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Tag: Press Release

  • PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister meeting with President Yoon Suk Yeol of the Republic of Korea [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister meeting with President Yoon Suk Yeol of the Republic of Korea [November 2023]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 22 November 2023.

    The Prime Minister welcomed President Yoon of the Republic of Korea and a delegation of his ministers to Downing Street this afternoon, as part of the President’s State Visit to the UK. The Prime Minister was accompanied by the Deputy Prime Minister, Home Secretary, Business and Trade Secretary, Science, Innovation and Technology Secretary, and the Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary.

    The Prime Minister and President Yoon welcomed the agreement of the Downing Street Accord, which the Prime Minister described as a ground breaking symbol of the strength of the relationship between the UK and South Korea. The leaders agreed that the Accord will cement and enhance our relationship in crucial areas including security, technology and trade.

    The Prime Minister stressed the indivisibility of UK and Korean security, and the leaders welcomed steps to increase our military cooperation and elevate our defence relationship through today’s agreement. The Prime Minister condemned North Korea’s launch of ballistic missile technology yesterday. Both leaders expressed their concern about the reported support that Russia is providing to the DPRK. The Prime Minister stressed that South Korea can be assured of UK solidarity in the face of daily threats.

    Both leaders welcomed the growing cooperation between our countries to develop and harness the technologies of the future. President Yoon praised the UK’s successful AI Safety Summit earlier this month, and the leaders looked ahead to the next iteration which will be co-hosted by both our countries. The leaders also welcomed renewed cooperation between the UK and South Korea on clean energy, particularly nuclear and wind.

    Today the UK and South Korea have launched negotiations on a modernised Free Trade Agreement, building on our existing £10 billion trade relationship. The Prime Minister and President Yoon hailed the strong economic links between our countries, as evidenced by the £21 billion in new investment by South Korean companies into the UK this week.

    The leaders discussed the strong cooperation between the UK and South Korea on foreign policy issues. They agreed that our countries share the same outlook and values on global affairs – something that can be seen in the broad alignment of our approaches to China, the situation in the Middle East and Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine. The Prime Minister looked forward to working with South Korea through their membership of the UN Security Council from January.

    Finally, the Prime Minister reiterated his thanks to President Yoon for making this State Visit to the UK. He paid tribute to Korea’s journey to become a global, pivotal state over the 140 years of diplomatic friendship between our countries. The Prime Minister underscored his pride that the UK is Korea’s closest partner in Europe.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Gender equality is a central element to sustainable development – UK statement at the UN Second Committee [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Gender equality is a central element to sustainable development – UK statement at the UN Second Committee [November 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 22 November 2023.

    Explanation of vote by Ambassador to the General Assembly Richard Croker at the UN Second Committee.

    Thank you Chair.

    In regard to the amendment put forward by Egypt, we deeply regret it. Let me be clear, it is an attempt to limit discussions on gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls in this fora.

    Let me read a quote if I may:

    “Realizing gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls will make a crucial contribution to progress across all the Goals and targets.

    The achievement of full human potential and sustainable development is not possible if one half of humanity continues to be denied full human rights and opportunities.

    Women and girls must enjoy equal access to quality education, economic resources and political participation as well as equal opportunity as men and boys for employment and leadership.”

    I could go on, the paragraph continues.

    It is not a UK view, it is directly taken from the SDG Declaration that our Leaders reaffirmed weeks ago in this building.

    This subject is relevant to this committee, and we deeply regret the amendment. The argument that it is a Third Committee issue completely undermines the efforts that the majority of Member States are taking to unlock the full potential and power of women and girls to accelerate progress on all global development priorities.

    Any decision to vote in favour of the amendment undermines the SDGs. It decommits – not recommits – to them.

    On top of this, procedurally, we are also seriously concerned about the precedent this is setting, with one committee unilaterally seeking to task another committee.

    However, we are clear that even if this amendment passes, it cannot preclude the discussion of gender equality as a central element to sustainable development in the Second Committee, as set out in the SDG Declaration.

    It is for these reasons we will vote against the amendment.

    Thank you.

  • PRESS RELEASE : New ‘Chance to Work Guarantee’ will remove barriers to work for millions [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : New ‘Chance to Work Guarantee’ will remove barriers to work for millions [November 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department of Work and Pensions on 22 November 2023.

    A new ‘Chance to Work Guarantee’ will transform the prospects of millions of people currently out of work, supporting them to realise their aspirations and potential.

