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  • PRESS RELEASE : England among highest performing western countries in education [December 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : England among highest performing western countries in education [December 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Education on 5 December 2023.

    England is among the highest performing European and western countries in global education study.

    Pupils in England have risen up the international rankings for maths, placing England as one of the top performing countries in the western world.

    A worldwide education study published today (5 December 2023) shows England has significantly outperformed the international average and risen from 17th for maths in 2018 to 11th, and from 27th in 2009.

    The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) is an international assessment of 15-year-olds’ mathematics, reading and science ability. Conducted by the OECD, it is widely accepted as the international benchmark for academic attainment for secondary school pupils.

    These strong results demonstrate that the government has made real progress in driving up standards. We are determined to build on this success and take the long-term decisions necessary to improve attainment for generations to come.

    This is why in October, the Prime Minister set out a bold new plan to introduce a new baccalaureate style qualification – the advanced British standard (ABS) – that we will see every student in England study some form of maths and English to age 18, giving them the skills they need to succeed. As part of this, the government has already announced an investment of £60 million over two years to further improve maths education and help lay the groundwork for the introduction of the ABS.

    Today’s results also show that England has ranked 13th for both reading and science, having been placed at 14th and 13th respectively in 2018 and 25th and 16th in 2009.

    They build on England’s significantly improved position for 9- to 10-year-olds reading ability in a separate international study earlier this year, PIRLS, in which English children were ranked fourth out of 43 comparable countries – making them the best in the West.

    Education standards have risen sharply since 2010, with 89% of schools now rated good or outstanding by Ofsted, up from just 68% 13 years ago.

    Education Secretary, Gillian Keegan, said:

    “These results are a testament to our incredible teachers, the hard work of students and to the government’s unrelenting drive to raise school standards over the past 13 years.

    “Taken together with our children being named ‘Best in the West’ for reading earlier this year, England is now firmly cemented as one of the top performing countries for education in the western world.

    “Our teachers, head teachers and support staff should be incredibly proud of their role, day in and day out, transforming education standards in this country and giving our children the platform to build successful careers and compete for the best jobs in world.”

    Aside from attainment, the report has also highlighted other positives findings, including that England’s education system is more equitable that most– meaning that all children all have access to a brilliant education and a chance of success, no matter their background.

    Additionally, the report found that pupils in England were generally more positive about the quality of their maths lessons and the support given by their teachers, than the OECD average.

    The government has enjoyed considerable success for maths over the years, with England achieving our highest ever score in primary school maths in TIMSS 2019. Over £100 million has been invested in the Maths Hubs programme, whose flagship Teaching for Mastery offer will have reached 65% of secondary schools by 2025. To help boost maths attainment further, the Government also announced the creation of a new National Professional Qualification in April to help embed best practice in their schools.

    The report does highlight the challenge of the pandemic. In England, pupils have been supported to catch up with almost £5 billion available for education recovery measures, including more than £1 billion for the National Tutoring Programme alone, which has revolutionised the way targeted support is provided for the children and young people who need it most.

    The report also found that the majority of pupils in England reported feeling safe in their schools.

    Notes to editors:

