Tag: Press Release

PRESS RELEASE : Gregory Campbell welcomes the first 5 Star Hotel on the North Coast of East Londonderry [December 2022]

The press release issued by the DUP on 8 December 2022.

East Londonderry MP Gregory Campbell has welcomed the news that work has begun on the first 5-star hotel in East Londonderry.

The DUP MP said,

“I welcome the news that the building work is now underway at Dunluce Lodge, the north coast’s first 5-star hotel & spa. The £16.5m development, funded by American investment, will see the creation of a 35-room luxury complex overlooking the 4th fairway at Royal Portrush Golf Club. The new hotel will help create 80 jobs and that does not include the jobs supported during the construction of the hotel.

Hospitality is a major part of our local economy in East Londonderry and with the opportunity of The Open returning in 2025 we need a strong offering to increase overnight stays and associated benefits for local shops, restaurants and the wider hospitality sector. It has been the case in the past that objections have been raised to other similar type of projects which have delayed the progress towards a better offering in the region, but thankfully while progress can be delayed it cannot be stopped. It is to be hoped we see further investment in our local economy which supports our tourism offering and creates jobs. Scheduled for opening in advance of the 2025 Open Championship this is a welcome boost to our tourism sector.”

December 14, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Postal strike impacting on health care – Carla Lockhart [December 2022]

The press release issued by the DUP on 8 December 2022.

Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has urged Royal Mail Management to engage constructively with Unions with a view to bringing an end to industrial action impacting postal services. The DUP representative made the call following contact from constituents who had missed health care appointments due to correspondence arriving late.

Carla Lockhart said:

“In recent days I have been contacted by constituents who have been awaiting correspondence relating to health care appointments, and who received the letter with the appointment details after the scheduled date. They have therefore missed important health intervention, whilst valuable time for healthcare clinicians at a time of extreme pressures on our health service has been lost. The hospitals must also consider steps to avoid being impacted by the industrial action.

That is an unacceptable situation, and it cannot be allowed to go on indefinitely. Postal workers in my constituency report a significant backlog of mail in sorting depots. I have no doubt that people are missing out on vital mail as a result of the failure of Royal Mail management to find a compromise with workers who want to be at work, but also need assurances for the future of their jobs and the services Royal Mail are expected to deliver.

Ultimately it would appear that the legal duty upon Royal Mail to deliver this service is not being met. Our posties are key workers, and need remunerated accordingly, within the budgets that allow Royal Mail to continue to operate and fulfil the legal duties upon them. In the run up to Christmas I appeal for both sides to once again stretch themselves with a view to finding agreement that will allow the full restoration of postal services as soon as possible.”

December 14, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Diane Forsythe welcomes UEFA €20k sanction on FAI [December 2022]

The press release issued by the DUP on 8 December 2022.

South Down DUP MLA Diane Forsythe has welcomed the UEFA sanction against the FAI after their senior female team celebrated qualifying for the World Cup in Australia by singing a pro-IRA song. Ms Forsythe had written to the UEFA immediately after the incident in October 2022.

“UEFA stated that this incident was a “violation of the basic rules of decent conduct”. This is proper recognition of the offensive nature of “ooh Aah Up The Ra” and UEFA is correct to impose this fine. As role models to young people, it is right that the standard of their behaviour is held to account. This action however stands in contrast to the inaction by other organisations when similar chants have taken place.

Republican terrorists were responsible for 60% of the deaths during the Troubles. People of all ages, all genders and all faiths were systematically targeted and murdered in the most cruel manner by the IRA. Some of those families whose loved ones were murdered have never even been told where the IRA buried their loved one.

The Sinn Fein leadership continue to justify and celebrate the IRA rather than recognise they were a barbaric, cruel and illegal terrorist organisation. For anyone to be glorifying the IRA is utterly insensitive to IRA victims.”

December 14, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Make the Northern Ireland energy payment now – Carla Lockhart [December 2022]

The press release issued by the DUP on 7 December 2022.

Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has endorsed the message from the Consumer Council NI made at the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee, that the Government should issue the Energy Bill Support Scheme immediately to households in Northern Ireland.

Speaking after the Committee session today in Westminster, Carla Lockhart said:

“The Government could, if it wanted to, make this payment. It could have made it already, but chose to delay the payment in a futile attempt to make people demand the immediate return of Stormont.

There is no such demand for the return of Stormont amongst the unionist community until the concerns with the Protocol are addressed. It is an insult to Unionists to suggest they would allow the Protocol to remain to accelerate the energy support payment.

The payment can be made last week if the Government had not moved the goal posts. My colleague Gavin Robinson MP exposed the myth propagated by the Government, and endorsed by SF, SDLP, Alliance and UUP, that the lack of devolution is holding up payments. It is a nonsense. It is only being made to undermine Unionism’s case to replace the Protocol.

Today, the Consumer Council for Northern Ireland reinforced their call for the payment to be made now to support households. The DUP support that call, and again we say to the Government that they can and must issue this payment as soon as possible.

We will remain resolute in our determination to get this payment made. We urge the Government to have the same resolve. If they do, the support can be provided imminently.”

December 14, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : UK Science and Technology Minister launches new global international science partnership funding in Tokyo with initial £119m of funding [December 2022]

The press release issued by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on 14 December 2022.

A new global research fund to deepen scientific collaboration between the UK and international R&D powers like Japan will be opened with an initial £119 million in UK Government funding, UK Science Minister George Freeman announced yesterday (Tuesday 13 December) in Tokyo, Japan.

The UK Science Minister was in Tokyo, Japan yesterday to announce the first phase of the new International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF). The fund will support and fund UK scientists and innovators to work with peers around the world on some of the most pressing issues facing our world.

In a keynote speech to scientists, investors, industrialists and global research leaders, Minister Freeman set out the UK’s plans to take a more global approach to science, innovation and business.

This will involve collaborating with partners across the world to both drive innovation, investment and prosperity in the UK, while also strengthening the UK’s leadership in tackling the big global challenges facing the globe; from leading the fight to tackle global warming to harnessing new energy like fusion, cleaning up the oceans and making space safe and sustainable.

UK Science and Technology Minister George Freeman said:

“The UK has a well-earned reputation for world-class science and research, and an extremely vibrant start-up enterprise sector. But being a Science Superpower means ensuring we don’t just win prizes but invest in the appliance of science for global good: collaborating more deeply with other leading nations to tackle the urgent global challenges facing our planet.

“This Fund will help the UK deepen our global research network in Japan and beyond tackling some of humanity’s greatest challenges.”

The Japan visit follows Minister Freeman’s securing of a Memorandum of Understanding on science with European science powerhouse Switzerland earlier this year.

The announcement comes as the UK is facing continued block by the EU to membership of the Horizon, Copernicus and Euratom projects. While this partnership is not aimed as a replacement to our European collaborations, the Government cannot wait forever to invest through association.

The government’s top priority is to invest in the UK’s world leading R&D sector and facilitate their collaborations with international counterparts. It is disappointing that while the government continues to focus on strengthening the UK’s international links and collaborations globally, the EU’s persistent delays to the UK’s association to Horizon is damaging collaboration with European partners. Association remains the UK’s preference, but the government cannot wait forever to invest through association.

One of the projects announced as part of the UK-Japan collaboration includes a research collaboration in neuroscience, neurodegenerative diseases and dementia, aimed at tackling the growing health issues associated with the both the UK and Japan’s ageing populations.

Full details of aims and partners of the ISPF program will be released in the new year.

UKRI’s international champion Professor Christopher Smith said:

“Today’s announcement is a positive first step in the development of this important new international fund. Research and Innovation know no boundaries nor do the multiple challenges we face from pandemics to conflict, climate change to economic shocks.

