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Tag: Press Release

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK and Saudi Arabia emphasise commitment to Middle East security [December 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK and Saudi Arabia emphasise commitment to Middle East security [December 2023]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 21 December 2023.

    The UK and Saudi Arabia have reaffirmed their long-standing defence partnership, amid the deteriorating security situation in the Red Sea.

    • Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Defence was hosted in London to discuss shared defence and security priorities.
    • Maintaining regional security was reaffirmed as a shared priority.
    • Future collaboration work across land, sea and air also discussed.

    Defence Secretary, Grant Shapps today hosted HRH Prince Khalid bin Salman, Minister for Defence of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in London. The counterparts discussed the importance of our joint defence activities to strengthen security in the Middle East, with continued building on industrial partnerships covering land and maritime, as well as our Future Combat Air partnership.

    Houthi attacks, including the use of ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial systems against global shipping, represent an increased threat to security in the Red Sea.

    The UK has demonstrated its commitment to support regional security and stability through the deployment of HMS Diamond to the Red Sea to protect key global shipping lanes. On Saturday morning, HMS Diamond shot down a suspected attack drone which was targeting merchant shipping in the Red Sea.

    Defence Secretary, Grant Shapps said:

    The UK has been, and will continue to be, a critical defence partner of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and we are jointly seeking to strengthen security in the Middle East.

    It was a pleasure to host my counterpart, where we were steadfast in our commitment  to protect the free flow of global trade, while also discussing progress on land, maritime and air programmes.

    The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has the UK’s close support as it undertakes a Defence Transformation under its ‘Vision 2030’. The UK is continuing with our Defence Adviser Programme to Saudi Arabia for a further 3 years, demonstrating our commitment to strengthen cooperation on defence and security matters.

    In order to address regional threats and challenges and ensure stability; Saudi Arabia and the UK will look to expand joint cooperation on multiple strategically significant capability areas that match our respective Defence capability plans.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Minister visits Frank Bruno Foundation mental health initiative [December 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Minister visits Frank Bruno Foundation mental health initiative [December 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 21 December 2023.

    Minister Maria Caulfield celebrates the work of the Frank Bruno Foundation in supporting people with mental ill health get back into work.

    • Mental Health Minister lauds former professional boxer’s efforts to help those with mental ill health stay in work via programme of controlled non-contact boxing classes
    • Visit comes as government unveils unprecedented £795 million of additional funding to support thousands of people struggling with mental health back into work over next 5 years
    • Government is dedicated to boosting nation’s mental health and helping people nationwide to stay healthy, get off benefits and move into work

    Pioneering efforts by the former World Boxing Council heavyweight champion Frank Bruno, who is helping people with mental ill health back into work, have been welcomed by Health Minister Maria Caulfield during a visit to the Frank Bruno Foundation in Northampton.

    It follows the government unveiling an unprecedented £795 million of additional funding so thousands of people can be helped back into work over the next 5 years, keeping them out of poverty, improving their wellbeing and raising their living standards.

    Funding will expand NHS Talking Therapies, so an additional 384,000 people will benefit from courses of treatment over the next 5 years and increasing the number of sessions available.

    The former professional boxer has spoken openly about how exercise has played a vital role in his battle with mental health challenges. He set up the Frank Bruno Foundation in 2017, offering wellbeing programmes and structured non-contact boxing sessions for anyone over the age of 10 years who is experiencing problems with mental ill health.

    A stay in work scheme is central to the foundation’s work – aimed at helping professionals with mental health difficulties stay in work and prevent long-term sickness. And an innovative wrap-around service helps professionals deal with other contributing struggles such as housing, money worries, addiction, family difficulties and bereavement.

    Mental Health Minister, Maria Caulfield, said:

    Frank and his team are doing a great job at getting people fighting fit through boxing classes, using innovative techniques to support local people with their mental health and wellbeing. In particular, it’s great to see his brilliant ‘stay in work’ scheme.

