Coronation: ‘A proud expression of our history, culture and traditions’?

The Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has ‘issued words’ to mark the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla on 6 May 2023:

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: The Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla will be a moment of extraordinary national pride.

Together with friends from across the Commonwealth and beyond, we will celebrate the enduring nature of our great monarchy: its constancy, devotion to duty, and service to others.

No other country could put on such a dazzling display – the processions, the pageantry, the ceremonies, and street parties.

But this is not just a spectacle.

It’s a proud expression of our history, culture, and traditions.

A vivid demonstration of the modern character of our country.

And a cherished ritual through which a new era is born.

In the Abbey where monarchs have been crowned for almost a thousand years, representatives of every faith will play a central role for the first time.

And in a fitting tribute to the spirit of service that will define the Carolean Age, people across our country will help their communities with thousands of acts of kindness.

So let’s celebrate this weekend with pride in who we are and what we stand for. Let’s look to the future with hope and optimism.

And let’s make new memories, so we can tell our grandchildren of the day we came together to sing: God Save The King.

Scottish Secretary Alister Jack on the Coronation of His Majesty The King Charles III and The Queen Consort:

Huge congratulations to King Charles III and Queen Camilla, ahead of their Coronation later today.

I hope everyone has the chance to come together with friends and family to celebrate what is an incredibly important moment for the whole of the United Kingdom.

Have a fantastic long weekend and please join me in wishing the King and Queen a long and happy reign.

God save the King.

Scotland marks Coronation day

Street parties, gun salutes and charity events to celebrate historic occasion

Events will take place across Scotland to mark the Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

There will be gun salutes at Edinburgh and Stirling Castles as well as ceilidhs, street parties and charity events. Big screens will also show the ceremony at locations including Princes Street Gardens in Edinburgh and Glasgow Cathedral.

The First Minister, the Lord Advocate and the Permanent Secretary will attend the event at Westminster Abbey.

The King will be presented with the Honours of Scotland at a separate Scottish Service of Dedication and Thanksgiving, which will take place at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh later this year.

First Minister Humza Yousaf – an avowed republican – said: “I will attend the Coronation ceremony as First Minister, on behalf of the Scottish people – and many people across the country will also take part in the celebrations by watching the ceremony on big screens, hosting street parties or taking part in charity or volunteering.

“I look forward to participating in the ceremony when His Majesty is presented with the Honours of Scotland at a Service at St Giles’ Cathedral later this year.

“The King’s longstanding connection to Scotland is well known – through his patronage of many Scottish charities and institutions, including the Prince’s Foundation.

“Queen Camilla has also built strong ties with communities over many years, including through her role as Chancellor of the University of Aberdeen.

“I know many people in Scotland will want to send their best wishes to King Charles III and Queen Camilla on this historic occasion.”

The Royal Standard will fly over St Andrew’s House in Edinburgh for the Coronation weekend.

Further details of the service at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh which will take place later this year, including viewing opportunities for the public, will be issued in the coming weeks.

Coronation of His Majesty The King & Her Majesty The Queen Consort

Coronation Big Lunch

The Big Help Out

Honours of Scotland

New blueprint to protect public from scammers

UK Government launches new strategy to cut fraud, pursue fraudsters and empower the public

A new elite team of specialist investigators will turn the tables on fraudsters as part of the UK Government’s new action to tackle fraud and stop scammers from exploiting people.

The new National Fraud Squad will overhaul how these crimes are investigated by taking a proactive, intelligence-led approach, backed by 400 new specialist investigators. It will work with local forces, international partners and the UK intelligence community to ensure that callous fraud cells who target millions of Brits each day are shut down.

Fraud is now the most common crime in the UK, with 1 in 15 of us falling victim, costing nearly £7 billion a year. With developments in modern technology opening up new avenues for criminals to target victims, 9 in 10 internet users have also encountered online scams.

The Fraud Strategy, unveiled yesterday, marks a step forward in the government’s fight back against scammers, in response to how these crimes have evolved.

New measures will close the routes that scammers use to target victims, including by banning cold calls on all financial products – such as types of insurance or sham crypto currency schemes – and working with Ofcom to use new technology to further clamp down on number ‘spoofing’, so fraudsters cannot impersonate legitimate UK phone numbers.

Government will also ban other devices or methods commonly harnessed by scammers to reach thousands of people at once such as so-called ‘SIM farms’ and review the use of mass texting services to keep these technologies out of the hands of criminals.

To make it easier for victims to report fraud and rebuild confidence that cases are being dealt with properly, a new system, replacing the current Action Fraud service will be up and running within the year.

Backed by a £30 million investment, it will provide a simpler route for reporting fraud online, with reduced waiting times and an online portal to allow victims to get timely updates on the progress of their case.

This improved service will also ensure victims’ reports are acted upon more effectively, using data to ensure we can continue to build intelligence as criminals continue to find new ways to target victims.

Seventy per cent of fraud in the UK either starts overseas or has an international link – to drive forward global efforts to tackle these crimes, the government will work bilaterally to raise fraud as a key priority. The Home Secretary will host the first global fraud summit in the UK to guarantee international collaboration to tackle this threat.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: Scammers ruin lives in seconds, deceiving people in the most despicable ways in order to line their pockets.

