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Tag: Press Release

  • PRESS RELEASE : Badenoch leads landmark trade mission to Japan ahead of G7 summit [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Badenoch leads landmark trade mission to Japan ahead of G7 summit [October 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 26 October 2023.

    Britain’s most sought-after luxury fashion designers will join a landmark trade mission to Japan to boost exports to the Japanese market ahead of the G7 summit.

    • First Secretary-led luxury fashion trade mission to Japan since 2017 including sought after brands such as Christy’s and Freya Rose.
    • Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch to announce largest ever UK government backed renewables export deal in partnership with Japan – worth more than £130 million in UK made parts.
    • At G7 trade talks in Osaka, Trade Secretary will champion free and fair trade and work to develop resilient global economic supply chains.

    Britain’s most sought-after luxury fashion designers including Ettinger and Freya Rose will join a landmark trade mission to Japan to boost exports to the Japanese market.

    The trade mission, led by Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch, is the first Secretary-led trade mission of its kind since 2017, following a luxury goods roundtable discussion in London where some of the delegates presented the exciting opportunities that Japan has to offer.

    The delegation met Japanese fashion buyers on Wednesday with support from the UK Government and will showcase their products – from hand painted scarves to lab grown jewellery – at the British Embassy in Tokyo to high profile Japanese influencers including Yu Masui.

    The visit seeks to increase exports of UK luxury brands to the Japanese market, as part of the Business and Trade Secretary’s mission to hit £1 trillion worth of UK exports by 2030. In 2022, UK fashion goods exports to Japan totalled £134 million, which the department aims to boost even further.

    Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch said:

    I’m delighted to be travelling to Japan with iconic British brands to bang the drum for UK business, and help more companies take full advantage of the opportunities on offer from our free trade deals such as the UK-Japan agreement and CPTPP.

    The G7 trade summit gives me the opportunity to continue to champion free and fair trade on behalf of UK PLC, helping remove barriers to trade, strengthen supply chains and ensure the global trade rules work for British businesses.

    The Business and Trade Secretary will also represent the UK at the G7 Trade Ministerial Meeting in Osaka, where she will bang the drum for free and fair trade and discuss the challenges countries face in diversifying supply chains to meet the needs of the future. During the two-day programme Badenoch is expected to meet with her counterparts including Yasutoshi Nishimura, Katherine Tai and EU Commissioner Dombrovkis.

    Badenoch will host a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Committee with Foreign Minister Yōko Kamikawa where she will look to further deepen the UK’s trading relations with Japan, building on the FTA signed in 2020. This has benefited British businesses by simplifying the rules of origin and low-zero tariffs, removing significant barriers to trade, supporting businesses to export their goods to this new and exciting market.

    This follows the Prime Minister’s meeting with Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in May to agree the Hiroshima Accord. Building on our shared values, the agreement sets out our intention to work together on global security, resilience, and innovation issues. Our trade relationship is strong with total UK exports to Japan amounted to £14.2 billion in the four quarters to the end of Q2 2023, an increase of 7.1% on the previous year.

    In a further move to boost British exports to Japan, the Secretary of State will also announce the largest UK Government project finance guarantee for a renewables project: more than £130 million in UK goods, including Siemen Gamesa in Hull to build an offshore wind farm in Taiwan. The project is delivered by UK Export Finance in collaboration with NEXI, Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) and Mitsui. The funding will secure jobs and boost the offshore wind industry in the UK and supercharge UK Japan collaboration on renewable projects in developing countries.

    Background

    The business delegation includes:

    • Anabela Chan: Anabela Chan is the first fine jewellery brand in the world to champion laboratory-grown gemstones and recycled metals, paired with high jewellery design and artisanal craftsmanship; always with a focus on ethical and sustainable innovations.
    • Christy & Co: Christy & Co Ltd has been manufacturing fine hats in England since 1773.  Today, it still produces its hats and caps using traditional methods at its factory in Oxfordshire.
    • Ettinger: Ettinger have been designing and manufacturing leather goods in their UK factory since 1936 and now supply retailers and consumers all over the world. Ettinger were granted the Royal Warrant from the Prince of Wales in 1996, which is a seal of approval for quality and trust.
    • Freya Rose: Freya Rose is a multi-award-winning British shoe, bag and jewellery designer, established in 2010.  Freya Rose is renowned for her unique collections of sculptural, wearable works of art.
    • Hemingsworth: Hemingsworth is renowned for its high-end ready-to-wear swimwear and leisurewear for men.  All garments are meticulously crafted and proudly produced in the UK, using only the finest materials and trims.
    • Rapport: Rapport craft accessories for preserving luxury watches and jewellery.   The company was established in London in 1898 by the horologist Maurice A. Rapport and today, four generations later, is still run by the Rapport family.
    • Sabina Savage: Sabina is a British artist and print designer known for her exquisite, hand-rendered illustrations, printed on silk, wool and cashmere scarves, who founded her eponymous brand in 2014.
    • Swaine: Established in 1750 as whip and saddlery makers, the House of Swaine is the oldest name in luxury goods, serving the British Royal Family, nobility and gentry for hundreds of years.
  • PRESS RELEASE : First of its kind grant funding approved for North Taunton estate regeneration project [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : First of its kind grant funding approved for North Taunton estate regeneration project [October 2023]

    The press release issued by Homes England on 26 October 2023.

    Homes England has awarded £5m grant from the Affordable Homes Programme to Somerset Council to support the North Taunton Woolaway Project.

    The grant allocation is the first of its kind, following the new regeneration flexibilities to the Affordable Home Programme that we agreed with the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) earlier this year.

    These flexibilities will enable funding to be used on replacement homes, alongside new affordable homes, as part of wider estate regeneration plans.

    North Taunton was identified for regeneration as it is an area with some of the county’s highest rates of social deprivation and contains some of the most energy-inefficient homes in Somerset. The North Taunton Woolaway Project is a site comprising of non-traditional homes that were built using prefabricated reinforced concrete panels instead of traditional brick.

    In total, 162 energy- inefficient Woolaway homes will be demolished and replaced with 229 council homes for affordable rent. Homes England will be funding 66 of these new build replacement homes, with the remaining homes funded by Somerset Council .

    Jackie Jacob, Director – Affordable Housing Grants said:

    “This funding is the first grant allocation following the introduction of our new flexibilities to support our partners plans for estate regeneration. The Agency’s new Strategic Plan objectives will support Somerset Council in its ambitions to regenerate North Taunton, an area with some of the highest social deprivation levels in the county.

    ”The North Taunton Woolaway Project is a signal of the funding open to affordable housing providers to accelerate the regeneration of social housing and help level up communities across the country.

    “We encourage all providers and local authorities to come and talk to us as early as possible if they need support to develop their proposals – we’re here to help.”

    The regeneration project will be rolled out across four phases, two of which will be part funded by the Affordable Homes Programme to deliver 100 homes, including a variety of bungalows, flats and houses. The agency’s goal is that that this funding will enable the council to accelerate the delivery of phases three and four.

    This type of construction is time-limited due to structural issues, therefore, demolishing these existing homes and replacing them is much more beneficial and makes the 2050 zero carbon target much more achievable. All new homes will be built to low carbon standards and will achieve EPC B or above, much more efficient in comparison to the current C-F rating of the Woolaway properties.

    At the core of this regeneration project is community engagement, the development being a result of public consultation, one-to-one meetings with local residents and a resident design group. This has enabled the new homes to be designed with residents’ needs in mind, contributing to successful placemaking. Current residents have been rehomed whilst works take place, with the option of returning to settle in their new community.

    Cllr Federica Smith-Roberts, Lead Member for Communities, Housing and Culture said:

    “I’m thrilled about the impact this grant will have on the North Taunton Woolaway Project. This funding represents a tangible commitment to improving the lives of our tenants, allowing us to build high quality, low energy homes with the blend of properties our community needs. It allows us to progress our North Taunton regeneration scheme which, through improved housing, address the social and health challenges parts of our community face as well as providing much needed new homes at affordable rent.

    “I want to acknowledge the invaluable input of our local residents whose insights have played a pivotal role in shaping this project. Their input has been instrumental, and this project stands as a testament to the strength of community engagement.

