Tag: Press Release

PRESS RELEASE : Joint outcome statement – UK-India round ten FTA negotiations [June 2023]

The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 19 June 2023.

Round ten of negotiations for a free trade agreement between the United Kingdom and the Republic of India.

On 9 June 2023, the United Kingdom and the Republic of India concluded the tenth round of talks for an UK-India FTA.

As with previous rounds, this was conducted in a hybrid fashion – a number of UK officials travelled to New Delhi for negotiations and others attended virtually.

Technical discussions were held across 10 policy areas over 50 separate sessions. They included detailed draft treaty text discussions in these policy areas.

The eleventh round of negotiations is due to take place in the coming month.

June 21, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Re-appointment of Sir Michael Barber as adviser on skills policy delivery [June 2023]

The press release issued by HM Treasury on 19 June 2023.

Sir Michael Barber has been reappointed as adviser on skills policy delivery to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State for Education.

The government recognises that skills are crucial in driving long-term economic growth and is taking forward major reforms set out in the Skills for Jobs White Paper: delivering T Levels, boosting apprenticeships, approving Higher Technical Qualifications, rolling out skills bootcamps, and introducing the Lifelong Learning Entitlement from 2025.

To help maximise the impact of these commitments, Sir Michael Barber was first appointed to advise the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State for Education on the implementation of current reforms in November 2022 for a term of six months.

Given the continued importance of the skills agenda and the need to maximise its impact, the Chancellor and Secretary of State have decided to extend Sir Michael’s role for a second term until December 16 2023, to build on the work to date.

Sir Michael Barber will not be renumerated for this position.

Further information

Sir Michael Barber is a global expert on implementation of large-scale system change, education systems and education reform.

He has served in a number of roles within Government, including as Chief Advisor to the Secretary of State for Education on Schools Standards (1997-2001), Head of the Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit (2001-2005), Chair of the Office for Students (2018-2021) and led a review of Number 10 Delivery Unit in 2021.

Outside of Government, he has been a partner at McKinsey and head of their Global Education Practice, and Chief Education Advisor at Pearson. He is also founder and chairman of Delivery Associates, a global advisory firm focussed on working with governments and other social impact organisations.

June 21, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Industry expert appointed to support review of Pro-Innovation Regulation of Advanced Manufacturing [June 2023]

The press release issued by HM Treasury on 19 June 2023.

Steve Bagshaw has been appointed to support work investigating the pro-innovation regulation of advanced manufacturing, one of the Chancellor’s five key growth areas.

Following announcement at the Autumn Statement, the Government Chief Scientific Adviser is reviewing existing rules and helping develop a pro-innovation regulatory approach that allows the UK to fulfil its ambition to become a science superpower.

The aim of the review is to establish the UK as the best regulated economy in the world in key growth sectors, ensuring that industry and investors have the certainty they need to drive innovation, investment and growth by anticipating new developments in emerging technologies.

In March, Sir Patrick Vallance published reviews on digital technologies and green industries and the government accepted both reports’ recommendations. Having taken up the role of Government Chief Scientific Adviser in April 2023, Professor Dame Angela McLean is continuing this work and published a review on life sciences in May and on the creative industries last week. Again, the government has been pleased to accept all recommendations in each report. Dame Angela will soon publish a report on the Chancellor’s one remaining key growth sector: advanced manufacturing.

Steve Bagshaw has been appointed to support Professor Dame Angela on this final report, working directly with industry to identify barriers to innovation and regulatory reforms that can help make the UK’s advanced manufacturing industries the most exciting and enterprising in the world.

Steve Bagshaw is Non-Executive Director at the CPI, former CEO of Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies, and former manufacturing advisor to the Vaccines Taskforce. He is a member of the UKRI Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council. He chaired the UK’s Industrial Biotechnology Leadership Forum from 2013 to 2021 and was co-chair of the UK Bioeconomy Strategy Board between 2016 and 2021. Steve was awarded a CBE in January 2021 for his services to manufacturing and biotechnology.

June 21, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak call with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine [June 2023]

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

The Prime Minister spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy this morning.

The Prime Minister paid tribute to the bravery of the Ukrainian soldiers on the front line of the counteroffensive and said it was clear they were making good progress.

