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  • PRESS RELEASE : Culture Secretary celebrates northern creativity in Manchester [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Culture Secretary celebrates northern creativity in Manchester [November 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 14 November 2023.

    • Culture Secretary hosts WeCreate conference in Manchester to meet with businesses in the creative industries and forge ahead with plans to grow creative industries by £50 billion by 2030
    • Six areas across England awarded share of £10.9 million to scale up hundreds of creative industry businesses, boosting access to private finance and business support
    • Grassroots music venues, promoters and festivals across England encouraged to apply for share of £5 million investment to help develop new audiences and income opportunities

    Hundreds of creative businesses will benefit from more than £10 million of targeted support to attract investment and create jobs as part of the Government’s goal to grow the creative industries by £50 billion by 2030.

    It comes as Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer brings together more than 140 cultural and creative businesses across film, TV, fashion, music and video games at the WeCreate conference at Aviva Studios in Manchester, to celebrate the success of the creative industries across the North of England and discuss how government and the sectors can work together to maximise their potential even further.

    Firms across Greater Manchester – such as Broaden Films and Scoop PR – have already benefited from the first round of the government’s Create Growth Programme. Today the Culture Secretary is doubling the areas covered by the programme, announcing six new areas that will receive a share of £10.9 million for targeted business support, bringing the total number of creative organisations expected to be supported by the programme to 1,800.

    The expansion of the Create Growth Programme will see creative businesses across Nottinghamshire, Hull and East Yorkshire, West Midlands, West Yorkshire, Devon and Hertfordshire supported to access private investment and scale-up advice – to turn today’s start-up founders into tomorrow’s CEOs.

    The Culture Secretary is also calling on grassroots music venues, recording studios, promoters and festivals to apply for grants of up to £40,000 to develop new revenue streams, make repairs and improvements, and enhance the live music experience for millions of gig-goers across the UK.

    Addressing creative industry leaders in Manchester, Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer is expected to say:

    Today is about not only celebrating all the things that make our creative industries special, but looking ahead to the future and how we, together, can chart a course that keeps these crown jewels of our economy shining for years to come.

    We’re already making progress towards the ambitious goals set out in our sector vision, unveiling millions in new funding to drive growth in our grassroots and scale ups and banging the drum for creative careers.

    From 2010 to 2019, the creative industries grew more than one and a half times faster than the wider economy and in 2021 they generated £108 billion in economic value. In 2021, they employed 2.3 million people – a 49% increase since 2011. The Government has identified the creative industries as one of five priority sectors to deliver future growth and the Creative Industries Sector Vision set out an ambition to grow these sectors by £50 billion by 2030.

    As part of the work to reach this ambition, the WeCreate conference will include a panel discussion on how business and government can work together to maximise investment in the creative industries, as well as a discussion about the adoption of emerging tech in order to drive growth and the challenges and opportunities which AI brings to this.

    The conference will be attended by key organisations in the creative industries from across the North of England, including Wakefield Production Park, the Royal Armouries Museum and the Manchester Film Festival, as well as national organisations such as Pinewood Studios, Channel 4 and the British Fashion Council.

    The Culture Secretary is launching a new round of the Supporting Grassroots Music Fund, which has been expanded to ensure grants reach more parts of the grassroots industry, including rehearsal and recording studios, promoters, festivals and venues hosting electronic music. The broader eligibility criteria reflects the wide range of spaces and skills that are needed to help musicians perform and thrive.

    Darren Henley, Chief Executive of Arts Council England, said:

    This investment by the UK Government and Arts Council England reaffirms our commitment to supporting this hugely important part of the music industry. People value the opportunity to develop and express their creativity, and the grassroots music sector excels at allowing communities to design and develop creative and cultural activity where they live.

    We hope this new funding will continue to address the needs of the sector and empower it to carry on offering high-quality live music experiences for audiences across the country.

    A pipeline of skills is key to industry growth, and the WeCreate conference comes at the beginning of this year’s Discover! Creative Careers Week, with digital resources and over 70 in-person and virtual events in more than 270 schools and colleges across the country to introduce the next generation of creatives to different sectors, job roles and career pathways. This builds on support from the Local Skills Improvement Fund – announced last week – to improve creative skills training, deliver new creative courses and invest in new facilities and equipment across West Yorkshire, Berkshire, Hampshire, Hertfordshire and London.

