Tag: Press Release

PRESS RELEASE : Fraudsters behind £53.9 million benefits scam brought to justice in country’s largest benefit fraud case [April 2024]
The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 10 April 2024.

A group who stole over £50 million of taxpayers’ money has been brought to justice in the largest ever benefit fraud case in England and Wales.
- Five people who stole £53.9 million through fabricated benefit claims have been brought to justice in England and Wales’ largest benefit fraud case
- Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) investigators, working with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), caught the fraudsters after extensive investigation
- Convictions come as the DWP saved at least £18 billion in 2022/23
Five people have pleaded guilty to numerous charges involving creating false Universal Credit claims worth £53,901,959.82.

DWP investigators worked to track and catch the fraudsters, gathering extensive evidence of false tenancy agreements and shell companies created to show false employment claims, including counterfeit payslips and GP notes. The group also created many false identity documents.

The courts will now proceed with sentencing the defendants as the DWP and CPS work to recover the money stolen.

Secretary of State for the Department for Work and Pensions, Mel Stride MP, said:

I am immensely proud of DWP investigators’ work, in collaboration with the Crown Prosecution Service, to take down this organised crime group.

Building on our success in preventing £18 billion going into the wrong hands in 2022/23, these convictions underline our commitment to protecting taxpayers’ money. It is only right and fair that we bring those stealing from the public purse to justice.

Minister responsible for tackling benefit fraud, Paul Maynard MP, added:

Our investigators are working tirelessly to catch benefit cheats and this case builds upon our plan to save £1.3 billion on fraud and error.

At the same time, our Fraud Plan will help us implement a long-term strategy to minimise fraud and error and ensure value and fairness for the taxpayer.

Ben Reid, Specialist Prosecutor for the CPS, said:

This case is the largest benefit fraud prosecution ever brought to the courts in England and Wales.

This was a complex and challenging case which required close and effective working between CPS prosecutors, the Department for Work and Pensions and our international partners in both Bulgaria and through the UK desk at Eurojust, to dismantle and successfully prosecute the organised crime group. The guilty pleas entered by all five defendants, reflects the strength of the evidence against them.

The CPS Proceeds of Crime Division will now pursue confiscation proceedings against the defendants, to remove from them any available criminal benefit from this enterprise.

The defendants who have pleaded guilty at Wood Green Crown Court were: Galina Nikolova, 38; Stoyan Stoyanov, 27; Tsvetka Todorova, 52, Gyunesh Ali, 33, and Patritsia Paneva, 26. All defendants are of Bulgarian nationality.

The defendants laundered money from the false benefit claims and sent incriminating WhatsApp messages that shared forged documents.

Investigators also found “claim packs” at the houses of defendants, which were created for others to make false benefit claims and included false documents such as bank statements, fake photographic identification, and forged information on dependants.

Additional items seized included bundles of cash stuffed into shopping bags and suitcases, designer goods such as watches, jackets and glasses, and a luxury car.

This latest case comes as the government continues to turn the tide on benefit cheats. DWP’s Fighting Fraud in the Welfare System plan, backed by £900 million over three years, bolsters the counter-fraud frontline with measures including trained specialists to review millions of Universal Credit claims.

This counter fraud clampdown, together with wider benefit checks and controls, saved at least £18 billion in 2022/23 and saw fraud and error fall by 10 percent.

DWP is now pushing to go further with a target to save the taxpayer £1.3 billion through counter fraud and error in 2023/24.

Additional Information:
- In 2022, the DWP launched a plan to further tackle fraud and error in the benefits system. The Fighting Fraud in the Welfare System plan, backed by £900 million over three years, bolsters the counter-fraud frontline with measures including trained specialists to review millions of Universal Credit claims.
- The Government is legislating for new fraud powers. These will allow the DWP to request data from third parties, such as banks, that could show signals of potential benefit fraud and error.
- The Third-Party Data amendment DWP have included in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology’s Data Protection and Digital Information Bill will modernise and strengthen DWP’s powers to tackle the evolving threat of fraud in the digital age.
- The new powers that the Government is legislating for will not allow DWP to access bank accounts, or see how benefit claimants spend their money, as third parties will only provide the minimum amount of information required.
- DWP will only receive information on cases where potential fraud or error has been flagged and will save the taxpayer up to £600million over the next five years.
12/04/2024
PRESS RELEASE : New First Parliamentary Counsel Appointed [April 2024]

The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 10 April 2024.

