Tag: Press Release

  • PRESS RELEASE : Baroness Neville-Rolfe’s speech at the Counter Fraud Conference 2024 [February 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Baroness Neville-Rolfe’s speech at the Counter Fraud Conference 2024 [February 2024]

    The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 21 February 2024.

    Cabinet Office Minister Baroness Neville Rolfe addressed the Counter Fraud Conference 2024 at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre.

    Last year I posed a question. What are we missing in our fight to protect taxpayers’ hard-earned money from the crime of fraud?

    A crime that puts billions of pounds of taxpayer money at risk.

    Since 2021 the government has invested £1bn to tackle fraud, and we continue to up our ambition and go even further.

    Today I want to talk about the progress we are making through this investment and how we are furthering our efforts, building new partnerships, and finding new ways to counter fraud.

    There is no silver bullet to countering fraud. We must prevent fraud where we can, mitigate risks, uncover fraud where it happens, and pursue those responsible.

    And we know that while developments in technology are helping us to find new innovative ways to tackle this crime, it is also enabling fraudsters to find new ways to target the public sector.

    From the rise of deep fakes, to generative AI and large language models creating professional videos to defraud people and businesses of their money.

    Fraudsters continue to target the public sector in new and surprising ways.

    But we have been bold and ambitious in our response, with significant achievements to date.

    Progress

    Since we last met, the Public Sector Fraud Authority reported on its first full year in operation.

    Across its first 12 months, the Public Sector Fraud Authority far surpassed its initial target to achieve £180m in savings, preventing and recovering instead a total of £311m.

    We have been striving to find new and innovative ways to not only find and recover funds from fraud, but to bolster our ability to prevent fraud before it even happens.

    Thanks to the recent development of the High Fraud Risk Portfolio, we are now starting to identify the areas of the public sector most at risk of fraud, enabling departments to better prioritise the allocation of counter fraud resources.

    We have launched a new Risk, Threat and Prevention service. Allowing teams of experts to surge into departments at critical points, to scrutinise and improve oversight of spending, to ensure that fraudsters cannot profit from the public purse.

    Tom Tugendhat in the Home Office is also making a huge push on tackling fraud against individuals and businesses with his Stop! Think Fraud Campaign and next month the first ever Global Fraud Summit.

    The government has also introduced new laws, deterring those who wish to exploit the system and ensuring we go after those who benefit from this crime.

    The Procurement Act will raise procurement standards by taking tougher action on fraud and corruption. Bodies convicted of certain fraud offences will not be able to bid for contracts unless they can show that they have taken appropriate action to ensure the situation leading to the conviction won’t occur again.

    And The Online Safety Act imposes duties on online platforms to take stronger action on fraudulent advertising. It means they must take steps to mitigate the risks posed by online fraud and scams, if they don’t they could see their services blocked in the UK or fines of up to £18 million or ten per cent of annual turnover.

    Technology and data partnerships

    We are building new partnerships across and beyond the public sector to better harness the opportunities that technology and data provide us.

    A key service run by the Public Sector Fraud Authority is the National Fraud Initiative, which collects and compares data sets from across the public sector. The Initiative is running  a range of pilots across a number of fraud types.

    And earlier this month I approved the retention of the debt and fraud powers of the Digital Economy Act.

    These powers allow the sharing of data between public bodies and have resulted in more than 100 data sharing pilots across 70 local authorities and 17 government departments since 2018.

    This has saved taxpayers £137 million since coming into force, including circa £99.5 million of fraud identified in ongoing Covid loan pilot and a further £5.1 million of fraud identified in companies’ “shadow accounts”.

    We will also continue to reach beyond the public sector, collaborating with industry to make the most of cutting edge developments.

    The benefits of this have already been seen through the partnership between the Public Sector Fraud Authority and UK based tech unicorn Quantexa, who I think are here today, and I visited them last year.

    They are using a new AI platform to analyse millions of pieces of data, such as those from Companies House, to detect patterns to identify fraudsters and fraudulent activity.

    International partnerships

    Our international partners are facing many of the same challenges that we face at home.

    The UK is a world leader in understanding, finding and stopping fraud against the public sector. However, we recognise that learning from our closest partners can only increase our resilience.