“We will take the fight to these fraudsters, wherever they try to hide. By blocking scams at the source, boosting protections for people and bolstering enforcement, we will stop more of these cold-hearted crimes from happening in the first place and make sure justice is done.”

Home Secretary Suella Braverman said: “Fraud is a blight on our country with ruthless criminals scamming the British public out of their hard-earned cash. They exploit people’s trust and steal their life savings, shattering their confidence and leaving them feeling vulnerable.

“It also fuels serious organised crime and terrorism. Meanwhile scammers are adapting, taking advantage of new technology to prey on more victims.

“It is vital we adopt a new approach to this threat. The Fraud Strategy outlines how we will use all levers available to us – through government, law enforcement, industry and international partners – to track down these criminals, intercept their scams and bring them to justice.”

To push the response to fraud at the highest level, a new Anti-Fraud Champion, Anthony Browne MP, has been appointed. He will draw on his considerable experience as the former CEO of the British Banking Association to drive collaboration with industry and represent the UK internationally.

Anti-Fraud Champion, Anthony Browne MP said: “Fraud has grown to be the biggest form of crime in the UK, causing financial and emotional distress to millions of people.

“The tech sector, phone companies and financial services firms must take responsibility for protecting their users by stopping fraud happening in the first place, and work together to design out fraud. We can use the technologies fraudsters are exploiting against them to stop them in their tracks, and I will work with industry to make sure that happens.”

In plans announced yesterday, banks will be allowed to delay payments from being processed for longer to allow for suspicious payments to be investigated, keeping cash out of the hands of fraudsters and stopping more people from falling victim.

We are working with the largest tech companies to make it as simple as possible to report fraud online, whether it be scam adverts or false celebrity endorsements. This means, regardless of which social media platform you are on, you should be able to find the ‘report’ button within a single click, and ‘report fraud or scam’ within another. TikTok and Snapchat already offer this for adverts but have committed to extending to other types of content.

Further measures include:

rolling out tailored support to victims at a local level across the whole of England and Wales through the National Economic Crime Victim Care Unit
launching an independent review of the challenges in investigating and prosecuting fraud to speed up the justice process, punishing more scammers and ensuring sentences match the severity of the impact on victims
deploying the UK intelligence community to identify and disrupt more fraudsters overseas
publishing regular data on the volume of fraudulent content hosted on different websites and platforms to incentivise companies to root these out and better protect users – government will launch a consultation on how best to deliver this, including regularity of publications

Wednesday’s plans build on action already taken to step up protections for victims and clamp down on the criminals responsible for these crimes. That includes:

legislating to ensure more victims of fraud get their money back, by requiring financial institutions to reimburse victims of authorised fraud
making fraud a national priority for police forces, to help ramp up the response at local force level
investing £400 million for law enforcement to tackle economic crime, including fraud, over the next 3 years
new duties on tech companies through the Online Safety Bill to put systems in place to tackle scams on their platforms and publish annual transparency reports on their work to tackle online harms

Graeme Biggar, Director General of the National Crime Agency, said: “The NCA welcomes the new Fraud Strategy and our role in the National Fraud Squad.

“Through the National Economic Crime Centre, we will drive a proactive intelligence led response, holding fraudsters to account and protecting the public from criminals who operate increasingly online and overseas.

“We want fraudsters to feel the same vulnerability they inflict upon their victims, as we target their infrastructure, expose their identities and bring them to justice.”

Commissioner Angela McLaren from the City of London Police, which is the National Lead Force for fraud, said: “We welcome this strategy and the much-needed investment in policing to deliver against it.

“Tackling fraud requires a collective effort and we will continue to work with our partners across law enforcement and industry, doing everything in our power to pursue fraudsters and reduce the devastating harm they cause.”

Over 7 million households receive £301 Cost of Living Payment from DWP in just 8 days

99% of households initially eligible through DWP will have been directly paid £301 by the government by end of today (3 May 2023)

The payments are the first of 3 new Cost of Living Payments worth up to £900 in 2023/24 for those eligible – though some people will receive up to £1,350.
Those remaining will continue to be paid between now and 17 May by DWP, with no need to contact anyone.

More than 7 million households across the UK will have been paid a £301 Cost of Living Payment by the end of today (3 May 2023).

This means the vast majority of eligible households have received the support in just 8 days of the rollout starting, with the small number of payments outstanding to be made by 17 May.

The payment is the first of 3 Cost of Living Payments being made this year and the next, illustrating the government’s commitment to supporting vulnerable families with financial pressures. This comes alongside work to deliver on the government’s 5 priorities, including halving inflation and growing the economy, which will ultimately help put more money in people’s bank accounts at the end of the month.

Mel Stride, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, said: “Paying more than 7 million households £301 in a little over a week underlines our commitment to ensure those on the lowest income are protected from the worst of rising prices and give them peace of mind.

“With further payments due to be made later this year and in 2024, we will continue to provide support to those who need it most while we tackle inflation and grow the economy.”

Jeremy Hunt, Chancellor of the Exchequer, added: “We know the impact that rising prices are having on families, which is why we are providing significant support to millions through these direct cash payments. This is alongside other support, including holding down energy bills, uplifting benefits and the State Pension by 10%, and increasing the National Living Wage by a record amount.