    • The department is extremely grateful to all schools, pupils, teachers and leaders who took part in PISA 2022.
    • Attracting talented teachers is crucial to ensuring the best education for our children.
    • Teacher recruitment will see a huge boost this academic year with £196 million to attract more teachers across key subjects. This will fund scholarships, bursaries and salary grants to help thousands of candidates through their initial teacher training (ITT).  scholarships for those training to teach mathematics, physics, chemistry and computing will now be brought up to £30,000 tax-free, in order to attract more talented teachers in order to attract more talented teachers in these key subjects to support the delivery of the advanced British standard (ABS), which was announced by the Prime Minister in October.
    • Driving up standards in literacy has been the government’s long-term priority, and our focus over the past decade has been on improving the teaching of reading through the tried and tested approach of phonics.
    • In 2021, we introduced the phonics screening check. At the time, only 58% met the expected standard. In 2023, show 79% of five- and six-year-olds met the expected standard.
    • We have invested £60million in our English hubs programme which is designed to develop expertise in teaching reading in schools.
    • Our network of 40 maths hubs is supporting schools across the country to improve maths teaching based on mastery teaching approaches used by some of the highest performing parts of the world.
    • In November, the Prime Minister set out a new vision to make maths to 18 compulsory, through the advanced British standard. This government has made significant improvement in boosting maths standards.
    • Over £100 million has been invested in the maths hubs programme, whose flagship teaching for mastery offer will have reached 65% of secondary schools by 2025
    • Last year, we made the multiplication tables check compulsory in primary schools last year to help ensure children aged 8 to 9 know their times tables better.
    • In 2019 primary pupils achieved their highest ever score in the TIMSS international test
    • Ofsted recently found a ‘resounding, positive shift in [primary] mathematics education.’
    • The maths hub’s flagship teaching for mastery offer was expanded to 75% of primary schools by 2025, in line with the Government’s wider strategy on maths. The mastering number programme, which aims to support children in early primary school master the basics of arithmetic, is also expanding to 8,000 primary schools by 2024.
    • In its international reporting, the OECD will highlight the countries which did not meet the PISA sampling standards. This includes England. As a precaution, this should be taken into account when interpreting the findings for these countries, including England, as this may have had a positive impact on both their scores and rankings. The department provides more detail on this in our national report (attached), in particular our non-response bias analysis, which looks at the impact of response rates on the representativeness of our data.
    • In England, in response to the pandemic pupils have been supported to catch up with almost £5 billion available for education recovery measures, including more than £1 billion for the national tutoring programme alone, which has revolutionised the way targeted support is provided for the children and young people who need it most.
    • The OECD class countries which perform above the OECD average and in which the effect of socio-economic status on attainment is less strong than the OECD average as “highly equitable”.
    • It should be noted that changes in rankings over time are particularly sensitive to factors such as the number of participating countries and changes in other countries’ scores, as well as the caution required due to countries not meeting the PISA sampling standards. The report also highlights the impact of the pandemic which means, while England’s ranking has increased relative to other countries, some individual scores are lower than the previous PISA study. This reflects a similar pattern to other countries. Further detail on England’s performance can be found in the 2022 PISA national report for England.
  • PRESS RELEASE : London-based builder, Lukasz Nowak, sentenced for Covid loan abuse [December 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : London-based builder, Lukasz Nowak, sentenced for Covid loan abuse [December 2023]

    The press release issued by HM Treasury on 5 December 2023.

    Self-employed builder from Hounslow overstated income to claim £50,000 Bounce Back Loan then lost it in scam crypto investment scheme.

    Lukasz Nowak, 43, a self-employed builder from Hounslow, West London, was sentenced to 20 months imprisonment, suspended for two years, at Lincoln Crown Court on 27 November 2023. He was also ordered to pay £12,000 compensation to the bank from which he borrowed the money.

    Nowak applied for a £50,000 Bounce Back Loan in October 2020. He received the maximum £50,000 loan after stating on the loan application that his business had a turnover of £205,000 for the previous tax year.

    But the court heard that Nowak had overstated his income, which was approximately £20,000 for the relevant period, in order to claim the money.

    Under the rules of the scheme businesses could claim up to £50,000, depending on their previous year’s turnover, and the money had to be used for the financial support of the business. However Nowak used the loan money to invest in cryptocurrency through an online broker.

    But the crypto broker was also committing fraud and stole the full amount of the Bounce Back Loan money that Nowak had believed he was investing. Nowak was later declared bankrupt in July 2021.

    Nowak admitted his actions in November 2022, during an investigation by the Insolvency Service and pleaded guilty at a first hearing at Boston Magistrates’ Court on 9 October 2023.

    Julie Barnes, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, said:

    Lukasz Nowak took advantage of a scheme designed to help those in financial need, without thought for anyone else.

    Nowak’s reckless actions, driven by intention to make a personal gain, resulted in loss to the public purse.

    His sentence shows that the Insolvency Service will not tolerate abuse of taxpayers’ money.

    Her Honour Judge Sjölin Knight also included 200 hours unpaid work and 15 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days  – a measure which helps to address offending behaviour –  as part of his sentence.

    Background

  • PRESS RELEASE : Government considers greater role for families in registration of deaths following inquests [December 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Government considers greater role for families in registration of deaths following inquests [December 2023]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 5 December 2023.

    Families could be given a greater role in the registering of their loved one’s death following an inquest under a planned Government consultation.

    The proposals announced in the House of Commons yesterday (4 December) follows the tireless campaigning of families of victims of the Manchester Arena terrorist attack who felt it was unfair that the law prevented them playing a role in the registration of their childrens’ deaths, as well as the families of victims of other tragedies such as the Hillsborough disaster and Grenfell fire, and local MPs.

    Currently, the coroner provides information for registration of a death where an inquest has taken place. This is in contrast with non-inquest deaths where family members are able to provide information about their loved one themselves.

    Justice Minister Ed Argar said:

    The loss of a loved one is a devastating blow and for it to happen in a senseless attack or a national tragedy is all the harder for loved ones to bear.