    • Changes announced at Autumn Statement will tear down barriers to work for over 2.4 million claimants, who will be able to try work without fear of reassessment or losing health benefit top-ups
    • New measures will help to grow the economy by providing long-term sick and disabled claimants a Chance to Work Guarantee – brought forward from the White Paper reforms announced earlier this year – and by making the Work Capability Assessment fit for the modern world of work
    • These changes to support the most vulnerable represent the next step in Government’s welfare reforms, alongside the new £2.5 billion Back to Work Plan and following the landmark Health and Disability White Paper published earlier this year

    The changes announced today as part of the Government’s next generation of welfare reforms will free up claimants to try work with no fear of losing their benefits, including health top-ups, with the prospect of re-assessments removed entirely for most claimants.

    Alongside the Chance to Work Guarantee, Universal Credit claimants will benefit from boosted Work Allowances meaning that long-term sick and disabled claimants can keep £404 of earnings every month without this affecting their welfare payments, effectively ‘de-risking’ the journey into work.

    As part of the offer, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will also provide targeted help as part of its £2.5 billion Back to Work Plan, including through an expanded Universal Support scheme which places people into jobs and provides wraparound care to give the best chance of success in a role.

    Alongside this, the Work Capability Assessment is being overhauled for those newly moving onto health benefits so work preparation requirements better reflect the opportunities available in the modern world of work, whilst protecting those unable to work.

    The proportion of people on the highest level of award and assessed as having no work-related requirements has risen from 21% in 2011 to 65% in 2022 – meaning people are over three times more likely to be written off work today than they were over a decade ago.

    One in five people currently on the highest tier of health benefits, with no work preparation requirements, would like to work in the future with the right support. But more than half of those who felt they could work within the next two years saw a fear of not being able to return to benefits as a barrier to work.

    We know people remain on these benefits for a long time – only 1% of people leave certain health and employment benefits each month. The Government’s Chance to Work Guarantee is designed to address these concerns, empowering more health benefit claimants who want to try work, while ensuring fairness for the taxpayer as claimants’ benefits taper off over time as they increase their hours in work.

    Meanwhile, new flexibilities in the labour market mean that more people can undertake some form of tailored and personalised work-related activity, with the right support. For example, 40% of people reported working from home at some point in the previous week in Winter 2023, compared with just 12% throughout 2019. And of around 8 million jobs advertised online between April and October 2023, over 20% were either remote or flexible, compared to less than 4% over the same time period in 2016.

    That’s why we are reforming the Work Capability Assessment to make it fit for the modern world of work. In the first major review of the Work Capability Assessment activities and descriptors since 2011, we will:

    1. Remove the ‘Mobilising’ part of the assessment that currently places people into a group where no work preparation is required – this will reflect that many of the claimants with these issues in the modern world of work will be able to undertake some work or work preparation with the right support
    2. Amend the regulations that determine whether mental health issues are assessed as putting claimants at ‘Substantial Risk’ if they are required to undertake any level of work preparation – these amendments will realign the regulations with the original intention of applying only in exceptional circumstances, whilst still protecting and safeguarding the most vulnerable
    3. Reduce the points awarded for some of the Limited Capability for Work (LCW) ‘getting about’ descriptors, reflecting the rise of flexible and home working opportunities in modern workplaces.

    This will mean around 370,000 people by 2028/29 who under current assessment rules would receive no support from DWP as they would have been placed in the Limited Capability for work-related activity (LCWRA) group will now be offered personalised support to help them move closer towards work.

    These changes will not affect existing claimants whose circumstances remain the same, reflecting the need to ensure a continuity of service for them, and will mean that these claimants will not lose money as a result of the changes.

    Protections on the Work Capability Assessment will remain for those with the most significant health conditions or where any work preparation activity would lead to a deterioration in a claimant’s physical health.

    In the absence of these changes the OBR combined forecast for those on the highest tier of health benefits was due to grow from 2.4m in 23/24 to 2.9m in 2028/29; these changes will have more than halved the net inflows to this group. To ensure measures are brought forward safely and correctly, changes will not be implemented nationally until at least 2025.

    This all comes alongside the Back to Work Plan, a package of reforms and new support to one million people with help to find or stay in work. These changes include £2.5 billion of investment over the next five years, with expansion of Universal Support, Talking Therapies and Individual Placement and Support designed to provide treatment and support to help disabled people and people with long-term health conditions towards work.

    The Government is taking the long-term decisions of welfare reform, ensuring fairness for both claimants and taxpayers, and stepping up the support on offer to the most vulnerable claimants and tearing down barriers to work.

