Tag: Press Release

PRESS RELEASE : UN HRC52 – Statement on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities [March 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 March 2023.

During the 52nd session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, the UK delivered a statement on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on 13 March 2023.

We thank you, Special Rapporteur, for your report on transformation of services for disabled people highlighting, among other points, the importance of devolved, personalised budgets and personal support plans.

The United Kingdom remains committed to championing the rights of persons with disabilities and implementing the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities through strong policies and legislation. Our 10-year vision to transform support and care in England is set out in the adult social care white paper, published in December 2021.

Under the Care Act 2014, local authorities have a duty to produce a care and support plan and offer a personal budget following a needs assessment. The Act allows people to receive personal budgets enabling them to plan their own care and support as well as exercise control over how it is provided.

In line with the report’s recommendation to improve transparency and accountability, the Health and Care Act 2022 includes a new duty for the Care Quality Commission to assess local authorities’ delivery of adult social care duties and to better understand the quality of care in local areas.

Special Rapporteur,

What more can States do to ensure disabled people are systematically included in the process of designing new models of services?

March 14, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : New fund announced to support UK’s national security priorities [March 2023]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 13 March 2023.

The new UKISF will help keep the UK safe and address global sources of volatility and insecurity.

The Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, has announced today (Monday 13 March) the launch of a new fund to help keep the UK safe and address global sources of volatility and insecurity.

The UK Integrated Security Fund (UKISF) will replace the existing Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF), and will have a wider remit, funding projects both at home and overseas to tackle some of the most complex national security challenges facing the UK and its partners. Combining several smaller funds across government, the UKISF will have a budget of almost £1 billion.

The UKISF will also support the work of the new Economic Deterrence Initiative (EDI), which will tackle sanctions evasion across the UK’s trade, transport and financial sanctions. An additional £50m in funding has been provided to improve enforcement of the UK’s sanctions regime and prepare the Government for responding to potential future hostile acts. The government will also work with the private sector to maximise the reach of sanctions against those who pose a threat to the UK.

The current CSSF was launched in 2015 and operates in over 80 countries and territories, delivering more than 90 programmes and combines Official Development Assistance (ODA) and other, non-ODA funding sources.

Current programmes include assistance to Ukraine following the illegal invasion by Russia and countering Russian disinformation on the invasion, as well as developing a number of regional cyber strategies which help the UK’s allies deter cyber-attacks on their national infrastructure.

Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly, said:

“The new Integrated Security Fund will allow the UK to deliver on the core priorities of the Integrated Review, from fostering security in fragile states to deterring cyber threats and holding human rights abusers to account.

“As part of this, the Economic Deterrence Initiative will ensure there is nowhere to hide from our sanctions regime. Since Russia began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the UK and our international partners have imposed an unprecedented package of sanctions in order to damage Putin’s capacity to fund his illegal war, undermine his military machine, and target those who prop up the regime.”

The UK can impose a range of sanctions against individuals or organisations that pose a threat to the UK or its interests. These include asset freezes, travel bans, trade sanctions and transport sanctions.

March 13, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK announces increased funding for China Capabilities Programme [March 2023]
The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 13 March 2023.

The Prime Minister is increasing funding to further boost skills and knowledge for government staff on China.
- The Prime Minister announces doubling UK funding for 2024/25 to build expertise on China.
- Will boost Mandarin language skills and UK’s ability to engage with and understand China, while protecting national security.
The Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, is increasing funding to further boost skills and knowledge for government staff on China, including on economic and military policy as well as Mandarin language skills.

Extra financial support will be provided for the cross-department ‘China Capabilities Programme’ which operates to increase Chinese expertise across the UK government.

Since the last Integrated Review in 2021, the government has taken a number of steps to increase knowledge of and expertise on China, including provision for the training of more than 170 civil servants in Mandarin.

The Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly, said:

It’s vital that our diplomats and civil servants have the understanding and expertise to engage and adapt to the increasing challenge posed by China, and China’s growing role in world affairs.

This extra resource will help boost knowledge and language skills across government, in the face of the systemic challenge that China poses to the UK’s security, prosperity, and values.

The Integrated Review Refresh launched today (Monday 13 March) sets out how – in the last two years – the UK has become increasingly concerned about the military, diplomatic and economic activity of the Chinese Communist Party.

This includes military activity over Taiwan, attempts at coercion, and the sanctioning of British MPs. China is becoming more authoritarian at home and more assertive overseas.

This increase in funding is another example of the action the UK is taking to ensure effective engagement with China, while protecting national security.

