Tag: Press Release

PRESS RELEASE : Seven year ban for care staff recruiter, James Ireri, after abusing two Covid support schemes [March 2023]

The press release issued by HM Treasury on 9 March 2023.

James Ireri, 44, from Surrey, has been banned for seven years after abusing two different Covid loan schemes during the pandemic.

Ireri was the director of Safi Care Ltd, which traded as a recruitment business from Surrey, supplying staff to care homes, from its incorporation in February 2015 until it went into liquidation in August 2021. The company had first traded as Safi Services Ltd until March 2016.

In May 2020, Ireri applied for a £50,000 Bounce Back Loan – the maximum amount allowable – for the company.

Bounce Back Loans were a government scheme to support businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, whereby companies could apply for loans of up to 25% of their 2019 turnover, up to a maximum of £50,000.

Yet in August 2020, Ireri applied for another loan of £100,000 on behalf of Safi Care Ltd, this time from a different lender, and through a different Covid support scheme, the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan.

Under the rules of the Covid loan schemes, eligible businesses were able to apply for a single loan under one or the other of the schemes, but not both. However, a business could obtain a second loan if the money was used to repay the first in full.

But when Safi Care Ltd went into liquidation in August 2021, the company owed more than £231,500, including the full amount of both loans.

An investigation by the Insolvency Service was triggered, but Ireri failed to provide adequate company accounts and investigators were unable to determine whether Safi Care Ltd had ever been eligible to apply for the initial Bounce Back Loan, based on the company’s 2019 turnover.

The lack of company books also meant that Ireri was unable to prove that he had used the loan money for the economic support of the business – another condition of the scheme.

Investigators discovered that more than £491,300 had been withdrawn from the company bank account between May 2020, when the first loan was received, and July 2021, shortly before Safi Care went into liquidation, including more than £80,000 for personal spending and around £93,900 of transfers into Ireri’s personal bank accounts.

The Secretary of State accepted a disqualification undertaking from James Ireri after he did not dispute he had caused Safi Care Limited to breach the terms of two Covid Support loans by failing to repay the Bounce Back Loan after obtaining the Interruption Loan, and by failing to provide adequate evidence of the company’s turnover or how the loan funds were used.

His ban started on 8 December 2022, and lasts for seven years. The disqualification prevents him from directly or indirectly becoming involved in the promotion, formation or management of a company, without the permission of the court.

Neil North, Deputy Head of Investigation at the Insolvency Service, said:

“Bounce Back Loans and Covid Business Interruption Loans were designed to provide vital support for viable businesses through the pandemic. James Ireri abused not one, but two of these schemes.

“His ban should serve as a warning to other directors who misuse financial support available to companies that the Insolvency Service is able to bring your actions to account and remove you from the corporate arena.”

March 9, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : University and investor experts to head up review of UK spin-out landscape [March 2023]
The press release issued by HM Treasury on 9 March 2023.

Experts appointed to identify best practice in turning university research into commercial success.
- Professor Irene Tracey CBE and Dr Andrew Williamson appointed to lead review into turning university research into commercial success.
- The independent review will identify best practice in the field to promote innovation and grow businesses of the future, as part of the Chancellor’s vision to nurture the world’s next Silicon Valley.
- Both experts will work hand-in-hand with universities, investors, and founders to advise government on how to continue to capitalise on the UK’s world-leading university research.
Two leading university and investor experts have been appointed to identify best practice in turning university research into commercial success, in order to help the UK fulfil its ambition to become a Science and Technology Superpower.

Professor Irene Tracey CBE, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford and member of the Medical Research Council of UK Research and Innovation, and Dr Andrew Williamson, Chair of the Venture Capital Committee at the British Private Equity & Venture Capital Association (BVCA), will consult with universities, investors, and founders to identify best practice in university spin-outs – companies born through university research.

The financing of innovative science and technology companies like these is a key tenet of the UK Science and Technology Framework, with a view to strengthening the pipeline of high-quality science and technology businesses and spin-outs that drive growth in the economy across this decade.

The review aims to evaluate performance across universities and identify best practice in spin-outs and licencing deals for university intellectual property to promote the continued growth of the sector, which upholds the UK’s role at the forefront in seeding and growing innovative businesses of the future.

The UK university sector is a world-leader, playing an integral role in supporting economic growth and fuelling innovation across the country. The commercialisation of its research has also been on an upward trajectory over the last decade – investment in UK university spin-outs has increased more than five-fold to £5 billion in 2021.

The review launched today will seek to build upon those strengths, harnessing them to boost global competitiveness with other leading spin-out regimes like the US.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt said:

“Our universities are among the world’s best and are crucial driving forces for innovation and economic growth.

“We want the UK to be the world’s next Silicon Valley and to get there the government must help spin-outs to thrive. The expertise of Professor Tracey and Dr Williamson will be invaluable in ensuring we have the right support in place.”

Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology Michelle Donelan said:

“UK universities are long-established global leaders in research and it’s no accident that four of the world’s top ten universities call Britain home.

“However, our world-leading research apparatus hasn’t always translated into the raft of game-changing business giants you would expect. We can and will do more to support university spin-outs to become global business titans that generate highly-skilled jobs and rapid economic growth for the UK. This review will clearly set out the actions we can take to make sure the UK is the ultimate incubator for world class innovative business.”

Professor Irene Tracey CBE and Dr Andrew Williamson said:

“We are delighted to be involved with this timely and important review. We recognise the fundamental role that university spin-outs play in driving UK economic growth and in stimulating an entrepreneurial culture and ecosystem in Britain.

“Now is the time to review what the best processes are for both creating and structuring spin-outs so that we’re ready for this anticipated expansion in innovation clusters around the country. We look forward to partnering with stakeholders from the academic, entrepreneurship, and investment communities to identify opportunities to increase the impact of this important sector of our economy.”

Professor Tracey and Dr Williamson will report back to the Chancellor and the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology in the summer.
March 9, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Russia’s illegal war is affecting Ukraine’s labour market – UK statement to the OSCE [March 2023]

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

Justin Addison (UK Delegation to the OSCE) speaks at an OSCE Economic and Environmental Committee meeting on digitalisation and the labour market.

Mr Chair,

The concept note for this meeting quite rightly highlights the impact of Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine on the number of displaced people in Europe. This exodus of talent from Ukraine’s labour market, and the effect on the labour markets of those countries to which Ukrainian migrants have travelled, will have long-lasting implications.

The wanton destruction by Russian forces of critical and civilian infrastructure makes education and training for those in Ukraine more difficult still. Digitalisation may help Ukrainian students and workers safely access training and employment further away from Russian attacks, but in some areas, for those seeking in-person training and employment – and for those roles which can only be done in-person – this will be impossible until Russia withdraws the whole of its forces from Ukraine.

For many young people, the prospects of even remote education are a distant hope, future aspirations crushed by the brutal acts of the Russian invaders. Rather than going to school and preparing themselves for the world of work, children and young people in Ukraine face exploitation, trafficking, filtration, and forced deportation. As UNHCR Assistant Secretary General for Protection said at the PC recently, securing access to education for forcibly displaced persons, including at times of war, is crucial.

For the UK’s part, our £220m support to Ukraine includes £15m to UNICEF in Ukraine to coordinate activities, including education. We are contributing an additional five million pounds to UNICEF Moldova, a package which includes setting up youth centres equipped with laptops and assistive technology to follow education in Ukraine and Moldova.

Looking to Ukraine’s post-war recovery and reconstruction, attention will turn to revitalising the Ukrainian labour market, where digitalisation can play a key role. For example, in the UK, in 2022, the UK Government set up the Digital Skills Council to encourage investment in initiatives focused on upskilling, including digital apprenticeships. And our Skills for Life programme offers free, flexible courses covering, among other areas, software development, digital marketing, and data analytics. These are two examples from which other states may be able to learn.

Finally, the concept note mentions the recent OECD study on the impact of digitalisation on labour markets. We recognise there are a number of benefits to increased automation, with UK companies acknowledging the role of AI in helping them address labour and skills shortages; supporting learning and training; and improving recruitment and HR processes. However, we recognise that these advances will also necessitate an evolution of the key skills and training needed by future workforces across the world.

Before Ukraine is able to take advantage of these new opportunities, we must sustain our efforts to help meet Ukraine’s economic and social needs in 2023. The UK is proud to be hosting – jointly with Ukraine – the Ukraine Recovery Conference in June. We look forward to welcoming you there.

Thank you.

March 9, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : New chair appointed to drive forward Edinburgh Reforms’ investment research review [March 2023]
The press release issued by HM Treasury on 9 March 2023.

A new chair has been tasked to lead a wide-ranging review into the UK’s research and investment landscape – which helps attract some of the largest companies in the world.
- A new review into the UK’s research and investment landscape will formally kick off on Monday (13 March) – City Minister Andrew Griffith is expected to announce tomorrow in a speech at FIX trading
- Rachel Kent, senior partner in financial services at Hogan Lovells, has been announced as chair of the Review.
- Move comes just weeks before Financial Services and Markets Bill expected to receive Royal Assent – enabling us to deliver more of the Edinburgh Reforms
The review, which was first announced as part of the government’s Edinburgh Reforms, will formally kick off on Monday 13th March. It seeks to develop concrete steps the government can take to enhance London’s status as Europe’s leading listings destination, and only second globally.

Rachel Kent, an expert and senior financial services partner at leading global law firm Hogan Lovells, has been tasked by City Minister Andrew Griffith MP with leading the review, and has been asked to report within three months.

