Tag: Press Release

PRESS RELEASE : Water company fines to be channelled into environmental improvements [November 2022]

The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affair on 30 November 2022.

Money from fines handed out to water companies that pollute our rivers and seas will be re-invested in schemes that benefit our natural environment, under new government plans.

Water companies were handed a record amount in fines for pollution incidents last year as part of ongoing action to hold rule-breakers to account.

Since 2015, the Environment Agency has concluded 56 prosecutions against water and sewerage companies, securing fines of over £141m.

At present, money from fines imposed by Ofwat and those arising from Environment Agency prosecutions is returned to the Treasury. Under the new plans, ringfenced funds will go to Defra and will be invested directly back into environmental and water quality improvement projects.

This could include initiatives to restore our water environments by creating wetlands, re-vegetating river banks and reconnecting meanders to the main channel of rivers.

Water Minister Rebecca Pow said:

“The volume of sewage being discharged into our waters is unacceptable, and can cause significant harm to our wildlife and sensitive habitats .

“It is right that water companies are made to pay when they break the rules, but it is also right that this money is then channelled back into improving water quality.

“Water company fines reached a record level last year, and moving forward these plans will significantly increase funding that will be used to recover, protect and enhance our natural environment.

“This is on top of the £56 billion investment we’re requiring water companies to invest in improving our water infrastructure, as well as holding them to account through tough new targets.”

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt said:

“These fines hold rule-breaking companies to account and mean record investment in our waterways.

“It comes on top of our requirement for water companies to invest in the natural environment – raising the largest ever environmental infrastructure investment of £56 billion over 25 years.”

To crack down on water pollution, government has boosted funding for the Environment Agency, with £2.2 million per year specifically for water company enforcement activity, including at least 4,000 farm visits per year and 500 sewerage inspections.

Where water and sewerage companies are found to be breaking the law, they will face substantial penalties.

This can include the Environment Agency imposing civil sanctions or pursuing criminal prosecutions with the courts, for which there can be unlimited fines, and in some cases prosecution of CEOs and company directors where there is evidence against those individuals and where it is in the public interest to prosecute.

Earlier this year, government announced plans to expand the use of, and raise the cap on, the civil Variable Monetary Payments that the Environment Agency can issue, meaning sanctions can be imposed more often without lengthy and costly court cases.

Ofwat also has the power to issue fines up to 10% of a company’s turnover for the affected business and order companies to take the action necessary to return to compliance where they are in breach.

The EA and Ofwat are currently carrying out the largest criminal and civil investigations into water company sewage discharges ever, at over 2200 treatment works, as a result of increased monitoring.

Earlier this year the government published its Storm Overflows Discharge Reduction Plan, which brought in strict targets on sewage pollution and will require water companies to deliver the largest infrastructure programme in their history to tackle storm sewage discharges – a £56 billion capital investment over 25 years.

Further details on the plans will follow next year.

November 30, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Innovative regulators given £12 million to accelerate introduction of delivery drones and personalised medicines [November 2022]
The press release issued by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on 30 November 2022.

Twenty four innovative projects awarded up to £12 million to remove regulatory barriers and support businesses brings products and services to market.
- 24 winning bidders for the £12 million Regulators’ Pioneer Fund announced today to help remove regulatory red tape across key UK sectors and drive growth
- projects range from testing drone flights in Scotland that could deliver essential cargo to new tech that could reduce the backlog of court cases compounded by COVID-19
- Science Minister George Freeman said: “We are putting innovation at the heart of everything we do, including regulation which, if set up in the right way, can act a key driver to our international competitiveness.”
Science Minister George Freeman has today (30 November) awarded up to £12 million to UK regulators to help drive forward innovation, remove red tape and establish the UK as world leader in technologies of the future – from AI to help treat rare diseases, to drones monitoring safety on construction sites.

The Regulators’ Pioneer Fund is funding 24 regulator and local authority led projects across the UK that will help to remove regulatory barriers to innovation, supporting businesses across key UK sectors – from net-zero to healthcare – bring their products and services to market more quickly. If successful, these projects could lead to faster deployment of low carbon technologies like carbon capture and hydrogen, more tailored treatment for disease in the NHS and drones to deliver cargo and medicines safely.

