Tag: Press Release

PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak call with Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel [October 2023]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 13 October 2023.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on 12 October 2023.

The Prime Minister spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on 12 October, to reaffirm the UK’s steadfast support for Israel following Hamas’ appalling terrorist attack.

The Prime Minister passed on again the deep condolences of the British people for all those killed, injured or kidnapped in this unconscionable tragedy, the true scale and horror of which is only just becoming clear. Prime Minister Netanyahu thanked the UK for its solidarity, including in the visit of the Foreign Secretary to Israel this week.

The leaders discussed Israel’s response against Hamas in Gaza and the Prime Minister confirmed that the UK had authorised the sending of a significant support package to the region, including RAF surveillance aircraft, two Royal Navy ships to patrol in the Eastern Mediterranean, three Merlin helicopters and a detachment of Royal Marines. The additional military assistance would be deployed in the coming days to bolster security in the wider region and mitigate any attempts to escalate the conflict.

He reiterated that the UK stands side by side with Israel in fighting terror and agreed that Hamas can never again be able to perpetrate atrocities against the Israeli people. Noting that Hamas has enmeshed itself in the civilian population in Gaza, the Prime Minister said it was important to take all possible measures to protect ordinary Palestinians and facilitate humanitarian aid.

He also updated on his call with Egypt’s President Sisi this morning, including their discussion on the importance of opening the Rafah crossing to allow for humanitarian access and provide a route for British and other nationals to leave Gaza.

They agreed to remain in close contact and to explore any further support the UK can provide.

October 20, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak announces new support to keep British Jewish communities safe [October 2023]
The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 12 October 2023.

Members of the UK Jewish community, including school children, will be given more protection against antisemitic attacks in the wake of Hamas’ terrorist attacks in Israel, the Prime Minister has announced.
£3 million of extra funding will be provided to the Community Security Trust to protect schools, synagogues and other Jewish community buildings.

The Community Security Trust has recorded a 400% increase in the prevalence of antisemitic incidents in the UK since Hamas’ terrorist attacks in Israel.

This morning the PM convened representatives from UK policing and the Jewish community with ministers in Downing Street for discussions on policing protests.

Specific guidance to be provided to police on the beat on where and when to intervene.

Members of the UK Jewish community, including school children, will be given more protection against antisemitic attacks in the wake of Hamas’ terrorist attacks in Israel, the Prime Minister has announced.

£3 million of additional funding will be provided to the Community Security Trust (CST), an organisation established to protect British Jews from antisemitism and related threats. The CST works closely with the police to secure Jewish community buildings and events. Today’s announcement brings the total funding for Jewish Community Protection Security grant to £18 million for 2023-24.

The money will enable the CST to place additional guards in schools it supports throughout each school’s operating hours. They will also be able to place additional security staff at outside synagogues on Friday nights and Saturday mornings.

Today the Prime Minister gathered senior ministers, police chiefs and the CST in Downing Street for a discussion on protecting British communities and policing protests chaired by the Home Secretary Suella Braverman. The roundtable comes ahead of expected protests and marches taking place across the UK this weekend. It also follows a significant increase in antisemitic incidents since the terrorist attacks against Israel.

The CST has recorded 139 antisemitic incidents in the last four days. This represents an increase of 400% compared to the same period in 2022.

The Prime Minister said:

This is now the third deadliest terror attack in the world since 1970. The United Kingdom must and will continue to stand in solidarity with Israel.

At moments like this, when the Jewish people are under attack in their homeland, Jewish people everywhere can feel less safe.

That is why we must do everything in our power to protect Jewish people everywhere in our country. If anything is standing in the way of keeping the Jewish community safe, we will fix it. You have our complete backing.

Representatives at the roundtable, who included the Home Secretary, Communities Secretary, Attorney General and Policing Minister, discussed the threat increased antisemitic attacks and the policing response to provocative protests. Reflecting on the distressing scenes we have seen both online and on Britain’s streets in the past week, the Prime Minister asked police chiefs to ensure a consistent and clear approach is taken to tackling hate crime, policing protests and protecting Jewish communities. He stressed that the police have the Government’s total backing in ensuring that any glorification of terrorism is met with the full force of the law.