    Further Information

    • The Work Capability Assessment activities and descriptors were last substantially changed in 2011.
    • Changes will be implemented no earlier than 2025, which gives DWP time to ensure they are brought in safely and correctly for prospective benefit claimants.
    • No one in the LCWRA group will face benefit sanctions and all support offered will be voluntary.
    • Under these changes, most existing claimants on health benefits will not need to be re-assessed with a new Work Capability Assessment. Re-assessments will only take place under limited circumstances, which are:
      • When a claimant reports a change of circumstances in their health condition;
      • If a claimant has been awarded LCWRA for pregnancy risk, or cancer treatment where the prognosis for recovery is expected to be short-term;
      • In cases of suspected fraud.
    • After the new substantial risk provisions come into force in 2025, new claimants who are given LCWRA status because of those provisions may also be required to be re-assessed.
    • Announced at Autumn Statement, the Universal Credit Work Allowance for disabled claimants with housing costs will rise to £404 per month from April 2024 and £673 per month for those without housing costs.
    • ONS data shows that there has been a large increase in homeworking: 40% of people reported working from home at some point in the previous week in the period between 25 January and the 5 of February 2023, compared with just 12% working from home throughout 2019. Similarly, according to Adzuna, of around 8 million jobs advertised online over the past 6 months (Apr-Oct 2023), just over 20% were either remote or flexible, compared to less than 4% over the same time period in 2016.
    • Just one per cent of people in the Employment and Support Allowance ‘Support Group’ leave the benefit every month.
    • On Tuesday 5th September we announced our consultation on plans to change the Work Capability Assessment.
    • We received over 1300 responses from individuals and organisations to our consultation.
    • The Stat-Xplore caseload is 2.46m at May 2023, forecast combined caseload is lower than this due to the presence of dual claims.
  • PRESS RELEASE : North Korea missile launch – G7 foreign ministers’ statement [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : North Korea missile launch – G7 foreign ministers’ statement [November 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 22 November 2023.

    The foreign ministers of the G7 issued a statement on the launch using ballistic missile technology by North Korea.

    G7 foreign ministers statement:

    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, condemn in the strongest terms North Korea’s launch using ballistic missile technology conducted on November 21, 2023. This action poses a grave threat to the peace and stability of the region and beyond. Any launch using ballistic missile technology, even if it is characterized as a military reconnaissance satellite, constitutes a clear, flagrant violation of relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCRs).

    North Korea continues to expand its unlawful nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities and to escalate its destabilizing activities. We reiterate our call for the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and demand that North Korea abandon its nuclear weapons, existing nuclear programs, and any other weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and ballistic missile programs in a complete, verifiable, and irreversible manner in accordance with all relevant UNSCRs. North Korea cannot and will never have the status of a nuclear-weapon state under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

    North Korea’s reckless action must be met with a swift, united, and robust international response, particularly by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). We urge UNSC members to follow through on their commitments and call on all UN member states to fully and effectively implement relevant UNSCRs. In this context, we reiterate our strong condemnation on arms transfers from North Korea to Russia, which directly violate relevant UNSCRs. We urge North Korea and Russia to abide by these UNSCRs and immediately cease all such activities. In addition, we are deeply concerned about the potential for any transfer of nuclear- or ballistic missile-related technology to North Korea, which would further threaten the peace and stability of the region as well as across the globe.

    We deplore North Korea’s systematic human rights violations and abuses, and its choice to prioritize its unlawful WMD and ballistic missile programs over the welfare of the people in North Korea. We continue to call on North Korea to engage in meaningful diplomacy and accept the repeated offers of dialogue put forward by Japan, the United States, and the Republic of Korea without preconditions.

    The G7 remains committed to working with all relevant partners toward the goal of peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and to upholding the international order based on the rule of law.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK and Republic of Korea to enforce sanctions against North Korea through joint sea patrols [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK and Republic of Korea to enforce sanctions against North Korea through joint sea patrols [November 2023]

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

    A new Accord signed between the UK and Republic of Korea will strengthen our joint ability to enforce sanctions against North Korea.

    • A new Accord signed between the UK and Republic of Korea (ROK) will strengthen our joint ability to enforce sanctions against North Korea, and work to prevent development of its illegal weapons programme.
    • The Accord will be signed by the Prime Minister of the UK and the President of the ROK during his state visit to the UK.
    • The Accord demonstrates the increased ambition of the already strong UK-ROK diplomatic partnership, which marks its 140th anniversary this year.

    A new Accord signed between the UK and Republic of Korea (ROK) will include a defence agreement between the UK and Republic of Korea (ROK) that will see both nations jointly enforce United Nations Security Council (UNSC) sanctions on North Korea (DPRK) for the first time.

    The agreement, which forms part of the Downing Street Accord, will be signed by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and President Yoon Suk Yeol during his State Visit this week. The Accord affirms that the UK and the Republic of Korea will work closely on defence and security, collaborating in science and technological innovation, and boosting trade and investment opportunities.

    The DPRK relies on smugglers in order to bypass international sanctions, many of which were introduced to block imports and exports which could be used to support its nuclear weapons programme.

    A significant amount of this smuggling takes place in the East China Sea, where Royal Navy ships have previously deployed and captured evidence of this activity.

    Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said:

    The UK is leading the way in supporting our Korean friends in countering North Korea’s aggressive posturing and ensuring the safety and security of the Indo-Pacific.

