Tag: Press Release

PRESS RELEASE : New visa requirement for Namibian nationals visiting the UK [July 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 21 July 2023.

The UK Government announced on 19 July 2023 that, with immediate effect, all Namibian nationals will need a visa before travelling to the UK, including to visit.

The decision to impose a visa regime has been made because of the sustained and significant increase since 2016, in the number of UK asylum applications from Namibian nationals at the UK border. This constitutes an abuse of the provision to visit the UK for a limited period as non-visa nationals.

The changes, which come into effect immediately, will apply to all Namibian nationals travelling to the UK. However, there will be a four-week transition period until 15:00 BST on 16 August 2023. During this period, Namibian nationals holding confirmed tickets booked before 19 July 2023 will still be permitted to travel to the UK as a non-visa national.

British High Commissioner to Namibia, Charles Moore, said:

I fully understand that the imposition of a visa regime will be of concern to the many Namibian nationals, who we warmly welcome to visit the United Kingdom as genuine visitors. Unfortunately, the significant increase in asylum claims from Namibian nationals on arrival at the UK border has made it necessary for us to implement these new measures.

We have regularly discussed the increase in asylum applications with the Government of the Republic of Namibia, and continue to work jointly on returning those Namibian nationals who are ultimately determined to be ineligible for asylum in the United Kingdom.

The announced changes bring Namibia into line with many other visa national countries, including many Commonwealth partners, with whom the UK has warm and friendly relations. Visas provide access to the UK while helping to secure the UK border by preventing abuse of the non-visa provision.

The UK Government has increased capacity at the Visa Application Centre in Windhoek to accommodate the processing of visitor visa applications in Namibia. Visa applications are submitted and paid for online at www.gov.uk/apply-to-come-to-the-uk, after which applicants book an appointment to provide their biometrics and hand over their passport.

The UK Government aims to process applications within 15 UK working days of receipt of the passport and biometrics. Applicants can apply up to 3 months in advance of travel.

The cost of a six-month multiple entry visa for the UK can be found at: Visa fees – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Longer validity visas are also available.

Namibian nationals who booked travel to the UK before 15:00 BST on 19 July 2023 will still be eligible to travel to the UK without a visa until 15:00 BST on 16 August 2023. Any passengers arriving after 15:00 BST on 16 August 2023 will require a visa to enter the UK, regardless of when their travel was booked. Anyone booking their flight after 15:00 BST on 19 July 2023 will also need a visa, regardless of when they will arrive in the UK.

Namibian visitors already in the UK will not be affected by these changes but, once they leave the UK, they will need a visitor visa in order to make any future visit. Namibian nationals are already required to obtain a visa for other (non-visit) purposes, such as to work or study. Applicants for student or other visas will continue to be able to apply for these visas in Namibia, as they have done previously.

July 26, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Funding plan revealed for free childcare from nine months-old [July 2023]

The press release issued by the Department for Education on 21 July 2023.

Largest ever expansion of free childcare in England backed by fair funding for all age groups.

Nurseries and childminders are a step closer today to rolling out the government’s largest ever expansion of free childcare, as a fair funding formula is set out for the extension of free childcare to cover all ages from nine months to the start of school.

The new formula reflects extensive data gathering on the costs early years providers face in offering places for different age groups and how those costs vary across the country. It builds on the existing formula for three- and four-year-olds, where eligible working parents already receive 30 hours of free childcare a week and all parents receive 15 hours.

The proposed formula, now out for consultation, provides additional funding for areas of deprivation, helping to support families by making sure all children get the best start in life no matter where they live.

It also extends eligibility for additional disability funding and for the early years pupil premium down to nine months old, so providers will be able to access these funding streams for every eligible child receiving free government childcare hours.

The historic increase in funding announced by the Chancellor at Spring Budget has allowed the expected average rate paid to local authorities for 2024/25 to be set at £8.17 for two-year-olds and £11.06 for under twos. This makes the government rate for under twos almost double the average hourly fee of £5.68 charged to parents.

It comes as radically expanded free childcare offers are being rolled out. On top of the existing offers, from April 2024, eligible working parents will get 15 free hours for two-year-olds, from September 2024, 15 free hours will be available from nine months, and from September 2025, 30 free hours will be available from nine months until the start of school.

The offers will help more parents to increase their hours or return to work, as part of wider government support to families to help with rising prices.

