Tag: Press Release

PRESS RELEASE : New guidance for schools impacted by RAAC [August 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Education on 31 August 2023.

New guidance for education settings advises that any space or area with confirmed RAAC should no longer be open without mitigations in place.

New measures to minimise the impact of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) in education settings have been published today, Thursday 31 August, by the government.

While building maintenance is the duty of councils and academy trusts, new RAAC cases have reduced the Department for Education’s confidence that school and college buildings with confirmed RAAC should remain open without mitigations in place.

As a result, following careful analysis of new cases, the department is taking the precautionary and proactive step to change its approach to RAAC in education settings, including schools. This decision has been made with an abundance of caution and to prioritise safety of children, pupils, and staff ahead of the start of the new term.

The vast majority of schools and colleges will be unaffected by this change.

Just over 50 settings have already been supported to put mitigations in place this year, including through additional funding for temporary accommodation, and all children are receiving face to face learning.

This week, the department has contacted all 104 further settings where RAAC is currently confirmed to be present without mitigations in place, to ask them to vacate spaces or buildings that are known to contain RAAC.

The majority of these settings will remain open for face-to-face learning on their existing site, because only a small part of the site is affected by RAAC. A minority will need to either fully or partially relocate to alternative accommodation while mitigations are put in place because of the extent to which RAAC is present.

The government has been aware of RAAC in public sector buildings since 1994. In 2018, the Department for Education published guidance for schools about the need to have adequate contingencies in place for the eventuality that RAAC-affected buildings need to be vacated at short notice.

Officials from the department have also contacted responsible bodies directly to remind them of the need to ensure that these plans are in place. The small proportion of schools that are impacted are being contacted directly by a Department for Education case worker and full support will be provided. The department will continue to work with all education settings to identify RAAC and provide support where it is confirmed to be present.

Parents will be contacted by their school if pupils are moving to a temporary location while remediation works are being carried out. Guidance for parents is available.

Education Secretary, Gillian Keegan, said:

Nothing is more important than making sure children and staff are safe in schools and colleges, which is why we are acting on new evidence about RAAC now, ahead of the start of term.

We must take a cautious approach because that is the right thing to do for both pupils and staff.

The plan we have set out will minimise the impact on pupil learning and provide schools with the right funding and support they need to put mitigations in place to deal with RAAC.

While some short-term disruption is inevitable as a result of this change, all available measures are being taken to minimise disruption to learning. The Department for Education is providing further support including:
- Providing funding for essential immediate works needed to remove any immediate risk and, where necessary, to support the provision of temporary buildings for schools and colleges affected. The Department will work closely with responsible bodies to manage RAAC in the long-term, supported by capital funding provided to the sectors each year, and through the school rebuilding programme.
- Assigning a dedicated caseworker to each school/college affected, who will work with them to assess their particular needs and implement individually designed mitigation plans. This could include using other spaces on the school or college site, using spaces in nearby schools or elsewhere in the local area, or putting in place safety measures in the affected area. If needed, the caseworker will be onsite to support the school.
- Issuing further guidance to schools and colleges on identifying and managing RAAC. This will set out how the Department will provide support and funding to schools and other settings so that face-to-face education continues safely.
- Project delivery, property, and technical experts will be on hand to support schools to put face-to-face education measures in place.
Since 2015, £15 billion has been invested to keep schools safe and operational, whilst buildings at 500 schools will be transformed over the next decade through the School Rebuilding Programme. Settings in the poorest condition and those with evidence of potential safety issues are being prioritised, including some now known to contain RAAC.

Settings that are concerned about the presence of RAAC should continue to inform the department through its ongoing questionnaire. Parents will be contacted by their school if pupils are moving to a temporary location while remediation works are being carried out.
August 31, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Joint Statement on Russia’s continued pursuit of weapons from the DPRK [August 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 31 August 2023.

The United Kingdom, the United States, Japan and the Republic of Korea have issued a joint statement following Russia’s negotiation of potential deals with North Korea for significant quantities and multiple types of munitions, to be used against Ukraine.