He told President Zelenskyy that the UK was firmly behind Ukraine as it continued to push back invading Russian forces. Small steps forward would bring success, the Prime Minister added.

The Prime Minister updated on his recent visit to the US and his meeting with President Biden, and said it was clear the US and UK were in lockstep in their unwavering support for Ukraine.

Both the Prime Minister and President Zelenskyy looked forward to speaking at the Ukraine Recovery Conference, which is being hosted in London this week.

It was a unique opportunity to underline the strong public and private sector support for Ukraine, and demonstrate the country’s transformation and ongoing reform, the leaders agreed.

Looking ahead to the NATO summit next month, the Prime Minister told President Zelenskyy that he believed NATO members would demonstrate a strong signal of support for Ukraine at the Vilnius meeting.

The leaders looked forward to speaking again soon.

June 21, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Support for farmers to access investment to drive nature recovery [June 2023]

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 19 June 2023.

The first ever Nature for Finance event will bring together farmers, land managers, investors and conservation experts to identify new investment opportunities.

As part of the delivery of one of the Prime Minister’s five priorities to grow the economy, additional support to help farmers access private investment to support nature recovery on their farms will be announced today (19 June).

The first ever ‘Nature for Finance’ event will bring together farmers, land managers, investors and conservation experts to identify new investment opportunities that drive forward actions to mobilise investment in nature recovery while continuing to keep the nation fed.

At the event, held at 10 Downing Street, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Thérèse Coffey will announce the intention to launch an additional round of the Natural Environment Investment Readiness Fund (NEIRF) later this year to help farmers address barriers to accessing private investment to help nature’s recovery.

This round will be the first time the NEIRF focuses specifically on the farming sector, helping farmers to come together at a landscape scale to combine their offer to investors, and enabling more types of farmer to access and benefit from nature markets.

Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Thérèse Coffey said:

Food production and enhancing the environment go hand in hand. We must continue to support farmers to keep our nation fed while also safeguarding the valuable biodiversity and landscapes we rely on.

Today’s event is an important step forward in bringing together farmers and financiers to invest in nature and unlock new opportunities to improve the productivity, profitability and sustainability of farm businesses.

Food production relies on a healthy and thriving natural environment and nature markets offer a new way for farmers to generate income alongside food production. To date, 86 projects across England have received development grants of up to £100,000 through two competitive rounds of the £10 million NEIRF in 2021 and 2022.

Today’s event follows last month’s UK Farm to Fork Summit at No10, at which representatives from the whole food supply chain came together to identify ways to boost growth, drive innovation and improve sustainability so that we boost food production alongside delivering nature recovery for our countryside.

The NEIRF funds projects that have the potential to produce revenue from the benefits nature provides to attract and repay investment, as well as projects able to produce an investment model that can be scaled up and reproduced.

The Wendling Beck Exemplar Project, a collaboration between private landowners, local authorities, environmental NGOs, and Anglian Water, has already benefitted from NEIRF support. This aims to transform land use for environmental benefit while also selling ecosystem services such as Biodiversity Net Gain.

Glenn Anderson, Project Lead of The Wendling Beck Exemplar Project said:

Wendling Beck is a pathfinder project for financing land-use change through new nature markets. Projects like Wendling Beck are critical in safeguarding long-term food security – through mitigating existential challenges to climate, water and biodiversity – and enhancing the national natural capital reserves which underpin our economy.

The project was fortunate to receive funding from the NEIRF, which supported the projects feasibility and design at a critical time. The funding enabled us to consolidate the project structure and lay some important foundations on which the project now stands.

The Secretary of State will also announce the start of the piloting phase of a new version of the Green Finance Institute’s (GFI) investment readiness toolkit which will provide a tailored framework offering farmers valuable advice on how to create investable nature finance projects. In the pilot phase, the GFI will gather insights from stakeholders – including those in attendance at the event today – to ensure the toolkit meets the specific needs of farmers.

The government will also consult later this year on specific steps and interventions needed to mobilise additional nature finance through voluntary markets and protect against the risk of greenwashing, seeking input from experts in finance, business, environment, and farming sectors.

