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Tag: Press Release

  • PRESS RELEASE : Hundreds of youth facilities in deprived areas to be transformed with new investment [March 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Hundreds of youth facilities in deprived areas to be transformed with new investment [March 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport on 27 March 2023.

    First major tranche from the Government’s Youth Investment Fund allocated to beneficiaries for rebuilding and renovating youth centres in some of the country’s most disadvantaged areas.

    • 43 youth centres to receive a slice of over £90 million to build or renovate facilities as part of life-changing Youth Investment Fund
    • Through the Youth Investment Fund, 45,000 more young people will have access to facilities, the positive activities they provide and the opportunities they open up
    • One million extra hours of youth services to be provided in anti-social behaviour hotspots across the country, through £11 million investment as part of Anti-Social Behaviour Action Plan announced today
    • 20,000 new places to be created at youth groups including The Scouts and Girl Guides through allocation of £16.9 million Uniformed Youth fund

    Young people are to benefit from the rebuilding and renovation of youth centres in some of the country’s most disadvantaged areas, as beneficiaries of the first major tranche from the Government’s Youth Investment Fund have been announced today.

    Over £90 million has been allocated to 43 organisations from the Fund’s overall total of over £300 million. This will pave the way for 300 youth facilities to be built or refurbished over the next three years in areas where need is high and existing youth provision is low.

    Facilities set to benefit include community youth spaces and youth centres large and small, aiming to help 45,000 more young people access regular, positive activities every year. This will support their wellbeing, give them opportunities to develop vital skills for life and empower them to be active members of their local community.

    Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said:

    I want every young person to have the opportunity to access the kinds of life-changing activities which expand their horizons and allow them to develop vital life skills.

    The National Youth Guarantee will provide these opportunities and support young people with access to regular club activities, adventures away from home and volunteering opportunities.

    We are supporting this today with an investment to create or renovate spaces for youth clubs and activities to support opportunities for thousands of young people across the country who would otherwise miss out.

    Examples of those receiving grants in this tranche of funding include:

    • Edinburgh House – This organisation in Stoke-on-Trent will use its grant of nearly £2 million for a renovation and extension project to support an additional 150 young people per week. Working closely with young people to develop the project plans, funding will allow the project to extend their offering of workshops, which range from art sessions, photography, drama, music and dance, to mindfulness, cooking, nutritional education, sports and outdoor activities.
    • Lambton Street – A youth project based in Sunderland that aims to help young people develop the skills to transition into adulthood in a safe and caring environment. Allocated a £785,000 grant, it will undergo a redesign and upgrade to extend its reach to an additional 120 young people a week, make the building accessible to disabled young people and to radically improve its sustainability.
    • Brighton Youth Centre – Allocated a £4.3 million grant, this project will be transformed into a state-of-the-art facility accessible for all young people across Brighton, aiming to reach 3,000 young people a week. All activities are free to young people, offering a range of activities from arts and music to safe spaces for counselling.
    • The Alt Valley Skills Centre – A hub for all young people, they provide social care, life skills, education, training, social and wellbeing activities for people with special needs. The Youth Investment Fund grant of £2.5 million will transform the building, enabling it to support over 200 more young people per week with additional activities, including horticulture, cooking, games nights, disco nights, fitness, drama and movie nights.
    • Nottingham Mencap – A charity that gives people living with learning disabilities or autism choice and independence. Through a grant of £445,400 the project will be refurbished to offer a music and drama room, an IT suite and a gymnasium, as well as allowing a lift to be installed to improve accessibility. Once complete, the site will cater up to 100 young people at a time.

    This funding follows an initial £12 million being fast-tracked to more than 400 local youth services between January and March 2022 to expand the reach and range of services they offer and to cover small-scale capital improvements. This included providing new laptops to youth groups, small redevelopments of buildings and facilities, and improving access to transport.

    As the lead delivery partner, this phase of the fund will be coordinated and managed by Social Investment Business, who support charities and social enterprises to build stronger and fairer communities.

    Nick Temple, CEO of Social Investment Business said:

    Every young person deserves access to high quality activities and facilities, providing the opportunities to help them thrive. The Youth Investment Fund is helping make that vision a reality, supporting organisations and projects in the areas of England that need it most.

    It’s been amazing to see the wide range of projects applying to the Fund, and especially how young people have played a meaningful role in shaping those plans. There is a real appetite to develop inclusive, accessible and sustainable facilities that will be there for future generations – and that is reflected in the first set of grants announced today.

    Alongside the latest beneficiaries of the Youth Investment Fund, the Government has announced it will support an additional one million hours of youth services over the coming two years, through an initial £11 million investment, enabling the equivalent of 200 youth clubs to open their doors for an extra night a week.

    The funding will be targeted at youth clubs in areas with the highest rates of anti-social behaviour to get young people on the right track through positive activities and role models. This forms part of the government’s Anti-Social Behaviour Action Plan announced today, aiming to eradicate antisocial behaviour from our communities.

    In a further move, the Government has also approved £16.9 million of funding to expand access to uniformed youth groups, aiming to create 20,000 new places for young people aged between 10-18 across the country.

    The groups to benefit are:

    • The Scout Association
    • Girlguiding
    • Jewish Lads’ and Girls’ Brigade
    • Girls’ Brigade
    • Boys’ Brigade
    • Marine Society & Sea Cadets
    • Volunteer Police Cadets
    • St John Ambulance

    To date £1.5 million has been allocated to eight uniformed youth groups via the fund, with over 1,200 of a total 2,000 places already created in areas with no existing provision.