    In September we hosted the International Public Sector Fraud Forum summit bringing together leaders from The Five Eyes to share best practices and to keep across new developments in fraud from around the world.

    We have also further built upon the formal partnership between the Public Sector Fraud Authority and the Australian Commonwealth Fraud Prevention Centre, developing a secondment programme.

    Currently, one of our own Public Sector Fraud Authority experts is in Australia developing a Fraud Loss Measurement Framework for the Australian Government.

    We are also keen to learn from those beyond the Forum. Over the last few months the Public Sector Fraud Authority has hosted delegations from Malaysia and South Korea.

    And tomorrow they will be meeting with counter fraud experts from the governments of Cyprus and Singapore.

    People and Skills for the future

    To find and fight fraud, we need the right people and the right skills at all levels. And we need them to be open to learning and looking beyond their own organisation to develop new approaches to countering fraud.

    There are over 500 apprentices right across the UK in both central and local government who are being trained to counter fraud and boost fraud defences.

    I met several earlier this month during National Apprenticeship Week.

    We discussed a number of groundbreaking investigations they were working on.

    A good example is the Department for Work and Pensions’ efforts to combat DNA fraud in Child Maintenance cases, where fraudsters have been known to use other people’s DNA to avoid maintenance payments.

    Another is Brent Council’s work on tackling tenancy fraud through the National Fraud Initiative, detecting and preventing  fraud – where tenants have another property or generous balances in their private bank accounts, but claim to be destitute.

    The Public Sector Fraud Authority has also just launched the new Counter Fraud Leadership Programme with participants from a range of organisations including the NHS and National Highways.

    This is aimed at senior civil servants, the programme will ensure that leaders have the knowledge and skills to build counter fraud capability within their organisations and departments. Designing counter fraud into public policy is a very important objective.

    We now have 13,000 people working across the public sector on counter fraud. By bolstering capability at all levels, and increasing collaboration across the sector, like we’re doing today, we can ensure that we build an effective workforce for the future.

    Before I close, I want to reiterate what has been a clear theme throughout the conference today.

    No individual, single public body or department can solve this problem alone.

    Those committing fraud will always try to find gaps to exploit the cracks in our defences.

    And some are very clever and innovative.

    Through collaboration and combining our efforts we can stop fraud at the source.

    So I would like to finish my speech this year as I did when we met last year, by presenting a challenge to you all – How can you work with those outside your own organisation to improve the UK’s defences against fraud?

    It is only if we are all supporting each other, that we will tackle public sector fraud.

    I would like to thank you all for being here and for the work you do and extend a special thanks to PSFA CEO Mark Cheeseman and his great team, who I see several of here. I very much look forward to hearing about the progress of your partnerships in the year to come.

    Thank you.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK sanctions heads of Arctic penal colony where Alexei Navalny was killed [February 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK sanctions heads of Arctic penal colony where Alexei Navalny was killed [February 2024]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 21 February 2024.

    • the UK has sanctioned 6 individuals heading up the penal colony where Alexei Navalny died on Friday after years of mistreatment by the Russian authorities
    • sanctioned individuals will be subject to asset freezes and travel bans
    • the UK calls for Mr Navalny’s body to be released to his family immediately and for a full and transparent investigation to take place

    Those in charge of the Arctic penal colony where Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny was detained and killed will be banned from the UK and see their assets frozen under new sanctions announced by the Foreign Secretary today.

    The sanctioned individuals include Vadim Konstantinovich Kalinin, who oversaw the brutal prison camp where Mr Navalny was kept in solitary confinement for up to 2 weeks at a time. Mr Navalny’s condition had deteriorated in his 3 years in prison. Mr Navalny suffered from being denied medical treatment, as well as having to walk in –32C weather while being held in the prison.

    The UK is the first country to impose sanctions in response to the death of Mr Navalny, a political prisoner who dedicated his life to exposing the corruption of the Russian system, calling for free and open politics, and holding the Kremlin to account.

    Foreign Secretary David Cameron said:

    It’s clear that the Russian authorities saw Navalny as a threat and they tried repeatedly to silence him. FSB operatives poisoned him with Novichok in 2020, they imprisoned him for peaceful political activities, and they sent him to an Arctic penal colony. No-one should doubt the oppressive nature of the Russian system.