Good morning everyone, and thank you very much for being here, I would like to make a statement in my national capacity on behalf of Japan, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

At the top, I would like to note that we are tracking reports that the DPRK has conducted another launch this morning. And as we investigate further, we call on the DPRK to refrain from engaging in provocative behaviour and instead accept one of our numerous offers for dialogue.

We are here today to share new, deeply troubling information: Arms negotiations between Russia and the DPRK are actively advancing. As was highlighted during Friday’s Council meeting, Russian Minister of Defense Sergey Shoigu stood beside Kim Jong Un during the DPRK’s recent military parade – which showcased the DPRK’s Security Council-prohibited ballistic missile advancements. It is shameful that the Russian Federation – a permanent member of the Security Council – participated in a celebration of the DPRK’s continued pursuit of nuclear weapons delivery systems.

The United States is now able to share that Shoigu’s visit was more than just a photo op. Russia used this visit to the DPRK to try to convince Pyongyang to sell artillery ammunition to Russia. Since then, Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un have exchanged letters pledging to increase their bilateral cooperation. Our information further indicates that, following Shoigu’s visit, another group of Russian officials traveled to the DPRK for follow-up discussions about potential arms deals between the DPRK and Russia.

Russia is negotiating potential deals for significant quantities and multiple types of munitions from the DPRK to be used against Ukraine. These potential deals could also include the provision of raw materials that would assist Russia’s defense industrial base. In its pursuit of these weapons, Russia will violate Security Council resolutions, including resolutions Russia itself voted for. Any such arms deal would be a serious violation of resolutions the Security Council adopted, unanimously, after the DPRK’s past nuclear tests and ballistic missile launches.

Those resolutions prohibited all Member States, including Russia, from procuring any arms from the DPRK. This sends the wrong message to aspiring proliferators: that if you sell Russia arms, Russia will defend – even enable – your pursuit of nuclear weapons. On numerous occasions, the DPRK has publicly said it will not sell arms to Russia. We urge the DPRK to cease its arms negotiations with Russia and abide by the public commitments Pyongyang has made.

This is not the first time Russia has moved to violate Security Council resolutions to pursue its illegal war against Ukraine. There is now incontrovertible evidence that Russia has procured drones from Iran in violation of another resolution it voted for, Security Council Resolution 2231. Russia has since used those drones in punishing attacks against critical infrastructure in Ukraine. And we are very disappointed the UN has not carried out its mandate to investigate and document Russia’s outrageous violations.

Russia’s pattern of behavior – flouting its responsibilities as a member of the Security Council, propping up proliferating regimes – is unacceptable. The United States is therefore taking direct action – by exposing and sanctioning individuals and entities working to facilitate arms deals between Russia and the DPRK. On August 16th, we designated additional entities tied to an already sanctioned evasion network attempting to support illicit DPRK-Russia arms deals.

We cannot – and we will not – stay silent as we receive more information that Russia continues to turn to rogue regimes to try to obtain weapons and equipment in order to support its brutal war of aggression. We will continue to work with allies and partners to identify, expose, and counter Russian attempts to acquire military equipment from the DPRK or any state that is prepared to support Russia’s war in Ukraine. And we will keep strengthening cooperation to address the DPRK’s weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs.

This is a pressing matter of international peace and security, and it is one that demands the Council’s attention. Thank you.

August 31, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Government to make it easier to sack rogue police officers [August 2023]
The press release issued by the Home Office on 31 August 2023.

Government announces changes to rules governing police officers’ disciplinary, vetting and performance processes.

Police chiefs will chair independent public hearings responsible for removing corrupt officers from their force under new plans to strengthen the police dismissals process announced today (Thursday 31 August).

In a move to ensure the public are getting the high level of professionalism and service they deserve from our police, speed up the process of removing rogue officers, and to restore confidence in forces, the government has unveiled a raft of changes to the rules governing officers’ disciplinary, vetting and performance processes.

The law will be changed to ensure all officers must be appropriately vetted during their service and to enable officers who fail a re-vetting test whilst in post to be sacked.