“The single best way to ease cost of living pressures is to bear down on inflation. We are on track to halve it this year, laying the foundation for the long-term growth needed to improve everyone’s living standards.”

The Cost of Living Payments, spread across 2023/24, are worth up to £900 for those on means-tested benefits. The next payment for those on means-tested benefits is due in the autumn, with the third instalment due next spring.

These are accompanied by a £150 payment for people on eligible disability benefits this summer, and a £300 payment to top up Winter Fuel Payments for pensioners at the end of 2023 – meaning some will receive up to £1,350.

This makes up part of the government’s significant cost of living support – now worth an average of £3,300 per household over this year and last.

People will be eligible for the £301 Cost of Living Payment if they have been entitled to a payment for one of 7 benefits between 26 January and 25 February 2023. The eligible benefits are:

Universal Credit
Pension Credit
Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Income Support
Working Tax Credit
Child Tax Credit

The DWP encourages anyone who thinks they may be eligible for a qualifying benefit to use a benefits calculator to check their entitlement. In particular, low-income pensioners should check their eligibility for Pension Credit, as they may still be able to receive the £301 Cost of Living Payment, and subsequent payments, if they make a successful backdated application by 19 May 2023.

The small number of payments outstanding will continue to be made between now and 17 May, and anyone eligible still waiting for a payment does not need to contact the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) before then.

After this date, if someone thinks they may be missing a payment they are entitled to, a form can be filled out on the GOV.UK website to make a claim.

One million eligible families, receiving tax credits only, will get their £301 Cost of Living Payment from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) between Tuesday 2 and Tuesday 9 May with the banking reference ‘HMRC COLS’.

This payment comes on top of extensive support given to low-income households in 2022, including up to £1,100 in Cost of Living Payments. The Household Support Fund, worth over £2 billion across its lifetime, continues to offer support to people across England, and those in need should contact their local council to see what support is available in their area.

Bury The Hatchet: Lords Committee calls for UK-EU relations reset after years of tension and mistrust

The European Affairs Committee has published a report on the UK-EU relationship

The report is based on an inquiry undertaken between July 2022 and March 2023. The inquiry involved 12 oral evidence sessions, with a total of 43 witnesses, as well as 58 written submissions.

The report examines the overarching state of the post-Brexit relationship between the UK and EU, and how this might be developed in the future, across four themes:

The overall political, diplomatic and institutional relationship;
the foreign policy, defence and security relationship;
energy security and climate change; and
mobility of people.

After years of tension and mistrust, recommendations focus on actions to be taken as a priority as part of a reset of UK-EU relations following the recent agreement of the Windsor Framework.

The Committee’s key findings and recommendations are as follows:

The political, diplomatic and institutional relationship

The opportunity the recent improvement in the mood around UK-EU relations this presents for a reset of UK-EU relations should, following years of tension and mistrust, must be grasped.
There should be a considerable increase in engagement between the UK and the EU. This should include greater use of existing institutional structures such as the TCA Specialised Committees. There would also be value in holding regular UK-EU summits. The UK’s participation in the new European Political Community is welcome.

The foreign policy, defence and security relationship

Cooperation between the UK and the EU has been close and productive in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Nevertheless, the ad hoc approach to sanctions coordination with the EU should be replaced by a more formal mechanism.
The Government’s decision to participate in the Military Mobility project under the EU’s Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) is welcome. It should consider future opportunities for defence cooperation with the EU that are complementary to NATO as they arise.
The Government should approach the EU with the aim of establishing appropriate structured cooperation arrangements on external affairs.

Energy security and climate change

Energy trading between the UK and the EU has continued without much disruption despite the energy security challenges experienced in Europe following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. However, an agreement should be reached to guarantee that energy flows can continue in the event of a critical supply shortage.
The UK and the EU should cooperate closely on the installation of additional interconnectors, including in the North Sea, which are needed to ensure future energy security.
There would be mutual benefits to be gained from the UK and the EU linking their respective Emissions Trading Schemes and the Government should approach the EU about this possibility. The Government should also engage closely with the EU in relation to the latter’s proposal for a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).

Mobility of people

The end of free movement of people between the UK and the EU has had a major impact on business and professional travel. Government guidance on business and professional mobility should be made more straightforward to navigate and interpret.
The substantial decline in school visits from the EU to the UK since 2019 is regrettable. To address this the Government should reintroduce a youth group travel scheme that would not require pupils travelling on school visits from any EU country to carry individual passports.
Post-Brexit barriers to mobility have had a disproportionate impact on younger people. The Government should approach the EU about the possibility of entering an ambitious reciprocal youth mobility partnership, similar to existing schemes with other jurisdictions such as Australia and Canada.

Lord Kinnoull, Chair of the Committee, said: “The UK’s post-Brexit relationship with the EU has regrettably come under significant strain over the period since the TCA came into force, characterised by tension and mistrust.

“While the recent change in mood for future UK-EU relations following the announcement of the Windsor Framework is welcome, there is now the opportunity to move the relationship forward to the mutual benefit of both the UK and the EU.

“A particular theme running through our Future UK-EU Relationship report evidence was the significant impact of post-Brexit barriers to mobility young workers and professionals in the early stages of their careers, emerging artists, as well as students across different educational levels. Making progress here will benefit all in the short term but especially in the long term.