Following the discussions, the College of Policing and the National Police Chiefs’ Council will brief all commanders clarifying guidance they should be using as they police protests over the weekend, as well as clarifying guidance around the use of face coverings to purposefully conceal identity.

During the meeting, the Home Secretary asked police chiefs to consider using their existing Section 14 powers in in the Public Order Act where appropriate to prevent assemblies blocking roads, including outside Jewish monuments and buildings such as the Israeli Embassy.

Earlier this week the Home Secretary wrote to police chiefs in England and Wales to urge them to step up patrols and use all available powers to prevent disorder and distress to our communities. She was clear officers should act immediately to crackdown on criminality – both in our streets and online.

The Home Secretary said:

Hamas terrorists have carried out barbaric attacks on the people of Israel. They massacred civilians, raped women and kidnapped the most vulnerable.

This terrorism is an attack on all of our values. Whenever Israel is attacked, people use legitimate Israeli defensive measures as an excuse to stir up hatred against British Jews. The UK stands unequivocally with Israel.

I have been clear with police chiefs in England and Wales that there can be zero tolerance for antisemitism, and that they should act immediately to crackdown on any criminality – both in our streets and online.

I have been in close contact with the Community Security Trust whose work helps enhance the security of the British Jewish community. To further support their work, we will be providing them £3 million in funding for additional security guards at Jewish schools, synagogues and in Jewish communities. This is in addition to the £15 million of annual funding provided by the Government.

Mark Gardner, Chief Executive of Community Security Trust said:

We are grateful to the Government for providing extra funding for security guards at Jewish community buildings, following the horrific Hamas terror attack on Israel. The support that we and the Jewish community are receiving from across government and policing is greatly reassuring and welcome at this difficult and worrying time.

We will work with the Home Office to ensure that this extra funding is used in the most effective way to enhance the existing security that is in place and provide the Jewish community with the protection that they need and deserve.
October 20, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Coordination between the African Union, UN, and sub-regional organisations is critical to ending conflict – UK statement at the UN Security Council [October 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 12 October 2023.

Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council meeting on the African Union.

Thank you, President, and I join others in thanking the Special Representative, the Permanent Observer and Mr. Dersso for their briefings.

President, UN-AU cooperation is fundamental to achieving our shared goal of a freer, more secure, more prosperous, greener, and healthier continent.

So I am delighted we demonstrated our shared commitment by agreeing a communique at last week’s AUPSC/UNSC meeting in Addis.

President, I want to highlight three points about this partnership:

Firstly, following nine coups on the continent since 2020, efforts to tackle this scourge and its underlying causes are critical. The AU PSC’s decisive action in this regard has been important.

I reiterate UK support for efforts by AU and sub-regional organisations, including ECOWAS, to bring about inclusive political dialogue and peaceful return to the constitutional rule.

We look forward to deepening this dialogue, including exploring the potential of the New Agenda for Peace as Mozambique outlined on behalf of the A3 earlier.

Secondly, coordination between the AU, UN, sub-regional organisations, and international partners is critical to ending conflict and promoting stability.

This is why the UK has long supported permanent African representation on the Security Council.

And it is why we look forward to working with Council colleagues on a framework resolution about UN financing for AU-led missions.

We reiterate our concern about the potential for terrorism in the Sahel to spread to coastal states in West Africa.

And we express our resolute support for efforts to tackle this, particularly regionally-led solutions such as the Accra initiative.

We remain committed to the current sustainable drawdown of ATMIS and thank the AU Commission and TCCs for their tireless work in supporting Somalia’s security.

Since 2022, we have given over $60 million in funding and will contribute again this year.

We also support a coordinated African-led response to the crisis in Sudan that harnesses a supporting role for the UN.

Thirdly, I welcome the continued implementation of the AU-UN framework for the implementation of agenda 2063, and the 2030 agenda, and the Silencing the Guns agenda.