    This government is determined to help as many people as possible stay healthy, get off benefits, and move into work. That’s why we’ve just unveiled £795 million of new funding to provide more mental health treatments nationwide and help those with mental health conditions stay in or find work.

    Former professional boxer, Frank Bruno, said:

    I am honoured that the Frank Bruno Foundation received a visit from Maria Caulfield. We are providing a unique service to the mental health community in Northamptonshire and it is having a really positive impact.

    The minister was really interested in our work and I was keen to hear how the government is looking to improve the future of mental health care.

    I was delighted the minister got into the boxing ring with me and pledged to continue the fight against mental health challenges. If there was somewhere like this foundation available when I was ill it could have really helped, so we need to see more services like this made available.

    Mum of one, Jo, from Northampton, who has bipolar disorder, said:

    This place is like a family and has really helped me. I came to the foundation because I suffer from bipolar and coming here has really helped with my confidence and self-esteem. I have used the coping mechanisms I have learned here to help me in my life.

    Deni first came to the foundation in May 2021 and is now a full-time member of staff who works as a mental health development officer.

    Deni from Northampton, who suffered crippling anxiety attacks and struggled to leave his home, said:

    I was really lucky to come here and enrol in programmes – and I now love helping other people. This is a safe place that tests your boundaries but where you also feel comfortable.

    With its additional funding, the government is boosting 4 key programmes – NHS Talking Therapies, Individual Placement and Support, Restart and Universal Support – to benefit up to 1.1 million people over the next 5 years and help those with mental or physical health conditions stay in or find work.

    NHS Talking Therapies provides evidence-based psychological therapies, including cognitive behavioural therapy, for treatment of mild and moderate mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety disorders.

    The additional £795 million investment will also fund an additional 100,000 Individual Placement and Support places over 5 years, which will help people with severe mental illness gain and retain paid employment.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK signs first of its kind financial services agreement with Switzerland [December 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK signs first of its kind financial services agreement with Switzerland [December 2023]

    The press release issued by HM Treasury on 21 December 2023.

    • Chancellor Jeremy Hunt signs the Berne Financial Services Agreement – a ground-breaking pact on financial services cooperation

    • UK businesses to provide financial services to the Swiss domestic market, and vice versa, more easily

    • Berne Financial Services Agreement provides access to the Swiss market that no other country will have, while also providing certainty for businesses and upholding high standards of regulation

    Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has today (21 December) signed the Berne Financial Services Agreement, a first of its kind pact on financial services cooperation, with his Swiss counterpart Karin Keller-Sutter.

    The agreement sets sectors where the UK and Switzerland will mutually recognise each other’s domestic laws and regulations on financial services, making it easier for corporate and high net worth clients in the two markets to do business with each other.

    The Berne Financial Services Agreement enables the frictionless, cross-border provision of financial services between the UK and Switzerland across areas such as asset management, banking, and investment services. For certain sectors it means that a firm based in the UK will be able to serve clients in Switzerland while largely following UK rules, and vice versa.

    The agreement also secures unique access for British insurance brokers to the Swiss market. From the start of 2024, Switzerland will require any non-Swiss firms to establish a base in the country before serving Swiss clients. The UK will be the only country in the world not required to do this, putting British brokerage firms at a significant advantage to international competitors as they can continue to do business as they always have done.

    Jeremy Hunt, Chancellor of the Exchequer, said:

    “The Berne Financial Services Agreement is a global first and builds on the UK and Switzerland’s strengths as two of the world’s largest financial centres.

    “It cements open access for financial services between our two nations for decades to come, helping us grow the economy and serving as a blueprint for future agreements with other key trading partners.”

    The Berne Financial Services Agreement will make open access in financial services legally binding between the UK and Switzerland for decades to come, all while maintaining high standards of regulation, market fairness and investor protection. Both countries will also have the freedom to revise or introduce new domestic regulation as they see fit.

