UKPOL.CO.UK

Tag: Press Release

  • PRESS RELEASE : Greater protections for children from future strike action [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Greater protections for children from future strike action [November 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Education on 28 November 2023.

    Proposals will put in place protections for children’s education and provide certainty for parents. Minimum service levels to be in place by next academic year.

    Today the government has launched a consultation to introduce new protections for children and young people’s education during any future strike action. The planned measures will provide greater reassurance and certainty for children and parents.

    Minimum service levels will ensure that in the event of any future strike action, children and young people can continue to receive education and do not miss out on any vital learning. The legislation brings us in line with countries like France, Italy, Spain where public services reliably continue in times of industrial action.

    This year’s school strikes were part of the biggest outbreak of industrial action in a generation, with far reaching consequences across the education system. Cumulatively over 25 million school days have been lost over 10 strike days in schools alone.

    This strike action also came at a time when schools and colleges were doing their best to recover from the impact of Covid on children and young people’s education. Setting regulations for minimum service levels will help us safeguard children’s time in education from further disruption caused by industrial action.

    The consultation invites views on a number of proposals. These include priority attendance for vulnerable children and young people, exam groups, children of critical workers and primary school pupils, as well as the use of rotas for strikes lasting five days or more.

    Education Secretary, Gillian Keegan said:

    Keeping children in school is my number one priority. Last year’s school strikes were some of the most disruptive on record for children and parents with 25 million cumulative days lost, alongside the strike action that badly affected students in colleges and universities.

    We cannot afford a repeat of that disruption – particularly as young people continue to catch up from the pandemic.

    Whilst I know many schools and colleges worked really hard to keep children and young people in face-to-face education during strikes, we must make sure that approach is applied in every school, in every area of country.

    This decision follows on from recent discussions between Education Secretary, Gillian Keegan, and education trade unions to explore voluntary agreements in schools and colleges.

    While talks with the education unions were constructive, not enough progress was made to ensure protections for children and young people would be in place for the next academic year.

    The government has therefore taken the step to open the nine-week consultation to hear the views of parents, young people and the education sector on how best to ensure minimum service levels in schools, colleges as well higher education institutions.

    Many school and college leaders worked hard to keep classrooms open and prioritise places for pupils and students sitting external exams, vulnerable children and children of critical workers.

    The government’s proposals set out minimum service levels which would ensure the groups who need face-to-face education the most can continue to access education on strike days.

    The government is also seeking evidence of the impact of strike action in higher education to determine if a minimum service level could mitigate the impact of any future strike action.

    Earlier this month the Prime Minister announced that minimum service levels legislation for rail, ambulance and border force workers will be passed to mitigate disruption to the public if strikes are called.

  • PRESS RELEASE : £121 Million Investment into future Submarines supports 250 Jobs [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : £121 Million Investment into future Submarines supports 250 Jobs [November 2023]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 28 November 2023.

    Two contracts, worth collectively over £100 million, have been awarded to Babcock to support the development of the UK’s future nuclear deterrent.

    • Contracts awarded to Babcock for in-service support expertise and weapon handling.
    • Supporting 250 jobs across the UK
    • Will support development of the new Dreadnought Class submarines.

    Two contracts, worth collectively over £100 million, have been awarded to Babcock to support the development of the UK’s future nuclear deterrent.

    The first, worth £66 million, has been awarded to Babcock to provide in-service submarine support expertise into the development of the UK’s Dreadnought Class submarines – the future of the UK’s nuclear deterrent. Covering the next 4.5 years, the contract will see Babcock provide the Ministry of Defence with technical and management support, engineering best practice and submarine maintenance achievability.

    Supporting the Prime Minister’s priority to grow the economy, the contract will sustain a total of 150 jobs, primarily in Bristol, but also include specialised roles across other key sites, including Devonport, Clyde, Barrow in Furness, Leicester and Warrington.

    In addition, Babcock has also been awarded a £55 million contract by BAE Systems for Weapon Handling and Launch System (WHLS) and Submerged Signal Ejector equipment for boats 2-4 of the Dreadnought Class. The contract will support a further 100 jobs across the UK and will see Babcock work with BAE Systems and the MOD together to ensure the Dreadnought Class is delivered on time.

    This programme will support the design, development, and manufacture of the four new Dreadnought Class ballistic missile submarines – the largest submarines ever to be operated by the Royal Navy.

    Ensuring the future security of the UK and its NATO Allies, the Dreadnought Class will replace the current Vanguard Class submarines in the early 2030s, maintaining the UK’s Continuous At Sea Deterrent.

    Minister for Defence Procurement, James Cartlidge said:

    It is undeniable the pivotal role that British industry plays in the defence of our nation and our Allies, and I’m committed to supporting UK companies who are continuing to bolster our security whilst driving prosperity across our economy.

    The Dreadnought Class will be central to keeping our country safe and will further enhance our world-renowned submarine fleet.