“The Committee feels that it is now time to address the considerable lack of structure in the foreign policy, security and defence relationship. Here we particularly recommend means of seeking to make sanctions bite harder through analysis and enforcement cooperation.

“Another area we looked into was energy. Here again we have made many recommendations which will help our long term energy security.

“We have also made a number of recommendations about the current institutional relationship and how improvements can be made”.

United Kingdom? Wildflower seeds for every ENGLISH primary school class to mark the Coronation

All state funded primary schools in England will be sent wildflower seeds, inspired by His Majesty The King’s love of nature

UK Government has joined forces with the Eden Project to offer all state funded primary schools the opportunity to plant wildflowers to celebrate His Majesty The King’s commitment to fighting climate change
Planting wildflowers aims to inspire children to learn about nature and boost the biodiversity of the school estate, building on the plans to create a National Education Nature Park
Resources for schools also launched to help young people understand the historical significance of the Coronation

To mark the Coronation all state funded primary schools will be sent wildflower seeds that will empower children across the country to discover the joys of nature.

The government-funded project was inspired by His Majesty The King’s love of nature and aims to encourage children to learn about and improve the biodiversity of school’s green spaces, while making them nicer places to work and learn. Improving children’s connection to nature and spending time outdoors will also help to support their mental and physical wellbeing.

In a collaboration between the Department for Education and the Eden Project, over 200,000 seeds packets will be sent to schools, representing 40 hectares of new wildflower areas being planted up across England to support our pollinators. If planted together that would create around 40 rugby pitch sized wildflowers meadows – a small but vital step in boosting biodiversity.

To support schools to celebrate the Coronation, the Department for Education has also commissioned a series of lesson plans and other teaching materials for primary and secondary schools to explain the significance of this historical moment.

The charity Living Paintings has also designed, created and published a pack of tactile and audio resources that will enable blind and partially sighted children to learn about the Coronation, and the Eden Project has also created free lesson resources for schools and families to learn how to make eco-decorations for their Coronation celebrations using natural objects found in their surrounding green spaces.

Schools and other education providers can continue to improve biodiversity in the months and years to come through the National Education Nature Park – which brings together schools, colleges and other education settings into a vast virtual park.

It enables children and young people to get involved in taking practical action to improve the biodiversity of their green spaces, then mapping it online to see over time how the virtual park changes. The National Education Nature Park and Climate Action Award are open for registration from 18 May 2023.

Schools minister Nick Gibb said: “Giving children the opportunity to plant wildflowers will not only make school grounds more attractive, it will also help the next generation understand the importance of improving our biodiversity, while celebrating His Majesty The King’s love of nature.

“To help young people understand the historical significance of the Coronation, we have also asked two history teachers and curriculum experts to produce lesson plans and other materials about the coronation and the history of the monarchy, which we are sending to schools.”

Dan James, Development Director for the Eden Project said: “It is crucial that we replenish our biodiversity across the UK – and even small steps can make a difference.

“Through the work of National Wildflower Centre, Eden Project works with organisations across the UK with projects to make new wildflower habitats that support wildlife and connect people to the natural world. This is a fantastic opportunity for the next generation to see the impact that wildflowers can have, even in small spaces.

“By encouraging our children to plant wildflower seeds we can work towards reversing the decline of pollinators that we are seeing across the UK which is so important for our future.”

The packets of seeds include native annual wildflower species; cornflower, corn poppy, corn chamomile, corncockle, corn marigold and night-flowering catchfly, which if sown this Spring, will be in bloom this Summer.

The wildflowers will provide food for a wide range of insects including bees, butterflies and other pollinators in school grounds across England. Each seed packet covers around 2square metres of blue, white, purple, red and yellow flowers that can be planted in pots, beds or borders to boost colour and biodiversity in school grounds across England.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has commissioned a film for primary school-aged children, explaining the history and significance of the Coronation.

This can be played in classrooms or assemblies and gives children the opportunity to discover the history and importance of the Coronation, the role of His Majesty The King, and the significance of the Monarchy around the world.

The National Education Nature Park is just one of many initiatives in the DfE’s strategy for Sustainability and Climate Change that will provide learners with the resources to live, learn, work and participate in a contemporary global society.

Through climate education, green skills and careers, the Department is helping to create a sustainable future through education, developing the skills needed for a green economy, and supporting our sectors to reach net zero targets.

Sudan: 1888 people airlifted to safety by UK evacuation

Focus turns to supporting those remaining in Sudan

The final UK evacuation flight departed from Wadi Saeedna airfield last night after the longest and largest evacuation by any western nation
Follows the successful evacuation of 1888 people since flights started on Tuesday
The UK government remains committed to supporting British nationals who remain in Sudan or are sheltering in other parts of the country

The final UK evacuation flight from Wadi Saeedna airfield departed on Saturday evening, ending the longest and largest evacuation from Sudan of any Western country.

The successful operation has evacuated more than 1888 people on 21 flights, the vast majority of them British nationals and their dependents.

Focus will now turn to providing consular support to British nationals in Port Sudan and in neighbouring countries in the region.

The government decided to end flights today because of a decline in demand by British Nationals, and because the situation on ground continues to remain volatile.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said: “The UK has brought more than 1888 people to safety from Sudan thanks to the efforts of staff and military working around the clock to deliver this evacuation – the largest of any Western country.

