Tag: Press Release

PRESS RELEASE : New wine reforms to boost investment and ease burdens on industry [October 2023]

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 16 October 2023.

Following a public consultation, the government has set out reforms for the wine sector which will begin in 2024.

New reforms to the UK’s wine industry will drive investment, growth and jobs, Food and Drink Minister Mark Spencer announced today.

Following a public consultation, Wine: reforms to retained EU law, the government has set out reforms for the wine sector which will begin in 2024 and take advantage of our freedoms outside of the EU. These reforms are made possible by powers under the Retained EU Law Act which are being used to remove constraints from our economy whilst ensuring our high standards are not compromised.

Feedback from the wine industry has shown that certain regulations within the current 400-page rulebook have been stifling innovation and preventing the introduction of more efficient and sustainable practices.

Changes will include removing expensive and cumbersome packaging requirements – such as ending the mandatory requirement that certain sparkling wines must have foil caps and mushroom-shaped stoppers. This will reduce unnecessary waste and packaging costs for businesses. Outdated rules around bottle shapes will also be scrapped, freeing up producers to use different shapes.

The government will also remove the requirement for imported wines to have an importer address on the label – the Food Business Operator (FBO) responsible for ensuring all legal requirements are met will still need to be identified on the label, as is the standard requirement for food products. This will create more frictionless trade and reduce administrative burdens.

Further reforms will also give producers more freedom to use hybrid varieties of grapes. This will enable growers to choose the variety that works best for them and reduce vine loss due to disease or climate change, while also providing greater choice to consumers.

Food and Drink Minister Mark Spencer said:

We have a diverse and dynamic wine sector here in the UK – but for too long our producers and traders have been held back by red tape inherited from the EU.

The reforms we’ve announced today scrap outdated and burdensome rules so that our wineries, vineyards and traders can continue to innovate and help grow our economy.

Miles Beale, Chief Executive of the UK’s Wine and Spirit Trade Association said:

We welcome the measures announced by the Government today, many of which the WSTA has been calling for for a number of years.

Removing the restrictive rules on importer labelling will significantly reduce the post-Brexit impact of having to have a unique UK label. Moving to labelling Food Business Operator should allow one common label for both UK and EU markets, which will maintain the UK as an attractive destination market and support our aim for UK consumers continue to have access to the widest possible choice of wine from around the world.

And at a time when businesses are doing all they can to minimise packaging waste, changes to packaging rules will be good for business, the environment and consumers.

Ned Awty, Director and Interim CEO of Wines of Great Britain said:

Sustainability and innovation are at the heart of our domestic wine industry, WineGB welcomes any measures that supports these values.

We also look forward to any future legislation changes that will help Britain’s fastest growing agricultural sector thrive.

In addition to the UK’s status as a global wine trading hub, England and Wales has a thriving and fast-growing domestic winemaking industry which has seen a 74% growth in hectarage of vines in the last five years. These reforms will modernise regulations and encourage investment in all areas of the wine sector, from the domestic wine trade to our thriving vineyards and wineries.

The consultation response, Wine: reforms to retained EU law can be read in full on gov.uk.(https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/wine-reforms-to-retained-eu-law)

October 20, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Jacquie Nnochiri and Deborah Tavana reappointed as Board Members of the National Citizen Service Trust [October 2023]

The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 16 October 2023.

Jacquie Nnochiri and Deborah Tavana have been reappointed by HM The King as Board Members of the National Citizen Service Trust for three years from 1st January 2024 to 31st December 2027

Jacquie Nnochiri

Reappointed from 01 January 2024 until 31 December 2027.

Jacquie has had an influential career in mainstream education and Pupil Referral Unit setting. She has had numerous roles in mainstream education including Head of Year & Head of Department. Jacquie is passionate about giving young people, especially vulnerable students the knowledge, opportunity, and the exposure to networks and to give them the tools to improve their further education and future work opportunities. Jacquie has consistently championed the cause of young people, especially those who are most vulnerable and the most marginalised.

