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  • PRESS RELEASE : The worsening situation in Myanmar means conditions for the voluntary, safe, dignified, and sustainable return of the Rohingya are not in place – UK Statement at the UN [March 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : The worsening situation in Myanmar means conditions for the voluntary, safe, dignified, and sustainable return of the Rohingya are not in place – UK Statement at the UN [March 2023]

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

    Statement by Political Coordinator Fergus Eckersley at the UN General Assembly debate on Myanmar.

    Thank you Mr. President, and the UN Special Envoy for the very sobering briefing.

    Mr. President, it has now been over two years since the military’s coup. Since then, over 3,100 people have been killed by the military regime. Over 20,000 people have been arbitrarily detained and over 17 million are in need of humanitarian assistance.

    The military regime is using increasingly brutal tactics to sow fear and repress any form of opposition. Indiscriminate air strikes are increasing. As are reports of military atrocities, conflict related sexual violence, and mass burning of villages. We condemn the latest horrifying reports of a massacre of at least 28 people sheltering in a monastery in Southern Shan State over the weekend.

    I wish to make three points:

    First, we fully support the efforts of the UN Special Envoy to find durable and inclusive dialogue-driven solutions to the escalating crisis in Myanmar. ASEAN’s leadership is central – we welcome the renewed efforts under Indonesia’s leadership, including to fully implement the ASEAN Five Point Consensus. In December, the Security Council agreed resolution 2669 which sent a unified message: of solidarity with the people of Myanmar; of support to ASEAN’s efforts; on the need to end violence immediately; and on the need to release political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint. Today’s General Assembly discussion has echoed these messages. There is strength in this collective unity.

    Second, the military should face the consequences of their actions. Since the coup, the UK has sanctioned 18 individuals and 28 entities, including those who have committed serious human rights violations. We encourage others to do the same, and we reiterate that no country should sell arms to Myanmar.

    Finally, we cannot forget the most vulnerable. Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya and other minorities remain confined to their villages and Internally Displaced Peoples camps in Rakhine State. The systemic human rights violations they have suffered for decades must end. The worsening situation in Myanmar means conditions for the voluntary, safe, dignified, and sustainable return of the Rohingya are not in place. We thank the UN, the Government of Bangladesh, and other hosting nations for their generosity and for the lifesaving support they are providing to the Rohingya. We should support efforts to meaningfully include their voices in discussions on Myanmar’s future – a peaceful, democratic future that meets the aspirations of the people of Myanmar.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Secretary of State of Scotland responds to March Labour Market Stats [March 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Secretary of State of Scotland responds to March Labour Market Stats [March 2023]

    The press release issued by the Secretary of State for Scotland on 16 March 2023.

    The Secretary of State welcomes the publication of national statistics covering the Scottish Labour Market for the three month period November 2022-January 2023.

    Secretary of State for Scotland Alister Jack said:

    “Today’s figures reflect that, although we still face significant challenges, Scotland’s labour market remains resilient. We have record numbers of people on the payroll and unemployment remains around historic lows.

    “There is more to do to stabilise our economy and this week the Chancellor will set out the next steps in our plan to grow the UK economy, halve inflation and to cut debt. These will include measures to boost opportunity across the country, including expected support for Edinburgh’s festival economy, which contributes more than £300 million a year to the UK.”

  • PRESS RELEASE : Ukrainians are forced to endure horrors in their fight for freedom – UK statement to the OSCE [March 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Ukrainians are forced to endure horrors in their fight for freedom – UK statement to the OSCE [March 2023]

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

    Ambassador Bush shares testimonies from three of the brave Ukrainians who spoke at a recent event held by the British Embassy in Kyiv.

    Thank you, Mr Chair. As my Ukrainian colleague has just highlighted, this weekend marks nine years since the illegal annexation of Crimea. Let us not forget – 2014 was the year when Russia’s aggression against Ukraine started. Russia deployed military troops to the Crimean Peninsula with the intention of taking it by force, and nine years ago today, tried to give these actions a veneer of legitimacy with a sham referendum. We have seen systematic restrictions of fundamental freedoms and violations of human rights for the people of Crimea, especially ethnic and religious minorities, ever since.

