Tag: Press Release

PRESS RELEASE : New onboard announcements to make Britain’s buses accessible for everyone [March 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 30 March 2023.

Audible announcements and visual displays will identify the route and direction of buses, upcoming stops and the beginning of any diversions.
- onboard travel announcements to become mandatory across Britain’s bus network
- industry supported through £4.65 million fund for small operators to upgrade vehicles
- Roads and Accessibility Minister Richard Holden: “Massive boost for passenger independence”
Disabled passengers across Great Britain will be able to travel more confidently thanks to new laws that will boost accessibility for everyone.

Today (30 March 2023), the Department for Transport is introducing rules that will require almost every local bus or coach service to provide audible announcements and visual displays identifying the route and direction, each upcoming stop, and the beginning of any diversions.

The government is supporting industry to upgrade their vehicles, with £4.65 million in funding for the smallest bus and coach companies, and the changes will be implemented gradually, with almost all vehicles required to comply by October 2026.

At present, there is patchy provision across the country, with only 30% of buses outside London providing this information, which can be a major barrier for disabled people wanting to travel by bus or coach.

Clear audible and visible information will also benefit non-disabled people, helping those who are travelling on an unfamiliar bus route, and giving passengers confidence that they will not be left stranded at the wrong stop late at night.

Roads and Accessibility Minister Richard Holden said:

Everyone deserves to take the bus with confidence, and this is a massive boost for passenger independence.

Simple and effective audible and visible information should be a baked-in feature of a modern bus service to help people reach their destination, wherever they travel in Great Britain.

To ensure the information provides real-life benefits, the Department for Transport has worked closely with disabled passengers, user groups and the bus and coach sector, whilst giving operators the flexibility to choose solutions suitable for their services.

The AV aids will include ensuring audio is available through induction loop systems, and all new vehicles introduced after October 2024 must also include visible information which can be seen by a wheelchair user when travelling in a rearward facing wheelchair space.

Guide Dogs’ Chief Executive, Tom Wright CBE, said:

For so many people, buses are key to opening opportunities to get out independently: to go out to work, get to appointments, and to see friends. But for many people with sight loss, bus travel can prove difficult or near impossible.

At Guide Dogs, we are delighted that the government has taken this significant step in making bus travel more accessible to people with a visual impairment. Our research shows that over half of people with sight loss have missed their stop due to a lack of AV, and many people avoid bus travel altogether because buses remain inaccessible.

Today’s announcement, and the financial support behind it, will open up opportunities for people with sight loss to live independently.

This announcement forms part of the government’s commitment to improve disabled people’s experience on our transport system and build stronger communities, including through our Inclusive Transport Strategy, which aims to create accessibly equality on the network by 2030. It further builds on government’s ambition to encourage people back onto buses after the pandemic, following £2 billion in funding to support the bus sector since 2020.
March 30, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UKEF and Public Financial Institutions welcome the Government’s 2023 Green Finance Strategy [March 2023]

The press release issued by UK Export Finance on 29 March 2023.

UKEF, the British Business Bank, UK Research and Innovation, and the UK Infrastructure Bank welcome the launch of the Government’s 2023 Green Finance Strategy.

In a joint statement, UK Export Finance, the British Business Bank, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), and the UK Infrastructure Bank (UKIB) welcome the launch of HMG’s Green Finance Strategy for 2023, saying:

Moving our economy towards net zero is both an environmental necessity and a huge economic opportunity. There is a real chance to drive business value, unlock growth, and scale technologies across all sectors, regions and nations of the United Kingdom.

Each of our institutions plays a central role in helping to unlock investment to meet net zero. Alongside other government levers, we support cutting-edge research, unleash the full potential of start-ups and scale-ups, finance critical infrastructure projects, and realise the massive export opportunities of bringing UK-based solutions abroad.

We will seek to increase the pace of investment in the transition and enable businesses and projects of all sizes across the UK to access the finance required to drive progress. We are establishing a joint UK Public Financial Institutions Green Finance and Sustainability Forum to drive forward our collaboration on this objective, building upon our respective roles and experience in mobilising investment across the UK.

