Tag: Press Release

  • PRESS RELEASE : Online animal cruelty activity to be removed from social media platforms [September 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Online animal cruelty activity to be removed from social media platforms [September 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 7 September 2023.

    The amendment, which will be tabled in Parliament today will crack down on animal torture content online.

    • Crackdown on animal torture content online as government boosts protections for animals and internet users.
    • Social media sites will be required to proactively remove the illegal activity, with fines imposed for those that fail to do so.
    • Change comes as the Online Safety Bill makes its way through Parliament – with new laws to be introduced in a matter of months.

    Social media firms will be forced to remove online content facilitating animal torture in a further push to make the UK the safest place in the world to be online.

    Under new proposals, social media platforms will be required to proactively tackle the illegal content and have it swiftly removed, or face fines of up to £18 million or 10% of their global annual revenue.

    The amendment, which will be tabled in Parliament today, will require platforms to put in place systems and processes to tackle content that encourages or facilitates animal torture. The amendment comes after untiring campaigning by Baroness Merron to further strengthen the Online Safety Bill’s laws around animal torture content.

    It also means even if the activity takes place outside the UK but is seen by users in the UK, tech companies will be made to take it down as part of a zero-tolerance approach.

    Recent examples of facilitating this includes the Monkey Haters case, a year-long BBC investigation which uncovered a sadistic global monkey torture ring stretching from Indonesia to the United States. This demonstrates how social media can be used to pay for or give instruction to others on the torture of animals. Today’s amendment will force social media companies to put in place proactive steps to tackle this.

    Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan said:

    This kind of activity is deeply disturbing and not something an animal-friendly nation like the UK should ever tolerate.

    Social media sites must not be used as platforms to promote the sadistic and harrowing actions of some deeply depraved internet users, and today we’re taking steps to make sure it is swiftly removed so both animals and users can be protected.

    The Online Safety Bill will make the UK the safest place in the world to be a child online, and it will now stop the proliferation of animal abuse too.

    Today will see the UK Government list section 4(1) (unnecessary suffering) of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 as a priority offence in the Bill.

    The changes will work alongside other recent government amendments to protect children from content showing real or realistic serious violence or injury against an animal.

    Environment Secretary Therese Coffey said:

    We are a nation of animal lovers and the UK has some of the highest animal welfare standards worldwide.

    Animal abuse is abhorrent and should not be circulating online, so these new rules will ensure social media platforms act swiftly to remove this content.

    New strengthened protections will force social media companies to proactively tackle instances where their services are being used as part of the process of animal torture.

    The Online Safety Bill is a new set of laws to protect children and adults online. It will make social media companies more responsible for their users’ safety on their platforms.

    The Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act 2021 now provides one of the toughest sanctions in Europe. It strengthens the UK’s position as a global leader on animal welfare and realises our manifesto commitment to increase the maximum sentences available to our courts for the most serious cases of animal cruelty. We have raised sentences from 6 months to five years imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Syria’s chemical weapons remain a threat to international peace and security – UK statement at the Security Council [September 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Syria’s chemical weapons remain a threat to international peace and security – UK statement at the Security Council [September 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 7 September 2023.

    Statement by Deputy Political Coordinator Tom Phipps at the UN Security Council meeting on Syria Chemical Weapons.

    Let me begin by thanking Director-General Fernando Arias of the OPCW for his latest monthly report, and also to the OPCW Declaration Assessment Team for their tireless efforts to resolve the outstanding issues in Syria’s Chemical Weapons Declaration. I would also like to thank High Representative Nakamitsu for her briefing today.

    President, as Ms Nakamitsu and others have said, ten years ago in the early hours of 21 August,Bashar Assad’s forces used sarin against the people of Ghouta. More than 1,000 people were killed, many of whom were women and children. The resulting UN Mission report described it as the most significant confirmed use of chemical weapons against civilians since Saddam Hussein used them in Halabja in 1988.

    This Council expressed its outrage, it condemned the killing of civilians, it affirmed that any use of chemical weapons constitutes a serious violation of international law and we collectively called for accountability. Security Council resolution 2118 was adopted, unanimously.