Jacquie has extensive knowledge of the education sector, she is capable of identifying and advising on new challenges, initiatives, and opportunities and to bring a broader perspective to the decision-making processes.

Jacquie has collaborated with many external stakeholders. Her role as academic lead brings her into close contact with parents and carers, local authorities, social workers and other outside agencies.

Jacquie is a mentor for students @QMUL- the School of Business & Management. Jacquie is a Volunteer for the Youth Offending Team as a Referral Order Community Panel Member. She also serves as the Vice Chair of the IMB board.

Deborah Tavana

Reappointed from 01 January 2024 until 31 December 2027.

Deborah started her career with Legal & General and has held executive roles in Williams & Glyn Bank, Resolution, Swiss Re and General Electric. She has experience in a range of leadership roles covering Human Resources, Communications, Governance, Legal and Operations and has also undertaken consulting and advisory work on both a regional and global basis. In addition, Deborah served for 13 years as a member of the Employment Tribunals.

Her career has always been guided by a belief in the importance of creating organisation cultures that value the whole person, whether colleague, customer or client. Deborah now works independently as an executive coach and management consultant. She joined the board of NCS in 2021 and is Chair of the People & Remuneration Committee. She also serves as a trustee on the board of United Response, and sits on the board of Kore Labs, a UK based fintech firm.

Deborah is a graduate of the University of Bristol, holds an MSc from the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology and is a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD. She balances her work alongside a busy family life with four children, enjoys swimming, photography and learning to play the piano.

Remuneration and Governance Code

Trustees of the National Citizens Service Trust are not remunerated. This appointment has been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments. The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election. Jacquie Nnochiri and Deborah Tavana have not declared any significant political activity.

October 20, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : British businesses celebrate as rules of origin to South Korea extended [October 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 16 October 2023.

The UK has secured a two-year extension to rules which help British companies to access lower or zero tariffs when selling goods to South Korea.
- UK goods exports to South Korea remain eligible for reduced or zero tariffs after UK secures extension
- Manufacturing sector expected to benefit, including automotive and food and drink, keeping British goods competitive in Korea
- Negotiations for enhanced UK-South Korea trade deal to launch later this year
The UK has secured a two-year extension to rules which help British companies to access lower or zero tariffs when selling goods to South Korea.

The extension has been secured under the UK-South Korea free trade agreement and comes as welcome news for businesses who can continue to avoid the high tariffs imposed by South Korea on products entering the country.

It also comes ahead of the launch of negotiations on a new, modernised trade deal between the UK and South Korea which will cover new sectors like digital, expected before the end of the year.

South Korea is the 13th largest economy in the world and set to grow rapidly. Thanks to a burgeoning middle class, its import market is expected to grow 45% by 2035. The UK’s trade with Korea has more than doubled since the original FTA was negotiated.

Goods make up the majority of UK exports to South Korea, with £7.3 billion worth exported last year. A broad range of British manufacturing sectors are expected to benefit from the extension, including food and drink and automotive, which is the second largest British export to South Korea.

Minister for International Trade Nigel Huddleston said:

This is fantastic news for UK businesses who can continue selling their brilliant goods with confidence to South Korea, a fast-growing market of the future with a high demand for quality British products.

It provides welcome certainty as we prepare to kickstart negotiations on an exciting new trade deal set to turbocharge our already thriving £18 billion trading relationship and boost British exports.

When the UK negotiated the original trade agreement with South Korea, rolled over from our membership of the EU, time-restricted clauses were agreed to allow for the use of EU content in UK products in meeting the EU-South Korea rules of origin and on shipping goods via the EU. Both clauses were set to expire on 1 January 2024.

The extensions will apply for a further two years while the UK and South Korea work on new, permanent rules as part of an enhanced free trade agreement. Today’s agreement allows for both parties to extend this period further, if needed.

Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders Chief Executive Mike Hawes said:

We welcome this announcement as it avoids the re-imposition of duties from January 2024. In the first half of the year, South Korea was our seventh biggest car export market and the third biggest supplier of new passenger cars for UK buyers – so duty liabilities would have been bad for both sides.

We look forward to the start of negotiations and swift conclusion of a modernised trade deal that delivers more benefits to our respective automotive sectors, in particular boosting trade in EVs and related technologies.

Food and Drink Federation Director of Sustainability and Growth Balwinder Dhoot said:

This is welcome news for food and drink manufacturers and gives continued certainty to exporters until a new and ambitious agreement is negotiated. This will help businesses to export more products and ensures continued flexibility to use seasonal imported ingredients that complement our industry’s use of domestic produce.

Talks for a new trade deal are anticipated to kick off this year. A public consultation was completed earlier this year to identify business priorities for the deal.

The new deal will upgrade our trading agreement with South Korea, ensuring a more modern and fit-for-purpose deal that meets the specific needs of the UK. This is expected to include provisions for digital trade and dedicated help for smaller businesses, which will support economic growth and jobs.
October 20, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : New Commander of the National Cyber Force appointed [October 2023]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 16 October 2023.

Air Vice-Marshal Tim Neal-Hopes OBE has been appointed as the second Commander of the National Cyber Force (NCF).

Established in 2020, the NCF is a partnership between defence and intelligence which carries out cyber operations daily to protect against threats to the UK, further the UK’s foreign policy, support military operations, and prevent serious crime.

The NCF is committed to demonstrating responsible cyber behaviour, including through strict adherence to robust legal and ethical frameworks and robust oversight and accountability. This is illustrated in ‘National Cyber Force: Responsible Cyber Power in Practice’ in a move to greater transparency in this space.

Most recently, Tim served as Director Cyber, Intelligence and Information Integration within UK Strategic Command and will be the first member of the Armed Forces to hold the position.

As well as delivering cyber operations to keep the country safe, Tim will be responsible for overseeing the NCF’s continued growth as part of the UK’s broader national cyber enterprise, including the opening of NCF’s headquarters in Samlesbury in 2025. Tim will also continue scaling NCF’s integration with other parts of Government, partners, and a growing number of international allies.

Tim replaces the NCF’s first Commander, James Babbage, who has taken up post as Director General Threats (Economic and Organised Crime) at the National Crime Agency.

Announcing the appointment, Commander Strategic Command, General Sir Jim Hockenhull said:

I am delighted to congratulate Air Vice-Marshal Tim Neal-Hopes OBE on his appointment to Commander of the National Cyber Force. Tim’s experience in cyber and intelligence has repeatedly been proven throughout a distinguished military career, and most recently serving at the heart of Defence Intelligence. I am confident the NCF will benefit greatly from his knowledge, experience, and leadership.

This is an important time for the NCF. The array of threats that we collectively face through cyberspace is becoming ever more complex and persistent, and the cyber and electromagnetic domain increasingly decisive. Tim will also oversee the move of the NCF headquarters to Samlesbury – an exciting time for the young organisation and its people. Establishing NCF in the North West will open up a great number of fulfilling and interesting roles and careers to a whole range of talent in the region.

I look forward to working with Tim in his new role and wish him well in this endeavour.

Director GCHQ, Anne Keast-Butler said:

I am delighted to welcome Air Vice-Marshal Tim Neal-Hopes OBE as the new Commander of the NCF. Tim brings a wealth of experience in intelligence, engineering, and cyber – and he has the vision to lead our dynamic partnership, which is countering state threats, supporting military operations, and disrupting terrorist cells and serious criminals.

Commander of the NCF, Air Vice-Marshal Tim Neal-Hopes OBE said:

The last two decades of my life have been invested in supporting the evolution of the UK’s cyber power, and so I am immensely proud to take on the role of Commander. The NCF has a clear vision to be a vital tool of the UK’s statecraft, delivering increasing impact for the nation and exemplifying globally the responsible projection of cyber power.