The UK was the first major country to publish a green finance strategy in 2019 which was updated this year alongside a new Nature Markets Framework. Significant progress has been made in integrating nature into the economy, including statutory targets for environmental improvement and the development of a policy framework for scaling up nature markets. Defra’s new partnership with the British Standards Institution will ensure the adoption of sound scientific standards underpinning nature investments and avoiding greenwashing.

Archie Ruggles-Brise, Estate Manager of Spains Hall Estate in Essex, said,

The opportunities for land managers to engage directly with finance professionals, tech providers and local authorities around environmental markets are rare, especially at this early stage of the market. So to be afforded that chance through the Essex County Council led NEIRF project is exciting.

This could be game changing for farms, as once the income side is proven it opens the door for all kinds of support for transition to alternative, more sustainable, land use choices. It’s all about having more choice, especially beyond commodity markets, now and in the future.

June 21, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK sanctions perpetrators of conflict-related sexual violence [June 2023]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 19 June 2023.

UK announces new sanctions holding perpetrators of sexual violence in conflict to account.
- perpetrators of sexual violence in Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Syria will be subject to asset freezes and travel bans
- this action on International Day for Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict demonstrates the UK’s commitment to hold offenders to account
- UK is working with partners to support countries around the world to strengthen their compliance with international law on Conflict Related Sexual Violence
New sanctions holding perpetrators of sexual violence in conflict zones to account have been introduced by the UK today (Monday 19 June) on the International Day to End Sexual Violence in Conflict.

Lord Ahmad, the Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, announced the sanctions, which will freeze the assets and ban those targeted from travelling to the UK. The sanctions, which build on previous UK action in this area, send a clear message of solidarity with survivors and condemnation of these illegal acts.

These latest sanctions target 2 militia leaders in the DRC for violating international humanitarian law by commanding groups to carry out acts of sexual violence. They also include the Syrian Army Chief and Minister of Defence who authorised sexual and gender-based violence, including systematic rape of civilians.

In the last year the UK has sanctioned 15 individuals and entities who have committed specific human rights violations against women and girls, 13 of whom were involved in crimes of sexual violence in conflict.

Lord (Tariq) Ahmad, the Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, said:

Threats of sexual violence as a weapon in conflict must stop and survivors must be supported to come forward.

These sanctions send a clear signal to perpetrators that the UK will hold you accountable for your horrendous crimes.

An estimated 20 to 30% of women and girls in conflict-affected areas experience sexual violence. The UK is committed to standing up for women and girls, and tackling the inequalities that they face. The FCDO’s Women and Girls Strategy, published in March, sets out how the UK will work to tackle global gender inequality at every opportunity. For the first time, this strategy commits the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to more than 80% of its bilateral aid programmes including a focus on gender equality by 2030.

As part of the UK’s wider work on this issue, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has funded a Guidebook on State Obligations on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence. Produced by the Mukwege Foundation, which will support states around the world to understand and comply with international law on conflict-related sexual violence.

These announcements deliver on UK commitments made at the UK’s Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative Conference (November 2022) to use all levers at our disposal to address sexual violence in conflict.

Those sanctioned today are:
- Abdel Karim Mahmoud Ibrahim, the Chief of the General Staff of the Syrian Army and Armed Forces who has been involved in the repression of the Syrian population through commanding military forces where there has been systematic use of rape and other forms of sexual and gender-based violence
- Ali Mahmoud Abbas, the Syrian Minister of Defence for his commanding role of the Syrian military and armed forces, who have systematically used rape, and other forms of sexual and gender-based violence against civilians
- Désiré Londroma Ndjukpa who has been involved in violations of international humanitarian law in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, including rape, mass rape and other forms of sexual and gender-based violence, through his role as a leader of the Cooperative for the Development of the Congo (CODECO-URDPC)
- William Yakutumba who has been involved in the commission of violations of international humanitarian law in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, including rape, mass rape and other forms of sexual and gender-based violence, through his role as leader of the armed Mai-Mai Yakutumba rebel group
The sanctions build on those CRSV-focused sanctions that were announced in December as part of our Global Human Rights Day package and in March for International Women’s Day.
June 21, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Appointment of Suffragan Bishop of Bradwell [June 2023]

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

The King has approved the nomination of The Venerable Adam Atkinson, Archdeacon of Charing Cross in the Diocese of London, for appointment to the Suffragan See of Bradwell, in the Diocese of Chelmsford, in succession to The Right Reverend Dr John Perumbalath, following his appointment as Bishop of Liverpool.

