Tag: Press Release

PRESS RELEASE : Around £1.8bn to be saved by government plans to overhaul back office systems [March 2023]
The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 9 March 2023.

Updated figures have been released as part of the two year anniversary of the Shared Services Strategy, which sets out how departments will find efficiencies by working more closely together.
The savings are expected to be made over next 15 years in Whitehall efficiency drive

Modern technology and automation being used to free up civil servant time

Services of all government departments brought together in clusters to make better use of data across departments

Around £1.8 billion could be saved over the next 15 years in the latest Whitehall drive to modernise costly back-office systems across the civil service, according to initial government estimates.

The Shared Services Strategy for Government was launched two years ago to offer better value for money for the taxpayer through the use of cheaper and more efficient HR and finance systems.

In the last 24 months, significant developments have been made, including the creation of five ‘clusters’ which will bridge gaps between 18 departments and more than 100 arms length bodies to create a single system used by all for the first time.

Individual departments replacing their own systems would cost more than £1.7 billion whereas the shared services clusters estimate that they will generate around £1.8 billion pounds of benefits for around £900 million cost. This would be delivered through £500m of financial savings and £1.3bn in efficiencies.

Minister for the Cabinet Office Jeremy Quin said:

The strategy was created to offer better cross-government, streamlined services that relieve the burden of bureaucracy. We want to free up civil servants’ time to focus on what they do best: engaging with, and delivering for the British public.

This transformational programme is underway and demonstrates the important steps we’re taking to be more collaborative.

The strategy offers greater interoperability by linking different back-office computer systems and making better use of real time data. This will help join up departments and present a clearer workforce picture. The new structure could be critical for future cross-government challenges, ensuring the government is more resilient to urgent crises.

Examples of ‘clusters’ include Defence which brings the services of the Ministry of Defence, Armed Forces and veterans together which will ensure departments are working off the same HR and finance systems to deliver major savings for the taxpayer.

Another example is the ‘Hera programme’ which has been implemented by the Overseas cluster. It centred around moving three very different legacy business systems into one within six months. It has transformed business processes and offered a new finance and HR system with wider capabilities for over 20,000 FCDO civil servants.

Nathan Moores, Shared Services Strategy Director, said:

I’d like to thank all colleagues across the five Clusters, the functions including Civil Service HR, Government Finance Function, Crown Commercial Service and the Functional Convergence Programme for their hard work, dedication and commitment to collaborating on the strategy over the last two years.

I’m so proud of what has been achieved so far, we have seen phenomenal progress, collaboration and delivery across government. We are on a journey to ultimately improving the daily working lives of civil servants by creating more joined-up systems and services, saving time and money for the taxpayer.

I look forward to working with all colleagues over the next 12 months and delivering further milestones set out in the strategy.

This year sees the strategy moving full force into delivery mode. Clusters will procure goods and services by engaging with suppliers and will aim for final business case approval.
March 9, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Three appointments made to Natural England board [March 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 9 March 2023.

Mel Austen, Lynn Dicks and Dame Caroline Spelman have been appointed to the board of Natural England.

Defra Ministers have appointed Mel Austen, Lynn Dicks and Dame Caroline Spelman as Natural England board members. These appointments are for a three-year term and will run from 1 March 2023 for Lynn Dicks and Dame Caroline Spelman, and 1 April 2023 for Mel Austen.

Board members play an important role in providing leadership for the organisation, ensuring the delivery of Natural England’s mission to build partnerships for Nature recovery, in support for the Environmental Improvement Plan. This includes setting strategy and direction, agreeing objectives, overseeing performance and taking important decisions such as designations.

The appointments were made in accordance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments published by the Cabinet Office. All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process.

Natural England plays a key role in delivering the government’s environmental priorities and ensuring the natural environment is conserved, enhanced and managed for the benefit of present and future generations.

Andy Clements and Michael Winter will be leaving the Board when their terms expire at the end of March.