We are aligned with the priorities of the government’s Green Finance Strategy and commit to working with all our stakeholders to accelerate our economy’s journey towards decarbonisation and green growth.

March 30, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Defence Minister Baroness Goldie reaffirms UK commitment to Malaysia [March 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 30 March 2023.

UK Defence Minister Baroness Goldie has celebrated the UK and Malaysia’s historical defence relationship and close ties during visit to Kuala Lumpur and Penang.

Baroness Goldie met with Malaysian Defence Minister Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad bin Haji Hasan on 28 March in Kuala Lumpur. Congratulating the minister on his appointment in December, they discussed the deepening of bilateral cooperation and Defence ties through Five Power Defence Arrangements.

Reinforcing the UK’s commitment to the region, the ministers also discussed the UK’s recent Integrated Review Refresh and how the AUKUS agreement will support regional stability.

Malaysia and the UK are both members of the Five Powers Defence Arrangements (FPDA), now in its 52nd year. Founded in 1971, the FPDA is a series of agreements between Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and the UK, with the group seeking to strengthen defence and security in the Indo-Pacific and work together to promote stability in the region.

Baroness Goldie also visited the FPDA’s military headquarters at RMAF Butterworth in Penang – the Headquarters Integrated Area Defence System (HQIADS). During her visit she met with UK personnel deployed there, discussing the FPDA and our common ambitions.

Following her visit to HQIADS, the Minister paid her respects to all those fallen, laying a wreath at the Commonwealth War Grave Commission (CWGC) Cemetery in Taiping. The CWGC work tirelessly to maintain cemeteries around the world to ensure that the fallen will always be appropriately remembered.

Baroness Goldie also visited Sapura Group, in support of their UK partner TriCIS, where a wide range of issues were addressed. This afforded a stimulating, insightful and very enjoyable exchange of views on cyber communications and security.

UK Defence Minister, Baroness Goldie, said:

I am delighted to have visited Malaysia and have the great privilege to meet Malaysia Defence Minister Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Moohamad bin Haji Hasan. During my visit we discussed our strong defence partnership and the ambition for the UK and Malaysia to collaborate further in support of regional peace and security.

Baroness Goldie discussed the UK’s enduring commitment to the Indo-Pacific and regional peace and security during her visit. The UK government looks forward to further strengthening ties with Malaysia.

March 30, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK continues its Parliamentary partnership with Solomon Islands [March 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 30 March 2023.

This partnership between the UK and Solomon Islands Parliaments will strengthen the financial work of Parliamentary standing committees.

Led by Lord Bruce UK Parliament and Francisca Gale, clerk to the Tynwald, a delegation from the Westminster Foundation for Democracy visited Honiara to continue work with the National Parliament of Solomon Islands on Parliamentary oversight of the budget.

This partnership between the UK and Solomon Islands Parliaments will strengthen the financial work of Parliamentary standing committees. The visiting delegation held sessions on financial management with members of the Public Accounts Committee, the Public Expenditure Committee and staff of the National Parliament.

Speaking at the launch event at Heritage Park Hotel, British High Commissioner to Solomon Islands and Nauru, His Excellency Thomas Coward said:

I am proud of this partnership between the Parliaments of Solomon Islands and the UK. Democracy needs continual improvement and renewal to thrive. Through this partnership we can work together on this, whilst strengthening the deep historic links and personal friendships between our two countries.

The partnership also marks the Westminster Foundation for Democracy’s first engagement in Solomon Islands and in the Pacific region. WFD is the UK public body dedicated to strengthening democracy around the world.

WFD Programme Manager in-country, Brian Titus Leafasia said:

The workshops held by WDF were part of the Solomon Islands National Parliament and UK Parliament partnership around public finance management, mainly on enhancing and strengthening transparency and accountability through partnerships. The Public Accounts Committee and Public Expenditure Committee and the Parliament staff play a major role in this partnership programme.

