Tag: Press Release

PRESS RELEASE : Horizon Europe Guarantee scheme extension to support UK R&D [March 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 6 March 2023.

The government has announced an extension to the support provided to UK Horizon Europe applicants until the end of June 2023.
Government extends Horizon Europe Guarantee scheme to end of June, protecting funding for UK researchers, businesses and innovators

the scheme was originally launched in November 2021 and UKRI has issued grants worth more than £882 million to the end of February 2023

the government’s priority is to support the UK’s research and development sector during ongoing period of uncertainty and ensure strong international collaboration opportunities for UK research

The government has today (6 March 2023) announced an extension to the support provided to UK Horizon Europe applicants, originally launched in November 2021 and UKRI has issued grants worth more than £882 million to the end of February 2023. The extension will ensure that eligible, successful UK applicants will continue to be guaranteed funding, supporting them to continue their important work in research and innovation.

The guarantee will be in place to cover all Horizon Europe calls that close on or before the end of June 2023. Eligible, successful applicants to Horizon Europe will receive the full value of their funding at their UK host institution for the lifetime of their grant.

Science and Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan said:

“We are determined to ensure our world-class researchers are given the clarity and certainty they need to continue their sterling work, which is why I am taking the immediate step to extend the Horizon Europe guarantee, worth £882 million to date, for an additional three months to the end of June.”

Successful awardees do not need to leave the UK to receive this funding, which will provide reassurance for future collaborations, and support UK researchers whether association is confirmed, or otherwise.

On the 27 February, the UK and the EU agreed on the Windsor Framework, which delivers for the people and businesses of Northern Ireland. It ensures free-flowing trade in goods within the UK, protects Northern Ireland’s place in our Union, and safeguards sovereignty in Northern Ireland. Government will continue to work constructively with the EU on a range of issues and will take stock of progress on our future cooperation under the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

The government’s position continues to be one of openness to discussions on research collaboration and the EU’s recent openness to discussions, following two years of delay, is welcome – though it has not yet made any proposals to address the financial terms of UK association.

The government is ready to work swiftly and constructively together on a range of issues, including UK association. Ministers will continue to put the interests of businesses and researchers across the UK first so they can take forward the ground-breaking research and drive forward innovation with their international partners.

Last year, the government set out details of transitional measures, which will be implemented in the event the measures need to be pursued. The publication confirmed that transitional measures would pick up where the current guarantee has left off, so there will be no funding gap, and no eligible successful applications would go unsupported.

Details regarding the scope and terms of the extension are available on the UKRI website.
March 6, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Rural roads targeted in new safety campaign to prevent deaths and injuries among young drivers [March 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 6 March 2023.

THINK! campaign urges drivers to think about the dangers of driving too fast for road conditions.
- new road safety campaign launched to raise awareness of risks when speeding or driving too fast for road conditions, especially on rural roads
- latest statistics show 60% of all serious and fatal collisions involving young male car drivers happened on rural roads
- the campaign highlights that speed kills and injures 54 young people every week in the UK
Drivers are being urged by road safety experts to think about the dangers of driving too fast for road conditions in a new THINK! campaign that launches today (6 March 2023).

The new THINK! campaign, “Is pushing it worth it?” is targeted at young male drivers, as statistics show male drivers aged 17 to 24 are 4 times more likely to be killed or seriously injured than drivers aged 25 or over. Research findings also show that 60% of all serious and fatal collisions involving young male car drivers were on rural roads.

Safety experts raise further concerns as less than half (43%) of young men consider exceeding the speed limit to be unacceptable, while over two thirds (68%) see drink driving as unacceptable and over half (52%) think using a mobile without handsfree is unacceptable.

Alongside the campaign, the government continues to consider how to enhance road safety, with a particular focus on rural roads. As part of the Safer Roads Fund, the government, together with local authorities and safety groups, is continuing to deliver a wide range of improvements across rural roads.

To date, £100 million has been provided through the programme to improve the 50 most dangerous roads in England, the majority of which are rural roads. Some of the improvements already made include improved signage, safer pedestrian crossings and better designed junctions.

