Tag: Press Release

PRESS RELEASE : Two months to go before short-term lets licensing deadline [August 2023]

The press release issued by the Scottish Government on 1 August 2023.

Hosts must sign up to scheme before 1 October 2023.

Owners of short-term let properties are being urged to apply for a licence under Scotland’s short-term licensing scheme before the 1 October 2023 deadline.

Short-term let hosts must apply for a licence with their relevant local authority before the deadline. Anyone who operated a short-term let before 1 October 2022 can still accept bookings and guests until an application is determined, but must apply before the 1 October 2023 deadline. Owners who started operations after 1 October 2022 cannot begin trading until they receive their licence.

Hosts must apply for a licence with the local authority their property is located and are being urged to check local criteria before making an application.

Local councils’ licensing schemes are in operation across Scotland and many short-term let hosts have already obtained licences.

Housing Minister Paul McLennan said:

“Short-term let accommodation plays an important role in Scotland’s economy, supporting our tourism and hospitality sector and allowing tourists and holiday goers somewhere to take them closer to the best that Scotland can offer.

“However, it is also important that there is appropriate regulation in place to ensure the safety of guests, and so that local authorities can make decisions that are right for their local areas. That is why the Scottish Government has introduced the short-term lets licensing scheme.

“I would like to thank those who have already signed up to the scheme, bringing assurances to tourists that their safety is paramount and that they have met local guidelines.

“Visitors coming to Scotland can already expect to see the benefits of properties being licensed and meeting specific standards. Meanwhile, the thousands of short-term let operators who provide a quality service can have the assurance that would-be competitors have to meet licensing standards as well.

“There is only two months to go until the 1 October deadline and so I would urge anyone who owns short-term let accommodation and has yet to apply to do so as soon as possible to ensure you can still take bookings and welcome guests from far and wide.”

Short Stay St Andrews Director Jordan Mitchell said:

“As the largest holiday letting agency in St Andrews and the East Neuk, the initial thought of an application process for short-term letting our 130+ managed properties was a daunting one.

“However, the application process has been plain sailing once we had all the required safety certification in place.

“Fife Council has been extremely supportive in its quest to process the applications despite the extra pressure on its systems.

“I can only recommend applying as soon as possible to give your business plenty of time to adjust to the new Scottish Government requirements.”

Background

Owners have until 1 October 2023 to apply for a short-term lets licence, with local authorities required to process applications by 1 October 2024.

Apply for a short-term let licence:

gov.scot/shorttermlets

August 8, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Government to build cases to prosecute rogue immigration lawyers [August 2023]

The press release issued by the Home Office on 8 August 2023.

We are stepping up action to support regulatory action and prosecution of unscrupulous lawyers, with a new dedicated taskforce and tougher sentences.

A government clampdown on crooked lawyers who coach illegal migrants to lie will see a dedicated taskforce work with industry bodies and law enforcement to build stronger evidence bases to support prosecutions.

The vast majority of lawyers act with professionalism and integrity but, as recent media reports have demonstrated, a small minority have been helping illegal migrants stay in the UK by encouraging them to make false claims.

The Professional Enablers Taskforce is bringing together regulatory bodies, law enforcement teams and government departments to increase enforcement action against lawyers who help migrants exploit the immigration system.

The taskforce has been up and carrying out preliminary work over the past few months, working with partners to tackle immigration abuse in the legal sector by improving how intelligence and information is shared by regulators. Today marks its official launch.

Law enforcement are also working to bring fresh prosecutions against corrupt immigration lawyers who could face up to life in prison for assisting illegal migrants to remain in the country by deception.

Today the Home Secretary is chairing a roundtable meeting with the Lord Chancellor, Solicitors Regulation Authority and the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner to reiterate the government’s drive to bring prosecutions against crooked immigration lawyers.

The taskforce has also developed a new training package for frontline staff who work in the immigration system to help them identify and report suspect activity so they can support law enforcement to prosecute crooked immigration lawyers.

Working with industry bodies, the taskforce will disrupt the business models of firms that are enabling abuse of the immigration system. Their work is aimed at supporting enforcement action against corrupt lawyers by building stronger evidence and improving intelligence sharing, which is then passed on to industry bodies to investigate and bring to law enforcement for prosecution if necessary.

Referrals to law enforcement have also been made where criminal activity is suspected. For example, the taskforce has uncovered a case in which an immigration firm is linked to one of the most wanted human traffickers, which has now been referred to the police.