Natural England Chair Tony Juniper said:

“Our Board plays a crucial role in supporting our organisation as we deliver for the environment and support the government’s targets to halt and reverse nature decline. There are huge opportunities for Natural England to shape this landscape, whether through our specialist advice and guidance which is supporting the roll-out of the Environmental Land Management Schemes, or creating new and better spaces for Nature through our growing Nature Recovery Network.

“I very much look forward to working with Mel, Lynn and Dame Caroline, who each bring a range of skills and experience that will help us deliver on these ambitious plans. I would like to thank Andy Clements and Michael Winter for their many years of dedicated service on the Natural England Board and wish them the very best with their continued efforts for Nature recovery in other roles.”

Biographies:

Mel Austen
- Mel is a Professor of Ocean and Society at the University of Plymouth where she is also Director of its Centre for Systems Thinking: Ocean, Land and Society. She leads and undertakes marine research and training for sustainable outcomes across the blue economy in the UK and internationally.
- Previously Mel was the Head of Science at Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML) leading the Sea and Society science area; Chief Scientist to the Marine Management Organisation; independent member of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) and member of the Natural Capital Committee.
- She is Chair of the Partnership of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in North Devon, UK.
Lynn Dicks
- Lynn is a University Lecturer in Animal Ecology at the Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge; a Fellow of Selwyn College, Cambridge; and a Trustee of the Royal Entomological Society. She leads a research group working on sustainable agriculture and insect conservation.
- Previously, she was a NERC Independent Research Fellow at the University of East Anglia, where she now holds an Honorary Readership.
- From 2002-2010, Lynn worked as a science writer and broadcaster, including a short-term role as a Communications Strategy Manager for Natural England.
Dame Caroline Spelman
- Dame Caroline is a board member at several organisations, such as the Commonwealth Games England, British Horse Society, and she co-chairs the Net Zero Commission of the think tank Onward and chairs the Diocese Commission of the Church of England.
- She was an MP for 22 years, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs between 2010-2012, Deputy Director for European Sugar Beet Growers Association and NFU Sugar Beet Secretary.
March 9, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK unveils plans for travel scheme to bolster the border [March 2023]

The press release issued by the Home Office on 9 March 2023.

The UK’s new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme will launch for Qatari visitors in October 2023.

Visitors from the Gulf Cooperation Council states, and Jordan, will be the first to benefit from the UK’s new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme, ahead of a worldwide expansion of the scheme throughout 2024. Qatari visitors will be the first to be able to apply for an ETA in October 2023.

By applying for an ETA in advance, visitors will benefit from smooth and efficient travel. The application process will be quick, light touch and entirely digital with most visitors applying via a mobile app and receiving a swift decision on their application. The cost of an ETA will be in line with similar international schemes, and individuals can make multiple visits to the UK over a 2-year validity period.

The scheme will also further strengthen our border, by ensuring robust security checks are conducted on every visitor pre-travel.

As part of the application process, individuals will need to provide biometric details and answer a set of suitability questions. This will ensure we have information on those seeking to come to the UK helping to prevent dangerous individuals, such as criminals, entering the UK.

Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick said:

Strengthening our border remains one of the Government’s top priorities.

ETAs will enhance our border security by increasing our knowledge about those seeking to come to the UK and preventing the arrival of those who pose a threat.

It will also improve travel for legitimate visitors, with those visiting from Gulf Cooperation Council states being among the first to benefit.

After the initial launch for Qatar, visitors from the rest of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states and Jordan can apply for an ETA from February 2024. The new scheme will entirely replace the current Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW) Scheme which requires visitors to the UK from GCC states to pay a higher cost for a single-use visit.

By the end of 2024, ETAs will be a requirement worldwide for visitors who do not need a visa for short stays, including those visiting from Europe. Visitors from Europe, and other nations such as America and Australia do not currently need to make any form of application to visit to the UK, however this will be changing with the introduction of ETAs.