“We continue to press all diplomatic levers to secure a long term ceasefire and end the bloodshed in Sudan. Ultimately a stable transition to civilian rule is the best way to protect the security and prosperity of the Sudanese people.”

“Those still in Sudan who wish to leave should continue to follow our travel advice.”

The UK is pursuing all diplomatic avenues to end the violence in Sudan and return to civilian rule, with the Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary, Defence Secretary and Minister for Africa all speaking with international partners.

Ultimately a stable transition to civilian rule is the best way to protect the security and prosperity of the Sudanese people.

For full details see FCDO travel advice for Sudan.

The United Kingdom condemns military clashes across Sudan

Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at yesterday’s UN Security Council meeting on Sudan:

Thank you, President. And may I start by thanking SRSG Volker Perthes, ASG Joyce Msuya, Her Excellency Fatima Mohamed and Special Envoy, Ismael Wais.

SRSG, can I begin by paying tribute to your tireless work, to the work of the UNITAMS team, to the UN agencies and NGO implementing partners on the ground. We are very relieved that the operation to evacuate and relocate international and UN workers was successful and we thank you and your teams for your commitment and dedication to Sudan, and extend our condolences to those colleagues who have lost their lives.

For the UK, we carried out our own operation to evacuate British embassy personnel on 23 April and today we have begun flying out British Nationals.

We would like to thank our international partners for their co-operation in these efforts. Our priority continues to be the safety of all British nationals in Sudan and support to those in need.

The United Kingdom unequivocally condemns the military clashes that continue to take place across Sudan. We echo the Secretary General’s calls for peace and especially for an end to attacks on civilians, and humanitarian workers.

Hundreds have died, thousands are injured. Adding to acute humanitarian needs across the country.

We welcome the 72-hour ceasefire brokered yesterday by the United States, but we are concerned by reports that once again the parties have failed to uphold their commitments.

We call on both the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces immediately to establish a lasting ceasefire across the country and we are in direct contact with the SAF and RSF leadership to end the violence and de-escalate tensions.

We call on both sides to allow humanitarian access, comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law, and ensure the protection of civilians, humanitarian and medical workers.

We welcome and encourage continued regional and diplomatic initiatives including those set out today. We will continue to work with all Council members and the UN Secretary-General, to ensure the Council supports efforts towards an end to fighting, a permanent ceasefire and a political resolution.

In closing, we stand in solidarity with the Sudanese people in their demands for a peaceful and democratic future.

Scottish Government call to provide safe routes for people in need of protection

Holyrood’s External Affairs Secretary Angus Robertson has written to the Foreign Secretary to express the Scottish Government’s deep concern over the current conflict in Sudan.

In the letter, Mr Robertson said a number of Scots and family members had been in touch with the Scottish Government and he thanked all those in the Armed Forces and UK Government currently working on evacuation efforts.

Mr Robertson also called for eligibility criteria to be eased to enable Sudanese citizens to be reunited with family members already in the UK, and for consideration to be given to the evacuation of non-British nationals who have worked for UK interests in Sudan.

The letter reads:

Dear James,

The Scottish Government stands with the UK Government and international community in deep concern over the spiralling violence in Sudan. While the current, fragile ceasefire is welcome, the situation appears bleak for Sudan, and the wider region, and we fully echo the UK Government’s call for a genuine and lasting ceasefire.

The safety of British Nationals in Sudan is of significant concern to the Scottish Government and a number of Scots and family members have been in touch with the Scottish Government. We fully support the UK Government’s evacuation of all British passport holders and I would like to place on record my sincere thanks to those in the Armed Forces and across the UK Government who are working on this.

The Scottish Government also wanted to put on record our deep concern for Sudanese people at risk in this crisis who will be looking for safe passage out of Sudan. In particular:

We would call for consideration by the UK Government of evacuating non-British nationals who have worked for UK interests in Sudan.
Secondly we would ask for eased eligibility criteria for family reunion to enable Sudanese citizens to be reunited with family members already in the UK.
We seek your assurance that the Home Office asylum caseworker guidance on Sudan has been updated. While I understand that each asylum application must be considered on its individual merits, asylum applications from Sudanese nationals in the UK should be considered quickly and compassionately. I also expect the Home Office to urgently review any cases which are in the asylum appeals process or where people have previously been refused asylum on the basis that any part of Sudan is safe.
And finally we would be grateful to know what the UK Government is doing, in partnership with the international community, to provide safe routes for people in Sudan in need of protection.

Within Sudan the humanitarian situation is now critical. Indeed, as the Minister of State for Development and Africa updated the House of Commons yesterday, approximately 16 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance. This is deeply concerning, particularly given a global context where humanitarian needs are severe in a number of regions around the world.

The UK Government and the wider international community must do everything possible to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to vulnerable people in need. Like you, I am shocked and saddened that 5 aid workers have been killed during the current violence in Sudan, and we condemn any and all attacks against humanitarian workers.

The situation in Sudan is incredibly grave. I urge the UK Government to do everything possible to work with international partners to address the humanitarian situation and to offer protection for those fleeing the violence.

I look forward to your response.