Last week, the Solicitors Regulation Authority – a legal industry watchdog – suspended 3 legal firms who were caught offering to submit fake asylum claims for migrants.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman said:

Crooked immigration lawyers must be rooted out and brought to justice. While the majority of lawyers act with integrity – we know that some are lying to help illegal migrants game the system. It is not right or fair on those who play by the rules.

The British people want us to put an end to illegal migration – I am determined to crack down on these immoral lawyers and Stop the Boats.

Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice Alex Chalk KC said:

The accuracy and honesty of legal advice underpins the integrity of our world-leading legal system, so those who undermine it by encouraging deception must be held to account.

This government is committed to stopping the boats – that means breaking the business model of criminal gangs and holding to account unscrupulous lawyers who aid and abet them by abusing the legal system.

Lawyers found to be coaching migrants on how to remain in the country by fraudulent means could be prosecuted under the Immigration Act 1971, Section 25, for ‘Assisting unlawful immigration to the UK’ and face a sentence of up to life imprisonment.

Tackling the minority of lawyers who exploit the immigration system is a focus across government. Last week, the independent Legal Services Board announced it was consulting on increasing the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s fining powers and exploring other ways to enhance regulators’ powers to ensure rogue legal professionals are punished.

The Professional Enablers Taskforce is currently focusing on abuse in the legal sector, however there are plans to expand to other ‘professional enablers’ – such as doctors, accountants and employers – who use their expertise to facilitate illegal migration.

August 8, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Joint statement on States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court [August 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 7 August 2023.

The United Kingdom, Costa Rica, Italy and Japan have issued a joint statement following the criminal procedure by the Russian Federation authorities against Prosecutor Karim A. A. Khan and Judges of the Court: Sergio Gerardo Ugalde Godínez, Rosario Salvatore Aitala, and Tomoko Akane.

We, the Permanent Representatives of Costa Rica, Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom, as States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, collectively express our deep concern over the criminal procedure by the Russian Federation authorities against Prosecutor Karim A. A. Khan and Judges of the Court: Sergio Gerardo Ugalde Godínez, Rosario Salvatore Aitala, and Tomoko Akane.

The Court represents the commitment of its States Parties to ensure accountability for the most serious crimes of concern to the international community as a whole. It is regrettable that Russia continues its attempt to undermine the mandate of the Court, and we reiterate our unwavering commitment to stand firmly by the Court, its officials and personnel, as well as those cooperating with it, together with other States Parties.

We once again reaffirm our full confidence in the Court as an independent and impartial court of law, and renew our resolve to defend the principles and values enshrined in the Rome Statute, preserving the Court’s integrity undeterred by any threats.

August 8, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Paul Sweeney appointed as Interim Chair of The National Lottery Community Fund [August 2023]

The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 7 August 2023.

The Secretary of State has appointed Paul Sweeney as the Interim Chair of The National Lottery Community Fund. This interim appointment has been made while the process for a substantive Chair is completed.

Paul Sweeney

Appointed for a 12 month period from 1st August 2023 or until a substantive Chair is appointed, whichever is sooner.

Paul has a wealth of experience working in the voluntary, community and public sectors in Northern Ireland. From 1987 to 1994 he was the Director of the Northern Ireland Voluntary Trust, which supported community-based self-help initiatives.

He joined the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) in 1994, initially on secondment, as an adviser on community development and reconciliation. Throughout his subsequent career in the NICS he held a number of senior positions including Deputy Secretary in the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister, Permanent Secretary in the Department for Culture, Arts and Leisure and Permanent Secretary in the Department of Education.

Since retiring from the NICS in 2017 Paul has undertaken trustee roles in a number of not-for-profit organisations involved in regeneration, culture and young people. On 1 June 2021, Paul was appointed Chair of The National Lottery Community Fund’s Northern Ireland Funding Committee.

Remuneration and Governance Code

The Chair of the National Lottery Community Fund is remunerated at £40,000 per annum. The interim appointment of Paul Sweeney was made by the Secretary of State as an exceptional appointment without competition, following consultation with the Commissioner for Public Appointments, in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments.

The Governance Code requires that any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years is declared; this is defined as holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation or candidature for election. Paul Sweeney has not declared any significant political activity.

August 8, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Secretary of State hails ‘incredible’ work of K9 Search and Rescue Team [August 2023]

The press release issued by the Northern Ireland Office on 7 August 2023.

