Thank you very much Prime Minister, thank you very much to President Cassis for hosting the conference today. Ukraine’s recovery from Russia’s war of aggression will be a symbol of the power of freedom and democracy over autocracy.

It will show Putin that his attempts to destroy Ukraine have only produced a stronger, more prosperous and more united nation.

The United Kingdom is resolute in its support of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and we will remain at Ukraine’s side as it emerges as a strong and thriving democracy.

We have led on support for Ukraine during the war and will continue to lead in supporting the Ukrainian Government’s Reconstruction and Development Plan.

This needs to be a new Marshall Plan for Ukraine and it needs to be driven by Ukraine itself.

We will push for immediate investment and to drive economic growth because it’s absolutely imperative we get the Ukrainian economy going, we need to need able to support returning Ukrainians returning to Ukraine, we need to give people hope about the future, and we need to give them the means to be able to support themselves.

Reconstruction should embed reform, modernisation, technology and transparency.

The United Kingdom is very pleased to join the Joint Reconstruction Coordination Group.

It’s our view that it’s vital that that is open to partners right around the world, we need all of the free world supporting this effort. It must be open and comprehensive, and it must involve international organisations as are represented on stage at the moment.

It must involve all of those who have been active in helping Ukraine defend itself and who back Ukraine for the long term through thick and thin, whatever it takes.

The United Kingdom has committed to host next year’s 2023 Ukraine Reconstruction Conference.

President Cassis, we have a lot to learn from you, it’s been a fantastic conference so far.

We are also exploring how we engage British business, tech companies and universities in that reconstruction effort, we’re looking at how we can use English and Scots law to ensure investors have the confidence to participate in the reconstruction effort, and we will use the might of the City of London and the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development which is based in London to make Ukraine one of the world’s top destinations for investment in 2023.

We think there is a real opportunity for Ukraine to near-shore manufacturing, agribusiness, technology, to be an extremely vibrant economy going forward. As the Prime Minister mentioned the United Kingdom is actively looking at how we legislate to seize assets from those who have contributed to this appalling war, it’s vitally important that we acquire those funds for the reconstruction of Ukraine.

The UK will be championing the recovery of the Kyiv region, in response to President Zelenskyy’s specific request from our Prime Minister for UK leadership. We believe that despite the appalling suffering, despite the terrible war crimes that have taken place, the devastation, and the human cost, that Ukraine will emerge stronger and more successful after this war.

President Zelenskyy you have demonstrated that Ukraine is a bastion of freedom and democracy, and it’s our duty as your friends and allies, as the free world, to do whatever it takes to support you.

Thank you.

ENDS

Six people with a range of education and other expertise have been appointed to the Ofqual Board by the Department for Education.

They include those who lead or have led an academy trust, a further education agency and a charity. They will each work on the Ofqual Board for 3 years from 1 July.

The Ofqual Board, which is led by Chair Ian Bauckham CBE, provides leadership and direction. It makes sure that Ofqual carries out its legal responsibilities and shows integrity and objectivity in regulating exams and assessment for general qualifications, such as GCSEs and A levels, as well as a wide range of vocational and technical qualifications, including apprenticeships.

Ofqual Chair Ian Bauckham CBE said:

I am delighted to be joined by a range of outstanding professionals with a rich range of experience including in education and public service. They are joining Ofqual at a very exciting time, now that the first set of GCSE, AS and A level summer exams since 2019 has taken place. They will bring invaluable insight and advice in the years ahead.

Chief Regulator Dr Jo Saxton said:

I look forward to working with the new board members, alongside those currently on the board and colleagues on the delivery of Ofqual’s newly published Corporate Plan, which sets out the work that Ofqual will do to make sure that regulated qualifications are trusted, understood, good quality and fair.

The new members of the Ofqual Board are :

Hardip Begol CBE – currently CEO of Woodard Academies Trust (due to step down at the end of July). Hardip has also previously held senior roles in government including in the Department for Education, and earlier in his career trained as a chartered accountant and worked as a public service consultant.

Mark Farrar – formerly CEO of the Association of Accounting Technicians and previously CEO of the Construction Industry Training Board. Previously sat on the board of the Skills Funding Agency.