    The resolution condemned chemical weapons use in Syria and endorsed the implementation of the OPCW Executive Council decision setting out the steps for the destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons programme.

    It was clear that the Syrian Arab Republic should not use, develop, produce, otherwise acquire, stockpile or retain chemical weapons. It compelled Syria to cooperate fully with the OPCW and the UN, including by providing personnel designated by the OPCW with immediate and unfettered access to, and the right to inspect in discharging their functions, any and all sites that the OPCW has grounds to believe to be of importance for the purpose of its mandate.

    Ten years later, the provisions of UNSCR 2118 have not been met. As others have said today, there have been nine further confirmed chemical weapons attacks by the Syrian regime.

    Next month will mark ten years since Syria acceded to the chemical weapons convention.

    It is a moment for us to all reflect on our responsibility for the implementation of UNSCR 2118, and how we can move forward, collectively, and in support of the OPCW’s efforts to resolve outstanding inconsistencies with Syria’s declaration.

    We owe that to the victims of Ghouta and of all chemical weapons attacks. Including the attack carried out by Russia five years in Salisbury, in the UK, which resulted in the death of the British national Dawn Sturgess.

    President, Syria’s chemical weapons will remain a threat to international peace and security until its chemical weapons programme has been fully and verifiably destroyed by the OPCW.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister call with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine [September 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister call with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine [September 2023]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 7 September 2023.

    The Prime Minister spoke to Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy this afternoon before he travels to India for the G20 Leaders’ Summit.

    President Zelenskyy updated on Ukraine’s counter-offensive and ongoing military requirements, and the Prime Minister pledged the UK’s steadfast support and commended Ukraine’s armed forces for their progress on the battlefield.

    They also discussed the impact of Putin’s continued Black Sea grain blockade, both in Ukraine and for food supplies around the world. The Prime Minister committed to galvanise work with G20 countries on circumventing Russia’s blockade and ensuring vulnerable countries can access vital grain shipments.

    The Prime Minister welcomed progress on bilateral security commitments for Ukraine, with 30 partners now signing the Joint Declaration, an initiative led by the UK and allies at this summer’s NATO Summit. He said the UK would continue to drive forward plans for long term support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and security.

    President Zelenskyy thanked the Prime Minister for the UK’s continued solidarity, and the leaders agreed to remain in close contact.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK signs agreement with Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre [September 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK signs agreement with Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre [September 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 7 September 2023.

    Minister for the Caribbean and Americas, David Rutley MP, signs memorandum of understanding for work to be done to improve access to climate finance in the Caribbean.

    The UK Government delivers on COP26 promise to help strengthen Climate Resilience and Finance in the Caribbean region through collaboration with the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC).

    The United Kingdom has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in the amount of £2.7 million with the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC) for work to be done under the Small Island Developing States Capacity and Resilience (SIDAR) Programme.

    The SIDAR programme represents delivery on part of the UK’s overall commitment of £11.6 billion for climate finance, with a specific aim to support adaptation and resilience in Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The SIDAR Caribbean programme aims to augment access to climate finance and support programmatic acceleration of climate resilient actions in selected Caribbean countries.

    The UK’s support to the CCCCC will help Member States of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to address the challenges they face in accessing climate finance. Non-Official Development Assistance (ODA) eligible Member States will be invited to participate in lesson learning and virtual training activities.

    Through the CCCCC, the programme will help address the barriers that Caribbean SIDS face in planning for, accessing, and effectively utilizing climate finance. The programme aims to facilitate a sustainable increase in the flow of climate finance, enhance project development and implementation capabilities, and support simplification of the multilateral funding processes with which they must engage.

    The CCCCC, in partnership with Member States, will develop funding proposals that are aligned to national priorities for submission to various financial mechanisms under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and other multilateral and bilateral financing partners.

    This concerted effort by the UK is expected to help the Caribbean access US$50 million for the region over the next three years. Dedicated resources will be allocated to beneficiary countries for project preparation grants, including readiness activities, with a target of mobilizing US$3 million in readiness support during the programme’s implementation.

