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Tag: Press Release

  • PRESS RELEASE : 45 community groups awarded Windrush day funding [May 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : 45 community groups awarded Windrush day funding [May 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 22 May 2023.

    Funding to support educational, arts and sporting projects to celebrate the Windrush generation and their contribution to UK society.

    More than 40 groups have been awarded funding through the Windrush Day Grant Scheme for arts, educational and sporting projects across England on the 75th anniversary of arrival of the MV Empire Windrush to the UK, the Minister for Communities announced today.

    £750,000 has been awarded to projects across England, including The Brixton Project, a community-led carnival of art, theatre and music, and the Blackstory Partnership, a commemorative Windrush 75 event in Birmingham. More than 200 Windrush Day projects have received a share of the £2.75 million funding over four years in celebration of the contributions of the Windrush generation and their families.

    These community-led initiatives will celebrate the anniversary with events and activities taking place between 8 June and 31 August this year.

    Lee Rowley MP, Minister for Communities, said:

    We wanted to celebrate the positive contribution the Windrush generation and their families bring to this country and recognise the contributions made by all British Caribbean people in our communities.

    Bringing people together is a way to ensure better understanding and social cohesion. I very much encourage everyone to get involved in what’s going on in their local area.

    This year’s celebration of the British Caribbean community will mark the arrival 75 years ago of the MV Empire Windrush, when the first passengers disembarked at Tilbury Docks.

    Next month, communities will come together to honour and celebrate those pioneers who answered the call to come to Britain and help rebuild the nation following the Second World War.

    Last year also saw the unveiling of the National Windrush Monument at London Waterloo station. The Monument is a permanent tribute to the contribution of Caribbean pioneers in communities across the United Kingdom. DLUHC worked with the advisory Windrush Commemoration Committee, chaired by Baroness Floella Benjamin DBE, to complete the project.

    Chair of the Windrush Community Funds and Schemes sub-group of the Windrush Cross-Government Working Group, Paulette Simpson CBE said:

    This year’s celebration of the British Caribbean community will be extra special, as we mark the arrival of the MV Empire Windrush at Tilbury Docks 75 years ago.

    From those first passengers who went on to build their lives and make their home here, those that followed, and their descendants have and continue to make an enormous contribution to all aspects of British life.

    National Windrush Day is now a firm fixture in the nation’s calendar and from Brixton to Wolverhampton, fantastic events and activities will be taking place across the country.

    I’d urge everyone to get involved in this significant moment in our shared history.

    Funded projects for 2023 include:

    • The Brixton Project is a community-led celebration with the support of local artists that cements the histories, experiences and voices of the Windrush generation, promoting community cohesion through a carnival of art, theatre and music as well as local landmark visits integral to the Windrush story.
    • Manchester City of Literature is a creative project that allows young people to develop the skills and confidence needed with a professional filmmaker to create documentary films and podcasts of Windrush generation members from South Manchester churches to tell their stories of migration, faith, education, home and community-building.
    • The Blackstory Partnership showcases a truly commemorative Windrush 75 event in Birmingham, including choir performances of West Indian folk songs, a West Indian Army Standard Ceremony, the launch of the ‘Windrush Generation – This Is Our Story’ book, as well as a Windrush 75 Awards Ceremony that will recognise Windrush pioneers.
    • Jamaica Society Leeds presents ‘Here: Windrush 75 Leeds’ – a series of public Windrush installations across the city featuring 75 larger than life portraits to showcase the Windrush generation’s contribution to social and economic life within Leeds. Interactive school sessions, a publicity campaign, and an online gallery of the portraits will form the project’s legacy.
    • Wolverhampton NHS Trust Charity’s ‘Came to Care’ project explores the entwined stories of the arrival of the MV Empire Windrush and the NHS, both of which celebrate a 75th anniversary this year, offering young creatives the opportunity to exhibit artwork at a celebratory Windrush and NHS 75 event.
    • Friends of St Paul’s Luxuriance creates a floral display in central Bristol to honour the Windrush generation, running an educational training programme for young people and launching an afternoon garden party entwining Caribbean and UK native plants to produce a stunningly beautiful, vibrant display.

