Tag: Press Release

PRESS RELEASE : William Hogarth’s satirical painting ‘Taste in High Life’ at risk of leaving the UK [November 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 15 November 2023.

A temporary export bar has been placed on William Hogarth’s painting Taste in High Life.
The painting is valued at almost £2.5 million

Export bar will allow time for a UK gallery or institution to acquire the painting for the nation

Arts and Heritage Minister Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay has placed an export bar on William Hogarth’s satirical painting ‘Taste in High Life’.

The work, valued at £2,468,000 (plus VAT of £93,600 which can be reclaimed by an eligible institution), is at risk of leaving the UK unless a domestic buyer can be found to acquire the work for the nation.

The 18th-century painting provides an important insight into public sentiment during the period, notably the ambivalence and tension that emerged with Britain’s growing commercial and consumer culture, as well as female patronage of the arts.

‘Taste in High Life’ holds an important position in Hogarth’s body of work, helping to elevate satire in the painted form to a high art. Hogarth became prominent in the 18th century for his satirical commentary on the upper classes, which would also feature in his celebrated series ‘Marriage A-la-Mode’.

The painting was commissioned by Mary Edwards (1705–43), an English heiress said to be the richest woman in England at the time. The painting is based on her own experience of high society and is therefore shaped by her personal disenchantment with fashionable life, particularly expressing her scathing attitude to contemporary tastes.

Arts and Heritage Minister Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay said:

Hogarth’s Taste in High Life provides us with extraordinary insights into eighteenth-century society with his famously biting satirical edge.

As one of Britain’s most celebrated artists, it is right that a UK buyer has the opportunity to purchase this work so it can continue to be studied and enjoyed as an important part of our history.

The Minister’s decision follows the advice of the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest.

Committee Member Mark Hallett said:

William Hogarth’s Taste in High Life is a pivotal picture in the career of one of Britain’s greatest artists, prefiguring as it does the extraordinary achievement of his famous Marriage A-la-Mode series, now housed in London’s National Gallery. The picture is also the product of the unique, highly collaborative relationship Hogarth enjoyed with one of eighteenth-century Britain’s most important female patrons of the arts, Mary Edwards. Packed with the satirical details so closely associated with the artist, and at the same time expressive of the wider anxieties and prejudices of the Georgian age, it is a picture that fully deserves to stay in the UK and to receive further investigation and research.

The Committee made its recommendation on the basis that the painting met the first and third Waverley criteria for its outstanding connection with our history and national life and its outstanding significance for the study of art history, the history of 18th-century British cultural life, and female patronage.

The decision on the export licence application for the painting will be deferred for a period ending on 14 March 2024 inclusive. At the end of the first deferral period owners will have a consideration period of 15 Business Days to consider any offer(s) to purchase the painting at the recommended price of £2,468,000 (plus VAT of £93,600 which can be reclaimed by an eligible institution). The second deferral period will commence following the signing of an Option Agreement and will last for six months.

Notes to editors:

Lord Parkinson discussed the Waverley criteria in a speech.

Organisations or individuals interested in purchasing the painting should contact the RCEWA on 02072680534 or rcewa@artscouncil.org.uk.

Details of the painting are as follows: William Hogarth (1697-1764) Taste in High Life 1742. Oil on canvas, 63.5 x 76.1 cm. Inscribed ‘THE / MODE / 1742’ on the pedestal of Venus. The work is unglazed and appears to be in fair and sound condition.