    It will see Calderdale College in Halifax, West Yorkshire, receive £1.2 million to establish a state-of-the-art creative skills hub in Halifax, which will develop and deliver new digital courses covering the latest digital technologies being used across theatre, film, TV, music and video games. Meanwhile, North Hertfordshire College will receive £485,000 to develop courses that meet the skills needs of the film and production industries, and deliver industry-standard equipment for film and media projects.

    Notes to editors

    Create Growth Programme

    The Create Growth Programme, delivered by Innovate UK, was extended with new funding as part of the government’s vision for the creative industries announced earlier this summer, taking the fund’s total to £28.4 million. The funding will enable businesses to better monetise their ideas, access resources and attract private investment to scale up and maximise their potential. Businesses will be able to get access to relevant workshops and masterclasses as well as one-to-one mentoring with industry experts. The programme also provides support for hiring and scaling up and investment training programmes.

    The six areas awarded funding today as part of the £10.9 million expansion of the Create Growth Programme are:

    • Nottinghamshire
    • Hull and East Yorkshire
    • West Midlands
    • West Yorkshire
    • Devon
    • Hertfordshire

    The amount of funding each area will receive is not set and depends on the individual area’s business needs and the number of businesses that apply for grants and support. More details will become available as the programme progresses.

    Since launching in 2022, the programme has funded support for businesses across six regions to help local companies like Broaden Films, a Manchester-based video production company, which has been able to host its own entertainment festival, start building a new sustainable studio and work with more clients as a result of the support.

    The six areas already participating in the Create Growth Programme are:

    • Greater Manchester
    • Leicestershire
    • West of England, and Cornwall and Isles of Scilly
    • East Anglia
    • North East
    • Kent and the South East

    Supporting Grassroots Music Fund

    England’s grassroots music industry can now apply for grants from the £5 million Supporting Grassroots Music Fund, managed by Arts Council England (ACE). Grants of up to £40,000, available until March 2025 and delivered through National Lottery Project Grants, will help recipients do things like improve lighting and sound equipment, pay for repairs, and produce more live streamed content to diversify their income and build new audiences.

    Since ACE launched the original Supporting Grassroots Live Music Fund in 2019, more than £9 million has been invested in over 450 projects. For example, music venue Komedia in Bath received £44,000 to help improve their sound and lighting equipment, while The Smokehouse in Ipswich received £15,000 to help them book a more diverse range of artists, and offer local artists opportunities to play alongside established names.

    More information about the Supporting Grassroots Music Fund can be found on the Arts Council website.

    Creative skills

    The seven creative projects receiving a share of £165 million from the Local Skills Improvement Fund are being led by:

    • Sparsholt College, Hampshire
    • Hertford Regional College, Hertfordshire
    • North Hertfordshire College, Hertfordshire
    • Havant and South Downs College, Hampshire
    • Activate Learning, Berkshire
    • West Thames College, London
    • Calderdale College, West Yorkshire
  • PRESS RELEASE : Transition period for XL Bully owners begins [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Transition period for XL Bully owners begins [November 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 14 November 2023.

    Owners who wish to keep their dogs must apply to an exemption scheme or instead can apply for compensation related to euthanasia costs.

    Further legislation to ban XL Bully type dogs has come into force today [14 November] as the transition period for owners to apply for an exemption scheme begins.

    During the transition period, which runs from now until 31 January 2024, owners who wish to keep their dogs must apply to an exemption scheme. Applications for exemption certificates are now open.

    Owners who instead choose to have their dog euthanised can apply for compensation.

    To receive a Certificate of Exemption, owners must hold active public liability insurance for their dog, have had their dog microchipped and pay the application fee.

    Owners will also be required to provide proof that their dog has been neutered by a certain date, depending on the age of the dog.

    If an XL Bully is less than one year old on 31 January 2024, it must be neutered by 31 December 2024. If an XL Bully is older than one year old on 31 January 2024, it must be neutered by 30 June 2024.

