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Tag: Press Release

  • PRESS RELEASE : Holding down pay is putting our economy in a doom loop, says TUC [January 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Holding down pay is putting our economy in a doom loop, says TUC [January 2023]

    The press release issued by the TUC on 13 January 2023.

    Commenting on today’s (Friday) GDP data, which shows growth declining 0.3 per cent in the three months to November, TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak said:

    “People’s living standards have already plummeted. And now falling GDP is putting jobs and businesses at risk. But there is little sign that Rishi Sunak’s government has any kind of plan to get our economy quickly back to growth.

    “We urgently need workers to have more spending power to help the UK bounce back from decline. But instead, ministers are going all out to hold down pay. That’s only going to make a bad situation worse and keep us in a doom loop.”

  • PRESS RELEASE : Our right to strike is under attack [February 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Our right to strike is under attack [February 2023]

    The press release issued by the TUC on 10 January 2023.

    This government has gone from clapping key workers to threatening them with the sack if they take lawful action for a pay rise. That’s wrong and almost certainly illegal. We need to take action now.

    Rishi Sunak has detailed his anti-union legislation and plans to introduce new laws in the coming weeks.

    It means that when workers democratically vote to strike, they could be forced to work and sacked if they don’t. That’s wrong, unworkable, and almost certainly illegal.

    These new laws are a direct attack on working people’s fundamental right to strike to defend their pay, terms and conditions.

    Instead of listening to the concerns of working people and negotiating fair deals, Rishi Sunak has decided to undermine the right to strike.

    Every working person is under attack from these new laws.

    Add your name and join the campaign. We must defend the right to strike.

    As the cost-of-living crisis continues to hurt workers everywhere, we need to be able to stand together and choose to strike when we must. These laws will do nothing to fix this crisis – they will make it even harder for working people to get pay rises.

    The change we need will not come from a petition, but if tens of thousands sign today it will show how many of us are ready to fight these unjust laws.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Attacking the right to strike does nothing to resolve current disputes [January 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Attacking the right to strike does nothing to resolve current disputes [January 2023]

    The press release issued by the TUC on 5 January 2023.

    Responding to today’s (Thursday) attack on the right to strike to defend workers’ pay and conditions, the TUC has said that the Prime Minister should concentrate on fixing our public services, not attacking public sector staff.

    The union body says that the proposed legislation would make it harder for disputes to be resolved.

    TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak said:

    “This is an attack on the right to strike. It’s an attack on working people. And it’s an attack on one of our longstanding British liberties.

    “It means that when workers democratically vote to strike, they can be forced to work and sacked if they don’t. That’s wrong, unworkable, and almost certainly illegal.

    “The announcement offers nothing more to help with this year’s pay and the cost of living crisis.

    “The only offer of talks is for next year. But we need to resolve the current disputes and boost the pay of public sector workers now.

    “The Prime Minister said yesterday his door is always open – if he’s serious, he should prove it. He should take up my offer to get around the table to improve this year’s pay and end the current disputes.

    “There is a world of difference between promises of jam tomorrow with technical discussions about pay review bodies, and proper negotiations on pay in the here and now.

    “Our public services are already deep in a staffing crisis. But this government has gone from clapping key workers to threatening them with the sack if they take lawful action for a pay rise. It will only push more people away from essential jobs in public services, harming the whole nation.”

    On the trade union campaigning to defend the right to strike, Paul added:

    “Trade unions will fight this every step of the way. We’re inviting every worker – public and private sector, and everyone who wants to protect British liberties -to be a part of our campaign to defend the right to strike.”

  • PRESS RELEASE : New TUC leader calls for urgent meeting with Rishi Sunak to help resolve public sector disputes [January 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : New TUC leader calls for urgent meeting with Rishi Sunak to help resolve public sector disputes [January 2023]

    The press release issued by the TUC on 3 January 2023.

    TUC head calls on PM to change approach, and urges ministers to work constructively with unions
    • Paul Nowak says staffing crises in health and education will get worse unless public service staff get a fair pay deal
    • Nowak is ready to “clear his diary” to find a resolution

    The new General Secretary of the TUC Paul Nowak has today (Wednesday) called for an urgent meeting with the Prime Minister and a change in government direction that permits ministers to open pay negotiations with unions to resolve disputes.

