Tag: Press Release

PRESS RELEASE : Three new Board Members appointed to the Charity Commission for England and Wales [June 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 1 June 2023.

The Secretary of State has appointed Rory Brooks CBE, Shrenik Davda, and Mark Simms for three year terms commencing 27 March 2023.
Rory Brooks CBE

Appointed for a three year term commencing 27 March 2023.

Rory was the first member of his family to attend university. He graduated from Manchester University in Management Sciences in 1975. He joined the Bank of Boston in London and spent thirteen years there including nine years in the US (Boston and New York).

Upon returning to London Rory founded in 1988 what is now MML Capital (mmlcapital.com), a leading European mid-market growth capital provider. He stepped down as Chair in 2023. MML has offices in London, Paris, Dublin and New York and has cEUR 2.0bn under management.

Rory and his wife Elizabeth established their family philanthropic foundation in 2005 with a focus on social disadvantage, education, and arts. Rory was chair of the philanthropic board of Manchester University for ten years (honorary doctorate 2010), hosted poverty summits in S Africa and has served as trustee and/or chair of The Centre for Social Justice, IntoUniversity and Quintessentially Foundation. Among other government appointments he was the donor member of the Pearce Review into philanthropy in HE (2012). He has consistently promoted philanthropy and was awarded the CBE in 2015.

Rory is married, has two adult children and lives in West London.

Shrenik Davda

Appointed for a three year term commencing 27 March 2023.

Shrenik has almost 40 years of banking experience in the CEEMEA (Central Eastern Europe Middle East Africa) region, helping to build market-leading franchises for prominent global financial institutions such as JP Morgan and Deutsche Bank. He has also established and or run several regulated financial advisory boutiques and notably co-founded New Europe Capital Partners Ltd, which was acquired by Deutsche Bank. He started his career with Gulf International Bank in Bahrain and received his formal credit training at Citibank.

In addition to the foregoing executive banking roles, he has served as Trustee for 3 charities focussed on: Orphan Support in East Africa; Humanitarian Aid for Refugees in the Middle East and Girls Education in Kenya.

He is currently an independent member of the Supervisory Board of Nova Ljubljanska Banka d.d. a market leading universal bank active in South Eastern Europe and also serves on the Supervisory Board of Ukrgasbank, a leading Ukrainian bank. In 2022 he was appointed as Lay Member of the Board of IPSO, the independent regulator of the newspaper and magazine industry in the UK.

Shrenik read Law at the London School of Economics and received his MBA from INSEAD.

Mark Simms

Appointed for a three year term commencing 27 March 2023.

Mark is proud to be the Chief Executive of P3; he has more than 25 years’ experience in the Charity sector. Under his leadership, P3 Charity has expanded its services to reach more people in need, providing them with shelter, support, and resources to help them rebuild their lives.

Born in Nottinghamshire, Mark grew up in a family that was actively involved in community work and at an early stage found that they needed the support of homelessness organisations. This early exposure to social issues motivated him to pursue a career in mental health nursing. After graduation, he worked in various roles within the charity sector, including fundraising, project management, and advocacy.

A passionate advocate for social justice and human rights, he is deeply committed to creating a more equitable and just society.

Mark has served for much of his career as a Non-Executive Director or Trustee of many independent charities, large and small. His current portfolio includes:

Trustee of Homeless Link,

Non-Executive Director of New Leaf, a social enterprise run for and by people who have been in prison

Non-Executive Director of The Big Issue Invest

Advisor to the CEO of Big Society Capital

In recognition of his contributions to P3 and the charity sector, Mark has received numerous awards and accolades throughout his career.

Remuneration and Governance Code

Board Members of the Charity Commission are remunerated £350 per day for approximately 24 days per year. This appointment has been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments. The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election. Shrenik Davda and Mark Simms have not declared any significant political activity. Rory Brooks has declared financial donations to the Conservative and Unionist Party, recorded on the Electoral Commission.
June 12, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : University Freedom of Speech Bill becomes law [June 2023]

The press release issued by the Department for Education on 1 June 2023.

Landmark legislation will ensure universities protect and promote freedom of speech on campus, fulfilling a manifesto promise to bolster academic freedom.