Nearly four years on from its creation, NCF’s impact has been felt across all facets of the UK’s national security, from supporting and protecting military operations, to countering state threats and disrupting criminal activity.

It is a privilege to be working with such diverse and talented people. NCF’s blend of skills and expertise in its workforce is an absolute strength and unlike anywhere else because of its unique defence and intelligence partnership. I am committed to realising the vision for the NCF and building a force that truly represents the nation we serve.

October 20, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK announces £10 million humanitarian aid for civilians in Occupied Palestinian Territories [October 2023]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 October 2023.

£10 million of humanitarian aid announced by the Prime Minister to support civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories in response to escalating conflict.
- Prime Minister announces £10 million package of support for Palestinian civilians in response to escalating conflict
- funding is an increase of a third on existing aid and will provide essential relief items and services, such as food, water and emergency shelter to meet needs on the ground
- in statement to Parliament, PM makes clear the UK’s unequivocal condemnation of Hamas’ actions and support for Israel’s right to self-defence in line with international law
Today [Monday 16 October] the Prime Minister has announced a further £10 million in humanitarian aid funding for civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs), in response to the escalating conflict.

He made the announcement in a statement to the House of Commons, in which he also reiterated the UK’s condemnation of Hamas’ actions in both Israel and Gaza, and called for immediate access for humanitarian organisations to be allowed to deliver life-saving aid.

This latest commitment is in response to the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, including shortages of key goods and widespread displacement due to the conflict.

This funding will allow trusted partners, including key UN agencies to provide essential relief items and services. These could include food, water and emergency shelter, depending on the needs on the ground.

The UK is also exploring options for moving humanitarian supplies closer to the region and is liaising with aid agencies in the region to ensure relief supplies can be distributed as quickly and effectively as possible.

Speaking in Parliament, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:

I’m proud that we are a longstanding and significant provider of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people. And I can announce today that we are increasing our aid by a third, with an additional £10 million of support.

An acute humanitarian crisis is unfolding, to which we must respond. We must support the Palestinian people – because they’re victims of Hamas too.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said:

We are committed to supporting the Palestinian people – they are victims of Hamas too.

This funding will provide vital, lifesaving support to Palestinian civilians who are caught up in this conflict and are in desperate need of help.

The UN estimates that over 1 million Palestinians have been displaced so far. Prior to the recent escalation of hostilities, the UN estimated that nearly 60% of people in Gaza already needed humanitarian assistance, including over 1.5 million people in need of food assistance and 1.6 million in need of health and nutrition assistance.

Today’s announcement is a 37% uplift to the existing £27 million of UK funding this year which is already providing critical support to the region, including an extra £10 million announced by the Foreign Secretary during his visit last month. We will consider further support depending on the changing humanitarian needs on the ground.

The UK remains committed to mitigating the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza while standing alongside the people of Israel against the terrorist group Hamas.

The Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary have spoken to Israel, Egypt and other international partners about opening the Rafah crossing to allow urgent humanitarian aid into Gaza.

All UK aid funding to the OPTs undergoes rigorous oversight, and no funding goes to Hamas.
October 20, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK government urges big business to tackle global hunger [October 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 October 2023.

On World Food Day (Monday 16 October) UK announces a partnership to encourage major food companies to improve the impact of their products on consumers’ health.

The UK has teamed up with a leading global nutrition charity to push the private sector to produce food which is good for people and the planet, Development Minister Andrew Mitchell announced today on World Food Day.

The partnership with the Access to Nutrition Initiative (ATNI) will encourage some of the largest food companies to help people at risk of malnutrition make healthier choices, particularly vulnerable populations in lower-income countries, including Bangladesh, Kenya, and Tanzania.