    The SIDAR Programme will also establish a Help Desk to provide assistance to CARICOM Member States in the development and implementation of climate change projects. By fostering collaboration, knowledge sharing, and strategic leveraging of resources, the programme is expected to drive sustainable climate actions in the Caribbean region.

    Speaking at the signing ceremony on 6 September 2023, UK Minister for the Americas and the Caribbean, The Honourable David Rutley expressed his optimism about the partnership, stating:

    The implementation of this initiative under the SIDAR programme marks an important moment in our collective efforts to combat the impacts of climate change.

    Through close collaboration with the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC), the UK is delivering on its promise to help unlock greater amounts of climate finance, strengthen resilience, and secure a sustainable future for SIDS, including those in the Caribbean.

    Executive Director for Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre, Colin A. Young, Ph.D. said:

    The CCCCC is pleased to partner with the UK to implement the SIDAR programme in the Caribbean, that will increase both the flow and scale of climate finance to CARICOM Member States to help build their resilience to escalating and adverse impacts of climate change, as well as strengthen their capacity to effectively utilize these resources.

    We are appreciative of the UK’s commitment to tangibly assist CARICOM in increasing the flow of climate finance in the Region.

    The collaborative and strategic interventions in the programme are designed to lead to sustainable change and foster a climate-resilient future for CARICOM Member States.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Government delivers extra £50 million home adaptation funding [September 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Government delivers extra £50 million home adaptation funding [September 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 7 September 2023.

    Money provided to local authorities so they can make quicker home adaptations for older people or those with disabilities, ensuring they can stay independent.

    • Additional funding to help older and disabled people live more independently in their own homes
    • £50 million to be provided this year to adapt people’s homes
    • Overall, adaptation grants support 50,000 people a year and help people to be discharged from hospital quicker, cutting waiting times

    Fifty million pounds has been allocated to local authorities from today to help older people and those with disabilities live safely and independently in their own homes.

    Delivered jointly by the Department of Health and Social Care and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC), eligible disabled people of all ages will be able to apply to their local authority for a grant to adapt their home to better meet their needs.

    Available to homeowners, private renters and those in social housing, the funding will be delivered through the Disabled Facilities Grant and comes on top of the annual £573 million already provided to local authorities for home improvement services.

    Since 2010, there have been almost half a million home adaptions, backed by £4.8 billion in funding.

    Minister for Adult Social Care, Helen Whately, said:

    If you’re older or living with a disability, a well-adapted home gives you independence and safety.

    Living in your own home can be impossible after illness or injury without changes like wheelchair ramps, handrails or a stairlift.

    This new funding will help thousands more people have homes fit for their needs – and faster. When time is of the essence, this fund will help local authorities do urgent and smaller-scale adaptations more quickly.

    Sometimes all that stands in the way of a patient going home from hospital is a simple home adaptation – so this is good news for patients and hospitals too. It’ll mean more people can recover from a hospital stay at home, and more NHS beds for patients who need them.

    Announced as part of the Next steps to put people at the heart of care plan, the £50 million is the first tranche of a £102 million investment over 2 years that will enable local authorities to provide additional services that are agile, make minor adaptations quickly and support speedier hospital discharge.

    Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at DLUHC, Felicity Buchan, said:

    We want everyone to have high quality, safe and suitable homes so they can keep living more independently, including people leaving hospital care. This funding provides councils with additional resource to support those in need and builds on the funding already in place.

    Providing suitable adaptations to homes, such as wheelchair ramps, handrails, stairlifts or specialist equipment, will mean that when someone is medically fit to be discharged, they will have somewhere safe to be discharged to, freeing up hospital beds for those who need them.

    As a result, this will help to reduce waiting times, which will be important as the health service approaches the winter months, when pressure on the NHS increases.

    The Disabled Facilities Grant is one of a range of housing support measures that a local authority can use to help enable people to live independently and safely at home. The government also provides guidance to local authorities to help them effectively and efficiently deliver home adaptations and best serve the needs of older and disabled people in their local communities.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Overhaul of Prevent underway with new guidance published [September 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Overhaul of Prevent underway with new guidance published [September 2023]

    The press release issued by the Home Office on 7 September 2023.

