Tag: Press Release

PRESS RELEASE : Illegal pornography, abuse and exploitation to be investigated by new reviewer [November 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 1 December 2023.

Porn industry to be scrutinised to assess the damage it causes individuals and society.
- Pornography review will advise government on ways to tackle harmful impact of pornography on viewers and how abuse and exploitation is addressed in the modern industry.
- review will also assess law enforcement for online porn and whether more needs to be done to tackle illegal pornography.
- Baroness Gabby Bertin appointed as independent lead reviewer, bringing expertise in tackling violence against women and girls to government review.
The porn industry will be scrutinised by a dedicated reviewer who has been appointed to assess the damage it causes individuals and society.

Baroness Bertin will look at abuse, exploitation and trafficking in the pornography industry, pornography’s impact on viewers, and ways to bolster law enforcement to help tackle illegal pornographic content will also be examined in the Pornography Review, as part of new objectives published today (Friday 1 December).

The review will build on the government’s work to take the long-term decisions for a better future for our children and grandchildren through the Online Safety Act, by stopping children from accessing pornography online by requiring services to establish the age of their users, including through age verification and age estimation tools.

It will review how viewing pornography impacts users of all ages, including emerging challenges from AI generated pornography. It will also review both the current rules placed upon the pornography industry and other services that host pornographic content, and whether law enforcers have the tools they need to identify and tackle illegal pornographic content.

The review will examine how we can help the police identify exploitation and abuse in the industry, as well as identifying what barriers there are to enforcing the law and punishing those committing offences.

In particular, the review has been tasked to consider the links between the pornography industry and the prevalence of human trafficking and exploitation and users’ attitudes towards women and girls. It will then recommend what can be done to tackle this, including improving reporting and identification.

The review will then recommend to government what more could be done to address these challenges and provide support and guidance to those who need it on the potentially harmful impacts of pornography.

To lead the review, Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan has today appointed Baroness Bertin, who has worked consistently to tackle violence against women and girls, now sitting as Vice Chair of the All-Parliamentary Party Group on Domestic Violence and Abuse.

The review will also draw on expertise from law enforcement, the criminal justice system, external experts and the pornography industry to look at the existing regulation and whether the existing criminal offences are adequately enforced online as they are offline.

Secretary of State for Innovation, Technology and Science, Michelle Donelan said:

We’re already making the UK the safest place to be online with our world-leading Online Safety Act and are building on that with an unrelenting focus on safety and education by launching the Pornography Review.

Baroness Bertin will bring valuable experience to the process, leading on investigating how exploitation and abuse is tackled in the industry, and to examine the potentially harmful impact of pornography.

Pornography Review lead reviewer, Baroness Bertin said:

I am delighted to have been asked to lead this review. The damaging impact that extreme pornography is having on society cannot be allowed to continue unchecked. We owe it to our children and indeed to the whole of society to put the guard rails back in place.

The past two decades have seen a dramatic change in the way we consume media and interact with content online. Pornography regulation now needs to reflect this change. The ease with which people can access harmful and illegal pornography is having a devastating impact on many areas of our lives but It is particularly damaging and degrading to women and girls. A key aspect of the review will be assessing the links between pornography, exploitation and a culture of violence towards women and girls.

I am determined that this review will ensure laws and regulations governing a dramatically changed pornography industry are once again fit for purpose.

Notes to editors

The objectives for the review as set out in the terms of reference are to:
1. Understand the prevalence and harmful impact of illegal pornography online, and the impact of other forms of legal pornography including emerging themes like AI-generated pornography, its impact on users, and on viewer’s attitudes to violence against women and girls.
2. Assess the public’s awareness and understanding of existing regulation and legislation of pornography.
3. Consider the current rules in place to regulate the pornography industry, comparing online and offline laws.
4. Determine if law enforcers and the justice system are responding to illegal pornography sufficiently, and if change is needed.
5. Find out how prevalent human trafficking and exploitation is in the industry, before recommending how to identify and tackle this.
6. Use this knowledge to set out what more can be done to provide those who need it with guidance on the potential harmful impact of pornography.
Read the Review’s Terms of Reference in full (PDF, 161KB).
06/12/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak to call for ‘era of action’ at COP28 climate summit [December 2023]
The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 1 December 2023.

The Prime Minister will stress the need for ambitious, innovative and pragmatic climate action to meet the challenge of rising global temperatures at the COP28 Summit in the United Arab Emirates today.
- Prime Minister will announce £1.6 billion in UK funding for climate projects as he arrives for the first day of COP28
- UK will back efforts to end deforestation and speed up the transition to renewable energy as part of a solutions-focused approach to tackling climate change
- Rishi Sunak will also use his visit for high level talks on the crisis in Gaza and de-escalation in the wider Middle East
The Prime Minister will stress the need for ambitious, innovative and pragmatic climate action to meet the challenge of rising global temperatures at the COP28 Summit in the United Arab Emirates today [Friday 1st Dec].

