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Tag: Press Release

  • PRESS RELEASE : Sentencing of Vietnamese climate advocate – FCDO statement [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Sentencing of Vietnamese climate advocate – FCDO statement [October 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 2 October 2023.

    The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has released a statement on the sentencing of Vietnamese climate advocate Hoang Thi Minh Hong.

    An FCDO spokesperson said:

    The United Kingdom is deeply concerned by the conviction and sentencing of Hoang Thi Minh Hong, former leader of environmental campaign group CHANGE. There is a pattern of environmental experts being arrested and imprisoned in Vietnam.

    The Government of Vietnam committed to consult NGOs, media and other stakeholders as part of the Just Energy Transition Partnership. The UK urges the Vietnamese authorities to ensure civil society organisations can operate and participate without fear of unfair treatment, targeting or prosecution.

    Civil society plays a crucial role in supporting sustainable and inclusive development. We reiterate our call on Vietnam to respect all human rights, including freedom of expression and association.

  • PRESS RELEASE : End to Civil Service expansion and review of equality and diversity spending announced in productivity drive [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : End to Civil Service expansion and review of equality and diversity spending announced in productivity drive [October 2023]

    The press release issued by HM Treasury on 2 October 2023.

    The Chancellor has today, 2 October 2023, announced an immediate cap on civil servant headcount across Whitehall to stop any further expansion, increase efficiencies and boost productivity.

    • Chancellor announces Civil Service Numbers Cap, capping headcount at current level, which could save up to £1 billion, with focus on a leaner and more effective workforce
    • government departments to submit long-term productivity plans that modernise the Civil Service and reduce the size of the state – delivering high-quality public services at a lower cost
    • equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) spending in the Civil Service to be reviewed to ensure it represents value for money for the taxpayer

    The Civil Service workforce has grown year on year since 2016, with headcount as of June 2023 around 488,000. While this has enabled an effective response to the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, further unabated growth would not be fair to taxpayers or promote the efficiency they expect.

    A cap on headcount at its current level will be introduced with immediate effect – a decision that will help cut the cost of government and could save up to £1 billion by March 2025 compared to the current trajectory.

    The cap – which will be in place for the duration of the current Spending Review period – does not equate to a recruitment freeze, and current recruitment campaigns will remain ongoing.

    To go further after the current Spending Review period, government departments will be asked to produce plans on driving down headcount over the long-term to pre-pandemic levels, as part of the Public Sector Productivity Programme being carried out by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury.

    A first-time value for money audit of EDI spending in the Civil Service will also separately inform the productivity review, with the findings and actions to be announced by the Chancellor in the Autumn.

    Through tackling unnecessary bureaucracy and improved use of technology, it is expected that the Civil Service will become more productive and act as a lean, agile, and cost-effective organisation, in line with the people’s priorities.

    Departmental plans are expected to include detail on how departments will utilise modern technology to drive efficiencies and deliver better services for the public at lower costs – across both the Civil Service and the wider public sector. This process will also prioritise the protection of critical frontline services.

    Further information

    • Estimated savings are based on the latest available headcount for full-time employee numbers (457,000 as of June 2023) from the ONS (excluding devolved administrations), as well as a projection of 490,000 in March 2025 based on the current trend in headcount growth since 2016.
    • The figure is based on a median wage of £32k reported in the latest Civil Service Statistics and additional non-wage costs of £13k per FTE. The figure is subject to change based on departmental negotiations and a later retrospective update to headcount data.
    • The cap will apply to all government departments and their arm’s length bodies. Public servants and crown servants will also be included where they are normally in scope of the Civil Service Pay Remit.
    • The Civil Service Fast Stream will continue as planned in recognition of the importance of the talent pipeline.
    • The Cabinet Office has written to over 100 organisations in the Civil Service, including government departments and executive agencies, to confirm how many staff work on EDI and how that work supports government priorities.
    • The Chancellor, Minister for the Cabinet Office and Minister for Women and Equalities will jointly scrutinise whether EDI spending offers taxpayers value for money.
  • PRESS RELEASE : Tougher rules to stamp out debanking [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Tougher rules to stamp out debanking [October 2023]

    The press release issued by HM Treasury on 2 October 2023.

    Changes to the rules which determine whether a bank can operate – known as Threshold Conditions – will ensure banks are upholding their current legal duties to protect freedom of speech.