    That’s why we’re today sanctioning the most senior prison officials responsible for his custody in the penal colony where he spent his final months. Those responsible for Navalny’s brutal treatment should be under no illusion – we will hold them accountable.

    The following individuals are being sanctioned under the UK’s Global Human Rights Sanctions Regulations for their responsibility for activity that violates the right not to be subjected to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and the right to life. Namely, they are responsible for the custody of Alexei Navalny in their positions as Head or Deputy Head of Arctic Penal Colony IK-3:

    • Colonel Vadim Konstantinovich Kalinin: Head of IK-3 Arctic Penal Colony ‘Polar Wolf’
    • Lieutenant Colonel Sergey Nikolaevich Korzhov: Deputy Head
    • Lieutenant Colonel Vasily Alexandrovich Vydrin: Deputy Head
    • Lieutenant Colonel Vladimir Ivanovich Pilipchik: Deputy Head
    • Lieutenant Colonel Aleksandr Vladimirovich Golyakov: Deputy Head
    • Colonel Aleksandr Valerievich Obraztsov: Deputy Head

    Following Mr Navalny’s death on Friday, the FCDO summoned a representative of the Russian government to make clear that Alexei Navalny’s death must be investigated fully and transparently, and those in the Russian regime responsible held to account.

    Following news that Mr Navalny’s family is being denied access to his body, the UK is also calling for the Russian authorities to release his body to them immediately.

    The Foreign Secretary will attend the G20 Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Brazil today, where he will use the opportunity to call out Russia’s aggression and its global impact directly to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Foreign Secretary’s meeting with the Argentine Minister of Foreign Affairs [February 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Foreign Secretary’s meeting with the Argentine Minister of Foreign Affairs [February 2024]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 21 February 2024.

    Foreign Secretary David Cameron met the Argentine Minister of Foreign Affairs Diana Mondino at the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Summit in Rio de Janeiro on 21 February.

    A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said:

    The Foreign Secretary met the Argentine Foreign Minister Diana Mondino at the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Summit in Rio de Janeiro today [21 February 2024].

    It was a positive meeting, building on the Foreign Secretary’s discussion with President Milei at the World Economic Forum in January during which they agreed to embark on a new era of relations between Argentina and the UK. The Foreign Secretary and Foreign Minister Mondino agreed to take this forward by cooperating on areas of mutual interest, such as increased economic and trade links and youth mobility, as well as shared multilateral priorities.

    The Foreign Secretary also welcomed Argentina’s unwavering support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. Both sides agreed to stand united in continuing to condemn the Russian government’s reprehensible actions, which are an egregious violation of international law and the UN Charter.

    On the Falklands Islands, the Foreign Secretary reiterated the UK’s ongoing support for the Falkland Islanders’ right of self-determination. However, they noted that this would not prevent cooperation on areas that would be mutually beneficial.

  • PRESS RELEASE : The UK is deeply concerned at the worsening violence in eastern DRC: UK statement at the UN Security Council [February 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : The UK is deeply concerned at the worsening violence in eastern DRC: UK statement at the UN Security Council [February 2024]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 20 February 2024.

    Statement by Deputy Political Coordinator Thomas Phipps at the UN Security Council meeting on DRC.

    Thank you, President, let me begin by thanking SRSG Keita for her comprehensive briefing today and for the ongoing and important work of MONUSCO and the bravery and commitment of its peacekeepers.  I’d like to make four points today regarding the situation in DRC.

    First, let me express the United Kingdom’s deep concern at the worsening violence in eastern DRC. We condemn in the strongest terms the UN-sanctioned M23 armed group’s continued advance. We call on external actors to end their support for violent armed groups in DRC, including M23. We encourage all parties to use their influence over the armed groups in eastern DRC to de-escalate tensions and to deliver a cessation of hostilities.

    Second,  let me join SRSG Keita in emphasising the importance of diplomatic dialogue, including through the Luanda and Nairobi peace processes. Its vital that parties meaningfully engage with these and take steps to de-escalate tensions,  and respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DRC.

    Third, we note that UN peacekeepers are facing an increasingly dangerous environment. We urge parties to respect the Mission’s freedom of movement and we reiterate our condemnation of the recent attack on a MONUSCO helicopter in early February. Any attacks on civilians, MONUSCO peacekeepers, UN offices and diplomats are unacceptable. We support efforts to counter mis- and disinformation, which is detrimental to our collective efforts to support peace and reach a diplomatic solution.

