Tag: Press Release

PRESS RELEASE : Home Secretary unveils plan to cut net migration [December 2023]

The press release issued by the Home Office on 4 December 2023.

The government will introduce a plan to deliver the biggest ever cut in net migration and curb abuse of the immigration system.

The Home Secretary has announced a plan to slash migration levels and curb abuse of the immigration system, delivering the biggest ever reduction in net migration. Together, this package will mean around 300,000 people who came to the UK last year would now not be able to come.

The package of measures will end the high numbers of dependants coming to the UK, increase the minimum salaries that overseas workers and British or settled people sponsoring family members must earn, and tackle exploitation across the immigration system.

The government will tighten the Health and Care Worker visa, which has seen a significant number of visas granted to care workers and their dependants, by preventing overseas care workers from bringing their dependants to the UK. In addition, care providers in England will now only be able to sponsor migrant workers if they are undertaking activities regulated by the Care Quality Commission.

In the year ending September 2023, 101,000 Health and Care Worker visas were issued to care workers and senior care workers, with an estimated 120,000 visas granted to associated dependants, the majority of whom we estimate don’t work, but still make use of public services.

From next spring, the government will increase the earning threshold for overseas workers by nearly 50% from its current position of £26,200 to £38,700, encouraging businesses to look to British talent first and invest in their workforce, helping us to deter employers from over-relying on migration, while bringing salaries in line with the average full-time salary for these types of jobs. The government will also increase the minimum income required for British citizens and those settled in the UK who want their family members to join them. Altogether this reinforces that all those who want to work and live here must be able to support themselves, are contributing to the economy, and are not burdening the state.

To crack down on cut-price labour from overseas, the government will end the 20% going-rate salary discount for shortage occupations and replace the Shortage Occupation List with a new Immigration Salary List, which will retain a general threshold discount. The Migration Advisory Committee will review the new list against the increased salary thresholds in order to reduce the number of occupations on the list.

The Migration Advisory Committee will be asked to review the Graduate visa route to ensure it works in the best interests of the UK and to ensure steps are being taken to prevent abuse.

This new package of measures builds on the tough action already taken to tackle the substantial rise in students bringing dependants to the UK, which will come into force in the new year. We expect this change will have a tangible impact on net migration, with around 153,000 visas granted to dependants of sponsored students in the year ending September 2023. This, along with the changes announced today, will further protect the integrity and quality of higher education in the UK.

The measures announced today are possible because the government is prioritising growing our domestic workforce through our Back to Work Plan – a package of employment-focused support that will help people stay healthy, get off benefits and move into work – as part of the Autumn Statement. The new Back to Work Plan builds on the ambitious £7 billion employment package from the Spring Budget, to help up to 1,100,000 people with long-term health conditions, disabilities or long-term unemployment to look for and stay in work.

Home Secretary James Cleverly said:

It is clear that net migration remains far too high. By leaving the European Union we gained control over who can come to the UK, but far more must be done to bring those numbers down so British workers are not undercut and our public services put under less strain.

My plan will deliver the biggest ever reduction in net migration and will mean around 300,000 people who came to the UK last year would not have been able to do so. I am taking decisive action to halt the drastic rise in our work visa routes and crack down on those who seek to take advantage of our hospitality.

In addition to measures to reduce migration, the government is increasing the annual Immigration Health Surcharge from £624 to £1,035 to make sure that migrants coming to the UK make a fair financial contribution so that public services, including the NHS, are not taken advantage of.

Workers and their dependants account for some of the highest proportion of visas being issued, with Skilled Worker and Health and Care Worker visas accounting for 63% of work grants, and the proportion of work-related visas being granted to dependants rising to 43% in the year ending September 2023.

The addition of carers in the UK’s immigration system was a temporary measure to fill labour shortages by responding to an urgent need in the adult social care sector following the coronavirus pandemic. Today’s measures will ensure we continue to protect our NHS and social care systems while addressing significant concerns that have emerged since the introduction of the visa about high levels of non-compliance and worker exploitation and abuse within the adult social care sector, particularly for overseas workers employed within care occupations.

Earlier this year, the government announced a package of measures to cut the number of student visas being issued. This included removing the right for international students to bring dependants unless they are on postgraduate research courses and removing the ability for international students to switch on to work routes before their studies are completed. This will come into force for courses starting in January 2024.

December 8, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Thousands of farm businesses receive payments from the RPA [December 2023]

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

The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) has confirmed that 97% of farmers have received their final BPS payment in the first few days of the payment window.

The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) has confirmed today (Monday 4 December) that 97% of farmers have received their final BPS payment in the first few days of the payment window. The announcement means that a further £525 million has now been released into the rural economy, building on the advance payments made in August this year.