Notes to editors:

A smaller pilot programme was launched last year, which delivered:
- The training of 170 civil servants in Mandarin, with 20 going through a language immersion programme in Taiwan.
- Training to hundreds of HMG staff, increased China expertise in the tech and military sectors. Courses also delivered on culture, government structures and policymaking.
- Establishment of the China experts’ advisory group to test and inform Government policymaking, with a broad range of external specialists.
March 13, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : GMC promises to tackle decision-making bias [February 2023]

The press release issued by the BMA on 15 February 2023.

Internal review triggered after medical watchdog found to have racially discriminated against a doctor in an FTP investigation.

The GMC has pledged to reform its working practices with a view to tackling bias in its decision making, in a move welcomed by the BMA.

The medical watchdog has committed to implementing changes designed to improve fairness and transparency in processes such as FTP (fitness-to-practise) proceedings, following the publication of an internal review.

The review, which includes a total of 23 recommendations concerning equality and diversity and mitigating bias, was initiated after an employment tribunal ruled in June 2021 the regulator had racially discriminated against consultant urological surgeon Omer Karim during an FTP investigation.

Dr Karim successfully took action against the GMC after he was subjected to almost four years of investigation and an FTP tribunal that concluded he had done nothing wrong.

He has since been supported by the BMA following the GMC’s appeal of that decision.

BMA welcome

Publishing the report of its review today the GMC has said it has already undertaken many of the changes set out and will continue to implement those remaining during the course of this year.

BMA equality lead Latifa Patel welcomed the recommendations set out by the review, the GMC’s acknowledgement of bias and its commitment to change.

She said: ‘This review acknowledges that bias in the GMC exists and needs to be systematically challenged, rather than simply looking for reassurance that it doesn’t. This change in approach is to be welcomed.

‘We have been campaigning for reform of the GMC for years so it is good to see it moving away from repeatedly comforting itself that there is no evidence of bias in its decision making processes. The landmark case of Dr Karim, who the GMC was found to have racially discriminated against in an FTP case, had shown this was far from true.’

She added: ‘Only time will tell if the actions set out today to mitigate against bias and provide greater transparency and reassurance will be effective and improve doctors’ confidence in their regulator.

‘While this review’s findings and actions are a step in the right direction, the recent case of Dr Arora (where there were multiple missed opportunities for GMC staff to raise concerns) shows there is still a long way to go to address the flaws in the GMC’s FTP processes. We will continue to monitor the GMC’s progress and press for improvements until we have a regulator worthy of the full confidence of UK doctors.’

External scrutiny

Describing its recommendations as a ‘step change in the way the GMC monitors, assesses and assures fairness in its decisions’, the review calls for a number of important culture changes in how decision-makers at the GMC consider referrals.

These include a recommendation that external organisations such as the BMA be involved in future audits, and that anti-bias competency be included in staff professional-development plans.

Commenting on the review’s findings, GMC chief executive Charlie Massey said: ‘This was a comprehensive review of processes and decision-making across the GMC. We are already implementing many of its recommendations, and work on others will follow as part of our ongoing commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, and to learning from recent cases.

‘A degree of bias is inherent in human nature, and so a fundamental principle of our approach is to look for the risk of bias and to assess the controls we have in place to manage it. The recommendations in this report are key to that.’

March 13, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : New funding agreed to keep BBC World Service on air [March 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 March 2023.

The Government has awarded a one-off payment of £20 million to the BBC World Service as part of the refresh of the Integrated Review.

The money is being provided to protect all 42 World Service language services over the next two years, support English language broadcasting, and counter disinformation.

The refreshed Integrated Review concludes that democracies like the UK must go further to out-cooperate and out-compete states that are driving instability. Developments over the past year, particularly the conflict in Ukraine, have shown the importance of being able to counter the hostile use of disinformation and to tackle the spread of harmful state narratives.

Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly, said:

The BBC World Service is vital in the fight against the spread of disinformation around the world. This funding will ensure people across the globe continue to have access to accurate, high quality journalism.

As the world’s most trusted international broadcaster, the BBC World Service is a vital tool in providing accurate and impartial news, analysis and discussion in 42 languages to 365 million people around the world each week. This one-off funding will allow the BBC World Service to maintain its unrivalled status as the world’s largest international broadcaster, and to continue playing its crucial role in tackling harmful disinformation through providing trusted, impartial news and analysis globally.

March 13, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Treasured pets now safer as microchipping for cats becomes compulsory [March 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 13 March 2023.

New legislation laid in Parliament today introducing mandatory cat microchipping.
- Government delivers on key manifesto pledge to introduce compulsory microchipping for all owned cats
- Owners will have until 10 June 2024 to microchip their cat
- Microchipping cats will help reunite thousands of lost or stray pets every year
New legislation to introduce compulsory cat microchipping is being laid in Parliament today (13 March), making it easier for lost or stray pet cats to be reunited with their owners and returned home safely.

