Tag: Press Release

PRESS RELEASE : DSIT joins STEM Futures scheme in Whitehall first, to build civil servants’ sci-tech skills [September 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 11 September 2023.

DSIT becomes first central government department to join STEM Futures: the cross-Whitehall scheme to drive science and tech expertise among civil servants.
- DSIT becomes first central government department to join STEM Futures: the cross-Whitehall scheme to drive science and tech expertise among civil servants
- STEM Futures is a partnership of organisations across industry, academia, and the public sector, providing shadowing, placements, mentoring and more
- the scheme complements the department’s ongoing work to bring cutting-edge expertise into the heart of government
Scores of civil servants are set to benefit from direct workplace experience on the frontline of cutting-edge technology and science, as the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) today (Monday 11 September) becomes the first central government department to join the STEM Futures scheme. The scheme puts civil servants together with a diverse range of experts who all have a shared interest, ranging from data science, to systems thinking (the scientific approach to problem-solving and project management).

STEM Futures works by providing opportunities like shadowing, placements and mentoring, both inside and outside of government, with a view to building out civil servants’ STEM knowledge in these areas, enabling them to learn directly from the experts from various backgrounds they are brought together with. It is the cross-Whitehall effort to boost civil servants’ STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) knowledge and competence over the long-term, offering civil servants experience at leading technology companies, research institutes and universities.

The programme, which is run by the Government Science and Engineering (GSE) Profession, is a partnership of organisations across industry, academia, and the public sector.

Science and Technology Secretary, Michelle Donelan, said:

Joining STEM Futures is another milestone in DSIT’s mission to build the world’s most innovative economy here in the UK, building on the UK’s unique leading role in science and technology.

Our universities one of our biggest exports and their reputation is globally coveted, while we are just third country in the world to boast a tech sector valued at over one trillion dollars.

STEM Futures, alongside our own Expert Exchange programme, will ensure central government has the direct experience and expertise from the front lines of science and technology it needs to truly understand the issues facing sci-tech leaders, and arm civil servants with the skills they need to shape practical policies that will work for industry, academia, and the wider public.

With its focus on long-term skills development and career progression, STEM Futures is the ideal complement to DSIT’s ongoing work to bring cutting-edge expertise into the heart of government though its Expert Exchange scheme.

Starting with secondments for experts from industry and academia, the Expert Exchange is overhauling the way DSIT works with the science and technology sectors, developing a whole suite of ways to share knowledge between government, industry and academia, in a way that benefits all parties. This could include visits to stakeholders, shadowing opportunities, and fellowships.

Joining STEM Futures further cements that mission, with a view to making working hand-in-glove with experts and stakeholders the default mode for policymaking at DSIT. Building a world-class STEM knowledge base in the heart of Whitehall in this way supports the government’s ambitions to make the UK the most innovative economy in the world, as set out in the Science and Technology Framework.

The strategic vision sets out 10 key actions to achieve this goal by 2030, this includes to build on the UK’s already enviable talent and skills base, and to create a pro-innovation culture throughout the public sector.

The Government Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor Dame Angela McLean, said:

I am delighted that the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology have joined STEM Futures. This is a great opportunity to deliver increased scientific capability through knowledge exchange to develop a more scientific civil service.

The Expert Exchange Programme supports DSIT’s core mission to put the full might of the UK government behind science, innovation and technology in order to foster the growth of future industries, and ultimately improve the lives of every citizen. But doing this will only be possible if deep knowledge and expertise is brought to bear when making practical, proportional policies around these new technologies and innovations.

The Expert Exchange Programme aims to embed these new skills and perspectives throughout DSIT’s work. The dedicated Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is the force behind the Prime Minister’s commitment to growing the economy, and to improving the lives of everyone in the UK through new discoveries that advance the health and prosperity of society whilst protecting our values both at home and abroad.

The Department launched the Science and Technology Framework in March 2023, backed by over £370 million to boost investment in innovation, to bring the world’s best talent to the UK, and seize the potential of ground-breaking new technologies like AI.
September 13, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Better facilities for lorry drivers as winners of £8 million funding revealed [September 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 11 September 2023.