Angus Robertson

Over 8 million families to receive £301 Cost of Living Payment from today

This is first of three new Cost of Living payments adding up to £900 in 2023/24 – though some people will receive up to £1,350

Over 8 million households to receive £301 from the Government with payments hitting bank accounts from today
Those eligible will be paid between Tuesday 25 April and Wednesday 17 May, with HMRC making payments to tax credit-only customers between Tuesday 2 and Tuesday 9 May

Over eight million households across the UK will receive a £301 Cost of Living Payment from the Government, with payments rolled out from today, demonstrating the Government’s relentless focus on our five priorities – including halving inflation, growing the economy and reducing debt.

As the cost of living continues to affect families across the UK, these payments are designed to target support towards the most vulnerable in society and provide them with a financial boost.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will send payments automatically and directly to recipients’ bank accounts, with a reference of their National Insurance number followed by ‘DWP COL’.

This is the first of up to three payments for those eligible on means-tested benefits, including Universal Credit, Pension Credit and tax credits, totalling £900 through 2023/24. These will be accompanied by a £150 payment for people on eligible disability benefits this summer, and a £300 payment on top of Winter Fuel Payments for pensioners at the end of 2023.

This builds on the significant cost of living support already provided to eligible households throughout 2022 – now worth an average of £3,300 per household over this year and last.

Those entitled do not need to do apply for the payment or do anything to receive it. Payments made during this window will be staggered over the next couple of weeks meaning not everyone entitled to receive a payment will receive it today.

Mel Stride, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, said: “This latest additional payment will be welcomed by millions of families – as will further payments due over the next year.

“We have continually supported those most vulnerable to rising costs, including through record benefits and national living wage increases as well as these exceptional Cost of Living Payments responding to the global pressures we are facing.

“We will also continue to deliver on our five priorities, including halving inflation, as this will ease pressure on households currently struggling with household bills and rising prices.”

Jeremy Hunt, Chancellor of the Exchequer, added: “The best thing we can do to help people’s money go further is deliver on our priorities to halve inflation and grow the economy.

“But we’re also here to help people through these tough times, which is why we’re holding down energy bills, freezing fuel duty, increasing Universal Credit, and giving £900 payments to low income and vulnerable families – all in part funded through windfall taxes on energy profits.”

People will be eligible for the Cost of Living Payment if they have been entitled to a payment for one of seven benefits between 26 January and 25 February 2023. The eligible benefits are:

Universal Credit;
Pension Credit;
Income-based Jobseekers Allowance;
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance;
Income Support;
Working Tax Credit;
Child Tax Credit.

Once the majority of those who are entitled to a payment by DWP have been paid, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will make payments of £301 between Tuesday 2 and Tuesday 9 May to one million eligible families receiving tax credits only, with the banking reference ‘HMRC COLS’.

The latest payment follows on from the £650 Cost of Living Payment delivered by the Government in 2022, along with another £150 disability payment and a £300 pensioner payment.

While payments are made automatically, people must be receiving one of the eligible qualifying benefits during the specified period to qualify. Those who wish to check their entitlement to benefits should use a benefits calculator on Gov.uk to get a better idea of what they could receive.

Low-income pensioners particularly should check their eligibility for Pension Credit, as they may still be able to receive the £301 Cost of Living Payment, and subsequent payments, if they make a successful backdated application by 19 May 2023.

Those in need are also encouraged to contact their local council to see if any additional support is available in their local area, such as through the DWP’s Household Support Fund in England, worth over £2 billion across its lifetime.

Further Information

These payments will all be tax-free, will not count towards the benefit cap, and will not have any impact on existing benefit awards.
The three means-tested Cost of Living Payments, worth up to £900 in total, will be delivered in three slightly different amounts, each relating to a specific qualifying period before the payment is made. This allows DWP and HMRC to ensure support is targeted at those who need it and are eligible; to determine if a payee received the correct payments and identify the payment value; and to reduce the risk of fraud.
To get the £301 payment someone must (subject to a very limited exception explained below) have been entitled to a payment of a qualifying benefit as follows:
For Universal Credit, payment in respect of an assessment period ending between the 26 January 2023 to the 25 February 2023
For all other DWP means-tested benefits, payment in respect of any day between 26 January and 25 February 2023.
For tax credit-only customers to be eligible they must have received a payment of tax credits in respect of any day in the period 26 January 2023 to 25 February 2023, or later be found to have been entitled to a payment for this period.
Those on DWP benefits other than Universal Credit who are entitled to less than 10 pence and meet all other qualifying criteria but who do not receive a benefit payment, will still receive a Cost of Living Payment.
More than 6 million people on qualifying disability benefits will receive a Disability Cost of Living Payment of £150 during Summer 2023. This includes those in receipt of one of the following benefits:
Disability Living Allowance;
Personal Independence Payment;
Attendance Allowance;
Scottish Disability Benefits;
Armed Forces Independence Payment;
Constant Attendance Allowance;
War Pension Mobility Supplement.
The £300 Pensioner Cost of Living Payment will be paid to all households in receipt of Winter Fuel Payments, in the same way as 2022/23 payments were made.
Payment windows and eligibility dates for the remaining Cost of Living Payments will be announced in due course.
For more information on these payments, please visit www.gov.uk/guidance/cost-of-living-payments-2023-to-2024
For constituency and local authority level breakdowns on payments, please visit www.gov.uk/government/news/first-2023-24-cost-of-living-payment-dates-announced