British and Irish nationals will not need an ETA to travel to the UK. As is currently the case however, individuals arriving in the UK via Ireland, will still be subject to UK immigration requirements, including the need for visitors to have an ETA. Those legally resident in Ireland will not need an ETA when travelling to the UK from within the Common Travel Area.

March 9, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Thousands more arrested in nationwide crack down on county lines [March 2023]
The press release issued by the Home Office on 9 March 2023.

New figures demonstrate the impact of coordinated and relentless police action in tackling county lines drug gangs.

County lines drug gangs continue to be shut down at pace across England and Wales, as new figures today (Thursday 9 March) demonstrate the impact of coordinated and relentless police action.

New figures reveal that since the government launched its County Lines Programme in 2019, police have shut down 3,588 drug lines. In the last year alone, over 1,000 lines have already been closed, meaning the government is on track to surpass its target to close 2,000 lines over 3 years.

And last week, police forces across the country arrested an additional 1,658 criminals and seized 31kg of Class A drugs and 404 dangerous weapons, as part of a nationwide week of intensive action:
- 1,658 people were arrested
- 276 drug lines were identified and seized, 68% more than last Intensification Week
- Over £2 million in cash seized
- 404 weapons seized, including 288 bladed weapons and firearms such as handguns and shotguns.
Crime and Policing Minister Chris Philp said:

County lines gangs run vile, exploitative criminal operations manipulating the most vulnerable to do their dirty work, and tearing families and communities apart in the process.

We cannot and will not stop wiping them out and I am thankful for the tireless police work conducted last week and every week, in ridding our streets of these criminals.

Head of The National County Lines Coordination Centre, Detective Superintendent Neil Ballard said:

This intense week of operational and partnership activity has been incredibly successful in closing 276 deal lines across England, Scotland and Wales. All Forces have worked collaboratively to target the controllers of the County Lines, making 1,658 arrests in one week, and seizing the proceeds of their criminality, including over £2M cash.

County lines exploit children and vulnerable adults and safeguarding has been at the heart of our response, with 78 vulnerable people being referred to support services via the National Referral Mechanism, and Police Forces delivering programmes of engagement within schools and working with partners such as The Children’s Society on the #Lookcloser campaign.

County lines is a criminal business model, evidenced by the full range of drug types seized during this week, but they are also strongly associated with violence as demonstrated by the seizure of over 400 weapons this week, including 288 bladed weapons and firearms such as handguns, shotguns and a silencer.

The policing response to county lines criminality has never been stronger and we will continue targeting this abhorrent threat in our communities to make our streets safer.

New Home Office figures also show that 1,108 county lines have been closed since April 2022, following the government’s commitment in its Drugs Strategy to close an additional 2,000 lines by March 2025.

Since its launch in 2019, police activity funded by the County Lines Programme has resulted in:
- 3,588 county lines closed
- 10,209 people arrested
- 5,727 people referred for safeguarding.
The Crime and Policing Minister, Chris Philp, is visiting Liverpool today to see how Merseyside Police – one of the priority forces in the County Lines Programme – is using a multi-agency approach to disrupt gangs running drugs in and out of the city.

The Minister will see Operation Overlord in action, which targets key transport hubs to smother supply routes utilised by Organised Crime Gangs, including through the rail and coach networks.

The Minister is also visiting Catch 22, one of the specialist victim support projects for under 25s funded by the Home Office.

Services provided by Catch 22 include:
- a rescue service for young people found far from their home
- a one-to-one specialist support service that safely makes contact with young people who have been referred by safeguarding partners, such as the police and children’s services, and works with them to end their involvement in county lines activity
- specialist caseworkers for mental health and women and girls.
March 9, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : International Women’s Day 2023: UK Statement to the OSCE [March 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 March 2023.

Ambassador Neil Bush outlines the UK’s commitments to gender equality and the launch of the International Women and Girls Strategy.