    The agreement provides an opportunity for the UK and Switzerland to work together to strengthen international financial standards. It will also help level the playing field for some smaller firms, who will no longer have to invest time and money in navigating unfamiliar Swiss rules.

    Financial advisors will also benefit. British financial advisers to high-net-worth individuals will no longer need to be registered by Swiss registration bodies to serve Swiss clients. This will remove requirements to sit Swiss examinations or provide documentation evidencing suitability, cutting red tape for the UK’s financial advisory industry.

    The Berne Financial Services Agreement is only possible due to new freedoms granted to the UK following its exit from the European Union. The agreement will enhance the UK and Switzerland’s already thriving financial services relationship. Between 2016 and 2022, UK trade in financial and insurance services with Switzerland grew by 53% – reaching £3.28 billion in 2022.

    The UK financial services sector is a significant contributor to the domestic economy and was valued at approximately £254 billion in the four quarters to Q2 2023. In 2020, around 40% of financial services to Switzerland were exported from UK regions outside of London and the South East, and two out of three jobs in financial services are based outside of London. This means that the benefits of the Berne Financial Services Agreement will be felt across the UK, bolstering jobs and growing the UK economy.

    Separate to the Berne Financial Services Agreement, the UK is also currently negotiating an enhanced Free Trade Agreement with Switzerland that will boost ties and cover the full range of trade between the two countries.

    Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch said:

    “This is just the latest deal we have struck with Switzerland to help our world-leading UK financial services companies access this lucrative market and grow UK-Swiss trade in services.

    “This deal complements the work we’re doing with Switzerland to agree a new, modernised free trade agreement and will help the UK reach our goal to export a trillion pounds of goods and services a year by 2030.”

    Miles Celic, chief executive officer, TheCityUK, said:

    “The Berne Financial Services Agreement marks a significant milestone for two of the world’s leading international financial centres. This innovative framework not only simplifies engagement in financial services, reduces barriers, and enhances efficiency, but it also strengthens market confidence and fosters innovation.

    “It establishes a new and ambitious benchmark for how major financial centres can collaborate to establish gold-standard agreements, contributing to a more resilient, competitive, and interconnected global financial landscape.

    “We look forward to continued collaboration with businesses and governments in both countries to ensure this agreement is effectively implemented across our industry.”

    Joe Cassidy, partner, financial services, KPMG; chair, TheCityUK Switzerland Market Advisory Group, said:

    “The Berne Financial Services Agreement is a historic deal shaped by collaboration between governments, regulators, and industry leaders in both countries. It also paves the way for enhanced cooperation between other major global markets.

    “As an industry, our immediate focus is on its full and effective implementation, alongside negotiating an innovative and complementary UK-Swiss Free Trade Agreement. An FTA with provisions for mobility, mutual recognition of professional qualifications and digital services will significantly enhance the MRA and set the standard for the second-country model in financial services regulatory cooperation.”

    David Postings, chief executive, UK Finance, said:

    “The UK-Switzerland Mutual Recognition Agreement is a landmark agreement. Given it’s been drafted specifically for the financial services sector, the market access provisions and measures aimed at removing regulatory barriers go much further than those normally included in trade deals. The innovative agreement sets an ambitious precedent and we hope it will serve as the new standard for future deals with other financial centres around the world.”

    Denis Vangelatos, regulatory risk and international trade sanctions director – EMEA, Aon, said:

    “The Berne Financial Services Agreement represents a fantastic opportunity for the UK and Swiss insurance sectors to continue to cooperate and flourish using a dynamic and forward-looking outcomes based approach to regulation.

    “This new approach not seen in other trade agreements will foster innovation, increase market access, reduce cross border friction and, through mutual recognition, create a deep and trusted partnership for two of the world’s leading financial centres.”