    Babcock CEO David Lockwood said:

    Contributing our extensive expertise on the complex support submarines require is a hugely important aspect to the design of this new platform.  By participating early in the programme, we will help to maximise the UK’s future defence capabilities.

    The new Dreadnought Class submarines will be over 150 metres long and will have a crew of 130 personnel. In a first for a Royal Navy submarine, innovative new lighting will allow the crew to simulate night and day and it will be the first Royal Navy submarine to be built with separate female crew quarters. It will also have modern gym facilities for the crew, including exercise bikes, rowers, weights, benches, a running machine and cross trainer.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Reforms bring hope to rehabilitated people still serving abolished indefinite sentences [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Reforms bring hope to rehabilitated people still serving abolished indefinite sentences [November 2023]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 28 November 2023.

    Thousands of rehabilitated ex-prisoners serving long-since abolished indefinite sentences will become eligible to have their licence period terminated earlier as part of new reforms.

    • more than 1,800 people could see unjust, long-served sentences end by March 2025
    • reduces numbers still on licence despite being rehabilitated, long after the end of their original sentence
    • only those living safely in the community are eligible

    Offenders released from prison on licence while serving Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) sentences currently have to wait a minimum of 10 years before they can have their licence reviewed by the Parole Board.

    The new changes will mean IPP offenders serving their sentence in the community are referred for review 3 years after their first release.

    IPP sentences were introduced in 2005, designed to prevent offenders who were considered dangerous from being released even though the offence did not merit a life sentence. There is broad consensus against the IPP sentence and the policy was scrapped in 2012 due to the inconsistent and more frequent application of these sentences than was intended.

    If a licence is not terminated at the three-year mark by the Parole Board, it will automatically terminate after a further two years if the offender is not recalled to prison in that time. This is the first time these offenders will have a defined ‘end date’ to their sentence.

    Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary, Alex Chalk KC, said:

    We are taking decisive action to curtail IPP licence periods to give rehabilitated people the opportunity to move on with their lives, while continuing to make sure the public are protected from the most serious offenders.

    This is a major step towards wiping away the stain of IPP sentences from our justice system, without compromising public protection.

    The changes will be applied retrospectively, meaning licences will immediately end for around 1,800 rehabilitated offenders once the legislation comes into force. Offenders who have been recalled to prison or taken into secure hospitals will not be eligible.

    The government has amended its Victims and Prisoners Bill to make these changes which will accelerate the process of reducing the number of people bound by IPP sentences.

    Around 800 will become newly eligible for Parole Board consideration by March 2025. The new legislation will also introduce a presumption that the Parole Board will terminate the licence unless it is still required to protect the public to give offenders the best opportunity to move on from their sentence.

    Since IPP sentences were scrapped in 2012, the number of unreleased IPP prisoners has been reduced by three-quarters and those in custody are being supported to progress towards release through the government’s refreshed IPP Action Plan.

    The legislation is expected to come into force 2 months after the Bill receives Royal Assent.

  • PRESS RELEASE : New phase of campaign encourages students to say Enough to abuse [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : New phase of campaign encourages students to say Enough to abuse [November 2023]

    The press release issued by the Home Office on 28 November 2023.

    The third phase of the government’s award-winning Enough campaign includes a new partnership with over 30 universities to help make campuses safer.

    The government’s innovative Enough campaign will join forces with over 30 UK universities in a bid to protect women and girls on university campuses.

    Launching its third phase today (25 November), the Enough campaign targets potential perpetrators of violence against women and girls.

    For the first time, it will partner up with universities to deliver bespoke campaign materials designed to reflect the scenarios and forms of abuse that students could witness.

    This fresh phase of the campaign follows statistics from the Crime Survey for England and Wales, in the year ending March 2022, which revealed full-time students were more than 4 times as likely to have experienced sexual assault within the last year than those in any other type of occupation.

    The campaign provides advice to anyone witnessing abuse, including students, on the safe ways to intervene if they see an incident of violence against women and girls, ranging from sexual harassment – on the street, on public transport or at work – to sharing intimate images of someone without their consent; coercive control in a relationship; or unwanted touching.

    This phase will see a wider rollout of the campaign’s STOP prompt – Say something, Tell someone, Offer support, Provide a diversion – which provides the public with multiple options for intervening if they witness abuse in public places and around universities.

    Graphics on posters, digital screens and university social media accounts will encourage students to act if they witness abuse, as part of wider efforts to make university campuses safer.

    Alongside the partnership with the Higher Education sector, the latest phase of Enough also contains billboard and poster advertising on public transport networks and in sports clubs, as well as social media adverts, including on platforms relevant to younger audiences.

    Home Secretary, James Cleverly said:

    No woman or girl should ever feel unsafe in her home or in her community and we have gone further than ever before in protecting them from abuse.

    The Enough campaign aims to deliver a generational shift in the attitudes and behaviours which lead to abuse – everyone has a role to play.

