solicitor, spanning family, commercial, charity, and banking disciplines, uniquely positions her to address the complex intersection of law, sports, and the pursuit of clean sport and maintaining a fair and level playing field. As a contributing co-founder to the Netball Players’ Association she is well versed in championing ‘the athlete voice’

Ama’s role as an ambassador, non-executive director, advisor and trustee for various charities and organisations underscores her commitment to promoting sport and physical activity and emphasising their positive impact on health outcomes, particularly for children and young people as well as focussing on safeguarding from an individual and sport integrity perspective.

Recently, an independent Board Member of the Birmingham Organising Committee for the 2022 Commonwealth Games and Chairing the Athlete Advisory Committee, Ama continues to be a compelling force advocating for ethical sportspersonship and upholding the principles of integrity in sport.

Nicola Shannon

Appointed for a four year term commencing 30 October 2023.

Nicola Shannon KC is a barrister practising from chambers in London, specialising in Criminal and Regulatory Law. She also has a part-time judicial role, sitting as a Recorder in Crown Courts across London and the South East. Her practice focuses on Serious and Complex Crime and Fraud, including Homicide, Organised Crime and Human Trafficking and Serious Sexual Offences. Her work includes niche expertise in the presentation of allegations made by vulnerable witnesses and those with mental disabilities or learning and communication difficulties. She has led teams pioneering creative solutions to meet the challenges presented. She advises Prosecution agencies at an early stage of investigations and has extensive experience of the safeguarding issues involved.

She has a passion for mentoring young practitioners in chambers and is Senior Member of a Women in Criminal Law Judicial Mentoring Circle.

She is a champion of Wellbeing within the criminal justice system and co-founded ‘Kindness at the Bar’ in 2022, an initiative to research and promote kinder working cultures within the legal sector. She has been Wellbeing Director of the South-Eastern Circuit (the Bar’s regional representative body) since 2019 and is the current Chair of the Bar Council Wellbeing at the Bar Working Group.

Remuneration and Governance Code

Trustees of the Imperial War Museum are not remunerated. This appointment has been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments. The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election. Ama Agbeze and Nicola Shannon have not declared any significant political activity.

January 10, 2024

PRESS RELEASE : Jay Hunt appointed as Chair of the British Film Institute [January 2024]

The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 10 January 2024.

The Secretary of State has appointed Jay Hunt as Chair of the British Film Institute for a term of four years commencing 16 February 2024.

Jay Hunt

Appointed from 16 February 2024 until 15 February 2028.

Jay Hunt OBE is the Creative Director for Apple TV+ in Europe and has been a Governor of the BFI since 2020. She also served on the Board of the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund. Before joining Apple, she was Chief Creative Officer of Channel 4, responsible for Channel 4, E4, More 4 and the Film 4 channel. She is the only person to have run three terrestrial broadcast channels, also serving as Controller of BBC One and Director of Programmes at Channel 5. Her commissions include global hits Bad Sisters, Slow Horses, Luther, Sherlock, Black Mirror, Derry Girls, Catastrophe and Gogglebox. She started her career at BBC News working on Newsnight and Panorama before becoming Editor of both the One O’Clock and Six O’Clock News. In 2023 she was named one of the Top Twenty Most Powerful Women in Global Entertainment by The Hollywood Reporter.

Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said:

“Film is at the heart of the UK’s thriving creative industries, and the BFI plays an important role maximising the potential of our world-leading screen sectors. Jay’s wealth of experience championing British content makes her an exceptional Chair to lead the BFI in the years ahead.”

On her appointment, Jay Hunt, BFI Chair Designate said:

“The BFI plays such a vital role in supporting great British storytellers and I’m delighted I’ll be chairing the organisation at such an exciting and challenging time. I’m passionate about the quality and range of film and TV we produce in the UK and look forward to championing it on the world stage.”

Ben Roberts, BFI Chief Executive said:

“I’m thrilled that Jay has been appointed Chair of the BFI. As a BFI Governor, Jay has been a passionate advocate for both the BFI and the UK film sector. With her incredible breadth of experience in leadership across broadcasting and global streaming, she steps into this role with a very rare combination of an innate understanding of the power and potential of what public service organisations can deliver as well as being acutely commercial. I’m really looking forward to working with her and am confident she will take us boldly into the future, holding us to our commitments in Screen Culture 2033 to transform access to our programmes, screen culture and jobs across the UK.”

