Tag: Press Release

PRESS RELEASE : Free PPE to health and social care sectors extended [January 2023]
The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 10 January 2023.
- Free Covid PPE scheme extended until 31 March 2024 or until DHSC’s stocks are depleted
- The scheme will provide protection for frontline staff against Covid as part of the government’s Living with Covid strategy
The government has announced its decision to extend the central, free provision of PPE to the health and care sector for protection against Covid, by up to one year to March 2024 or until stocks are depleted.

Supporting frontline workers remains a priority for the government and NHS trusts, primary care and adult social care providers will continue to receive PPE free of charge to ensure staff and their patients are protected against Covid.

The government acted swiftly at the height of the pandemic to secure PPE to protect frontline staff. Free, centrally procured PPE helps relieve some of the financial burden of PPE procurement done on an individual basis.

The Department of Health and Social Care will continue to supply all categories of PPE to health and social care providers according to demand until the end of March 2023, free of charge.

Read more about the extension and the scheme.
January 11, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Addressing West Africa and the Sahel’s security challenges and dire humanitarian situation requires tackling the root causes of conflict [January 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 10 January 2023.

Ambassador James Kariuki speaks at the UN Security Council meeting on West Africa and the Sahel.

Thank you, President. I am grateful to our briefers for their presentations. I also thank former SRSG Mahamat Saleh Annadif for his dedicated service.

President, I will make three points focusing on democracy, security and humanitarian issues.

First, the United Kingdom is concerned by the democratic backsliding, and the shrinking of civic space, that the region experienced in 2022. We urge progress towards the restoration of constitutional governments in Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea within agreed timeframes. We commend ECOWAS and African Union efforts to make this happen.

2023 will be an important year for democracy in West Africa with Presidential elections in Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Liberia. UNOWAS has an important role to play, including through its good offices. The United Kingdom welcomes the focus we have heard today on boosting women’s participation in these processes.

Second, President, there has been a clear deterioration in the security situation in the region –– notably in Mali, Burkina Faso, Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin. We share concerns raised today about the risk of instability spreading to the coastal states.

President, we cannot ignore the destabilising role the Wagner Group plays in the region. They are part of the problem, not the solution.

Tackling the region’s security challenges requires a holistic response. This includes the need to recognise the security impact of climate change, which multiplies the threats faced by vulnerable populations, for example, through changes in rainfall patterns.

We welcome UNOWAS’s efforts to enhance coherence and coordination, including by supporting the UN Integrated Strategy for the Sahel and the Accra Initiative. UNOWAS must use its new mandate to focus on tackling the root causes of conflict.

For our part, the United Kingdom is building our bilateral cooperation through security dialogues with Ghana and Nigeria. And we are enhancing multilateral cooperation through the UN Development Programme’s Regional Stabilisation Facility.

Third, the humanitarian situation in the Sahel remains dire, compounded by rising prices and floods. The United Kingdom remains committed to our humanitarian efforts in the region. We call on all actors to ensure full cooperation as well as safe and unimpeded access for humanitarian assistance.

In closing, President, we look forward to UNOWAS’s mandate renewal and the appointment of a new SRSG so that the Office can continue to support regional efforts towards peace and prosperity. Thank you.

January 11, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : The Nomination of The Rt Rev’d Philip North as the next diocesan Bishop of Blackburn [January 2023]
The press release issued by WATCH – Women and the Church on 10 January 2023.

Women and the Church (WATCH), a national campaign group for gender equality in the Church of England, notes the nomination of The Right Reverend Philip North, Suffragan Bishop of Burnley, as the next diocesan Bishop of Blackburn.

We recognise Bishop Philip’s many gifts and are aware that he has been supportive of women in a range of ministerial posts in the Church, some at senior levels.

Nonetheless, Bishop Philip does not recognise the ordination of women as priests and bishops and will be the first diocesan bishop to be appointed with his theological position on the ordination of women since women were permitted to be bishops in 2014.