    It is only right we look carefully at where we can reform the law so that families can play a greater role in registering the death as one final act for their loved.

    The consultation will take into account proposals within the Data Protection & Digital Information Bill which will change how deaths are registered, moving from registration in paper registers to an electronic register. This will allow for alternative methods of registration to be considered in the future.

    The consultation will be published in due course.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Preferred candidate for the role of His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Probation [December 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Preferred candidate for the role of His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Probation [December 2023]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 5 December 2023.

    The Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor confirmed today (4 December 2023) that the preferred candidate for the role of HMCIP is Martin Jones.

    His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Probation

    His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Probation (HMCIP) is the independent inspector of probation and youth offending services in England and Wales. The Inspectorate offers independent scrutiny of the quality of work undertaken with individual offenders to seek to improve outcomes for individuals and communities.

    Martin Jones has been selected as the preferred candidate for the role of HMCIP following a rigorous assessment process conducted in accordance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments.

    The role is subject to pre-appointment hearing by the Justice Select Committee. Pre-appointment scrutiny is an important part of the appointment process for some of the most significant public appointments made by Ministers. It is designed to provide an added level of scrutiny to the appointment process. Pre-appointment hearings are held in public and allow a Select Committee to take evidence before a candidate is appointed. Ministers consider the Committee’s views before deciding whether to proceed with the appointment.

    Biography

    Mr Jones has been the Chief Executive of the Parole Board since 2015. Prior to that he served as Deputy Director for Sentencing Policy from 2012-2015 and as Head of Crime for Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service from 2008-2011.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK-Kenya COP27 deals delivering by COP28 as UK backs new climate initiative [December 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK-Kenya COP27 deals delivering by COP28 as UK backs new climate initiative [December 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 5 December 2023.

    Flagship UK-Kenya COP27 climate projects have reached milestone achievements ahead of COP28 as UK supports new Africa Green Industrialisation Initiative.

    • UK and Kenya have progressed transport, geothermal and agriculture projects agreed at COP27
    • The UK has helped design President Ruto’s green industrialisation initiative
    • UK will also invest KES 1 billion ($7.1m) million for solar powered irrigation and 100 electric buses

    Flagship climate projects fast-tracked at COP27 between the UK and Kenya have reached milestone achievements ahead of COP28 with multiple projects making progress since last year’s climate summit.

    The UK has also supported the design and development of President Ruto’s new industrialisation initiative for Africa – the Africa Green Industrialisation Initiative (AGII). The projects support this initiative by creating jobs, increasing economic growth and boosting trade.

    The KES 12.5 billion Menengai Geothermal project – which will generate 35MW of electricity, providing approximately 750,000 Kenyans with affordable, clean energy and create 200 jobs during construction, is proceeding to financial close with construction expected to begin shortly after.

    A KES 31 billion agreement has also been reached with the Kenyan Development Corporation and UK-funded investor United Green to establish an area bigger than Nairobi National Park for climate-smart farming – this will save Kenya $200m annually on food imports and help reduce Kenya’s trade deficit.

    These are the latest developments for the six deals agreed between President Ruto and Prime Minister Sunak at COP27 – which total over KES 500 billion of investment. Exactly one month after the 2022 summit in Egypt, construction began at Nairobi Railway City – a green, urban regeneration project centred around a new railway station in Nairobi. Ground was broken at Menengai Geothermal in June of this year, and the United Green-KDC agreement becomes the latest milestone.

    These investments are flagship projects of the UK-Kenya Strategic Partnership – an ambitious five-year agreement which is unlocking mutual benefits for the UK and Kenya – and do not load Kenya with unsustainable debt.

    British International Investment will also announce KES 1 billion ($7.1m) for two projects in Kenya, as part of a wider package of investment in Africa.

    KES 321 million ($2.1m) will provide solar-powered and water-efficient irrigation systems to 9,000 farmers in Kenya, which will help to increase farmers income as well as build their resilience and adapt to the impact of climate change. The upfront cost of the irrigation systems will also be reduced by 25-40% through an innovative carbon credit facility, making the systems more affordable for farmers.

    KES 765 million ($5m) will go towards the manufacture of 100 electric buses – in Kenya – that will meet Kenyan’s demand for affordable but clean public transport. As they replace diesel powered polluters, they will stop 5,000 tonnes of CO2 entering the atmosphere every year.

    British High Commissioner to Kenya, Neil Wigan, said:

    It is a sign of the strength of the UK-Kenya Strategic Partnership that these three projects have reached new milestones by COP28. The UK and Kenya are going far and going together. We are proud to support the President’s AGII. Combined with these investments from British International Investment, the UK and Kenya will deliver what Kenya’s people want – growth, jobs and trade – in a way that is sustainable and protects our planet”.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK welcomes the unveiling of PH National Adaptation Plan [December 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK welcomes the unveiling of PH National Adaptation Plan [December 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 5 December 2023.

