Tag: Press Release

PRESS RELEASE : Government orders NHS trust review following Nottingham killings [January 2024]
The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 29 January 2024.

Health and Social Care Secretary Victoria Atkins has ordered a special review into Nottinghamshire Healthcare Foundation Trust which treated Valdo Calocane.
- Health and Social Care Secretary announces special review of mental health services at NHS trust where Valdo Calocane was treated.
- Pledging to help provide victims’ families with answers, the government asks health regulator to report on Calocane’s care and other Nottinghamshire mental health services.
- Care Quality Commission required to present findings within weeks on patient and public safety, and on the quality of care provided across the Trust.
Health and Social Care Secretary Victoria Atkins has ordered a special review into Nottinghamshire Healthcare Foundation Trust, where Valdo Calocane was treated for paranoid schizophrenia.

The review will provide further answers for the families affected by the horrendous and tragic killings of Barnaby Webber, Grace O’Malley-Kumar, and Ian Coates in Nottingham in June 2023. It will also focus on wider issues in mental health care provision in Nottinghamshire, including at Highbury Hospital and Rampton Hospital.

Conducted by The Care Quality Commission (CQC), it will be carried out alongside the Independent Mental Health Homicide Review ordered by NHS England to examine the case of Valdo Calocane.

Any concerns regarding patient safety, quality of care, or public safety will be reported by the CQC, and it will have access to witness statements and oral evidence regarding health services which were called during the criminal trial.

Acknowledging the importance of identifying any failings as quickly as possible, the Health and Social Care Secretary has asked the CQC to present its findings in March. The government will then issue its response to the review in due course.

Health and Social Care Secretary Victoria Atkins said:

“My thoughts remain with the families and friends of Barnaby, Grace, and Ian, who lost their lives in such a tragic, cruel and barbaric way.

“It is crucial that our mental health services ensure both the care of patients and the safety of the public.

“I hope the review provides the families and public with some much-needed answers, and that it helps the Trust to improve the standard of mental health care in Nottinghamshire.”

Investigations continue at Highbury Hospital in the light of separate recent staff suspensions and a rapid improvement plan is underway, overseen by a new oversight board established to ensure appropriate action is being taken.

Rampton Hospital – one of three high security hospitals across the country and part of the Trust – recently received an ‘inadequate’ inspection rating from the CQC. The government has asked the regulator to assess the progress made by the hospital to improve standards since that inspection.

Director of Mental Health at CQC, Chris Dzikiti said:

“We will conduct a rapid review into mental health services in Nottingham to understand whether there are any practical actions which can be taken to improve the quality of services and ensure people receive safe and effective care. We will begin this work immediately, aiming to report to the Secretary of State before the end of March.”

Separately, last autumn, the government announced the new Health Services Safety Investigations Body will soon commence a national investigation into mental health inpatient care settings, including inpatient deaths and the transition between child and adult mental health services. The recommendations from that far-reaching investigation will help service providers to improve safety standards in mental health facilities across the country.

Claire Murdoch, NHS national mental health director said:

“The killings of Barnaby Webber, Grace O’Malley-Kumar, and Ian Coates are devastating, and my thoughts are with their families who have suffered unimaginable loss.

“It is essential that there is a thorough review that looks into all agencies involved, and to ensure appropriate action is taken. NHS England is commissioning an independent investigation into the case, and we will cooperate fully with the Government’s review of the trust’s mental health services, while continuing to provide the trust with intensive support to protect patient safety in partnership with the CQC.”

Record funding is going into improving mental health care provision. An extra £2.3 billion is currently being invested a year into the expansion and transformation of mental health services in England, so two million more people can access crucial NHS-funded support.
29/01/2024
PRESS RELEASE : Getting active made easier with £93 million funding for over 1,100 grassroots sports projects [January 2024]
The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 27 January 2024.