    “We extend our gratitude to Homes England for their commitment to the North Taunton Woolaway Project. Their £5 million grant is a game-changer for our community. We look forward to using this grant to create a thriving, sustainable future for North Taunton.”

    A travel plan will be put in place to encourage residents to use sustainable forms of transport and will be achieved through the use of travel vouchers and cycle storage. Biodiversity improvement measures will also be put in place, including the implementation of bat boxes, bee bricks and swift boxes, to aid local wildlife.

    Next steps

    Now allocation has been granted, the agency will be working with Somerset Council throughout the subsequent delivery phases. The first phase will complete in 2024 with phase two due for completion towards the end of 2025.

  • PRESS RELEASE : The UK calls for urgent action as the rights of women and girls come under attack – UK statement at the UN Security Council [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : The UK calls for urgent action as the rights of women and girls come under attack – UK statement at the UN Security Council [October 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 25 October 2023.

    Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council meeting on Women and peace and security.

    Thank you, Mr.  President. I thank the Secretary-General and all of our briefers today. 23 years on from Security Council Resolution 1325, the United Kingdom remains resolute in our commitment to the Women, Peace and Security agenda. Yet our collective gains are being reversed. Women and girls’ rights are under attack and we need to take urgent and coordinated action. President, in the spirit of today’s theme of bringing theory to practice, I’d like to highlight three areas.

    First, participation. We know that women’s participation significantly boosts the chances of long-lasting peace. The UK’s new National Action Plan focuses on putting women’s meaningful participation into action. Most recently, my Foreign Secretary met with Sudanese women peacebuilders to hear their insights into enhancing women’s participation. The UK was also proud to support Colombia in developing its WPS National Action Plan, and we applaud its extensive consultation with women and civil society.

    We will continue to advocate for women to take on leading roles in resolving conflict, including in UN-led peace processes. As a member of the WPS Shared Commitments, we are committed to amplifying women’s voices and following up on the recommendations of civil society. We hear clear calls-to-action from the women who brief this Council – women from Afghanistan, from Ukraine, the DRC, Syria, and beyond – and we should turn those calls into action.

    Second, empowerment. Women’s rights organisations are vital to sustaining conflict prevention and resolution efforts. As part of our International Women and Girls Strategy, we launched a $46 million programme to support grassroots women’s rights organisations around the world. Through our Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative, we are putting survivors at the centre of decision-making and promoting their leadership, supported by a dedicated Survivor Advisory Group.

    And in Ukraine, we are providing expertise on conflict-related sexual violence and providing over $4 million of funding on gender-based violence in Ukraine and across the region.

    And third, protection. Women and girls are disproportionately impacted by conflict. From South Sudan to Israel and Gaza, we see the impact of conflict on women’s lives. And this is particularly true for women’s rights defenders. The Secretary-General’s report highlights that 172 women human rights defenders were subjected to reprisals because they engaged with the United Nations. President, we’ve heard today clear and specific recommendations from the Secretary-General, and from the Executive Director of UN Women and from many others. Let’s commit to moving from words to action.

    Thank you.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Government continues children’s social care reform [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Government continues children’s social care reform [October 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Education on 25 October 2023.

    Funding for over 460 new children’s social worker apprenticeship opportunities across the country.

    Recognising the vital role social workers play in supporting some of the most vulnerable children and families, local authorities will today be allocated a share of £11.7 million to hire up to 461 extra social work apprentices, as part of government plans to build a social worker workforce fit for the future. The extra funding will bolster the workforce and better support the most vulnerable families and children across the country.

    Over 1,000 new trainee social workers have also been recruited, and will be supported in their initial education this academic year through the fast track to social work and step-up programmes.

    Supporting children’s social workers is an integral part of the ambitious, wide-ranging children’s social care implementation strategy. Backed by £200 million over the next two years, the strategy will transform the current care system to focus on more early support for families, reducing the need for crisis response at a later stage.

    Building on the commitment to reduce the overreliance on agency social workers, the government has today also published its response to the consultation on agency child and family social worker workforce. The response sets out proposed national rules to improve the stability and quality of the social worker workforce, with the aim of increasing transparency around the use and cost of agency social workers.

