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Tag: Press Release

  • PRESS RELEASE : Production of Nuclear Test Medals underway ahead of Remembrance Sunday [August 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Production of Nuclear Test Medals underway ahead of Remembrance Sunday [August 2023]

    The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 23 August 2023.

    Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Johnny Mercer visited Worcestershire Medal Services in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter this morning to see the first Nuclear Test Medals in production.

    • First Nuclear Test medals start rolling off the production lines and will be ready for Remembrance Sunday Parades.
    • Medal recognises the significant contribution of veterans and civilian staff in the development of the UK’s nuclear deterrent programme.
    • Veterans Minister and nuclear test veteran visit medal production in Birmingham to see the first medals being made

    The first Nuclear Test Medals have started rolling off the production lines, ahead of being issued to veterans before Remembrance Sunday.

    Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Johnny Mercer visited Worcestershire Medal Services in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter this morning to see the first medals in production.

    In November 2022 the Prime Minister announced that military, civilian, and overseas staff and personnel who participated in Britain’s nuclear testing programme in the 1950s and 1960s would have their service recognised with the medal, 70 years after the first British test of a nuclear weapon.

    The design for the medal was unveiled last month, and features an atom surrounded by olive branches and bears the words “Nuclear Test Medal”. The design was chosen to reflect the multitude of different roles that were carried out by the broad range of recipients.

    The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs visited the medal factory to see the first batch of medals being printed, and stamped a medal and attached a ribbon, ready to be presented to nuclear test veterans in the Autumn.

    Worcestershire Medal Services is a leading supplier of medals, honours and orders in the United Kingdom, supporting over 60 jobs in the Birmingham area since 2004. The company has a dedicated team producing many of the UKs most well known medals and honours including OBEs and the recent Coronation Medal.

    Nuclear Test Veteran, John Robinson, visited the factory with the Minister to see the medals being produced, ahead of receiving his own later this year.

    Many veterans of Britain’s nuclear tests will receive a new medal in time for Remembrance Sunday.

    Defence Secretary, Rt Hon. Ben Wallace MP, said:

    From the inception to the launch of this medal, Defence has been focused on ensuring that this important group of veterans and their crucial work is recognised.

    I am delighted that this medal acknowledges their vital contribution to keeping our nation safe.

    Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Rt Hon. Johnny Mercer MP, said:

    It is only right that we recognise the sacrifices of our Nuclear Test Veterans.

    It was fantastic to see first-hand the progress made to ensure that as many veterans as possible can proudly wear their medal on Remembrance Sunday.

    Squadron Leader John B Robinson, AFC*, RAF (Retd), a Nuclear Test Veteran, who flew Canberra sampling aircraft on Operations Mosaic, Buffalo, Grapple and Antler said:

    The news that I will be presented with a medal for my role in the Nuclear Testing means a lot to me and I have been keenly anticipating the arrival since the Prime Minister’s announcement last year.

    I will proudly accept this medal on behalf of my co-members of 76 Squadron RAF, aircrew and ground crew, who are sadly no longer with us to receive the acknowledgement themselves.

    I am very much looking forward to receiving my medal later this year and enjoyed seeing the first medals in production alongside the Minister today.

    Phil McDermott, Managing Director and CEO, Worcestershire Medal Service Ltd said:

    The UK medal system is the envy of the world, hard earned which gives them great meaning to the individual recipients. We are immensely proud to be the sole manufacturers of decorations and medals to the UK MoD.

    Medals are a vital part of recognition within the armed services. Our part in designing some of these awards and particularly the new portraits of His Majesty The King only build on the pride we all feel within the company.

    As part of the government’s efforts to champion nuclear test veterans’ contributions, the Office for Veterans’ Affairs is also funding a £250,000 oral history project. Work by the University of South Wales and University of Liverpool is currently underway to identify and record the life stories of 40 nuclear veterans.