    As we know, since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine last year, many of the practices first utilised on the Peninsula are being applied across the temporarily Russian controlled territories. We have heard countless reports of human rights violations in these areas. I would like to share testimonies from three of the brave Ukrainians who spoke at a recent event held by the British Embassy in Kyiv. I have changed the names of these individuals.

    Oleh and Dmytro lived in Mariupol, 7 kilometres from Azovstal. They heard the first explosions on 26 February 2022 and were soon without power. Before long, corpses were everywhere. They tried to leave with their families on 5 March. At checkpoints they were stripped and checked for any allegiance to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. They were prevented from leaving and joined a queue of thousands being subjected to ‘filtration’. Once they had their fingerprints taken and received documents permitting them to move between territories, they returned home to find their houses had been hit with explosives. The Russian forces were treating Ukrainians “like cattle”. Children were eating grass and drinking water from puddles due to shortages of food and water. They left in a convoy of 19 cars, escorted by a UN vehicle. They were allowed to leave, but to do so they had to cross a minefield.

    Petro worked for the hospital in Nova Kakhovka, Kherson, for six months under temporary Russian control. He was detained and offered the chance to collaborate. When he declined, he was taken to the basement of the national police headquarters. His photograph, fingerprints, identification, and phone were taken. He was held for 12 days in a six by four metre cell with 13 other people. There was no bed, no sink. He was allowed just two 15-minute walks per day. Sometimes, he was given leftover food from soldiers, but that was all he received. People were interrogated at night, sometimes violently in the corridors. One night, they were beaten with clubs. In his last interrogation, he was released on the condition that he left Kherson. He has been forced to leave behind everything he has worked for. He is waiting for Nova Kakhovhka to be liberated.

    Anna’s home is Oleshky, in Kherson oblast, where on 24 February fighting started around a nearby bridge. Her husband together with neighbours patrolled the town, removing unexploded bombs. On 17 March, the Russian forces took him. She has heard from a released prisoner that he is alive and in a different territory, but that he has a broken arm and has suffered a heart attack. He was reportedly charged of spying and told by the court that he would be sentenced to 10-20 years. She is waiting for his release.

    These are just three stories, but they illustrate the horrors that the Ukrainian people have been forced to endure in their fight for freedom. We thank these individuals for their courage in sharing their stories. We also join Ukraine in calling for the release of human rights activist Maksym Butkevych who was ‘sentenced’ last week in a sham trial to 13 years in prison.

    Mr Chair, the UK is proud to welcome Justice Ministers from around the world to London next week, together with the Netherlands, to provide practical support to the International Criminal Court’s investigation into alleged war crimes in Ukraine. This includes support to gather testimonies, without causing victims further distress, and to share evidence of atrocities committed on the ground. War criminals will be held to account. Justice will be served.

    Thank you.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Government commits up to £3.5 billion to future of tech and science [March 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Government commits up to £3.5 billion to future of tech and science [March 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 16 March 2023.

    The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology will play an essential role in helping deliver commitments made by the Chancellor in yesterday’s Budget.

    • Around £1 billion of government funding pledged for the next generation of supercomputing and AI research to establish the UK as a science and technology superpower
    • government accepts all recommendations from Sir Patrick Vallance’s Review into smarter regulation, ensuring we establish gold-standard in regulation for future industries
    • new Quantum Strategy, backed by £2.5 billion in the next 10 years, to pave the way for bring new investment, fast-growing businesses and high-quality jobs to the UK

    Yesterday (Wednesday 15 March), the Chancellor of the Exchequer delivered his Spring Budget to the House of Commons, laying out his fiscal plans for the next financial year.

    As part of his statement, the Chancellor put words into action, pledging almost £3.5 billion to support the government’s ambitions to make the UK a scientific and technologic superpower. The funding announced will support the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology in delivering on the Prime Minister’s key priorities, including on growing the UK economy and creating better-paid jobs and opportunities for people in industries across the country.