Attending the first day of the World Leaders Summit at COP, the Prime Minister will announce major funding for effective projects aimed at stopping and reversing deforestation, protecting the natural environment, and accelerating the global transition to clean and renewable energy. The projects will support urgent efforts to get the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees on track.

He will also set out his ambition to turbocharge the role of the private sector, given the UK’s role as the pre-eminent global centre for green finance. Overall, the UK Government will commit £1.6 billion for international climate finance (ICF) projects over the course of COP28 – delivering on our commitment to spend £11.6 billion of ICF over five years and taking it further with new funding.

Today’s announcements build on the UK’s leading record at home, with the fastest decarbonisation in the G7 and record investment in renewables, and help to deliver on the legacy of the successful COP26 Summit in Glasgow.

The Prime Minister will also use his travel to the Middle East to push for progress on alleviating the humanitarian crisis on Gaza and finding a long-term solution to the crisis. In talks with key regional and international leaders, he will discuss efforts to free remaining hostages and ensure Hamas can never again launch terror attacks from Gaza, as well as concrete proposals to step up the delivery of aid and secure a lasting peace for both Palestinians and Israelis.

Ahead of COP28, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:

“The world made ambitious pledges at previous COP summits to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees. But the time for pledges is now over – this is the era for action.

“We know that the technologies and innovations we need to protect the planet are at our fingertips, from the mighty offshore wind farms powering the UK to the solar energy transforming electricity in Africa.

“The transition to net zero should make us all safer and better off. It must benefit, not burden ordinary families. The UK has led the way in taking pragmatic, long-term decisions at home – and at COP28 we will lead international efforts to protect the world’s forests, turbocharge renewable energy and leverage the full weight of private finance.”

The UK put nature at the heart of climate summits for the first time at COP26, securing the agreement of the landmark ‘Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Land Use’ which saw more than 140 countries commit to halt and reverse deforestation by 2030. And this week, we took further action at home to protect the UK’s rich natural heritage, announcing 34 new landscape recovery projects, new community forests and funding to help more children get outdoors and into the great British countryside.

New funding announced by the Prime Minister today builds on that record, providing up to £500 million for the ‘Investment in Forests and Sustainable Land Use’ programme which works with the private sector to tackle the causes of deforestation and increase investment in sustainable forest and land management. We expect the programme to mobilise £2 billion in private investment, directly benefit small farmers and poor rural communities, and restore vital forests across 10m hectares. A further £30 million will also be provided to the REDD Early Movers programme, which provides results-based payments to key forest countries to reduce deforestation and reinvest the money into indigenous and local communities.

The UK will also commit £316 million for exciting energy innovation projects around the world, to help speed up the global transition to renewables. The funding includes up to £185 million from the Ayrton Fund for a planned UK-led Climate Innovation Pull Facility, which will use market incentives to signal demand for a particular innovation in developing countries and rapidly advance new green technology. There will also be £40 million from the Ayrton Fund via the Energy Catalyst for 64 clean energy projects across Africa, South Asia and the Indo-Pacific, investing in partnerships which are developing critical technologies like energy storage, smart grids and next-generation solar.

British International Investment – the UK’s development finance institution – will invest £44 million in climate projects in Africa and Asia. The funding includes an £8 million investment into Planet Solar in Sierra Leone and £1.7 million for SunCulture in Kenya, respectively using solar power to increase Sierra Leone’s power supply by 30% and supporting thousands of smallholder farms in Kenya with irrigation. £4.1 million will go towards the delivery of 100 electric buses in Kenya and £5.7 million will be invested into the Circulate Capital Ocean Fund, which aims to prevent 5 million tonnes of plastic pollution from entering the environment.

The UK will also contribute up to £60 million of funding for loss and damage, including up to £40 million for a new fund announced by the COP Presidency yesterday [Thursday] and a further £20 million for funding arrangements, including for early warning systems and disaster risk finance. The funding will help address the real and growing impact of climate change on countries, including many developing and small island states – from rising seas to flooding and desertification. It is intended to kickstart efforts to leverage broader sources of finance to enable the fund to scale.

Further announcements will be made by UK ministers throughout COP28, bringing the total UK ICF commitment for the Summit to more than £1.6 billion. Of that, £887.8 million – including £465 million for forests – is new funding, outside of the £11.6 billion ICF spending target agreed for 2021/22 – 2025/26.

The Prime Minister is expected to attend the Opening Ceremony at COP28, which will be addressed by His Majesty The King, as well as events on climate finance, climate adaptation and a new Just Energy TransitionPartnership with Vietnam. He will also hold a series of bilateral meetings with world leaders.

