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  • PRESS RELEASE : UKHSA update on scarlet fever and invasive group A strep [March 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UKHSA update on scarlet fever and invasive group A strep [March 2023]

    The press release issued by the UK Health Security Agency on 16 March 2023.

    Latest data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) on scarlet fever and invasive group A streptococcus cases.

    Latest update

    The latest data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows that scarlet fever infections and invasive group A streptococcus (iGAS) infections remain high, although they have significantly reduced since the peak in December 2022.

    High levels of activity at such an early point in the season remains a concern, with further increases possible in the coming weeks as we move towards the usual peak time of the year for infections. While iGAS is still very rare, notifications remain relatively high in children compared to what we typically see – these rates are more in keeping with the previous high season of 2017 to 2018.

    There continue to be increased notifications in older adult age groups, and as in previous seasons, the majority of iGAS cases have continued to be among those aged over 45 years, particularly in those aged over 75 years.

    So far this season (from 12 September 2022 to 10 March 2023), there have been 49,372 notifications of scarlet fever. In the last comparable high season (from September 2017 to September 2018) there were 30,768 scarlet fever notifications overall across the year.

    iGAS infections remain rare but are currently higher than expected in a typical year. So far this season, there have been:

    • 2,415 iGAS cases across all age groups, compared to 2,898 across the whole of the last comparably high season in 2017 to 2018
    • 575 iGAS cases in children aged 18 years and under compared to 205 cases in the 2017 to 2018 season

    Sadly, so far this season, there have been 319 deaths across all age groups in England. This figure includes 40 children aged under 18 years in England. In the September 2017 to September 2018 season, there were 354 deaths in total across the season, including 27 deaths among children aged under 18 years.

    Previous updates

    Friday 3 March 2023

    The latest data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows that scarlet fever infections remain high and are fluctuating with levels similar to those seen during the last comparably high season in 2017 to 2018.

    The number of weekly notifications of invasive group A strep (iGAS) in children has slowed since December 2022. High levels of activity at such an early point in the season remains a concern, with further increases possible in the coming weeks as we move towards the usual peak time of the year for infections. While iGAS is still very rare, notifications remain relatively high in children compared to what we typically see – these rates are more in keeping with the previous high season of 2017 to 2018.

    There continue to be increased notifications in older adult age groups, and as in previous seasons, the majority of iGAS cases have continued to be among those aged over 45 years, particularly in those aged over 75 years.

    Dr Derren Ready, UKHSA incident director, said:

    Scarlet fever notifications have fallen significantly since the peak in December but remain at a high level. This decline should be treated with caution as spring is usually the period of the year that we could see infections rise again. Please contact NHS 111 or your GP if you suspect you or your child have scarlet fever – with symptoms such as fever, sore throat, difficulty swallowing and a sandpapery rash.

    Most winter illnesses can be managed at home, and NHS.UK has information to help parents look after children with mild illnesses. Contact NHS 111 or your GP surgery if you think your child is getting worse, for instance, if they are feeding or eating less than normal, are dehydrated, have a high temperature that won’t go down, are very hot and sweaty or seem more tired or irritable than normal.

    It is important that we continue to help stop the spread of all germs in the community and to vulnerable groups. Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly, catch coughs and sneezes in a tissue, and keep your home well ventilated. If you are unwell with any infection, you should avoid visiting vulnerable people, and stay away from school, nursery or work if you are unwell with a fever.

    So far this season (from 12 September 2022 to 28 February 2023), there have been 47,084 notifications of scarlet fever. In the last comparable high season of 2017 to 2018 (September to September), there were 30,768 scarlet fever notifications overall across the year.

    Invasive group A strep infections remain rare but are currently higher than expected in a typical year. So far this season, there have been:

    • 2,178 iGAS cases across all age groups, compared to 2,898 across the whole of the last comparably high season in 2017 to 2018
    • 242 iGAS cases in children aged 1 to 4 years compared to 194 cases in the 2017 to 2018 season
    • 160 cases in children aged 5 to 9 years, compared to 112 during the 2017 to 2018 season

    Sadly, so far this season, there have been 285 deaths across all age groups in England. This figure includes 35 children under 18 years in England. In the 2017 to 2018 season (September to September), there were 354 deaths in total across the season, including 27 deaths among children under 18 years.

    Thursday 16 February 2023

    The latest data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) continues to show that scarlet fever infections remain high, although they are now in line with levels seen during the last comparably high season in 2017 to 2018.

    The number of weekly notifications of invasive group A strep (iGAS) in children has slowed, but there has been a slight increase in recent weeks. While iGAS is still very rare, notifications remain relatively high in children compared to what we typically see, although these rates are more in keeping with the previous high season of 2017 to 2018. In recent weeks, there has been an increase in older adult age groups, and as in previous seasons, the majority of iGAS cases have continued to be among those over the age of 45, particularly in the over 65s.

    Dr Derren Ready, Incident Director, UKHSA, said:

    Although the number of scarlet fever notifications we are seeing each week has significantly fallen since the peak in December, the bacteria that cause the infection are still circulating at high levels for this time of the year. Please contact NHS 111 or your GP if you suspect you or your child have scarlet fever – with symptoms such as fever, sore throat, difficulty swallowing, and a sandpapery rash.

    Early treatment of scarlet fever with antibiotics is important to reduce the risk of a more serious infection and transmission to others. After starting antibiotics, children should be excused from school or nursery, and adults should be excused from work for the first 24 hours.

    Most winter illnesses can be managed at home, and NHS.UK has information to help parents look after children with mild illnesses. Contact NHS 111 or your GP surgery if you think your child is getting worse, for instance, if they are feeding or eating less than normal, are dehydrated, have a high temperature that won’t go down, are very hot and sweaty or seem more tired or irritable than normal.

    It is important that we continue to help reduce the spread of all infections in the community and to vulnerable groups. Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly, catch coughs and sneezes in a tissue, and where possible keep your home well-ventilated. If you are unwell with any infection, it’s best to avoid visiting vulnerable people, and stay away from school, nursery, or work if you are unwell with a fever.

    So far this season (from 12 September to 12 February), there have been 44,478 notifications of scarlet fever. In the last comparable high season of 2017 to 2018 (September to August), there were 30,768 scarlet fever notifications overall across the year.

    Invasive group A strep (iGAS) infections remain rare but are currently higher than expected in a typical year. So far this season, there have been:

    • 2,081 iGAS cases across all age groups, compared to 2,967 across the whole of the last comparably high season in 2017 to 2018
    • 233 iGAS cases in children aged 1 to 4 compared to 194 cases in the 2017 to 2018 season
    • 156 cases in children aged 5 to 9 years, compared to 117 during the 2017 to 2018 season

    Sadly, so far this season, there have been 262 deaths across all age groups in England. This figure includes 32 children under 18 in England. In the 2017 to 2018 season (September to August), there were 354 deaths in total across the season, including 27 deaths among children under 18.

    Friday 3 February 2023

    The latest data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) continues to show that scarlet fever infections remain high for this time of year. Although the weekly number of notifications has fallen since the peak in December, cases are still fluctuating at a level above what we usually see during this time of the year. UKHSA will continue to closely monitor the incidence rate.

    The symptoms of scarlet fever include:

    • sore throat
    • headache
    • fever
    • nausea
    • vomiting
    • a rash that feels like sandpaper to the touch

    The rash usually develops after 12 to 48 hours, typically on the chest and stomach first, then rapidly spreading to other parts of the body. On white skin, the rash looks pink or red. On brown and black skin, it might be harder to see a colour change, but you can still feel the sandpaper-like texture of the rash and see the raised bumps.

    Contact NHS 111 or your GP surgery if you suspect you or your child have scarlet fever so you can be assessed.

    The number of weekly notifications of invasive group A strep (iGAS) in children has slowed. While iGAS is still very rare, notifications remain relatively high in children compared to what we typically see. There has been a rise in older age groups in recent weeks and as with previous seasons, over recent weeks the majority of iGAS cases continue to be in those aged over 45 years.

    Dr Sarah Anderson at UKHSA said:

    Although the number of scarlet fever notifications we are seeing each week has significantly fallen since the peak in December, the bacteria that cause the infection are still circulating at high levels for this time of the year. Please contact NHS 111 or your GP if you suspect you or your child have scarlet fever – with symptoms such as fever, sore throat, difficulty swallowing and a sandpapery rash.

