Nearly 50 organisations including the TUC, Citizens Advice, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Fawcett Society, Maternity Action, Women’s Budget Group and Liberty call on government to reconsider its plans
Unions, legal networks and rights organisations have today (Monday) slammed the government’s decision to reintroduce employment tribunal fees.
In a joint statement penned by 48 organisations and campaigners including the TUC, Citizens Advice, Maternity Action, Women’s Budget Group, Liberty, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Fawcett Society, Mother Pukka, the groups call on the government to urgently reconsider its plans.
In 2017, after Unison brought a legal challenge, the Supreme Court quashed the previous tribunal fees regime because it “effectively prevents access to justice and is therefore unlawful.”
The joint statement says the decision will put yet another hurdle in front of those seeking justice, highlighting the existing barriers working people face including:
Lack of awareness of key employment rights and the process for bringing a claim.
Strict time limits on filing claims.
An under-resourced employment tribunal system leading to significant delays in cases being heard.
An under-funded labour market enforcement system that doesn’t have enough inspectors to proactively enforce employment rights.
The groups say that introducing fees will encourage exploitation of workers:
“We believe this will deter many from lodging worthy claims and gives a green light to bad employers to exploit their workers.
“Bad employers are being given the go-ahead to undercut good ones, safe in the knowledge they are less likely to face claims in the employment tribunal.
“Employment rights are only real if they are enforced. Tribunal fees risk pricing many workers out of workplace justice.”
They raise concerns about the impact on workers in the middle of a cost of living crisis:
“Workers seeking recovery of wage theft, unpaid redundancy pay and compensation for unfair dismissal are to be asked to stump up extra money at an incredibly tough moment in their lives.
“Fee exemption procedures are complex and difficult to understand for many, especially within the three months’ time limit for most claims.
“Fees are also being levied at a time when rising inflation and subdued wages are putting pressure on family budgets. Access to justice must never be contingent on your ability to pay.”
And they warn that those at the sharp end includes workers already at high risk of mistreatment
“Tribunal fees risk pricing many workers out of workplace justice, especially workers at greater risk of employment law violations such as pregnant workers, disabled workers and migrant workers.”
TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak said: “All working people should be able to enforce their rights. But introducing fees for tribunals puts yet another hurdle in the way of those seeking justice at their most vulnerable moment.
“The Conservatives have already tried this and failed. Last time they introduced tribunal fees, claims dropped by two-thirds. And the Supreme Court threw fees out – saying they interfered with access to justice.
“That should have been the nail in the coffin for these cynical plans, but ministers have decided to side with bad bosses over workers and resurrect employment tribunal fees.
“Employment tribunal fees give employers a pass to exploit workers – whether it’s discrimination, unfair sackings or withheld wages.
“Working people shouldn’t be picking up the bill for exploitative employers’ poor behaviour. It’s plain wrong. Ministers must halt their plans without delay.”
Rosalind Bragg, Director at Maternity Action Group, said: “For pregnant women and new mothers in the cost of living crisis, every penny counts. Charging fees for employment tribunal claims puts the justice system out of reach for women at a time when they are most in need of protection.
“If the Government is serious about stamping out maternity discrimination, they should be reducing barriers to justice not increasing them. Fees will reduce the deterrent effect of the employment tribunal, reassuring bad employers that they can get away with breaking the law.
“We have laws in place to secure equal treatment of pregnant women and new mothers at work but these are ineffective without the robust operation of the employment tribunal.
“Fees are a step backwards in the fight for gender equality.”
The Joint Statement reads:
As organisations that advocate for workers’ ability to enforce their rights, we strongly oppose the government’s plans to impose fees on people who file an employment tribunal claim.
Following a landmark victory by trade union UNISON, the previous employment fees regime was ruled unlawful by the Supreme Court due to its restriction on access to justice and discriminatory impact.
It appears the government is intent on repeating the mistakes of the past.
We believe reintroducing tribunal fees would block many from lodging worthy claims and give a green light to bad employers to exploit their workers.
There are already considerable barriers to those seeking justice at work:
An under-resourced employment tribunal system leading to significant delays in cases being heard.
An under-funded labour market enforcement system that doesn’t have enough inspectors to proactively enforce employment rights.
Lack of awareness of key employment rights.
A complicated process for bringing a claim.
Difficulty in accessing legal support.
Strict time limits on filing claims.
Workers seeking recovery of wage theft, unpaid redundancy pay and compensation for unfair dismissal are to be asked to stump up extra money at an incredibly tough moment in their lives. Fee exemption procedures are complex and difficult to understand for many, especially within the three months’ time limit for most claims.
Fees are also being levied at a time when rising inflation and subdued wages are putting pressure on family budgets. Access to justice must never be contingent on your ability to pay.