    Care leavers will also be celebrated this week as part of care leavers week, which begins today, with a series of events hosted by the government, including an event at 10 Downing Street for ministers to meet with and celebrate care leavers. Minister Johnston will also visit West Ham Football Club to see their Future Programme in action. The programme helps care experienced young people develop skills, access new experiences and connects them to their communities.

    David Johnston, Minister for Children and Families, said:

    A strong social care workforce is key to achieving our ambition to reform the children’s care sector.

    Children’s social workers play a vital role in helping the country’s most vulnerable families, which is why we’re boosting training opportunities and strengthening rules on using agency staff.

    This care leavers week we want to shine a light on the inspirational care workers who have overcome challenges.

    Recognising the need for high-quality training, the government has appointed the first wave of early adopter local authorities for the early career framework training programme which will support children’s social workers as they join and develop in the profession.

    The local authorities, including Birmingham and Tower Hamlets, are now working with the department to co-design the programme, alongside an expert writing group that is drafting the framework itself.

    The government is also supporting local authorities to provide positive working environments, to attract and retain children’s social workers to these important roles. A national virtual hub is to be created containing resources to support local authorities to improve working conditions, workload, health and wellbeing and organisational culture and the national workload action group is looking into unnecessary drivers of bureaucracy to promote more time with children and families.

  • PRESS RELEASE : New laws to make charging an electric vehicle easier and quicker [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : New laws to make charging an electric vehicle easier and quicker [October 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 25 October 2023.

    Regulations to improve the EV charging experience for millions of drivers.

    • new laws passed to make charging an electric vehicle easier, quicker and more reliable
    • drivers will have access transparent, easy-to-compare pricing information, simpler payment methods and more reliable chargepoints
    • follows the commitments in the government’s Plan for Drivers to put drivers back in the driving seat and boost chargepoint infrastructure ahead of the 2035 zero emission vehicle goal

    Millions of electric vehicle (EV) drivers will benefit from easier and more reliable public charging thanks to new laws approved by MPs last night (24 October 2023).

    New regulations will ensure that prices across chargepoints are transparent and easy to compare and that a large proportion of new public chargepoints have contactless payment options.

    Providers will also be required to open up their data, so drivers can easily find an available chargepoint that meets their needs. It will open up data for apps, online maps and in-vehicle software, making it easier for drivers to locate chargepoints, check their charging speeds and determine whether they are working and available for use.

    These measures come as the country reaches record levels of public charging infrastructure, with numbers growing 42% year on year.

    Technology and Decarbonisation Minister, Jesse Norman, said:

    Over time, these new regulations will improve EV charging for millions of drivers, helping them find the chargepoints they want, providing price transparency so that they can compare the cost of different charging options, and updating payment methods.

    They will make the switch to electric easier than ever for drivers, support the economy and help the UK reach its 2035 goals.

    Once the regulations come into force, drivers will also be able to contact free 24/7 helplines for any issues accessing charging on public roads. Chargepoint operators will also have to open up chargepoint data, making it easier to find available chargers.

    James Court, CEO, Electric Vehicle Association England, said:

    Better reliability, clearer pricing, easier payments, plus the potentially game-changing opportunities of open data are all a major step forward for EV drivers and should make the UK one of the best places to charge in the world.

    As the rollout of charging infrastructure gathers momentum, these regulations will ensure quality and help put consumers needs at the heart of this transition.

    These regulations follow the government’s recent announcement of a range of measures to speed up the installation of chargepoints through the Plan for Drivers. This includes reviewing the grid connections process for installation and extending chargepoint grants for schools.

    The government also continues to support the rollout of charging infrastructure in local areas. Applications are currently open to local authorities in the first round of the £381 million Local EV Infrastructure fund, which will deliver tens of thousands more chargepoints and transform the availability of charging for drivers without off-street parking. In addition, the On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme (ORCS) is open to all UK local authorities.

    The government recently set out its world-leading path to reaching zero emission vehicles by 2035, which will require 80% of new cars and 70% of new vans sold in Great Britain to be zero emission by 2030. Today’s regulations will help support drivers as more and more switch to electric.