    Early treatment of scarlet fever with antibiotics is important to reduce the risk of a more serious infection and transmission to others. Children should stay off school or nursery and adults should stay off work for 24 hours after antibiotics have started.

    Most winter illnesses can be managed at home and NHS.UK has information to help parents look after children with mild illnesses. Contact NHS 111 or your GP surgery if you think your child is getting worse, for instance, if they are feeding or eating less than normal, are dehydrated, have a high temperature that won’t go down, are very hot and sweaty or seem more tired or irritable than normal.

    It is important that we continue to help stop the spread of all germs in the community and to vulnerable groups. Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly, catch coughs and sneezes in a tissue, and keep your home well-ventilated. If you are unwell with any infection you should avoid visiting vulnerable people, and stay away from school, nursery or work if you are unwell with a fever.

    Thursday 19 January 2023

    The latest data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) continues to show that scarlet fever infections remain high, although the number of notifications has fallen in recent weeks.

    So far this season (from 19 September to 15 January), there have been 38,429 notifications of scarlet fever. In the last comparably high season of 2017 to 2018 (September to August), there were 30,768 scarlet fever notifications overall across the year. There has been a reduction in the weekly number of notifications over the last few weeks, suggesting a decrease in transmission of the bacteria.

    Invasive group A strep (iGAS) infections remain rare but are currently higher than we see in a typical year. So far this season there have been:

    • 1,675 iGAS cases across all age groups, compared to 2,967 across the whole of the last comparably high season in 2017 to 2018
    • 190 iGAS cases in children aged 1 to 4 compared to 194 cases in the 2017 to 2018 season
    • 132 cases in children aged 5 to 9 years compared to 117 during the 2017 to 2018 season

    The number of weekly notifications of iGAS in children has decreased. However, in older age groups, particularly those over 65 years old, infections have not slowed at the same rate and we are monitoring this closely. As with previous seasons, over recent weeks the majority of iGAS cases continue to be in those over 45 years.

    Sadly, so far this season there have been 211 deaths across all age groups in England. This figure includes 30 children under 18 in England. In the 2017 to 2018 season (September to August), there were 355 deaths in total across the season, including 27 deaths in children under 18.

    Dr Derren Ready, UKHSA incident director, said:

    Although the number of scarlet fever notifications we are seeing each week is falling, the bacteria that cause the infection are still circulating at high levels. It’s also not unusual to have a dip in the number of cases before the spring, so we could see infections rise again in the coming months. Please contact NHS 111 or your GP if you suspect you or your child have scarlet fever – with symptoms such as fever, sore throat, difficulty swallowing and a sandpapery rash.

    Early treatment of scarlet fever with antibiotics is important to reduce the risk of a more serious infection and transmission to others. Children should stay off school or nursery and adults should stay off work for 24 hours after antibiotics have started.

    It’s not too late to take up the free flu and coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines if you’re eligible – we know that group A streptococcus infections can be more serious when combined with another infection including flu.

    Most winter illnesses can be managed at home and NHS.UK has information to help parents look after children with mild illnesses. Contact NHS 111 or your GP surgery if you think your child is getting worse, for instance, if they are feeding or eating less than normal, are dehydrated, have a high temperature that won’t go down, are very hot and sweaty or seem more tired or irritable than normal.

    It is important that we continue to help stop the spread of all germs in the community and to vulnerable groups. Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly, catch coughs and sneezes in a tissue, and keep your home well-ventilated. If you are unwell with any infection you should avoid visiting vulnerable people, and stay away from school, nursery or work if you are unwell with a fever.

    Thursday 12 January 2023

    Latest data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) continues to show scarlet fever and group A strep (GAS) infections remain high, although the number of notifications has fallen in recent weeks.

    So far this season (from 19 September to 8 January), there have been 37,068 notifications of scarlet fever. This compares to a total of 4,490 at the same point in the year during the last comparably high season in 2017 to 2018 – although cases in that season started to rise at a different point. In 2017 to 2018, there were 30,768 scarlet fever notifications overall across the year.

    Invasive group A strep (iGAS) infections remain rare but are currently higher than we see in a typical year. So far this season there have been 1,539 iGAS cases across all age groups, compared to 2,967 across the whole of the last comparably high season in 2017 to 2018. So far this season, there have been 177 iGAS cases in children aged 1 to 4 compared to 194 cases in that age group across the whole of the 2017 to 2018 season.

    There have been 128 cases in children aged 5 to 9 years compared to 117 across the whole of the 2017 to 2018 season. As with previous seasons, over recent weeks the majority of iGAS cases continue to be in those over 45 years. There are early indications of an increase of iGAS notifications in the older age groups in recent weeks and we will monitor this trend closely.

    Sadly, so far this season there have been 190 deaths across all age groups in England. This figure includes 30 children under 18 in England. In the 2017 to 2018 season, there were 355 deaths in total across the season, including 27 deaths in children under 18.

    Dr Sarah Anderson, UKHSA incident director, said:

    The number of scarlet fever notifications we are seeing each week has fallen, but we are continuing to monitor the data closely as the school term gets underway, and children mix more. The bacteria that cause scarlet fever are still circulating at high levels so it is important that we continue to do our bit to stop the spread of germs to vulnerable groups, including the elderly by washing our hands regularly and thoroughly, catching coughs and sneezes in a tissue, and keeping our homes well ventilated.

    It’s not too late to take up the free flu and COVID-19 vaccines if you’re eligible – we know that group A streptococcus infections can be more serious when combined with another infection like flu.

    Most winter illnesses can be managed at home and NHS.UK has information to help parents look after children with mild illness. Deaths and serious illness following group A strep infection are very rare and the infection can be easily treated with antibiotics.

    Contact NHS 111 or your GP surgery if you think your child is getting worse, for instance they are feeding or eating less than normal, are dehydrated, have a high temperature that won’t go down, are very hot and sweaty or seem more tired or irritable than normal.

    Thursday 5 January 2022

    Latest data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) continues to show scarlet fever and group A strep (GAS) infections remain high.

    So far this season (from 19 September to 1 January) there have been 35,616 notifications of scarlet fever. This compares to a total of 4,192 at the same point in the year during the last comparably high season in 2017 to 2018 – although cases in that season started to rise at a different point. In 2017 to 2018 there were 30,768 scarlet fever notifications overall across the year.

    Invasive group A strep (iGAS) infections remain rare but are currently higher than we see in a typical year. So far this season, there have been 159 iGAS cases in children aged 1 to 4 compared to 194 cases in that age group across the whole year of the last comparably high season in 2017 to 2018. There have been 118 cases in children aged 5 to 9 years compared to 117 across the whole year of the last comparably high season in 2017 to 2018. The majority of iGAS cases continue to be in those over 45 years.

    Sadly, so far this season there have been 151 deaths across all age groups in England. This figure includes 29 children under 18 in England. In the 2017 to 2018 season, there were 355 deaths in total across the season, including 27 deaths in children under 18.

    Dr Obaghe Edeghere, UKHSA incident director, said:

    As children return to school, scarlet fever and ‘strep throat’ continue to circulate at high levels and so it is important that we all wash our hands regularly and thoroughly and catch coughs and sneezes in a tissue. This will help stop germs spreading between children and to other vulnerable groups and will help prevent the spread of other winter illnesses that are currently circulating at high levels, including flu and COVID-19.

    It’s not too late to take up the free flu and COVID-19 vaccines if you’re eligible – we know that group A strep infections can be more serious when combined with another infection like flu.

    Most winter illnesses can be managed at home and NHS.UK has information to help parents look after children with mild illness. Deaths and serious illness following group A strep infection are very rare and the infection can be easily treated with antibiotics.

    Speak to a healthcare professional if you think your child is getting worse, for instance they are feeding or eating less than normal, are dehydrated, have a high temperature that won’t go down, are very hot and sweaty or seem more tired or irritable than normal.

    Thursday 29 December 2022

    Latest data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) continues to show an out of season increase in scarlet fever and group A streptococcus infections and a higher number of cases than seen in a typical year.