    In a letter to Rishi Sunak, Nowak highlights the need for urgent pay negotiations:

    “Our public services are in crisis after years of underfunding and understaffing. We can’t solve these problems without a fair deal for the people on the frontline.

    “Every month experienced employees are quitting, with one in three public service staff now taking steps to leave their professions or actively considering it.

    “This is simply unsustainable.

    “But we cannot fix the staffing crisis in our schools, hospitals and elsewhere if we do not fix the underlying causes.

    “That means talking in an open and constructive way about improving public sector pay. But so far your ministers have refused to negotiate directly about pay with unions.”

    Highlighting the need for the government to change approach, Nowak says:

    “Unions worked closely with you during the pandemic to deliver the furlough scheme and to protect millions of jobs.

    “That’s the kind of mature approach we need now.

    “Unions have already made clear their willingness to sit down with the government and talk about boosting pay. But while your ministers continue to refuse point blank to discuss improving wages, there can be no resolution.

    “In the NHS, for example, appropriate structures already exist to allow the immediate start of pay negotiations involving health unions, employers and ministers. This was exactly what happened in 2018, leading to the three-year wage deal.

    “We want to find a resolution to the current disputes so our public service staff can get on with doing the jobs they love. And so our public services can start to improve for everyone who relies on them.”

    Editors note

    The full letter reads:

    Dear Prime Minister.

    I’m writing to you today to ask for an urgent meeting.

    Public sector workers don’t want to be out on strike this winter. They care passionately about their vocations and the communities they serve.

    But they have been left with no choice.

    Ambulance staff, physiotherapists, teachers and millions of others have seen their living standards decimated by over a decade of pay cuts and wage freezes.

    And with inflation north of 10 per cent, they simply cannot afford another real-terms pay cut.

    Our public services are in crisis after years of underfunding and understaffing. We can’t solve these problems without a fair deal for the people on the frontline.

    Every month experienced employees are quitting, with one in three public service staff now taking steps to leave their professions or actively considering it.

    This is simply unsustainable.

    But we cannot fix the staffing crisis in our schools, hospitals and elsewhere if we do not fix the underlying causes.

    That means talking in an open and constructive way about improving public sector pay. But so far your ministers have refused to negotiate directly about pay with unions.

    Unions worked closely with you during the pandemic to deliver the furlough scheme and to protect millions of jobs.

    That’s the kind of mature approach we need now.

    Unions have already made clear their willingness to sit down with the government and talk about boosting pay. But while your ministers continue to refuse point blank to discuss improving wages, there can be no resolution.

    In the NHS, for example, appropriate structures already exist to allow the immediate start of pay negotiations involving health unions, employers and ministers. This was exactly what happened in 2018, leading to the three-year wage deal.

    We want to find a resolution to the current disputes so our public service staff can get on with doing the jobs they love. And so our public services can start to improve for everyone who relies on them.

    I urge with you to meet with us as soon as possible and allow your ministers to adopt new approaches to resolving the public sector pay disputes.

    Paul Nowak – TUC General Secretary

    – TUC polling published in the autumn revealed that around one third of key workers in the public sector (32%) have already taken steps to leave their profession to get a job in another field or are actively considering it.

    – About the TUC: The Trades Union Congress (TUC) exists to make the working world a better place for everyone. We bring together the 5.5 million working people who make up our 48 member unions. We support unions to grow and thrive, and we stand up for everyone who works for a living.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Business Secretary calls on suppliers to put consumers first [February 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Business Secretary calls on suppliers to put consumers first [February 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on 5 February 2023.

    Grant Shapps is to give energy suppliers a deadline to urgently report back on remedial action for customers who faced wrongful prepayment meter installations.

    • Business Secretary gives energy suppliers deadline to urgently report back on remedial action for customers who faced wrongful installations
    • This follows damning reports earlier this week highlighting what appear to be breaches of rules and regulations to protect vulnerable households
    • Energy regulator Ofgem also asked to toughen up their investigations after they failed to find serious failings by British Gas

    Business and Energy Secretary Grant Shapps has today given energy bosses a deadline of Tuesday to report back to him on what remedial action – such as providing compensation – they plan to take should they have wrongfully installed prepayment meters in the homes of vulnerable customers.

