Tag: Press Release

PRESS RELEASE : Measures announced to boost teacher recruitment and retention [January 2024]

The press release issued by the Department for Education on 15 January 2024.

£1.5million investment for mental health support, new guidance for schools to prevent bullying of staff and steps to ease teacher workload have been announced.

New measures to enhance recruitment and retention in the teaching profession have been announced by the government today.

They include £1.5 million of new investment to deliver a three-year mental health and wellbeing support package for school and college leaders; providing professional supervision and counselling to at least 2,500 leaders.

The government is also committing to publish new guidance for schools – expected to be completed this spring – on how to prevent and tackle bullying and harassment of school staff.

The measures have been announced after extensive consultation with school leaders and teachers around the improvements they believe will ensure that teaching remains an attractive and rewarding profession.

Separately, the Workload Reduction Taskforce – a cross-cutting group made up of unions, teachers, and sector leaders – has agreed early recommendations to help reduce teacher workload and encourage education staff wellbeing to support the department’s aim to reduce teachers’ and leaders’ working week by five hours within the next three years. The group will make final recommendations on how to address the wider causes of teacher and leader workload to government, Ofsted, and school and trust leaders in Spring 2024.

This builds on the Public Sector Productivity Programme led by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury and the Chancellor, which is revealing huge opportunities to cut admin, safely harness Artificial Intelligence and deliver early interventions to relieve pressure on public services.

School Minister Damian Hinds said:

Great teaching is the key ingredient to academic success – and while we now have more teachers than ever before – it’s crucial that we continue to ensure that teaching remains an attractive and rewarding profession.

That’s why we have announced new investment and reforms today to support teacher wellbeing, ease workload pressures and tackle bullying and harassment of staff.

Thanks to the hard work of teachers and pupils, standards in education have risen significantly since 2010, with nearly 90% of schools now rated good or outstanding.

Earlier this year the Government delivered on the manifesto commitment to give every new teacher a starting salary of at least £30,000 – alongside the highest pay award for teachers in over thirty years. With thanks to the hard work of teachers, standards of education have risen sharply since this Government entered office in 2010, with 89% of school rated good or outstanding by Ofsted, up from just 68% in 2010.

The Workload Reduction Taskforce was launched by the Secretary of State alongside the pay award in July 2023. They were initially tasked with finding ways to maximise sign up to the Education Staff Wellbeing Charter – a public commitment to the wellbeing and mental health of everyone working in education – and strengthening the implementation of the 2016 independent workload review groups’ recommendations which looked at on reducing teacher workload in relation to marking, planning and data management.

Alongside this, the department is honouring its commitment to publish its progress update on the Education Staff Wellbeing Charter – two years after it was initially launched. The update shows the significant progress made on its pledges, including the commitment to: embed staff workload and wellbeing considerations into Government decisions; measure and respond to changes in staff wellbeing; and make sure guidance meets user needs. Over 3,000 schools and colleges have adopted the charter so far.

The department has also renewed a contract with Now Teach to support career changers into teaching, helping bring in talented, experienced professionals into the profession. The contract, valued at £1.5 million will support career changes up to October 2026.

16/01/2024
PRESS RELEASE : Message of His Majesty the King to the President of Guatemala [January 2024]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 15 January 2024.

His Majesty the King, Charles III of the United Kingdom, has delivered a message to His Excellency Bernardo Arévalo, President of Guatemala.

On the occasion of his assumption as President of the Republic of Guatemala, the King said:

Dear Mr. President,

I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to you on your election as President of the Republic of Guatemala.

I offer my heartfelt support for the challenges you continue to face, and know that my Government will continue to support the victory of democratic principles in Guatemala. I hope that our countries can continue working together on the international stage and on shared priorities, including environmental protection, human rights and the rule of law.

I send my very best wishes to you and the people of Guatemala and look forward to the friendship between our two countries becoming ever stronger.

Charles R.

15/01/2024
PRESS RELEASE : Government looks to the future of aviation with new set of aviation ambassadors [January 2024]
The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 15 January 2024.