Team leader of the visiting team to Honiara, Rt. Hon. Lord Bruce said:

What we love doing really is sharing experiences including our mistakes as well as our successes with other people in the hope that can all improve the quality of our democracy and the relationship between the people, the parliament and the government and that means the role of financial accountability, the functioning of committees that sort of thing.

The WDF team left Honiara on Sunday 26 March 2023.

March 30, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK Minister for Indo-Pacific Visits the Philippines [March 2023]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 30 March 2023.

UK Minister for Indo-Pacific visits Philippines to launch development partnership, strengthen maritime engagement.
Minister for the Indo-Pacific to launch British Investment Partnerships in the Philippines, boosting UK-backed investment in green energy and infrastructure

Minister to hold talks covering UK-Philippines cooperation on maritime security, trade and investment, and climate and environment.

Minister to attend event promoting women’s rights, and highlighting the launch of the UK’s first Women and Girls Strategy this month

Visit comes after the publication of the Integrated Review Refresh, which reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to its partnerships in the Indo-Pacific.

UK Minister for Indo-Pacific, Minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan, will this week visit Manila (30-31 March). Minister Trevelyan will meet with President Marcos and Secretary of Foreign Affairs Manalo, as well as defence, finance and environment ministers. Talks are expected to focus on defence, trade and climate links and the shared ambition to upgrade the UK-Philippines Enhanced Partnership. The Minister will also meet members of the House of Representatives to establish a UK-Philippines Inter-Parliamentary Dialogue.

While in Manila, the Minister will formally launch British Investment Partnerships (BIP) in the Philippines. Working with the Philippine government and private sector partners, BIP will mobilise high-quality, reliable investment and technical expertise to support sustainable infrastructure development and the transition to clean energy in the Philippines.

BIP builds on the ongoing work of UK development finance institutions, which provide funding and expertise to support resilient growth in the Philippines. This includes the UK’s Mobilist programme, which is investing in green energy and other projects, including $25m in financing for the Philippines’ first solar plants on Negros Island. British International Investment (BII), the UK’s longstanding development finance programme, will also expand investment in green infrastructure projects in the Philippines.

The FCDO is also finalising a partnership agreement with the Philippine Stock Exchange for the MOBILIST programme, to open up another capital source in support of the Philippines’ climate transition.

Minister for Indo-Pacific Anne-Marie Trevelyan said:

The Philippines is an economic and environmental powerhouse, which stands on the frontline of climate change and other global challenges.

Through British Investment Partnerships, we will support the development of high-quality, sustainable infrastructure to accelerate the transition to clean energy and secure a prosperous and resilient future for the Philippines.

The Minister will also visit the headquarters of the Philippine Coast Guard, where she willl join a tour of a Coast Guard vessel and Manila Bay, and discuss enhanced UK-Philippines cooperation on issues of maritime security and marine conservation.

Finally, the Minister will attend an event hosted by the British Embassy Manila to mark International Women’s Month, where she will outline the UK’s commitment to place the rights of women and girls at the heart of its foreign policy. She will meet women leaders from government, business and civil society who pioneer change in their sectors.
March 30, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Stakeholders respond to the government’s Energy Security Plan [March 2023]

The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 30 March 2023,

Stakeholders response to the government’s Energy Security Plan, announced by the Energy Security Secretary on Thursday 30 March.

Tom Greatrex, Chief Executive of the Nuclear Industry Association, said:

Great British Nuclear will transform the way nuclear projects are deployed in the UK, enabling us to deliver more capacity more quickly. It will help us become a global leader in large and small scale nuclear, with the SMR selection process offering a real opportunity for home-grown technologies and others to bring jobs, skills and investment to the UK.

For nuclear to provide a quarter of Britain’s electricity means embarking on an ambitious new build programme, including a fleet of new stations, as well as placing nuclear on par with other green technologies to drive crucial investment.

More nuclear will cut gas imports, cut carbon and create good jobs for communities all across the country.

David Postings, Chief Executive of UK Finance said:

The banking and finance sector fully supports the government’s goal of net zero UK emissions by 2050 and is committed to a just transition. We welcome the government’s commitment to investment in the UK’s energy independence and hope this package can be used to deliver green growth up and down the country.