    Education organisation Big Ideas, also a benefactor of the OVA’s £200,000 Nuclear Test Community Fund, is working this summer with four secondary schools. The students are meeting with veterans across the UK to produce learning resources centred around their stories.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Security Minister visits Iraq to strengthen security partnership [August 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Security Minister visits Iraq to strengthen security partnership [August 2023]

    The press release issued by the Home Office on 23 August 2023.

    Tom Tugendhat visits Iraq and Kurdistan region for talks on serious and organised crime, narcotics and terrorism.

    The Security Minister Tom Tugendhat visited Iraq from 21 to 23 August to strengthen the security of the UK, Iraq and the wider region, and build on the existing relationship between our 2 countries.

    During his time in Baghdad, the minister met with Prime Minister Mohammad Shia Al-Sudani, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Fuad Hussein, and Minister of Interior, Lt Gen Abdul-Amir Al-Shammeri.

    He also travelled to Erbil, the capital of the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region of Iraq, where he was welcomed by the region’s President Nechirvan Barzani, the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Qubad Talabani, and the Minister of Interior, Mr Rebar Ahmed.

    During his visit, the minister made progress on negotiating a new agreement with the government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government that will strengthen our efforts to tackle serious organised crime, including organised immigration crime, human trafficking and narcotics. Both nations are preparing to sign a statement of intent to tackle shared organised crime threats in the coming weeks.

    In his meetings, Tom Tugendhat also reinforced the UK’s strong relationship with Iraq on counter-terrorism cooperation. He met Iraq’s Counter Terrorism Service and discussed with Iraq’s national security advisor ways to enable greater sharing of information between countries. As a result, both nations are preparing to sign a memorandum of understanding to increase information sharing to enhance our counter-terrorism cooperation.

    The Security Minister also promoted the UK’s continued support to mitigate the threat from Daesh, to ensure it can never again threaten the security of the UK and Iraq – including by pushing for implementation of the Yazidi Survivors Law, which provides compensation for the acts of genocide they suffered under Daesh.

    He also delivered a speech on the growing regional narcotics trade, offering solidarity and partnership with Iraq and regional allies against the destabilising impact that drugs are having and denouncing the Syrian regime for its role in the Captagon trade.

    In addition, he convened with non-governmental organisations, independent journalists, and the UN to discuss modern slavery and human trafficking of women and girls, and serious and organised crime and its links to illegal migration.

    During his trip, the minister learned about the security risk posed by climate change in Iraq – as the fifth worst affected country according to the UN, where droughts and water shortages are becoming more severe – decimating the agricultural sector in some regions and forcing migration.

    In conversations with the Iraqi political leadership, the minister also explored how the UK and Iraq can work together to better understand and address the drivers of irregular migration, to disrupt organised crime groups trafficking vulnerable people.

    Speaking on the final day of his visit, the Security Minister Tom Tugendhat said:

    It’s great to be back in Iraq for the first time in 20 years, and to see first-hand how this country has changed.

    Iraq is a key partner in our fight against terrorism, as well as serious and organised crime. The Iraqi security forces are on the front lines of our fight against ISIS. Many of the criminal gangs who operate small boat crossings in the English Channel operate out of Iraq, which is why I’m working to with our partners in Baghdad to bring them to justice.

    I’m pleased that we will boosting our joint efforts to crack down on human trafficking, narcotics and money laundering, and strengthening our important partnership in the fight against terror.

  • PRESS RELEASE : The Syrian regime and its allies continue to profit whilst the Syrian people and the region suffer the consequences – UK statement at the Security Council [August 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : The Syrian regime and its allies continue to profit whilst the Syrian people and the region suffer the consequences – UK statement at the Security Council [August 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 23 August 2023.

    Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council meeting on Syria.

    Thank you, President, and I thank Special Envoy Pedersen and Ms Alkanawati for their briefings.

    President, 12 years ago, the Syrian people peacefully took to the streets to demand freedom, political reform, and a government that respects and upholds human rights. The Assad regime met those demands with brutality. The ensuing conflict has cost the lives of more than half a million and left over 12 million displaced.