January 10, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : Family hubs now open in 75 areas [January 2024]

The press release issued by the Department for Education on 10 January 2024.

Family hubs now open in local authorities across half the country as new Little Moments Together campaign launches.

Parents across England can now access free help and support at local family hubs, with all 75 local authorities involved in the government scheme now offering access to a centre.

The hubs centralise a range of vital services in one location and act as a ‘one stop shop’ for parents and children. Trained staff provide practical help including early language and communication development, mental health support for parents and carers, and programmes for improving children’s home development.

This milestone comes as the government launches the new national Start for Life Little Moments Together campaign, providing free resources and advice to help parents make the most of every moment – even waiting for a bus or shopping together – to further their child’s development.

The government is investing around £300 million to embed the family hub approach and enhance Start for Life services across the country for families with children aged 0-19 years, and 0-25 years for children with SEND.

On top of this, eligible working parents of 2-year-olds are currently able to register to access 15 hours free childcare per week from April 2024. This is the first step in the rollout of the largest investment in childcare in England’s history, expanding 30 free hours of childcare for working parents, from nine months old up to when their child starts school by September 2025. This is set to save parents using the full 30 hours up to £6,500 per year.

On Monday 8 January, Education Secretary Gillian visited a family hub in Halton to meet with families benefitting from the services on offer.

Education Secretary, Gillian Keegan said:

Family hubs act as one-stop-shops and provide a universal offer to parents and families to provide them with extra support when they need it.

This support is on hand for parents and carers from conception through to those teenage years. I’ve seen first-hand how important it is that families are able to build confidence and aren’t made to jump through hoops, explaining their situation to professionals over and over.

That’s why through family hubs, along with our reforms to childcare and children’s social care, we’re making sure that the right support is available for families in the way that works best for them.

Minister for Public Health, Start for Life and Primary Care, Dame Andrea Leadsom said:

It is fantastic to see so many of these vital hubs within easy reach of families up and down the country.

We’re committed to ensuring all parents get better access to help and support to improve their child’s learning and development, including learning at home.

The free resources now available through the Little Moments Together campaign will provide vital tools to help parents ensure their baby is getting the best possible start in life.

Across all 75 local authorities, parents will now have access to a key contact who can support parents with their home learning. Hubs will support parents to improve their children’s language and communication skills and ultimately increase levels of school readiness.

New findings have revealed that 83% of parents are unaware that their child’s brain is 90% grown by the age of five, shedding light on a critical gap in parents’ understanding of the impact they can have in these crucial early years.

The research uncovered that parents prioritise activities like reading bedtime stories (65%) and playing with toys (61%) for their child’s language and communication skills. Yet, everyday moments are often overlooked, which is why the campaign focuses on the importance of day-to-day activities such as the daily routine around the house.

This is just one element of government’s support for families. Family hubs go hand in hand with the government’s Supporting Families programme, which aims to build the resilience of vulnerable families and drive change across the country, so that every area has strong local services which are able to identify families in need and provide the right support at the right time.

The government’s plan to transform children’s social care also set out how it will reform the children’s social care system, to focus on meaningful early support for families, reducing the need for intervention at a later stage. This includes the Families First for Children pathfinder programme, which simplifies early help services and brings them together into one single system.

Together this support will help improve families’ lives.

Further information on family hubs and early language development support can be found here: https://familyhubs.campaign.gov.uk/

January 10, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : UK launches International Science Partnership Fund worth £218 million [January 2024]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 10 January 2024.

The UK government launched the International Science Partnerships Fund worth £218 million of Official Development Assistance designed to help unlock potential and foster prosperity.

The International Science Partnerships Fund, which is open to countries including Malaysia, puts research and innovation at the heart of UK international relationships, supporting researchers and innovators to work with peers around the world on the major themes of our time: planet, health, technology, and talent.

ISPF directs government investment and effort into the science and research issues that really matter. It builds partnerships based on excellence to share knowledge and research infrastructure, cultivate strong diplomatic ties, promote global standards and values, and foster mobile talent in Southeast Asia and in the UK.