More than 1,100 grassroots sport projects will benefit from £93 million of funding as part of the continued drive to get more people active, the Government has announced today.
- More than 1,100 multisport grassroots sport projects across the UK to benefit from £93 million towards new pitches, changing rooms, goalposts and floodlights
- Funding part of £400 million government investment in grassroots facilities, including multisport pitches, tennis courts and swimming pools
- Investment supports government ambition to get 3.5 million more adults and children active by 2030
Research shows exercising more was the UK’s most common New Year’s resolution for 2024*, and the Government is helping hundreds of thousands more people across the UK keep their resolution and get active by delivering high-quality grassroots sport facilities.

From Belfast to Bracknell, over 1,100 projects are receiving funding that will go towards facilities such as changing rooms, pavilions, state of the art 3G artificial grass pitches, goalposts and floodlights, improving access to sport and physical activity for local communities.

Sports Minister Stuart Andrew announced the funding during a visit to Oaklands Park in Chichester, where over £700,000 from the Government, The Premier League and The FA’s Football Foundation will help Chichester City Youth FC (CCYFC) use the expanded capacity on their new pitch to support even more teams.

With the new funding, Chichester City FC and CCYFC will also build on their strong women and girls offering by increasing the number of teams within five years of completion of the new pitch.

Sports Minister Stuart Andrew said:

Sport and physical activity are vital to our mental health and wellbeing, and each year thousands of people make a New Year’s resolution to exercise more.

We know one of the major barriers to getting active is having access to high-quality sports facilities, which is why we are investing in 1,100 more projects, backed by £93 million.

This government has delivered thousands of new projects across the UK with the aim of getting over 120,000 more people to get active, helping us to make big strides towards meeting our ambitious target of 3.5 million more people active by 2030.

As part of an £81 million investment, 900 projects in England are already benefiting from funding from the Government and its Football Foundation partners the Premier League and The FA, with many more to follow.

This will deliver over 60 artificial grass pitch projects, over 130 grass pitch projects and 35 changing facility projects, as well as floodlights and goalposts.

Local communities across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will also benefit with an unprecedented £12 million being invested by the UK Government in 2023/24, delivered in partnership with the Scottish FA, the Irish FA, Cymru Football Foundation and Football Association of Wales. A further £9 million is also being committed across the home nations for projects to be delivered through 2024/25.

In Scotland, the funding will deliver over 20 artificial grass pitch projects and four grass pitch projects. In Wales eight projects will get new changing rooms, while 12 projects in Northern Ireland are set to benefit from new floodlighting.

Some of the beneficiaries from this year’s round of investment include:
- Wirral Borough Council has received £1.1 million for a new 3G artificial grass pitch, changing rooms and grass pitch works at the Bidston Sports and Activity Centre in Birkenhead.
- Norfolk County Football Association has received over £670,000 for a brand new 7-a-side floodlit 3G artificial grass pitch.
- Poppleton United FC in York has received almost £20,000 for a new tractor and mower.
- Portland United Youth FC in Dorset has received over £10,000 for new portable floodlights.
- Dunfermline Athletic FC will receive £325,000 for a brand new artificial grass pitch.
- Cyngor Gwynedd in Wales has received £300,000 for a new artificial grass pitch at Arfon Leisure Centre.
- Fivemiletown United Football Club in Northern Ireland has received £400,000 for a new artificial grass pitch with floodlights.
A full list of the facilities to benefit was published today.

The Government’s Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme is investing in areas that are most in need of new or renovated facilities, with at least 50 per cent of the investment to be spent in the most deprived local authorities with high levels of inactivity. Through the programme more high quality facilities are being made available for people to play football, rugby and other grassroots sports.

Since 2021, the Government, along with its partners, have helped deliver new facilities or improvements at almost 2,400 sites across the UK aiming to get at least 120,000 more people active, through the £325 million programme. This investment is supporting grassroots clubs up and down the country, including women’s and girls teams.

It also follows the Government and The FA announcing an additional £30 million to build 30 new state of the art 3G pitches and facilities to prioritise women’s and girls’ teams across England, following the Lionesses success at UEFA EURO 2022, and the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.