Mentors selected to nurture next generation of aviation professionals and 10 schemes to share £750,000 in the Reach for the Sky Challenge Fund.
- from a TikTok influencer to a Royal Air Force Air Cadet commander, 10 new aviation ambassadors announced to encourage the next generation into the world of aviation
- latest winners of the Reach for the Sky Challenge Fund announced, giving £750,000 to inspire and help educate young people on the opportunities within aviation
- both form part of Generation Aviation, helping industry to build an aviation workforce fit for the future
In a pioneering initiative to inspire the next generation of aviation professionals, Aviation Minister, Anthony Browne, has today (15 January 2024) announced the appointment of 10 new aviation ambassadors.

With a lineup ranging from a TikTok influencer, who specialises in showing life behind the scenes at airports, to a seasoned RAF Air Cadet commander with over a decade’s experience and a private pilot licence, the new ambassadors have been selected to inspire and guide the next generation of aviators.

As the sector continues to grow following the COVID-19 pandemic, having a young and diverse workforce that can embrace and adapt to new challenges – whether that be new technologies, cleaner travel or emerging trends – will ensure the UK is at the cutting edge of the aviation industry.

Over the next 2 years, the ambassadors will serve as mentors and advocates, attending schools, mentoring events and workshops to showcase their experience and encourage young people to use their skills in aviation. As well as delivering their own bespoke outreach activities to underrepresented groups, the ambassadors will also offer advice on where pathways into aviation can be created or improved – making it easier for young people to join the sector.

Aviation Minister, Anthony Browne, said:

As the aviation industry evolves, these new aviation ambassadors will shine a light on this rewarding sector, attracting talented individuals who might otherwise miss their opportunity.

These ambassadors will help to attract even more innovation and creativity to the industry, showcasing the opportunities available in this exciting new era of new technology and decarbonisation.

One of the new ambassadors is Alice Goodwin, a design and development engineer at Virgin Atlantic with a passion for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and ambitions to become a chartered engineer. With a unique role in avionics and extensive outreach experience, she is a mentor to young people at 4 aviation charities supporting people of colour to take up aviation careers.

New aviation ambassador, Alice Goodwin, said:

Aviation engineering is a dynamic and interesting industry, full of passionate and inspiring individuals. I am really looking forward to being an ambassador and having the platform to showcase the amazing opportunities available in our industry to young people.

To further inspire the next generation of aviation professionals, 10 schemes at the forefront of inspiring and engaging young people have been awarded a share of £750,000 from the next round of the government’s Reach for the Sky Challenge Fund.

For those who have previously struggled to get a foothold in the industry, the aim of the fund is to dismantle barriers and target schemes that serve as entry points for many, supporting individuals from underprivileged backgrounds or underrepresented groups – creating a more inclusive and accessible pathway into the exciting world of aviation.

Winners of this round’s Reach for the Sky Challenge Fund include Flight Crowd, a not-for-profit organisation providing aviation bootcamps throughout the country to give hundreds of people opportunities to learn and connect with the industry and London City Airport, which offers multiple STEM workshops and events on business mentoring and skills.

Michael Spiers, Chief People Officer at London City Airport, said:

We are delighted to have been awarded funding from the DfT’s and CAA’s Reach for the Sky Challenge Fund to help inspire the next generation of aviators.

London City Airport delivers a range of skills and education initiatives – such as our annual STEM in Aviation Day event – to inspire hundreds of students across east London and this funding will help build on this important work in 2024.

Mariya Tarabanovska, founder of Flight Crowd, said:

We are thrilled to announce the expansion of our Propel into Future Flight programme to new horizons, thanks to the generous support from the Reach for the Sky Challenge Fund for the second consecutive year.

The enthusiasm and engagement we’ve witnessed from communities across the UK during our boot camps have been truly inspiring. Empowering young minds with the skills and knowledge essential for shaping the future of aviation remains at the core of our mission. And with this continued funding, we are excited to reach even more locations and diverse backgrounds.