Today, the British High Commission Kuala Lumpur (BHC KL) organised the ISPF Malaysia launch to disseminate the information to the wider science and innovation community. ISPF will explore programmes in the themes of resilient planet, healthy people, animals and planets, transformative technologies, and tomorrow’s talent.

Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, YB Tuan Chang Lih Kang who attended the launch said:

The International Science Partnership Fund marks a key collaboration between Malaysia and the UK, driving a new phase in Malaysia’s science and technology journey. This partnership fosters innovative research and sustainable advancements that will enrich both nations. Our joint efforts exemplify the strength of international cooperation in advancing science and technology for global well-being.

British High Commissioner to Malaysia, Her Excellency Ailsa Terry CMG added:

The UK and Malaysia share a longstanding research partnership through the Newton-Ungku Omar Fund and Global Challenges Research Fund. The launch of the International Science Partnership Fund in Malaysia is the next chapter of our ambitious science and technology partnership with Malaysia, and our joint commitment in developing talent and capabilities, strengthening our research network and tackle some of greatest challenges we face today.

ISPF worldwide is deployed by the UK’s Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. Its implementation in Malaysia is facilitated by the BHC KL. ISPF programmes are delivered by a consortium of the UK’s leading research and innovation bodies, which includes UK Research and Innovation (comprising the 7 research councils, Innovate UK and Research England), the UK Academies, the British Council, the Met Office, the National Physical Laboratory, the UK Atomic Energy Authority, and Universities UK International.

Some of these organisations will work with their Malaysian counterparts to publish calls for research proposals to which researchers or universities can apply through a competitive process.

January 10, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : We call on all parties to implement resolution 2720 on Gaza in full – UK statement at the UN General Assembly [January 2024]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 January 2024.

Statement by Ambassador Archie Young at UN General Assembly 51st plenary meeting 78th Session.

Thank you, Mr. President.

Colleagues, we have heard the repeated warnings from humanitarian experts on the ground in Gaza that nine out of ten people are only getting one meal a day. That over half a million people are projected to be facing catastrophic levels of hunger. And that disease is spreading in overcrowded areas as people go without basic healthcare, shelter and clean water. So it is devastating to hear that aid is still piling up outside Gaza, undelivered to those in desperate need.

The UK reiterates our strong support for Security Council resolution 2720, for which we voted in favour, and reiterates our thanks to the UAE for their leadership. The resolution set out the urgent demand for expanded humanitarian access, the release of hostages and steps towards a sustainable ceasefire where Hamas can no longer pose a threat to Israel.

The UK, as a P5 member, considers the veto a heavy responsibility, to be used in the interests of securing the peace and security that people around the world seek.  It should be exercised responsibly, and with caution.

United Nations Security Council resolution 2720 is definitive. It demands that the parties to the conflict “allow, facilitate and enable the immediate, safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance” throughout the Gaza strip. We call on all parties to implement this resolution in full.

We want to see at least 500 aid and private sector trucks enter Gaza every day, far more than the 150 currently taking place. Israel should accelerate and rationalise its screening, clear the backlog of loaded trucks in Egypt, and do everything else it can to facilitate aid into Gaza. Israel should also open more entry points for longer, for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, if security allows.

The UK warmly welcomes the appointment of Sigrid Kaag as the UN’s Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator. She brings a vast wealth of experience to this crisis. All parties to the conflict should cooperate fully with her and her team. The UK is also clear that Israel should renew visas for UN and NGO staff.

The Foreign Secretary has consistently raised these issues with his Israeli counterparts, including Foreign Minister Israel Katz and Minister for Strategic Affairs, Ron Dermer. The Foreign Secretary has also appointed Mark Bryson-Richardson in December as his Representative for Humanitarian Affairs in the Occupied Palestinian Territories to coordinate our efforts to relieve the suffering of the Palestinian people in Gaza.

Thank you.

January 9, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : Thousands of renters in Wales better off with UK Government boost to housing support [January 2024]
The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 9 January 2024.

