UK and Egypt bring more than 40 countries together to drive implementation of climate commitments

The UK and Egypt as COP26 and COP27 Presidencies will bring together ministers in Copenhagen to secure delivery of Glasgow Climate Pact commitments and other key declarations and decisions
The May Ministerial Meeting will focus on the practical action needed to shift from negotiations to implementation ahead of COP27 in Egypt
This will include sessions on how to reduce emissions and keep 1.5C alive, adapt to the impacts of climate change, address loss and damage due to climate change and mobilise finance

The UK and Egypt will bring together more than 40 countries in Copenhagen this week to focus on what climate action needs to be taken to deliver key commitments ahead of COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh in November.

In the first jointly led event by the UK and Egypt as COP26 and COP27 Presidencies, the May Ministerial Meeting on Implementation will take stock of action and implementation across key elements of the Glasgow Climate Pact signed at COP26, the Paris Agreement and other international climate agreements and decisions.

The Glasgow Climate Pact kept alive the goal of keeping global temperatures from rising more than 1.5 degrees, at the same time cementing progress on finance for climate action, adaptation and loss and damage.

However, the most recent report from the IPCC shows how the window to keep the 1.5C goal within reach is rapidly closing, and so ministers will focus on the practical action needed to drive progress on implementation and ambition of commitments made in Glasgow.

They will focus on how best to drive down emissions across major sectors of their societies – for example through reducing coal production and forest loss. They will look at the best approaches taken worldwide to adapt to the impacts of climate change, and to protect the most vulnerable. Ministers will consider action and support to address the loss and damage to communities on the frontline of climate change, considering early warning systems, emergency preparedness and disaster risk reduction, among other areas.

They will also consider examples for the emissions reductions needed to keep 1.5 degrees alive, as well as the steps they are taking to strengthen their climate action plans for 2030 this year. There will also be a clear focus on ensuring that finance flows to those who need it – for example in supporting countries in a just transition away from fossil fuels.

COP26 President Alok Sharma and Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, COP27 President-Designate will co-chair the event, hosted by Denmark’s Minister of Climate and Energy, Dan Jørgensen.

COP26 President Alok Sharma said:

Since the Glasgow Climate Pact was signed at COP26, the IPCC reports on adaptation and mitigation have shown unequivocally that the window of time we have left to secure a liveable future is closing rapidly.

And of course, the Putin regime’s brutal and illegal invasion of Ukraine has changed international politics fundamentally.

However, the chronic threat of climate change remains, which is why I am pleased to co-chair this Ministerial meeting on Implementation bringing countries together to drive forward action on pledges already made.

I look forward to hearing clear commitments from countries on how they will play their part to implement commitments on mitigation, finance, adaptation and loss and damage. When we meet in Sharm-el-Sheikh for COP27, we need to demonstrate to the world we are delivering on the Glasgow Climate Pact.

H.E. Sameh Shoukry, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt and COP27 President designate said:

Climate action has never been more important. The world needs to demonstrate its continued commitment to curb emissions, enhance adaptation, and deliver on climate finance.

COP27 should see us all coming together to renew our determination, take stock on where we stand on implementation, and lay out a clear path towards turning pledges into tangible action on the ground.

Danish Minister of Climate and Energy and Public Utilities Dan Jørgensen said:

I am very honoured to host the May Ministerial on Implementation and welcome key decision makers to Copenhagen to discuss how we best implement the high ambitions from last year’s Glasgow Climate Pact.

COP26 was a milestone for defining our shared visions on how to fight global climate change.

It is crucial that we deliver across the board on mitigation, finance, adaptation and loss and damage. In Copenhagen, we will build a solid foundation to do just that ahead of COP27 in Egypt later this year.

Recognising the importance for all of society to be included in implementing climate action, observer groups from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) have been invited to participate in the Ministerial.

The IAGCI invites tenders to evaluate Home Office Country Information Products on Rwanda

Section 48(2)(j) of the UK Borders Act 2007 provides that the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration (ICIBI) shall:

consider and make recommendations about … the content of information about conditions in countries outside the United Kingdom which the Secretary of State compiles and makes available, for purposes connected with immigration and asylum, to immigration officers and other officials.

To assist the Chief Inspector in fulfilling this statutory role, a body of experts sitting as the Independent Advisory Group on Country Information (IAGCI) regularly reviews the Country of Origin Information (COI) products that are issued by the Home Office. The Home Office refers to these products in procedures that assess claims of individuals for refugee status or other forms of international and humanitarian protection. COI is also used in policy formulation.