In that light, WATCH cannot support the nomination and has the following concerns:
1. A diocesan bishop oversees all clergy in their diocese, both women and men and so, appointing a diocesan bishop who does not personally recognise the ordination of women, could mean that some female clergy would struggle to flourish under his oversight. Unlike male clergy who do not fully accept women’s ministry, female clergy (and their parishes) do not have the right to extended episcopal oversight by a bishop who affirms their ministries – both in their authority and ability to carry out priestly roles.
2. There are non-ordaining bishops who are supportive of women in the Church, as is Bishop Philip, and have encouraged them in their ministries and recommended them to senior roles but, because these bishops do not fully recognise the priesthood of their female clergy, they do not ordain women in their diocese.
3. Questions arise as to how non-ordaining bishops can authorise female clergy to celebrate the Eucharist, baptise, give blessings and absolve people of their sins. When a priest is licensed to a parish role, such as vicar, the diocesan bishop shares with him or her ‘the cure of souls’ to do these things, and usually does this in a public service so that all the parishioners can hear and see this authority being shared with their new vicar. Parishioners need to know that their priest is affirmed by their diocesan bishop as being able to carry out priestly duties without question, and all priests need to know this too. When parishioners come to understand that their bishop is not personally confident that female priests can undertake priestly roles, such as consecrating the bread and wine, this undermines the authority of their vicar, if she is a woman.
4. Church of England ministry statistics indicate that dioceses with diocesan bishops who do not accept the ordination of women, or which have a history of senior leaders who do not fully accept women’s ministry, have a significantly lower percentage of women holding stipendiary posts than men. At the bottom of the table is the Diocese of Chichester, which has always had a bishop who does not ordain women, with the lowest at 16%, compared to Ely at the top of the table with 43%.[1] The reasons for women’s ministry continuing not to flourish in many dioceses need urgently to be analysed, understood and responded to by Ministry Divisions in the Church of England.
5. Bishop Philip is a member of and on the Council of The Society of St Wilfrid and St Hilda (SSWSH), which is a network of clergy who do not share in the Eucharist when it is presided over by any female priest, any male priest ordained by a female bishop, and by any bishop, male or female, who has ordained women. Appointing a diocesan bishop who does not share in the Eucharist with the whole of the House of Bishops is a challenge to the unity of that body and the Church’s teaching on this matter.
Rev Martine Oborne, Chair of WATCH, says ‘I personally struggled when my diocesan bishop was the Right Reverend and Right Honourable Richard Chartres KCVO. I was ordained by him as a deacon in St Paul’s Cathedral in 2009, but he did not go on to ordain me or any other deacon, male or female, the following year. This was a position he had adopted since it became possible for women to be priests some fifteen years earlier. Instead, he delegated priestings to his Area Bishops. In the case of my priesting, my Area Bishop was on compassionate leave in 2010 and so I wrote to Bishop Richard and asked if would make an exception to his rule and ordain me and the rest of the orphaned ‘Stepney Seven’ of male and female deacons who were due to be priested. He refused, and I was ordained by the Bishop of Sodor and Man, a delightful man, but someone I’d never met before or since.

Fortunately today, both my diocesan and Area bishops recognise my orders, but I don’t think I could personally flourish in my ministry if they did not. Even in my present situation, I find it undermining to explain to members of my congregation that some of my clergy colleagues, including bishops, would not receive bread and wine that I had consecrated. So I tend not to say anything about the situation. Nonetheless, this is a heavy burden to carry and makes me feel that I am a second-class priest. And I fear some female clergy with diocesan bishops who don’t recognise their ordinations, no matter how supportive they are, may feel this even more.’
January 10, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Government introduces laws to mitigate the disruption of strikes on the public [January 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on 10 January 2023.
New laws will allow government to set minimum levels of service which must be met during strikes to ensure the safety of the public and their access to public services

the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill will ensure crucial public services such as rail, ambulances, and fire services maintain a minimum service during industrial action, reducing risk to life and ensuring the public can still get to work

Business Secretary Grant Shapps said in Parliament today: “We do not want to have to use this legislation unless we have to, but we must ensure the safety of the British public.”

Millions of hard-working people across the UK will be protected from disruptive strikes thanks to new laws introduced today, which will allow employers in critical public sectors to maintain minimum levels of service during strikes.

The government is introducing this legislation to ensure that striking workers don’t put the public’s lives at risk and prevent people getting to work, accessing healthcare, and safely going about their daily lives.

The government will first consult on minimum service levels for fire, ambulance, and rail services, recognising the severe disruption that the public faces when these services are impacted by strikes, especially the immediate risk to public safety when blue light services are disrupted.

The government hopes to not have to use these powers for other sectors included in the Bill, such as education, other transport services, border security, other health services and nuclear decommissioning.

The government expects parties in these sectors to reach a sensible and voluntary agreement between each other on delivering a reasonable level of service when there is strike action. This will, however, be kept under review and the Bill gives the government the power to step in and set minimum service levels should that become necessary.