Further information:
- Up to £185m Climate Innovation Pull Facility (CIPF), first-of-a-kind UK-led ICF facility that will pioneer the use of pull incentives for climate mitigation solutions in developing countries.
- £40m worth of Ayrton Fund support to 64 clean energy innovation projects across Africa, South Asia and the Indo-Pacific, in critical technology areas such as energy storage, smart green grids, next generation solar and more.
- A £40m extension to the Transforming Energy Access (TEA) platform, funding R&D on energy access in low income countries.
- A £36m increase for the Market Accelerator for Green Construction, driving uptake of green construction practices and accelerating investments in energy efficient buildings in over 20 emerging and developing economies.
- A £15m extension to the Modern Energy Cooking Services (MECS) programme, enabling demonstrators of e-Cooking innovations in countries currently relying on firewood and charcoal.
Full list of BII investments [in USD]:
- A $9.8m investment into Planet Solar, Sierra Leone’s first large-scale independent solar power producer. The project will increase the country’s power supply by approximately 30%. Currently only 23% of the population in Sierra Leone have access to electricity.
- $25m commitment to GEF South Asia Growth Fund III, investing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and waste generation as well as boost water use-efficiency and sustainable food production. Following BII’s investment, the fund is aiming to raise $400m to support climate goals across the region.
- A $2.1m investment into SunCulture in Kenya to provide 9,000 more smallholder farmers with solar-powered irrigation systems to improve their climate resilience and incomes.
- A $6m investment into Wavemaker Impact (WMI) a Fund investing in high-impact food and agriculture start-ups that have the potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions in South East Asia.
- A $5m investment into BasiGo for delivery of 100 Electric Buses in Kenya. Funding will be used to scale local assembly of electric buses in Kenya, establishing a new electric vehicle manufacturing sector.
- A $7m investment into Circulate Capital Disrupt Fund, investing in circular economy with a focus on plastic waste recycling in South and South East Asia, with the aim of preventing 5 million tonnes of plastic pollution from entering the environment.
06/12/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Viet Nam Just Energy Transition Partnership: joint statement [December 2023]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 1 December 2023.

The International Partners Group (IPG) co-led by the UK and EU, and also comprising Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Norway and the US, welcome and endorse the Resource Mobilisation Plan for the Just Energy Transition Partnership with Viet Nam.

Today, the International Partners Group, comprised of the United Kingdom (UK), the European Union (EU), Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Norway and the United States of America, and co-led by the EU and the UK, welcomes and endorses Viet Nam’s Just Energy Transition Partnership Resource Mobilisation Plan (RMP). The RMP is part of the Just Energy Transition Partnership, which was agreed between Viet Nam and the International Partners Group in December 2022 and will help the country deliver on its climate targets.

During the World Leaders Summit at COP28 on 1 December 2023, Vietnamese Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính launched the Resource Mobilisation Plan (RMP). The launch of the RMP represents a key milestone towards the implementation of the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), which was agreed between Viet Nam and the International Partners Group (IPG) in December 2022 at the EU-ASEAN summit in Brussels and outlined in the JETP Political Declaration.

The Partnership supports Viet Nam to deliver on its net zero 2050 goal and 2030 targets to accelerate and reduce the peaking of its greenhouse gas emissions and transition away from fossil fuels to clean energy.

The RMP is an important first step towards the implementation of the JETP and will by nature be a living document, updated regularly as implementation progresses. It includes an assessment of priority investments, which will help Viet Nam deliver on its pathway to net-zero emissions and identify a set of priority policy actions and regulatory reforms to develop an enabling environment for investment, to boost renewables and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. The plan also identifies priority investment projects in JETP-related areas, and includes building blocks for a framework to analyse and monitor the just aspect of the energy transition with the ultimate objective to leave no one behind in the green transition.

Moving forwards, strong partnership will be required to implement the policy actions outlined in the RMP, particularly on improving the regulatory framework in order to facilitate the flows of necessary public and private investments.

The RMP provides further details on USD 15.8 billion of finance that has been committed to the JETP, USD 8.08 billion being provided by IPG and USD 7.75 billion by the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ).

The IPG public funds will be channelled via various financial instruments and mechanisms, such as grants, concessional loans and risk-sharing instruments over a period of 3 to 5 years. These funds will help to mobilise the much larger volume of private finance for the just energy transition.

With the release of this plan, Viet Nam makes an additional step to work toward achieving the JETP targets agreed to in the Political Declaration:
- bringing forward the projected peaking date for all greenhouse gas emissions in Viet Nam from 2035 to 2030
- reaching peak annual power sector emissions of 170 megatons CO2e by 2030
- limiting Viet Nam’s peak coal-fired generation capacity to 30.2 gigawatts
- accelerating the adoption of renewables so that renewable energy accounts for at least 47 percent of electricity generation by 2030
The Government of Viet Nam and the IPG will continue to work together to implement the RMP. The JETP Secretariat and 4 Working Groups (WGs) have been set up to progress on the implementation. As part of these WGs, the IPG will support technical analytic work to guide future investment and policy actions in view of achieving JETP ambitions. These combined efforts are designed to help catalyse additional investments in Viet Nam’s energy transition to enable the achievement of Viet Nam JETP targets.

