Press release: Foreign Office statement on Title III of the Helms-Burton Act

The Foreign & Commonwealth Office responds to US announcement on Title III of the Helms-Burton Act.



Press release: Foreign Office statement on Title III of the Helms-Burton Act

The UK shares the concerns expressed by the European Union about the United States’ announcement that it will lift the waiver of Title III of the Helms-Burton Act.

The extraterritorial application of Title III sanctions, which we consider to be illegal under international law, threaten to harm UK and EU companies doing legitimate business in Cuba by exposing them to liability in US courts. We will work alongside the EU to protect the interests of our companies.

The UK, like the EU, believes that the best way of encouraging Cuba to respect democratic freedoms and human rights, to implement political reform or to play a less unhelpful role in Venezuela is through dialogue and cooperation, not isolation.



News story: British Antarctic Territory Government website

The website provides all information relating to the British Antarctic Territory (BAT) Government in a single place. It includes the latest news and information, including details on:

  • the overall strategy the BAT Government has for the Territory
  • all the current legislation for the Territory
  • consultations on any new or updates to legislation
  • the Official Gazette detailing new legislation, orders and appointments
  • how you can apply for project funding and information on some of the projects which have received funding
  • the work of our stakeholders

BAT is a wedge shaped sector of the Antarctic continent, with over 99% covered in a permanent ice sheet.

With no native population, the BAT is administered in London by staff in the Polar Regions Department of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Presence in the Territory is provided by the British Antarctic Survey, the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust and the Royal Navy’s Ice Patrol vessel.

The UK’s claim to this part of Antarctica is the oldest of any made on the continent. Under Article IV of the Antarctic Treaty 1959, all sovereignty claims to Antarctica are held in abeyance.



News story: Upcoming changes to the enhanced disclosure application process

Customers using computer

Within the next few months, the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) will be implementing a change to the enhanced disclosure process. This change will mean that DBS is no longer able to amend enhanced applications that have been submitted with missing or incorrect information regarding the following sections.

DBS will provide further details in due course.

For applicants

Section C – Five-year address history

This refers to addresses at which an applicant has resided within the last five years, that have not been declared on the application.

Applications found to have missing address information as detailed above will be withdrawn and a new application will need to be submitted.

For Registered Bodies

  • Question X61 – Position applied for (incorrect workforce selected)
  • Questions X64 and X65 – Barred list checks
  • Question X66 – Home-based checks

If incorrect information is provided as part of these questions from Section X, the application will be withdrawn, and a new application will be required.

If an application is withdrawn for the above reasons, a refund will not be given.

Published 2 April 2019
Last updated 18 April 2019 + show all updates

  1. The article originally advised that changes would be implemented on May 6th. This date is no longer correct. The changes will be implemented within the next few months and DBS will provide further information in due course.
  2. First published.


Press release: Jeremy Hunt celebrates Passover at Westminster Synagogue

The Foreign Secretary visited Westminster Synagogue to mark Passover.