New First Parliamentary Counsel appointed to lead the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel.

Jessica de Mounteney has been appointed as the new First Parliamentary Counsel and Permanent Secretary of the Government in Parliament Group, Cabinet Office. Jessica, who is currently a Director General in the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel, replaces Elizabeth Gardiner who will be leaving the role at the end of April. The appointment has been made by the Prime Minister.

The Leader of the House of Lords, the Rt Hon the Lord True, said:

I am delighted Jessica De Mounteney is taking on this role. The Office of the Parliamentary Counsel plays an essential role in the government’s legislative programme. Jessica has the understanding, experience, and expertise to take on this role at the heart of government and she will provide invaluable leadership to OPC. I wish Jessica all the best and look forward to working with her. I also send my thanks to Dame Elizabeth Gardiner who has provided exemplary service for over 30 years in the Office of Parliamentary Council.

The Cabinet Secretary, Simon Case, said:

I would like to congratulate Jessica on her appointment. Her breadth of experience gained from her time in the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel and previously as a barrister will serve her well in her new role.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Elizabeth Gardiner for her exemplary leadership and commitment to the role over the last nine years, and for her over thirty two years of dedicated service in the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel.

Commenting on her appointment, Jessica said:

I am thrilled to have been appointed as First Parliamentary Counsel and Permanent Secretary of the Government in Parliament Group. Having joined the Office after some time at the Criminal Bar, I have been incredibly proud to have contributed to the work of the Group, and the Cabinet Office and the Civil Service, for nearly 27 years. We will miss Elizabeth Gardiner and she will be a hard act to follow, but it will be wonderful to have the opportunity to lead the work of the Office and the Group, working alongside very many talented and committed colleagues.

Jessica is expected to take up her new post at the end of April.

12/04/2024
PRESS RELEASE : Broadband boost for 380,000 rural premises as UK Government investment reaches £1.3 billion [April 2024]
The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 10 April 2024.

Thousands of remote homes and businesses to benefit from lightning-fast broadband as new figures show a record £714 million invested in the broadband rollout so far this year.
- A record £714 million committed to boosting rural broadband coverage in 2024 brings total investment in next-generation connection to £1.3 billion
- Nearly 380,000 homes and businesses, including in Devon and The Isles of Scilly, are set to benefit from the contracts awarded this year alone
- £165 million announced today to connect properties across England, including Yorkshire and Cornwall
Hundreds of thousands of remote homes and businesses across the country will be able to benefit from lightning-fast broadband, as new figures show a record £714 million has been invested in the broadband rollout so far this year.

New data published today reveals that since the start of 2024, the UK Government is boosting access to fast and reliable internet at an unprecedented speed, putting nearly 380,000 rural premises in line to access a better broadband connection.

The upgrades will give rural communities access to the fastest internet on the market, helping to grow the economy. Households will be able to download high-definition films in under one minute, stream and download entertainment and shop online across several devices at once. Full fibre broadband will also make it easier for rural residents to set up businesses, increasing local productivity and delivering long-term growth for a brighter future.

Areas set to benefit include Yorkshire, The Isles of Scilly and Dorset, with the funding forming part of the UK Government’s flagship £5 billion Project Gigabit programme.

The funding brings the total invested so far to £1.3 billion. Nearly 82% of properties across the country can now access lightning-fast broadband, up from just 7% this time five years ago.

It comes as the UK continues to rollout Gigabit broadband faster than any other EU nation, ensuring everyone, no matter where they live or work, can thrive in the 21st century.

Minister for Data and Digital Julia Lopez said:

Connectivity has never been more important for people and businesses. It is increasingly the enabler for so many services that we rely on every day, from using maps to doing business.