    Finally, I want to express the United Kingdom’s deep concern at the worsening humanitarian crisis in eastern DRC. Violence will just lead to further violence and pose a risk to regional security and stability. We urge all combatants, including regional forces, to respect international humanitarian law and to take active measures to reduce risks to civilians.

    Dialogue is key and we urge all parties to come back to the table.

    Thank you President.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Councils to move further and faster against rogue building owners [February 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Councils to move further and faster against rogue building owners [February 2024]

    The press release issued by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 20 February 2024.

    Minister Lee Rowley met council chiefs to discuss action against building owners who are failing to fix medium and high-rise buildings with safety issues.

    This week, the Minister for Housing and Building Safety, Lee Rowley, convened a round table of council chief executives to discuss the action they are taking against building owners who are failing to fix medium and high-rise buildings with known building safety issues in their area.

    The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has provided over £8 million in funding to councils to boost enforcement teams. The Minister pressed councils to explain how this funding is being used to force rogue building owners to act.

    The meeting follows successful legal action the Government, leaseholders and councils have taken in recent months against building owners to make sure vital safety work is carried out. The Government is playing its part, and the Minister stressed the vital role of councils in making sure building owners fix their unsafe buildings.

    Minister for Building Safety Lee Rowley said:

    Councils and fire and rescue services play a crucial role in making sure dangerous buildings get fixed when building owners are stalling. Lots of councils are already doing great work in this area but all councils need to take the appropriate action to protect residents and make sure those responsible for making homes safe do so without any further delay.

    The warning to owners refusing fix their buildings is clear: get on with remediation or action will be taken against you.

    Government legal action has forced Grey GR, a subsidiary of RailPen – an organisation that has failed to remediate a substantial number of buildings – to fix building safety issues at Galbraith House in Birmingham within 3 weeks, despite having known about the building safety defects for six years. The government is taking enforcement action covering six further Grey GR buildings with trials set to take place this year.

    In addition to Grey GR, Wallace Estates, which has consistently failed to fix building safety defects, has now accepted remediation orders brought by the Government covering four buildings. This provides much-needed certainty for approximately 400 leaseholders by committing the company to dates for the completion of work.

    This January the First-tier Tribunal issued a remediation order against Wallace Estates, following an application by leaseholders in Croydon. Wallace Estates were ordered to fix their unsafe building by May 2025, and were criticised for not acting fast enough to remediate defects they knew were present. In all five orders issued under the Building Safety Act to date, the First-tier Tribunal has ordered building owners to get on with fixing, or paying to fix, their unsafe buildings.

    Today, council leaders discussed action they are taking using legal powers, including hearing from representatives from Newham Council who have prosecuted a building owner for delays in removing dangerous cladding – a significant step forward in the fight to protect residents from unsafe cladding.

    Where remediation is not progressing, building owners should expect to face robust enforcement action from regulators – including councils – with the full support of Government behind them. This commitment is underlined in the Government’s joint statement with building safety bodies on enforcing the remediation of fire safety defects.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Statement of the Iraq Economic Contact Group of the G7, European Union and World Bank [February 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Statement of the Iraq Economic Contact Group of the G7, European Union and World Bank [February 2024]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 20 February 2024.

    January 2024 statement of the Iraq Economic Contact Group of the G7, European Union and World Bank, welcoming the government’s continued commitment to economic reform.

    The Iraq Economic Contact Group (IECG) welcomes the government’s continued commitment to economic reform and stimulating private sector growth. The last semester witnessed important steps forward, such as the concrete initiative to reform public banking sector with the launch of an advisory firm-led review, Iraq’s finalised accession to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the holding of the PPP and Iraq Tax Reform Conference, active participation in COP 28 and the launch of the first Iraqi sovereign wealth fund, the Iraq Fund for Development (IFD).

    However, while the path to reform is long, the IECG will support Iraq through these endeavours, which would be transformational for the Iraqi economy. On January 1st, Italy and the United States passed on the IECG co-chair to France and the United Kingdom, which will shape the IECG’s work in the first half of 2024. Under the incoming co-chairs, the IECG will continue to stand with Iraq on its path towards sustainable and inclusive economic development. More specifically, the Group will pursue its support to the government’s ambitious reform programmes, especially the banking sector, public finance management and private sector development.