A huge step forward was taken for protecting free speech in our universities as Professor Arif Ahmed has been appointed as the new Director overseeing free speech at the Office for Students.

While there are already statutory duties on universities to protect free speech – our newly passed Freedom of Speech Act will ensure that universities promote this fundamental value.

The appointment of Professor Ahmed as the new Director follows the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill successfully becoming law on 11 May. The historic legislation will establish a new free speech complaints system, while also strengthening the legal duties on higher education providers in England to protect and promote freedom of speech on campuses up and down the country, for students, staff and visiting speakers.

Minister for Children, Families and Wellbeing Claire Coutinho said:

We’re making history with the Freedom of Speech Act, ensuring that fear does not undermine the rights of students and academics to debate controversial ideas and securing the right to an open exchange of ideas in universities.

The new Director for Freedom of Speech and Academic Freedom will sit on the board of the Office for Students, with responsibility for investigations of breaches of the new freedom of speech duties, including a new complaints scheme for students, staff and visiting speakers who have suffered loss due to a breach.

Director for Freedom of Speech and Academic Freedom Professor Ahmed said:

Free speech and academic freedom are vital to the core purpose of universities and colleges. They are not partisan values. They are also fundamental to our civilization.

As Director, I will defend them using all means available. I feel tremendously honoured and fortunate to have been appointed.

The Prime Minister recently stressed the importance of Freedom of Speech on campuses saying:

A free society requires free debate. We should all be encouraged to engage respectfully with the ideas of others.

University should be an environment where debate is supported, not stifled.

A tolerant society is one which allows us to understand those we disagree with, and nowhere is that more important than within our great universities.

The Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023 delivers on the Government’s commitment to strengthen academic freedom and free speech in higher education, helping to protect the reputation of our universities as centres of academic freedom.

Registered higher education providers in England will have extended legal duties not only to take steps to secure freedom of speech and academic freedom, but also to promote these important values. Students’ unions will also be held to the same legal responsibilities as universities and their colleges to take reasonably practicable steps to ensure lawful freedom of speech. Higher education providers and students’ unions that fail to comply may face sanctions, including fines.

June 12, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Helping kids and families living with alcohol-dependent parents [June 2023]
The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 1 June 2023.

Independent evaluation finds scheme helped improve wellbeing, relationships and life satisfaction of children affected by parental alcohol use and conflict.
Hundreds of thousands of children and families could benefit from fresh approach, with government continuing to take serious action to support those most at risk

Local authorities encouraged to invest in interventions focused on the whole family through £532 million Drug Strategy Fund

A government-backed programme has delivered improved quality of life for families affected by alcohol misuse, with children better able to access support and alcohol dependent parents encouraged to seek treatment, according to an independent evaluation published today.

The Children of Alcohol Dependent Parents (CADeP) Programme Innovation Fund provided £5.7 million over four years, ending March 2022, to nine areas across England. Used to create better and more innovative systems to identify and support children of alcohol dependent parents and their families, it also aimed to increase awareness of parental conflict and explore ways of addressing it.

The report highlighted that children have benefitted from a range of interventions including activities to help them explore their own feelings, understand their parents’ drinking, making a safety plan, and identifying someone to rely on. It also showed that providing support focused on the whole family unit has a positive impact on parents accessing treatment as well as their children.

Parents also said the support helped them address conflict and relationship issues and provided a boost to their general wellbeing.

Health Minister Neil O’Brien said:

“Alcohol misuse can ruin lives and destroy families, and can have a particularly devastating impact on children. The toll it can take on their mental health and wellbeing can last throughout their lives.

“We owe it to these children to make sure support is available. This scheme has equipped local authorities with the tools they need to get people into treatment and on the road to recovery and this independent review clearly demonstrates the success of the scheme.

“I’d encourage local authorities right across England to use the funding we’ve provided to adopt similar approaches and to get more people into treatment.”

The government is providing £532 million for local authorities to improve drug and alcohol addiction treatment and recovery services through the Drug Strategy Fund. Local authorities can, and are encouraged, to invest this funding to develop programmes which provide tailored support to families affected by alcohol and drug misuse with this funding, using the reports finding.

According to the evaluation, local authorities also improved their workforce through better training and recruitment as well as by integrating adult and children’s services. It also successfully trained staff of frontline family services to support parents experiencing relationship distress, whether they are together or separated, to protect their children’s mental health.