    With resolution 2254, this Council agreed unanimously on a political path out of the conflict that would protect the rights of all Syrians, with civil society, women and minorities playing a critical role.

    Eight years on, there has been next to no political progress. The conditions that perpetuated the conflict, including the behaviour of the Asad Regime, have not changed. Regime complicity in the production and trafficking of Captagon is a recent example. As ever, the regime and its allies profit whilst the Syrian people and the region suffer the consequences.

    President, as Lubna Alkanawati has clearly articulated, despite the untold hardship faced by women in Syria, many continue to play vital roles in the pursuit of justice, accountability, and peace, often in the face of harassment, intimidation and fears for their own safety. We commend them for their courage.

    The UK recognises the enormous generosity of regional states hosting Syrian refugees, and will continue to support them to do so. Whilst we hope that Syrian refugees will ultimately be able to return home, we agree with the UN’s assessment that conditions in Syria do not currently allow this.

    It is essential that international law is respected and that any refugee returns are voluntary, safe and dignified.

    The onus must be on the Assad regime to substantively change its behaviour and provide verifiable protection assurances for prospective returnees, many of whom fear prosecution on their return.

    If the regime wants to show its behaviour has changed, genuine engagement on the missing and detained would be an important step towards demonstrating a safe environment for refugee returns.

    As the recent conclusions from the Arab Contact Group have noted, UN Security Council resolution 2254 remains the only viable route to a lasting and inclusive settlement in Syria. While we welcome recent efforts to make progress on the political track, proof of the regime’s good faith will be in concrete steps to guarantee the rights of the Syrian people and to engage substantially in meetings of the Constitutional Committee.

    Thank you.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Humber flood defences £29m upgrade begins at Stallingborough [August 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Humber flood defences £29m upgrade begins at Stallingborough [August 2023]

    The press release issued by the Environment Agency on 23 August 2023.

    A £29m project to manage the risk of flooding to people and major industry in north-east Lincolnshire is now underway.

    The Environment Agency scheme will see improvements made to 4.5 kilometres of coastal defences along part of the Humber estuary’s south bank. The defences will benefit 2,300 properties, nationally important infrastructure, vital industry, and areas outlined by North East Lincolnshire Council for future development.

    This is the third phase of the Stallingborough Sea Defence Improvement Scheme, which has repaired and strengthened sea walls between Immingham and Grimsby in stages over the last 15 years.

    This latest stage of work will see the installation of large rocks called rock armour along 3 kilometres of the seaward side of the flood defence. The rocks will cover from the Middle Drain to the northwest to the New Cut Drain to the southeast. The remaining 1.5 kilometres of defences will be repaired. In addition, the 4 river outfalls will also be repaired and improved to make them more sustainable and resilient to flooding.

    The majority of the work will be undertaken over 3 years, with pauses through the winter to reduce ecological impacts to the seaward side of the defence.

    Dom Freestone, Operations Manager for the Environment Agency, said:

    Low-lying communities along the Humber are at high risk of tidal flooding and rising sea levels.

    Works to improve the flood defences are vital to manage that threat and will help drive business confidence and investment in the area. But despite our best efforts, flooding can still happen.

    That’s why we urge people to prepare and plan for the worst, including by signing up to receive flood warnings by visiting gov.uk.

    Rock armour is one of the most sustainable and low-carbon options available and minimises the potential impact on the area’s internationally important habitats. It will help fortify the walls and prevent the sea undermining them, ensuring they continue to reduce flood risk for at least a further 25 years, taking account of climate change predictions.

    The work is expected to generate economic benefits valued at £1.1 billion over the next 25 years.

    Councillor Stewart Swinburn, Cabinet member for the Environment at North East Lincolnshire Council, said:

    Our coastline is an incredibly important one to protect, not only for the wonderful natural habitat, but also for the economic and industrial growth on the South Humber shore”.

    The Humber Estuary’s natural tidal flow is something we have to embrace and work with, but by providing this investment in flood protection measures, the risk to people and businesses in this area is significantly less.