Minister for Innovation George Freeman said:

The pace of new technology – from AI in healthcare to drone delivery to nutraceuticals – is creating a huge opportunity for the UK to be a global leader in testing new technologies and setting appropriate regulatory standards, which are key to investor & customer confidence.

That’s why our Innovation Strategy and Taskforce on Innovation Growth & Regulatory Reform (TIGRR) reforms are key to making the UK a global testbed and innovative regulator.

Today’s funding will support 24 pioneering testbeds to experiment and innovate, while helping our brightest businesses in bringing game-changing products and services to market.

Among those receiving funding today:

£750,387 to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency for a project seeking to create an entirely artificially generated control group – with similar health information to real patients – for use in clinical trials. If successful, this could change the way clinical trials are performed in common and rare diseases, lowering their cost and improving how new treatments are tested before they are applied in the NHS.

£961,650 to the Civil Aviation Authority to collaborate with the aviation industry and academia to enhance the understanding of hydrogen-related risks to aviation safety, identify gaps in policies, and propose recommendations to develop new net-zero policies. Hydrogen propulsion solutions offering the potential for no carbon emission flights are at an early stage of development. This project will help to make the UK a world leader in the use of hydrogen in aviation, influence the development of future global standards, and make the UK a prime destination for investment in this area, driving economic growth.

£66,259 to support Wakefield Council develop a ‘first of its kind’ interactive tool to help SMEs distinguish between controlled and uncontrolled cross-contamination of food allergens and improve awareness of effective allergen risk analysis. This will help businesses avoid general or blanket statements such as ‘may contain’ and enable them to provide clearer and more meaningful information to consumers with food allergies.

£250,000 for Argyll and Bute Council to partner with Skyports and Air Navigation Solutions Limited to undertake trials over the west-coast of Scotland testing the safe integration of drones within manned and unmanned airspace. This could enable the timely and safe delivery of medicines and cargo in remote locations.

Over £555,000 for the Health & Safety Executive to lead a project to develop and test innovative approaches to specific health and safety challenges in the construction sector. This could include wearable technologies monitoring the health of workers or drones that are used for inspection on construction sites.

Today’s funding is a key example of how the UK is using its newfound Brexit freedoms to create a new regulatory framework that prioritises innovation, growth and inward investment.

This follows the Chancellor’s announcement at the Autumn Statement where he revealed the government is tasking the government Chief Scientific Adviser Sir Patrick Vallance to lead work to consider how the UK can better regulate emerging technologies, enabling their rapid and safe introduction.

To ensure the UK continues to seize these opportunities, the independent Regulatory Horizons Council has today published 2 important reports on the regulation of Artificial Intelligence as a Medical Device (AIaMD) and neurotechnology. The reports provide government with advice on areas where regulatory reform can enable technological innovation in these crucial fields to facilitate their rapid and safe introduction.

Building on this, today the government has also commissioned the Regulatory Horizons Council to undertake a review on the regulation of quantum technologies – an emerging sector with anticipated impacts across many areas including space, finance, pharmaceuticals, and materials. Creating a regulatory environment that promotes innovation and growth of the UK quantum industry will enable the UK to lead the debate in international fora and ensure that quantum technologies are used for the benefit of UK society, with global productivity gains from quantum anticipated to be worth $100 billion within the next few decades.
November 30, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : UK and Ukraine agree ground-breaking digital trade deal [November 2022]
The press release issued by the Department for International Trade on 30 November 2022.

The UK and Ukraine agree a new Digital Trade Agreement (DTA) to provide much-needed support for the Ukrainian economy following Russia’s illegal invasion.
- UK and Ukraine agree new Digital Trade Agreement (DTA) to provide much-needed support for Ukrainian economy following Russia’s illegal invasion
- Ukraine’s first ever digital trade deal will support its economy through the current crisis and lay foundations for its recovery and revival
- Deal is the second such agreement for the UK and follows our decision to cut tariffs on all goods from Ukraine to zero under existing UK-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement
The UK and Ukraine will today [Wednesday 30 November] agree a ground-breaking new Digital Trade Agreement (DTA) that will help Ukraine rebuild its economy and support livelihoods following Russia’s illegal invasion.

Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch MP and Ukraine’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Economy Yulia Svyrydenko will meet in London today to agree the deal. It is the second such trade deal the UK has secured, following the world-leading agreement with Singapore finalised earlier this year.

UK negotiators worked at record pace with their Ukrainian counterparts to deliver a deal after the Ukrainian government highlighted the important role Ukraine’s first ever digitally focused trade agreement could play in bolstering the country’s economy.

Trading digitally is particularly important in the current conflict, where damage to Ukrainian infrastructure and warfare makes it much harder to trade physically. Digital tools and technologies will help Ukrainians access everyday vital goods and services during the war.

For example, there is a critical need for people to be able to use digital solutions to prove they are who they say they are, despite the loss of critical documentation or displacement across borders. The agreement provides a framework for the UK and Ukraine to cooperate to promote compatibility between their respective digital identity systems to help address this.

Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch MP said:

“The landmark digital trade deal agreed today between our two countries paves the way for a new era of modern trade between us.

“This agreement will mean our businesses and governments can collaborate even more and ensure Ukrainians have access to essential goods and services digital trade opens up. This will help protect jobs, livelihoods and families now and in Ukraine’s post-war future.”

First Deputy PM and Minister for Trade and Economy Yulia Svyrydenko said:

“This digital trade agreement illustrates that Ukrainian IT companies operating in Ukraine are in demand around the world despite all the challenges of war.

“The UK-UA Digital Trade Agreement has enshrined core freedoms for trade in digital goods and services. Ukraine believes that an open and free framework for the digital economy is the best investment in future oriented development.”

Ukraine will have guaranteed access to the financial services crucial for reconstruction efforts through the deal’s facilitation of cross-border data flows. It also establishes greater cooperation between the UK and Ukraine on cybersecurity and emerging technologies, helping to keep UK and Ukrainian businesses and people safer.

By streamlining digital border processes, Ukrainian businesses will be able to better access the digitally delivered goods and services they need to succeed. They will also be able to trade more efficiently and cheaply with the UK through electronic transactions, e-signatures, and e-contracts.

As a global leader in digital, the UK is ideally positioned to aid Ukraine’s post-conflict transition to a digital economy, with over two-thirds of our services exports to Ukraine already digitally delivered.

techUK CEO Julian David said:

“techUK welcomes today’s agreement in principle on a UK-Ukraine Digital Trade Agreement. It comes at a crucial time for our friends in Ukraine and it will open up new opportunities for cooperation in tech and digital between our two countries.

“This agreement provides the framework for easy flow of critical goods and services, by ensuring the free flow of data and cybersecurity cooperation.

“We are committed to working with our members and the UK and Ukrainian governments to make the most of this agreement and support the Ukrainian economy at this difficult time.”

In May this year, the UK removed all tariffs under the existing UK-Ukraine free trade agreement, supporting Ukrainian businesses and producers to export goods and rebuild their economy.

Work is also underway, through the UK-Ukraine Infrastructure Taskforce, to build partnerships between companies from both countries which help repair damaged and destroyed infrastructure including bridges and homes in and around Kyiv.
November 30, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Countries affected by conflict and food insecurity are on the frontlines of climate change [November 2022]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 29 November 2022.

Statement by Tom Woodroffe, UK Ambassador to the UN ECOSOC, at the Arria formula meeting on climate and security.
Thank you very much, Chair, and like others let me begin by thanking the Permanent Missions of Norway and Kenya for convening us this afternoon, and for the Panellists for their insightful and very action oriented remarks.

A number of people before me have given very obvious illustrative examples of the relationship between climate change and security. I don’t intend to repeat those, but suffice to say that the impacts of climate change present an increasingly unprecedented challenge for the security of people, states, the international community and indeed, as Martin Griffth, the USG for Humanitarian Affairs recently noted at the Security Council, many countries affected by conflict “are quite literally on the front lines of climate change”. So in our view, in the UK’s view, the links are clear and indeed they have been for some time.