Speaking at the FIX trading conference, City Minister Andrew Griffith is expected to say:

Research matters – and the right depth and breadth of investment research is vital to ensure markets operate well and companies obtain the valuations they deserve.

I am therefore pleased to announce City expert, Hogan Lovells Partner Rachel Kent, will spearhead the Investment Research Review.

With her experience and knowledge of the sector, as well as the regulatory framework, I have every confidence Rachel will do a fantastic job at speedily convening the sector, looking at the evidence and finding solutions to improve the UK market for investment research.

I look forward to receiving her recommendations.

Investment research provides investors with information that allows them to understand a company’s business model, performance, and risks, and therefore to assess its value as an investment.

Concerns have been raised about the quality and quantity of investment research produced in the UK as compared to other jurisdictions – particularly for certain sectors like tech and life sciences – and that this could undermine valuations and therefore the attractiveness of the UK as a place to list and make it harder for companies to access private capital.

Through the review, the UK is seeking to identify and address some of these concerns, to ensure London maintains its unique attractiveness as a listing’s destination.

Attracting some of the largest companies in the world to list in the UK supports a broader ecosystem providing high-skill, and high-paying jobs for Brits up and down the country – widening opportunity and increasing revenues for the public purse.

Addressing these issues will help to deliver on the government’s plan to grow the economy and become a leading technology superpower.
March 9, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : £49.5 million for Melton Mowbray as government funds vital new road scheme [March 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 9 March 2023.

Planned work will reduce congestion, improve air quality and provide faster local journeys in Britain’s ‘rural capital of food’.
- new road will divert heavy traffic away from Melton Mowbray town centre, improve air quality and boost tourism – backed by £49.5 million in government funding
- planned works in Britain’s ‘rural capital of food’ will include a new single carriageway and junctions, alongside new cycle and footway paths running by the new road
- scheme expected to generate over £144 million in economic benefits and support more than 3,400 new jobs
Residents and tourists in Melton Mowbray and Leicestershire will benefit from more than £49 million in government investment to reduce congestion, improve air quality and provide faster local journeys, the Roads Minister Richard Holden announced today (9 March 2023).

The new road scheme – part of a £115.2 million total investment between the government, local council and private investors – will help unlock the full potential of Britain’s ‘rural capital of food’, stamping out ‘rat running’ car and lorry traffic from Melton Mowbray and making it easier for residents and tourists to access its historic town centre.

With the town famous for its Melton Mowbray pork pie heritage – a protected status – the project will generate an estimated £144 million in economic opportunities by boosting local tourism and supporting over 3,400 new jobs. This will help level up local communities and deliver on one of the government’s 5 priorities to grow the economy.

The scheme consists of a single carriageway road and extends from the A606 Nottingham Road at the north-western edge of the town to the A606 Burton Road in the south, crossing Scalford Road, Melton Spinney Road, A607 Thorpe Road and B676 Saxby Road to Burton Road.

Roads Minister Richard Holden said:

For too many years, Melton has been plagued by disruptive and polluting traffic congestion which has made it difficult to reach its historic town centre, grow our economy, and savour its delicious pork pies and Stilton cheese.

That’s why we’re investing nearly £50 million to boost local connectivity and tackle congestion, supporting more than 3,400 jobs to help Britain’s ‘Rural Capital of Food’ truly reach its full potential.

Melton Mowbray’s historic town centre network is at the convergence of 6 major routes and sees some of the highest congestion levels on a per mile basis in Leicestershire, mainly because of a high number of heavy lorries passing through the town centre.

The new road will take traffic away from the town centre, allowing residents and tourists to visit Melton’s celebrated Market Place more easily while boosting local air quality and connectivity.

The project will pave the way for better active travel opportunities by providing a 3m wide combined cycle and footway along almost all of the scheme’s length. It will also improve bus punctuality by taking lorries and heavy traffic away from the town centre.

As local authorities predict growing demand for travel into Melton Mowbray, local traffic congestion is expected to increase which could seriously affect the attractiveness of the town to tourists and hamper economic growth.

This scheme is just one part of a wider transport strategy for the town which will include other measures to address localised traffic issues, public transport improvements, as well as walking and cycling connectivity.

The new single carriageway road will be funded by £49.5 million in government investment, alongside £51.7 million by Leicestershire County Council and £14 million by private funding.

Councillor Deborah Taylor, deputy leader of Leicestershire County Council, said:

Shorter journey times and reliability are absolutely crucial in securing new business investment, and this new road is vital to support the future growth of the Melton economy.

I’m very pleased that, by approving our full business case, the government recognises the importance of this road with the award of this hugely significant funding.

We’re delighted to welcome the Minister to Leicestershire and we can now look forward to the major construction work starting in the next few weeks.

With the opening scheduled for Summer 2025, the project will create new junctions with the radials on its route and provide crossings over the railway line and the River Eye.