Robert Sullivan, CEO, Football Foundation said:

This year, the Football Foundation will provide more great places to play than ever before.

This 3G stadia pitch is just one of many sports facilities across the county that will have a transformative impact on physical and mental wellbeing, bringing people together and strengthening the local community here in Chichester from the roots up.

Thanks to investment from the Premier League, The FA and Government we will deliver better pitches ensuring healthier lives and stronger communities.

The Government recently published its new sport strategy to get 2.5 million more adults and one million more young people meeting the Chief Medical Officer’s guidance of 150 minutes of exercise per week for adults, and 60 minutes per day for young people by 2030.

To help reach this target, the funding announced today is part of the Government’s unprecedented investment of over £400 million in grassroots facilities, including park tennis courts and swimming pools.
28/01/2024
PRESS RELEASE : Statement on the interim ICJ ruling in South Africa vs Israel [January 2024]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 27 January 2024.

The FCDO has issued a statement on the ICJ’s interim ruling in the case of South Africa vs Israel.

An FCDO spokesperson said:

We respect the role and independence of the ICJ. However we have stated that we have considerable concerns about this case, which is not helpful in the goal of achieving a sustainable ceasefire.

Israel has the right to defend itself against Hamas in line with IHL, as we have said from the outset. Our view is that Israel’s actions in Gaza cannot be described as a genocide, which is why we thought South Africa’s decision to bring the case was wrong and provocative.

We welcome the Court’s call for the immediate release of hostages and the need to get more aid into Gaza. We are clear that an immediate pause is necessary to get aid in and hostages out, and then we want to build towards a sustainable, permanent ceasefire, without a return to the fighting.

28/01/2024
PRESS RELEASE : Statement on allegations about UNRWA staff and 7 October attacks [January 2024]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 27 January 2024.

The FCDO has issued a statement in response to allegations that UN Relief and Works Agency staff were involved in the 7 October attack against Israel.

An FCDO spokesperson said:

The UK is appalled by allegations that UNRWA staff were involved in the 7 October attack against Israel, a heinous act of terrorism that the UK Government has repeatedly condemned.

The UK is temporarily pausing any future funding of UNRWA whilst we review these concerning allegations.

We remain committed to getting humanitarian aid to the people in Gaza who desperately need it.

28/01/2024
PRESS RELEASE : Defence Secretary awards medals to UK troops for Kosovo NATO peacekeeping mission [January 2024]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 26 January 2024.

The Defence Secretary, Grant Shapps presented hundreds of personnel from the 1st Battalion The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment with a medal for their contributions to NATO peacekeeping operations in Kosovo.
British soldiers received their Operational Service Medals for supporting NATO in Kosovo.

The Defence Secretary deployed additional personnel in October 2023 following increasing tensions in the northern part of the country.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of NATO peacekeeping operations in Kosovo.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps praised hundreds of UK troops for their contribution to an important NATO peacekeeping effort in Kosovo at a medal parade today (26 Jan).

Speaking to soldiers from 1st Battalion The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment (1 PWRR) at the Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich, the Defence Secretary thanked personnel for their role in the NATO mission, and presented them with Operational Service Medals, watched by their families and friends.

The parade and medals presentation marks the end of a demanding but successful deployment as part of the NATO task force to Kosovo (KFOR) for 1 PWRR, with this year marking the 25th anniversary of NATO peacekeeping operations in country.

Defence Secretary, Grant Shapps said:

Our brave men and women of the 1st Battalion Princess of Wales’ Royal Regiment have done us proud, and it was a great privilege for me to present them with a medal for their role in this crucial NATO peacekeeping mission.

The UK continues to be a leading member of the Alliance, and 2024 is an important year. We mark 75 years of NATO, prepare for the largest exercise in decades – Steadfast Defender, and it is the 25th anniversary of NATO peacekeeping in Kosovo.

And by deploying last year to boost the NATO Kosovo Force, our world class Armed Forces have shown once more their readiness to provide support wherever it is needed.

