Tag: Press Release

PRESS RELEASE : Greater use of location data can unlock innovation in the property sector [August 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 1 August 2023.

New Geospatial Commission report identifies opportunities to unlock greater value across the property ecosystem through location data, technologies and services.
- New report identifies significant opportunity for the property industry to embrace emerging technologies and digital tools enabled by location data
- Report can be a catalyst for enabling change, supporting greater growth of the PropTech sector and promoting further innovation in the public sector
- There is a technological revolution underway in the property industry, with data enabled opportunities to change further and faster.
The Geospatial Commission has identified opportunities where improved data and use of location services and applications can unlock innovation across the property ecosystem in a new report published today (1 August).

The UK property sector is undergoing a technological revolution, rapidly adopting new data-driven digital tools. Location data, services and applications are central to this revolution and essential for a well-functioning property sector, from town planning and site identification to property management and retrofitting.

The UK property sector contributes an estimated £100 billion to the UK economy each year. Applying a spatial lens is crucial to achieve the sector’s economic, social and environmental ambitions, boosting productivity and innovation, improving our residential areas and achieving net zero commitments.

Alexandra Notay, Independent Commissioner, Geospatial Commission said:

The property ecosystem provides the infrastructure of where we live, work and play. However, many of our interactions with the industry from planning to buying, renting and maintenance, remain stubbornly analogue.

We can all see the transformative potential and multitude of opportunities for the property industry to embrace emerging technologies and digital tools empowered by location data; yet a truly systematic approach to innovation and technology across our diverse and siloed asset classes and property types has yet to emerge. This report can be a catalyst for enabling that change.

The report highlights some key initiatives already underway across the property sector and identifies further opportunities where location data, services and applications can drive innovation across the property life cycle, including:
- Further digitisation of the property buying and selling process and ensuring data interoperability underpins the end-to-end process
- Growing deployment of green technologies, like solar panels, heat pumps, insulation and energy efficiency solutions, into our homes by supporting better understanding of where they could have the greatest impact
- Improving productivity in the industry through greater re-use of location data collected and created during design and construction to reduce costs, and support better targeting and design of retrofitting interventions
The report sets out four cross-cutting themes to support the better use of location data, service and applications, including property as a complex interconnected system and the importance of a strategic approach to data access. These themes arise from an understanding of the role of location data and services across different stages of the property lifecycle from land use and planning, design and construction, buying and selling, safety and operations to the broader themes of retrofit and regeneration.

Dan Hughes, Alpha Property Insight and Real Estate Data Foundation said:

The property sector is at the heart of a thriving economy, our impact on the planet and a healthy society, and the effective use of data is becoming increasingly important in ensuring that it operates effectively. The world is changing rapidly and so the depth and breadth of data used by property is growing equally fast and at the heart of this is high quality and trusted location data.

For many years, the UK has had one of the strongest property market data infrastructures which has been a key element in the UK being recognised as one of the leading global property markets. As the world evolves, it is important that the approach to data does too and so this report, and the actions identified, are very welcome to enable the property sector to meet the needs of society, the planet and the UK economy.

Lynne Nicholson, Head of Data, HM Land Registry said:

HM Land Registry was pleased to work with the Geospatial Commission on this report which outlines the immense potential value of geospatial data for the UK economy. As one of the governmental bodies which holds significant geospatial data, HM Land Registry is committed to unlocking its value and supporting its re-use by making it more FAIR, in alignment with the UK Geospatial Strategy 2030. By sponsoring the award-winning Geovation Accelerator Programme, we are supporting the next generation of innovative Proptech start-ups using location data to revolutionise the property sector.

The report is the first deliverable from the UK Geospatial Strategy 2030 that was published in June. It supports two of the Strategy’s missions: embracing enabling technologies to accelerate geospatial innovation, and driving greater use of geospatial applications and insights across the economy.
August 1, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : HMS TAMAR crew refurbish Ballalae War Memorial [August 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 1 August 2023.

The Crew of HMS TAMAR refurbished and rededicated a memorial to the 517 British WWII prisoners of war at Ballalae.

When visiting Solomon Islands, the Crew of HMS TAMAR refurbished and rededicated a memorial to the 517 British WWII prisoners of war at Ballalae, Shortland Islands, 80 years after they were executed by Japanese Imperial Forces.

In November 1942, 517 soldiers of the Royal Artillery, prisoners of war captured in the fall of Singapore earlier that year, were transported to the Island of Ballalae, in Shortland Islands, to construct an airfield the Japanese dubbed an ‘unsinkable aircraft carrier’.

Over the ensuing months of unrelenting forced labour in the brutal tropical climate, many had died from exhaustion and tropical disease, and hundreds more as a result of allied bombings with their captors forbidding them to build trenches to shelter themselves.

In 1943, as the Allied forces liberated the South Pacific islands, the Japanese Commanders on Ballalae believed that they would be taken next and executed the remaining 57 prisoners.