    The Chancellor also announced that the government will accept all recommendations of Sir Patrick Vallance’s review into regulating emerging digital technologies. This forms part of the government’s plans to develop the gold-standard for regulation in the technologies of tomorrow, providing a template capable of being adopted across the world.

    The announcements in this week’s budget follows publication of the government’s Science and Technology Framework last week, backed by £370 million in new funding and projects that will help with ensuring the UK has the skills and infrastructure to take a global lead in game-changing technologies.

    The money pledged by the Chancellor will be essential to achieving the framework’s goals of financing innovative science and technology start-ups across the UK, boosting investment in research and development and forging a pro-innovation culture throughout the UK’s public sector to improve public services.

    Science, Innovation and Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan said:

    This week, we’ve shown that actions speak louder than words in our push to make the UK a science and technology superpower. We stepped in to protect the finances of our burgeoning tech sector over the weekend, set out our roadmap to regulate the industries of tomorrow and committed huge sums of investment in the Spring Budget.

    When I launched this Department, I promised to ensure every lever of government was behind our plans to drive growth through science and innovation. Yesterday’s Budget shows that as a government, we are putting our money where our mouth is, backing the industries that will create jobs, provide the firepower to invest in our public services, and ultimately improve lives.

    Innovation Accelerators

    As part of extended plans to supercharge local growth across the country, the Chancellor announced plans to invest £100 million into 26 transformative R&D projects in Glasgow, Greater Manchester and West Midlands. The Innovation Accelerators programme is a new approach to supporting city regions to become major, globally competitive centres for research and innovation and will support levelling up.

    Through the programme, local leaders will be empowered to harness innovation in support of regional economic growth through a pioneering a new model of R&D decision-making. Local government, business and R&D institutions have chosen 26 projects for the programme, including:

    • a University of Birmingham-led project to accelerate new health and medical technologies
    • the Manchester Turing Innovation Hub linking business to cutting edge AI research and technologies to help enhance their productivity
    • support in Glasgow to boost investment in key growth innovation sectors including advanced manufacturing, space, and precision medicine

    Quantum Strategy

    The UK has been a world-leader in quantum technologies for over a decade, and a new strategy has been launched to build on this progress. The strategy will bring new investment, fast-growing businesses and high-quality jobs to the UK, cementing its reputation as a top location to commercialise quantum. There is immense opportunity for quantum in the UK, already home to the largest number of quantum start-ups in Europe, and attracting more capital investment than any other country in Europe.

    Within the strategy we will commit to providing public funding of £2.5 billion over the next 10-year phase of the national programme (2024 to 2034). This represents an increase in funding of around £150 million per annum. It should give the UK an ambitious and globally competitive programme that will be welcomed by the sector.  The investment will support our goal to make the UK a science and technology superpower, building on our scientific excellence to drive growth and helping to build a strong and resilient economy and society.

    Sue Daley, Director of Tech and Innovation at techUK, said:

    The commercialisation of quantum technologies will play a key role in the UK’s ambition to be a global science and technology superpower. That is why it’s encouraging to see the National Quantum Strategy incorporate recommendations from techUK’s Quantum Commercialisation report and allocate £2.5 billion in funding for crucial steps including skills, procurement, market development and responsible innovation.

    With the right collaboration industry and government can turn the UK’s current success in quantum research into a world-leading position in quantum commercialisation.

    R&D tax reliefs

    The government remains committed to supporting R&D and recognises the important role that R&D and innovation play for the economy and society. From 1 April 2023, the government will introduce an increased rate of relief for loss-making R&D intensive Small and Medium size Enterprises (SMEs). Eligible companies will receive £27 from HMRC for every £100 of R&D investment.

    Steve Bates OBE, CEO of BioIndustry Association said:

    This is a huge boost for biotech companies across the UK developing new medicines and improving healthcare for patients. Our research-intensive industry is a key growth area for Britain’s economy. The Chancellor is rightly focusing UK taxpayer support to enable life science entrepreneurs to crowd in more private investment, help keep the UK at the cutting-edge of international science, and create new high-value jobs across the UK.

