Tag: Press Release

PRESS RELEASE : Appointment of Martin Jones as His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Probation [January 2024]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 22 January 2024.

The Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor has announced the appointment of Martin Jones as His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Probation.

The Secretary of State and Lord Chancellor, Rt Hon. Alex Chalk KC MP, has announced the appointment of Martin Jones as the Chief Inspector of Probation. The appointment will commence on 1 March 2024 for a 3 year term to run until 28 February 2027.

The recruitment of HMCI Probation is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments and this appointment has been made in line with the Governance Code on Public Appointments.

His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Probation

His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Probation (HMCIP) is the independent inspector of probation and youth offending services in England and Wales. The Inspectorate offers independent scrutiny of the quality of work undertaken with individual offenders to seek to improve outcomes for individuals and communities.

Biography

Mr Jones has been the Chief Executive of the Parole Board since 2015. Prior to that he served as Deputy Director for Sentencing Policy from 2012 to 2015 and as Head of Crime for Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service from 2008 to 2011.

24/01/2024
PRESS RELEASE : New Government WhatsApp Channel to provide public information [January 2024]
The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 22 January 2024.

Government launches new Whatsapp Channel to provide helpful opt-in information to the public.
Government rings in new WhatsApp Channel to provide helpful information to the public

New WhatsApp Channel will communicate important information directly to people’s phones.

System is entirely opt-in and will amplify key messages like information on childcare support and cost of living payments.

Town crier announces launch of new communication channel outside Parliament.

The Government has launched a new account on WhatsApp Channels, allowing members of the public to subscribe to receive important updates to their phones.

WhatsApp Channels are used by a range of organisations, from news sites to football clubs and increasingly by Governments – providing single message alerts or updates to anyone subscribed to them.

WhatsApp makes it clear that the channels are one-way only and users can opt in or out at any time.

Cabinet Office Minister Alex Burghart said:

We are always looking for new ways to communicate with the public. WhatsApp is a hugely popular platform in the UK so we hope our new and entirely opt-in WhatsApp channel will be a useful way of providing people with updates from the government. We’re looking forward to seeing how people respond to this service and will develop it over time based on users’ feedback.

Helen Charles, Director of Public Policy, WhatsApp at Meta, Europe said:

We’re pleased that the UK Government is using WhatsApp Channels to give people in the UK better access to reliable information through the most private broadcast service available.

As a trusted, verified account the UK Government channel will focus on reiterating important information which is relevant directly to the public in areas like updating on public services, news updates that affect a large part of the population or pointing to new guidance and public resources.

Like any new communications method being used by Government – the UK Government channel will be continuously reviewed to ensure that it is being used effectively to provide timely and relevant information. Users can expect to regular updates from across government on a weekly basis.

From Tuesday followers of the UK Government WhatsApp channel will be notified that they can get discounted rail tickets from the Great British Rail Sale

Examples of other UK Government channel posts include:

Reiterating public health advice like announcing winter flu jabs

Deadline reminders like self-assessment tax return deadlines

New information on extra support the public can receive, like cost of living payments and government-linked discounts and other benefits

Childcare support updates

The Government will also use the channel to share trusted and essential information from partner organisations like UK Health Security and Public Health England health alerts.

The channel will be a publicly run information service, similar to gov.uk or official government social media accounts. It will not be used for political or campaign purposes and will be managed by government officials.

Anyone with a WhatsApp account can follow the new UK Government WhatsApp channel by searching for ‘UK Government’ in the ‘Updates’ section of the app and choosing to follow the account.

The channel is entirely separate from the national emergency alerts system, which was tested in 2023 and which provides alerts only when there is a direct risk to life. Unlike emergency alerts, users must opt-in via WhatsApp to subscribe to the Government WhatsApp channel.

Critical information and updates will always be published to gov.uk – the UK Government’s official website, in the usual way, and the WhatsApp channel will help amplify information to those who opt in. The channel is intended to help reach more members of the public who might not otherwise receive Government updates.

To mark the launch of this new channel of communication, town crier Alan Myatt made a public announcement outside Parliament. The video of this can be found here: https://youtube.com/shorts/a6tBIBsD0eQ

You can subscribe to the UK Government WhatsApp Channel here: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaGDHQ6GpLHKEdlUt03L
24/01/2024
PRESS RELEASE : Statement on Air Strikes against Houthi military targets in Yemen [January 2024]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 22 January 2024.

On 22 January, the UK conducted further strikes against Houthi targets. Four Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s, supported by a pair of Voyager tankers, joined US forces in a deliberate strike against Houthi sites in Yemen.

