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Tag: Press Release

  • PRESS RELEASE : Mark McAllister confirmed as new Ofgem Chair [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Mark McAllister confirmed as new Ofgem Chair [November 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 2 November 2023.

    A new chair of the Ofgem Board has been appointed by the Energy Security Secretary, Claire Coutinho.

    • With over 40 years’ experience in the energy industry, Mark McAllister will boost the regulator’s work to build an energy market fit for the future
    • Appointment follows endorsement by the Energy Security and Net Zero Select Committee
    • Mark McAllister will succeed Martin Cave on 6 November

    Mark McAllister is today (2 November 2023) confirmed as the next Chair of Ofgem – strengthening the government’s work to build a more secure and affordable energy system.

    The incoming Chair will take up the role at an important time for regulator Ofgem as they work to reform the energy market to best serve consumers.

    Responsible for protecting consumers from high energy bills, restoring confidence and resilience in the retail market, and supporting progress towards net zero, Mr McAllister’s leadership will help shape Ofgem’s work in years ahead.

    He will also work closely with the government to support more households to move towards cleaner, cheaper energy generated in the UK.

    The Energy Security and Net Zero (ESNZ) Select Committee approved the appointment, following a hearing in October.

    Energy Security Secretary Claire Coutinho said:

    I am pleased Mark McAllister is set to take up the position of Ofgem Chair, bringing over 40 years of outstanding experience in the energy industry to the role.

    By working together with Ofgem, we will continue to ensure the energy market works for consumers, delivering lower bills and cleaner energy – with prices already down 55% since their peak.

    Incoming Chair of Ofgem Mark McAllister said:

    Energy prices, security of supply and decarbonisation of the energy system are some of the most important challenges facing the UK today and which Ofgem plays a key role in addressing.

    I am looking forward to working with the new Board, management and entire Ofgem team to protect energy consumers and to help realise a net zero energy system through both our regulatory and delivery responsibilities.

    I am keen to engage with all stakeholders, including industry, consumer groups and charities to find the best solutions to the challenges we face together.

    The government is continuing to provide targeted support this winter, including £150 off energy bills for over three million households through the Warm Home Discount, alongside Winter Fuel and Cold Weather payments.

    This comes on top of £900 cost of living support for those in need, as well as nearly £40 billion to cover around half a typical household’s energy bill last winter.

    Working in conjunction with the Ofgem price cap, the government’s Energy Price Guarantee also remains in place until March 2024 to help safeguard families from high costs.

    Mr McAllister will take up his role on 6 November 2023.

    Notes to editors

    The Gas and Electricity Markets Authority (GEMA), or the Ofgem Board, comprises non-executive and executive members, and a non-executive chair. Members are appointed by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Government calls on business expertise to boost trade with Turkey [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Government calls on business expertise to boost trade with Turkey [November 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for International Trade on 2 November 2023.

    The UK is seeking views from businesses and the wider public on UK negotiation objectives for a new trade agreement with Turkey.

    • Government invites business to shape UK objectives for fresh trade talks with Turkey
    • New, modernised trade deal could boost trade with top-20 trading partner and support wide range of sectors including services, tech and digital
    • Trade Minister Nigel Huddleston marks launch with visit to Vodafone, one of the UK’s largest investors in Turkey

    The UK has today [2 November] launched a ‘Call for Input’ seeking views from businesses and the wider public on UK negotiation objectives for a new, modernised free trade agreement (FTA) with Turkey.

    The UK and Turkey are two major trading economies at either end of the European continent. Trade between the two countries reached £26 billion in the 12 months to June 2023, making Turkey a top 20 trading partner for the UK. In 2022, over 8,000 UK VAT-registered businesses exported goods to Turkey, including well-known brands like Vodafone

    The UK and Turkey have an existing FTA which is based on outdated provisions from the 1990s negotiated when the UK was a member of the EU, and only covers goods. We are committed to negotiating a new, modernised FTA that is fit for the 21st century and covers sectors such as services, tech and digital.

    The Call for Input will give businesses, organisations, and individuals the opportunity to shape the UK’s negotiating aims ahead of talks and ensure the updated trade deal is tailored to the strengths and priorities of British businesses.