    It comes in the wake of British Gas admitting fault as a result of the Times investigation which showed even those with small children or medical conditions have not been shown forbearance, with reports of debt collectors breaking into homes to install the equipment.

    But these findings by The Times newspaper follow several reviews by Ofgem of the services provided by energy suppliers, which have not identified this unacceptable behaviour – or other significant shortcomings – and have in some cases even given companies a clean bill of health.

    Therefore the Business Secretary has today told Ofgem to toughen up on energy suppliers and investigate the customers’ experience of how their supplier is performing.

    He called on the regulator to set up a new customer reporting system for households to pass on their own stories of how they are being treated – especially those who are vulnerable – and not just rely on energy firm bosses to share information with their regulator.

    Business and Energy Secretary Grant Shapps said:

    “ I am appalled that vulnerable customers struggling with their energy bills have had their homes invaded and prepayment meters installed when there is a clear duty on suppliers to provide them with support. They need to refocus their efforts on their consumers, the British public, who are at the receiving end of this abhorrent behaviour.

    “ I’m also concerned the regulator is too easily having the wool pulled over their eyes by taking at face value what energy companies are telling them. They need to also listen to customers to make sure this treatment of vulnerable consumers doesn’t happen again.”

    News reports across the country have highlighted examples of the forced installation of prepayment meters in the homes of those who are struggling to pay their bills.

    The regulator has also been asked to toughen up their reviews, going beyond the company headquarters to find out what is really happening in people’s homes by hearing from them directly and engaging more with charities and other groups that represent consumers.

    Currently, energy suppliers are required to provide Ofgem with information to demonstrate how they comply with the rules on supporting vulnerable consumers, on customers struggling to pay and on the fitting of prepayment meters.

    The Business Secretary wants to see the voices of consumers and those who champion their needs heard when deciding which energy companies are meeting expectations  – with a customer reporting hotline being just one example we would want the regulator to consider.

    On Thursday night a number of suppliers announced they would suspend forced installations after being pushed by Ofgem to pause the practice while they reassure the regulator they’re complying with the rules.

    However, just over a week ago the Business Secretary launched a crackdown on the mistreatment of energy users by suppliers, already asking them to voluntarily commit to stopping this practice. He also demanded they share the number of warrants they’ve applied for in recent months and plans to publish the findings.

    Earlier this week the Energy and Climate Minister also met British Gas CEO Chris O’Shea and expressed his horror at recent reports. He made it clear this kind of behaviour is unacceptable, especially from such a key and longstanding British company.

    He urged Mr O’Shea to take urgent steps to repair the damage done to British Gas’ reputation and urgently come back to him outlining the role he will personally take to fix these cultural issues.

    The British Gas boss was also told by the Minister that vulnerable, mistreated customers need to be identified and redress provided. He will be monitoring matters extremely closely to make sure this happens.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak call with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine [February 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak call with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine [February 2023]

    The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 4 February 2023.

    Prime Minister Rishi Sunak spoke to President Zelenskyy this afternoon.

    The leaders discussed the latest situation on the ground in Ukraine and the Prime Minister said he was focussed on ensuring the UK’s defensive military equipment reached the front line as quickly as possible.

    As part of that effort, Ukrainian soldiers had already begun training on Challenger 2 tanks in the UK this week, the Prime Minister added.

    Both leaders agreed that it was vital that international partners accelerated their assistance to Ukraine to help seize the opportunity to push Russian forces back, as well as looking at how they could support the long term capability of Ukraine’s armed forces.

    The greatest weapon in Ukraine’s arsenal was the collective international unity in support of Ukraine, the leaders agreed.

    The Prime Minister said he had met Ukrainian troops training in the UK last week, and was inspired by their courage and the stories of their loved ones back home. He added that they had paid tribute to President Zelenskyy’s strong leadership.

    Discussing the lead up to the one year anniversary of Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, both leaders agreed on the importance of UN partners once again demonstrating their solidarity with Ukraine.