Road Safety Minister Richard Holden said:

Road safety is our priority, but we want to accelerate our efforts to tackle unsafe driving habits and create some of the safest roads in the world.

We’re highlighting the dangers of relaxed driving attitudes on rural roads so that everyone recognises that pushing the speed limit is just not worth it.

Speeding accounts for around 1 in 4 fatal collisions, but despite this is considered one of the least risky and most acceptable behaviours among drivers, especially young men. The campaign highlights that speed kills and injuries 54 young people every week in the UK.

Dr Gemma Briggs, Professor of Applied Cognitive Psychology at the Open University, said:

Most drivers consider themselves to be ‘better than average’ at driving. This can make drivers feel that while others shouldn’t speed, their own increased skill means they can handle a bit of extra speed, and every journey completed seemingly without incident for a speeding driver confirms to them that their behaviour is acceptable, even if they endanger others.

Young drivers also have these biases, but have the added problem of a lack of driving experience. They can’t rely on their previous experience to understand driving situations, so adding other elements to this such as additional speed increases the likelihood of young drivers failing to notice hazards and being involved in a collision.

THINK! research shows young males underestimate the risks of driving just a few miles per hour over the right speed for the road conditions. The campaign seeks to challenge overconfidence among younger drivers and highlight that while excessive speeding is an issue, it is equally important to not go slightly over the speed limit or drive too fast for the road.

The campaign comes as part of a wide range of safety initiatives, including the recent research project ‘Driver2020’ which considers the different ways to make young drivers safer, more confident and more skilful in their first year of driving.

RAC road safety spokesperson Simon Williams said:

We know speeding presents a clear and present road safety danger, particularly on country roads where the number of collisions is much greater. We also know that far too many young people are injured or killed every year in car accidents, so hopefully this campaign can bring about some much-needed behavioural change among the nation’s least experienced drivers which helps to keep everyone safe on our rural roads.

The campaign marks another milestone for the government’s award-winning THINK! campaign, a dedicated road safety awareness campaign which aims to reduce deaths and serious injuries on UK roads.

In the decade that followed the conception of THINK!, road deaths in the UK reduced by 46%. Over the past 5 years, THINK! has primarily targeted young male drivers who are 4 times more likely to be killed or seriously injured on our roads than drivers aged 25 and over.

During this time THINK! campaigns have helped to shift attitudes among this audience towards drink driving, passenger distraction and using a handheld mobile at the wheel.
March 6, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Social tenants empowered to make complaints with flagship government campaign launch [March 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 6 March 2023.

‘Make Things Right’ campaign encourages residents to complain to their landlord before escalating to the Housing Ombudsman.

Housing Secretary Michael Gove is urging social housing tenants to complain about substandard housing today (6 March 2023), spearheading the launch of the government’s ‘Make Things Right’ advertising campaign.

Residents are being encouraged to make their voices heard by making a complaint to their landlord in the first instance and then escalating to the Housing Ombudsman if they are unhappy with the landlord’s final response.

This follows decisive action to protect tenants in social housing, including time limits for landlords to investigate and fix damp and mould under Awaab’s Law and mandatory qualifications for social housing managers to make sure residents receive a quality service.

The national campaign will see advertisements using images of black mould and leaking ceilings run across social media platforms including neighbourhood app NextDoor, and on radio stations and streaming platforms like Spotify in over 6 languages.

The campaign will also fund training in 2 pilot areas – London and the North West – so they can support more residents who have problems in their homes.
The Housing Secretary has also today demanded answers from Lambeth Council about its failure to handle complaints, following a severe maladministration finding from the Housing Ombudsman earlier this month calling for radical improvements on damp and mould and complaint handling. This comes a year after the publication of a special report into Lambeth following numerous complaint handling failure orders.

Housing Secretary Michael Gove said:

Too many social housing tenants are being let down and ignored. This government is determined to stand up for them and give them a proper voice. They deserve a decent, safe and secure home, just like everybody else.