Table 1: Estimated number of households eligible for the means-tested benefit Cost of Living Payment by region

Region	Households (Thousands)	Proportion of all payments
London	1,187	15%
South West	567	7%
South East	830	10%
Eastern	615	8%
West Midlands	783	10%
East Midlands	545	7%
North West	1,033	13%
North East	395	5%
Yorkshire and The Humber	713	9%
Wales	422	5%
Scotland	686	8%
Northern Ireland	321	4%
Total	8,097	100%

Table 2: Estimated number of individuals eligible for the disability Cost of Living Payment by region

Region	Households (Thousands)	Proportion of all payments
London	653	10%
South West	524	8%
South East	733	11%
Eastern	535	8%
West Midlands	606	9%
East Midlands	484	7%
North West	878	13%
North East	349	5%
Yorkshire and The Humber	574	9%
Wales	433	6%
Scotland	639	9%
Northern Ireland	340	5%
Total	6,748	100%

World’s largest power line to deliver clean power to 1.8m UK homes

‘we are sending a strong signal to Putin’s Russia that the days of his dominance over global power markets are well and truly over’ – Grant Shapps

LionLink power line between UK and Netherlands will deliver enough electricity to power more homes than Manchester and Birmingham combined
Agreement made as Grant Shapps leads delegation of leading businesses to key North Sea Summit
Part of renewed Government drive to work with business to help grow the economy

The world’s largest multi-use electricity power line will be built under the North Sea, boosting UK energy supplies with enough to power 1.8 million homes – more than Birmingham and Manchester combined.

The new LionLink will connect the UK and the Netherlands with offshore wind farms, providing clean affordable and secure energy to Britain which will help cut household bills and drive Putin’s Russia further out of the energy market.

The cross-border electricity line will be only the second of its kind in the world, with the first having been built by Germany and Denmark. However, it will be able to carry more than four times the amount of electricity as its predecessor – making it the largest of its kind in terms of capacity anywhere in the world.

While normal interconnectors only connect two countries, the multipurpose LionLink will join the UK and Netherlands to each other as well as simultaneously with offshore wind farms at the heart of the North Sea.

The government is announcing the innovative project between the UK and the Netherlands as Energy Security Secretary Grant Shapps leads a British business delegation to the crucial North Sea Summit in Belgium today, aiming to boost our collective energy security through new renewable energy and interconnector projects.

This is part of the government’s efforts to work with business to grow the economy, one of the Prime Minister’s five priorities. Boosting clean energy not only helps create better paid jobs across the country but also strengthens economic security by reducing reliance on foreign gas supplies.

The summit will see nine countries meet in Ostend to agree ambitions for building future offshore wind farms. While there, the Energy Security Secretary is also expected to sign a historic agreement with Denmark to boost trade in cheaper, cleaner energy.

Energy Security Secretary Grant Shapps said: “Today’s historic deal with the Netherlands connects our two countries together through this exciting feat of innovation and engineering – the largest of its kind in the world which will provide enough electricity for more homes than in Manchester and Birmingham combined.

“Together with the strong ties we have with our northern European neighbours united today at the North Sea Summit, we are bolstering our energy security and sending a strong signal to Putin’s Russia that the days of his dominance over global power markets are well and truly over.

“I’m proud to have the best of UK energy firms and organisations with me, flying the flag for British business and demonstrating our world-leading expertise in cleaner, cheaper and secure renewable technologies – helping deliver on one of our five priorities to grow the economy.”

Ben Wilson, President National Grid Ventures, said: “Connecting wind farms to multiple markets simultaneously is a game changer for energy infrastructure and brings us one step closer to realising the enormous green energy potential of the North Sea.

“Not only can we deploy every spare electron where it is needed most, we can help to reduce the impact of infrastructure on coastal communities.

“We now need the right political, legal and regulatory framework to make it happen and establish a mutually beneficial North Sea grid to deliver a cleaner, fairer, more secure and more affordable energy future for British and European consumers.”

The countries attending today’s summit alongside the UK are Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, Norway and the Netherlands

The new LionLink will carry 1.8GW of electricity, compared to Germany and Denmark’s Kassø-Frøslev (Kriegers Flag), which carries 0.4GW. It will be developed by National Grid Ventures and TenneT and will be operational by the early 2030s.

This builds on the 8.4GW interconnector capacity that the UK has – and LionLink alone will increase that by up to a fifth, meaning more clean and affordable power for UK homes and businesses.

This increased interconnectivity also means LionLink will be good both for the UK’s coastal communities and the environment by reducing the need for further onshore construction and visible infrastructure, as well as lessening the impact on the North Sea’s wildlife.

Britain’s world-class innovation, knowledge and skills within the North Sea energy sector is expected to bring £20 billion a year of investment to the UK’s coastal regions and create 40,000 skilled green jobs to Britain.

Manon van Beek, CEO of TenneT, said: “It is our conviction that offshore hubs configured in a meshed DC grid must form the backbone of the North Sea powerhouse.

“This is a view that is increasingly shared, and for us, it is more than a vision of the future. In fact, we are already doing it by kicking off this ground-breaking LionLink project right now. It is a first step and a great opportunity to learn as the offshore grid takes shape.”