Under the new system, a finding of gross misconduct will automatically result in a police officer’s dismissal, unless exceptional circumstances apply, speeding up the removal of officers not fit to serve.

Chief constables (or other senior officers) will also be given greater responsibilities to decide whether officers should be sacked, increasing their accountability for their forces, and will now chair independent misconduct panels. An independent lawyer will continue to sit on the panel, providing independent advice and helping to maintain rigour, but in a supporting legally qualified person (LQP) position. The outcome will be determined by a majority panel decision, as it is now, and hearings will continue to be held in public to maintain transparency.

Police chiefs will also be given a right to challenge decisions and there will be a presumption for former officers and special constables’ cases to be heard under fast-track procedures chaired by senior officers, cutting bureaucracy and saving taxpayers’ money, while making sure those failing to uphold standards are removed more swiftly.

The reforms follow a comprehensive review of the police disciplinary system launched following the conviction of David Carrick, who is spending 30 years behind bars for numerous serious sexual offences committed whilst he was a serving police officer.

We will also explore with police and crime commissioners (PCCs) and other stakeholders extending rights of challenge to PCCs, to allow democratically elected commissioners to hold those making dismissals decisions to account.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman said:

Corrupt police officers and those who behave poorly or fail vetting must be kicked out of our forces. For too long our police chiefs have not had the powers they need to root out those who have no place wearing the uniform.

Now they can take swift and robust action to sack officers who should not be serving our communities.

The public must have confidence that their officers are the best of the best, like the vast majority of brave men and women wearing the badge, and that’s why those who disgrace the uniform must have no place to hide.

Policing Minister Chris Philp said:

Public trust must be restored – this is an important step to ensure we are ridding forces of rogue officers, for the sake of communities and for those officers who are dedicated, hardworking and brave.

Confidence in our police forces has been rocked recently.

These changes will ensure that police chiefs will have the ability to act fast to remove officers guilty of serious misconduct or who are poorly performing.

Other measures announced today include:
- working with the sector to create a list of criminal offences which would automatically amount to gross misconduct upon conviction
- streamlining of the performance system to ensure it’s effective at removing officers who demonstrate a serious inability or failure to perform their duties
- issuing new guidance to all forces to support the effective discharge of under-performing probationary officers using Regulation 13 powers
- improving data collection on performance and dismissals across all forces, including data on protected characteristics; and
- speeding up the system by allowing chief constables to delegate their responsibilities to other senior officers
These reforms build on wider work underway to transform the culture within policing and raise standards across the board. Last month, the College of Policing strengthened vetting standards, introducing a requirement for officers to be re-vetted following the conclusion of misconduct proceedings that do not end in a dismissal and making clear that checks must be carried out to identify any officers who have been barred from serving to ensure they cannot re-join the police.

The government also established the Angiolini Inquiry following the murder of Sarah Everard to understand how a serving police officer was able to carry out such a horrendous crime and to uncover any systemic issues in policing, such as vetting, recruitment and culture, as well as the safety of women in public spaces. It is also looking at David Carrick’s criminal behaviour and the decision making around his police vetting.

Furthermore, police forces have now completed the data washing exercise to check all officers and staff against national police databases, and are now manually analysing the information to identify leads for follow up.

National Police Chiefs’ Council Chair, Chief Constable Gavin Stephens said:

We welcome the change that will ensure any officer guilty of gross misconduct is automatically dismissed, and that any officer who fails vetting can be sacked.

It is also right that chief constables take the lead on the misconduct process. We are resolute in our commitment to rid policing of those not fit to serve the public and the changes in the dismissals process announced today significantly strengthens our ability to do so.

Chief constables are the employers and so it is right they should lead the process with support from independent legally qualified panel member/s. Not only will this streamline the process, but it will ensure the swift and effective removal of anyone who does not meet the high standards our communities deserve.

Misconduct proceedings are rightly open, fair and balanced, operating under detailed guidance which protects both our officers and the public we serve. Today’s announcement further supports this and our determination to root out the abusers and corrupt individuals who blight our service.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said:

I’m grateful to the government for recognising the need for substantial change that will empower chief officers in our fight to uphold the highest standards and restore confidence in policing.