To realise their shared vision of inclusive and sustainable economic development we

must increase international cooperation.

Indeed, collaboration is instrumental in addressing the humanitarian challenges on the continent such as food insecurity, where more than 160 million people in Africa are acutely vulnerable.

Next month, we are partnering with Somalia and UAE to host a Global Food Security Summit, bringing together international expertise to galvanise action to prevent food insecurity, malnutrition and to save lives.

President, we look forward to developing and deepening the cooperation between the AU and the UN in pursuit of our shared goals.

Thank you.

October 20, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Government to invest £30 million in innovative technology for NHS [October 2023]
The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 12 October 2023.

Applications are now open for Integrated care systems to apply for a share of £30 million to roll out innovative technology.
Effective use of the latest medical technology can help cut waiting lists, with the potential to speed up diagnoses and improve care for patients

Technology could include virtual wards to help care for patients at home, or wearable devices to monitor chronic conditions remotely – easing winter pressures and supporting the workforce

Patients across the country will benefit from a £30 million government investment in innovative medical technology (medtech) which will help ease pressures on the NHS this winter and could include the expansion of 3D checks that speed up cancer tests and novel logistics solutions such as the use of drones.

Available to each region in England, ICSs – organisations that come together in local areas to deliver joined up health and social care services – can now bid for funding to invest in the latest technology that can help cut waiting lists, speed up diagnosis and deliver new and improved ways to treat patients.

Depending on local need, ICSs could use the funding to expand virtual wards, allowing more patients to receive the care they need at home, freeing up hospital beds. Over 9,800 virtual ward beds have already been created, and the NHS is on track to meet its target and deliver 10,000 ahead of winter.

ICSs could also invest in wearable medical devices for use by patients at home, to aid diagnosis and management of numerous chronic conditions – these devices allow the monitoring of vital signs such as blood oxygen levels, heartbeat and blood pressure. Alternatively, investing in digital 3D and other imaging technology could bolster diagnostic tests, supporting the NHS to detect and treat cancer and other serious illnesses earlier.

Health and Social Care Secretary, Steve Barclay, said:

It is vital that clinicians have access to the latest technology to save staff time, deliver high quality care and help cut waiting lists – one of the government’s top 5 priorities.

This investment will see the latest tech innovations rolled out across the NHS. From virtual ward beds to wearable medical devices, patients will be better supported, and we will ease pressures on hospitals this winter.

We’re preparing for this winter earlier than ever before, including delivering thousands more hospital beds and hundreds of new ambulances.

NHS interim National Director of Transformation, Dr Vin Diwakar, said:

The NHS’s world-leading ability to adopt new technology has already helped more than 210,000 patients be treated in their own homes through the rollout of virtual wards, and this new funding will allow the health service to adopt more innovations that improve patient care and reduce pressure on wider services.

Local NHS areas known as integrated care systems can now submit bids to the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England to access the funds so they can roll out the technology.

Earlier this year, the government published its medical technology strategy, which set out steps to ensure patients can access safe, effective and innovative technology through the NHS.

This builds on the £21 million artificial intelligence (AI) diagnostics fund, which aims to improve access to the latest AI technology to diagnose and treat patients more quickly. NHS trusts were invited to bid for funding to accelerate the rollout of the most promising AI imaging and decision support tools to help diagnose patients more quickly for conditions such as cancer, stroke and heart conditions.

The new funding comes on top of a series of other measures the government is taking to support the NHS this winter. In September, an additional £200 million was invested in the health service to boost resilience and help patients get the care they need as quickly as possible in the coming months. The Urgent and Emergency Care Recovery Plan, announced in January, also committed to deliver 5,000 additional permanent, fully staffed hospital beds, 10,000 virtual ward beds and 800 new ambulances, backed by £1 billion.

Notes to editors

The NHS Innovation Service is already helping the NHS find the best new innovations and provides innovators with the resources, tools and support they need to increase the chances of getting their product or idea adopted by the NHS.