The figures published today demonstrate just how rapidly we are getting higher quality, gigabit broadband to every part of the country – even some of our most remote, rural areas.

Whether that be to a business on the coast of Cornwall or the hills of the Peak District, patchy and poor connection should never be a barrier to economic growth or somebody’s life chances.

As part of this year’s investment, the UK Government has today also announced £165 million in contracts to build full fibre networks in areas spanning South Yorkshire, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Herefordshire, the Forest of Dean, the Peak District, Dorset and Somerset*.

Almost 90,000 premises are set to benefit from the contracts, with full fibre connections capable of delivering speeds of up to 1,000 megabits per second. This is up to 30 times faster than superfast connections relying on traditional copper cables.

Over one million rural homes, businesses and public buildings have already been upgraded to gigabit-capable networks thanks to UK Government investment.

Properties connected through Project Gigabit are in hard-to-reach rural locations, where residents and businesses previously would have struggled to perform basic online tasks because of poor and patchy connection.

On top of this, the Government has awarded separate contracts to connect up to 800 primary schools in England, jointly funded through Project Gigabit and the Department for Education. The Schools Gigabit Connectivity Project will help students and teachers access the latest digital technology in education.
12/04/2024
PRESS RELEASE : Government confirms scope of Essex mental health inquiry [April 2024]
The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 10 April 2024.

The Department of Health and Social Care has today published the terms of reference for the statutory inquiry following the deaths of mental health inpatients in Essex.

The inquiry – which is chaired by Baroness Lampard CBE – was set up to understand the events that led to the tragic deaths of mental health inpatients under the care of NHS trusts in Essex between 2000 and 2023.

The terms of reference will enable the inquiry to continue the work of the former Essex Mental Health Independent Inquiry and will play an important role in identifying learnings from those events for the future. The chair will be responsible for the progress of the inquiry and will set out a series of recommendations to improve the provision of mental health inpatient care.

Health and Social Care Secretary, Victoria Atkins, said:

Patients should feel confident, safe and supported – especially when receiving help for their mental health, which can be an incredibly vulnerable experience.

This was not the case for mental health inpatients in Essex between 2000 and 2023, where so many patients ended up tragically and needlessly passing away – leaving their bereaved families with questions that need answering.

We take this need seriously and through the Lampard Inquiry, we will ensure lessons are learned and patient safety is improved. We have today published the terms of reference, to allow the inquiry to continue, and for families to get the answers they’re looking for.

The terms of reference are set by the Health and Social Care Secretary after consultation with the chair, who has engaged with the families and other stakeholders.

When investigating the inpatient deaths, the inquiry will cover:
- the serious failings related to the delivery of safe and therapeutic inpatient treatment and care
- the actions, practices and behaviours of staff providing mental health inpatient care
- the culture and governance of and at the trusts and how that affected care and treatment
- the quality of investigations and responses by and on behalf of the trusts
- the interaction between the trusts and other public bodies including commissioners, coroners, professional regulators and the Care Quality Commission
The government confirmed on 28 June 2023 that the inquiry would be placed on a statutory footing and it was formally converted to a statutory inquiry on 27 October 2023. This gives the inquiry legal powers to compel evidence from relevant individuals and organisations. The chair undertook a public consultation on the proposed terms of reference for the inquiry in November 2023 and wrote to the Secretary of State with her recommendations in December 2023.

Baroness Lampard is a former barrister with experience in leading high-profile government reviews, including the NHS investigations into Jimmy Savile and investigations into the Borders, Immigration and Citizenship System. She took over as chair of the inquiry from Dr Geraldine Strathdee, who stepped down in 2023 for personal reasons.

The chair will provide a final report as soon as practically possible.

For more detail, visit the Lampard Inquiry website.
12/04/2024
PRESS RELEASE : UK and Ukraine sign new defence pact [April 2024]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 10 April 2024.