Business Secretary Grant Shapps said:

The first job of any government is to keep the public safe. Because whilst we absolutely believe in the ability to strike, we are duty-bound to protect the lives and livelihoods of the British people.

I am introducing a bill that will give government the power to ensure that vital public services will have to maintain a basic function, by delivering minimum safety levels ensuring that lives and livelihoods are not lost.

We do not want to have to use this legislation unless we have to, but we must ensure the safety of the British public.

The sectors the legislation includes are:

health services

education services

fire and rescue services

transport services

decommissioning of nuclear installations and management of radioactive waste and spent fuel

border security

This principle is already recognised in many countries across the world, such as Italy and Spain, where systems for applying minimum levels during strikes are in place for services the public depend on.

As is the case currently a union will lose its legal protection from damages if it does not comply with the obligations set for them within the legislation.

Today’s reforms come as government ministers are meeting trade unions to discuss fair and affordable public sector pay settlements for 2023 to 2024.
January 10, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Sir John Armitt reappointed as Chair of the National Infrastructure Commission [January 2023]

The press release issued by HM Treasury on 10 January 2023.

Sir John Armitt has been reappointed as Chair of the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) for a further two years while Julia Prescot has been appointed Deputy Chair, following consultation with the Chair. This will ensure continuity as the organisation prepares the next National Infrastructure Assessment.

Sir John Armitt has served as the Chair of the NIC since 2018, prior to which he was Deputy Chair and a commissioner since the NIC was established in 2015.

With a background in engineering, Sir John’s expertise in infrastructure and major project delivery is extensive. He has a proven track record of working at the forefront of UK infrastructure in positions that included the Chief Executive of Network Rail, President of the Institution of Civil Engineers and Chairman of the Olympic Delivery Authority, where he played a key role in coordinating the 2012 London Olympics. He was awarded a CBE in 1996 for his contribution to the rail industry and a knighthood in 2012 for his work in engineering and construction.

Julia Prescot has served as a commissioner since 2017.

She is a co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Meridiam, a leading global investor and asset manager specialising in public infrastructure, and has been involved in long-term infrastructure development and investment in the UK, Europe, North America and Africa. Julia is an Honorary Professor at the Bartlett School of Construction and Project Management, University College London. She also serves as Deputy Chair of the Port of Tyne.

The NIC was established to provide impartial, expert advice to government on major long-term economic infrastructure challenges. In autumn 2023, the NIC is due to publish the second National Infrastructure Assessment. This will analyse the UK’s long term economic infrastructure needs, outlining a strategic vision over the next thirty years, and setting out recommendations for how identified needs should be met.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt said:

“I am very pleased to reappoint Sir John Armitt as Chair of the National Infrastructure Commission. Sir John’s extensive engineering and major project delivery expertise is hugely valuable, and I look forward to continuing to work with him to deliver sustainable economic growth across the UK.

“I am also very happy that Sir John will be joined by Julia Prescot, who has been appointed as Deputy Chair, to jointly lead the organisation as they prepare for the next National Infrastructure Assessment.”

Sir John Armitt said:

“Chairing the Commission is both a great privilege and a serious responsibility, offering impartial, expert advice to government on the role of infrastructure in helping solve some of the UK’s biggest economic and environmental challenges.

“I welcome Julia’s appointment as Deputy Chair which will assist our preparations for the next National Infrastructure Assessment in particular. Together, we and our fellow Commissioners look forward to presenting the Assessment to ministers and working with them, alongside others in the public and private sectors, to ensure our infrastructure is ready to face the future.”

Sir John’s new appointment period will end in January 2025 and Julia Prescot’s term as Deputy Chair will end in April 2027.

In addition to these appointments, the Chancellor intends to launch a competition to appoint a new commissioner to the NIC as a successor to Bridget Rosewell. Further details on this will follow shortly.

January 10, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Seneca Valley Virus confirmed in pigs in England [January 2023]

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 10 January 2023.

The UK Chief Veterinary Officer has today confirmed that the five cases of vesicular disease in pigs identified in farms in England between June and September 2022 were Seneca Valley Virus (SVV).

The confirmation comes following an extensive investigation by the Animal Plant Health Agency (APHA).

Seneca Valley Virus only affects pigs for a short period with infected pigs making a full recovery. There is no risk to human health.