Applications are open and project delivery is expected this financial year, getting benefits to patients as quickly as possible.
October 20, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Three trustees reappointed to the Science Museum Group [October 2023]

The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 12 October 2023.

The Secretary of State has reappointed Judith Donovan CBE, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill and Professor Ajit Lalvani as trustees of the Science Museum Group.

Judith Donovan CBE

Reappointed from 1 September 2023 until 31 August 2027

Judith Donovan is a Yorkshire businesswoman, who started her own direct marketing agency in Bradford.During her 20 years at the helm of a rapidly growing business she also chaired the Training and Enterprise Council and was the first female president of Bradford Chamber of Commerce after 167 years.

Judith is a trustee of the National Army Museum as well as the chair of its trading subsidiary. She is also chair of the Employment Advisory Board for the two Yorkshire women’s prisons as well as chair of Ripon Cathedral Council. Previously she has been a Millennium Commissioner, a Health and Safety Commissioner, vice chair Postwatch, board member British Wool and Yorkshire Dales National Park, and chair of the Yorkshire Tourist Board

She holds CCMI; FIOD; FRSA; FCIM; FIDM; FCAM and honorary degrees from Hull and Leeds Beckett Universities.

Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill

Reappointed from 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2027

Peter, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill, has been the Chair of Network Rail since July 2015, and Chair of the London Legacy Development Corporation since July 2017. Peter was previously Commissioner of Transport for London for nearly 10 years. He started his transport career in 1975 as a London Transport graduate trainee. He was knighted in the 2013 New Year’s Honours List, having been made CBE in 2006. He was introduced in the House of Lords in December 2022. Peter has a strong interest in transport heritage, and is a Trustee of the London Transport Museum and Chair of the Heritage Railway Association.

Professor Ajit Lalvani

Reappointed from 1 September 2023 to 31 August 2027

Ajit is Chair of Infectious Diseases and Director of the NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Respiratory Infections at Imperial College London. He develops and deploys scientific advances to protect the nation’s health from the most serious respiratory infections: flu, TB and COVID-19. He translates his discoveries into innovative practical solutions to improve patient care and public health, including new technologies and policies that have helped to halve England’s TB burden. He has raised £40 million research funding and published 200 research papers. He is passionate about reversing health inequalities through tackling the social determinants of health and empowering individuals to improve their wellbeing and resilience, including through the role of the arts.

Ajit is a member of the Board of the English National Opera (ENO) and the Scientific Advisory Council of the College of Medicine. He develops India’s medical research ecosystem through chairing the Strategic Advisory Board of The India Alliance, India’s pre-eminent medical research funding organisation.

Remuneration and Governance Code

Trustees for the Science Museum Group are not remunerated. These appointments have been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments.

The Governance Code requires that any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years is declared; this is defined as holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation or candidature for election. Judith Donovan, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill and Ajit Lalvani have not declared any significant political activity.

October 20, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : More primary school pupils meet reading standards [October 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Education on 12 October 2023.

Primary school pupils show improvement in their reading ability as attainment in this year’s reading assessment increases since last year.

Education standards continue to improve as new statistics on the phonics screening check published today (12 October) show 79% of five- and six-year-olds met the expected standard, up from 75% last year.

Phonics is a body of knowledge that is necessary for pupils to learn to read and spell, at whatever age. Young children learning to read are taught how to recognise the sounds that each individual letter makes, as well as the skill of blending the individual sounds together to read.

Improvements in children’s reading ability in English primary schools builds on the international success earlier this year, when England came fourth for primary reading proficiency, out of 43 countries that tested children of the same age in the highly anticipated Progress in International Reading Literacy Study.

Schools Minister Nick Gibb said:

Teaching children to read using phonics has been a key part of this government’s focus on driving up school standards over the past 13 years, and our children are now the best readers in the west.

Today’s results reflect the hard work of our teachers and show strong progress as pupils continue to recover from the impact of the pandemic.