Meanwhile bad employers are being given the go-ahead to undercut good ones, safe in the knowledge they are less likely to face claims in the employment tribunal.
Employment rights are only real if they are enforced. Tribunal fees risk pricing many workers out of workplace justice, especially workers at greater risk of employment law violations such as pregnant workers, disabled workers and migrant workers.
We urge the government to reconsider its plans.
Signatories:
Trades Union Congress
Focus on Labour Exploitation (FLEX)
Maternity Action
Pregnant Then Screwed
Young Women’s Trust (Clairee Reindorp, CEO)
Liberty
Mother Pukka, Anna Whitehouse
Inclusion London
BARAC UK
Citizens Advice
Anti Trafficking and Labour Exploitation Unit (ATLEU)
The William Gomes Podcast
After Exploitation
Latin American Women’s Rights Service (LAWRS) for Refugees
Migrant Voice
Kalayaan
Work Rights Centre
Southeast and East Asian Centre (SEEAC)
Kanlungan Filipino Consortium
Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association (ILPA)
Community Policy Forum
Right to Remain
Advice Services Alliance
Anti-Slavery International
Migrants’ Rights Network
Disability Rights UK
Legal Action Group
Protect
Fawcett Society
Your Employment Settlement Service
Just Fair
Labour Behind the Label
Legal Aid Practitioners Group
Highfields Centre
War on Want
The Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI)
The National Galleries of Scotland celebrates the return of Antonio Canova’s The Three Graces to the National in Edinburgh, for the first time in eleven years.
Jointly owned with the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, this extraordinary marble sculpture usually rotates between the two locations every seven years however was delayed due to the opening of the new Scottish galleries at the National.
Regarded internationally as an exquisite example of neoclassical European sculpture, this is an exciting opportunity for visitors to see the work in the heart of Edinburgh for free.
The sculpture represents Euphrosyne, Aglaia and Thalia, the three daughters of Zeus and Eurynome according to Greek mythology.
The three graces are associated with Aphrodite (Venus) and embody qualities such as shared friendship or chastity, beauty and love.
Business Gateway West Lothian has announced plans for a free ‘start up’ event on Thursday, 29th February at West Lothian College from 5-7pm to help budding entrepreneurs turn their business idea into a successful new venture.
The ‘Simplifying the Business Start Up Process’ event will be hosted by Business Gateway West Lothian trainers and advisers and cover everything from strategic business planning and building a strong brand to sustainable practices and financial support.
There will also be a panel discussion with local business owners Sarah-Jane Watson, founder of Watson Estate Agency in Armadale and Claudia Willunat founder of e-commerce business, Claudia’s K9 Coats for pets, who both launched their businesses in October last year. Also attending will be Lewis Gold, founder of Geeza Pizza pop up street food truck based at Houston Industrial Estate, which he started in December last year.
The speakers will be sharing their journeys so far and tips to help other founders bring their business ideas to life and take part in an audience Q&A session. There will also be opportunities for all attendees to network at the event.
Linzi Winton from Business Gateway West Lothian said: “We are really looking forward to our ‘Simplifying the Business Start Up Process’ event for budding entrepreneurs who would benefit from a helping hand to get them started and gain insight into simplifying the process of being a new business owner.
“At Business Gateway West Lothian our aim is to help make things easier for anyone in business, particularly at the beginning when it can feel slightly daunting and people don’t know where to access impartial and confidential support.
“Our trainers and advisers will be on hand at the event to answer any questions and offer advice on the processes from planning and marketing to financial projections and HR, and attendees will also be able to hear from our three new start-up guests on their experiences and learnings, and network with other businesses.”
Sarah-Jane Watson said: “Since launching my business in September 2023, it’s been quite the rollercoaster ride. The support I’ve received from Business Gateway West Lothian, starting from our initial conversation, has been invaluable in navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship.
“This includes assistance in accessing grant support and crafting a business plan that has effectively steered my business forward and been instrumental in keeping me on track.
“I’m eagerly anticipating the opportunity to share my journey at the upcoming event at West Lothian College. My goal is to motivate and inspire others to embark on their own entrepreneurial endeavours and get all the help they can, as the support I’ve received from Business Gateway West Lothian for almost four months has truly been a game-changer.”
“The event will be formally opened by Executive Councillor for Economy, Community Empowerment & Wealth Building, Kirsteen Sullivan.
Councillor Sullivan said, “I know how important new start businesses are to the economy.
“In West Lothian, the Council’s Business Gateway team helps over 300 new starts every year. These businesses add more than £14.5 million to West Lothian’s economy.
“I’d encourage anyone who has always dreamed of being their own boss to come along to the event on the 29th. Now’s the time to make that business dream a reality.”