    International Trade Minister Nigel Huddleston will launch the Call for Input on a visit to Vodafone’s Newbury headquarters. Vodafone is one of the UK’s largest investors in Turkey.

    International Trade Minister Nigel Huddleston said:

    Trade deals are all about creating opportunities for businesses, growing the economy and supporting jobs – that’s why it’s so important businesses tell us what they want from them.

    Turkey is a great strategic partner and we already have a thriving trading relationship – up more than 17% in current prices in the last year alone. I’m incredibly excited to start upgrading our FTA, opening up opportunities for growth and giving British businesses better access to a market of some 85 million people.

    Turkey’s thriving tech, manufacturing, transport, and infrastructure sectors have generated a surge in demand for international expertise in recent years, presenting significant opportunities for UK companies. UK services exports to Turkey all already on the up, increasing by 54% to £2.1 billion in 2022, with key sectors including transport, financial services, architecture and audit.

    A new FTA with modern provisions for services and digital trade could turbocharge this, creating opportunities for UK businesses and giving them a competitive edge on companies from other countries.

    Serpil Timuray, Vodafone CEO of Europe Cluster and UK Country Representative for Turkey’s DEİK (Foreign Economic Relations Board) DTİK (World Turkish Business Council) said:

    Vodafone is a leading investor in Turkey that has taken a long-term outlook and contributed significantly to the country’s digitalisation and economic progress during the last 15 years. A new trade deal will drive greater opportunities for Vodafone and other companies who have invested in Turkey, helping to foster closer UK-Turkey relationships.

    The call for input will run from 10am on 2 November 2023 to 10am on 5 January 2024 and will be available on gov.uk.

    Background

    • Turkey is a major supplier of goods to the UK, which is its 4th largest goods export market, in return for £6.4 billion of UK goods exports.
    • The Call for Input follows a joint review of our existing FTA, which covers goods trade only, is based on outdated provisions from the 1990s and is not tailored to the UK’s strengths as a services superpower.
    • The joint review concluded there would be value in expanding its scope under a new agreement to expand trade ties and benefit both economies.
    • UK and Turkey Joint Statement can be found on gov.uk: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-tu3rkey-joint-statement-july-2023
  • PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak meeting with Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak meeting with Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres [November 2023]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 2 November 2023.

    The Prime Minister met with the Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres at the UK’s AI Safety Summit at Bletchley Park today.

    The Prime Minister welcomed the Secretary-General’s attendance at the AI Summit and the establishment of the United Nations’ AI Advisory Body. The Prime Minister looked forward to its recommendations next year, which would be informed by the discussions at the AI Safety Summit and the ‘State of the Science’ report on frontier AI risk driven by the UK. They discussed the need for close global collaboration on AI safety, and the Prime Minister set out how the UK AI Safety Institute would be taking forward this work with global partners.

    The leaders then discussed the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza and agreed on the importance of urgently scaling up the delivery of life-saving humanitarian aid. The Prime Minister set out the work the UK is doing to support, including doubling aid funding for the United Nations and others’ work in Gaza and pre-positioning emergency supplies and equipment in Egypt. The Prime Minister and the Secretary-General agreed on the need to reinvigorate international efforts to reach a lasting resolution to the conflict and progress work towards a two-state solution.

    The two leaders also discussed the war in Ukraine. The Prime Minister raised concerns about the breakdown of the Black Sea Grain Initiative and stressed the importance of maintaining support for Ukraine.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak call with President el-Sisi of Egypt [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak call with President el-Sisi of Egypt [November 2023]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 1 November 2023.

    The Prime Minister spoke to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi this evening about the situation in Gaza and the wider Middle East.

    He welcomed the opening of the Rafah crossing today for the first British and other nationals and injured Palestinians to leave Gaza. The Prime Minister thanked President Sisi for his efforts and said the UK would continue to work closely with Egypt and Israel to ensure all British citizens can leave Gaza safely.

    The leaders talked about urgent work to increase the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza, and the Prime Minister updated on plans for a second UK aid flight to support the work of the Egyptian Red Crescent. He said ensuring life-saving aid and medical treatment reaches civilians by all available routes is a top priority and the UK stands ready to provide further support.