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

The Education Secretary, Gillian Keegan, just announced increases to the amount we pay nurseries and childminders to offer free hours to two-year-olds. Today we’re giving providers further confidence that the largest ever expansion of free hours over the coming months and years will be properly and fairly funded.

Working parents can start getting ready for a helping hand with costs from the end of maternity leave right up until the end of primary school, with average savings of £6,500 a year if they use the full 30 free hours for their children.

The increased rates will help childcare providers invest in training and development opportunities for their staff, building on the up to £180 million package of learning and qualifications the government is providing to the sector to support the development of the youngest and most disadvantaged children.

As part of the consultation, illustrative local authority hourly funding rates for 2-year-olds and under twos have been set out so that local authorities and childcare providers can see what the proposals will mean for them.

Final 2024-25 hourly funding rates for local authorities for all age groups will be confirmed in the autumn.

July 26, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK statement on violence at Swedish Embassy in Baghdad [July 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 20 July 2023.

The Foreign Office has issued a statement on violence at the Swedish Embassy in Baghdad.

A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said:

The UK strongly condemns the attacks on the Swedish Embassy in Baghdad. Violence against diplomatic missions is unacceptable in any circumstances.

Governments have a responsibility to protect diplomatic missions under the Vienna Convention and it is unacceptable that the Iraqi Security Forces did not act to prevent last night’s breach of an Embassy.

We welcome the Iraqi Government’s intention to prosecute those responsible.

July 26, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Landmark Social Housing Act receives Royal Assent to become law [July 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 20 July 2023.

New law will strengthen powers to tackle failing social landlords and tenants living in unsafe homes will be better supported by the Regulator.

Lifechanging reforms to social housing become law as the government’s new Social Housing (Regulation) Act receives Royal Assent today (20 July 2023).

This means driving forward significant change in holding poor landlords to account, placing the needs of tenants at the heart of government reforms to improve the quality of life for those living in social housing across the country.

Today’s landmark law brings forward the following ground-breaking changes:
- strengthening the Regulator of Social Housing to carry out regular inspections of the largest social housing providers and the power to issue unlimited fines to rogue social landlords
- additional Housing Ombudsman powers to publish best practice guidance to landlords following investigations into tenant complaints
- powers to set strict time limits for social landlords to address hazards such as damp and mould
- new qualification requirements for social housing managers
- introducing stronger economic powers to follow inappropriate money transactions outside of the sector
New enforcement powers will be made available to tackle failing social housing landlords who are not pulling their weight in taking swift action to address damp, cold and unsafe homes.

Following the tragic death of Awaab Ishak last year, the government also committed to introducing Awaab’s Law where all landlords must fix reported health and safety hazards within a strict timeframe.

The Act is the latest step in addressing systemic issues identified following the Grenfell Tower tragedy, not just on the safety and quality of social housing, but about how tenants are treated by their landlords.

Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Rt. Hon Michael Gove MP said:

Today is an important step towards righting the wrongs of the past. Our landmark laws will drive up standards of social housing and give residents a proper voice.

The Social Housing Act will help to ensure that tenants get the safe, warm and decent homes they deserve – and those who have seriously neglected their responsibilities for far too long will face the consequences.

Awaab’s Law will force social landlords to take immediate action on dangerous damp and mould as we introduce new strict time limits to fix their homes.

I am incredibly grateful to Awaab’s family who have displayed such courage, dignity and leadership in pushing for change and securing these vital reforms.

Alongside powers to issue unlimited fines, a stronger Regulator will have greater authority to flush out rogue social landlords, with the capability to enter properties with only 48 hours’ notice and make emergency repairs where there is a serious risk to tenants.

The Act also makes changes to what activities the Regulator can charge landlords fees for, ensuring it has the resources it needs to do its job.

We expect future changes to fee-charging will see all social housing providers – both private registered providers and local authority landlords – paying for regulation costs. This will include new consumer standards as well as other costs such as investigating when things go wrong.

The Regulator will shortly publish their consultation on new consumer standards to help protect tenants and the regime is expected to go live in April next year.

Fiona MacGregor, Chief Executive of the Regulator of Social Housing, said:

We welcome the introduction of the Social Housing Regulation Act, which will empower tenants and give us stronger powers to hold social landlords to account.

Our next step is to consult on the new consumer standards that landlords will need to meet, and we encourage tenants, landlords and others in the sector to have their say when we launch the consultation next week.