Provenance: Commissioned from the artist by Mary Edwards (1705-1743) for £60; her sale, Cock’s, London, 28-29 May 1746, lot 49 (as ‘Mr. Hogarth, Taste a-la-Mode’), 5 guineas; bought by Mr. Birch; with John Birch, surgeon of Essex Street, Strand, by 1782 until 1814 or later; the Revd. Robert Gwilt (1811-1889) by 1843; sold by his executors, Christie’s, London, 13 July 1889, lot 95, 215 guineas; bought by Davis for C. Fairfax Murray; Charles Fairfax Murray (1849-1919); Louis Huth (1821-1905), 28 Hertford Street, Mayfair and Possingworth Park, East Sussex; his sale (‘Catalogue of the Highly Important Collection of Fine Pictures and Drawings of Louis Huth, Esq. Deceased’), Christie’s, London, 20 May 1905, lot 104, 1,250 guineas; bought by Agnew, on behalf of Edward Cecil Guinness, 1st Earl of Iveagh; thence by descent; Old Master & 19th Century Paintings Evening Auction, Sotheby’s, London, 5 July 2023, lot.34.

The Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest is an independent body, serviced by Arts Council England (ACE), which advises the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on whether a cultural object, intended for export, is of national importance under specified criteria.

Arts Council England is the national development agency for creativity and culture. Its strategic vision in Let’s Create is that, by 2030, England should be a country in which the creativity of everyone is valued and given the chance to flourish and where everyone has access to a remarkable range of high-quality cultural experiences. ACE invests public money from the government and the National Lottery to support the sector and deliver the vision. Following the Covid-19 crisis, ACE developed a £160 million Emergency Response Package, with nearly 90 per cent coming from the National Lottery, for organisations and individuals needing support. It is also one of the bodies administering the government’s unprecedented Culture Recovery Fund.
November 22, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak call with President Paul Kagame of Rwanda [November 2023]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 15 November 2023.

The Prime Minister spoke to the President Paul Kagame of Rwanda this morning.

While he welcomed the Court’s confirmation that the principle of sending illegal migrants to a safe third country is lawful, the Prime Minister expressed his disappointment at the overall outcome and recognised that there are challenges we must overcome.

He thanked President Kagame for his Government’s work over the last 15 months and the extra assurances we have already agreed as they said they would continue to work together to address the Court’s concerns.

Both leaders reiterated their firm commitment to making our migration partnership work and agreed to take the necessary steps to ensure this is a robust and lawful policy and to stop the boats as soon as possible.

November 22, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : 44th Universal Periodic Review of human rights – UK statement on Cameroon [November 2023]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 15 November 2023.

The UK delivered a statement during Cameroon’s Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council.
Thank you, Mr President,

The United Kingdom welcomes the government’s publication of an annual human rights report as an important way to raise awareness and increase transparency.

We encourage the government to further strengthen this reporting, including by providing more detail on efforts taken to hold perpetrators to account.

We recommend that Cameroon:

Develop effective measures to prevent and address acts of violence, including attacks and threats against civilians, medical personnel or patients, particularly in the Northwest and Southwest Regions, in accordance with Security Council Resolution 2286.

Introduce stronger legal protections for persons in marginalised and vulnerable situations, including by reinforcing legislation to ensure accountability for acts of violence against persons belonging to ethnic minority groups.

Amend the 2014 Law on the Suppression of Acts of Terrorism to align it with international human rights standards and guidelines issued by the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights while countering terrorism.

Thank you.
November 22, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister’s statement on Supreme Court judgement [November 2023]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 15 November 2023.

The Prime Minister issued a statement following the Supreme Court’s judgement on the Rwanda plan.

We have seen today’s judgment and will now consider next steps.

This was not the outcome we wanted, but we have spent the last few months planning for all eventualities and we remain completely committed to stopping the boats.

Crucially, the Supreme Court – like the Court of Appeal and the High Court before it – has confirmed that the principle of sending illegal migrants to a safe third country for processing is lawful. This confirms the Government’s clear view from the outset.

Illegal migration destroys lives and costs British taxpayers millions of pounds a year. We need to end it and we will do whatever it takes to do so.

Because when people know that if they come here illegally, they won’t get to stay then they will stop coming altogether, and we will stop the boats.

November 22, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Protections for families and crack down on rogue landlords [November 2023]

The press release issued by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 15 November 2023.

