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Along with other donors the UK is supporting UN agencies, the Red Cross and NGOs to respond to coronavirus in other countries. This includes helping the world’s poorest countries to access critical medical supplies including PPE. UK aid is also helping to increase global production of medical supplies, including PPE. This includes significant support to the World Health Organisation (WHO) to help it work with global manufacturers.
The UK Government does not directly fund the Global Drug Facility, but it does provide significant funding to global bodies to tackle TB. This includes our funding to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria, which we have committed £1.4 billion to for the next three years. We are also supporting developing countries through our multilateral partnerships with organisations like the WHO, and our regional and national programmes, to make their domestic health systems, including their TB programmes, stronger and more resilient.
The UK Government is concerned about the indirect impacts of COVID-19 on other health priorities, including increased rates of HIV, TB and malaria. The Stop TB Partnership’s rapid assessment of COVID-19 and the TB response gives helpful insights into short-term impacts. The modelling report co-commissioned by the Stop TB Partnership outlines longer-term impacts, suggesting that disruptions caused by COVID-19 could lead to an additional 6.3 million TB cases and 1.4 million TB deaths between 2020 and 2025. The findings of both reports are concerning.
The UK Government is taking action, including through support to the Global Fund’s COVID-19 Response Mechanism, which we are funding through our £1.2 billion contribution to the Fifth Replenishment of the Global Fund. Through our multilateral partnerships with organisations like the WHO, and our regional and national programmes, the UK Government also supports developing countries to make their domestic health systems, including their TB programmes, stronger and more resilient.
The United Kingdom has concerns about human rights in Cambodia and continues to raise these with the Cambodian government at every opportunity. For example, when explaining the UK’s approach on trade preferences to Cambodia, Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Cambodia expressed our concerns about the human rights situation to Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister in December 2020.
We continue to monitor the situation in Cambodia and consider if it is appropriate to suspend preferences in line with the provisions of our Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) scheme, taking into account the human rights situation as well as the economic impact of COVID-19 and the impact on vulnerable people, including female garment factory workers.
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)’s online services are the quickest and easiest way to renew a driving licence. There are no delays in successful online applications and customers should receive their driving licence within a few days. However, many people still choose or have to make a paper application for a driving licence and the DVLA receives 60,000 items of mail each day. The latest information on turnaround times for paper driving licence applications can be found on GOV.UK.
The DVLA has introduced additional online services, recruited more staff and has secured extra office space in Swansea and Birmingham to house more staff to help reduce waiting times while providing future resilience and business continuity.
These measures are having a positive impact. In particular, the focus on vocational driving licence applications to support dealing with the HGV driver shortage has been successful with routine vocational applications now back within normal turnaround times despite a significant increase in applications. The remaining queues are reducing, and customers will see an improving picture in terms of turnaround times over the next few months.
As a world leader in tobacco control, the Government is continuing to deliver its commitments under the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control 2030 project. The countries receiving support continue to make good progress in strengthening their tobacco control measures.
The five-year project is in its final year and scheduled to end in March 2021. Year 5 (2020/21) objectives have been set and the project delivery revised to take account of the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic.
No decision has been made on whether Official Development Assistance funding will be made available to support the project beyond the original commitment of March 2021.
Women's empowerment and gender equity are top priorities for the UK Government in South Africa, including through work on skills and youth employment, and tackling gender based violence. While the UK does not currently provide support to women's access to contraceptive services in South Africa, the UK has supported 9.5 million women and girls to use modern methods of contraception since 2018 through the Women's Integrated Sexual Health (WISH) programme, across 17 African countries.
The UK has now committed £395 million in aid to the current crisis. This includes £220 million of humanitarian assistance which will be used to save lives, and protect vulnerable people inside Ukraine and in neighbouring countries. This funding will help aid agencies respond to the deteriorating humanitarian situation by providing access to basic necessities and medical supplies. UK Government humanitarian experts have also deployed to the region to support those fleeing the violence in Ukraine. The UK has matched pound for pound the public's first £25 million for the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal, which has now surpassed £130 million. Donating will help DEC charities provide food, water, shelter and healthcare to refugees and displaced families.