SVV is not a notifiable or reportable disease in the UK nor a listed disease by the World Organisation of Animal Health (WOAH). However, the clinical signs however do resemble notifiable vesicular diseases, in particular Foot-and-Mouth Disease. Defra is therefore calling on pig producers and vets to continue to promptly report any clinical signs of vesicular disease in pigs so that APHA can carry out an official investigation.

High biosecurity standards should always be maintained. For pig keepers this means:

– Regular reviews of their biosecurity measures and address any weaknesses, minimising movements of vehicles, people or equipment onto pig units

– Controlling rodents, flies and as far as possible, wild birds

– Isolating incoming pigs away from the resident herd for at least one month

– Sourcing pig food or ingredients from reputable pig feed companies and never feeding kitchen or catering waste or meat to pigs

– Following the National Pig Association import protocol if importing live pigs

– To minimise the risk of disease introduction and keepers should inspect their pigs at least once a day, staying vigilant for lameness and vesicular (blister) foot or snout/mouth lesions. The advice applies to all pig keepers, no matter how many pigs they own.

Pig keepers and the public are also reminded that it is illegal to feed pigs meat or meat products, and kitchen or catering waste. Doing so endangers the health of the pigs and risks introducing exotic diseases, such as foot-and-mouth disease or African swine fever, into the country.

January 10, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Leading the world in lighting efficiency lightens the load on energy bills [January 2023]

The press release issued by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on 10 January 2023.

Increasing minimum efficiency standards for lighting could cut energy use and save money for households and businesses across Great Britain. New proposals would introduce performance standards that are higher than regulations currently in place in either the US or EU switching to more efficient lighting can save a household around £2,000 to £3,000 over the lifetime of the bulbs, depending on the size of the home

Households and businesses across Great Britain could cut their energy use and save money on bills by having some of the most efficient lighting in the world under new government proposals being announced today (Tuesday 10 January).

The new proposals will ensure that lighting in domestic and non-domestic buildings in England, Scotland and Wales meets minimum energy performance standards that are higher than regulations currently in place in either the US or the EU.

Introducing higher standards for lighting products will see only the most energy efficient light bulbs, such as ones powered by low energy-use LEDs, available in shops, making it easier for consumers to replace old bulbs with ones that use less energy while still providing the same levels of lighting performance.

With new bulbs being cheaper to run, replacing a household’s halogen bulbs with LEDs consumers can expect savings of around £2,000 to £3,000 over the lifetime of the bulbs, depending on the size of the home.

Business and Energy Minister Lord Callanan said:

“Putin’s warmongering in Ukraine means everyone is feeling the effect of higher energy bills this winter, but these new standards can help lighten the load by ensuring British homes and businesses are lit as efficiently as possible.

As we’ve shown in the government’s energy saving campaign, small changes, like switching to more efficient light bulbs, can add up to big savings.

By going further with these regulations than either the US or EU, British homes, factories and offices will have some of the cheapest and greenest lighting in the world, helping keep down bills and reducing energy usage.”

Global innovation in lighting technology in recent years has made it possible to achieve greater energy savings and the proposed new minimum energy performance standard reflect what is already technologically and reasonably achievable for lighting products.

As of March 2022, half of product models on the GB market already met this standard, but with lighting accounting for a significant portion of electricity use in buildings, the proposed regulations could result in 1.7 million tonnes of carbon savings by 2050, the equivalent of a year’s worth of carbon emissions from 2.5 million UK households.

If adopted, the proposals in the government consultation being launched today would come into force in late 2023, with further increased minimum standards introduced from September 2027.

Stew Horne, head of policy at Energy Saving Trust said:

“Energy Saving Trust welcomes the government’s proposals to improve lighting performance standards, which would directly benefit households and businesses by saving energy and reducing bills. We look forward to helping shape these standards as part of the transition to decarbonisation.”

Making homes and businesses more energy efficient and so bringing down fuel bills is part of the government’s wider long-term commitment, announced as part of the Autumn Statement, to reduce the UK’s final energy consumption from buildings and industry by 15% by 2030 against 2021 levels.

Improving the energy efficiency of homes is the best long-term method of cutting household energy use and bringing down bills. That is why the government is accelerating the pace of upgrading the energy efficiency of housing with £6 billion of funding committed to 2028 in addition to £6.6 billion in this parliament.

A further £4 billion has been committed through ECO4 scheme, which is delivering home insulation measures to low income and more vulnerable households, and the £1 billion ECO+ scheme, which will install measures in households who have previously not been able to access support through the Energy Company Obligation scheme.