    The IECG’s areas of focus during this period will be as follows:

    Financial Sector Reform

    Supporting diversification and modernisation of Iraq’s banking sector, especially in view of Iraq’s ongoing evaluation by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), in close collaboration with the government and Central Bank of Iraq. This will require increasing compliance with international standards, strengthening links with international banks, countering money laundering, and promoting the role of private banks and insurance providers. We welcome the government’s and Central Bank’s work on state-owned bank reform, banking sector modernisation and improving governance around commercial banking; and e-payments (which will facilitate formalisation of the economy).

    Public Financial Management

    The three-year Budget Law sets out Iraq’s medium-term economic vision and strategy. However, against the backdrop of uncertain oil prices prospects, fiscal policy has to be sustainable, while preserving investment for future growth and targeted social spending to help the most vulnerable. This would require mobilising additional non-oil revenue, containing the government’s wage bill and reforming the pension system. In this context, the IECG welcome the government’s continued plans to strengthen public financial management including steps towards the establishment of a Treasury Single Account (TSA) and an Integrated Finance Management Information System (IFMIS). We support the government steer on modernising customs in Iraq by facilitating the roll-out of UNCTAD’s Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA), which will be a game-changer in customs processing in Iraq while improving tax collection and the ease of doing business.

    Private Sector Development

    A dynamic and inclusive private sector is key to create the millions of jobs that will be needed in the coming decades and contribute to Iraq’s growth and stability. The IECG will continue supporting the Iraqi government in its efforts to foster Iraq’s business environment, diversify the economy and reduce oil dependency. This includes, inter alia, improving business regulation, digitalisation, access to finance for businesses and strengthening anti-corruption mechanisms. These efforts will help build resilience, particularly when it comes to creating equal and meaningful economic opportunities for Iraqi women and youth. The IECG welcomes the launch of the Iraq Fund for Development, which has the potential to make significant contributions to rebuilding Iraq’s human capital, developing the private sector and strengthening Iraq’s climate resilience.

    Finally, the IECG welcomes the recent meetings of His Excellency Prime Minister Sudani with international financial institutions in Davos earlier this year, including with the Managing Director of the IMF and the President of the World Bank. The IECG supports ongoing engagement with international financial institutions which can provide valuable technical expertise, including the World Bank, IMF and EBRD. The IECG will also support the work to create conditions for a final understanding on the Framework Agreement with the European Investment Bank (EIB). These financial institutions will also support Iraq to implement its priorities, for example during the upcoming IMF annual consultation with the Government of Iraq. Comprised of donors and partners, the IECG sees itself well-positioned to facilitate Iraq’s engagement with these institutions and to advocate for multilateral support to Iraq’s fiscal and economic reform agenda.

    As friends and partners of Iraq, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the European Union, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the World Bank, look forward to pursue their collaboration with the Government of Iraq to support common goals, through regular dialogue at both the political and technical level.

  • PRESS RELEASE : The UK is calling for an immediate suspension in fighting to get aid in and hostages out of Gaza: UK statement at the UN Security Council [February 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : The UK is calling for an immediate suspension in fighting to get aid in and hostages out of Gaza: UK statement at the UN Security Council [February 2024]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 20 February 2024.

    Explanation of vote by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council meeting on Gaza.

    Thank you President, we want to see the fighting in Gaza end as soon as possible in a way that never again allows Hamas to carry out the appalling terrorist attacks against Israel we saw on the 7th of October last year.

    Palestinian civilians are facing a devastating humanitarian crisis. We are particularly worried about the situation in Rafah, where a military operation could have appalling consequences for civilians sheltering there with nowhere else to go. Ongoing negotiations are critical to secure the release of the hostages held in Gaza.

    We are calling for an immediate suspension in fighting to get aid in and hostages out, leading to a permanent, sustainable ceasefire.

    That means the release of all hostages; the formation of a new Palestinian Government for the West Bank and Gaza, accompanied by an international support package; removing Hamas’s capacity to launch attacks against Israel; Hamas no longer in charge of Gaza; and, a political horizon which provides a credible and irreversible pathway towards a two-state solution.