Nearly 400 soldiers from 1 PWRR, nicknamed the ‘Tigers’ from the historic Bengal tiger insignia worn on their right arm, formed up for the parade to receive their medal for supporting Operation ELGIN – the UK operational name for the deployment.

Following a request from Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) to bolster the NATO peacekeeping efforts in Kosovo, and approval by the North Atlantic Council, in October last year the UK deployed around 200 soldiers from 1 PWRR to support the 400-strong British contingent that were already in Kosovo taking part in an annual exercise.

The rapid deployment of the full battlegroup meant the transport of 200+ troops and the shipment of 117 vehicles to Kosovo in less than a fortnight.

The bulk of the troops flew into Kosovo from RAF Brize Norton, while their equipment and vehicles were delivered by sea aboard the vessel MV Hurst Point, from Marchwood.

The vessel unloaded its cargo at the Albanian port of Durres, the closest available seaport to their final destination of Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo. What followed was an eight-hour convoy drive in packets of 20 vehicles through the mountains and across the border.

As part of NATO’s aims for sending the Strategic Reserve Force, personnel conducted patrols alongside the Administrative Boundary Lines of Kosovo and Serbia to deter illegal activity and reassure the local population. The group was also adequately equipped to help KFOR if there were more serious and dangerous incidents.

Further to the strategic aims, personnel also helped clear out a snake infestation at a local school, making the local area safer for children to enjoy.

The battalion returned from their deployment in mid-December, and were given post-deployment leave over Christmas.
28/01/2024
PRESS RELEASE : Iran’s Soraya satellite launch – E3 joint statement [January 2024]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 26 January 2024.

The UK, France and Germany have issued a joint statement in response to Iran’s satellite launch using the Ghaem-100 space launch vehicle on 20 January 2024.

E3 statement on Iranian Soraya satellite launch announcement:

“On 20 January Iran announced the launch of the Soraya satellite using the Ghaem-100 Space Launch Vehicle (SLV). We condemn this launch, as this SLV uses technology essential for the development of a long-range ballistic missile system. Iran continues to develop its missile programme despite repeated international calls to halt it, and after years of disregarding UN restrictions.

“Launches such as these allow Iran to test technology that could be used to further develop its ballistic missile programme, which poses a significant threat to regional and international security. We have longstanding concerns over Iran’s activity related to ballistic missile technologies that are capable of delivering nuclear weapons. These concerns are reinforced by Iran’s continued nuclear escalation beyond all credible civilian justification.

“The governments of France, Germany and the United Kingdom remain committed to taking every diplomatic step to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons and to hold Iran to account for its destabilising activity in the region and internationally.”

28/01/2024
PRESS RELEASE : Heat pump applications up by almost 50% as families make the most of government grant increase [January 2024]
The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 26 January 2024.

New figures show applications to the government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme in December jumped by 49% compared to the same month in 2022.
- Figures for December show applications jumped by 49% year on year
- increase to grants have made the Boiler Upgrade Scheme one of the most generous of its kind in Europe
- families can now receive £7,500 grants towards the cost of a heat pump
More people are taking advantage of increased heat pump grants with applications having risen by almost 50% compared to last year.

New figures released show the number of people applying through the government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme in December jumped by 49% compared to the same month in 2022.

The scheme helps families make the switch from fossil fuel heating systems to a cleaner heat pump alternative, without a substantial upfront cost.

The surge in applications follows a 50% increase in grants for air source heat pumps announced by the Prime Minister in October last year. Grants for heat pumps were boosted to £7,500 making the scheme one of the most generous of its kind in Europe.

Energy Security Secretary, Claire Coutinho, said:

We recently made our Boiler Upgrade Scheme one of the most generous schemes in Europe. Applications are now up by nearly 50% compared to last year.

Helping people, rather than forcing them, to make the right choices for their homes will always be my priority.

Lord Callanan, Minister for Energy Efficiency and Green Finance, said:

These figures show more people want the cleaner heating and more stable bills you get with a heat pump.