Private landlords banned from having ‘no DSS’ and ‘no children’ policies and Decent Homes Standard introduced in the private rented sector for the first time.

Changes put forward to the Renters (Reform) Bill to crack down on rogue landlords, protect vulnerable residents and improve the decency and safety of homes for millions of tenants are being introduced today (15 November).

The Government has tabled amendments to make it illegal for landlords and agents to have blanket bans on renting to people who receive benefits or who have children – ensuring families aren’t discriminated against when looking for a home to rent and protecting the most vulnerable. Landlords will still be able to carry out referencing checks to make sure a tenancy is affordable and have the final say on who they let their property to. This will apply to England and Wales and will be extended to Scotland via a further amendment at Report Stage.

Alongside this, a Decent Homes Standard (DHS) will be applied to the private rented sector for the first time. The new standard will set a clear bar for what tenants should expect from their home ensuring it is safe, warm and decent. It will be set following further consultation and will help to meet the target of reducing non-decency in rented homes by 50% by 2030.

Housing Secretary Michael Gove said:

Everyone deserves a home that is safe, warm and decent. But far too many live in conditions that fall well below what is acceptable. As part of our Long-Term Plan for Housing we are improving housing standards across the entire private rented sector, while also ending discrimination against vulnerable people and families who are being unfairly denied access to a home.

Local Authorities will be given new enforcement powers to require landlords to make properties decent, with fines up to £30,000 or a banning order in the worse cases. Tenants will also be able to claim up to 24 months rent back through rent repayment orders up from 12 previously.

Councils will also be given stronger powers to investigate landlords who rent substandard homes, providing them with the tools they need to identify and take enforcement action against the criminal minority and help drive them out of the sector.

The amendments will now be considered at Committee stage for the Bill in the House of Commons and are a vital next step in delivering a fairer system for both tenants and landlords. The changes will support the majority of good landlords by making existing rules clearer and more enforceable.

The wider reforms in the Bill are a once-in-a-generation change to housing laws to ensure the 11 million tenants across England will benefit from safer, fairer and higher quality homes. This includes a ban on ‘no fault’ evictions to protect tenants and give them the security to call out poor standards without fear of losing their home. It also gives tenants a legal right to ask for a pet and creates a new Ombudsman to resolve issues with their landlords more quickly.

The reforms are part of the Government’s long-term plan for housing that includes speeding up the planning system and reducing delays to ensure we can build the homes that communities want and need.

November 22, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK attends first CPTPP meeting since signing up to the massive Indo-Pacific trade bloc in July [November 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 15 November 2023.

Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch in California for her first in-person meeting with CPTPP countries since she was in New Zealand to sign the deal in July.
Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch in California for her first in-person meeting with CPTPP countries since she was in New Zealand to sign the deal in July

British business welcome membership for supporting jobs, boosting sales and bringing economic growth

News comes as the Bill implementing CPTPP starts passage through Parliament and British businesses gear up to take advantage of opportunities the UK’s membership presents

Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch is in San Francisco today [Wednesday 15 November] to meet Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) Ministers in-person for the first time since she was in New Zealand to sign the deal on the UK’s membership in July.

CPTPP is a vast global free trade area consisting of 11 countries, home to 500 million people, across Asia Pacific and the Americas, and now the UK. Once the UK joins the group, CPTPP will be worth £12 trillion – 15% of global GDP – and over 99% of UK goods exports to CPTPP countries will face zero tariffs.

The meeting coincides with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) conference taking place in San Francisco at which world leaders from across the region including President Biden will be present.

The news comes after the government introduced the Bill needed to bring the CPTPP deal into force to parliament as part of the King’s Speech last week.

Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch said:

I’m delighted to be here in San Francisco, meeting my CPTPP counterparts and advancing Britain’s rightful place on the world stage.

As CPTPP’s first ever new member, and the only European member, we are linking the UK to some of the world’s most dynamic economies, giving British businesses first-mover advantage in some of the fastest-growing markets in the world, and supporting jobs and economic growth right across the country.