    President, we welcome the efforts of our Algerian colleagues on this resolution, and we regret that some of our proposals were not taken on board.

    Simply calling for a ceasefire as this resolution does, will not make it happen. Indeed, as it could endanger the hostage negotiations, it could actually make a ceasefire less likely. The way to stop the fighting, and potentially stop it from restarting, is to begin with a pause to get hostages out and aid in, that is what we are calling for. It could end the fighting now.

    We will continue to work to stop fighting. A humanitarian response at scale. The release of all hostages. And the delivery of the two sovereign states of Israel and Palestine that ensures peace, security and justice for both nations.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Prevent programme strengthened a year on from independent review [March 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Prevent programme strengthened a year on from independent review [March 2024]

    The press release issued by the Home Office on 20 February 2024.

    Vast majority of review recommendations implemented within one year, with the remaining recommendations progressing at pace.

    A year on from the Independent Review of Prevent, the government has already implemented the vast majority of recommendations. This delivers on a commitment made at the time of the independent review’s publication.

    A report published today demonstrates the significant progress made to deliver a stronger, more transparent and proportionate approach to stopping people from being radicalised into terrorism.

    Thirty of the 34 recommendations made by Independent Reviewer William Shawcross have already been delivered and progress has been made against each of the remaining recommendations.

    Key recommendations implemented since the independent review include:

    • new Prevent duty guidance came into effect in England and Wales on 31 December 2023 that assists statutory partners to understand how to comply with the duty and strengthen their Prevent delivery
    • new channel duty guidance was published on 9 October 2023 that ensures the multi-agency support provided to those susceptible to radicalisation is robust, effective and consistent
    • strengthened due diligence checks on civil society organisations to ensure that Prevent does not work with or fund those who legitimise or support terrorism
    • research to assess the reviewer’s concerns about the prevalence of antisemitism in channel cases has bolstered our approach to tackling extremist narratives: furthermore, new intervention providers specialising in antisemitism have been hired
    • delivery of the programme has moved from a national to a regional model to ensure we remain dynamic to the threat of radicalisation facing this country: 170+ local authorities in England and Wales are now supported by an expert prevent adviser to maximise delivery.

    In the 12 months since the publication of the independent review, the Home Office has built on the recommendations made by leading a cross-government change programme which directs activity to where it will have the most impact tackling radicalisation and dangerous ideologies.

    Effective partnership and multi-agency working is central to the delivery of Prevent. The government, operational partners and local authorities have worked closely together to implement the recommendations of the review.

    The Home Secretary James Cleverley said:

    Delivering the recommendations of the Independent Review of Prevent has been critical to ensuring a Prevent programme that is fit for purpose and agile enough to meet the threats we face today.

    The conflict in Israel and Gaza has brought the importance of Prevent into sharp focus. Prevent is a key part of our plan to tackle radicalisation and I am confident that it is more capable than ever at meeting that challenge.

    The Security Minister Tom Tugendhat said:

    Protecting the British public isn’t just about waiting for the next threat, we must confront the ideas that drive radicalisation and violence. Prevent is key to our defence.

    This past year we’ve brought Prevent back to its core mission – tackling the ideological causes of terrorism.

    The conflict in the Middle East has demonstrated why that mission has never been more important. We will continue to adapt our approach to keep pace with the evolving threat.

    To ensure rigorous, consistent, and proportionate decision making on all referrals to the programme, a new prevent assessment framework has been implemented so that only those presenting a counter-terrorism risk are supported by Prevent.

    Further, a new security threat check has been implemented across Prevent delivery to ensure that all activity is guided by the current threat picture.

    The independent review placed a strong emphasis on enhancing training and a refreshed training package has been developed alongside partners, including the Commission for Countering Extremism, Department for Education, Department for Health and Social Care and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

    This training places an increased focus on extremist ideologies so that frontline professionals can confidently identify those at risk and refer them to Prevent when support is required.

    The overhaul of the Prevent programme has been underpinned by the guiding principles of the independent review to bring Prevent back to its core mission of stopping people from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism, increasing understanding of extremist ideology, enhancing approach to delivery, and improving transparency and oversight.