    AI White Paper and Sandbox

    A new approach to AI regulation, focusing on the applications of AI rather than setting rigid rules for products with an AI component, will be set out in a forthcoming AI White Paper. The new approach will drive business confidence, promote investment, boost public trust and ultimately drive productivity across the economy.

    A new AI sandbox will also be launched, serving as a one-stop shop to test how regulation could be applied to the future of AI, while supporting innovators in getting their cutting-edge products to market without being blocked by the usual rules. The government will also begin working at pace to lead the way in clarifying the application of intellectual property law regarding generative AI.

    Exascale Supercomputer

    The Chancellor also confirmed around £900 million in investment into a new ‘exascale’ supercomputer and a dedicated AI Research Resource. Exascale computers are the next frontier in computing, and the system being funded will be several times more powerful than the UK’s existing top supercomputers.

    This funding will provide a significant uplift in the UK’s computing capacity and will allow researchers to understand climate change, power the discovery of new drugs and maximise potential in AI – making breakthroughs that will benefit everyone in society and the economy. The UK will become one of only a handful of countries in the world to host an exascale computer, attracting the best talent and ensuring researchers have access to the best infrastructure in the world.

    Web3

    The budget also committed to ensuring the UK is ahead of the curve on the future of web technology and maximising the potential of Web3. Web3 are the plans for a future iteration of the internet, that embraces decentralisation, open-source applications and blockchain computing architecture.

    AI Challenge Prize

    The Budget also confirmed that the government will award a £1 million prize every year for the next 10 years for the best research into AI. It will be called the ‘Manchester Prize’, named after the world’s first stored-programme computer build at the University of Manchester in 1948, and it will allow a broad range of participants to enter, to help groups / individuals outside traditional research / grant structures receive funding and access to networks, and. The prize will be administered by DSIT, and we will provide more details in due course.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Philip Duffy appointed new Environment Agency Chief Executive [March 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Philip Duffy appointed new Environment Agency Chief Executive [March 2023]

    The press release issued by the Environment Agency on 16 March 2023.

    Philip Duffy has been appointed as the new Chief Executive of the Environment Agency (EA) and will start in the role on 1 July.

    Philip has had a long career in the civil service and joins from HM Treasury where he was Director-General of Growth and Productivity, leading work on the environment, transport, productivity, business support and culture. In this role he oversaw the Treasury’s work on spending and policies to create sustainable growth across the UK.

    As Chief Executive, Philip will lead the EA’s work in tackling some of the biggest challenges facing the environment, from climate change and extreme weather events through to improving the health of England’s waters for the benefit of people and wildlife.

    The appointment follows a competitive recruitment round.

    Commenting on his appointment, Philip Duffy said:

    “I am delighted to be taking on leadership of the Environment Agency. The Agency’s mission – to protect and enhance the environment and support sustainable development – has never been more critical. ­

    “The Agency can be proud of its record. And as it approaches its 30th anniversary, I look forward to hearing from all sides about what should come next, and what more the Agency could do to make this the first generation to leave the environment in a better state than it inherited.”

    Chair of the Environment Agency, Alan Lovell, said:

    “We’re very excited to have Philip joining the Environment Agency. As climate change and population growth increase the pressures on England’s precious resources, we have a vital role delivering for people, nature and the economy. Philip brings considerable experience from the Treasury and will head up a truly excellent Executive team.

    “The Board and I are grateful to James Bevan for his leadership over the last seven years and look forward to building on strong foundations to help the Environment Agency deliver even more in the years to come.”

    Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey said:

    “I want to thank Sir James for his service as Chief Executive of the Environment Agency over the last seven years.

    “I congratulate Philip on his appointment and look forward to working with him as we continue to deliver on our shared national endeavour to improve the environment.”

    Sir James Bevan will step down as Chief Executive on 31 March 2023 as planned, after over seven years in post. EA Executive Director for Local Operations John Curtin will be Chief Executive until Philip Duffy starts in the role on 1 July.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Support for households and energy security at the heart of Budget [March 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Support for households and energy security at the heart of Budget [March 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 16 March 2023.