So far over 91,000 applications and claims have been completed across the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS), Countryside Stewardship (CS) revenue and Environmental Stewardship (ES) schemes. These payments support farmers to run profitable and productive businesses while delivering environmental outcomes in a range of habitats. £70 million under the Environmental Stewardship scheme will be issued in the next few days.

We have acted on feedback to support farmers improve their cashflow by releasing Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) payments early. Farmers who have a live Sustainable Farming Incentive 2023 agreement before the end of this year will receive an accelerated payment worth 25% of the annual value of their agreement in the first month of their agreement, helping with cashflow and ensuring SFI works for farm businesses.

Around 850 farmers whose agreements started in October and November have now received their early payment, with a total £2.8 million paid, and those whose agreements started on 1 December are set to receive their payment in the coming days.

RPA Chief Executive Paul Caldwell said:

This year farmers and rural businesses have continued to face a number of challenges and that’s why the RPA has been working hard to improve cash flow and make sure farmers receive their final BPS payments as quickly as possible.

Delinked payments will provide financial support over the next four years as we encourage farmers and land managers to enter our environmental land management schemes where they will be paid to take actions that will support sustainable food production while protecting the environment.

Today’s announcement precedes the move to delinked payments which are due to replace BPS in England in 2024 and will run until the end of 2027. Delinked payments will be based on the average BPS payment made to the business for the 2020 to 2022 scheme years. We will apply progressive reductions when we calculate delinked payments each year. You must also have claimed and been eligible for BPS 2023 to receive delinked payments. There is no need to apply for delinked payments and RPA will pay anyone who is eligible.

All eligible farmers should receive their CS/ES and final BPS 2023 payments payment before the end of the payment window on 30 June 2024. We are working hard to complete our checks and pay the remainder as promptly as possible but some claims can take longer to complete.

BPS payments are made directly to farmers’ bank accounts via BACS transfer so farmers should make sure that the RPA has the most up-to-date account details on the Rural Payments service. If you need to update your account details, call the Rural Payments Agency helpline on 03000 200 301, Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm.

December 8, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : 44th Universal Periodic Review of human rights: UK statement on Turkmenistan [December 2023]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 4 December 2023.

The UK delivered a statement during Turkmenistan’s Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council on 6 November 2023.

Thank you, Madam Vice-President,

The United Kingdom welcomes steps taken by Turkmenistan in recent months to allow entry to an International Labour Organization (ILO) mission to examine forced labour in the cotton harvest, though we note the allegations of continued use of state-sponsored forced labour in the annual cotton harvest. We strongly urge the government to take action on allegations of torture, and restrictions on freedom of religion, or belief, assembly and expression.

The UK remains concerned over enforced disappearances, access to information for citizens and gender-based violence. Many of the recommendations which Turkmenistan supported during its last UPR cycle, including those concerning the signature of the Rome Statute and the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture, have not been carried out

We recommend Turkmenistan:
1. Sign and ratify the United Nations Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture.
2. Introduce legislation which prohibits the use of forced labour and establishes preventative mechanisms and appropriate oversight structures, working closely with the ILO.
3. Remove restrictions on freedom of expression and assembly, and on access to information.
Thank you.
December 8, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Landmark moment for scientists, researchers and businesses as UK association to £80 billion Horizon research programme officially sealed [December 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 4 December 2023.

The UK’s association to the world-leading Horizon and Copernicus programmes has been officially sealed today (Monday 4 December), as Science and Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan visits Brussels to turbo-charge efforts to maximise UK involvement.
- Science and Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan is in Brussels today to mark the UK’s formal association to the Horizon research programme, following the agreement of a bespoke deal
- Donelan is using the visit as an opportunity to turbo-charge UK participation in Horizon, the world’s largest programme of research cooperation, and Copernicus, the EU’s state-of-the-art Earth observation system
- comes ahead of a government push to maximise UK participation in Horizon and Copernicus, so UK academics, researchers and businesses of all sizes can seize the opportunity of being part of the £80 billion scheme
The UK’s association to the world-leading Horizon and Copernicus programmes has been officially sealed today (Monday 4 December), as Science and Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan visits Brussels to turbo-charge efforts to maximise UK involvement.

This deal is set to create and support thousands of new jobs as part of the next generation of research talent. It will help deliver the Prime Minister’s ambition to grow the economy and cement the UK as a science and technology superpower by 2030.

As part of the new deal negotiated over the last six months, the Prime Minister secured improved financial terms of association to Horizon that are right for the UK – increasing the benefits to UK scientists, value for money for the UK taxpayer.

The Secretary of State has met with the EU Research and Innovation Commissioner Iliana Ivanova, as officials signed the agreement to formalise the bespoke deal secured by the UK Prime Minister in September. She will also meet political, science and business leaders as well as research communities from both the UK and the EU in Brussels today, as part of events to mark the completion of the final steps to the UK’s formal association.