Providing a clearer path to net zero and mobilising investment through the Green Finance Strategy is crucial to enable the banking and finance industry to help deliver a just transition to a more sustainable economy. We have long called for further steps to green the housing stock and welcome the government’s pledge to increase energy efficiency as part of the Great British Insulation Scheme.

Matt Evans, Director for Markets at techUK said:

We welcome the government’s latest commitment to review UK’s strategy and deliver net zero. This new raft of policies should kick-start private sector innovations across clean energy and wider industry.

The tech sector has a crucial part to play in delivering on the targets, there is also the real opportunity to make the UK the home of climate tech.

With the increased urgency of addressing climate change, it’s time to make real strides in the transition towards a more sustainable and prosperous future.

Syma Cullasy-Aldridge, CBI Chief Campaigns Director, said:

Businesses across the country are raring to go on delivering green growth and making the most of the UK’s potential as a net zero superpower. The package of measures announced by the government represents a gear shift to boost energy security, reduce household bills and re-establish the UK’s credentials as a leader in green technologies.

In streamlining red tape, tackling the cumbersome planning process and identifying ways to catalyse investment, the government is laying solid groundwork that will allow the green economy to take off. Backing for new technologies, like hydrogen and nuclear, where the UK has the capacity to win big is hugely welcome.

With the strategy now set, the test is for all parts of government and business to switch to delivery mode. We need to move at pace to keep up with fierce international competition for green investment.

Steve Scrimshaw, VP of Siemens Energy UK&I, said:

Today’s news gives the industry greater clarity and a forward-looking strategy which means we can get on with the job in hand, powering up Britain. Siemens Energy, as a world-leading technology provider working across the entire energy-value chain, welcomes this package of measures today particularly on carbon capture and hydrogen production.

This reset on energy policy builds on Chris Skidmore MP’s independent Net Zero Review and as an energy company, employing over 6,000 employees in the UK&I, we fully support these new announcements.

Lawrence Slade, Chief Executive of Energy Networks Association, which represents the UK’s energy network operators, said:

Investment and innovation in Great Britain’s electricity and gas networks is crucial if we are to reach net zero in time. That’s why we have thousands of innovation projects under way and are investing billions over the next decade to get our grids net zero ready. The clock’s ticking and we need planning, regulation and policy to keep pace. It’s great to see this being recognised by government today.

March 30, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Shapps sets out plans to drive multi billion pound investment in energy revolution [March 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security Net Zero on 30 March 2023.

Energy Security Secretary outlines steps to strengthen Britain’s long-term energy security and independence to help deliver clean, prosperous future for the country.

Ambitious plans to scale up affordable, clean, homegrown power and build thriving green industries in Britain have been unveiled by the government today (Thursday 30 March) – boosting the country’s energy security and independence and reducing household bills for the long term and maintaining a world-leading position in achieving net zero.

Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine had a devastating effect on global energy markets, forcing up wholesale prices and with it the energy bills of households and businesses in the UK and around the world.  In response, the government has taken steps to shield consumers and companies from the worst effects, paying around half a typical household’s bill over the winter and half the wholesale energy costs paid by some businesses.

After decades of reliance on importing expensive, foreign fossil fuels, the government is delivering a radical shift in our energy system towards cleaner, more affordable energy sources to power more of Britain from Britain.

In doing so, plans will help deliver on the Prime Minister’s promise to grow the economy across the country, supporting almost half a million new green jobs by 2030, creating a strategic advantage in new clean industries, and generating opportunities for UK businesses to export their expertise around the world.