    So far this season (from 19 September to 25 December) there have been 33,836 notifications of scarlet fever. This compares to a total of 4,672 at the same point in the year during the last comparably high season in 2017 to 2018 – although cases in that season started to rise at a different point. In 2017 to 2018 there were 30,768 scarlet fever notifications overall across the year.

    Invasive group A streptococcus (iGAS) infections remain rare. So far this season, there have been 151 iGAS cases in children aged 1 to 4 compared to 194 cases in that age group across the whole year of the last comparably high season in 2017 to 2018. There have been 102 cases in children aged 5 to 9 years compared to 117 across the whole year of the last comparably high season in 2017 to 2018. The majority of iGAS cases continue to be in those over 45 years.

    Sadly, so far this season there have been 122 deaths across all age groups in England. This figure includes 25 children under 18 in England. In the 2017 to 2018 season, there were 355 deaths in total across the season, including 27 deaths in children under 18.

    Dr Obaghe Edeghere, UKHSA incident director, said:

    We are continuing to see a rise in scarlet fever and ‘strep throat’ and this is understandably concerning for parents. However I would stress that the condition can be easily treated with antibiotics and it is very rare that a child will go on to become more seriously ill.

    Over the winter, there are lots of illnesses circulating that can make children unwell and so it is important to avoid contact with other people if you are feeling unwell, wash your hands regularly and thoroughly and catch coughs and sneezes in a tissue. I would also urge all those eligible for free winter vaccines to take advantage of these.

    Most winter illnesses can be managed at home and NHS.UK has information to help parents look after children with mild illness. However please do make sure you speak to a healthcare professional if you believe your child is getting worse for instance they are feeding or eating less than normal, are dehydrated, has a high temperature that won’t go down, is very hot and sweaty or seems more tired or irritable than normal.

    Thursday 22 December 2022

    Latest data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) continues to show an out of season increase in scarlet fever and group A streptococcus infections and a higher number of cases than seen in a typical year.

    So far this season (from 12 September to 18 December) there have been 27,486 notifications of scarlet fever. This compares to a total of 3,287 at the same point in the year during the last comparably high season in 2017 to 2018 – although cases in that season started to rise at a different point. In 2017 to 2018 there were 30,768 scarlet fever notifications overall across the year.

    Invasive group A streptococcus (iGAS) infections remain rare. So far this season, there have been 126 iGAS cases in children aged 1 to 4 compared to 194 cases in that age group across the whole year of the last comparably high season in 2017 to 2018. There have been 88 cases in children aged 5 to 9 years compared to 117 across the whole year of the last comparably high season in 2017 to 2018. The majority of iGAS cases continue to be in those over 45 years.

    Sadly, so far this season there have been 94 deaths across all age groups in England. This figure includes 21 children under 18 in England. In the 2017 to 2018 season, there were 355 deaths in total across the season, including 27 deaths in children under 18.

    Dr Colin Brown, Deputy Director, UKHSA, said:

    I understand how this large rise in scarlet fever and ‘strep throat’ may be concerning to parents, however the condition can be easily treated with antibiotics and it is very rare that a child will go on to become more seriously ill. At this time of year, there are lots of winter illnesses circulating that can make children unwell and I would urge all those eligible for free winter vaccines to take advantage of these.

    Most winter illnesses can be managed at home and NHS.UK has information to help parents look after children with mild illness. NHS services are under huge pressure this winter, but please visit NHS.UK, contact 111 online or your GP surgery if your child has symptoms of scarlet fever or ‘strep throat’ so they can be assessed for treatment.

    Thursday 15 December 2022

    Latest data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) continues to show an out of season increase in scarlet fever and group A streptococcus infections.

    So far this season (from 12 September to 11 December) there have been 7,750 notifications of scarlet fever. This compares to a total of 2,538 at the same point in the year during the last comparably high season in 2017 to 2018 – although cases in that season started to rise at a different point. In 2017 to 2018 there were 30,768 scarlet fever notifications overall across the year.

    Invasive group A streptococcus (iGAS) infections remain rare. So far this season, there have been 111 iGAS cases in children aged 1 to 4 compared to 194 cases in that age group across the whole year of the last comparably high season* in 2017 to 2018. There have been 74 cases in children aged 5 to 9 years compared to 117 across the whole year of the last comparably high season in 2017 to 2018. The majority of cases continue to be in those over 15 years.

    Sadly, so far this season there have been 74 deaths across all age groups in England. This figure includes 16 children under 18 in England. In the 2017 to 2018 season, there were 355 deaths in total across the season, including 27 deaths in children under 18.

    *We analyse scarlet fever seasons from week 37 to week 36 the following year. The majority of cases would typically be seen from the beginning of February to April.

    Dr Colin Brown, Deputy Director, UKHSA, said:

    Scarlet fever and ‘strep throat’ will make children feel unwell, but can be easily treated with antibiotics. Symptoms to look out for include fever, sore throat, swollen glands, difficulty swallowing, and headache. Scarlet fever causes a sandpapery rash on the body and a swollen tongue. NHS services are under huge pressure this winter, but please visit NHS.UK, contact 111 online or your GP surgery if your child has symptoms of scarlet fever or ‘strep throat’ so they can be assessed for treatment.

    At this time of year, there are lots of winter illnesses circulating that can make children unwell. Most of these can be managed at home and NHS.UK has information to help parents look after children with mild illness.

    It is very rare that a child will go on to become more seriously ill, but parents know better than anyone else what your child is usually like, so you’ll know when they are not responding as they would normally. Make sure you speak to a healthcare professional if your child is getting worse after a bout of scarlet fever, a sore throat or respiratory infection – look out for signs such as a fever that won’t go down, dehydration, extreme tiredness, intense muscle pains, difficulty breathing or breathing very fast.

    Good hand and respiratory hygiene are important for stopping the spread of many germs. By teaching your child how to wash their hands properly with soap for 20 seconds, using a tissue to catch coughs and sneezes, and keeping away from others when feeling unwell, they will be able to reduce the risk of picking up or spreading infections.

    The first symptoms of scarlet fever include flu-like symptoms, including a high temperature, a sore throat and swollen neck glands (a large lump on the side of your neck).

    A rash appears 12 to 48 hours later. It looks like small, raised bumps and starts on the chest and tummy, then spreads. The rash makes your skin feel rough, like sandpaper.

    On white skin the rash looks pink or red. On brown and black skin it might be harder to see a change in colour, but you can still feel the rash and see the raised bumps.

    Contact 111 (online if child over 5) or GP surgery if your child has scarlet fever symptoms.

    Symptoms can include nausea and vomiting.

    The symptoms of ‘strep’ throat include:

    Contact 111 (online if child over 5) or GP surgery if your child has ‘strep’ throat symptoms.

    The symptoms of iGAS include:

    • high fever
    • severe muscle aches
    • localised muscle tenderness
    • increasing pain, swelling and redness at site of wound
    • unexplained diarrhoea or vomiting

    There are several viruses circulating that cause sore throats, colds and coughs. These should resolve without needing medical attention. Antibiotics are not needed for viral infections. However, children can on occasion develop a bacterial infection at the same time as a virus and that can make them more unwell.

    As a parent, if you feel that your child seems seriously unwell, you should trust your own judgement. Contact NHS 111 (online if child over 5) or your GP surgery if:

    • your child is getting worse
    • your child is feeding or eating much less than normal
    • your child has had a dry nappy for 12 hours or more or shows other signs of dehydration
    • your baby is under 3 months and has a temperature of 38°C, or is 3 to 6 months and has a temperature of 39°C or higher
    • your baby feels hotter than usual when you touch their back or chest, or feels sweaty
    • your child is very tired or irritable

    Call 999 or go to A&E if:

    • your child is having difficulty breathing – you may notice grunting noises or their tummy sucking under their ribs
    • there are pauses when your child breathes
    • your child’s skin, tongue or lips are blue
    • your child is floppy and will not wake up or stay awake

    Cases of GAS usually increase during the winter and the last time significant numbers of cases were reported was in the 2017 to 2018 season. Seasons with high cases can occur every 3 to 4 years but social distancing measures implemented during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic may have interrupted this cycle and may explain the current increase being observed.

    While invasive group A strep is rare, close contacts of cases are at greater risk of developing the infection. Health protection teams follow national guidance to manage the contacts of iGAS cases and advise preventative treatment if necessary.