    In the coming weeks, a new standards and compliance unit will be operationalised by the Commission for Countering Extremism to create an independent oversight function. It will provide the public and those working on the programme with an avenue to report instances where Prevent may have fallen short of the expected high standards.

    Work will continue to ensure these changes are firmly and consistently embedded across government and the frontline professionals who deliver the programme in communities.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak to announce major innovation boost for farmers feeding the nation [February 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak to announce major innovation boost for farmers feeding the nation [February 2024]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 20 February 2024.

    The Prime Minister will announce a major new package of support for rural communities to protect British farming for the next generation when he addresses the National Farmers Union annual conference in Birmingham.

    • Prime Minister set to announce £220 million package of funding for technology and innovation to protect British farming for centuries to come
    • Speaking at the National Farmers Union Conference today [20 February 2024], he will tell the audience he is determined to ensure all farmers and producers are treated fairly and acknowledged for the central role they play in every aspect of British life
    • Comes as bureaucratic red tape set to be slashed to spark diversification and investment in rural communities

    The Prime Minister will announce a major new package of support for rural communities to protect British farming for the next generation when he addresses the National Farmers Union annual conference in Birmingham today [20 February 2024].

    Delivering the keynote address at the annual conference, the Prime Minister will tell farmers that their vital contribution to the British way of life must be protected for years to come.

    He will announce that the government will do that by opening the largest ever grant offer for farmers in the coming financial year, expected to total £427m, including an unprecedented package of funding for technology and productivity schemes. The package will ensure the government delivers on its commitment to maintain the farming budget for England at £2.4 billion per year.

    Around £220 million will be injected into the future-focused technology and productivity schemes to ensure farmers can access new equipment, including kit which increases automation to reduce reliance on overseas workers. It will also fund cost-saving energy measures, such as rooftop solar, to safeguard land for food production.

    The multi-million-pound funding pot will also increase support for processing, packing and retailing on farms.

    The funding doubles investment in productivity schemes, growing the grant offer from £91 million last year to £220 million next year to keep up with demand for the scheme from farmers.

    And in the spring, the Government will double the management payments for the sustainable farming incentive scheme, putting up to an extra £1000 in farmers’ pockets. More than 11,000 farmers already in our schemes will be eligible for the payments, which help farmers and producers to improve soil health, optimise fertiliser, protect waterways and enhance and preserve hedgerows – helping farmers generate income from unproductive corners and edges of fields. It will be further extended in July, opening up to the Countryside Stewardship mid-tier, ensuring there is a single front door to make the application process even easier.

    Almost half of farmers in England are now receiving support from the UK Government through new schemes created post-Brexit. These are ensuing those working the land and producers get support tailored to their needs.

    The Prime Minister is expected to say:

    While the importance of farmers will never change – farming is going through its biggest change in a generation. And as farmers do so, this government will be by their side. They have been dealing with soaring global prices in things like fuel and fertiliser. So, we’ve been working hard to get inflation down – from 11.1% last year to 4% now. And we’re increasing payments in our farming schemes by an average of 10 per cent.

    They are also at the forefront of innovation – from gene editing to boost resilience to disease, to automation to help harvest crops. And while thanks to you we enjoy good quality food all year-round global events – including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine – have put food security back at the top of the agenda. We’ll never take our food security for granted. We’ve got a plan to support British farming – and we’re going further again today.

    He will add:

    I know how important my neighbours – our farmers – truly are. You help to employ millions, add billions to our economy, shape the landscape, but most of all, you produce the food we need – food that is some of the best and highest quality anywhere in the world.

    The Prime Minister will also announce that the Government will cut bureaucratic red tape around permitted development rights so farmers can easily develop buildings and diversify earnings through farm shops, commercial space and sporting venues. The move delivers on the Government’s pledge to consult on the plan last year.

    It is expected to benefit the broader rural community by increasing job opportunities and commercial units available, helping local residents to develop small and medium enterprises in rural communities, and connecting communities more with their local farms.

    The Prime Minister is also expected to announce plans to ensure all farmers and producers are treated fairly, with new regulations set to be laid in Parliament for the dairy sector, ensuring they have reasonable and transparent contracts. Similar regulations for the pig sector will come later this year, with the egg sector expected to follow.