The scheme was run by the Department of Health and Social Care in conjunction with the Department for Work and Pensions, given parental alcohol misuse often coexists with parental conflict, with a clear need to create a joined-up approach to address this complex issue.

DWP Minister Viscount Younger of Leckie said:

“Through our Reducing Parental Conflict programme we are acutely aware that parental alcohol dependency often co-exists with relationship problems and negatively affects children’s wellbeing.

“Every child deserves a good start in life, which is why we dedicated funding to this excellent scheme, ensuring local services can support families in this complex situation.

“To learn that parents reported improved wellbeing, increased life satisfaction and better relationships because of our interventions is very encouraging news indeed. The results of this work will provide an important evidence-base to help thousands more families lead happier, more fulfilling lives.”

Each local authority implemented the scheme in a different way, depending on local needs and to ensure a variety of support options. Programmes included improving early identification referral pathways during pregnancy and early childhood, recruitment to specific roles such as an early intervention co-ordinator, and the development of parenting programmes in schools.

The findings, published by the Tavistock Institute of Human Relations, can be used by local authorities to roll-out tried and tested methods tailored to meet local needs. It evaluated the programme across nine local areas, spanning 13 local authorities in England.

Key findings of the report showed:

Better leadership that allowed for collaboration across services, along with workforce development of children services and substance misuse practitioners led to timely identification of parents and families impacted by alcohol dependency.

Expanding staff and service capacity to specifically target children and young people, integrating parental conflict work into the support provided, and making time for whole family interventions delivered improvements in supporting parents and families.

In the eight areas, adult treatment participation increased the course of the programme. Parents and their children also had more positive impacts from the approaches taken.

Existing evidence suggests that children affected by both parental substance misuse and conflict have complex needs, especially regarding mental health and wellbeing. Tackling both alcohol misuse and parental conflict together can also be beneficial for the children involved.

The full evaluation is available online

The nine project areas comprised:

Brighton and Hove City Council

Haringey Council

Knowsley Council

North Tyneside Local Authority

Portsmouth City Council

Rochdale MBC (including also Bolton, Bury, Salford, and Trafford)

St Helens Council

Swindon Borough Council

West Sussex County Council
June 12, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Deportation of Ukrainian children by Russia [June 2023]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 1 June 2023.

A joint statement by diplomatic missions in Ukraine on International Day for Protection of Children about forced deportation of Ukrainian children by Russia.
Today, on International Day for the Protection of Children in Ukraine and across the region, we, the Embassies associated with this statement, call on the Russian Federation to return Ukraine’s children to Ukraine. We are appalled by Russia’s large-scale forced transfer and deportation of children to Russia or Russian-controlled territory within Ukraine and note in this regard the arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court.

The Ukrainian government has identified over 19,000 children unlawfully deported or otherwise separated from their parents or guardians. This number continues to grow with recent transfers from the Zaporizhzhia region. Russia has seized children from their schools, and their homes – including those living in institutions, while others have been separated from their families during Russia’s so-called ‘filtration’ process. Very few have been returned. This trauma will affect these children and their families for the rest of their lives.

While the Russian Federation claims these are “evacuations”, we note that the UN Commission of Inquiry concluded that none of the cases examined were justified by safety or medical reasons, nor did they satisfy the requirements set forth by international humanitarian law. The obstacles Russia puts in place to prevent Ukrainian children from reuniting with their families and caregivers undermine Russia’s narrative. Direct relatives or legal guardians must undertake a dangerous and costly journey to collect their children. During this journey, they face a high risk of arrest and interrogation – as do those who help them. In some cases, parents arrive in Russia only to learn authorities have hidden their child in a foster home.

Unlawfully deported children face abusive indoctrination processes designed to systematically undermine and erase their Ukrainian identity, through “re-education” programmes as part of intense militarised schooling practices. Ukrainian children are confronted by Russian disinformation, while their access to alternative voices and education in Ukrainian is denied. Their new environments are linguistically and culturally entirely Russian. This practice violates or abuses a multitude of children’s rights under international human rights law and international humanitarian law, including their rights to family, to identity and to education. Children in temporarily Russian-controlled areas of Ukraine are also exposed to this indoctrination, as the Russian Federation imposes its curriculum on local schools, in which children meet Russian soldiers and learn how to use weapons. Parents face threats they will lose custody of their child if they refuse to enrol them.