Around 82,500 renters in Wales are set to receive a boost to their housing support in April, as the Government lays legislation to increase Local Housing Allowance (LHA).
- New Local Housing Allowance rates to come into force in April as legislation being laid in parliament.
- £7 billion investment over the next five years means 1.6 million private renters on Universal Credit or Housing Benefit will be around £800 better off a year.
- Comes as National Insurance cut comes into effect – meaning households with two average earners will save nearly £1,000 per year.
Around 1.6 million private renters across Great Britain are set to receive a substantial boost to their housing support in April, as the Government lays legislation to increase Local Housing Allowance (LHA). In Wales, around 82,500 households are set to benefit from the boost.

The boost will benefit some of the poorest families on either Universal Credit or Housing Benefit who will gain around £800 a year.

The support worth over £7 billion over the next five years comes as the government publishes the proposed LHA rates for 2024/25, with people living in the most expensive areas set to see the biggest boost.

Subject to the benefits cap, eligible renters of:
- Four bed in the Cardiff Broad Rental Market Area could get up to £1,300 a month.
- Three bed in the Monmouthshire Broad Rental Market Area could get up to £795 a month.
- Two bed in the Merthyr & Cynon Broad Rental Market Area could get up to £500 a month.
The increase to the LHA has been welcomed by many housing and homelessness organisations and is part of the Government’s £104 billion cost of living support package – worth an average £3,700 per household. This also includes raising benefits by 6.7%, the state pension by 8.5%, and £300 cost of living payments, with over 7 million households receiving the latest payment and another payment coming in Spring.

This additional support comes as 27 million people are set to get a significant tax cut as the main rate of employee National Insurance will be cut from 12% to 10%. This reduces National Insurance by more than 15% in total, saving £450 this year for the average salaried worker on £35,400.

Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride said:

Housing costs are the number one expense for families. This £7 billion boost to Local Housing Allowance over the next five years, along with our landmark Back to Work reforms, reflects our fair approach to welfare – helping people into employment while protecting the most vulnerable with unprecedented cost of living support.”

Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work Mims Davies said:

Keeping inflation down and supporting people to stay and progress in work is the best way we can bolster families’ finances and help them progress, but we know some are still struggling which is why we are providing this important extra help.

This key boost to our housing support will see average renters around £800 better off. It is just one crucial part of our £104 billion package to help the most vulnerable which also includes an increase to benefits in line with inflation and our latest series of cost of living payments.”

Secretary of State for Wales, David TC Davies said:

I’m pleased this extra support will benefit tens of thousands of households across Wales, which comes on top of the already substantial support that the UK Government has already provided over recent months to support people with the cost of living.

At a time when many people are concerned about paying the bills, the UK Government continues to focus on helping the most vulnerable in all parts of Wales”.

Crisis Chief Executive Matt Downie said:

It cannot be understated just how vital this investment in housing benefit will be in helping to both prevent and end homelessness.

In recent years, people receiving housing benefit have found it increasingly difficult to afford the soaring cost of rents. Giving housing benefit this crucial boost will make a real difference to people across Great Britain and will relieve some of the pressure facing people on the lowest incomes.

We hope this investment will be maintained for the long term, so we can continue with our collective mission to end homelessness for good.”

The investment comes on top of the £30 billion support the government is providing over 2023/24 on housing support.

Minister for Levelling Up Jacob Young said:

This funding boost is just one part of how we’re supporting people in the private rented sector with the cost of living.

We have already invested £30 billion in housing support, along with Discretionary Housing Payments which provide an added safety net for anyone struggling to meet their rent.

We are taking the long term decisions needed for a better private rented sector, through our Renters Reform Bill, giving tenants security and supporting good landlords.”

The Local Housing Allowance determines the maximum housing support for private renters. It ensures that claimants in the same area with similar situations are entitled to the same maximum support regardless of the rent they pay. The level of support is based on the area where the person lives and the size of their household.
January 9, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : Proposed changes to egg labelling rules support British industry [January 2024]

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 9 January 2024.

Producers will no longer need to change how eggs are labelled during an outbreak of avian influenza under proposals planned to support British farmers set out by the Government today (Tuesday 9 January 2024).

Currently, when mandatory housing measures are introduced, eggs from free-range birds may continue to be labelled as ‘free-range’ for 16 weeks – the existing ‘derogation’ period under the Egg Marketing Standards Regulations. After that period, these eggs must then be labelled as barn eggs.