While in San Francisco, the Secretary of State will also meet with Gavin Newsom, the Governor of California, to progress talks on a UK-California Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which will aim to boost trade and investment and reach our net zero targets. California would be the 5th biggest economy in the world if it were a country, presenting huge opportunities for UK businesses. The meeting comes just a day after she signed a UK-Florida MoU to boost trade and investment.

UK companies are already thriving in CPTPP markets and planning to expand further once the trade deal is in force.

UK geocoding app what3word’s groundbreaking location technology divides the world into a grid of 3×3 metre squares, each with a unique combination of three words: a what3words address. The tech is being used all around the world, from search and rescue operations to deliveries in Vietnam, and car navigation in Japan.

The business believes the UK’s membership of CPTPP will help increase uptake across the automotive, logistics, e-commerce, and emergency services sectors in member countries.

What3words Business Director for APAC Joe Poynter said:

International expansion and strong cross-border relationships are at the heart of our journey at what3words. It’s how we’ll get everyone, everywhere using and interacting with our technology. We’re thrilled to be part of this dynamic alliance to enhance our operations across the CPTPP member nations and beyond.

British premium chocolate producer and cacao grower Chocolat Madagascar also predicts CPTPP will enable it to grow in new markets, Australia and Singapore, and existing markets, Japan, Canada and New Zealand.

CPTPP countries account for 15% of its current sales but it forecast this will grow to 30% in the next three years thanks to the UK’s CPTPP membership reducing import duties to zero, giving the business a new competitive edge.

Director at Chocolat Madagascar Neil Kelsall said:

The CPTPP agreement has come at a fantastic time for Chocolat Madagascar, as we strategically look to embrace the new opportunities in countries like Australia and Singapore. We are confident that these emerging markets will boost our sales volumes and help the company to grow.

Becoming part of CPTPP will support economic growth and jobs in every region and nation of the UK. Key benefits include:

Eligibility for zero tariffs on more than 99% of UK goods exports to CPTPP countries, including additional access on cheese, chocolate, gin, whisky, and cars.

Potentially cheaper prices for British consumers thanks to reduced tariffs on high-quality imported goods like fruit juices from Chile and chocolate from Mexico.

Less red tape for UK services exporters, who make up almost 55% of UK exports to CPTPP.

Flexible ‘rules of origin’ which allow British companies to trade more freely across the bloc.

Modern rules for digital trade across all sectors which could make exporting cheaper, simpler, and more competitive.

Background

The CPTPP meeting is taking place on the margins of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in San Francisco.

To bring this agreement into force, the following must take place:

Parliament will scrutinise the deal under the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act.

The Trade (CPTPP) Bill has to be agreed by Parliament.

Necessary secondary legislation has to be passed by Parliament to make the changes required to our procurement regime to meet the terms of the agreement.

In line with our commitment to transparency and scrutiny, the government:

Published the full text as soon as it was signed, along with a full independently scrutinised impact assessment.

Ensured the Trade and Agriculture Commission, a panel of independent experts, had over four months to report on the agreement. The Trade & Agriculture Commission’s report on the CPTPP is expected at the end of November.

International treaties are negotiated and then entered into force by the government. Treaties do not always require legislation to come into force, but on some occasions changes to domestic law might be needed to implement a trade deal.

In this instance, the UK is already largely consistent with the CPTPP agreement. CPTPP preserves the right to regulate to protect human, animal and plant life and health. The UK will continue to uphold our high standards in all our trade agreements, including CPTPP. Decisions on these standards remain a matter for the UK and will be made separately from any trade agreements.
November 22, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : New Government Planner to help thousands of disabled university students into work [November 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 15 November 2023.