    Deepening the ties between the Royal Navy and Republic of Korea Navy, our bilateral defence relationship has never been stronger.

    The agreement will support closer relations between the Royal Navy and ROK Navy during future cooperation to counter this activity, and will support the security of the Indo-Pacific region.

    Foreign Secretary David Cameron said:

    The UK and the Republic of Korea have built a strong relationship of trust and respect over many years – this year we celebrate the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between our two countries.

    And Britain has a long history of standing with the ROK in its commitment to democracy in the region.

    This agreement – signed 70 years after the Korean War Armistice – is a truly unique step in the strengthening of our work to secure the security of the Korean Peninsula and the region. We are proud, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, to be at the forefront of international sanctions enforcement activity.

    This includes upholding international commitments to curtail North Korea’s illegal weapons programmes.

    The UK is fully committed to meeting its obligations as a permanent UNSC member to enforce sanctions resolutions, and routinely conducts maritime monitoring operations focused on vessels which could be involved in the illegal transfer of goods and resources. The Royal Navy maintains a persistent presence in the Indo-Pacific, as reaffirmed through this year’s refreshed Defence Command Paper, with two offshore patrol vessels – HMS Spey and HMS Tamar – deployed in the region.

    Further activity involving both the Royal Marines and British Army is also currently being planned for 2024. After a highly successful Ex IMJIN WARRIOR in October of this year at the Korean Combat Training Centre, the UK will further expand its commitment to this bilateral exercise in 2024, while the ROK-led Exercise Ssang Yong will see a significant uplift in the number of Royal Marines taking part.

    The UK and ROK will commit to a breadth of security and defence cooperation as part of the Accord, which will also include sharing information to more efficiently tackle maritime threats in the Indo-Pacific, and the signing of a Strategic Cyber Partnership committing our nations to working together to tackle cyber threats.

    The Accord will also deliver an important milestone in UK-ROK defence relations, with the signing of a joint Ministerial Statement Of Intent to establish a new Defence Partnership for Industrial and Capability Cooperation.

    The partnership will open a detailed dialogue between our Defence and procurement officials, enabling greater integration between our export and capability requirements, including industrial collaboration and supply chain integration. It will strengthen our future joint defence exports, with British and Korean industry working together on projects with selected third countries, and will allow for greater collaboration on shared industrial development and R&D.

    During the State Visit, the President will be joined by The Duke of Gloucester to lay a wreath at the Korean War Memorial in London, in memory of those who gave their lives in the conflict – with 2023 marking 70 years since the armistice was signed.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Record wage boost for nearly 3 million workers next year [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Record wage boost for nearly 3 million workers next year [November 2023]

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

    Biggest ever increase to the National Living Wage, worth over £1,800 a year for a full-time worker, fulfils manifesto pledge to end low pay.

    • Biggest ever increase to the National Living Wage, worth over £1,800 a year for a full-time worker, fulfils manifesto pledge to end low pay.
    • Since 2010 the National Living Wage will have doubled in cash terms from around £10,500 to nearly £21,000 a year for a full-time worker.
    • For the first time, 21-year-olds on the National Living Wage will always earn two-thirds of average earnings.

    The Chancellor will deliver a pay rise of more than £1,800 a year for a full-time worker, as he confirms that the National Living Wage will increase by over a pound an hour from April.

    The almost 10% pay boost, from £10.42 to £11.44 an hour, is the biggest cash increase in the National Living Wage in more than a decade and fulfils the government’s manifesto pledge to end low pay for those on the National Living Wage.

    Eligibility for the National Living Wage will also be extended by reducing the age threshold to 21-year-olds for the first time.  A 21-year-old will get a 12.4% increase, from £10.18 this year to £11.44 next year, worth almost £2,300 a year for a full-time worker.

    National Minimum wage rates for younger workers will also increase. 18-20-year-olds will also get a wage boost to £8.60 per hour – a £1.11 hourly pay bump.

    The Department for Business and Trade estimate 2.7 million workers will directly benefit from the 2024 National Living Wage increase.

    Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt said:

    Next April all full-time workers on the National Living Wage will get a pay rise of over £1,800 a year. That will end low pay in this country, delivering on our manifesto promise.

    The National Living Wage has helped halve the number of people on low pay since 2010, making sure work always pays.

    The minimum hourly wage for an apprentice is boosted next year, with an 18-year-old apprentice in an industry like construction seeing their minimum hourly pay increase by over 20%, going from £5.28 to £6.40 an hour.

    The National Living Wage was introduced in 2016 and currently sets the minimum hourly pay a person over the age of 23 earns when working. The new rate will now apply to 21- and 22-year-olds, and means that the government has met its ambitious target of lifting the National Living Wage to two-thirds of median earnings by 2024, ending low hourly pay for those on the National Living Wage.