    At COP28 in Dubai, the Government of the Philippines unveiled the first Philippines’ National Adaptation Plan to build the country’s resilience to climate change. This historic initiative has been developed through a Philippines-UK collaboration under British Investment Partnerships.

    The Philippines’ NAP sets the direction for the country’s adaptation priorities and identifies opportunities to mobilise investment towards these. Through British Investment Partnerships, the UK has delivered £600,000 of technical assistance through Boston Consulting Group to support the Philippines in formulating the NAP.

    Welcoming the NAP, British Ambassador to the Philippines, Laure Beaufils, said:

    I’m delighted that the UK has partnered with the Philippines to support the development of the country’s first NAP. The NAP is an essential tool that enables the Philippines to set out key policies, actions, and targets that it will pursue to adapt to the unavoidable consequences of climate change. This document is also an important step in enabling the Philippines to attract and deploy both public and private finance that support adaptation priorities.

    The NAP process has used cutting-edge climate analytics to estimate the future impacts and cost of climate change in the Philippines. In August 2023, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Climate Change Commission, together with the UK, conducted a series of multi-stakeholder consultations for the NAP, attended by government and agencies, NGOs, CSOs, the private sector, and international development partners to gather inputs to inform sector-specific strategies.

    The NAP provides a strong market signal for priority investment sectors in the coming years and offers a blueprint to guide the work of international partners operating in the Philippines.

    The Philippines is one of the most climate vulnerable countries globally. The World Risk Index has identified it as the country facing the highest climate and disaster risk in the world. In response, the NAP identifies priority sectors including: agriculture and food security, water, health, ecosystems and biodiversity, land use and human settlements and displacements, livelihood and industries, and critical energy, transport and communication infrastructure. To ensure effective implementation, the NAP also outlines the key enablers, including governance, skills and capacity development, data and knowledge infrastructure, technology and innovation, adaptation financing, and stakeholder engagement.

    Notes to Editors

    About British Investment Partnerships

    • British Investment Partnerships brings together a range of financial instruments and expertise to help incentivise investment into developing countries. Our work through BIP represents the UK’s contribution to the G7 Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment.
  • PRESS RELEASE : Treaty signed to strengthen UK-Rwanda migration partnership [December 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Treaty signed to strengthen UK-Rwanda migration partnership [December 2023]

    The press release issued by the Home Office on 5 December 2023.

    New internationally recognised treaty addresses Supreme Court findings on the safety of the Rwandan partnership.

    Home Secretary James Cleverly has signed a joint treaty with his counterpart, Foreign Minister Dr Vincent Biruta, strengthening the UK and Rwanda’s Migration and Economic Development Partnership and directly addressing the concerns of the Supreme Court.

    The agreement is part of the government’s plan to ensure that illegal migrants can be lawfully relocated to Rwanda under the government’s ambition to stop the boats – ensuring that people know that if they come to the UK illegally, they cannot stay here.

    Following further positive discussions between the 2 countries after the Supreme Court judgment, and building on months of work between the 2 countries, the treaty responds directly to the conclusions of the Supreme Court and presents a new long-term solution.

    The landmark treaty is binding in international law and ensures that people relocated to Rwanda under the partnership are not at risk of being returned to a country where their life or freedom would be threatened – an act known as refoulement.

    It also enhances the functions of the independent monitoring committee to ensure compliance with the obligations in the treaty, such as reception conditions, processing of asylum claims, and treatment and support for individuals including up to 5 years after they have received final determination of their status. The committee is made up of 8 independent members.

    The monitoring committee will also develop a system which will enable relocated individuals and legal representatives to lodge confidential complaints directly to them. It will have the power to set its own priority areas for monitoring, and have unfettered access for the purposes of completing assessments and reports. It may publish reports as it sees fit on its findings.

    To further bolster assurances that relocated individuals will not be returned, under the treaty, Rwanda’s asylum system will be strengthened through a new appeal body. The appeal body will consist of a Rwandan and other Commonwealth national co-president, and be composed of judges from a mixture of nationalities with asylum and humanitarian protection expertise (appointed by the co-presidents) to hear individual appeals.

    Home Secretary James Cleverly said:

    This is a crucial step forward in our commitment to stopping the boats and saving lives.