    The full list of projects being awarded funding can be found here.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Glasgow named as host of the 92nd Interpol General Assembly [May 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Glasgow named as host of the 92nd Interpol General Assembly [May 2023]

    The press release issued by the Home Office on 22 May 2023.

    Glasgow will host the 92nd Interpol General Assembly from 4 to 7 November 2024 at the Scottish Event Campus previously used as the location for COP 26, the UN Climate Change Conference.

    Already a global leader in security and policing, hosting this event gives the UK a central role in one of the most important policing and public safety events in the world, bringing together Interpol’s 195 members in one common goal – to prevent global illicit activity, and to tackle criminal threats and risk worldwide.

    It is a key opportunity to drive innovation and leadership in international police cooperation to tackle major crime trends and security threats facing the world, including organised crime, counter-terrorism and fraud.

    The General Assembly is Interpol’s highest governing body and the largest global gathering of senior law enforcement officials and heads of ministries.

    UK Security Minister Tom Tugendhat said:

    Global challenges call for global solutions.

    Hosting the Interpol General Assembly in Glasgow underlines the UK’s role as a global leader when it comes to security and policing, and demonstrates our steadfast commitment to tackle global threats such as organised crime, terrorism and fraud.

    Interpol’s General Assembly meets annually, the UK’s hosting of the event will follow this year’s 91st General Assembly in Vienna, Austria.

    The UK held Interpol General Assembly will include elections for 10 key leadership posts, including the new Secretary General, a critical role for co-ordinating the global response to new emerging threats and criminality.

    This event will be held in partnership with the National Crime Agency, operational leads for tackling serious and organised crime in the UK, including through Interpol.

    Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs Angela Constance said:

    Glasgow has a global reputation for hosting major international events and hosting the Interpol General Assembly is yet another opportunity to add to that impressive list.

    The Scottish Government will continue to work closely with partners in the UK government, law enforcement, local government and Police Scotland – which is already globally recognised for its work keeping the people of Scotland safe – as we welcome delegates from around the world to Glasgow.

    Graeme Biggar, Director General of the National Crime Agency, said:

    We are immensely proud to be the host law enforcement agency for the 2024 General Assembly and to lead the UK delegation.

    Crime has no borders, so now more than ever before the UK must work with its partners around the world to ensure criminals have no place to hide so we can keep our citizens safe.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Strategic Command and Italian delegation discuss cyberspace [May 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Strategic Command and Italian delegation discuss cyberspace [May 2023]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 22 May 2023.

    A contingent of senior Italian military officers met with their counterparts from Strategic Command to discuss cyberspace and digital.

    The meetings, conducted in MOD Main Building on 18-19 May 2023, formed part of our efforts to drive integration, and lead the cyberspace and electromagnetic domain.

    Attendees included Major General James Roddis DSO, MBE, Director Strategy at Strategic Command, and Charles Forte, Chief Information Officer. The Italian delegation included Major General Giovanni Gagliano, Head of Division C4I Systems and Digital Transformation.

    Topics discussed included cyberspace operations, training and education, data strategy, NATO and national doctrine, and artificial intelligence (AI) policy.

    Major General Gagliano is leading a review of Italy’s cyberspace strategy, policy, and governance and spearheading work on cloud strategy.

    Italy is highly valued as an ally to the UK and the rest of NATO. British and Italian Defence ministers signed a joint statement of intent on bilateral Defence cooperation in February; and Italy forms part of the UK-led Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP).

    The concepts of driving integration and leading the cyber and electromagnetic domain will be incorporated in Strategic Command’s exhibition stand at Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) on 12-15 September 2023 at ExCeL, London.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Domestic seed production boosted with new funding award [May 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Domestic seed production boosted with new funding award [May 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 22 May 2023.

    Domestic tree seed production is to be ramped up and biosecurity enhanced with new Government funding and measures announced today (Monday 22 May).

    The next round of the Domestic Seed Sourcing Grant is set to be allocated, with £747,000 awarded to boost domestic tree seed production, create green jobs, help meet the increased demand for trees and achieve our ambitious net zero targets.