This measure aligns well with national policy objectives to tackle congestion, encourage economic and housing growth as well as delivering better bus services and improved infrastructure to boost cycling and walking.

Leicestershire County Council is working hard to minimise disruption to local residents and businesses, with a ‘meet the contractor’ event being hosted by construction group Galliford Try on Friday and Saturday 17 and 18 March where attendees can find out more about the project.

Paul Bennell, Managing Director, Samworth Brothers Supply Chain, said:

This announcement is good news for Melton, helping to reduce traffic congestion and delays. Much work has also been undertaken to position Melton Mowbray as a successful ‘Rural Capital of Food’, including by our team at the Ye Olde Pork Pie Shoppe. This development will help the town further build on its successful efforts in this area and create more economic benefits.
March 9, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Major fund to tackle loneliness and boost volunteering in disadvantaged areas launched [March 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 9 March 2023.

Youth clubs, mental health charities and social enterprises are among the organisations to benefit from up to £30 million to create volunteering opportunities and help reduce loneliness.
- 27 disadvantaged areas, from Wakefield to Wolverhampton, will be supported to create new volunteering opportunities for local residents to help their communities
- The new Know Your Neighbourhood Fund will support charitable projects to connect communities backed by up to £30 million
- Projects set to benefit include initiative to help parent carers take part in volunteering, and training for young people to become accredited sports coaches
Launched by the government working in partnership with The National Lottery Community Fund, Arts Council England, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Historic England and UK Community Foundations (UKCF), the ‘Know Your Neighbourhood Fund’ will support local organisations in (27 areas) to increase their offer of projects that enrich lives to help improve wellbeing and social connections.

View the Know Your Neighbourhood Fund Projects (ODS, 27.4 KB)

Recent research has revealed that adults were more likely to report feeling lonely if they lived in a deprived area, and that areas with higher rates of unemployment tend to have higher rates of loneliness.

Volunteering opportunities help to connect communities, help people to develop skills and grow their networks; and help public services serve local communities.

With locations including Barnsley, Middlesbrough and South Tyneside, funding will help develop volunteering programmes, provide 1-1 support for vulnerable residents, fund new activities such as arts and crafts, sport and coffee sessions, and support social community events amongst other projects.

Examples of the beneficiaries include:
- Groundwork is a federation of charities aiming to create vibrant, green, neighbourhoods. Thanks to funding of £25,000, more volunteering opportunities have been created in the garden, café, reception and library at their Grange Park Community Hub, Blackpool. This offers volunteers the chance to develop skills, socialise and connect with their local community, with funds providing training and 1-2-1 support.
- Motive8 Youth C.I.C is a non-profit organisation using the power of sport to engage and empower young people in Wolverhampton. £20,000 funding has been used to recruit 20 young people to undertake an eight-week challenge, including training to become an accredited sports coach, mentoring, undertaking volunteering sessions, and delivering a social action campaign.
- A Stitch Different CIC is a social enterprise made up of parent carers of young people with autism, ADHD, sensory and other disabilities in Barrow-in-Furness, who create weighted, compression and sensory products. With a fund of nearly £4,000, the organisation is working with older adults who have mental health issues, encouraging parent carers to volunteer to reduce feelings of isolation.
- Age UK Hull is a charity working in Hull and the East Riding of Yorkshire offering support and services to older people. The project has received nearly £27,000 to widen its Home Befriending Service in Kingston upon Hull, expected to support over 170 individuals suffering from isolation by providing regular home visits to older individuals.
Civil Society Minister Stuart Andrew said:

During the Covid-19 pandemic, dedicated volunteers and charity workers came together to support our communities in a real time of need – from taking time to check in on neighbours to delivering prescriptions.

We are determined to capture this brilliant spirit and see it continue, which is why I’m delighted to announce the launch of the Know Your Neighbourhood Fund. With funding already being allocated, this will create more opportunities for people to volunteer, learn new skills and connect with their communities across the country.

Rosemary Macdonald, CEO, UK Community Foundations said:

Loneliness can impact anyone at any time in any community, and the work of voluntary organisations to reduce isolation and loneliness has been in higher demand since the pandemic.

The Know Your Neighbourhood Fund has enabled community foundations to provide vital support to initiatives that encourage impactful volunteering and community connectivity in some of the country’s most vulnerable areas. Over the next three years, the insights we learn will help us to understand the issues impacting volunteering and social inclusion, and we’re so grateful to the Government for this opportunity.

Elsewhere, the Know Your Neighbourhood Fund will create volunteering opportunities in local museums, voluntary arts groups such as community choirs, music and drama clubs, and connect communities through projects related to their high streets. This work will be supported by £5 million to creative arts and cultural organisations through Arts Council England, The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England.