To date, we have contributed £3.5 million to provide medical supplies to Ukraine. Five commercial flights with supplies have been sent plus a further shipment on a military flight. We are preparing another five flights over the next week and we are working with Department of Health and Social Care and Devolved Administrations to identify and prepare supplies which meet the most pressing needs with a focus on pharmaceuticals.
A search of FCDO and MOD records has not returned any documents matching this description.
The UK is one of the leading supporters of mine action across the world. Our current Global Mine Action Programme (GMAP2, running from 2018-2022) has helped to raise standards across the global demining sector through its effective and innovative approach. Under GMAP2, the UK has cleared and confirmed safe 435.2 million square metres of land, the equivalent of over 60,952 football pitches, and has delivered risk education messages to over 3.7 million people in communities affected by mines. GMAP2 has as a consequence contributed to broader HMG development goals such as stabilisation, education, jobs and food security in poor and fragile countries across the world.
The FCDO is currently working on the design of a new Global Mine Action Programme (GMAP3), which will replace GMAP2 during 2022. We are committed to continually improving the effectiveness of our aid funding for mine action, and are drawing on lessons learned from GMAP2.
The UK is a leading donor in supporting Angola's commitment to be landmine free by 2025. The UK's current Global Mine Action Programme (GMAP2, 2018-22) has, as of September 2021, cleared and confirmed safe over 27 million square metres of land in Angola (the equivalent of 3,784 football pitches) and provided 95,004 people with risk education.
The Global Mine Action Programme 3 (GMAP3) is due to replace GMAP2 during 2022. It will involve landmine clearance and risk education to help keep affected communities safe, and build capacity development for national authorities to help them manage landmine contamination. We are in the process of finalising individual country allocations, and will make a statement as soon as this is complete.
The UK is committed to supporting efforts to assist developing countries avert, minimise and address loss and damage.
As COP26 Presidency, the UK will work with the incoming Egyptian Presidency for COP27 and UNFCCC Subsidiary Body Chairs to follow up on the actions set out in the COP26 Decision text. This includes the Glasgow Dialogue which will discuss the arrangements for the funding of activities to avert, minimise and address loss and damage. As Presidency we will also be supporting the process to operationalise the Santiago Network, which will catalyse and deliver technical support to enable countries to cope with the impacts of climate change.
We are also taking action through our International Climate Finance (ICF) - which will total £11.6 billion over the next 5 years, with an extra £1bn in if fiscal conditions allow - as well as through broader humanitarian assistance. Between 2016 and 2019, the UK spent £2 billion of ICF on adaptation and investments in areas needed to address loss and damage, including around £202 million on humanitarian assistance directly linked to climate change and building resilience to it, and £115 million on financial protection and risk management.
The UK is committed to supporting efforts to assist developing countries avert, minimise and address loss and damage.
As COP26 Presidency, the UK will work with the incoming Egyptian Presidency for COP27 and UNFCCC Subsidiary Body Chairs to follow up on the actions set out in the COP26 Decision text. This includes the Glasgow Dialogue which will discuss the arrangements for the funding of activities to avert, minimise and address loss and damage. As Presidency we will also be supporting the process to operationalise the Santiago Network, which will catalyse and deliver technical support to enable countries to cope with the impacts of climate change.
We are also taking action through our International Climate Finance (ICF) - which will total £11.6 billion over the next 5 years, with an extra £1bn in if fiscal conditions allow - as well as through broader humanitarian assistance. Between 2016 and 2019, the UK spent £2 billion of ICF on adaptation and investments in areas needed to address loss and damage, including around £202 million on humanitarian assistance directly linked to climate change and building resilience to it, and £115 million on financial protection and risk management.
The UK is committed to supporting efforts to assist developing countries avert, minimise and address loss and damage.