The UK’s £2 million package of support will allow ATNI to carry out assessments of the world’s largest food and drink companies, over a 2-year period, gathering data on factors including how healthy and sustainable their products are. They will also aim to capture for the first time how well they support and meet the needs of communities that are at risk of malnutrition and preventable deaths, specifically of women and children.

The announcement comes after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak today announced a further £10 million in humanitarian aid for civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs). This is in response to the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, including shortages of key goods and widespread displacement due to the conflict.

The funding will allow trusted partners, including key UN agencies to provide essential relief items and services including food, water and emergency shelter.

The UK will partner with the UAE and Somalia to host a global food security summit on 20 November sponsored by and developed with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) to galvanize action to tackle hunger and malnutrition, including through cutting edge UK funded science and technology. On the same day, the UK will publish the International Development White Paper.

Minister for Development and Africa Andrew Mitchell said:

As many as 60 million children around the world suffered from severe malnutrition last year – but their pain is entirely preventable. We must act now using all the tech, science, and other tools at our disposal to stop hunger harming future generations.

Newly published statistics show that FCDO has reached 13.8 million people with food aid, cash and vouchers through bilateral humanitarian support since 2022. This helped millions of marginalised people affected by humanitarian crises such as earthquakes, famines and conflict in countries including Syria, Ukraine, Uganda, and Bangladesh. The support has provided nutritious food for children and pregnant women, vouchers that can be exchanged for things like sanitary products or household items at designated vendors, and cash that allows people to buy food.

The UK-hosted summit will explore how innovation, partnerships and the latest technological advances can ensure long-term food security and improved nutrition for people in the hardest-hit countries.

Through FCDO’s partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the UK is helping to find solutions to address global food and climate challenges – including developing more nutritious, resilient crop varieties and innovating to tackle pests and diseases.

Rodger Voorhies, President of the Global Growth and Opportunity Division at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, said:

We must find new ways of responding to climate shocks and humanitarian crises, while accelerating innovations to prevent these crises in the future. UK leadership, including the upcoming summit on food security, will be critical to advancing solutions to prevent hunger and malnutrition, while building a climate resilient agriculture sector that can support a healthier, more equitable future for all.

The Child Nutrition Fund (CNF) is an innovative way of tackling child wasting and famine in some of the most vulnerable countries in the world through match funding that doubles every Naira or Rupee that governments in those countries spend on preventing and treating child wasting. This allows countries to double their investment in essential services and supplies for the prevention, detection and treatment of child wasting.

Severe wasting, the most severe form of malnutrition, is responsible for 1 in 5 deaths of children under 5. The CNF is scaling up prevention and treatment services in countries with the greatest need such as Nigeria and Pakistan.

Anna Hakobyan, chief impact officer at the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, said:

Hunger and malnutrition are devastating for children. There is an urgent need to scale up known solutions for prevention and treatment of child malnutrition through sustainable and concerted action from governments, civil society, and the private sector.

This needs to be coupled with systemic approaches to food systems that are fit for supporting a healthy planet and thriving children. We are looking forward to this important summit to galvanize action and innovations for turning the tide against rising hunger and malnutrition.

October 20, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Families to cut bills with energy saving tips and support for most vulnerable [October 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 16 October 2023.

Campaign launches to offer new energy saving tips for families, alongside £150 in Warm Home Discount support for the most vulnerable.
- ‘It All Adds Up’ government campaign will help people make simple changes to save at least £100
- Amazon’s Alexa will offer tips to help improve energy efficiency
- Warm Home Discount to provide more than three million households with £150 to help with winter fuel costs
Families can access simple energy saving tips from today, as the government teams up with Amazon Alexa to relaunch a public information campaign that helped British households save an estimated £120 million last winter.

Through a free collaboration between the government and Amazon, anyone asking Alexa how to reduce their energy bill will now receive the latest government advice on preparing their home for winter and using less energy in the long-term – which could save at least £100 a year. This experience will be available via Amazon Echo devices and on mobiles via the free Alexa app.