    Following an evidence review of individuals who are at greater risk of invasive group A strep, UKHSA has updated guidance to expand the number of vulnerable groups who would be potentially eligible for prophylactic antibiotics following a risk assessment by health protection teams. This evidence review was underway before the current rise in cases, and is now being implemented.

    Data published by Public Health Wales and Public Health Scotland is also available.

    Thursday 8 December 2022

    The latest data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) continue to indicate that there is an out of season increase in scarlet fever and group A strep infections. Cases usually show steepest rises in the new year, but have increased sharply in recent weeks.

    So far this season (from 12 September to 4 December) there have been 6,601 notifications of scarlet fever. This compares to a total of 2,538 at the same point in the year during the last comparably high season in 2017 to 2018.

    In very rare occasions, the bacteria causing scarlet fever, group A streptococcus (GAS) can get into the bloodstream and cause an illness called invasive group A strep (iGAS), which can be very serious, particularly in older, younger and more vulnerable groups. iGAS cases across all age groups are slightly higher than expected at this time of year. The latest data continues to highlight a higher proportion of iGAS cases in children than we would normally see. However, iGAS remains uncommon.

    So far this season, there have been 85 iGAS cases in children aged 1 to 4 compared to 194 cases in that age group across the whole of the last comparably high season in 2017 to 2018. There have been 60 cases in children aged 5 to 9 compared to 117 across the whole of the last comparably high season in 2017 to 2018. The majority of cases continue to be in those over 45.

    Sadly, so far this season there have been 60 deaths across all age groups in England. This figure includes 13 children under 18. In the 2017 to 2018 season, there were 355 deaths in total across the season, including 27 deaths in children under 18.

    Cases of GAS usually increase during the winter and the last time significant numbers of cases were reported was in the 2017 to 2018 season. Seasons with high cases can occur every 3 to 4 years but social distancing measures implemented during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic may have interrupted this cycle and explain the current increase being observed.

    Currently, there is no evidence that a new strain of GAS is circulating or any increase in antibiotic resistance. Antibiotics are the best treatment and work well against the circulating strains. The increase is likely to reflect increased susceptibility to these infections in children due to low numbers of cases during the pandemic, along with current circulation of respiratory viruses, which may increase the chances of children becoming seriously unwell. However, investigations are under way to understand if there are other factors that could be contributing to the increase this season and to better understand who is currently most affected.

    Dr Colin Brown, Deputy Director, UKHSA, said:

    Scarlet fever and ‘strep throat’ are common childhood illnesses that can be treated easily with antibiotics. Please visit NHS.UK, contact 111 online or your GP surgery if your child has symptoms of this infection so they can be assessed for treatment.

    Very rarely, the bacteria can get into the bloodstream and cause more serious illness called invasive group A strep. We know that this is concerning for parents, but I want to stress that while we are seeing an increase in cases in children, this remains very uncommon. There are lots of winter bugs circulating that can make your child feel unwell, that mostly aren’t cause for alarm. However, make sure you talk to a health professional if your child is getting worse after a bout of scarlet fever, a sore throat or respiratory infection – look out for signs such as a fever that won’t go down, dehydration, extreme tiredness and difficulty breathing.

    Good hand and respiratory hygiene are important for stopping the spread of many bugs. By teaching your child how to wash their hands properly with soap for 20 seconds, using a tissue to catch coughs and sneezes, and keeping away from others when feeling unwell, they will be able to reduce the risk of picking up or spreading infections.

    There are lots of viruses that cause sore throats, colds and coughs circulating. These should resolve without medical intervention. However, children can on occasion develop a bacterial infection on top of a virus and that can make them more unwell. As a parent, if you feel that your child seems seriously unwell, you should trust your own judgement.

    Call 999 or go to A&E if:

    • your child is having difficulty breathing – you may notice grunting noises or their tummy sucking under their ribs
    • there are pauses when your child breathes
    • your child’s skin, tongue or lips are blue
    • your child is floppy and will not wake up or stay awake

    Note: We analyse scarlet fever seasons from week 37 to week 36 the following year. The majority of cases would typically be seen from the beginning of February to April.

    Friday 2 December 2022

    The latest data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows that scarlet fever cases continue to remain higher than we would typically see at this time of year.

    There were 851 cases reported in week 46, compared to an average of 186 for the preceding years.

    Scarlet fever is usually a mild illness, but it is highly infectious. Therefore, look out for symptoms in your child, which include a sore throat, headache, and fever, along with a fine, pinkish or red body rash with a sandpapery feel. On darker skin, the rash can be more difficult to detect visually but will have a sandpapery feel. Contact NHS 111 or your GP if you suspect your child has scarlet fever, because early treatment of scarlet fever with antibiotics is important to reduce the risk of complications such as pneumonia or a bloodstream infection. If your child has scarlet fever, keep them at home until at least 24 hours after the start of antibiotic treatment to avoid spreading the infection to others.

    Scarlet fever is caused by bacteria called group A streptococci. These bacteria also cause other respiratory and skin infections such as strep throat and impetigo.

    In very rare occasions, the bacteria can get into the bloodstream and cause an illness called invasive group A strep (iGAS). While still uncommon, there has been an increase in invasive group A strep cases this year, particularly in children under 10. There were 2.3 cases per 100,000 children aged 1 to 4 compared to an average of 0.5 in the pre-pandemic seasons (2017 to 2019) and 1.1 cases per 100,000 children aged 5 to 9 compared to the pre-pandemic average of 0.3 (2017 to 2019) at the same time of the year.

    So far this season there have been 5 recorded deaths within 7 days of an iGAS diagnosis in children under 10 in England. During the last high season for group A strep infection (2017 to 2018) there were 4 deaths in children under 10 in the equivalent period.

    Investigations are also underway following reports of an increase in lower respiratory tract group A strep infections in children over the past few weeks, which have caused severe illness.

    Currently, there is no evidence that a new strain is circulating. The increase is most likely related to high amounts of circulating bacteria and social mixing.

    There are lots of viruses that cause sore throats, colds and coughs circulating. These should resolve without medical intervention. However, children can on occasion develop a bacterial infection on top of a virus and that can make them more unwell.

    As a parent, if you feel that your child seems seriously unwell, you should trust your own judgement. Contact NHS 111 or your GP if:

    • your child is getting worse
    • your child is feeding or eating much less than normal
    • your child has had a dry nappy for 12 hours or more or shows other signs of dehydration
    • your baby is under 3 months and has a temperature of 38°C, or is 3 to 6 months and has a temperature of 39°C or higher
    • your baby feels hotter than usual when you touch their back or chest, or feels sweaty
    • your child is very tired or irritable

    Call 999 or go to A&E if:

    • your child is having difficulty breathing – you may notice grunting noises or their tummy sucking under their ribs
    • there are pauses when your child breathes
    • your child’s skin, tongue or lips are blue
    • your child is floppy and will not wake up or stay awake

    Good hand and respiratory hygiene are important for stopping the spread of many bugs. By teaching your child how to wash their hands properly with soap for 20 seconds, using a tissue to catch coughs and sneezes, and keeping away from others when feeling unwell, they will be able to reduce the risk of picking up or spreading infections.

    Dr Colin Brown, Deputy Director, UKHSA, said:

    We are seeing a higher number of cases of group A strep this year than usual. The bacteria usually causes a mild infection producing sore throats or scarlet fever that can be easily treated with antibiotics. In very rare circumstances, this bacteria can get into the bloodstream and cause serious illness – called invasive group A strep (iGAS). This is still uncommon; however, it is important that parents are on the lookout for symptoms and see a doctor as quickly as possible so that their child can be treated and we can stop the infection becoming serious. Make sure you talk to a health professional if your child is showing signs of deteriorating after a bout of scarlet fever, a sore throat, or a respiratory infection.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UN HRC52 – Statement on violence against children [March 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UN HRC52 – Statement on violence against children [March 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 March 2023.

    During the 52nd session of the UN Human Rights Council, the UK delivered a statement on violence against children.

    Thank you, Mr Vice-President,

    The United Kingdom would like to thank the Special Representative for this valuable report and for her tireless work on this agenda, in particular her efforts to shine a light on the protection of children in the digital environment.