    • Chancellor spells out new rules for banks to protect free speech
    • banks forced to show exactly how they are protecting customers’ freedom of speech under a shakeup of the rules
    • banks must take existing obligations not to discriminate seriously

    This action will give regulators the green light to take firm action if any bank is found to undermine or fails to protect the rights of their customers.

    A public consultation will be launched shortly to consider how these changes are best delivered, before legislating next year, as part of the government’s aim to put an end to de-banking for freedom of speech reasons.

    This follows concerning reports that highlighted situations where banks may have been closing the bank accounts of customers based on their political views.

    The Chancellor was quick to act – confirming new rules will force banks to delay and explain account closures and asking the FCA to conduct a deep dive into this issue.

    The notice period for payment service framework contract terminations is to increase from two months to 90 days, and banks will be required to give customers clear and tailored explanations for why they had closed an account – unless in limited cases such as where this would be unlawful.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Chancellor announces major increase to National Living Wage [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Chancellor announces major increase to National Living Wage [October 2023]

    The press release issued by HM Treasury on 2 October 2023.

    The National Living Wage will rise to two-thirds of average earnings, the Chancellor announced today (Monday 2 October).

    • National Living Wage will rise to two-thirds of average earnings
    • Chancellor commits to Low Pay Commission recommendations, with latest forecasts showing a pay boost next year worth over £1,000 for 2 million low-paid workers
    • successive rises mean a full-time worker on the National Living Wage will be over £9,000 better off than they would have been in 2010

    In a significant boost for the UK’s lowest paid, the Chancellor committed to accept the Low Pay Commission’s recommendations – which will be announced in November. Based on the Low Pay Commission’s latest forecasts, this would see the National Living Wage increase to over £11 an hour from April 2024 and would mean the annual earnings of a full-time worker on the National Living Wage will increase by over £1,000 next year.

    People currently aged 23 and over are eligible for the National Living Wage, with over 2 million workers on low pay set to benefit from the increase. The announcement, after successive rises since its introduction in July 2015, means a full-time worker on the National Living Wage will be over £9,000 better off than they would have been in 2010.

    Each year, the independent Low Pay Commission produces recommendations to the Government on National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage rates. This year it is due to make recommendations for the rates that will take effect from April 2024, based on their remit which sets a target for the National Living Wage to reach two-thirds of median earnings by 2024 for workers aged 21 and over, taking economic conditions into account.

    Further information

    Projected coverage of National Living Wage/National Minimum Wage workers in April 2023 across the UK’s countries and regions

    Region National Living Wage
    North East 130,000
    North West 300,000
    Yorkshire & Humber 310,000
    East Midlands 200,000
    West Midlands 270,000
    South West 200,000
    East 220,000
    London 200,000
    South East 280,000
    Wales 120,000
    Scotland 180,000
    Northern Ireland 130,000
    Total 2,540,000

    History of the NLW

    • Since 1999, the UK has had a National Minimum Wage, which is uprated annually based on the advice of the independent Low Pay Commission (LPC).
    • The LPC is made up of representatives from business, employee and academic communities and reaches a consensus agreement on this uprating.
    • Prior to the first target announced in 2015, the LPCs remit was to set rates as high as possible without significant employment impacts.
    • The first minimum wage target was announced in 2015, when he announced the introduction of the National Living Wage (NLW)  from April 2016. The NLW had a target to reach 60% median earnings by 2020. This target was met in October 2020.
    • In 2019 a new target was announced for the NLW to reach two thirds of median earnings by 2024.
    • The target for the NLW to reach two thirds of median earnings was set to ‘end’ low pay according to the ONS definition.
  • PRESS RELEASE : Boost to UK-Indonesia low-carbon cooperation as Minister visits Jakarta [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Boost to UK-Indonesia low-carbon cooperation as Minister visits Jakarta [October 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 2 October 2023.

    Minister for the Indo-Pacific, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, is visiting Indonesia to launch the second phase of UK support to the Low Carbon Development Initiative.

    • Minister for the Indo-Pacific, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, is visiting Indonesia to launch the second phase of UK support to the Low Carbon Development Initiative (LCDI).
    • £27.2 million of new UK funding will foster sustainable economic growth and development while mitigating the impacts of climate change.

    The UK and Indonesia are set to extend collaboration on low carbon development until 2027, as Minister Trevelyan announces the second phase of UK support to the Low Carbon Development Initiative (LCDI) on a visit to Indonesia today (2 October). The Minister will announce new funding alongside Indonesian Minister for National Development Planning Suharso Monoarfa. The commitment affirms the UK’s record of support for climate action and sustainable growth in the Indo-Pacific.