This financial support represents an important step in the government’s goal to support the industry’s efforts to build a skilled, diverse and passionate workforce for the future – helping boost the economy and keep the UK at the forefront of global aviation.

Organisations meeting the criteria for the Reach for the Sky Challenge Fund were able to apply for a share of £750,000, with funding decisions agreed by a joint panel of the Department for Transport (DfT) and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) – which administers the fund on DfT’s behalf.

Sophie Jones, Head of Organisational Capability at the UK CAA, said:

Young people are our future, and aviation is no exception. The work entrusted to these new aviation ambassadors in inspiring the next generation of aviation professionals is incredibly important, ensuring the sector continues to thrive and meet the challenges of the evolving technological landscape.

We’re also excited to see the work done by the successful applicants of the Reach for the Sky Challenge Fund, which we support and know is vital in providing an entry point into the world of aviation and aerospace.

Both the aviation ambassadors and Reach for the Sky Challenge Fund are cornerstones of Generation Aviation – an ambitious government-industry programme dedicated to raising profiles of different aviation careers, removing barriers and attracting diverse and talented people so we can unleash the full potential of the sector.
15/01/2024
PRESS RELEASE : Government to crack down on disruptive street works to cut congestion and improve roads [January 2024]
The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 15 January 2024.

New measures could generate up to £100 million extra over 10 years to resurface roads across England.
- new proposals from the government’s Plan for Drivers to cut traffic caused by street works
- utility companies that allow works to overrun face increased fines, which could generate up to £100 million extra to improve local roads
- launch of consultation follows record £8.3 billion increase to resurface roads across England as government continues to back drivers
A crackdown on disruptive roadworks could cut congestion for millions of drivers and generate up to £100 million extra to resurface roads, as the first key measures from the government’s Plan for Drivers are delivered today (15 January 2024).

Roads Minister, Guy Opperman, has launched a street works consultation on a series of measures to prevent utility companies from letting roadworks overrun and clogging up traffic as a result.

The consultation seeks to extend the current £10,000 per day fine for overrunning street works into weekends and bank holidays as a deterrent for working on the busiest days for road travel. Currently, utility companies are only fined for disruption on working days. The measures could double fines from £500 up to a maximum of £1,000 for companies that breach conditions of the job, such as working without a permit.

The plans would also direct at least 50% of money from lane rental schemes to be used to improve roads and repair potholes. Lane rental schemes allow local highway authorities to charge companies for the time that street and road works occupy the road.

As a result, the measures could generate up to £100 million extra over 10 years to resurface roads while helping tackle congestion, cutting down journey times and helping drivers get from A to B more easily.

Launching on National Pothole Day, the consultation is part of a series of measures from the government’s Plan for Drivers, a 30-point plan to support people’s freedoms to use their cars, curb over-zealous enforcement measures and back drivers.

Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, said:

After investing an extra £8.3 billion to resurface roads across England, the largest ever increase in funding for local road improvements, this government continues to back drivers with these new measures from our Plan for Drivers.

Our new proposals seek to free up our roads from overrunning street works, cut down traffic jams and generate up to £100 million extra to resurface roads up and down the country.

Roads Minister, Guy Opperman, said:

Being stuck in traffic is infuriating for drivers. Too often traffic jams are caused by overrunning street works.

This government is backing drivers, with a robust approach to utility companies and others, who dig up our streets. We will seek to massively increase fines for companies that breach conditions and fine works that overrun into weekends and bank holidays while making the rental for such works help generate up to an extra £100 million to improve local roads.

While it’s essential that gas, water and other utility companies carry out vital maintenance work to provide the services we all rely on, the 2 million street works carried out in England in 2022 to 2023 have cost the economy around £4 billion by causing severe road congestion and disrupting journeys.

The consultation comes after this government introduced a performance-based street works regime to ensure utility companies resurface roads to the best possible standard, and new lane rental schemes where utility companies can be charged up to £2,500 per day for street works.

The measures can also help boost active travel by preventing street works from disrupting walking, wheeling and cycling while also providing opportunities to improve pavements and pedestrian crossings and make repairs to pavements and cycle lanes.