    Matt Hyde, Chief Executive of Scouts said:

    Every week, Scouts gives almost half a million young people the skills they need for the job interview, the important speech, the tricky challenge and the big dreams: the skills they need for life. We are really grateful to the Government for committing this new funding so that we can help even more young people learn these through Scouts. It means we can work to make sure more young people in areas of deprivation have adventures away from home, learn outside school and get the chance to volunteer.

    Today’s announcements form the latest part of the Government’s ‘National Youth Guarantee’, that will ensure every young person aged 11-18 in England has access to regular clubs and activities, adventures away from home, and volunteering opportunities by 2025, backed by an investment of over £500 million investment.

    The National Youth Guarantee will provide greater access to activities such as The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme and the National Citizen Service, and uniformed youth groups such as Scouts, Girlguiding, and Cadets.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Coastal communities to receive funding for recreational sea fishing [March 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Coastal communities to receive funding for recreational sea fishing [March 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 27 March 2023.

    Government announces funding available for projects that will improve recreational sea fishing across the UK.

    Up to £1 million has been made available for coastal communities across the UK to invest in new and improved infrastructure for recreational sea fishing.

    From today (27 March), eligible applicants will be able to bid for between £10,000 and £100,000 for projects to upgrade recreational fishing facilities, reduce carbon emissions, support the protection and recovery of the marine environment, and provide training to help recreational sea fishermen operate in a more sustainable way.

    Recreational sea fishing involves fishing for the purposes of pleasure, tourism or sport. With an estimated two million recreational sea anglers taking to the water every year, recreational sea fishing contributes over £800 million to the UK economy annually and boosts local economies through activities such as fishing tournaments, boat rental, bait and tackle supply, and local tourism.

    Part of the £100 million UK Seafood Fund infrastructure scheme, this funding will ensure recreational fishing continues to prosper by backing projects which could enhance piers and harbours, create more accessible paths, floating walkways and pontoon dockings; and promote fishing tournaments.

    Fisheries Minister Mark Spencer said:

    Recreational sea fishing is a small but mighty part of our fishing industry. It contributes to the economic growth of coastal communities and is a much-loved sport that can improve the health and well-being of those who take part.

    This new round of funding will encourage the development and expansion of the sport in coastal areas, promote and support more sustainable fishing practices, and ultimately make recreational fishing bigger and better for anglers across the UK.

    The £100 million UK Seafood Fund is supporting the long-term future and sustainability of the UK fishing and seafood industry by backing innovation, skills and job creation around our coastline.

    Today’s funding is the latest funding from the UK infrastructure scheme and will be open until 19th June 2023. Applicants can apply here: Atamis Contracts Search (force.com).

    It means at least £65 million in grant funding has now been made available through the scheme to improve infrastructure right across the seafood supply chain, including investment in fleet modernisation and the trialling of hybrid and electric engines; and improved capability at ports, harbours, processing and aquaculture facilities. Successful bidders include Scottish company Denholm Seafoods who will install equipment to increase production of mackerel and herring, and Cornish based Falfish who will invest in new technology to grade, freeze and pack pelagic fish in support of building two purpose-built Sardine fishing vessels.

    Nearly £20 million was awarded in the first round of the infrastructure scheme for projects including the expansion of processing facilities for popular British fish like Scottish salmon and Cornish sardines, with a further £30 million made available in round two. The small scale fishing fleet will also benefit from an initial £2 million investment to trial new, greener engines and help create a safer, more sustainable fishing fleet.

    The second round of the UK Seafood Fund Skills and Training scheme is also currently open for applications, with up to £10 million available to fund training projects and facilities for workers in the seafood and aquaculture industry and recreational angling sector.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Myanmar Armed Forces Day – UK announces fresh sanctions on aviation fuel and military equipment suppliers [March 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Myanmar Armed Forces Day – UK announces fresh sanctions on aviation fuel and military equipment suppliers [March 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 27 March 2023.

    A new round of UK sanctions will target suppliers to the Myanmar regime of military equipment and other material, which are still being used to attack its civilians.

    • UK announces further sanctions against prominent arms dealer and aviation fuel suppliers in Myanmar.
    • Sanctions to target enablers of air force bombing campaign against civilian population.
    • Announcement comes as Myanmar marks its annual Armed Forces Day.

    A new round of UK sanctions will target suppliers to the Myanmar regime of military equipment and other material, which are still being used to attack its civilians.

    Those sanctioned today include a company and its director who supply the Myanmar Air Forces with aviation fuel and a second individual who is the director of a company which supplies restricted goods and technology through its business.

    On 1 February 2021, the Myanmar military overthrew the democratically-elected government, led by Aung San Suu Kyi, and installed a military regime. Since then, they have used violence and atrocities to maintain power and suppress any opposition voices.

    Minister of State for the Indo-Pacific, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, said:

    On Myanmar Armed Forces Day, the UK condemns the military’s increasingly brutal campaign against the Myanmar people.

    The sanctions announced today are designed to reduce the military’s access to fuel and military equipment.

    The UK will continue to work closely with partners to hold the military regime to account and support the people of Myanmar, as they strive for a return to democracy and freedom.

    These targeted sanctions will raise the cost for those profiting from, or supporting, the regime and restrict the military’s access to fuel and military equipment.