    Rwanda is a safe country that cares deeply about supporting refugees. It has a strong history of providing protection to those that need it, hosting over 135,000 asylum seekers who have found sanctuary there. I am grateful to our Rwandan partners for their willingness, dedication and commitment to strengthening this partnership further.

    The Supreme Court recognised that changes may be delivered which would address their conclusions – this treaty responds directly to that.

    We remain steadfast in doing everything we can to stop to illegal migration, and our wider, ongoing work operationally and internationally has led to crossings coming down by a third compared to last year.

    Foreign Minister Dr Vincent Biruta:

    This partnership with the UK reflects Rwanda’s commitment to protecting vulnerable people, and builds on our track record of welcoming and hosting refugees and migrants from around the world.

    Rwanda and the UK both understand that there’s a critical need to find innovative solutions to address the suffering of migrants making dangerous, desperate journeys, under the exploitation of criminal human smugglers.

    The people relocated to Rwanda will be welcomed, and they will be provided with both the safety and support they need to build new lives.

    Today’s treaty signing, negotiated by the new Home Secretary, sits alongside work with the Rwandans to strengthen their asylum processes.

    Since taking up his new role, the Home Secretary has been focussed on ensuring that flights leave for Rwanda as soon as possible.

    The treaty also charts a rights-based path for similar collaboration with and between other countries. Countries across Europe are now also exploring third country models for illegal immigration – including Austria, Germany, Denmark and Italy in their deal with Albania, a new and innovative model for processing asylum claims.

    The agreement goes hand-in-hand with wider action to stop the boats, including under the Illegal Migration Act – the most robust our country has ever seen – and our agreements with countries including France, Albania, Turkey and Italy.

    It also comes ahead of new legislation announced by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, which will enable Parliament to confirm that, with our new treaty, Rwanda is safe.

    As part of the Home Secretary’s first official visit to Rwanda, he also attended the Kigali Genocide Memorial with Minister Biruta to pay his respects and met with President Kagame and Minister Biruta to further discuss joint working.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK dedicates £140 million to help countries switch to cleaner energy [December 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK dedicates £140 million to help countries switch to cleaner energy [December 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 5 December 2023.

    Net Zero Minister Graham Stuart has announced further details of £140 million to support developing countries deliver net zero while growing their economies.

    • £140 million to support developing countries deliver net zero while growing their economies, creating thousands more green jobs internationally
    • funding will support governments across Africa, Asia, and Latin America to set clean growth goals
    • new international partnerships agreed to move towards clean energy and accelerate low-carbon steel, cement and concrete production, after PM called for ambitious, innovative and pragmatic climate action to combat rising global temperatures

    Countries looking to follow the UK’s leadership and boost their use of clean energy sources will receive millions of pounds to support their switch.

    At the COP28 negotiations in Dubai, Energy Security and Net Zero Minister Graham Stuart will announce further details of £140 million to support developing countries deliver net zero while extending access to affordable energy and growing their economies.

    The funds could provide clean energy for 8.7 million people, create 25,000 jobs in clean energy industries and cut CO2 emissions by at least 800,000 tonnes.

    This builds on UK progress at home on energy transition. Setting into law one of the most ambitious 2035 climate change targets of any major economy, the UK has undergone the fastest reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of any major economy – down nearly 50% since 1990.

    However, to meet net zero, developing countries also need to reduce their emissions and the funding announced today will help support this.

    Minister for Energy Security and Net Zero, Graham Stuart, said:

    The UK is helping other nations act swiftly to switch to renewable energy and slash emissions on the pathway to net zero, all while creating thousands of new green jobs.

    Backed by an extra £140 million, the UK is leading the world in supporting developing countries to unlock innovation and clean tech in this critical decade for our climate.

    To meet net zero globally by 2050, at least a third of the emissions reductions will need to be supported by technologies that are not yet on the market. The UK is therefore working with partners around the world to accelerate the global green transition, helping make clean technologies affordable, accessible and reliable for all.

    At the start of the conference, the Prime Minister announced £1.6 billion for international climate finance (ICF) projects over the course of COP28 aimed at stopping and reversing deforestation, protecting the natural environment and accelerating the global transition to clean and renewable energy. The investment delivers on the UK’s commitment to spend £11.6 billion of ICF over 5 years, and takes it further with new funding, exceeding our international pledges.