    They agreed to stay in close touch.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Construction job drive gives prisoners tools to turn away from crime [February 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Construction job drive gives prisoners tools to turn away from crime [February 2023]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 4 February 2023.

    Construction firms have pitched up in prisons across England and Wales for the latest major drive to match offenders with jobs in sectors facing skill shortages and cut crime.

    • two-week push across jails to get more prisoners into work
    • offenders skilled-up in scaffolding with cutting-edge virtual reality technology
    • figures show ex-offenders in work less likely to return to life of crime

    More than 80 ‘Unlocking Construction’ events have been held in over 60 prisons as part of a two-week campaign – with scaffolders, crane operatives and building site managers among those showing offenders the ropes in their industry.

    Firms have laid the crucial groundwork for prisoner job hunts, with guidance on CV building, interview training and hands-on workshops giving them the chance to secure work ahead of release.

    At HMP Wormwood Scrubs, prisoners have also been given an insight into the scaffolding sector using special virtual reality technology that simulates working at height on a building site – helping prisoners to determine if the job is right for them and increasing the chance that successful applicants stick with it.

    Evidence shows that ex-prisoners who have a job to go to are nine percentage points less likely to go on to re-offend while 90% of businesses that employ them found reliable, motivated and trustworthy staff.

    Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary, Dominic Raab, said:

    Campaigns like Unlocking Construction are steering offenders into work and away from crime, leaving our streets safer.

    At the same time, businesses can plug skills gaps with reliable and motivated staff – so it is good for our economy.

    As well as helping cut reoffending, the drive is specifically geared towards plugging gaps in essential workforces too, getting prison leavers to contribute to their local economies and boost growth.

    This is the second of four campaigns to run over the year led by the Prison Service’s New Futures Network. Manufacturing and retail and logistics drives are earmarked for the coming months.

    The construction push builds on the success of Unlocking Hospitality in October which saw almost 50 prisoners land jobs and 150 interviews conducted in the campaign fortnight alone.

    One ex-offender who landed a job as a chef as a result of the scheme has since taken on leadership responsibilities in the kitchen and is working to get more prisoners to follow his path.

    National Access & Scaffolding Confederation training manager, Henry Annafi, said:

    If you get a successful candidate, what I can absolutely guarantee is loyalty – because you’re giving them an opportunity that very few if any people have given them and they will pay you back tenfold in that respect.

    Plus there are so many diverse experiences and skillsets that many of these men and women have that it is actually a no-brainer to give people that chance.

    A participating prisoner at Wormwood Scrubs said the day’s event, and others like it, would help prisoners to “engage their mind” and offer them “something positive to do on release”.

    A lot of prisoners have got skills, but they’re not being utilised, because we’ve committed a crime, so people don’t want to give us a second chance,” he added.

    But stuff like this enables prisoners to bring out their skillset and be the best they can be.

    Getting prisoners into work is a tried-and-tested way of cutting crime. The government’s Prisons White Paper sets out a strategy to reduce reoffending and keep the public safe, with a laser-focus on helping prisoners develop the skills they need to find work on release and turn their backs on crime.

    The government is also investing to reduce reoffending, which includes helping prisoners develop the skills they need to find work on release and turn their backs on crime.

  • PRESS RELEASE : The lives of thousands of severely disabled people across England will be enhanced by 120 new changing facilities [February 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : The lives of thousands of severely disabled people across England will be enhanced by 120 new changing facilities [February 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 4 February 2023.

    Severely disabled people will benefit from better facilities and greater accessibility in their local areas as councils across England today (4 Feb) receive their share of over £7m government funding to build Changing Places toilets.

    Designed for those who struggle to use standard accessible toilets, these new state-of-the-art facilities come with additional equipment such as hoists, adult sized changing benches and space for carers. They are targeted at areas where they are most needed such as parks, shopping centres and train stations with little to no access facilities.

    Today’s announcement brings the amount of funding awarded under the government’s Changing Places scheme to £30.5 million. The scheme is providing more than 600 new facilities, bringing the total of Changing Places toilets across England to 1,900.