The flaws in the existing regulations have contributed to our inability to fully address the systemic issues of poor standards and misconduct.

Chief officers are held to account for the service we deliver and for the standards we uphold which is why I have been persistent in calling for us to have the powers to act decisively and without bureaucratic delays when we identify those who have no place in policing.

In addition to these measures to tackle corrupt police officers, the Home Office is also launching a consultation on a new national framework for how police powers – including stop and search and use of force – are scrutinised at a local level. This delivers on a commitment made by government in its response to the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities report.

The Community Scrutiny Framework aims to assist PCCs and police forces to establish and maintain effective community scrutiny panels in their local area and ensure a consistent approach nationally.

Community scrutiny panels allow members of the community to review individual police interactions with the public and provide observations and feedback via local police and crime commissioners and the police. This can support police officers to use their powers more confidently with the backing of their communities and aid public understanding of how and why police powers are used.

Today’s announcement is also supported by publication of a review examining public perceptions of policing. The review establishes police visibility, availability, and attendance at incidents as critical to public perceptions of policing, and efforts to improve trust and confidence.

Chair of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, Donna Jones, said:

Police and crime commissioners are committed to ensuring police officers who commit criminal acts or are proved to have acted in a corrupt way, are not only removed from operational duties as a matter of urgency, but that they are dismissed from police forces as quickly as possible. For this to happen the process to remove police officers must be one that is expedited with minimal barriers that cause delay.

Therefore I welcome the minsters announcement today to speed up the process enabling Chief Constables to sack corrupt police officers quicker.

The Home Secretary has also made clear that strong leadership at all ranks is essential to drive a positive culture and improve standards in policing.

The College of Policing has launched its new professional framework, which sets new consistent national standards for leadership, which will be delivered to all ranks through training by the College’s National Centre for Police Leadership. A new two-year development programme will also enable the most talented serving police inspectors to advance to superintendent more quickly.

Police entry routes will also be streamlined, including a new non-degree entry route which will be rolled out in the Autumn, with successful candidates beginning their training in Spring 2024.

Chief Constable Andy Marsh, CEO at the College of Policing, said:

There is no place in policing for anyone who behaves in a way that damages the public’s trust in us to keep them safe. I welcome today’s announcement which means chiefs officers can swiftly root out those who are damaging policing and falling far short of our commitment to public service.

I was a chief constable in two police forces and I know first-hand the frustration of having to keep officers that I would have otherwise sacked. Last year I began asking for this to change to take place and it means chief officers will be in control of who walks the streets in their uniform.

I know from more than 30 years in policing that the vast majority of officers are dedicated public servants who work hard every day to keep people safe. They do not wish to work alongside officers who commit crimes or impact the trust people have in us. The process will be fair but those who commit serious misconduct can expect to be sacked.
August 31, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Department for Business and Trade statement on recent Supreme Court decision on litigation funding [August 2023]

The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 31 August 2023.

A statement from the department in response to the Supreme Court’s Judgement in the case of Paccar Inc. and others vs. Competition Tribunal and others.

Following the Supreme Court’s judgement of 26 July 2023 in the case of Paccar Inc. and others vs. Competition Tribunal and others , the Department for Business and Trade has released the following statement:

The Department is aware of the Supreme Court decision in Paccar and is looking at all available options to bring clarity to all interested parties

August 31, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Appointment of Bishop of Birmingham [August 2023]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 31 August 2023.

The King has approved the nomination of The Reverend Dr Michael Volland, Principal of Ridley Hall, Cambridge, for election as Bishop of Birmingham, in succession to The Right Reverend David Urquhart, following his retirement.

Michael was educated at Northumbria University, King’s College London and Durham University and trained for ministry at Ridley Hall, Cambridge. He served his title at Gloucester Cathedral and was ordained Priest in 2007.