£4.25 million in UK aid will help ensure UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, can provide life-saving support to vulnerable women and girls
Foreign Secretary David Cameron announces £4.25m in aid to support sexual and reproductive healthcare in Gaza.
Support expected to help UN agency UNFPA reach more than 110,000 women with community midwives, menstrual hygiene kits and clean birth delivery kits.
Comes as women and girls in Gaza increasingly at risk of disease, pregnancy complications and gender-based violence.
The Foreign Secretary has announced new funding to tackle the sexual and reproductive healthcare crisis in Gaza. The £4.25 million in UK aid will help ensure UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, can provide life-saving support to vulnerable women and girls.
This support is expected to reach about 111,500 women, around 1 in 5 of the adult women in Gaza. It will support up to 100 community midwives, the distribution of around 20,000 menstrual hygiene management kits and 45,000 clean delivery kits.
Foreign Secretary David Cameron confirmed the additional funding in response to a UN flash appeal for the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Women and girls are particularly at risk from disease, pregnancy complications and gender-based violence in Gaza currently, with 85% of people displaced and currently just 13 out of the 36 hospitals partially functional, with one specialist maternity hospital functioning.
Foreign Secretary David Cameron said: “Women are bearing the brunt of the desperate humanitarian situation in Gaza today. Many thousands of women are currently pregnant and will be worrying about delivering their babies safely.
“This new UK funding will help make giving birth safer and improve the lives of mothers and their new-born babies.
“We need to see an immediate pause in the fighting so we can secure the safe release of hostages, get more aid in, and allow organisations like UNFPA to do their vital work effectively.”
Women and girls are bearing the brunt of the desperate humanitarian situation in Gaza.
The UK is working with @UNFPA to get vital lifesaving resources directly to women and girls in desperate need. pic.twitter.com/Wc4Cclt7va
— Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (@FCDOGovUK) February 25, 2024
UNFPA Executive Director, Dr. Natalia Kanem, said: “In Gaza, the reality for women and girls is horrific – and getting worse each day. They have little to no access to essential health services and menstrual supplies, and many are forced to give birth in unsafe conditions that put their lives and those of their babies at risk.
“The support of the United Kingdom and other partners is vital to get lifesaving resources directly to women and girls in desperate need.”
UNFPA is providing life-saving reproductive health supplies for women and girls in Gaza. Since the most recent crisis began, UNFPA has provided nearly 74,000 adolescents and children with psychosocial support and financial support for over 2,000 vulnerable women at risk of gender- based violence to purchase essential menstrual and hygiene items.
There were an estimated 50,000 pregnant women in Gaza at the start of the crisis, with more than 180 births occurring each day and over 5,500 women expected to deliver in the next month.
The UK has trebled our aid commitment to the Occupied Palestinian Territories this financial year and we are doing everything we can to get more aid in and open more crossings, including calling for an immediate pause to get aid in and hostages out.
Israel must take steps, working with other partners including the UN and Egypt, to significantly increase the flow of aid into Gaza including allowing prolonged humanitarian pauses, opening more routes into Gaza and restoring and sustaining water, fuel and electricity.
Rule changes extend eligibility for help with food shopping
Changes to a key Scottish Government benefit will see an estimated 20,000 people able to access money to help with the cost of food shopping for the first time.
Rule changes around eligibility for Best Start Foods come into force today, (Monday Feb 26) extending eligibility by making it easier to qualify.
Best Start Foods, which was paid to more than 46,000 people in 2022/23, is money every four weeks to help pay for healthy food from pregnancy until a child turns three.
It’s delivered on a pre-paid chip and pin card which can be used in most stores and online.
Before the changes which come into force today, it was paid to people who receive qualifying benefits as long as their incomes did not pass certain limits. Those income thresholds have now been removed in a move which means thousands more will be able to successfully apply for a card.
Other rule changes have made it simpler for eligible young parents to receive the benefit.
Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “This is an important day for the Scottish Government in terms of our mission to tackle poverty and protect people from harm.
“In 2024-25 we are committing a record £6.3 billion for benefits expenditure, providing support to over 1.2 million people.
“This is £1.1 billion more than the UK Government gives to the Scottish Government for social security, demonstrating our commitment to tackling poverty.
“Making this investment allows us to take measures like the one which comes into force today – giving critical help with buying healthy foods to those who need it most.
“It will further benefit the whole economy when cards are used and the cash is spent.”
The changes were welcomed by charity Edinburgh Community Food Aid Network. Chief Executive Officer, Brenda Black said: “The importance of nourishing food for both mother-to-be and infant cannot be overstated: the first 1000 days of a child’s life are crucial for growth, development, and long-term health.
“We welcome the positive changes in ‘Best Start Foods’ to help thousands of extra families in Scotland access a healthier diet.