We remind the Russian Federation of its obligations under international law to end its illegal war of aggression and to ensure the lives of all children are protected. We call on Russia to ensure respect for children’s cultural identity and cease the forcible transfer of children to the Russian Federation, and its efforts to indoctrinate Ukrainian children and force them to become Russian. Finally, in cooperation with the Ukrainian authorities, we call on the Russian Federation to return Ukraine’s children where they belong: Ukraine.

The international community stands with Ukraine in protecting its future generations. We will hold the Russian Federation to account for its illegal and barbaric actions in Ukraine.

British Embassy in Ukraine

Australian Embassy in Ukraine

Austrian Embassy in Ukraine

Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine

Dutch Embassy in Ukraine

Embassy of Canada in Ukraine

Embassy of Denmark in Ukraine

Embassy of Estonia in Ukraine

Embassy of Greece in Ukraine

Embassy of Latvia in Ukraine

Embassy of Switzerland in Ukraine

Embassy of the Czech Republic in Ukraine

Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Ukraine

Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Ukraine

Finnish Embassy in Ukraine

French Embassy in Ukraine

German Embassy in Ukraine

Italian Embassy in Ukraine

New Zealand Embassy in Ukraine

Norwegian Embassy in Ukraine

Romanian Embassy in Ukraine

Spanish Embassy in Ukraine

Swedish Embassy in Ukraine

Embassy of Lithuania in Ukraine
June 12, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Active Travel England to be consulted on all large planning applications [June 2023]

The press release issued by Active Travel England on 1 June 2023.

As a statutory consultee, Active Travel England will help planning authorities implement good walking, wheeling and cycling infrastructure.

Active Travel England (ATE) will now help deliver walking, wheeling and cycling infrastructure on all future large developments, enabling more people to make healthier, greener and cheaper travel choices.

As of today (1 June 2023), ATE is officially a statutory consultee on all planning applications for developments equal to or exceeding 150 housing units, 7,500 m² of floorspace or an area of 5 hectares.

This will see ATE reviewing around 3,100 applications a year, equating to 60% of new homes.

The new role will enable ATE to help planning authorities in their work to implement good active travel design – for example, by ensuring developments include walking, wheeling and cycling connectivity to schools and local amenities. This will help improve public health, save people money and reduce harmful emissions.

Building in active travel at design stage will also help to avoid big increases in vehicle traffic and reduce the need for costly upgrades to major road junctions or other corrective action in the future.

Active Travel Commissioner Chris Boardman said:

Active travel is essential to improving public health, reducing emissions and tackling the cost of living crisis. That’s why we’re working to ensure millions more people have the opportunity to walk, wheel or cycle from their doorstep to where they need to be.

Designing activity back into our neighbourhoods and creating places where children have transport independence is achievable – it just needs smart planning.

As a statutory consultee ATE will work with planning authorities and developers to help them ensure new estates give people what they need to get fresh air and exercise, save money on petrol and help fight climate change.

The establishment of ATE’s statutory consultee status follows a pilot project, which saw ATE work with 30 local authorities to assess more than 60 developments over the 9 months up until November 2022.

Feedback from a survey at the start of the pilot saw 80% of respondents agree ATE should have a role in the planning system.

While ATE will be consulted on developments at and above its thresholds, it will not have any statutory powers to direct the outcome of planning applications. Active Travel England has been working with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) to ensure its thresholds as a statutory consultee are set at an appropriate level.

In addition to carrying out this new role, ATE continues to invest to help councils deliver walking, wheeling and cycling schemes across the country and recently announced the 65 local authorities receiving a share of the latest Active Travel Fund (ATF4).

June 12, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister – the security of our borders must be Europe’s top priority [May 2023]
The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 31 May 2023.

Stopping illegal migration and securing our borders should be at the top of the agenda for European leaders, the Prime Minister will tell a gathering of the European Political Community (EPC) in Chișinău, Moldova.
PM will put tackling illegal migration firmly on the international agenda at 2nd ever meeting of the European Political Community in Moldova today

As the UK prepares to host the EPC next year, PM will build on migration agreements struck with France, Albania and the EU in recent weeks

PM will also announce new support for Moldova in the face of Russian aggression and Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine

Stopping illegal migration and securing our borders should be at the top of the agenda for European leaders, the Prime Minister will tell a gathering of the European Political Community (EPC) in Chișinău, Moldova today (1 June 2023).