The Secretary of State met the K9 Search and Rescue dogs and their handlers at the Northern Ireland Office’s headquarters in Belfast.

Secretary of State, Chris Heaton Harris MP, has praised the efforts of the K9 Search and Rescue dogs and their handlers following a meeting at the Northern Ireland Office’s headquarters in Belfast.

Mr Heaton-Harris personally thanked the team for the work they do to highlight the issue of missing people in Northern Ireland and further afield, and heard more about the services they provide to those in need.

The Secretary of State hailed the “incredible” and “vital” actions of the dogs and their handlers.

August 8, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo [August 2023]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 7 August 2023.

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo has burst onto Edinburgh Castle’s famous esplanade this weekend, for another August full of music and spectacle.

The world-famous military show, which started on Friday, this year features the Royal Air Force as the lead military service, with two RAF bands, the King’s Colour Squadron and a large contingent of RAF personnel in support of the show – front and back of house, and a series of flypasts on eight nights of the show’s three-week run, which ends on 26 August.

As always, the spectacular backdrop of the ancient garrison of Edinburgh Castle allows the cast members to perform at their very best in front of the 8,800 audience members who will see the show live every evening this year.

The perennial favourites at the Tattoo, which is a complement to the military bands in the show, are the Massed Pipes and Drums, which this year is made up from The Pipes and Drums of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, the 1st Battalion The Irish Guards, The Royal Air Force Pipes and Drums and those of The Combined Scottish Universities’ officer Training Corps, along with some civilian Pipes and Drums from Australia.

The military bands of the Royal Marines (Scotland) will join the RAF bands this year.

As well as the UK contingents, there is a good showing of acts from around the world including the Band of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force, The Swiss Armed Forces Central band, His Majesty the King’s Guard Band and Drill Team from Norway and the United States Air Force Band.

The Tattoo also provides a backdrop for essential military engagement with other militaries and governments. This year will also see a wide range of NATO and other allied military guests who will have the honour of taking the salute from each of the acts, as they finish their performances. Guests this year include military personnel from Germany, Japan and the USA.

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is the oldest and most famous military show in the world and has been an annual fixture at the ancient castle since 1950, when it was originally designed to be the Armed Forces in Scotland’s contribution to the Edinburgh International Festival. It has since become a “festival” in its own right, with a live audience of 230,000 and a global television audience of over 1 billion viewers in 40 countries, including China, the USA, Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

August 8, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Taxi driver’s attacker, Georgia Nicholson, jailed after court intervenes [August 2023]

The press release issued by the Attorney General’s Office on 7 August 2023.

A woman who permanently blinded a taxi driver in one eye after a frenzied attack with her high heels has been jailed for three years.

Georgia Nicholson (23) from Coleshill, West Midlands, has had her suspended sentence quashed by the Court of Appeal after the Solicitor General referred the original conviction as being unduly lenient.

The court heard that on 15 December 2018, the victim was driving Nicholson and a group of her friends home following a night out.

The group had been drinking heavily and when the victim stopped the car as a passenger felt sick, he was subjected to racial abuse before being violently attacked.

Nicholson, who was 18 at the time, repeatedly tried to hit the victim with her high heels before rupturing his eyeball – leaving him permanently blind in his right eye. Members of the public had to intervene to stop Nicholson’s assault.

The Solicitor General Michael Tomlinson KC MP said:

The victim has suffered life altering injuries and lost his livelihood following the offender’s frenzied and unprovoked attack against someone who was just doing his job.

The court has rightfully recognised the offender’s brutality in this case and by upgrading the original suspended sentence to jail time should serve as a warning to others that violence like this will not be tolerated.

On 30 May 2023 Nicholson was sentenced to 24 months’ custody, suspended for 2 years, with 10 days of rehabilitation activity after she was charged with Causing Grievous Bodily Harm with Intent.

On 4 August 2023, the Court of Appeal increased Nicholson’s sentence to 3 years’ imprisonment after it was referred under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.

August 8, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Art from Wales and the Midlands to be showcased around the world [August 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 7 August 2023.

Works of art by contemporary artists from Wales and across the Midlands are to be displayed in embassies and government buildings around the world.
- Government Art Collection acquires more than 30 new pieces of art
- Artists include Jason Wilsher-Mills, Marlene Smith and Iwan Lewis
- Part of Art X-UK programme to collect works by exciting British artists for display in more than 125 countries
Works of art by contemporary artists from Wales and across the Midlands are to be displayed in embassies and government buildings around the world.