“Edinburgh Community Food’s team of skilled nutritionists promotes Best Start Foods’ within our communities, to improve and sustain the health and wellbeing of future generations of Scots.”
The Scot’s 2013 Wimbledon triumph was also voted the greatest UK sporting moment of the century
Take part in this quiz to test your knowledge of the UK’s 21st century sporting success
Scotland’s greatest sportsperson of the 21st century has been revealed – with tennis legend Sir Andy Murray coming out on top.
Sports fans from Scotland have had their say and the three-time Grand Slam champion won with 61 per cent of the vote.
Second place went to six-time Olympic champion, Sir Chris Hoy, while third spot went to seven-time snooker World Champion, Stephen Hendry.
Scotland’s men’s football captain, Andy Robertson picked up fourth, tied with long-distance runner Eilish McColgan.
They were followed by Winter Olympic champion Eve Muirhead, and Olympic silver medallist Laura Muir, who received the same number of votes.
Commissioned by CopyBet.com, the poll of Scottish adults who watch sport also identified the greatest UK sporting moment of the century – with Sir Andy Murray coming out on top again for his 2013 Wimbledon triumph, followed by Sir Chris Hoy’s triple gold at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.
A spokesperson for the betting platform said: “Scotland has a proud sporting history and it’s always enjoyable to reflect on the moments and sportspeople we remember most fondly.
“As the study shows, Scotland have had lots of success this century, and with the Summer Olympics and European Championships on the horizon, 2024 will surely see more memorable sporting moments.”
78 per cent of Scottish sports fans believe the UK’s sporting successes boost the morale of the nation – with 62 per cent of the opinion that it’s in need of another sporting triumph or two.
Carried out through OnePoll, the study found 59 per cent of Scottish sports fans believe the current generation of UK sportspeople holds up to those from past eras, with the same number being optimistic about the UK’s sporting prospects for the decade ahead.
A spokesperson for the betting platform added: “Recent successes will surely inspire the next generation of athletes to match or better past achievements.
“The future is looking bright for Scotland – no doubt sports fans will be excited to see what happens next.”
TOP 10 – SCOTTISH SPORTSPEOPLE OF THE 21ST CENTURY
1. Sir Andy Murray
2. Sir Chris Hoy
3. Stephen Hendry MBE
4. Andy Robertson
5. Eilish McColgan
6. Laura Muir
7. Eve Muirhead OBE
8. Stuart Hogg MBE
9. Jamie Murray OBE
10. John Higgins MBE
TOP 5 – UK SPORTING MOMENTS OF THE 21ST CENTURY
Sir Andy Murray winning Wimbledon in 2013
Sir Chris Hoy’s triple gold at the 2008 Olympics in track cycling
Leicester City winning the Premier League in 2015/16
‘The Miracle of Istanbul’ – Liverpool’s comeback from 3-0 down to win the Champions League against AC Milan
Sir Mo Farah’s double gold at the 2012 Olympics – 5,000m and 10,000m
On Friday night, the winners of this year’s prestigious Gaelic short film competition, FilmG, were announced to an audience of almost 500 filmmakers, industry professionals, and FilmG devotees.
The event took place in the Lomond Auditorium of the SEC in Glasgow and was hosted by BBC ALBA stars Lana Pheutan and Hannah McKirdy who saw winners crowned across 16 categories.
Taking top spot in the under 18 competition was Parker Dawes who won the Best Film for Iomlaineachd (Perfection).
This is the second year in a row that Dawes has picked up the Best Film Award, a testament to his Gaelic storytelling ability and continued investment in his craft, earmarking him as one of Scotland’s best young film talents.
Parker Dawes, Best Film winner (-18), said: “It was an amazing night and it was great that people had the opportunity to view and appreciate my film.
“I enjoy entertaining people with my stories and competitions like FilmG enable me to do this and to pursue filmmaking which is something I really love. This is my second year winning, but it still came as a big surprise – it’s still sinking in!”
Securing first place in the over 18 category for Best Film was Kayleigh Bell’s documentary, Sealladh mo Sheanair, which explores her “Grandfather’s Perspective” through a series of interviews. This is Kayleigh’s first win in this category at the FilmG Awards.
Kayleigh Bell, Best Film winner (18+), said: “I’m quite shocked I won – I thought all the nominees were fantastic. I still can’t quite believe it.
“It’s my first time winning FilmG ever and I’m so glad it was with a personal story – my Granda would have been very proud and I think he’d be very happy to see himself on TV. This win has been really encouraging – I’ve definitely got lots of ideas and plans for next year’s competition.”
Other winners include Thurso High School who won the new Inspiration Award in the under 18 competition for their film, Ar Sealladh aig Àrd-sgoil Inbhir Theòrsa, a documentary that explores the views of Thurso’s teachers and pupils on Gaelic medium education.