    Levelling Up Minister Dehenna Davison, said:

    “Everyone deserves to have the freedom to enjoy their local communities – without the fear of whether or not they’re going to be able to access the facilities they need.

    “Today’s funding will see 120 new Changing Places toilets in places where they are most needed, helping ensure disabled people and their carers can go about their lives with dignity.”

    Robert Burley, Director of Director of Care, Campaigns, and Support at Muscular Dystrophy UK (MDUK) said:

    “We’re very pleased that the remaining balance from this fund has been allocated. This is a wonderful outcome and will see increased provision of Changing Places toilets in the areas most in need.

    “MDUK is extremely proud to be supporting this vital programme, and we look forward to providing our continued specialist support to both the Department and to Local Authorities through to its conclusion; and to the increased inclusion this funding will facilitate across England.”

    Shelley Simmonds is a campaigner and advocate for MDUK as her son, Fraser, 9, lives with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a condition which causes muscles to weaken over time.

    Shelley said:

    “I am a delighted to hear the announcement today and I know I speak for many families like mine when I say that Changing Places really do change lives. The freedom of being able to visit different places and have days out that we can thoroughly enjoy, without the worry of toilet uncertainty or having to cut our trips shorts, is a wonderful feeling!

    “Not being able to access a suitable toilet dictates our everyday life and prevents us from even accessing our most local community. With more Changing Places popping up, families can explore places that were once off limits.”

    In a study by the Research Institute for Disabled Consumers in 2021, Commissioned by Muscular Dystrophy UK and DLUHC, families and carers said the top locations where these facilities should be made available were country parks, open spaces, tourist attractions and transport networks, as the journey to the destination is a key factor in planning a day out. The top venues were beaches and the seaside, motorway services and parks or gardens.

    New facilities will now be built in the following venues:

    • Public parks and open spaces
    • Tourist attractions including historic properties, seaside resorts and zoos
    • Cathedrals
    • Museums, theatres, and galleries
    • Shopping malls
    • Libraries and public buildings

    Changing Places Fund Round 2 Allocations

    Barnet London Borough

    Bath and North East Somerset Council

    Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council

    Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council

    Breckland District Council

    Brent London Borough

    Bromley London Borough

    Central Bedfordshire UA

    Copeland Borough Council

    Coventry City Council

    Darlington Borough Council

    Dorset Council (UA)

    Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council

    Durham County UA

    East Cambridgeshire District Council

    Eden District Council

    Folkestone and Hythe District Council

    Gedling Borough Council

    Great Yarmouth Borough Council

    Greenwich London Borough

    Hammersmith and Fulham London Borough

    Harborough District Council

    Havant Borough Council

    Havering London Borough

    Herefordshire Council

    High Peak Borough Council

    Huntingdonshire District Council

    King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council

    Kirklees Council

    Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council

    Maidstone Borough Council

    Malvern Hills District Council

    Mansfield District Council

    Mid Devon District Council

    Mole Valley District Council

    North Tyneside Council

    North West Leicestershire District Council

    Northumberland County UA

    Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council

    Peterborough City Council

    Plymouth City Council

    Portsmouth City Council

    Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council

    Redditch Borough Council

    Reigate and Banstead Borough Council

    Ribble Valley Borough Council

    Rother District Council

    Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council

    Rushcliffe Borough Council

    Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council

    Sheffield City Council

    South Holland District Council

    South Oxfordshire District Council

    South Tyneside Council

    Southend-on-Sea Borough Council

    Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council

    Stratford-on-Avon District Council

    Test Valley Borough Council

    Tewkesbury Borough Council

    Waltham Forest London Borough

    Wealden District Council

    West Lancashire Borough Council

    Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council

    Wirral Borough Council

  • PRESS RELEASE : Statement by France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States on the IAEA’s Latest Report on Iran’s Nuclear Programme [February 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Statement by France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States on the IAEA’s Latest Report on Iran’s Nuclear Programme [February 2023]

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

    Joint Statement by the spokespeople for the Foreign Ministries of France, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States.

    We, the governments of France, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States, take note of the report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that Iran has implemented a substantial change in the configuration of some of its centrifuges without informing the Agency in advance. These centrifuges produce high-enriched uranium up to 60% and are located at the Fordow Enrichment Plant.

