Tag: Press Release

PRESS RELEASE : New government-funded hotline to end veteran homelessness now live across the UK [June 2023]
The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 4 July 2023.

From today, vulnerable veterans across the country will have access to Op FORTITUDE, a new dedicated referral pathway for homeless veterans, including those sleeping on the streets.
- Op FORTITUDE – the pathway for homeless veterans – launched nationally by Veterans’ Minister Johnny Mercer to end veteran homelessness in 2023
- The hotline is part of £8.55 million fund, which will also bring wraparound support services to support 1,300 veterans across more than 900 housing units
- Guidance also published signposting support to secure social or private housing
From today, vulnerable veterans across the country will have access to Op FORTITUDE, a new dedicated referral pathway for homeless veterans, including those sleeping on the streets.

The first-of-its-kind hotline is part of a two-year £8.55 million programme to fulfil the government’s pledge to end veteran rough sleeping. The Veterans’ Strategy Action Plan 2022-24 sets out the intention to achieve this within the current Parliament, but thanks to new funding this is set to be achieved ahead of schedule.

Run by social housing provider Riverside Group, the £500,000 housing hotline will give homeless veterans a single point of contact to get them the help they need. Op FORTITUDE staff will refer callers to a network of support, including housing providers, charities and local authorities.

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

Everyone deserves a place they can call home, not least those who have served their country. Today’s launch is a huge milestone in ending veteran homelessness and a clear demonstration of this government delivering on its promises.

There is a lot of great work being done across the country to help veterans get the right level of support. Op FORTITUDE is about bringing all of this together, so any veteran has a clear pathway to get local and customised care.

Transitioning from the armed forces remains a challenge for some. The programme has been designed to support 1,300 vulnerable veterans over two years across almost 60 housing complexes, ranging from apartment blocks to shared houses.

Projects by nine housing providers will target difficult problems so that veterans can get back on their feet and thrive in civilian life. Wraparound services include specialist medical care, connections with local communities and the tools they need to get jobs.

All nine projects will be ready to take Op FORTITUDE referrals by September, expanding the pathway’s network of housing providers from 10 to 14. This includes plugging into a network of 650 homes across Scotland with Veteran Homes Scotland, as well as a brand new consortium of housing across the North West of England.

Minister for Housing and Homelessness, Felicity Buchan, said:

Councils have a duty to ensure everyone has a roof over their head, especially veterans who are rightly given priority for accommodation. “We are already giving councils £2bn over three years to end homelessness and this vital new initiative will help us deliver on our mission.

Lee Buss-Blair, Operations Director, Riverside Group said:

Riverside are honoured to be the organisation chosen to deliver the Op FORTITUDE pathway. Its mission, to end veteran homelessness, is one that we are extremely passionate about.

Every veteran, including the most vulnerable, has the potential to make a positive contribution to their communities if given the right support. Ultimately our goal is to ensure that these veterans receive this support and can go on to fulfil their potential.

This is the first initiative designed to end veteran homelessness, and while the task is a big one, we think that the levels of veteran rough sleeping are such that it is one that we believe can be achieved with collaboration across many sectors.

To further support veterans in securing housing, the Office for Veterans’ Affairs has published guidance on gov.uk. This guide sets out the housing options and support available to veterans, service leavers and their families in England, including routes into both veteran-specific and civilian housing.

The guide can also be used by providers of housing and housing support services to determine the most appropriate course of action.

In the 2023 Spring Budget, the Office for Veterans’ Affairs secured £20 million for a Veterans Housing Capital Fund. The money will go towards providing extra housing for veterans through the development of new builds and the refurbishment of social and charitable housing for veterans.

“There are still many things that we do not know, including the level of demand we will be faced with. But Op FORTITUDE is an opportunity for us to develop a clear picture of the level of need which will support us to make sure that the veteran sector is structured to be able to effectively respond.”
July 11, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Tax gap holds steady at 4.8%
The press release issued by HM Treasury on 22 June 2023.