So we are shining a light on rogue landlords that ignore their tenants time and again and allow families to live in disrepair.

This campaign will make sure tenants know their rights and how to make a complaint – giving them the confidence to go to the Ombudsman and ensure action is taken.

Social housing campaigner Kwajo Tweneboa said:

What we’ve learnt is that social housing in the UK is far from where it should be, and tenants have been monumentally let down whilst enduring terrible living conditions.

It’s clear things must change, this campaign is the start of that. The campaign makes clear that disrepair issues from damp and mould to collapsed ceilings must be fixed. Tenants have a right to complain and be listened to, treated with dignity, fairness and respect but most of all live in a house they can call a home.

Findings from the government’s social housing resident panel – bringing together over 200 residents across the country – found 65% of members said their experiences of raising complaints with their landlord had been unsatisfactory. Some of the key issues residents raised include:
- the time taken for complaints to be addressed and resolved
- disrespectful conduct, lack of communication, or inaccuracy of information experienced during previous complaints process
- lack of repercussions for landlords if residents are not taken seriously or complaints are not resolved satisfactorily
- burden and complexity of the complaints process
Almost a third of all social renters considered making a complaint in 2020-21, but 27% chose not to because they thought nothing would be done in response, according to figures from the English Housing Survey.

Since October, it has been quicker and easier for residents to take complaints directly to the Housing Ombudsman, after the requirement for people to go to their MP or local councillor first and wait 8 weeks after completing the landlord’s process was removed.

The government continues to take decisive action to protect tenants in social housing. The landmark Social Housing (Regulation) Bill will strengthen the powers of the Regulator – allowing it to enter properties with only 48 hours’ notice, make emergency repairs with landlords footing the bill and issue unlimited fines to failing landlords.

Housing Ombudsman Richard Blakeway said:

Effective complaint handling starts with landlords getting things right first time. If and when things do go wrong, landlords must fix the issue, apologise, offer appropriate compensation, and show they have learnt from those errors.

If that doesn’t happen then residents can take their complaint to us at the Housing Ombudsman. We’re free, independent and impartial in order to help residents and landlords find a resolution to their complaint.
March 6, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Plan to forge a better Britain through science and technology unveiled [March 2023]
The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 6 March 2023.

The Prime Minister and Technology Secretary today launched the government’s plan to cement the UK’s place as a science and technology superpower by 2030.
- Bold plan to grow the UK economy, create high-paid jobs of the future, protect our security, and radically improve people’s lives through science, innovation and technology outlined
- the plan will bring every part of government together to meet one single goal: to cement the UK’s place as a global science and technology superpower by 2030
- backed by over £370 million in new government funding to boost infrastructure, investment and skills for the UK’s most exciting growing technologies, from quantum and supercomputing through to AI
The Prime Minister and Technology Secretary have today (Monday 6 March) launched the government’s plan to cement the UK’s place as a science and technology superpower by 2030, alongside a raft of new measures backed by over £370 million to boost investment in innovation, bring the world’s best talent to the UK, and seize the potential of ground-breaking new technologies like AI.

The new Science and Technology Framework is the first major piece of work from the newly created Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and will challenge every part of government to better put the UK at the forefront of global science and technology this decade through 10 key actions – creating a coordinated cross-government approach.

In doing so, the government will foster the right conditions for industry innovation and world leading scientific research to deliver high-paid jobs of the future, grow the economy in cutting-edge industries, and improve people’s lives from better healthcare to security.