    The Prime Minister and President Sisi also discussed diplomatic efforts to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas, prevent escalation in the wider Middle East and achieve long-term peace and prosperity for the Palestinian people.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak meeting with US Vice President Kamala Harris [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak meeting with US Vice President Kamala Harris [November 2023]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 1 November 2023.

    The Prime Minister welcomed the United States Vice President Kamala Harris to Downing Street for the first time this afternoon.

    Ahead of travelling to the AI Safety Summit tomorrow, they discussed the need for global collaboration on the novel opportunities and risks presented by frontier AI, including issues like bias and disinformation. The Vice President thanked the Prime Minister for hosting the first summit to take forward these discussions.

    The Prime Minister welcomed the shared focus on AI safety, including the announcement of a new US institute that will work closely alongside the UK’s AI Safety Institute to boost research into the capabilities and risks of this technology.

    The Prime Minister and Vice President also spoke about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The Prime Minister reiterated Israel’s right to defend itself against terror as well as the need to get more humanitarian aid into Gaza and to free hostages taken by Hamas. Both agreed that the UK and US were aligned in these efforts and would continue to work with partners in the region to ensure stability.

    The Prime Minister and Vice President also stressed the importance of continued support for Ukraine and close collaboration on the fight against Russian aggression.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Government to deliver 160 community diagnostic centres a year early [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Government to deliver 160 community diagnostic centres a year early [November 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 1 November 2023.

    The community diagnostic centre (CDC) programme is largest central cash investment in MRI and CT scanning capacity in the history of the NHS.

    • The government has announced 3 of the final CDC locations which will serve tens of thousands of patients in London, Sussex and Yorkshire – offering patients greater choice on where and how they are treated
    • Over 5 million tests, checks and scans have been delivered for patients so far, as part of efforts to bring down waiting lists

    The government will meet its target to open 160 community diagnostic centres a year early, the Health and Social Care Secretary will announce today (31 October 2023).

    All 160 centres will be open by March 2024, a year ahead of the original March 2025 target – speeding up access to potentially lifesaving tests and checks.

    In a speech to the Independent Healthcare Providers Network, he will confirm the rollout of the one-stop shops following the hard work of NHS staff and the government’s efforts to maximise use of the independent sector – backed by the £2.3 billion in capital funding.

    Based in a variety of settings including shopping centres, university campuses and football stadiums, 127 of the community healthcare hubs are already open – including 40 brought forward earlier than planned. They offer patients a wide range of diagnostic tests closer to home and greater choice on where and how they are treated, reducing the need for hospital visits and helping them to receive potentially life-saving care sooner.

    The programme constitutes the largest central cash investment in MRI and CT scanning capacity in the history of the NHS and has already delivered more than 5 million additional tests, checks and scans across the country. The new centres will provide capacity for 9 million more by 2025 as part of the NHS and government’s plan to recover services following the pandemic.

    Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay said:

    Patients deserve the highest quality care, and community diagnostic centres have been instrumental in speeding up the diagnosis of illnesses like cancer and heart disease to ensure patients are treated more quickly.

    I’m delighted we will open 160 CDCs a year early, allowing greater access to high tech scans and diagnostics in communities across England.

    This has been made possible by using all capacity available to us and drawing on the independent sector – helping us to cut waiting lists, one of the government’s top 5 priorities.

    The government has announced 3 of the final locations which will serve tens of thousands of patients, with all set to open in December 2023. They are:

    • Queen Mary’s Sidcup CDC – based in south-east London, the facility will offer CT, MRI and ultrasound checks, along with blood tests – providing at least 58,000 additional checks once fully operational
    • Halifax CDC – based at Broad Street Plaza shopping centre in the Yorkshire town, this CDC will offer ultrasound checks, blood tests and heart scans – delivering at least 90,000 tests once fully operational
    • Chichester University CDC, Bognor Regis – this facility will offer CT and MRI scans along with ultrasound checks and blood tests to patients, and deliver at least 18,000 additional tests once fully operational

    In total, 13 of the CDCs are led by the independent sector, with 8 of these already operational. There are a further 22 CDCs located on the NHS estate where the independent sector is providing diagnostic services. They function like NHS-run CDCs but by making use of the available capacity in the independent sector patients can access additional diagnostic capacity free at the point of need.