    The Budget sets out key measures to support households with energy bills and strengthen the UK’s energy security.

    Measures to support households with their bills and increase the country’s energy security and independence are at the heart of the Budget announced by the Chancellor.

    With Putin’s illegal war raging in Ukraine, Energy Security Secretary Grant Shapps said the moves will be vital to help people until global gas prices fall further as expected.

    Delivering on the Prime Minister’s priorities to ease the cost of living and grow the economy, the Chancellor set out new bold commitments to extend energy bill support for households and to invest in carbon capture, low carbon hydrogen and nuclear as part of a ‘clean energy reset’ to ensure the UK’s energy security in the long term.

    The new commitments support the Energy Security Secretary’s ambition for Britain to have among the lowest wholesale electricity prices in Europe by 2035, driving economic growth in the longer term while strengthening the UK’s energy security and independence.

    Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Grant Shapps said:

    This Budget supports both our immediate and longer-term priorities – bringing energy bills down and keeping them down, while also setting Britain on a path to greater energy security and independence.

    Not only will this help achieve our mission for wholesale electricity prices to be among the cheapest in Europe, but it will also help grow our economy through new cutting-edge industries, supporting investment and creating jobs.

    Providing energy bills support for households

    The Chancellor set out further support to ease cost-of-living pressures on households, including keeping energy bills down to help reduce inflation, and ending the premium that over 4 million households pay on their prepayment meter.

    Extending energy bills support

    • The Energy Price Guarantee (EPG) will remain at £2,500 for an additional 3 months from April to June
    • energy prices are 50% lower than forecast in October, but remain higher than they were before the war in Ukraine, meaning this support will help bridge the gap for families ahead of an expected fall in prices in July
    • the Energy Price Guarantee protects customers from increases in energy costs by limiting the amount suppliers can charge per unit of energy used
    • this follows previous government support provided over this winter which has already cut the typical household energy bill by almost half

    Ending the ‘prepayment penalty’

    • The government is taking action to end the ‘prepayment penalty’, introducing fairness reforms to energy bills to remove the premium paid by households using prepayment meters (PPMs)
    • this will cut energy bills for over 4 million families across the UK by bringing their costs into line with those paid by comparable customers on direct debits, saving them £45 a year on energy bills. The change is expected to come into effect from July 1 through updates to the Energy Price Guarantee

    Delivering a clean energy ‘reset’

    To shield households from high energy bills in the future, there will be a ‘reset’ to clean up the UK’s domestic energy supply and boost long term energy security. This will help achieve the Energy Security Secretary’s mission for the UK to have among the cheapest wholesale electricity prices in Europe.

    Investing in carbon capture, usage and storage (CCUS)

    • The Chancellor announced £20 billion investment to transform carbon capture in Britain, supporting the early development of CCUS to put the UK at a strategic advantage by being a global frontrunner in this developing new green technology
    • this funding will help secure long-term energy security while helping create up to 50,000 jobs
    • CCUS will cut emissions while ensuring a diverse energy supply. This process captures and safely stores CO2 produced from burning gas or waste to generate electricity, from new low carbon hydrogen production for use across the economy, and other industrial processes, like creating cement, deep underground offshore
    • the UK has enough carbon capture capacity to store over a century and half of national annual CO2 emissions, making it well-placed to become a world-leader in the carbon capture market. Accelerating the UK’s carbon capture and low carbon hydrogen industries will help grow the economy by encouraging investment into the country, and support the UK’s industrial transition to cleaner, greener processes and technology
    • this unprecedented investment over the next 20 years will put us on track to store 20-30 million tonnes of CO2 a year by 2030 – equal to emissions from 10-15 million cars – helping us meet our net zero goals.