    Today the government has also published its response to the Future of Transport Zero Emission Vehicles consultation, confirming its intention to introduce laws to require local transport authorities to produce local charging strategies if they have not done so as part of local transport plans. This will ensure that every part of the country has a plan for EV charging infrastructure.

  • PRESS RELEASE : 30,000 hours of extra patrols help reduce antisocial behaviour [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : 30,000 hours of extra patrols help reduce antisocial behaviour [October 2023]

    The press release issued by the Home Office on 25 October 2023.

    Targeted uniformed patrols in hotspot areas have helped drive down antisocial behaviour by over 30% in some areas, according to reports from policing.

    These extra patrols, along with hundreds more arrests and stop and searches, were just one part of the government’s Anti-Social Behaviour Action Plan, launched 6 months ago.

    The latest data shows that since hotspot uniformed patrols have been rolled out in 10 pilot areas, there have been over 250 arrests, over 600 stop and searches and around 1,000 other enforcement actions such as community protection notices and public protection orders.

    Through the Anti-Social Behaviour Action Plan, up to £20 million of funding will be invested in 16 pilot areas to trial either hotspot police and enforcement patrols, or a new ‘Immediate Justice’ scheme to bring in swift and visible punishments to perpetrators of antisocial behaviour. Some areas are trialling both schemes.

    Thanks to this work, several hotspot trial forces have reported significant declines in antisocial behaviour. The Lancashire Constabulary have reported that in Brunswick, Blackpool, there has been a 36% fall in reported incidents of antisocial behaviour compared to the same period last year when hotspot patrols were not in place.

    Staffordshire Police have reported a combined 20% fall in reported incidents of antisocial behaviour across 5 locations in Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-under-Lyme compared to the previous year.

    It is estimated that at least 150,000 hours of additional individual police and partner hotspot patrols will be delivered by March 2024 across the 10 pilot areas before the initiative is rolled out across every police force in England and Wales later in the year.

    Crime and Policing Minister Chris Philp said:

    Antisocial behaviour ruins neighbourhoods and brings fear and misery to local people, be it people smoking cannabis in the street, intimidating gatherings in public spaces or acts of vandalism.

    We will not tolerate it. I am delighted that our action plan and zero-tolerance approach is beginning to have a positive impact in communities up and down the country.

    By giving the police and local partners the tools they need to tackle antisocial behaviour we can help ensure wherever people live they can feel safe and proud of the place they call home.

    Today’s announcement coincides with a meeting of the antisocial behaviour taskforce. Jointly led by the Home Secretary and the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, this will bring together police and crime commissioners, police chiefs and local partners to continue to drive progress on the government‘s Anti-Social Behaviour Action Plan.

    Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Michael Gove said:

    The poison of antisocial behaviour stops people from feeling safe in their community and erodes local pride.

    That’s why our Anti-Social Behaviour Action Plan is a vital part of our mission to level up. As we can see from today’s data, that plan is starting to deliver results – showing victims and communities across the country that thuggish behaviour will never be tolerated.

    The meeting will allow those on the ground to give first-hand account of what is working in the fight against antisocial behaviour in their local area community and enable ministers to be sure that those on the front line have the tools they need.

    This comes after the government recently announced that possession of nitrous oxide, also known as ‘laughing gas’, will be illegal from 8 November 2023, delivering on the Home Secretary’s pledge to get tougher on flagrant drug taking in local communities and associated antisocial behaviour.

    Other measures that have been delivered since the launch of the plan include:

    • every police and crime commissioner in England and Wales has been allocated up to £1 million as part of the Safer Streets Fund to cover the period from 1 October 2023 to 31 March 2025, to run local projects to combat antisocial behaviour, acquisitive crime and violence against women and girls
    • additional funding of up to £2.5 million has been put in place for transport safety officers to make public transport safer, including specially-trained staff to deal with low-level nuisance and disorder
    • punishment for those who graffiti, litter or fly tip has been increased with fines of up to £500 and £1,000
    • an extra one million hours of youth services has been provided for areas with the highest rates of antisocial behaviour to put people on the right track and prevent them from offending in the first place

    In the coming months we will launch the Anti-Social Behaviour One-Stop Shop where people can report antisocial behaviour to the right local responders and get feedback on the response. This will also enable local agencies to share information on perpetrators of antisocial behaviour within communities, identify repeat offenders and take necessary action. This tool will ensure that members of the public can find local services that are best placed to act on their reports of antisocial behaviour and to build confidence that reports will be taken seriously and addressed.