    As stated by the Agency, this unnotified change is inconsistent with Iran’s obligations under its NPT-required Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement. Such lack of required notification undermines the Agency’s ability to maintain timely detection at Iran’s nuclear facilities. The newly reported change in configuration of centrifuge cascades used to produce near-weapons-grade uranium underscores the need for Iran to meet all its safeguards reporting obligations, and to accept whatever safeguards monitoring the IAEA sees as necessary in light of Iran’s production of such highly enriched uranium.

    Iranian claims that this action was carried out in error are inadequate. We judge Iran’s actions based on the impartial and objective reports of the IAEA, not Iran’s purported intent.

    We recall that the production of high-enriched uranium by Iran at the Fordow Enrichment Plant carries significant proliferation-related risks and is without any credible civilian justification.

    Iran’s actions are all the more concerning since it has stopped the implementation of its commitments on transparency and verification under the JCPOA, including implementation of its Additional Protocol, for close to two years. Iran has also offered no credible answer yet to the IAEA’s outstanding questions as part of the IAEA’s safeguards investigation, despite the adoption of two resolutions on this issue by the Board of Governors last year.

    We call on Iran to comply with all its legally-binding international obligations under its Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement with the IAEA and to fully cooperate with the Agency in the application of effective safeguards at Fordow.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK and coalition partners announce price caps on Russian oil products [February 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK and coalition partners announce price caps on Russian oil products [February 2023]

    The press release issued by HM Treasury on 3 February 2023.

    The United Kingdom and international coalition partners have announced price caps on Russian oil products.

    • The Price Cap Coalition of the G7, the European Union and Australia have set caps on the price of seaborne Russian oil products, effective from 05 February 2023.
    • High-value Russian exports such as diesel and gasoline, will be capped at $100 while lower-value products such as fuel oil will be capped at $45.
    • Chancellor Jeremy Hunt hails the efforts of the UK and its allies in throttling the revenues fuelling Vladimir Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine.

    The UK and its coalition partners will only provide services facilitating the maritime transport of refined oil products originating in Russia if the goods are traded at or beneath the cap levels of $100 for high-value products like diesel and $45 for low-value products like fuel oil. These prices will be kept under review.

    This follows the $60 price cap on Russian crude oil that came into force on 5 December last year. Initial signs suggest that the crude oil cap is successfully curtailing Putin’s ability to use revenues from oil sales to finance his illegal war while minimising disruption to global supply. Russia’s flagship crude oil is now selling around $40 lower than global benchmarks.

    The UK government has already introduced an import ban on Russian oil products; therefore, the caps will not be used by the UK.

    Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, said:

    “Undermining Putin’s war machine through further sanctions on its funding streams will ensure the Russian government faces the full consequences of its unjustifiable actions.

    “The UK has already banned the import of Russian oil products, and we stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies in continuing to pile the pressure on Putin’s revenues while standing in solidarity with the Ukrainian people.”

    G7 finance ministers agreed to capping the price of Russian seaborne oil and refined oil products in September 2022 as a way of undermining Putin’s ability to fund his illegal war in Ukraine through inflated global oil prices, while ensuring that third countries can continue to secure affordable oil.

    The UK has been front footed in its engagement with international allies and has worked closely with industry and US partners to lead design of the caps. This collaboration has been key given the major role of UK services in facilitating maritime trade. For example, the UK is a global leader in the provision of protection and indemnity (P&I) insurance cover which relates to third-part liability claims – 60% of the global cover provided by the International Group of the P&I clubs is written in the UK.

    Given the number of varied oil products on the market, two caps have been introduced to cover two categories of refined oil products. ‘Premium-to-crude’ products are those of high export value often used for transport and electricity generation, such as kerosene-based jet fuel and diesel, while ‘discount-to-crude’ pertains to products of a lesser value like naphtha. The two-cap approach has been introduced as this is the simplest to implement and most workable for industry.

    To implement the price caps, the government has laid domestic legislation and published UK guidance to help industry prepare for and implement the requirements of each cap. The guidance will be periodically updated.