As COP26 Presidency, the UK will work with the incoming Egyptian Presidency for COP27 and UNFCCC Subsidiary Body Chairs to follow up on the actions set out in the COP26 Decision text. This includes the Glasgow Dialogue which will discuss the arrangements for the funding of activities to avert, minimise and address loss and damage. As Presidency we will also be supporting the process to operationalise the Santiago Network, which will catalyse and deliver technical support to enable countries to cope with the impacts of climate change.
We are also taking action through our International Climate Finance (ICF) - which will total £11.6 billion over the next 5 years, with an extra £1bn in if fiscal conditions allow - as well as through broader humanitarian assistance. Between 2016 and 2019, the UK spent £2 billion of ICF on adaptation and investments in areas needed to address loss and damage, including around £202 million on humanitarian assistance directly linked to climate change and building resilience to it, and £115 million on financial protection and risk management.
The IMS debt is a longstanding issue and we have been consistently clear that we continue to explore options to resolve this 40-year old case.
Diplomatic protection is a mechanism under international law according to which a State may seek to secure reparation for injury to one of its nationals, on the basis that the second State has committed an internationally wrongful act against the national. It is the right of the State to raise with another State the question of treatment of one of its nationals by that other State and to call that other State to account on the international plane. Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe was given Diplomatic Protection in March 2019. Mr Ashoori’s release is a top priority for the Foreign Secretary and we will continue to review when best to deploy the tools that we have to secure his release. FCDO has been supporting Mr Ashoori's family since we became aware of his detention. The Foreign Secretary has remained in contact with the family to reinforce the UK's efforts to bring him home and last met with them on 18 November.
We do not accept any of our dual nationals being used as diplomatic leverage. We remain committed to securing the immediate and permanent release of unfairly detained British nationals in Iran, including Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Anoosheh Ashoori. The Foreign Secretary discussed their cases with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on 8 November. The Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister, Bagheri Kani visited the FCDO on 11 November to meet senior government officials and Minister Cleverly, who raised all our cases with his Iranian counterpart.
As part of the Canadian Initiative Against Arbitrary Detention, we are committed to enhancing international cooperation to stop any State from arbitrarily detaining foreign nationals for coercive purposes. We are working with our G7 partners to enhance mechanisms to uphold international law, tackle human rights abuses and stand up for our shared values.
We do not accept our nationals being used as diplomatic leverage and have repeatedly made this clear to Iran. We remain committed to securing the immediate and permanent release of unfairly detained British nationals in Iran, including Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Anoosheh Ashoori.
I addressed the UN Human Rights Council on 24 August to underscore the UK's commitment to protecting the human rights of all Afghan people. The UK led work on the recent UN Security Council resolution, demonstrating our commitment to holding the Taliban to account on human rights. The UK is urgently developing a new settlement scheme for 20,000 Afghans most at risk who will be eligible to apply. We are prioritising vulnerable groups in the UK's response.
The UK has invested £124million to help clear deadly explosive devices worldwide in the last three years through the Global Mine Action Programme 2. The UK is looking forward to starting phase 3 of the Global Mine Action Programme (GMAP3) in 2022. MAP3 will involve landmine clearance and risk education to help affected communities keep safe, and capacity development for national authorities to help them manage their landmine contamination.
The UK will assume the Presidency of the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) in September. We will use this opportunity to encourage states to ratify and implement this treaty, including Angola. We are committed to seeing the CCM become a truly global Convention.
The UK has a longstanding role supporting the most vulnerable in South Sudan through humanitarian support. Our humanitarian programme provides basic services, critical life-saving assistance and support to help people to better cope with the impacts of conflict, drought and flooding. We also support a number of other initiatives to help end the conflict and bring peace for the people of South Sudan.
As one of the founding signatories to the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty, the UK is one of the leading supporters of de-mining action worldwide. In South Sudan, our Global Mine Action Programme 2 is working with partners to remove landmines and ordnances. As of March 2021, UK support has helped make safe 1.8 million square metres of land and provided education on mine risks to nearly 25,000 people.