The phonics screening check was first introduced in 2012 when only 58% met the expected standard. Since 2012, there has been a 21% point increase in attainment in the check, highlighting the government’s commitment to raising standards across the board.

Literacy and numeracy are the cornerstones of a world-class education. Last week, the Prime Minister announced plans to build on this at post-16 through the new advanced British standard, which will bring together the best of A Levels and T Levels into a single new qualification and make maths and English mandatory.

Raising standards in primary schools is a key priority for this government to set children up with the best start in life. The government established the network of English hubs to support schools to ensure all children are given a strong start in reading. It also introduced a validated list of phonics programmes to ensure schools have access to high-quality programmes.

The £60 million English hubs programme was rolled out in 2018 and is designed to develop expertise in teaching reading in schools. The lead schools work with partner schools by modelling best practice and providing expert teachers to help them raise standards through phonics.

Our network of 40 maths hubs is supporting schools across the country to improve maths teaching based on mastery teaching approaches used by some of the highest performing parts of the world.

The key stage 1 attainment statistics were also published today, showing the number of pupils meeting the expected standards in reading, writing, maths and science increasing from 2022.

This year:
- 70% of pupils met the expected standards in maths, up from 68% in 2022
- 68% of pupils met the expected standard in reading up from 67% in 2022
- 60% of pupils met the expected standard in writing, up from 58% in 2022
- 79% of pupils met the expected standard in science, up from 77% in 2022.
Since 2010, the proportion of schools rated good or outstanding by Ofsted has increased from 68% in 2010 to 88% based on latest data.

DfE media enquiries
October 19, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : New flood embankment will better protect properties in Birmingham [October 2023]
The press release issued by the Environment Agency on 12 October 2023.

Work is underway to build a new £2million flood risk management scheme to better protect homes from flooding in the Pebble Mill area of Birmingham.
- New flood embankment will better protect more than 100 properties from threat of flooding from River Rea
- Construction work is underway and will be completed next summer
- Work includes new wildflower meadow providing food for bees and butterflies and nesting boxes for kingfishers.
The £2m scheme will provide better protection from the River Rea to more than 100 residential properties. The area has historically been impacted by flooding with the most recent floods taking place in June 2016 and May 2018.

The scheme will see the construction of a 250m embankment within the Pebble Mill Playing Fields reaching a peak of 1.2metres. There is a risk of flooding to properties in the roads around the playing fields when water in the River Rea exceeds the existing capacity of the site and the embankment will divert flood waters away from properties back into the River Rea.

The work follows the removal of four weirs undertaken in partnership with Birmingham City Council last year. The removal of the weirs has improved water flow as well as the water quality by allowing water to flow naturally. It also benefits fish and invertebrate species as weirs act as barriers to their movement.

When the embankment is complete the restoration of the playing fields will include the creation of a wildflower meadow, providing bees, butterflies and other pollinators with food throughout the year. The restoration will also include re-alignment and re-surfacing of public footpaths and improved planting and landscaping to encourage local habitat diversity and increase biodiversity. Kingfisher boxes were also installed at the site as part of the works.

Jon Saner, Senior Flood Risk Advisor, Flood & Costal Risk Management for the Environment Agency in the West Midlands said:

“We are delighted to be delivering this new flood embankment for Peddle Mill which will help to better protect homes in the area from the devastation of flooding in the area while also supporting wildlife.”

The work follows similar schemes for Selly Park North and Selly Park South also on the River Rea.

Furtherinformation

5.2 million properties in England are at risk of flooding

• The average cost of flood damage to a home is £30,000

• The average cost of flooding to a business is £82,000

• If you are flooded, temporary accommodation costs on average £10,000

• If you are flooded you are likely to be out of your home for an average of 5 months

• Know what to do when you receive a flood warning and download our three point flood plan – https://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/what-to-do-in-a-flood
October 19, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Section 40 determination from the Northern Ireland Secretary [October 2023]
The press release issued by the Northern Ireland Office on 12 October 2023.