Building on decisive government action taken since 2021, measures announced today include:
- World leading commitment to Carbon Capture Usage and Storage – The first projects will be announced to progress to the next stage of the negotiations to rollout the first Carbon Capture clusters in our industrial heartlands. The round for areas to apply for two additional future clusters has also been launched and there will be an opportunity for further projects to be added to the first two clusters. These announcements build on the £20 billion CCUS funding
- Kickstarting investment into the UK’s emerging floating offshore wind industry by launching the £160 million fund to support port infrastructure projects, securing the UK’s leadership in this new technology.
- Backing the first tranche of new green hydrogen production projects under the £240 million Net Zero Hydrogen Fund as part of development of this new power source.
- Opening the fifth round of the UK’s world-leading scheme to incentivise investment in renewable electricity, backed by a budget of £205 million. Now being held annually, Contracts for Difference will build on the UK levy-funded support for renewable power since 2010 of around £80 billion.
- Announcing Great British Nuclear, will initially be led by Simon Bowen as interim Chair and Gwen Parry-Jones OBE as interim Chief Executive Officer: with GBN’s first job to launch a new competition to select the best Small Modular Reactor technologies – one of the most advanced nuclear power technologies in the world – for development by Autumn.
- Speeding up the planning process to attract investment – reforming the planning process to enable the building of more energy infrastructure including solar power and offshore wind projects more quickly.
- Cutting household bills by expanding Government energy efficiency support to even more households – The Great British Insulation Scheme, a rebranded ECO+, will upgrade 300,000 of the country’s least energy efficient homes.
- Investing more than £380 million into boosting EV charging points and infrastructure across the country to support the rollout of electric vehicles
- Reducing our reliance on fossil fuels to heat our buildings – a new £30 million Heat Pump Investment Accelerator is designed to leverage £270 million private investment to boost manufacturing and supply of heat pumps in the UK. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which offers a £5,000 grant to anyone buying a heat pump, will be extended to 2028.
- Providing UK Export Finance with an extra £10 billion capacity to boost exports, including from the UK’s world leading clean growth sectors.
- Building a stable environment for businesses to invest and grow in the transition to electric vehicles and sustainable aviation fuel.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:

When global energy supplies are disrupted and weaponised by the likes of Putin, we have seen household bills soar and economic growth slow around the world.

We have stepped in to shield people from its worst impacts by helping to pay around half the typical energy bill. But we are also stepping up to power Britain and ensure our energy security in the long term with more affordable, clean energy from Britain, so we can drive down energy prices and grow our economy.

That’s why we’re driving forward plans to boost renewables, revive nuclear and build new thriving industries like carbon capture, which will in turn create good jobs across the country, provide new opportunities for British businesses at home and abroad, and maintain our world-leading action to reach net zero.

Energy Security Secretary Grant Shapps said:

We have seen over the past year what can happen when global energy supplies are disrupted, and a tyrant like Putin uses energy as a weapon.

Access to cheap, abundant and reliable energy provide the foundation stone of a thriving economy with our homes and businesses relying on it to deliver our future prosperity.

Following our unprecedented cost of living support this Winter, which continues, this plan now sets out how we fix this problem in the long term to deliver wholesale UK electricity prices that rank amongst the cheapest in Europe, as we export our green growth expertise to the world.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt said:

Transforming our energy system is no longer just about tackling climate change, it is also a matter of national security. To protect ourselves from future price spikes, we need to accelerate the move to cleaner, cheaper, home-grown energy.

By unlocking billions of pounds of private capital through our Green Finance Strategy, we generate more of the energy we need in Britain and create new industries and jobs that are built to last.

Since 2010, the UK has seen £198 billion of investment into low carbon energy, through a mixture of government funding, private investment and levies on consumer bills. Going forward we anticipate around £100 billion of private investment will be forthcoming into the UK’s energy revolution. The UK has also broken numerous records in generating renewable electricity, leading the world in offshore wind – the UK is now in prime position to export its world-leading expertise.

This will drive green growth at home and abroad and see British businesses set the standard for a clean, secure and prosperous future.

Building on our COP26 Presidency and our role in agreeing the Global Biodiversity Framework, the UK will continue to lead international action in tackling climate change and biodiversity loss, working with our partners and delivering on our £11.6 billion International Climate Finance commitment. The 2030 Strategic Framework for International Climate and Nature Action and the International Climate Finance Strategy set out today what this will look like in practice.
March 30, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UN adopts UK co-sponsored resolution on climate change – UK at the UN [March 2023]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 29 March 2023.