Thank you, Mr Chair.

International Women’s Day in 2023 comes at a time when threats to gender equality continue to increase. Climate change and humanitarian crises disproportionately affect women and girls. We continue to see attempts to row back on women’s rights in countries such as Iran and Afghanistan. Violence against women is growing online. And horrific levels of conflict-related sexual violence are being perpetrated through Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.

The theme of International Women’s Day in 2023 is “Embrace Equity”, focused on opening up a conversation on why equal opportunities are not sufficient on their own to effect change. Equitable action is required to bring about true inclusion.

The UK is committed to improving the outlook for women and girls globally. Yesterday our Foreign Secretary launched the UK’s International Women and Girls Strategy, during a visit to his mother’s hometown in Sierra Leone. The Strategy sets out how the UK is putting women and girls at the heart of everything we do. We will stand up and speak out for women and girls’ rights and freedoms at every opportunity, work with our partners to do the same, and build international consensus to stop those intent on rolling back on rights and putting hard-won progress into reverse.

Advancing gender equality is not just the right thing to do – it is a policy from which everyone benefits. Greater gender equality is the fundamental building block of all healthy democracies. It brings freedom, boosts prosperity and trade, strengthens global and regional security, and builds resilience.

The UK has a strong track record on gender equality. Since 2015 we have supported the education of more than 8 million of the world’s most vulnerable girls. Since 2013, we have helped secure pledges from over 10,000 communities – representing over 27 million people – to abandon Female Genital Mutilation. In November 2022, we hosted the ‘Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative’ International Conference, and launched a new Political Declaration endorsed by 53 countries.

Empowering women and girls, and preventing violence against them, will remain a UK priority. We are committed to ensuring every girl receives at least 12 years of quality education, and to ending the preventable deaths of mothers, new-born babies and children by 2030.

Mr Chair, we can only build a fairer, freer, safer, wealthier and greener world if we put women and girls at the heart of the OSCE’s work. Women’s leadership, perspectives and knowledge are essential for local, national and regional progress. At the PC/FSC yesterday we discussed the issue of Women, Peace and Security, which demonstrated that participating States remain overwhelmingly in favour of the OSCE doing more on this across our region.

It is vital that participating States fulfil their commitments to gender equality – set out in the 1999 Charter for European Security, and related decisions – and ensure adequate funding for OSCE executive structures working to implement the organisation’s gender equality commitments.

As we have stated previously, International Women’s Day is not just a day. It is about the actions we take every day to ensure the equal rights of all women and girls.

Thank you, Mr Chair.

March 9, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Attorney General Visits Ukraine to Discuss International Accountability for Russia’s Actions [March 2023]

The press release issued by the Attorney General on 9 March 2023.

Attorney General Victoria Prentis KC MP took part in a three-day visit to Ukraine between March 2-4.

Visiting a town destroyed by missile strikes and laying a wreath to commemorate civilians killed in the conflict were all part of the Attorney General’s visit to Ukraine as she travelled to discuss international accountability for Russian war crimes last week.

Victoria Prentis KC MP took part in a three-day visit to the war-torn country between March 2-4. She first met Ukrainian counterparts and key stakeholders in Kyiv and visited Bucha and Borodiankia, the scenes of widespread and significant allegations of international crimes, before travelling to Lviv to represent the UK at the United for Justice Conference.

The Attorney General said:

Images of the war in Ukraine regularly flash up on our TV screens, but nothing prepares you for seeing first-hand the devastation being wrought upon innocent people.

This is a live and brutal conflict, and it is extraordinary, unparalleled even, that Ukraine is bringing prosecutions for war crimes as they are happening.

The UK has a long, proud tradition of accountability – and what we’ve seen in the last twelve months in Ukraine requires a response from the international community. We must unite to create an international moment of accountability. This will be challenging, but the rule of law matters, and it is worth fighting for.