More than 30 new pieces have been acquired by the Government Art Collection (GAC) this year as the first instalment of a five-year drive to ensure it reflects creative talent from across the entirety of the UK.

The new works showcase the diversity of talent in Wales and the Midlands, including the work of Jason Wilsher-Mills from Sleaford, Lincolnshire.

Wilsher-Mills uses digital technologies such as iPads and Wacom tablets to allow him to produce large-scale detailed paintings, despite the physical challenges he faces living with chronic polyneuropathy.

He is well-known for leading community projects and has worked collaboratively with thousands of children and adults around the country to produce his work.

GAC has acquired two photographic pieces from Birmingham’s Marlene Smith and is discussing the acquisition of work from Keith Piper. Both are founder members of the Blk Art Group in Wolverhampton in 1979.

It has also collected prints by Farwa Moledina, who is based in Birmingham, which explore Muslim identities by creating rich patterns that often take the form of large, cloth-based installations.

One of the Welsh artists to be showcased is Iwan Lewis whose paintings draw on his experience of moving back to Ynys Môn, the island of Anglesey, North Wales, after living in London for 10 years. His work explores the history and mythology of these ancient landscapes as well as the impact of tourists to the region.

Arts and Heritage Minister Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay said:

We benefit from an incredible breadth of artistic talent in this country, and I’m delighted that more works from Wales and the Midlands are being added to the Government Art Collection as part of our drive to include the work of talented artists from every part of the UK.

Being in the Government Art Collection means these works can be admired and enjoyed by a global audience — sharing the artistic brilliance of the UK with people all over the world.

Welsh Secretary David TC Davies said:

It’s great to see the work of Welsh artists showcased around the world in the Government Art Collection. We have a rich heritage of Welsh artists stretching back to the wonderful landscapes painted by Richard Wilson in the 18th century, to the art of Augustus and Gwen John, and into the 20th century with celebrated artists such as Kyffin Williams.

And that tradition is being continued with our vibrant contemporary art scene in Wales. Congratulations to Manon Awst, Nigel Hurlstone and Iwan Lewis whose work will now be seen by a new diverse global audience.

Last year, GAC, which is part of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), launched a five-year acquisitions programme to procure works from exciting talent and showcase the best of British creativity – promoting further interest in the country’s globally renowned creative sector.

The Art X-UK project initially ran as a successful pilot scheme in 2020–21 when more than 90 pieces by 45 contemporary visual artists were acquired for the Collection.

These works are now on display in government buildings around the country and internationally in British embassies and residences including Paris, Ankara, The Holy See in Rome, and 10 Downing Street.

Later this year GAC will work with the Contemporary Visual Arts Network in the North East of England and the Scottish Contemporary Art Network to identify more talented artists from these regions to be featured in the Collection.

Paula Orrell, CVAN England, National Director said:

CVAN is delighted to be working with the Government Art Collection over the next five years. Art X-UK is a significant opportunity to support the profile of artists across England. Our networks are especially concerned with putting forward artists that perhaps curators may have yet to encounter.

Marlene Smith, artist said:

It means a great deal to me to have these works, which celebrate my Windrush-era parents, enter such an important collection for the nation.

Farwa Moledina, artist said:

I’m really delighted to be part of such a respected and recognised collection, and to represent Britain’s Muslim population through my work.

Notes to editors

In 2022–23, GAC worked in partnership with the Contemporary Visual Arts Network (CVAN) in East and West Midlands, and Visual Arts Group Wales (VAGW). Each network convened a panel of artists and curators who proposed a shortlist of artists from the region or nation for the GAC team to research. Artists whose work was acquired are:

West Midlands:
- Abdulrazaq Awofeso
- Vanley Burke
- Farwa Moledina
- Marlene Smith
- Keith Piper
Wales:
- Manon Awst
- Nigel Hurlstone
- Iwan Lewis
East Midlands:
- Jason Wilsher-Mills
- Miranda Smart
X-UK acquisitions programme 2022–27:
- 2022/23 – Wales, East Midlands and West Midlands
- 2023/24 – Scotland, North East
- 2024/25 – Northern Ireland, North West
- 2025/26 – Wales, Yorkshire, East
- 2026/27 – Scotland, South East, South West
August 8, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Tripling of fines for those supporting illegal migrants [August 2023]

The press release issued by the Home Office on 7 August 2023.

