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Tag: Press Release

  • PRESS RELEASE : Plan to forge a better Britain through science and technology unveiled [March 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Plan to forge a better Britain through science and technology unveiled [March 2023]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 6 March 2023.

    The Prime Minister and Technology Secretary today launched the government’s plan to cement the UK’s place as a science and technology superpower by 2030.

    • Bold plan to grow the UK economy, create high-paid jobs of the future, protect our security, and radically improve people’s lives through science, innovation and technology outlined
    • the plan will bring every part of government together to meet one single goal: to cement the UK’s place as a global science and technology superpower by 2030
    • backed by over £370 million in new government funding to boost infrastructure, investment and skills for the UK’s most exciting growing technologies, from quantum and supercomputing through to AI

    The Prime Minister and Technology Secretary have today (Monday 6 March) launched the government’s plan to cement the UK’s place as a science and technology superpower by 2030, alongside a raft of new measures backed by over £370 million to boost investment in innovation, bring the world’s best talent to the UK, and seize the potential of ground-breaking new technologies like AI.

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

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

    The 10 points of the new Science and Technology Framework centre on:

    • identifying, pursuing and achieving strategic advantage in the technologies that are most critical to achieving UK objectives
    • showcasing the UK’s S&T strengths and ambitions at home and abroad to attract talent, investment and boost our global influence
    • boosting private and public investment in research and development for economic growth and better productivity
    • building on the UK’s already enviable talent and skills base
    • financing innovative science and technology start-ups and companies
    • capitalising on the UK government’s buying power to boost innovation and growth through public sector procurement
    • shaping the global science and tech landscape through strategic international engagement, diplomacy and partnerships
    • ensuring researchers have access to the best physical and digital infrastructure for R&D that attracts talent, investment and discoveries
    • leveraging post-Brexit freedoms to create world-leading pro-innovation regulation and influence global technical standards
    • creating a pro-innovation culture throughout the UK’s public sector to improve the way our public services run

    The delivery of this new Framework will begin immediately with an initial raft of projects, worth around £500 million in new and existing funding, which will help ensure the UK has the skills and infrastructure to take a global lead in game-changing technologies.

    Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:

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

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

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

    Science, Innovation and Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan said:

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

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

    The initial package of projects to drive forward the actions of the Science and Technology Framework includes:

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

    The Framework has been designed in consultation with industry experts and academics, to help deliver stronger growth, better jobs, and bold discoveries to tackle the challenges of today and tomorrow.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    The government will be making further announcements shortly, including publication of the Wireless Infrastructure Strategy.

  • PRESS RELEASE : RAF Chinook conducts airborne gunnery training in Lincolnshire [March 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : RAF Chinook conducts airborne gunnery training in Lincolnshire [March 2023]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • PRESS RELEASE : Culture Secretary encourages public to add Coronation events to digital map [March 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Culture Secretary encourages public to add Coronation events to digital map [March 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport on 4 March 2023.

    An interactive map detailing events taking place to celebrate the Coronation will be launched this week by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

    • The Culture Secretary has called on the public to add their own events showcasing local celebrations that will bring communities together
    • Comes as the Prime Minister confirms he will host a ‘Big Lunch’ at Downing Street to mark the coronation weekend

    With two months to go until the Coronation, members of the public and community organisations across the UK have been invited by the Culture Secretary to share how they will celebrate this historic milestone on a digital map to be launched this weekend.

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

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

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

    Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Other resources are also available online to help everyone celebrate the Coronation at home. From bunting ideas to recipes, a party playlist, postcards and creative templates plus recipe ideas and activities for children and families.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Joint statement on Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories [March 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Joint statement on Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories [March 2023]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Mr. President,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Minister for Pensions, Laura Trott, said:

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

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

    Jonathan Gullis MP, said:

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • PRESS RELEASE : HRC52 – Statement on Sudan [March 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : HRC52 – Statement on Sudan [March 2023]

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

    The UK’s Ambassador to the WTO and UN in Geneva, Simon Manley, delivered this statement on Sudan at the 52nd session of the UN Human Rights Council.

    Thank you, Mr President, and welcome to the Minister of Justice of Sudan

    The UK continues to stand in solidarity with the Sudanese people and their demands for democracy, freedom and justice. We therefore welcome the signing of the political framework agreement in December by different Sudanese parties – an important step for Sudan’s transition to civilian-led government.

    Let me congratulate Mr Nouicer on his appointment as the High Commissioner’s new Designated Expert, and thank him and the High Commissioner for their early visits to Sudan. We appreciate the continued cooperation of the Sudanese authorities with his mandate.

    While these developments are encouraging, there is still much to be done in addressing the overall human rights situation. The death of a protestor from live ammunition on 28 February was unacceptable and deeply concerning. We continue to urge security and military forces to fulfil their obligation to protect civilians and respect their right to peaceful protest and freedom of expression, without fear of violence or arbitrary detention. And to ensure that those responsible for human rights violations are held to account.

    High Commissioner,

    What opportunities do you and Mr Nouicer see for encouraging constructive participation in the dialogues launched to address issues central to the framework agreement?

    Thank you.

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

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

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

    Mrs Harriet King has been appointed British High Commissioner to the Republic of The Gambia in succession to Mr David Belgrove OBE. Mrs King will take up her appointment during September 2023.

    Curriculum Vitae

    Full name: Harriet Catherine King

    Married to: William King

    Children: Two

    Date Role
    2022 to present FCDO, Head of Strategic Engagement, Strategy Directorate
    2018 to 2022 Rabat, Head, Political Internal and Programmes
    2014 to 2018 Dakar, Deputy Head of Mission and HM Consul
    2013 to 2014 FCO, Sahel Task Force
    2011 to 2012 FCO, Desk Officer for Egypt, Middle East and North Africa Directorate
    2006 to 2010 FCO, Head of Crisis Operations and other operational and policy roles, Crisis Management Department
    2005 to 2006 FCO, Assistant Board Secretary, Strategy Group
    2004 to 2005 FCO, Desk Officer, Strategy Group
    2002 to 2004 FCO, Visits Officer, Conference and Visits Group
  • PRESS RELEASE : HRC52 – UK Statement on Nicaragua [March 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : HRC52 – UK Statement on Nicaragua [March 2023]

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

    During the 52nd session of the UN Human Rights Council, Rita French, the UK’s Human Rights Ambassador, delivered a statement on the situation in Nicaragua.

    Thank you, Assistant Secretary-General for your update on the human rights situation in Nicaragua.

    The deterioration of human rights in Nicaragua is of great concern. The climate of repression has led to shrinking space for freedom of expression and an independent media, as well as restrictions on the right to peaceful assembly. Last November, I had the opportunity to hear first-hand from those forced into exile in Costa Rica. Reports of further harassment and arbitrary detention, represent an unacceptable degradation of Nicaraguans’ civil, political and other human rights.

    Whilst the release of 222 political prisoners in February is welcomed, the Nicaraguan government decision to expel these individuals and strip them of their Nicaraguan nationality is concerning. We also call for the release of all other political prisoners.

    Free and fair elections offering real choice are a necessary foundation of any stable, healthy democracy. Municipal elections in Nicaragua on 6 November 2022 were not free, fair or credible as confirmed by the Inter-American Commission of Human Rights, which noted the absence of an independent electoral system and the continued violation of the rights of those identified as ‘opposition’ politicians.

    Assistant Secretary-General,

    We would welcome your views on how we can protect democratic opposition and human rights defenders from further persecution?

    Thank you.