    While the government will continue to bring into force new laws to tackle these vile crimes, equip the police to bring more criminals to justice and provide victims with the support they need, the Enough campaign empowers the public to do their part to call out abuse when they see it and safely intervene when appropriate.

    Minister for Victims and Safeguarding, Laura Farris said:

    In order to bring about real and lasting change, we need to address the issue of violence against women and girls from all sides, and that includes educating the public on the role they have to play.

    We are driving forward our plans to protect women from abuse, whenever and wherever it occurs – online, in public, at work or behind closed doors.

    Already this year we have classified violence against women as a national threat for policing and rolled out a new approach to how rape is investigated by forces in England and Wales. There will be more to come.

    Baroness Newlove, Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales said:

    If we are to effectively tackle violence against women and girls, this requires a whole society approach with the education sector playing a key role. I welcome the latest phase of the Enough campaign as it expands into university campuses. Government commitments to future iterations of this campaign are crucial if we are to see the wider cultural shifts we know are necessary.

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

    I welcome this phase of the Enough campaign which aims to tackle violence against women and girls on university campuses.

    We will all know someone who has been impacted by domestic abuse and we have a collective responsibility to respond empathetically and effectively the first time they come forward for support.

    This campaign is an important step forward, providing the resources we need to tackle violence against women and girls. We must show zero tolerance to abuse in all its forms.

    Professor Eunice Simmons, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Chester, one of the universities partnering with Enough, said:

    Campaigns such as Enough are fundamental in driving the proactive message that violence against women and girls will not be tolerated and we are proud to support such an initiative which underpins the many projects we already have in place to ensure the safety of our student body and our wider community.

    We want every member of our university community to feel secure, safe and supported. With the help of valued external local and regional partners and the support of the Enough campaign, we can help create an environment where safety, respect, and dignity prevail.

    Andrea Simon, Director of the End Violence Against Women Coalition (EVAW), said:

    We’re pleased to see this latest phase of the government’s Enough campaign partner with universities, which is important if we are to address the sexual harassment and violence experienced by students, prevent abuse, and shift the deeply rooted attitudes and beliefs that drive male violence against women.

    Implementing violence prevention and bystander programmes can empower students to recognise abuse and intervene safely when they witness problematic behaviour, but it is also critical that students know where they can go for support if they experience abuse.

    Ending violence against women is everyone’s business and it is particularly crucial that this next phase of this campaign is well-funded, over the longer-term, and positively engages boys and young men, who are a key part of this work.

    The Enough campaign has previously partnered with Channel 4 programme Hollyoaks on a specific storyline around violence against women and girls. In the episode, Maxine Minniver, played by Nikki Sanderson, was attacked when walking home from a night out. The episode, which aired in November 2022, aimed to prompt discussion from the audience about women’s safety and how we can all build a safer society for women.

    Hollyoaks Actor, Nikki Sanderson said:

    It’s now a year on from the Hollyoaks’ special ‘Long Walk Home’ episode and I’m so proud of what we achieved with this campaign. I am also really thankful for the opportunity to be a part of such a powerful episode and to support the government’s Enough campaign in attempting to change attitudes and behaviours that influence violence against women and girls. I believe it is an important issue to revisit as violence against women and girls is unfortunately something that we still see every day. It is a long-term societal issue that we are all working together to tackle.

    As highlighted in both the episode and the Enough campaign messaging, women and girls should be free to enjoy their lives without experiencing abuse. The Enough campaign is uniting the public around the rejection of abuse and ensuring perpetrators behaviour will be challenged, and I am proud for the opportunity I had to bring this serious issue to life within this episode.

    The Enough Campaign, which launched in March 2022, has to date included television adverts, billboards, social media and radio advertising. The campaign, informed by over 180,000 responses to the Home Office’s call for evidence and engagement with a network of over 40 stakeholder organisations and academic experts, has so far reached millions of people, driving action among bystanders and prompting reflection among potential perpetrators of violence against women and girls.

    The campaign is just one way the government is prioritising tackling violence against women and girls.

    The Chancellor unveiled £12 million of new funding to tackle domestic abuse in the Autumn Statement on Wednesday (22 November), including £2 million of funding for payments directly to victims to help them leave abusive relationships and rebuild their lives.

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

    Earlier this year, the government added violence against women and girls to the Strategic Policing Requirement – meaning it is now categorised as a national threat for forces to respond to, alongside other serious threats like terrorism.

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

  • PRESS RELEASE : The future of flight takes off as Virgin airliner crosses Atlantic solely powered by sustainable aviation fuel [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : The future of flight takes off as Virgin airliner crosses Atlantic solely powered by sustainable aviation fuel [November 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 28 November 2023.

    First-ever 100% SAF-fuelled commercial transatlantic flight marks a milestone in decarbonising air travel.