Minister Rob Jetten, Climate & Energy for the Netherlands: “With the North Sea becoming the largest supplier of green electricity for the Netherlands and large parts of Europe, we are ready to expand the interconnection between the two countries. LionLink provides close to 2 gigawatts of electricity to both countries, enough to power 2 million households.

“This new connection further boosts energy security and energy independence in Europe. Close collaboration on offshore wind energy and interconnection amongst the North Sea countries is imperative.

“So in case there is a surplus of wind generated electricity, it can be shared instantly to locations with a shortage of power, and vice versa.”

The Energy Security Secretary is also expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between the UK and Denmark today, which will ensure further collaboration on the transition from fossil fuels to renewable technologies –offshore wind, especially.

Reminder: Emergency Alert mobile phone warning this afternoon

“Keep Calm and Carry On, this is just a test” – that is the clear message from the Deputy Prime Minister on the day of the nationwide test of the national Emergency Alerts system.

Reminder: at 3pm TODAY – Sunday – there will be a test of the Emergency Alert system across the UK.

You will receive a message on the home screen of your mobile phone, along with a sound and vibration for up to ten seconds.

You do not need to take any action – the sound and vibration will stop automatically after ten seconds. All you need to do is swipe away the message or click ‘OK’ on their phone’s home screen – just like for a ‘low battery’ warning or notification – and continue to use your phone as normal.

Find out more at gov.uk/alerts*

The new Emergency Alert mobile phone warning service is being tested across the UK on Sunday, 23rd April at 3:00 pm.

You can help by sharing information about the test with friends and family who may not be aware.

Find out more: http://gov.uk/alerts

UK Emergency Alerts Test – “Keep Calm and Carry On: This is just a test”

“Keep Calm and Carry On, this is just a test” – that is the clear message from the Deputy Prime Minister on the day of the nationwide test of the national Emergency Alerts system.

Officials from the Cabinet Office National Situation Centre will send out the alert at 3pm and it will be received by every 4G and 5G device across the United Kingdom.

A major awareness campaign was launched to ensure the public knew about the test of the system, with new polling on Friday showing 88% of the British public were now aware.

The system will be an additional tool in the national resilience toolkit when there is an imminent risk to life.

Announcements and signage across the transport network will be in place in the run-up to the test. The alert will be a siren-like sound no more prominent than the loudest ringtone setting on a mobile phone.

People are being urged to remember that this is just a test, akin to a one off fire alarm drill, and no action is required when they receive the test alert today.

Deputy Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Oliver Dowden, said: “Keep Calm and Carry On – that is the British way and it is exactly what the country will do when they receive this test alert at 3pm today.

“The Government’s number one job is to keep people safe and this is another tool in the toolkit for emergency situations, such as flooding or wildfires, and where there is a genuine risk to life. So it really is the sound that could save your life.

“I would encourage people to remember that today it is just a test; there is no need to take any action and you can simply swipe it away as you would any other message you receive.”

The test will be sent using mobile broadcasting technology which uses cell towers rather than SMS. The test is secure, free to receive and one-way, and does not reveal anyone’s location or collect personal data.

The sound and vibration of the test alert will stop automatically after ten seconds. All people need to do is swipe away the message or click ‘OK’ on their phone’s home screen – just like for a ‘low battery’ warning or notification – and continue to use their phone as normal.

The test message will say:

This is a test of Emergency Alerts, a new UK government service that will warn you if there’s a life-threatening emergency nearby.

In a real emergency, follow the instructions in the alert to keep yourself and others safe.

Visit gov.uk/alerts for more information.

This is a test. You do not need to take any action.

Best practice of Emergency Alerts in other countries have shown that they work more effectively when there is a real emergency if people have previously received a test, so they know what an alert looks and sounds like.

Emergency Alerts have already been used successfully in a number of countries, including the US, Canada and Japan, where the system has been widely credited with saving lives, for example, during severe weather events. In the UK, alerts could be used to inform people about wildfires or severe flooding.

The Government has worked together with the emergency services and partners, including the Football Association and London Marathon, to make sure the UK-wide test has minimum impact on major events taking place today.

Chief Fire Officer for Hertfordshire, and Resilience Lead on the National Fire Chiefs Council, Alex Woodman, said: “Whilst today’s ten second national test may be inconvenient for some, please forgive the intrusion, because the next time you hear the alert, your life and the lifesaving actions of our emergency services could depend on it.

“We must use every tool at our disposal to keep people safe and we need everyone to play their part. The new Emergency Alerts system is one way we can do this.”

National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for Civil Contingencies, Assistant Chief Constable Owen Weatherill said: “During times of crises, it’s vital to warn and inform the public at speed.

“We look forward to further developing the use of the Emergency Alerts capability and the way it can protect and preserve life, as well as supporting policing’s wider response to critical incidents with partner agencies. Alongside partners, we will continue to listen carefully to public feedback and ensure the use of Emergency Alerts has a positive impact.”

Emergency Alerts will transform the UK’s warning and informing capability; working with mobile broadcasting technology provides a means to get urgent messages quickly to nearly 90 percent of mobile phones in a defined area when there is a risk to life, and provide clear instructions about how best to respond.

The system will be used very rarely – only being sent where there is an immediate risk to people’s lives – so people may not receive an alert for months or years, if at all.