Edmund King, AA president, said:

Overrunning roadworks and poorly reinstated roads from utility companies frustrate drivers and cause unnecessary congestion, and trench defects can damage vehicles and injure those on 2 wheels.

We are pleased that the government is looking to extend the fines for over-running street works, invest more of the surplus fines in roads and ensure that those who dig up the roads repair them to a high and timely standard.

In addition, the government plans to make all temporary, experimental or permanent restrictions on traffic digital. These so-called traffic regulation orders (TROs) include things like the location of parking spaces, road closures and speed limits.

Making these digital means they must now be added to satnav systems, ensuring drivers have the most up-to-date information, making journeys easier and paving the way for more reliable autonomous vehicles.

RAC Head of Policy, Simon Williams, said:

Drivers shouldn’t have to put up with temporary roadworks for any longer than is necessary, so we’re pleased to see the government is looking to do more to guarantee that utility companies minimise disruption by carrying out roadworks as quickly and efficiently as possible. They should also leave roads in better condition than they found them, which unfortunately is hardly ever the case at the moment.

The measures follow the biggest ever funding uplift for local road improvements, with £8.3 billion of redirected High Speed 2 (HS2) funding – enough to resurface over 5,000 miles of roads across England – as the government continues to be on the side of drivers and improve journeys for more people, in more places, more quickly.

Kent County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, Neil Baker, said:

I welcome the launch of the government’s street works consultation to consider measures aimed at preventing utility roadworks overrunning. We have already piloted a pioneering lane rental scheme on some of our roads, which encourages utility companies to work in the most efficient way to minimise disruption for the traveling public in Kent.

I will continue to work with government, the Department for Transport and other stakeholders to find ways we can reduce congestion in order to keep Kent moving.

Clive Bairsto, Chief Executive of Street Works UK, said:

Utilities perform a vital role in connecting households, working to the highest standards, while complying with rigorous inspections to ensure works are high quality and lasting.

We look forward to engaging constructively with government throughout this consultation, representing our members and the wider industry, to ensure both utilities and local authorities can deliver infrastructure works while giving customers and road users the speed of delivery, lack of congestion and transparency they expect.
15/01/2024
PRESS RELEASE : The UK announces 20,000 British Forces to boost NATO in speech [January 2024]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 15 January 2024.

Speaking at Lancaster House today, the Defence Secretary set out his vision for deterring threats, leading among allies, and defending the UK.
In the context of an ever more dangerous world, the Secretary of State for Defence, Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP, will deliver a major speech at Lancaster House today, to set out his vision for the UK to deter threats, lead among allies and defend the UK.

Following last week’s targeted Royal Air Force strikes against the Houthis in Yemen and the announcement of a further £2.5bn UK support package to Ukraine, the Defence Secretary is expected to announce that in the first half of 2024, 20,000 service personnel from the Royal Navy, the British Army, and the Royal Air Force will deploy across Europe to take part in Exercise Steadfast Defender 24.

The exercises will see the UK’s Armed Forces join thousands of personnel from 31 NATO allies and Sweden, operating across multiple countries, coinciding with the NATO Alliance’s 75th year.

The deployment will see the UK use the RAF’s most up-to-date fighter jets and surveillance aircraft, the Royal Navy’s most advanced warships and submarines, and a full range of Army’s capabilities – from logistics to armour to special operations forces.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps MP is expected to say:

We are in a new era and we must be prepared to deter our enemies, prepared to lead our allies and prepared to defend our nation whenever the call comes.

Today our adversaries are busily rebuilding their barriers. Old enemies are reanimated. Battle lines are being redrawn. The tanks are literally on Ukraine’s lawn. And the foundations of the world order are being shaken to their core. We stand at a crossroads.

I can announce today that UK will be sending some 20,000 personnel to take part in one of NATO’s largest deployments since the end of the Cold War. Exercise Steadfast Defender. It will see our military joining forces with counterparts from 30 NATO countries plus Sweden, providing vital reassurance against the Putin menace.