In Kyiv, the Attorney General was hosted by Prosecutor General of Ukraine, Andriy Kostin, who is responsible for investigations into war crimes being prepared for domestic Ukrainian legal proceedings. His office has recorded more than 70,000 potential war crimes cases so far.

They were able to discuss the UK and wider international support to Ukraine’s domestic prosecutions, including through the UK-US-EU Atrocity Crimes Advisory Group. The Attorney General met representatives of Ukrainian civil society and the Ukrainian judiciary to hear about further progress and areas of focus within Ukraine on Russian accountability.

With members of Prosecutor General Kostin’s office, the Attorney visited the town of Borodyanka, some 30 miles North-West of Kyiv, which was hit by a number of Russian missile strikes last year – destroying one large apartment block completely. Later, alongside the Prosecutor General, they laid a wreath in Bucha at a site where last year, 116 people were uncovered in a mass grave.

The Attorney General then went on to Lviv to attend the United for Justice conference, which opened to a keynote address by President Zelenskyy. She gave informal opening remarks alongside Ministers from the wider international community, before attending the conference’s panel discussions.

March 9, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK to host African Investment Summit in April 2024 [March 2023]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 March 2023.

The Prime Minister will host a UK-African Investment Summit in London on 23-24 April 2024.
- The announcement comes as Foreign Secretary James Cleverly signs new trade and investment agreement with Sierra Leone whilst in Freetown.
- Summit aims to promote two-way trade and investment, creating jobs and growth and supporting women entrepreneurs.
The Prime Minister will host a UK-African Investment Summit in London on 23-24 April 2024.

The Summit will bring together Heads of State and Government from 24 African countries with British and African business leaders. It will strengthen UK-African partnerships to create jobs and growth, supporting British and African talent in sectors such as finance and technology, and promote women entrepreneurs.

The Summit will build on the results of the UK-African Investment Summit 2020 and virtual UK-African Investment Conferences in 2021 and 2022. The UK-African Investment Summit 2020 marked an important milestone in our partnerships with African countries and announced over £6.5bn of deals, plus a further £8.9bn of investment commitments.

The virtual conferences in the following years built further connections between UK and African businesses, with more than 3,000 UK and African delegates looking at future opportunities to facilitate deals, with a focus on clean growth opportunities across the continent.

By 2050, two billion people will live in Africa, more than half will be under 25.

During the next two years, faster economic growth is expected across Sub-Saharan Africa than the global average. And as the world faces the stark and shared challenge of climate change, the UK is working with African countries to support them to mitigate and adapt to its effects, recognising Africa’s abundant potential for renewable energies of the future.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:

To grow the UK’s economy, create opportunities for growth and bolster our economic security, we must deepen our ties with partners across the world.

This summit will ensure we are able to harness the potential of our relationships across Africa and grow our economies together, making them stronger, resilient, and innovative.

By facilitating business-to-business links, trade opportunities and investment, UK-AIS will help harness this potential for the creation of mutual prosperity, economic growth, jobs and a global transition to green energy.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Secretary, James Cleverly, working closely with the Secretary of State for Business and Trade and President of the Board of Trade, Kemi Badenoch, will lead work across Whitehall to prepare for the Summit.

The Foreign Secretary said:

The UK’s trade and investment relations with countries right across the African continent are delivering significant mutual economic benefits to all of us.

Affirming the UK’s position as a leading investor in Africa, this second African Investment Summit in London will build on our successes since 2020 which have combined the strengths, innovations and expertise of the UK and our partners across Africa to support reliable, sustainable and long-term investment.

The UK and Africa go far when we go together.

The Foreign Secretary committed last December to focusing on partnerships of the future with countries whose economies, populations and ultimately influence globally are growing.

He sees countries in Africa as central to this and is seeking to build on our partnerships across the continent on the basis of respect, mutual benefit, common interests, and, most importantly, by listening to African countries’ perspectives.