Civil society also plays a crucial role for the advancement and acceptance of measures and impacts related to the energy transition. As stated in the Political Declaration, it is vital that civil society is actively involved in a transparent manner at all stages of the JETP to make sure the necessary transition will be just and inclusive.

The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Rishi Sunak, said:

The Resource Mobilisation Plan will unlock the vital finance needed to accelerate Viet Nam’s transition from fossil fuels to clean energy. It will help meet Viet Nam’s ambitious climate and economic goals while ensuring working people and communities are not left behind – delivering a just and fair transition to net zero. The UK is proud to be a partner in helping to deliver it.

The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said:

The launch of the Resource Mobilisation Plan is a great milestone for the implementation of the Just Energy Transition Partnership. It demonstrates Viet Nam’s leadership in paving the way for a clean energy future. The EU is proud to be part of this Partnership and we remain committed to working with Viet Nam to support the necessary reforms for speeding up crucial investment into renewable energy and a green economy.

The Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, said:

The Vietnam Just Energy Transition Partnership Resource Mobilisation Plan demonstrates Viet Nam’s commitment to building the clean energy economy of the 21st century. Canada continues to support cleaner energy and coal phase-out in Viet Nam and looks to the future where the JETP will contribute to a global legacy of responsible energy practices and shared prosperity. Together, we lay the foundation for a brighter, more sustainable tomorrow.

The Prime Minister of Denmark, Mette Frederiksen, said:

Congratulations to Prime Minister Chính and the government of Vietnam on today’s important step towards implementing the Just Energy Transition Partnership. At this critical moment in Vietnam’s transition, Denmark and IPG stand ready to support Vietnam to get on track to deliver on its ambitious Net Zero 2050 goal. Denmark has more than 40 years of experience with green transition and we have shown that the green transition can be a driver for jobs and green economic growth. We are committed to sharing our experiences and knowhow to support Vietnam’s just energy transition.

The President of France, Emmanuel Macron, said:

The launch of the Resource Mobilisation Plan is a key milestone that paves the way for a just energy transition that leaves no one behind. It symbolizes our collective efforts to enable Viet Nam to achieve its ambitious climate goals and accelerate its transition away from fossil fuels. France is pleased to be part of this just energy transition partnership that guarantees a resilient and prosperous future for the Vietnamese people, by reducing the consequences of pollution and promoting economic growth and job creation, and encapsulates the principle enshrined in the Paris Pact for People and the Planet, that no country should have to choose between fighting poverty and fighting for the planet.

The Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, Olaf Scholz, said:

Today’s launch of the Resource Mobilisation Plan for a Just Energy Transition Partnership marks an important step towards a green and just energy transition in Viet Nam. Germany highly appreciates Viet Nam’s ambitious climate targets and the commitment to increase renewable energies by 2030. We will work together to create a favourable framework and to implement the Plan swiftly. Germany is committed to provide substantial financing for implementing the Just Energy Transition Partnership with Viet Nam. We look forward to working hand-in-hand with the government, civil society and the private sector to ensure a transparent and equitable process to achieve our joint goals.

The Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni, said:

The launch of the Resource Mobilisation Plan for the Just Energy Transition Partnership marks an important step forward in our collective efforts to support and accelerate Vietnam’s energy transition towards a sustainable future. Italy is proud to be part of this ambitious initiative and is committed to continue working with the Partnership.

The Prime Minister of Norway, Jonas Ghar Støre, said:

We welcome the finalization of the Resource Mobilistion Plan for the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) with Vietnam. Now we can focus on implementation. Norway stands ready to contribute through investments and sharing of expertise and experiences.

The United States Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, John Kerry, said:

Today’s launch of the Resource Mobilisation Plan (RMP) marks an important milestone in Viet Nam’s clean energy transition and commitment to accelerating efforts to reduce emissions and achieve ambitious climate targets. The United States will continue to support Vietnam in this important endeavour to create the foundation and investment environment for a dynamic and just green economy and cleaner future for the Vietnamese people.
06/12/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Minister for Armed Forces calls out Russian aggression during OSCE Ministerial Council [November 2023]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 30 November 2023.

Minister for Armed Forces attends OSCE Ministerial Council in North Macedonia to call out Russian aggression across Europe.
- Minister for Armed Forces attends OSCE Ministerial Council in North Macedonia to call out Russian aggression across Europe.
- During the meeting, James Heappey addressed the Council to highlight the UK’s resolute support for Ukraine – urging a united approach.
- He reaffirmed the UK’s strong support for the OSCE and its leadership – highlighting Russia’s responsibility for undermining the institution.
- In a meeting with the Minister of Defence of North Macedonia, he reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to our bilateral defence relationship.
Minister for Armed Forces James Heappey travelled to Skopje, North Macedonia this week for the opening of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Ministerial Council.

Addressing OSCE participating states, the Minister underlined the value of the OSCE as a key pillar of Euro-Atlantic security, covering all aspects of security – from border security to election observation and minority rights.

Minister for the Armed Forces James Heappey said:

The OSCE holds a vital role as a mechanism through which participant nations can hold Russia to account.