The Inspiration Award in the over 18 competition went to Edinburgh-based filmmaker, Luca Kerr, for his horror Campachadh (Camping).
Glasgow-based production company, Lost Rollerskate Pictures, picked up the award for Best Story (-18) for their film, A bheil thu an sin? (Are you there?). This is the first year the production company entered FilmG, headed up by high school student, Tomas Dimbleby Weber.
Individual prizes went to Inverness filmmaker Rachel Urquhart who won the Technical Excellence Award (18+) for her work on her documentary, Còisir – Mgr M!, about the impact of Mr MacMillan and his choir at Inverness Gaelic Primary School. The Rionnag Award (-18), for the best off-screen contribution, went to polyglot Jasmine Krzyzanowska-Pawlak from Millburn Academy in Inverness – who is learning Gaelic as her third language – for her camera work on Sealladh na Bànrigh.
Last year’s Best Performance winner, Finlay Morrison, has once again won the award in the under 18 competition, however, this year he shares the accolade with his brother Calum for their performances in the comedy, Bràthair Mòr Nan Gàidheal!!.
In the over 18 competition, the Best Performance Award was won by Evie Waddell, a Gaelic and Scots singer hailing from Stirlingshire, for her film, Fios no Fois. Her film explores the confusions of deaf experience through Gaelic song, accompanying choreography, and BSL.
There were also two winners for the FilmG Choice Award – the only awards selected by public vote via the FilmG website. In the under 18 competition the winner was Sgoil Lionacleit, on the Isle of Benbecula, for their moving film, Aillse, Sealladh Marsaili, which explores Marsaili’s journey with cancer from a young age.
In the over 18 competition, Skye’s Niamh MacKinnon took home the Choice Award for her film, Glac an Latha, which encourages everyone to embrace the present.
A highlights programme will be shown on BBC ALBA at 8pm this evening (Sunday 25 February). Watch live on BBC ALBA or on demand on BBC iPlayer: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001wsfr.
The livestream of the whole event is also available now on the BBC ALBA YouTube channel.
FilmG Project Manager, Megan Dale, said: “What a brilliant night! We’re still reflecting on the wealth of talent and enthusiasm displayed during the FilmG Awards.
“2024 has been a year of firsts for FilmG; we had our first entrants from Canada; it was our first year at the SEC; we had new presenters; and our biggest-ever audience of 500 attending the awards. Our bigger venue meant that more nominees and FilmG enthusiasts could attend the awards and this added a real buzz to the event.
“A huge congratulations to all the nominees and winners – it was fantastic seeing them all dressed up for the awards night and it truly felt like the Gaelic Baftas.”
MG ALBA’s Head of Publishing, Maggie Taylor, said: “A huge congratulations to all our nominees and winners – what a brilliant night celebrating the best of Gaelic storytelling.
“What becomes evident – looking at the talented list of FilmG winners – is that Gaelic storytellers hail from all over Scotland. We have winners from Thurso, Inverness, Skye, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and the Western Isles.
“A big thank-you to Lana and Hannah who did a fantastic job at keeping the room captivated whilst presenting awards to the next generation of Gaelic filmmakers. Hopefully nights like the FilmG Awards encourage Gaelic speakers to continue making films and that their stories and voices are incredibly important in shaping Scotland’s storytelling.”
A full list of films from FilmG can be found at www.filmg.co.uk.
‘As Ukraine enters the third year of this relentless war, its government and its people can count on the G7’s support for as long as it takes’.
The leaders of G7 countries issued a joint statement on the second anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine:
We the Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) met today with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to reaffirm our unwavering support for Ukraine and salute once more the bravery and resilience of the Ukrainian people who have been fighting tirelessly for Ukraine’s freedom and democratic future.
They have resisted for two years Russia’s illegal, unjustifiable, and unprovoked full-scale invasion which constitutes a blatant violation of the UN Charter. They have proven their will to defeat President Putin’s war machine, restore their nation’s territorial integrity, and defend Ukraine’s sovereignty and independence.
President Putin has failed to achieve his strategic objective of subjugating Ukraine. Instead, he is forcing his own people to pay a heavy price for his government’s reckless actions each day. He has drained Russia’s resources to fund an unnecessary war, torn Russian families apart, and claimed hundreds of thousands of Russian lives.
We remain convinced that we can ensure the people of Ukraine prevail in fighting for their future and help to forge a comprehensive, just and durable peace.