The estimated tax gap for the 2021 to 2022 tax year is at an all-time low of 4.8%.

The amount of unpaid UK tax has remained at an all-time low of 4.8%, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) revealed today (22 June).

The annual Measuring Tax Gaps publication estimates the difference between the total amount of tax expected to be paid and the total amount of tax actually paid, which has remained the same as last year’s revised estimate of 4.8%.

Jonathan Athow, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Strategy and Tax Design, said:

The tax we collect funds the country’s public services and we want to ensure everyone pays the correct amount. These figures show most taxpayers and businesses pay what they should.

This important research enables us to better help those making common mistakes or failing to take sufficient care, as well as tackling the minority deliberately hiding their income.

The report, published annually, show a long-term reduction in the tax gap. Errors, a lack of sufficient care, evasion and criminal attacks all contribute to the tax gap, which has fallen from 7.5% in 2005 to 2006 to 4.8% in 2021 to 2022.

In monetary terms, the most recent figures put the difference at £36 billion for the 2021 to 2022 tax year. This has increased from £31 billion in 2020 to 2021.

The tax gap has remained at 4.8% because estimated tax liabilities rose from £643 billion in 2020 to 2021 to £739 billion in 2021 to 2022.

Further findings for the 2021 to 2022 tax gap publication show:
- at 56% (£20.2 billion), small businesses represent the largest proportion of the tax gap by group, followed by criminals, large businesses and mid-sized businesses at 11% each (£4.1 billion, £3.9 billion and £3.8 billion respectively)
- wealthy individuals account for 5% (£1.7 billion) while all other individuals account for the remaining 6% (£2.1 billion) of the overall tax gap
- Income Tax, National Insurance contributions and Capital Gains Tax makes up 35% (£12.7 billion) of the total tax gap when measured by type of tax
- Corporation Tax (CT) is now estimated as the second largest component of the tax gap by tax type at 30% (£10.6 billion). New data has increased our understanding of the CT tax gap, resulting in revised estimates
- the VAT gap continues a long-term downward trend falling from 14.0% (£11.9 billion) in 2005 to 2006 to 5.4% (£7.6 billion)
- failure to take reasonable care (30%), error (15%), evasion (13%), legal interpretation (12%) criminal attacks (11%) and non-payment (9%) are among the main behavioural reasons for the tax gap
HMRC publishes the tax gap because it believes transparency in its work is important. The report aims to enhance public trust in the tax system and in HMRC’s ability to support taxpayers in meeting their obligations and pay the tax they owe. It also helps inform the future work and priorities of HMRC and highlights the areas where it can make the greatest difference.

HMRC is the only tax authority in the world that measures and publishes an annual tax gap in such a comprehensive way – covering a single tax year for all the taxes, levies and duties it administers.

Every year, HMRC estimate the tax gap using the most up to date information available, however, figures may be revised as more data becomes available.
July 1, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Police urged to use stop and search to save more lives [June 2023]
The press release issued by the Home Office on 20 June 2023.

Police leaders must make sure their officers are confident to use stop and search powers wherever necessary, to seize dangerous weapons and prevent knife crime.
The Home Secretary has written to chief constables of all 43 police forces in England and Wales, to give her full backing to the common sense policing tactic and to urge them to ensure their officers are prepared to use the full powers at their disposal, so they can be more proactive in preventing violence before it occurs.

The Home Secretary also calls on the police to use powers to arrest and investigate instances where someone is unlawfully obstructing a stop and search and for police to publish more body-worn footage quickly. It is hoped that by telling the whole story quickly, innocent police officers will not be subject to trial by social media over their actions.

The drive comes as new data shows more than 100,000 weapons have been removed from Britain’s streets since 2019 through a range of tactics – almost half of which were seized in stop and searches, which have also lead to more than 220,000 arrests. The latest data available shows that serious violence has been driven down by 25% since 2019.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman said:

Carrying weapons is a scourge on our society. And anyone doing so is risking their own lives as well as the lives of those around them. This dangerous culture must be brought to a stop.