Today’s events are just the start of a concerted push for UK businesses and researchers to seize the enormous opportunity presented by working in the world’s largest programme of research cooperation, alongside their EU, Norwegian, and Israeli colleagues and more, with Canada set to also join soon.

Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology Michelle Donelan said:

Being part of Horizon and Copernicus is a colossal win for the UK’s science, research and business communities, as well as for economic growth and job creation – all part of the long-term decisions the UK government is taking to secure a brighter future.

The UK led a quarter of the work we were involved in through Horizon’s predecessor, so we know from recent history the importance of the UK’s skills and expertise in making this programme work, and it is vital that we seize this moment.

Now it is essential that we bring our science, research and business communities together with their EU and global partners to deliver the benefits from our bespoke Horizon and Copernicus deal, from our share of the 300,000 new jobs Horizon aims to create, to the untold advances it will unlock for our health, the environment and more.

Iliana Ivanova, European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, said:

I am happy to welcome the UK back to the Horizon family. This is a real milestone, a clear win-win for both sides and for global scientific progress. Together, we can push further and faster. I have made association of non-EU countries to Horizon Europe my personal priority, and we are delivering.

Professor Julia Black, President of the British Academy, said:

From researchers embarking onto the early stages of their career, to cross-disciplinary teams collaborating to tackle key issues, to research bodies and funders like us: we all welcome today’s Association to Horizon Europe.

It is particularly welcome for UK-based humanities and social sciences researchers who have traditionally had a strong record of success and collaboration in EU Framework Programmes for Research & Innovation, including through the world-leading European Research Council.

We strongly encourage researchers, businesses and innovators across the broad arc of our disciplines to seek out the opportunities opened up by Association. They carry with them tangible, long-term benefits for people and society.

Vivienne Stern MBE, chief executive of Universities UK, said:

This is a momentous day. I am beyond delighted that the UK and EU have finally signed the agreement confirming the UK’s association to Horizon. This is a win-win. The UK scientific community has a huge contribution to make to the generation of new knowledge as an associated country, and also stands to benefit from the opportunity to work seamlessly with researchers all over the world, in the EU and beyond it.

All of society benefits when researchers can work together to solve the big challenges we all face, whether that is rare disease, or climate change or a host of other important topics. I warmly congratulate the government and the Commission on reaching this agreement. Now we’re ready to shoot out of the gate and make the most of the opportunities participation in Horizon offers.

Professor Adam Tickell, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Birmingham, said:

Horizon is the pre-eminent vehicle for scientific collaboration across and beyond Europe and Association means that the UK’s researchers and companies can participate fully. I have no doubt that this will allow the UK’s scientific community to play their part in exceptional scientific outcomes, allowing us to tackle some of the trickiest challenges of our time.

With participation in Horizon fulfilling a top ask from the UK science community, the moment is now for the UK’s best-in-class research expertise to bring to bear on global challenges from tackling climate change to treating cancer. Researchers, academics, and businesses of all sizes can confidently bid for a share of the more than £80 billion available through the two programmes, with calls for the 2024 Work Programme already open. It builds on the government’s record-breaking backing for R&D, with a commitment to invest £20 billion in UK R&D by 2024-25, borne out in recent announcements like the £500 million boost to the AI Research resource and £50 million for battery manufacturing R&D, announced in the Autumn Statement.

Today sees the convening of the UK-EU Specialised Committee, which signs off the UK’s association to Horizon and Copernicus, the final step to UK association. Under the bespoke deal secured by the Prime Minister, new financial protections for the British taxpayer, especially in the first years of association when UK scientists’ participation will be recovering, ensures:
- UK taxpayers will not pay for the time where UK researchers have been excluded from since 2021, with costs starting from January 2024 – delivering much better terms for 2023. This will also provide breathing space to boost the participation of UK researchers in open calls for grants before we start paying into the programme.
- The UK will have a new automatic clawback that protects the UK as participation recovers from the effects of the last two and a half years. It means the UK will be compensated should UK scientists receive significantly less money than the UK puts into the programme. This wasn’t the case under the original terms of association.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) will shortly launch a communications campaign to maximise participation in Horizon and Copernicus from researchers, academics and businesses of all sizes in the UK. This PR push will shine a light on the real-world examples of the benefits Horizon and Copernicus participation can deliver for academics, researchers and businesses, right across the UK – particularly small and medium-sized businesses involved in R&D, which might not have previously considered applying.

Alongside this, in a partnership with the British Academy and other key backers, support will be made available to selected UK researchers applying for Horizon for the first time, through ‘pump priming’ funding, with up to £10,000 available per application. The funding will be available to support those researchers who have not previously had experience, including next generation researchers. The fund will be targeted to ensure it maximises the UK’s involvement in Horizon.