The UK and Ukraine sign a new defence agreement to encourage cooperation on defence and industrial issues.
- UK and Ukraine sign new arrangement on defence and industrial cooperation.
- Signing came during UK’s largest ever trade mission to Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion, with 29 UK defence businesses in Kyiv to meet Ukrainian businesses.
- Trade Minister Greg Hands also in Kyiv to sign the arrangement, co-chair Infrastructure Taskforce and attend trade mission.
The UK and Ukraine have signed a new defence agreement to encourage cooperation on defence and industrial issues.

The signing, which took place in Kyiv, came during UK’s largest ever trade mission to Ukraine, with a delegation of 29 UK businesses travelling to the country to speak about their expertise and find opportunities for cooperation.

The arrangement is the latest sign of the UK’s unwavering support for Ukraine’s defence efforts and long-term recovery and will help make Ukraine’s military operations more efficient. It’s designed to enable both countries to work together to tackle security challenges, enhance defence industries, and deliver high-profile joint projects over the coming months.

Increased co-operation could see dozens of projects between some of the UK’s biggest defence companies, Ukraine’s Armed Forces and Ukrainian companies – from establishing strategic military repair facilities to rebuilding civilian infrastructure and implementing technology to defend against cyber-attacks.

During the trade mission to Kyiv, UK defence company BAE Systems agreed a contract with the UK Ministry of Defence to maintain and repair gifted L119 Light Guns in Ukraine. This means L119s which were donated by the UK to Ukraine can be serviced in country and returned to the frontline quicker and provides vital support for Ukraine’s defence infrastructure.

UK Minister for Trade Policy Greg Hands, who accompanied the business delegation and signed the arrangement, said: > The UK has led the world in support of Ukraine following Russia’s full-scale invasion.   > > Now is the time to double down on our support so Ukraine not only wins the war but emerges from it as a strong and resilient country. Defence is a critical element of that which is why we’re facilitating further defence trade between our nations with this Agreement. > > Our trade missions, alongside this signing, are testament to the UK’s integral role in boosting Ukraine’s war-time economy and facilitating their long-term recovery.

UK Minister for Defence Procurement, James Cartlidge said: > This is the latest demonstration of the UK’s unwavering commitment to Ukraine, as they continue to fight back against Putin’s illegal invasion.   > > This is now a war of industrial production and so it is key that we unleash the capability, capacity, ingenuity and innovation of our respective industrial bases.   > “The Framework Arrangement will augment this joint activity, further supporting the brave men and women of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.”

Alexander Kamyshin, Minister of Strategic Industries of Ukraine, said: > It was the UK that was the first country to sign the Security Cooperation Agreement with Ukraine, and it was British defence companies that were the first to open their offices here after the start of the great war.   > > Our partnership is developing, and today we are one step closer to British manufacturers being the first to start producing their weapons in Ukraine.

Gabby Costigan, BAE Systems’ Group Managing Director, Business Development said: > We’re extremely proud to work with the UK Government in supporting Ukraine’s long term defence requirements.   > > Our experience providing support in challenging environments as well as our leading defensive cyber capabilities mean we’ve played a leading role in identifying solutions that will help Ukraine secure victory and we look forward to strengthening our relationship further.

The UK has now provided almost £12 billion in military, humanitarian and economic support to Ukraine.

This new Framework Arrangement follows the historic UK-Ukraine Agreement on Security Cooperation, which was signed by the Prime Minister and President Zelenskyy in January 2024, and marked the start of an unshakeable hundred-year partnership between the UK and Ukraine.

The UK’s private sector plays an important role in Ukraine’s recovery. As part of the mission, the UK-Ukraine Infrastructure Taskforce, which provides expertise on the rebuild of Ukraine’s infrastructure, met with Trade Minister Greg Hands and Deputy Prime Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov agreeing further support for Ukraine’s reconstruction efforts.

The National Digital Twin Programme also showcased UK creativity and expertise and extended an offer of capability building workshops to facilitate smart cooperation in critical infrastructure projects covering the entirety of Ukraine.

Further to this, joint work between UK Export Finance (UKEF) and the Government of Ukraine has led to the opening of the first of six bridges as part of our ongoing support through the Infrastructure Taskforce to rebuild critical infrastructure in Ukraine.