    • Transport Secretary takes to the sky in world’s first 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) transatlantic flight by a commercial airline, made possible by up to £1 million of UK government funding
    • this historic event is a huge step towards Jet Zero – helping people travel sustainably while creating jobs and helping to grow the UK economy
    • during an official visit to the US, the Transport Secretary will show how the UK is a global leader in transport innovation, including SAF and automated vehicles

    One of Virgin Atlantic’s Boeing 787s took off for a world-first flight from London Heathrow to JFK International Airport, New York today (28 November 2023) powered by 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

    The Transport Secretary travelled on the flight alongside Virgin Atlantic Chief Executive Shai Weiss and Virgin’s founder, Sir Richard Branson, making them the first commercial airline to fly across the pond without the use of any fossil-based jet fuel.

    Today’s flight is a major milestone towards making air travel more environmentally friendly as we move towards our goal of net zero by 2050. The historic trip is powered by SAF made from waste fats that cannot enter the food chain. Repurposing waste products into jet fuel to cut emissions provides the most immediate solution to help decarbonise our skies.

    Virgin Atlantic and their consortium were awarded up to £1 million of UK government funding in December 2022, following a challenge from the Department for Transport to support the industry in achieving the first transatlantic flight on a commercial aircraft powered by 100% SAF. The funding has played a vital role in supporting the testing of today’s fuel and the flight’s operational delivery to make this a reality. It will also provide an opportunity to generate important data that will accelerate SAF approval and boost our understanding of its efficiency.

    SAF has a greenhouse gas emissions reduction of around 70% when compared against standard jet fuel over its life cycle – allowing greener travel and keeping the UK connected to the world.

    With the world about to convene in Dubai COP28 this week, today lays down a marker that the UK is already taking action when it comes to tackling the decarbonisation challenges that face the transport sector.

    Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, said:

    Today’s historic flight, powered by 100% sustainable aviation fuel, shows how we can both decarbonise transport and enable passengers to keep flying when and where they want.

    This government has backed today’s flight to take-off and we will continue to support the UK’s emerging SAF industry as it creates jobs, grows the economy and gets us to Jet Zero.

    SAF will become an increasing part of the standard jet fuel mix, driven by our upcoming SAF mandate, with at least 10% of jet fuel being from sustainable sources in 2030. This will mean that business or leisure travellers can fly knowing their carbon footprint will be lower than ever before.

    Sir Richard Branson, Founder, Virgin Atlantic, said:

    The world will always assume something can’t be done, until you do it. The spirit of innovation is getting out there and trying to prove that we can do things better for everyone’s benefit. Virgin Atlantic has been challenging the status quo and pushing the aviation industry to never settle and do better since 1984.

    Fast forward nearly 40 years, that pioneering spirit continues to be Virgin Atlantic’s beating heart as it pushes the boundaries from carbon fibre aircraft and fleet upgrades to sustainable fuels. I couldn’t be prouder to be onboard Flight100 today alongside the teams at Virgin Atlantic and our partners, which have been working together to set the flight path for the decarbonisation of long-haul aviation.

    Shai Weiss, Chief Executive Officer, Virgin Atlantic, said:

    Flight100 proves that sustainable aviation fuel can be used as a safe, drop-in replacement for fossil-derived jet fuel and it’s the only viable solution for decarbonising long-haul aviation. It’s taken radical collaboration to get here and we’re proud to have reached this important milestone, but we need to push further.

    There’s simply not enough SAF and it’s clear that in order to reach production at scale, we need to see significantly more investment. This will only happen when regulatory certainty and price support mechanisms are in place. Flight100 proves that if you make it, we’ll fly it.

    Today’s flight shows the future of flying, following in the footsteps of John Alcock and Arthur Brown, who flew the first non-stop transatlantic flight in 1919, opening the eyes of the world to the potential of long-haul air travel.

    This landmark moment is another step towards cleaner skies after we announced the second round of the Advanced Fuels Fund on 17 November 2023. This saw 9 projects receive £53 million to help scale up the UK SAF production industry, leading the global charge towards making these fuels more readily available. Increasing the supply for operators, making it cheaper and providing reassurance for industry that the UK is the world leader in decarbonising aviation backs our commitment of having 5 SAF commercial plants to be in construction by 2025.

    The flight to the US will also provide the Transport Secretary with the opportunity to showcase the UK’s progress in the future of transport. Promoting the UK’s work on SAF, the Transport Secretary will co-chair a SAF Investor Summit in New York to further unlock private investment to build a sustainable aviation sector that creates jobs in the UK and boosts the economy. Investing in SAF is key to helping scale up the industry, similar to the International Airlines Group (IAG), which recently invested in UK SAF production company Nova Pangaea Technologies, something we aim to mimic with US investors.

    The Transport Secretary will then travel to San Francisco to meet with US Automated Vehicles operators, seeing how the UK can become a new global hub for developing self-driving cars – fully seizing the opportunities enabled by our recently announced Automated Vehicles Bill. The trip will provide valuable insight into a high-growth industry which, in the UK, could create 38,000 jobs in a market worth £42 billion by 2035.

  • PRESS RELEASE : New research paves way for Artificial Intelligence in education [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : New research paves way for Artificial Intelligence in education [November 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Education on 28 November 2023.