Our aircraft used Paveway IV precision guided bombs to strike multiple targets at two military sites in the vicinity of Sanaa airfield. These locations were being used to enable the continued intolerable attacks against international shipping in the Red Sea. This follows our initial operation on 11 January, and subsequent US action, to degrade the Houthis’ capability to conduct such attacks.

In line with UK standard practice, a very rigorous analysis was applied in planning the strikes to minimise any risk of civilian casualties, and as with the previous strikes, our aircraft bombed at night to mitigate yet further any such risks.

24/01/2024
PRESS RELEASE : Joint Statement from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, the Netherlands, United Kingdom, and United States on Additional Strikes Against the Houthis in Yemen [January 2024]

The press release by the Ministry of Defence on 22 January 2024.

Today, the militaries of the United States and United Kingdom, at the direction of their respective governments with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands, conducted an additional round of proportionate and necessary strikes against 8 Houthi targets in Yemen in response to the Houthis’ continued attacks against international and commercial shipping as well as naval vessels transiting the Red Sea.

These precision strikes are intended to disrupt and degrade the capabilities that the Houthis use to threaten global trade and the lives of innocent mariners, and are in response to a series of illegal, dangerous, and destabilizing Houthi actions since our coalition strikes on January 11, including anti-ship ballistic missile and unmanned aerial system attacks that struck two U.S.-owned merchant vessels.

Today’s strike specifically targeted a Houthi underground storage site and locations associated with the Houthis’ missile and air surveillance capabilities.

The Houthis’ now more than thirty attacks on international and commercial vessels since mid-November constitute an international challenge. Recognizing the broad consensus of the international community, we again acted as part of a coalition of like-minded countries committed to upholding the rules-based order, protecting freedom of navigation and international commerce, and holding the Houthis accountable for their illegal and unjustifiable attacks on mariners and commercial shipping.

Our aim remains to de-escalate tensions and restore stability in the Red Sea, but let us reiterate our warning to Houthi leadership: we will not hesitate to defend lives and the free flow of commerce in one of the world’s most critical waterways in the face of continued threats.

24/01/2024
PRESS RELEASE : 45th Universal Periodic Review of human rights – UK statement on Saudi Arabia [January 2024]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 22 January 2024.

The UK delivered a statement during Saudi Arabia’s Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council.
Thank you Mr President. Welcome, Minister.

We welcome progress since Saudi Arabia’s last UPR including on the rights of and opportunities for women.

We have three recommendations:

Amend cyber crime and anti-terrorism legislation to define terrorism in line with international human rights norms, and ensure that interpretation and application of the definition in counter-terrorism operations are consistent with human rights, particularly freedom of expression.

Restrict use of the Specialised Criminal Court to cases that are appropriately defined as terrorism and permit journalists and diplomats to routinely monitor trials.

Expand the Juvenile Law to include all crimes and thoroughly and transparently investigate any concerns regarding individuals who may have been minors at the time of their alleged crimes.
24/01/2024
PRESS RELEASE : UK updates travel advice to some western regions of Ukraine [January 2024]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 22 January 2024.

The UK government has updated its travel advice to Ukraine following a change in the risk assessment on the ground in 4 western regions of the country.
- the UK has updated its travel advice to some western regions of Ukraine including Zakarpattia, Ivano-Frankivsk, Ternopil, Chernivtsi to advise against all but essential travel
- the UK previously advised against all travel to the whole of Ukraine after Russia’s illegal invasion in February 2022
- guidance continues to advise against all travel to the capital Kyiv
The UK government has updated its travel advice to Ukraine today following a change in the risk assessment on the ground in 4 western regions of the country.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) travel advice has been updated to advise against all but essential travel to the regions, known as oblasts, of Zakarpattia, Ivano-Frankivsk, Ternopil, Chernivtsi in western Ukraine. This is a change from the previous advice against all travel to the whole of Ukraine.

The FCDO constantly updates its travel advice on the basis of the situation on the ground and is not subject to any political or economic considerations. The safety and security of the British people is our utmost concern when determining guidance for British nationals overseas.

Russia continues to illegally wage war across Ukraine but the country continues to show remarkable determination and resilience in the face of Russia’s attacks, which is why the UK has changed its travel advice to these regions. It has strong air defence systems which are helping to defend the country from Russia’s missile and drone strikes.

In response to Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the UK previously updated its travel advice to advise against all travel. The FCDO continues to advise against all travel to the rest of Ukraine including the capital Kyiv.
23/01/2024
PRESS RELEASE : Navy Missile System used to destroy Red Sea drones to be upgraded [January 2024]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 21 January 2024.