    Today’s package forms part of that £1.6 billion commitment and includes:

    • up to £80 million through the UK Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions (PACT), a flagship UK partnership programme to support governments across Africa, Asia, and Latin America to set clean growth goals, reducing emissions by starting renewable energy projects, greener transport and more sustainable use of land
    • £40 million via the Transforming Energy Access (TEA) platform to demonstrate energy access technologies in low-income countries, and fund research and development into climate friendly refrigeration and appliances that can run directly off renewables
    • £15 million via the Modern Energy Cooking Services (MECS) programme to help countries move away from firewood and charcoal for cooking to cleaner electrical cooking appliances
    • plus an additional £4 million to support universal access to affordable and reliable clean energy in Africa, which will deliver access to electricity to thousands of people

    These measures also follow concerted efforts to help developing countries reduce their emissions and green their electricity grids.

    The Minister also announced key partnerships with countries on a range of issues to help international efforts to tackle climate change.

    These include:

    • the UK pledging its commitment to the Green Public Procurement Pledge, alongside Germany, Canada and the US – sending a multi-billion-dollar global demand signal to accelerate low-carbon steel, cement and concrete production
    • Australia and Norway signing the UK-led Clean Energy Transition Partnership, bringing the total membership to over 40 countries and public finance institutions. Both countries have committed to move international public support away from unabated fossil fuels and towards clean energy

    CBI Chief Executive, Rain Newton-Smith, said:

    The UK has always been a leader in the global net zero transition. It was the first to sign net zero into law, has cut emissions faster than any other G7 nation, and, through the COP26 Presidency, has led unprecedented engagement with the private sector.

    However, climate change is a global issue with global repercussions, and it’s simply not enough to focus on our own actions. This announcement will allow the UK to play an important role in supporting developing countries to make their own transition.

    In turn, business stands ready to do its part and to champion the impact that increased public-private collaboration can have on this generation defining issue.

    Today, the UK government is also delivering on its 2023 Green Finance Strategy commitment and announcing that Vanessa Havard-Williams will lead the Transition Finance Market Review, which will launch in January and position the UK as the best place in the world to raise transition capital with integrity, to help companies in high-emitting sectors access capital to reduce emissions faster.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Government publishes £2 billion vision for engineering biology to revolutionise medicine, food and environmental protection [December 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Government publishes £2 billion vision for engineering biology to revolutionise medicine, food and environmental protection [December 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 5 December 2023.

    Science Minister announces national vision for engineering biology, setting out government’s £2 billion plan to seize the potential of engineering biology.

    • Landmark National Vision for Engineering Biology sets out government’s £2 billion plan to harness the power of biology to deliver new medical therapies, crop varieties, eco-friendly fuels and chemicals, cementing the UK as a science and technology superpower
    • engineering biology applies principles of engineering to biological systems, with early examples including lifesaving mRNA vaccines, cultivated meat and turning waste into aviation fuel
    • vision sets out how investment, policy and regulatory reform will support this critical technology over the next decade, and also sees launch of new Engineering Biology Steering Group

    The government’s £2 billion vision to seize the enormous potential of engineering biology – an exciting field of biology which could transform how we sustainably grow food, create medical treatments and produce fuel – will be unveiled by Science, Research and Innovation Minister Andrew Griffith today (Tuesday 5 December).

    Engineering biology describes the application of rigorous engineering principles to biology, enabling the construction of new or redesigned biological systems, such as cells or proteins.

    It is already delivering breakthroughs, like lifesaving mRNA vaccines such as COVID vaccines, and has been identified as one of the five critical technologies being pursued by the government, as having the potential to grow at tremendous speed.

    Following extensive engagement with industry and stakeholders, the new Engineering Vision lays out the government’s strategy for turning this potential into concrete benefits to the economy and people’s quality of life, through £2 billion investment over the coming decade. The funding is set to bolster the government as it works towards delivering on the Prime Minister’s key priorities, including fostering economic growth in the UK and creating higher-paying jobs and opportunities across various industries throughout the country.

    This includes investing in world-class R&D and in the infrastructure needed to boost innovation and scale it up, ensuring regulation helps engineering biology-derived products reach market, and securing the skills and infrastructure necessary for the UK to spearhead global advancements in transformative technologies.

    The government will also double down on establishing the UK as a world leader in responsible engineering biology innovation by 2030, where we work with industry and global partners to not only seize its benefits but also ensure potential risks are effectively addressed.

    An Engineering Biology Steering Group is also being launched, bringing policymakers together with the business leaders and innovators behind transformational engineering biology breakthroughs being made in the UK, to steer the government’s approach to this technology.

    As part of the launch of the Vision, Science Minister Griffith will also tour bit.bio, a synthetic biology company focused on human cells in Cambridge. bit.bio programs cells to become mature, functional human cells for research, drug discovery and cell therapies. During the visit, he will officially open a new wing for their laboratory facilities, expanding their research centre, signalling the collaboration between the government and prominent industry players in the sector. This follows a speech at one of the field’s leading conferences, SynbiTECH in London where he will unveil the Vision.