My first priority is to keep the public safe and people who insist on carrying a weapon must know that there will be consequences.

The police have my full support to ramp up the use of stop and search, wherever necessary, to prevent violence and save more lives.

Every death from knife crime is a tragedy. That’s why I also back the police in tackling this blight in communities which are disproportionately affected, such as among young black males. We need to do everything in our power to crack down on this violence.

In the year ending March 2022, 99 young people lost their lives to knife crime in England and Wales, and 31 of those victims were black. Black males are, therefore, disproportionately more likely to be killed by violence and knife crime. Though the government recognises black males are more likely to be stopped and searched, our first priority must be on prevention and public safety.

The Home Secretary has also provided an update on safeguards the government is putting in place on stop and search powers to strengthen trust between the police and local communities. After consulting with the policing sector, the government will go further to strengthen 2 of the conditions of the former Best Use of Stop and Search Scheme by putting them into law.

These conditions are:

police should communicate with the local community when a Section 60 order is being put in place in an area, unless this would hinder a sensitive operation

data on every stop and search interaction must continue to be collected for the Home Office to publish for transparency and public scrutiny

As committed to in the government’s Inclusive Britain report, the Home Office is also working with partners to develop a national framework on how the use of police powers – including stop and search – are scrutinised at a local level.

Currently, local panels made up of members of the public, chaired often by an independent party, review randomly selected records and footage of incidents of stop and search and reflect on whether officers have acted appropriately, providing feedback to their local force. The national model will improve consistency and standards across forces, help strengthen local communities’ confidence in their local force and improve the police’s confidence to exercise these powers.

Too many criminals who carry knives and weapons go on to offend time and again. Our new serious violence reduction orders aim to help end that cycle by giving the police powers to automatically search those already convicted of knife and offensive weapon offences. This acts as a deterrent, while also ensuring that those who persist on carrying knives are more likely to be caught. The orders are being piloted in 4 police force areas for 2 years.

The government recognises that the drivers behind serious violence are complex. Tough law enforcement action is only one part of our approach to tackling the root causes of serious violence. The government has also invested £170 million in early intervention, education and prevention schemes since 2019, with our network of Violence Reduction Units supporting more than 215,000 vulnerable young people in the past year alone.
June 26, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Over £200 million to help UK lead the way on greener air travel [June 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 20 June 2023.

Industry Minister Nusrat Ghani has announced more than £200 million in funding for cutting-edge UK aerospace projects at the 2023 Paris Air Show.
- Government announces £218 million of funding for groundbreaking R&D aerospace projects, supporting jobs and growth across the UK.
- Funding will help develop cutting-edge green aviation technology and grow UK’s share of the global aerospace market.
- Industry Minister announces package on first day of Paris Air Show – the world’s largest event for the civil aerospace sector.
Projects to help the UK lead the way on greener air travel and deliver on one of the Prime Minister’s five priorities to grow the economy, are to receive more than £200 million in funding, Industry Minister Nusrat Ghani has confirmed today [20 June].

A total of £218 million combined government and industry funding has been announced to develop new green innovative landing gear, and lower carbon and more efficient aircraft wings, engines and sensors.

The funding, being delivered through the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) Programme, will secure more high-skilled jobs and increase investment in aerospace technology across the UK.

The joint commitment with industry to invest in new aircraft and manufacturing technologies is set to help secure at least £20 billion of further private investment in aerospace in the UK and support over 100,000 jobs. This delivers on the Prime Minister’s commitment to grow the economy, creating better-paid jobs and opportunity right across the country.

Announcing the funding at the Paris Air Show, Minister for Industry and Economic Security Nusrat Ghani said:

We’re growing the economy and supporting high-skilled, high-wage careers across the UK by backing our world-leading sectors like aviation.

We want to achieve net zero air travel by 2050, and I want UK firms to lead the way developing the exciting technologies of the future. Backing our innovators will attract even more investment and create massive export opportunities for British firms.

Backed by the Government, the ATI funds world-class R&D in the UK aerospace sector, and this funding builds on £3.2 billion of ATI support from government and industry for the sector since 2013.