    We note with concern the ongoing high rates of child sexual exploitation and abuse online, with girls being particularly at risk.
    In response, we are driving forward the Online Safety Bill which will mandate tech companies to proactively tackle the child sexual exploitation threat on their platforms. We have also pledged a further £16.5m up to 2025 for the Global Partnership to End Violence Against Children, to deliver a world in which every child can access and benefit from the digital world, safe from harm.

    Madam Special Representative,

    We are encouraged to see your advocacy work to enhance child protection online, and welcome views on how we can ensure that this is effectively joined up with broader work to prevent technology-facilitated gender-based violence.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Women in Finance charter shows continued improvements in female representation [March 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Women in Finance charter shows continued improvements in female representation [March 2023]

    The press release issued by HM Treasury on 16 March 2023.

    The annual Women in Finance report published today shows the finance sector is making great strides in increasing female representation in finance in senior management roles.

    • This year’s Women in Finance Charter report shows average senior female representation across Charter signatories has increased to 35% in 2022
    • Almost three quarters of signatories have increased their proportion of women in senior management
    • Signatories’ ambitions for their targets continue to increase with half (50%) setting a target of at least 40%

    HM Treasury launched the Women in Finance Charter in 2016 and has annually published an accompanying Annual Review monitoring signatory progress from the previous year, in collaboration with think tank New Financial. Signatories of the Charter must report annually to the Treasury on their progress against their self-created targets for women in senior management.

    This year’s report shows a very positive picture overall. The main headlines from 2022 include:

    • The average female representation has increased to 35% in 2022. This shows an improved picture for Charter signatories as this number remained flat at 33% in 2021 and 2020.
    • 77% of signatories have either increased (71%) or maintained (6%) their proportion of women in senior management.
    • Signatories’ ambitions for their targets continue to increase with half (50%) setting a target of at least 40%.
    • Of the 73 signatories with a 2022 deadline, 44 hit their targets and the remaining 29 missed, down from 31 in 2021. Of the 29 that missed, 22 were close – either within five percentage points or five appointments of hitting their targets.
    • For the first time since the Charter’s creation, the top quarter of firms (52) have achieved at least 40% female representation in senior management.

    Releasing the report, Treasury Lords Minister Baroness Penn said:

    There is much to celebrate this year. Signatories have demonstrated their commitment to delivering on this agenda: analysing data to drill into the issue at hand, setting ambitions high, and working to develop and inspire the leaders of tomorrow. It is most encouraging to see that after last year’s stall in progress, our 400+ strong signatory base has brought itself back on track.

    This report should serve as a marker of strong progress but also a reminder that we shouldn’t be complacent.  I want to ensure that the Charter continues to be a tool for keeping the sector competitive, innovative, and productive.

    This journey is not linear, but together we can keep each other accountable, drive growth and boost innovation in the financial services sector.

    Amanda Blanc, Group CEO at Aviva and Government Women in Finance Champion, said:

    These results are encouraging – a 2% improvement is good progress but we have to move beyond that and soon if we are going to make lasting change. The signs are good, and what is hugely encouraging is to see leaders being held accountable for the levels of diversity in their business and that data is finally being allowed to flex its muscles on this issue.

    A quarter of Charter firms now have 40% of women in senior management and they should be applauded for that. But all of us need to do more to ensure that we finally improve the pace of change to achieve wholesale and permanent acceptance of women in finance.

    Yasmine Chinwala OBE, partner at New Financial and lead author of the report, said:

    Signatories’ progress is clear evidence that the Charter’s principles work. They encourage business to tackle the challenge of increasing female representation just as it would treat any other strategic imperative – with a target, progress reporting and individual accountability, all incentivised by pay.

    The data shows more signatories are finding the link between diversity targets and pay is making a difference, with 64% reporting that they believe the link to pay has been effective, up from 53% in 2021. Having a link to pay means diversity is increasingly positioned as a business issue, rather than voluntary or owned and led by HR and D&I teams, and has been transformative.

  • PRESS RELEASE : ‘Back to work Budget’ supporting people to return to the labour market [March 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : ‘Back to work Budget’ supporting people to return to the labour market [March 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 16 March 2023.

    Millions of people will benefit from specific support to look for work, acquire new skills and progress into better-paid jobs.

    • Interventions focus on removing barriers to work for people at any age and career stage
    • Parents on Universal Credit will be further supported with upfront childcare costs
    • Boost to employment support for disabled people and those with health conditions building on reforms in landmark White Paper

    Parents, over-50s, disabled people and those with long-term health conditions will have opportunities arising from changes announced in the Budget set to be delivered by the Department for Work and Pensions.

    Overall, DWP measures at Budget represent an investment of £3.5 billion over five years to boost workforce participation and grow the economy. That includes:

    • £2 billion investment in support for disabled people and people with long-term health conditions.
    • £900 million investment in support for parents on Universal Credit.
    • £70 million investment in support for over-50s.
    • £485 million investment in support for unemployed people and people who are on Universal Credit and working fewer than full time hours.

    Taken together, these measures tackle the challenges in the labour market, which are holding back the UK’s economic prospects, helping millions of people with specific support to look for work and progress into better-paid jobs.

    Work and Pensions Secretary, Mel Stride MP said:

    We know many people want to work but there are very real barriers we need to break down to help them into employment.

    This package of support helps people at any age and career stage to get into work, progress into better-paid jobs – growing the economy and filling the labour market with skilled employees.

    These interventions are only the start of a long-term journey to drive down economic inactivity and mobilise more people into seeking employment, which I will continue to lead across Government.

    Childcare

    Parents on Universal Credit looking to move into full-time work will no longer be prevented from doing so because of high childcare costs.

    The Universal Credit childcare cost cap will rise in the summer meaning the Government will pay more of parents’ childcare costs. For those with one child it rises from £646.35 to £951 and for two children the cap is up from £1,108.04 to £1,630, then increasing in line with CPI each year until 2027/28.

    Parents will also be further supported with upfront childcare costs. This removes any gap in funds which would currently be claimed in arrears and eases parents into the childcare costs payment cycle.

    Disabled people and people with health conditions

    The Health and Disability White Paper, included as part of the Budget, sets out plans to rewire the benefits system for disabled people, shifting the dial onto what people can achieve and removing barriers to work.

    A major element of this will be through the removal of the Work Capability Assessment, giving people the confidence to move into work while reducing the burden of unnecessary assessments.

    A new Universal Support programme will support disabled people and people with health conditions into sustained work, with those eligible able to opt in to receive up to 12 months of provision, with the government spending up to £4,000 per person and funding 50,000 places every year. This will help them to move quickly into suitable work and, with wraparound support, help them sustain that employment for the longer-term.

    Pioneer areas are already mobilising services to provide greater support, and then the programme will ramp up over time, expanding to support thousands more people.

    Older workers

    A new digital Mid-life MOT check will be introduced to help older workers understand what their employment choices now mean for the longer-term – reaching 40,000 people a year.

    They will also benefit from a boost to skills and better access to training through the Sector-based Work Academy Programme (SWAP), Train and Progress and the new ‘Returnerships’ programme.

    Jobcentre support

    We are increasing jobcentre support for people on Universal Credit who could work more, helping them progress towards more paid work.

    This includes around 80,000 more people, whose partners claim Universal Credit, being given access to full jobcentre support for the first time. They will be assigned their own work coach who will provide tailored support to help them find work quicker.

    All those working less than half of a full-time week will also get full jobcentre support to look for more work as the Administrative Earnings Threshold increases to the equivalent of around 18 hours from 15.

    And more young people aged 16-24 on Universal Credit will be able see a work coach in a Youth Hub or benefit from the expertise of our Youth Employability Coaches.

  • PRESS RELEASE : British Army announces new artillery deal with Sweden [March 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : British Army announces new artillery deal with Sweden [March 2023]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 16 March 2023.

    The British Army will receive modern artillery platforms to replace those supplied to Ukraine, as part of an agreement struck with Sweden.

    • Army to replace the AS90 gifted to Ukraine with new ‘Archer’ heavy artillery guns
    • Rapid procurement upgrades Army artillery capability, ahead of long-term artillery programme
    • Vehicles can be brought into action within 20 seconds and hit targets simultaneously

    The first 14 Archer artillery systems will have ownership transferred to the British Army this month and be fully operational by next April, forming an interim replacement for the 32 AS90 artillery systems the UK gifted to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

    Designed and built by BAE Systems Bofors in Sweden, Archer has double the maximum range of AS90, greater operational mobility, greater availability and reduced time into action. Operated by 3-4 crew, it has a lower requirement for personnel than the AS90’s five, and benefits from a higher top speed of 70kph compared to the current 53kph.