A number of projects will be expanded following support from the Know Your Neighbourhood Fund, supported by up to £10 million from The National Lottery Community Fund. Examples of where this funding will go include:
- Rochdale Connections Trust has worked to support local people living across the Borough of Rochdale for over 20 years. Know Your Neighbourhood funding will enable the organisation to utilise a social prescriber to re-engage those who have become isolated, detached and lonely by developing a range of activities that meet the needs of the local community.
- Jack Drum Arts in County Durham aims to deliver an inter-generational project bringing people of all ages together to participate in regular weekly activities, culminating in a community carnival. Activities include arts and wellbeing sessions such as drumming, singing, dance, carnival costume and prop making, with participants volunteering to support the delivery of activities and organising of the community carnival.
- Centre 81 is a skills and activities centre for people with disabilities in Great Yarmouth. Funding will allow the project to create a supportive place for people to socialise within the newly refurbished Yare House, providing a welcoming coffee and lunch space with the opportunity to take part in a range of different activities such as crafts, cooking and woodwork.
This funding builds on the almost £50 million the government and its partners have invested in tackling loneliness since 2018, including over £34 million in response to COVID-19 as part of the £750 million voluntary and community sector funding package. This is in addition to the £4.6 million Volunteering Futures Fund launched in 2022, which will allow more than 160 community organisations to support 7,800 new volunteering opportunities.
March 9, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : His Majesty The King to congratulate APHA staff for efforts combatting avian influenza [March 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 9 March 2023.
- His Majesty The King will visit the Animal and Plant Health Agency today in Weybridge.
- Staff and scientists to be congratulated for their work combatting the avian influenza outbreak in the UK and support with Ukrainian refugee pet travel.
- Weybridge is renowned for its specialist research and laboratory facilities, and its world-leading animal and plant health science and disease control capabilities.
His Majesty The King will today (Thursday 9th March) visit the Animal Plant and Health Agency (APHA) in Weybridge to congratulate scientists and staff for their work in combating the largest-ever avian influenza outbreak in the UK.

There have been over 330 cases of avian influenza confirmed across the country since October 2021.

APHA’s world-leading scientists and staff have played vital role in supporting avian influenza diagnostics and disease control. Their work to tackle the outbreak helps protect animal and public health but also supports our international trading relationships.

His Majesty The King will undertake a full tour which will involve briefings on some of most difficult animal health diseases the world faces including avian influenza and bovine TB as well as plant health challenges including invasive non-native species. He will visit dedicated specialist research laboratories to see genome mapping and a mosquito laboratory where he will learn about APHA’s vector-borne disease (VBD) programme.

Ahead of attending the visit, Lord Benyon, Minister for Biosecurity, Marine and Rural Affairs, said:

“The Animal and Plant Health Agency has a long-standing reputation for excellence in the field of biosecurity and the work it does to protect the UK from animal diseases, which in turn supports our economy and food security.

“I’m pleased we can use today to showcase our specialist world leading facilities.”

Also ahead of attending the visit, Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Christine Middlemiss said:

“Today’s visit really is about recognising the last 18 months of remarkable work and the APHA staff who have worked day in and day out to help control and manage the spread of avian influenza.

“The scale of avian influenza outbreaks across the UK and Europe has been unprecedented and our response has been underpinned by the world-leading science and disease control work carried out at Weybridge.”

David Holdsworth, Chief Executive Officer of APHA, said:

“APHA staff work tirelessly day in day out to protect the UK, its people and economy from the growing biosecurity threats we face. They have faced a relentless battle against Avian Influenza over the last two years. So I am pleased to welcome His Majesty The King to Weybridge to meet with APHA staff from Scotland, Wales and England and see first-hand the incredible work they do.

“I am proud to showcase our world-leading scientists, field teams and staff and the role they play in protecting the country.”

The Government is committed to the strongest possible standards of protection against animal diseases and is investing in the long-term future of the Weybridge facility, including £1.4bn of funding for the Science Capability in Animal Health Programme. The investment is in recognition of the vital work APHA does to contribute to our economic and food security.

Alongside the Government’s continued investment in the Avian Influenza National Reference Laboratory and APHA’s Weybridge site, Defra and the Biotechnology and Biosciences Research Council (BBSRC) fund an eight-strong consortium ‘FluMap’ led by APHA that received £1.5 million in funding to develop new strategies to tackle avian influenza outbreaks.

His Majesty The King will also meet APHA staff who were instrumental in helping those fleeing from Ukraine to safely bring their pets into the UK. APHA staff worked tirelessly to enable Ukrainians to bring much loved family pets with them to the UK while keeping the country safe from diseases such as rabies.

The UK has some of the highest biosecurity standards in the world. We have taken swift action to protect poultry from the threat of avian influenza. Avian Influenza Prevention Zones (AIPZs) are in force across the UK with additional mandatory housing measures in force in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. These enhanced biosecurity measures which apply to all bird keepers have been vital in successfully protecting flocks across the country from avian influenza.
March 9, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Non-Proliferation Treaty Safeguards Agreement with Iran: E3 Statement to the IAEA [March 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 March 2023.