Cindy Leslie – currently holds several non-executive positions, including Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee on the Architects Registration Board and Chair of Governors for Channing School, Highgate.

Eileen Milner – previously CEO of the Education Skills Funding Agency and COO of the Care Quality Commission.

Chris Paterson – currently Director of Impact at the Education Endowment Foundation and previously a senior policy advisor to the Secretary of State for Education. Chris is a qualified solicitor.

Clare Pelham – currently the Chief Executive of the Epilepsy Society, and a non-executive Governor of Birmingham City University and Director of Buckinghamshire Local Enterprise Partnership. Clare has previously held executive director posts in the private, voluntary and public sectors.

Moreover, the Department for Education is re-appointing 3 current Ofqual Board members. They are Susan Barrett, a former audit partner at Deloitte; Matt Tee, who is currently Executive Director of Integration at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust; and Frances Wadsworth CBE, who is a Deputy Further Education Commissioner.

• UK government launches consultation to modernise and improve its tax-treatment of foreign sovereign investors
• consultation proposes reforms from April 2024 that would clarify the rules and ensure they deliver better value for money for UK taxpayers
• the government does not expect the proposals to have a material impact on foreign investment into the UK

The consultation, which runs from 4 July to 12 September, will look to provide more clarity to investors by putting the UK sovereign investment tax regime into statute law.

To ensure the UK’s regime delivers the best value for money for UK taxpayers, the consultation also looks to improve the targeting of exemptions that are available to sovereign investors, bringing the UK into line with other major economies such as US and Germany.

The government does not expect the proposals to have a material impact on foreign investment into the UK.

Financial Secretary to the Treasury Lucy Frazer MP said:

“As the world continues to evolve, we are committed to ensuring the UK keeps pace and remains a competitive, attractive place for foreign investors.

“Our reforms will provide more clarity on the tax exemptions on offer to sovereign investors, while also ensuring they deliver better value for money for UK taxpayers.”

Investors want a safe environment for their long-term investments. The UK provides this – it maintains a strong rule of law, safe regulation and stable market conditions to bring in investment and ensure competitiveness on the global stage.

As with many other countries, such as the US, France, and Australia, the UK provides exemptions from some taxes, such as corporation tax and income tax, to sovereign investors, reflecting their unique status as government-backed institutional investors.

These exemptions, however, are not codified into UK law, but are based on case law and common practice. The UK government is therefore looking to codify its regime into statute law to make the UK system more predictable and certain for foreign sovereign investors.

Reforms will look at what types of income are exempt of tax to ensure they are more targeted towards income that relates to investment rather than trading activities, and income that is more passive in nature. It will also ensure the UK’s tax exemptions remain as competitive as those of comparable countries.

The proposed changes demonstrate the government’s wider ambitions for a tax system that is fair, modern, certain, and supportive of the UK’s objective to be a world-leading investment destination for the future.

This includes the Chancellor’s commitment to reform and cut taxes on investment in the autumn, which the government is currently working with industry on how best to do.

The government does not expect the proposals in the consultation, which would apply from April 2024, to negatively impact overall investment. This is because they are narrow changes that are not expected to undermine overall investment into the UK.

Further information

Currently, foreign sovereign persons – including heads of state, monarchs, and sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) – are exempt from direct taxation on all their UK income. The consultation published today sets out the government proposal to legislate and narrow this exemption.

Read the consultation

• Brentford, QPR and Wolves latest clubs to confirm they will have safe standing at games
• Follows Cardiff City, Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur acting as ‘early adopters’ in trial last season
• Wembley Stadium set to offer a small licensed standing area for fans at domestic matches as the government delivers manifesto commitment

The Government has confirmed that Premier League and Championship clubs wishing to introduce licensed ‘safe standing’ areas at football stadiums will be allowed to do so from the start of the forthcoming 2022/23 season.

Brentford, Queens Park Rangers and Wolverhampton Wanderers will be the first clubs to join ‘early adopters’ Cardiff City, Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur in offering licensed standing in designated seated areas for home and away fans.

Other clubs are expected to adopt licensed standing areas during the course of the football season.

The iconic Wembley Stadium will also offer a small licensed standing area for fans at forthcoming domestic matches later this season.

Culture Secretary, Nadine Dorries said:

We want to make the experience of watching football as magical as the play on the pitch.