    The UK has led the international community’s work to support a peaceful resolution in Myanmar and a return to democracy, as well as pushing for progress towards accountability and justice. It has also played a key role in calling on countries around the world to end the sale and transfer of arms and equipment which facilitate the military’s atrocities.

    At the United Nations the UK successfully coordinated a Security Council Resolution on the crisis, the first of its kind, to apply further pressure on the military to end its violence and engage in dialogue.

    This will be the 15th round of targeted sanctions by the UK against the military regime in Myanmar. The UK will continue to work with international partners to maintain pressure on the military regime and welcomes the sanctions announced by the US to coincide with Myanmar Armed Forces Day.

    Background:

    Those sanctioned today are:

    • Shoon Energy Pte Ltd – a company profiting from the supply of aviation fuel to the Myanmar Air Force.
    • Khin Phyu Win: current Director and shareholder of Shoon Energy Pte Ltd.
    • Tun Min Latt: Director of Star Sapphire Trading Company Limited, a company previously sanctioned by the UK which supplies restricted goods or technology through its business.
  • PRESS RELEASE : Government reviews whistleblowing laws [March 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Government reviews whistleblowing laws [March 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 27 March 2023.

    The government has launched a review of the whistleblowing framework.

    • The review will gather evidence on the effectiveness of the current regime in enabling workers to speak up about wrongdoing and protect those who do so.
    • The evidence gathering stage of the review will conclude in Autumn 2023.

    A review of the whistleblowing framework – the laws that support workers who blow the whistle on wrongdoing in the workplace – has been launched by the Government today.

    The review will seek views and evidence from whistleblowers, key charities, employers and regulators.

    Whistleblowing refers to when a worker makes a disclosure of information which they reasonably believe shows wrongdoing or someone covering up wrongdoing.  Workers who blow the whistle are entitled to protections, which were introduced through the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 (PIDA). Successive governments have taken steps to strengthen whistleblowing policy and practice.

    For authorities tackling corruption, fraud and other economic crime, whistleblowing is a crucial source of evidence, as these activities and their perpetrators can only be exposed by insiders.

    It also provides a route for employees to report unsafe working conditions and wrongdoing across all sectors.

    This was keenly felt during the height of the Covid-19 Pandemic, when the Care Quality Commission and Health and Safety Executive recorded sharp increases in the number of whistleblowing disclosures they received.

    Business Minister Kevin Hollinrake said:

    Whistleblowing is a vital tool in tackling economic crime and unsafe working conditions, and the UK was one of the first countries in the world to develop a whistleblowing framework.

    This review has been a priority for me since joining government, and it will take stock of whether the whistleblowing framework is operating effectively and protects those who call out wrongdoing in the workplace.

    This review will cover central topics, key to the whistleblowing framework:

    • who is covered by whistleblowing protections.
    • the availability of information and guidance for whistleblowing purposes (both on gov.uk and that provided by employers).
    • how employers and prescribed persons respond to whistleblowing disclosures, including best practice.
  • PRESS RELEASE : Government consultation on night-time noise objectives at some of the busiest airports is set to take off [March 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Government consultation on night-time noise objectives at some of the busiest airports is set to take off [March 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 27 March 2023.

    Night flight policy still under review as new consultation on noise objectives launches.

    • government to consult on the impact of night flights at some of the busiest airports to ensure the negative impacts do not outweigh the positive benefits they bring
    • consultation will seek views on noise objectives relating to night flights at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted
    • guidance on the night flight dispensation process will also be reviewed, considering the increased usage of dispensations in summer 2022

    The government is continuing its review of night flight policy with a new consultation on the noise objectives for Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted airports.

    The review will ensure that aircraft operations at those airports are managed, so that the negative impacts of night flying on local residents do not outweigh the positive benefits they bring to the wider economy.

    Aircraft are becoming quieter as technology advances and we expect this trend to continue. However, the government recognises that noise from aircraft taking off and landing at night is often regarded by communities as the most disturbing form of airport operations.

    Aviation minister Baroness Vere of Norbiton said:

    There’s no doubt night flights have an effect on local residents underneath busy flightpaths, but as aircraft become quieter, we have an opportunity to strike a balance to make sure we can support the aviation industry without having a debilitating impact on people’s lives.

    This consultation will help us to shape policy and create a flightpath towards a more sustainable approach to night-time aviation noise.

    Night flights are an important part of operations at airports around the world and provide significant economic benefit to the UK, helping keep the flow of people, goods and services moving in and out of the country and supporting thousands of jobs as a result.

    The 6-week consultation on night-time noise abatement objectives will allow the government to seek views and evidence from the industry and communities.

    The objectives informed by the consultation will set the groundwork for future measures on how to manage aviation noise at night at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted airports from October 2025.

    Also published today (27 March 2023) is the government’s revised overarching aviation noise policy statement, reaffirming the foundation for noise policy for the entirety of the aviation sector, no matter the time of the flight, whether it’s day or night. Through this statement, we aim to balance the health and wellbeing of communities with the clear economic and consumer benefits of aviation.

    In addition, the guidance used to allow dispensation for operators to fly night flights will be looked at in the wake of last summer’s disruption across the sector. The summer of 2022, was particularly challenging from an international air traffic control perspective and resulted in an increase in late-running flights and a corresponding higher number of night flight dispensations. Such a rise was in stark contrast to the summers of 2020 and 2021, when the numbers of dispensations were very low.