This support has backed over 300 innovative R&D projects and supported thousands of high-wage, green jobs, 90 percent of which are outside of London and the South East.

The cash injection will support ten groundbreaking new projects led by world-renowned companies including Airbus and Rolls-Royce. They will be delivered alongside over 40 UK-based partners, helping to develop greener, lower carbon and more efficient aircraft equipment such as engines, landing gear, wings and sensors.

Airbus UK Chairman and General Counsel John Harrison said:

The strong partnership we have with DBT and the ATI enables Airbus to develop new technologies that will help boost the skills we need to keep aerospace manufacturing in the UK.

Finding scalable solutions can’t be done alone so the ATI programme draws together UK industry leaders, academics and research organisations who are all making strides to bring our aircraft and industrial systems up to the level we need for a decarbonised future.

Alan Newby, Rolls-Royce Director Aerospace Technology and Future Programmes, said:

We greatly value the continued long-term partnership we have with both the Department for Business and Trade and the ATI, accelerating important research that improves our manufacturing processes and the performance of both our current and future products.

These projects will improve both our cost competitiveness and the product performance of our current and future engines, which is vital for meeting industry and Government Net Zero targets. This work will involve collaboration with a broad ecosystem of academic, research centres and SME partners across the UK that creates value across the country and helps us to reach our goals.

While at the Paris Air Show this week, Minister Ghani will be promoting the UK’s world-class aerospace sector – which contributed £10.9 billion to the economy in 2022 – to senior leaders of international companies, helping move towards the £20 billion investment commitment, and connecting UK firms at the show with international partners to boost export opportunities.

She will also encourage greater investment in the UK’s aerospace sector, promoting the ATI Programme – which has a budget of £685 million between 2022-2025 – and the UK sector’s world-class R&D offer on the global stage at the Air Show.

Gary Elliott, CEO of the Aerospace Technology Institute said:

The investment through the ATI Programme that the Minister has announced today will support a range of world-class research projects in technologies to improve the sustainability of aerospace, from new design processes to new materials.

The ATI is proud to join the Minister at the Paris Air Show to showcase the best of UK innovation and technology to a global audience.

Between 2014-2025, government and industry is expected to co-invest £4 billion in the aerospace sector, developing new ultra-efficient and zero emission aircraft technologies.
June 22, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UN HRC53 – UK statement on human rights situation in Afghanistan [June 2023]

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

Enhanced Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on human rights situation in Afghanistan. Delivered by UK’s Ambassador to the WTO & UN, Simon Manley.

Thank you, Mr President.

It has been more than 600 days since schools for girls were shut down across Afghanistan. 600 days. Two years of lost schooling, lost opportunities. To the girls of Afghanistan: I know that many of you are here today or listening online and we stand with you.

Since their takeover in August 2021, the Taliban have continued their campaign of repression and violence against Afghan women and girls. Due to the Taliban’s restrictions on female workers in the humanitarian aid and development sector, they are unable to provide life-saving support to women and girls in their own country. This is taking place at a time when over 28 million Afghans are in need of humanitarian aid, more than half of whom are women and children. These decisions have life-threatening consequences.

So let me repeat our call to the Taliban: Re-open the schools. Let girls learn. Let women work. End the violence and discrimination against women and girls.

Special Rapporteur, Members of the Working Group,

We thank you for your steadfast efforts. How can we better support civil society in Afghanistan, particularly women’s rights organisations?

Thank you.

June 22, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : HPV vaccination programme moves to single dose from September 2023 [June 2023]
The press release issued by the UK Health Security Agency on 19 June 2023.

Teenagers and eligible GBMSM under the age of 25 will only require a single HPV jab from September, following updated advice from JCVI.

The change reflects evidence building up over recent years from a range of studies from around the world that shows that a single dose of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine offers robust protection that is comparable to 2 doses. Based on the evidence, other countries, such as Australia and Scotland, have already made the move to one dose.