Cutting-edge Royal Navy missiles – recently used to shoot down multiple hostile drones in the Red Sea – will receive significant enhancements through an upgrade programme supporting hundreds of UK jobs.

Crucial to defend sailors, surface fleet and air threats, the Sea Viper Air Defence system will be upgraded with updated missiles featuring a new warhead and software update that will enable it to defeat ballistic missile threats. The system will protect the UK’s Carrier Strike group and can track, target and destroy a variety of air threats over 70 miles away.

Worth £405 million, the contracts will make Sea Viper the most capable naval air defence system ever developed for the Royal Navy, investing in vital capability used in recent weeks to protect one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes from multiple drone attacks.

The missile upgrades comprise three contracts awarded to MBDA UK, including two to significantly enhance the Sea Viper capability on board Type 45 warships, and a third to cover enhanced in-service support and availability of the system for the next five years.

By further investing in our world-leading defence industry, the contracts will also support the Prime Minister’s priority to grow the economy by sustaining 350 UK jobs, including highly skilled technology roles in Stevenage, Cowes, Bristol & Bolton.

The work will include employees from MBDA across the UK, France and Italy working alongside colleagues from BAE Systems.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said:

As the situation in the Middle East worsens, it is vital that we adapt to keep the UK, our allies and partners safe. Sea Viper has been at the forefront of this, being the Navy’s weapon of choice in the first shooting down of an aerial threat in more than 30 years.

Our strong and enduring relationship with British industry has ensured we can deploy the latest technological capabilities wherever they are required while supporting hundreds of jobs across the country and bolstering UK prosperity.

The Royal Navy’s Type 45 destroyers are among the most advanced in the fleet and carry out a range of activity, including defence from air attack, counter-piracy operations and providing humanitarian aid.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps this week visited HMS Diamond in the Red Sea, where it recently used Sea Viper missiles to shoot down multiple attack drones, as part of the US-led international taskforce Operation Prosperity Guardian.

Alongside HMS Diamond, the taskforce currently includes three US destroyers, and a French warship is also in the region. All are currently operating in the Southern Red Sea with the multinational partnership focusing on protecting freedom of navigation, international trade and human life by countering illicit non-state actors in international waters.

Rear Admiral Anthony Rimington, Director Force Generation said:

A cutting-edge weapon system, Sea Viper continues to provide the Royal Navy with impressive lethality. Sea Viper Evolution further enhances this capability against the more complex and evolving threats and strengthens our cooperation and interoperability with key partners.

The Sea Viper enhancements aim to deliver Ballistic Missile Defence Capability to counter more complex threats, while providing an opportunity for further upgrades and increased capability to be taken forward into future systems.

The initial stage of the contract will upgrade the Royal Navy’s existing Aster 30 missiles to Aster 30 Block 1, which will enable defence against anti-ship ballistic missile threats, and will see modifications to the fleet’s Multi-Function Radar (Sampson), Command and Control system and Combat Management System.

The subsequent stage of the Sea Viper evolution will evaluate the introduction of the new Aster 30 Block 1NT missile. Currently under development with France and Italy, it features a new seeker that would even further enhance the ballistic missile defence capabilities of the UK’s Type 45 destroyers.

Vice Admiral Paul Marshall, Director General Ships at Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), the procurement arm of the UK MOD, said:

In a rapidly changing defence environment, I’m proud to see our teams work collaboratively with industry colleagues to support highly-skilled jobs and ensure those operating the UK Type 45 fleet have the edge over their adversaries now and in the future.

Chris Allam, Managing Director of MBDA UK, said:

These contracts will make Sea Viper the most capable naval air defence system ever developed for the Royal Navy in our 60-year history as the Navy’s primary air defence system supplier.

They will also see the UK further enhance the co-operation with France and Italy through MBDA by joining the Aster 30 Block 1 programme, giving the UK the ability to defeat anti-ship ballistic missiles.

The enhancements to the fleet of Type 45 destroyers are expected to reach full operational capability by Autumn 2032.

23/01/2024
PRESS RELEASE : The Great British Rail Sale returns – discounts on over a million rail tickets [January 2024]
The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 20 January 2024.

Discounted rail ticket prices will apply to journeys between 30 January and 15 March 2024 across England and Wales.
- the week-long sale starts on 23 January 2024, slashing rail ticket prices on many routes over 6 weeks
- comes as government seeks to reform the railways and bring more passengers back to the rail network
- offers on journeys on thousands of popular routes across England and Wales
Passengers will have from 23 to 29 January 2024 to claim up to 50% off selected advance and off-peak rail tickets, through the Great British Rail Sale.