When US forces took the Northern Solomon Islands they bypassed Ballalae and left it to ‘wither on the vine’ and it wasn’t until 1945 that the first Allied forces landed and discovered the remains of the last 57 in shallow trenches.

An atrocities commission was carried out on the island that led to the discovery of a mass grave from which 436 bodies were exhumed with artefacts identifying them as British artillerymen. They were subsequently re-interred in separate graves at the Bomana War Cemetery near Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, their headstones marked with the solemn inscription, ‘Here lies a Soldier, known only to God’.

In 2003, relatives of 3 of the POWs undertook a pilgrimage to Ballalae and dedicated a memorial at the air strip in the form of a cairn with a wooden cross and a plaque donated by the Royal Artillery Association. As it is not a registered Commonwealth war grave it does not receive any regular maintenance and by 2007 the memorial had fallen into disrepair.

An ex-British serviceman, Mr Phil Jones, then working in the Solomon Islands as part of an Australian government mission, kindly re-built the memorial with an iron cross on top of a concrete plinth built over the top of the remains of the old cairn and this is what stands today.

In 2023, 80 years on from the atrocities of 1943, the British High Commissioner to the Solomon Islands, His Excellency Thomas Coward took the opportunity during a visit to the Islands by Royal Navy Vessel, HMS TAMAR to maintain the monument.

After wading ashore across the coral beach of Ballalae, the High Commissioner and HMS TAMAR’s Captain, Commanding Officer Teilo Elliot-Smith were warmly welcomed to the island by the local people from Shortlands.

The crew then got to work removing the rust and grime of 16 years to return the memorial to its former glory before a service of re-dedication was held to remember the soldiers who had died on the island.

The re-dedication service was officiated by HMS TAMAR’s Chaplain, Reverend Mick Uffindell, and attended by the Ship’s crew and representatives of the local community.

During the ceremony, traditional remembrance Red poppy wreaths were laid by the British High Commissioner, His Excellency Thomas Coward, and HMS TAMAR’s Executive Officer, Lieutenant Commander Matt Millyard, alongside hand-made floral bouquets from the Solomon Islanders.

Reflecting on the day, the Chaplain said:

It was an incredible privilege to be able to pay tribute to these servicemen and their families today and in addition to restoring the memorial we placed 517 white stones, one for each individual who lost their life on Ballalae Island.

HMS TAMAR’s Commanding Officer, Commander Teilo Elliot-Smith said:

It has been an honour for the Ship to pay our respects to these British Servicemen. Ballalae is simultaneously the site of a horrific chapter of WWII, in the most inhospitable of places, and now a peaceful and idyllic island. Our sailors were eager to pay their respects and did so beautifully.

His Excellency Thomas Coward said:

It was an honour that we could gather to commemorate and pay our respects to the brave soldiers of the Royal Artillery who died on Ballalae. I want to thank the Government and People of Solomon Islands who supported us to conduct this important act of remembrance. I want to thank the government of Western Province, and the people of Shortland Islands for your warm help and for allowing this memorial to their sacrifice to stand as a reminder of the importance of peace.

August 1, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : New Taskforce to build UK nuclear skills [July 2023]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 1 August 2023.

A new Nuclear Skills Taskforce will ensure the UK’s defence and civil nuclear sectors have the right people with the right skills to seize growth opportunities.
- New Nuclear Skills Taskforce to turbo charge skills activity in nuclear sector.
- Sir Simon Bollom appointed as Taskforce’s Chair.
- Bringing together government, employers and academia to meet nuclear skills growth opportunities.
The nuclear industry underpins hundreds of thousands of jobs across the UK, both directly and through the extended supply chain, and is growing rapidly. Nuclear has a wide variety of roles ranging from technical scientific and engineering roles through to logistics, project management, commercial and finance – with a range of apprentice and graduate opportunities.

The UK’s nuclear capability plays a significant role in the security, prosperity and resilience of our nation. Putting our nuclear workforce at the heart of this upskilling work will help deliver on the Prime Minister’s priority to grow the economy and support UK jobs.

Chaired by Sir Simon Bollom – former Chief Executive Officer of Defence Equipment and Support – the Taskforce will address how the UK continues to build nuclear skills across its defence and civil workforce.

The UK’s Nuclear sectors are in positive periods of growth and the workforce will expand further given the AUKUS nuclear submarine partnership and the government’s drive around energy security.

Minster for Defence Procurement, James Cartlidge said:

By developing nuclear skills, we are not just investing in the UK economy but our national security.

The creation of this new Taskforce will challenge the whole of the UK’s nuclear sector to be ambitious in addressing the nuclear skills gap, and we are delighted to appoint Sir Simon Bollom to drive this work forward.

Building on the work already undertaken with industry and across government by the Ministry of Defence and Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, the Taskforce will develop a skills strategy to support the significant growth expected across a range of roles in the defence and civil nuclear sectors in the coming years.

Against a backdrop of increasing international competition for such roles, the Taskforce will set up the UK’s nuclear sector for future success, supporting industry to build a long-term and sustainable pipeline of skills to meet our nuclear ambition.