Government and industry funding to significantly upgrade truck stops for lorry drivers and support recruitment and workforce retention.
- lorry drivers will enjoy better rest areas and more secure parking thanks to nearly £8 million awarded to 39 roadside facility operators across England
- funding part of up to £100 million in joint government and industry investment to improve roadside facilities, supporting recruitment and workforce retention
- second round of funding opened today for roadside operators to bid for further investment, as government continues to support the haulage sector and grow the economy
Lorry drivers across England will benefit from better roadside facilities, more secure parking and improved rest areas thanks to £8 million in government funding awarded today (11 September 2023).

A total of 39 roadside facility operators across England will each receive a share of £8 million from the Department for Transport (DfT) and a further £11 million from industry to significantly upgrade truck stops for lorry drivers.

List of HGV parking and driver welfare grant scheme round 1 winners.

The improvements will boost welfare facilities like showers, rest areas and restaurants, and increase heavy goods vehicle (HGV) parking capacity while improving security for drivers.

The funding comes from the government’s HGV parking and driver welfare grant scheme and forms part of the up to £100 million joint investment between government and industry to support the logistics sector, helping to boost economic growth.

Today also marks the launch of the second window for roadside facility operators to bid for further funding to continue boosting lorry roadside facilities across England. The window will close on 20 November 2023.

The measure is part of the government’s 33 actions to address the shortage of HGV drivers and boost recruitment and retention.

Roads Minister Richard Holden said:

Day and night, our lorry drivers and hauliers work tirelessly to deliver essential food, goods and medical supplies up and down the country.

As we continue supporting the haulage sector in playing its crucial role in helping to grow the economy, these first winners will help ensure lorry drivers have great facilities where they can safely park, sleep and rest.

The scheme draws on The National Survey on Lorry Parking, which provides important evidence as to what improvements are needed and where to boost the nation’s roadside infrastructure.

With hauliers required to take mandatory breaks and rest periods, building better roadside facilities will improve the quality of HGV drivers’ rest and recovery, ensuring everyone can feel safe on our roads.

Britain’s roads are already among the safest in the world and the government is committed to helping the sector improve driver welfare, boost drivers’ security and continue to guarantee road safety.

In total, both government and industry will look to spend up to £100 million through to March 2025 to improve lorry roadside facilities for drivers.

Policy director at Logistics UK, Kate Jennings, said:

Today’s announcement will be welcome news for the professional drivers using the UK’s road network, who are often forced to take legally mandated rest breaks in their cabs, without access to hygiene facilities due to a chronic lack of welfare provision on key routes.

This announcement is a positive step forward and our members operating in England will welcome the planned improvements to accessible facilities for them to access during the course of their working days.

The government’s 33 actions to support Britain’s haulage sector include investing £34 million to create up to 11,000 HGV driver training places through skills bootcamps and increasing the number of HGV driver tests by 90% compared to pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels.

Richard Smith, Road Haulage Association Managing Director, said:

We are pleased that the first tranche of grants has been announced and that lorry drivers will soon benefit from the improvements this scheme is helping to fund.

We would encourage other operators to apply for funding to help them upgrade, too. Better facilities and more safe and secure parking for truckers are a key priority for our industry.

Mike Heaton, Head of Estate Development Roadside Services from Certas Energy UK, said:

Enhancing driver welfare and ensuring that hauliers have somewhere safe, clean and secure to park their vehicles is a leading priority of our business – and the DfT funding is a vital step in giving drivers the facilities they deserve.

DfT has Certas Energy’s ongoing support on its mission to improve driver facilities.
September 13, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : New plans to stop journalists being silenced by baseless lawsuits [September 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 11 September 2023.