The government has also launched the £18 million ‘It All Adds Up’ energy saving campaign to raise public awareness of straightforward actions that people can take to cut their bills by bringing down the amount of energy needed to keep their homes warm and stay safe this winter.

This comes in addition to an unprecedented package of government support that is helping households meet their energy costs this winter, including the Energy Price Guarantee, saving a typical household over £900, the Energy Bills Support Scheme providing a £400 discount to millions and the most vulnerable receiving £1,200 each this year.

January 10, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Jobs and investment boost for Liverpool and East Anglia as Freeports given green light [January 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 10 January 2023.

Freeports in Liverpool and East Anglia have received final government approval meaning the majority of English Freeports are now fully up and running.
Majority of English Freeports now fully up and running as Freeport East and Liverpool City Region get final government sign off

Up to £25million in seed funding from government will be released to boost development in each Freeport

Freeports will play key role in creating tens of thousands of jobs and driving economic growth with billions of pounds of investment

Freeports in Liverpool and East Anglia have received final government approval today (Tuesday 10th January) meaning the majority of English Freeports are now fully up and running.

Freeport East and Liverpool City Region will join Freeports that are already delivering jobs and investment across areas including Plymouth, Solent, and Teesside, as part of the government’s mission to level up, spread opportunity and drive economic growth. This is in addition to £52 million invested to bring two Green Freeports to Scotland, as well as at least one Freeport in Wales. The locations of these will be announced in due course, and discussions are ongoing to extend the Freeport programme to Northern Ireland.

Taking full advantage of the freedoms of leaving the EU, businesses in Freeports will be offered generous tax incentives and a simplified customs procedure, unlocking much-needed investment and high-quality jobs. The two Freeports will now receive up to £25 million seed funding each from the government over the next few years, on top of potentially hundreds of millions of pounds in locally retained business rates to upgrade infrastructure and stimulate regeneration in their local areas.

Combined, the six fully operational Freeports are expected to generate millions of pounds in investment and thousands of highly skilled jobs, boosting local economies and benefitting the whole of the UK.

Levelling Up Minister Dehenna Davison said:

Freeports are magnets for investments, putting places like the Wirral and Harwich on the global stage and the frontier of innovation.

With £25 million of seed funding, these Freeports will unlock local expertise and skills to boost key local industries, create jobs and grow our national economy.

We are maximising the opportunities of leaving the European Union to drive growth, boost innovation and encourage investment in the UK.

Freeport East which is on the world’s major trade routes connecting the UK directly with markets around the world will become a world-leading centre for clean energy production, offering a unique set of opportunities and support for investors, traders, manufacturers and suppliers. The Freeport estimates that it will deliver thousands of new jobs and generate £5.5 billion over 10 years, for the local economy.

Located at the UK’s biggest western facing port, Liverpool City Region will drive growth in the UK’s advanced manufacturing, biomanufacturing, logistics, and low carbon industries. It estimates that it will deliver thousands of new jobs and £850 million for local economies.

Richard Ballantyne OBE, Chief Executive, British Ports Association, said:

We are pleased to see two more freeports moving forward and this is an exciting time for the sector. These announcements will bring new investment and new jobs to Felixstowe, Harwich and Merseyside. The establishment of freeports in these areas builds on strong maritime foundations and we welcome the continued confidence Government has in ports to drive sustainable growth.

Ben Murray, Maritime UK Chief Executive, said:

We’re delighted to see both Liverpool City Region and Freeport East officially launched with bold programmes to develop their local proposition for inward investment, innovation, and exports.

With Freeport East and Liverpool focused on clean energy, advanced manufacturing, biomanufacturing, and logistics, they will help strengthen our maritime clusters and grow our maritime sector, complimenting the freeports launched at the end of last year.

The freeport programme is catalysing economic growth and job creation in coastal towns and cities around the UK. As we start the year, we look forward to growing the role of maritime in the levelling-up mission.

Freeports benefit from a package of measures, comprising tax reliefs, customs advantages, business rates retention, planning, regeneration, innovation and trade and investment support.