During the meeting of the Ministerial Council, I made clear the UK’s support for Ukraine is resolute, and we continue to encourage our partners and allies to continue their support for Ukraine and condemnation of Putin’s barbaric actions.

During his visit to Skopje, the Minister also met with the Minister of Defence of North Macedonia, Slavjanka Petrovska. They discussed the UK’s long-standing support for the Armed Forces of North Macedonia, the security situation in the Western Balkans and the ongoing war in Ukraine.

The Minister stressed that the UK remains committed to supporting North Macedonia with its NATO integration and thanked North Macedonia for its strong support for Ukraine, both in equipment and training of Ukrainian recruits.
06/12/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Countdown to Christmas kicked off in Downing Street [November 2023]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 30 November 2023.

The Prime Minister has been joined by businesses, charities and community groups in a festive celebration at Downing Street, where he also switched on the Christmas lights outside Number 10.

He was joined by military families, Points of Light award winners who have been commended for their charitable work, business students, and the owners of Dartmoor Christmas Tree Farm who provided Downing Street’s Christmas Tree.

During the event, Downing Street was transformed into a Christmas market with stalls from a wide range of British businesses showcasing their products, including Mixpixie, Joy by Corrine Smith and Create Gift Love from online retailer Not on The High Street.

Guests also enjoyed food and drink from businesses across the UK including Forest Feast from Northern Ireland, Slainte Sauce from Scotland, Mijmoj from Wales and Mocha Chocolate from Yorkshire, while listening to festive musicfrom the London Community Gospel Choir and a military band.

The Prime Minister and Ms Murty visited the market stalls and spoke to guests after leading a countdown to turn on the festive lights.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:

Christmas is a very special time of the year where family and friends near and far come together to make new memories, share good food and give thanks.

I am delighted to welcome some fantastic small businesses, charities and local communities to Downing Street today to mark this special occasion and celebrate the joy of Christmas. This event is also especially important as we look ahead to Small Business Saturday, which is a great opportunity to showcase the huge impact independent businesses have in driving growth and opportunity in our communities.

From my family to yours, I wish you a very happy Christmas and a prosperous year ahead.

This year’s Christmas tree was provided by Dartmoor Christmas Tree Farm, after they were crowned Champion Christmas Tree Grower of the Year 2023. For over 20 years, BCTGA has provided the tree to stand outside Downing Street.

Friezeland Christmas Tree Farm, in Warwickshire, provided the wreath for the Number 10 front door after winning the Champion Festive Wreath of the Year 2023.

Ministers from across Government attended and spoke to businesses showcased at the festive event, who were also invited to a meeting with the Minister for Enterprise, Markets and Small Business, Kevin Hollinrake, to discuss how the Government can continue to support small businesses.

Elizabeth Graves, Owner of Mocha Chocolate said:

I’m really excited to be part of the Christmas Showcase event in Downing Street today. My chocolate making business and cafes are located in the market town of Richmond in the Prime Minister’s constituency in North Yorkshire, and we have been fortunate to meet with him on several occasions including the time he visited our new premises and made chocolate bars with us.

Today is also a fantastic opportunity to meet with the Minister for Enterprise, Markets and Small Business to discuss the ongoing challenges for small businesses and how the Government can assist in helping us to expand and thrive.

This event comes ahead of Small Business Saturday, which is an annual grassroots campaign that encourages people to support small businesses in their communities. To mark the day, ministers will visit independent businesses from across the UK to recognise the value they bring to our daily lives.

It follows a significant package of support for small businesses in the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement, which included £4.3 billion over the next 5 years to help our high streets and protect small businesses, building a stronger and more resilient economy.

Michelle Ovens CBE, Director of Small Business Saturday UK said:

Like the wonderful Christmas lights that were switched on at Downing Street, the nation’s 5.5 million small businesses sparkle and shine across the UK. It was fantastic to see the contribution that these businesses make to our local communities and the wider economy highlighted by the Prime Minister at this Christmas showcase.

This Small Business Saturday we all need to throw our support behind our favourite small businesses and celebrate all the special things they bring to our lives.

06/12/2023
Rishi Sunak – 2023 Comments on the Death of Henry Kissinger

The comments made by Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, on 30 November 2023.

I had the great pleasure of spending time with Dr Kissinger at No10 earlier this year. I learned so much from him, from studying his work as a student to reading his most recent books as Prime Minister.

Henry had a great affinity for and understanding of the UK, with many friends and admirers here. He was a titan of international diplomacy who led a remarkable life.

Right until his 100th year, he was a source of great wisdom on subjects from geopolitics to AI. Our thoughts are with his family.

06/12/2023
PRESS RELEASE : New planning rules to boost solar rollout and slash energy bills [November 2023]

The press release issued by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 30 November 2023.

Homeowners will be able to install rooftop solar panels more easily without costly planning delays.

Changes to permitted development rights rules will mean more homeowners and businesses will be able to install solar panels on their roofs without going through the planning system.