    Owners who successfully apply for a Certificate of Exemption must also comply with strict requirements throughout the lifetime of the dog. This includes keeping their dog on a lead and muzzled in public, and keeping the dog in a secure place so it cannot escape.

    After the transition period, owners without a Certificate of Exemption could receive a criminal record and an unlimited fine if they are found to be in possession of an XL Bully type.

    During the transition period, owners who no longer wish to keep their dogs and who arrange for a vet to euthanise them may apply for compensation towards this. Owners and their vets will need to complete a form in order to make a claim.

    Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss said:

    “The transition period for XL Bully dogs has now started. It is important that XL Bully owners read the guidance and take all the necessary steps. This includes applying for a Certificate of Exemption if you want to keep your dog and ensuring they are muzzle trained by the end of the year, as your dog will need to be muzzled and on a lead in public after 31 December 2023.

    “XL breeders should have also now stopped breeding their dogs and I would advise all owners to make an appointment with your vet to get your XL Bully neutered as soon as possible.”

    The announcement follows the introduction of laws last month adding XL Bully type dogs to the list of dogs banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

    That legislation set out the requirement from 31 December for XL Bully type dogs to be kept on a lead and muzzled in public, and prohibits breeding, selling, advertising, gifting, exchanging and abandoning these dogs or letting them stray.

    All of these measures ensure that decisive action will be applied quickly to safeguard public safety.

    Owners can access the most up to date information on what action they need to take and when on this dedicated page, Prepare for the ban on XL Bully dogs – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

    Owners whose dogs are dangerously out of control are already breaking the law, and the enforcement authorities have a full range of powers to apply penalties to them. Under the Dangerous Dogs Act, people can be put in prison for up to 14 years, be disqualified from ownership and their dangerous dogs can be euthanised.

  • PRESS RELEASE : New NIHR Research Delivery Network created [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : New NIHR Research Delivery Network created [November 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 14 November 2023.

    The network will play a critical and active role in supporting the health and care research system to bring innovative new treatments and care to patients, carers and the public.

    The new National Institute for Health and Care Research – Research Delivery Network (NIHR RDN) will commence in 2024 to support the successful delivery of health and social care research in England. It will take over from NIHR – Clinical Research Network (NIHR CRN) building on its successes, including the remarkable efforts made during the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent recovery of the research system.

    The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has designated the University of Leeds as the single host of the new NIHR RDN Co-ordinating Centre (RDNCC) from 1 April 2024. This contract has been awarded following a commercial procurement exercise.

    From October 2024, they will be joined by 12 Regional Research Delivery Networks (RRDNs), hosted by NHS organisations the length and breadth of the country, to make up the NIHR RDN.

    The network will operate as one organisation across England and will play a critical and active role in implementing government policy, including:

    NIHR RDN will be a new organisation with new processes, structures and governance, working to ensure co-ordination and support through a consistent, customer-focused approach. It will increase capacity and capability across the health and care research system, supporting the successful delivery of high-quality research across England for the benefit of patients and the public. It represents a significant government investment to bolster the UK’s position as one of the best places in the world for innovative companies and investigators to carry out research.

    It will work across the health and care system, with staff in all health and care settings, to support the effective and efficient initiation and delivery of research. This will benefit people receiving care now and in the future, support the NHS and social care services and generate benefits for the economy of the UK.

    Growing the amount of commercial clinical research will be a key strategic ambition for the new network. This follows the publication of the review into commercial clinical trials by Lord O’Shaughnessy in May 2023 which set out a clear blueprint for how the UK can return to its global leadership role. The government will shortly be responding to the review in full.

    The network will focus on portfolio monitoring, identifying and resolving strategic challenges to ensure the research system is able to achieve its ambitions around innovative study methodology, increasing the diversity of populations taking part in research and broadening the settings in which research takes place. Research funders, sponsors and sites will remain responsible for the delivery of individual studies.

    It will provide funding to study sites that can be used to support the costs of research delivery across the entire study delivery pathway. It will provide financial oversight to ensure this funding is being used to support research and development activities and provide dedicated support to ensure study sites are recovering all appropriate costs to sustainably fund and grow research delivery staff and facilities.

