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Tag: Press Release

  • PRESS RELEASE : Strike action to affect travellers and goods entering the UK on 15 March [March 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Strike action to affect travellers and goods entering the UK on 15 March [March 2023]

    The press release issued by the Home Office on 7 March 2023.

    The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union has announced Civil Service industrial action that will impact Border Force operations.

    Travellers who are planning to enter the UK on Wednesday 15 March 2023 may face longer wait times at border control.

    Check the latest travel advice with operators before you travel.

    Be patient and respect officers who are working to keep the UK border safe and secure for all travellers during strike action.

    We encourage eligible passengers to use eGates.

    Border Force strike proposed date and locations

    Dates:

    • 15 March
    • 16 March (until around 7am)

    Locations:

    The proposed strike action will impact international arrivals at all UK air and maritime ports, as well as those travelling to the UK from UK border controls in Calais, Dunkirk and Coquelles in Northern France.

    If you are travelling into the UK, be prepared for disruption and check before you travel.

    Our first priority is to keep our borders safe and secure. We will never compromise on this.

    Advice for people entering the UK

    If you are travelling into the UK during the proposed industrial action, be prepared for longer wait times at UK border control.

    All passengers should check the latest advice from their operators before travelling.

    Please be patient and respect officers who are working to keep our citizens safe and border secure, and supporting travellers during the strike action.

    We encourage passengers who are eligible to use eGates to do so if these are available.

    Please respect staff as we try and get you through the border as quickly and safely as possible. All forms of abuse and any inappropriate behaviour will be reported to the police.

    Hauliers: impact of strike action

    If you are moving goods during the proposed strike action, be prepared for potential disruption and longer queues at ports and inland border facilities.

    Please check with your operator before travelling, be prepared for delays and carefully plan your movements if they coincide with days of strike action.

    Border wait times

    Accurate queue time data can take some time to gather and check. If you are travelling during the proposed strike dates, be prepared for longer wait times.

    Several factors can influence wait times, including high passenger numbers, flight delays and flight bunching. Weather delays and other incidents can also impact border control queues.

    We advise travellers to check with travel agents, tour operators, and airlines or carriers before travelling, to check if the proposed strike action will affect your journey.

    Passengers can also check airport websites before travelling to stay up to date with the latest information related to travel or possible delays caused by strike action.

    What we are doing to avoid disruption and queues at the border during the strike action

    We continue to work closely with industry to minimise disruption and delays at the border during any industrial action.

    Border Force and industry work together very closely at a local and national level to agree plans for pressures while keeping the public safe and ensuring critical goods such as medicines and food can continue to flow across the border.

    Military personnel, civil servants and volunteers from across government are being trained to support Border Force at airports and ports across the UK in the event of potential strike action. Border Force are ready to deploy resource to meet critical demand and support the flow of travellers and goods through the border. However, people entering the UK should be prepared for potential disruption.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister awards MND campaigner Rob Burrow the UK’s 2,000th Points of Light [March 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Prime Minister awards MND campaigner Rob Burrow the UK’s 2,000th Points of Light [March 2023]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 7 March 2023.

    Rob Burrow MBE, the former Leeds Rhino and England Rugby League player who has passionately campaigned for people with Motor Neurone Disease, was yesterday named by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak as the 2,000th recipient of the daily Points of Light award.

    Rob made nearly 500 appearances for the Leeds Rhinos between 2001 and 2017, winning eight Super League championships.

    Just two years after his retirement, he revealed a devastating diagnosis of MND in December 2019, but despite his physical decline Rob has raised awareness, including through a documentary with the BBC showing the impact of the disease on himself and his family.

    He has also inspired the creation of a Rob Burrow Day (7 July) led by Leeds Rhinos, and has been at the forefront of the design of a new £5m cutting-edge MND centre in Leeds, which will be the first of its kind in the UK to be based around the holistic needs of MND patients and their families.

    Rob’s awareness-raising has been matched by a fundraising drive from his old Rhinos team Kevin Sinfield OBE, who has completed multiple marathon challenges in Rob’s name to raise over £7m for MND charities.

    The inaugural Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon is due to take place in May this year, with over 10,000 people signed up to take part and raise further funds for his Leeds Hospitals Charity Appeal.

    The Prime Minister’s Points of Light award was first launched in April 2014, having been developed in partnership with the hugely successful Points of Light programme in the USA.

    Since then, outstanding individuals from across the country who are making a positive change within their community and inspiring others have been recognised by the Prime Minister through the award.

    In a personal letter to Rob, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:

    For almost a decade, Prime Ministers have been naming a daily Point of Light to recognise extraordinary people in our country whose service to others is an inspiration to us all.

    Today, I have the honour of naming you as the UK’s 2,000th Point of Light.