Encouraging smaller businesses to pitch for, and win, Horizon and Copernicus funding supports DSIT’s aim to help the UK’s promising science and tech firms scale-up and grow. Officials will work closely with key sector stakeholders to ensure this message reaches businesses of all kinds, who might not have previously considered applying, as well as researchers and academics in every part of the country.

Notes to editors

As part of the deal to associate, the Prime Minister secured improved financial terms of association to Horizon – maximising the benefits to UK scientists whilst ensuring value for money for the UK taxpayer.

UK researchers will be able to fully participate in the Horizon programme on the same terms as researchers from other associated countries, including leading consortia, from the 2024 Work Programmes and onwards.

The UK Government Horizon guarantee remains active and covers all remaining Horizon grant calls up to and including work programme 2023 irrespective of the call closing or grant signature date.

The UK will also participate in the Copernicus component of the EU Space programme. This will provide the UK’s Earth observation sector with access to unique data – valuable to helping with early flood and fire warnings, for example – and with the ability to bid for contracts, which they haven’t been able to access for three years.
December 7, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Environment Agency to invest an additional £230k into fisheries through rod licence card change [December 2023]

The press release issued by the Environment Agency on 4 December 2023.

Environment Agency takes further steps to modernise rod licencing to increase fishing benefits for anglers.

Nearly a quarter of a million pounds will be reinvested into fisheries by 2025 to better fund enforcement work, improve fisheries habitats and create more angling opportunities across the UK, the Environment Agency has announced today, as part of a transitional move to simpler rod licences.

After 31 May 2024, anglers will have the option to receive a rod licence via email or text, or an A4 letter, and will no longer receive plastic coated rod licence cards with illustrations.

Every penny of the £230,000 saved through reduced costs of printing rod licences will be reinvested into the Environment Agency’s fisheries work. Last year, nearly £21 million of rod licence income was reinvested to help improve England’s fisheries and angling facilities such as creating fish passes, supplying and stocking fish species and improving habitats for fish.

Since 2021, over one million digital licences have been issued to anglers, helping to reduce waste and progress the Environment Agency towards carbon net zero targets.

For the last 15 years, anglers have received rod licence cards with illustrations capturing the UK’s most iconic species such as the Gudgeon and the Perch. Artist David Miller has provided this service to the EA, adding an artistic flair to rod licensing.

Heidi Stone Environment Agency Fisheries Partnerships Manager said

We understand the popularity of the images on our rod licence cards amongst anglers, and want to thank David Miller for his unique and inspirational illustrations over the years.

As we look to deliver better value for money for anglers, we are changing our printing arrangements to print our licences in a more cost effective and environmentally friendly way.

The money saved from this move will mean even more of our rod licence income can be put back into our fisheries service, protecting and improving fish stocks and habitats, providing new facilities for anglers, and giving more people the opportunity to try fishing.

Anglers who purchase a rod licence after the 31 May will receive the new paper rod licence unless they choose to go digital. Direct Debit customers’ licences are issued before the service change is implemented; therefore, they will receive the same illustrated card as issued in 2023.

December 7, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Service announcement – £3.9 billion boost for more reliable train journeys in the North [December 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 4 December 2023.

Passengers will benefit from a fully-electrified line, accessible stations and more frequent services.
- government announces multi-billion-pound funding boost to improve rail services in the North
- £3.9bn injection into the Transpennine Route Upgrade will help deliver faster, more frequent and reliable rail journeys between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds and York
- investment underpins government’s Network North plan to level up and support regional connectivity, jobs and economic growth in the long term
One of Britain’s largest rail projects is on track to deliver better journeys, more quickly for passengers and freight in the North thanks to a £3.9 billion funding boost announced by Rail Minister Huw Merriman today (4 December 2023).

Work on the Transpennine Route Upgrade will be accelerated through the cash injection, leading to quicker journey times, reduced carbon emissions and more reliable services between key northern cities. It marks the latest move in the government’s ambitious plans to make the right long-term decisions for UK transport infrastructure.

Once complete, the full route will offer significantly improved services on the route between Manchester-Huddersfield-Leeds-York with rail users benefiting from a fully-electrified line, accessible stations and more frequent services.

With work already well underway on the project, today’s announcement means government has invested a total of £6.9 billion into the upgrade, with the initial £3 billion funding work to deliver early benefits by the middle of the decade, such as the electrification of tracks.

Further funding will be confirmed by the department as the project progresses to support the overall cost of up to £11.5 billion. This takes the total investment from central government above what was provided for Crossrail, reflecting the scale of what’s being delivered for northern passengers.

The project also underpins the delivery of Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR), which the government recently strengthened its support for by pledging a further £12 billion into its delivery to better connect Liverpool and Manchester.

On top of this, we are bringing in Bradford and Hull into the NPR scheme, using savings from HS2. The new Bradford station will support regeneration efforts in the UK’s seventh-largest city and facilitate a new rail connection to Manchester via Huddersfield – almost halving journey times while enabling us to double the frequency of services and double the capacity with up to an extra 1,000 seats per hour.