The 10 points of the new Science and Technology Framework centre on:
- identifying, pursuing and achieving strategic advantage in the technologies that are most critical to achieving UK objectives
- showcasing the UK’s S&T strengths and ambitions at home and abroad to attract talent, investment and boost our global influence
- boosting private and public investment in research and development for economic growth and better productivity
- building on the UK’s already enviable talent and skills base
- financing innovative science and technology start-ups and companies
- capitalising on the UK government’s buying power to boost innovation and growth through public sector procurement
- shaping the global science and tech landscape through strategic international engagement, diplomacy and partnerships
- ensuring researchers have access to the best physical and digital infrastructure for R&D that attracts talent, investment and discoveries
- leveraging post-Brexit freedoms to create world-leading pro-innovation regulation and influence global technical standards
- creating a pro-innovation culture throughout the UK’s public sector to improve the way our public services run
The delivery of this new Framework will begin immediately with an initial raft of projects, worth around £500 million in new and existing funding, which will help ensure the UK has the skills and infrastructure to take a global lead in game-changing technologies.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:

Trailblazing science and innovation have been in our DNA for decades. But in an increasingly competitive world, we can only stay ahead with focus, dynamism and leadership.

That’s why we’re setting out 10 key actions under a bold new plan to cement our place as a global science and technology superpower by 2030 – from pursuing transformational technologies like AI and supercomputing to attracting top talent and ensuring they have the tools they need to succeed.

The more we innovate, the more we can grow our economy, create the high-paid jobs of the future, protect our security, and improve lives across the country.

Science, Innovation and Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan said:

Innovation and technology are our future. They hold the keys to everything from raising productivity and wages, to transforming healthcare, reducing energy prices and ultimately creating jobs and economic growth in the UK, providing the financial firepower allowing us to spend more on public services.

That is why, today, we are putting the full might of the British government and our private sector partners behind our push to become a scientific and technological superpower, because only through being world-leaders in future industries like AI and quantum will we be able to improve the lives of every Briton.

The initial package of projects to drive forward the actions of the Science and Technology Framework includes:
- £250 million investment in 3 truly transformational technologies to build on the UK’s global leadership in AI, quantum technologies and engineering biology, so they can help a range of industries tackle the biggest global challenges like climate change and health care. This forms part of our commitment to the 5 technologies within the science and technology framework, which also includes semiconductors and future telecoms
- publication of Sir Paul Nurse’s Independent Review of the Research, Development and Innovation Organisational Landscape with recommendations to make the most of the UK’s research organisations, ensuring they are effective, sustainable and responsive to global challenges
- testing different models of funding science, to support a range of innovative institutional models, such as Focused Research Organisations (known as FROs), working with industry and philanthropic partners to open up new funding for UK research. For example, this could include working with a range of partners to increase investment in the world leading UK Biobank, to support the continued revolution in genetic science
- up to £50 million to spur co-investment in science from the private sector and philanthropists to drive the discoveries of the future, subject to business cases. The government is already talking to Schmidt Futures, a philanthropic initiative of Eric and Wendy Schmidt, about additional support of up to $20 million as part of this work
- £117 million of existing funding to create hundreds of new PhDs for AI researchers and £8 million to find the next generation of AI leaders around the world to do their research in the UK
- a £50 million uplift to World Class Labs funding to help research institutes and universities to improve facilities so UK researchers have access to the best labs and equipment they need to keep producing world-class science, opening up entirely new avenues for economic growth and job creation
- a £10 million uplift to the UK Innovation and Science Seed Fund, totalling £50 million, to boost the UK’s next tech and science start-ups who could be the next Apple, Google or Tesla
- plans to set up an Exascale supercomputer facility – the most powerful compute capability which could solve problems as complex as nuclear fusion – as well as a programme to provide dedicated compute capacity for important AI research, as part of the response to the Future of Compute Review
- £9 million in government funding to support the establishment of a quantum computing research centre by PsiQuantum in Daresbury in the North-West
The Framework has been designed in consultation with industry experts and academics, to help deliver stronger growth, better jobs, and bold discoveries to tackle the challenges of today and tomorrow.

The plan will be a cross-government endeavour led by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) to bring together responsibility for the UK’s world class research and innovation system with the 5 technologies of tomorrow – quantum, AI, engineering biology, semiconductors, future telecoms plus life sciences and green technologies, into one single department for the first time.

Director of the Francis Crick Institute and Lead Reviewer of the Landscape Review, Paul Nurse said:

It is absolutely right, as the Prime Minister has said, that the future of the UK depends upon research, science and technology. Only by being a leading science nation can the UK drive a sustainable economy, increased productivity and generate societal benefits such as improved healthcare and protecting the environment.