Among those deploying next year is 7th Light Mechanised Brigade Combat Team (7LMBCT), which led the response during the activation of NATO’s Strategic Reserve Force in Kosovo last year, and which will be operating across Europe to deliver one of the largest NATO deployments since the Cold War.

Enhancing the coalition between the UK and her NATO allies, Steadfast Defender 24 will bring NATO nations together and deliver on promises made at the 2023 NATO summit in Vilnius.

Contributions from each service:

The Royal Navy:

The Royal Navy will be deploying eight warships and submarines, and more than 2,000 sailors.

A UK Carrier Strike Group, centred on a Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carrier and her air group of F-35B Lightning jets and helicopters, and surrounded by escort frigates and destroyers, will operate as part of a potent naval force of allied warships and submarines in the North Atlantic, the Norwegian Sea and the Baltic Sea.

More than 400 Royal Marines Commandos will be deployed to the Arctic Circle at the heart of an allied amphibious task group designed to land in the high north and defend the alliance in one of the world’s harshest environments.

The British Army:

16,000 troops from the British Army will be deployed across eastern Europe from February to June 2024, taking with them tanks, artillery, helicopters, and parachutes.

There will be live fire manoeuvres, parachute jumps, an Army and Navy joint helicopter force, and Army Special Operations Forces on deployment.

The British Army will deploy to test and strengthen the readiness of the UK’s land forces in defending NATO, and to bolster its ability to operate jointly with allied armed forces.

The Royal Air Force:

The Royal Air Force will be making use of some of its most cutting-edge aircraft, including F35B Lightning attack aircraft and Poseidon P8 surveillance aircraft.

The RAF will practice flying in simulated conflict scenarios against near-peer adversaries, proving its ability to deter and defend against threats.
15/01/2024
PRESS RELEASE : We’ve sent an unambiguous message to the Houthis: your attacks have to stop. Article by the Foreign Secretary [January 2024]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 January 2024. The article was first published by the Daily Telegraph and then issued as a press release by the Foreign Office.

Freedom of navigation really matters. It was right that the UK acted to keep a vital sea lane open.

There’s no more important a decision a prime minister can make than to send British forces into action. I never thought I would be part of another Cabinet discussing this, still less watch another prime minister weighing up such a decision.

But that is where I was last week. And I could see what a careful, thorough and strong approach Rishi Sunak was taking.

Had every alternative been tried? Was there a realistic plan that would work? Was every target thoroughly examined?

Every relevant consideration was carefully weighed. Every minister forensically quizzed that their department had done all the necessary work.

But in the end, the Cabinet agreed we had no choice but to act.

Why?

The freedom of navigation really matters. Since November 19, there have been 26 attacks on shipping in the Red Sea. Not acting would be accepting that illegal and unacceptable Houthi attacks could virtually shut a vital sea lane with relative impunity.

We have to recognise the connection between events overseas and our lives at home. Experience in recent years makes it absolutely clear: the actions of malign actors abroad matter to us at home.

The Red Sea is one of the major arteries of international trade: some 15% of the world’s shipping passes through the narrow strait dividing Africa from Asia. If the Houthis deny this passage to ships, vital supply chains are threatened and prices will go up in Britain and across the globe.

As a direct result of their attacks, the International Chamber of Shipping says 20% of the world’s container ships are already using the much longer route around the southern tip of Africa instead.

But why us?

The global coalition to protect shipping in the Red Sea has been growing. And we have been involved from the start, with the Royal Navy taking an active part in Operation Prosperity Guardian to help keep this vital sea lane open. But the attacks have continued.

The Prime Minister carefully considered a request from the US to assist with limited and targeted military action. After examining all the arguments, including legal advice, and after consulting Cabinet colleagues and our military and intelligence experts, he confirmed that we should take part.

He’s right. Fundamentally, when we agree with our allies on the need to act and have the capabilities to help, it is right that we should do so.

Ours is one of the most open economies. We are a trading nation. Keeping sea lanes open is a vital national interest.