Background

Adam was educated at Birmingham University, after which he worked in media before training for ministry at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford. He served his title at St Paul Shadwell, in the Diocese of London, and was ordained Priest in 2008. In 2010 Adam was appointed Priest in Charge of St Peter & St Thomas Bethnal Green in the Stepney Episcopal Area of the Diocese of London.

In 2011 Adam was appointed Vicar of St Peter Bethnal Green. He additionally served as Network Chaplain, Church Revitalisation Trust from 2018 and from 2019 served as Director of Mission Development in the Two Cities Episcopal Area. In 2020 Adam was appointed Archdeacon of Charing Cross.

June 19, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : World’s first astronaut with a disability hopes to inspire others as he begins training [June 2023]

The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 19 June 2023.

The world’s first astronaut with a disability, former UK Paralympian John McFall, has arrived in Germany to begin feasibility studies at the European Astronaut Centre.

John, a former NHS surgeon in Hampshire, joined the latest European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut cohort last year following a rigorous selection process and record UK Space Agency investment into ESA.

He will spend the next two years working with experts to identify how traditional equipment and facilities for astronaut life could be made more accessible and allow for a wider range of people to qualify for human spaceflight.

As part of the Fly! Feasibility Study, the 42-year-old father-of-three will undergo elements of astronaut training, such as sea survival and testing in hyperbaric (low atmospheric pressure) environments. This will help ESA to assess the impact that being an amputee and wearing a prosthesis will have on the requirements for living and working in space, and test possible solutions to any problems.

John McFall said:

I’m a naturally curious person and I’m excited about the learning ahead, the science that will come out of it, and the fact that this is the small first step of a much bigger journey.

While the feasibility study is bespoke to my own disability, this programme delivers a powerful message, which I hope will both broaden people’s appreciation of what people with disabilities can do, as well as inspire people with a range of disabilities about the opportunities available to them.

My three children are really stoked to be moving to Germany and about the fact that their dad could one day go into space. It’s helping to engage them, especially my two daughters, with STEM learning, which is hugely important to me.

John was selected alongside Career Astronaut Rosemary Coogan and Meganne Christian who became a member of the ESA Astronaut Reserve, in 2022. They were among the first astronauts to be unveiled by ESA since 2009.

Science and Technology Secretary, Chloe Smith said:

John was inspirational as a British Paralympian, and I wish him all the success on his journey as he becomes the world’s first Paralympic astronaut – showing there is space for everyone in the industry.

The UK is reaching for the stars in the realm of space innovation, with three brilliant British candidates handpicked for the Agency’s prestigious astronaut cohort for the first time in over a decade – it is undeniable proof of our stellar global reputation in space leadership.

Chief Executive at the UK Space Agency, Dr Paul Bate, said:

We are thrilled to be supporting John’s journey as he takes on training and feasibility studies with ESA colleagues.

John’s selection as the first ever astronaut with a physical disability is a landmark moment for the global space sector. It will help us discover new and more inclusive ways of working, demonstrating first-hand that space offer opportunities for everyone.

We wish him all the best over the next two years and look forward to working closely with him.

John was announced as ESA’s first ever astronaut with a physical disability during the ESA Council of Ministers in November 2022.

The government committed £1.84 billion during the meeting, which included £217 million towards the global exploration programme, supporting robotic missions to Mars and contributing to the Artemis Moon programme, including the Argonaut (European Large Logistics Lander), Gateway space station and commercial lunar communications systems.

More about John McFall

John grew up in Hampshire and, as a teenager, always wanted to join the army.

At the age of 19, John had a motorcycle accident that resulted in an above-knee amputation. Having always been a keen athlete, sport became an important vehicle for his rehabilitation – both physically and emotionally.

In his early 20s John gained Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Sports and Exercise Science, and taught himself to run again.

Capitalising on his passion for running and love of athletics, John went on to compete at the highest level in Paralympic sport, winning European, World and Paralympic medals. Following his career in elite sport, John reignited his passion and curiosity for science and, at the age of 28, returned to university to study medicine.

Here, he quickly discovered that orthopaedics was the specialty for him, and, in 2018, John became a trauma and orthopaedic specialist registrar in the Wessex Deanery.