We’re gearing up to start our new programme of regulatory inspections from next April, and landlords will need to demonstrate how they’re providing good quality homes and services for tenants as well as meeting our governance and viability standards.

Gavin Smart, Chief Executive Officer of the Chartered Institute of Housing said:

We’re delighted to see that the Social Housing (Regulation) Act has now been passed and congratulate all involved in its development.

The Act will provide an important foundation for giving tenants’ a greater voice, improving access to redress and increasing the focus on professionalism in the sector.

Kate Henderson, Chief Executive of the National Housing Federation, said:

We welcome the Social Housing Regulation Act and have worked closely with the government to support this legislation from the outset. It is essential that we strengthen powers to tenants and improve access to swift and fair redress. Housing associations are committed to taking the Act forward and demonstrating transparency and accountability to their residents.

Alongside stronger regulation, housing associations are committed to working with the government to address the severe shortage of social housing and helping to deliver a long-term plan, focused on delivering the homes the country needs over the next decade.
July 26, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Government clamps down on unfair bank account closures [July 2023]
The press release issued by HM Treasury on 20 July 2023.

New rules give consumers greater confidence to challenge decisions.
- New requirements on banks will protect freedom of expression
- New rules will give consumers greater confidence to challenge account closures
- Changes available because of Brexit and recent government legislation
Banks will be forced to explain and delay any decision to close an account under new rules, protecting freedom of expression.

The government has stepped in to address fears that banks are terminating accounts because they disagree with someone’s political beliefs.

The changes will increase the notice period to 90 days – giving customers more time to challenge a decision through the Financial Ombudsman Service, or find a replacement bank.

Banks will also be required to spell out why they are terminating a bank account – boosting transparency for customers and aiding their efforts to overturn decisions.

The changes announced today (20 July) can only be made due to new powers in the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023, which give Britain control of its financial rulebook following Brexit.

Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Andrew Griffith, said:

“Freedom of speech is a cornerstone of our democracy, and it must be respected by all institutions.

“Banks occupy a privileged place in society, and it is right that we fairly balance the rights of banks to act in their commercial interest, with the right for everyone to express themselves freely.

“These changes will boost the rights of customers – providing real transparency, time to appeal and making it a much fairer playing field.”

The proposed changes follow a call for evidence launched in January, following PayPal’s temporary suspension of several accounts last year. It found that changes were needed to ensure the right balance is being struck between protecting customers, and providers’ rights to manage commercial risk.

They require secondary legislation, which will be delivered through the powers granted in the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023, as part of the government’s programme in building a Smarter Regulatory Framework for UK financial services.

This runs alongside separate plans to clarify in legislation the requirements for Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs), and a review into whether these are being applied proportionately by financial institutions. These steps were commissioned by Parliament last month as part of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023; and the FCA will set out how they intend to conduct the review by the end of September.
July 26, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK economy to receive £1 billion boost through innovative trade digitalisation act [July 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 20 July 2023.

Electronic Trade Documents Act receives Royal Assent, making trade more straightforward, efficient and sustainable.
Electronic trade documents to be granted same legal status as physical trade documents, making trade more efficient, cleaner and cheaper for firms

UK economy set to see over £1 billion boost over the next decade, with UK businesses enjoying huge cost savings

Act is a cornerstone to not only revolutionising how the UK trades, but to digitalising trade across the world

A new law allowing shipping containers to be traded using digital documents, not paper ones, has been created after the Electronic Trade Documents Act received Royal Assent today (Thursday 20 September).

The simple yet impactful change is estimated to add over £1 billion to the British economy over the next decade by making trade more straightforward, efficient and sustainable.

Paul Scully, Minister for Tech and the Digital Economy said:

The global container shipping industry generates billions of paper documents a year – and in reality there’s no need for the immense costs UK businesses have to face in producing them, and the detrimental environmental impact that this has.

What may look to many of us as a small change to the law is something that will have a massive impact on the way UK firms trade, and in turn, is going to boost our economy by over £1 billion over the next decade.

Existing laws dating back to the 1800s previously meant that exporters and importers have to use paper documents to transfer ownership of the goods they are shipping – creating a costly, inefficient and outdated way of working.

The government estimates that the new law could generate a net benefit of £1.14 billion for the British economy over the next decade for UK businesses trading across the world, supporting the Prime Minister’s priority of growing the economy.