    Further action also being taken over the coming months includes:

    • more powers being put in place for landlords and housing associations to evict unruly tenants who ruin their neighbours’ lives through antisocial behaviour
    • parks and green spaces being restored with up to £5 million to make them safer with new CCTV and repairing equipment and playgrounds, and to plant more trees and flowers
    • work underway to bring forward legislation to repeal the outdated Vagrancy Act 1824, with a package of new measures to better equip the police and local authorities to respond to nuisance begging and rough sleeping which can be harmful to individuals themselves and to the wider public

    Rebecca Bryant OBE, Chief Executive of Resolve said:

    We know from our own research that many victims and witnesses don’t report antisocial behaviour, but they’d be more likely to report behaviour if there was a more visible police and agency presence.

    This ‘hotspot’ approach makes the best use of limited resources, and we very much look forward to seeing it rolled out across the country.

    Case study 1: Lancashire Constabulary

    This year, hotspot patrols in Brunswick, Blackpool by Lancashire Constabulary during July, August and September have seen police working with local partners to tackle antisocial behaviour including begging, sex working and threatening behaviour. The increased presence of officers on the street has seen reports of incidents antisocial behaviour decline by 36.6% compared to the same period last year.

    Case study 2: Staffordshire Police

    This year, hotspot policing by Staffordshire Police during July, August, and September in 5 hotspot areas in Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-under-Lyme has seen a combined decline in reported incidents of antisocial behaviour of 20% by members of the public compared to the same period last year.

    In Newcastle-under-Lyme town centre, additional police patrols were put in place to combat drug and alcohol related antisocial behaviour. After identifying areas where drug paraphernalia was being discarded, follow-up work with partner agencies by the police took place to clean up the area alongside high visibility patrols to provide reassurance to the local community and deter drug users.

    After dispersing groups of young people, a quantity of drugs, including monkey dust and cannabis, was seized alongside several knives.

    Case study 3: Essex Police

    Over 2,757 hours of police patrols and 1,400 hours of Community Safety Partnership patrols have now been delivered in 11 antisocial behaviour hotspots across Essex. As a result, there has been:

    • 35 arrests
    • 109 stop and searches
    • 58 informal warnings issued
    • 45 fixed penalty notices issued

    In one pilot area, Debden, police and Community Safety Partnership teams have worked collaboratively to use a public space protection order (PSPO) to tackle a high volume of antisocial behaviour incidents relating to drug taking, nuisance noise, aggressive begging, intimidation and fighting. This work has made a difference to local business owners and the public who praised the positive proactive work of the team.

    Case study 4: Sussex Police

    In Sussex, a man was caught graffiti tagging on an industrial estate, damaging property and causing a negative effect on surrounding businesses, staff and members of public passing through the area.

    The individual was referred by officers into the ‘Immediate Justice’ scheme and he was required to carry out reparative work within Brighton’s city centre, including litter picking and weeding public planters in an area known for ASB incidents.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Barrister fee increase to help vulnerable victims bring attackers to justice [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Barrister fee increase to help vulnerable victims bring attackers to justice [October 2023]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 25 October 2023.

    Fees for barristers who help vulnerable witnesses and victims to pre-record a cross examination will rise to £1,000, the government announced today (25 October 2023).

    • fees for barristers working on pre-recorded evidence increased to £1,000
    • pre-record helps victims of rape and sexual assault give best evidence sooner
    • allows more people give testimony to bring more rapists and abusers to justice

    The recording takes place as close to the time of the offence as possible, while memories remain fresh, and helps victims avoid the stress of giving evidence in a live trial setting, which many find traumatic.

    This fee increase seeks to increase the number of barristers available for such hearings to reduce victim dropout rates and bring more rape and sexual assault cases to trial.

    A research report published in April found that rape victims who pre-record their evidence are more likely to have a better experience of the court process and find it less intimidating. It also meant they were able to access vital support services earlier, such as therapy, without fear that it could be used against them in cross-examination.