UK Ambassador to the IAEA, Corinne Kitsell, gave a statement on behalf of the UK, France and Germany to the IAEA about Iran’s implementation of its obligations under its NPT Safeguards Agreement.

Chair,

France, Germany, and the United Kingdom thank Director General Grossi for his report on the implementation of safeguards in Iran contained in GOV/2023/9.

We fully support and commend the DG and the Secretariat for their professional, independent and impartial verification of Iran’s safeguards obligations. We also fully support and commend their repeated efforts to engage Iran on information necessary to assess the correctness and completeness of Iran’s declarations under its NPT Safeguards Agreement. The IAEA should continue to evaluate all safeguards-relevant information available, in line with its mandate and standard practice.

We note the Director General’s latest visit to Tehran for senior level discussions. We note that following discussions, and due to the Director General’s relentless efforts to address all outstanding issues with Iran, a Joint Statement was agreed between the IAEA and the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran on 4 March, where Iran agreed to provide further information and access to address these issues.

Chair,

It has been over four years since the Agency sought clarifications from Iran regarding possible undeclared nuclear material at a number of undeclared locations in Iran, including the detection of anthropogenic and isotopically altered nuclear particles at three of these locations. Over this period, there have been numerous interactions between the Agency and Iran, including technical and high level visits to Tehran and several Joint Statements where Iran has committed to cooperating with the IAEA to resolve the outstanding safeguards issues. However, Iran is still to live up to its commitments and the Agency has yet to receive technically credible explanations from Iran, despite multiple requests and ample opportunities to do so.

The Board of Governors has repeatedly underscored its concerns over Iran’s ongoing lack of substantive co-operation with the IAEA and the message to Iran has been clear and unambiguous: it must fully cooperate with the Agency to clarify and resolve all outstanding issues and to fulfil its legal obligations. The Board has adopted three resolutions on this matter, contained in GOV/2020/34, GOV/2022/34, and GOV/2022/70. The most recent of these in November last year decided that it is essential and urgent in order to ensure verification of the non-diversion of nuclear material that Iran act to fulfil its legal obligations and, with a view to clarifying all outstanding safeguards issues, take certain actions without delay.

It is deeply concerning, therefore, that since November, Iran has taken none of the actions requested by the Agency, nor those demanded by the Board, and therefore no progress has been made towards resolving any of the outstanding safeguards issues.

We emphasise again the message from the Agency that unless and until Iran provides technically credible explanations to the Agency’s outstanding questions, the Agency will not be able to confirm the correctness and completeness of Iran’s declarations under its NPT Safeguards Agreement.

Chair,

The E3 are seriously concerned that new safeguards issues related to Iran’s implementation of its NPT Safeguards Agreement have arisen, as captured in the Director General’s latest report.

We note with grave concern the centrifuge configuration changes made by Iran at Fordow without prior notice to the IAEA. It is all the more concerning that the DG’s report indicates that Iran implemented this change immediately following the Agency’s previous inspection at the FFEP earlier the same day. As the IAEA has confirmed in its report of 1 February contained in GOV/INF/2023/1, this is inconsistent with Iran’s obligations under its NPT Safeguards Agreement and undermines the Agency’s ability to implement effective safeguards measures at Iran’s nuclear facilities. We would like to recall that Iran providing a revised DIQ and facilitating an increase in the frequency and intensity of Agency verification activities at FFEP cannot be portrayed as progress in Iranian co-operation. Iran provided a revised DIQ only after it was caught acting in a manner inconsistent with its safeguards agreement by not declaring in advance modifications on certain cascades in Fordow. These Agency verification activities stem from Iran’s obligations under its NPT Safeguards Agreement.

We are even more alarmed by recent sampling at Fordow – which itself was a previously undeclared facility – demonstrating the presence of particles of uranium highly enriched to 83.7%. This is an unprecedented and extremely grave escalation , grossly inconsistent with the level of enrichment declared by Iran at 60%. We remain to be convinced by Iran’s claim that this was due to ‘unintended fluctuations’ and ask the Secretariat for further reporting on explanations for these alarming findings. We call on Iran to comply with all its legally-binding safeguards obligations, to fully cooperate with the Agency’s application of effective safeguards at Fordow and other nuclear facilities, and to provide substantiated, technically credible explanations for the presence of 83.7% particles.

Iran must also clarify, without delay, the new issue, reported by the Agency in its report to this Board, regarding a discrepancy – detected almost a year ago – between the amount of natural uranium from JHL declared by Iran and the amount verified by the Agency. Such discrepancies only add to calls for Iran to improve its co-operation with the Agency in the implementation of safeguards.