Liverpool City Region Freeport and Freeport East join three newly operational Freeports announced at the end of last year, including Teesside Freeport which will drive investment and industrial growth in renewables; Plymouth and South Devon Freeport which will harness the region’s marine and defence expertise to deliver thousands of skilled jobs into the region; and Solent Freeport which will grow its ambitious maritime economy, making the Solent a thriving hub for the world’s marine and maritime sector.
January 10, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : New cutting edge bag scanners to halt illegal items at prison gates [January 2023]
The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 10 January 2023.
83 scanners installed at prison gates to thwart smuggling by visitors

sharp image quality to detect drugs and phones that lead to violence behind bars

builds on raft of prison security measures introduced by this government to cut crime and keep public safe

Over 80 high-tech X-ray machines will be installed by the end of March – building on the body scanners, drug-trace machines, metal detection archways and more that have stopped tens of thousands of items from wreaking havoc inside prisons.

For the first time, prisons beyond the high security estate will use the new, improved machines to check baggage brought in by the thousands of staff and visitors who enter and exit prisons every day.

To date, these machines have stopped huge hauls of illegal contraband from getting into prisons with recent finds including:

99 sheets of ‘spice’ paper, worth almost £60,000 inside prisons, in a cardboard box with a false bottom

nearly £40,000 worth of cannabis and tobacco concealed in curry and beef stew tins, and

a bottle of washing-up liquid that tested positive for heroin

The most challenging 44 prisons will be the first to benefit from the machines – developed by VMI Security – which offer high-quality, sharp images to detect drugs, phones and high-density materials.

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

These X-ray bag scanners are a powerful addition to the body scanners, drug-trace machines, metal detection archways and extra drug dogs we have added in recent years to keep drugs, mobile phones and other contraband out of our prisons.

This is getting more prisoners off drugs, and helping to keep our streets safer.

The latest development follows the success of our 75 X-ray body scanners, across 74 male prisons, which have disrupted around 20,000 attempts to smuggle harmful items into prisons in 2 years.

Last year, dozens of prisons were also kitted out with new drug-trace machines that can detect microscopic smears of new psychoactive substances such as ‘spice’ on mail and items of clothing – stopping dangerous drugs from getting onto wings.

The £100 million investment into cutting-edge security across the prison estate forms part of the ambitious Prisons Strategy White Paper, published just over a year ago.

The comprehensive plan committed to making prisons safer, modern and more innovative for the thousands of people who work and are held in them – including a zero-tolerance approach to the smuggling of dangerous contraband which can thwart prisoners in their efforts to rehabilitate.
January 10, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : New approach to sustainable drainage set to reduce flood risk and clean up rivers  [January 2023]

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 10 January 2023.

New developments and the environment will benefit from a reduced risk of flooding and pollution thanks to a new approach to drainage.

The recommendation to make sustainable drainage systems mandatory to new developments in England is the result of the Government’s review – published today (10 January). This will reduce the risk of surface water flooding, pollution and help alleviate the pressures on our traditional drainage and sewerage systems.

New developments can inadvertently add to surface and sewer flood risk by covering permeable surfaces like grassland and soil that would otherwise assist in dealing with heavy rainfall.

The new approach to drainage will ensure sustainable drainage systems are designed to reduce the impact of rainfall on new developments by using features such as soakaways, grassed areas, permeable surfaces and wetlands. This reduces the overall amount of water that ends up in the sewers and storm overflow discharges. Certain features such as tanks and water butts also allow for water reuse and reduce pressures on water resources.

Following today’s publication of the review, regulations and processes for the creation of sustainable drainage systems at new developments will now be devised, through the implementation of Schedule 3 to the Flood and Water Management Act 2010. Implementation of the new approach is expected during 2024.

Environment Minister Rebecca Pow said:

Our traditional drainage systems are under increasing pressure from the effects of climate change, urbanisation and a growing population.

The benefits of sustainable drainage systems are many – from mitigating flood risk by catching and storing surplus water and reducing storm overflow discharges, to enhancing local nature in the heart of our developments and helping with harvesting valuable rain water.

Taking a more consistent and effective approach to sustainable drainage systems will improve the resilience of our drainage and sewer infrastructure, while reaping these broader benefits.

Schedule 3 provides a framework for the approval and adoption of drainage systems, a sustainable drainage system approving body within unitary and county councils, and national standards on the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of sustainable drainage systems for the lifetime of the development. It also makes the right to connect surface water runoff to public sewers conditional upon the drainage system being approved before any construction work can start.

Government will now give consideration to how Schedule 3 will be implemented, subject to final decisions on scope, threshold and process, while also being mindful of the cumulative impact of new regulatory burdens on the development sector.

This will include a public consultation later this year, which will collect views on the impact assessment, national standards and statutory instruments.

January 10, 2023