Minister for Nuclear, Andrew Bowie said:

The UK’s nuclear revival, with the launch of Great British Nuclear, will put us centre-stage in the global race to unleash a new generation of nuclear technology.

The Nuclear Skills Taskforce will support this expansion by securing the skills and workforce we need to deliver this, opening up exciting opportunities and careers to help bolster our energy security.

The launch of Great British Nuclear will boost energy security and create job opportunities across the UK. Recently launched, it forms part of a revival of nuclear power to place the UK at the forefront of a global race to develop cutting-edge nuclear technologies and deliver cleaner, cheaper and more secure energy.

Great British Nuclear will deliver the government’s long-term nuclear programme and support the government’s ambition to deliver up to 24GW of nuclear power in the UK by 2050. Part of this will be delivered through the huge projects taking place at the Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C nuclear power plants.

Having served as an engineer officer in the RAF for 35 years, and most recently as the Chief Executive Officer of the Defence Equipment and Support, Taskforce Chair Sir Simon Bollom has a strong network and credibility with industry given his extensive experience in Defence. He is also currently on the Board of the Submarine Delivery Agency.

Sir Simon Bollom KBE CB FREng, Chair of the Nuclear Skills Taskforce, said:

I am absolutely delighted to have secured this extremely important role. The Nuclear Sector is vital to our nation, and I am proud to have been given the opportunity to lead such an important Taskforce to ensure that we have the people, and skills we need to deliver our Programmes.

The UK’s nuclear industry is crucial for Britain’s military capabilities. Our Vanguard and Astute submarines, and from the early 2030s the new Dreadnought Class, use nuclear technology, keeping the nation safe every minute of every day.

The creation of the UK’s next generation nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS partnership will see the creation of thousands of UK jobs, and all the nuclear reactors for the UK and Australian SSN-AUKUS submarines will be made in Derby.

Sir Simon Bollom will be joined on the Taskforce by representatives from the Ministry of Defence, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Department for Education, academia and professional bodies as well as industry partners.
August 1, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : New free legal advice for people facing eviction or repossession [August 2023]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 1 August 2023.

A new government-backed scheme providing free legal advice to help 38,000 people a year at risk of losing their home launches today (1 August).
new, free service to help around 38,000 people a year begins today

backed by extra £10 million funding for housing legal aid a year

aims to resolve issues early to help people keep their homes

People facing eviction or repossession in England and Wales will be able to receive expert legal advice free of charge, helping them to keep their homes and avoid lengthy, costly court proceedings.

The advice will be available from the moment a written notice is received by a tenant or homeowner, which could be in the form of an email from a landlord or letter from a mortgage provider. They will also be able to have legal representation in court, regardless of their financial circumstances.

Legal support for housing, debt and welfare benefit matters will help with the wider issues individuals at risk of losing their home may face. It is part of an extra £10 million a year being pumped into housing legal aid by the government.

This wrap-around care is expected to help tens of thousands of families a year to keep their homes, improve their finances and gain access to support to improve their health and life prospects.

A dedicated webpage has launched today for anyone looking to access the free advice.

Justice Minister Lord Bellamy said:

Having access to the right legal advice at the earliest point possible is crucial for those who face losing their home, to ensure they have the support and help they need.

We are creating this new service so that fewer people lose their home and can get help with their finances and resolve issues before they escalate.

While many issues can be resolved with the help of free legal advice, government-funded legal representation will also be offered on the day of hearings for cases that do reach the courts.

The Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service supports wider government work to reduce homelessness and improve the private rented sector for responsible renters and good faith landlords through the Renters’ (Reform) Bill.

Changes under the Bill, which is going through Parliament, will abolish the use of “no-fault” evictions, empowering renters to challenge poor landlords without fear of losing their home.

Minister for Housing and Homelessness, Felicity Buchan, said:

I want to ensure we are giving households all the help and support they need to stay in their homes.

That is why we are spending £1 billion through the Homelessness Prevention Grant which can be used to work with landlords to prevent evictions. At the same time our Renters (Reform) Bill will give tenants more security in their homes by abolishing Section-21 ‘no fault’ evictions.

This new service allows us to go even further and ensure tenants are getting the right legal help and support – all part of our wider work to prevent homelessness before it occurs.

Funding legal support in the early stages of a housing dispute, also helps to reduce the volume of cases going through the courts, freeing up crucial judicial capacity as well as time and money for those involved.

Rhys Moore, Executive Director of Public Impact at the National Housing Federation, said:

It’s positive to see the government providing legal support for people facing eviction or repossession which is particularly important in light of the ongoing cost of living crisis.

Access to advice and support as early as possible is crucial to helping people navigate the legal system at a time of immense stress and difficulty. Alongside this, we welcome the government’s commitment to end no fault evictions and improve security for people living in private rented homes.

Further information on the Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service can be found on GOV.UK.
August 1, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK supports food security in Nigeria [August 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 1 August 2023.