In 2009, Michael was appointed Director of Mission at Cranmer Hall, Durham, and additionally served as Chaplain to Durham Army Cadet Force from 2012 and as Team Leader and Mission Priest for the East Durham Mission Project and also Area Dean of Easington from 2014. In 2015, Michael was appointed Director of Context-Based Training and Pastoral Tutor at Ridley Hall, Cambridge, and in 2017 he took up his current role as Principal of Ridley Hall. Since then he has also served as President of the Cambridge Theological Federation and Chair of the Theological Education Institutions Principal’s Steering Group.

August 31, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Ministerial Appointments [31 August 2023]
The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 31 August 2023.

The King has been pleased to approve the following appointments.
- Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP as Secretary of State for Defence;
- Claire Coutinho MP as Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero;
- David Johnston OBE MP as a Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Education.
August 31, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK announces new education partnerships and projects in Rwanda [August 2023]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 31 August 2023.

Minister for Development and Africa Andrew Mitchell launches new partnerships to support access to education in Rwanda.
- Africa Minister to launch new UK partnerships to increase girls’ access to education on visit to Rwanda between 31 August and 2 September
- the Girls in Rwanda Learn (GIRL) programme focuses on keeping girls in school who are at risk of dropping out and supporting children with disabilities
- a Digital Library programme will also increase availability to educational resources in the central African country
Two new education initiatives are set to be launched by the UK’s Minister for Development and Africa, Andrew Mitchell, during a 3-day visit to Rwanda.

Under the UK’s new Girls in Rwanda Learn (GIRL) programme, the minister will sign a 7-year partnership with UNICEF that focuses on keeping girls in school who are at risk of dropping out and supporting children with disabilities.

He will also launch the British Council’s globally renowned Digital Library for the first time in Rwanda. This is part of the UK’s efforts to make educational resources available to all. Access to the library will be free for 12 months and provides over 80,000 resources.

The minister will see the impact of British Investment Partnerships in Rwanda, visiting a water treatment plant that is part of a joint venture between British International Investment (BII) and Metito.

BII supports companies helping developing countries and emerging economies grow. In Rwanda, this focuses on growth in key sectors such as water infrastructure, renewable energy, health, and telecommunications, providing hundreds of local jobs.

The UK Minister for Development and Africa Andrew Mitchell said:

During my visit to Rwanda, I will explore the depth and breadth of our relationship. Our 2 countries continue to work together on a range of issues important to both nations, and the region, including climate change and women and girls’ education.

The long-term partnership between the UK and Rwanda is underpinned by our support to help eradicate poverty, educate children, especially girls, and provide British expertise to improve the delivery of public services for all.

Finally, the minister will meet participants of the UK’s development programmes in Rwanda. He will hear how UK funding is helping families to build their resilience and sustainably exit poverty, while students in all primary schools across Rwanda are benefiting by their teachers receiving training in English and maths from UK experts.

High-level discussions will also take place with President of Rwanda Paul Kagame and Minister of Foreign Affairs Vincent Biruta, focusing on bilateral relations and regional issues. Minister Mitchell will also attend Rwanda’s annual gorilla-naming ceremony, Kwita Izina, which aims to highlight conservations efforts to protect these endangered species.

The UK is a committed partner with Rwanda and will build on our economic partnership at the UK-African Investment Summit, which will be held in London in April 2024.
August 31, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Boost to heat pump rollout with plans for cheaper and easier installation [August 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 31 August 2023.

Simplified approach to qualifying for a heat pump grant could save consumers time and money, and variable grants will improve access.
- Varied heat pump grants to improve access to low-carbon heating
- consumers to save time and money thanks to simpler energy performance requirements
- heat pump vouchers offers up to £6,000 off installation, with over £81 million issued
Homeowners and small businesses could find it cheaper and easier to install heat pumps under new proposals set out today (Thursday 31 August).

Proposed measures could mean varying the levels of grants that are made available, depending on the customer’s property type or existing fuel source.

This would make heat pump installations more affordable for even more households and small businesses, enabling them to benefit from low-cost and low-carbon heating.

Households could also save time and money through a simplified approach to qualifying for a heat pump grant by removing the need to install loft or cavity wall insulation first.