UK Minister for International Trade, Nigel Huddleston, said:

This new act will make it easier for businesses to trade efficiently with each other, cutting costs and growing the UK economy by billions over time.

It’s exciting to see the power of technology being harnessed to benefit all industries, reduce paper waste and modernise our trading laws.

UK businesses, both big and small, have been calling for paperless trades for decades, especially as the development of electronic document technologies has become increasingly feasible for the industry.

With less chance of sensitive paper documents being lost, and stronger safeguards through the use of technology, digitalising trade documents is also set to give businesses that trade internationally greater security and peace of mind.

Secretary General ICC, United Kingdom Chris Southworth said:

The Electronic Trade Documents Act is a game changing piece of law not just for the UK but also for world trade. The Act will enable companies to finally remove all the paper and inefficiency that exists in trade today and ensure that future trade is far cheaper, faster, simpler and more sustainable. This presents a once in a generation opportunity to transform the trading system and help us drive much needed economic growth.

Lord Holmes of Richmond said:

It has been an honour to sit on the Special Public Bill Committee for this ground-breaking, potentially, game-changing, Act.

This is a small change in the law with the potential to make a colossal impact, unleashing innovation and investment in digital trade solutions and delivering significant economic and environmental benefits. Currently it can take days to transfer documents of title – with digital trade documents that will melt into minutes.

With English law being the very foundation of international trade, this Act puts the UK ahead and in the lead of not only other G7 countries, but almost all other countries in the world. The UK is widely seen as a leader in digital trade and is setting out an approach which the rest of the world will seek to follow. The International Chamber of Commerce estimates 80% of trade documents around the world are based off English law, and this Bill serves as the cornerstone to truly digitalising international trade.
July 26, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Swifter sanctions on unpaid child maintenance [July 2023]

The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 20 July 2023.

Parents who fail to pay child maintenance will face tougher sanctions faster after new laws were passed today (20/07/23) to speed up stronger enforcement action.

Thanks to a Private Members’ Bill sponsored by Siobhan Baillie MP and Baroness Redfern becoming law, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will be able to impose tougher sanctions on non-paying parents – such as forcing the sale of property and taking away passports and driving licences – through a quick and simple administrative process.

The Child Support (Enforcement) Act will see families paid faster as it gives DWP the power to use a liability order to reclaim unpaid child maintenance instead of applying to court and waiting up to 20 weeks.

This time and money-saving change will allow the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) to act swiftly, paying families faster and preventing further arrears.

DWP Minister Viscount Younger of Leckie said:

This is another step in our work to strengthen our powers and improve how the Child Maintenance Service supports children of separated parents.

We want parents to collaborate where at all possible, but if the financial responsibilities to children are not being met, the CMS will help those in need.

This new law will help speed up the enforcement process to get money flowing which ultimately will be for the benefit of children.

Before escalating to this tougher enforcement action, the CMS has other options including collecting earnings direct from parents’ employers or different bank accounts.

The CMS helps more than 900,000 children get the financial support they are entitled to and between March 2022-2023 collected or arranged a record £1.2 billion on their behalf. Child maintenance payments help to keep 160,000 children out of poverty each year.

The Private Members’ Bill received cross-party support, with both Houses recognising its importance in helping children have the best start in life.

July 26, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Inaugural UK-US strategic sanctions dialogue: British Ambassador’s statement [July 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 20 July 2023.

Written statement by British Ambassador to the USA Karen Pierce on the inaugural UK-US strategic sanctions dialogue, which took place on 19 July.

The United Kingdom and United States have reaffirmed that sanctions are a key tool of foreign policy, following the inaugural UK-U.S. Strategic Sanctions Dialogue hosted by the United States Department of State in Washington DC on 19 July.

Building on the unique economic and security partnership between our 2 nations, the Dialogue delivered on the 2023 Atlantic Declaration commitment to strengthen our cooperation on sanctions strategy, design, targeting, implementation, mitigations, and enforcement, bringing together UK and US departments and agencies to discuss priorities across geographic and thematic sanctions regimes. It also built on the OFSI-OFAC Enhanced Partnership, with renewed focus from both sides to explore opportunities to align the way we implement sanctions.

The delegations discussed the use of targeted sanctions to deter and disrupt malign activity and to demonstrate our readiness to take action to defend international norms.