    Given the number of night flight dispensations allowed during the early part of last summer, it’s vital to take this additional evidence into account before publishing any revision to our night flight dispensation guidance. Updating the dispensation guidance will form part of the main night flight regime consultation, which we aim to publish in late 2023.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Ukrainian tank crews complete Challenger 2 training in UK [March 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Ukrainian tank crews complete Challenger 2 training in UK [March 2023]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 27 March 2023.

    Ukrainian tank crews have completed training on Challenger 2 tanks in the UK and have returned home to continue their fight against Russia’s illegal and unprovoked invasion.

    The training began shortly after the announcement in January that the UK would donate 14 Challenger 2 tanks and accompanying ammunition and spare parts to aid Ukraine. UK military trainers spent several weeks training Ukrainian personnel how to operate and fight with the tanks. Instruction included how to command, drive and work together as a Challenger 2 tank crew and effectively identify and engage targets.

    The Challenger 2 tank marks a step change in capability for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, ensuring they are better able to protect their crews and offering them some of the most modern and sophisticated gunnery systems in the world.

    To mark the conclusion of training Ukrainian Challenger 2 crews, the Ministry of Defence has today released a 30 minute documentary on YouTube. The documentary shows an unprecedented behind the scenes look at the training.

    Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said:

    It is truly inspiring to witness the determination of Ukrainian soldiers having completed their training on British Challenger 2 tanks on British soil.

    They return to their homeland better equipped, but to no less danger. We will continue to stand by them and do all we can to support Ukraine for as long as it takes.

    Lieutenant Colonel John Stone, who oversaw the training mission said:

    It has been a privilege for the Combat Manoeuvre Centre team to deliver this training to our Ukrainian partners. We have all been hugely impressed with the level of competence displayed and have no doubt that that our friends will use the Challenger 2 tanks most effectively in the battles to come as they fight to defend their homeland.

    I fight for my future, for future of my country and for future of my family. We will fight. This tank for us is like a diamond, I think it is the best tank in the world.

    The UK is sending Challenger 2 tanks, which will soon be in the hands of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

    Support to Ukraine from the international community has been unwavering since Russia’s full-scale invasion over a year ago, on 24 February 2022. The UK has trained and equipped the Armed Forces of Ukraine with a range of capabilities to help them defend their territory including anti-tank weapons, armoured vehicles, and air defence systems.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Just three energy suppliers making up over 70% of all forced installation of prepayment meters [March 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Just three energy suppliers making up over 70% of all forced installation of prepayment meters [March 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 27 March 2023.

    Over 94,000 prepayment meters were forcibly installed under warrant last year – with Scottish Power and British Gas leading the pack.

    • New figures reveal over 94,000 prepayment meters were installed under warrant in 2022 – with Scottish Power and British Gas leading the pack
    • Uplift in number of people redeeming energy bill support vouchers with 78% used, as Ministers call for suppliers to help those yet to use them
    • Energy Security Secretary calling on companies to focus on compensating those customers mistreated through this practice

    Over 94,000 prepayment meters were forcibly installed in homes under warrant last year without customer consent – on average over 7,500 meters a month.

    After calling on suppliers to stop forcibly installing prepayment meters, the Energy Security Secretary Grant Shapps has now revealed the most overzealous suppliers, as part of a crackdown on mistreatment of vulnerable customers in the use of these meters.

    Leading the charge with the highest number of prepayment meters force-fitted last year are British Gas, Scottish Power and OVO Energy, making up 70% of all forced installations with a total of 66,187 devices fitted under warrant. Of these, Scottish Power tops the list as the worst offender when taking into account their customer base – force fitting over 24,300 in their customer’s homes in 2022.

    Mr Shapps has today doubled down on his call for any mistreatment of customers to be rectified, while again urging suppliers to help the households on traditional prepayment metres access the 2.1m vouchers yet to be claimed under the government’s Energy Bills Support Scheme.

    Energy Security Secretary Grant Shapps said:

    Today’s figures give a clear and horrifying picture of just how widespread the forced installation of prepayment meters had become, with last year seeing an average of over 7,500 force-fitted a month.

    Prepayment meters are right for some people, so I do not want to ban them outright, but I do have concerns that companies have not been treating their customers fairly, over an already difficult winter during which the government has tried to help families by paying around half the energy bill of the average household.

    After my calls for change, I’m pleased that suppliers have made their actions public and agreed to put a stop to forcing prepayment onto vulnerable customers for good – but this cannot happen again.

    I will be watching Ofgem’s ongoing review closely so customers get the support they need – and those vulnerable consumers who have wrongly suffered forced installations get the justice they deserve in the form of redress.

    Minister for Energy Consumers and Affordability Amanda Solloway said:

    Another increase in the number of energy bill support vouchers redeemed by customers is great news, but I urge those that haven’t done so to use them as soon as possible – and suppliers must continue to do everything they can to make sure this happens.

    We will not stand for the mistreatment of vulnerable customers who have been forced onto prepayment meters. I welcome the move from Ofgem to make it easier for customers to report cases but this can’t be a one off, and suppliers must now offer redress to those they have wronged.

    Prepayment meters allow customers to pay for gas and electricity on a pay-as-you-go basis and serve an important function by helping the avoidance of debt and court action.

    However, an intervention from the Energy Security Secretary last month brought the practise to a firm halt, after evidence came to light of suppliers in forcing these meters on vulnerable households.