    You have inspired millions around the world with your strength, courage and positivity. Through your intimate documentary and all your work to raise awareness of MND, you have used your profile as one of the greatest ever rugby players to shine a light on a disease that was once rarely spoken about and little understood.

    You have inspired a phenomenal fundraising campaign that is supporting vital new research and improving the care for others – not least through the creation of The Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease in your proud home city of Leeds.

    The legacy of everything you are doing for the fight against this disease will change what it means to be diagnosed with MND.

    As you have said: “in a world full of adversity we must dare to dream.” Inspired by you, many will dare to dream and fulfil those dreams, in spite of whatever adversity they may face.

    You are a true Point of Light. On behalf of the whole country, thank you.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Change of British High Commissioner to Nigeria [March 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Change of British High Commissioner to Nigeria [March 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 7 March 2023.

    Dr Richard Montgomery CMG has been appointed British High Commissioner to the Federal Republic of Nigeria in succession to Ms Catriona Laing CB who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Mr Montgomery will take up his appointment during April 2023.

    Curriculum Vitae

    Full name: Richard Hugh Montgomery

    Married to: Naheed Bilgrami

    Children: Two

    Date Role
    2018 to 2022 The World Bank Group, UK Executive Director, Washington
    2015 to 2018 Department for International Development (DFID), Director, Asia, Caribbean & Overseas Territories (AsCOT) Division
    2013 to 2015 Islamabad, Counsellor (Development) and Head of Office, DFID Pakistan
    2009 to 2013 Abuja, Counsellor (Development) and Head of Office, DFID Nigeria
    2006 to 2009 DFID, Deputy Director and Head of Corporate Human Resources, and Head of Security, East Kilbride
    2005 to 2006 DFID, Deputy Team Leader, Top Management Group
    2002 to 2005 Lusaka, Deputy Head, DFID Zambia
    1999 to 2002 Dhaka, Senior Social Development Adviser, DFID Bangladesh
    1996 to 1999 New Delhi, Social Development Adviser, DFID India
    1993 to 1996 Swansea University, Lecturer in International Development, Centre for Development Studies
    1992 to 1993 Manchester University, Research, Institute for Development Policy & Management
    1992 GKW Consult Mannheim, Sociologist
    1988 to 1991 University of Cambridge, Doctorate (Ph.D) in Social Anthropology
  • PRESS RELEASE : UN HRC52 – UK statement on behalf of the Sri Lanka Core Group [March 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UN HRC52 – UK statement on behalf of the Sri Lanka Core Group [March 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 7 March 2023.

    Statement delivered by the UK’s Ambassador to the WTO and UN in Geneva, Simon Manley, on behalf of the Sri Lanka Core Group.

    Thank you Mr Vice-President

    This statement is by the Sri Lanka Core Group comprising Canada, Malawi, Montenegro, North Macedonia, the UK and the United States.

    We welcome recent commitments with respect to the protection of human rights in Sri Lanka, including those of persons from all religious and ethnic groups. Together with recent efforts at constitutional reform, and initiatives aimed at fostering political inclusion, these provide a basis upon which to build.

    We also welcome Sri Lanka’s positive engagement in the Universal Periodic Review process in January. We are keen to assist Sri Lanka in implementing its UPR recommendations.

    However, our concerns over heavy-handed responses to peaceful protests remain. Sri Lanka must safeguard the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association, and freedom of expression. We call for accountability for any protest-related violence. Civil society has an important part to play in encouraging the protection of human rights and we underline the importance of protecting space for civil society’s important work, including through any future legislation.

    We stress the crucial importance of upholding the rule of law and safeguarding representative democracy, including by ensuring the independence of institutions and governance systems. This includes the electoral system, in which maintaining the confidence of Sri Lankans is crucial.

    We urge the Sri Lankan authorities to address long-standing impunity and corruption. We also underline the need for good governance, which together with sound economic policies, should better support the prosperity of all Sri Lankans.

    Noting commitments made to the Council in September by the Government of Sri Lanka, we emphasise the importance of transitional justice, including promotion of truth and accountability, with the goal of reconciliation and accountability for all communities. We also emphasise the importance of replacing the Prevention of Terrorism Act with legislation that aligns with Sri Lanka’s international obligations.

    The Core Group calls on Sri Lanka to work with the High Commissioner and his Office. We remain ready to support Sri Lanka in addressing HRC resolution 51/1.

    Thank you.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Statement on report of Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan [March 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Statement on report of Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan [March 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 7 March 2023.

    Rita French, the UK’s Human Rights Ambassador, delivers a statement on the report of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan.

    Thank you, Mr President.

    We welcome the report of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan whilst deeply regretting its conclusion that the human rights, humanitarian and security situation in South Sudan remains dire and of urgent concern.