This is why the UK continues to urge all parties involved in the dispute over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam - Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan - to come to an agreement on the issues around the dam, including its filling and operation. We support the efforts by the African Union (AU) to help find agreement, and ensure that water resources are managed in a way that ensures their long-term sustainable use for all parties. We continue to speak to all three Governments through our Embassies in those countries, and regularly engage the US and EU as observers to the AU-led process, including through the UK Special Envoy for the Red Sea and the Horn of Africa. The Minister for Africa also raised the issue with the Ethiopian Ambassador on 24 February.
The UK Sanctions List provides details of all individuals and entities designated in UK law under each of the UK's 35 sanctions regimes established under the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018. This is available online here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-uk-sanctions-list. The EU publishes a similar list of all individuals and entities designated under EU sanctions law. This is available here: https://www.sanctionsmap.eu/#/main. The UK does not publish a comparison of the two lists.
As a member of the EU, and until the end of the Transition Period, we implemented all EU sanctions. To designate former EU designations under UK law, the UK statutory tests had to be met. This includes demonstrating that there are reasonable grounds to suspect that the proposed designation meets the designation criteria set out in the relevant Regulations and that designating that person would be appropriate with regards to the regime's purposes as set out in those Regulations. In a small number of cases - less than 10% - those legal tests were not met. Those EU designations were not transitioned.
The UK is concerned about the trajectory of democracy in Cambodia. The UK plays a vocal role in the promotion of democracy. We raise concerns about democratic space and other human rights issues with the Cambodian authorities. The British Embassy in Phnom Penh has and will continue to meet with members of the Cambodian opposition and representatives from the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) to hear their concerns. Embassy staff have attended court hearings, including of some of the 121 CNRP members, and will continue to do so in partnership with like-minded foreign missions.
The UK also uses multinational fora to raise concerns. At sessions of the UN Human Rights Council in June 2020, the UK publically urged the Cambodian authorities to lift restrictions on political debate and to create the conditions for a proper functioning democracy. We also voiced concern regarding the repeated arrests and intimidation of those seeking to be part of a public discourse about the future of Cambodia.
The UK is a leading voice in upholding and defending human rights and democracy. We value our relationship with all ASEAN's Member States, who are committed to rule of law, good governance, and the principles of democracy and constitutional government, through the ASEAN Charter. Where we have concerns we raise these bilaterally, through our regular ministerial and official engagement with host governments, and multilaterally, including through UN Human Rights Council statements and the Universal Periodic Review process. The UK does not currently provide support for the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights.
The UK is deeply concerned by the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in northern Mozambique, and the increasing attacks by groups with links to Islamic extremism. To date, the insurgency has claimed over 2,000 lives and created over 515,000 internally-displaced people. On 10 November, the Foreign Secretary and the Minister for Africa publicly condemned the recent attacks in which over 50 people were reportedly beheaded. We were also deeply concerned at videos, released in September, of alleged human rights abuses by the Mozambique security forces. Acts committed in the video were horrific and unacceptable, and we have urged the Mozambiquan authorities to ensure there is a full investigation to identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
We are working with the Government of Mozambique to address the root drivers of conflict and instability in northern Mozambique, including through engagement with the Government of Mozambique's regional development authority in Cabo Delgado, and by providing targeted technical assistance under the framework of a Defence Memorandum of Understanding. To date, the UK has provided £19m of humanitarian and development support to internally displaced people in northeast Mozambique through UN agencies, ensuring displaced people have access to food, shelter and basic healthcare.
The Foreign Secretary discussed the situation in northern Mozambique with President Nyusi on 11 June, urging him to address the underlying causes of the insurgency as well as its effects. The Minister for Africa spoke to Foreign Minister Macamo on 23 July, noting Mozambique's efforts to address the causes of instability through the creation of the Integrated Department for the Development of Northern Mozambique (ADIN), and to encourage a holistic approach to tackling the insurgency. The Minister of State responsible for Human Rights also discussed these issues with President Nyusi on 24 August and offered UK support to tackle the growing humanitarian crisis.