    Chris Hayward, policy chairman of the City of London Corporation, said:

    “This is a great day for the UK’s and Switzerland’s financial services sectors. The Mutual Recognition Agreement will deliver huge benefits for firms in terms of increased market access and stability enhancing commitments. This will help to boost cross-border investment, jobs, growth and competitiveness in both our countries.

    “We hope the MRA sets a template for the UK’s future trading relationships, helping contribute to setting new rules and standards in the vital industries of the future including tech, creative industries and digital trade in the 21st century.”

    For more information, read the full text of the agreement and explanatory material.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UN humanitarian access at Bab al Hawa remains a critical lifeline for 4.1 million Syrians – UK statement at the UN Security Council [December 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UN humanitarian access at Bab al Hawa remains a critical lifeline for 4.1 million Syrians – UK statement at the UN Security Council [December 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 21 December 2023.

    Statement by Deputy Political Coordinator Tom Phipps at the UN Security Council meeting on Syria.

    Thank you President. And thank you to Special Envoy Pedersen and Director Doughten for their briefings.

    President, today in our final session of the year on this item, we should reflect on the situation in Syria over the last 12 months.

    12 months in which there has been no progress on the political process. No improvement in civil or political rights for Syrians, or on arbitrary detentions. No improvement in the conditions to enable the safe, voluntary and dignified return of refugees.

    The humanitarian crisis has deepened. And the captagon trade has only grown. As we enter the new year, we believe there are three areas where the Council can meaningfully focus.

    First, the threat posed to the region from actors within Syria remains of grave concern. We are particularly concerned by the continuing attacks against the Global Coalition Against Daesh in northeast Syria; the increasing tensions along the Jordanian-Syria border; and the reported strikes into Israeli territory by the Assad regime and Iranian-affiliated forces. Regional escalation serves nobody’s interest.

    Second, UN humanitarian access at Bab al Hawa remains vital. Over three-quarters of all UN aid transits via this crossing and it remains a critical lifeline for 4.1 million Syrians. The Syrian regime’s current permissions expire on 13 January – we fully expect them to be renewed. Crossline operations can complement, but not replace, the essential support which cross-border mechanisms provide.

    Finally, we need to continue to support the UN Special Envoy in his efforts to convene a meeting of the Constitutional Committee as soon as possible in the new year.

    Mr President, 18th December marked eight years since this Council unanimously adopted resolution 2254. As we’ve said many times, implementation of this resolution remains the only way to end this conflict and provide sustainable peace and stability to the Syrian people.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Statement in response to legacy inter-state case by the Irish Government [December 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Statement in response to legacy inter-state case by the Irish Government [December 2023]

    The press release issued by the Northern Ireland Office on 20 December 2023.

    Statement follows confirmation by the Irish Government that it intends to pursue an interstate case against the UK regarding the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act.

    The UK Government profoundly regrets the decision taken by the Irish Government today to bring this unnecessary case against the UK.

    The decision comes at a particularly sensitive time in Northern Ireland. It did not need to be taken now, given the issues are already before the UK courts.

    The Independent Commission for Reconciliation & Information Recovery (ICRIR), led by Sir Declan Morgan KC, is continuing its work ahead of its full establishment next year. The UK Government urged the Irish Government, before considering action, to engage directly with the Commission to understand better its plans for the implementation of the legislation, particularly given that effective information recovery for many families will require cross-border cooperation. It is a matter of considerable regret that it has chosen not to do so.

    Although the Irish government refers back to the Stormont House Agreement nine years ago, the reality is that there was no cross-party consensus or agreement to the practical implementation and out-workings of that agreement.

    The Tánaiste has stated that the Irish Government is intent on pursuing a victim-led approach. They have been critical about our proposed approach on the grounds that it moves away from a focus on criminal prosecutions. We believe that the Irish Government’s stated position on dealing with legacy issues is inconsistent and hard to reconcile with its own record. At no time since 1998 has there been any concerted or sustained attempt on the part of the Irish state to pursue a criminal investigation and prosecution based approach to the past.