The HPV vaccine helps to prevent HPV related cancers from developing in boys and girls. While most types of HPV are harmless, some high-risk types can lead to the development of cancers, including cervical cancer, cancers of the head and neck (mouth and throat) and cancers of the anus and genital areas.

The HPV vaccine has been part of the NHS routine vaccination schedule since 2008 and is one of the most successful in the world, with high uptake and millions of doses given.

From September 2023:
- routine adolescent HPV immunisation programme for all children in school year 8 (aged 12 to 13 years) will move from 2 doses to one dose, offered mainly in secondary schools – this includes children not in mainstream school via a community clinic delivery model
- eligible gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) under the age of 25 will move from 2 doses to one dose, offered through sexual health clinics
- eligible GBMSM aged 25 to 45 years will remain on a 2-dose schedule, offered through sexual health clinics
- eligible individuals who are immunosuppressed or those known to be HIV-positive will remain on a 3-dose schedule
- catch-up: eligible individuals who started their HPV vaccination schedule and have already received one dose of the vaccine by September 2023 will be considered fully vaccinated – those who missed out on their one dose HPV vaccine can catch up until their 25th birthday via their GP practice
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) reviewed evidence gathered over several years and ran a public consultation, with their final advice to health ministers on changes to the programme published in August 2022.

Similarly, the World Health Organization (WHO)’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunisation (SAGE) published a review in April 2022 which concluded that a single-dose of HPV vaccine ‘delivers solid protection against HPV’ that is comparable to a 2-dose schedule.

The reviews also concluded that immunocompromised individuals, including those who are HIV positive, should continue to receive 3 doses as there is limited evidence regarding the efficacy of a single dose in this group.

Dr Vanessa Saliba, Immunisation Consultant Epidemiologist at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), said:

The HPV vaccination programme is one of the most successful in the world and has dramatically lowered the rates of cervical cancer and harmful infections in both women and men – preventing many cancers and saving lives.

The latest evidence shows that one dose provides protection as robust as 2 doses. This is excellent news for young people.

If you missed your HPV vaccine, it is vital you get protected. Contact your school nurse, school immunisation team or GP practice to arrange an appointment – you remain eligible to receive the vaccine until your 25th birthday.

National Director for Screening and Vaccinations Steve Russell said:

This is another step forward for our world-leading HPV vaccination programme, which saves lives by significantly reducing the risk of cervical cancer.

With one quick HPV jab now making it simpler than ever to reduce your risk of cancers caused by the virus, it’s so important that people come forward when invited. Along with getting your HPV vaccine, it is also still vital to book in for your cervical screening appointment, which checks for high-risk HPV and remains one of the best ways to protect yourself from cervical cancer.

The NHS HPV vaccination programme in England has been shown to have dramatically lowered HPV infections and rates of cervical cancer in vaccine-eligible women, with the strongest effects seen in those offered vaccination at younger ages. HPV vaccination also protects men and women against genital warts and other cancers of the genital areas and anus, as well as some mouth and throat (head and neck) cancers. Reductions in diagnoses of genital warts to the end of 2022 have been recently reported by UKHSA.

A study published in The Lancet in 2021 found that cervical cancer rates were 87% lower in young women who had been eligible for HPV vaccination when they were aged 12 to 13 years, compared to young women who had not been offered vaccination, providing strong evidence the programme is preventing cervical cancers. Overall, the study estimated that the HPV programme had prevented about 450 cancers and 17,200 pre-cancers up to mid-2019.

The latest UKHSA report published in December 2022 on the routine adolescent HPV vaccination programme for 2021 to 2022, which is primarily delivered in schools, shows that coverage in year 8 and year 9 pupils is yet to return to pre-pandemic levels.
June 22, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak meeting with Prime Minister of Sweden Ulf Kristersson [June 2023]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 19 June 2023.

The Prime Minister welcomed the Prime Minister of Sweden Ulf Kristersson to Downing Street this afternoon.

The leaders discussed the strong friendship between the UK and Sweden, including across defence, security, trade and technology.