Background:
- HMG has been supporting Ukraine in various ways since the war began. We were the first European country to provide lethal aid to Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. Since the start of the conflict, the UK has sent almost 400 different types of capabilities to Ukraine.
- The UK has now provided almost £12 billion in military, humanitarian and economic support to Ukraine and has often been the first-mover on vital lethal aid, from Storm Shadow cruise missiles to a squadron of Challenger 2 tanks.
- The UK’s non-military support to Ukraine since the start of the invasion comes to £4.7bn. This includes £4.1bn in fiscal support, and over £660m in bilateral assistance.
- We have introduced the largest and most severe package of sanctions ever imposed on Russia or indeed any major economy. And we have now sanctioned over 1700 individuals and entities since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
- Total trade in goods and services between the UK and Ukraine amounted to £1.5 billion in the four quarters to the end of Q2 2023.
12/04/2024
PRESS RELEASE : Tough new measures to bolster landmark victims’ law [April 2024]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 9 April 2024.

Victims of serious crimes committed by those with mental disorders will be able to explain in their own words the impact the offence has had on them.
- Decisive government action to hold criminal agencies to account
- Bolstered role for Victims’ Commissioner to ensure support available to all
- Victims and families able to make impact statements at Mental Health Tribunal
Victims of serious crimes committed by those with mental disorders will be able to explain in their own words the impact the offence has had on them, thanks to tough new amendments to the Victims and Prisoners Bill.

New measures will mean survivors are provided with the opportunity to make a Victim Impact Statement during the Mental Health Tribunal process, which takes places before offenders are released and allows survivors to request release conditions.

The police and other criminal justice agencies will also be placed under greater scrutiny through a new statutory duty, which will mean they have to not only inform victims of their rights under the Victims’ Code – but deliver services in accordance with it.

Compliance with this duty will be overseen by the Victims’ Commissioner, and ministers will be required to consult the commissioner when agencies fail to deliver the required standard of services for victims ahead of being issued “notifications of non-compliance”.

Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Alex Chalk KC, said:

Navigating the criminal justice system can feel complex and overwhelming so it is right that we hold agencies to account to ensure victims are getting the support they need.

These new duties will improve transparency, accountability and consistency, ensuring all victims receive support wherever they are, whatever the crime.

Justice Minister, Edward Argar, said:

The Victims’ and Prisoners Bill is a pivotal step towards ensuring all victims feel listened to, supported, informed, and are treated with dignity and respect.

These additional measures build on those foundations and will mean victims always know what help they should receive.

The Home Office is also tabling an amendment which will make it mandatory for the police to notify schools and colleges when they believe a child may be a victim of domestic abuse, so that they can provide support at the earliest possible opportunity. This builds on the landmark Domestic Abuse Act, which formally recognises children as victims in their own right when they see, hear or experience the effects of domestic abuse.

Minister for Victims and Safeguarding, Laura Farris said:

Today’s amendments stand as testament to the importance of victims’ voices, transparency and information sharing throughout the criminal justice system.

We have already legislated to ensure children are recognised as victims of domestic abuse in their own right, but we are now going further and ensuring that the police inform schools when abuse occurs, which will improve protection for vulnerable children.

Further amendments to the bill tabled by the government include:
- a requirement to consult the Victims’ Commissioner on all changes to the Victims’ Code, to ensure measures are in the best interests of victims of crime
- a requirement for ministers to review agencies’ compliance with the Code to publish public non-compliance notifications to tackle severe and persistent issues, ensuring no agency can hide if they are not providing victims with the support they deserve
- a duty for ministers to publish an annual report on compliance with the Victims’ Code
- clarification that confidentiality clauses cannot be legally enforced if they prevent victims from reporting a crime and will ensure information related to criminal conduct can be disclosed to support services without fear of legal action
The bill will also cement in primary legislation the four overarching principles which must underpin the Victims’ Code. These are that victims require:
- information to help them understand the criminal justice process
- access services which support them (including, where appropriate, specialist services)
- the opportunity to make their views heard in the criminal justice process; and
- the ability to challenge decisions which have a direct impact on them
Alongside new legislation, the government is also continuing to bolster support services, quadrupling victims’ funding by 2024 to 2025, up from £41 million in 2009 to 2010, and using ringfenced funding to increase the number of Independent Sexual Violence and Domestic Abuse Advisors by 300 to around 1,000 – a 43% increase by 2024 to 2025.