    Significant improvements delivered just over 6 months after the Home Secretary committed to wholesale change following the Independent Review of Prevent.

    The government is on track to fulfil the majority of the recommendations from the Independent Review of Prevent by February 2024, with significant changes already implemented to bolster governance and embed oversight.

    Ten out of the 34 recommendations have been delivered in full, and progress has been made against every single recommendation, with 68 of the 120 required tasks completed.

    Refreshed draft Prevent duty guidance has been published today and a statutory instrument laid in the House of Commons to bring it into force under the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act, aiding frontline professionals in stopping people from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.

    Strengthened due diligence checks on civil society organisations will ensure that under no circumstances will Prevent work with or fund those who legitimise or support extremists. Prevent funding has ceased with groups which have fallen foul of these standards.

    Updated Prevent duty guidance, published today, delivers on several key recommendations of the independent review, making it clear that Prevent’s objective is to tackle the ideological causes of terrorism. It includes practical advice for those with responsibility to stop people from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.

    This guidance will help frontline professionals in healthcare, education, local authorities, prisons, probation and the police comply with the Prevent duty.

    Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, said:

    Terrorists seek to destroy the freedoms and values we cherish. It is the duty of government to disrupt this enduring and evolving threat.

    Ongoing improvements to Prevent are paving the way for a stronger, more transparent and proportionate approach to tackling radicalisation in this country. This includes ensuring that we are no longer working with or funding groups who legitimise extremists.

    The updated Prevent duty guidance provides frontline professionals in education, healthcare and local government with a renewed focus as well as new tools and information to stop people from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.

    Education Secretary, Gillian Keegan, said:

    Our schools are committed to protecting pupils from radicalisation and extremist influences, and this guidance along with the support of frontline workers will be pivotal to achieving that.

    These changes will provide greater clarity, practical advice and access to best practice for all teachers and education settings.

    A new security threat check will ensure that Prevent activity is always in line with the national threat picture.

    New training on the ideological foundations of extremism and terrorism is being rolled out throughout the country.

    Terminology has been updated in the guidance throughout to reflect an individual’s susceptibility to terrorism and vulnerability will only be used where appropriate.

    A refreshed ministerial oversight board will meet in the coming months to oversee continued implementation of the independent review and ensure delivery remains in line with Shawcross’ recommendations.

    Delivery of Prevent has moved from a national to a regional model which provides support for all local authorities in England and Wales. The areas with the highest radicalisation risk will also receive multi-year funding to combat the local threat.

    To address the reviewer’s concerns about the prevalence of antisemitism in Channel cases, specialist intervention providers have been recruited. There is also new training being provided to civil society organisations to tackle antisemitism.

    The government has completed 68 of the 120 subsets of the 34 recommendations of the independent review and the vast majority of these recommendations are expected to be fulfilled by February 2024.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK sanctions members of Russian cybercrime gang [September 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK sanctions members of Russian cybercrime gang [September 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 7 September 2023.

    UK sanctions members of Russian cybercrime gang responsible for attacks on hospitals and critical infrastructure.

    • sanctions hit 11 from Russian cyber gang that targeted hospitals and other critical infrastructure
    • sanctions will disrupt ransomware attacks and expose attackers behind them
    • new measures delivered in coordinated effort with the United States

    Members of a Russian cyber criminal gang behind the Trickbot/Conti ransomware attacks, which included the hacking of critical infrastructure and hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic, face new sanctions today (7 September).

    Eleven cyber criminals, whose gang also threatened those who oppose the illegal Russian invasion of Ukraine, have been targeted with asset freezes and travel bans in a coordinated effort by UK and US authorities to counter the threat of ransomware both in the UK and abroad. The US Department of Justice (DOJ) is concurrently unsealing indictments against seven of the individuals designated today.

    The National Crime Agency (NCA), who conducted a complex investigation into these individuals, assesses that the group was responsible for extorting at least $180 million from victims globally, and at least £27 million from 149 UK victims. The attackers sought to target UK hospitals, schools, local authorities and businesses.