    Since 2010, the proportion of workers on low hourly pay has more than halved from 21.3% to 8.9%, supported by increases to the National Living Wage. Personal tax thresholds have been doubled, meaning a working person can now earn £1,000 a month tax-free for the first time.

    Getting more people into work and ensuring work pays is a priority for the government. The Chancellor will set out further measures in tomorrow’s Autumn Statement.

    Notes to editors

    • The OECD defines low pay as those earning less than two-thirds of average earnings.
    • The National Minimum Wage rate for those aged 22+ was £5.80 from 1 October 2009 to 31st September 2010 . A worker working full-time would have received around £10,500 a year gross, whereas it will be almost £21,500 for a NLW worker from April 2024.
  • PRESS RELEASE : Launch of the British Art Market Federation’s new economic report [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Launch of the British Art Market Federation’s new economic report [November 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 21 November 2023.

    Lord Parkinson speech from the launch of the British Art Market Federation’s new economic report: ‘The British Art Market in 2023’.

    Good morning. I am delighted to be with you today for the launch of the latest economic survey of the UK art market by Dr. Clare McAndrew.

    Thank you to Anthony Browne for inviting me to join you and to say a few words.

    Anthony regularly comes to brief the Secretary of State, our officials, and me on the state of the art market, and the challenges facing it — As well he should as the issue is an asset of huge national importance.

    There’s the economic impact, of course — providing direct employment to tens of thousands of highly-skilled people, and supporting almost as many jobs again in the ancillary businesses which provide the specialist skills it draws on.

    There’s the fiscal contribution of some £1.5 billion, and the great benefit to the Exchequer of being a global hub for the international trade — with billions of pounds’ worth of works of art being imported and exported across our borders each year.

    There’s the soft power of being the marketplace for some of the world’s most important artworks, antiques, and antiquities – and sharing the UK’s extraordinary creativity with ever larger audiences around the world.

    There’s the magnetic effect it has for our visitor economy — something on fine display last month, as we marked 20 years of Frieze London, which the Prime Minister was proud to celebrate with a reception at 10 Downing Street.

    The art market sustains and inspires so many wonderful exhibitions, art fairs, and other vibrant events which create additional spending and employment and attract tourists, both around the country and around the world.

    Visitors to London during Frieze Week were spoiled for choice this year — with world-class exhibitions including Sarah Lucas at Tate Britain, Marina Abramović at the Royal Academy, Claudette Johnson at the Courtauld, and Frans Hals at the National Gallery — and that’s only mentioning a handful in Zone One.

    That reflects the wider, and integral role the UK art market plays in our cultural life.

    Our commercial galleries and dealers play a vital role in nurturing the careers of the UK’s visual artists. That’s why London has the greatest concentration of artists of any city anywhere in the world – and why so many other towns and cities across the country are similarly fizzing with artistic talent.

    And I am very grateful for the expertise of the many art market professionals who advise my Department on cultural property matters.
    So today is a chance for me to say thank you for the part you all contribute to that global success story.

    And it is, of course, a moment to ensure we are doing everything we can to maintain it.

    Today, we have the second largest art market in the world – behind only the United States, and larger than the rest of Europe put together.

    But the global market is increasingly competitive – and that position is not ours by rights.

    Dr. McAndrew’s report has charted the extraordinary resilience of the UK art market as it bounces back from the bleak months of the pandemic.

    It has been able to draw on its great wealth of expertise and dynamism to overcome the challenges of COVID-19 – and those will be invaluable resources to draw on as it faces the challenges of the future.

    But Government must play its part too. That is why I am glad to join you today – and glad to have ongoing relationship we do with the British Art Market Federation reassure you that we recognise what a great asset we have in the UK art market, and that we stand behind the sector as it works to retain its international competitive edge – and to remain a great British success story long into the future.

    I know, from my conversations with Anthony and others, that leaving the European Union has brought new processes, not all of them favourable.

    But having sovereign control of our borders has also brought the opportunity to innovate; to review and refine our customs rules.

    We have already revoked the EU Regulation which will require import licences and importer statements for many cultural goods when it comes into effect in 2025, so that it will not apply to imports into Great Britain.

    Our ambition is to have the world’s most effective border – and I am grateful to all those who have already made time to engage with our officials on the development of the new Single Trade Window.

    That will provide a gateway between businesses and our border processes and systems – including, in time,  export licences which I am glad to say are in the process of being digitised by our colleagues at the Arts Council.

    This will allow people to meet their import, export and transit obligations by submitting information once, and in one place.

    We are also reviewing Temporary Admission to reduce administrative burdens and simplify the rules – further evidence, I hope you will agree, that the Government is listening to the UK art market.