The UK was the first to bring climate security to the UN Security Council in 2007. We hosted the first leader level debate in 2019, and more recently, we co-hosted an event at COP27 on anticipating climate crises and taking early action in fragile and conflict-affected states, so we very much welcome the opportunity to co-sponsor this Arria today.

The UK is pleased to have supported the Climate Security Mechanism and also to have provided funding for The Peacebuilding Support Office’s Thematic Review on Climate Security and Peacebuilding, which will provide more analysis on the links between climate impacts and the stability of regions, and it’ll also examine global trends and approaches to sustaining peace through climate security efforts.

But as others have said already today, we need to do better, and we need to better co-ordinate efforts in peacebuilding, climate action and resilience, to build on existing capacities, and to strengthen communities’ ability to mitigate the impacts of climate and security risks. And so for the UK there are perhaps three areas where we believe further work is necessary and is key to achieving this. Indeed I fear I’m about to echo a number of points that other speakers have made perhaps more eloquently than I will. But they are :

Strengthening data and evidence gathering, including the systematic monitoring and analysis of conflict risks through a climate lens so as to better understand climate security risks at local and regional level, and this to be accompanied by the development of foresight capacities to enable preparedness.

Strengthening of the capacity of the UN system, including staff resourcing and training, to share information and analysis and address the adverse impacts of climate change on peace and security and integrate this more comprehensively across decision making

And finally, by developing a cohesive, cross-cutting, and robust strategy that considers climate-related risks, and peace and security issues, in a holistic way and drives a more coherent response to climate-related security risks from the UN system

And if there’s time I would very much welcome hearing the Panel’s reflections on these suggestions.

Thank you very much.
November 30, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : United Kingdom and Brazil sign agreement to avoid double taxation [November 2022]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 29 November 2022.

The United Kingdom and Brazil signed a Double Taxation Agreement (DTA) on Tuesday (29/11). The Agreement will provide relief from the double taxation of income in both countries. It is the most significant development in the trade relationship between the United Kingdom and Brazil in many years and represents a concrete response to demands from business in both countries – exploratory dialogues have been ongoing since 2017. Double taxation makes cross-border trade and investment more expensive, as well as creating obstacles for cross-border workers, which is burdensome for both the business sector and for individuals.

The main benefits of the bilateral agreement will be to:
- Provide tax certainty and predictability to business, facilitating long-term investments;
- Help tackle tax evasion by providing for the exchange of information between the two countries;
- Intensify trade and investment between Brazil and the United Kingdom, strengthening the bilateral relationship.
The DTA brings about important benefits for the British and Brazilian economies. It will ensure that United Kingdom and Brazilian businesses encounter fewer economic and administrative burdens when doing business in the other country and reduce the costs of doing so.

As a result, we anticipate that the Brazilian market will become a more attractive place to invest for the British business community and will also facilitate Brazilian investment in the United Kingdom contributing to job creation, innovation and prosperity.

The link to the full text of the agreement will be included here once it is published on the official page of the British Government.

Before the signing of the DTA, Brazil was one of the only major trading partners of the United Kingdom that had not yet concluded an agreement to avoid double taxation.
November 29, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : New leadership of Thurrock Council outlines full financial position for first time [November 2022]

The press release issued by Thurrock Council on 29 November 2022.

A report going to next week’s Cabinet meeting will outline the council’s current financial position and provide details of the full extent of the challenge it faces for the first time.

The report shows that the council faces a grave financial situation this year (2022/23) with expected investment losses totalling £275.4 million and a further £129.2 million being set aside to repay investment debt contributing to a total in year funding gap of £469.6 million, before mitigation.

It also outlines a budget gap of £184.4 million for 2023/24, which includes money that must be set aside to write down the debt associated with the remaining investment balances and the interest payable on that debt. This also includes the write down of the exceptional financial support that will be sought from central government in respect of the 2022/23 funding gap.

Cllr Mark Coxshall, Leader of Thurrock Council, said: “These are shocking numbers but the first stage to creating a good plan for recovery is to understand the full extent of the problem. I know that Thurrock residents will be concerned and rightly so about what this means for local services. Please rest assured that this report is the first stage of planning for our recovery.