Ministers to meet media and legal industry leaders today to agree action to stop ‘SLAPP’ lawsuits muzzling reporters.
- SLAPPs are used by wealthy individuals, including Russian oligarchs, and companies to obstruct freedom of the press and prevent publication of critical stories
- New taskforce will build on work in Economic Crime Bill to ban SLAPPs in British courts
Journalists will be better protected exposing the crimes of powerful figures under plans for a new government-led taskforce to clamp down on obstructive and costly legal action designed to silence critics.

Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer will today (Monday 11 Sept) attend the inaugural meeting of the taskforce, dedicated to tackling Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs), to help drive forward the government’s agenda to make sure appropriate protections exist for journalists tirelessly working to investigate and publish stories in the public interest, holding power to account and supporting our strong democratic tradition.

SLAPPs are used by the wealthy to intimidate and financially exhaust those seeking to expose wrongdoing, threatening them with extreme costs for defending a claim. They have been used prominently by Russian oligarchs to silence journalists, often using bogus defamation and privacy grounds that prevent the publication of information in the public interest.

A recent report by the Thomson Reuters Foundation found that SLAPPs have risen substantially since 2015, with half of journalists saying they or their newsroom has experienced legal action due to their reporting.

The taskforce will bring together major players from the media and legal sectors – including the Society of Editors, The National Union of Journalists and the Law Society of England and Wales – and drive forward measures to protect public interest journalism from SLAPPs, including those linked to non-economic crime.

Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer KC said:

When I became Culture Secretary I vowed to stand up for independent voices and nurture a thriving media landscape which upholds and champions fearless truth telling.

SLAPPs have led to journalists having to crowdfund their legal fees and some have even been forced to sell their homes – simply for doing their job.

Working together with industry leaders, we will develop strong measures which enhance the freedom of the press to expose wrongdoing without fear of our justice system being abused to silence journalists.

UK Bureau Director for Reporters Without Borders Fiona O’Brien said:

SLAPPs can have a devastating impact on the journalists involved and their ability to report freely on matters of public interest, so we’re very pleased to see the establishment of a taskforce that recognises them as a serious and pressing threat. This is a welcome step towards ensuring UK journalists are better protected from such abusive and damaging lawsuits.

While it is difficult to tell how often SLAPPs are used, because they usually operate before papers are lodged or there is a direct interaction with the justice system, data from the Coalition Against SLAPPs in Europe (CASE) shows they are on the rise in the UK, with 14 estimated in England and Wales in 2021, up from two in both 2020 and 2019. There was one case in 2018.

SLAPPs also present an increasingly worrying threat to democracy across Europe, too, with CASE’s database increasing from 570 cases in 2022 to over 820 cases in 2023.

The taskforce is expected to commission research to investigate the prevalence of SLAPPs used against journalists. It will also explore how legal services regulation could be used to prevent or mitigate SLAPPs, draw up plans for new specialist training for judges and law professionals to help them identify and throw out SLAPPs more easily, and develop guidance to support journalists, publications or law professionals.

The government has already amended its Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill to clamp down on SLAPPs linked to economic crime, which cover the vast majority (estimated at up to 70 per cent) of such cases brought to UK courts. The changes will allow SLAPPs to be thrown out by judges more quickly and place a cap on the costs for those targeted, making them less effective at strong-arming reporters into abandoning their stories. The government has also committed to legislating to tackle SLAPPs outside of economic crime as soon as parliamentary time allows.

The government recognises the need to protect defendants from abusive litigation whilst ensuring access to justice for legitimate claims. The Bill will set out a clear legal definition for a SLAPP, which ensures the application of this legislation is appropriate and fair.

The new taskforce will report regularly on progress to clamp down on SLAPPs to the National Committee for the Safety of Journalists at its bi-monthly meetings. The Committee, set up by the government, brings together representatives from government, journalism, policing, prosecution services and civil society to work in collaboration.

The group led the development of the National Action Plan for the Safety of Journalists in 2021 to ensure journalists in the UK can carry out their jobs free from threats or violence.
September 13, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK deploys search and rescue teams to Morocco following earthquake [September 2023]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 10 September 2023.