Notice of Determination by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to the Chair of the Omagh Bombing Inquiry under section 40(4) of the Inquiries Act 2005.
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has determined under section 40(4) of the Inquiries Act 2005 (“the Act”) that the power of the Chair of the Omagh Bombing Inquiry (“the Inquiry”) to award amounts in respect of legal representation under section 40(1) and (2) of the Act to persons eligible for an award under section 40(3) shall be subject to the qualifications and conditions set out below.

The qualifications and conditions are:

Given the exceptional nature and gravity of the Omagh bombing, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland recognises that it will be in the public interest for certain applicants to be provided with funding for legal representation, without investigation as to the financial resources otherwise available to them.

Accordingly, Rule 21 of the Inquiry Rules 2006 is qualified to the extent that the general criteria in Rule 21(2)(a) (financial resources) is satisfied without further enquiry as to means.

The Chair shall only make an award relating to a person’s costs of legal representation (which includes the legal costs referred to at paragraph 2.5 below) where he considers it necessary, fair, reasonable and proportionate to make an award.

An award shall be subject to the condition that payment will only be made for work that is properly evidenced, directly related to the work of the Inquiry as determined by any costs protocol issued by the Chair, and can be identified as having been done in an efficient and effective manner, avoiding unnecessary duplication and making the best use of public funds.

Expenditure incurred by an applicant in respect of legal representation before an award is made by a Chair shall not be recoverable except in respect of any reasonable and proportionate costs incurred responding to the Inquiry’s consultation on the terms of reference prior to the setting up date of the Inquiry, and any such prior expenditure shall be recoverable only in accordance with the rates expressed in paragraph 3 below.

An award shall be made only in respect of legal work undertaken by an applicant’s legal representative whom the Chair has designated under either Rule 6 or Rule 7 of the Inquiry Rules 2006 to be that person’s recognised legal representative in relation to the Inquiry.

The Chair shall approve the size and composition of any legal team to be engaged by an applicant’s recognised legal representative including the number and seniority of counsel whose retention he agrees to be necessary.

In determining whether to make an award the Chair shall specify the broad areas of work that are to be covered by the award and the hourly rates applicable to all members of the applicant’s approved legal team subject to the maximum hourly rates specified at paragraph 3 below.

Having regard to the inquisitorial nature of the Inquiry, an award shall not be made in respect of investigative work undertaken by an applicant’s recognised legal representative or in relation to obtaining an expert’s report, save in exceptional circumstances.

An award shall limit the maximum number of hours that can be charged by any member of a legal team in connection with Inquiry work to 40 hours per week save that exceptionally, the Solicitor to the Inquiry may authorise an increase to a maximum of 60 hours during the eight-week period immediately preceding the commencement of the oral hearings and during the oral hearings where they are satisfied that such increase is justified in all the circumstances. For the purposes of this paragraph a week shall be taken to commence on a Monday and end on the following Sunday, and no unused hours below the maximum in any one week may be set-off against any other week.

The maximum hourly rates for legal work by the members of an applicant’s legal team shall be:

Leading Counsel

Whether a member of the Bar or a Solicitor acting in the role of advocate – £180.00 plus VAT

Junior Counsel

Whether a member of the Bar or a Solicitor acting in the role of advocate – £110.00 plus VAT

Solicitors

Solicitors with over 7 years post qualification experience – £120.00 plus VAT

Solicitor Partner – £150.00 per hour

Assistant Solicitor – £130.00 per hour

Trainee Solicitor or Paralegal – £60.00 per hour

The maximum hourly rates for travel and waiting time by the members of an applicant’s legal team shall be half of the applicable maximum hourly rate relating to legal work specified in paragraph 3.
October 19, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Joint statement by contributors to the International Fund for Ukraine [October 2023]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 12 October 2023.

The International Fund for Ukraine has announced a package worth over £100 million for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The International Fund for Ukraine has today announced a package worth over £100 million for the Armed Forces of Ukraine to provide maintenance and manoeuvre support. In recent weeks, the Ukrainians have made steady process against formidably defended Russian positions.  They are showing that Ukraine has the capability to defeat the Russian invasion if we continue to provide it with the equipment to do so. This package of critical capabilities will support vehicle rehabilitation and battlefield manoeuvre.