Phrases which will prompt Alexa include “Alexa, give me some energy saving tips”, “Alexa, give me tips to conserve energy” and “Alexa, give me tips to get ready for winter”.

The collaboration is part of today’s relaunch of the government’s It All Adds Up campaign, which last year saw 80% of people in the UK saying they had taken at least one of the money-saving actions. Alongside Alexa, advice is available online via the Help for Households website and through a public information campaign including partnerships, billboards and radio adverts later in the autumn.

It comes as more than three million households will from today get told they qualify for the Warm Home Discount. The automatic one-off £150 payment will help eligible, low-income customers in England, Scotland and Wales pay their energy bills over the winter.

Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Claire Coutinho said:

Energy prices are down 55 per cent since their peak, but we know many families are still facing pressures. That is why we are continuing to provide financial support, including targeted help, such as the £150 Warm Home Discount, for those most in need.

There are also some small, simple things families can do to keep their bills down – from reducing the boiler flow temperature to turning off radiators in rooms not being used, it all adds up.

Our collaboration with Amazon’s Alexa will help to make these tips easier to access as we relaunch our energy saving tips campaign, which helped families across the UK save around £120 million last winter.

Minister for Energy Consumers and Affordability Amanda Solloway said:

We want everyone to be able to take easy steps this winter to save money on their energy bills. By following tips such as reducing boiler flow temperature, or washing clothes at a lower temperature, families could save at least £100 a year.

And our Warm Home Discount will mean that over three million households receive more targeted support to help with the cost of energy.

John Boumphrey, UK Country Manager at Amazon, said:

With new energy saving tips on Alexa, you can simply ask for helpful advice on how to make simple changes around the home to help reduce energy costs this winter.

There are 6 low-to-no cost actions that collectively could save a typical household as much as £100 off their energy bill, with more advice available online.

The 6 measures are:
- Reducing boiler flow temperature to 60 degrees, saving up to £60 per year
- Getting your boiler serviced to prevent costly and unexpected repairs
- Bleeding radiators to remove air pockets and improve their efficiency
- Turning down radiators in rooms not being used, saving up to £50 per year
- Washing clothes at 30 degrees, saving up to £20 per year
- Installing an energy efficient showerhead, saving up to £40 per year
The Warm Home Discount is automatically applied to bills between October 2023 and March 2024, or is available as a top-up voucher for those with a pre-payment meter.

This comes as the Department for Work and Pensions launches its Household Support Fund Awareness Week to encourage vulnerable people across England to contact their councils to find out what support is available in their area. 26 million awards from the Household Support Fund have been made since its launch in October 2021.

Wider government support to help families with costs has also been made available this financial year – including a £900 payment for those on means-tested benefits, £300 for pensioners and an extra £150 available for disabled people. Average energy prices have also fallen again this month – down by 55% since their peak.

Those who qualify for the Warm Home Discount in England and Wales will receive a letter from October onward explaining the discount and instructions on what they need to do next, while customers in Scotland will need to apply directly with their energy supplier as soon as possible.

Mike Thornton, Chief Executive at Energy Saving Trust said:

As we head into the colder winter months with energy prices remaining high, it’s vital that people know how to reduce the amount of energy they use around their home to keep bills as low as possible.

Public information, engagement and advice have a vital role to play, therefore we welcome the relaunch of this UK government campaign.

We hope its continued success paves the way for further initiatives that inspire positive behaviour change around energy consumption in the future.
October 20, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : New innovation challenge launched to tackle bias in AI systems [October 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 16 October 2023.

UK companies can apply for up to £400,000 in government investment to fund innovative new solutions which tackle bias and discrimination in AI systems.
- up to £400,000 in investment up for grabs as Fairness Innovation Challenge opens for submissions
- new scheme funds innovative solutions to tackle bias and discrimination in AI
- scheme to focus on healthcare and other real-world use cases
UK companies can apply for up to £400,000 in government investment from today to fund innovative new solutions which tackle bias and discrimination in AI systems. The competition will look to support up to three ground-breaking homegrown solutions, with successful bids securing a funding boost of up to £130,000 each.