That has been a major part of his visit this week to Sierra Leone, where he has signed an agreement between the UK and Sierra Leone on trade and investment. He also met members of the government and opposition leaders to take stock ahead of upcoming elections, and discuss UK support towards growing the Sierra Leonean economy.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) sets up annual UK – Sierra Leone trade and investment forums; and deepens the trade partnership between Sierra Leone and the UK.

Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch said:

I’m pleased that we are building on the success of the 2020 Summit as we continue to strengthen our excellent relationships with our African partners.

These partnerships have already helped grow our economies, and I look forward to coming together again to discuss our joint ambitions to increase trade and investment, enhance market access and create jobs.
March 9, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Disproportionate impact of Russia’s invasion on the women and girls of Ukraine – UK statement to the OSCE [March 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 March 2023.

Ambassador Neil Bush says that we remain deeply humbled by their courage and determination – and stand united with them today and forever.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. As you and Ukraine have already mentioned, this morning we woke up to news of Russian strikes across Ukraine including Kyiv, Odesa and Kharkiv. There are reports of at least five people killed in residential areas of Lviv. We also note with concern reports of electrical power supply loss at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. Only last week the IAEA again raised concerns about the risk of a nuclear accident at the plant. We condemn Russia’s continued attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure. This has to stop.

Mr Chair, as we will later remark on, yesterday the world celebrated International Women’s Day. With that in mind, I will focus my statement today on the continued impact of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine on women and girls.

On the last International Women’s Day, in March 2022, there was little to celebrate for the women of Ukraine. In the early months of Russia’s invasion, 90% of those forced from their country, and 60% of those internally displaced, were women – often making perilous journeys whilst Russian missiles rained down. Of those who made the difficult decision to remain, many women and girls suffered unspeakable cruelties at the hands of Russian forces. We will not forget the thousands of women and girls who have been killed or injured as a result of Russia’s brutal and unprovoked war, including our colleague Special Monitoring Mission member Maryna Fenina. Maryna was killed just over a year ago on 1 March 2022 when Kharkiv was shelled by Russian forces. She was simply trying to find food and supplies for her family, her once peaceful city being turned into a war zone by Russia.

War affects everybody, regardless of gender or age – however, it has long been recognised that women and girls are disproportionately impacted and are at far greater risk of gender-based and conflict-related sexual violence and human trafficking. We have been compelled to speak multiple times in this Council of the documented, widespread and systemic use of sexual violence as a weapon by Russian Armed Forces in Ukraine. The evidence uncovered by this organisation, by the United Nations, by the Government of Ukraine, by civil society groups and by many more is staggering and utterly horrifying. This evidence exists because of the bravery of survivors and witnesses, who, in their refusal to be silenced, break down stigma and enable justice. We must not fail them in delivery of that justice.

Ukrainian women have found themselves as the primary caregivers and providers, taking on additional responsibility for their families and communities following the loss or absence of male family members. Access to vital services has been greatly reduced. As stated by the Director of the United Nations Population Fund, “access to sexual and reproductive health services are not peacetime luxuries; they are essential, and they save lives”. Ukrainian women should not be expected to give birth in makeshift underground maternity wards whilst dust falls from the ceiling, caused by relentless Russian shelling. Ukrainian women should not be denied safe abortion care, especially following the trauma of rape and sexual assault by Russian forces.

Despite the horror and trauma many have experienced over the past 12 months, Ukrainian women and girls have shown remarkable courage and resilience. From the tens of thousands of women serving in the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the Territorial Defence Forces, to the millions of women from all walks of life who go to work each day to support the defence of Ukraine, regardless of the daily air raid alerts, power shortages and near constant danger. From the female first responders and medical professionals, to those across the Ukrainian diaspora supporting refugees and displaced persons, we salute the bravery, the humanity and resilience of all those ensuring that Ukrainian voices are heard across the world.

These mothers, daughters, sisters and protectors of Ukraine demonstrate strength, compassion and integrity in support of the defence of their country, their people and their principles in what are for many, unimaginable circumstances. We remain deeply humbled by their courage and determination and we stand united with them today and forever.