On this occasion, we also pay tribute to the extraordinary courage of Alexei Navalny and stand with his wife, children, and loved ones. He sacrificed his life fighting against the Kremlin’s corruption and for free and fair elections in Russia. We call on the Russian government to fully clarify the circumstances around his death. We equally call on the Russian government to free all unjustly detained prisoners and to stop the persecution of political opposition and the systematic repression of Russians’ rights and freedoms. We will hold those culpable for Navalny’s death accountable, including by continuing to impose restrictive measures in response to human rights violations and abuses in Russia and taking other actions.
1.
We will continue to support Ukraine’s right to self-defence and reiterate our commitment to Ukraine’s long-term security, including by concluding and implementing bilateral security commitments and arrangements, based on the Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine we endorsed in Vilnius last July. We are stepping up our security assistance to Ukraine and are increasing our production and delivery capabilities, to assist the country.
Ten years after the Maidan protests, we stand with the Ukrainian government and people as they buttress the foundations of their democratic state through vital reforms, especially to reinforce their justice system and rule of law, and tackle corruption. These endeavours are part of Ukraine’s path to Euro-Atlantic integration. We praise Ukraine’s achievements to date and welcome the European Council’s decision last December to open accession negotiations with Ukraine. We welcome Ukraine’s progress towards meeting the IMF Extended Fund Facility programme’s conditionality.
Russia must not succeed in wrecking Ukraine’s economy to make up for its failures on the battlefield. We will help Ukraine meet its urgent financing needs, and assist other vulnerable countries severely affected by the impacts of Russia’s war. We strongly welcome the EU’s approval of the Ukraine Facility of EUR 50 billion.
It will provide crucial financial support to Ukraine until 2027. We also welcome additional economic support others have approved as we seek to close Ukraine’s remaining financing gap, as well as Japan’s swift delivery of its budget support in the first quarter of 2024 and Canada’s new funding. We urge the approval of additional support to close Ukraine’s remaining budget gap for 2024.
Ukraine’s reconstruction, starting with early recovery measures, remains a key priority. We will continue to work, with the Ukrainian authorities and International Financial Institutions through the Multi-agency Donor Coordination Platform for Ukraine and by leveraging private investments.
We welcome the Platform’s expansion to include the Republic of Korea, Norway, Sweden, and the Netherlands. Further to the successful Japan-Ukraine Conference for Promotion of Economic Growth and Reconstruction, we look forward to the Ukraine Recovery Conferences, to be hosted in Berlin in 2024 and in Rome in 2025.
2.
We call on Russia to immediately cease its war of aggression and completely and unconditionally withdraw its military forces from the internationally recognised territory of Ukraine. We call on all countries to uphold international law and in no way validate or condone Russia’s attempts to acquire territory by force. We will never recognise so-called “elections”, past and future, held by Russia in the territories of Ukraine, nor their results. Russia’s stated intention to hold votes for its Presidential elections in Ukrainian regions is an outrageous violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty.
We strongly condemn Russia’s continuous brutal attacks on civilians and critical civil infrastructure and war crimes committed by Russian forces in Ukraine, including sexual violence. We strongly condemn Russia’s human rights violations in the territories Russia occupies. W
e remain committed to holding those responsible accountable for their atrocities against the people of Ukraine, in line with international law. We support investigations by the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, the Prosecutor-General of Ukraine, and other national prosecutors within their jurisdictions.
We welcome ongoing discussions in the Core Group, exploring the establishment of a tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine. We call on Russia to release all persons it has unlawfully detained and to safely return all civilians it has illegally transferred or deported, starting with thousands of children.
We welcome the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, launched by Ukraine and Canada. We also stress the importance of advancing towards an exchange of all prisoners of war and welcome efforts in this regard by other partner countries and actors.
Finally, we will continue to support Ukrainian displaced persons and refugees and protect those in need. We reiterate our support for the Council of Europe Register of Damage for Ukraine.
As Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine continues to undermine global food security, we celebrate Ukraine’s success in significantly expanding food exports through the Black Sea, which will help feed the world. Thanks to Ukraine’s maritime corridor and the EU’s solidarity lanes, Ukraine is on track to export all grain from its 2023 harvest despite Russia’s attacks on Ukrainian ports and its withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative.
We will continue to help Ukraine export its grain and agricultural products to the most vulnerable nations, including through the implementation of the Grain Verification Scheme that Ukraine will lead this year. We call on Russia to cease its efforts to weaponise food supply and support safe commercial navigation of the Black Sea.
Russia’s irresponsible nuclear rhetoric, its posture of strategic intimidation and its undermining of arms control regimes are unacceptable. Threats by Russia of nuclear weapon use, let alone any use of nuclear weapons by Russia, in the context of its war of aggression against Ukraine are inadmissible.
3.
We will continue to raise the cost of Russia’s war, degrade Russia’s sources of revenue and impede its efforts to build its war machine, as demonstrated by our recently approved sanctions packages.