    Mr Shapps demanded transparency from the sector over the number of forced installation warrants they had used, following a huge spike in applications as households grappled with high energy costs. Lord Justice Edis issued directions for magistrates’ courts to stop all warrants that allow companies to force-fit these meters, alongside the government’s crackdown unacceptable behaviour from suppliers.

    This move follows the government’s unprecedented support to help families with their bills this winter, including households on prepayment meters.

    Latest figures published today show 7.6 million Energy Bills Support Scheme vouchers have now been redeemed by households that use prepayment meters across Great Britain, as of February – saving them up to £400 on their energy costs.

    Since the scheme launched the number of households redeeming their vouchers has steadily climbed with 78% used so far – up from 76% in January. Suppliers with the highest redemption levels include Shell Energy, E and Octopus Energy. However, those with the most vouchers still outstanding, with nearly 400,000 yet to be redeemed include Scottish Power, OVO Electricity and British Gas.

    Customers will also benefit from new protections, announced in last week’s Budget, that will see households on prepayment meters pay no more than other customers for their energy.

    The recent action from the government led the regulator, Ofgem, to launch a review into the use of prepayment meters in the sector. Companies have been instructed to revisit their past cases and offer redress, such as compensation, to customers where these meters were wrongly installed and regulations have not been followed.

    Just last week, Ofgem also extended the ban on forced installations of prepayment meters until a new code of practice is agreed by energy companies, after British Gas was found to have broken into homes to fit the devices.

    The government continues to work with the sector, as well as consumer groups, charities and local leaders to reach eligible customers with unused vouchers that have not yet benefitted from the Energy Bill Support Scheme. This includes ongoing information campaigns across community radio, social media, national magazine titles and roaming advert vans that have been popping up in towns and cities across the country.

  • PRESS RELEASE : What the PM’s action plan to tackle anti-social behaviour means for you [March 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : What the PM’s action plan to tackle anti-social behaviour means for you [March 2023]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 27 March 2023.

    Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s plan to tackle anti-social behaviour.

    “I made a promise in January that we will work tirelessly to crack down on anti-social behaviour. For too long, people have put up with it ruining their neighbourhoods.

    These are not minor crimes. They disrupt people’s daily lives, hold businesses back and erode the sense of safety and community that brings people together.

    That’s why I’m bringing forward a new plan to crack down on this behaviour once and for all – so that everyone can feel proud of where they live.

    This is how the new measures will affect you.

    I’m bringing in tougher punishments for criminals

    Those responsible for offences such as vandalism or graffitiing will start cleaning up their crimes as quickly as possible, aiming for offenders to start work within 48 hours of receiving an order.

    Victims and affected communities will also get a say in deciding what type of punishment or consequences offenders should face, alongside input from local police and crime commissioners.

    We are banning nitrous oxide

    We will ban nitrous oxide, also called laughing gas, putting an end to litter and intimidation in our parks so people feel safer.

    We will test more criminals for illegal drugs

    The police will also now be able to drug test criminals who take illegal drugs like ecstasy and methamphetamine, and we will drug test offenders who have committed a wider range of crimes, like violence against women and girls, serious violence, and anti-social behaviour.

    We’re introducing tougher fines for litter, graffiti and fly-tipping

    We are increasing he upper limit on fines for littering and graffitiing from £150 to £500 and fines for fly-tipping will increase from £400 to £1,000.

    We will also support councils to hand out more of these fines to disrespectful offenders, with councils keeping these fines to reinvest in clean up and enforcement.

    We’re making evictions of anti-social tenants easier

    We are aiming to make it quicker for private landlords to evict anti-social tenants after serving notice, as well as broaden the disruptive and harmful activities that can lead to eviction.

    We will also strengthen rules so previous anti-social behaviour perpetrators are deprioritised for new council housing.

    By establishing a zero-tolerance approach where offenders know they will face the full consequences of their actions – we can prevent more of these crimes from happening in the first place.

    I am determined to tackle these crimes with the urgency they deserve, restoring your confidence that these will be quickly and visibly punished.”

    Prime Minister Rishi Sunak

  • PRESS RELEASE : Action plan to crack down on anti-social behaviour and restore pride in communities [March 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Action plan to crack down on anti-social behaviour and restore pride in communities [March 2023]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 27 March 2023.

    Perpetrators of anti-social behaviour will face swift and visible justice as part of a new crackdown launched by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak today.

    • Perpetrators of anti-social behaviour will face swift and visible justice as quickly as within 48 hours
    • Nitrous oxide to be banned and police given more powers to test for drugs on arrest
    • Police and local authorities given the tools they need to tackle the problem
    • Powers for councils to bring empty shops back into use and funding to regenerate local parks

    Perpetrators of anti-social behaviour will face swift and visible justice, increased fines and enhanced drug testing as part of a new crackdown launched by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak today (Monday 27 March).

    Delivering on the Prime Minister’s pledge earlier this year to clamp down on these crimes, the Anti-Social Behaviour Action Plan, will make sure that this issue is treated with the urgency it deserves, establish a zero tolerance approach to all forms of anti-social behaviour, and give the police and local authorities the tools they need to tackle the problem.

    Under the plan, 16 areas in England and Wales will be funded to support either new ‘hotspot’ police and enforcement patrols in areas with the highest rates of anti-social behaviour, or trial a new ‘Immediate Justice’ scheme to deliver swift and visible punishments. A select few areas will trial both interventions, and following these initial trailblazers, both schemes will be rolled out across England and Wales from 2024.