Chair,

We fully support the Director General in his efforts to engage Iran in order to clarify all outstanding safeguards issues. We note from the 4 March Joint Statement Iran’s high-level assurances that it is willing to cooperate with the Agency to resolve these issues and to engage in follow-up discussions. Let us recall that it has been a year since Iran made a similar commitment, also in the form of a Joint Statement, which it subsequently failed to uphold. The Board has heard enough promises. After four years, what it needs to see is action. Iran must take the essential and urgent actions set out in GOV/2022/70 and immediately provide the necessary technically credible information and access to locations and materials in order to effectively clarify and resolve outstanding issues without delay.

Further, it is regrettable – yet consistent with its previous behaviour – that Iran delayed inviting the Director General to visit Tehran until the very eve of the Board, despite having had months to schedule such a visit.

Iran’s pattern of behaviour and increasing disregard for its NPT safeguards obligations is deeply concerning, and bringing us closer to the point where the Agency will not be able to verify that there has been no diversion of nuclear material.

Chair,

We have always been clear that this is a matter of Iran’s legally binding obligation to ensure the verification of the non-diversion of nuclear material under its NPT Safeguards Agreement. There is no political solution to this issue: only Iran can provide the necessary technically credible information to the Agency’s satisfaction. Following the DG’s visit to Tehran, Iran must now seize this final opportunity to provide full and prompt co-operation to the Agency to clarify and resolve all outstanding issues without any possible delay. If Iran fails to implement by the next Board the essential and urgent actions in the November 2022 Resolution, the Board will have to be prepared to take further action, including making a finding, if necessary, on whether the Agency is not able to verify that there has been no diversion of nuclear material.

Chair,

Lastly, we once again recall that implementation of Modified Code 3.1 is a legal obligation for Iran under the Subsidiary Arrangement to its NPT Safeguards Agreement which cannot be modified, interpreted or stopped unilaterally. We would like to thank the IAEA for it impartial and professional work on this issue. We encourage the Director General to continue reporting to the Board of Governors, and provide earlier updates on these issues as necessary, and welcome making the report contained in GOV/2023/9 public, consistent with long-standing practice.

Thank you, Chair.

March 9, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Downing Street celebrates International Women’s Day [March 2023]
The press release issued by Downing Street on 8 March 2023.
Women from all walks of life have stepped into Downing Street this week to celebrate International Women’s Day 2023.

This afternoon, female leaders and students from business, tech and the arts sector attended a reception in Downing Street. They browsed a showcase of some of the best female-led small businesses from across the UK, including Bag&Bones which, inspired by urban street culture, creates unique neon artwork that is both eco-conscious and energy efficient. Others, such as Luminary Bakery, use baking to provide employment and training for vulnerable women, and last year created 6820 hours of paid work for women coming from disadvantaged circumstances.

Speaking at the event, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:

It’s fantastic to be marking International Women’s Day with this celebration of women in business….

I know the phenomenal work that goes into running a business. I know too from watching my mum running our family pharmacy, the huge sacrifices that are made. It takes guts, stamina and perseverance.

You do an amazing job. You create jobs. You enrich our country. And together, you demonstrate the power of women in business – with the huge amount of social good that you do…

To grow our economy, create jobs and build a more productive and innovative country, we need the transformative power of women. That’s what I will be championing as Prime Minister.

Also showcasing at the event were Saskia Patel, India Taylor-Smith and Jess Patel, co-founders of DeMoo, a clothing company that upcycles pre-loved clothes into unique hand-finished pieces, who said:

The energy in the room was infectious. To be surrounded by so many remarkable female business women was incredibly uplifting. A memory we will never forget.

Joelle Drummond and Sarah McNena of UK’s top rated brewer of non-alcoholic beers, Drop Bear Beer Brewery said:

It has been an absolute honour to be invited to No 10 Downing Street. As two LGBT+ women in a male-dominated industry such as brewing, it’s so important to drive representation and it has been a fantastic opportunity to meet influential politicians and people from big business. When we started with just a big saucepan and a bigger dream, we could never have imagined we’d end up in No 10.

During the event, the Prime Minister awarded Points of Light awards– to recognise four outstanding individuals from across the country who are making a positive change within their community and inspiring others.

This week’s award recipients are:

Deana Uppal – a British Indian entrepreneur, documentary-maker and Bollywood actress from London who set up charity ‘DKU Kindness Diaries’. The charity has supported thousands of disadvantaged families in India through weekly food and medicine donation drives.

Lisa-Marie Tonelli – a film producer from Newcastle who created the ‘North East International Film Festival’ in 2020. Entirely voluntary-led, it is one of the fastest-growing film festivals in the world, showcasing local creative talent alongside work byfilm-makers from 15 countries.