Currently those who have to go through the planning system are having to wait over eight weeks and face extra costs.

The move will encourage more people to install solar panels on their properties, slashing their energy bills in the process and cutting down on harmful emissions.

Housing and Planning Minister Lee Rowley MP said:

We must make sure our homes are fit for the future and can help us meet our net zero ambitions.

By cutting red-tape in the planning system we can make sure homeowners and businesses can install solar panels without being held up by costly delays. Crucially, these permitted development rights are still subject to important conditions, including their use in conservation areas.

Energy Security and Net Zero Minister Graham Stuart MP said:

Today we are cutting through red tape to make it easier for businesses to install solar panels on their rooftops.

Removing the 1MW restriction for industrial rooftop solar will help us meet our target of 70GW of solar power by 2035 while supporting hundreds of long-term skilled British jobs, bolstering our world-leading renewables sector and reducing bills for consumers with panels.

The changes will mean homes with flat roofs will be able to install panels without planning permission, bringing rules in line with those for businesses.

Current rules that require businesses to apply for planning permission if solar panels will generate more than one megawatt of electricity will also be scrapped, meaning organisations will be able to install more solar panels on rooftops without the delay and cost of applying for planning permission.

The Government is clear that where possible already developed land should be used for solar panels, which is why the changes will make it easier for panels to be installed in canopies above car parks, if they are over ten meters away from people’s homes.

The changes to permitted development rights build on government action to speed up the planning system and slash bureaucracy, as set out in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act which is now law.

These measures also support ambitions set out in the British Energy Security Strategy published by government last year – taking the necessary steps to combat climate change and bring greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050.

06/12/2023
PRESS RELEASE : World first agreement to tackle online fraud [November 2023]

The press release issued by the Home Office on 30 November 2023.

The UK government and some of the world’s biggest tech companies have agreed a series of pledges to protect the public from online fraud.

People across the UK will be better protected from online scams, fake adverts and romance fraud as the world’s biggest tech companies pledge to take additional action to block and remove fraudulent content from their sites.

With fraud being the most common crime in the UK, the government has joined forces with leading tech companies – Amazon, eBay, Facebook, Google, Instagram, LinkedIn, Match Group, Microsoft, Snapchat, TikTok, X (Twitter) and YouTube – to develop and commit to the Online Fraud Charter, the first agreement of its kind in the world.

Services have committed to bring in a raft of measures to help protect people from fraud and scam content when using their sites. Actions include verifying new advertisers and promptly removing any fraudulent content. There will also be increased levels of verification on peer-to-peer marketplaces, and people using online dating services will have the opportunity to prove they are who they say they are.

The charter will be supported by tough action to crack down on illegal adverts and ads for age-restricted products, such as alcohol or gambling, being seen by children. An action plan, agreed by the Online Advertising Taskforce, will be published today, setting out steps industry and government are taking to tackle harms and increase protections for children. This includes developing a base of evidence, improving information sharing and promoting industry best practice.

Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak said:

Fraud is now the most common crime in the UK, with online scammers targeting the most vulnerable in society.

We have already taken action to go after these unscrupulous criminals, launching our Fraud Strategy and deploying a National Fraud Squad made up of 400 dedicated officers, all backed by £400 million.

For the first time, we are beginning to see a drop in fraud cases, but we must do more.

By joining forces with these tech giants we will continue to crack down on fraudsters, making sure they have nowhere to hide online.

Home Secretary James Cleverly said:

The Online Fraud Charter is a big step forward in our efforts to protect the public from sophisticated, adaptable and highly organised criminals.

An agreement of this kind has never been done on this scale before and I am exceptionally pleased to see tech firms working with us to turn the tide against fraudsters.

Our work does not end here – I will continue to ensure we collaborate across government, and with law enforcement and the private sector, to ensure everyone in the UK is better protected from fraud.

Security Minister Tom Tugendhat said:

This is a very welcome commitment which has been created thanks to our close collaboration with some of the world’s biggest, and best, tech companies.

I have every confidence this charter will be an important step forward in our collective efforts to protect the public from fraud.

Creative Industries Minister John Whittingdale said:

Whether it’s fake celebrity endorsements or scam ads, we have a plan to shut down illegal online adverts putting people and their money at risk.

Created in partnership with industry through the Online Advertising Taskforce, our action plan published today sets out steps the sector and government are taking to help keep people safe and toughen up protections for children.

The Home Secretary and Anti-Fraud Champion Anthony Browne will met with senior representatives from these firms to sign the charter at Lancaster House this morning (30 November).

The agreement has come following extensive discussions between the government, the private sector and law enforcement, spearheaded by Security Minister Tom Tugendhat and Anti-Fraud Champion Anthony Browne.

In addition to clamping down on scam posts offering goods and services, each signatory has pledged to work closely with law enforcement in their efforts to target fraudsters.

The tech firms will also commit to running direct routes for law enforcement to report suspicious activity taking place on the services, making it easier to quickly identify and remove fraudulent content and protect users.