It comes ahead of the UK hosting the world’s first major AI Safety Summit to consider how to best manage the risks posed by AI while harnessing the opportunities in the best long-term interest of the British people.

The first round of submissions to the Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology’s Fairness Innovation Challenge, delivered through the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation, will nurture the development of new approaches to ensure fairness underpins the development of AI models.

The challenge will tackle the threats of bias and discrimination by encouraging new approaches which will see participants building a wider social context into the development of their models from the off.

Fairness in AI systems is one of the government’s key principles for AI, as set out in the AI Regulation White Paper. AI is a powerful tool for good, presenting near limitless opportunities to grow the global economy and deliver better public services.

In the UK, the NHS is already trialling AI to help clinicians identify cases of breast cancer, and the technology offers enormous potential to develop new drugs and treatments, and help us tackle pressing global challenges like climate change. These opportunities though cannot be realised without first addressing risks, in this instance tackling bias and discrimination.

Minister for AI, Viscount Camrose, said:

The opportunities presented by AI are enormous, but to fully realise its benefits we need to tackle its risks.

This funding puts British talent at the forefront of making AI safer, fairer, and trustworthy. By making sure AI models do not reflect bias found in the world, we can not only make AI less potentially harmful, but ensure the AI developments of tomorrow reflect the diversity of the communities they will help to serve.

While there are a number of technical bias audit tools on the market, many of these are developed in the United States, and although companies can use these tools to check for potential biases in their systems, they often fail to fit alongside UK laws and regulations. The challenge will promote a new UK-led approach which puts the social and cultural context at the heart of how AI systems are developed, alongside wider technical considerations.

The Challenge will focus on two areas. First, a new partnership with King’s College London will offer participants from across the UK’s AI sector the chance to work on potential bias in their generative AI model. The model, developed with Health Data Research UK with the support of NHS AI Lab, is trained on the anonymised records of more than 1 million patients to predict possible health outcomes.

Second, is a call for ‘open use cases’. Applicants can propose new solutions which tackle discrimination in their own unique models and areas of focus, including tackling fraud, building new law enforcement AI tools, or helping employers build fairer systems which will help analyse and shortlist candidates during recruitment.

Companies currently face a range of challenges in tackling AI bias, including insufficient access to data on demographics, and ensuring potential solutions meet legal requirements. The CDEI are working in close partnership with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) to deliver this Challenge. This partnership allows participants to tap into the expertise of regulators to ensure their solutions marry up with data protection and equality legislation.

Stephen Almond, Executive Director of Technology, Innovation and Enterprise at the ICO, said:

The ICO is committed to realising the potential of AI for the whole of society, ensuring that organisations develop AI systems without unwanted bias.

We’re looking forward to supporting the organisations involved in the Fairness Challenge with the aim of mitigating the risks of discrimination in AI development and use.

The challenge will also offer companies guidance on how assurance techniques can be applied in practice to AI systems to achieve fairer outcomes. Assurance techniques are methods and processes which are used to verify and ensure systems and solutions meet certain standards, including those related to fairness.

Baroness Kishwer Falkner, Chairwoman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, said:

Without careful design and proper regulation, AI systems have the potential to disadvantage protected groups, such as people from ethnic minority backgrounds and disabled people.

Tech developers and suppliers have a responsibility to ensure that the AI systems do not discriminate.

Public authorities also have a legal obligation under the Public Sector Equality Duty to understand the risk of discrimination with AI, as well as its capacity for mitigating bias and its potential to support people with protected characteristics.

The Fairness Innovation Challenge will be instrumental in supporting the development of solutions to mitigate bias and discrimination in AI, ensuring that the technology of the future is used for the good of all. I wish all participants the best of luck in the challenge.