The Transpennine Route Upgrade followed by NPR demonstrate the government’s commitment to investing in infrastructure to improve rail connections right across the North of England.

As part of the department’s commitment to working with local leaders on the successful delivery of both these schemes, the Rail Minister will also host a roundtable in Manchester today. He will hear views from stakeholders and businesses to ensure the country’s transport schemes in the Midlands and North benefit the communities they serve.

Rail Minister Huw Merriman said:

The Transpennine Route Upgrade represents the first major step in delivering transformed east-west connectivity in the north and I’m delighted to announce this multi-billion-pound funding boost to move to the next stage of delivery.

Today’s announcement demonstrates this government’s commitment to delivering its Network North plan which will improve journeys, help to level up regions and grow the economy.

The funding announced today will be invested in doubling the number of tracks from 2 to 4 between Huddersfield and Ravensthorpe, allowing faster trains to overtake slower stopping services and freight journeys.

Once complete in the mid-2030s, the upgrade will offer up to 8 trains per hour, hundreds of extra seats and cut journey times between Manchester and York by 10 minutes.

The investment will also support digital signalling along the route to allow trains to run closer together, leading to more frequent and reliable services.

It will support TransPennine Express in engaging with manufacturers on options for up to 29 new trains to replace the existing diesel fleet, in addition to new trains for local stopping services operated by Northern, ensuring trains along the line are suited to the modernised tracks.

Neil Holm, Managing Director for the Transpennine Route Upgrade, said:

Transpennine Route Upgrade is well underway with building the infrastructure that bring passengers more frequent, faster, greener trains, that run on a better, cleaner and more reliable railway for generations to come.”

This commitment by the government to our programme allows us to move two of our largest projects from design into construction and delivery. It brings us one big step closer to delivering the future of rail travel in the North of England.

The regional economy will also benefit from the project, with thousands of jobs and apprentice roles created, carbon emissions reduced by 108,000 tonnes a year and up to 15 extra freight trains able to travel per day – taking more lorries off the road and delivering people’s goods quicker.

Darren Oldham, Transport for the North’s Director of Rail and Road said:

This is a major milestone for the TRU project as it upgrades a key rail corridor across the North, bringing improvements for passengers and extra capacity for freight. TfN has been working with partners for some years to bring forward these benefits, which will lay the foundations for further transformational development from Northern Powerhouse Rail.

We fully welcome the investment in this corridor as it will improve journey times, reliability, capability and capacity between Manchester and York via Huddersfield and Leeds. It will also reduce the pressure on the road network, particularly the M62 between West Yorkshire and Manchester.

The continued support for the Transpennine Route Upgrade underpins the government’s Network North Plan – a £36 billion long-term scheme to improve the country’s transport in the North and Midlands across roads, buses and railways, through unprecedented levels of investment.
December 7, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK aviation shaping its own destiny as airport slot reform consultation launched [December 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 4 December 2023.

With a new reform, the airport slot allocation system can have a tailored approach that works best for businesses and passengers across the UK.
- smoother getaways and cheaper prices could be on the horizon as government launches consultation on airport slot reforms
- thanks to new powers following Brexit, the sector is now in a position to pursue reforms that work best for the UK
- passengers could benefit from lower prices thanks to more efficient airport operations
For the first time since the 1990s, the UK aviation industry will have a say on its airport slot regime as the Department for Transport launches the airport slot allocation system reform consultation today (4 December 2023) to boost the growing success of the sector.

Like parking spaces for planes, slots are used to manage capacity at the busiest airports across the country. A slot gives permission for an airline to use the full range of airport infrastructure – from runways to terminals – to operate on a specific date and time.

Following its departure from the EU, UK aviation is no longer shackled by an outdated slot regime and can now take a more tailored approach that works best for businesses and passengers across the country.

The reforms being consulted on will include proposals for new ways to manage slot capacity and how they are allocated to airlines.

This includes limiting slot leasing, so instead of larger airlines monopolising slots, they can be allocated to other competitors if not used after a set period – allowing for newer or smaller airlines with possible cheaper prices to receive favourable slots and make the process more dynamic. The reforms also aim to give more powers to respond to crises, making the industry more resilient and efficient in times of uncertainty.

The current system, based on EU regulations, requires the slot allocation process to be consistent across Europe but while the sector has developed and grown in the last 20 years, the rules of the slot system have remained unchanged. Now, with our new freedoms, we can ensure that the system takes the UK’s specific needs into account.

These pivotal reforms, designed to balance the interests of both airlines and airports, have the potential to usher in heightened market competition, enable more innovation and encourage lower prices. For example, increasing opportunities for new airlines to obtain slots in the UK’s busiest airports will encourage greater competition and drive productivity between airlines.