We regularly engage with our international partners on Mozambique, including the US, France, Portugal, South Africa and the UN. The Minister for Africa spoke to the Deputy Minister for International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa on 16 July. They agreed on the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Southern African region, and on central role of the Southern African Development Community in achieving this. To date, the UK has provided £19m of humanitarian and development support to internally displaced people in northeast Mozambique through UN agencies, ensuring displaced people have access to food, shelter and basic healthcare.
The Foreign Secretary discussed the situation in northern Mozambique with President Nyusi on 11 June, urging him to address the underlying causes of the insurgency as well as its effects. The Minister for Africa spoke to Foreign Minister Macamo on 23 July, noting Mozambique's efforts to address the causes of instability through the creation of the Integrated Department for the Development of Northern Mozambique (ADIN), and to encourage a holistic approach to tackling the insurgency. The Minister of State responsible for Human Rights also discussed these issues with President Nyusi on 24 August and offered UK support to tackle the growing humanitarian crisis.
We regularly engage with our international partners on Mozambique, including the US, France, Portugal, South Africa and the UN. The Minister for Africa spoke to the Deputy Minister for International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa on 16 July. They agreed on the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Southern African region, and on central role of the Southern African Development Community in achieving this. To date, the UK has provided £19m of humanitarian and development support to internally displaced people in northeast Mozambique through UN agencies, ensuring displaced people have access to food, shelter and basic healthcare.
The UK continues to support Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organisations where statehood is not a prerequisite and where Taiwan can make a valuable contribution. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office supports the Department for Health in lobbying for Taiwan's participation in World Health Organisation (WHO) meetings. The UK is working with likeminded countries to lobby the WHO at official level to issue an invitation to Taiwan to observe the World Health Assembly in November and allow Taiwan to participate in relevant WHO technical meetings. Lessons learnt from Taiwan's effective tackling of the Covid-19 pandemic adds significant value to the international fight against the virus.
The UK is concerned by the continued demolition of Palestinian property and structures by Israeli authorities. In all but the most exceptional of circumstances demolitions are contrary to International Humanitarian Law. The practice causes unnecessary suffering to ordinary Palestinians and is harmful to the peace process. Officials from our Embassy in Tel Aviv have repeatedly raised our concerns about demolitions with Israeli Ministers and senior officials, and urged them to cease the counter-productive policy of demolitions. We call on Israel to provide a clear, transparent route to construction for Palestinians in Area C.
The UK is concerned by the continued demolition of Palestinian property and structures by Israeli authorities. In all but the most exceptional of circumstances demolitions are contrary to International Humanitarian Law. The practice causes unnecessary suffering to ordinary Palestinians and is harmful to the peace process. Officials from our Embassy in Tel Aviv have repeatedly raised our concerns about demolitions with Israeli Ministers and senior officials, and urged them to cease the counter-productive policy of demolitions. We call on Israel to provide a clear, transparent route to construction for Palestinians in Area C.
We are monitoring closely the recent border tensions between China and India, which resulted in the confirmed deaths of 20 Indian soldiers in the Galwan Valley on 15 June. The status of the India-China border is a bilateral issue and we encourage the two sides to engage in dialogue on this. We welcome the call between Foreign Ministers Wang Yi and Jaishankar on 17 June and the agreement that both sides would take steps to de-escalate.
As we made clear at the UN Security Council remote meeting on the Middle East Peace Process on 20 May, we are deeply concerned by reports that the new Israeli Government coalition has reached an agreement which may pave the way for annexation of parts of the West Bank. The Foreign Secretary reiterated this message in his introductory calls with Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Gantz on 20 May and Israeli Foreign Minister Ashkenazi on 2 June. The UK position is clear: any unilateral moves towards annexation of parts of the West Bank by Israel would be damaging to efforts to restart peace negotiations and contrary to international law. We continue to urge Israel not to take these steps.
The British Government regularly engages with international partners on the importance of truth, accountability and justice for all victims of the civil war in Sri Lanka. At the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, the UK works closely with the Core Group on Sri Lanka, and made clear our continued support for justice for victims of conflict in a joint statement delivered at the UNHRC in February. The British High Commission in Colombo also regularly engages with international partners on this important issue.