    The grant is designed to enhance the quantity, quality and diversity of tree seed sources in England. Most tree seed planted in the UK is of British origin, but evidence suggests that British seed sources may struggle to meet future demand across all species and there are known to be global shortages of tree seed. The grant will boost domestic tree seed production and support green jobs, helping meet the increased demand for trees.

    Alongside, in line with the GB Plant Biosecurity Strategy, the Biosecure Procurement Requirement Pilot has been extended to further Government tree-planting funds to address risks to our biosecurity. Applicants to these funds, such as local authorities, must commit to sourcing their trees from suppliers who are either accredited under the Plant Healthy Certification Scheme or who have passed a Ready to Plant assessment, as provided by Fera Science Ltd for their order, to ensure they are disease and pest free to minimise future threats of invasive species and tree loss.

    Trudy Harrison, Forestry Minister, said:

    This funding will improve the diversity of England’s seed supply, increasing the range of species. This will be crucial for creating diverse and resilient woodlands, which are better able to adapt to future climate conditions as well as emerging pests and diseases.

    Increasing seed supply will also be essential to meeting our target to treble tree planting rates by the end of this Parliament.

    Richard Stanford, Forestry Commission Chief Executive, said:

    We need to have healthy and thriving trees to help tackle some of society’s biggest challenges of climate change and nature decline.  Protecting our treescape from biosecurity risks is vital to ensuring resilient trees and woodlands.

    Increasing funding for seed sourcing will help manage the risk of pests and diseases, minimising net loss to the existing treescape and protecting our investment in diversifying and expanding tree cover in England.

    Nicola Spence, Chief Plant Health Officer, said:

    A healthy, high quality, and diverse treescape is integral to meet our target of achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

    This vital funding will  diversify our domestic seed source supply and reducing the need to import seeds from abroad. In addition, by extending our Biosecurity Procurement Requirement for applicants to the government’s tree planting funds, we will bolster our biosecurity standards and improve the resilience of our trees against harmful pests and diseases.

    Eligible activities for the Seed Sourcing grant include:

    • Management of existing seed stands – the groups of trees in the landscape from which seed is collected – to ensure they are productive for seed collectors.
    • Desk studies and field studies to identify and bring additional seed stands onto the National Register of Basic material.
    • Planning and planting of new seed stands.
    • Planning and planting of new seed orchards – which are planted using seed or clonal material from known parents outside of the natural landscape in an area convenient for seed collectors.

    The Forestry Commission have produced a new Forestry Nursery Directory to help connect people who buy trees with people who grow trees.

    Today’s announcement coincides with the Chelsea Flower Show. This year’s RHS Show shines a spotlight on the importance of protecting biodiversity and strengthening and growing native species.

    Winners of the first round of the Seed Sourcing Grant include:

    • Future Trees Trust’s successful proposal will involve creating a Source-identified seed stand for blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) using seed from the Millennium Seed Bank. They will also carry out a grafting pilot on beech (Fagus sylvatica), hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) and field maple (Acer campestre) to address lack of grafting knowledge for these species, and identify beech and hornbeam plus trees across southern Britain (regions of provenance 30 and 40). Beech plus trees will then be grafted for a Qualified Clonal Seed Orchard to be planted after the funded project ends.
    • Jo Clark, Head of Research at Future Trees Trust said: ‘We are delighted to have received funding from the Forestry Commission to improve seed supply of beech and hornbeam.  The grant has enabled us to employ a new research technician to locate plus trees of these species.  We aim to create the first qualified seed orchard for beech with this funding. We are also using blackthorn seed from the RBG Kew’s Millennium Seed Bank to establish a seed stand for blackthorn.’
    • Woodland Trust have been awarded funding to identify, ground truth, and register new Seed Stands across the Woodland Trust England estate. In particular, their project will focus on desk and field studies to identify stands of guelder rose (Viburnum opulus), hazel (Corylus avellana) (specifically non-405), holly (Ilex aquifolium), hornbeam (Carpinus betulus), small leaved lime (Tilia cordata), whitebeam (Sorbus aria), service tree (Sorbus torminalis) and yew (Taxus baccata).
    • Duchy of Cornwall will bring an existing Selected sessile oak (Quercus petraea) Seed Stand (region of provenance 40) into management, through thinning, mulching, and installing deer fencing.
  • PRESS RELEASE : PM remarks at the G7 Press Conference [May 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : PM remarks at the G7 Press Conference [May 2023]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 22 May 2023.

    Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s remarks at the at the G7 press conference.

    Let me start by thanking Prime Minister Kishida and the people of Japan for their warm and generous welcome and hospitality.

    At this pivotal moment for peace, freedom, and democracy, the G7 came together with our allies and friends to confront a more dangerous world.

    We leave Hiroshima stronger and more united than ever.

    And through this summit, we have advanced the priorities of the British people with two big aims – economic security and national security.

    First, economic security.

    On this trip, we’ve secured almost £18 billion of new investments into the UK from Japanese businesses.

    That’s a huge vote of confidence in the UK – creating hundreds of new jobs, with significantly more to come as projects get underway.

    All helping to grow our economy – one of my five priorities for the UK.

    And alongside our unprecedented new defence and security partnership it’s clear that the UK-Japan relationship has never been closer as we work with G7 allies to support a free and open Indo-Pacific.

    The G7 also demonstrated unity of purpose on China.

    China poses the biggest challenge of our age to global security and prosperity. They are increasingly authoritarian at home and assertive abroad.

    And, as the G7 have showed, the UK’s response is completely aligned with our allies.

    This is all about de-risking – not de-coupling.

    And with the G7, we are taking steps to prevent China from using economic coercion to interfere in the sovereign affairs of others.

    A new theme of this Summit was also AI.

    AI can bring huge benefits for our economy, society, and public services.

    But of course – it needs to be developed safely, securely, and fairly.

    And that will require international cooperation something the UK is in a natural position to lead.

    Our second aim for this Summit was national security.

    All leaders at this Summit are grappling with the issue of illegal migration.

    My policy is this: it is the British government who will determine who comes to Britain.

    We must stop the boats and break the business model of the criminal gangs.

    This is a global issue – and it will increasingly be a focus of our international engagement.

    Just last week, at the Council of Europe we agreed to strengthen cooperation with the EU’s border force.

    At this Summit, we secured the G7’s agreement to deepen our work together.

    And we expect this to be an important focus of the G7 next year, under Italy’s leadership.

    And there is no more pressing issue facing the G7 and the world – than Ukraine.

    I want to pay tribute to my friend, Volodymyr. It was a privilege to welcome him to Chequers earlier this week.

    And I believe his attendance at this G7 was a moment of historic significance.

    The image of the G7 and our partners standing shoulder to shoulder with President Zelenskyy sends a powerful message about the unity and determination of the G7 allies.

    We will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes, because their security is our security.

    The G7’s strategy is clear:

    Our military, diplomatic and economic tools are all part of the Ukrainian counter-offensive.

    We’re delivering more support on the battlefield through air defence, artillery, tanks, and long-range missiles – which the UK was the first country to provide.

    We’re supporting Ukraine to develop the air force it needs for the future with the UK training Ukrainian pilots, starting this summer.

    And we’ve made a real breakthrough at this Summit, thanks to President Biden’s support for an international coalition to provide F-16 jets.

    We’re ratcheting up the economic cost to Russia with a new package of sanctions.

    And we know that Ukraine must not only win the war but win a just and lasting peace.

    We’re working with allies to provide coordinated bilateral security arrangements and a collective commitment to Ukraine’s future defence, to guarantee they can deter future attacks.

    And any peace settlement must be on Ukraine’s terms.

    I want to just quote from the statement that the G7 and our partner countries have just agreed:

    “We support a just and durable peace, based on respect for international law, the principles of the UN Charter, and territorial integrity and sovereignty.”

    In other words: we must, and we will show that violent territorial aggression does not reap rewards.

    There could be no more fitting place to discuss the urgent need for peace, than Hiroshima.

    I was deeply moved to visit the peace memorial on Friday.

    What we saw there was haunting.

    A child’s tricycle, twisted by the blast.