    Over 500 respondents contributed to the Department for Education’s call for evidence on generative AI.

    Education professionals, Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology specialists, and ed-tech experts are embracing the opportunities offered by AI in the education sector, according to the results of the government’s first ever Call for Evidence on Artificial Intelligence in Education, published today.

    Results show that many respondents recognise the benefits of AI and some are already using AI tools to streamline administrative tasks, create subject-specific resources and provide personalised support for learners with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

    Other opportunities cited include the creation of more interactive lessons, and additional support for learners for whom English is an additional language.

    The respondents range from educators in schools, colleges and universities, to research bodies including The Alan Turing Institute and Jisc.

    The report will provide a base to inform future policy on AI, and the government is already supporting the sector to realise the potential of AI in education.

    In October, the government announced an additional investment of up to £2 million in Oak National Academy to create new teaching tools using AI, followed by a two-day hackathon hosted by the Department for Education in collaboration with Faculty AI, the National Institute of Teaching, which brought together teachers, leaders, students and technology experts to experiment with AI.

    Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said:

    Artificial intelligence is here to stay and it’s already changing the way we work and learn. To take advantage of this transformative technology, it’s crucial we get our approach to it right.

    It’s heartening that many education professionals are already seeing the tangible benefits of AI – something I witnessed myself at our AI hackathon earlier this month – while remaining alert to its risks.

    The results of the call for evidence give us a crucial evidence base to inform our future work on AI, helping us make the right decisions to get the best out of generative AI in a safe and secure way.

    Michael Webb, Director of Technology and Analytics at Jisc, said:

    It’s encouraging to see from this report how many institutions are already embracing AI, and how staff are using it in creative ways to improve education.

    The findings also help us understand the types of support and guidance staff need in order to make the best use of the technology going forward. This will enable us to ensure that the right skills training is in place, along with guidelines around safe, ethical use of AI.

    The Technology in Schools Survey, also published today, sets out how technology is used in schools and where they need support to use technology effectively. To improve access to technology, the Department for Education is investing up to £200 million to upgrade schools that fall below Wi-Fi connectivity standards in 55 Education Investment Areas, and working with commercial providers to enable all schools to have access to a high-speed connection by 2025.

    Morgan Briggs, Policy Research and Strategy Manager at The Alan Turing Institute, said:

    The use of generative AI in the education sector is a critically important area that deserves significant attention, and we welcome the Department for Education’s continued focus on it.

    There are multiple ways in which generative AI could benefit the sector – but simultaneously, there are concerns and risks that must be addressed. These include dependency on commercial generative AI, the possible infringement of rights, the spread of bias and misinformation, and plagiarism.

    To realise the full potential of these tools, it will be crucial to engage children and young people in the development and deployment of generative AI in education.

    Sir Antony Seldon, founder of AI in Education and Headmaster of Epsom College, said:

    It is great that the Department for Education is being proactive in its approach to artificial intelligence.

    It’s crucial that the government is alive to the risks and opportunities AI offers to the education sector, and this Call for Evidence, which we were pleased to contribute to, will form an essential part of that.

    While respondents are broadly optimistic about the benefits AI could bring, they also recognise risks around harmful content, intellectual property protection and concerns about accuracy.

    The Government’s AI Regulation White Paper set out the first steps towards establishing a regulatory framework for AI, including working with UK regulators on how they might need to regulate the technology given its cross-cutting nature and impact on various sectors, including education.

    The government committed to evaluate and adapt the UK’s regulatory approach as AI evolves, and the insights from this call for evidence will continue to shape policy in this emerging area.

    Earlier this year, the UK also convened the world’s first AI Safety Summit at Bletchley Park, which brought together world leaders, businesses, and civil society to build consensus on international action to ensure safety at the frontier of AI.

    This drive to harness the potential of AI comes as new analysis is published by the government on the impact of AI on Jobs and Training.

    The report illustrates how the education system and employers will need to adapt to ensure the workforce has the skills necessary to benefit from this emerging technology, which the Department for Education is supporting through a number of training opportunities, including skills bootcamps, apprenticeships and the Lifelong Learning Entitlement.

    The Department for Education has also today published research trialling the use of AI to explore how it could be used to support the civil service by providing summaries and analysis. AI was used to analyse the 38 Local Skills Improvements Plans as part of a pilot project with Faculty AI.

    In spring, the Department for Education will publish the results of the hackathon, further supporting the department’s work to understand how AI could safely transform the education sector.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Flagship Pioneering establishes base in London, in Europe-first win for UK life sciences [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Flagship Pioneering establishes base in London, in Europe-first win for UK life sciences [November 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 28 November 2023.

    Company behind the successful life-sciences firm Moderna, Flagship Pioneering, has selected the UK for their first location outside of the US.