As prime minister, I was involved in the long-running campaign to stamp out attacks by Somali pirates in this same stretch of water. It was right to take action against those trying to hijack ships then. It is right to take action against those who attack them today.

As with Somali pirates, we have not acted alone. In total, 6 countries were involved in these strikes, including Britain and America. And many more countries have joined us in protecting commercial vessels in the Red Sea and speaking out against Houthi actions.

But why now?

We have not rushed into these strikes. As well as assembling and deploying a naval task force, we have given warning after warning. A coalition of 44 countries spoke out before Christmas. The United Nations Security Council has demanded the attacks should cease.

I spoke directly to the Foreign Minister of Iran, the Houthis’ major ally. We left them in no doubt. Attacks against merchant and commercial shipping are completely unacceptable. They had to stop. And if they did not, we would have to take action.

The Houthis chose to escalate. The number of attacks accelerated – and the severity of those attacks increased.

On 9 January, they launched 21 drones and missiles at a British ship, HMS Diamond, and those of our US allies, in one of their biggest attacks to date.

Military action should always be a last resort. And it certainly was in this case. For almost 2 months, we endured these attacks without responding directly against the places and people from which they came. This did not prevent targeting of our forces, did not deter attacks on traders in the Red Sea, and, therefore did not effectively defend the principle of freedom of navigation.

What’s next?

Our strikes were necessary, proportionate and lawful. The Royal Air Force took particular care to avoid civilian casualties – in sharp contrast to how Houthi drones have threatened the lives of civilians of all nationalities working in the shipping industry.

The Houthi contention that this is all about Israel and Gaza is nonsense. They’ve attacked ships from countries all over the world, heading to destinations right across the globe.

Our joint action will have gone some way to degrade Houthi capabilities built up with Iranian backing. We targeted sites from which we know their attacks were launched. We will carefully assess the impact of what has been done.

But more importantly, we have sent an unambiguous message: what the Houthis are doing is wrong, and we are determined to put a stop to it. We will work with allies. We will always defend the freedom of navigation. And, crucially, we will be prepared to back words with actions.

15/01/2024
PRESS RELEASE : Houthi attacks on vessels in the Red Sea must stop – UK statement at the UN Security Council [January 2024]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 12 January 2024.

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

Thank you President, and I thank Assistant-Secretary-General Khiari for his briefing.

The United Kingdom and this Council have consistently condemned, in the strongest terms, the illegal and unjustified attacks in the Red Sea by the Houthi militants.

On 9 January, the Houthis attacked UK and US naval vessels. Last night, we took limited, necessary and proportionate action in self-defence alongside the United States, with the non-operational support of the Netherlands, Canada, Bahrain and Australia. The United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force carried out targeted strikes against military facilities used by Houthi rebels in Yemen. This operation took particular care to minimise risks to civilians.

Since November, the Houthis have launched over 100 drone and missile attacks against vessels from a range of countries, putting innocent lives at risk, threatening the global economy, and destabilising the region. This has continued despite this Council’s demand in resolution 2722, adopted earlier this week, that the Houthis immediately cease all such attacks.

Let me be clear. The attacks by Houthis on vessels in the Red Sea must stop. We have made this clear to the Houthis, and we call on them to deescalate.

The United Kingdom is committed to continue working with the international community, and this Council, to combat this international threat.

We have published a summary of our legal position on last night’s strikes and have reported to the Council in writing in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter.

President, we remain committed to ensuring the freedom of navigation, which is protected by international law, and to defending international trade. It is in all our interests to work together to de-escalate tensions in the region.

Thank you, President.

13/01/2024
PRESS RELEASE : UK’s greenest diplomatic building in the world opens in Ottawa [January 2024]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 12 January 2024.

British High Commission staff in Ottawa relocated to their new office at 140 Sussex Drive last week.
- Staff moved into the newly built office at 140 Sussex Drive last week
- The building reaffirms the UK’s commitment to environmental sustainability with LEED classification credentials built into the construction
- Algonquin Anishinaabe Elder, Claudette Commanda officially opened the building with a blessing ceremony, alongside British High Commissioner to Canada, Susannah Goshko.
British High Commission staff in Ottawa relocated to their new office at 140 Sussex Drive last week. The new High Commission is located within the Earnscliffe National Historic Site which has been the official residence for British High Commissioners for over 90 years.