March 9, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Five non-judicial members reappointed to the Civil Justice Council [March 2023]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 9 March 2023.

The Lord Chancellor has reappointed Diane Astin, Nicola Critchley, Elisabeth Davies, Andrew Higgins and Rhodri Williams KC as members of the Civil Justice Council for a further term of 3 years.
The Lord Chancellor has reappointed the following non-judicial members, of the CJC:

Diane Astin, Housing Member: from 15 October 2022 until 14 October 2025

Nicola Critchley, Defendant Solicitor/Insurers Member: from 25 July 2022 until 24 July 2025

Elisabeth Davies, Consumer Affairs Member: from 1 January 2022 until 31 December 2024

Prof. Andrew Higgins, Academic Member: from 1 January 2022 until 31 December 2024

Rhodri Williams KC, Welsh Interests Member: from 1 January 2022 until 31 December 2024

The Civil Justice Council (CJC) is a statutory advisory body established under the Civil Procedure Act 1997. The CJC’s membership brings together: the judiciary; civil servants; legal professionals and; those representative of the varied perspectives, expertise and experience from right across our civil justice system.

The CJC has a statutory function to review the civil justice system and also advises the government, the judiciary, the Rule Committee and others on the development of civil justice, especially how it can be made more accessible, fair and efficient. It is empowered to recommend changes and propose research.

Biographies

Diane Astin: teaches at Brunel University, London as a Lecturer in Legal Practice. She has previously taught law at the Universities of Westminster and North London. She works for Deighton Pierce Glynn. Previously she has worked at the Public Law Project, Islington Law Centre and Shelter as well as several legal aid firms. She specialises in housing, public law and community care and is the author of the Legal Action Group book “Housing Law Handbook”. Diane Astin has not declared any political activity.

Nicola Critchley: is a Partner at DWF, Manchester. She has extensive experience of dealing with high value costs litigation, costs budgeting, appeals, fraud, technical challenges, portal dropouts, infant approvals, fixed recoverable costs issues and bulk test litigation on behalf of insurers, the self-insured, and organisations. She is a member of the Forum of Insurance Lawyers. Nicola Critchley has not declared any political activity.

Elisabeth Davies: is currently the Chair of the Office for Legal Complaints which oversees the Legal Ombudsman scheme and is also Chair of the Assurance and Appointments Committee of the General Pharmaceutical Council. She is currently Chair of the Prisoners’ Education Trust and was previously a Trustee of Support Through Court; supporting people going through the court process without legal representation. Elisabeth Davies has not declared any political activity.

Andrew Higgins: is an Associate Professor of Civil Procedure, University of Oxford and a fellow of Mansfield College. He is currently General Editor of Civil Justice Quarterly. He previously worked as a solicitor for the Australian law firm Slater & Gordon and was admitted to the Victorian Bar in 2011. Andrew Higgins has not declared any political activity.

Rhodri Williams KC: is a barrister specialising in EU law, local government law and public and administrative law from Chambers in Cardiff and London. He deals with cases involving both local and regional government, including advising the Welsh Government and other Government Departments and local authorities, in England, Wales and in Northern Ireland. Rhodri Williams has not declared any political activity.

The appointment of non-judicial members of the CJC are made by the Lord Chancellor and are regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. These re-appointments have been made in line with the Governance Code on Public Appointments.
March 9, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Appointment of the Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland 2023 [March 2023]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 9 March 2023.

The King has approved that The Right Honourable Lord (Patrick) Hodge be re-appointed as His Majesty’s Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 2023.

Notes for Editor

The Lord High Commissioner is the Sovereign’s personal representative to the Annual General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. He attends the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland on behalf of the Sovereign. He makes the opening and closing addresses to the Assembly, and carries out a number of official functions as the Lord High Commissioner.

March 9, 2023