    • Company behind the successful life-sciences firm Moderna, Flagship Pioneering, has selected the UK for their first location outside of the US
    • Announcement opens up new opportunities for life science start-ups and investments in the UK, complementing UK government’s plan to drive innovation in science and tech and boost the UK’s investment ecosystem
    • New Memorandum of Understanding between Flagship and the Government cements the UK’s commitment to the sector, setting out how both can work together on clinical trials, potential UK manufacturing locations, and more

    Leading life sciences bioplatform company Flagship Pioneering has today (Tuesday 28 November) announced the UK as the home for its first base outside the US, paving the way for new scientific start-ups, discoveries and investments here in the UK.

    Flagship takes a unique approach to investment – with its own scientists exploring ideas invented in its labs to improve human health and the most promising projects being grown into companies. Since launching in 2000, Flagship has founded more than 100 scientific ventures, worth more than $90 billion combined, among the most notable being Moderna, who developed a groundbreaking mRNA vaccine for Covid-19. To date the company has invested over $3.4 billion in the founding and growth of pioneering life science companies, unlocking a further $26 billion of investment from other sources.

    Flagship Pioneering choosing the UK as its first European base is another vote of confidence for the UK’s £94 billion life sciences sector and is further evidence that the UK is one of the world’s leading destinations for investment, where 1 in 3 of all the biotech startups in Europe over the last decade have been founded in the UK. By basing themselves here, the UK will become Flagship’s latest destination for its next start-ups and ventures – leading to economic growth and new scientific discoveries that improve lives, as well as adding to the 280,000 highly skilled jobs the sector supports nationwide.

    The government is cementing this commitment by signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the company. This will see them work hand in hand with the life sciences community and key UK scientific resources and stakeholders to, for example, identify new opportunities for innovation and find potential locations in the UK to host manufacturing sites for Flagship’s life sciences companies.

    The UK’s life sciences prowess has been on full display at this week’s Global Investment Summit, which has highlighted how – as home to some of the world’s best minds, most extraordinary innovators, and iconic companies – the UK is one of the most dynamic and ambitious destinations for investment, anywhere in the world. The Science and Tech Secretary used the Summit to announce plans to make key technologies being pioneered in the UK, such as drones, even more appealing to investors by revamping the regulatory environment, as well as new partners to Innovate UK’s £100 million Investor Partnerships programme.

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

    “From Brunel’s engineering revolution in the 19th century through to breakthroughs in genetic medicine in the 21st, British ideas have changed the world because of a willingness to ask big questions and do things differently. But to be successful, our innovators and risk-takers need backing.

    “Flagship Pioneering choosing the UK as their home in Europe is another vote of confidence in our mission to put real financial firepower behind the UK’s world-leading science. Backing the brightest ideas with serious capital will help deliver improved healthcare, new medical treatments, and high-skill jobs.”

    Tom Kibasi, Senior Vice President and Head of Flagship’s UK office, said:

    “We are hugely excited at the opportunity to combine the UK’s world-leading science with Flagship’s unparalleled expertise in conceiving, creating and growing new scientific ventures into globally successful companies.

    “We’re looking forward to connecting more than 40 Flagship-founded companies into the UK’s thriving life sciences eco-system and fostering new partnerships and collaborations that get breakthrough treatments to patients sooner.”

    The Memorandum of Understanding between Flagship and the government sets out five ways the two can work closely together to maximise the UK’s potential to turn bright new ideas into thriving life science businesses. This includes:

    • Working together on UK-based clinical trials and clinical delivery
    • Looking into potential locations in the UK to host manufacturing sites for Flagship’s life sciences companies
    • Engaging with UK’s world leading genomics organisations, such as Genomics England, NIHR Bioresource and UKBiobank
    • Flagship feeding into UK’s horizon scanning processes that aim to identify opportunities for innovation, earlier

    Flagship demonstrated their commitment to the UK, earlier this month, with the $50 million launch of Quotient Therapeutics, their first ever company co-anchored in both the US and UK. The firm is pioneering somatic genomics, the study of genetic variation at the cellular level, to discover therapeutics informed by new links between genes and disease.

    Minister for Science, Research and Innovation Andrew Griffith said:

    “This Government is determined to unleash capital, to support the life science breakthroughs that will help us all live longer, healthier lives, as well as enabling this £94 billion industry to continue to boost the economy, and support high-skilled jobs across the UK.

    “Our work with Flagship Pioneering will be critical to that mission, by ensuring world-class UK research is given the backing needed to build scalable industries, cementing the UK’s place as a science superpower.”

    Lord Johnson, Minister for Investment at the Department for Business and Trade said:

    “This is a strong public signal from Flagship of the exciting potential they see in UK life sciences, our health and research ecosystem, and of their ongoing confidence in the UK as an investment destination. Flagship’s extensive expertise can also help further develop our vibrant UK sector.

    “The Department for Business and Trade will continue our transatlantic support for Flagship and their portfolio companies, from developing their first footholds to realising the full range of benefits this world class hub for life sciences can deliver.”