He has sat on UK Athletics’ Athlete Council, been a mentor for Paralympics GB’s Paralympic Inspiration programme, and worked with the International Paralympic Committee during the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

You can learn more about John McFall’s career and achievements on the ESA website.

June 19, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Elisabeth Davies appointed as the National Chair of the Independent Monitoring Boards [June 2023]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 19 June 2023.

The Secretary of State for Justice has announced the appointment of Elisabeth Davies as National Chair of the Independent Monitoring Boards for 3 years from 1 July 2023.

The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, the Rt Hon. Alex Chalk KC MP has announced the appointment of Elisabeth Davies as the National Chair of the Independent Monitoring Boards (IMBs) for an initial term of 3 years. Her appointment will commence on 1 July 2023 and run until 30 June 2026.

IMBs provide statutory, independent oversight, monitoring the treatment and care of prisoners and detainees. They operate in prisons, young offender institutions, immigration removal centres, some short-term holding facilities and on flights for those being removed from the UK.

This appointment is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments and has been made in line with the Governance Code on Public Appointments.

Biography

Elisabeth Davies has extensive experience of working across both charitable and public sectors, where she has specialised in the areas of dispute resolution and consumer protection.

In April 2020, she was appointed Chair of the Office for Legal Complaints (OLC), which oversees the work of the Legal Ombudsman.

Elisabeth holds a number of professional roles across organisations. She is the Chair of the Assurance and Appointments Committee of the General Pharmaceutical Council and a member of the Civil Justice Council. Alongside this she has been the Chair of the Prisoners’ Education Trust since the end of 2018. She is also the former Deputy Chair of Support Through Court, which assists people going through the court process without legal representation.

Previously, Elisabeth was the Senior Independent Director and Chair of the Quality Committee at the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman. She also served as a former Chair of the Legal Services Consumer Panel, where she ensured regulators were able to consider and act on the user perspective.

June 19, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : The UK-Singapore Cyber Dialogue [June 2023]

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

The UK-Singapore Cyber Dialogue was held in London on 13 June 2023 to discuss cyber priorities and deliverables for both countries.

The dialogue was co-chaired by David Koh, Chief Executive of Singapore’s Cyber Security Agency, and Will Middleton, Cyber Director in the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Lindy Cameron, CEO, National Cyber Security Centre and senior officials from the Cabinet Office, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, Home Office and the Department for Business and Trade participated in the dialogue, alongside senior officials from Singapore, including those from the Cyber Security Agency and the High Commission in London.

The dialogue is a welcome opportunity to further strengthen our countries’ already close ties in cyber cooperation, as reaffirmed by the UK-Singapore Cybersecurity Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), an outcome of the ambitious UK-Singapore Digital Economy Agreement.

The dialogue included exchanges on the cyber threat landscape, deterrence strategies against cyber threats, international cyber capacity building, international cyber policy issues including in the UN, and the role of public-private partnerships in cybersecurity.

Both sides explored opportunities to deepen cooperation and further align approaches towards Internet of Things (IoT) security, app security and cyber skills development. We agreed on the importance of security for apps and app stores, and agreed to further explore the potential for an international standard for the security of apps and app stores. We also reaffirmed the importance of recognised international standards and norms for IoT and agreed to continue work on mutual recognition of our schemes for IoT and to explore the potential to work more closely together on other areas of IoT. We also agreed to work together on mapping the skills and competencies of cybersecurity professionals in Singapore and the UK.

Both countries reaffirmed our continued joint commitment to supporting international cyber governance and capacity building, including in South East Asia through the ASEAN-Singapore Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence (ASCCE).

We also discussed the latest trends in cyber threats and opportunities to deepen cooperation to counter malicious cyber activity that undermines the rules-based multilateral order.

On 15th June, CSA’s Chief Executive David Koh also met with the UK’s Deputy National Security Adviser Matthew Collins on cybersecurity of critical national infrastructure, and Director General for Homeland Security Chloe Squires on the UK and Singapore’s co-chairing of the Counter Ransomware Initiative’s Policy Pillar.

Both sides committed to continuing to meet under the framework of the MoU as a priority for our international cyber cooperation.

June 19, 2023