The IAGCI reviews products to provide assurance to the Chief Inspector that the content is accurate, balanced, objective and up-to-date. COI is contained in:

Country Policy and Information Notes (CPINs)
responses to information requests

CPINs are generated on an ongoing basis, generally focusing on countries from which asylum claims are most commonly received. These reports may provide general background information on a country, address aspects of conditions in a country that are relevant to common types of asylum claims, and/or describe the current humanitarian or security situation in a country. CPINs are compiled from material produced by a range of recognised external information sources (news reports, academic literature, independent research reports, fact-finding reports from UK government or from other governments, etc). These documents also contain Home Office policy on the recommended position to be taken with respect to various types of claims, based on the available and accepted country information.

Information Request (IR) responses are prepared to address specific queries from caseworkers or other Home Office officials. These relate to information that is not covered in the CPINs.

Tender Details

IAGCI commissions country experts or experienced researchers to evaluate and report upon the COI contained in Home Office country information products. The IAGCI requires a country expert to review the country information contained in the following CPINs on Rwanda, published in May 2022:

Description of work

Country Policy and Information Notes aim to provide an accurate, balanced and up-to-date summary of the key available sources regarding conditions in the country covered. The purpose and scope of the reports are clearly set out in an introductory section of the document. Reviewers should evaluate the reports in this context and seek to identify any areas where they can be improved. Specifically, the review should entail:

assessing the extent to which information from source documents has been appropriately and accurately reflected in the CPIN reports
identifying additional sources detailing relevant aspects of current conditions in the country
noting and correcting any specific errors or omissions of fact
making recommendations for general improvements regarding, for example, the structure of the report, its coverage or its overall approach
ensuring no reference is made to an individual source which could expose them to risk

Reviewers should follow these specific guidelines:

the review should focus exclusively on the country of origin information contained within the document, and not pass judgment on the policy guidance provided
the CPIN should be reviewed in the context of its purpose as set out above. It should consider the situation in the country up to the stated ‘cut off’ date for inclusion of information
when suggesting amendments, rather than ‘tracking changes’ on the original CPIN, a list of suggested changes should be provided as part of a stand-alone review paper, and each report should be reviewed separately. A reporting template will be provided to reviewers (for reference please refer to most recent reviews on the IAGCI webpage for examples of the template)
any suggestions for additional information (or corrections to information in the document) must be referenced to a source document for the Home Office to be able to use it (preferably open source). The Home Office may use foreign language source documents, but only if the information is considered essential and is not available in English language source

Previous reviews of COI products can be viewed on the ICIBI website.

The selected reviewer will be requested to attend an IAGCI meeting, likely virtual, otherwise at the office of the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration in London, where their review will be considered. This meeting is due to take place in July 2022. Alternative arrangements may be made if attendance is not possible.

Representatives from the Home Office will also attend the meeting to provide responses to comments and recommendations made in the review.

Reviews commissioned by IAGCI will be published and may be used as source documents for future CPIN reports or other Home Office information products.

How to Apply

Researchers interested in conducting this review should submit:

a one-page letter demonstrating their expertise in human rights and/or asylum issues pertaining to Rwanda
their c.v.

Payment for this work will be set at £2,000. Expressions of interest should be submitted to IAGCI@icibi.gov.uk by close of Monday, 30 May 2022.

Unfortunately, we are only able to accept expressions of interest from individuals and not from institutions or consultancy groups. Successful bids will be notified by Wednesday, 8 June. Final reviews will be due by the close of Friday, 8 July, and will be discussed at the IAGCI meeting in late July 2022.

How the government is supporting workers

News story

What the government has done to protect and enhance workers’ rights.

The UK has one of the best workers’ rights records in the world. As a result of government action, there are now more employees on the payroll than ever before, as we continue to support workers and build a high skilled, high productivity, high wage economy.

The government has protected and enhanced workers’ rights by:

Making sure 2.5 million people received a pay rise in April by raising the minimum and living wage. The largest ever cash increase to the National Living Wage will put over £1000 a year into a full-time workers’ pay packet, helping to ease cost of living pressures. We’re helping younger people too, by lifting the minimum wages for under-23s and apprentices.
Leading the world with one of the highest minimum wages in the world – more generous than those in similar economies such as France, Germany and Japan.
Holding UK businesses to account, ensuring employees are getting what they are owed. In December we named and shamed 208 employers who had failed to pay the minimum wage – taking the total number of employers named since 2014 to around 2,500. We made sure these companies paid back their employees and paid the price with hefty fines for law breakers. We have also quadrupled the maximum fine for employers who treat their workers badly.
Giving the lowest paid in society more control over when and where they work. The government just this week announced it will extend the ban on using exclusivity clauses to contracts where a worker’s guaranteed weekly income is below the Lower Earnings Limit, which is currently £123 a week. This ensures an estimated 1.5 million people have the option to pick up extra work if they want to, further increasing flexibility.
Tackling appalling business practices, such as P&O Ferries firing their employees without consultation. Reporting them to the insolvency service and taking an active role in ensuring they treat their workers fairly, we also recently committed to producing a statutory code on fire and rehire practices to strengthen the rights of all employees. This will clamp down on controversial tactics used by employers who fail to engage in meaningful consultations with employees before making changes to their contracts.
Closing a loophole which sees agency workers employed on cheaper rates than permanent workers.
Recognising the importance of flexible working arrangements by announcing a wide-ranging package of measures to help give employees more flexible working options in the future, including seeking views on making flexible working the default unless employers have good reason not to.
Offering generous leave entitlements, continuing with our aim to make the UK the best place in the world to live and work. Workers get over 5 weeks of annual leave and a year of maternity leave, while the EU minimum for maternity leave is just 14 weeks.
As part of this, we also brought into force a world first, giving parents a new legal right to 2 week’s paid bereavement leave for those who suffer the devastating loss of a child, irrespective of how long they have worked for their employer.
Giving all workers the right to receive a statement of their rights from day one.
Supporting workers throughout the pandemic, taking steps to protect the earnings of workers through furlough, including a new law to make sure furloughed employees who were made redundant received full redundancy payments.
And of course, all this action to support workers’ rights has come alongside the government’s unprecedented £9bn package to support families with the cost of living, including a £150 council tax rebate, and a £200 energy bill discount to cut energy bills for the vast majority of households.