Hundreds of thousands of disabled university and higher education students are set to benefit from a new Government planner to help ease their transition into work.
- New Adjustment Planner to be rolled out to all universities and higher education colleges across UK
- The planner collects key information about a student’s adjustment needs which can be easily shared with prospective employers
- Trial results show disabled students using the planner are more confident entering employment
Hundreds of thousands of disabled university and higher education students are set to benefit from a new Government planner to help ease their transition into work.

Following a successful pilot at several top universities, the Department for Work and Pensions’ (DWP) Adjustment Planner will be rolled out to all students in higher education in time for the next academic year.

Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, Tom Pursglove MP, said:

“Searching for a job post-university as a disabled student can be stressful but our new Adjustment Planner has been proven to make that process easier, helping more disabled people to start, stay and succeed in work.

“I am delighted this is now being rolled out to higher education institutions across the UK, removing barriers to employment and helping more disabled people reach their full potential.”

Minister for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higher Education Robert Halfon said:

“Ensuring that people with disabilities have access to the same opportunities to climb the ladder of opportunity is crucial if we are to build a world-class skills nation that benefits everyone.

“As a longstanding champion of social justice, I am delighted that disabled people will now be able to access Adjustment Passports across all higher education institutions. No matter what region or sector, disabled people can feel confident and secure they will be supported both during their studies and when they enter the workplace.”

The voluntary planner will collate the relevant needs of students which can then be simply passed on to employers – negating the need for repeated assessments and conversations for adjustments such as specific desks and chairs, assistive software or arranging travel to the workplace.

The planner will also reduce the need for an Access to Work assessment and enable all students exiting higher education to benefit from the scheme faster. This will ensure disabled people have the equipment they need to work effectively.

The planner also contains helpful advice on what types of funding and government support is available to help employers unlock the potential of millions of disabled people across the UK.

Professor Deborah Johnston, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at London South Bank University (LSBU), said:

“Making the transition from education to the workplace is never easy and for students with a disability it can be even more difficult. Conversations around disability can often be misunderstood by employers and those with a disability can felt frustrated by the system they face which can act as a barrier to employment.

“The Adjustments Planner pilot scheme has overwhelmingly shown that disabled students feel more confident that their needs will be understood and met by their new employers with the planner in place.  The new Adjustments Planner goes a long way to improving the transition from education to the workplace and ensures those with a disability are given the correct support they need.”

The scheme was initially piloted at the University of Wolverhampton, Manchester Metropolitan University and King’s College London. Surveys of disabled students at these sites later showed overwhelmingly positive feedback from students and staff.

Universities Disabilities Access Ambassador, Geoff Layer, said: “I welcome this initiative as it is a key step forward in enhancing the graduate employment opportunities for disabled students.

“The research that was undertaken by the Disabled Student Commission clearly highlighted the need for such interventions to secure greater inclusivity in the workplace.”
November 22, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK opens electronic travel authorisation scheme [November 2023]

The press release issued by the Home Office on 15 November 2023.

The UK’s electronic travel authorisation (ETA) scheme has officially opened for Qatari nationals who, from today, need one to travel to the UK.

This landmark opening demonstrates the UK government’s delivery in transforming and digitising the UK border, enabling an increasingly seamless customer experience in the future for the millions of legitimate visitors who come to the UK.

Qataris have been able to apply for their ETA since 25 October 2023, with most doing so using the mobile app, which allows for a simple and fast application.

Last year, the UK welcomed almost 800,000 visitors from the Gulf, 45,000 of whom came from Qatar, with this set to increase over the next few years.

His Majesty’s Ambassador to State of Qatar, Jon Wilks CMG, said:

I am delighted to announce the official opening of the electronic travel authorisation scheme for Qatari nationals, who will be the first in the world to benefit from the scheme.

This initiative not only simplifies the travel process for Qataris visiting the UK but also reflects the strength of our bilateral relationship. We look forward to welcoming more visitors from Qatar, further building the human bridge between our two countries.

Nationals of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Jordan will need an ETA if they’re visiting the UK from 22 February 2024, and can apply for their ETA from 1 February 2024.