The Foreign Secretary will pledge support to Nigeria’s agriculture sector during a visit to the country.

Foreign Secretary pledges support to make Nigeria’s agriculture sector more resilient to climate change on a visit to Nigeria
Funding will help more than four million people develop better farming practices and reduce harmful carbon emissions
James Cleverly’s trip to Nigeria comes on a three-country visit to Africa where he is prioritising future-focussed, mutually-beneficial partnerships
The Foreign Secretary will announce a new package of support to make Nigeria’s agriculture sector more climate resilient, as he arrives in the country today, continuing his four-day African visit.

More than two thirds of Nigeria’s population depend on agriculture for employment. This new funding will help boost the Nigerian agricultural sector’s productivity and resilience to the impacts of climate change, transforming Nigerian critical agriculture and food systems for the benefit of people, climate and nature. UK support will help to develop heat and flood tolerant crops and increase soil fertility. New support will help grow the UK’s economy by alleviating some of the agricultural trade barriers to UK imports.

It comes on the second leg of the Foreign Secretary’s three-country visit to Africa, where he is prioritising future-focussed, mutually-beneficial relationships.

In Lagos today, he will announce a £10 million UK-backed facility in Nigeria, in partnership with finance company InfraCredit that will unlock funding for sustainable and climate-friendly infrastructure development projects – such as providing renewable energy services to homes in urban areas, as well as green housing.

Tomorrow, in Abuja he will announce a £55 million Propcom+ contract, a UK International Climate Finance programme which aims to support the transformation of Nigeria’s rural economy, and a £2.89 million grant, will support more than four million people across Nigeria to adopt and scale up sustainable agricultural practices. This includes improving the health of animals, making crops more resilient, and introducing cleaner cooking practices. This in turn will help increase productivity, capacity and resilience among small-scale farmers and rural communities across Nigeria while reducing carbon emissions and protecting natural ecosystems.

Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly said:

Nigeria has a booming population and the largest economy in Africa – there is huge potential for an even closer partnership between UK and Nigerian businesses which will be of mutual benefit to both countries.

Together we are focussing on the future, putting in place green, clean measures, both in agriculture and infrastructure development, to create climate-resilient solutions for the global challenges we all face today and will increasingly face in the years to come.

On his first visit to Nigeria, the Foreign Secretary will also visit a UN Humanitarian Air Service centre in Nigeria’s capital Abuja where he will hear how over £38 million of UK funding has helped vulnerable communities in the North-East of Nigeria.

Over four million people are facing food insecurity, and two million children under five are acutely malnourished in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States. This funding is helping to protect people, build their resilience to the ongoing food shortage crisis, and prevent famine.

The Foreign Secretary will also meet Nigerian president Bola Ahmed Tinubu and National Security Advisor Mallam Nuhu Ribadu to discuss the UK-Nigeria partnership and key common priorities, including how to increase bilateral trade and investment, economic development, regional issues, and strengthened security cooperation.

August 1, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK Government announces extension of CE mark recognition for businesses [August 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 1 August 2023.

The Department for Business and Trade has today announced an indefinite extension to the use of CE marking for UK businesses.
Business department announces indefinite CE mark recognition beyond 2024 deadline

As part of the government’s drive for smarter regulation, the extension will cut business costs and time required to place products on the market and benefit consumers

Follows extensive engagement with industry, delivering on a key ask from businesses to ease burdens and boost growth for the UK economy

The Department for Business and Trade has today announced an indefinite extension to the use of CE marking for UK businesses.

This comes as part of a wider package of smarter regulations designed to ease business burdens and help grow the economy by cutting barriers and red tape. Following extensive engagement with industry, British firms will be able to continue the use of CE marking alongside UKCA.

The Business Secretary acted urgently on this issue, to prevent a cliff-edge moment in December 2024 when UKCA was set for entry. This intervention will ensure businesses no longer face uncertainty over the regulations and can cut back on unnecessary costs freeing them up to focus on innovation and growth.

Business Minister Kevin Hollinrake said:

The Government is tackling red tape, cutting burdens for business, and creating certainty for firms – we have listened to industry, and we are taking action to deliver.

By extending CE marking use across the UK, firms can focus their time and money on creating jobs and growing the economy.

Tina McKenzie, Policy Chair of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) said:

It’s welcome to see the continued recognition of CE marked products. This will allow time for small firms to adjust to the UKCA marking system and focus on growing their business both at home and overseas.

Stephen Phipson, CEO of Make UK, the manufacturers’ organisation said:

This is a pragmatic and common sense decision that manufacturers will very much welcome and support. This announcement will help safeguard the competitiveness of manufacturers and aid the UK as a destination for investment.

It should bring more confidence about doing business in the UK and recognises the need to work with the reality of doing business. Make UK has worked extensively with UK Government pushing hard for this decision and we are pleased the ongoing engagement has delivered this positive outcome.

The extension will provide businesses with flexibility and choice to use either the UKCA or CE approach to sell products in Great Britain.
August 1, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Tax cut for 38,000 British pubs [August 2023]
The press release issued by HM Treasury on 1 August 2023.