Published 10 May 2022

Minister for Asia visits South Korea to deliver closer bilateral ties

Minister of State for Asia, Amanda Milling, visited South Korea this week (8 -10 May) to attend the inauguration of President Yoon Suk-Yeol and promote collaboration on bilateral and global issues.

Prior to the inauguration ceremony, the Minister met President Yoon to discuss a range of bilateral initiatives aimed at strengthening cooperation between our two countries. They also exchanged views on regional security and the importance of the international community acting together to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

President Yoon was presented with a letter of congratulations from UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Minister for Asia, Amanda Milling, said:

South Korea is a key security partner and trusted friend in the region, as well as a very important trading partner for the UK.

Our countries have a strong relationship based on a shared understanding of the world’s major threats and how best to deal with them, including regional security and Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

It was a pleasure to represent the UK at the inauguration of President Yoon Suk-Yeol and I look forward to enhancing and elevating the bilateral relationship, building on our shared values and mutual interests, as part of the UK’s far-reaching work in the Indo-Pacific.

The Minister also met Foreign Minister-designate Park Jin and senior South Korean Parliamentarians from the Foreign Affairs Committee. This follows another year in which bilateral relations have flourished. Last year South Korea was a guest nation at the UK’s G7 Summit and outgoing President Moon attended the COP26 Summit in Glasgow.

Korea also welcomed the visit of the UK’s Carrier Strike Group, headed by the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth, in a clear demonstration of commitment to enhanced security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.

Whilst in Seoul, the Minister also took time to visit the Korean War Museum, laying a wreath in honour of soldiers of all allied countries who gave their lives during the Korean War – including 1,106 of the more than 80,000 British service personnel who fought to defend Korea against Communist aggression. She also met with a group of young defectors from North Korea (DPRK), reiterating the UK’s position on universal human rights and ongoing support for the North Korean defector community through the British Embassy in Seoul.

Alternative waste route found for Dounreay’s bulk metal items

Dounreay in partnership with Nuclear Waste Services and its contractor Cyclife first trialled an alternative treatment option for the site’s metallic waste in 2019, when 66 tonnes of redundant metal equipment were sent to Cyclife’s specialist facility for recycling.

Following this successful trial, a flask adaptor plug weighing 10 tonnes recently left site for the recycling facility.

Bulk waste transport from Dounreay video

DSRL Assistant Project Manager Catherine Strathdee said:

Now that this route is available to us, we will use it regularly to recycle large items that are too large to fit inside standard waste containers.

Cyclife Managing Director Joe Robinson said:

Cyclife is delighted to have supported DSRL and Nuclear Waste Services over the last 3 years to enable the DSRL mission. The project team has developed a strong integrated and collaborative working environment, which has contributed to the success of the project.

Dounreay is also trialling other waste routes that are available when recycling is not feasible. This includes disposal of a redundant supercompactor unit, removed from a waste facility in 2011, which has now been successfully transported offsite for disposal in a suitable licensed landfill site in England.

This is a new offsite disposal option that will enable Dounreay to dispose of items with low specific activity that are not suitable for recycling due to the presence of other hazardous substances or disposal within the low-level waste vaults. To make this happen, Dounreay has collaborated with Nuclear Waste Services, Cyclife UK Ltd, a strategic waste partner and Augean, the landfill owner.

These new waste routes will minimise the number of low-level waste vaults that the site will need as it is decommissioned.

DSRL Head of Waste Operations, Alistair Ross, said:

Off-site diversion and disposal options for our waste are key to the successful decommissioning of the Dounreay site. These ensure that the waste is disposed of or recycled through the most appropriate route that provides safe, compliant disposition coupled with value for money and offers decommissioning projects alternatives to disposal to the low-level waste vaults or interim storage.