    School uniforms bloodied and torn.

    And with those images in our minds, we resolved never to forget what happened here.

    And at this historic summit, G7 leaders recommitted ourselves to the path of peace, freedom, and democracy.

    Thank you.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak meeting with Prime Minister Modi of India [May 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak meeting with Prime Minister Modi of India [May 2023]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 22 May 2023.

    Prime Minister Rishi Sunak met the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, at the G7 Summit in Japan.

    Prime Minister Modi passed on his warm congratulations on the coronation of his Majesty King Charles III.

    The leaders reflected on the deep ties between the UK and India, rooted in our human connections, and the vital importance of democracy and fair and open trade.

    They discussed progress on a UK-India Free Trade Agreement. The leaders agreed that their teams would continue to work at pace to finalise an ambitious and mutually beneficial deal.

    The leaders discussed the wider objectives of the G7 Summit and the Prime Minister committed his strong support for India’s G20 Presidency, which comes at a crucial time for global security and prosperity.

    He looked forward to working closely with Prime Minister Modi ahead of a successful Summit later this year.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Government sells £1.26 billion of NatWest shares reducing stake to 38.6% [May 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Government sells £1.26 billion of NatWest shares reducing stake to 38.6% [May 2023]

    The press release issued by HM Treasury on 22 May 2023.

    NatWest is a step closer to being returned to full private ownership as the government sells c. £1.26billion in shares back to NatWest via a Directed Buyback.

    • Government sells c. £1.26 billion of NatWest shares to NatWest as stake reduced to c. 38.6%
    • Announcement marks a further major milestone in returning the bank to private ownership
    • Sixth block sale of NatWest shares since the government intervened in NatWest to protect financial and economic stability during the global financial crisis in 2008

    NatWest is a step closer to being returned to full private ownership as the government sells c. £1.26 billion in shares back to NatWest via a Directed Buyback.

    The sale reduces the government’s shareholding to c. 38.6% – down from around 84% at its peak – delivering significant progress against the government’s intention as announced at Spring Budget to fully exit the shareholding by 2025-2026, subject to market conditions and achieving value for money for taxpayers.

    The Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Andrew Griffith said:

    Today’s sale is another major milestone in returning NatWest to full private ownership as promised. The government has now sold well over half of its shareholding.

    The government intervened in NatWest (formerly the Royal Bank of Scotland, RBS) with the objective of protecting financial and economic stability during the 2008 global financial crisis.

    The Office for Budget Responsibility has been clear that – without the government’s interventions in the financial sector – the cost of the 2008 global financial crisis would almost certainly have been far greater.

    The government will only dispose of its NatWest shareholding when it represents value for money to do so and market conditions allow.

    Alongside progress being made by the ongoing trading plan, HMT and UK Government Investments continue to keep all options under active consideration for future sales, including via accelerated bookbuilds if conditions permit.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK Minister for Europe makes his first visit to Armenia [May 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK Minister for Europe makes his first visit to Armenia [May 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 22 May 2023.

    UK Minister for Europe Leo Docherty is making his first visit to Armenia on 22 and 23 May to further strengthen bilateral relations.

    • UK Minister to engage in high-level talks with Armenian Prime Minister and Foreign Minister
    • Minister for Europe to reiterate UK support for Armenia’s democratic and economic reforms
    • he will urge for a peaceful resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict

    During his first visit to Armenia this week (22-23 May), the UK’s Minister for Europe, Leo Docherty, will urge for a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh as negotiations continue between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

    He will call on both sides to continue substantive negotiations to resolve all outstanding tensions – including the closure of Lachin Corridor – in a peaceful and sustainable way.

    He will also say that immediate action needs to be taken to restore the flow of goods and people into Nagorno-Karabakh.

    Ahead of the visit, Minister Docherty said:

    The conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh is affecting thousands of people, and while we are supporting humanitarian efforts, the only way this will end is through both sides continuing to engage fully in good faith negotiations.

    The UK is committed to supporting Armenia’s democratic and economic reform agenda. I am proud that the UK is funding programmes to protect freedoms and boost prosperity.