    The network will provide an enhanced study support service which will facilitate smoother, interconnected access to research infrastructure for the life sciences industry and researchers. The expertise and site-level intelligence of staff from RRDNs will be drawn together with the national oversight and leadership of the RDNCC to provide a more effective end-to-end service for customers across the whole study pathway.

    Background

    DHSC funds research through NIHR, who work in partnership with the NHS, universities, local government, other research funders, patients and the public to fund, enable and deliver world-leading health and social care research that improves people’s health and wellbeing and promotes economic growth.

    See the NIHR press release for more information.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Winners of the first King’s Award for Voluntary Service announced [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Winners of the first King’s Award for Voluntary Service announced [November 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 14 November 2023.

    • 262 charities, youth groups and museums across the UK recognised for their outstanding work
    • Previously known as The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, this year marks the first award in the name of His Majesty King Charles III
    • Isle of Wight Literary Festival, Bangladeshi Youth Organisation and Swannington Heritage Trust among those awarded

    262 organisations across the UK have been awarded the first ever King’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award given to local volunteer groups in recognition of their outstanding community service.

    Formerly known as The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the award was established in 2002 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee. It is equivalent to an MBE and is the highest honour awarded to voluntary groups.

    Awarded annually to some of the UK’s most inspiring volunteer-led groups for their charitable endeavours, this year 227 organisations from England, 20 from Scotland, six from Wales and nine from Northern Ireland have received the first ever King’s Award.

    Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said:

    Each year, millions of volunteers give up their time to provide care and support, and this award recognises those truly making a difference to the lives of others across the United Kingdom.

    It’s brilliant to see the King continue the legacy of Her Late Majesty and reward those who support their local communities with kindness and compassion. Congratulations to all those who have been awarded.

    Sir Martyn Lewis CBE, the KAVS Chair said:

    I have no doubt that these awards will delight His Majesty The King, with his well-known commitment to volunteering, on his birthday. This year’s 262 King’s Awards for Voluntary Service honour truly impressive recipients across the length and breadth of the UK.

    The awardees work selflessly as groups of volunteers to address every conceivable kind of local issue across all our communities. We owe them huge congratulations, but also much more than that for the inestimable value they bring to our society.

    From charities offering financial and practical support to cardiac patients; local community arts and culture centres; search and rescue services and volunteer-run community radio stations, the work of the awardees is wide ranging. Organisations support young people, those suffering from loneliness and isolation, and ethnic minority groups amongst others.

    Recipients include:

    • BEEP Doctors (BASICs) Cumbria – a local charity delivering free highly-skilled emergency medical care to seriously injured patients across rural and urban Cumbria. In 2022, the organisation attended to 262 call outs and dedicated 1656 hours of volunteering.
    • Pegasus Men Wellbeing Centre in Redruth – a support centre offering free one-to-one counselling and wellbeing support to those in Cornwall experiencing a range of issues, including depression, relationship and family issues and managing stress.
    • Brill Village Community Herd – a volunteer group caring for a community-owned herd of cows grazing the common in the village of Brill, conserving the habitat and restoring biodiversity. Volunteers check on the herd and work together to relocate it to new grazing areas, bringing the local community together.
    • Northumberland Log Bank – a log bank delivering logs to those in need due to financial constraints, poor health, advanced age or rural isolation in rural Northumberland, aiming to support around 300 households this winter.
    • Isle of Wight Literary Festival – a registered charity promoting literature to enhance the education and wellbeing of the Island community. They currently have 50 volunteers who provide support to festival goers and speakers alike, maintaining the rooms and ensuring the annual event runs smoothly. The organisation also runs a Schools’ Programme to enrich the education of under 18s by increasing available cultural experiences.
    • Wolverhampton ALZ Cafe – a bi monthly gathering offering integrated support to people living with dementia, their families and the community in the West Midlands. They offer a range of free activities including social evenings where beneficiaries can enjoy music, dancing, food and drink as well as day trips.

    Throughout her 70-year reign, Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II took a keen interest in recognising outstanding work and acts of service by individuals and groups, a legacy being continued by His Majesty The King. From this year onwards, awardees will be announced annually on 14 November to mark The King’s birthday.

    The next round of awards will be assessed from December 2023 until May 2024, with the awardees being announced in November 2024.