    The government is determined to stamp out appalling crimes such as rape and domestic abuse and has launched an action plan to overhaul the criminal justice system to transform support for victims, drive up prosecutions and ensure cases are investigated fully. All three ambitions in this plan have been met eighteen months ahead of schedule, restoring the number of police referrals to the CPS, CPS charges and cases reaching the Crown Court to 2016 levels.

    Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary, Alex Chalk, said:

    Boosting payments for this work will help more sexual violence victims testify earlier, away from the full glare of a courtroom.

    It’s the latest step in our ongoing work to further increase the number of rape victims getting support and justice.

    Pre-recording of evidence allows victims and witnesses of crimes such as rape and modern slavery to have their cross-examination video-recorded and played later during trial. This is subject to a successful application to the court.

    Fees were originally set at £670 in January when the government announced barristers would receive advance payments for work on pre-recorded evidence and for any wasted preparation for the first time.

    This increase comes after an agreed review and as part of the ongoing work with the professional bodies under the new Criminal Legal Aid Advisory Board, chaired by Her Honour Deborah Taylor.

    Government investment in the criminal legal aid system is expected to reach £1.2 billion a year, after the recent 15 per cent uplift in barrister fees and fees for most solicitors. This includes:

    • police station work, including pre-charge engagement
    • magistrates’ court work, including youth court
    • Criminal Cases Review Commission work
    • advocates’ graduated fees
    • expert fees

    The fee rise will come into effect as soon as possible when parliamentary time allows.

    Note to editors

    Fees are increasing from £670 (+VAT) to £1,000 (+VAT)

  • PRESS RELEASE : £45 million to be reinvested in government to boost long-term productivity as the Cabinet Office sells stake in SSCL [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : £45 million to be reinvested in government to boost long-term productivity as the Cabinet Office sells stake in SSCL [October 2023]

    The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 25 October 2023.

    The Cabinet Office is to sell its 25% stake in SSCL for £82.3 million. £45m of the proceeds will be put aside to increase cross-government productivity to deliver for the public in the long-term.

    • The Cabinet Office is to sell its 25% stake in SSCL for £82.3 million.
    • £45m of the proceeds will be put aside to increase cross-government productivity to deliver for the public in the long-term.

    The Cabinet Office has today exercised its option to sell its 25% stake in Shared Services Connected Ltd (SSCL) for £82.3m, it has been announced today.

    After 10 years of this successful partnership, Sopra Steria Ltd will fully acquire SSCL, a joint venture founded by Sopra Steria and the Cabinet Office, as envisaged in the original contract.

    SSCL provides consolidated digital solutions for the public sector including finance and accounting, procurement, and HR and payroll.

    Of the £57m sale proceeds that will be retained by the Cabinet Office, £45m will be reinvested into accelerating programmes that increase cross-government productivity. This will help to set the country on the right path to strengthen public services by increasing efficiency across government.

    This will include a particular emphasis on digital capability across Government.

    Minister for the Cabinet Office, Jeremy Quin, said:

    The SSCL joint venture was set up to drive greater efficiency.

    The Government is now realising its successful investment, securing additional value for the taxpayer and using it to make the long-term decisions to deliver the best public services and boost productivity across the Civil Service.

    The joint venture has generated significant savings for the public purse, providing more funds for front line public services, and delivering value for money for the taxpayer to help change the country for the better.

    It has also encouraged collaborative working with the private sector. For example, the establishment of SSCL involved the transfer of around 1,100 civil servants to the private sector.

    Finally, SSCL met the government’s goal to consolidate shared services, such as HR and payroll, across numerous departments, including The Department for Work and Pensions, The Home Office and The Ministry of Justice, ensuring services operate at the highest efficiency.

    The Cabinet Office will also channel the proceeds from this sale to continue its work streamlining services and processes across government. The remaining balance will be returned to HM Treasury.

    With the benefits of the joint venture having now been met, the proceeds of the sale will fuel a fresh investment in cross-government efficiency as part of long-term action to create a more productive workforce and stronger services for the public.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Non-judicial member appointed to the Sentencing Council [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Non-judicial member appointed to the Sentencing Council [October 2023]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 25 October 2023.