Further information

The Ministry of Justice’s #VictimsCode campaign aims to raise awareness of the Victims’ Code and ensure that victims of crime are aware of the rights that they can expect to receive, and the support available to them, as they move through the criminal justice system. The campaign aims to promote that the Victims’ Code is there for every victim, whatever the crime. The campaign directs victims to understand their rights at victimscode.org.uk.
12/04/2024
PRESS RELEASE : The United Kingdom remains committed to supporting broad and lasting peace in Colombia – UK statement at the UN Security Council [April 2024]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 April 2024.

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council meeting on Colombia.

Thank you, President. I thank SRSG Ruiz Massieu and Ms Sánchez for briefing us today and I welcome Foreign Minister Murillo to our meeting. I would also like to thank the Colombian government for hosting the Security Council in February. The visit was an important opportunity to see firsthand the progress, and challenges, on the ground and to demonstrate the Council’s continued commitment to supporting sustainable peace in Colombia.

President, the 2016 Peace Agreement is a roadmap to achieve peace and security through territorial transformation. We welcome the government’s commitment to full implementation, one of the key messages we heard during our visit. We encourage the government to make full use of the 2016 peace architecture to deliver against the commitments made in the agreement. The “Commission for the Follow-up, Promotion and Verification of the Implementation of the Final Agreement”, is an important mechanism for driving this progress, and we look forward to seeing it continue to meet, with sustained energy and commitment from all sides.

We welcome the government’s commitment to rural reform, including the announcement of $8 million for the Rural Women’s Development Fund.

As set out by Ms Sanchez, violence and criminality – including the killings of former combatants, social leaders, human rights defenders, and members of the LGBTQ community – continue to undermine the implementation of the agreement. We call on the government to take urgent steps to address this, including further support for prevention and protection measures, and redoubling efforts to tackle impunity.

The Special Jurisdiction for Peace has a central role to play, as part of the transitional justice architecture established in the Peace Agreement. And I welcome the presence of Roberto Vidal, the Head of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace.

As the Secretary-General notes in his report, concerns have been raised by former members of the FARC-EP Secretariat about the scope of the Jurisdiction’s work. We encourage the parties to address their differences through constructive, open dialogue.

With respect to current peace dialogues, we welcome the extension of the ceasefire with the ELN and progress on releasing detainees. We now call on the ELN to deliver on its commitments to protect civilian populations, respect international humanitarian law, and move ahead with a broader political process.

We condemn recent attacks by the group referred to as the Estado Mayor Central on both civilian populations and security forces. These attacks call into question its commitment to pursue dialogue instead of violence. We call on the group to demonstrate a genuine will to work for peace.

President, in the words of the SRSG, let 2024 be the year of implementation. The United Kingdom remains committed to supporting broad and lasting peace in Colombia.

I thank you.

12/04/2024
PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak meeting with President Kagame of Rwanda [April 2024]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 9 April 2024.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak welcomed the President of Rwanda Paul Kagame to Downing Street today.

The Prime Minister reflected on the thirty-year anniversary of the genocide against the Tutsi people in Rwanda, noting the importance of this time of remembrance and that it is a reminder of just how far Rwanda has come. President Kagame thanked the Prime Minister for the UK’s continued support.

They discussed regional security and the deteriorating conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The Prime Minister underlined the importance of a political process to resolve the situation.

The leaders also discussed the pioneering UK and Rwanda Migration and Economic Development Partnership which will break the business model of criminal gangs risking lives at sea, and the Prime Minister updated President Kagame on the next stages of the legislation in Parliament.

Both leaders looked forward to flights departing to Rwanda in the spring.

12/04/2024
PRESS RELEASE : Royal Air Force fighter squadron arrives in Romania to co-lead NATO air policing mission [April 2024]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 9 April 2024.

