Dr Murrison met with the Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi and Yemeni Deputy Foreign Minister Mohammed Abdullah al-Hadhrami, where he stressed the UK’s full commitment to the UN-led political process and to supporting the tireless efforts of UN Special Envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths.

He also highlighted the role of UK aid’s £200 million commitment to the UN humanitarian response this year, which is helping to feed one million Yemenis every month, treat 30,000 children for malnutrition, and provide one million people in Yemen with improved water supply and basic sanitation.

During his trip, the Minister also met with senior regional political figures including the UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation, Reem al Hashimy; the Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Adel al Jubeir; and Omani Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sayyid al Badr, with whom he discussed the international response to the crisis in Yemen.

The minister also held talks on important bilateral issues on which the UK works closely with the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Oman, including Saudi Vision 2030 security, defence and human rights.

The Minister for the Middle East and North Africa Dr Andrew Murrison said:

I was very pleased to have had the opportunity to meet with the Yemeni president and deputy foreign minister along with other partners in the region to discuss our shared commitment to bringing the conflict in Yemen to a peaceful conclusion.

During my programme, I took the opportunity reiterate the UK’s commitment to deliver food, medicines and other essential aid to those who are in dire need.

We are resolute in our support for the work of UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths. A political solution is the only way to bring this dreadful conflict to an end and we call for all parties to come to the negotiating table.

Notes:

• In the UAE, Dr Murrison observed the construction progress of the UK pavilion at the Expo 2020 site.
• In Saudi Arabia, the minister hosted a roundtable discussion with young Saudis on Saudi modernisation, and welcomed the new ruling that allowed women to travel unaccompanied and without permission from their guardian.
• In Oman, Dr Murrison also held talks on the UK and Oman’s joint aims to promote mutual prosperity and economic development, and pressing issues on the minds of British businesses.

Today we are launching our new public information campaign, ‘Get Ready for Brexit’, which will run across television, social media, billboards and other platforms.

Government research shows that only 50% of the population think it’s likely the UK will leave the EU on 31 October, 42% of small-to-medium sized businesses are unsure of how they can get ready and just 31% of the British public have looked for information on how to prepare for Brexit.

The campaign will tackle this head on by setting out what all members of the public and business owners might need to do, if anything, to get ready to leave the EU on 31 October.

Audiences including UK citizens intending to travel to Europe and all exporters to the EU will be targeted, alongside groups requiring particular information such as the equine industry and legal professions. Some of the key actions audiences need to take include:

• Acquiring an Economic Operator Registration and Identification number to export to the EU. Businesses that are VAT registered will automatically issued an EORI number, but micro businesses still need to register themselves.

• Obtaining the correct documents to transport goods at the border.

• Applying for the vital support packages available for businesses, such as grants.

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Michael Gove said:

Ensuring an orderly Brexit is not only a matter of national importance, but a shared responsibility.

This campaign will encourage the country to come together to Get Ready for Brexit on 31 October.

Advertising accompanied with targeted road shows and events will drive people to GOV.UK, which has a new checker tool so audiences can identify what they need to do to get ready for Brexit quickly.

There will be how to videos and step by step guides – so whether you are a small business owner, haulier or EU citizen residing in the UK – the actions you need to take to prepare will be clear and simple.

Nearly half-a-million people living in the EU will continue to have their UK State Pension increased every year for the next 3 years in the event of a no deal exit from the EU, Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd reveals today.

The UK basic and new State Pension is uprated by either 2.5%, average wage growth or by prices growth as measured by the Consumer Price Index – whichever is highest.

The UK State Pension has already been uprated in the EU for the year April 2019 to March 2020. The government has now committed to uprating the UK State Pension paid to those living in the EU each year until March 2023, in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal.

Some of those living abroad will soon receive text messages to inform them of the commitment.

A new dedicated call centre team based in Newcastle has also been established in order to answers any questions from those affected.

Work and Pensions Secretary of State Amber Rudd said:

This government is working hard to prepare for leaving the EU on 31 October, whatever the circumstances. We will be fully ready for Brexit, and are leaving in a way that protects the interests of citizens here and in EU member states. This guarantee will provide reassurance to the hundreds of thousands of people living in the EU who receive a UK State Pension that their pensions will continue to rise significantly each year, however we leave.

During this 3-year period the UK government plans to negotiate a new arrangement with the EU to ensure that uprating continues.

Media enquiries for this press release – 020 3267 5144

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Writing exclusively for the Sunday Express, the Work and Pensions Secretary says her new initiative will make it easier than ever before for parents to find work.

As thousands of kids flood through school gates for the first time this September, many parents – especially mums – will be keen to get their careers back on track.

The new website will use technology to gather more than 50,000 job adverts, all specifically designed with flexi working in mind.

From head chefs and party planners to book keepers and web developers, the roles on offer include both full time and part time jobs.

Work and Pensions Secretary and Minister for Women Amber Rudd said:

The balancing act parents perform isn’t easy. For many, it’s when kids start school that mums – and dads – look to get their careers back on track. 

Still wanting to put your kids first often means work comes second – it has to fit your life and work for your family.

So finding good, flexible work is so important – which is why I’m making it easier.

I want parents to know that I’m backing them, by ensuring that when they want to work, opportunities are available that fit into the world of the breakfast rush, packed lunches and school run.

Chair of the Women’s Business Council, Ms Fiona Dawson said:

As a working mum, I know myself how tricky it can be to balance the many demands faced by millions of women on a daily basis.

That is why at the Women’s Business Council, we have been looking into ways of supporting women who want to balance work with not just raising a family, but the huge variety of seemingly conflicting priorities, and this portal will do just that.

From staggered hours, to flexi-time and remote working, we are trying to help all women find out about the flexible working options available to them, allowing them to balance their priorities in a way which works.

Vicky was out of work for nine-and-a-half years due to mental health issues and looking after her children. A change came when she enrolled in an employment programme called Youth Engineering.

Of returning to work Vicky said:

Getting back into work has improved my mental health dramatically. I thought I wasn’t capable, but apparently I am. I’m going out and doing something for myself whereas before I wasn’t. I’ve got a full time job, my kids are proud of me.

I’m proud of myself and I’ve never said that before.

To hear more from Vicky, visit the My Way In campaign.

Media enquiries for this press release – 020 3267 5144

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Providers can start delivering face-to-face education and discrimination advice from 1 September 2019.

The option of face-to-face services in education and discrimination is possible under new contracts based on the terms of the 2018 Standard Civil Contract.

Removal of telephone gateway

This marks the first step towards the removal of the mandatory civil telephone gateway in the spring of 2020.

From 1 September 2019 prospective clients will still need to contact the CLA operator service or use the digital CLA service.

However, potentially eligible clients seeking help in education or discrimination will have greater freedom to access face-to-face advice. This will mean discussing suitable options with a CLA specialist telephone advice provider.

Once the mandatory telephone gateway has been removed from legislation in 2020 all clients will have the option of contacting face-to-face providers directly.

Training

Training materials were published on GOV.UK on 23 August to help providers prepare to deliver these services. Existing guidance relating to the 2018 Standard Civil Contract and working with the LAA has also been updated.

Further information

CLA contract documents – for new face-to-face contracts

Standard Civil Contract 2018 – scroll down for training content

CLA guidance for contracted providers