Over 38,000 UK pubs and bars have seen a tax cut on the pints they pull from today (1 August 2023) as the government’s historic alcohol duty changes take effect.
tax paid on pints and other drinks on tap in over 38,000 UK pubs is now up to 11p cheaper than their supermarket equivalents

the new Brexit Pubs Guarantee will keep it this way for good

alcohol duty now simplified so drinks are taxed by strength, lowering duty on supermarket shelves for many UK favourites including bottles of pale ale, pre-mixed gin and tonic, and prosecco

The duty paid on drinks on tap in pubs will be up to 11p lower than at the supermarket. The changes are designed to help pubs compete on a level playing field with supermarkets, so they can continue to thrive at the heart of communities across the UK. The Brexit Pubs Guarantee announced in the Chancellor’s Spring Budget secures the pledge that pubs will always pay less alcohol duty than supermarkets going forwards.

It comes as other landmark changes to the alcohol duty system also come into effect today, which see drinks taxed by strength for the first time and a new relief – named Small Producer Relief – to help small businesses and start-ups create new drinks, innovate and grow.

Today’s changes have automatically lowered the duty in shops and supermarkets on many of the UK’s favourites including certain bottles of pale ale, pre-mixed gin and tonic, hard seltzer, Irish cream, coffee liquor and English sparkling wine, amongst others.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:

“I want to support the drinks and hospitality industries that are helping to grow the economy, and the consumers who enjoy the end result.

“Not only will today’s changes mean that that the price of your pint in the pub is protected, but it will also benefit thousands of businesses across the country.

“We have taken advantage of Brexit to simplify the duty system, to reduce the price of a pint, and to back British pubs.”

Jeremy Hunt, Chancellor of the Exchequer, said:

“British pubs are the beating heart of our communities and as they face rising costs, we’re doing all we can to help them out. Through our Brexit Pubs Guarantee, we’re protecting the price of a pint.

“The changes we’re making to the way we tax alcohol catapults us into the 21st century, reflecting the popularity of low alcohol drinks and boosting growth in the sector by supporting small producers financially.”

The three alcohol duty changes that have taken effect today are only possible thanks to the UK’s departure from the EU and the guarantees set out in the Windsor Framework. The previous duty system was complex and unfair but now that the UK is free to set excise policy to suit its needs, the government has brought about common-sense reforms in order to support wider UK tax and public health objectives.

Brexit Pubs Guarantee

Over 38,000 UK pubs will benefit from lower alcohol tax on the drinks they pour from tap from today. This is because the government has expanded Draught Relief, which effectively freezes or cuts the alcohol duty on the vast majority of these drinks. This is to protect pubs, who are often undercut by supermarket competitors.

It means that the duty they pay on each drink poured from draught, such as pints of beer and cider, will be up to 11p cheaper than in supermarkets. The government has pledged that the duty pubs and bars pay on these drinks will always be less than retailers, known as the Brexit Pubs Guarantee.

This tax reduction is part of a wider shake up of the alcohol duty system which also comes into effect from today – the biggest in 140 years.

A simpler, more modern alcohol duty system

The alcohol duty reforms were announced at the Autumn Budget in 2021. The reforms pledged to modernise and simplify a duty system that had not been changed in 140 years, only possible as the UK has left the EU.

The key changes are:

all products taxed in line with alcohol by volume (ABV) strength, rather than different duty structures for different drinks

fewer main duty rates, from 15 to 6, to make it easier for businesses to grow and operate

there will be lower taxes on lower alcohol products – those below 3.5% alcohol by volume (ABV) in strength – a huge growth area in the drinks industry

all drinks above 8.5% ABV will pay the same rate regardless of product type

This will mean that many UK favourites will see duty reductions. Irish cream will drop by 3p, cans of 5% ABV ready-to-drink spirit mixers by 6p, Prosecco by 61p and 500ml 3.4% pale ale by 20p a bottle.

New tax relief to encourage small producers to make new drinks

The UK alcoholic drinks market reached just under £50 billion in 2022, up 6% year on year and is expected to continue to grow – sales are forecast to reach £60.9 billion in 2026. The UK government is laser-focused on continuing this burgeoning success.

The government is introducing Small Producer Relief effective from today, which replaces and extends the previous Small Brewers Relief scheme.

This allows small businesses who produce alcoholic products with an ABV of less than 8.5% to be eligible for reduced rates of alcohol duty on qualifying products. The new tax relief scheme promotes innovation in the drinks sector, giving small producers the financial freedom to experiment with new types of drink and grow their business. It also supports the modern drinking trend of lower alcohol beverages.

Barry Watts, Head of Policy and Public Affairs, Society of Independent Brewers

“These are the most significant changes to the alcohol duty system for generations which will have far reaching implications for what we order in the pub and what appears on the shop shelves. It is the culmination of five years of consultation on the future of Small Breweries’ Relief – a scheme that has made the huge growth of craft breweries possible over the past twenty years. These changes will finally address the “cliff edge” which was a barrier to small breweries growing and build on the scheme’s success by applying it to other alcoholic products below 8.5%.