In response to Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, together with our allies and partners we have imposed unprecedented costs on the Kremlin. The UK has sanctioned over 1,600 individuals and entities since the start of the invasion, including banks with global assets worth £1 trillion ($1.3 trillion) and over £20 billion ($25.9 billion) worth of UK-Russia trade. Sanctions and export controls are starving Russia’s military of key Western components and technology, restricting Putin’s ability to fight a 21st century war.

Beyond efforts against Russia, the UK and US continue to build on our significant cooperation both in the United Nations and bilaterally to coordinate our autonomous regimes. This includes action to tackle human rights violations and abuses, counter terrorism, target cyber-criminal networks, and to address concerning situations in countries such as Sudan, Myanmar and Iran. UK and US teams also focused on collaboration to protect humanitarian activity from unintended impacts of sanctions, building on our significant cooperation on the landmark UN Security Council Resolution 2664 and on follow up across autonomous sanctions regimes. The talks also looked beyond bilateral dimensions and focused on efforts with partners to show collective leadership on the targeted, legitimate, and effective use of sanctions to tackle threats to international peace and security.

July 26, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : £28 million funding will help keep places of worship safe [July 2023]

The press release issued by the Home Office on 21 July 2023.

The funding will help protect faith communities from the threat of hate crime and terror attacks.

Places of worship will receive £28 million in funding to help keep them and their attendees safe, the Security Minister announced today (21 June 2023).

The funding is available this year through two schemes, with applications now open.

The funding is part of the government’s commitment to ensure that faith communities in England and Wales are protected from the threat of hate crime and terror attacks, and can practise their faith freely and without fear.

The money is for physical protective security, such as CCTV, intruder alarms and secure fencing to help protect mosques, churches, temples, gurdwaras and other places of worship. Mosques will also be able to access a new security guarding scheme later in the year.

Security Minister, Tom Tugendhat said:

Freedom of religious belief and the freedom to worship are fundamental.

We will defend against any form of hatred targeting our communities, and are committed to protecting all faiths.

I encourage any place of worship that feels they would need assistance to apply under the schemes.

To apply for funding, applicants should submit evidence of their vulnerability and experience of hate crime. The application window is open for 8 weeks, and we will notify successful sites from November 2023.

In 2021/22, two in five (42%) religious hate crimes recorded by the police in England and Wales were targeted against Muslims. This year, up to £24.5 million will again be available to protect mosques and Muslim faith schools.

This protection will be through a new scheme called the ‘Protective Security for Mosques Scheme’ and a scheme for Muslim Faith schools launched directly to teachers of eligible schools earlier in the year. An additional £3.5 million funding will also be available for all other (non-Muslim and non-Jewish) faiths through the ‘Places of Worship Protective Security Funding Scheme’.

The Jewish community continues to receive funding for Jewish schools, synagogues and other community sites through a separate scheme called the Jewish Community Protective Security Grant, which was increased by £1 million earlier this year.

July 26, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : 58th round of Geneva International Discussions: UK statement to the OSCE [July 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 20 July 2023.

Ambassador Holland voices strong UK support for the Geneva International Discussions (GID) as well as for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Thank you, Chair. The United Kingdom continues to strongly support the Geneva International Discussions (GID) and the work of the GID Co-Chairs in the 58th round of discussions against a highly challenging geopolitical environment. As the only international forum that brings together all sides from the conflict, the GID plays a vital role in trying to achieve a lasting resolution.

The UK reaffirms full support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. We call on the Russian Federation to reverse its recognition of the so-called independence of Georgia’s Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions. We applaud Georgia’s commitment not to use force in resolving the conflict and condemn any suggestion that it might do so.

We welcome discussions on the humanitarian situation on the ground, non-use of force and international security arrangement which are central elements of the GID. We hope that during the 59th round of discussions further progress can be made.

We regret that important issues including internally displaced persons and refugees were not discussed due to a walkout by the Russian, Abkhaz and South Ossetia delegations. Progress on the Geneva process must include movement on these key issues. However, we welcome the continuation of dialogue on challenging topics at this significant stage.

We also call upon the Russian Federation to immediately fulfil its obligation under the ceasefire agreement to withdraw its forces to pre-conflict positions, fulfil its commitments to allow unfettered access for the delivery of humanitarian assistance and cease all borderization tactics.

July 26, 2023