Over a million discounted tickets will be available to destinations across England and Wales, as well as on cross-border trips into Scotland, for journeys taking place between 30 January and 15 March 2024.

Whether it’s a city break, family holiday or countryside escape, passengers are encouraged to make the most of this sale to get to popular destinations across the country.

Popular journeys passengers could claim savings* on tickets for include:

Route Standard price Sale price

Portsmouth to Penzance £43 £21

Birmingham to Bristol £30.60 £15.30

Manchester to Leeds £8.60 £4.30

Leicester to Sheffield £7.30 £3.60

The government is committed to helping families with the cost of living, and working with industry to offer up to half-price rail tickets will not only boost tourism and encourage sustainable travel but also help connect friends and families across the UK.

This follows a significant intervention to cap this year’s rail fare increase at 4.9%, considerably below the 9% July’s retail price index (RPI) figure on which they are historically based.

This comes as the government delivered its commitment to halve inflation by the end of last year – helping to keep travel costs lower in the long term.

Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, said:

The return of the Great British Rail Sale is good news for passengers, following the success of the previous sale which saw passengers benefit from around £7 million in savings on their travel costs.

With discounts on more than a million tickets, there’ll be plenty of opportunity to connect with friends and family and explore great destinations across the country – I hope passengers make the most of this sale and choose to travel by rail.

Jacqueline Starr, Chief Executive of the Rail Delivery Group, said:

Train travel is the greenest way to explore our towns and cities as well as connect with your family and friends because nothing beats being there in person for those special moments.

Following the success of the Great British Rail Sale in 2022, we are really excited that it’s coming back, and customers will be able to once again purchase over a million advance ticket fares starting on 23 January 2024 and enjoy what rail has to offer.

The Great British Railways Transition Team (GBRTT) estimate that the first Great British Rail Sale in 2022 saw passengers save around £7 million on rail tickets and encouraged around 70,000 adults who had not travelled by train since the COVID-19 pandemic to take a trip.**

The government and industry are, therefore, launching a second Great British Rail Sale to save passengers money and get more people using our railways.

The Great British Rail Sale is just one way the government is seeking to improve rail passengers’ experience, with London North Eastern Railway (LNER) launching a pilot scheme for simpler fares earlier this week, removing the complex web of ticket types and replacing them with options that are simpler, more flexible and better suit passengers’ needs.

Suzanne Donnelly, Passenger Revenue Director at GBRTT, said:

I’m delighted the rail industry has, once again, come together to deliver another huge round of savings on tickets for passengers.

At GBRTT, we are focused on driving initiatives that will boost the number of rail journeys people make to reduce the cost of running the railway for taxpayers, whilst providing value for money for customers. The Great British Rail Sale is just one example of what can be achieved through a one railway, joined-up approach.

Sale tickets will start to become available from midnight on 23 January 2024. The Rail Delivery Group will host a central webpage, helping customers find the best deals. Tickets can also be found on all ticket retailer websites for journeys taking place between 30 January and 15 March 2024. Only a limited number of tickets are available, and no further sale tickets will go on offer once sold out.***

Operators are not offering sale tickets on days when their services might be impacted by the strikes announced by ASLEF on 15 and 18 January 2024.

* The savings quoted are against a typical advance purchase ticket, as these tickets vary in price the exact savings may be more or less compared to what a passenger usually purchases.

** Estimate is based on survey data from the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) and scaled using YouGov data.

*** Travel periods may differ across operators, with few or no tickets available on days impacted by industrial action. More tickets will be made available on days unaffected by industrial action.
23/01/2024
PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister call with Chancellor Scholz of Germany [January 2024]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 19 January 2024.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak spoke to the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz this evening.

The Prime Minister updated on his recent visit to Kyiv, including the signing of the UK-Ukraine Agreement on Security Cooperation and the UK’s announcement of £2.5 billion in further military aid for Ukraine.

They agreed on the importance of allies continuing to support Ukraine’s defence, which is vital for European and global security, and providing the Ukrainian armed forces with the weapons they need to defeat Russia’s invasion. The leaders also discussed wider cooperation on defence and security, including on supporting regional stability in the Middle East.

Both leaders discussed the shared European challenge of illegal migration, noting the importance of strong joint action across the continent to deal with criminal people smuggling gangs. They agreed to continue working closely together on this issue, including through Italy’s presidency of the G7.