At a ceremony held today, British High Commissioner Susannah Goshko was joined by Claudette Commanda, an Algonquin Anishinaabe Elder from the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation who performed a blessing ceremony to officially open the new office.

The new High Commission is on track to be the greenest building in the UK’s diplomatic network, targeting LEED Gold Status (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. It is testament to the UK delivering on its Net Zero transition goal of 2050, with the environment a key element of Britain’s domestic and foreign policy.

The new location on Sussex Drive opposite Global Affairs Canada is a physical demonstration of the close relationship between the UK and Canada, and our commitment to working together on some of the most pressing global issues of today.

Susannah Goshko, British High Commissioner to Canada said;

Our new High Commission, located within the historic grounds of Earnscliffe, not only reinforces our shared history with Canada but also represents a significant investment in the modern UK-Canada bilateral relationship.

The greenest building in our diplomatic network, it is a great demonstration of our shared commitment to environmental sustainability.

The High Commission team and I look forward to welcoming visitors into our new space and to delivering for the UK-Canada relationship.

UK Minister for the Americas, Caribbean and the Overseas Territories David Rutley said:

The UK and Canada are the closest of partners and friends, working shoulder to shoulder on the most pressing global challenges, from tackling climate change to challenging hostile state activity.

Our new High Commission building sits on a historic site opposite Global Affairs Canada, reinforcing this close bond between our countries and is set to be the greenest building within our diplomatic network.

Green credentials of the new building include diverting 98% of construction waste away from landfill, and incorporating wood salvaged from the Ottawa River and stone from the original residence coach house into the new design. The office aims to be economically sustainable by operating at a lower cost thanks to its energy efficiency rating which is currently on track to perform at 18% above the baseline average.

Water consumption will also be reduced thanks to environmental features being incorporated into the landscape design, including native and drought resistant vegetation that mitigates the need for irrigation. Low flow plumbing fixtures throughout the building also aim to reduce annual water consumption by between 25% – 30% above the baseline average.

Modern construction material will create a healthier and more conducive work environment for High Commission staff, this includes high-albedo roofing materials that will mitigate urban heat-island effects and low VOC (volatile organic compounds) furnishings that provide a healthier environment for staff and visitors.

The British High Commission at 80 Elgin Street was constructed in 1962 and served as the first official offices for the UK High Commission in Canada for over 60 years. In 2022 it was purchased by the National Capital Commission following a decision to construct a new High Commission in the grounds of Earnscliffe as the previous office no longer met the modern needs of our team in Ottawa.

NOTES TO EDITORS:
- LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the world’s most widely used green building rating system. LEED certification provides a framework for healthy, highly efficient, and cost-saving green buildings, which offer environmental, social and governance benefits. LEED certification is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement.
- Full LEED certification will be given at a later date in 2024.
- Construction of the new High Commission has diverted 98% of total construction waste from the landfill, exceeding the baseline target of 75%.
- Energy performance LEED credit requires a minimum of 5% improvement over the baseline. The office is modelled to achieve 18% improvement over the baseline.
- The original offices at 80 Elgin Street were sold to the National Capital Commission in 2021.
13/01/2024
PRESS RELEASE : Polish Armaments Group agrees defence agreements with UK firms [January 2024]
The press release issued by the Department of Business and Trade on 12 January 2024.

The Polish Navy’s Miecznik (“Swordfish” in Polish) frigates programme will now begin its next phase of development.
- Latest phase of “Miecznik” programme to get underway in Poland
- Three major UK defence companies will help build state-of-the-art multi-mission frigate fleet
- “A major vote of confidence in our world-class expertise” – UK Investment Minister
The UK Government has welcomed deals between three of the UK’s largest defence contractors and the Polish Navy.

The Polish Navy’s Miecznik (“Swordfish” in Polish) frigates programme will now begin its next phase of development.