    We know that you make frequent use of the Temporary Admission procedure, and are grateful for the constructive approach taken by the British Art Market Federation and art market practitioners in their responses to the recent public consultation.

    We are considering what you have told us carefully and plan further engagement, including with the art market, in the New Year. So please do keep talking to us about it.

    So I hope you will see that the Government is watching not just with pride at what we have at present, but a determination to preserve it – and with appreciation for all the evidence you bring to us which helps us in our conversations across government.

    Chief among that, of course, is Dr. McAndrew’s annual report – an invaluable source of information, So I’m delighted to be here today and looking forward to hearing the evidence within it.

    Thanks for having me.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Veterans services stepped up as Veterans UK brand set to be phased out [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Veterans services stepped up as Veterans UK brand set to be phased out [November 2023]

    The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 21 November 2023.

    Veterans services in the UK are to receive a fresh start as the government today accepted the majority of recommendations from the Independent Review of UK Government Welfare Services for Veterans.

    • Veterans’ welfare services to be refreshed following Veterans’ Welfare Review, including improved Veterans’ Gateway.
    • Government will confirm that it accepts most of the recommendations from the independent review.
    • Veterans UK brand to be retired, with services and responsibilities across government clarified.

    Veterans services in the UK are to receive a fresh start as the government today accepted the majority of recommendations from the Independent Review of UK Government Welfare Services for Veterans.

    The Veterans UK brand will be retired next year, as part of a move to better communicate the variety of services which the MOD provides for veterans and the wider Armed Forces Community. The move will clarify the services on offer and the MOD will establish and communicate an appropriate replacement in due course.

    It is a government priority to ensure that every veteran knows where to turn to access government support if they need it.

    To help this, the Veterans’ Gateway will be improved, with user research already being undertaken, including involving veterans to help better target services.

    To further clarify the roles and responsibilities across government and underlining the Office for Veterans’ Affairs central role in coordinating veterans’ support, the word ‘Veterans’ is being removed from the MOD Ministerial title ‘Minister for Defence People Veterans and Service Families’.

    The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs gave an update to the House of Commons today on progress of the Veterans’ Welfare Review, which marks a fresh start for veterans’ support services.

    Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Johnny Mercer said:

    We are making huge strides with veterans’ care in this country but it is important that veterans know where to turn when accessing some of the services on offer.

    That’s why we commissioned this independent review and today we’re accepting many of the recommendations they have made.

    These changes will help veterans services become more effective, efficient and clear – ultimately benefiting veterans across the UK.

    As the Veterans UK brand is retired, the Ministry of Defence will consider a more appropriate way to present the service they provide to the Armed Forces and veteran communities, to ensure individuals clearly understand what the MOD do to support them and how to access those services when they need them.

    Minister for Defence People and Families Andrew Murrison, said:

    This jointly commissioned independent review builds on the hard work already being undertaken by a lot of people who genuinely care about providing high quality services for our Armed Forces Community.

    The recommendations in this review will help ensure we are taking that hard work in the right direction for our Armed Forces Community, who deserve the best services.

    The Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committees, will be modernised to better support veterans welfare. Work is already under way following the Royal Assent of the MOD sponsored Private Members Bill in support of this work and in conjunction with the welfare review, government will work to clarify the role of VAPCs in a way that can better serve the Armed Forces Community.

    The Welfare Services Review considered the role, scope and breadth of UK Government welfare provision for veterans, including those administered by the Ministry of Defence.

    Support which was looked at included services such as the Veterans Welfare Service, the Defence Transition Service, which supports military personnel as they move into civilian life, is also part of the review. Other services which were part of the review included the Integrated Personal Commissioning for Veterans, the Northern Ireland Veterans Support Office, the Veterans’ Gateway, the Veterans Advisory Pensions Committees and the Ilford Park Polish Home.

    The government has accepted the principles behind most of the recommendations made by the Independent Review of UK Government Welfare Services for Veterans.

    The OVA has also recently launched a consultation to build its understanding of veterans, assess the effectiveness of current policies, including welfare services available, and shape future strategies.

  • PRESS RELEASE : £122million to breathe new life into Scottish towns and cities [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : £122million to breathe new life into Scottish towns and cities [November 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 21 November 2023.

    Six projects are awarded grants from round three of the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund to support major regeneration and transport projects.

    Six major regeneration and transport projects across Scotland are set to receive almost £122 million from the third round of the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund – a multi-billion-pound initiative improving lives for local people.

    The UK Government has today announced a total of £1 billion to support 55 projects across Great Britain from the Levelling Up Fund. Proposals for Moray, North and South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, Glasgow, Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish borders have each been awarded a share of the flagship fund, which will see upgrades to their town centres, high streets and local transport.

    Scotland will receive the second highest award given to any single project in this round – a significant £37.4 million to create new commercial buildings, better cycling and walking routes and more electric vehicle charge points across North and South Ayrshire.

    Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove said:

    “Levelling up means delivering local people’s priorities and bringing transformational change in communities that have, for too long, been overlooked and undervalued. Today we are backing 55 projects across the UK with £1 billion to create new jobs and opportunities, power economic growth, and revitalise local areas. This funding sits alongside our wider initiatives to spread growth, through devolving more money and power out of Westminster to towns and cities, putting in place bespoke interventions to places that need it most, and our long-term plan for towns.”

    Other projects being funded:

    • In a joint bid across the South of Scotland, over £22.8 million will renovate historic buildings in Annan and Peebles and improve cycling and walking routes along the Clydesdale Way.
    • A fund of £13.7 million will also be invested to improve transport connectivity in Dumfries and Galloway, including new EV charging for cars, electric buses, improvements to walking and cycling routes, and new transport hubs in five towns in the region.
    • In Moray, over £18.2 million will transform the town centre of Elgin into an attractive urban hub where high-productivity businesses can thrive.
    • Glasgow City Council will receive almost £15 million to invest in Drumchapel town centre, improving connectivity into and around the town to improve retail opportunities and boost the local economy.
    • And in South Lanarkshire, £14.6 million will regenerate the Shawfield National Business District to prepare the site for future development, as well as the nearby Polmadie Burn so the Glasgow Riverside Innovation District Campus can be relocated there, boosting employment and education for the community.

    Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said:

    “It’s fantastic news that these six locally developed projects in north, central and southern Scotland have been given the go-ahead. Sharing £122 million UK Government funding, they will transform communities through improvements such as better, greener transport infrastructure and connectivity, regeneration of buildings and land and creation of education, business and employment opportunities.

    “Our levelling up commitment to communities across Scotland so far stands at almost £2.7 billion. We are focused on working with local partners to deliver the change that the country needs to put the UK on the right path for the future.”

    These new investments build on the £343 million already awarded to Scotland in previous funding rounds, bringing Scotland’s total Levelling Up Fund to £465 million.

    Projects already underway include the restoration of Edinburgh’s iconic Granton gasholder, a £16 million investment from the first round of the Levelling Up Fund. The historic structure, which is at the heart of wider plans to regenerate the whole waterfront area into a thriving coastal town, will become a useable centrepiece for the community.

    Construction work to improve sustainability and tourism in Inverness is also kicking off along the River Ness, with the support of £20 million from the Levelling Up Fund. The three projects will create a new Castle Energy Centre in Castle Street, refurbish and preserve the Victorian grandstand in Northern Meeting Park and improve sporting and events infrastructure at Bught Park’s grandstand.

    Growing the economy and making the long-term decisions to deliver the change the country needs is a priority for the Prime Minister.

    Earlier this year the UK Government announced two Green Freeports in Scotland, in the Cromarty Firth and the Firth of Forth, and two Investment Zones in Glasgow and the North East.

    Today the Chancellor has confirmed the Investment Zones programme in England will be extended from five to 10 years. Alongside this, the window to claim Freeport tax reliefs in England will be extended from five to ten years until September 2031.

    The UK Government will work with the Scottish government with the intention of delivering the same extension to Investment Zones and Freeports in Scotland.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Landmark sci-tech deal with the Republic of Korea to boost cooperation in critical technologies such as AI and semiconductors [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Landmark sci-tech deal with the Republic of Korea to boost cooperation in critical technologies such as AI and semiconductors [November 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 21 November 2023.

    Landmark commitments on AI, semiconductors, space and more form a key part of new UK-Republic of Korea Accord.

    • Landmark commitments on AI, semiconductors, space and more form a key part of new UK-Republic of Korea Accord
    • global science and tech leaders to work even closer together to harness the power of new technologies and industries to boost jobs and growth, as the two countries prepare to co-host the next AI Safety Summit
    • strong UK-Republic of Korea sci-tech links to be celebrated at the Royal Society in London, and bolstered with up to £4.5 million in new funding to boost research links between the two countries

    The UK’s partnership with fellow science leader, the Republic of Korea, will be pushed to new heights with a series of science and tech deals to be signed by Secretary of State Michelle Donelan, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Bang Moon-kyu, and Minister of Science and ICT Lee Jong Ho, at the Royal Society tomorrow (Wednesday 22 November).

    These have been agreed as part of a new landmark Accord between the two countries, that is being announced this week as part of President Yoon Suk Yeol’s State Visit to the UK, which begins today. As two of the world’s most innovative economies, the UK and the Republic of Korea are natural partners, with both countries placing in the top five of the Global Innovation Index.

    The two countries will work closer together than ever before to harness the potential of critical technologies like AI, quantum and semiconductors to create jobs and unlock economic growth, alongside a new £4.5 million fund to create joint research and innovation partnerships. This builds on the recent international progress on safe, responsible AI development achieved at the AI Safety Summit, the next edition of which will be co-hosted by the Republic of Korea and the UK next year.