    Archer 6×6 boasts a fully automated, self-propelled 155mm howitzer gun designed for rapid deployment, with a firing range of 50km using extended range ammunition – a doubling of the AS90’s 25km range. For a sense of distance, the AS90 could fire from Central London to the M25, whereas Archer is capable of reaching the distance of Sandhurst in Berkshire.

    Loading and firing of Archer is handled from inside the armoured cabin, with the unit able to be deployed into action in just 20 seconds and is ready to move after firing in the same amount of time.

    Archer can fire a number of types of 155mm artillery ammunition, including extended range and precision anti-armour shells. It can also fire eight rounds a minute and four rounds in a simultaneous impact-mode, meaning several shells are fired in succession with different trajectories so they hit the same target at the same time.

    Defence Secretary, Ben Wallace said:

    While continuing to double-down on our unwavering support for Ukraine, it’s imperative we simultaneously replenish our capabilities at home.

    Archer artillery systems are powerful, protective and can be rapidly deployed. This agreement with a close European ally will sustain the British Army’s requirements until the longer-term Mobile Fires Platform comes into service – a programme we are working hard to accelerate.

    The purchase of the Archers from Sweden enables the UK to quickly replace AS90 until the long-term Mobile Fires Platform delivers later this decade as part of the Future Soldier modernisation programme. Archer will contribute to the Close Support capability as part of our commitment to NATO.

    Lieutenant General Sharon Nesmith, Deputy Chief of the General Staff said:

    Archer is a potent, modern artillery system procured at a speed previously unseen in Defence. Today’s agreement took only eight weeks to secure and the guns will be in service with the British Army by next Spring.

    Archer fires further and faster than any artillery system previously in service with the British Army – it is a step change in capability and fills a gap left by UK support to Ukraine.

    It will provide a bridge to the next generation of artillery systems, the procurement of which is being accelerated to speed up modernisation.

    The agreement has been reached in the space of just two months, demonstrating agility to procure at pace and deliver the Army requirements, following the gifting to Ukraine. It also emphasises the strong ties with our Swedish allies, who have risen to support the challenging timeframe.

    The government-to-government sale is being negotiated by Defence Equipment & Support – the UK MOD’s procurement arm – and the final contract will be signed with their Swedish counterparts, FMV, shortly.

    Recognising the need to sustain Ukraine’s fighting and support capabilities, the UK and Sweden have also agreed to collaborate on bringing together efforts for repair and maintenance of vehicles granted in kind to Ukraine.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Chancellor unveils a Budget for growth to benefit Scotland [March 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Chancellor unveils a Budget for growth to benefit Scotland [March 2023]

    The press release issued by HM Treasury on 16 March 2023.

    A £27 billion tax cut for business and a trio of freezes to help families with the cost-of-living headlined the Chancellor’s Spring Budget.

    • A £27 billion tax cut for business through radical ‘full expensing’ policy and capital allowances reform which will drive investment and growth.
    • This government will simplify tax for SMEs with over 340,000 businesses in Scotland set to benefit.
    • The broad shoulders of the UK mean that measures to ease cost-of-living burden will help more than halve inflation with the extension of Energy Price Guarantee kept at current level, and duties on fuel and a pub pint both frozen.
    • Biggest ever set of reforms to remove the barriers that stop those on benefits, older workers, and those with health conditions who want to work from working.
    • The government is launching the refocused Investment Zones programme to catalyse 12 high-potential knowledge-intensive growth clusters across the UK, including four across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

    A £27 billion tax cut for business and a trio of freezes to help families with the cost-of-living headlined the Chancellor’s Spring Budget today, Wednesday 15 March.

    Aimed at achieving long-term, sustainable economic growth that delivers prosperity with a purpose for the people of the United Kingdom, the Spring Budget breaks down barriers to work, unshackles business investment and tackles labour shortages head on.

    Many of today’s decisions on tax and spending apply in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. As a result of decisions that do not apply UK-wide, the Scottish Government will receive around an additional £320 million over 2023-24 and 2024-25.

    Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt said:

    “Our plan is working – inflation falling, debt down and a growing economy.

    “Britain is on a lasting path to growth with a revolution in childcare support, the biggest ever employment package and the best investment incentives in Europe.”

    Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said:

    “Today the Chancellor has set out a Budget which continues cost of living support and will deliver sustainable, long-term growth, helping us halve inflation and reduce our national debt.

    “Maintaining the Energy Price Guarantee until June will save the average family £160 a year and gives certainty over their bills until summer. We’ve also made changes to Universal Credit to help people get back to work.

    “Other UK Government direct investment in Scotland includes £8.6 million for Edinburgh’s world-class festivals, more than £1 million for five new vital community ownership projects, and investment in Scotland’s innovative high tech sector. The Chancellor has also confirmed there will be Investment Zones in all parts of the UK, building on Scotland’s two new Freeports.”

    The Chancellor announced the government will pay the childcare costs of parents on Universal Credit moving into work or increasing their hours upfront, rather than in arrears – removing a major barrier to work for those who are on benefits. The maximum they can claim will also be boosted to £951 for one child and £1,630 for two children – an increase of around 50%.

    The Chancellor went on to set out plans to continue to support households with cost-of-living pressures including keeping the Energy Price Guarantee at £2,500 for the next three months and ending the premium that over 4 million households pay on their prepayment meter, bringing their charges into line with comparable customers who pay by direct debit. Taken together with all the government’s efforts to help households with higher costs, these measures bring the total support to an average of £3,300 per UK household over 2022-23 and 2023-24.

    To help household budgets further, the planned 11 pence rise in fuel duty will be cancelled and the 5p cut will be maintained for another twelve months, saving a typical driver another £100 on top of the £100 saved so far since last year’s cut.

    The generosity of Draught Relief has also been significantly extended from 5% to 9.2%, so that the duty on an average draught pint of beer served in a pub both does not increase from August and will be up to 11 pence lower than the duty in supermarkets. The commitment to duty on a pub pint being lower than the supermarket has been termed the “Brexit Pubs Guarantee” by the Chancellor, and will support over 2,500 pubs and bars in Scotland.

    The Chancellor also set out a comprehensive plan to remove the barriers to work facing those on benefits, those with health conditions and older workers. An increase in the pensions Annual Allowance from £40,000 to £60,000 and the abolition of the Lifetime Allowance will remove the disincentives to working for longer.

    In line with the government’s vision for the UK to be the best place in Europe for companies to locate, invest and grow, a new first-in-Europe ‘full expensing’ policy will be introduced to boost business investment in an effective cut to corporation tax of £9 billion per year. This makes the UK the joint first most competitive capital allowances regime in the OECD and the independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) forecast that this will increase business investment by 3% for every year it is in place. Mr Hunt signalled an intention to make this scheme – which covers equipment for factories, computers and other machinery – permanent when responsible to do so.

    Accompanying forecasts by the OBR confirm that with the package of measures Mr Hunt set out today, the economy is on track to grow with inflation halved this year and debt falling – meeting all of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s economic priorities. This comes alongside the confirmation that there are no new tax rises within the Spring Budget.

    Childcare

    Significant reforms to childcare will remove barriers to work for parents receiving Universal Credit not working due to caring responsibilities, reducing discrimination against women and benefitting the wider economy in the process.

    • Childcare costs of parents moving into work or increasing their hours on Universal Credit paid upfront rather than in arrears, with maximum claim boosted to £951 for one child and £1,630 for two children – an increase of around 50%.

    Employment

    The Chancellor set out a comprehensive plan to remove the barriers to work facing those on benefits, those with health conditions and older workers.