The EPC was established last year as a forum for leaders from across Europe to come together and address some of the biggest trans-national challenges. Addressing the meeting, the Prime Minister will point to the devastating humanitarian impact of illegal migration which is rising across the continent. He will emphasise the need for all countries to grip this problem with a lawful and compassionate approach.

Migrant crossings into the EU increased by 64 per cent last year and organised criminal gangs are using networks across Europe to commit cross-border crime and profit from human misery.

In recent weeks, the PM has agreed an unprecedented package of measures to stop illegal Channel crossings with France and new returns agreements with Albania. Two weeks ago, the Prime Minister also agreed with EU President Von der Leyen to develop a new working arrangement between UK agencies and Frontex – the EU’s border agency. This will include Frontex and UK agencies working together on critical operational and strategic challenges, including in the Channel.

Today, the Prime Minister will announce the start of negotiations on a new returns agreement with Moldova and confirm that a similar deal struck with Georgia has entered into force. These returns agreements allow us to return foreign nationals found to be in violation of immigration laws in the UK – reducing the incentive for people to come here illegally.

The Prime Minister will also announce a new partnership with Bulgaria to help them destroy the business model of organised criminal gangs who are deeply involved in illegal migration.

Bulgaria sits at the crossroads of the Eastern Mediterranean and Western Balkans migration routes – both of which have seen around a 40 per cent increase in illegal migration since 2021. The country is also becoming a key point of entry for the small boats and engines which are used by criminal gangs in illegal Channel crossings.

The UK will increase bilateral intelligence sharing with Bulgaria and work with them to increase their ability to detect and disrupt criminal gangs, building on previous work to disrupt the flow of illicit finance through organised crime networks.

The Prime Minister said:

Europe is facing unprecedented threats at our borders. From Putin’s utter contempt of other countries’ sovereignty to the rise in organised immigration crime across our continent.

We cannot address these problems without Europe’s governments and institutions working closely together. In every meeting, every summit, every international gathering like this, the security of our borders must be top of the agenda.

The UK will be at the heart of this international effort to stop the boats and defend our national security.

The UK will host the European Political Community in 2024 following the next summit, hosted by Spain in October. In Moldova today the Prime Minister will meet Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to discuss how the UK and Spain can keep up the momentum of international action on illegal migration at our respective EPC Summits.

The Prime Minister will also convene a roundtable discussion on security, alongside the Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, where he will stress the need to deal with organised immigration crime and support countries like Ukraine and Moldova who are on the front line of Russian aggression.

Prior to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Moldova was already one of the poorest countries in Europe. It now hosts the largest per capita refugee population, having accepted thousands of Ukrainians fleeing war. Moldova is the subject of constant Russian hostility, from Russian troops illegally stationed in Transnistria to a Russian plot, uncovered earlier this year, to stage a coup in Moldova.

In March, the UK announced an extra £10 million to support reforms, including to Moldova’s energy sector, which will help them defend against the kind of economic and political manipulation we know Russia is capable of.

We have also provided £12.5 million to UN agencies to help support Ukrainian refugees in Moldova, and today the Prime Minister will announce a further £10.5 million to continue these efforts – particularly helping those women and children who have experienced the most horrific things imaginable over the last year.

Given the impact of Putin’s aggression beyond Ukraine, this work is integral to keeping our people safe and stopping the manipulation of our economy.
June 12, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : First class support for Manchester rape survivors is key stop on Law Officers tour [May 2023]

The press release issued by the Attorney General’s Office on 31 May 2023.

THE support offered to Manchester’s survivors of rape and serious sexual offences was the topic for the Attorney General this week as she visited the new-world class facilities the city has to offer.

The Law Officers – Attorney General Victoria Prentis KC and Solicitor General Michael Tomlinson KC – met staff at The St Mary’s Centre, a sexual assault referral scheme.