    Stallingborough’s coastal walls were originally built following devastating floods in 1953. They are now at increasing risk of damage from rising sea levels and more frequent storms.

    The Stallingborough Sea Defence Improvement Scheme is part of wider investment plan to manage tidal flood risk across the Humber estuary, outlined within the Environment Agency’s 2008 Humber Flood Risk Management Strategy.

    The Environment Agency urges people to plan ahead for flooding by finding out if their property is in an at-risk area; signing up for free flood warnings; and knowing in advance what to do. Further information is available on all these steps and more at Check for flooding – GOV.UK and by calling Floodline on 0345 988 1188.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Change of British High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea – Anne Macro [August 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Change of British High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea – Anne Macro [August 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 23 August 2023.

    Ms Anne Macro has been appointed British High Commissioner to the Independent State of Papua New Guinea in succession to Mr Keith Scott who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Ms Macro will take up her appointment in September 2023.

    Curriculum Vitae

    Full name: Angela Mary Elizabeth Macro

    Children: Two

    Date Role
    2019 to 2022 Maseru, British High Commissioner to Lesotho
    2018 to 2019 FCO, Deputy Head, Projects Task Force
    2015 to 2018 FCO, Project Consultant, Projects Task Force
    2011 to 2015 Pretoria, Head, Political Team, and Deputy High Commissioner to Lesotho and Swaziland
    2008 to 2011 FCO, Team Leader, Sudan Unit
    2007 to 2008 FCO, Deputy Programme Manager, Global Human Rights Fund
    2007 Delhi, Second Secretary (Trade and Investment Policy)
    2002 to 2007 Rangoon, Second Secretary (Political/Economic/Press and Public Affairs)
    2001 to 2002 Full Time Language Training (Burmese)
    1996 to 2001 Abuja, Second Secretary (Political)
    Lagos, Third Secretary, later Second Secretary (Political and Press Officer)
    FCO, US Desk Officer, North America Department
  • PRESS RELEASE : Shahpur Kabraji appointed as Trustee to The Natural History Museum Board [August 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Shahpur Kabraji appointed as Trustee to The Natural History Museum Board [August 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport on 23 August 2023.

    The Prime Minister has appointed Shahpur Kabraji as a Trustee of The Natural History Museum Board for a term of three years, commencing 26th June 2023.

    Shahpur Kabraji

    Appointed from 26 June 2023 until 25 June 2026.

    Shahpur is a Partner of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, a leading global law firm. He focuses on domestic and cross-border finance transactions and regularly advises leading global private equity sponsors, their portfolio companies and corporates in connection with a variety of corporate finance transactions. As part of his various responsibilities at Simpson Thacher, he is co-chair of the London Diversity and Inclusion Committee. He is also a trustee of education service provider based in London, The Complete Works.

    Remuneration and Governance Code

    Trustees of the Natural History Museum 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. Shahpur has not declared any significant political activity.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK condemns Russian sham trial of Ukrainian prisoner of war [August 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK condemns Russian sham trial of Ukrainian prisoner of war [August 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 23 August 2023.

    Maksym Butkevych, a Ukrainian prisoner of war, had his appeal rejected after he was sentenced to 13 years in prison by the so-called Luhansk people’s republic.

    An FCDO Spokesperson said:

    We are concerned by the treatment of Ukrainian prisoner of war Maksym Butkevych who was sentenced to 13 years in prison by the so-called Luhansk People’s Republic and has had an appeal against this sentence denied by a Moscow court.

    This sham trial lacks legitimacy and we call on the Russian Federation to abide by international humanitarian law and treat Mr Butkevych appropriately as a prisoner of war according to the Geneva Convention.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Office of Rail and Road Chair Declan Collier reappointed for a second term [August 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Office of Rail and Road Chair Declan Collier reappointed for a second term [August 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 23 August 2023.

    Declan Collier will continue to play a central role in tackling the challenges facing the rail and road sectors.