With this could come more affordable flights and seamless journeys as airlines strive to offer better deals and prices than their competitors – benefiting millions of passengers who travel through the UK’s airports.

Airports will also see their slots being used more effectively as airlines will be required to use them instead of store or lease them – increasing the number of flights and making journeys smoother.

Aviation Minister, Anthony Browne, said:

For decades the UK aviation industry was subject to European rules that didn’t have the UK’s interest at heart, but as it goes from strength to strength following the pandemic, it needs a system that will empower it – not constrain it.

This consultation will bring the sector to the forefront of decision-making, helping to end monopolies within the slot regime, drive healthy competition between airlines and make the aviation sector more dynamic for the future while also benefitting millions of passengers.

Karen Dee, Chief Executive of the Airport Operators Association, said:

Slots reform is an opportunity to improve the efficiency of the UK aviation system and this consultation is a welcome step in that direction. We will be working constructively with government to ensure airports’ views are taken on board as these plans develop.

Through collaboration between the government and industry partners, these reforms will ensure airport capacity is used to its fullest to reduce delays and optimise flight schedules, while also delivering the department’s Flightpath to the Future vision for a modern and innovate aviation sector.

This consultation forms part of a government-wide set of pro-competition measures to boost the economy, attract investment and create dynamic industries that work best for the UK’s interests.
December 7, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK generates billions in climate finance and first CRDC in Africa [December 2023]
The press release issued by HM Treasury on 4 December 2023.

Over £480 million as part of £1.6 billion of climate aid announced by the Prime Minister to help developing countries access climate finance and mobilise private investment.
- innovative mechanism to launch next year with potential to raise £7.5 billion over the next decade and billions more in co-financing for green projects
- two new deals with Senegal and Guyana will support their economic resilience by allowing deferral of debt payments in the wake of climate crises like hurricanes and floods
- UK endorses new Global Climate Finance Framework at COP28 – championing reform of international financial institutions to make them bigger, better and fairer
Billions in climate finance will be mobilised for the global Net Zero transition over the next decade following an initiative from the UK and World Bank at COP28 today, 4 December.

The plans that will unlock private sector investment for innovative projects that tackle climate challenges head on were championed by Treasury Minister Baroness Vere in her speech in UAE to mark Finance Day at COP28.

The launch of Climate Investment Funds (CIF) Capital Market Mechanism next year will see bonds generate up to $750 million per year in new climate finance – $7.5 billion over the next decade – which could in turn attract well over $50 billion in co-financing for climate projects in emerging and developing economies. The intention to launch the mechanism was first announced by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, then Chancellor, under the UK’s COP26 presidency.

The UK’s finance ambitions at COP28 builds on its COP26 legacy – including a commitment to have the world’s first net zero aligned financial centre to help mobilise finance and tap the power of markets – and its own domestic agenda, with long-term decisions to cut emissions and attract investment reducing a burden that has been historically shouldered by working families.

At COP26 the UK launched the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ), encouraging firms to set a goal of reaching net zero by 2050, and established the Transition Plan Taskforce to develop best practice guidance on private sector transition planning – a remit it has since delivered upon, with the government shortly to consult on the best way firms can disclose their transition plans in the UK.

Treasury Minister Baroness Vere said:

As a world leader in green finance the UK has a responsibility to lead by example in the climate transition – a responsibility to deliver on our international commitments and help in both greening the international financial system and supporting developing countries in their own transition.

Mobilising billions in climate finance alongside direct investment in – and partnerships with – emerging economies shows that we take this responsibility seriously, and that we will take the long-term decisions necessary to keep 1.5 alive.

In a separate speech at COP28 today, UK Minister for Development and Africa Andrew Mitchell will note the significant finance developing countries need for the climate transition, particularly to adapt to climate impacts.

At the summit, he will bring together financial institutions to agree priorities to mobilise private finance into adaptation and resilience, and announce an up to £484 million portfolio of UK investments. These investments will work with the financial sector to help developing countries access climate finance and mobilise private investment into sustainable development, climate adaptation and resilience, and energy transitions.

This includes:
- £391 million investment in the Private Infrastructure Development Group, who get infrastructure finance moving by developing pipelines of bankable projects in low-carbon, climate-resilient infrastructure
- £44 million of new investments by British International Investment to support the clean energy transition and build climate resilience in Africa and Asia
- £32 million investment, subject to final documentation, in the Green Guarantee Company – the world’s first global hard currency guarantor for climate bonds and loans in developing countries, lowering the cost of financing climate projects in those countries
Collectively these are enabling private and institutional investors to finance the transition – bridging the gap between developing countries’ climate finance needs and public finance available.