The government’s endorsement of this approach is to be fully supported. My Review of the research, development and innovation landscape makes a range of recommendations across the whole RDI endeavour, which if adopted together, provides a blueprint for government to make the UK a genuine science superpower.

Today the government is also announcing a further extension until 30 June 2023 of the financial guarantee provided to the UK’s Horizon Europe applicants so that eligible, successful bids for calls closing on or before this date continue to be guaranteed funding, supporting them to continue their important work in research and innovation.

Science, innovation and technology are the drivers of economic growth and productivity. More than half of the UK’s future labour productivity growth will come from adopting the best available technologies and the rest from ‘pushing the frontier’ of technology even further. Each £1 of public R&D investment leverages £2 of private R&D investment in the long run.

Today’s announcements build on existing government efforts to support science and technology. This includes setting up the Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA) to fund high-risk, high-reward R&D; investing £100 million in a pilot bringing together national and local partners in Glasgow, Greater Manchester and the West Midlands to accelerate their growth into major, globally competitive centres for research and innovation; and publishing the UK Digital Strategy committed to rolling out world-class digital infrastructure, unlocking the value of data to create growth, innovation and societal benefits across the UK and harnessing digital transformation to build a more inclusive, competitive and innovative digital economy.

The government will be making further announcements shortly, including publication of the Wireless Infrastructure Strategy.
March 6, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : RAF Chinook conducts airborne gunnery training in Lincolnshire [March 2023]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 5 March 2023.

A Royal Air Force Chinook from RAF Odiham has been conducting live firing training at a range in Lincolnshire.

During the exercise, the Chinook fired twin M134 Miniguns and single M60D General Purpose Machine guns at a mix of purpose-built targets.

The firing is done by the onboard Weapons System Operators, who are required to conduct this training regularly to ensure they maintain their skills and safety qualifications. Firing from a moving helicopter is particularly difficult and the accuracy of the firing was assessed as part of the training. The training includes responses to various threat scenarios, such as self-defence when the aircraft is taking-off and landing.

After completing the daylight firing serials, the aircraft landed at RAF Coningsby to refuel and replenish the ammunition. It then completed the same training at night, with the crew using night vision goggles.

Operating the aircraft and airborne gunnery at night requires additional skills, especially when ambient light levels are low. Whilst operating over the sea on a dark night at 200 feet above the water, the crew have very few references outside of the aircraft with which to gauge their height or attitude.

Precision air-to-ground firing requires exceptional teamwork. The pilots must position the aircraft accurately and provide a stable platform from which to employ the guns. Red tracer rounds are used to gauge accuracy and are especially vivid at night as they leave long trails across the sky until they burn out.

Royal Air Force Chinooks conduct a wide variety of tasks from carrying troops and equipment, transporting injured service personnel from the battlefield to medical care and supporting wider-Government efforts in times of national crisis.

More recently, Royal Air Force Chinooks have been deployed to Estonia as part of the bilateral agreement between the Defence Ministers of Estonia and the UK. Whilst in Estonia they supported NATO’s enhanced forward presence in the region.

March 6, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Culture Secretary encourages public to add Coronation events to digital map [March 2023]
The press release issued by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport on 4 March 2023.

An interactive map detailing events taking place to celebrate the Coronation will be launched this week by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
- The Culture Secretary has called on the public to add their own events showcasing local celebrations that will bring communities together
- Comes as the Prime Minister confirms he will host a ‘Big Lunch’ at Downing Street to mark the coronation weekend
With two months to go until the Coronation, members of the public and community organisations across the UK have been invited by the Culture Secretary to share how they will celebrate this historic milestone on a digital map to be launched this weekend.

The move comes as the Prime Minister has also confirmed today that he will be hosting a Big Lunch at Downing Street during the Coronation weekend. Guests will be community volunteers from across the country.