  • PRESS RELEASE : New multi-million pound Programme helps British SMEs lead the way on net zero air travel [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : New multi-million pound Programme helps British SMEs lead the way on net zero air travel [November 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 14 November 2023.

    The new ATI SME Programme will provide up to £10 million per year in funding opportunities for UK aerospace SMEs’ cutting-edge R&D projects.

    • Government launches new funding Programme targeting cutting-edge SME aerospace research projects to advance net zero aviation and boost high-skilled jobs.
    • Worth up to £10 million per year, the Programme will help secure more high-skilled aerospace jobs across the UK.
    • Funding provided through the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) will drive innovative UK SME research projects and grow UK’s share of global aerospace sector, helping to grow the economy.

    Cutting-edge British aerospace companies are set to benefit from a new multi-million pound SME Programme that will secure high-skilled jobs and help the UK lead the way on greener air travel.

    The Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) SME Programme will offer UK-based small and medium-sized firms the chance to bid for a share of £10 million total funding per year towards their innovative research projects.

    The Programme is being announced by Industry Minister Nusrat Ghani today (14 November) at the ATI’s 2023 Conference in Birmingham. It will be delivered in partnership with the ATI and Innovate UK.

    Industry Minister Nusrat Ghani said:

    I’m delighted to announce the new ATI SME Funding Programme, which will help propel our world-leading aerospace sector to new heights in the pursuit of innovative, clean, green air travel.

    UK aerospace businesses, with their expertise and innovation, are helping drive the industry on its journey to Net Zero by 2050, and in the process are helping us grow the UK economy and support high-skill, high-wage jobs.

    ATI CEO Gary Elliott said:

    We know from the success of the ATI Programme that supporting advanced technologies secures market share for the UK, bringing economic benefit and delivering against the sector’s sustainability commitments on our journey to Destination Zero.

    By connecting capability and funding technology development, the SME Programme will benefit organisations of all sizes across the nations and regions of the UK.

    The new Programme will open to applications in February 2024 and aims to give SMEs the best opportunities possible to apply for funding to develop innovative technologies supporting the Government’s commitment to Jet Zero.

    This is the plan to achieve net zero carbon emissions for commercial aircraft by 2050, while also keeping the UK’s aerospace industry competitive in the sustainable design, manufacture, assembly and operation of future aircraft.

    The Programme will allow SMEs in the UK aerospace sector to bid for grants of up to £1.5 million each, helping to boost high-skilled jobs in the industry across the UK.

    It also builds on the Government’s commitment to backing UK aerospace R&D to succeed, as demonstrated by the ATI Programme, for which government provided £685 million in 2022.

    Support for organisations engaging with the SME Programme will be delivered by the ATI Hub. This will include sessions with ATI technologists, themed innovation workshops and guidance on preparing for a pitch-panel presentation.

    The ATI Hub can also generate new connections between start-ups, SMEs, bigger and tier one organisations which could become consortia applications to the SME Programme.

  • PRESS RELEASE : 44th Universal Periodic Review of human rights – UK statement on Azerbaijan [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : 44th Universal Periodic Review of human rights – UK statement on Azerbaijan [November 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 November 2023.

    The UK delivered a statement during Azerbaijan’s Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council.

    Thank you, Madam Vice President,

    The United Kingdom welcomes Azerbaijan’s engagement in the UPR process and their increased protection to those affected by landmine contamination. We encourage Azerbaijan to advance post-conflict reconciliation particularly the protection of displaced persons.

    We remain concerned at restrictions to freedoms of expression and assembly, as highlighted by the case of Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu. We urge Azerbaijan to improve human rights protections for all.

    We recommend:

    1. Ensuring that all allegations of human rights violations against human rights defenders, civil society activists and journalists, and detained foreign nationals are investigated effectively and transparently, including pending unresolved cases requiring urgent attention.
    2. Removing articles 147 and 148 from the Criminal Code, which stipulates liability against journalists for slander and insult, as committed to by Azerbaijan in 2001.
    3. Adopting necessary legislation in the Criminal Code to criminalise all forms of domestic violence.