    We note, in particular, the former Irish Justice Minister and Attorney General’s 2014 reference to an informal decision on behalf of the Irish Government to not investigate Troubles cases – something that he  restated publicly in 2021 in response to our proposals.

    Indeed the Irish Government should urgently clarify the number of criminal prosecutions brought in Ireland since 1998 relating to Troubles cases.

    It is also a matter of public record that successive UK and Irish Governments during the peace process worked closely together on a range of initiatives which have provided conditional immunity and early release from prison.

    While this step is disappointing, it is one for which the UK Government was prepared. The UK Government remains confident that the Act provides a robust and effective framework to allow the ICRIR to discharge our legal obligations.

    We will continue robustly to defend the legislation, including to ensure that the work of the ICRIR can continue without impediment while proceedings are ongoing. The overriding purpose of the Legacy Act is to enable more victims and survivors to obtain more information faster than can be achieved under current legacy mechanisms. We cannot afford further delay in the provision of effective legacy outcomes – both for families and wider society.

    The bilateral relationship with Ireland is, and always will be, one we value deeply. Despite this misguided action, we will continue to work to minimise the consequences and protect the interests of the people and businesses that bind us together.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak hosts final meeting of 2023 Business Council [December 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak hosts final meeting of 2023 Business Council [December 2023]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 20 December 2023.

    The Prime Minister Rishi Sunak hosted the final meeting of the 2023 Business Council earlier today.

    He thanked business leaders for their support over the past year. He noted progress to stabilise the economy, which has resulted in inflation falling well below half – to 3.9% – delivering one of the Prime Minister’s key priorities.

    The Prime Minister explained how businesses are continuing to choose the UK as a top global investment destination, pointing to the examples of: Tata Group’s £4bn UK gigafactory, BMW’s £600m commitment to develop electrical vehicle production in the UK, Nissan’s £2bn to support two new electric vehicle models in Sunderland and £2.5bn from Microsoft for AI infrastructure. He thanked Council Members for their support for the Global Investment Summit in November, at which a further £29.5bn of investment was announced.

    The Prime Minister and the Business Council discussed the economic and business outlook, and how this is being perceived on the frontlines of the economy. Council members agreed that, with inflation now more than halved, there is an opportunity for more economic growth and dynamism in 2024.

    The Prime Minister also raised the economic benefits of AI and other technologies, following the successful AI Safety Summit he hosted at Bletchley Park. He asked Council Members about barriers to adoption and where new technologies have led to increased innovation and productivity.

    He announced that a new ‘AI Opportunity Forum’ will be launched in January – which will be co-Chaired by Franck Petitgas, the Prime Minister’s Adviser on Business and Investment, and the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, Michelle Donelan. It will explore in more detail the adoption of AI technologies across the private sector.

    He concluded by thanking the members of the Business Council for their contributions which bring an important perspective to the big decisions the Government is taking to build a better Britain.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Foreign Secretary calls for increased European coordination on humanitarian crises during visit to Paris and Rome [December 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Foreign Secretary calls for increased European coordination on humanitarian crises during visit to Paris and Rome [December 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 20 December 2023.

    David Cameron will visit French and Italian capitals today to address the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and maintain support for Ukraine over the winter period.

    • David Cameron will travel to Paris and Rome for talks with French President Macron, Italian Prime Minister Meloni, and foreign minister counterparts
    • he will call for increased coordination between allies to address the desperate humanitarian situation in Gaza as well as maintaining support for Ukraine
    • discussions will also focus on working together to tackle illegal migration

    At a time of volatile international crises, Foreign Secretary David Cameron will visit the French and Italian capitals today (19 December) to address the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza as well as maintaining support for Ukraine over the winter period.

    During the visit, the Foreign Secretary will reiterate his call for a sustainable ceasefire, leading to a sustainable peace, and for increased coordination across European allies to ensure life-saving aid can get into Gaza to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people. The Foreign Secretary will also urge continued support for Ukraine to defend itself through military, humanitarian and economic means.