    While in Yerevan, Minister Docherty will reiterate the UK’s long-standing support for Armenia’s democratic and economic development. During meetings with the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, he will also discuss security, defence and the strengthening of trade relations.

    He will announce the launch of a Strategic Dialogue that will take place between the two countries later this year as well as underline a desire to sign a Comprehensive Enhanced Partnership, an agreement which will enhance our countries economic relationship.

    In addition, Minister Docherty will meet Members of Parliament and the Minister of Economy. He will also visit representatives from across civil society and business, including companies with ties to the UK. The Minister will discuss opportunities to strengthen the UK-Armenia trading relationship and grow both of our economies.

    Minister Docherty will visit a Research and Training Centre at the Armenian Parliament and a project developing the textiles industry. They are both part of the UK’s programme to support Armenia. The UK funded programmes worth nearly £4 million supporting Armenia’s democratic and economic reform agenda in 2022.

    As well as contributing to humanitarian efforts related to Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, UK funding is also supporting Armenia’s efforts towards green transition; tackling disinformation by promoting media self-regulation and effective cooperation with the state authorities in regulating the sphere; promoting conflict resolution through facilitation of dialogue, enabling healthy debate and promoting the Women, Peace and Security Agenda.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Royal Marines conduct beach raid in Estonia during NATO exercise [May 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Royal Marines conduct beach raid in Estonia during NATO exercise [May 2023]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 22 May 2023.

    Around 100 marines from 45 Commando conducted an exercise to stage an amphibious raid at a beach in Estonia, as part of a major NATO exercise.

    Members of 45 Commando deployed from the Royal Navy amphibious assault ship, HMS Albion, under the cover of darkness on Saturday.

    The commandos manoeuvred their Inflatable Raiding Craft, which can travel at speeds of up to 20knots, through the waves to close in on the beach at Kaberneeme, on the north coast of Estonia.

    The beach raid is just the latest in a series of planned scenarios the UK Armed Forces are exercising as part of a 14,000-strong deployment from 11 NATO countries for Exercise Spring Storm.

    The beach raid scenario saw 45 Commando facing off against Estonia’s Armed Forces, with an Estonian naval missile unit acting as the marines’ target.

    Commanding Officer of HMS Albion, Captain Marcus Hember, said:

    This exercise has been a great proving ground in demonstrating the flexibility of amphibious ships like HMS Albion, enabling fast and lethal strikes by our embedded Royal Marines in 45 Commando whilst seamlessly supported by the ship and its crew.

    We’ve demonstrated our ability to exercise with our regional partners adding significant capability and shown we can ‘turn up when needed’.

    Officer Commanding X Company, Royal Marines, Major Lee Stewart, said:

    The support of the crew from HMS ALBION is critical to land operations, the integrated approach with both Royal Navy and Royal Marines working as a team make amphibious warfare so effective.

    Two RAF Typhoon fighter jets were on station to provide close air support, information, surveillance and reconnaissance during the exercise – enabling invaluable integrated training between land, sea and air.

    Members of IX (Bomber) Squadron and their Typhoons are currently stationed at Ämari Air Base, having flown NATO air policing missions recently with German Allies – resulting in several intercepts of Russian aircraft transiting close to Estonian airspace.

    The commando exercise provided a valuable opportunity for the Royal Marines to practice an amphibious deployment, swiftly infiltrating hostile territory to secure information, confuse the enemy, or strike a high value target.

    More than 1,500 UK troops are currently deployed for Spring Storm, Estonia’s largest annual military exercise.

    The UK retains a continuous deployment in Estonia as part of its NATO commitment, known as the enhanced Forward Presence (eFP).

    At last year’s NATO summit, the UK committed to increase the size of its eFP commitment, with this year’s exercise marking the first time the UK has conducted a brigade-sized deployment to Estonia – involving hundreds more personnel than in previous deployments.

    Defence Minister, Andrew Murrison – a reserve Royal Navy officer –  today visited HMS Albion to speak to Armed Forces personnel involved in the exercise. His daughter, Lt Sarah Murrison, is a Deputy Logistics Officer aboard HMS Albion.