The UK has sent 60 UK search and rescue specialists, 4 search dogs and rescue equipment to Morocco following 6.8 magnitude earthquake.
- sixty UK search and rescue specialists, 4 search dogs and rescue equipment deployed to Morocco following 6.8 magnitude earthquake
- UK Emergency Medical Team deployed to assess the existing healthcare capacity and the extent of the damage
- Foreign Secretary has spoken to Foreign Minister Bourita and UK remains in close contact with the Moroccan authorities
The UK will immediately deploy emergency response teams to Morocco to assist with Moroccan led rescue efforts.

The government of Morocco accepted the UK offer for assistance following the 6.8 magnitude earthquake. The UK is deploying a team of search and rescue specialists, including 60 people, 4 search dogs and rescue equipment, as well as a medical assessment team.

The team is deploying today via 2 Royal air Force A400M aircraft provided by the Ministry of Defence.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said:

The UK is sending immediate support to Morocco including a team of 60 search and rescue specialists and 4 rescue dogs to assist with the rescue effort.

I remain in contact with Foreign Minister Bourita and offer my deepest sympathies to the people of Morocco after this tragic event.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said:

This is a devastating time for the people of Morocco, particularly those with loved ones they have lost or are missing.

The UK has taken a leading role in the international effort to enhance search and rescue operations – moving quickly to deploy our unique strategic airlift capabilities, expert personnel and aid. We stand firmly by Morocco as they get through this terrible event.

The UK International Search and Rescue team (UKISAR) respond to disasters on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. They have specialist search equipment including seismic listening devices, concrete cutting and breaking equipment, propping and shoring tools. The specialist kit gives the team the capacity to lift, cut and remove concrete and rubble to reach people under collapsed buildings.

The UK Emergency Medical Team (EMT) is deploying a 4-person British medical assessment team to assess the situation on the ground and coordinate with Moroccan authorities. Following a large-scale natural disaster, it is crucial to assess existing healthcare capacity and the extent of damage to manage healthcare needs and provide support appropriately.
September 13, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK’s Permanent Under-Secretary for Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office to visit Bangladesh [September 2023]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 10 September 2023.

Sir Philip Barton, UK Permanent Under-Secretary of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, will arrive in Bangladesh on Monday 11 September for a two-day visit.

Sir Philip’s main focus will be the fifth UK-Bangladesh Strategic Dialogue chaired by Bangladesh’s Foreign Secretary Ambassador Masud Bin Momen. Building on the UK and Bangladesh’s historic links, the Strategic Dialogue reflects the two countries’ shared commitment to develop a modern economic, trade and security partnership.

The Dialogue will cover political and diplomatic relations, economic, trade and development partnerships, and global, regional and security issues, including the Rohingya crisis.

It will also provide an opportunity to boost economic and trade cooperation between the two countries, cooperation on COP28 and joint work on climate financing, adaptation and resilience to climate impacts, and showcase the UK’s substantial economic development investment offer.

During his time in Dhaka, the Permanent Under-Secretary will also meet politicians, civil society organisations, business leaders and youth representatives.

Background Information:
- Sir Philip Barton KCMG OBE is the Permanent Under-Secretary at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). The Permanent Under-Secretary is the most senior civil servant and diplomat in the FCDO.
- This is Sir Philip’s first visit to Bangladesh as Permanent Under-Secretary. He visited previously in 2008 in his capacity as Director South Asia, FCO.
- Sir Philip is active on Twitter/X: @PhilipRBarton
September 13, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister announces record climate aid commitment as G20 in India concludes [September 2023]
The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 10 September 2023.

UK will provide $2 billion to the Green Climate Fund – the biggest single funding commitment the UK has made to help the world tackle climate change.
- UK will provide $2 billion to the Green Climate Fund – the biggest single funding commitment the UK has made to help the world tackle climate change
- Uplift makes a significant contribution towards the UK’s pledge to spend £11.6 billion on international climate finance, cementing our global climate leadership
- UK continues to show global climate leadership, having cut emissions faster than any other G7 country
As a gathering of G20 leaders in India concludes today (Sunday), the Prime Minister has announced the UK’s biggest single financial contribution to helping the world’s most vulnerable people adapt to and mitigate the impact of climate change.