Hosted on the government’s Coronation website, the map will showcase a variety of ways people can mark the Coronation of His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort in their local areas.

The map is designed to encourage people to add their own Coronation Big Lunches, street parties, Big Help Out plans and other Coronation activities so others in the local community can find out about events near them and get involved.

Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said:

We want everyone up and down the country to have the opportunity to get involved in the Coronation of His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort.

Our interactive map will help you find activities, events and celebrations nearby. Whether you’re hosting a street party, planning a Big Lunch, a screening or activity for the Big Help Out, we want to hear from you.

This is a fantastic occasion to come together with friends, family and your local community to mark this historic moment.

The Coronation will take place across a celebratory weekend of events to mark this historic occasion beginning on Saturday 6 May with the Coronation Service taking place at Westminster Abbey in London. Their Majesties will be crowned in the same location Her Late Majesty The Queen was crowned 70 years ago.

On Sunday 7 May, the Coronation Concert will take place at Windsor Castle with iconic locations across the UK lit up using projections, lasers, drone displays and illuminations. Staged and broadcast by the BBC in front of a live audience of several thousand members of the public, the concert will celebrate Their Majesties’ Coronation.

Across the weekend, tens of thousands of Coronation Big Lunches and street parties will be held in the UK and Commonwealth. Big Lunches take place across the UK annually and last year they raised more than £22 million for local charities.

On Monday 8 May, a Bank Holiday has been proclaimed by the Prime Minister so the nation can come together to support charities in the Big Help Out. In tribute to His Majesty The King’s lifetime of service, the Big Help Out will encourage people to support the causes that matter the most to them with activity already planned by organisations including The Scouts, Royal Voluntary Service, National Trust and RNLI.

Other resources are also available online to help everyone celebrate the Coronation at home. From bunting ideas to recipes, a party playlist, postcards and creative templates plus recipe ideas and activities for children and families.
March 6, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Joint statement on Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories [March 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 4 March 2023.

A joint statement with France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Spain on Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs).

France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and the United Kingdom, express their grave concern in the face of the continuing, growing violence in the occupied Palestinian territories.

We strongly condemn recent terrorist attacks that killed Israeli citizens. Terrorism can under no circumstance be justified.

We also strongly condemn indiscriminate violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinian civilians, including destruction of homes and properties.

We are saddened by all loss of life. These acts can lead nowhere, except to more violence. Those responsible must face full accountability and legal prosecution. All unilateral actions that threaten peace and incitement to violence must cease.

There has been a spark of hope coming from the recent meeting in Aqaba, where Israelis and Palestinians both affirmed reciprocal commitments, including on efforts to de-escalate and work towards a just and lasting peace. Such a result is a first in many years, and we thank the United States of America and Kingdom of Jordan for making it possible. We urge all parties to refrain from making this fragile process derail, and call on all parties to make good on the commitments they made in the Aqaba meeting by de-escalating in words and deeds and to restore calm, in order for those efforts to blossom and to make the next meeting in Egypt a success.

There can be no desirable outcome other than a just and lasting peace for all. In this regard, we also reiterate our strong opposition to all unilateral measures that undermine the Two-state solution, including expansion of settlements which are illegal under international law. We urge the Israeli government to reverse its recent decision to advance the construction of more than 7,000 settlement building units across the occupied West Bank and to legalize settlement outposts.

March 6, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Diplomatic missions visit the Palestinian community of Huwara [March 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 4 March 2023.

Representatives from Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Malta, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and UK visited today the Palestinian community of Huwara to express their deepest condolences to the victims of the attacks on 26 February and condemn in the strongest terms settler violence.

In Huwara, diplomats were briefed by the community about the extreme violence unleashed on Sunday when hundreds of Israeli settlers attacked the village and the nearby communities of Za’tara, Beita and Burin, resulting in the killing of one Palestinian and injuring at least 409 others, including 90 children and 136 women. The community members also testified to the horror they experienced as settlers went on a rampage and set their homes and property on fire. Visiting diplomats expressed their deepest condolences to the victims.