An agreement between MBDA UK and the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ) was signed today. This is the third of PGZ’s contracts with UK companies under the Miecznik programme, following agreements with Babcock and Thales UK. The first of the three multi-mission frigates is expected to enter service in 2029.

Investment Minister Lord Dominic Johnson said:

Our defence exports are good for the economy and boost investment and jobs across the country.

This agreement is a major vote of confidence in our world-class industrial expertise. Poland is a key partner for the UK, and this partnership will further strengthen the Polish fleet by putting some of the best UK capabilities behind it.

The UK government has supported negotiations for a series of strategic agreements between three major UK defence companies and the Polish Armaments Group.

UK Defence and Security Exports (UKDSE), part of the UK Department for Business and Trade, has been a key player in facilitating and securing these deals, in close collaboration with the Ministry of Defence and Royal Navy. The aim is to strengthen long-term economic and defence cooperation between the two countries and support the UK’s competitive export offer.

These agreements mean the frigates will be built in Poland with substantial transfers of technology and skills, boosting the economic security of a key NATO ally.

Minister for Defence Procurement James Cartlidge said:

It is a testament to our outstanding defence industry that our key NATO ally has chosen warships based on the AH140 design – a design utilised by the Type 31 Frigates soon to be in service with the Royal Navy. The ships will enhance the Polish fleet, bolster NATO capabilities and support interoperability between the UK and Poland.

These agreements are also another example of the very close working relationship we have with our Polish counterparts, building on our progress in many areas of defence.

Each company plays a crucial role in the Polish frigate programme as a partner of the Miecznik consortium led by PGZ.

Through a design licence agreement for its Arrowhead 140 frigate, Babcock is the platform design provider and strategic technology partner. The company is also a key part of the Programme Management Office which oversees design and construction of the ships.

Thales UK will equip the frigates with the TACTICOS combat management system, sensors and radars, while MBDA UK will provide its Sea Ceptor naval air defence system, which will be equipped with CAMM (Common Anti-Air Modular Missile) family missiles that have been recently procured by Poland for ground-based air defence.
13/01/2024
PRESS RELEASE : Joint statement on DPRK-Russia ballistic missile transfers [January 2024]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 12 January 2024.

Joint statement issued by Foreign Ministers on the DPRK’s export and Russia’s procurement of ballistic missiles, which have been used against Ukraine.

The following is a statement from the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Palau, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, the Republic of Korea, Romania, San Marino, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, the High Representative of the European Union, and the Secretary of State of the United States of America.

We condemn in the strongest possible terms the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s (DPRK) export and Russia’s procurement of DPRK ballistic missiles, as well as Russia’s use of these missiles against Ukraine on December 30, 2023, and January 2, 2024. The transfer of these weapons increases the suffering of the Ukrainian people, supports Russia’s war of aggression, and undermines the global non-proliferation regime. Russia’s use of DPRK ballistic missiles in Ukraine also provides valuable technical and military insights to the DPRK. We are deeply concerned about the security implications that this cooperation has in Europe, on the Korean Peninsula, across the Indo-Pacific region, and around the world.

Our governments stand together in resolute opposition to arms transfers between the DPRK and Russia. The transfer of ballistic missiles, along with any other arms and related materiel, from the DPRK to Russia flagrantly violates multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions (UNSCRs) – namely, resolution 1718 (2006), resolution 1874 (2009), and resolution 2270 (2016) – that Russia itself supported. We are closely monitoring what Russia provides to the DPRK in return for these weapons exports. We call on the DPRK and Russia to abide by relevant UNSCRs and to immediately cease all activities that violate them.

We urge all UN Member States, including all members of the United Nations Security Council, to join us in condemning Russia and the DPRK’s flagrant UNSCR violations. As Russia launches waves of missiles and drones against the Ukrainian people, we will continue to stand together in support of Ukraine. We further call on the DPRK to respond to the numerous and genuine offers to return to diplomacy, the only path to an enduring peace on the Korean Peninsula.

12/01/2024