    • Experienced workers such as senior doctors will benefit from an increase in the pensions annual allowance from £40,000 to £60,000.
    • The Lifetime Allowance will also be abolished altogether, simplifying the tax system through taking thousands out of the complexity of pension tax and stopping over 80% of NHS doctors from receiving a tax charge for any additional hours worked.
    • The midlife MOT offer will be expanded and improved to ensure people get the best possible financial, health and career guidance well ahead of retirement. There will be an enhanced digital midlife MOT tool and an expansion of DWP’s in person midlife MOTs for 50+ Universal Credit claimants, aiming to reach 40,000 per year.
    • A DWP White Paper on disability benefits reform will herald the biggest change to the welfare system in the past ten years. By abolishing the Work Capability Assessment in Great Britain we will separate level of benefit entitlement from an individual’s ability to work.
    • Strengthening work search and work preparation requirements for around 700,000 lead carers of children aged 1-12 claiming Universal Credit in Great Britain.
    • Increasing the Administrative Earnings Threshold (AET), which determines how much support and Work Coach time a claimant will receive based on their earnings, for an individual claimant, from 15 to 18 hours at National Living Wage and removing the couples AET in Great Britain. Over 100,000 non-working or low-earning individuals will be asked to meet more regularly Work Coach support to move into work or increase their earnings.
    • The application and enforcement of the Universal Credit sanctions regime will be strengthened, by providing additional training for Work Coaches to apply sanctions effectively, including for claimants who do not look for or take up employment, and automating administrative elements of the sanctions process to reduce error rates and free up work coach time.
    • Elsewhere, international talent will be attracted through a new migration package that includes adding five construction occupations to the Shortage Occupation List.

    Enterprise

    The Chancellor put forward a plan to boost innovation, drive business investment and hold down energy costs.

    • A ‘full expensing’ policy introduced from 1 April 2023 until 31 March 2026 and an extension to the 50% first-year allowance in the same period – a transformation in capital allowances worth £27 billion to businesses over five years.
    • A £500 million per year package of support for 20,000 research and development (R&D) intensive businesses through changes to R&D tax credits.
    • Generous reforms to tax reliefs for the creative sectors will ensure theatres, orchestras, museums and galleries are protected against ongoing economic pressures and even more world-class productions are made in the UK.
    • The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) will receive £10 million extra funding over two years to maximise its use of Brexit freedoms and accelerate patient access to treatments. This will allow, from 2024, the MHRA to introduce new, swift approvals systems, speeding up access to treatments already approved by trusted international partners and ground-breaking technologies such as cancer vaccines and AI therapeutics for mental health.
    • All of the recommendations from Sir Patrick Vallance’s review into pro-innovation regulation of digital technologies, published alongside Spring Budget today, are to be accepted.
    • £900 million of funding for an AI Research Resource and an exascale computer – making the UK one of only a handful of countries to have one – and a commitment to £2.5 billion ten-year quantum research and innovation programme through the government’s new Quantum Strategy.

    Levelling Up

    To level up growth across the UK and spread opportunity everywhere, local communities will be empowered to command their economic destiny.

    • Business rates retention expanded to more areas in the next Parliament.
    • Deliver 12 Investment Zones across the UK including 4 across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland; support local growth projects in every nation of the UK.
    • We will also provide £8.6 million of funding to support the Edinburgh Festivals, and £1 million for 5 community projects in Scotland, including Aberfeldy Sports Club in Perthshire, repairs to the Inveraray Pier, and a community grocery shop and cafe in the Kyle Lochalsh in the Highlands.
  • PRESS RELEASE : Report by the Director of the OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) – UK response [March 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Report by the Director of the OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) – UK response [March 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 March 2023.

    Ambassador Bush commends the work of ODIHR in highlighting the terrible human cost of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

    Thank you, Mr Chair. I would like to join others in welcoming Director Meccaci to the Permanent Council during this particularly grave time for human rights and international humanitarian law in the OSCE region.

    Director Meccaci, I am very grateful to you and your staff for the work of ODIHR, to highlight the terrible human cost of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Last week I spoke of relentless Russian shelling, Russia’s continued attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure, and the unspeakable cruelties many women and girls have suffered at the hands of Russian forces. Those responsible must be held to account.

    ODIHR’s Monitoring Initiative has provided valuable reporting of violations of IHL and human rights abuses in the course of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.  This monitoring and reporting is vital to capture and record the scale of violations taking place. The December report shed light on alleged forced transfers and child deportation by the Russian authorities. Exposing the harm caused by a decree adopted in May 2022 by President Putin, the report detailed the newly simplified procedure to grant Ukrainian children without parental care Russian citizenship, opening a route to their ‘legal’ adoption by Russian families. The report shared accounts of parents in Kherson, who had accepted an offer from the Russian authorities to send their children for a “short holiday” to escape the war in illegally annexed Crimea, who now cannot communicate with their children or bring them back home. The fact that we do not know the true scale of how many Ukrainian children have been affected by these Russian policies is truly horrifying.

    We are grateful to ODIHR for their support to the three Moscow Mechanism reports last year. 45 participating States – supported by Ukraine – overwhelmingly united in the face of Russian aggression, triggered two Moscow Mechanism reports on IHL and human rights violations in Ukraine. And there is a clear link between internal repression of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Russia and the unbridled aggression and horrific atrocities Russia is inflicting on Ukraine – as outlined in the third Moscow Mechanism report last year.

    ODIHR’s unwavering support for human rights defenders across the OSCE region – particularly in Ukraine, Russia and Belarus – and those forced to live in exile has been vitally important. ODIHR’s work has provided an invaluable opportunity for OSCE participating States to hear directly from civil society, including during the Warsaw Human Dimension conference and this week’s Supplementary Human Dimension Meeting. The Human Dimension Implementation Meetings (HDIM) are an essential part of the work of the human dimension, to hold OSCE participating States to account for the commitments they have agreed to, and to provide a safe space for civil society to share their concerns. The sad reality is that Russia has at every turn sought to flagrantly undermine the successful functioning of the human dimension and HDIM over a number of years. We hope that this year a full HDIM will be held, and underscore the importance of ensuring the OSCE’s human dimension institutions are adequately funded.

    We continue to believe that strengthening our democratic institutions and practices is a continuous process, and ought to reflect the needs and interests of both men and women. ODIHR’s election observation methodology, which recognises an election is a process – not just an event – and considers the key elements of participating States’ electoral systems is excellent. We fully support ODIHR’s activity to strengthen gender equality institutions and increase women’s participation in politics and electoral processes – including through guides and toolkits focused on ‘Realising Gender Equality in Parliament’ and ‘Addressing Violence against Women in Politics in the OSCE Region’. We look forward to supporting ODIHR’s work with important elections coming up this year.

    Director Mecacci, in closing the tragic events in Ukraine, caused by Russia’s aggression, only reinforces the truth that lies at the heart of ODIHR’s work. We see clearly how internal human rights violations and the absence of genuine democracy has spillover effects across the OSCE region. The UK offers ODIHR our full support as you continue your invaluable work.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UKHSA urges those with new or multiple sexual partners to get tested after gonorrhoea cases resurge [March 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UKHSA urges those with new or multiple sexual partners to get tested after gonorrhoea cases resurge [March 2023]

    The press release issued by the UK Health Security Agency on 16 March 2023.

    Gonorrhoea cases have resurged in England since the easing of coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions in 2021.

    Provisional data published today indicates that gonorrhoea diagnoses from January to September 2022 were 21% higher than those reported over the same period in 2019. Data also indicates that during the first 9 months of 2022, gonorrhoea cases were higher than those reported over the same period in each of the last 3 years.

    UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is reminding people to wear a condom and get tested regularly if having sex with new or casual partners. Testing is free and discreet and you should get tested even if you are not showing any symptoms.

    The data shows that the total number of gonorrhoea diagnoses from January to September 2022 (56,327) was 21% higher when compared to the same period in 2019 (46,541), the year when the highest number of diagnoses was reported.

    Young people aged 15 to 24 years remain most likely to be diagnosed with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) due to more frequent changes in sexual partners. Though STIs are usually easily treated with antibiotics, some STIs, including gonorrhoea, can have serious consequences as they can cause serious health issues such as infertility and pelvic inflammatory disease.

    Typical symptoms of gonorrhoea include a thick green or yellow discharge from the vagina or penis, pain when urinating, pain and discomfort in the rectum and, in women and other people with a uterus or ovaries, lower abdominal pain and bleeding between periods.

    People infected with gonorrhoea will often have no symptoms, especially for infections in the throat, vagina or rectum. This lack of symptoms makes it important to test regularly when having sex with new or casual partners.