    We are particularly concerned by instances of sub-national violence across South Sudan as well as reports of government intimidation, harassment, illegal arrest and arbitrary detention of civil society actors and media workers.

    Mr President,

    While we recognise some positive progress made by the Government of South Sudan and the National Legislative Assembly, it is clear that the end goal of a just and lasting peace in South Sudan – based on the full respect for human rights, full implementation of the Revitalized Agreement, and full operationalization of the Chapter V transitional justice institutions – is still very far away.

    Bearing all this in mind, and while South Sudan’s own capacity to provide tangible human rights scrutiny is yet to be realised, we believe that the only credible response by this Council can be to extend the Commission’s mandate for a further year.

    Commissioners,

    We welcome your convening of a multi-stakeholder conference on transitional justice in South Sudan in late February. What conclusions did you draw from this?

    Thank you.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Increased prison sentence for Lee Wilson [March 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Increased prison sentence for Lee Wilson [March 2023]

    The press release issued by the Attorney General’s Office on 7 March 2023.

    A paedophile who sexually assaulted 2 children under the age of 13 will spend an additional 4 years in prison following a challenge to his original sentence under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme, meaning he will now serve 15 years’ imprisonment plus 12 months’ extended licence.

    Lee Wilson, 40, from South Shields, Tyne and Wear, was sentenced on 18 November 2022 for a total of seven counts of sexual offences against children. These included 3 counts of assault of a child under 13 by penetration, sexual assault of a child under 13 and making indecent photographs of a child.

    At the original sentencing at Newcastle Crown Court, Wilson was ordered to serve 11 years’ imprisonment plus 12 months’ extended licence.

    His sentence was then referred to the Court of Appeal by the Solicitor General, Michael Tomlinson KC MP, who felt that the sentence handed down to Wilson was unduly lenient.

    Following today’s hearing at the Court of Appeal, the Solicitor General said:

    The increased sentence handed down to Lee Wilson today shows that sexual crimes against children will always be met with the strongest possible punishment under the law. These were abhorrent crimes, and I welcome the decision of the Court to order Wilson to serve a sentence which better reflects his offending.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Statement on report by Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua [March 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Statement on report by Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua [March 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 7 March 2023.

    Rita French, the UK’s Human Rights Ambassador, delivers a statement on behalf of the UK on the report from the Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua.

    Thank you, Mr President.

    We thank the Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua for the presentation of their report.

    The reports of grave and systematic human rights violations, in particular the use of sexual and gender-based violence are deeply disturbing. The UK supports the recommendations of the report and continues to call on the Nicaraguan government to cooperate fully with the Group.

    The report raises concerns about the participation of the President, Vice President and officials, as well as non-State actors, in exceptionally serious and systematic human rights violations and abuses, including extrajudicial executions, torture, arbitrary deprivation of nationality, as well as violations of numerous fundamental freedoms.

    While we welcome the recent release of political prisoners from Nicaraguan jails, the decision by the authorities to expel them from Nicaragua and to strip them of their nationality and their assets is a wholly unacceptable penalisation of exercising their rights.

    We would welcome the views of the experts on the effect of actions taken to date by the international community in particular to discourage the Nicaraguan Government from committing further violations, abuses, and crimes, and crucially to hold those responsible to account.

    Thank you.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Consultation launched on new registration rules for all bird keepers in Great Britain [March 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Consultation launched on new registration rules for all bird keepers in Great Britain [March 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 7 March 2023.

    Defra to consult on registration rules for bird keepers in Great Britain.

    • Views sought on new registration rules for all bird keepers in Great Britain.
    • New rules would require all bird keepers to register their birds and update information annually.
    • Proposal is part of government action to tackle avian influenza.

    Proposals to require all poultry keepers to officially register their birds were launched by the government today (7 March) as part of efforts to tackle avian influenza.

    The new rules would apply to all keepers, no matter how many birds they have. At present only those who keep 50 birds or more are required by law to do so. They would also be required to update their information on an annual basis.

    By registering their birds with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), keepers will ensure they receive important updates such as any local avian influenza outbreaks and information on biosecurity rules to help protect their flocks from the threat of avian influenza.

    This will enable the government to communicate with bird keepers quickly, to manage potential disease outbreaks, such as avian influenza, and limit the spread.

    The new rules would cover owners of backyard flocks, birds of prey and pigeon fanciers, but would not affect pet birds kept entirely inside a domestic dwelling, such as a parrot or budgie kept in a cage indoors which never leaves the property other than to visit a vet or another short-term period.

    In a joint statement the Chief Veterinary Officers from England, Scotland and Wales said:

    “These proposals will enable us to have a full picture of the number and location of birds kept across Great Britain and make it easier to track and manage the spread of avian disease.