“A key part of the new system is the draught duty relief is a gamechanger for the sector and allows for the first time a different duty to be paid for what is sold to our pubs. This will hopefully over time encourage more people to support their pub which is at the heart of our local communities.”

James Hayward, Director and Head Brewer at Iron Pier Brewery, Gravesend

“As a small brewery with a focus on cask ale, we welcome the new draught duty relief, alongside the revision of the small producers relief, which has in the past proved a restriction to growth over 5,000hl per annum. The idea that beer sold in pubs can now pay a lower rate of duty than supermarkets is a good one and will hopefully lead to further changes to protect the pub and its role in society. The previous Small Brewers Relief was successful in creating a diverse brewing industry in the UK, and to see that extended to other producers will hopefully have a positive effect on other beverage producers as well.”

Further information

Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury Gareth Davies visited Iron Pier brewery in Gravesend today, who are benefitting from the Brexit Pubs Guarantee and Small Producer Relief. Minister Davies went on a tour of the brewery, meeting staff and poured a pint. See photos from the visit.

In line with the government’s fiscal responsibilities to maintain economic stability and manage public finances responsibly, today’s landmark duty reforms and Brexit Pubs Guarantee come as the previous alcohol duty freeze also ends. Duty had been most recently frozen for all producers since 1 February 2023 for six months to provide certainty against a high inflation backdrop, worth £880 million to industry. This followed the previous £2.7 billion duty freeze announced at the Autumn Budget 2021. With the modernised and simplified alcohol duty system and Brexit Pubs Guarantee now in effect, alcohol duty will index – as standard for UK duties – by 10.1% from today.

A selection of examples of expected price drops from 1 August, subject to VAT being passed through wherever alcohol is purchased, include:

4% ABV pint of draught beer will be 0 pence higher. 4.5% ABV pint of draught apple cider will be 1 pence lower, or paying 2% less duty compared to now.

3.4% ABV 500ml bottle of beer will be 20 pence lower in a shop and 25 pence lower in a supermarket, or paying 51% less duty in a shop and 56% less duty in a pub.

4% ABV pint of draught fruit cider will be 10 pence lower, or paying 17% less duty compared to now.

5.4% ABV 250ml can of spirits-based ‘Ready To Drink’ will be 6 pence lower in the supermarket (and 16 pence lower if sold on draught), or paying 14% less duty compared to now.

5% 330ml can of spirits-based ‘Ready to Drink’ will be 8 pence lower, or paying 14% less duty compared to now.

9.5% ABV 75cl white wine will be 24 pence lower, or paying 9% less duty compared to now.

11% ABV 75cl sparkling wine will be 61 pence lower, or paying 18% less duty compared to now.

8.4% ABV 75cl sparkling cider will be 72 pence lower, or paying 28% less duty compared to now.

21% ABV 70cl spirits liqueur will be 4 pence lower, or paying 1% less duty compared to now

From today 1 August 2023, the new alcohol duty system will be based on the common-sense principle of taxing alcohol according to its strength, with the aim of modernising the existing set of duties. There will be:

A reduction in the number of bands from 15 to 6.

The equalisation of beer and wine rates above 8.5% ABV.

The end of the premium rates on sparkling wine.

New duty rates for lower strength drinks below 3.5% ABV to support product innovation.

A new relief for draught products to support pubs and other on-trade venues.

Extension to the existing Small Brewers Relief to include a wider range of products as a new renamed Small Producer Relief, to support a wider range of small businesses that produce lower ABV products.

Removal of various historical and incoherent anomalies of the system, such as increasing duty on high strength ‘white’ ciders.

Simplification and digitisation of HMRC administrative processes.

The UK alcoholic drinks market reached just under £50 billion in 2022, up 6% year on year and is expected to continue to grow – sales are forecast to reach £60.9 billion in 2026. Read the UK Alcoholic Drinks Market Report 2022.

For the application of these measures to Northern Ireland, the Windsor Framework Command Paper sets out how the deal “directly amends the scope of the old Protocol text” to provide “a new basis for VAT and excise arrangements, including – but not restricted to – Northern Ireland’s ability to benefit from UK-wide changes on alcohol duty”.
August 1, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK supports Malawi’s 2025 tripartite elections [July 2023]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 31 July 2023.

Commits funding through UNDP’s Elections Basket Fund that will support Malawi Government’s preparedness for a free, fair and credible election in 2025.
The UK has contributed £2m (about MWK 2.5 billion) towards the Malawi Electoral Support Project to support the Malawi Electoral Commission to deliver the 2025 elections in accordance with the high standards set by legislative reforms following the previous elections.

Speaking during the signing ceremony for the Contribution Arrangement with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Lilongwe, British High Commissioner to Malawi Fiona Ritchie said the contribution was an important step in the UK’s long-standing partnership with Malawi on strengthening democratic accountability.