Fines are to be more than tripled for employers and landlords who allow illegal migrants to work for them or rent their properties.

Fines are to be more than tripled for employers and landlords who allow illegal migrants to work for them or rent their properties, in the biggest shake up of civil penalties since 2014, the Home Secretary announced today (Monday 7 August).

The civil penalty for employers, which was last increased in 2014, will be raised to up to £45,000 per illegal worker for a first breach from £15,000, and up to £60,000 for repeat breaches from £20,000.

For landlords the fines will increase from £80 per lodger and £1,000 per occupier for a first breach to up to £5,000 per lodger and £10,000 per occupier. Repeat breaches will be up to £10,000 per lodger and £20,000 per occupier, up from £500 and £3,000 respectively. The higher penalties will come in at the start of 2024.

Later this year the Home Office will consult on options to strengthen action against licensed businesses who are employing illegal workers.

Since the start of 2018, almost 5,000 civil penalties have been issued to employers with a total value of £88.4m. Meanwhile, landlords have been hit with over 320 civil penalties worth a total of £215,500 in the same period.

Minister for Immigration Robert Jenrick said:

Making it harder for illegal migrants to work and operate in the UK is vital to deterring dangerous, unnecessary small boat crossings. Unscrupulous landlords and employers who allow illegal working and renting enable the business model of the evil people smugglers to continue.

There is no excuse for not conducting the appropriate checks and those in breach will now face significantly tougher penalties.

Illegal working and renting are significant pull factors for migrants crossing the Channel, where people smugglers will often use the promise of jobs and housing to lure people into making these journeys. Increasing fines will deter employers and landlords from engaging in these illegal and dangerous practices, further deterring people from attempting to come to the UK illegally.

It also undercuts honest employers, puts vulnerable people at risk of exploitation, cheats legitimate job seekers out of employment and defrauds the public purse as the businesses and workers do not pay taxes.

Employers and landlords should already be checking the eligibility of anyone they employ or let a property to. There are a number of ways to do this, which are not changing, including via a manual check of original documentation and a Home Office online checking system. The online check takes only 5 minutes.

Today’s announcement follows the government’s crackdown on illegal working and renting after it launched a taskforce and re-introduced data sharing with the financial sector to stop illegal migrants from accessing bank accounts earlier this year.

The cross-government ministerial Taskforce on Immigration Enforcement ensures every available power across government is utilised to support law enforcement activity to identify and reduce illegal migrants in the UK, and ensures only those eligible can work, receive benefits or access public services.

Immigration enforcement activity has been stepped up with visits including those targeting illegal working, now at their highest levels since 2019, up 50% on last year. We have already arrested more people in 2023 than during the whole of 2022 as a result of this activity.

August 8, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : New Permanent Secretary appointed to Northern Ireland Office [August 2023]

The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 7 August 2023.

Julie Harrison confirmed as the new Permanent Secretary to the Northern Ireland Office.

The Cabinet Secretary, with the approval of the Prime Minister, has announced the appointment of Julie Harrison as the new Permanent Secretary to the Northern Ireland Office (NIO). Julie Harrison replaces Madeleine Alessandri who left the post in July to become the new Chair of the Joint Intelligence Committee and Head of the Joint Intelligence Unit.

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Rt Hon Chris Heaton-Harris MP, said:

I am delighted Julie has been appointed as the new Permanent Secretary to the Northern Ireland Office. She is an outstanding civil servant, has a passion for the place and will bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the post.

The NIO has some of the most dedicated and hard working civil servants I know, all of whom are committed to making a positive difference and to delivering for all the people of Northern Ireland.

Julie will play a central role in supporting them and in guiding the department to realise its vision for Northern Ireland: to make it a better place to live, to work and to invest. I look forward to welcoming Julie to the NIO and to working together.

The Cabinet Secretary, Simon Case, said:

I would like to congratulate Julie on her appointment. Julie brings a wealth of experience from her time in the Northern Ireland Civil Service and I look forward to working with Julie in her new role as Permanent Secretary at the Northern Ireland Office.

I would also like to thank Madeleine Alessandri for her excellent leadership of the department over the last three years and Dominic Wilson for steering the department over recent weeks.

Commenting on her appointment, Julie Harrison said:

I am looking forward to working with the Secretary of State, the team in the NIO and a wide range of community, business and political voices to create solutions that enable Northern Ireland and the people who live here to prosper”.

Ms Harrison is expected to take up her new post in September.

August 8, 2023