    • the Transport Secretary has reappointed Declan Collier for a further 5-year term
    • he has led the Office of Rail and Road through significant changes in the road and rail sectors over his first term
    • Declan will continue to focus ORR on delivering for customers and taxpayers

    Transport Secretary Mark Harper has today (23 August 2023) announced the reappointment of Declan Collier as the Chair of the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) for a further 5-year term.

    In his second term as Chair, Declan Collier will continue to drive forward the important work of the ORR, holding Network Rail and National Highways to account ensuring they deliver significant investments to improve our national infrastructure.

    Over the course of his first term, Declan has provided the ORR Board with a strong sense of direction during a time of significant change and complexity for the transport sector, particularly during the pandemic by providing extensive expertise, support and challenge.

    In his next term, which will commence on 1 January 2024, until 31 December 2028, Declan will continue to play a central role in tackling the challenges facing the rail and road sectors including ongoing reform across the rail network.

    Transport Secretary Mark Harper said:

    Declan has demonstrated himself to be an excellent Chair of ORR by challenging the industry to improve its focus on consumers, which is why I’m reappointing him for a second term.

    He will continue to be a trusted source of advice to the Department for Transport on vital areas including how we’re reforming our railways, and playing an essential role in ensuring ORR continues to deliver on improving our roads and railways for all who use them.

    Declan has previously held roles such as CEO of London City Airport and CEO of Dublin Airports Authority, as well as being appointed to the expert advisory panel of Active Travel England, which has given him the extensive transport and business experience to exceed in his role as Chair of ORR.

    Declan Collier, ORR Chair:

    I am proud to be reappointed Chair of the Office of Rail and Road. My first term has seen seismic challenges for the rail and road sectors, with ORR playing a key part in overseeing the recovery from the pandemic. I look forward to continuing this important role at such a time of change for the rail and road sectors.

    Declan Collier was first appointed in 2018 following an open competition conducted in accordance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments and a pre-appointment scrutiny hearing held by the Transport Select Committee.

  • PRESS RELEASE : More support for children with special educational needs [August 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : More support for children with special educational needs [August 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Education on 23 August 2023.

    Over a thousand new special school places confirmed, as additional seven special free schools to be built.

    Over a thousand more children and young people with SEND are set to benefit from access to high-quality specialised learning, with seven new special free schools in Cambridgeshire, Kent, Merton and Norfolk selected to be built alongside the existing 83 already committed to opening, located across England from Devon to Darlington.

    Once complete, this investment will more than double the number of special free school places available across the country – from around 8,500 to 19,000 – ensuring all children receive a quality education, tailored to their needs.

    Today, local authorities across the country have been selected to deliver a ground-breaking new programme to test and refine the reforms to services for young people and families.

    Backed by £70 million, the local authorities will help inform the development of new national standards to improve the consistency of provision across the country.

    Each area will also bring together education and health services, as well as parents and families to develop an inclusion plan that sets out how they will deliver local services in a co-ordinated way – for example making sure a child with special educational needs who is behind in reading is quickly assessed and given the right support. This addresses feedback from families that the current system is often fragmented with agencies not working together.

    This follows recent confirmation that high needs funding is increasing by a further £440 million for 24/25, bringing total funding to £10.5 billion – an increase of over 60% since 2019-20.

    Minister for Children, Families and Wellbeing, Claire Coutinho said:

    Making sure children with special educational needs and disabilities get a superb education is a priority.

    Earlier this year our Improvement Plan set out systemic reforms to make sure every child and young person gets consistently high-quality support, no matter where in the country they live.

    Today we’re making sure that those reforms are informed by the experiences of real families, up and down the country, and creating the thousands of new places at specialist schools and in staff training courses that are needed to make sure our plan is a success.

    The government is also confirming today an expansion in training for early years staff, adding an extra 2,000 training places for early years special educational needs co-ordinators on top of the 5,000 already announced.