Six RAF fighter jets will commence a four-month mission in Romania from today, flying air policing missions alongside the Romanian Air Force.

Royal Air Force fighter jets have started protecting NATO’s eastern flank, close to the Black Sea, following a handover ceremony today in Romania.

Six RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft are taking part in the four-month mission, with jets from IX (Bomber) Squadron, along with more than two hundred RAF personnel from 140 Expeditionary Air Wing (140EAW) deployed from RAF Lossiemouth to Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base in Romania. They will fly alongside the Romanian Air Force as part of NATO’s enhanced Air Policing mission (eAP) until August.

The air policing mission begins this week following a ceremony today involving RAF personnel, their Romanian counterparts, and NATO officials. The personnel involved in the mission will be on standby at a moment’s notice to launch Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) intercepts of Russian aircraft approaching NATO airspace.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said:

Our NATO air policing deployment helps to keep Europe’s skies secure, and I pay tribute to the dedicated personnel delivering this important mission.

Ready to launch at a moment’s notice for the next four months, the Typhoon pilots will respond with professionalism to threats and incidents in support of our collective security.

We’re showing the scale of our commitment to NATO in its 75th year, with deployments like this and thousands of personnel operating and exercising across the alliance to keep the UK and our allies safe.

The countries involved in NATO’s air policing missions rotate on a regular basis, with the RAF having flown to intercept more than 50 Russian aircraft in the first half of last year while leading the Alliance’s enhanced air policing mission from Estonia. This will be the fifth time the RAF have participated in the air policing mission in Romania.

Personnel from 140EAW could be required to launch in their fighter jets to intercept Russian aircraft that do not liaise with NATO-controlled regional air traffic agencies and do not file flight plans, therefore failing to adhere to international norms. This, in turn, creates a flight safety risk that must be investigated and monitored by NATO aircraft to ensure the safety of all air traffic in the region.

Aircraft frequently intercepted by the RAF during previous air policing missions include Russian long-range strategic bombers, surveillance aircraft, and transport aircraft. QRA intercepts are key to maintaining airspace security and protecting international borders, as well as acting as a clear deterrent against threats.

Air Commodore Martin Cunningham, 11 Group Assistant Chief of Staff of Operations, said:

The Royal Air Force is very proud to be back in Romania as part of the UK’s contribution to NATO, working with our Romanian colleagues. Our presence here is another example of the UK’s steadfast commitment to NATO and for the RAF, a further demonstration of our air power projection capability.

As with every operation, there has been an enormous amount of preparation to get us to this point: from the huge road moves, delivery of equipment, training of our expeditionary air wing personnel and of course to the Typhoon squadron from RAF Lossiemouth arriving. I wish to extend my sincere thanks to all involved in the herculean effort to ensure smooth accreditation and wish them a successful deployment.

Enhanced Air Policing deployments are planned in advance and rotate between NATO Allied Air Forces, ensuring collective deterrence and defence protecting and securing the integrity of NATO’s airspace.

NATO’s enhanced Air Policing in the south was introduced in 2014 to reassure Allied populations along the eastern flank after Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula.

Wing Commander Karl Bird, Commanding Officer of 140 Expeditionary Air Wing, said:

This will be the RAF’s fifth eAP rotation in Romania, having completed the first iteration in 2014. The missions contribute to the development of the reaction and deterrence capacity and is a strong sign of the Alliance’s cohesion. Ensuring NATO is ready to secure the skies 24/7.

The air policing mission is part of the UK’s wider commitment to NATO and the security of its eastern flank, alongside the presence of around a thousand British soldiers in Estonia as part of NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence.

12/04/2024
PRESS RELEASE : Half a million more benefit claimants set to benefit from back to work support as Universal Credit expands [April 2024]
The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 9 April 2024.

Half a million people claiming old benefits will be invited to claim Universal Credit, unlocking all the work support it offers.
- Expansion of move to Universal Credit will help 500,000 more people unlock the employment support on offer.
- Letters will be sent to people on certain benefits notifying them of the action they need to take.
- People on Universal Credit are more likely to have a job within six months of making a claim.
More than 130,000 people have already successfully switched from tax credits to the modern digital Universal Credit system which allows claimants to access their benefits more easily and amend their claim should their circumstances change.