    Ahead of the visit, Anne-Marie Trevelyan said:

    Indonesia’s thriving economy and capacity for innovation bring ever greater opportunities for our two countries to work together, from trade and investment to science and tech cooperation.

    The LCDI will ensure Indonesia’s economic growth is sustainable and resilient against the impacts of climate change, delivering benefits for people in the UK, Indonesia and across the Indo-Pacific.

    The Low Carbon Development Initiative (LCDI) is a flagship Indonesian government policy aiming to reduce emissions and promote sustainable growth and development. The first phase of UK support, launched in 2017, saw the inclusion of climate targets within the country’s development planning for the first time. Now, new funding will enable further training and capability building to develop science-based policy and provide grants to pilot innovative low-carbon technologies.

    The visit by Minister Trevelyan follows sustained UK engagement with Indonesia during its ASEAN Presidency year, including visits by Minister for Energy Security and Net Zero Graham Stuart in August and Foreign Secretary James Cleverly in July.

    During the visit, the Minister will meet Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Pahala Mansury for discussions on global and regional security, and Minister of Maritime and Investment Affairs Luhut to discuss economic cooperation and progress under the JETP. She will also meet ASEAN Secretary General Dr Kao Kim Hourn, to reaffirm the UK’s respect for ASEAN centrality and commitment to its role as a Dialogue Partner.

    Finally, the Minister will visit sports charity Inspire Indonesia to learn about their work educating teenagers on the importance of gender equality and the harms of sexual and gender-based violence.

    Notes to editors

    • The extension of UK support to the LCDI follows the launch of the Indonesia Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), agreed by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at the 2022 G20 leaders’ summit in Bali. The JETP secured public and private sector infrastructure funding to accelerate Indonesia’s transition to clean energy.
  • PRESS RELEASE : Social housing tenants helped to cut energy bills with £80 million for home upgrades [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Social housing tenants helped to cut energy bills with £80 million for home upgrades [October 2023]

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

    More social housing tenants to receive energy efficiency upgrades in their home, with an additional £80 million under Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund.

    • An extra 9,500 social housing tenants will benefit from grants to make homes warmer and more energy efficient
    • Additional funding for the government’s Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund will help lower bills by £240 a year on average and support 2,000 jobs
    • Scheme is already benefiting more than 100,000 households

    Thousands more social housing tenants will be helped to cut bills with additional government grants available for home energy efficiency upgrades.

    Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary Claire Coutinho today (Monday 2 October) announced up to £80 million in additional funding will be made available through the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund – which will generate energy bill savings of around £240 a year for some of the lowest-income households.

    More than 100,000 households in England are already benefiting from the scheme and today’s funding is enough to upgrade an additional 9,500 homes.

    Measures range from installing new wall, loft or underfloor insulation to supporting families to switch to low carbon heating – helping to cut energy bills and supporting around 2,000 jobs.

    As part of the government’s new pragmatic and proportionate approach to reaching net zero, eligible tenants will receive the energy efficiency upgrades free of charge through their social housing provider, whether local councils or housing associations.

    Secretary of State for Energy Security Claire Coutinho said:

    We are delivering net zero in a way that supports the British public and does not burden hardworking families with additional costs.

    Our Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund is delivering warmer homes and energy bill savings of around £240 for some of the lowest income families, as well as supporting thousands of jobs.

    We’re already making over 100,000 homes more energy efficient with this scheme, and I’m delighted an extra 9,500 social housing tenants will now benefit too.

    Minister for Energy Efficiency and Green Finance Lord Callanan said:

    The UK is a trailblazer when it comes to reducing carbon emissions, cutting them faster than any other G7 country.

    By supporting families to improve their household energy efficiency, this additional funding will deliver measures such as new insulation and low-carbon heating for even more households – helping them save money and cut emissions.

    The government has a strong record on energy efficiency, with the proportion of homes in England with an EPC rating of C or above up from 14% in 2010 to nearly half of all homes now. Today’s funding will help drive up the energy performance of social homes with an EPC rating of D or below.

    The scheme forms part of the government’s commitment to reduce overall UK energy demand by 15% by 2030, as well as supporting the ambition for the UK to move towards ever-greater energy security and independence. The government also plans to run a consultation on energy efficiency standards in the social rented sector.