These changes will help more homes and businesses move away from costly foreign fossil fuels and onto cleaner, cheaper homegrown energy – forming part of the government’s drive to decarbonise the nation’s heating, with more than £81 million in vouchers already issued to customers under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.

Today’s new proposals also provide an additional option to help consumers install new biomass boilers that also work as an oven, helping more households access the latest in cutting-edge, green technology.

Lord Callanan, Minister for Energy Efficiency and Green Finance, said:

Heat pumps are a vital tool in cutting the carbon emissions from people heating their homes, while also helping to drive down costs and boosting our energy security.

While a heat pump can be installed for a similar price to installing a gas boiler, the support we’ve put in place means it is an option for more and more households.

Today’s changes go even further and will mean even more people could benefit from making the switch, offering them the option for a low-emission, low-cost form of heating their homes.

A heat pump takes heat at a low temperature from the air or ground, increases it to a higher temperature, before transferring the heat into homes for heating and hot water. This technology is significantly more efficient than traditional boilers and uses cleaner electricity rather than fossil fuels – helping to reduce the carbon footprint of a home.

The government’s £450 million Boiler Upgrade Scheme was recently extended until 2028 and offers grants of £5,000 towards the installation of an air source heat pump; £6,000 off a ground source heat pump; and £5,000 off a biomass boiler. Consumers can also receive a zero VAT rate on installations.

Consumer satisfaction is also high, with 92% of surveyed heat pump owners saying they were highly satisfied with the technology after 2 winters, in an evaluation of the Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme, which was replaced by the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.

Heat pump installers, manufactures, suppliers, and the wider industry are now being invited to offer their views on the government’s proposed changes to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, with the consultation open on GOV.UK until 12 October.

This comes alongside a government commitment to the Future Homes Standard coming into force in 2025. The Building Regulations will continue to set a performance-based standard rather than mandating or banning the use of any technologies.

However, to make sure that new homes are zero carbon ready we plan to set the performance standard of the Future Homes Standard at a level which will effectively preclude new homes being built with fossil fuel heating.
August 31, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Military takeover of power in Gabon – Minister Mitchell’s statement [August 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 30 August 2023.

The UK Minister for Africa condemned the unconstitutional military takeover of power in Gabon and called for the restoration of constitutional government.

Minister for Development and Africa, Andrew Mitchell, said:

The UK condemns the unconstitutional military takeover of power in Gabon and calls for the restoration of constitutional government. We acknowledge concerns raised regarding the recent electoral process, including restrictions on media freedom, and urge all parties and citizens to commit to and follow legal and constitutional processes to resolve any electoral disputes. We continue to monitor the situation in Gabon.

Any British nationals in Gabon who need consular support should contact us on +44 20 7008 5000 and sign up for alerts on our travel advice.

August 31, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : The UK strongly supports the renewal of the Mali sanctions regime and Panel of Experts mandate – UK statement at the Security Council [August 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 30 August 2023.

Explanation of vote by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council meeting on Mali.

The United Kingdom thanks France and the UAE for their efforts on this resolution.

Despite having to make a number of difficult compromises, we voted in favour of the resolution because of our strong support for the renewal of the Mali sanctions regime and Panel of Experts mandate. These are important tools in support of peace and stability in Mali.

For this reason, the United Kingdom deeply regrets Russia’s reckless use of the veto. This will reduce the Council’s oversight and engagement on Mali’s peace process at a critical juncture.

Against the backdrop of MINUSMA’s withdrawal from Mali, what we need now is renewed commitment to maintain the Peace Agreement in the face of violations of the ceasefire in Timbuktu and Kidal regions.

The United Kingdom cannot support Russia’s proposal to dissolve the Panel of Experts on Mali, nor its attempt to predetermine the termination of sanctions measures. We pay tribute to the dedication of the members of the Panel; whose rigorous work in challenging circumstances we firmly support.

We remain deeply concerned about the worsening political, humanitarian and security situation in Mali. Despite the outcome of today’s vote, the UK remains committed to supporting Mali’s Peace Agreement and pursuing accountability for human rights violations and abuses.

August 31, 2023