    The UK is undeniably a life sciences powerhouse. It is home to 1 in 3 of all the biotech startups founded in Europe over the last decade, attracted more than a third of all venture capital finance raised by European life sciences companies in 2022, and boasts 4 of the world’s top 10 universities for life sciences and medicine. The government is backing this critical sector with £520 million for life sciences manufacturing, the £650 million ‘Life Sci for Growth’ package and £20 million to speed up the development of new dementia treatments coming as part of the government’s full response to the O’Shaughnessy Review of commercial clinical trials in the UK.

    Unlocking greater private funding for UK R&D is one of the key objectives of The UK Science and Technology Framework.

    To this end, in July DSIT launched the Research Ventures Catalyst to open up new funding pathways that will enable our brightest minds to take greater risks and pursue new means of working that might not be supported via traditional avenues.

    There have been significant recent successes in attracting private investment into the UK life sciences sector, such as landmark partnerships with BioNTech on cancer treatment and with Moderna, which will see the building of a brand-new innovation and technology centre.

    Besides attracting inward investment from private sources, government is also serious about committing its own cash towards boosting the sector. In the last few months alone we have announced a raft of measures backed by over £650 million to support investment, growth and innovation in UK life sciences, including £121 million to make rapid progress on the recommendations of the O’Shaughnessy Review into clinical trials, and we continue to invest heavily in R&D at record amounts. This government has committed to invest £20 billion in R&D in 2024-2025.

    Flagship’s announcement today paves the way for this groundbreaking company to provide the same impact in growing the UK’s life sciences ecosystem as it has in Cambridge, Massachusetts, arguably the global centre for life sciences.

    The UK government has just agreed a new Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing, Access and Growth with the UK pharmaceutical industry. The landmark agreement will improve access to cutting-edge treatments for NHS patients, support financial sustainability of the health service and advance UK life sciences sector.

    The new scheme will support significant industry investment in UK clinical trials, manufacturing and health technology assessments strengthens UK’s global competitiveness.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK invests in global grassroot efforts to tackle gender-based violence [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK invests in global grassroot efforts to tackle gender-based violence [November 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 28 November 2023.

    The UK marks 16 Days of Activism to End Gender Based Violence, renewing efforts to work with partners to prevent violence and empower women and girls worldwide.

    • UK marks the annual 16 Days of Activism to End Gender Based Violence with renewed efforts to work with partners to prevent violence and empower women and girls around the world
    • Development Minister Andrew Mitchell announces new support that will help women’s rights organisations in more than 70 countries
    • Lord Ahmad visits Colombia to meet survivors and see UK-funded support programmes a year on since the UK’s landmark Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict (PSVI) conference

    The UK is investing in grassroots women’s rights organisations on the frontline of tackling violence against women and girls around the world, it is announced today.

    Development Minister Andrew Mitchell is announcing the new support at an event in the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office on Tuesday 28 November, as Lord Ahmad visits Colombia to meet survivors and see the UK’s work in action.

    To mark the 16 Days of Activism, the UK is announcing a new package of support including:

    • up to £18 million in new support for grassroots women’s rights organisations across 70 countries to tackle gender-based violence in communities, focusing on the most marginalised as part of the UK’s biggest ever funding boost to the UN Trust Fund to End Violence Against Women. Funding will improve access to services including legal aid, shelters, and health care for survivors, support more effective legislation, and help to shift harmful attitudes and behaviours to prevent violence before it starts
    • the first round of successful grantees under the What Works to Prevent Violence: Impact at Scale programme which will initially support 8 women’s rights organisations in Malawi, India, Pakistan, Somalia, Eswatini, Uganda and Madagascar to implement innovative, locally-led approaches to drive down rates of violence in homes, schools, universities and workplaces
    • a new £15 million UK-funded programme in Somalia to reach more than 117,000 people with help to advance the rights of women and girls in humanitarian crisis through mental health support, training for health workers to recognise signs of violence and the establishment of centres to bring together medical, legal and psychosocial services

    At the halfway point of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, no country is on track to eliminate violence against women and girls by 2030. Despite the scale of the problem, UK-funded evidence shows that violence is preventable and can be reduced by 50% by focusing on the most effective approaches.

    International Development Minister, Andrew Mitchell said:

    Our support to the UN Trust Fund to End Violence Against Women helped reach over 400,000 women and girls in 2022, but there is more to be done.

    We are stepping up our support for grassroots organisations in more than 70 countries around the world and new funding will go towards tackling gender-based violence to help empower women and girls everywhere.

    These announcements come as Lord Ahmad, Special Representative for PSVI, visits Colombia, accompanied by HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh.

    The minister will see how UK-funded programmes are supporting survivors of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) including with legal representation and psychological support, and formally hand over the chair of the International Alliance on PSVI – a growing network of 25 members established by the UK, including governments, the UN, survivors and civil society – to Colombia for 2024.

    The Prime Minister’s Special Representative for Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict and Minister of State (Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, Commonwealth and United Nations) Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon said:

    I am proud of the progress we have made over the past year in further tackling conflict-related sexual violence.