The proposals for England and Scotland announced today – subject to an eight-week consultation – will amend the Regulations to remove the ‘derogation’ period, meaning that free-range eggs can stay labelled as such throughout mandatory housing measures.

The proposals aim to cut unnecessary red tape and costs for British producers while also strengthening supply chains and helping deliver the Government’s commitment to continue to produce at least 60% of the food we eat in the UK.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 is now a global threat and the scale of outbreaks in recent years across the UK and Europe have been unprecedented, with more than 360 cases confirmed across Great Britain since late October 2021.

In both 2021/22 and 2022/23 the 16-week derogation period was exceeded, which led to significant costs for industry as egg packaging had to be changed to comply with legislation.

Farming Minister Spencer said:

“We understand the pressures bird flu outbreaks place on our poultry and egg producers, which is why we continue to prioritise ways to support the industry during outbreaks of this disease.

“I encourage all those with an interest to take part in this consultation to ensure that our free-range industry continues to thrive in years to come.”

Chief Executive of the British Egg Industry Council, Gary Ford said:

“With the vast majority of eggs produced in the UK meeting free-range standards, the sector is very important to both British consumers and farmers. BEIC has been calling for an amendment to the egg marketing legislation to ensure that our free-range egg farmers can remain competitive and continue to provide British consumers with free-range eggs. This has become increasingly important due to the unprecedented levels of Avian influenza in recent years. The changes are essential to ensure a long-term future for British free-range eggs, which we know consumers want, and we strongly support the consultation”.

Chief Executive of British Free Range Egg Producers Association, Robert Gooch said:

“The British Free Range Egg Producers Association (BFREPA) is delighted that producers should be able to protect their hens from the risk of bird flu by housing their hens in accordance with Government requirements without having to relabel their eggs, as a result of this consultation. It would also align the free range egg marketing rules with the European Union, which is important as it means that British producers will be on a level playing field with European farmers.”

The consultation launched today (Tuesday 9 January 2024) will run for 8 weeks until 5 March 2024.

More information on the current bird flu outbreak can be found on our latest situation page.

January 9, 2024
PRESS RELEASE : Domestic abuse victims given fresh support to escape abuse [January 2024]

The press release issued by the Home Office on 9 January 2024.

New £2 million fund will provide one-off payments to victims to help them leave their tormenters.

Hundreds of domestic abuse victims will receive lifeline payments to help them escape tormenting and often life-threatening abuse, and to help rebuild their lives thanks to an additional £2 million investment, the Home Office has announced today.

From 31 January, victims of domestic abuse who do not have the financial means to leave their abusers will be able to apply for a one-off payment of up to £500 via one of over 470 support services, for essential items such as groceries, nappies or support with new accommodation to help them and their children flee to safety.

For the first time, victims can also apply for a further one-off payment of up to £2,500 to help secure a sustainable independent future, such as putting down a deposit for rental accommodation. This will help them move forward with their lives and prevent homelessness or pressure to return to abusers because of financial strain.

The fund will be delivered via referrals from a network of local frontline services in England and Wales including organisations, helplines and caseworkers who have a specialist understanding of domestic abuse.

The fund, which will initially last until March 2025, builds on a successful pilot funded by the Home Office and delivered with Women’s Aid last year which, helped over 600 victims to safety. Women’s Aid have been re-appointed to deliver this additional funding alongside hundreds of domestic abuse services across England and Wales.

Home Secretary, James Cleverly said:

Tackling violence and abuse against women and girls is a priority of mine.

We know that victims of domestic abuse are often forced to flee with very little. These payments cover essentials like food, clothing and nappies, and will also help them keep a roof over their heads.

After the successful trial of this lifeline scheme with Women’s Aid last year, I am proud to continue helping victims to escape abuse, find safety and rebuild their lives.

Minister for Victims and Safeguarding, Laura Farris said:

Women leave abusive partners at what is often the lowest point in their lives. The most common issues – kids, lack of money and confidence, fear of reprisal – keep so many victims locked into dangerous and harmful situations for far too long.