    The individuals being designated in the UK are:

    • Andrey Zhuykov was a central actor in the group and a senior administrator. Known by the online monikers ‘Defender’, ‘Dif’ and ‘Adam’
    • Maksim Galochkin led a group of testers, with responsibilities for development, supervision and implementation of tests. Known by the online monikers ‘Bentley’, ‘Volhvb’ and ‘Max17’
    • Maksim Rudenskiy was a key member of the Trickbot group and was the team lead for coders. Known by the online monikers ‘Buza’, ‘Silver’ and ‘Binman’
    • Mikhail Tsarev was a mid-level manager who assisted with the group’s finances and overseeing of HR functions. Known by the online monikers ‘Mango’, ‘Fr*ances’ and ‘Khano’
    • Dmitry Putilin was associated with the purchase of Trickbot infrastructure. Known by the online monikers ‘Grad’ and ‘Staff’
    • Maksim Khaliullin was an HR manager for the group. He was associated with the purchase of Trickbot infrastructure including procuring Virtual Private Servers (VPS). Known by the online moniker ‘Kagas’
    • Sergey Loguntsov was a developer for the group. Known by the online monikers ‘Begemot’, ‘Begemot_Sun’ and ‘Zulas’
    • Alexander Mozhaev was part of the admin team responsible for general administration duties. Known by the online monikers ‘Green’ and ‘Rocco’
    • Vadym Valiakhmetov worked as a coder and his duties included backdoor and loader projects. Known by the online monikers ‘Weldon’, ‘Mentos’ and ‘Vasm’
    • Artem Kurov worked as a coder with development duties in the Trickbot group. Known by the online moniker ‘Naned’
    • Mikhail Chernov was part of the internal utilities group. Known by the online monikers ‘Bullet’ and ‘m2686’

    This action was taken in coordination with the US, where these key cybercriminals have also been sanctioned, and is a continuation of joint efforts by the UK and US to disrupt and impose costs on high harm cyber criminals. It is assessed that sanctions have hampered the ability of cyber threat actors to monetise their cyber criminal activities.

    Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said:

    These cyber criminals thrive off anonymity, moving in the shadows of the internet to cause maximum damage and extort money from their victims.

    Our sanctions show they cannot act with impunity. We know who they are and what they are doing.

    By exposing their identities, we are disrupting their business models and making it harder for them to target our people, our businesses and our institutions.

    The individuals, all Russian nationals, operated out of the reach of traditional law enforcement and hid behind online pseudonyms and monikers – many of which are revealed today. Removing their anonymity undermines the integrity of these individuals and their criminal businesses that threaten UK security.

    Several of those facing sanctions today held significant roles within the group. Those targeted include high-level managers and administrators, as well as two individuals, Maksim Khaliullin and Mikhail Tsarev, who focused on recruiting and inducting new members.

    The group was also one of the first to offer support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, maintaining links and receiving tasking from the Russian Intelligence Services.

    Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State in the Cabinet Office Oliver Dowden said:

    By targeting these malicious cyber actors, who have been known to work with some of the most damaging ransomware strains, we are seeking out and exposing those who threaten the UK’s national security. We will always take decisive action with international partners to protect the UK, its people and businesses.

    Security Minister Tom Tugendhat said:

    These sanctions demonstrate that the UK will crackdown on those trying to hold UK businesses and infrastructure to ransom. We will use our law enforcement agencies to go after the perpetrators and punish their crimes.

    We have the skills and resources to find and unmask criminals who attempt to steal from British businesses, schools and hospitals.

    We will keep working with our partners, like the US, to defeat these threats.

    NCA Director General of Operations Rob Jones said:

    These sanctions are a continuation of our campaign against international cyber criminals.

    Attacks by this ransomware group have caused significant damage to our businesses and ruined livelihoods, with victims having to deal with the prolonged impact of financial and data losses.

    These criminals thought they were untouchable, but our message is clear: we know who you are and, working with our partners, we will not stop in our efforts to bring you to justice.