There are over 9 million pet cats in England, with as many as 2.3 million unchipped, meaning that it would be very difficult to reunite them with their owner if they get lost or stolen.

The new microchipping rules follow a Government call for evidence and consultation on the issue in which 99% of respondents expressed support for the measure. The introduction of compulsory cat microchipping was a manifesto commitment and an Action Plan for Animal Welfare pledge.

The new rules mean cats must be implanted with a microchip before they reach the age of 20 weeks and their contact details stored and kept up to date in a pet microchipping database. All owners must have their cat microchipped by 10 June 2024 and owners found not to have microchipped their cat will have 21 days to have one implanted, or may face a fine of up to £500.

Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey said:

“Cats and kittens are treasured members of the family, and it can be devasting for owners when they are lost or stolen.

“Legislating for compulsory microchipping of cats will give comfort to families by increasing the likelihood that lost or stray pets can be reunited with their owners.”

Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss said:

“I am pleased that we are progressing with our requirement for all cats to be microchipped.

“Microchipping is by far the most effective and quickest way of identifying lost pets. As we’ve seen with dog microchipping, those who are microchipped are more than twice as likely to be reunited with their owner.

“By getting their cat microchipped, owners can increase the likelihood that they will be reunited with their beloved pet in the event of it going missing.”

Cats Protection’s Head of Advocacy, Campaigns & Government Relations, Madison Rogers, said:

“Cats Protection is delighted that pet cats in England will be given the same protection as dogs when it comes to microchipping. The charity regularly reunites owners with their much-loved cats, and in most cases this is only possible thanks to microchips. No matter how far from home they are found, or how long they have been missing, if a cat has a microchip there is a good chance that a lost cat will be swiftly returned home.”

The process of microchipping involves the insertion of a chip, generally around the size of a grain of rice, under the skin of a pet. The microchip has a unique serial number that the keeper needs to register on a database. When an animal is found, the microchip can be read with a scanner and the registered keeper identified on a database so the pet can quickly be reunited with them.

It will not be compulsory for free living cats that live with little or no human interaction or dependency, such as farm, feral or community cats.

Owners with cats that are already microchipped should ensure their details are up to date.

The commitment to microchipping is part of a wider Government effort to build on our existing world-leading standards. Since publishing the Action Plan for Animal Welfare in 2021: we have brought in new laws to recognise animals sentience, introduced tougher penalties for animal cruelty offences and brought forward a ban on glue traps.
March 13, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Appointment to the Independent Advisory Panel on Deaths in Custody [March 2023]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 13 March 2023.

The Deputy Prime Minister, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Rt Hon. Dominic Raab MP, has announced the appointment of Raj Desai as a Member of the Independent Advisory Panel on Deaths in Custody for a tenure of 3 years. His appointment will commence on 13 March 2023 and will run until 12 March 2026.

The Independent Advisory Panel on Deaths in Custody (IAPDC) is part of the Ministerial Council on Deaths in Custody in England and Wales. The IAPDC is a source of expert advice to Ministers and departments/agencies with the central aim of preventing deaths in custodial settings. The IAPDC is co-sponsored and funded by the MoJ, Department of Health and Social Care, and the Home Office.

The Secretary of State for Justice appoints IAPDC members in consultation with co-sponsoring ministers. The roles are regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments and recruitment processes comply with the Governance Code on Public Appointments.

Biography

Mr Desai is a barrister at Matrix Chambers specialising in human rights and public law. He has significant experience representing bereaved family members following deaths in custody, including in prison, police detention and mental health settings. He has conducted research in his fields of specialism, is a co-author of textbooks on human rights law, public law and prison law, and has taught as a college lecturer at the University of Oxford.

Mr Desai advises the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) and other public bodies, and is on both the EHRC Panel of Preferred Counsel and the Attorney General’s Panel of Counsel.

March 13, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK members of international criminal gang sentenced to jail for involvement in the illegal sale and supply of prescription medicines valued at £3.7m [March 2023]
The press release issued by the Home Office on 13 March 2023.

Three members of an organised criminal gang were sentenced today (13 March 2023) at Stoke Crown Court to jail after pleading guilty to offences relating to the illegal sale of more than three million doses of prescription-only and unlicensed medicines, including controlled drugs, valued at £3.7m.

This followed a three-year investigation by the Criminal Enforcement Unit of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

Between August 2013 and December 2015, Grant Newton (49), Darrell Baggley (56) and Callum Baggley (27) sold several million pounds worth of medicines such as codeine, Tramadol, Diazepam, Zolpidem and various erectile dysfunction drugs on three different websites.

During 2015, the Criminal Enforcement Unit at the MHRA received reports from members of the public that had not received their order and others expressing concerns about relatives buying products from these websites.

