This appointment has been approved by Andrea Leadsom, the Secretary of State for the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

Tom Smith, the Chair of the NDA, said:

I am delighted that Michelle is joining us in support of our vital work decommissioning 17 complex nuclear sites across Wales, Scotland and England.  She has a wealth of relevant and current experience in the nuclear industry which will be a great addition to the Board’s capability.

Michelle Heath has a 20-year track record in the nuclear industry having previously worked for BNFL, Springfields Fuels and Westinghouse Toshiba. 

She has wide experience in the UK and internationally, with a strong focus on waste management, treatment and storage. At Westinghouse, Michelle was the Global Product Manager for residues treatment and prior to that she held a number of senior roles at the Springfields nuclear fuel fabrication plant in Lancashire. Michelle holds an MBA and BSc from Lancaster University.

Published 27 September 2019

The UK has the honour to present draft resolution L.22 on the human rights situation in the Syrian Arab Republic, on behalf of a group of states: France, Germany, Italy, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, the Netherlands, Qatar, Turkey and the United Kingdom.

Turkey will make a statement in its national capacity as an Observer at the end of action today.

In presenting this updated resolution, we have reflected the human rights situation on the ground, including in Idlib. Since May, attacks by the Syrian authorities and their allies have killed more than 1000 people and displaced over 600,000. Airstrikes have repeatedly hit civilian infrastructure including schools and health facilities.

The resolution reflects the latest COI findings, with new detail on the impact of the conflict on children, including increased child labour and early and forced marriage. The resolution highlights continued arbitrary detention, particularly in areas controlled by the regime, and the obstacles that this and other regime behaviours place on safe, voluntary and dignified refugee return.

We repeat our call for a Syrian-led political process under the auspices of the UN. We warmly welcome the announcement by the Secretary General of the formation of the Syrian Constitutional Committee. This is a welcome first step towards a political settlement, and I want to pay tribute to the work of Special Envoy Pedersen. All parties must now engage in good faith with this committee.

This resolution negotiation process has been open and transparent, and we would like to thank member states for their constructive participation.

Mr President,

This resolution should enjoy the support of all at this Council, and be adopted by consensus. We urge all member states to put the plight of the Syrian people first, and to support the UN-led political process

In the event we must have a vote on this text, we urge all delegations to vote in favour of the text as drafted.

I now turn to the delegation of Qatar to continue the introduction of this resolution.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said:

I send my warmest wishes to the British Jewish community and to Jewish communities around the world for the Jewish New Year and high holidays.

Rosh Hashanah is a special time to reflect. This year many will reflect on the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau and Bergen Belsen. My father grew up knowing that the loved ones he left behind when he fled Czechoslovakia were systematically slaughtered for one simple reason. They were Jews.

I would like to reassure the Jewish community in the UK and worldwide: the UK is committed to your safety and wellbeing, and stands alongside you in the fight against racism and intolerance.

I thank the community for their invaluable contribution to the UK and to our heritage, and wish you all a happy and peaceful new year. Shana Tova and Chatima Tova!

Published 27 September 2019