“International collaboration is integral to ensuring the UK harnesses the extraordinary potential of research and innovation to enrich and improve the lives of people living in the UK and around the world. Having a specific fund to enable international collaboration will help the UK achieve this vision. UKRI will help to deliver ISPF bringing benefits for the UK research and innovation sector and our international partners.”

Alongside the launch of the multi-million-pound fund, Science Minister Freeman today (Wednesday 14 December) also launched a further £15.5 million investment in the ISThe Hyper-Kamiokande (Hyper-K) experiment, which is a next generation global neutrino experiment in Japan.

The experiment aims to measure the properties of neutrinos, a type of particle, which aim to provide a “microscope,” used to observe the very smallest of particles, and also a “telescope” for observing the Sun and supernovas. The experiment is hoped to give us a greater understanding of the properties of the universe.

The UK has already invested £4.2m in the R&D phase of the Hyper-K project between 2014 and 2020, and this additional investment will ensure the UK is able to play a leading role in this cutting-edge research.

December 14, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Our commitment to the South Sudanese people’s quest for peace, prosperity and democracy – UK Statement at the Security Council [December 2022]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 December 2022.

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the Security Council briefing on South Sudan.

Thank you President, and thank you also to SRSG Haysom and our briefers for their updates.

I welcome the update from the Permanent Representative of Gabon. I also welcome the presence of the Permanent Representative of South Sudan in our meeting today.

President, I will make three broad points:

First, four months have now passed since South Sudan’s Government announced a two-year extension and subsequent roadmap to implement the peace agreement ––progress remains woefully slow.

The United Kingdom welcomes the passing of the constitution-making bill, as well as the continued graduation of the Necessary Unified Forces.
Such progress is long overdue and we urge the Government to capitalise on this momentum and meet the remaining benchmarks within their agreed timelines. This is essential in order for free and fair elections to take place before the end of the agreement.

Second, the need for Government action to protect their civilians is no clearer than in Upper Nile State; there, the conflict has resulted in the deaths of hundreds of civilians.

The United Kingdom condemns these attacks on civilians. We are gravely concerned by the potential implications of this conflict for the already severely overcrowded Protection of Civilian site in Malakal and on the wider peace in South Sudan.

We call on the Government to protect civilians and create the conditions for an inclusive dialogue to stop the violence.Military intervention must not aggravate existing tensions or pose additional risk to civilians.

We also reiterate our call for the Government of South Sudan to immediately remove obstructions, and address violence against humanitarian workers and civilians.

Third, the situation in Upper Nile and rising levels of insecurity across South Sudan, require an urgent response from the international community to help save lives.

The United Kingdom commends the efforts of UNMISS to provide protection to civilians and its coordination with South Sudan.

A coherent, whole of UN approach across humanitarian, development and peace priorities is needed and we endorse the Secretary General’s encouragement for the Government and partners to apply a similar endeavour.

In closing, President, the United Kingdom remains committed to the South Sudanese people’s quest for peace, prosperity and democracy. We once again call on the leadership to deliver real change for its people. Thank you.

December 14, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : UK signs Plan for Defence Cooperation with Saudi Arabia [December 2022]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 13 December 2022.

The Secretary of State for Defence, the Rt Hon Ben Wallace MP, met His Royal Highness Prince Khalid bin Salman, the Minister for Defence of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in London today (13 December 2022).

The Defence Ministers reflected on the strength of the historic UK-Saudi defence partnership of over half a century, based on a shared commitment to peace, stability, and the strengthening of mutual and regional security.

The Defence Secretary and His Royal Highness welcomed the signing of a Plan for Defence Cooperation which will enhance bilateral defence and security cooperation to address shared security challenges, including through regular dialogue and consultation, education and training, and capability-building. It reaffirms the UK’s enduring commitment to working with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on promoting regional security and stability.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said:

It is a pleasure to sign this Plan for Defence Cooperation, bringing us even closer to one of our most important partners. It is a key milestone between our two nations, as we look to enhance our defence partnership further in support of mutual and regional security.