ETAs are replacing Electronic Visa Waivers (EVW) which the majority of Gulf nationals currently apply for. An ETA is an improvement from the EVW, being a third of the price at £10 and allowing unlimited visits to the UK over two years, or until the holder’s passport expires – whichever is sooner. The move to the ETA scheme means that the visa requirement will be removed for short stays to the UK for nationals from the Gulf and Jordan.

When applying for an ETA, applicants need to provide biographic and biometric information, and answer questions on suitability and criminality. The application process ensures that those who pose a danger to the UK’s security, such as criminals, are not allowed to travel here. Once individuals have successfully applied, their ETA is digitally linked to their passport.

While the standard processing time for an application is 3 working days, the majority of applications so far have been decided within hours.

VisitBritain CEO, Patricia Yates, said:

It’s great to see the electronic travel authorisation scheme underway for Qatari visitors, making travel to the UK easier, cheaper and more flexible for them. We look forward to the scheme rolling out to more Gulf nationals from February 2024 which, combined with our strong airline connections, will further boost our competitive tourism offer and our welcome to visitors from the region.

VisitBritain’s priority has been to rebuild visitor value and we have been competing hard in the Gulf with our multi-million pound GREAT Britain marketing campaign and working with partners in market to drive bookings. We’re also working with the travel trade across the GCC so British destinations are sold internationally. We look forward to welcoming more visitors from the Gulf to experience Britain’s vibrant and exciting tourism offer into 2024 and beyond.

To ensure the scheme is implemented smoothly, the UK government is working closely with global airline, maritime and rail carriers, who are crucial to the successful delivery of the scheme.

In the future, the scheme will apply worldwide to those who do not currently need a visa to visit or transit through the UK or who do not hold a UK immigration status, including nationals from Europe and America. Other nationalities do not need to apply yet and timings for when the scheme opens for them will be confirmed in due course.

November 22, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK Development Minister arrives in Egypt in push for more critical lifesaving aid for Gaza [November 2023]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 15 November 2023.

UK Development Minister Andrew Mitchell is in Cairo for talks with Egyptian counterparts and trusted partners, to get further aid into Gaza as quickly as possible.
- UK Development Minister Andrew Mitchell is in Cairo today (15 November) to hold talks with Egyptian counterparts and trusted partners
- he will push to get further lifesaving aid into Gaza as quickly as possible, through as many routes as possible
- the UK recently allocated £30 million in additional humanitarian aid to organisations doing lifesaving work in the Occupied Palestinian Territories
UK Minister for Development and Africa Andrew Mitchell is in Cairo today for discussions on how to get significantly more aid into Gaza.

The Minister will discuss how to enact humanitarian pauses in the fighting as soon as possible so that aid, including fuel, can be delivered for hospitals and other needs and hostages can be released.

Minister Mitchell will also meet with the Egyptian Red Crescent Society (ERCS), the agency responsible for shipment of humanitarian goods across the Rafah border, as well as the United Nations Resident Coordinator (UNRC) in Egypt, Elena Panova, and OCHA.

UK Development Minister, Andrew Mitchell, said:

I thank Egypt for their sustained diplomatic efforts to get more lifesaving aid into Gaza as quickly as possible.

The UK has more than doubled our aid commitment to the Palestinian people this year and we call on all parties to allow the humanitarian pauses necessary to ensure this aid reaches those in need in Gaza.

The UK recently allocated £30 million in additional aid to the Occupied Palestinian Territories – more than doubling the existing aid commitment for this year (£27 million).

This will allow trusted partners, including the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and others, to provide Palestinians with essential humanitarian relief items and services such as food, water and shelter.

Three UK flights have already landed in Egypt carrying over 51 tonnes of aid since the crisis began, including lifesaving items such as wound care packs, water filters and solar powered lights.

The government has so far ensured over 150 British nationals and their dependants have safely left Gaza and the FCDO is using all channels available to it ensure any remaining registered British nationals are able to cross the Rafah border as soon as is possible. Royal Navy vessels are in the Middle East to deter further escalation.