Matilda Handy, aged 9 from Nottingham, who created the ‘Postbox to Heaven’ scheme, allowing people to send cards and letters to loved ones who have passed away through a dedicated postbox. Following the popularity of the project, in which 100 letters were posted within a month, 36 other postboxes are being set up in cemeteries UK-wide.

Patricia White from Birmingham who leads ‘Suited for Success’, an organisation tackling unemployment in the city by giving out free application advice, interview coaching, and interview wear.

Today, the government confirmed a package worth over £600 million to support schools to improve their sport offer for all pupils and introduce a new school standard to offer girls and boys the same access to sports at school.

Former Lioness midfielder Jill Scott, Lionesses Beth Mead and Ellen White joined the Prime Minister in Downing Street to lead a football training session for local primary and secondary schoolgirls.

The week kicked off with a speed mentoring session hosted by Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer on Monday, where girls and young women were given the chance to be mentored by leading women from across several sectors including: Ella Mills of Deliciously Ella, Stemette Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE and designer Kelly Hoppen CBE.

The event was delivered together with The Girls’ Network, a charity organisation which partners with secondary schools and colleges across England to offer girls, aged 14-19, a year-long mentoring programme to support their ambitions.

On Tuesday, the Minister for Women, Maria Caufield [SIC – Maria Caulfield], and the government’s Women’s Health Ambassador Professor Dame Lesley Regan hosted a roundtable attended by clinicians, female GPs and women’s health charities. They discussed the progress made on implementing the Women’s Health Strategy and the next steps to improve women’s experiences of health services.

This followed a visit by the Minister for Women to the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing at University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust on Monday, where she met leading researchers and discussed their work to improve health outcomes for women and babies and the importance of women working in STEM.

Finally, on Friday, tech entrepreneur Anne Boden MBE will chair a meeting on the Women’s High Growth Enterprise Taskforce in Downing Street, where the taskforce will examine hot and cold spots for female-led high growth enterprises across the country to inform the next stage of their work to identify how we can support the growth of female-led business.

In the run up to this International Women’s Day, this government has been delivering on the priorities of women across the board, including on health, safety and careers.

On health

Today, we have announced £25 million investment over the next two years to create new women’s health hubs, which will provide essential services for menstrual problems, contraception, pelvic pain and menopause care.

This week we announced Helen Tomlinson as the first-ever menopause employment champion earlier this week to improve workplace support, following on from last month’s launch of a new pre-payment certificate for HRT to help around 400,000 women save hundreds of pounds a year on prescription charges.

In January we announced new funding to speed up cancer diagnosis for tens of thousands of women with new NHS mobile breast cancer screening units and life-saving upgrades to service. Additional funding has also been made available to 16 organisations across England who are implementing innovative ways to raise awareness, tackle the stigma and improve outcomes for women in the workplace, including Maternity Action, Mind and Fertility Network UK.

On safety

No woman or girl should ever have to feel unsafe in her home or community and the government is taking action to stamp out appalling crimes against women.

Last month, the Home Secretary announced that we are – for the first time – requiring police forces to treat tackling violence against women and girls as a national threat, and set out a range of measures to crack down on domestic abusers. This includes toughening up the way offenders are managed and taking action to ensure the most dangerous domestic abusers are recorded on the Violent and Sex Offender Register, including those convicted of controlling or coercive behaviour where they are sentenced to twelve months or more.

The Home Office is also well on its way to putting an extra 20,000 more police officers on our streets, and continues to roll out crime prevention measure including improved CCTV and street lighting through our Safer Streets Fund.

The Justice Secretary has also raised the age of marriage and civil partnership to 18 in England and Wales, and made it a criminal offence to exploit vulnerable children by arranging for them to marry, under any circumstances.

On business

This government is also committed to supporting the growth of female-led business and providing opportunities for girls to get into high-skilled, high paid jobs.

Last week, Business and Trade Secretary and Women & Equalities Minister Kemi Badenoch announced that FTSE 350 companies have met the target of 40% Women on Boards three years ahead of the 2025 deadline and has urged business to keep up this momentum to achieve balance in leadership positions as well as in boardrooms.

In order to help even more women into business, the government-founded women-led high growth enterprise taskforce, has been working to identify the barriers that women entrepreneurs face and look at how we can work together to remove these and pave the way for our ambition to increase the number of female entrepreneurs by 50% by 2030, equivalent to 600,000 new entrepreneurs.
March 9, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Belarus teams to play on neutral ground in UEFA competitions [March 2022]

The press release issued by UEFA on 3 March 2022.

The UEFA Executive Committee met today and decided that all Belarusian clubs and national teams competing in UEFA competitions will be required to play their home matches at neutral venues with immediate effect. Furthermore, no spectators shall attend matches in which the teams from Belarus feature as host.

The UEFA Executive Committee will convene further extraordinary meetings, on a regular ongoing basis where required, to reassess the legal and factual situation as it evolves and adopt further decisions as necessary.

March 9, 2023