    Local and combined authorities, registered providers of social housing and charities that own social housing will be able to bid for the additional funding to install energy efficiency upgrades in November.

  • PRESS RELEASE : New measures targeting bomb-making materials come into force [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : New measures targeting bomb-making materials come into force [October 2023]

    The press release issued by the Home Office on 2 October 2023.

    Stronger restrictions on poisons and explosive substances came into effect on 1 October 2023.

    New restrictions on poisons and explosive substances have come into effect from Sunday 1 October, strengthening existing controls for poisons and chemicals which could be used to make explosives.

    Under these changes, there will be stricter requirements on reporting suspicious activity, including new obligations for online marketplaces. Customer information, such as photo identification, will be recorded when selling regulated materials to business users.

    Additional substances have also been added to the list of regulated poisons, including 2,4 Dinitrophenol, also known as DNP, which has taken the lives of many young people in the UK. Other substances to be added include zinc phosphide and hexamine, often used in fireworks.

    This will mean it will be a criminal offence to sell these substances to members of the public without a valid licence.

    Security Minister Tom Tugendhat said:

    The deaths of dozens of young people at the hands of criminals selling chemicals like DNP is a tragedy.

    These new measures will help prevent dangerous controlled substances from falling into the wrong hands.

    These measures come on the back of the devastating Manchester Arena attack in 2017, and the government’s commitment to look at whether current laws went far enough to protect the public.

    The changes will come into force through the updates to the Poisons Act 1972.

    Food Standards Agency (FSA) Head of National Food Crime Unit Andrew Quinn said:

    DNP can, and does, kill. This is why we strongly support the Home Office on the reclassification of DNP as a poison as well as the police on tackling criminals who supply this killer chemical.

    British Retail Consortium (BRC) Retail Products Advisor Adrian Simpson said:

    Retailers play an important part in spotting any suspicious activity from customers when buying particular chemical products, and will take additional steps to verify legitimacy of a purchase through more thorough ID checks.

    We welcome these new strengthened measures – retailers are vital in protecting the public by ensuring that all changes are clearly communicated to their customers. They will provide additional information online to explain the risks associated with certain products.

    The government continues to regularly work with online marketplaces to ensure that they are aware of the harms of chemicals and poisons and can identify and take down potentially unlawful listings as quickly as possible.

    The Poisons Act 1972 already sets out controls of chemicals which can be used to make explosives and poisons, restricting the general public’s access to the most dangerous materials. It permits a licensing regime for the purchase and use of regulated substances where there is a legitimate need and no safer alternative.

    Newly reportable explosives precursors:

    • Sulfur

    Newly reportable poisons:

    • Metal sulfides and polysulfides
    • Metal phosphides
    • Sodium hypochlorite solutions (above 6% available Cl).

    Newly regulated precursors:

    • Hexamine
    • Hydrochloric acid (over 10% w/w)
    • Phosphoric acid (over 30% w/w)
    • Ammonium nitrate (over 16% N)

    Newly regulated poisons:

    • Aluminium sulfide
    • Sodium sulfide
    • Calcium sulfide
    • Magnesium sulfide
    • Calcium phosphide
    • Zinc phosphide
    • Arsenic compounds
    • Mercury compounds
    • 2,4- dinitrophenol (DNP) and compounds including sodium dinitrophenolate
  • PRESS RELEASE : Developer prosecuted for breaching Bat Mitigation Licence [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Developer prosecuted for breaching Bat Mitigation Licence [October 2023]

    The press release issued by Natural England on 2 October 2023.

    Derby-based property developer ordered to pay £14,435.17 for breaching conditions of an European Protected Species Bat Mitigation Licence.

    • Derby-based property developer to pay total of £14,435.17
    • Defendant pleads guilty to four charges over development in Ashbourne
    • Court told defendant ignored advice from Natural England and ecologist

    A Derby-based property developer has been ordered to pay a total of £14,435.17 in a prosecution brought by Natural England for breaching the conditions of a European Protected Species Bat Mitigation Licence.

    On 4 September 2023 at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates’ Court, Patrick Weekes, aged 55, of Radbourne Construction Limited, Vernongate, Derby, pleaded guilty to four offences relating to a housing development in Harehill, near Ashbourne, Derbyshire.

    He was fined £3,200 plus a victim’s surcharge of £1,280 and ordered to pay full prosecution costs of £9,955.17.