    National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) Chief Executive Officer Lindy Cameron said:

    Alongside this latest round of sanctions, I strongly encourage organisations to proactively obstruct the activities of ransomware operatives by bolstering their online resilience.

    Ransomware continues to be a significant threat facing the UK and attacks can have significant and far-reaching impact.

    The NCSC has published free and actionable advice for organisations of all sizes on how to put robust defences in place to protect their networks.

    Today’s sanctions announcement reinforces the UK’s commitment to cracking down on cyber criminals. They follow on from the first ever joint UK-US sanctions against ransomware actors in February this year. The total number of group members sanctioned is now 18.

    View the full UK Sanctions List and more information about UK sanctions relating to Russia.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Environment Minister launches construction of British designed and manufactured Bewdley flood scheme [September 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Environment Minister launches construction of British designed and manufactured Bewdley flood scheme [September 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 7 September 2023.

    Event to mark official start of work on major flood risk management scheme at Beales Corner in Bewdley, Worcestershire

    Environment minister Rebecca Pow and local representatives today (7 September) celebrated the start of construction on a major flood risk management scheme at Beales Corner in Bewdley, Worcestershire, with a sod-cutting event.

    Construction is helping to support jobs and stimulate the economy by employing British companies, including Arup as lead designer and Jackson Civil Engineering as lead contractor. The new protection consists of a combination of demountable flood barriers and permanent raised walls with glass panels on top to maintain views across the river.

    As part of the scheme, off-site environmental improvements will take place at Limekiln Bridge Storage area to support habitats for wildlife and increase biodiversity in hedgerows and trees. The choice of materials for the scheme and archaeological works also recognise the significance of the area and the design aims to preserve its heritage ahead of construction.

    Once complete, the scheme will provide decades of invaluable service to the community, reducing flood risk for more than 50 properties and maintaining access to 160 businesses, as well as schools and other public services in the town.

    The project will replace the low-level temporary flood barriers currently used and provide a far higher standard of flood protection.

    Meanwhile, Minister Pow also announced today that the Bewdley scheme will be one of three in the area to share £9.3 million in additional funding, reallocated from economic recovery funding. The Beales Corner scheme will receive £1.5 million, Tenbury Wells £4m and Greyfriars in Hereford £3.8 million.

    To celebrate the official start of work on the scheme, Minister Pow, Mark Garnier, MP for Wyre Forest, and Environment Agency Operations Manager for the West Midlands Anthony Perry all took part in today’s ceremony.

    Environment Minister Rebecca Pow said:

    I am determined that we do whatever we can to prevent the devastating flooding that affects so many towns and villages across the country like Bewdley.

    Our investment means work is underway on this significant new scheme and we can use this investment to back British companies. It should provide the community comfort and confidence in their town’s resilience and forms part of our record investment in better protecting hundreds of thousands of properties across the country.

    Environment Agency Operations Manager for the West Midlands Anthony Perry said:

    We are very happy to mark the official start of the main construction on this important and much-needed flood risk management scheme at Beales Corner.

    We know the devastating impact flooding can have, which is why protecting the people of Bewdley is our top priority as we adapt to the increased threat of flood events caused by climate change.

    Bewdley is subject to significant flood risk from the River Severn and has flooded a number of times in the past decade. Houses and businesses have flooded, with transport links and commuter routes through the town also affected.

    After flooding in 2020, the Government made funding available for the communities impacted, enabling the Environment Agency to consider a flood risk management scheme for the Beales Corner area of Bewdley and keep the main Kidderminster and Stourport roads into the town open at times of flood.

    Construction work will take approximately 18 months to two years to complete, depending on weather conditions, flooding and interactions with historic structures.

    The Environment Agency’s new flood defences have ensured the better protection of 374,000 homes since 2015. We continue to do more, delivering a record £5.2 billion investment to protect better hundreds of thousands of properties and the National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) Strategy for England will prepare us for more extreme weather and build a more resilient nation.

    You can find out if you are at risk of flooding by checking your postcode on the government’s website and you can also sign up for flood warnings. You will be alerted by phone, email or text when flooding is expected.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Change of His Majesty’s Ambassador to Qatar – Neerav Patel [September 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Change of His Majesty’s Ambassador to Qatar – Neerav Patel [September 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 7 September 2023.