    Alongside this, as the Prime Minister originally announced in May, hundreds of thousands of NHS patients who have been waiting longer than 40 weeks for treatment will today be offered the opportunity to travel to a different hospital as part of ambitious measures set out in the elective recovery plan.

    Any patient who has been waiting longer than 40 weeks and does not have an appointment within the next 8 weeks will be contacted by their hospital via letter, text or email. The 400,000 eligible patients will then be able to submit their details, including how far they are willing to travel.

    Thanks to this and wider measures, the government successfully met the first target in its elective recovery plan to virtually eliminate waits of over 2 years and has cut 18-month waits by over 90% from the peak in September 2021.

    Earlier this year, the government’s Elective Recovery Taskforce set out a plan to maximise independent sector capacity to treat NHS patients more quickly. Chaired by Health Minister Will Quince and made up of academics and experts from the NHS and independent sector, the taskforce looked for ways to go further to bust the COVID-19 backlogs and reduce waiting times for patients.

    Its recommendations will ensure patients have the right to receive care at a provider of their choice, encourage the system to work together to deliver a post-pandemic recovery, and monitor the contribution of the independent sector to delivering health services and developing the workforce.

    Earlier this month, the government also invested £200 million to boost resilience in the NHS and help patients get the care they need as quickly as possible this winter. The new funding came after the Prime Minister and Health and Social Care Secretary met clinical leaders and NHS chiefs to drive forward planning to ease pressures in urgent and emergency care while protecting waiting list targets this winter. Alongside this, £40 million was invested to bolster social care capacity and improve discharge from hospital.

    Background information

    DHSC and NHS England count CDCs delivering tests and accessing national funding as open. This may include temporary sites while the full CDC is completed.

    We are now recruiting for an independent chair of the choice panel, who will help promote compliance with rules on patient choice.

    In September, NHS England confirmed that 4 other CDCs had been approved – 2 in Wiltshire, one in Thanet and one in Cheshire.

    The full list of open CDCs can be found below:

    • Andover CDC
    • Barking Community Hospital CDC
    • Barnsley Glassworks CDC
    • Bexhill CDC
    • Bishop Auckland CDC
    • Blaydon CDC
    • Bolton CDC
    • Bradford District and Craven CDC
    • Bath Somerset and Wiltshire Banes Locality CDC
    • Buckland Community Hospital CDC
    • Cannock Chase CDC
    • CDC Poole @Dorset Health Village with spoke CDCs:
      • Poole, Beales CDC
      • South Walks CDC
      • Boscombe AECC CDC
      • Weymouth CDC
    • CIOS Bodmin CDC with spoke CDC:
      • West Cornwall CDC
    • Clacton CDC
    • Clatterbridge Diagnostics CDC with spoke CDCs:
      • Ellesmere Port CDC
      • Liverpool Women’s Hospital CDC
    • Paddington CDC
    • Corbett CDC with spoke CDCs:
      • Guest CDC
      • Merry Hill CDC
    • Corby CDC with spoke CDC:
      • Kings Heath CDC
    • Coventry City Community CDC with spoke CDC:
      • Rugby St Cross CDC
    • Crawley Collaborative CDC with spoke CDC:
      • Caterham Dene CDC
    • Devon Exeter Nightingale CDC
    • East Somerset CDC
    • Eltham Community Hospital CDC
    • [Ely CDC (hub) – not open yet] with spoke CDC:
      • Wisbech CDC
    • Finchley Memorial Hospital CDC with spoke CDC:
      • Wood Green CDC
    • Florence Nightingale Community Hospital CDC with spoke CDC:
      • Sir Robert Peel CDC
    • Gloucestershire Quayside CDC
    • Grantham CDC
    • Hereford City CDC with spoke CDC:
      • Kidderminster Treatment Centre CDC
    • Hinckley CDC
    • Huddersfield CDC
    • Ilkeston Community Hospital CDC with spoke CDC:
      • Whitworth Hospital CDC
    • Island CDC
    • [James Paget CDC – not open yet] with spoke CDC:
      • East Norfolk CDC
    • Leeds CDC with spoke CDC:
      • Armley Moor Health Centre CDC
    • Leicester CDC
    • Leigh CDC
    • Lymington New Forest Hospital CDC with spoke CDCs:
      • Hythe CDC
      • Romsey CDC
    • Manchester and Trafford CDC
    • Mansfield CDC
    • Mile End Hospital CDC
    • Milford Community Hospital CDC
    • Montagu Hospital CDC with spoke CDC:
      • Rotherham Diagnostics CDC
    • New QEII Hospital CDC
    • [North Bedfordshire CDC (hub) – not open yet] with spoke CDC:
      • Whitehouse Health Centre CDC
    • North Bristol CDC
    • [North Lincolnshire CDC (hub) – not open yet] with spoke CDCs:
      • Askham Bar Community Care Centre CDC
      • East Riding Community Hospital CDC
      • Selby War Memorial CDC
    • North Solihull CDC
    • Northern Care Alliance Oldham CDC with spoke CDC:
      • Salford CDC
    • [NWL Ealing CDC (hub) – not open yet] with spoke CDC:
      • Wembley CDC
      • Willesden CDC
    • Oxford CDC
    • Penrith CDC
    • Portsmouth CDC with spoke CDC:
      • Fareham CDC
      • Oak Park CDC
    • Preston Healthport CDC
    • Queen Mary’s Hospital Roehampton CDC with spoke CDCs:
      • Kingston CDC
      • Purley CDC
    • Queen Victoria Hospital CDC
    • Rossendale CDC with spoke CDC:
      • Burnley General Hospital Spoke CDC
    • Royal South Hants CDC
    • [Slough CDC (hub) not open yet] with spoke CDC:
      • Heatherwood CDC
    • Somerset West CDC with spoke CDCs:
      • Bridgwater CDC
      • South Petherton CDC
      • Taunton Central CDC
      • West Mendip CDC
      • Yeovil CDC
    • South Warwickshire CDC
    • Southlands Hospital CDC with spoke CDCs:
      • Bognor Regis WMH CDC
    • Brighton CDC
    • St Helens CDC with spoke CDC:
      • Southport CDC
    • Shrewsbury Telford and Wrekin CDC
    • Swale CDC with spoke CDC:
      • Medway CDC
    • [Tees Valley CDC – not yet open] with spoke CDCs:
      • Lawson Street CDC
      • Friarage CDC
      • Hartlepool CDC
      • Redcar CDC
    • Thurrock CDC with spoke CDC:
      • Braintree CDC
    • Victoria Infirmary Northwich CDC
    • Warrington and Halton CDC with spoke CDC:
      • Shopping City CDC
    • Warwickshire North CDC
    • Washwood Heath CDC
    • West Berkshire Community Hospital CDC with spoke CDCs:
      • Amersham CDC
      • Bracknell CDC
    • West Essex CDC with spoke CDC:
      • Bishop’s Stortford CDC
    • West Kent CDC
    • Westmorland CDC with spoke CDCs:
      • Crossland Day Hospital CDC
      • Heysham CDC
    • Weston CDC
    • Whitegate Drive CDC with spoke CDC:
      • Fleetwood CDC
    • Woking Community Hospital CDC
  • PRESS RELEASE : Scottish Secretary responds to GDP figures for August 2023 [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Scottish Secretary responds to GDP figures for August 2023 [November 2023]

    The press release issued by the Secretary of State for Scotland on 1 November 2023.

    Alister Jack welcomes economy’s resilience while remaining committed to halving inflation for long-term growth.

    Scotland’s onshore GDP is estimated to have increased by 0.1% in August, following the figures increasing by 0.2% in July (revised up from 0.1% in the previous publication)

    In the three months to August, GDP is estimated to have remained constant (0.0% growth) compared to the previous three month period. This indicates an increase in growth during the third quarter of the year so far, relative to the fall of 0.3% in 2023 Quarter 2 (April to June)

    Secretary of State for Scotland Alister Jack said:

    While this month’s figures indicate a resilient economy, we are still absolutely committed to halving inflation to achieve sustained long-term growth.

    Not only are we encouraging trade and boosting investment with more than £2.5 billion invested directly into all parts of Scotland, we also continue to help families with the cost of living, with the second of three £300 payments going out from this week to those who need it most.

    The UK has grown faster than France and Germany since the pandemic and we will continue to prioritise growing the economy for the benefit of people all over the UK.