“Everybody now has a fuller understanding of the gravity of the issues we face. We know the council cannot find a way to finance its expenditure in-year and will not achieve a balanced budget next year without external support.

“We will have to request exceptional financial support from the government over a number of years to stabilise our financial position and give us time to have balanced budgets. Alongside this support we will have to use other levers including asset disposal, efficiency savings, council tax increases and funding flexibilities from central government to recover our financial position.

“Although it is impossible for local authorities to go bankrupt, it is clear there will be incredibly difficult decisions to come. These are uncertain and unsettling times but there are no immediate changes to services for residents, and the council’s much valued staff will continue to deliver for Thurrock’s residents and be paid.

“I am absolutely determined to break the council’s past culture of secrecy with complete openness, honesty and transparency. Simply by publishing this information I am making it clear that is not how Thurrock Council intends to work going forward and that this takes place in a way that can be scrutinised by all councillors and the public.

“Further reports will come to Cabinet and update the position before setting a budget in February. Thurrock Council continues our work with the Commissioners to develop a plan that addresses the scale of this challenge and takes us towards a stable and sustainable financial position in the medium to longer term.”

Gavin Jones, Lead Commissioner, said: “The financial position the Commissioners have outlined is a grave one; it is also not yet complete as further work is underway. We have made good progress working alongside Thurrock Council’s leadership to understand the position and to begin to take positive action to address the situation.

“That support will continue as we ensure that essential services can continue to be delivered. We have to be realistic, however, about changes to the Council’s operations which the financial position mean are inevitable.”

The position outlined in this report is correct at the time of publication but is not definitive and could change in the future as more is learned about investments and the council’s portfolio is managed down.

Further reports will come to Cabinet and update the position before a budget is set in February 2023. Thurrock Council continues its work with the Commissioners to develop a plan that addresses the scale of this challenge and takes the council towards a stable and sustainable financial position in the medium to longer term.

The full report is available to view online at Cabinet agenda, Wednesday 7 December 2022.

November 29, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Nothing can replace the scope or scale of the cross border humanitarian operation in Syria [November 2022]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 29 November 2022.

Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the Security Council briefing on Syria.

Thank you President.

And thank you Special Envoy Pedersen and Under Secretary General Griffiths, for your clear briefings and your commitment to Syria.

The key to ending this conflict is through the full implementation of Security Council Resolution 2254. We welcome your untiring efforts, Special Envoy Pederson, to facilitate a sustainable resolution to the conflict and the clear steps you’ve set out this morning. Reconvening the Constitutional Committee in Geneva is the step we particularly need to see. And Russia has stopped standing in the way of this. Political progress desperately needed.

While the conflict drags on, we continue to receive reports of torture and killings in detention centres across Syria, in particular at Sednaya prison. UN Member States have been clear in condemning these systematic violations of human rights, adopting a resolution on human rights in Syria this month. We condemn these violations, and again call for the release of detainees.

In this context, the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate. This is clearly not about sanctions, which are strictly enforced against entities involved in repressing the civilian population, and which include specific humanitarian provisions and exemptions. So let’s be clear about the facts.

14.6 million Syrians are in desperate need of humanitarian aid. A huge increase since three other border crossings were unnecessarily closed in 2020.

The UN has repeatedly told us that the cross-border mechanism is a lifeline for 4.1 million people. On average 20 trucks of food, lifesaving medicines passing through Bab-al Hawa reach people in need every day.

Nothing can replace the scope or scale of this cross border humanitarian operation, and it must continue. The ‘fate’ of this mandate is the ‘fate’ of 4.1 million people who rely on its assistance. And those who are concerned with the humanitarian situation will not delay or compromise their lifeline.

The current cholera outbreak highlights the importance of an effective and predictable UN response, including in early recovery. 30% of UK funding to Syria in 2022 will go to such projects, most of which are focused on water and healthcare. We also welcome progress on crossline efforts. But this is slowed by the Syrian regime’s insistence on new approvals for each convoy, and ongoing fighting. It is simply impossible to replicate with crossline assistance, what is being delivered through the cross-border operation.