    “This information will also help inform future risk assessments and maintain our commitment to continually building our extensive avian influenza research portfolio.”

    British Poultry Council Chief Executive said:

    “We welcome this consultation as a means of ensuring the GB poultry register is fit to support Government and industry efforts in mitigating the ongoing impacts of avian influenza. Registering your poultry is an effective way of monitoring and controlling the spread of disease to protect the national flock. We, as ever, urge all poultry keepers to remain vigilant for signs of avian influenza in their birds.”

    The consultation proposals take forward the recommendation from the 2018 Dame Glenys Stacey Review and lessons identified from the 2021/2022 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 outbreak and previous HPAI outbreaks.

    Bird keepers will need to provide information including their contact details, the location where birds are kept and details of the birds (species, number and what they are kept for).

    A 12-week joint GB-wide consultation will run until 31 May.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Rohingya Joint Response Plan – UK statement [March 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Rohingya Joint Response Plan – UK statement [March 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 7 March 2023.

    The UK’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, Ambassador Simon Manley, delivered this statement during the 2023 Rohingya Joint Response Plan.

    Let me begin by expressing my heartfelt appreciation to the Honourable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, State Minister Shahriar Alam, and the Government of Bangladesh. You have generously hosted one million Rohingya refugees for over 5 years. I would also like to express our gratitude to our humanitarian partners that are providing vital assistance, including, High Commissioner and Director-General, you, your staff and the volunteers on the ground.

    As we enter the sixth year of the crisis, a long-term solution for the Rohingya people remains frustratingly out of reach. The UK remains deeply concerned by the worsening situation in Myanmar, which means that the conditions for the Rohingya to return are not in place. The High Commissioner for Human Rights set out that situation just yesterday across town in the Human Rights Council, just as the DG did here this morning: military attacks on the civilian population up nearly 400%. Over 600 villages torched by the junta’s troops. A staggering 17.6 million people in need of humanitarian assistance. Since the February 2021 coup d’etat, we have provided over £100 million in humanitarian support in Myanmar, including for the Rohingya and other Muslim minorities.

    In December, as the State Minister mentioned, the UK led efforts to secure the first ever UN Security Council Resolution – UNSCR 2669 – on the situation in Myanmar. That Resolution stresses the need to address the root causes of the crisis in Rakhine State and create the conditions necessary for the voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable return of Rohingya refugees.

    We also continue to do all we can do to support the Rohingya whilst they remain in Bangladesh – providing £345m since 2017. The UK Minister for the Indo-Pacific, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, will visit Bangladesh just this week to see in person the effect of our support for the humanitarian response. And we welcome this year’s JRP, in particular the inclusion of the skills development framework, and roll-out of the Myanmar curriculum. These are vital to help prepare the Rohingya for their eventual return to Myanmar.

    We well understand the challenges the Government of Bangladesh faces in managing this protracted crisis, including security, environmental and economic impacts. The tragic fire just this weekend in Cox’s Bazar, leaving thousands of Rohingya without shelter, just adds to that challenge.

    And we are deeply troubled by the trajectory for 2023, and the fragility of the situation set out so graphically today by the High Commissioner and the UN Resident Coordinator. As the High Commissioner said, we face unparalleled global humanitarian need – a situation exacerbated of course by Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine – and the global response is under unprecedented strain. This has been highlighted by the first food ration cut for Rohingya refugees since 2017. There is a real risk that refugees, including the extremely vulnerable, will not receive the full range of basic assistance they so desperately need, as the UN Resident Coordinator set out this morning.

    The UK sees an urgent need to work pragmatically with your Government, State Minister, taking account of your concerns about the impact of the Rohingya refugee presence, to find a sustainable way forward that:

    • Offers the Rohingya more self-reliance, and less dependence on humanitarian aid;
    • Ensures that we achieve maximum effect with every pound, euro or dollar we spend; and
    • Supports a safe and secure environment for refugees.

    International Financial Institutions must play an important role in helping to meet the needs of all refugees and support the host community in Cox’s Bazar. We hope the dialogue with them continues, and stand ready to contribute to creative solutions.

    Let me end by reiterating the UK’s commitment to the Rohingya while they are in Bangladesh, and the communities that do generously host them, and to working with you all to resolve the underlying causes of this tragic crisis.

    Thank you.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak call with President Kagame of Rwanda [March 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak call with President Kagame of Rwanda [March 2023]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 7 March 2023.

    The Prime Minister Rishi Sunak spoke to Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame today.

    They discussed the UK-Rwanda migration partnership and our joint efforts to break the business model of criminal people smugglers and address humanitarian issues.

    The leaders committed to continue working together to ensure this important partnership is delivered successfully.

    The Prime Minister and President Kagame also discussed the concerning escalation in violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo and international efforts to support a lasting peaceful resolution.