    The Lord Chancellor has approved the appointment of Johanna Robinson as a non-judicial member of the Sentencing Council with experience of the promotion of the welfare of victims of crime.

    The Lord Chancellor has approved the appointment of Johanna Robinson as a non-judicial member, with experience of the promotion of the welfare of victims of crime, for 3 years from 5 October 2023.

    The Sentencing Council (SC) was established under Section 118(1) of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 to promote greater transparency and consistency in sentencing, whilst maintaining the independence of the judiciary. The SC’s responsibilities include: developing sentencing guidelines and monitoring their use; assessing the impact of guidelines on sentencing practice; and promoting the understanding of and increasing public confidence in sentencing and the criminal justice system.

    The appointment of non-judicial SC members is made by the Lord Chancellor after consulting the Lord Chief Justice.

    The appointment of non-judicial SC members are regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments and recruitment processes comply with the Governance Code on Public Appointments.

    Biography

    Ms Robinson was appointed, in September 2022, as one of the National Advisers on Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence for the Welsh Government. She provides expert perspective to the development and implementation of policy across the Welsh Government; working with victims and survivors to ensure their experience informs policy development. From 2016 – 2018, she served as Head of Victims Services for Gwent Police and, from 2013 – 2016, as the National Development Manager for The Survivors Trust.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Employment boost for thousands of parents on Universal Credit [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Employment boost for thousands of parents on Universal Credit [October 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 25 October 2023.

    Thousands of parents on Universal Credit will be supported to increase their chances of getting a job or up their work hours from today.

    • Unemployed parents to be given more support to get back into work
    • Move follows over 45 per cent increase to support with childcare costs for parents on Universal Credit, as UK Government ‘backs working families’
    • Changes brought in this year set to benefit over half a million parents of 1-to-12-year olds

    Thousands of parents on Universal Credit will be supported to increase their chances of getting a job or up their work hours from today (Wednesday 25th October).

    Parents of 3 to 12-year-olds will agree with their Work Coach to spend more time in work or applying for jobs, up to a maximum of 30 hours a week. Commitments will be tailored to parents’ personal circumstances, including the availability of childcare. Alongside local Jobcentre support, this action could include time updating CVs or developing skills through courses and workshops.

    The move comes after the UK Government boosted childcare support for low-income families, with up-front and increased costs of up to £951 a month for one child and £1,630 for two or more children – a near 50% increase on the previous Universal Credit childcare offer.

    Eligible parents who increase their working hours are now also receiving up to 85% of their upfront childcare costs back before their next month’s bills are due, helping them cover costs one month in advance going forward. Prior to these changes many low-income families struggled with upfront childcare bills, making it harder for them to move into work.

    Over half a million parents are set to benefit from these improved work chances, building on changes announced in July for parents with young children to meet their Work Coach more often.

    Work is the best way to move out of poverty. According to the latest figures, working age adults living in workless households are over seven times more likely to be in absolute poverty after housing costs than working age adults in households where all adults work.

    Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Mel Stride MP said:

    “We are pulling down barriers that stop parents working and fulfilling their potential, because we know full time work not only benefits mum and dad but the whole family too.

    “These changes will support thousands on their back to work journey. We’re backing working families, and as they step up for their careers, we are taking action to halve inflation, grow the economy and make everyone’s money go further.”

    One person to already benefit from changes to conditionality is Kacee from Gateshead. Kacee who is 19 is a single parent of a one-year-old son who has already started to meet more frequently with her Work Coach. Since August, she has tapped into the more generous childcare costs through Universal Credit and is now working as a retail assistant part-time.

    Households are at least £6,000 a year better off in full-time work than out of work on benefits, according to data covering the impact of moving onto Universal Credit and since 2010, there are almost 700,000 fewer children growing up in workless households, transforming their life chances.

    Almost half (49%) of non-working mothers also say if they could arrange good quality childcare they would prefer to be employed, according to a Department for Education childcare and early years survey.

    Those impacted will see updates to their expected Work-Related Activity which includes searching and applying for jobs, updating CVs, and developing transferable skills through workshops. All activity is designed to prepare parents to increase their likelihood of getting a job or increasing their hours.