The government continues to call on all parties to allow the humanitarian pauses necessary to allow more aid of this kind to enter Gaza. The Prime Minister has been clear that Israel’s forces must act within international law and stop extremist violence in the West Bank.

This visit to Egypt follows the G7 Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Japan last week. Partners including the UK agreed in the meeting on the need for humanitarian pauses to facilitate urgently needed assistance, civilian movement and the release of hostages.

During the Prime Minister’s recent visit to the region, he again reiterated his support a two-state solution to provide justice and security for both Israelis and Palestinians.
November 22, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Changes to Digital Markets Bill introduced to ensure fairer competition in tech industry [November 2023]
The press release issued by the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology on 15 November 2023.

Changes will ensure regulator cannot impose an intervention on a firm unless it is proportionate to do so.
- Amendments tabled to Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill to balance regulator powers with fair review processes
- changes will ensure regulator cannot impose an intervention on a firm unless it is proportionate to do so
- the Bill is set to ensure the UK remains one of the best places to invest in and innovate new technology
The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill is set to introduce a new targeted and proportionate regulatory regime to address concerns around competition in the digital industry while ensuring that the UK remains one of the best places to invest in and innovate new technology.

At the heart of the Bill is a new approach to digital market regulation, allowing the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to intervene quickly and flexibly to promote competition.

Amendments to the Bill proposed by the government today (Wednesday 15 November) will maintain the appeals process for all regulatory decisions (except fines) on the basis of judicial review principles. This will mean that eligible tech firms can challenge regulatory decisions on proportionality grounds through this process.

This approach will enable the CMA to encourage the most powerful firms in dynamic digital markets to work with regulators to ensure competition is maintained on an ongoing basis, rather than allowing legal challenges to cause the regime to get bogged down in the courts. This will also act as a further incentive on the CMA to ensure that it is always acting proportionately and exploring the intervention that is most likely to achieve the best outcome for consumers.

Under the Bill, certain firms may also be subject to fines that could reach tens of billions of pounds. To make sure these huge fines are balanced by rigorous checks and balances, these firms will now be able to challenge these decisions “on their merits”. These changes allow firms to challenge fines on the substance of the decision, as well as the process to reach that decision.

The legislation will also make clear that the regulator cannot impose a conduct requirement or pro-competition intervention on a firm unless it is proportionate to do so and there is a strong evidence base behind the intervention.

These amendments bring the digital markets regime in line with the approach taken for decisions under the CMA’s Mergers and Markets regimes, where the decisions about the level of a fine can be appealed on the merits.

Department for Science, Innovation and Technology Minister, Saqib Bhatti, said:

Britain was the third country in the world to build a trillion-dollar tech sector, and our fastest growing firms continue to pull in more capital than counterparts in France and Germany combined. Free competition is key to keeping the wheels turning this vital, complex industry as it turbocharges growth across the UK.

This Bill addresses barriers to competition that are unique to digital markets by taking a bespoke and flexible approach, backed up by strong new powers.

The changes we are making ensure that the regulator takes proportionate action and avoids undue regulatory burdens, while remaining accountable for decisions that will have far-reaching economic consequences.

Following extensive engagement across the technology industry, amendments proposed by the government today make sure that the regulator’s interventions will always be proportionate to addressing the harm being caused to consumers and competition.

Further amendments today also boost the consideration of consumers by making the regulator set out its reasoning for intervening in a market, including how this will tangibly benefit consumers.

This Bill uses the freedoms gained by the UK after leaving the European Union to enhance digital competition to drive growth and benefit consumers. Under the new powers granted by the Bill, the CMA will prioritise its interventions according to the evidence of harms and will target those by creating bespoke remedies.

The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill is expected to save consumers £9.7 billion over 10 years as UK consumers benefit from new rights, stronger law enforcement, and more competition including through merger control.
November 22, 2023