    New commitments to collaborate in space, and on digital tech, as well as an over-arching agreement on science and technology, will open up new opportunities for trade, innovation and investment in both countries – ultimately helping to grow the economy, one of the Prime Minister’s five priorities.

    President Yoon, the Duchess of Edinburgh and the Science and Tech Secretary will attend the event marking the sci-tech deals’ signing, and hear from some of the brightest minds working on science and tech projects in the UK and the Republic of Korea, before Secretary of State Donelan formally signs the sci-tech agreements which form part of the new bilateral Accord. The UK and the Republic of Korea share a close relationship, and the Accord also deepens ties on defence, trade and investment.

    Science, Innovation and Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan said:

    “The Republic of Korea is a tech powerhouse, and a vital partner to the UK.

    “We share the same values and face the same challenges: from creating future jobs and industries fit for the AI age, to bringing the power of science to bear on climate change and supporting ageing populations. As part of the new Accord between our two countries, this raft of agreements will future-proof our relationship for decades to come: a partnership that is already bearing fruit as we work closely together on the next AI Safety Summit.”

    The science and technology agreements being signed as part of the UK-Republic of Korea bilateral Accord are:

    • A commitment to accelerate cooperation on the development of safe, responsible AI grounded in the UK and Republic of Korea’s shared democratic values, building on the commitments made at the world-first AI Safety Summit and Republic of Korea’s plans to co-host the next AI Safety Summit with the UK
    • A new Framework for Semiconductor Cooperation to enhance our collaboration on skills, R&D, supply chain resilience and trade, and deepen industry links
    • A broad new Digital Partnership, boosting joint work in priority areas such as data, telecoms, AI and digital competition
    • A new Memorandum of Understanding on space cooperation, bringing our space industries closer together and paving the way to joint space endeavours
    • A new Implementation Arrangement, which updates and reboots a Science & Tech cooperation agreement from 1985, to modernise the two countries’ science and tech partnerships for the 21st century
    • A new dialogue on quantum, which will include talent exchanges
    • A commitment to closer cooperation on engineering biology

    As well as hosting tomorrow’s celebration of the UK and the Republic of Korea’s deep science and tech links, the Royal Society and the National Research Foundation of Korea are investing up to £4.5 million into the new UK-ROK International Collaboration Awards for emerging UK and Korean research leaders to develop collaborative partnerships. This is supported by the International Science Partnerships Fund, the UK’s global fund for research and innovation. Innovate UK will also invest over £8 million from the next financial year into innovation programmes with the Republic of Korea, driving the development and commercialisation of critical technologies, including for the first time – semiconductors.

    The commitment to work together on AI follows the groundbreaking AI Safety Summit hosted by the UK at Bletchley Park, at which the Republic of Korea was one of 28 countries to agree ambitious commitments to work together on safe and responsible frontier AI development. The Republic of Korea and the UK will co-host the next AI Safety Summit in 2024.

    Also on Wednesday, a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Innovate UK and the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology will unlock closer collaboration between both countries’ industries and researchers in key areas such as semiconductors, which are essential to so many parts of modern life, from phones and computers, to cars and hospital equipment.

    The commitment to closer ties on engineering biology will be bolstered by the establishment of a joint synthetic biology research centre. The centre will be shared by SynbiCITE, the UK’s Innovation and Knowledge Centre for synthetic biology, hosted at Imperial College London, and its South Korean equivalent the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), supported by Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), South Korea’s leading science and technology university.

    Not only this, an agreement between the Milner Therapeutics Institute (MTI) at the University of Cambridge and the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB) is being announced. This agreement paves the way for Cambridge to host KRIBB’s first European outpost, demonstrating the strength of UK engineering biology and life sciences. It brings together experts in cell and gene therapy, organoid screening and AI-enabled drug discovery, with joint projects eligible for funding from both countries.

    Early discussions have also begun on a Cooperation Agreement to enhance the Republic of Korea’s cooperation in the Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO), the multi-billion-pound international project to build the world’s largest radio telescope. The UK hosts the headquarters of the Observatory and is contributing £270 million towards the project, which will transform our understanding of the Universe and physics. Having the Republic of Korea on board will open up opportunities to create even stronger links with the global science community.

    This is the latest in a series of bilateral international science deals the UK has signed recently, which include partnerships with Israel, India, Switzerland and South Africa, as well as recent international digital deals such as the UK-Japan Digital Partnership.

    These bilateral agreements, alongside Horizon association, demonstrate the UK’s global ambitions to deepen collaboration with leading lights in science right across the globe. The government is determined to open up the broadest range of opportunities, for the brightest British minds to unlock breakthroughs with colleagues, the world over.