    The UK and Colombia are united in our desire to achieve further justice and redress for victims of the appalling sexual violence that took place during the Colombian conflict – and for survivors around the world.

    I am in Colombia this week to listen and learn from survivors’ stories and witness the inspiring efforts of the organisations who support them. Their voices and bravery to step forward continue to inspire global action.

    In the year since the UK hosted the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative (PSVI) conference where more than 50 countries signed a declaration agreed to urgent action, the UK has lead efforts to champion survivors and hold perpetrators to account including through sanctions. As well as work in Colombia, this includes strengthening national accountability in Ethiopia, Guinea, Ukraine, and South Sudan through the UN.

    Abigail Erikson, Chief of the UN Trust Fund said:

    The UN Trust Fund is extremely grateful to the Government of the United Kingdom for this contribution and the impact it will have on women and girl survivors and those at risk of violence, whose lives count on the critical and lifesaving work of civil society and women’s rights organisations.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Change of His Majesty’s Ambassador to Jordan: Philip Hall [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Change of His Majesty’s Ambassador to Jordan: Philip Hall [November 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 28 November 2023.

    Mr Philip Hall OBE has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in succession to Ms Bridget Brind OBE. Mr Hall will take up his appointment this month.

    Curriculum vitae

    Full name: Philip Ridley Hall OBE

    Place of birth: Chichester, West Sussex

    Married to: Karine Hall

    Children: 3

    Date Role
    2022 to present Middle East and North Africa Directorate, and Full Time Language Training (Arabic)
    2021 to July 2022 FCDO, Afghanistan-Pakistan Directorate
    2017 to 2021 Jerusalem, Consul General
    2016 to 2017 Full Time Language Training (Arabic)
    2015 FCO, Additional Director, Spending Review
    2012 to 2015 FCO, Head, Counter Proliferation Department
    2008 to 2012 Brussels, Defence Counsellor, UK Joint Delegation to NATO
    2007 to 2008 Bucharest, Deputy Head of Mission
    2003 to 2006 Cabinet Office, Head of Division, European Secretariat
    2002 to 2003 FCO, Deputy Head of Department, Middle East Department and Iraq Planning Unit
    2001 to 2003 FCO, Deputy Head of Department, Africa Department (Equatorial)
    1991 to 2001 FCO, Head, Middle East Peace Process Section, Near East and North Africa Department
    1997 to 1999 FCO, Head, Economic and Financial Section, EU Department
    1995 to 1997 Brussels, United Kingdom Permanent Representation to the European Union, First Secretary Inter-Governmental Conference (Amsterdam Treaty)
    1993 to 1994 Cabinet of the British Judge to the European Court of Justice, Luxembourg, Stagiaire
    1990 to 1992 Herbert Smith solicitors, City of London and Brussels, Articled Clerk
  • PRESS RELEASE : Israel and Gaza: G7 foreign ministers’ statement [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Israel and Gaza: G7 foreign ministers’ statement [November 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 28 November 2023.

    Foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, the US and the EU High Representative gave a statement on the situation in Israel and Gaza.

    Statement by G7 foreign ministers and the High Representative of the European Union:

    We, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and the High Representative of the European Union welcome the release of some of the hostages seized on 7 October by Hamas and other terrorist organizations and the recent pause in hostilities that has allowed a surge in humanitarian assistance to reach Palestinian civilians in Gaza. We, as the G7, urge the release of all hostages immediately and unconditionally.

    We call for the facilitated departure of all foreign nationals. We emphasize Israel’s right to defend itself and its people, in accordance with international law, as it seeks to prevent a recurrence of the 7 October attacks.

    We appreciate the leadership of the United States and countries in the region, especially Qatar and Egypt, and their tireless efforts to secure this and future pauses. We support the significant efforts of the United Nations to coordinate the delivery of humanitarian assistance during this pause.

    This arrangement is a crucial step towards bringing all remaining hostages home and addressing the full scope of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. We call on all parties to build on the provisions of the deal and to ensure greater humanitarian aid continues to reach civilians in Gaza on a sustained basis. Every effort must be made to ensure humanitarian support for civilians, including food, water, fuel, and medical supplies. We support the further extension of this pause and future pauses as needed to enable assistance to be scaled up, and to facilitate the release of all hostages.

    We underscore the importance of protecting civilians and compliance with international law, in particular international humanitarian law. We remain steadfast in our commitment to work with all partners in the region to prevent the conflict from escalating further. Emphasizing the importance of maritime security, we call on all parties not to threaten or interfere with lawful exercise of navigational rights and freedoms by all vessels. We especially call on the Houthis to immediately cease attacks on civilians and threats to international shipping lanes and commercial vessels and release the M/V Galaxy Leader and its crew, illegally seized from international waters on 19 November.

    We remain committed to a Palestinian state as part of a two-state solution that enables both Israelis and Palestinians to live in a just, lasting, and secure peace.