    Tackling illegal migration is also high on the agenda, with the UK working alongside France and Italy to stop the criminal gangs. This follows the UK signing landmark deals with the 2 countries that have seen small boat channel crossings drop by a third.

    Foreign Secretary David Cameron said:

    As we face some of the greatest challenges to international security in a lifetime, our response must be one of strength and resilience with our European allies.

    From the desperate humanitarian situation in Gaza, to Putin’s brutality in Ukraine, it is more important than ever to strengthen our alliances and make sure our voice is heard.

    In Paris, the Foreign Secretary will meet French President Emmanuel Macron, and Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna to discuss maintaining support for Ukraine and finding a long-term political solution that supports Israel’s security and the rights of Palestinians to live in peace. They will also discuss how the UK and France can continue to coordinate their humanitarian responses in Gaza.

    The visit will also look ahead to a milestone year for UK-France relations in 2024, which will mark 120 years since the signing of the Entente Cordiale and 80 years since the D-Day landings, 2 watershed moments for the 2 countries.

    Following the Prime Minister’s visit over the weekend, the Foreign Secretary will then travel to Rome for talks with the Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and to address Italian ambassadors gathered at the Italian foreign ministry for their annual Heads of Mission conference.

    The Foreign Secretary will also meet with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, following Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s meeting with PM Meloni this weekend. Top of the agenda for the Rome programme will be boosting the 2 countries’ close cooperation on illegal migration.

    They will welcome a new agreement between the 2 countries to contribute £4 million to the International Organization for Migration’s assisted voluntary returns project in Tunisia. The joint funding will go towards providing humanitarian assistance and support for vulnerable and stranded migrants to return home safely.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK statements at the World Trade Organization General Council [December 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK statements at the World Trade Organization General Council [December 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 20 December 2023.

    The UK’s Permanent Representative to the WTO and UN in Geneva, Simon Manley, spoke on a number of issues at the WTO General Council (17-19 December 2023).

    Item 16: The contribution of the Multilateral Trading System to Sustainable and Resilient Agriculture and Food Systems – Statement by the Cairns Group (GC/261)

    Thank you to the Cairns Group for their statement. As the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) said, agricultural markets are facing a triple challenge providing adequate, affordable, safe, nutritious food for a growing global population.

    Providing livelihoods all along the food value chain, and at the same time, increasing the sustainability of the agricultural sector.

    We all need to be thinking about how we align our work across different WTO fora, and wider international fora, and have a serious conversation about sustainability and resilient food systems.

    We also really welcome the statement out of COP28: the declaration on sustainable agriculture, food system, and climate action.

    This calls for exactly the strengthening of the rules-based multilateral trading system, with this organisation, with its fantastic leadership, at its very core.

    A multifaceted problem requires a multifaceted solution. And that includes elements highlighted in this Cairns Group declaration, including progressing agricultural reform, to promote fair, rules-based, market-orientated, agricultural trade.

    Key to that effort is repurposing the way in which public support is directed towards agriculture to improve the activity, the resilience and sustainability of agricultural practices and systems.

    So it is absolutely right that we have a serious conversation about sustainability, about resilience of our food systems, here in this organisation, as part of a wider conversation we need to have, urgently, about how we use this organisation, and the trading system, to support the transition to net zero and save our planet.

    Item 18: Information on Investment Facilitation for Development (IFD) – Request from Chile and Korea

    Thank you Chair.

    We rightly talk a lot about the importance of this organisation in development. It is great to hear the reaction to the fabulous work being led by the brilliant co-facilitators.

    This is a significant new agreement that we genuinely hope is going to turbo-charge sustainable development, so as to equip developing and Least Developed Countries (LDC) Members to address the global poli-crisis.

    As we all know, this IFD is the largest with 116 participants (over two thirds of the Membership of this organisation.)