Fraud accounts for around 40% of all crime in England and Wales, with data from UK Finance showing almost 80% of all authorised pushed payment fraud originates from social media or a fake website.

Antony Walker, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of techUK said:

We are pleased to have worked at pace with the government in the development of the Online Fraud Charter which will improve the coordination of actions by tech firms to tackle online fraud.

The charter builds on measures that tech firms already have in place to defend against online fraud and will enable better and more consistent cooperation between the private sector, government and law enforcement.

The nature of online fraud is constantly evolving and tech companies are continually adapting and improving their approaches to combat this criminal activity.

Fraud is the most common crime in the UK, accounting for 40% of all crime in England and Wales. Last year, one in 17 reported being a victim of fraud, with over 3 million fraud incidents recorded.

Today’s announcement builds on government action already taken to tackle fraud, with the latest Crime Survey in England and Wales showing incidents of fraud fell by 13% in a year.

Martin Lewis, founder of MoneySavingExpert.com, said:

We are in the midst of an epidemic of scams, which not only devastate people’s financial lives, but their mental health and sense of self-esteem too.

I’ve long called for regulation and law changes to make these big tech firms step up to the plate and deny these scammers the oxygen of publicity. So I am pleased at the signing of this voluntary agreement, which is adopting many of the scam ad protection measures we’ve been calling for – such as 2 click reporting, and advertiser and site destination verification.

We will be watching closely to check these companies work hard, and work together to make good on their promises.

Temporary Assistant Commissioner Nik Adams, from City of London Police, said:

As the national lead police force for fraud, we welcome the Online Fraud Charter.

This charter goes further in supporting a whole system approach to effectively tackle fraud, by establishing a network of major online companies to join with law enforcement in helping to protect the public from criminals who would exploit them.

This charter has measures that will empower the public and increase their confidence in using online platforms, knowing that tech companies and policing are working to help keep them safe.

All signatories of the charter, which is a voluntary commitment, have pledged to implement the measures which apply to their companies within 6 months.

The United Kingdom will continue to take the global lead in the fight against fraud, with the Security Minister due to host a global summit in London in 2024.

06/12/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Record National Insurance cut arrives in less than six weeks [November 2023]
The press release issued by HM Treasury on 30 November 2023.

The National Insurance Contributions (Reduction in Rates) Bill is being debated in the Commons today (November 11).
- 27 million employees to receive largest ever cut to National Insurance on 6 January 2024
- Today, the House of Commons will debate the National Insurance Contributions (Reduction in Rates) Bill, with the average employee and self-employed set to get an extra £450 a year and £350 a year
- £9 billion a year tax cut means that personal taxes on the average salary are set to be lower in the UK than every other major economy
The National Insurance Contributions (Reduction in Rates) Bill will be debated in the Commons today (November 11) to implement the largest ever cut to National Insurance from 6 January 2024 – less than six weeks’ time from today.

The Bill will be debated throughout the day with Members voting on the Bill this evening. It will then go to the Lords in the middle of December before receiving Royal Assent thereafter.

Reducing Class 1 National Insurance from 12 per cent to 10 per cent will reward work, meaning 27 million employees will effectively pay over 15 per cent less on National Insurance.

To the average employee on a salary of £35,400 this will be worth £450 a year, improving living standards and reducing the current combined tax rate of 32% for employees paying the basic rate of tax to 30% – the lowest since the 1980s.

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, said:

“I’ve been clear from the start that I want to cut taxes. Now, having met our pledge to halve inflation, taxes can be cut in a responsible way that rewards work and helps grow our economy.”

These changes will mean that, for those on average salaries, personal taxes would be lower in the UK than every other G7 country, based on the most recent OECD data.

Taxes for the self-employed will also be cut and reformed. From 6 April 2024, Class 4 NICs for the self-employed will be reduced from 9% to 8% and no self-employed person will have to pay Class 2 NICs, simplifying the tax system and saving the average self-employed person on £28,200 a year £350 in 2024/25.

The changes will see an average full-time nurse on £38,900 receive an annual gain of over £520; an average teacher on £44,300 would receive an additional £630 a year; and a typical self-employed plumber on £34,400 would be £410 better off as a result of these cuts.

Further information
- Those self-employed people with profits between £6,725 and £12,570 will continue to get access to contributory benefits including the State Pension through a National Insurance credit without paying NICs, as they do currently.
- Those self-employed individuals with profits under £6,725 and others who pay Class 2 NICs voluntarily to get access to contributory benefits including the State Pension, will continue to be able to do so. The weekly rate they pay will be frozen at £3.45 for 2024-25, rather than rising by CPI to £3.70.
- Other individuals will continue to be able to pay voluntary Class 3 NICs to help fill gaps in their National Insurance record to qualify for the State Pension, exactly as before. The Class 3 rate will also be frozen at £17.45 per week for 2024-25.
- Further information can be found in the National Insurance Factsheet.
06/12/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Environment Secretary announces further £45 million for farming innovation as he sets out commitment to champion British agriculture [November 2023]

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 30 November 2023.