President,

As winter approaches, this Council should do everything it can to respond to the needs of the Syrian people.

I thank you.

November 29, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Countries agree concrete change to end sexual violence in conflict [November 2022]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 29 November 2022.

More than 50 countries and the UN agreed urgent action to end sexual violence in conflict at the UK-hosted PSVI Conference this week.
- More than 50 countries have signed a UK-led declaration to end the scourge of sexual violence in conflict.
- Around 40 countries, including the UK, have also made national commitments outlining the steps they will take to tackle sexual violence in conflict.
- On the first day of the UK’s Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict conference (Monday 29 November) the First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, said sexual violence is being used “systematically and openly”.
More than 50 countries and the UN have agreed urgent action to end sexual violence in conflict, by signing up to a new declaration at a UK-hosted summit this week.

The countries agreed to take action to address triggers such as gender inequality, remove the stigma faced by victims, and make sure national laws are in place to prosecute perpetrators.

Around 40 countries, including Colombia, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Japan have also gone further, and set out national commitments on the practical steps they will take to tackle these crimes and make a difference on the ground.

For example, Nigeria has committed to champion the Murad Code, a UK-backed code of conduct to ensure that the experiences of survivors of sexual violence in conflict are documented ethically and effectively.

The USA has committed $10 million over two years to support civil society organisations to document sexual violence in conflict in line with the Murad Code.

President Biden has also issued a memorandum setting out the USA’s intention to promote accountability for conflict-related sexual violence, including through economic sanctions, visa restrictions, and additional measures and authorities.

After Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, reports of sexual violence committed by Russian soldiers against civilians escalated. In addition, assessments conducted in Moldova, Poland, and Romania revealed high risks of organised trafficking and sexual exploitation and abuse of women and children.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said:

Rape in war violates international values as severely as the use of chemical weapons. We must hold perpetrators to account and deliver justice for those affected.

By signing this declaration, we are clear that sexual violence in conflict is a line that should never be crossed. Now is the time to take real action globally to end this horrific crime.

When opening the conference, the Foreign Secretary announced a three-year strategy to tackle sexual violence in conflict which will be backed by up to £12.5 million of new funding.

Minister of State at the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office and the Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon said:

In the last 10 years, we have come a long way, but we know that much more must be done, both to help survivors and to prevent others from suffering such violence. Rape, torture, sexual violence is real, it is happening today. It is a shocking reality of our world in 2022.

Our aim is to make a long-lasting, tangible change in the lives of survivors, while preventing others from going through similar horrific ordeals in the future. We owe it to the courageous survivors who are an inspiration to us all.

Representatives from around 40 countries attended the two-day conference in London, which brought the international community together to take action to end these horrific crimes.

The conference heard from survivors whose moving testimony demonstrated how sexual violence in war and conflict can shatter lives.
November 29, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Serious Fraud Office on track to implement Calvert-Smith review recommendations [November 2022]

The press release issued by the Attorney General on 29 November 2022.

The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has made significant progress towards better record keeping, case assurance and resourcing, following recommendations made by Sir David Calvert-Smith, the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) has announced today.

Following the Court of Appeal’s judgment in the Unaoil case (R. v Akle & Anor) in December 2021, the then Attorney General, the Rt Hon. Suella Braverman KC MP, commissioned Sir David Calvert-Smith to conduct an independent review into the SFO’s handling of the case.

Sir David’s review, and a response to his 11 recommendations, were published on 21 July 2022. Following the commitment made when the review was published, the Attorney General, the Rt Hon. Victoria Prentis MP today updated parliament on the progress that has been made in delivering Sir David’s recommendations. The AGO has also published a detailed progress update.

At the same time, the SFO has also today published an update on its progress to date against the recommendations set out in Brian Altman KC’s independent review of R. v Woods & Marshall, which was also published on 21 July 2022.

Commenting on the updates, the Solicitor General, Michael Tomlinson MP said:

The Attorney General and I are pleased to see real progress being made in line with Sir David’s review. The Serious Fraud Office has put measures in place for nine of his 11 recommendations and in the longer term, work has begun on the remaining two to make sure these important changes are completed to a high standard.