    This builds on the £3.5 billion injection to make the UK a science and technology superpower announced in this year’s Spring Budget. This is delivering a £2.5 billion Quantum Strategy which will bring new investment, fast-growing businesses and high-quality jobs to the UK, cementing its reputation as a top location to commercialise quantum; and £1 billion to create the next generation of supercomputing and AI research to establish the UK as a science and technology superpower.

    Science Secretary Michelle Donelan said:

    Engineering Biology has the potential to redefine our world in ways that were previously unimaginable. Today’s £2 billion commitment not only reflects our determination to push the boundaries of what UK science can achieve, from transforming medicine to tackling climate change, but also champions the five critical technologies that will define our future.

    Our Vision will solidify the UK’s global leadership in safe and responsible engineering biology development. Through ongoing investments in transformative technologies, we are not just building a stronger economy; we are fostering job creation and bettering lives across the nation.

    Minister for Science, Innovation and Research Andrew Griffith said:

    Engineering biology is, in many ways, the future of science: using engineering to harness the power of nature to overhaul what is possible – from the treatment of disease to how we sustainably produce food and fuel.

    I am determined to ensure that the UK remains at the cutting-edge of this exciting field. This £2 billion vision sets out how we will bring all the levers of investment, policy and regulation to bear in ensuring that, safely and responsibly, we seize the potential for engineering biology breakthroughs to boost our economy, create jobs, and improve everyone’s quality of life.

    The engineering biology vision sets out six priorities for delivering the benefits of this technology, of which the new Engineering Biology Steering Group is one. It will bring together both the current and the next generation of academic, start-up and industry leaders to help guide policymaking. In addition to this:

    The government will target public investment towards world-class engineering biology R&D that will enable innovation breakthroughs and the creation of new products. We will invest £2 billion over the next ten years in engineering biology.

    The government will invest in UK infrastructure to reduce the costs of both the early stages of engineering biology innovation, and its scale-up. We will develop a plan for UK facilities supporting start-ups and scale-ups in 2024.

    We will grow and retain a diverse talent pool within the UK to match demand from academia and industry, covering scientific, technical and entrepreneurial skills. We will invest in fellowships and doctoral training including the new Discovery Fellowships.

    We will work across government and with all relevant regulatory bodies to ensure that the UK’s regulatory landscape will help engineering biology-derived products to reach the market. Using the new Engineering Biology Regulators’ Network, government will implement a set of regulatory sandboxes to create pathways for this to happen.

    The government will spearhead the adoption of engineering biology in the wider economy, working with investors and customers, and showcasing the most exciting engineering biology firms.

    We will make the UK a world leader in responsible engineering biology innovation by 2030. Government will lead an open dialogue on the benefits, limitations and risks of the technology, encouraging a renewed commitment to responsible research and innovation. We will work with allies and partners to shape international norms and standards, including through multilateral forums.

    Jen Keane, Co-founder and CEO, Modern Synthesis said:

    Today marks a transformative moment in the pursuit of groundbreaking and responsible biological advancements. As a company that leverages biology to bring life to new materials, Modern Synthesis applauds the UK government’s visionary commitment of £2 billion over the next decade. We view this commitment as a resounding endorsement of the bioeconomy’s immense potential to catalyse breakthroughs which solve societal challenges at scale.

    We are further encouraged by the government’s emphasis on nurturing a diverse talent pool and building dedicated facilities to support startups and scale ups like Modern Synthesis. This forward-thinking approach will not only build the critical capacity that the UK needs to lead in biological innovation, but also shore up the nation’s ability to tap into the immense economic value that bio-derived products hold.

    Dr Hayaatun Sillem CBE, Chief Executive of the Royal Academy of Engineering, said:

    Engineering biology has the potential to deliver transformational benefits for our society and economy and I am delighted to see the government set out its vision today with a strategic approach to developing this emerging sector, backed by investment. Engineering biology blends fields such as genomics and data science, as well as core engineering principles and techniques, drawing on many of the UK’s strengths in research and innovation and offering exciting opportunities to bring cheaper, greener products and manufacturing methods to market.

    We welcome the establishment of the Engineering Biology Steering Group to bring together expertise across the industrial, startup and academic communities. As our Academy has highlighted for over a decade, engagement with industry and the entrepreneurial ecosystem is critical, and an engineering-led approach essential, to unlock the full potential of this highly disruptive technology and deliver benefits at meaningful scale.