    Additional information:

    • Since 2010, the UK has grown faster than France, Japan and Germany.
    • Recent figures have shown that by 2021 the UK had recovered faster than France, Germany, Italy and Japan, with the economy 0.6% above pre-pandemic levels by 2021 Q4.
    • Through measures announced at the Spring Budget, the Chancellor is tackling two of the biggest issues for UK growth – employment levels and business investment – while also supporting households with cost-of-living pressures.
  • PRESS RELEASE : Russia aligns with authoritarian regimes out of desperate necessity – UK statement to the OSCE [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Russia aligns with authoritarian regimes out of desperate necessity – UK statement to the OSCE [November 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 1 November 2023.

    UK military advisor, Nicholas Aucott, says Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine is a tragedy for Ukrainians but an unmitigated disaster for Russia.

    Thank you, Madam Chair. Once again, Ukrainian civilians have paid the price for Russia’s illegal war of aggression on its sovereign neighbour. In the town of Izium, in Kharkiv Oblast, Russian missiles struck a fire station, injuring eight personnel. It is a feature of the depravity of the Russian campaign that Russia continues to cause damage to targets, such as ‘first-responders’, whose very role it is to preserve life.

    On 26 October, Russian one-way-attack UAVs struck near Khmelnytsky Nuclear Power Plant, 280km west of Kyiv. 20 people were reported injured by falling debris in a town nearby, windows at the plant were shattered and power was temporarily cut to off-site radiation monitoring stations. The attack also downed power lines near the facility. Thankfully the International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed that the plant’s operation continued to be unaffected. Alongside the unacceptable military control of Zaphorizhzhia Power Plant by Russia this acts as another example of Russian recklessness and the risks this brings to nuclear safety and security.

    No doubt, in a moment, we will hear from the Russian Delegation in another attempt to draw equivalence with Ukraine. But we should be in no doubt that there is no equivalence. Russia is the aggressor. Ukraine did not illegally invade its neighbour; Russia did. In what has historically been a monologue of disinformation, Russia may proclaim a new world order; but this is a world order in which Russia invites the Hamas terrorist group to Moscow, following Hamas’s brutal murder of over 1400 Israeli citizens; it is the world order of allying with Iran, the provider of Shahed one way attack drones which have been used extensively by Russia to kill Ukrainian civilians and attack critical infrastructure; and the development of North Korea as Russia’s new strategic arms partner and provider of military aid. Madam Chair, this is not a new world order, but a grouping of authoritarian States that have aligned out of desperate necessity.

    Mixing with such regimes mark the depths to which Russia has sunk in an effort to maintain its military in the field. Russia does this while it continues to suffer devastating losses both around the town of Avdiivka and in the campaign more broadly.

    Madam Chair, Russia’s horrendous war against Ukraine has now lasted 200 times longer than Russia had predicted it would.  The incredible defence of Ukraine is the result of the tremendous courage and resilience of the Ukrainian people. It is quite plausible that Russia will once again try this winter to directly target Ukrainian energy infrastructure, if it can replenish its diminished stockpile of long-range cruise missiles. This would be in keeping with the cynical way in which Russia has chosen to fight its illegal war to date. And Russia will continue to mask its myriad military failures to enable this debacle to continue. Even in this diplomatic Forum, Russia will threaten to destroy Ukrainian aircraft, whilst at the same time Russia continues to shoot its own aircraft out the sky; it will talk of military advances whilst now only having control of half of the Ukrainian territory it did at the beginning of the campaign; and it may even show a handful of NATO vehicles on the obligatory slideshow, never acknowledging that Russia has now lost 5000 tanks in this calamitous campaign.

    Madam Chair, Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine is a tragedy for Ukrainians but an unmitigated disaster for Russia. The sooner Russia recognises its folly and withdraws from internationally recognised Ukrainian territory, the better. Until that time, the United Kingdom will continue to support Ukraine, to help it become ever more capable of defending itself and, assist in the reconstruction that Russia has necessitated. As for Russia, those responsible will be held accountable for the destructive and catastrophic campaign; the longest ‘lightning strike’ in military history at over 600-days and counting. Ukraine will win this war. Thank you.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Environmental principles duty comes into force [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Environmental principles duty comes into force [November 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 1 November 2023.