Free and fair elections are the cornerstone of any democracy and are vital in ensuring governments deliver effective services to their citizens, that respond to their needs. We are proud to have provided technical and financial support to the administration of previous elections in Malawi. This support has built on the country’s own strong commitment to free and fair elections – evidenced in the strong financial commitment the Government of Malawi has made towards the delivery of elections and resourcing of oversight bodies, as well as parliament’s role in passing landmark electoral reforms after the 2020 polls,” said Ritchie.

The UK envoy encouraged the Government of Malawi to continue taking all necessary measures to ensure election preparedness, including addressing the large backlog in National ID cards.

The UK is proud to have been at the forefront of supporting the Government of Malawi to develop and roll out the National ID card system. We saw the significant benefits this delivered during the administration of the 2019/2020 elections. We welcome the recent announcement that the expiry date for the national ID cards will be suspended until 1st January 2026, in line with the commitment made by President Chakwera in his State of the Nation Address, and look forward to continued government commitment to printing ID cards for new eligible voters”, Ritchie added.

UNDP Resident Representative Shigeki Komatsubara said:

We highly esteem the FCDO for their unwavering dedication to fostering accountable representative democracy. Their resolute support will play a pivotal role in advancing informed public engagement and inclusivity for marginalized groups such as women, youth, and People Living with Disabilities.

This project will empower us to collaborate with CSOs having a national presence, enabling them to deliver essential civic and voter education. Our collective efforts will ignite increased public participation and ensure responsible oversight of elections by the Malawi Electoral Commission. Together, we are working towards a more vibrant and equitable democratic process.”

The MESP project has three components namely:

improving capacity of the Malawi Electoral Commission, Malawi Police Service, and civil society to engage in the electoral process

support to inclusion of women, youths and Persons living With Disabilities (PWDs) in the electoral process and

reduced tensions and disputes regarding the electoral process through the strengthening of existing mechanisms contributing to conflict prevention and mitigation.

Elections Basket Fund is a pool of resources from UK and other Development Partners such as USAID, the European Union, the Royal Norwegian Embassy and the Republic of Ireland.
August 1, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK sanctions key figures involved in deplorable sentencing of dual British national Vladimir Kara-Murza after appeal is rejected [July 2023]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 31 July 2023.

New sanctions target six figures involved in the trial of Vladimir Kara-Murza, who is facing 25 years in a penal colony after the rejection of his appeal.
- UK government sanctions six figures involved in the trial of Vladimir Kara-Murza, who is facing 25 years in a penal colony after the rejection of his appeal
- 3 judges, two prosecutors and an ‘expert witness’ have been sanctioned for their part in his politically motivated targeting
- Mr Kara-Murza, a dual British national, is being persecuted by the Russian regime for his anti-war stance
The UK government has today (31 July 2023) sanctioned six individuals for their involvement in the politically motivated conviction of Vladimir Kara-Murza.

It comes as the Foreign Secretary calls for the immediate release of Mr Kara-Murza, who is facing 25 years in prison after his appeal against trumped up charges was rejected in Moscow today.

Mr Kara-Murza is an opposition politician, journalist, and human rights activist in Russia. He has received wide recognition for his work, including the Vaclav Havel Human Rights Prize. The charges against the dual British-Russian national included treason and spreading ‘knowingly false information’ about the Russian armed forces. In reality, he bravely spoke the truth about Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.

Those sanctioned today include two Moscow City Court Judges who convicted and sentenced Mr Kara-Murza, the lead prosecutor in the trial, and an ‘expert witness’ who provided false justification for Mr Kara-Murza’s detention following ‘analysis’ of his speech.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said:

The rejection of Vladimir Kara-Murza’s appeal following his sentencing on bogus charges highlights the depravity of the Russian regime, and their complete disregard for human rights and freedom of expression.

Today we’ve sanctioned six people connected with his case, sending a clear message that the UK will not stand for this treatment of one of its citizens.

We will continue to support Mr Kara-Murza and his family, who have worked tirelessly to try and secure his release. I call on Russia to release him immediately and unconditionally.

The following individuals have been sanctioned today and will be subject to travel bans and asset freezes:
- Vitaly Alexsandrovich Belitsky and Ekaterina Mikhailovna Dorokhina: both Moscow City Court Judges who convicted and sentenced Mr Kara-Murza on charges of treason, membership of an undesirable group and ‘fake news’
- Natalia Nikolaevna Dudar: a Basmanny District Court Judge who further extended Mr Kara-Murza’s pre-trial detention
- Boris Georgievich Loktionov: the lead prosecutor in the trial who described Mr Kara-Murza as “an enemy of the state” and pressed for the maximum sentence
- Danila Yurievich Mikheev: an expert witness for the Russian government who claimed Kara-Murza’s statements on the Russian Armed Forces amounted to knowingly spreading false information – which served as part of the basis on which judge Elena Lenskaya ordered Mr Kara-Murza be held
- Anna Evgenievna Potychko: Prosecutor who supported the denial of Kara-Murza’s appeal against his pre-trial detention
Today’s sanctions follow punitive measures the UK has already taken against those involved in Mr Kara-Murza’s case. In April 2023 the UK Government sanctioned five individuals – a judge, 2 investigators involved in Mr Kara-Murza’s trial and 2 FSB agents involved in his poisoning and arrest.