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki to the UN General Assembly following the adoption of a resolution requesting an Advisory Opinion on Member States’ climate change obligations from the International Court of Justice.
Thank you, President.

We thank Vanuatu and the core group presenting this resolution for the positive and constructive approach they have taken toward negotiations, and in particular welcome the presence of Prime Minister Kalsakau in this meeting.

The United Kingdom is committed to taking ambitious action to tackle climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental degradation. We were proud to host COP26 in Glasgow, where all 197 Parties agreed to the Glasgow Climate Pact. At COP26, nature also moved from the margins of the debate on climate change to the heart of it. The UK will continue to lead and engage on climate change and on nature to make sure that promises are kept and delivered to the highest standards, working with all partners to maintain momentum.

The UK is especially proud of its work with Small Island Developing States and Least Developed Countries, both in its capacity as COP26 Presidency, and also beyond this. The UK recognises that all States are vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and that SIDS are some of the most vulnerable.

In this regard, the UK set up Climate & Development Ministerials to focus on priorities of climate vulnerable states. We co-lead with Fiji the Taskforce on Access to Climate Finance to improve access to climate finance for SIDS and climate vulnerable States. We have also created programmes like the SIDS Capacity and Resilience Programme and the Infrastructure for Resilient Island States facility. In addition, the UK was instrumental in securing agreements and funding to set up and develop the Santiago Network, to provide technical assistance for the implementation of approaches for averting, minimising and addressing loss and damage.

We welcome the ICJ considering the current obligations of all States under international law to ensure the protection of the climate system and other parts of the environment from anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases, and the legal consequences where states, by their acts or omissions, breach such obligations, causing significant harm. By looking at the obligations as they are today, the questions are clearly focused on assisting States in understanding these obligations under international law, so that they are able to comply with them in the future and understand the consequences if they breach them.

In particular, we are pleased to make the following four observations on the questions:

First, they are not determinative of whether there are obligations or where they flow from.

Second, they do not prejudge whether breaches have occurred, are occurring or will occur but look at the consequences if and when they do.

Third, they are not limited to considering the obligations and legal consequences for any specific State or States; and

Finally, they are not determinative of whether any States have been specially affected or injured.

The United Kingdom’s co-sponsorship of the resolution today is without prejudice both to its position on, and interpretation of, the obligations, instruments and concepts to which this resolution refers and to any submissions by His Majesty’s Government before the ICJ and other courts and tribunals. We also note that the first question is focused on the obligations relating specifically to anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases.

Increasing climate action is a top priority for the United Kingdom. The IPCC says to keep 1.5 alive we need emissions to peak in 2025, to halve by 2030 and reach net-zero by 2050. We recognise the UNFCCC as the primary intergovernmental negotiating forum for climate action. An ICJ Advisory Opinion may help to refocus efforts to deliver on climate commitments in this critical decade, which would support the UNFCCC’s agenda.

We are pleased to co-sponsor this resolution today.

Thank you.
March 29, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK calls on all parties to end the conflict and the human suffering in DRC – UK Statement at the Security Council [March 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 29 March 2023.

Statement by Political Coordinator Fergus Eckersley at the UN Security Council briefing on the Democratic Republic of Congo.

I thank SRSG Keita for her briefing today.

President, on the Council’s visit to DRC earlier this month, we saw first-hand the severity of the security crisis in eastern DRC, as well as the extremely difficult context in which MONUSCO is operating. We also saw some of the tragic human cost.

The United Kingdom remains deeply concerned by ongoing and intensifying violence, and deteriorating humanitarian situation in eastern DRC. We strongly condemn the continuing advance of the UN-sanctioned M23 illegal armed group across North Kivu province. The resumption of violence has caused significant human suffering and displaced over 800,000 people since March 2022. We strongly condemn violence perpetrated by all other armed groups. All support to armed groups must stop, including external support to M23, and we call on all parties to exert any influence they have to deescalate the situation.