The UK has long supported Sri Lanka's accountability commitments made to the UNHRC through resolutions 30/1, 34/1 and 40/1 as the best way to establish truth regarding alleged crimes committed by all sides during the Sri Lankan civil war, as well as to achieve accountability and reconciliation. We continue to underline the importance of accountability, justice and reconciliation in our engagement with the Government of Sri Lanka.
We have regularly expressed our concerns to the Government of Iran at the ongoing incarceration of prisoners of conscience, including the sentencing of Christians for practicing their faith. The reality is that many non-Muslims in Iran face discrimination. We will continue to take action, both bilaterally and with the international community, to press Iran to improve its poor human rights record.
The permanent release of all arbitrarily detained dual nationals in Iran and their return to their families in the UK remains our top priority We continue to raise this at all appropriate levels with Iran - the Foreign Secretary raised it with Foreign Minister Zarif on 16 March and our Ambassador to Iran has consistently raised it with the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
We are concerned by reports that some governments are using the current crisis to fail to comply with their human rights obligations, including in relation to the use of surveillance during the COVID-19 pandemic. On 9 April, the UK participated in the UN Human Rights Council's first ever virtual conversation with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. Discussion focused on the human rights implications of the COVID-19 crisis; both the immediate impact of the response on human rights around the world, and the social and economic consequences, including the prospect of greater inequality. In his statement to the Council, our Ambassador to the UN in Geneva stressed the importance of ensuring that parliaments, media and civil society all play their role to scrutinise the actions of governments and international agencies, and that we make use of the international human rights frameworks. We support the call made by the UN Secretary-General in his message of 22 April that human rights must be at the front and centre of the COVID-19 response and recovery. The UK Government remains committed to standing up for human rights and supports all efforts by the UN to minimise long-term damage to global economies, societies, politics and freedoms.
We are concerned by reports that some governments are using the current crisis to fail to comply with their human rights obligations, including in relation to the use of surveillance during the COVID-19 pandemic. On 9 April, the UK participated in the UN Human Rights Council's first ever virtual conversation with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. Discussion focused on the human rights implications of the COVID-19 crisis; both the immediate impact of the response on human rights around the world, and the social and economic consequences, including the prospect of greater inequality. In his statement to the Council, our Ambassador to the UN in Geneva stressed the importance of ensuring that parliaments, media and civil society all play their role to scrutinise the actions of governments and international agencies, and that we make use of the international human rights frameworks. We support the call made by the UN Secretary-General in his message of 22 April that human rights must be at the front and centre of the COVID-19 response and recovery. The UK Government remains committed to standing up for human rights and supports all efforts by the UN to minimise long-term damage to global economies, societies, politics and freedoms.
The UK is committed to protecting and promoting human rights throughout the world through both bilateral and multilateral engagement. We work with and support human rights defenders, who play an essential role in upholding and promoting respect for human rights, democratic freedoms and civil society. The UK published the document 'UK Support for Human Rights Defenders' in July 2019, making it available in all six UN languages to ensure its widest reach. It sets out our ongoing dedication to supporting and protecting human rights defenders worldwide. Our diplomatic network will always take into account the local context and regularly engages with NGO representatives and human rights defenders to address the challenges which human rights defenders face and how the UK can help overcome them. The UK will continue to give strong support to human rights defenders worldwide during the COVID-19 pandemic to enable them to carry out their work safely and without fear, and we regularly assess how we can enhance our ability to make a positive difference.
As we made clear at the UN Security Council remote meeting on the Middle East Peace Process on 23 April, we are deeply concerned by reports that the new Israeli Government coalition has reached an agreement which paves the way for annexation of parts of the West Bank. The UK position is clear: any unilateral moves towards annexation of parts of the West Bank by Israel would be damaging to efforts to restart peace negotiations and contrary to international law.