    A European Protected Species Bat Mitigation Licence was issued to the defendant in October 2020.

    The licence permitted the capture, disturbance, transport, and damage of resting places for Brown long-eared (Plecotus auritus) and Common pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pipistrellus) bats.

    And it also permitted the damage of a breeding site for Brown long-eared bats.

    The court was told that Natural England’s Wildlife Licensing Service had been made aware of potential breaches of the licence issued to the defendant in October 2022.

    Natural England took the decision to prosecute because the breaches were considered so significant as to have impacted the welfare and Favourable Conservation Status of the bat species involved.

    The breaches left brown long-eared bats with no suitable maternity roosting provision within the site.

    They also significantly reduced the suitability of roosting opportunities for common pipistrelle bats, as well as endangering the welfare of both species.

    Following a compliance check, Natural England’s Enforcement Team led a multi-agency site visit in February 2023 which evidenced that the defendant had breached the conditions of his licence on four counts:

    • Failed to install Bitumen type 1F roofing felt with hessian matrix as agreed in the licence. This roofing felt is designed to be non-breathable which mitigates the risks to bats. Breathable roofing membranes, such as the one installed by the defendant, can cause bats to become entangled in the loose fibres and result in their injury and/or death. This is a significant risk to bat welfare.
    • Failed to install the compensation and mitigation measures as agreed in the licence. Mitigation and compensation measures are included in licences to reduce the harm to bats, mitigate for any impacts, and where impacts cannot be mitigated then compensation is designed to maintain the Favourable Conservation Status as required in legislation. In this case, the agreed compensation in the form of various specific ridge crevices and access tiles to allow bats to roost within the roof were not installed, and the loft space set aside in one building to compensate for the loss of a Brown long-eared maternity roost was unsuitable and did not meet the requirements set out in the licence.
    • Failed to complete post-development monitoring as agreed in the licence. Monitoring is vital to understand whether the impacts of bats have been successfully mitigated and compensated for, as well as determining if there are any issues with the compensation that need to be addressed to ensure they remain suitable for use by bats.
    • Stripped the roof of a property containing a Common pipistrelle day roost without direct ecological supervision, as agreed in the licence. Ecologist supervision is required wherever there is a risk that bats can be encountered such as stripping a roof of a property with a confirmed bat roost present. This requirement is to ensure that works are done in a sympathetic way towards bats and if any bats are found during the process they can be safely transferred to a suitable bat box on site.

    In sentencing the defendant, the court noted that he had acted in contravention to the professional advice provided by both their own ecological consultant and Natural England.

    Also the defendant did not carry out work to mitigate the harmful impact on bats when so instructed by Natural England.

    Steph Bird-Halton, Natural England’s National Delivery Director, commented:

    “Natural England does not take the decision to prosecute lightly.

    “However, where individuals or companies place the welfare or Favourable Conservation Status of protected species at risk, we will not hesitate to take targeted and proportionate enforcement action.

    “I would like to thank the Bat Conservation Trust’s Wildlife Crime Project for the assistance they provided in this case.”

    Additional information

    All bat species are afforded legal protection as a European Protected Species under The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 and Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

    It is a criminal offence to contravene or fail to comply with any condition of a licence issued by Natural England, pursuant to Regulation 60(1) of The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017.

    The Favourable Conservation Status of a species refers to the situation in which a habitat or species is thriving throughout its natural range and is expected to continue to thrive in the future.

    Ensuring that Favourable Conservation Status is maintained after any licensable actions is key to all European Protected Species licensing decisions made by Natural England.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UN HRC54 – UK Statement on Reprisals [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UN HRC54 – UK Statement on Reprisals [October 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 2 October 2023.

    Statement for the Interactive Dialogue on the Secretary-General’s Report on Reprisals. Delivered by the UK on 29 September 2023 at 54th Human Rights Council.

    Thank you Mr President, [Assistant-Secretary General] And thank you to the Secretary-General for his report, and his continued efforts to counter instances of reprisals against those who cooperate with the United Nations.

    The UK unequivocally condemns each and every act of intimidation or reprisal.

    Anexa Alfred Cunningham, a Miskitu Indigenous leader and human rights defender, has been denied entry back into her home country of Nicaragua, due to her participation in a UN group of experts.

    Delegates of the Human Rights Centre Viasna have been arbitrarily detained in Belarus for their work defending human rights, including through their engagement with UN human rights mechanisms. Belarusian trade union leader, Aliaksandr Yarashuk, was arrested for his work, including submitting information to the ILO.