    Measures confirmed in the Improvement Plan included:

    • A new leadership level National Professional Qualification for Special Educational Needs Co-ordinators (NPQ for SENCOs), ensuring SENCOs have the training they need to provide the right support to children.
    • A new approach to AP will focus on preparing children to return to mainstream or prepare for adulthood. AP will act as an intervention within mainstream education, as well as high-quality standalone provision, in an approach that meets children’s needs earlier and helps prevent escalation.
    • An extension until March 2025  to the AP Specialist Taskforces, which work directly with young people in AP to offer intensive support from teams made up of experts, including mental health professionals, family workers, and speech and language therapists, backed by an additional £7 million investment.
    • A doubling of the number of supported internship places by 2025, from around 2,500 to around 5,000, backed with £18 million of funding to help young people make the transition into adulthood.
    • £30 million to go towards developing innovative approaches for short breaks for children, young people and their families, providing crucial respite for families of children with complex needs – the programme funds local areas to test new services including play, sports, arts and independent living activities, allowing parents time to themselves, while their child enjoys learning new skills. 13 local authorities are taking part in the second year of the programme.
  • PRESS RELEASE : Around 1 in 8 new students unprotected against meningitis [August 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Around 1 in 8 new students unprotected against meningitis [August 2023]

    The press release issued by the UK Health Security Agency on 23 August 2023.

    Approximately 13% of new students missed their free MenACWY vaccine in school and remain unprotected against 4 deadly types of meningitis.

    The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and leading meningitis charities are urging students to make sure they have been vaccinated against meningitis and other diseases before the start of the academic year.

    The NHS MenACWY immunisation programme for schools is offered to all pupils in year 9 and 10. UKHSA vaccine coverage data shows around 1 in 8 new students going to college and university this year remain unprotected against these 4 strains of meningococcal bacteria, each of which can cause long term disability, serious health complications and can be life threatening.

    The latest 2021 to 2022 MenACWY coverage data shows the vaccination rate has fallen to 79.6%, which means that the figure will rise to around 1 in 5 pupils being unprotected when they start college or university in a few years’ time if they don’t catch up with their vaccinations.

    All first-year students starting college or university this September and returning students who are not up to date with all their childhood and adolescent vaccines are at increased risk of serious diseases such as meningitis, septicaemia and measles as they mix with large numbers of other students from around the country and overseas.

    We are urging all students to make sure they are up to date with all free routine NHS vaccines, and to know the signs and symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia as it could help save a life.

    The 3 vaccines students should be up to date with before starting university or college include:

    • MenACWY – protecting against 4 common strains causing meningitis and septicaemia
    • MMR – protecting against measles, mumps, and rubella
    • HPV – protecting against human papilloma virus related cancers such as cervical cancer and other cancers of the head, neck and genital areas, and genital warts

    Dr Shamez Ladhani, Consultant Epidemiologist at UKHSA, said:

    Every year we see new and returning students get seriously ill, with some tragically dying, from what are preventable diseases.

    With large numbers of students coming together from around the country and overseas for the first time, and closely mixing, infection can spread easily.

    Ensuring you are protected against these deadly bugs is vital. If you’ve missed out on your meningitis (MenACWY), HPV or MMR jabs then contacting your GP for the vaccine should be top of your list of urgent things to do before starting college or university.

    Lauren Sandell tragically passed away in her first year at university after contracting MenW disease. Sharon Sandell, Lauren’s mother said:

    Lauren was feeling unwell one Thursday evening during her first year in university. She thought it was due to stress from settling into university. She returned home on Saturday evening saying that her legs hurt, and that she wasn’t feeling 100% alright. Then on Sunday morning she got sick and was visibly shaking.

    We totally thought it was a panic attack and not at any point did I think her life was in danger. I will always be thankful that she was at home with me when she died but the experience of witnessing it will stay with me forever.

    Such a tragic unnecessary end to a life of a beautiful girl who had so much life to live. If she had the vaccine, she would still be here today celebrating her 25th year of life. Up to 10% of young people in her age group have the bacteria naturally at the back of their throat. Please don’t think it can’t be you. Get the MenACWY jab today.