The UK will contribute £1.62 billion ($2 billion) to the Green Climate Fund (GCF), which was established by 194 countries following the Copenhagen Accord at COP15. The GCF is the largest global fund dedicated to supporting developing countries to reduce global emissions and helping communities adapt to the effects of climate change.

Today’s pledge represents a 12.7% increase on the UK’s previous contribution to the GCF for the period of 2020 to 2023, which was itself a doubling of our initial funding to establish the fund in 2014.

At the G20 Summit the Prime Minister has called on leaders to work together ahead of the COP28 Summit this December to both reduce their countries’ own carbon emissions and support vulnerable economies to deal with the consequences of climate change.

Addressing G20 leaders, the Prime Minister said:

The UK is stepping up and delivering on our climate commitments, both by decarbonising our own economy and supporting the world’s most vulnerable to deal with the impact of climate change.

This is the kind of leadership that the world rightly expects from G20 countries. And this government will continue to lead by example in making the UK, and the world, more prosperous and secure.

The UK has led international efforts to help developing countries tackle climate change, including by pledging to spend £11.6 billion on international climate finance between 2021 and 2026.

Today’s announcement marks a major contribution towards this commitment and follows the Prime Minister’s announcement at COP27 that the UK would triple our funding for climate adaptation.

Since 2011 UK climate aid spending has helped over 95 million people cope with the effects of climate change and reduced or avoided over 68 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.

This goes hand in hand with the UK’s domestic leadership transitioning to clean forms of energy. The UK has cut emissions faster than any other G7 country, with low carbon sources now accounting for more than half of our electricity.

We saw renewables generate a record 47.84% of UK electricity in the first three months of 2023 and output from wind, solar and hydro reached a record high last year. Last year, we saw the biggest increase ever in the installation of offshore wind capacity, with the UK home to the four largest working wind farms in the world.

Alongside this uplift in the UK’s contribution to the GCF, which is expected to again make us one of the largest donors to the fund, the UK Government will continue to stress the importance of the GCF delivering results with even greater speed, demonstrating value for money in all of its activities. This includes asking the GCF to further improve its delivery for those countries most vulnerable to climate change, particularly Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States.
September 13, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak meeting with Prime Minister Jugnauth of Mauritius [September 2023]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 9 September 2023.

The Prime Minister met Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth at the G20 Summit in Delhi today.

They discussed enhancing opportunities for cooperation between their two countries, as Commonwealth partners, in areas of shared interest, including strengthening trade and tackling the impact of climate change.

They also assessed the progress made so far in the negotiations between Mauritius and the UK on the exercise of sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory/the Chagos Archipelago.

Both Prime Ministers agreed to meet again soon.

September 13, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak meeting with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong of Singapore [September 2023]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 9 September 2023.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak met Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the G20 Summit in India today.

The leaders praised today’s agreement of the UK-Singapore Strategic Partnership. They underlined the document’s importance in elevating our already strong partnership and strengthening the work we do together across trade, security, and science and technology.

The Prime Minister said that the Strategic Partnership is the latest example of the UK’s tilt to the Indo-Pacific, a significant diplomatic move which is seeing us invest more in this increasingly crucial region. Prime Minister Lee welcomed this heightened engagement.

The leaders discussed the challenges and opportunities presented by AI. They agreed on the need for further work between international partners to ensure proper regulation of AI. The Prime Minister updated on progress towards the UK’s AI Safety Summit, and he and Prime Minister Lee looked forward to working together on this issue.

You can read the full Strategic Partnership Declaration here.

September 12, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak meeting with Prime Minister Modi of India [September 2023]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 9 September 2023.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak met India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the G20 Summit in New Delhi today.