We also welcome the SFO’s further improvement work, highlighted today, in bringing forward and implementing the recommendations set out in Brian Altman’s KC’s review of R. v Woods & Marshall.

Continued work to deliver and embed the recommendations of both reviews will remain a key priority for both the Law Officers and the Director of the SFO.

Commenting on the updates, Director of the Serious Fraud Office, Lisa Osofsky said:

We haven’t stopped fighting serious economic crime, as shown by the recent sentencing of Glencore Energy UK Ltd for seven counts of bribery and a record-breaking penalty, which the company paid in full last week.

“Thanks to the dedication and persistence of my team, we are on track to embed the organisational improvements that will ensure our continued success.”

November 29, 2022
PRESS RELEASE : Mobile and broadband firms meet with ministers to look at further support to help people facing cost of living difficulties [November 2022]
The press release issued by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on 29 November 2022.

The UK’s biggest broadband and mobile operators have today met with the government to follow up on commitments agreed in the summer to support customers with the cost of living.
- Summit comes as the government launches a public awareness campaign to raise awareness of cut-price social tariffs
- Attendees identified the barriers for those not currently taking up social tariffs starting at £10
- Minister urged telecoms companies to consider the impact price rises may have on struggling households
The UK’s biggest broadband and mobile operators have today met with the government to follow up on commitments agreed in the summer to support customers with the cost of living.

Digital minister Julia Lopez called together leaders from the telecoms sector – including BT, Virgin Media, O2, Sky, Vodafone, TalkTalk, Three Mobile, Hyperoptic and Ofcom – at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) for an update on work to boost awareness of social tariffs.

Minister Lopez urged the sector to commit to raising awareness of these affordable deals available for people in receipt of Universal Credit, which could save them up to £180 per year when compared to the average tariff.

An Ofcom report in September found that only 31 per cent of eligible groups were aware that social tariffs were available, despite them being available in 99 per cent of the UK to reach those who need the support most.

The meeting took place on the day the government launched a UK-wide public awareness campaign as part of its Help for Households programme. The campaign aims to help people through the cost of living this winter and will help increase awareness and uptake of the cut-price broadband and mobile deals available to help those struggling with bills.

As well as agreeing to make vital steps to make sure eligible customers know about social tariffs starting from as little as £10, the industry agreed to share insight into the barriers beyond consumer awareness that are preventing households from taking up social tariffs.

The Minister also reminded broadband and mobile companies to be mindful of the impact price rises have on households struggling with the global rise in the cost of living.

In a move welcomed by the government, attendee Hyperoptic also marked the occasion by announcing that they will be dropping the price of their fastest speed social tariff from £25 to just £20.

Digital Infrastructure Minister Julia Lopez, said:

Helping families manage the cost of living is a priority for this winter and beyond. It is vital to find out what more we and the telecoms industry can do to support families worried about their bills.

Everyone should have access to affordable mobile and broadband services. Today we agreed that more has to be done to raise awareness of social tariffs and stressed the impact price increases have on people and families up and down the country.

Minister for Social Mobility, Youth and Progression Mims Davies said:

We have already made it easier for vulnerable families receiving certain benefits to access cheaper broadband rates through our automatic verification system. I do welcome today’s discussion which further shows our commitment to working innovatively with industry to keep low-income families connected and able to progress as a result of this support.

Social tariffs are just one of the ways we are assisting households at this challenging time, with millions already receiving £1,200 in direct payments and more on the way next year. I encourage anyone who thinks they might be entitled to further support to check their eligibility via our online benefits calculator.

The move follows a roundtable in June where the Government and operators agreed a raft of new commitments to support people with rising costs, including more manageable payments and switching to a cheaper deal free-of-charge.

Following this, the Department for Work and Pensions also launched a new service to verify – with customers’ permission – whether they are in receipt of a relevant benefit and therefore eligible for extra financial support such as a social tariff. The new system will simplify the process by removing the need for customers to prove their entitlement to broadband providers as regularly as every month.
November 29, 2022