I am proud this fund has helped over 600 people to escape their abusers and find safety and hope this additional £2 million will help hundreds more find peace and rebuild their lives. I am also proud of, and grateful to, Women’s Aid, for the extraordinary service they provide to some of the most desperate women in society.

The money complements the action this government has taken to protect victims – including our landmark Domestic Abuse Act which significantly expanded the definition of the offence, created more robust protections and tougher sentences.

During the pilot of the fund 83.4% of those applying said that the payments would be used to flee an abuser. Some reported the payments were to help prevent them from returning to abusive relationships due to financial struggles. With most survivors fleeing with little or no belongings, 77.6% said the money helped them to purchase essential goods such as fresh food for their children. Mental health and peace of mind was also improved, with the payments enabling them to purchase security measures such as CCTV and doorbell cameras.

This trial followed Women’s Aid research which found that almost three-quarters of women living with their abuser found it harder to leave as a result of the associated further cost of living.

Farah Nazeer, Chief Executive of Women’s Aid, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, said:

At Women’s Aid we warmly welcome the funding which will be made available to all survivors of domestic abuse through our, and our partners’, work with the Home Office. Domestic abuse affects a huge number of people, many of whom face additional challenges when it comes to receiving the life-changing support that they need. This year, we are delighted to be working with specialist services to ensure all survivors, including those from minoritised groups, receive the help they so desperately need.

When we worked on the pilot of the fund in May last year, we saw immediately the impact this was having on survivors – over 75% of applicants used their grant to replace or purchase essential goods for themselves or their children, after they had fled their abuser with nothing to their name.

This year’s funding will make life-changing improvements to the lives of countless adult and child survivors, allowing them to take those first steps towards a life free of abuse. We are immensely proud to be a part of this, especially during our 50th year, and believe that by allowing more survivors to escape their abusers, we are taking steps in the right direction to building a society in which domestic abuse is no longer tolerated.

Melanie Brown, MBE, Patron of Women’s Aid said:

I am so happy at the news that the government fund for survivors of domestic abuse will continue – I know how needed it is and the difference it has made to the lives of women and children who could not have left without it.

As someone who knows first-hand what it is like to live in fear of a partner, I am proud to have campaigned as Patron of Women’s Aid and with The Sun on this important issue, and thank the government for listening to our voices.

Nicole Jacobs, Domestic Abuse Commissioner for England and Wales, said:

I am delighted that the government is launching a Flexible Fund for 2024 following the success of last year’s scheme.

This fund provides one-off urgent payments to victims of domestic abuse, many of whom report leaving their abuser with little or no belongings. It will be a lifeline for many, helping victims to flee abuse and rebuild their lives.

I hope to see this critical funding reach as many victims and survivors as possible, including those who face the most significant barriers to support.

The fund follows the government’s Domestic Abuse Plan which has invested over £230 million in tackling this heinous crime and builds on a series of measures which prioritise tackling violence against women and girls.

Last year the government expanded legal aid to ensure domestic abuse victims face fewer barriers to funded assistance in the courts. Victims on universal credit seeking a protective order for themselves or their children against their attackers can now access legal aid funding more easily without facing a means test. Changes introduced in May mean victims of coercive control will also be made eligible for legal help without needing to access funds from joint assets.

All police forces across England and Wales are now following a new approach for the investigation of rape, funded by the Home Office, with police referrals to the Crown Prosecution Service for adult rape offences already up more than 200% since 2019.  Under the new model, police and prosecutors can access better support and 2,000 police investigators will be specially trained in sexual offences by April 2024.

Violence against women and girls (including domestic abuse) has been added to the Strategic Policing Requirement – meaning it is now categorised as a national threat for forces to respond to, alongside other serious threats like terrorism.

In November 2023, the third phase of the government’s innovative ‘Enough’ communications campaign that looks to change long-term behaviours and attitudes towards violence against women and girls, launched a third phase of activity, which included partnering with over 30 UK universities in a bid to protect women and girls on university campuses.

The Home Office also funds “perpetrator intervention” projects which aim to stop domestic abusers and stalkers from repeatedly targeting victims and terrorising vulnerable people.

The government has also created new offences to criminalise acts such as non-fatal strangulation, stalking, cyberflashing and the sharing of intimate images without consent.

January 9, 2024