The centre, currently based on Oxford Road, is one of the leading centres in the country for its work supporting victims of sexual crime. It offers aftercare services, both forensic and counselling based to those affected, and dedicated Independent Sexual Violence Advisors are on hand to support victims through the justice process.

Later this year, the centre will be moving to new premises in Peter Mount and The Law Officers were able to visit the centre as it takes shape.

Attorney General Victoria Prentis KC said:

We know St Mary’s is one of the country’s leading centres for supporting victims of these abhorrent crimes. The new facilities are world-class, and we hope they will continue to be a haven for those who enter its doors.

It is easy to underestimate the bravery needed to report a sexual assault and to persevere through report to court. Having this one-stop centre for victims both male and female is a massive benefit for the people of Manchester. It has been fascinating to visit at this important part of the centre’s history.

The staff at the centre work closely with colleagues from the Crown Prosecution Service’s North West offices to make sure the support afforded to victims continues throughout their journey through the criminal justice system and CPS staff were on hand to meet the Law Officers too.

Solicitor General Michael Tomlinson KC added:

The court process can clearly add so much anxiety for victim who have already endured such a terrible ordeal.

The support they receive can be instrumental in helping them stay engaged with the justice process, especially in measures like being able to give evidence to court via live video link from the centre in a place where they feel safe and supported.

The Manchester visit was part of a three-day tour to the North West and Midlands by the Law Officers to look at victim support measures and to explore how law is supporting loal communities.

Dr. Michelle Carroll, Joint Clinical Director of St. Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) said:

We welcome the visit of the Attorney General, Solicitor General and our colleagues from the Crown Prosecution Service in the North West, to showcase our work and view our new home – which will provide first class facilities to our service users.

Saint Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre is proud to have pioneered the way for victims of rape and sexual assault, and this visit is a chance to recognise the tireless work of our teams who help put people’s lives back together, enabling them to move forward in a positive way and to prevent these horrendous experiences of abuse to define their future.

June 12, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : The UK is committed to combatting all forms of racism and building a fairer world today – UK statement at the General Assembly [May 2023]

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

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN General Assembly Permanent Forum on People of African Descent.

Thank you, Madam Chair,

The UK is proud of our rich and diverse society. We are making great strides towards becoming a fairer, more inclusive one. However, we recognise the need to continue to tackle, as in all societies, negative ethnic and racial disparities affecting some groups. In the UK that includes people with African and Caribbean heritage as well as other ethnic and religious minorities.

Last year we announced an ambitious Inclusive Britain action plan which aims to increase trust in our institutions; promote equality of opportunity; and encourage a greater sense of belonging.

Work is underway. For example, on criminal justice, where we will deliver a new national framework for how policing powers can be scrutinised by local communities. And education, with a new model history curriculum.

In parallel, through our Online Safety Bill, the UK will be the first country to hold social media companies to account for vile racist abuse online.

As we take this work forward, it is right that we reflect on our national journey. From an era of empire and colonialism to one of pride in a diverse, modern society. It is a complex history.

The transatlantic slave trade is a scar on our global history. British citizens and institutions played an important role in ending it. But like nationals of other countries represented here, Britons were also implicated in it. We recognise that the victims of slavery were primarily persons of African descent. And we continue to express our deep sorrow that it could ever have happened.

The United Kingdom believes that we must respond to the cruelty of the past by ensuring that current and future generations learn from it. We are committed to combatting all forms of racism and building a fairer world today.

Thank you.

June 12, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Next steps taken to ensure age-appropriate relationships, sex and health education [May 2023]
The press release issued by the Department of Education on 31 May 2023.

Leading experts in child safeguarding, health, teaching, curriculum development and equalities to contribute to review of the statutory guidance on relationships, sex and health education.

Today the Education Secretary, Gillian Keegan, has announced the formation of an independent expert advisory panel who will advise on the review of the relationships, sex and health education curriculum. This is the next step in progressing the government’s mission to ensure that RSHE is taught in an age-appropriate and factual way in England.

The panel will provide expert advice to the Education Secretary on what is appropriate to be taught in RSHE and at what age. They will consider evidence provided by Ofsted on what is happening on the ground in schools to ascertain where clear age ratings are needed, to reassure parents that there is no room for disturbing or inappropriate content to be taught in schools.