    Hotspot trailblazer areas will see an increase in police presence alongside other uniformed authority figures, such as wardens, in problem areas for anti-social behaviour, including public transport and high streets or parks. The increased presence will help deter anti-social behaviour, step up enforcement action against offenders, make sure crimes are punished more quickly and drive deterrence efforts, helping to stop anti-social behaviour spiralling into more serious criminality.

    Under the new Immediate Justice scheme, those found committing anti-social behaviour will be made to repair the damage they inflicted on victims and communities, with an ambition for them to start work as soon as 48 hours after their offence so victims know antisocial behaviour is treated seriously and with urgency.

    Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:

    “Anti-social behaviour undermines the basic right of people to feel safe in the place they call home.

    “The public have rightly had enough – which is why I am determined to restore people’s confidence that those responsible will be quickly and visibly punished.

    “This action plan maps out how we will tackle this issue with the urgency it deserves and stamp out these crimes once and for all – so that wherever you live, you can feel safe in, and proud of your community.”

    Offenders, who will be made to wear high-vis vests or jumpsuits and work under supervision, could be made to pick up litter, remove graffiti and wash police cars as punishment for their actions, and victims of antisocial behaviour from the local community will be given a say in offenders’ punishments to ensure justice is visible and fits the crime. The trailblazers will be launched as soon as possible and follow research that shows that anti-social behaviour is the main reason people do not feel safe in their local area.

    Under the zero-tolerance approach, Nitrous oxide or “laughing gas” will also be banned to send a clear message to intimidating gangs, that hang around high streets and children’s parks and litter them with empty canisters, that they will not get away with this behaviour. The drug is now the third most used among 16 to 24-year-olds in England and both the police and public have repeatedly reported links between use of the drug and nuisance or anti-social behaviour.

    Home Secretary Suella Braverman said:

    “The British public are fed up with crime and nuisance behaviour in their neighbourhoods inflicting misery on people.

    “There is no such thing as petty crime – not only does antisocial behaviour leave people feeling unsafe, it can also be a gateway into serious criminality.

    “It has always been my priority to give police the powers they need to deliver a common-sense approach to cutting crime, which puts the law-abiding majority first, and that’s what this action plan delivers.”

    Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Michael Gove said:

    “Anti-social behaviour erodes local pride, blights our high streets and parks and is a stain on too many communities across the country.

    “We know that it is more likely to flourish in areas that have, for too long, been overlooked and undervalued.

    “This government was elected on a mandate to deliver change for those communities, and that is why the Anti-Social Behaviour Action Plan is critical.

    “So we will intervene directly to prevent high street dereliction. We will deliver tougher, quicker and more visible justice to prevent thuggish behaviour in town centres and we will ensure young people have the opportunities and activities available to them to succeed – all backed by new investment.

    “This is about acting on the people’s priorities, delivering safer streets so we can level up across the country.”

    Police will also be given new powers to crackdown on illegal drug use, often a catalyst for other crimes, including expanding powers for drug testing on arrest so more suspected criminals can be tested, and more drugs tested for, including ecstasy and methamphetamine. Currently, only suspected criminals who have committed certain offences can be tested in police detention without additional requirements, but we will expand the range of trigger offences to include crimes linked to violence against women and girls, serious violence and anti-social behaviour.

    A new reporting tool will also be developed over the next twelve months to act as a digital one-stop shop where people can quickly and easily report incidents of anti-social behaviour when these occur. The tool will help address problems people have faced when trying to report these sorts of crimes because of a lack of clarity around how to raise an issue or who to speak to, or a lack of confidence that these crimes will be dealt with seriously.

    As well as being able to report any type of anti-social behaviour, people will have access through the tool to advice and guidance on what to do next in their cases and receive updates on what action is being taken by local police and councils following a report being logged. As well as giving the public confidence that action is being taken, the tool will help support local agencies to share information on perpetrators within their local area more effectively, so that they can more quickly identify repeat offenders and take the necessary action to prevent future crimes from happening in the first place

    Other measures announced today include:

    • Increasing the punishment for those who graffiti, litter or fly tip with fines of up to £500 and £1,000– council league tables will be published for fly tipping, and we will work with the Office for Local Government to increase transparency and improve accountability on antisocial behaviour outcomes.
    • Giving landlords and housing associations more powers to evict unruly tenants who ruin their neighbours’ lives through persistent noise or by being drunk and disorderly
    • Reopening empty shops by giving councils new powers to quickly take control and sell off empty buildings
    • An anti-social behaviour Taskforce jointly led by the Home Secretary and the Secretary of State for Levelling Up will bring together national and local partners, with a sole focus of addressing anti-social behaviour and restoring pride in place in communities. This will bring together Police and Crime Commissioners, police and local partners and agencies
    • An extra one million hours of youth services in areas with the highest rates of anti-social behaviour to put people on the right track and prevent them from offending in the first place
    • Tackling the awful practice of ‘cuckooing’ or home invasion by engaging with stakeholders on the scope of a potential new criminal offence
    • Parks and green spaces will also be restored with up to £5 million to make them safer with new CCTV and repairing equipment and playgrounds, and to plant more trees and flowers

    Nobody should be criminalised simply for having nowhere to live which is why government committed to repealing the antiquated Vagrancy Act, passed in 1824. This comes alongside last year’s unprecedented £2 billion commitment over three years to accelerate efforts to end rough sleeping for good.