    A new supply chain fairness review of the poultry sector is also set to be launched, and DEFRA are expected to consult stakeholders on whether the sheep and beef sectors should follow.

    And underlining the importance of the food sector, the Prime Minister will tell the audience that the Government will publish an annual Food Security Index at the next Farm to Fork Summit this spring. The UK-wide index will capture and present the key data needed to monitor how we are maintaining our current levels of food security across the country and is expected to be UK-wide. The Prime Minister is also expected to announce that the Farm to Fork summit, the first of which was hosted last year, will become an annual tradition, ensuring Westminster continues to listen to the concerns of the farming community directly for years to come.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Americas Minister champions UK-US relationship in New England [February 2024]

    PRESS RELEASE : Americas Minister champions UK-US relationship in New England [February 2024]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 20 February 2024.

    David Rutley will be strengthening UK-US economic links and deepening security ties with the UK’s closest ally on a visit to New England and Washington DC.

    • Americas Minister David Rutley deepens UK ties with states across the US with visit to Massachusetts and New Hampshire
    • With UK-US trade already worth £310 billion a year, visit will build on the close relationship that creates millions of jobs on both sides of the Atlantic
    • Minister Rutley to also attend National Governors Association winter meeting in Washington DC to deepen economic and security links with key state leaders

    Strengthening economic links that support millions of jobs on both sides of the Atlantic and deepening security ties with the UK’s closest ally will be the focus for Americas Minister David Rutley as he begins a visit to New England and Washington DC today (Tuesday 20 February).

    Minister for the Americas, Caribbean and Overseas Territories David Rutley said:

    The UK has no better friend than America. It is a partnership that delivers security and prosperity for communities on both sides of the Atlantic and around the world.

    The strength of that bond has been clear on my visits to states across the US and I am now looking forward to boosting those deep and long-standing links in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, by driving forward trade, technology and cultural partnerships that help tie us together as the closest of allies.

    His trip to New Hampshire and Massachusetts will continue a programme of visits that Minister Rutley is making to states across the US as he champions the UK as a great investment and business partner and highlights the unrivalled security and defence ties between the two allies.

    With the US and UK already having more than £1 trillion invested in each other’s economies, it is a relationship that presents huge opportunities for people and businesses on both sides of the Atlantic – supporting Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s priority to grow the UK’s economy and create better paying jobs.

    The UK supports more jobs in America than any other country, with more than 1.2 million people working for British companies, while almost 1.5 million people do the same for American companies in the UK.

    In Massachusetts and New Hampshire, world-renowned British businesses such as BAE Systems and GlaxoSmithKline support jobs for almost 44,000 Bay Staters and around 13,000 New Hampshirites.

    While in New England, Minister Rutley will discuss with political, business and industry leaders how the UK and US can strengthen cooperation in key sectors, including a meeting with representatives from Fenway Sporting Group at the iconic Fenway Park in Boston.

    At a conference at the Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Science, he will also discuss how a UK-US partnership signed last year is accelerating global fusion energy development.

    The UK is widely recognised as a world leader in the most promising fusion technologies and the UK-US partnership follows the launch of the UK’s updated Fusion Strategy.

    Minister Rutley will also deliver a speech at the Harvard Business School, his alma mater, while in Boston.

    He will reaffirm the strength of the UK’s relationship with its closest strategic ally and their alignment across foreign policy goals, including support for Ukraine, in working towards a sustainable peace in the Middle East and in responding to challenges posed by China.

    Following his trip to New England, Minister Rutley will then travel to Washington DC where he will attend the National Governors Association winter meeting to meet with key state-level political leaders as he further deepens economic and security links across the US.

    Notes to editors:

    • Minister Rutley graduated from Harvard Business School in 1985 having completed a two-year MBA.
    • The UK and Massachusetts share a goods trading relationship that was worth £3.4 billion in 2022. Almost 44,000 Bay Staters go to work each day in jobs supported by UK companies.
    • The UK and New Hampshire share a goods trading relationship that was worth £343 million in 2022. Around 13,000 New Hampshirites go to work each day in jobs supported by UK companies.
    • The UK-US partnership to accelerate global fusion energy development was signed in November 2023 to promote further global collaboration vital and innovation in this flourishing technology and builds on the UK’s Fusion Strategy to lead the global commercialisation of fusion energy, announced in October 2023.