The package includes tracks and engines for Armoured Fighting Vehicles; temporary bridges, and heavy equipment transporters for moving Main Battle Tanks; minefield breaching capabilities and portable mine clearance equipment to enable soldiers on foot to cross sections of mine fields and plant equipment for clearing obstacles such as anti-tank ditches.

We are also delighted to announce that all capabilities from the Air Defence Package announced in June are now on contract. The first systems will be delivered by the end of the year and will bolster Ukraine’s ability to protect its critical national infrastructure over the winter months.

The announcement was made today at a meeting of Defence Ministers at the Ukraine Defence Contact Group and has been funded by contributions from the UK, Norway, Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Lithuania, and Iceland.

October 19, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Veterans’ Minister attends National Day, deepening UK-Fiji ties [October 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 12 October 2023.

UK Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Rt Hon. Johnny Mercer MP, met British Army veterans across Fiji during his trip and met senior Fijian ministers.

A senior UK government minister has joined Fijian nationals in celebrating their national day (Tuesday, 10 October).

The Rt Hon. Johnny Mercer MP, the UK Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, met British Army veterans across Fiji during his trip and met senior Fijian Government Ministers.

Mr Mercer is the first UK Minister to attend Fiji Day celebrations in recent history. The celebrations are the culmination of a week-long programme of religious and cultural events.

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Rt Hon. Johnny Mercer MP, said:

It was an honour to attend Fiji Day and celebrate with the people of Fiji this significant day in your calendar.

Fijian soldiers continue to play a vital role in the British Armed Forces. I’m here to recognise that, and their service, and learn something about their country. It was a pleasure meeting Fijian veteran during this trip, and personally express my gratitude for their service.

There remains a terrible stigma around mental health. On my trip I met a range of Fijian mental health professionals to discuss the landscape here, particularly around providing support to those who have experienced stress and trauma in combat. I am keen that the UK and Fiji share experience and expertise in this area, to ensure better support to those who need it the most.

It was an honour for me to meet veterans of the 1950s nuclear tests. I was able to listen to their experience and discuss the Nuclear Test Medal which will recognise their service.

During his time in Fiji, the Minister will also visit Momi Bay Battery Historical Park, which was tasked with defending the Navula passage in World War II from a Japanese coastal invasion.

Further information

The Nuclear Test medal was announced by the Prime Minister in November 2022, 70 years after the first British test of a nuclear weapon, and recognises military, civilian, and overseas staff and personnel who participated in Britain’s nuclear testing programme. The medal will recognise the contribution made by veterans and civilian staff from across Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Kiribati and includes scientists and local employees.

The Ministry of Defence Medal Office has begun to dispatch medals to Commonwealth veterans, where their applications have already been received and approved. The British High Commissioner will arrange for medals to be passed to Commonwealth recipients.

The medal will also be awarded posthumously. Veterans, civilian staff and next of kin from across the UK and Commonwealth can apply for the commemorative medal through the MOD’s Medal Office, which will be free of charge.

Sharing best practice and working with like-minded international counterparts are part of the UK Government’s wider efforts to make the UK the best country in the world to be a veteran. The UK now has a dedicated Office for Veterans’ Affairs sitting outside of the Ministry of Defence and under the direction of a Minister who attends Cabinet, following in the footsteps of other Five Eyes allies.

Eligible veterans, civilians and their next of kin can now submit an application to the MOD Medal Office.

See full eligibility to receive the Nuclear Test Medal.

The qualifying period for the medal is defined as “service of any length”. Priority will be given to issuing medals to veterans and civilians involved in the nuclear tests before those sent to next of kin.

A copy of the eligibility criteria for the medal has been deposited in the Libraries of the Houses of Parliament.

The Nuclear Test Medal was first announced by the Prime Minister in November 2022.

October 19, 2023