A UK-hosted event at COP28 saw some of the world’s biggest creditors come together to offer Climate Resilient Debt Clauses (CRDCs). The UK’s export credit agency UK Export Finance (UKEF) has reached agreement on add CRDCs to its new and existing loan agreements with Senegal and Guyana. A further ten countries are considering the offer. This follows the UK’s announcement at COP27 that UKEF would become the first export credit agency globally to offer CRDCs in its direct lending to low-income countries and small island developing states.

Canada announced that they are to follow in the UK’s footsteps in offering CRDCs – which allow governments to delay their debt repayments and free up resources to fund disaster response and recovery – with France expanding their offer and the World Bank extending their pilot to existing loans. Managing Director of the IMF Kristalina Georgieva also praised the UK at COP28 for shaking up the world in how it deals with the countries and projects hit by natural disasters.

Minister Mitchell together with Prime Minister Mottley of Barbados reiterated the call for all creditors to offer CRDCs by 2025. A further 66 countries joined that call, meaning that 73 nations are now calling for action.

Minister for Development and Africa, Andrew Mitchell, said:

Climate-vulnerable countries urgently need investment at scale to adapt and become resilient to the devastating effects of climate change. The UK is mobilising private finance to support them, including £391 million of new funding for the Private Infrastructure Development Group to develop low-carbon, climate-resilient projects that will attract private investment. And by delivering new Climate Resilient Debt Clauses in Senegal and Guyana, the UK is also allowing affected communities to temporarily pause debt repayments in the wake of a climate disaster, giving them breathing space to recover.

President of Senegal, Macky Sall, said:

Like many other African countries, Senegal is already suffering from the effects of climate change. By including a climate resilient debt clause in our loan from UK Export Finance, Senegal will be able to pause payments when a climate disaster strikes, releasing much needed finance when we need it most to focus on resilience and boosting our economy instead. We call on other creditors to offer climate resilient debt clauses by the end of 2025.

A new partnership will promote greater action from export credit agencies and banks in achieving net zero emissions by 2050. UK Export Finance rallied together export credit agencies from around the world to launch the Net Zero Export Credit Agencies Alliance, which is supported by the UN and will collaborate with GFANZ. This news comes as UKEF unveils over £600 million in transactions supporting climate adaptation and sustainability across Africa and the Middle East.

Tim Reid, CEO of UK Export Finance, said:

I am proud that UK Export Finance has secured agreement from Guyana and Senegal to be the first countries to adopt CRDCs in their direct loans with us. We hope the CRDCs never need to be used, but should Guyana or Senegal experience a severe environmental shock or health crisis, they will have more to spend on what will be most important: protecting their citizens’ lives and livelihoods.

Export credit agencies also play a crucial role in helping businesses to transition towards net zero and shifting finance flows towards climate-friendly projects and investments. The Net Zero ECA alliance announced today mobilises export finance in support of a common goal: achieving global net zero by 2050 and limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees. I look forward to working with UKEF’s counterparts around the world to support this journey.

Through its COP26 Presidency, the UK also supported establishment of global integrity initiatives to develop standards and ensure integrity in voluntary carbon markets, aimed at unlocking this innovative source of finance to accelerate the net zero transition.

In a separate speech, Baroness Vere set out that the government’s forthcoming consultation on voluntary carbon and nature markets will include its intention to endorse the outputs of these initiatives and consider how these could be reflected in UK policy, regulation and guidance. We will also test demand for a new labelling scheme for UK credits, in addition to existing work with the British Standards Institution to develop Nature Investment Standards.

The 2023 Green Finance Strategy outlines how government is increasing flows of finance for climate and nature in the UK and globally. Early next year the government will deliver on a commitment within that strategy, by launching a Transition Finance Market Review to assess how the UK as a financial centre can mobilise transition finance at scale, including to emerging and developing economies.
December 7, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : International Cultural Diplomacy Forum [December 2023]

The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 4 December 2023.

Arts & Heritage Minister Lord Parkinson address the International Cultural Diplomacy Forum held by the Ukrainian Institute at the British Library.

Good morning. It is a great pleasure to welcome you to the British Library today on behalf of His Majesty’s Government, and my thanks to the Ukrainian Institute for organising such an important and I hope stimulating event today.

Let me start by underlining the UK’s continued horror at Russia’s ongoing aggression, and its terrible impact in Ukraine. Thousands of people have been killed or displaced and precious infrastructure and heritage have been destroyed with a brutality which shocked the whole world.

The attempted desecration of Ukrainian cultural heritage must not be overlooked. UNESCO has verified damage to more than 330 sites since February last year, a figure which includes libraries, museums, religious sites, and so many other places, which people in Ukraine and far beyond hold dear. Ukrainian culture and language has been deliberately and cynically targeted in this war.

The United Kingdom continues to stand shoulder to shoulder in the face of this terrible aggression. British families have been quick to welcome Ukrainian refugees displaced by Russia’s violence. Audiences across this country have been delighted to hear the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine when they toured earlier this summer and the UK particularly the city of Liverpool was honoured to host Eurovision, a focal moment for cultural diplomacy as well as a fun event on behalf of our friends in Ukraine to make sure that Ukrainian culture was at the centre of the global stage as it deserves to be.