We remain committed to fully implementing and enforcing our sanctions on Russia and adopting new measures as necessary. We continue to counter, in close cooperation with third countries, any attempts to evade and circumvent our sanctions and export control measures.
We will impose additional sanctions on companies and individuals in third countries who help Russia acquire weapons or key inputs for weapons. We will also impose sanctions on those who help Russia acquire tools and other equipment that aid Russian weapons production or military-industrial development.
We will continue to apply significant pressure on Russian revenues from energy and other commodities. We will continue to take steps to tighten compliance and enforcement of the oil price cap.
While working to maintain supply stability, we will respond to price cap violations, including by imposing additional sanctions measures on those engaged in deceptive practices while transporting Russian oil and against the networks Russia has developed to extract additional revenue from price cap violations.
We will continue taking steps to limit Russia’s future energy revenues. We will continue to impede Russia’s development of future energy projects and disrupt its development of alternatives for energy shipping and other services. We will continue efforts to reduce Russia’s revenues from metals.
We will continue to take action against third-country actors who materially support Russia’s war including by imposing additional measures on entities, where appropriate, in third countries.
We call on financial institutions to refrain from supporting Russia’s war machine and we will take appropriate steps, consistent with our legal systems, to deter this behaviour. Financial institutions and other entities that facilitate Russia’s acquisition of items or equipment for its defence industrial base are supporting actions that undermine the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence of Ukraine.
We strongly condemn North Korea’s exports and Russia’s procurement of North Korea’s ballistic missiles in direct violation of relevant UNSCRs and call upon them to immediately cease such activities.
We call upon Iran to stop assisting the Russian military and its war in Ukraine. We express our concern about transfers to Russia from businesses in the People’s Republic of China of dual-use materials and components for weapons and equipment for military production.
It is not right for Russia to decide if or when it will pay for the damage it has caused in Ukraine. These damages now exceed USD486 billion, according to the World Bank. Russia’s obligations under international law to pay for the damage it is causing are clear.
We are determined to dispel any false notion that time is on Russia’s side, that destroying infrastructure and livelihoods has no consequences for Russia, or that Russia could prevail by causing Ukraine to fail economically.
Russia should not be able to indefinitely delay payment it owes. We recognise the urgency of disrupting Russia’s attempts to destroy the Ukrainian economy and Russia’s continued failure to abide by its international law obligations. We are determined to ensure full accountability and we support Ukraine in obtaining compensation for the loss, injury and damage resulting from Russia’s aggression.
We reaffirm that, consistent with our respective legal systems, Russia’s sovereign assets in our jurisdictions will remain immobilised until Russia pays for the damage it caused to Ukraine.
We welcome the adoption of the EU legal acts concerning extraordinary revenues of central securities depositories gained from Russia’s immobilised sovereign assets and encourage further steps to enable their use, consistent with applicable contractual obligations and in accordance with applicable laws.
We ask our ministers to continue their work and update ahead of the Apulia Summit on all possible avenues by which immobilised Russian sovereign assets could be made use of to support Ukraine, consistent with our respective legal systems and international law.
4.
As we move forward, we continue our support to Ukraine in further developing President Zelenskyy’s Peace Formula and commit ourselves to supporting a comprehensive, just and lasting peace consistent with the principles of the UN Charter, international law and respectful of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
As Ukraine enters the third year of this relentless war, its government and its people can count on the G7’s support for as long as it takes.
UK to boost Ukraine’s artillery reserves with £245 million munitions package
The UK will spend £245 million throughout the next year to procure and invigorate supply chains to produce urgently needed artillery ammunition for Ukraine.
This week marks two years since Putin launched his illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and ten years since he first invaded Crimea
Defence Secretary says UK will do whatever it takes to ensure Ukraine can continue to fight towards victory
New package of funding will replenish Ukraine’s artillery ammunition reserves, which are critical to the war effort
The UK will spend nearly a quarter of a billion pounds throughout the next year to procure and invigorate supply chains to produce urgently needed artillery ammunition to boost Ukraine’s reserves.
Today’s £245 million announcement comes exactly two years to the day since Putin launched his illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine – with artillery having proved critical to Ukraine’s battlefield successes, continuously degrading Russia’s forces and preventing them from making significant breakthroughs.
Ukraine has been particularly noted for its highly effective use of its artillery to conduct counter-battery fire – using drones and UK-supplied radar systems to quickly identify the locations of active Russian artillery and rapidly return fire to destroy them.
The UK has been leading international support for the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) for ten years since Russia first invaded Crimea in 2014, training more than 60,000 new recruits since 2015 and committing almost £12 billion in economic, humanitarian, and military aid since 2022.