    It will be made an offence for criminal gangs to organise begging networks for extra cash, which is often used to facilitate illegal activities. To ensure police and local councils can address activity which is intimidating or causes the public distress, they will have the tools to direct people causing nuisance on the street, including obstructing shop doorways and begging by cash points, towards the support they need, such as accommodation, mental health or substance misuse services. The debris and paraphernalia which causes blight will then be cleared.

    The Government has also today announced that an additional 43 youth centres are to benefit from the next £90 million investment from the Youth Investment Fund, distributed by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. As a result, 45,000 more young people a year will have access to state-of-the-art facilities and regular, out-of-school activities, as part of an overall £300 million to be distributed through 2025. From Lincolnshire to Liverpool, Peterborough to Portsmouth, the Government’s National Youth Guarantee will support the wellbeing of young people in some of the country’s most underserved areas, giving them opportunities to develop vital skills for life, and empowering them to be active members of their community.

    The new cross-government action plan builds on the Government’s focus to deliver common sense policing, backed by an unprecedented recruitment drive of 20,000 additional officers by the end of March, which we are on track to achieve. It works in tandem with our priorities to drive down murder rates, tackle serious violence – including against women and girls – and solve and prevent more burglaries.

    Neighbourhood crimes like burglary, robbery and theft have dropped by 24% since December 2019 but government wants this driven down further and to see more burglaries solved, which is why the Home Secretary called for police forces in England and Wales to send an officer to attend every domestic burglary.

    The Government has also funded 216 projects via rounds one and two of the Levelling Up Fund, totally £3.8 billion, which is driving the regeneration of town centres and high streets, upgrading local transport and investing cultural and heritage assets.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Action plan to crack down on anti-social behaviour [March 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Action plan to crack down on anti-social behaviour [March 2023]

    The press release issued by the Home Office on 26 March 2023.

    Perpetrators of anti-social behaviour will face swift and visible justice, with nitrous oxide banned and police given more powers to test for drugs on arrest.

    Perpetrators of anti-social behaviour will face swift and visible justice, increased fines and enhanced drug testing as part of a new crackdown launched by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak today (27 March 2023).

    Delivering on the Prime Minister’s pledge earlier this year to clamp down on these crimes, the Anti-Social Behaviour Action Plan will make sure this issue is treated with the urgency it deserves, establish a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of anti-social behaviour, and give the police and local authorities the tools they need to tackle the problem.

    Under the plan, 16 areas in England and Wales will be funded to support either new ‘hotspot’ police and enforcement patrols in areas with the highest rates of anti-social behaviour, or trial a new ‘Immediate Justice’ scheme to deliver swift and visible punishments. A select few areas will trial both interventions, and following these initial trailblazers, both schemes will be rolled out across England and Wales from 2024.

    Hotspot trailblazer areas will see an increase in police presence alongside other uniformed authority figures, such as wardens, in problem areas for anti-social behaviour, including public transport, high streets or parks. The increased presence will help deter anti-social behaviour, step up enforcement action against offenders, make sure crimes are punished more quickly and drive deterrence efforts, helping to stop anti-social behaviour spiralling into more serious criminality.

    Under the new Immediate Justice scheme, those found committing anti-social behaviour will be made to repair the damage they inflicted on victims and communities, with an ambition for them to start work as soon as 48 hours after their offence so victims know anti-social behaviour is treated seriously and with urgency.

    Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:

    Anti-social behaviour undermines the basic right of people to feel safe in the place they call home.

    The public have rightly had enough – which is why I am determined to restore people’s confidence that those responsible will be quickly and visibly punished.

    This action plan maps out how we will tackle this issue with the urgency it deserves and stamp out these crimes once and for all – so that wherever you live, you can feel safe in, and proud of your community.

    Offenders, who will be made to wear high-vis vests or jumpsuits and work under supervision, could be made to pick up litter, remove graffiti and wash police cars as punishment for their actions, and victims of anti-social behaviour from the local community will be given a say in offenders’ punishments to ensure justice is visible and fits the crime. The trailblazers will be launched as soon as possible and follow research that shows anti-social behaviour is the main reason people do not feel safe in their local area.

    Under the zero-tolerance approach, Nitrous oxide or “laughing gas” will also be banned to send a clear message to intimidating gangs, that hang around high streets and children’s parks and litter them with empty canisters, they will not get away with this behaviour. The drug is now the third most used among 16 to 24-year-olds in England and both the police and public have repeatedly reported links between use of the drug and nuisance or anti-social behaviour.

    Home Secretary Suella Braverman said:

    The British public are fed up with crime and nuisance behaviour in their neighbourhoods inflicting misery on people.

    There is no such thing as petty crime – not only does anti-social behaviour leave people feeling unsafe, it can also be a gateway into serious criminality.

    It has always been my priority to give police the powers they need to deliver a common-sense approach to cutting crime, which puts the law-abiding majority first, and that’s what this action plan delivers.

    Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Michael Gove said:

    Anti-social behaviour erodes local pride, blights our high streets and parks and is a stain on too many communities across the country.

    We know that it is more likely to flourish in areas that have, for too long, been overlooked and undervalued.

    This government was elected on a mandate to deliver change for those communities, and that is why the Anti-Social Behaviour Action Plan is critical. So we will intervene directly to prevent high street dereliction. We will deliver tougher, quicker and more visible justice to prevent thuggish behaviour in town centres and we will ensure young people have the opportunities and activities available to them to succeed – all backed by new investment.

    This is about acting on the people’s priorities, delivering safer streets so we can level up across the country.

    Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said:

    I want every young person to have the opportunity to access the kinds of life-changing activities which expand their horizons and allow them to develop vital life skills.

    The National Youth Guarantee will provide these opportunities and support young people with access to regular club activities, adventures away from home and volunteering opportunities.

    We are supporting this today with an investment to create or renovate spaces for youth clubs and activities to support opportunities for thousands of young people across the country who would otherwise miss out.

    Police will also be given new powers to crack down on illegal drug use, often a catalyst for other crimes, including expanding powers for drug testing on arrest so more suspected criminals can be tested, and more drugs tested for, including ecstasy and methamphetamine. Currently, only suspected criminals who have committed certain offences can be tested in police detention without additional requirements, but we will expand the range of trigger offences to include crimes linked to violence against women and girls, serious violence and anti-social behaviour.

    A new reporting tool will also be developed over the next 12 months to act as a digital one-stop shop where people can quickly and easily report incidents of anti-social behaviour when these occur. The tool will help address problems people have faced when trying to report these sorts of crimes because of a lack of clarity around how to raise an issue or who to speak to, or a lack of confidence that these crimes will be dealt with seriously.

    As well as being able to report any type of anti-social behaviour, people will have access through the tool to advice and guidance on what to do next in their cases and receive updates on what action is being taken by local police and councils following a report being logged. As well as giving the public confidence that action is being taken, the tool will help support local agencies to share information on perpetrators within their local area more effectively, so they can more quickly identify repeat offenders and take the necessary action to prevent future crimes from happening in the first place

    Other measures announced today include:

    • Increasing the punishment for those who graffiti, litter or fly tip with fines of up to £500 and £1,000– council league tables will be published for fly tipping, and we will work with the Office for Local Government to increase transparency and improve accountability on anti-social behaviour outcomes
    • Giving landlords and housing associations more powers to evict unruly tenants who ruin their neighbours’ lives through persistent noise or by being drunk and disorderly
    • Reopening empty shops by giving councils new powers to quickly take control and sell off empty buildings
    • An anti-social behaviour Taskforce jointly led by the Home Secretary and the Secretary of State for Levelling Up will bring together national and local partners, with a sole focus of addressing anti-social behaviour and restoring pride in place in communities. This will bring together Police and Crime Commissioners, police and local partners and agencies
    • An extra one million hours of youth services in areas with the highest rates of anti-social behaviour to put people on the right track and prevent them from offending in the first place
    • Tackling the awful practice of ‘cuckooing’ or home invasion by engaging with stakeholders on the scope of a potential new criminal offence
    • Parks and green spaces will also be restored with up to £5 million to make them safer with new CCTV and repairing equipment and playgrounds, and to plant more trees and flowers

    Nobody should be criminalised simply for having nowhere to live which is why government committed to repealing the antiquated Vagrancy Act, passed in 1824. This comes alongside last year’s unprecedented £2 billion commitment over three years to accelerate efforts to end rough sleeping for good.

    It will be made an offence for criminal gangs to organise begging networks for extra cash, which is often used to facilitate illegal activities. To ensure police and local councils can address activity which is intimidating or causes the public distress, they will have the tools to direct people causing nuisance on the street, including obstructing shop doorways and begging by cash points, towards the support they need, such as accommodation, mental health or substance misuse services. The debris and paraphernalia which causes blight will then be cleared.

    The government has also today announced that an additional 43 youth centres are to benefit from the next £90 million investment from the Youth Investment Fund, distributed by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. As a result, 45,000 more young people a year will have access to state-of-the-art facilities and regular, out-of-school activities, as part of an overall £300 million to be distributed through 2025. From Lincolnshire to Liverpool, Peterborough to Portsmouth, the government’s National Youth Guarantee will support the wellbeing of young people in some of the country’s most underserved areas, giving them opportunities to develop vital skills for life, and empowering them to be active members of their community.

    The new cross-government action plan builds on the government’s focus to deliver common sense policing, backed by an unprecedented recruitment drive of 20,000 additional officers by the end of March, which we are on track to achieve. It works in tandem with our priorities to drive down murder rates, tackle serious violence – including against women and girls – and solve and prevent more burglaries.

    Neighbourhood crimes like burglary, robbery and theft have dropped by 24% since December 2019 but government wants this driven down further and to see more burglaries solved, which is why the Home Secretary called for police forces in England and Wales to send an officer to attend every domestic burglary.

    The government has also funded 216 projects via rounds one and two of the Levelling Up Fund, totally £3.8 billion, which is driving the regeneration of town centres and high streets, upgrading local transport and investing cultural and heritage assets.

    Further information

    The 16 pilot Police and Crime Commissioner areas are:

    • Northumbria (Immediate Justice and Hotspot policing)
    • Cleveland (Immediate Justice and Hotspot policing)
    • Derbyshire (Immediate Justice and Hotspot policing)
    • Durham (Immediate Justice and Hotspot policing)
    • Nottinghamshire (Immediate Justice)
    • Merseyside (Immediate Justice)
    • Sussex (Immediate Justice)
    • Dorset (Immediate Justice)
    • Northamptonshire (Immediate Justice)
    • West Yorkshire (Immediate Justice)
    • West Midlands (Hotspot policing)
    • South Yorkshire (Hotspot policing)
    • Essex (Hotspot policing)
    • Lancashire (Hotspot policing)
    • South Wales (Hotspot policing)
    • Staffordshire (Hotspot policing)