    Thank you.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Funding boost for new train station in Bradford as part of Network North Plan [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Funding boost for new train station in Bradford as part of Network North Plan [November 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 14 November 2023.

    New station to improve connectivity, benefitting education and business in the UK’s ‘City of Culture’.

    • government invests in plans to develop new railway station in Bradford
    • comes on top of £2 billion Network North commitment to better connect the city and deliver faster rail journeys to Manchester and Huddersfield
    • station will support regeneration, business and job opportunities in the UK’ s ‘City of Culture’

    Rail passengers in Bradford will be connected to more jobs, education and business opportunities, thanks to the government’s commitment to deliver a new train station in the city.

    The plan was first revealed last month as part of the government’s launch of Network North – a £36 billion long-term plan to improve the country’s transport across roads, buses and railways, through unprecedented levels of investment.

    Today (14 November 2023), the Department for Transport is building on its promise of building a brand-new railway station in Bradford by providing £400,000 for the local authority to kickstart master planning on the project.

    The work will consider how the new station can best support regeneration in the surrounding area and maximise its potential to create new homes, jobs and local economic growth – as well as significantly improving transport links and cutting journey times.

    Once complete, the findings will form part of a wider business case for the project which will include details on the proposed location and delivery date for the station.

    Rail Minister, Huw Merriman, said:

    I have championed the case for a new railway station in Bradford for a long time and the funding announced today will make this commitment one step closer to becoming a reality.

    Bradford is soon to become the UK’s ‘City of Culture’ and our scheme to deliver a brand new station and railway line will help attract tourism, unlock access to neighbouring cities and provide the area with the huge regeneration opportunities it deserves to boost connectivity and economic growth.

    The station will be delivered as part of the government’s Network North pledge to connect major cities in the North of England with more frequent trains, increased capacity and faster journeys.

    On top of the £400,000 announced today for regeneration plans in the city, a total of £2 billion will be invested to build the station and a new line to deliver a significantly faster, 30-minute journey to Manchester via Huddersfield.

    Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, leader of Bradford Council, said:

    It is good to see this moving forward, everyone has worked so hard for so long to get this progressed. Improving connectivity for Bradford to the rest of the North is so important to enable greater investment, jobs and opportunities.  There can be no successful North without Bradford being successful.

    Today’s announcement comes on top of a further £2.5 billion Network North pledge to support the West Yorkshire mass transit system which will improve connections between Leeds and Bradford, Huddersfield and Halifax. It will mean Leeds is no longer the biggest European city without a mass-transit system, with up to 7 lines potentially created as part of a transformed network.

    In addition to this, the government continues to push forward plans to electrify the Calder Valley Line between Bradford and Leeds – backed by £500 million – to cut journey times by around 40% from 20 minutes to as low as 12 minutes.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Victims to be protected through Sentencing Reforms [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Victims to be protected through Sentencing Reforms [November 2023]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 14 November 2023.

    Cowardly domestic abusers will continue to face time behind bars under legislation laid in Parliament today which will also see the most horrific murderers face life behind bars and rapists locked up for longer.

    • Sentencing Bill to crackdown on violent offenders
    • Bill will see rapists spend their full custodial sentence in prison and Whole Life Orders for any murder involving sexual or sadistic conduct
    • The reforms to sentencing will also help low risk offenders escape the merry-go-around of short prison terms and turn their lives away from crime
    • Stalkers, abusers, and prolific offenders continue to face time behind bars

    As action is being taken to stop low risk offenders getting stuck in the revolving door of short prison sentences, the Government has confirmed that domestic abusers will continue to face jail, and judges will have full discretion to lock up any tormentor who puts an individual at significant risk of psychological or physical harm.

    Changes to shorter jail stints also won’t apply to those in front of the court for breaching a court order such as a restraining or stalking prevention order. This will keep the safety of women and girls at the heart of the criminal justice system.

    The announcement comes as the Sentencing Bill, which was set out in the King’s Speech, is introduced in the House of Commons.

    As part of this bill, the Government will bring in a raft of measures to better protect the British public from the worst offenders.

    Under the plans, the most heinous murderers will spend the rest of their lives locked up, including for any murder involving sexual or sadistic conduct. With Whole Life Orders being handed down in the worst cases, and judges only able to not impose one in exceptional circumstances, life will mean life.