    Neerav Patel has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to Qatar.

    Mr Neerav Patel has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the State of Qatar, in succession to Mr Jonathan Wilks CMG, who will be retiring from the Diplomatic Service. Mr Patel will take up his appointment during February 2024.

    Curriculum vitae

    Full name: Neerav Patel

    Spouse: Siobhan Patel

    Children: 2

    Date Role
    2021 to 2023 Cabinet Office, Director, Joint Intelligence Organisation
    Spring 2021 Tel Aviv, Chargé d’Affaires
    2017 to 2021 Cairo, Deputy Head of Mission
    2015 to 2017 Cabinet Office, Deputy Chief of the Assessment Staff, Joint Intelligence Organisation
    2012 to 2015 Tel Aviv, First Secretary (Head, Political Section)
    2011 to 2012 Kabul, First Secretary (Head, Internal Politics)
    2009 to 2011 Cabinet Office, Senior Policy Adviser, National Security Secretariat
    2007 to 2009 No 10 Downing St, Policy Adviser, Prime Minister’s Policy Unit
    2007 Department for Communities, Research and International Manager, Prevent Unit
    2005 to 2007 Home Office, Economist
  • PRESS RELEASE : Government announces up to £650 million for UK alternatives to Euratom R&T [September 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Government announces up to £650 million for UK alternatives to Euratom R&T [September 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 7 September 2023.

    Following the decision to not associate to Euratom R&T, the government announces plans for an ambitious and cutting-edge suite of new fusion R&D in the UK.

    The government announces today (Thursday 7 September) that it plans to put in place an ambitious and cutting-edge suite of new, alternative R&D programmes to support the UK’s flourishing fusion sector and strengthen international collaboration, in support of the UK Fusion Strategy. This is following the decision to not associate to the Euratom Research and Training programme (Euratom R&T) and by extension, the Fusion for Energy Programme.

    To deliver this package the government plans to invest up to £650 million until 2027, subject to business case approvals. This is in addition to the £126 million announced in November 2022 to support UK fusion R&D programmes. Further details on the alternative programmes will be set out later in the Autumn.

    We remain very open to collaboration with the EU and other international partners, and this will form a key part of this new programme of work.

    The new alternative fusion R&D package will include:

    • new facilities, specifically to grow new fusion fuel cycle capabilities and support innovation
    • a new fusion skills package, to ensure that we develop the skills and capability needed to deliver on our fusion strategy
    • further support to strengthen international collaborative projects
    • other measures to accelerate the commercialisation of fusion including boosting our world leading Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production programme

    Given delays to association and the direction of travel of these EU programmes, an alternative approach gives the UK the best opportunity to deliver our fusion strategy by driving job creation, investment and growth in our world-leading fusion sector.

    This ambitious domestic programme fully aligns with the core principle of international collaboration in the UK fusion strategy, and we remain open to such collaboration including with the EU and ITER (the large international fusion experiment being built in France). However, we believe the UK can be of most use to the global fusion mission outside the Euratom R&T framework.

    Planning on the new package is well advanced and we will announce further details in due course.

    Minister for Nuclear and Networks Andrew Bowie said:

    Today’s investment is a game-changer for the UK.  It gives us the best opportunity to create jobs, investment and, ultimately, economic growth.  And it gives our talented science community the opportunity to work with experts all around the world.

    It will also secure the country’s position as a world-leader in fusion, meaning we could become the first to commercialise this exciting new technology as a clean and secure source of energy.

    Sir Ian Chapman, CEO of the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), welcomed the announcement.

    UKAEA welcomes the clarity about our future relationship with the Euratom R&T programme which provides the certainty needed by the sector. The government’s commitment to an ambitious alternative R&D programme will be hugely important in sustaining the UK’s position as a leader in fusion R&D as well as developing an industrial capability to deliver future fusion powerplants. We welcome the ambition to retain, and even enhance, our international collaborative relationships through this substantial package of alternative R&D.