Fans will now be able to cheer on their team from a seat or join others in a safe standing section to really get behind the players and roar on their heroes to victory.

We are not reintroducing terraces and only clubs which meet strict safety criteria will be permitted. Thanks to a robust trial, thorough evidence and modern engineering, we are now ready to allow standing once again in our grounds.

Sports Minister, Nigel Huddleston said:

Based upon what I have experienced and we have learnt through the pilot programme, safe standing is set to deliver an electric atmosphere at our football stadiums.

Fans have long campaigned for its introduction and we have worked carefully with supporters groups, including the families affected by the tragic Hillsborough football disaster.

I am proud of the work that has gone into this rigorous process and that we have delivered on our manifesto commitment to get fans back on their feet in stadiums.

The stadiums have been selected following an application process, open to all grounds covered by the all-seater policy, led by the Sports Grounds Safety Authority (SGSA). Strict conditions have been met, including enhanced use of CCTV, improved steward training and fans being strictly limited to ‘one person, one space’. Clubs have also engaged with fans as part of their application process.

A final report on last season’s Government-commissioned trial at the early adopter clubs has concluded that the installation of barriers or rails in areas of persistent standing in seated areas has delivered a positive impact on spectator safety and improved fans’ match day experience in both home and away sections. The report recommends that clubs should be given the opportunity to implement licensed standing areas as soon as possible.

An interim report into the trial, published by the Sports Grounds Safety Authority (SGSA) in April, found that:

• Goal celebrations being more orderly with no opportunity for forwards and backwards movement of fans, reducing the risk of fans falling on those around them;
• Barriers offering stability for people moving up and down aisles and gangways;
• Latecomers being able to access their seats in the middle of rows more quickly, as others are already standing and have barriers to lean against to allow them to pass;
• Pockets of overcrowding being easier to identify to security officials, as fans are lined up more clearly

The final report concludes:

• The exit of fans from the stadia is more uniform because the barriers limit spectators’ ability to climb over seats to exit more quickly;
• Spectators are lined up more clearly and therefore any risk of overcrowding can be identified, particularly using CCTV;
• Stewards can be put in more locations without risking impacting sight lines;
• There is no evidence to date that the introduction of licensed standing areas has led to an increase in standing elsewhere in stadia

The announcement was made by Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston at Tottenham Hotspur’s White Hart Lane stadium, after he joined fans in the club’s 10,000-strong safe standing area to watch the North London club win 1-0 against Burnley on 15 May.

Sports Grounds Safety Authority Chief Executive, Martyn Henderson OBE said:

We welcome the controlled return of standing for the modern era, which has been made possible by a very close collaboration with the Government.

This is an historic moment for football – and, most importantly, for the fans who have campaigned for this change and will be safer as a result of today’s decision.

Chief Executive of the Football Supporters’ Association, Kevin Miles said:

Match-going supporters know the benefits of safe standing are enormous, with better atmospheres and more choice for fans, whether they prefer to sit or stand.

The FSA has always made the case that football clubs should be able to talk to their fanbase and work together to find the ideal mix of seating and standing at every club. That’s now possible and it’s no surprise at all that more clubs are already looking to join last season’s early adopters and install their own safe standing areas.

Senior Research Manager for CFE Research, Jo Welford said:

Over the last three years we have been able to gather evidence from a range of grounds, and have seen that the installation of barriers, alongside being able to run these areas as licensed standing sections, has a positive impact on the safety of fans who stand so it seems a logical conclusion to this work to see a policy change that allows this across football.

Barriers along every row are effective at preventing fans falling forward, and so the primary benefit is a reduced risk of injury during goal celebrations. But there are other benefits too – fans in those areas have something to hold onto for stability, and it is harder for people to move around in sections. We surveyed fans in those areas and the vast majority reported feeling safe, they feel well protected by the barriers and being able to stand and watch football without being asked to sit down has improved the match day experience too.

Cardiff City, Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur took part in the early adopter programme during the second half of the 2021/2022 season. A 2-2 draw on 2 January between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge kicked off the test events.

Under licensed standing, fans are allowed to stand for matches in allocated spaces behind a barrier or a rail in areas of persistent standing. Each supporter has to occupy the same area they would take if they were sitting, with a traceable, numbered ticket.