Our approach to reaching net zero works and because of increased heat pump grants, there’s never been a better time to make the switch.

The figures released also show a regional breakdown of where heat pumps have been installed in England and Wales.

The South West has seen the most with 3,655 installations, followed by the South East (excluding London) with 3,605 and then the East with 2,452.
28/01/2024
PRESS RELEASE : Russia’s wanton destruction against Ukraine must be stopped: UK statement to the OSCE [January 2024]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 26 January 2024.

Ambassador Neil Holland condemns Russia’s air attacks this week on Kyiv and Kharkiv, as well as the spate of attacks on Ukraine over the past month.

Thank you, Madam Chair. It is regrettable – and sadly predictable – that we must gather today to condemn Russia’s latest wave of aerial attacks against the Ukrainian people.

The UK condemns Russia’s attacks this week unequivocally. According to reports, Russian missiles on Kyiv and Kharkiv killed at least 18 people and injured over one hundred. The devastation was felt most acutely in Kharkiv, where an apartment block was hit, killing two people, and injuring 35 residents.

Unfortunately, the attacks on Tuesday morning were just the latest of a series of acts of wanton destruction by Russia in Ukraine since we last gathered for a Permanent Council in December. Over the Christmas period, Russia launched hundreds of missile and drone strikes across cities in Ukraine including Kyiv, Odesa, Kharkiv, Dnipro and Lviv. This culminated on 29 December, when Russian unleashed its largest aerial assault against Ukraine since the war began. It killed at least 41 civilians, including a 15-year-old boy, wounded hundreds, and caused significant damage to civilian infrastructure, including a maternity hospital. This pattern continued into January.

I offer my condolences and that of the UK to all Ukrainians for the lives lost due to these barbaric airstrikes. These took place far away from the front lines of Russia’s war, in civilian populated areas. The intensity, regularity and indiscriminate nature of Russia’s attacks may violate international humanitarian law, is extremely concerning and must stop.

The level of destruction and suffering that Ukraine continues to face is hard to comprehend. According to the UN, there have been 29,000 civilian casualties: with over 10,000 of those having been killed. On average six civilians are estimated to have been killed each day since the start of the invasion and 86% have been in government-controlled territory. This includes a significant proportion killed in areas away from the frontline, due to use of long-range weapons.

Russia chose to start this war, Russia can choose to end this war. Ukraine did not start it and has the right to defend itself. We will not let Russia win. We will continue to work with Ukraine and our international partners for a just and sustainable peace.

Madame Chair, as we approach the third year since Russia’s full-scale invasion, the UK’s support will not falter. During his visit to Kyiv earlier this month, my Prime Minister announced a package of support and reaffirmed the close UK-Ukraine partnership. This included £2.5 billion in military support and a historic long-term security agreement. This brings the United Kingdom’s total package of support to Ukraine to approximately £12 billion. A clear signal of our unwavering support. We remain deeply humbled by the bravery and the resilience of the Ukrainian people and their determination to win.

Madame Chair, last but not least I also wanted to highlight today the UK’s continued concern for our three OSCE colleagues of the Special Monitoring Mission detained by Russia. The UK again calls for their immediate release.

The United Kingdom will stand with Ukraine today, tomorrow and for as long as it takes. Thank you, Madame Chair.

28/01/2024
PRESS RELEASE : People smuggler jailed for fake passport scheme [January 2024]

The press release issued by the Home Office on 26 January 2024.

A people smuggler has been jailed for conspiring to bring 16 Albanian migrants to the UK with fake EU passports and fraudulent airline bookings.

A people smuggler has been jailed today after conspiring to bring 16 Albanian migrants to the UK by providing them with fake EU passports and making fraudulent airline bookings.

Albanian national Sait Ruci used a fake Italian ID and stole the identify of an innocent man to open bank accounts used to buy airline tickets to the UK.

The migrants, all from Albania, paid for a fake EU passport and an air ticket to the UK. Criminals can charge upwards of £10,000 per person for this type of facilitation.