He congratulated Prime Minister Modi on his country’s consummate presidency of the G20 this year, which has demonstrated India’s vital global leadership and influence. Prime Minister Modi noted the warm reception the Prime Minister has received in India.

The leaders reflected on the close and growing ties between the UK and India, exemplified in the ‘living bridge’ between our people. They agreed it was important to build on the past and focus on the future, cementing a modern partnership in cutting-edge defence technology, trade and innovation. They also discussed a number of consular issues.

The leaders had a productive conversation about negotiations on a UK-India Free Trade Agreement. The Prime Minister reiterated the UK’s ambition to deliver a landmark trade deal which benefits businesses and workers in both countries and grows our trade in both goods and services.

They agreed that ministers and negotiating teams would continue to work at pace towards an FTA.

The Prime Minister and Prime Minister Modi welcomed the opportunity to meet again in person and the Prime Minister congratulated Prime Minister Modi again on delivering a successful G20 Summit.

September 12, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Royal Navy flagship sails to lead international carrier strike group deployment [September 2023]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 9 September 2023.

Aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth sails from Portsmouth for her autumn deployment.

Britain’s flagship HMS Queen Elizabeth sails this week from Portsmouth as she heads north to lead a Carrier Strike Group deployment alongside ships from partner nations.

The aircraft carrier, crewed by up to 900 sailors, with her F-35 Lightning II stealth fighters and Merlin helicopters will lead a mixed group of warships from various nations as they head to the Norwegian Sea and waters of northern Europe.

The UK Carrier Strike Group deployment comes just days after HMS Prince of Wales departed Portsmouth for the United States, where she will undergo trials and operate a multitude of aircraft and drones.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said:

The UK leadership of this international strike group shows the strength of our commitment to working with Allies to promote security in Europe and demonstrate our resolve against any threat from potential adversaries.

With both HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales deployed simultaneously, the Royal Navy sends a strong message that the UK’s capability for carrier operations is among the strongest in the world.

The first phase of the deployment will see the carrier’s F35 fighter jets taking part in Exercise Cobra Warrior, the RAF’s largest bi-annual exercise, which will see aircraft from the Australia, Canada, Germany, Italy, Norway, and the UK taking part in joint exercises.

The 18-day exercise will involve RAF Typhoon and F35 jets, A400M and C17 transport aircraft, and Voyager air tankers, developing interoperability alongside allied aircraft and practicing integration between fourth and fifth generation fighter aircraft across air, sea, and land.

Commodore James Blackmore, Commander of the Carrier Strike Group, said:

It is with much eagerness that the UK Carrier Strike Group is now assembling for deployed operations – the first time the UK CSG will be under my command. This autumn’s deployment showcases the UK’s capability to operate at range from the UK and demonstrates our continued commitment to North Atlantic security.

The Carrier Strike Group is an agile and highly capable force and we are excited to be heading to the North Sea and North Atlantic along with our International Partner Nations to reinforce security across the region.

The following phases involve HMS Queen Elizabeth and the Carrier Strike Group conducting activities alongside international partners, including through the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) framework – highlighting the utility and strength of JEF.

A series of sorties will also be carried out by 617 Squadron – the Dambusters, the joint RAF-RN Lightning stealth fighter formation from RAF Marham – and the strike group will take part in various port visits and defence engagement events.

Captain Will King, HMS Queen Elizabeth’s Commanding Officer, said:

It is an extraordinary privilege to have command of one of the Royal Navy’s most capable ships and to lead a dedicated and highly skilled crew on operations.

As we sail to the north leading a coalition of nations in our unwavering commitment to peace and security in Northern Europe, we stand together as a formidable force for stability in these waters.

The 65,000-tonne carrier and her Strike Group will also join NATO allies for exercises and training in the North Atlantic.

The deployment will mark the second time the Royal Navy flagship has led an international carrier strike group, after her deployment to the Indo-Pacific in 2021.

HMS Prince of Wales will lead a further Carrier Strike Group deployment to the Indo-Pacific in 2025, further strengthening the UK’s defence ties in the region.

September 12, 2023