The MHRA investigated the websites and, supported by the police, carried out an arrest and search operation in 2016, seizing various digital devices and storage items. Subsequent analysis evidenced that the defendants had illegally supplied more than 3.2 million doses of medicines.

Grant Newton was described in court as leading the UK arm of the global gang, while Darrell Baggley managed the warehouse and distribution, and his son, Callum, managed the bank accounts as the director of the company at the forefront of the trade.

The defendants now face custodial sentences totaling 68 months.
- Grant Newton and Darren Baggley both received 28 months in custody for one count of supplying Class B drugs, one count of supplying Class C drugs, one count of selling prescription-only medicines, one count of selling unauthorised medicinal products, and one count of being concerned in an arrangement which facilitated the acquisition, retention, use or control of criminal property.
- Callum Baggley received 12 months in custody, suspended for 18 months and 200 hours unpaid work for one count of being concerned in an arrangement which facilitated the acquisition, retention, use or control of criminal property.
Andy Morling, MHRA Deputy Director of Criminal Enforcement, said:

“Criminals trading in medicines illegally are not only breaking the law, but they also have no regard for your safety. Taking powerful medicines such as these can lead to serious adverse health consequences. You should only take prescription-only medicines with appropriate medical supervision.

“This case involved a major criminal enterprise with truly global reach. Our investigation and this prosecution effectively shut down the UK operation and dealt a significant blow to an international criminal network.

“We work to detect and investigate suspected illegal activity involving medicines and medical devices so that patients can be confident the medication they need is acceptably safe.”

“We will continue to work tirelessly to protect your health by preventing illegal trading in medicines wherever we can, disrupting offending and bringing dangerous criminals to justice.”

Ben Reid, Specialist Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), said:

“This gang created a significant risk to the public’s health by illegally selling controlled drugs and prescription medicines which can cause serious side effects. There is a reason drugs and medicines are strictly regulated and prescription drugs should only be taken under medical supervision.

“The CPS is working closely with the MHRA to bring offenders like these, who profit from the illegal sale of drugs and put vulnerable people at risk, to justice.”
March 13, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese [March 2023]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 13 March 2023.

The Prime Minister met Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in San Diego today (12 March 2023), ahead of their trilateral meeting with President Biden to discuss the next phase of the AUKUS nuclear submarine partnership.

The Prime Minister and Prime Minister Albanese agreed on the great significance of the AUKUS partnership – an unprecedented endeavour which will protect our people and support our defence industrial bases for generations to come. They agreed that with this partnership they are investing in not just our capabilities but our most important relationships.

The leaders welcomed the flourishing bilateral partnership between the UK and Australia which was going from strength to strength. They discussed further cooperation in defence and issues of shared concern, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and security in the Indo-Pacific region. The Prime Minister outlined the conclusions of the UK’s updated national security and foreign policy strategy, which will be published on Monday.

The Prime Minister updated on his recent meetings with President Zelenskyy in Kyiv and London and the leaders agreed on the importance of keeping up the staunch and unified international support for Ukraine. They agreed on the importance of the Ukraine training mission which UK and Australian troops were delivering with other partners in the UK. Separately, both leaders also agreed on the importance of both Sweden’s and Finland’s accession to NATO.

The leaders noted exciting opportunities to grow trade, investment and cultural links between the UK and Australia even further this year, as the UK ratifies the UK-Australia trade deal and continues to pursue accession to the CPTPP.

They also welcomed the friendly sporting rivalry between our two nations, and the Prime Minister said he looked forward to hopefully seeing England’s Lionesses lifting the football world cup, being hosted by Australia and New Zealand later this year.

March 13, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Grant funding awarded to help vulnerable people with legal issues [March 2023]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 13 March 2023.

The Access to Justice Foundation has been awarded funding to administer the ‘Improving Outcomes Through Legal Support’ grant.

The grant will help thousands more people get access to early legal help after the government announced £12 million of new grant funding in November 2022.

This new grant will run from July 2023 until March 2025, with a greater emphasis on the provision of at court support and building an evidence base through robust data collection. The Access to Justice Foundation has published details on how to apply.

The funding will be awarded to charities providing advice and support to people with legal problems– helping them to better understand their issues and avoid costly court proceedings. This will help to ensure that for those cases where court or tribunal proceedings are necessary, people have the support they need to navigate the process effectively.

This funding adds to more than £5 million of investment from MOJ in this financial year, including a £1 million cost-of-living grant, to help organisations respond to increasing demand for free legal advice. Specialist guidance is offered in person, by telephone or online, to help deal with problems before they escalate or to support those who need to appear in court.

The current Help Accessing Legal Support grant worth £4.8 million will conclude in June 2023.

The Access to Justice Foundation has now launched the application process to award funding to organisations that will directly offer guidance and support. The closing date for applications is 4pm on Friday 5 May 2023.

March 13, 2023