Here at the British Library the team have been doing their own great work to support their colleagues in Ukraine alongside the delegation of Ukrainian librarians, which Dame Carol has just mentioned, which was welcomed earlier this year. The library curated a display about the Ukrainian poet, writer and artist Taras Shevchenko, considered the founder of modern Ukrainian literature.

It also had the pleasure of hosting Olena Zelenska the first lady of Ukraine alongside Akshata Murty the wife of our own Prime Minister for the launch of the Ukrainian Bookshelf Project in partnership with the Embassy of Ukraine that saw the donation of hundreds of Ukrainian books to the British Library so that they can be read and enjoyed by people throughout the United Kingdom for generations to come.

I was struck by the words that we heard at the opening, which reading is such a solace, in times of challenge and it’s heartening to hear that people may be reading the same books during this week and weeks to come. That project, the Ukrainian bookshelf project, is just one of many examples organised by our cultural bodies across the country which stand testament to the widespread and unwavering support for Ukraine from every corner of the United Kingdom.

In good times, as well as bad cultural diplomacy plays a pivotal role in increasing understanding cooperation and peaceful relations between nations. We’re all enriched by the sharing of cultural heritage, art, literature, music, and so much more, which forge lasting connections between people and between nations.

This summer I was very lucky to visit Delhi and Varanasi attending the meeting of G20 cultural ministers hosted by the government of India where I and other Ministers were clear in our condemnation of Russia’s actions in Ukraine. The discussions that we had in that meeting and the cultural programme which accompanied it were wonderful examples of the power of art and creativity to develop connections between people and I look forward to continuing those discussions during the Brazilian presidency of the G20 next year.

The British Council which is the UK’s cultural relations organisation helps us to maintain and deepen our relationships with other nations across the globe.

We’ve heard mentioned already the brilliant UK Ukraine season of culture, which we’ve celebrated over the past couple of years and I look forward to the forthcoming seasons with Kenya and Vietnam, and all that we’ll be able to enjoy and learn from each other during those. I’m glad that the discussions that you’ve got planned today will cover how we can use all of the opportunities of the modern age, including digital diplomacy, to foster cultural relations, and global collaboration.

Cultural diplomacy is a powerful tool for building bridges promoting peace and connecting people through our shared interests and values. Using it to foster a sense of our common humanity is perhaps now more important than ever. So thank you very much again for organising these important discussions today. And thank you for the opportunity to be here with you Slava Ukraini.

December 7, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : The United Kingdom stands firm in continued efforts to deliver justice for Daesh’s atrocities – UK statement at the UN Security Council [December 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 4 December 2023.

Statement by UK Political Coordinator Fergus Eckersley at the UN Security Council meeting on Iraq.

Thank you President. I would like to thank the Special Adviser for his latest report and for all the work of the UNITAD team. The United Kingdom continues to value UNITAD’s important contribution to holding members of Daesh accountable for their appalling crimes.

We welcome the progress that UNITAD has made since the last briefing. As we’ve heard, it has concluded reports on two critical issues: sexual violence against women and girls, and the development and use of chemical weapons by Daesh. It has delivered 80 field missions and digitised a further five million records.

And we welcome UNITAD’s important capacity-building work including training on witness protection and victim-centred approaches to evidence collection, as well as supporting mass grave excavations.

All of this is vital to bringing justice and accountability for victims and survivors while supporting the Iraqi government in its modernisation of judicial processes and of investigatory work.

We strongly encourage UNITAD and the Government of Iraq to find a way forward for third party evidence sharing, as this Council requested in resolution 2697, which is so critical to ensuring members of Daesh cannot escape impunity by fleeing abroad.

We also encourage UNITAD to continue working with the Iraqi authorities to improve evidence sharing and to plan for the future. However, we do recognise the sharing of sensitive evidence is not straightforward, as it is often subject to, among other things, the consent of witnesses.

We hope the upcoming report of the Secretary-General will provide clarity on these matters so that the Council and Iraq can properly understand what evidence has been and can be shared, and how the Council, UNITAD, and the Government of Iraq could make further progress on this. It is critical that the evidence collected by UNITAD continues to be available for prosecutions of international crimes.

President, we all agree here on the importance of accountability for Daesh’s crimes. We owe that to the victims as the Special Adviser has said.

For our part, the United Kingdom is committed to working closely with the government of Iraq and the United Nations to ensure UNITAD’s unique work is used effectively both in Iraq and around the world.

We are grateful to the Special Adviser and his Team for their dedicated efforts in pursuit of accountability. And we stand firm in our continued international efforts to deliver justice for Daesh’s atrocities.

Thank you.

December 7, 2023