23/01/2024
PRESS RELEASE : New King’s Counsel and Honorary King’s Counsel welcomed by Lord Chancellor [January 2024]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 19 January 2024.

His Majesty The King has approved the appointment of 95 barristers and solicitors as new King’s Counsel (KC) in England and Wales and the appointment of 5 new Honorary King’s Counsel (KC Honoris Causa).
His Majesty has also approved the appointment of 5 new Honorary King’s Counsel (KC Honoris Causa). Their biographies are listed below. Honorary KCs are awarded to those who have made a major contribution to the law of England and Wales, outside practice in the courts.

The Lord Chancellor will preside over the appointment ceremony at Westminster Hall in March 2024, where he will formally bestow the title of KC upon the successful applicants and award the Honorary KCs.

Honorary King’s Counsel biographies

Professor Anthony Arnull

Professor Arnull specialises in the law of the European Union. He worked at the European Court of Justice from 1989-92 and was Head of Birmingham Law School between 2006 and 2009. He was Acting Head of the College of Arts & Law at Birmingham from April to August 2015.

Professor Arnull was nominated for his research on the law of the European Union, in particular the role and jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice; the configuration of the European Union’s judicial system; and the relationship between European Union law and national law, especially that of the United Kingdom. His scholarship is widely respected and has had a significant impact on legislation and case law.

Professor Norman Doe

Professor Doe is the Director of the Centre for Law and Religion, which he set up at Cardiff Law School in 1998. He is on the editorial committee of the Ecclesiastical Law Journal and was appointed in 2013 as the Editor of the newly established Routledge Research Series in Law and Religion, the first series of its type in the UK. He has also served on the Legal Advisory Commission of the Church of England and is the Chancellor of the Diocese of Bangor.

Professor Doe was nominated for reviving the study of Ecclesiastical Law in England and Wales. His publications on the subject have been highly influential, being cited in decisions relating to the constitutional role of the Church of England and contributing to the revision of clergy discipline procedures.

Michael Meyer

Mr Meyer is Head of the International Law Department at the British Red Cross. He has served on government delegations to international meetings and represents the British Red Cross on the UK National Committee on International Humanitarian Law. He has also been a member of the governing bodies of the International Institute of Humanitarian Law and of the UK Group of the International Society for Military Law and the Law of War.

Mr Meyer was nominated for providing advice and support to the government on a range of matters relating to international humanitarian law, and its implementation in UK domestic law and policy. He is a recognised expert on the law on the international stage: his views are highly respected and influential in helping to shape the law, promoting the UK positions on issues of operational and legal significance.

Sir Robert Neill

Sir Robert is a barrister, MP, and Chair of the Commons Justice Select Committee. The Justice Committee examines the policies and spending of the Ministry of Justice (and associated public bodies). This includes courts, legal aid, prisons, probation, and the rule of law. It also advises on sentencing guidelines.

Sir Robert was nominated for his leadership of the Justice Select Committee, including his contributions in upholding the rule of law and as an advocate for the judiciary and legal profession. Under his leadership, the Committee has produced over thirty-five detailed reports following substantive inquiries across a wide range of legal and justice policy areas.

Professor Fionnuala Ní Aoláin

Professor Ní Aoláin is currently a Professor of Law at Queen’s University Belfast. In 2017 she was appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council as United Nations Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism. Her teaching and research interests are in the fields of international law, human rights law, national security law, transitional justice, and feminist legal theory. She has published widely in the fields of emergency powers, conflict regulation, transitional justice, and sex-based violence in times of war and continues to write extensively on theoretical aspects of transition.

Professor Ní Aoláin was nominated for her work in advising the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission and civil society, informing and shaping the policy and legal work being progressed on the protection of social and economic rights and the rule of law in the post-Belfast Agreement context. Her work with the UN has been strongly supported by the UK, where she has been a champion for mainstreaming human rights in countering terrorism, has led the UN human rights response on the situation of the men, women and children detained in Al Hol and Al Roj camps in North-East Syria, advanced the human rights of victims of terrorism as well as leading the first global study on the impact of counter-terrorism on civil society,

Notes to editors

The list of 2023 – 2024 King’s Counsel appointments.

KCs are appointed by The King, on the advice of the Lord Chancellor. He is in turn advised by an independent Selection Panel which receives and considers each application and makes recommendations as to appointment.

Honorary KCs are also awarded by The King, on the advice of the Lord Chancellor. He is advised by panel of representatives from the legal profession, civil service, judiciary, and academia. More information about the purpose of the award can be found on GOV.UK.
23/01/2024