    Dr Katy Sinka, Consultant Epidemiologist and Head of the STI section at UKHSA, said:

    Condoms aren’t just about preventing unwanted pregnancy; they are the main defence against STIs. If you have had condomless sex with a new or casual partner, it is even more important to get tested to detect any potential infections early and prevent passing them on to others.

    You can get free condoms at your local sexual health clinic and if you’re under 25, you can also get them online.

    Dr Thomas Waite, Deputy Chief Medical Officer at the Department of Health and Social Care said:

    Practising safe sex and getting tested regularly is important to keep you and your sexual partners safe.

    Condoms and early detection are essential in preventing and addressing the rise in cases we are currently seeing of gonorrhoea.

    Many STIs including gonorrhoea and chlamydia can be diagnosed easily and treated with antibiotics. If left untreated, common STIs can lead to complications and long term health problems.

    Testing is simple – samples are quick to take, can be collected at home, and sent off by post for analysis, making early detection accessible to everyone.

    Dr Claire Dewsnap, President of the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV, said:

    The rise in gonorrhoea cases provides an important reminder of the importance of testing for STIs and wearing a condom every time you have sex. By getting tested at least once a year, regardless of whether you’re showing symptoms, you can help minimise the risk of catching or passing on STIs when having sex. Delaying access to the right care and treatment also risks developing longer term problems which can be more difficult to address.

    If you are concerned about STI transmission, sexual health clinics are on hand to help.

    Previously, we have seen cases of gonorrhoea with resistance to ceftriaxone, the main antibiotic used to treat the infection. While these ceftriaxone-resistant cases remain rare, it is a reminder to all people having condomless sex with new or casual partners to get tested regularly at sexual health services to ensure prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

  • PRESS RELEASE : MHRA trialling pioneering stem cell robot that could transform the availability of life-saving cell therapies [March 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : MHRA trialling pioneering stem cell robot that could transform the availability of life-saving cell therapies [March 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 16 March 2023.

    The MHRA’s UK Stem Cell Bank is one of only two places in the world to test this technology.

    An innovative new robot that grows stem cells, the CellQualiaTM Intelligent Cell Processing System, is being trialled by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). This robotic system has the potential to bring safer and more cost-effective treatments to people with a wide range of diseases. It is currently the only one in the world outside of Japan, where it was developed.

    Stem cells have a unique ability to turn into different types of cells with specialised functions. This makes them particularly useful in medicine because they can replace cells that have been damaged or lost from disease – for example restoring eyesight after corneal disease.

    Because stem cell-based therapeutics are difficult to manufacture, their current availability is limited. This means that most treatments for degenerative diseases are focused on limiting the extent of damage rather than fixing the damage that has already occurred. The system being tested at the MHRA has the potential to change this, offering new hope to patients with serious diseases such as Parkinson’s.

    This trial is part of a UK-based international research programme, launched in 2021, and a partnership between the MHRA, SAKARTA (a Scottish Regenerative Medicine start-up), and Sinfonia Technology Co. Ltd (a Tokyo-based electrical equipment manufacturer), supported by Foundation for Biomedical Research and Innovation at Kobe (FBRI). The UK Stem Cell Bank is testing the robot over a 12-month period to see whether the cells produced by the fully automated Intelligent Cell Processing System meet the standards needed for them to be used in the manufacture of potentially life-saving treatments.

    Marc Bailey, MHRA Chief Scientific Officer said:

    At the MHRA, we’re committed to being at the forefront of the latest scientific developments so that we can help bring safe and effective treatments to the people who need them most.

    Cell-based therapeutics have the potential to treat, and even cure, a vast number of diseases but their availability has been limited because they are often very difficult to manufacture.

    The new Intelligent Cell Processing System being tested at the MHRA, of which there are only two machines in use in the world, could make this manufacturing process much easier and therefore transform the availability of these treatments. It also has the potential to reduce human error in this process and produce a more consistent final product which will result in safer and more effective treatments.

    We look forward to communicating the results of our testing.

    Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay said:

    This pioneering new robot has the potential to speed up access to more cost-effective, safer stem cell therapies. By replacing cells that have been damaged or lost, this new technology could transform the lives of tens of thousands of people with Parkinson’s and other devastating diseases.

    The UK is only the second country where this technology has been tested, thanks to a partnership between the MHRA and industry. It is yet another example of how clinical research is ensuring patients benefit from the very latest scientific breakthroughs.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Andrew Mitchell reaffirms the UK’s commitment to helping the world’s poorest [March 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Andrew Mitchell reaffirms the UK’s commitment to helping the world’s poorest [March 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 March 2023.

    International Development Minister Andrew Mitchell lays out UK’s commitment to helping world’s poorest people at Glasgow conference.

    • Minister Mitchell delivers keynote speech to aid sector experts at the Scottish International Development Alliance conference in Glasgow.
    • UK Government to reaffirm its position as a global leader in development as outlined in Monday’s Integrated Review Refresh.
    • Minister Mitchell proud of role UK is playing supporting Scottish aid workers around the world.

    International Development Minister Andrew Mitchell has reaffirmed the UK Government’s commitment to helping the world’s poorest people as a keynote speaker at an event in Scotland.

    Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Minister Mitchell was in Scotland to address an audience of aid sector experts at the Scottish International Development Alliance’s spring conference at Glasgow’s Trades Hall venue.

    His speech detailed how the UK Government has used its £11 billion foreign aid budget to be at the forefront of humanitarian responses including the Ukraine conflict and last month’s Turkey/Syria earthquake catastrophe, which has killed over 50,000 people.

    And Minister Mitchell highlighted the UK Government’s commitment to reinvigorating its position as a global leader in development, as set out in the Integrated Review Refresh published on Monday 13 March.

    The UK Government remains committed to spending 0.7% of gross national income (GNI) on Official Development Assistance (ODA) as soon as the fiscal situation allows.

    International Development Minister Andrew Mitchell said:

    The UK will go further and faster on international development, reinvigorating our position as a global leader and further driving our work around the world to improve outcomes for the poorest, and to combat climate change, poverty and some of the root causes of geopolitical instability.

    The UK remains a champion for international development and one of the most generous global aid donors, spending more than £11 billion in aid in 2021. We are the third highest G7 spenders of Official Development Assistance (ODA) as a percentage of GNI.

    The UK Government is proud that brave Scottish firefighters and medics have been at the very heart of our efforts to help the Turkish people in their hour of need.

    Scottish NGOs such as Edinburgh-based Mercy Corps and demining charity The HALO Trust are making a real difference carrying out vital humanitarian work in Ukraine, backed by UK aid.

    Our task has, of course, been made much more difficult because of the pandemic and the global repercussions of Russia’s war on Ukraine.

    In spite of all these challenges, we should not lose sight of the big impact our development assistance continues to have, saving and transforming millions of lives around the world.

    The Scottish International Development Alliance is the umbrella body for civil society organisations based in Scotland.

    Its spring conference, titled ‘Out of the Storm and Towards Global Solidarity’ was chaired by broadcaster and journalist Tasnim Nazeer.

    As well as Minister Mitchell, speakers included representatives from international NGOs such as BRAC UK and Save the Children, economic experts from UN conference on trade & development and NatWest Group.

    Minister Mitchell used his speech to outline how the UK intends to use its role as a leading global player to build on the country’s commitment to sustainable development – driving the agenda on issues that matter to people across the UK, including on Ukraine, climate change and human rights.

    He highlighted how the Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly, last week (8 March) announced the FCDO’s first International Women and Girls Strategy, which put gender equality at the forefront of UK foreign policy.

    Minister Mitchell also visited the FCDO’s joint HQ Abercrombie House in East Kilbride, Lanarkshire, to address its 800 staff.

    Minister Mitchell added:

    Scotland’s civil society and the FCDO’s 800 staff in East Kilbride are at the very heart of shaping and delivering UK foreign policy as a force for good in the world.

    I am proud that the UK Government continues to use its influence as a leading player on the world stage to drive the agenda on issues that unite people from every corner of our country.

    Frances Guy, chief executive of Scotland’s International Development Alliance said:

    We’re delighted to be welcoming the Minister to our conference to discuss these issues and hear about his longer term vision for international development.