The Fairness Innovation Challenge closes for submissions at 11am on Wednesday 13th December, with successful applicants notified of their selection on 30th January, 2024.
October 20, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak call with President Abbas of the Palestinian Authority [October 2023]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 16 October 2023.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak spoke to President of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas this morning.

He expressed his condolences for the deaths of Palestinian civilians, who have been caught up in the aftermath of Hamas’s terror attack. The Prime Minister reiterated the UK’s position that Hamas does not speak for ordinary Palestinians.

The leaders agreed on the importance of avoiding further regional escalation and ensuring calm in the West Bank. The Prime Minister committed the UK’s support for the Palestinian Authority in trying to establish peace and stability. They also discussed support for Gaza, including humanitarian aid and measures to protect civilians.

More broadly, the Prime Minister and President Abbas agreed that the international community must intensify efforts to break the cycle of violence in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The Prime Minister affirmed that the UK continues to support a two-state solution, with a Palestinian state existing alongside a safe and secure Israel.

October 20, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Government seeks views on improving alcohol treatment services [October 2023]
The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 16 October 2023.

Public consultation launched on first UK-wide guidelines for clinical treatment of harmful drinking and alcohol dependence.
- Government working in partnership with devolved administrations to develop a clear consensus on best practice for specialist treatment
- Guidelines aim to support health and care sector with high-quality resources to help treat people with alcohol dependency issues
Health and social care services are being urged to work together to treat those suffering from alcohol dependency as the government consults on new guidelines for the treatment of harmful drinking and alcohol dependence.

Developed in partnership with the devolved administrations, the new UK-wide draft guidelines aim to develop a clear consensus on best practice for treatment for alcohol dependence, ultimately improving outcomes for patients.

The consultation will be open for 8 weeks, inviting views from people working in alcohol treatment, the wider health and care sector, and those with lived experience of alcohol dependence across the UK.

Minister for Public Health, Neil O’Brien, said:

To maximise the impact of our £532 million investment into substance misuse treatment, it is vital that treatment for those with alcohol dependence is informed by the best scientific and medical expertise, as well as the views of those with lived experience.

This consultation will help us develop guidance to ensure alcohol treatment services are of consistently high quality, providing stronger pathways to recovery for those in need of treatment for alcohol dependence.

Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr Jeanelle de Gruchy, said:

These UK-wide guidelines will provide a clear consensus for health and care services on best practice for alcohol treatment, resulting in better outcomes for those who need treatment and care.

I encourage anyone who works in alcohol treatment services, and anyone with experience using them, to contribute your views to the 8-week consultation to ensure that the guidelines are as robust and person-centred as possible.

The alcohol clinical guidelines will provide:
- a detailed framework to support providers with high quality alcohol treatment guidance that can help inform the quality of their services
- guidance for health and social care staff involved in helping people experiencing alcohol dependence or drinking at harmful levels
- guidance on managing and supporting treatment pathways, such as between hospitals or prisons and the community
- a reference point for national regulatory bodies when inspecting alcohol treatment services
The guidelines recommend:
- specialist alcohol treatment and wider health and social care services work together to provide integrated care for people experiencing alcohol dependence
- alcohol treatment services working with lived experience recovery organisations
They also provide specific recommendations for supporting specific groups with managing alcohol dependency. For example, there is a chapter on pregnancy and perinatal care, with recommendations for professionals on supporting pregnant women to stop drinking safely, and a chapter providing guidance to those working in the criminal justice system to tackle alcohol misuse among prisoners.

The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities developed the draft guidelines in collaboration with the devolved governments, senior UK clinical experts, and people with experience of alcohol treatment. They are modelled on the UK clinical guidelines on drug misuse and dependence (the Orange Book), published in 2017.

The main aim of the guidelines is to develop a clearer consensus on good practice and how to implement NICE-recommended interventions. This will promote and support consistent high quality in the provision of alcohol treatment services, resulting in better outcomes for people in need of treatment.
October 20, 2023