    Armel Niyongere, Dieudonné Bashirahishize, Vital Nshimirimana and Lambert Nigarura, were forced to leave Burundi after engaging with the Committee Against Torture in 2016.

    Following an appearance earlier this year in this very room, Sebastian Lai, the son of Jimmy Lai, and their international legal team have faced shocking intimidation and harassment by the Chinese authorities.

    When individuals or organisations face threats or retaliation for engaging with international bodies, not only do the individuals involved suffer, but so do our collective efforts towards upholding human rights.

    Thank you.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Newly appointed UK Trade Commissioner for APAC visits Taiwan [October 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Newly appointed UK Trade Commissioner for APAC visits Taiwan [October 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 2 October 2023.

    Newly appointed UK Trade Commissioner for Asia Pacific visits Taiwan to strengthen trade and investment links.

    His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner (HMTC) for Asia Pacific, Martin Kent is currently in Taiwan conducting a 5-day visit to broaden and deepen trade and investment links between the UK and Taiwan.

    The key purpose of the visit is to meet with Taiwan’s International Trade Administration of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, to prepare discussion topics for the 26th annual UK-Taiwan Trade Talks due to take place in London in November. HMTC will also meet with Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs, Chern-Chyi Chen, who will co-chair the Trade Talks alongside Nigel Huddleston, the UK’s Minister for International Trade at the Department for Business and Trade. He will also meet with Minister without Portfolio and Chief Trade Negotiator, John Deng to continue talks on the UK-Taiwan Enhanced Trade Partnership (ETP) announced earlier this year.

    During his visit, HMTC will meet with key representatives of UK businesses in Taiwan to understand the market opportunities, as well as key Taiwanese companies, including China Airlines and GlobalWafers to explore collaboration.

    HMTC will also meet with Taiwan’s Smart Capital Investors’ Club to share more about the UK as Europe’s most popular investment destination. The UK has long been at the forefront of global exploration, invention and innovation. World-leading companies choose the UK as a place to invest, research, manufacture and grow. Global multinationals have created more subsidiaries in the UK (28,707) than anywhere else, outside of China and the USA. In November, the UK will host its second Global Investment Summit, which will bring more than 200 of the world’s highest profile investors, CEOs and financiers to showcase the UK as a world leading investment destination.

    The UK and Taiwan already have a thriving trade relationship based on collaboration in key areas such as offshore wind. Through this visit and wider engagement we are broadening this to include new areas in the technology-related sectors, including semiconductors. The UK has a long and exceptional history attracting foreign direct investments to its tech sector, which is worth over $1 trillion. It is only the third country globally to reach this landmark valuation, and has produced more unicorns than any other European country at over 160. The UK’s startup ecosystem also ranks the first in Europe and 3rd globally in terms of VC investment raised. There are more than 180 Taiwanese companies established in the UK.

    The UK-Taiwan bilateral trade and investment relationship is going from strength-to-strength with total trade in goods and services reaching £8.6 billion in 2022. Total UK exports to Taiwan in 2022 hit £3.9 billion, with an 18.2% year-on-year increase in goods exports. Taiwan is now the UK’s 5th largest trading partner in the Asia Pacific region, and the UK is Taiwan’s 3rd largest trading partner in Europe.

    Martin Kent, His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Asia Pacific, said:

    I look forward to promoting UK-Taiwan trade growth from its existing bilateral level of £8.6 billion per year using the upcoming Trade Talks and Enhanced Trade Partnership as a catalyst. I am also prioritising promoting investment into our world-leading UK clean growth sector, as well as exploring broader partnerships in science, tech, research and development.

    John Dennis, Representative at the British Office Taipei said:

    Trade & investment play an enormous part in the bilateral partnership between the UK and Taiwan, and I am delighted to welcome Martin Kent, His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner to Taiwan. We have huge momentum to deliver economic growth for both the UK and Taiwan, and the visit is another testament to the importance of our partnership to maximise opportunities and tackle current challenges together.

    More information

    • Martin Kent has been appointed as His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Asia Pacific on 18 September 2023, joining a team of nine HM Trade Commissioners encouraging UK trade and investment and promoting Global Britain across the world. See the announcement at GOV.UK
    • Martin Kent’s biography
    • ‘Unicorn’ is the term used in the venture capital industry to describe a startup company with a value of over $1 billion.