    Claire Wright, Head of Insights and Policy at Meningitis Research Foundation, said:

    Meningitis can kill healthy people within hours and in the early stages is difficult to distinguish from a bad hangover or more common milder illnesses. By taking up the free MenACWY vaccine, students are not only protecting themselves but also protecting others by stopping the bacteria from being passed on.

    For young people who have already been vaccinated it remains important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of meningitis because the free vaccine does not protect against MenB, which is the most common cause of life-threatening meningitis amongst this age group.

    The MenACWY vaccine is routinely offered to those in school years 9 and 10 but anyone who has missed out can still get a free jab with their GP until their 25th birthday.

    The vaccine provides high protection against 4 common strains that cause meningococcal disease (meningitis and septicaemia) – MenA, MenC, MenW and MenY – but does not protect against all strains, like MenB, which is often common among students. So it’s important to know the signs and symptoms as it could help save your own or a friend’s life.

    Meningitis and septicaemia can develop suddenly. Symptoms include a blotchy rash that doesn’t fade when a glass is rolled over it, fever, headache, aching muscles and joints and a stiff neck. The MenW strain can also cause vomiting and diarrhoea in teenagers and young adults.

    Urgent antibiotic treatment and hospitalisation is critical. If you have concerns for yourself or a friend don’t hesitate to seek urgent medical help.

    Meningitis Now Chief Executive, Dr Tom Nutt, said:

    We know vaccination is the best way to protect against the devastation that meningitis can cause. Over many years the NHS’s vaccination programme has resulted in a steady drop in the number of cases of the disease, with countless lives saved as a result.

    But more needs to be done. We estimate that up to half a million young people currently aged between 18 to 24 years old may have missed their MenACWY vaccine at school. In addition, we are growing increasingly concerned about the recent rise in meningitis cases across the UK. While the number of cases is still below those recorded pre-pandemic, any increase in the disease is worrying.

    As part of the ‘Tackle Meningitis’ campaign we’re calling on everyone to take advantage of the MenACWY vaccination when it is offered, and please do check your vaccine status with your GP.

    And with no vaccine available to protect against all types of meningitis, we’re also urging everyone to learn the signs and symptoms and to seek urgent medical attention if meningitis is suspected.

    Michelle Bresnahan, who founded meningitis awareness charity A Life for a Cure following the sudden death of her son Ryan to MenB, said:

    It’s important to make sure that getting up to date with your vaccinations is on your to-do list as you begin your preparations for university. Checking with your GP that you have these free vaccines is a quick and easy way to keep yourself safe.

    Remember though, not all types of meningococcal disease are covered by the vaccine, including MenB. So, it’s vital you get to know the signs and symptoms, including a blotchy rash that doesn’t fade when a glass is rolled over it, fever, aching muscles and joints and a stiff neck. Doing so could save your life or that of a friend.

    MMR vaccine

    Measles is a highly infectious viral illness that can also have serious consequences. It can be more severe in teenagers and young adults, often leading to hospitalisation. Measles starts with cold-like symptoms and sore red eyes, followed by a high temperature and a red-brown blotchy rash.

    Two doses of the MMR vaccine are routinely offered to young children, but it’s never too late to get the jab if you’ve missed out. Check your red book or contact your GP surgery if unsure. Anyone can get the MMR vaccine from their GP at any age.

    HPV vaccine

    The HPV vaccine is proven to significantly lower rates of cervical cancer in women vaccinated at a younger age. The evidence clearly shows it helps protect against other cancers of the genital areas and anus, as well as some cancers of the head and neck. The vaccine works and will save lives.

    The HPV vaccine is available routinely for girls and boys in year 8. If you’re eligible and missed out, it’s available for free at your GP surgery until your 25th birthday for:

    • girls born after 1 September 1991
    • boys born after 1 September 2006

    If you missed the vaccine at school, contact your school nurse, school immunisation team or GP surgery to arrange a catch-up.