    The new legislation will also mean rapists and criminals who commit other serious sexual offences spend their full custodial term in prison behind bars, making the average sentence for rape up 50% when the Government came to power in 2010.

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

    “We want domestic abuse victims to know this Government is on their side, so we will do everything possible to protect them from those who cause harm, or threaten to do so.

    “That’s why we are ensuring that judges retain full discretion to hand down prison sentences to domestic abusers  – to give victims the confidence to rebuild their lives knowing their tormentors are safely behind bars.”

    While custody is the only appropriate punishment for the most dangerous and violent offenders, for many, a short time in custody can begin a merry-go-round of reoffending that can devastate communities and leave countless more victims.

    That is why, through the Sentencing Bill, there will be a presumption on the courts to suspend custodial sentences of twelve months or less. This is backed by government statistics which show over 50 per cent of offenders serving a sentence of 12 months or less go on to commit another crime compared to 58 per cent of those serving six months or less.

    Where suspended sentences are given, offenders will be punished in the community, repaying their debt to society by cleaning up our neighbourhoods and scrubbing graffiti off walls. They will also be strictly overseen by the Probation Service and subject to license conditions which could include state-of-the-art electronic monitoring tags and curfews.

    They will also be able to better access drug and alcohol rehab, mental healthcare and other support that properly addresses the root causes of their offending.

    In order to reduce the number of offenders trapped in the revolving prison door, the Sentencing Bill will:

    • Introduce a presumption to suspend prison sentences of 12 months or less in certain circumstances.
    • Expand the use of Home Detention Curfew (HDC) to suitable offenders serving sentences of four years or more.

    Judges will retain their discretion to hand down custodial sentences where they feel it is right in the circumstances of the case.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK and US hit Hamas leadership with targeted sanctions [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK and US hit Hamas leadership with targeted sanctions [November 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 November 2023.

    The UK and US have targeted Hamas with a new tranche of sanctions today, restricting the terror group’s ability to operate.

    • sanctions on Hamas leadership to include travel bans, asset freezes and arms embargoes
    • package is co-ordinated with US and set to disrupt Hamas operations both in Gaza and wherever their leaders base themselves
    • Foreign Secretary declares UK “stands in solidarity” with the Palestinian people caught up in the crisis and calls on all parties to agree to humanitarian pauses to allow lifesaving aid into Gaza

    The UK’s sanctions are against 4 Hamas senior leaders and 2 Hamas financiers. The stringent measures have been placed on Hamas’ leadership in an effort to disrupt the group’s acts of terror.

    Yahya Sinwar, Hamas’ political leader in Gaza, is among individuals from the group’s political and military wings targeted by today’s UK sanctions. He is reported to have been involved in the brutal attacks on Israel last month.

    Also designated is Muhammed Deif, commander of the group’s military arm.

    The sanctions show that the terror group’s leaders cannot escape the consequences of their actions, even if they are pulling the strings from outside of Gaza. Those covered include a Lebanon-based financier and money launderer in Sudan.

    Foreign Secretary David Cameron said:

    We will continue to use every tool at our disposal to disrupt the abhorrent activity of this terrorist organisation, working with the United States and our other allies, making it harder for them to operate and isolating them on the world stage.

    The Palestinian people are victims of Hamas too. We stand in solidarity with them and will continue to support humanitarian pauses to allow significantly more lifesaving aid to reach Gaza.

    All those sanctioned by the UK and US were targeted for their leadership or financing roles in the group, which was originally founded in the late 1980s with a commitment to destroy Israel. These designations add to existing UK sanctions against Hamas, including on the organisation itself.