This announcement follows robust action to ensure parents know what their children are being taught. In March, the Education Secretary wrote to all schools reminding them that parents should be able to view all curriculum materials, especially for sensitive topics like RSHE.

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan, said:

The wellbeing and safeguarding of children is our absolute priority, and I share the concerns of parents and teachers about reports that inappropriate lessons are being taught in schools.

The vast majority of teachers do an incredible job navigating these complex and sensitive issues. But the review of the statutory guidance – with the help of this expert panel – will provide clear safeguards against children being taught concepts they are too young to understand or that are inappropriate for their age.

I’m determined to bring forward new guidance as quickly as possible, and schools should continue to engage with parents on lessons that cover the teaching of sensitive issues.

The panel members were carefully considered based on their level of relevant experience and expertise and will bring together input from health, children’s development, and safeguarding:
- Professor Dame Lesley Regan, professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Imperial College London and the government’s first ever Women’s Health Ambassador
- Sir Hamid Patel, Chief Executive of Star Academies
- Helena Brothwell, Regional Director of School Improvement for David Ross Academy Trust
- Alasdair Henderson, barrister specialising in public law, human rights and equality law
- Isabelle Trowler, Chief Social Worker for Children and Families in England
Chief Executive of Star Academies, Sir Hamid Patel, said:

The panel will offer insight on how schools can deliver a high quality RSHE curriculum for all our young people in a way that is age-appropriate, objective and wisely informed by the needs and views of children, parents and families from all backgrounds, across the country.

The review is a welcome opportunity to provide clarity for teachers on expectations, alongside transparency and reassurance for parents.

This is the first review of the statutory guidance since it came into force in 2020. It will provide an opportunity to consider whether the guidance covers the right topics and offers teachers clarity on how to teach sensitive subjects and engage parents positively.

The review of the curriculum will also make sure priority issues are given the attention they deserve, including considering new or additional content on mental health, suicide prevention, vaping and tackling violence against women and girls.

The review will be completed by the end of the year, following a consultation in the autumn. Input from the independent panel and wider stakeholders over the summer will inform the consultation.

The panel will begin work immediately and conclude their work by September 2023. The panel members are expected to give their time on a voluntary basis.
June 12, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : No more free vapes for kids [May 2023]
The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 31 May 2023.

Government takes steps to crack down on rogue firms targeting children with free samples.
- Increased education and dedicated school police liaison officers to keep illegal vapes out of schools
- Rules around sale of nicotine-free vapes and fines for shops selling illicit vapes to be reviewed
A loophole that allows the vaping industry to give free samples of vapes to children in England is set to be closed under new plans announced by the Prime Minister today to clamp down on youth vaping.

This comes as recent NHS figures for 2021 showed that 9% of 11 to 15 year old children used e-cigarettes, up from 6% in 2018.

Selling vapes to under 18s is illegal, however it is clear from this recent rise in teenage usage of vapes and the recent surge in the use and promotion of cheap, colourful products that businesses are targeting children, which has prompted today’s action to crack down on this.

The government has also announced today that there will be a review into banning the vaping industry selling ‘nicotine-free’ vapes to under 18s. This will ensure our rules keep up with the way that vaping products are being used.

The news comes as the Prime Minister and Chief Medical Officer visited Kent Scientific Services in West Malling where e-cigarettes can be analysed for their content, to ensure manufacturers are complying with government regulations.

Manufacturers must notify the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA) before vape products are placed on the market, including disposables. The MHRA has recently taken steps to improve their notification processes and crack down on non-compliant vapes.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:

I am deeply concerned about the sharp rise in kids vaping and shocked by reports of illicit vapes containing lead getting into the hands of school children.

Our new illicit vape enforcement squad – backed by £3 million – is on the case, but clearly there is more to do. That is why I am taking further action today to clamp down on rogue firms who unlawfully target our children with these products.

The marketing and the illegal sales of vapes to children is completely unacceptable and I will do everything in my power to end this practice for good.

Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty said:

While vaping can be an effective quitting tool for smokers, it is important that non-smokers are not encouraged to start vaping. There has been a particularly worrying rise in the number of children using vapes, with companies clearly marketing these products at children using colours, flavours and cheap disposable options.

Closing the loophole that allows companies to give out free samples of vaping products to under 18s is a very welcome step in tackling some of the harms caused by the vaping industry.