The abovementioned representatives condemn in the strongest terms the heinous and violent acts committed by settlers. The representatives call on Israel, as the occupying power, to take all necessary measures to protect Palestinians from settler violence and to ensure that perpetrators are held to account. Israel’s failure to protect Palestinians and prosecute violent settlers is particularly worrying at a point in time when settler violence has reached unprecedented levels.

Settler violence is a result of Israel’s continued settlement activities. Settlements are illegal under international law, fuel tensions and undermine the viability of the two-state solution and the prospect for a lasting peace in the region.

The abovementioned representatives condemn the killing of Palestinians and Israelis alike, reject all incitement to violence and urge all parties to exercise restraint.

March 6, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : High Commissioner’s Oral Update on Nicaragua – Joint Statement [March 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 3 March 2023.

During the 52nd UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, the UK co-sponsored a Joint Statement relating to human rights in Nicaragua. This was delivered 3 March 2023.

Mr. President,

On behalf of 53 countries, Canada thanks the High Commissioner for his update, which sheds light on concerning developments in Nicaragua and evidences the importance of renewing the OHCHR’s monitoring mandate.

Whilst we welcome the recent release of 222 political prisoners, and thank the facilitating States, we condemn the Government of Nicaragua’s decision to strip these individuals and 94 other Nicaraguans of their citizenship and political rights. Nationality is a right, which cannot be revoked without due process.

We are troubled by the testimonies of mistreatment of released political prisoners. We urge the authorities to cease arbitrary detention and release all remaining political prisoners, including leaders of the Catholic Church.

We are further alarmed by the deteriorating human rights situation of Indigenous Peoples and Afro-descendants in Nicaragua, who face increasing repression, persecution and discrimination.

We reiterate our concern over Nicaragua’s refusal to cooperate with international human rights mechanisms. We call on the authorities to grant them access in order to address and investigate allegations of human rights violations and torture, and to renew cooperation with the OHCHR.

The trend to bar and expel foreign representatives from the country only isolates Nicaragua. We call on Nicaragua to open a dialogue in good faith with the international community.

Mr. High Commissioner, what more can this Council do to bring accountability for egregious human rights violations in Nicaragua?

March 6, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Government backs bill to expand pension saving to young and low earners [March 2023]

The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 3 March 2023.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) today confirmed it will support proposals to expand Automatic Enrolment, enabling millions of people to save more and to start saving earlier.

Jonathan Gullis MP’s Private Members Bill, backed today by the government, grants two extensions to Automatic Enrolment – abolishing the Lower Earnings Limit for contributions and reducing the age for being automatically enrolled to 18 years old.

Minister for Pensions, Laura Trott, said:

We know that these widely supported measures will make a meaningful difference to people’s pension saving over the years ahead.

Doing this will see the government deliver on our commitment to help grow the economy and support the hard-working people of this country, particularly groups such as women, young people and lower earners who have historically found it harder to save for retirement.

Jonathan Gullis MP, said:

Auto-enrolment of pensions will benefit scores of young people in all four corners of the country, which is why I am delighted that Minister for Pensions Laura Trott is supportive of the bill.

With all the evidence of the huge positive impact it can have, it is a no-brainer that we now need to extend auto-enrolment to those aged 18 and above. I am confident this Bill will make a huge difference to people from Kidsgrove to Consett.

Lowering the age at which eligible workers must be automatically enrolled into a pension scheme by their employers from 22 to 18 will make saving the norm for young adults and enable them to begin to save from the start of their working lives.

In addition, the bill provides for the removal of the Lower Earnings Limit, supporting those with low earnings and multiple jobs by ensuring they are saving from the first pound earned.

Following the success of the Automatic Enrolment, the government intends to continue its work with thousands of employers and pension providers to further boost the amount of people in a workplace pension and the amount they save for retirement.

It will also continue its work on empowering savers to know their pension options by introducing revolutionary products such as Pensions Dashboards and Mid-life MOTs, providing accessibility and innovation in how people save for their retirement.

March 6, 2023