    Those now subject to UK travel bans, asset freezes and arms embargoes, which prohibit the sale of weapons and military equipment by a UK person to the designated person, include:

    • Yahya Sinwar: Sinwar is a senior leader of Hamas and the group’s political leader in Gaza
    • Muhammed Deif: Deif is a senior leader of Hamas and is the commander of the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades (IQB), the military arm of Hamas, who announced the October 2023 terrorist attacks
    • Marwan Issa: Issa is a senior leader of Hamas and is the deputy commander of the IQB
    • Musa Dudin: Dudin is a West Bank-based Hamas official who has procured weaponry for the group, enabling them to commit acts of terrorism
    • Abdelbasit Hamza: Hamza is a Sudan-based Hamas financier who owned a network of companies that laundered money and traded in currency in order to finance Hamas
    • Nabil Chouman: Chouman has channelled funds to Hamas through his Lebanon-based currency exchange

    The UK and the US stand united in their solidarity with Israel in its fight against Hamas. We continue to use our diplomatic efforts to support a two-state solution to provide justice and security for both Israelis and Palestinians, including through the Prime Minister’s recent visits to the region to speak with their counterparts.

    The UK has sent 51 tonnes of lifesaving aid to the region and doubled our funding commitment to the Occupied Palestinian Territories this year.

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

  • PRESS RELEASE : North and South East Area Chairs appointed to Arts Council England [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : North and South East Area Chairs appointed to Arts Council England [November 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 14 November 2023.

    The Secretary of State has appointed Annabel Turpin and Sally Shaw MBE as North and South East Area Chairs to Arts Council England for terms of four years.

    Sally Shaw MBE – South East Area Chair

    Appointed for a four year term commencing 01 December 2023.

    Sally is Director of Firstsite, Colchester where she has been for seven years. With the team, she has delivered an exceptional turn-around programme realigning Firstsite with a highly creative and relevant purpose targeted at deploying art and culture as a means of addressing critical challenges in the community such as deprivation, food poverty and inequity.

    Sally’s focus on ground-up community collaboration combined with exceptional quality contemporary art has led Firstsite to be recognised nationally and internationally for the gallery’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and to win Art Fund Museum of the Year in 2021.

    Along with major exhibitions by groundbreaking artists such as Sarah Lucas, Grayson Perry, Everton Wright and Elsa James, Firstsite’s agile and creative projects have included free digital art packs for families across the nation during COVID-19 and galvanising the top national museums across the country through the Great Big Art Exhibition. Firstsite’s innovative Holiday Fun programme has now provided more than 21,000 free meals to children and families in need during school holidays and as a result has engaged thousands of children in art and creativity at Firstsite for the first time.

    These initiatives saw Sally recognised with an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list for Services to the Arts during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Sally has also been invited to be a Fellow of the University of Essex Human Rights and Law Centre and is the University of Essex Honorary Fellow 2023.

    Previously Sally was Head of Programme at Modern Art Oxford, Deputy Head of Culture for the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, Chief Curator for London Underground, Director of Media Art – Bath and Residency Programme Manager at Spike Island, Bristol. She has also established a number of independent projects and programmes including an artist residency programme in an open prison in Gloucestershire.

    Annabel Turpin – North Area Chair

    Appointed for a four year term commencing 01 December 2023.

    Annabel Turpin is Chief Executive of Storyhouse in Chester, one of the country’s largest arts centres, incorporating theatres, a cinema and the city’s library, and welcoming more than 800,000 visitors a year. She is also Co-Director of the 140-strong Future Arts Centres national network, championing the role of arts centres in driving social, economic and cultural change.

    In her previous role, as CEO and Artistic Director of ARC in Stockton on Tees, Annabel established the venue as a leading North East arts organisation with national and international influence, including for its Pay What You Decide pricing and arts freelancers’ policies. She founded Venues North, developing best practice through a network of venues supporting artists making new work, and produced and toured new theatre work nationally and internationally.

    Prior to her 15 years at ARC, she was Director of Norden Farm Centre for the Arts in Maidenhead from 2002-2008.

    She is a long-term advocate of purposeful strategic collaboration, and horizontal and vertical sector partnerships. She played a significant role in securing £20 million+ investment in local creative industries as Deputy Chair and Strategic Lead for Creative Place for the Tees Valley Combined Authority’s Business Board. She has previously held a number of board positions including North East Culture Partnership, North East Screen industries Partnership, Sunderland Culture and Tangled Feet.

    Remuneration and Governance Code

    Area Chairs of Arts Council England are remunerated £6858 per year. This appointment has been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments. The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election. Sally Shaw MBE and Annabel Turpin have not declared any significant political activity.