We should continue to encourage smokers to swap to vaping as the lesser risk, while preventing the marketing and sale of vapes to children.

There will also be a review into the rules on issuing fines to shops selling vapes to under 18s illegally to allow local Trading Standards to issue on-the-spot fines and fixed penalty notices more easily. This will aim to complement existing fine and penalty procedures, and where possible cover both illegal and underage sales for vapes and tobacco. Where gaps are identified, we will take action to close them.

Health Minister Neil O’Brien said:

The shameful marketing of vaping products to children is leading to growing numbers trying e-cigarettes. Today we are therefore ramping up our efforts to stop kids getting hooked on vaping, including taking steps to crack down on companies handing out free vape samples to under 18s and adding lessons on the health risks of vaping within the curriculum for the first time.

We will also review the rules on issuing on-the-spot fines to shops that break the law by selling vapes to underage children, and look into banning the sale of nicotine-free vapes to under 18s – which we know can be a gateway to using nicotine products. Alongside this our new specialised ‘illicit vapes enforcement squad’ will also clamp down on online shops selling illicit vapes to under 18s.

This builds on action announced last month to protect our children’s health and tackle underage vaping, while exploiting the potential of vaping to help adult smokers quit.

Gillian Golden, CEO of the Independent British Vape Trade Association (IBVTA), said:

Selling products to under 18s has been illegal for some years now, as have proxy sales. Those who ignore the law bring reputable retailers who uphold strict age verification protocols into disrepute. We welcome the planned review on bringing nicotine-free products under existing rules and we look forward to continuing to support enforcement agencies in tackling illicit trade and illegal products.

The loophole allowing free samples to be distributed regardless of consumer age is a gap that no self-respecting business should ever have considered exploiting. The IBVTA applauds the announcement that such activity will soon be illegal.

While it’s concerning that access to vapes by young people is on the increase, it’s encouraging to see the government’s continued recognition of the important role that vaping plays in driving down adult smoking rates.

In a recent Action on Smoking and Health Smokefree GB Youth Survey 2023 of 11 to 17 year olds, 2 out of 5 young people said they smoke vapes “just to give it a try” and about 1 in 5 because “other people use them so I join in”.

That is why action will also be taken in schools, making sure that dedicated police school liaison officers across the country are using new resources to keep illegal vapes out of schools.

The health risks of vaping will be also included in Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) lessons, as part of the government’s ongoing review of RSHE, in order to further discourage children from taking up vaping.

Today’s new plans follow the announcement last month of £3 million of funding which has been provided to create a specialised ‘illicit vapes enforcement squad’ to implement the rules on vaping and tackle illicit vapes and underage sales. The squad – which will work with enforcement agencies and learn from the government’s work with Trading Standards on illicit tobacco – will also tackle online shops selling illicit vapes to under 18s.

A call for evidence on youth vaping launched last month will build on today’s action by looking at evidence into the appeal of vapes as well as the marketing and promotion of vapes, including on social media, to identify opportunities to reduce the number of children accessing and using vape products – and explore where government can go further. This will remain open for submissions until 6 June 2023.

Today’s measures for schools will build on new content published in October 2022 on the potential risks of vaping for young people on the FRANK and Better Health websites and we have provided input to educational resources produced by partners including the PSHE Association.

Our Office for Health Improvement foundand Disparities is also developing a new resource pack for schools on vaping, intended for children aged 11 to 13. The educational resource for young people will inform them about the addictiveness of nicotine and the evidence that young people’s developing brains may be more sensitive to its effects. It will also inform them about other potential health risks, while making clear the distinction between these risks and the known serious health harm associated with smoking tobacco. This will be made available via the Better Health School Zone website by July.

Schools can also access a Year 9 PSHE lesson on the consequences of vaping via the PSHE Association website.

While the rise in illegal youth vaping is a cause for concern, many addicted smokers have found using vapes helpful as a quitting tool. In April, we also launched announced a world-first national scheme, meaning almost 1 in 5 of all smokers in England will be offered a vape starter kit alongside behavioural support to help them quit the habit as part of a series of new measures to help the government meet its ambition of being smoke free by 2030 – reducing smoking rates from 13% to 5% or less.
June 12, 2023