We are relieved that Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe was temporarily released on March 17. While her further extension is a welcome step, we continue to urge the Iranian Government to immediately release her - and all UK dual nationals arbitrarily detained in Iran - to enable them to return to their families in the UK. The Foreign Secretary raised this with Foreign Minister Zarif on 16 March and Minister of State for the Middle East with the Iranian Ambassador on 26 March. Our Ambassador in Tehran consistently raises all of our dual national detainees with the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
We are deeply concerned that the death penalty has been issued. The Government of Bahrain are fully aware that the UK is firmly opposed to the death penalty, in all circumstances. The UK has and will continue to monitor the cases closely and raise concerns with senior members of the Bahraini Government when we have them.
We are working across government and with partners such as UNHCR to design the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS), amidst a complex and changing picture. We are committed to working in step with the international community to get this right, and we will set out more details soon.
The first to be resettled through the ACRS will be some of those who arrived in the UK under the evacuation programme, which included individuals who were considered to be at particular risk.
The ACRS will be focused on people affected by events in Afghanistan, who are located in Afghanistan or in the region.
Eligible people will be prioritised and referred for resettlement to the UK as set out in the policy statement published on gov.uk on 13 September.
We are working across government and with partners such as UNHCR to design the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS), amidst a complex and changing picture. We are committed to working in step with the international community to get this right, and we will set out more details soon.
The first to be resettled through the ACRS will be some of those who arrived in the UK under the evacuation programme, which included individuals who were considered to be at particular risk.
The ACRS will be focused on people affected by events in Afghanistan, who are located in Afghanistan or in the region.
Eligible people will be prioritised and referred for resettlement to the UK as set out in the policy statement published on gov.uk on 13 September.
We are working across government and with partners such as UNHCR to design the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS), amidst a complex and changing picture. We are committed to working in step with the international community to get this right, and we will set out more details soon.
The first to be resettled through the ACRS will be some of those who arrived in the UK under the evacuation programme, which included individuals who were considered to be at particular risk.
The ACRS will be focused on people affected by events in Afghanistan, who are located in Afghanistan or in the region.
Eligible people will be prioritised and referred for resettlement to the UK as set out in the policy statement published on gov.uk on 13 September.
The Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme is not yet open and remains under development. However, the first to be resettled through this scheme will be some of those who arrived in the UK under the evacuation programme, which included individuals who were considered to be at particular risk – including women’s rights activists, prosecutors and journalists.
Further information on the eligibility, prioritisation and referral of people for the ACRS is set out in the policy statement published on gov.uk on 13 September.
The UK will continue to defend the rights & freedoms of the people of Hong Kong. Should China push ahead and impose national security legislation on Hong Kong then we will provide a generous offer to BN(O)s of a bespoke immigration route providing unrestricted access to work and study with a pathway to apply for citizenship.The Home Office is working closely with the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and domestic departments on the offer to British Nationals (Overseas) and will set out more detail in due course.
The UK will continue to defend the rights & freedoms of the people of Hong Kong. Should China push ahead and impose national security legislation on Hong Kong then we will provide a generous offer to BN(O)s of a bespoke immigration route providing unrestricted access to work and study with a pathway to apply for citizenship.
The Home Office is working closely with the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and domestic departments on the offer to British Nationals (Overseas) and will set out more detail in due course.
The UK will continue to defend the rights & freedoms of the people of Hong Kong. Should China push ahead and impose national security legislation on Hong Kong then we will provide a generous offer to BN(O)s of a bespoke immigration route providing unrestricted access to work and study with a pathway to apply for citizenship.
The Home Office is working closely with the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and domestic departments on the offer to British Nationals (Overseas) and will set out more detail in due course.
The following information is drawn from our records on UK Defence assistance to Sudan in the financial years 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20, and 2020-21.