    Under the duty set out in the Environment Act 2021, ministers and policy makers must consider the environmental impact of new policies.

    A new environmental principles duty – a measure to ensure the environment is at the heart of governmental policy making – comes into force today (Wednesday 1 November).

    The duty reflects the government’s commitment to leaving the environment in a better state for future generations, ensuring that green issues are taken into account throughout the decision-making process. This will help the government to meet the targets outlined in the Environmental Improvement Plan and will ensure that environmental impacts are always given due consideration when policy is drafted.

    Under the duty, ministers and policy makers must consider the environmental impact of new policies, following a framework of key principles:

    • The integration principle, which is the principle that environmental protection should be integrated into the making of policies.
    • The prevention principle, which states that government policy makers should aim to prevent environmental harm.
    • The rectification at source principle, which means that policy should address environmental damage at the source, to avoid the need to remedy its effects later.
    • The polluter pays principle, which states that where possible, the costs of environmental damage should be borne by those causing it, rather than the person who suffers the effects of the resulting environmental damage, or the wider community.
    • The precautionary principle, which provides that where the threat of serious or irreversible environmental damage exists, a lack of scientific certainty shall not be used as a reason for postponing cost-effective measures to prevent environmental degradation.

    The duty applies to new or revised policies made across government, with exceptions for national security and spending decisions, and delivers on commitments included in the Environment Act 2021 for Ministers of the Crown to have legal due regard to these principles.

    Nature Minister Trudy Harrison said:

    This government has gone further and faster to protect nature than any other, and the introduction of this duty further reaffirms our commitment to leave the environment in a better state than we found it.

    Considering the environment across government policy will support our wider efforts to restore halt species loss and protect our much-loved landscapes, green spaces and the marine environment.

    The principles are designed to guide policymakers towards opportunities to prevent environmental damage and enhance the environment. These are internationally recognised as successful benchmarks for environmental protection and enhancement.

    The duty is outlined in detail in the Environmental Principles Policy Statement, published earlier this year, which outlines how to interpret and proportionately apply the principles. Ministers and the officials advising them on policy need to thoroughly consider these principles throughout the policy development process.

    Work has been underway to implement the new duty across government, including working with policymakers, lawyers and analysts.

    The Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) will monitor and report on implementation of the duty across government.

    Environmental protection is devolved in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, subject to a small number of reserved areas. Therefore, each devolved administration can legislate individually for the Environmental Principles in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland respectively.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Reappointment to the Youth Justice Board [November 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Reappointment to the Youth Justice Board [November 2023]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 1 November 2023.

    The Secretary of State for Justice has approved the reappointments of Susannah Hancock, Jacob Sakil, and Louise Shorter as members of the Youth Justice Board.

    The Secretary of State has reappointed Susannah Hancock, Jacob Sakil, and Louise Shorter as members of the Youth Justice Board (YJB) for 3 years from 1 December 2023 until 30 November 2026.

    Susannah Hancock is the Chief Operating Officer for the National Fire Chiefs Council. She was previously Chief Executive of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners. Before that she was Assistant Chief Executive of Victim Support and Chief Executive of the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner in Essex. Between 2004-2008, she served as Head of London for the YJB.

    Jacob Sakil: Since 2017, Jacob has been a passionate advocate for youth social action and community engagement. He is the founder of American Bites start-up, Youth Justice Service representative and sits on the Business in the Community’s (BITC) Place Taskforce supporting the collaborative potential of business to strengthen communities around the UK.

    Louise Shorter is founder and investigator of Inside Justice; a registered charity which investigates alleged miscarriages of justice on behalf of prisoners who maintain their innocence. She is also a Board member of Inside Time; a not-for-profit newspaper for prisoners and an Associate Tutor at the School of Law, University of East Anglia.

    All 3 have not declared any political activity.

    The YJB is a non-departmental public body, responsible for overseeing the youth justice system in England and Wales. Its primary function is to monitor the operation of the youth justice system and the provision of youth justice services.

    Reappointments to the YJB are made by the Secretary of State for Justice and are regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. These reappointments comply with the Cabinet Office Governance Code on Public Appointments.