The expansion this year will continue for people claiming:
- Income Support and Tax Credits with Housing Benefit from April
- Housing Benefit only from June
- ESA (Income Based) with Child Tax Credit from July
- Tax Credits (Pension Aged including mixed aged couples) from August
- JSA (Income Based) from September
Universal Credit helps people move closer to work and greater financial security through a range of support – including training placements and upskilling – as well as tailored support from a dedicated Work Coach.

Recent findings have shown Universal Credit claimants are more likely to be in work within six months of making a claim.

The move comes as the DWP’s £2.5 billion Back to Work Plan is set to help over a million people, including those with disabilities and long-term health conditions to break down barriers to work.

Minister for Employment, Jo Churchill MP said:

Universal Credit is a proven benefits system fit for the modern age.

With even more people moving to Universal Credit, we can continue to provide the best level of support for people to secure financial independence through work.

I would encourage all those who receive their Migration Notices to take action to ensure they continue to receive the benefits they are entitled to.

By moving to Universal Credit, benefit claimants, including those with limited work requirements, will be able to access to a range of employment support.

We know one in five people currently on the highest tier of incapacity benefits with no work preparation requirement, would like to work in the future with the right support. We’re helping them do this not just though Universal Credit, but with specialist employment support, record levels of mental health provision and the Chance to Work Guarantee, meaning millions can try work free from the fear that they could lose their benefits.

Recent data shows working age adults living in workless households are around seven times more likely to be in absolute poverty than those in households where all adults work, while children living in workless households are six times more likely than those where all adults work.

Benefit claimants will not lose out financially when moving to Universal Credit. Where an individual’s entitlement to Universal Credit is lower than their legacy benefit entitlement, they will be entitled to a top-up payment known as Transitional Protection. This ensures that their Universal Credit is the same as their legacy benefit entitlement.

People will soon start to receive letters – known as Migration Notices – asking them to move to Universal Credit. Recipients who don’t act within three months risk losing their current benefit entitlements.

Additional support is available through a dedicated helpline for claimants who receive a Migration Notices, via face-to-face support in local Jobcentres and independent support through Help to Claim, delivered by Citizens Advice while extensions can be arranged for those who need more time to make a claim.

Paul from Ashington is one of thousands of claimants who has already successfully made the move and benefited from the support provided to help make the move.

Paul said:

I was so worried about having to move to Universal Credit, because I thought I would be pushed into a job search I didn’t feel comfortable or ready for. The move has been made easy because of the support and help I received from my Work Coach, Pauline.

Moving to Universal Credit has been so much easier than I expected. I’ve been able to keep on top of my payments and I’m now closer than ever to finding work!

The expansion of Universal Credit comes as part of the Government’s plan to make sure work always pays, with a huge boost to the National Living Wage and tax cuts worth an average of £900 for 29 million hardworking people.

Additional Information
- Migration Notices will be issued to all legacy benefit types, apart from ESA claimants, over the next six months.
- Evidence to date shows that most Tax Credit claimants have been able to claim Universal Credit without the need for additional support.
- Since the resumption of Managed Migration some claimants have naturally moved to Universal Credit following a change in their circumstances and claimants have always been able to make a claim for Universal Credit if they wish to do so.
- The DWP has recently launched a Move to UC advertising campaign to notify legacy benefit claimants of the need to make a claim to Universal Credit which includes print, radio, and online advertising.
- Claimants can claim Universal Credit directly online or via the dedicated Universal Credit Migration Notice helpline for free on 0800 169 0328 or by visiting your local jobcentre. Claimants that require more time to claim can also call DWP for free on 0800 169 0328.
- For claimants requiring additional support to complete their application support is available including through Citizens Advice Help to Claim for those living in England or Wales and Citizens Advice Scotland Help to Claim for those living in Scotland, which delivers step by step support to complete a UC claim.
12/04/2024