Seats cannot be locked in the up or down position, so fans can can sit if they wish to, and the standing areas cannot affect the views of other fans. Other parts of the grounds remain all-seated and fans are expected to sit in these areas.

Standing areas are already commonplace in Germany’s Bundesliga and there are similar examples across the rest of Europe, the United States and Australia.

The necessary legislative amendments to the Football Spectators Act have been tabled in Parliament today (4 July).

ENDS

Notes to editors:

• The evaluation of the early adopters programme has been conducted independently by CFE Research. The final evaluation report, will be published on the SGSA website on 4 July. The SGSA are working to ensure the small number of modest risks within the report by CFE Research are addressed when issuing licences.

• Since the last general election, the Sports Grounds Safety Authority (SGSA) has commissioned independent research on the safe management of standing at football. The findings, published in June 2021, indicated that installing seats with barriers in front of them would have a positive impact on crowd safety, in light of persistent standing in seated areas of football stadia.

• The early adopter criteria and support guidance set out the standards which need to be met, including the standards for the seats incorporating barriers/independent barriers. This information is available via the SGSA website: www.sgsa.org.uk/licensedstanding.

• The five clubs in the trial were the first in the top two tiers of football to have licensed safe standing in designated seated areas for home and away fans. They were selected following an application process, open to all grounds covered by the all-seater policy, led by the Sports Grounds Safety Authority (SGSA).

• The rollout of licensed safe standing is the latest move by the Government to support football fans across the country. It commissioned a fan-led review of football governance in, chaired by Tracey Crouch MP. In April 2022 the Government announced plans to radically reform the governance of men’s football in England, and ensure a sustainable future for the national game. A White Paper is expected to be published later this summer.

The deal will see the UK and Nigeria do more together to support legal migration, tackle illegal migration and speed up the removal of foreign criminals. The commitment is already delivering: 13 Nigerian foreign nationals with no right to be in the UK were removed on a chartered flight on 30 June.

After the flight departed Nigeria, it flew to Ghana where eight Ghanaian foreign nationals with no right to be in the UK were returned.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with Nigeria will also promote our shared bilateral economic interests. The deal delivers on the British people’s priority of controlling our borders and ensuring the immigration system is fair but firm.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said:

It is an important development that the UK and Nigeria have signed an agreement to co-operate on migration issues, to tackle illegal migration and the significant threat it poses to both nations.

The deal will mean that operational teams in both countries will share their expertise to take the fight to criminal people smugglers who are responsible for a wider range of criminality and put profit before people while undermining the security of our two countries. This landmark agreement will increase the deportation of dangerous foreign criminals to make our streets and country safer.

This is our New Plan for Immigration being put into action.

The Home Secretary and Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the UK, Sarafa Tunji Isola, are meeting today to discuss the two countries’ shared interests and growing collaboration.

Last year the Home Secretary travelled to Ghana for a two-day visit to deepen the UK-Ghana’s security partnership. Whilst there, Priti Patel unveiled the Home Office-funded Ghana Immigration Taskforce Office which works to tackle organised immigration crime. Today’s flight to Ghana shows the partnership in action; delivering for the British public.

The UK-Nigerian MoU will:

• promote the economic activities of citizens in both countries
• develop better working relationships and expertise on tackling illegal migration
• speed up the removal of FNOs from the UK to Nigeria and vice versa. (Through the agreement, emergency travel certificates or temporary passports will be issued to individuals being returned within five working days of receipt of their passport or biometric details)
• see the countries work together to support those who choose to come to each country legally and safely

Last week’s returns flight removed:

• 8 foreign national offenders to Nigeria
• 5 immigration offenders to Nigeria
• 3 foreign national offenders to Ghana
• 5 immigration offenders to Ghana

The foreign national offenders have combined prison sentences of more than 64 years.

The MoU follows a joint communique signed in February between the UK and Nigeria which strengthened their security and defence partnership and returns deals signed with Serbia and Albania. Last year the UK and India signed a ground breaking partnership migration deal which accelerates the removal of illegal migrants.

The recently enacted Nationality and Borders Act will also deter illegal entry into the UK, breaking the business model of people smuggling networks, and speed up the removal of those with no right to be in the UK.