December 14, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Investing in the health and protection of women and girls in humanitarian crises – UK Statement at UNFPA Humanitarian Action 2023 Overview [December 2022]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 December 2022.

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UNFPA Humanitarian Action 2023 Overview.
Thanks very much, good morning, and good morning to all colleagues on the call.

First of all, let me just thank Executive Director Kanem and UNFPA staff for everything they do to provide life-saving services to the millions of women and girls in crisis-affected countries. You have the UK’s full admiration and support.

We are faced with a sobering picture and a bleak trajectory. In 2023, 339 million people will be in need of humanitarian assistance. Conflict and crises are increasingly trapping marginalised people, in particular women and girls, in cycles of vulnerability. 70% of women in crisis settings experience gender-based violence; adolescent girls in conflict zones are 90% more likely to be out of school; and 60% of preventable maternal deaths take place in conflict, displacement and natural disaster settings. These are not just numbers. They represent individual lives.

It is why the UK funds humanitarian efforts aimed at the health and protection of women and girls. It is why UNFPA’s work is so critical. The UK is proud to be one of your top humanitarian donors, supporting life-saving Gender Based Violence (GBV) and sexual and reproductive health interventions this year in Afghanistan, Somalia, Syria, and Ukraine. We are also proud to be the largest donor to UNFPA’s Supplies Programme, ensuring contraceptives and life-saving maternal, new-born and child health commodities reach those most in need.

But it’s not just about funding. The UK uses all levers at our disposal to ensure the health and protection of women and girls, including our convening power. Just two weeks ago, at the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Conference in London, we led efforts to strengthen the global response to conflict related sexual violence, including through prevention, justice and accountability and support to survivors. Alongside our partners, we committed:

First, to strengthen humanitarian responses to gender-based violence (GBV), including by ensuring access to clinical management of rape and by championing the Call to Action on Protection from GBV in Emergencies;

and, second, to ensure access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health, including safe abortion, at the outset and throughout crises.

We are grateful to you, Dr. Kanem, and UNFPA colleagues for engaging in the conference and using your platform to highlight the critical role of women-led organisations in preventing GBV and supporting survivors’ access to SRHR and GBV services, including the life-saving role of safe abortion emergencies. The UK is committed to bolstering our support to local, women-led organisations – the true experts on the needs of their communities.

The UK’s aim is to strengthen people’s ability to recover from crises, to protect and prioritise the most vulnerable when crises occur, and to amplify the voices of the most marginalised, in particular women and girls, to ensure their needs are met.

Only if we work collectively can we better prepare, take early action and respond to safeguard the rights, health and lives of women and girls in emergencies. We have seen first-hand the critical role UNFPA plays in this regard, and I urge other donors to continue to step up so that UNFPA has the funding it needs to continue leading the global response to GBV in emergencies and to prepare and respond flexibly when those crises hit.

Thank you very much.
December 13, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Social housing tenants to receive training and support to make their voices heard [December 2022]
The press release issued by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 13 December 2022.

People living in social housing will have access to new government-backed training scheme, helping them to raise issues with their landlord.
- Residents in England to get new advice on how to hold their landlord to account
- £500,000 government grant awarded to training provider for launching new scheme in Spring
- Part of wider reforms that will give social housing residents a stronger voice.
Social housing tenants will be better empowered to raise issues with their landlords and help hold them to account, as a result of new guidance and support announced by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities today.

A partnership of experts in the sector has received a £500,000 government grant to roll out a new training package open to anyone living in social housing in England. The scheme aims to help residents engage effectively with their landlord to demand a higher quality of service, where needed.

Residents will learn how to take an active role in how their home is managed – through a series of workshops, forums and online resources that will run over the next two and a half years. For example, this could include advice on how to set up a residents panel or how to challenge a landlord if they fail to meet required standards.

The Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Secretary Michael Gove last month called for all landlords to meet their responsibility in providing decent homes for tenants. The warning came as he took action against Rochdale Boroughwide Housing for failing to treat hazardous mould that contributed to the tragic death of Awaab Ishak.

The Social Housing Regulation Bill, currently making its way through Parliament, will also mean that tenants’ complaints are listened to and dealt with quickly and fairly, with stronger powers for the Regulator to hold landlords to account.

Minister for Social Housing Baroness Scott said:

Landlords are responsible for giving tenants the decent home they deserve and the government is taking action to ensure tough consequences for any who fall short.

We also want to make sure every resident is heard and has the opportunity to be actively involved in how their home is managed.

This new government-backed scheme will help to do just that – empowering residents to challenge their landlord where needed and contribute to positive change in their homes and communities.

The government-backed training will be provided by two organisations – the Confederation of Co-operative Housing (CCH) and the Public Participation, Consultation and Research (PPCR). Both have expertise in empowering residents within the social housing sector.

CCH Chief Executive Officer, Blase Lambert, said:

CCH and PPCR is receiving support from government to enhance our work empowering and inspiring social housing residents in England.

We exist to promote resident empowerment and control and want all residents to understand their rights, be able to raise issues with their landlords and hold them to account and to be able to shape and improve the services they receive and the homes they live in.

Our vision for this programme is for it to be a catalyst for change, complementing other government action outlined in the Social Housing White Paper and helping to drive a process of cultural change in the social housing sector leading to a better balance of power between landlords and residents.

Last month, social housing residents from across the country came together to launch a new 250-strong panel, which will advise the government on its plans to raise social housing standards.

This new training will now form part of the government’s work to address issues raised by the panel, such as the handling of repairs and maintenance, as well as landlord accountability.

Details of the programme and how to participate in training will be provided by CCH before the scheme launches for social residents across England, in Spring 2023.

To make sure tenants know their rights and can hold housing providers to account, the government is also launching a £1 million public information campaign early next year.

The Social Housing Regulation Bill will introduce new powers for the Housing Ombudsman to take action on complaints. It will also provide the regulator with tougher powers to enter properties with only 48 hours’ notice and make emergency repairs where there is a serious risk to tenants and the landlord has failed to act, with landlords footing the bill.
December 13, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Assembly stunt provides useful distraction for Sinn Fein – Gordon Lyons [December 2022]

The press release issued by the DUP on 7 December 2022.

DUP MLA Gordon Lyons has said the recalled sitting of the Assembly was another political stunt and called on the UK Government to get on with delivering the UK-wide assistance to all parts of the UK, including the Energy Support Payments.

Speaking after the Assembly sitting he said,

“Each time the Assembly has been recalled it has been a political stunt, but this one had an additional benefit for Sinn Fein. It provided a useful attempt to distract from ongoing proceedings in the Special Criminal Court in Dublin and the allegations made there about Sinn Fein’s links to gangsterism and crime.

The cost of living crisis is impacting every single person in Northern Ireland, but Sinn Fein also recognised how this could be best tackled when Conor Murphy said in July that “the levers which can make the biggest difference sit with the UK Government” when he penned a joint letter along with the Scottish and Welsh Finance Ministers.

The United Kingdom Government has delivered additional support. Each of those has been delivered on a UK-wide basis, including the Energy Price Guarantee which was administered despite energy being devolved in Northern Ireland and the fact we have a different energy market to Great Britain. The Energy Support Payment is another UK Government scheme which they have promised to all citizens in the UK. They now need to get on with delivering it to all parts of the UK.

The Government knows what needs to be done to restore devolution in Northern Ireland. Threatening an election doesn’t change anything, cutting salaries doesn’t change anything but what will unlock devolution is getting the Protocol sorted, restoring Northern Ireland’s place in the UK Internal Market and removing the democratic deficit.

When that happens, we will not be found wanting. We will elect and Speaker and we will nominate Ministers.“

December 13, 2022