The Swedish Prime Minister updated on the country’s accession to NATO, and the Prime Minister reiterated that Sweden had the UK’s total support for its full membership of the Alliance.

Reflecting on the situation in Ukraine, the Prime Minister said it was clear they were making progress and thanked Prime Minister Kristersson for his country’s ongoing support to Ukraine.

Discussing wider global challenges, the leaders agreed on the indivisibility of Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific security and discussed the importance of increasing our cooperation with the Indo-Pacific region.

On illegal migration, the leaders discussed the tragedy in Greece, and the Prime Minister said the incident illustrated the gravity of the problem and the enormous misery it was causing. It underlined why it was important to deter migrants from using unsafe and illegal routes, the Prime Minister said.

The leaders agreed to stay in close touch.

June 22, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Lord Chancellor meets French Justice Minster in Paris [June 2023]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 19 June 2023.

The Rt Hon Alex Chalk MP KC, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, was in Paris today (19 June) where he held meetings with his counterpart Éric Dupond-Moretti, Minister of Justice and Keeper of the Seals of France.

Following highly productive and wide-ranging conversations, the two Ministers issued a joint statement (below) emphasising their shared determination to ensure accountability for war crimes in Ukraine and to work together to strengthen justice cooperation and meet shared challenges.

Joint statement

We, the Justice Ministers of the United Kingdom and the Republic of France, met in Paris today 19 June 2023 to further strengthen the close relationship between our two countries in the field of justice. As neighbours with shared values and an unwavering commitment to the rule of law, our discussions today offered an opportunity to reflect upon a relationship that is both broad and deep, and consider areas of mutual interest and future cooperation. Today’s challenges to justice and rule of law are international in nature, and we are united as friends and allies in our efforts to address them.

In our wide-ranging and productive discussions we were pleased to cover a number of important issues that face both of our countries, and on which we are committed to working collaboratively.
- We are determined to support Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression, and to work together and with our allies to ensure those responsible for committing alleged atrocities are held to account.
- We noted the vital role the International Criminal Court plays in global efforts to end impunity for war crimes and we are proud to support the court’s investigations across the world including in Ukraine. Maintaining joint support for the International Criminal Court is one of the primary mechanisms to achieve accountability for war crimes and crimes of the gravest concern to the international community, ensuring that justice is delivered for victims.
- We are determined to strengthen the positive relationship between our two countries in the field of civil and judicial cooperation, reflecting the close ties between our two countries and ensuring that our legal systems work for the businesses and citizens of both countries, in particular the most vulnerable ones, as they live, work and do business between France and the United Kingdom.
- We have committed to sharing valuable knowledge and best practice in various areas, in particular regarding the fight against radicalisation in prison and the development of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, including mediation.
- We re-commit to agreements made by our leaders at the UK-France Summit of 10 March: and we will continue to enhance our cooperation in order to fight organised crime, in particular human trafficking and facilitation of illegal migration.
We look forward to working together to ensure that rule of law prevails internationally, and our justice systems work together to meet shared challenges and meet the needs of the citizens of our two great countries.
June 22, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK public bodies banned from imposing their own boycotts against foreign countries [June 2023]

The press release issued by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 19 June 2023.

New Bill will ban UK public bodies from imposing their own boycotts.

UK public bodies will be banned from imposing their own boycott or divestment campaigns against foreign countries and territories, Michael Gove has announced today (Monday 19 June) fulfilling a 2019 manifesto pledge.

The Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill – introduced in parliament today – sends a clear message to councils and other publicly-funded institutions that they need to focus on delivering for the public and not spending tax-payers’ money pursuing their own foreign policy agenda.

Those who break the rules will face significant fines with Ministers among those able to conduct investigations into suspected breaches.

Today’s Bill will stop businesses and organisations – including those affiliated with Israel – being targeted through ongoing boycotts by public bodies – leading to community tensions and, in the case of Israel, a rise in antisemitism.

Universities, too, have been pressured by groups that want to impose their own subjective views about foreign policy upon public institutions: the goal often being to shut down rather than open up debate, serving to undermine free speech and educational study.

Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove said:

It is simply wrong that public bodies have been wasting taxpayers’ time and money pursuing their own foreign policy agenda. The UK must have a consistent approach to foreign policy, set by UK Government.

These campaigns not only undermine the UK’s foreign policy but lead to appalling antisemitic rhetoric and abuse. That is why we have taken this decisive action to stop these disruptive policies once and for all.

My message to these organisations, is to get on with your job and focus on delivering for the public.

The President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews President Marie van der Zyl said:

We are pleased to support the Government’s endeavours in the Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill which will directly hinder the unnecessary and inappropriate targeting of Israel by local authorities and other public institutions.

We appreciate how the Government is working to prevent these organisations from setting their own foreign policy, which all too often creates a deeply divisive local situation as well as being deeply unsettling to local Jewish communities.

The UK has a well-established sanctions policy which remains in place. Organisations with links to Russia and Belarus will still be prevented from benefiting from taxpayers’ money with councils able to terminate existing contracts with those linked to Putin’s barbaric war machine.

The changes announced today will ensure the UK is united in its foreign policy – stopping the harmful policies that are hampering our foreign diplomacy including those that are antisemitic.

The Government remains strongly committed to the UK’s long and proud tradition of free speech. The ban will not apply to individuals or private organisations, where they are not carrying out public functions. It will also not change the UK’s approach to the Middle East Peace Process, or our position on settlements, which are illegal under international law.

This Bill has been widely supported by the Jewish Leadership Council as is part of the Government’s wider commitment to combat antisemitism. This includes the Holocaust Memorial Bill which seeks to progress the Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre in Victoria Tower Gardens, Westminster to preserve the memory of what happened for ourselves and for all future generations as we seek to understand the lessons it teaches Britain today.

The Government will work with relevant public bodies and enforcement authorities on the implementation of the ban.

June 22, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : The political process must move forward to deliver the stability and security the people of Libya want and deserve – UK statement at the Security Council [June 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 19 June 2023.

Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council meeting on Libya.

President, I would like to start by thanking SRSG Bathily, Ambassador Ishikane, and Ms Imneina, for their briefings today.

I visited Libya earlier this month, to meet the SRSG and the UNSMIL team. I want to thank them for their engagement and tireless efforts to support Libya on its path to peace and stability.

During my visit, I also met Libyan people to hear and understand their concerns. The clear and consistent message was the urgency of moving the political process forward and for political leadership to deliver the stability and security the people of Libya want and deserve as we have heard so clearly from the SRSG.

But this is not just an abstract point about politics and governance. I visited a World Health Organisation health centre project, to which the UK has contributed over two and a half million dollars of funding. I want to thank the WHO for facilitating my visit and for their work to bring physical and mental health support into primary healthcare services in Libya. This is important work but the point is that the political impasse directly impacts the healthcare system, and Libyans who need healthcare, antenatal checks, dental treatment, primary care and so on.

Hospital services, healthcare provision and long-term investment, which Libya can well afford, are stalled because of the political impasse.

President, I therefore return from my visit with clarity about the importance of Council Members and the international community supporting SRSG Bathily in his work to facilitate an effective political process for positive change, through a clear roadmap to successful elections and beyond.

In this context, the UK takes note of the 6+6 Committee’s hard work to agree draft electoral laws. However, the reception to their announcement demonstrates the need for broader political agreement between Libyan power-holders and we welcome the SRSG’s commitment to convene stakeholders to reach agreement to make the draft law implementable. Only in this way can we overcome the issues preventing elections and then make progress towards long-term stability.

President during my visit, Libyan people told me they want to engage actively, freely and safely in the political sphere. They want to exercise their democratic right to vote, to work towards a better future, and move beyond, as the SRSG said, slogans which prolong the status quo and are detrimental to Libya people.

The UK will continue our work to ensure these aspirations are fulfilled – including through our support to the SRSG and his efforts towards peace and stability.

Thank you.

June 22, 2023