Steve Barclay pledges to champion British agriculture in first speech to farmers, with a focus on innovation and automation to boost productivity.

The Environment Secretary Steve Barclay has used his first major speech to set out his commitment to backing British farmers and being on the side of rural businesses.

In his keynote speech at the Country Land and Business Association conference in London today (30 November), the Environment Secretary set out his vision for an innovative and productive agriculture sector, supporting the sector to continue to develop into a more sustainable and profitable industry.

Almost £45 million in competitions and grants are set to open in the coming weeks as part of the Government’s £168 million investment this year to support farmers to foster innovation, boost productivity and improve animal welfare.

This includes an initial £30 million on offer in the second round of the Improving Farming Productivity Grant, providing capital grants of £25,000 – £500,000 towards robotic and automatic equipment, with further funding potentially available depending on levels of interest. For the first time, it will also fund grants of between £15,000 and £100,000 towards solar equipment which can be fitted on rooftops and float on irrigation reservoirs, helping increase energy resilience and take-up of renewable energy generation on farms.

Almost £8 million will also be available in the third round of the Large R&D Partnership, a competition specifically designed to boost industrial research and experimental development projects, and a further £850,000 through the Research Starter Round 4 competition to identify and accelerate new agricultural solutions, funding growers or foresters who have bold, ambitious, early-stage ideas.

By enabling some of the UK’s most promising innovation and research initiatives to get off the ground, this funding will not only see our farmers become more efficient and productive, but will also equip them with the knowledge and tools to maintain our high degree of food security.

Speaking at the Country Land and Business Association Rural Business Conference in London, Environment Secretary Steve Barclay said:

My pledge to you is that this government will always back British farmers who produce some of the highest quality food in the world, contribute billions to our economy, and to whom we all owe a debt of gratitude for taking care of our countryside.

In addition, the Environment Secretary also launched the third round of the Natural Environment Investment Readiness Fund (NEIRF). With individual grants of up to £100,000 on offer from a total £5 million, this round has been designed specifically to support farmers to prepare nature projects that will help attract investment from the private sector.

This is a further step forward in meeting the Government’s target to stimulate at least £500 million of private sector investment into nature recovery in England each year by 2027 – rising to at least £1 billion each year by 2030.

Alongside these new competitions opening in the coming weeks, 2024 will see the extension of the Farming Innovation Programme grants to include the Accelerating Development of Practices and Technologies (ADOPT) fund, where businesses will be able to apply for a share of £44 million to test and trial new technology and techniques on farms.

Today’s announcement builds on the success of previous competition and grant rounds, with winners already driving practical examples of innovation and automation across the sector.

Defra’s Farming Innovation Programme, run in partnership with Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), has committed over £125 million in funding to date and supported 150 projects involving 400 organisations.

This includes Bradley Farms in partnership with Harper Adam’s University who are combining advanced robotics and intelligent software to create ‘The Fieldsman’ – a robot that seeks to drive productivity by navigating autonomously through blueberry plantations to collect crucial data on crop production, growth, health and yields.

H.L. Hutchinson Limited, successful in the second round of the Large R&D partnerships, are developing new systems for measuring and assessing fruit tree status. This aims to transform the tree fruit industry and deliver new levels of environmentally sustainable crop production, increasing efficiency and yield while lowering cost and environmental impacts.

Meanwhile, through the Improving Farming Productivity Grant – part of the Farming Investment Fund – Woodcote Farming Ltd were able to purchase two ‘Farmdroid’ robots to plant flowers and weed their fields, enabling their business to produce a higher yielding crop while reducing reliance on labour and pesticide usage.

Jim Bubb from Woodcote Farming Ltd said:

Being successful in the farm productivity grant took our business to the next level. Purchasing our Farmdroid robot with the help of the grant has revolutionised the way we grow crops.

Weeding by hand has been significantly reduced and we can look forward to a sustainable future, reducing requirements on labour, improving the environment and producing a better crop.

Round 2 of the Natural Environment Investment Readiness Fund also saw the Environmental Farmers Group (EFG) receive £100,000 in funding to establish the Green Avon Valley Project to help farmers understand natural capital assets. Launched in May 2022, the EFG completed its first trade in March 2023 and now comprises 257 farmers and covers 140,000 hectares.

The NEIRF grants can be used to help farmers blend public and private investment, complementing the Government’s environmental land management schemes which are designed to be compatible with the growing market for environmental outcomes, where scheme participants can earn income from public and private sector sources for things such as carbon sequestration or payments for natural flood management.

The Government’s funding in innovation and technology forms part of the £2.4 billion being invested to support the sector every year to the end of this Parliament. It sits alongside the Government’s new farming schemes – Countryside Stewardship, Landscape Recovery and the Sustainable Farming Incentive – to produce food sustainably while championing the environment.

06/12/2023