Ruci was sentenced to three years at Isleworth Crown Court today, for conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration.

In many cases the fraudulent documents and bookings were identified by the airlines or European airport authorities before departure. Sixteen individuals travelled to the UK but their documents were detected as fakes by Border Force officers on arrival.

With the cooperation of airports and airlines, Home Office investigators were able to link the bookings together and trace them back to Ruci.

Analysis of Ruci’s mobile phone uncovered even more fake documents ready to be used for criminal purposes.

Ruci will now be treated as a foreign national offender and could be removed from the UK after referral to the Home Office.

Chris Foster, Deputy Director of Criminal and Financial Investigations at the Home Office, said:

Today’s sentencing is the result of strong collaboration between agencies to bring this people smuggler to justice.

Today we have removed another link in the chain of organised criminals who facilitate illegal entry to the UK.

I am grateful for the tireless efforts of the officers who identified and investigated this complex case.

28/01/2024
PRESS RELEASE : 60 per cent of England now covered by historic devolution deals [January 2024]
The press release issued by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 26 January 2024.

The percentage of the English population now living in a place covered by a devolution deal has risen to 60 per cent.
Devolution deals now cover 60 per cent of the English population – up from 41 percent since major levelling up plan two years ago

Deals providing powers to local leaders now cover nearly 34 million people in England – including nine of England’s 10 largest cities and 90 per cent of the North

Devolution milestone comes as Levelling Up Minister Jacob Young signs another deal with Devon County Council and Torbay Council – the 10th new deal since government’s levelling up plan was published

Sixty per cent of the English population will now live in a place covered by a devolution deal, thanks to another historic deal signed with Devon County Council and Torbay Council.

This is up from 41 per cent when the government published its major levelling up plan almost two years ago, meeting a key commitment to devolve powers to more areas across England.

This means an extra 10 million people will now benefit from new powers handed from Westminster to their local leaders – covering a total of almost 34 million people across England.

In another boost for levelling up, devolution deals now cover 90 per cent of the North – up from 62 per cent two years ago and benefitting over 14 million people.

And in the Midlands, the percentage of people covered by a devolution deal has more than doubled in two years – up from 26 per cent to 55 per cent, covering almost 6 million people.

The government has also secured devolution deals for nine of England’s 10 largest cities, including Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, Newcastle upon Tyne, Nottingham and Sheffield.

These deals are giving local leaders strengthened powers to make local decisions on important matters like transport, adult education and business support.

They are also providing areas with over £5 billion of new, long-term funding from the government – the total amount committed to 10 devolution deals so far.

Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove said:

This historic devolution milestone shows our commitment to spreading opportunity more equally across the country – empowering local leaders to take control on matters that mean most to their communities and improving local people’s lives.

And to support their plans we’re providing billions of pounds in new funding for the long term, helping people to feel the benefits of these changes for years to come.

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities aims to secure devolution deals by 2030 for every part of England that wants one. This is one of 12 levelling up goals set by the department in its flagship Levelling Up White Paper in February 2022.

These goals, called Levelling Up Missions, set out clearly what the government aims to do to reduce geographical disparity across all parts of the UK.

To mark progress on devolution in England, the government measures the proportion of the English population living in an area with a devolution deal.

The signing between Devon County Council and Torbay Council yesterday (25 January) will see the creation of a new Combined County Authority and £16 million awarded from central government to invest in local priorities as part of the deal. This follows devolution deals already secured with the East Midlands, North East, York and North Yorkshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Cornwall, Lancashire, Greater Lincolnshire and Hull and East Yorkshire.

Seven of these devolution deals will see the election of new mayors in county areas in 2024 and 2025.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

As with other Combined Authority and Combined County Authority deals, the Devon County Council and Torbay Council devolution deal is subject to local consultation, ratification by the constituent councils and parliamentary approval of the secondary legislation implementing the provisions of the deal. The deal encapsulates the majority of the ceremonial county of Devon.
28/01/2024