    The agreement shows for us that this organisation can deliver for global trade, and for development, and we can address these current economic challenges.

    Facilitating investment flows, is, as we all know, a key driver of economic growth, productivity and development.

    We think it is going to provide significant economic benefits for Members, in particular for developing countries, by removing barriers to investment and reducing transaction costs.

    It is predicted to increase global welfare by almost 2 per cent, boost cross-border investment – absolutely key to closing the US$4 trillion funding gap in the SDGs so we look forward to the successful incorporation in the WTO in due course and to celebrating this achievement at MC13, where Members from over two thirds of the organisation will join together to mark our shared ambition of driving sustainable global development.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Attorney General seeks criminal damage clarity from Court of Appeal [December 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Attorney General seeks criminal damage clarity from Court of Appeal [December 2023]

    The press release issued by the Attorney General’s Office on 20 December 2023.

    The Court of Appeal has been asked to provide clarity on when a particular defence to criminal damage is available for use by protesters, the Attorney General has announced today.

    Attorney General Rt Hon Victoria Prentis KC MP has asked the Court’s Criminal Division to consider whether claims that protesters honestly believed organisations affected by their stunts would have consented to the damage – if they had known more about the impact of climate change – can be a defence in court.

    This argument has been used by environmental campaign groups in the last year, resulting in acquittals for criminal damage.

    The Attorney General has asked the Court to provide some clarity on the law as guidance for future cases.

    Attorney General Rt Hon Victoria Prentis KC MP said:

    I have made this reference as it is important that the law is clear and fairly applied. I look forward to the Court of Appeal considering this issue, and would like to emphasise that regardless of the outcome of this reference, it cannot affect those who have been acquitted through the usual trial process.

    It will now be for the independent Court of Appeal to consider any submissions made.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK statement – World Trade Organization General Council [December 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK statement – World Trade Organization General Council [December 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 20 December 2023.

    The UK’s Permanent Representative to the WTO and UN in Geneva, Simon Manley, delivered a statement on Ministerial Conferences at the WTO General Council (17-19 December 2023).

    Item 3: Follow-up to outcomes of Ministerial Conferences

    Thank you first for your thanks for our contribution to the Fish fund, and ratification of the agreement.

    On reform, let me welcome the efforts of the Secretariat and all the efforts that we, the Members have put into institutional reform.

    As you know, the UK (and 55 Members) presented a paper to this Committee on this very important issue. We talk about showing progress. Since MC12, we can be proud of the work we have done as an organisation, and it shows how much we can achieve if we just get on with it.

    Look at the work of the Council for Trade in Goods (CTG); just one example, 120 reforms across that Committee. At the heart of that, ensuring that we build trust, and that we ensure even the very smallest delegation here can engage in our work in a way that is constructive.

    On the pandemic response and TRIPs we have done some really important work on the pandemic response, following on the statement from MC12, which obviously needs to continue.

    On TRIPS it is clear that the reality, despite all the discussions we have had, there is no consensus amongst Members on whether or not the extension on therapeutics and diagnostics is genuinely required. It is also true that the MC12 decision, which we spent so much time elaborating, has not been used.

    So we need to think carefully about extending the value of something that does not appear to help all that much as we had hoped on the ground. So, without understanding the consequences of extending that decision we risk compromising the very international IP system that we have worked so effectively to develop, and has been, in our view, so useful to us in that pandemic response.

    In our view, we need to build on the TRIPS Agreement. To build on the way it works, not undermine it, and we need to broaden the conversation on the longer-term initiative to increase access to medicines as we are hoping to achieve, with our paper on voluntary licensing and technology transfers. We recognise that voluntary licences are not a silver bullet, as is clear in the Annexes to our papers, but there are clear examples of their successful use. We are really pleased with the response to the paper, and we want to thank each and every Member who has engaged with us on it. And we want to encourage all of us to share our experiences and we look forward to further engagement in this area in the New Year.