    Minister for Defence People, Veterans and Service Families, Dr Andrew Murrison MP said:

    Exercise Spring Storm in Estonia is bolstering our ability to work closely with NATO allies on military operations and demonstrating our readiness for rapid deployment across all domains.

    I’m immensely proud to see first-hand the hard work my daughter, those aboard HMS Albion and everyone in our Armed Forces undertakes to keep us safe, at home and abroad.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Latin America deserves bigger say on international stage, Foreign Secretary to tell young leaders in Chile [May 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Latin America deserves bigger say on international stage, Foreign Secretary to tell young leaders in Chile [May 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 22 May 2023.

    Foreign Secretary James Cleverly will make keynote speech in Santiago, Chile that will outline UK’s future relationship with Latin America.

    • keynote speech will celebrate 200 years of UK-Latin America relations and set out ambitious future partnership
    • James Cleverly will set out how multilateral institutions like the United Nations need reform to give more voice and more influence to region
    • he will outline trade and investment opportunities with the value of imports and exports rising by 45.4% last year

    Foreign Secretary James Cleverly will use a keynote speech in the Chilean capital Santiago today (Monday 22 May) to set out the UK’s future relationship with Latin America.

    The speech comes as British embassies across the continent prepare to celebrate 200 years of UK-Latin America relations.

    At Santiago’s Gabriela Mistral Cultural Centre, Cleverly will speak of his pride in the role the UK played in supporting the struggle for Latin America’s independence 2 centuries ago – describing Britain as the region’s “oldest friend”.

    The Foreign Secretary will say the “tectonic plates of world politics are shifting once again” and will use his address to young leaders to highlight the values that unite Latin America and the UK.

    On the shared values between the UK and Latin America, Cleverly will say:

    Our position is clear. Respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, self-determination and human rights must prevail. Alongside democracy, the rule of law, liberty and freedom. We know these are your values too.

    Cleverly will highlight the UK-Latin America partnership on matters of global importance, including tackling climate change, upholding democracy and human rights and securing free and open supply chains of critical minerals.

    On UK-Latin American relations in the 21st century, the Foreign Secretary will say:

    We should be ambitious for our future relationship. Not just because of the historical bonds of friendship that have united us for more than 200 years, but because we treasure the same fundamental values that inspired the creation of this international order. It will only evolve, survive and prosper with the support and whole-hearted engagement of this great region.

    Cleverly will call for Latin American countries to be given a louder voice in multinational organisations like the UN, including a permanent Security Council seat for Brazil:

    [Latin America’s] demographic and economic weight gives you a pivotal role in determining whether the international order will endure… But our world’s multilateral institutions need reform, in particular to give more voice and more influence to Latin America.

    Latin America, home to 660 million people and with combined GDP of almost $6 trillion, is an enormous potential market for the UK. Mexico, Chile and Peru are among the region’s members the UK will be joining in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) trading bloc – boosting British jobs, growth and influence.

    To set out the importance of engagement with Latin America, the Foreign Secretary will highlight trade and investment opportunities that exist following the UK’s accession to CPTPP:

    The total value of imports and exports rose by a massive 45.4% last year to more than £40 billion. But with Latin America representing only 2.1% of UK imports and 2.6% of UK exports worldwide, I recognise that there is much more to do on trade and investment.

    It comes during the first visit by a Foreign Secretary to South America since 2018 – helping meet a UK foreign policy objective to revive old friendships and build new ones beyond established alliances. As well as Chile and Colombia, Cleverly is also travelling to Brazil.

    The address in Santiago builds on the Foreign Secretary’s commitment to deepening engagement with countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America made in his speech on 12 December 2022 – where he said the UK’s future global impact will depend on winning over a far broader array of global partners.

    Referencing the leadership of revolutionary figures like Simon Bolivar, the Foreign Secretary will say the values that were evident in Latin America’s fight for independence 200 years ago can still be harnessed today:

    Two hundred years ago, Simon Bolivar said that ‘the freedom of the New World is the hope of the universe’. Your love of freedom continues to inspire the world today. It’s why I’ve come from London to revive old friendships and build new ones. And to pledge our long-term commitment.