    Accelerating new nuclear power

    • The government is launching Great British Nuclear (GBN) to support new nuclear builds as the government works towards net zero, helping address any constraints in the nuclear market
    • first announced in the British Energy Security Strategy, GBN will enable an ambitious civil nuclear programme and ensure the UK is one of the best places in the world to invest in new nuclear
    • the intention is that GBN will launch the first staged competition for Small Modular Reactors, which is expected to attract the best designs from both domestic and international vendors
    • the initial focus for GBN will be on Small Modular Reactors, but it will support government’s consideration of further large gigawatt-scale projects to help us deliver on our net zero ambitions
    • GBN is intended to play a fundamental role in the delivery of clean, safe electricity for generations to come, ensuring our country is no longer at the mercy of global fossil fuel markets and setting us inexorably on the path towards net zero
    • further details on GBN’s set up, leadership and operations will be announced by the end of March

    In addition, to encourage private sector investment into our nuclear programme, the Chancellor confirmed that, subject to consultation, nuclear power will be classed as environmentally sustainable as part of the tax framework, incentivising private investment in this important technology alongside renewables. Further details will be set out by the Treasury in due course.

  • PRESS RELEASE : This mandate renewal sends a clear message that we will not abandon women and girls in Afghanistan – UK Statement at the Security Council [March 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : This mandate renewal sends a clear message that we will not abandon women and girls in Afghanistan – UK Statement at the Security Council [March 2023]

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

    Explanation of vote by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council meeting on Afghanistan.

    Thank you, President.

    Restrictions on the rights of Afghan women and girls – across political, economic and social spheres – are becoming increasingly acute. Women continue to be erased from Afghan society. Girls are still barred from secondary school.

    Today’s unanimous decision to renew UNAMA’s robust mandate sends a clear message: the international community will not abandon women and girls. The work of the mission in protecting, promoting and monitoring the rights of all Afghans, including advocating for inclusive and representative governance is more important than ever. And through it, we will work to hold the Taliban to account on its commitments.

    The Taliban’s recent decree barring Afghan women from working for NGOs has also impacted humanitarian operations. This at a time when more than 28 million people, two thirds of the population, are in humanitarian need. We commend UNAMA’s ongoing work in leading and coordinating efforts to get aid to those who need it most, in challenging circumstances.

    In closing, I want to pay tribute to the tireless work of UNAMA, UN agencies and NGO implementing partners on the ground, and to reaffirm the UK’s solidarity with the Afghan people.

    Thank you.

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

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

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

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

    Latest update

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Previous updates

    Friday 3 March 2023

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

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

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

    Dr Derren Ready, UKHSA incident director, said:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Thursday 16 February 2023

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

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

    Dr Derren Ready, Incident Director, UKHSA, said:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Friday 3 February 2023

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

    The symptoms of scarlet fever include:

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

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

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

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

    Dr Sarah Anderson at UKHSA said:

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

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

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

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

    Thursday 19 January 2023

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Dr Derren Ready, UKHSA incident director, said:

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

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

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

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

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

    Thursday 12 January 2023

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

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

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

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

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

    Dr Sarah Anderson, UKHSA incident director, said:

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

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

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

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

    Thursday 5 January 2022

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

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

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

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

    Dr Obaghe Edeghere, UKHSA incident director, said:

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

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

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

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

    Thursday 29 December 2022

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

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

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

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

    Dr Obaghe Edeghere, UKHSA incident director, said:

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

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

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

    Thursday 22 December 2022

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

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

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

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

    Dr Colin Brown, Deputy Director, UKHSA, said:

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

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

    Thursday 15 December 2022

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

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

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

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

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

    Dr Colin Brown, Deputy Director, UKHSA, said:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Symptoms can include nausea and vomiting.

    The symptoms of ‘strep’ throat include:

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

    The symptoms of iGAS include:

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

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

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

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

    Call 999 or go to A&E if:

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

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

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

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

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

    Thursday 8 December 2022

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Dr Colin Brown, Deputy Director, UKHSA, said:

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

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

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

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

    Call 999 or go to A&E if:

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

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

    Friday 2 December 2022

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Call 999 or go to A&E if:

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

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

    Dr Colin Brown, Deputy Director, UKHSA, said:

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

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

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

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

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

    Thank you, Mr Vice-President,

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

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

    Madam Special Representative,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Releasing the report, Treasury Lords Minister Baroness Penn said:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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