We welcome indications of M23 withdrawal and the handing over of locations to the EAC Regional Force, but any withdrawal must be complete and in line with the agreed process through the Luanda roadmap. Now is the time, as we heard from the Special Representative.

We reiterate our full support to regional diplomatic efforts, including the Nairobi and Luanda processes. The UK urges all parties to respect the commitments they have made under these processes.

This includes the withdrawal of M23, an end to all support to armed groups, and to stop the use of incendiary hate speech.

Regional and bilateral forces deployed in the DRC, including the East African Community Regional Force (EAF), Ugandan People’s Defence Force, Burundian National Defence Force, and the recently announced Angolan troop deployment must engage with each other substantively and with MONUSCO on de-confliction of operations to ensure the protection of civilians, the safety and security of peacekeepers and the effective implementation of MONUSCO’s mandate.

President, the UK fully supports MONUSCO, including its vital role in protecting civilians and facilitating humanitarian assistance. We commend the Mission and the SRSG for their work in challenging circumstances.

But MONUSCO cannot of course tackle this crisis alone. Effective cooperation by the Government of DRC with MONUSCO is vital to ensure the mission can implement its mandate, in particular the protection of civilians.

We encourage the Government to engage in a serious dialogue with MONUSCO to clarify how we might achieve a responsible, conditions-based reconfiguration of the UN presence in DRC. We look forward to receiving options for this in July. The Government must also do its work with MONUSCO on critical pillars of the peace process such as DDR and security sector reform.

President, we must come together as a Council to deliver a very simple message. The violence must stop to give dialogue a chance to succeed. This is the only way to build confidence and to provide a lasting resolution to the crisis in eastern DRC.

March 29, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Minister for Defence People and Veterans meets veterans taking part in archaeological dig on Salisbury Plain Training Area [March 2023]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 29 March 2023.

Military veterans taking part in an archaeological excavation on Salisbury Plain Training Area explained their work to Defence Minister Dr Andrew Murrison MP as he visited the dig site.

The veterans are taking part in the excavation of Boles Barrow, which dates back to the Neolithic period, under a programme called Operation Nightingale. This award-winning scheme sees wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans taking part in archaeological digs on the Defence estate. The participants are guided by professional archaeologists from the Defence Infrastructure Organisation, which manages the MOD’s land and buildings, as well as partner organisations, which in the case of the Boles Barrow excavation includes private archaeology company Wessex Archaeology.

Dr Murrison, himself a Royal Navy veteran and a member of the Royal Navy Reserve, visited the excavation on Monday 27 March and was briefed on the project by DIO Senior Archaeologist Richard Osgood. As Minister for Defence People and Veterans, Dr Murrison talked to the participants about their experiences and how taking part in the excavation helps them.

Boles Barrow is a Neolithic long barrow excavated three times in the 19th Century with few surviving records. These excavations found prehistoric combat victims, and it is thought that a bluestone given to Salisbury Museum by Siegfried Sassoon may have emerged during these original investigations. The participants hope to find bluestone chips, which would be incredibly significant given proximity to Stonehenge. Bluestone is a term used to refer to some of the stones used in Stonehenge, but bluestone originates in the Preseli Hills in Pembrokeshire and is not found naturally locally.

This excavation will also examine the effectiveness of a meshing programme DIO has been running for over a decade on Scheduled Monuments, considering the longevity of the types of protective covering and thus its efficacy.

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

It was great to meet the veterans taking part in this innovative and award-winning programme. Using archaeological excavations to help veterans and allow them to spend time together has clear benefit and this is a programme I wholly support.

Richard Osgood, DIO Senior Archaeologist, who is leading the excavation, said:

It was a pleasure to explain Operation Nightingale and its success to the Minister, and introduce him to our participants. We are hopeful that the excavation of Boles Barrow will help deepen our understanding of the Neolithic landscape of Salisbury Plain. On a practical level, it has already demonstrated that our method of installing mesh to protect certain sites from burrowing animals is a success.

The excavation commenced on 20 March 2023 and has already identified flint tools, a Roman coin and pot rim, and some sarsen.

March 29, 2023