The UK will continue to ratchet up economic pressure on Russia until it ends its brutal invasion of Ukraine, including by implementing further sanctions and leaning in to tackle Russia’s attempts to circumvent the measures in place.

Background:

In January 2023, the Minister for Europe met Mr Kara-Murza’s wife to discuss his case and treatment. British Embassy officials have attended Mr Kara-Murza’s court hearings in Moscow throughout the year. FCDO officials have consistently raised Mr Kara-Murza’s case with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Russian Embassy and will continue to do so.

In 2020 the UK sanctioned Sergei Podoprigorov, the judge that went on to preside over Mr Kara-Murza’s trial, and Dmitry Komnov, the head of the detention centre where Mr Kara-Murza was held, under our Global Human Rights Regime for involvement in human rights violations against Sergei Magnitsky. Additionally, last year the government sanctioned Oleg Mikhailovich Sviridenko, the Russian Deputy Minister of Justice, who oversees the prosecution of criminal cases including that of Mr Kara-Murza.

In April 2023, following Mr Kara-Murza’s sentencing, the UK sanctioned Elena Lenskaya – a judge who approved Vladimir Kara-Murza’s arrest, along with Denis Kolesnikov and Andrei Zadachin – investigators involved in the arrest of Mr Kara-Murza.

FSB agents Alexander Samofal and Konstantin Kudryavtsev were also sanctioned. The pair were members of the operational team which followed Mr Kara-Murza on multiple trips before he was poisoned both in 2015, three months after close friend and fellow opposition politician Boris Nemtsov was assassinated, and 2017.

With international partners, the UK has invoked the OSCE’s Moscow Mechanism which evidenced Russia’s efforts to wage a campaign of repression against its own people. We are also taking forward the report’s recommendations, and have helped secure a United Nations Human Rights Council Special Rapporteur. They will be charged with undertaking country visits, acting on individual cases of reported violations and concerns of a broader nature, and raising public awareness and providing advice for technical cooperation.

View the full UK Sanctions List and more information about UK sanctions relating to Russia.

Asset freeze

An asset freeze prevents any UK citizen, or any business in the UK, from dealing with any funds or economic resources which are owned, held or controlled by the designated person. UK financial sanctions apply to all persons within the territory and territorial sea of the UK and to all UK persons, wherever they are in the world. It also prevents funds or economic resources being provided to or for the benefit of the designated person.

Travel ban

A travel ban means that the designated person must be refused leave to enter or to remain in the United Kingdom, providing the individual is an excluded person under section 8B of the Immigration Act 1971.
August 1, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Russia is inflicting terror on the Ukrainian people, and suffering on its own population and millions across the world – UK statement at the Security Council [July 2023]

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

Statement by UK Political Coordinator Fergus Eckersley at the UN Security Council meeting on threats to international peace and security.

Colleagues, over a hundred years ago, Sigmund Freud came up with the psychological concept called projection. It involves denying negative characteristics and behaviours of your own self and falsely attributing them to others.

It is often done deliberately, as part of a strategy of blame-shifting, or it can be indicative of various types of dysfunction.

Colleagues, Russia’s claim that it is Ukrainian aggression that is in any way responsible for the ongoing war in Ukraine is absurd. It is a projection of the behaviour of the Russian state itself.

There is only one aggressor in this war. We have all seen hundreds of thousands of Russian troops invading that sovereign country, illegally and unprovoked. We all know that the right to self-defence in those circumstances is enshrined in the UN Charter.

Russia has carried out relentless attacks on civilian infrastructure, including homes, schools, hospitals, and, as we saw last week, places of worship. Russian forces are responsible for horrific atrocities on the ground.

It is Russia that has been condemned by the Secretary-General for committing grave violations against children.

It is Russia that made the unilateral decision to end the Black Sea Grain Initiative, despite widespread calls from the international community, including the Pope and the leaders of the African Union, for Russia to renew the deal.

And it is Russia that is sending thousands of its own young men to their deaths. Estimates suggest that more than 200,000 Russian soldiers have been killed or injured in Ukraine.

Russia is inflicting terror on the Ukrainian people, and in parallel, it is inflicting suffering on its own population, and millions across the world.

In the face of this, Ukraine has had no choice but to exercise its UN Charter right to defend itself. It is fighting a war of national survival, and defending the right of all nations to live without fear of aggression.

The only path to a sustainable peace in Ukraine is for President Putin to end his illegal invasion, withdraw his troops and thereby demonstrate that he is prepared to engage on terms for peace that respect the UN Charter.

Russia started this war, and Russia must end it before they cause any more suffering.

August 1, 2023