Financial Year | Course |
2020-21 | No training provided |
|
|
2019-20 | Support to East African Standby Force development |
| Project Management course |
|
|
2018-19 | Overseas Directing Staff Course |
| British Military English Course (Basic) |
| Exclusive Economic Zone Protection course |
| Managing Defence in the Wider Security Context |
| Teacher Training |
| Short Term Training Team (incl. peacekeeping advice) |
| International English Language Testing System exams |
| Staff College English Language Training |
| English Language Training placement tests |
| Cranfield University Partnered Masters course |
| International Humanitarian Law / Law of Armed Conflict (X2) |
| English Language Training |
|
|
2017-18 | British Military English Course (Basic) |
| Teaching Methods |
| Conflict Analysis |
| Strategic Leadership Programme |
| Royal College of Defence Studies |
| British Military English Course (Intermediate) |
| Managing Defence in the Wider Security Context |
| English Language training (X2) |
| Cranfield University Partnered Masters programme |
| International Humanitarian Law course |
| Strategic Planning for Security and Development |
| Cross Cultural Communications |
| Teaching Knowledge Test course |
| International English Language Testing System course |
|
|
2016-17 | British Military English Course (Intermediate) |
| Conflict Analysis |
| Royal College of Defence Studies |
| British Military English Course (Basic) |
| Senior Strategic Leadership Programme |
| Strategic Planning for Security and Development |
| Law of Armed Conflict and Directors training |
| International Humanitarian Law course |
| English Language training |
| Cranfield University Partnered Masters programme |
| Managing Defence in the Wider Security Context |
Financial Year | Cost of UK defence education and training delivered to Sudan (£k) |
2020-21 | 0 |
2019-20 | 38.3 |
2018-19 | 410.7 |
2017-18 | 516.3 |
2016-17 | 494.4 |
The Ministry of Defence did not deliver any training to the Sudanese Armed Forces in 2020-21. Before that date, our objective in providing Defence assistance was to promote peacebuilding and stability in Sudan. As such, the content of our training courses was designed to promote awareness (including through appropriate English language courses) of British military doctrine, of the need for civilian primacy, and of international humanitarian law.
The Ministry of Defence is not providing any military, security or police training to the Sudanese Armed Forces either in the UK or in Sudan.
We have not issued any licences for the supply of surveillance equipment or technology to the Sudanese Armed Forces or the Government of Sudan since 2017.
The temporary pavement licence provisions that were introduced in the Business and Planning Act 2020 and subsequently extended have a national smoke-free condition requiring businesses to provide seating where smoking is not permitted. In addition, Local Authorities can attach their own conditions, including those that prohibit smoking.
As set out in the Housing Minister’s letter of 6 October, the motivation behind the letter to Manchester City Council was to protect hospitality businesses otherwise severely affected by the pandemic and save jobs. The Act, and associated guidance, is consistent with this aim. The smoke-free seating condition was introduced to strike the balance with the economic needs of businesses and helping towards the financial recovery from the impacts of COVID.
The Government is committed to protecting hospitality businesses impacted by the pandemic. It was for this reason that we introduced the Pavement Licence provisions in the Business and Planning Act 2020, supporting businesses by removing red tape and making it easier, faster and cheaper to serve customers outdoors. The Pavement Licence Guidance that was published on 22nd July alongside the Act was cleared with the Department of Health and Social Care. This guidance has not changed. It sets out detail on how local authorities can issue pavement licences to support businesses, including those in the hard hit hospitality sector, to return to work safely and continue serving their local communities.
The Government is committed to protecting hospitality businesses impacted by the pandemic. It was for this reason that we introduced the Pavement Licence provisions in the Business and Planning Act 2020, supporting businesses by removing red tape and making it easier, faster and cheaper to serve customers outdoors. The Pavement Licence Guidance that was published on 22nd July alongside the Act was cleared with the Department of Health and Social Care. This guidance has not changed. It sets out detail on how local authorities can issue pavement licences to support businesses, including those in the hard hit hospitality sector, to return to work safely and continue serving their local communities.
The Government is committed to protecting hospitality businesses impacted by the pandemic. It was for this reason that we introduced the Pavement Licence provisions in the Business and Planning Act 2020, supporting businesses by removing red tape and making it easier, faster and cheaper to serve customers outdoors. The Pavement Licence Guidance that was published on 22nd July alongside the Act was cleared with the Department of Health and Social Care. This guidance has not changed. It sets out detail on how local authorities can issue pavement licences to support businesses, including those in the hard hit hospitality sector, to return to work safely and continue serving their local communities.