    Steve Bates OBE, CEO of the UK BioIndustry Association (BIA), said:

    Engineering biology is a transformative technology that will enable us to tackle some of our biggest challenges, from genetic diseases to climate change and feeding a growing population. It is fundamental in driving the biorevolution that will transform our global society and unlock economic growth in the years to come.

    The UK’s long-standing expertise in combining modern technology with biology gives us a competitive advantage in this key growth area. We therefore welcome the government’s focus on engineering biology as a strategic priority for the UK and global development.

    David Bishop, Investor Relations and Corporate Affairs Director at Croda said:

    At Croda we recognise that engineering biology is already becoming an important foundation for the transformation of multiple industries in the UK. From improving sustainability, to underpinning new innovative products and services, we expect it to influence the growth of the UK economy and therefore fully support the government’s decision to invest in its successful implementation.

  • PRESS RELEASE : New legislation set to ban live animal exports [December 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : New legislation set to ban live animal exports [December 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 4 December 2023.

    Export of livestock for slaughter and fattening will be banned under new legislation.

    New legislation will put an end to the export of live animals for slaughter and fattening from Great Britain.

    The Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Bill – which has been introduced in Parliament today (4 December 2023) – delivers on a key manifesto commitment to ban the export of live animals including cattle, sheep, and pigs.

    This legislation is only possible now we have left the European Union and will stop animals enduring unnecessary stress, exhaustion and injury on long journeys.

    As the highest ranked G7 nation according to World Animal Protection’s Index, the Government is committed to high animal welfare standards and ensuring all animals are treated kindly at all stages of life. We have been clear that animals should only be transported when necessary, and if possible should not travel long distances to be slaughtered.

    The Bill will ensure that animals are slaughtered domestically in high welfare UK slaughterhouses, reinforcing our position as a world leader on animal welfare, boosting the value of British meat and helping to grow the economy.

    Environment Secretary Steve Barclay said:

    We have some of the highest animal welfare standards in the world.

    This Bill makes use of post-Brexit freedoms to strengthen these standards by preventing the export of live animals for slaughter and fattening, which we know causes animals unnecessary stress and injury.

    The legislation follows a 2020 consultation on ending live animal exports in which 87% of respondents agreed that livestock should not be exported for slaughter and fattening. This Bill also follows a manifesto commitment and Action Plan for Animal Welfare pledge to ban the export of live animals for slaughter and fattening.

    Kerry Postlewhite, assistant director of campaigns and prevention at the RSPCA, said:

    After fifty years of campaigning to end live exports, it is so important, and welcome, that the UK Government is acting to ban the live export of animals – outlawing the long, crowded journeys, mental exhaustion, physical injury, dehydration and stress that are a reality for farm animals on these unnecessary journeys.

    It is great that the new Defra Secretary of State has shown such strong and enthusiastic support previously for a ban on live exports – and we look forward to this policy becoming a reality.

    Philip Lymbery, Compassion in World Farming’s Global CEO, said:

    We greatly welcome the publication of legislation to ban live exports. This is an historic moment which we hope will finally see an end to the unnecessary export trade in cattle and sheep for slaughter or fattening from Great Britain. We urge a speedy passage for this long-awaited measure, to ensure that the export of unweaned calves on journeys often lasting 60 hours or more will finally be banned. And that a line will be drawn under the practice of sending sheep on journeys that can last many days, simply to be slaughtered on arrival.

    We have campaigned relentlessly for over 50 years to make this cruel and outdated practice illegal, so we are delighted the Government is taking action to end this trade, finally consigning it to the history books.

    Roly Owers, Chief Executive of World Horse Welfare, said:

    We are delighted that the government has introduced this Bill and will put its muscle behind making it law. We know horses are being exported for slaughter ‘under the radar’ despite none being officially declared for this purpose. This Bill will finally make it illegal, something we have been campaigning for since our charity’s foundation almost 100 years ago. We look forward to working with Defra to ensure that the right measures are put in place to enforce this hugely significant piece of legislation.

    Live exports in other specific circumstances, for example, for breeding and competitions, will still be allowed provided animals are transported in line with legal requirements aimed at protecting their welfare.

    The Bill is just one part of a wider Government effort to enhance our existing world-leading standards. For farm animals, we have introduced new statutory welfare codes for pigs, laying hens and meat chickens, banned the use of conventional battery cages for laying hens and made CCTV mandatory in slaughterhouses.

    Since publishing the Action Plan for Animal Welfare in 2021, we have: brought in new laws to recognise animals sentience, introduced tougher penalties for animal cruelty offences, backed a ban on glue traps, introduced legislation on compulsory cat microchipping, and brought the ivory ban into force and announced an extension to cover other ivory bearing species.

    The full list of animals covered by the Bill is: cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and horses.