In an update to Parliament on Thursday, the Defence Secretary confirmed delivery of an additional 200 Brimstone anti-tank missiles to the AFU, bringing the total number of Brimstone provided to Ukraine to more than 1,300 – further building on the UK’s enduring support to Ukraine – having been the first country to announce it would provide modern, Western tanks in the form of Challenger 2 and the first country to provide long-range precision strike missiles in the form of Storm Shadow.
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said: “Two years ago to the day, Putin defied all rationality and regulation to launch his reckless and illegal full-scale invasion – throwing tens of thousands of unprepared and unwitting troops into what he described as a limited military operation. But as the war now enters its third year, the steadfast determination and resilience of the brave people of Ukraine continues to inspire the world.
“Against all odds, the Armed Forces of Ukraine have pushed back the Russian invaders to recapture half of the land Putin stole, while significantly degrading Russia’s capabilities – with around 30 per cent of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet destroyed or damaged, and thousands of tanks and armoured vehicles reduced to scrap.
“But they cannot win this fight without the support of the international community – and that’s why we continue to do what it takes to ensure Ukraine can continue to fight towards victory.
“Nearly a quarter of a billion pounds’ worth of UK funding will boost their critical stockpiles of artillery ammunition, while the Royal Air Force completes a further delivery of advanced tank-busting missiles. Together, we will ensure Putin fails, and a victory for democracy, the rules-based international order, and the Ukrainian people.
Further to the artillery funding and missiles package, a new multi-million pound series of contracts has been signed between the MOD’s procurement arm, Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), and UK-based Cook Defence Systems to provide hundreds of spare caterpillar tracks for tanks and armoured vehicles – which will allow the AFU to recover and restore vehicles damaged by anti-tank weapons and landmines. The contracts will involve a mixture of UK funding and funds from the International Fund for Ukraine.
Last week, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps announced the UK will further co-lead an international capability coalition to supply cutting-edge drones to Ukraine, alongside Latvia, alongside the UK’s co-leadership of the international maritime capability coalition announced in December. During meetings with counterparts last week at NATO headquarters in Brussels and at the Munich Security Conference, the Defence Secretary urged partners and allies to commit to long-term support for Ukraine.
The contracts with Cook Defence Systems, a family-owned business in Northeast England, will boost the local economy and have so far delivered 15 new jobs – delivering on the Prime Minister’s priority to grow the economy. The company’s experts have been examining and analysing Soviet-era vehicles, some salvaged from Ukraine, to create new tracks to fit a range of requirements.
Tracks will be produced to support hundreds of types of vehicle including Soviet-era platforms abandoned by Russian forces and recovered by the AFU, as well as those provided by the UK such as Challenger 2 tanks and CVR(T) reconnaissance vehicles.
UK-provided capabilities have proved highly effective on the battlefield – with Challenger 2 having been described my members of the AFU as being “like a sniper rifle” due to its accuracy at long distances. Brimstone anti-tank missiles have also seen significant use on the battlefield – in one instance, they were used to help force a Russian formation to withdraw from attempting a river crossing.
Chief of the Defence Staff, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, said: “During the past two years, the Armed Forces of Ukraine have become one of the largest, most capable and respected fighting forces in the world.
“They have presided over extraordinary feats of operational and strategic success, from repelling Russian forces on the outskirts of Kyiv in the opening stages of the war to the spectacular and ongoing campaign in the Black Sea.
“Today the Russian Army has lost half the territory it seized, over 350,000 men killed or wounded, thousands of tanks, artillery pieces and armoured fighting vehicles, the Russian Fleet has been driven from Crimea and Ukraine’s maritime exports are returning to pre-war levels. Russia is failing in all of its strategic objectives to subjugate Ukraine and challenge NATO.
“If we maintain the unity and cohesion we’ve seen to date, and keep strongly supporting our brave Ukrainian partners – militarily, economically and diplomatically – Russia will continue to fail and Ukraine will build the foundations to flourish as a strong, prosperous and sovereign nation. And NATO continues to get even stronger.”
During a visit to Kyiv last month, the Prime Minister announced a further £18 million in humanitarian and economic aid for Ukraine, building on almost £340 million already provided.
Some of that funding will support organisations like the UN and Red Cross to provide humanitarian aid on the frontline, and £8 million will go to fortify Ukraine’s energy infrastructure against further Russian attacks.
The UK’s non-military support to Ukraine since the start of the invasion comes to £4.7 billion. This includes £4.1 billion in fiscal support, and over £660 million in bilateral assistance. We have introduced the largest and most severe package of sanctions ever imposed on Russia or indeed any major economy. And we have now sanctioned over 1,700 individuals and entities since Putin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary, and Defence Secretary are all committed to continuing military support for Ukraine, which is why the UK’s military aid budget for FY24/25 has been increased for the first time to £2.5 billion.
