British Embassy Mogadishu bids farewell to Chevening 2021 group

On 26 August 2021, British Embassy Mogadishu hosted a pre-departure event to congratulate eight talented Somalis who were awarded Chevening scholarships and are heading off to study for their Master’s in the UK.

The farewell is an opportunity to wish the scholars well before they travel to the UK for their studies. This year a total of 13 scholars will be going to the UK, eight from Somalia and five from Somaliland.

The 2021 cohort will study a variety of subjects, such as information security, public health, conflict resolution, environmental policy, aviation and development finance, equipping them with the skills to make a difference in Somalia once they return.

Speaking at the event, British Ambassador to Somalia, Kate Foster, said:

I’m delighted to have virtually met brilliant and passionate young Somalis heading off to the UK as Chevening scholars, and wish them well for the year ahead. I look forward to welcoming them back and hearing about all their adventures and successes, and how they will contribute to the development of Somalia.

One of the 2021 scholars, Information Security specialist Zainab Raadsato, who is heading to Royal Holloway, University of London, said:

I’m very excited to get the award and being part of the Chevening network. The award will give me and other scholars an opportunity to advance our careers when we come back and I’m looking back to helping rebuild my country.

At the virtual event, the scholars also got a chance to hear from some of the current scholars and Chevening alumni about their experiences, and exchanged top tips for how to make the most of their time in the UK.

Chevening Scholarships offer full financial support for scholars to study for any eligible Master’s degree at any UK university, and are awarded to individuals who can demonstrate that they have the commitment and skills required to create positive change. The scholarship application window is still open until 2 November 2021 and applications can be submitted at www.chevening.org/scholarship

The UK is committed to supporting Somalia’s education system by empowering Somalia’s future leaders. Since 2016, over 60 Somalis have benefitted from this programme. Many of our scholars are now working at senior levels in government, private sector and international organisations.

The UK has also supported over 100,000 girls in Somalia access quality education through the Girls’ Education Challenge Programme.

Through the UK Aid’s Adolescent Girls Education in Somalia (AGES) programme, over 42,000 marginalised adolescent girls to access primary school, accelerated basic education, and a non‐formal course tailored to their needs helping them engage in income-generating activities and civic education.



Kabul evacuation enters its final stages

Press release

The UK Armed Forces have now entered the final stages of the evacuation from Hamid Karzai Airport (HKIA) in Kabul.

A member of the RAF escorts Afghan refugees at RAF Brize Norton

A member of the RAF escorts Afghan refugees at RAF Brize Norton

Following our pre-planned timetable, processing facilities inside the Baron Hotel in Kabul have been closed. This will enable us to focus our efforts on evacuating the British nationals and others we have processed and who are at the airport awaiting departure.

The UK’s ability to process further cases is now extremely reduced and additional numbers will be limited. No further people will be called forward to the airport for evacuation. Evacuating all those civilians we have already processed will free up the capacity needed on UK military aircraft to bring out our remaining diplomats and military personnel.

The decision to close the evacuating handling centre was made by the Chief of Joint Operations and authorised by the Defence Secretary. It reflects the latest understanding of the situation on the ground.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said:

Our top priority as we move through this process will be the protection of all those involved who are operating in a heightened threat environment.

It is with deep regret that not everyone has been able to be evacuated during this process. But I am proud of this remarkable achievement from our Border Force, Armed Forces, MOD, FCDO, Home Office who have evacuated over 13,000 people in 14 days during Operation Pitting. We will continue to honour our debt to all those who have not yet been able to leave Afghanistan. We will do all that we can to ensure they reach safety.

Published 27 August 2021



Form: Fishing quota transfers between the UK and the EU

Interim fishing quota transfers between the UK and the EU.



National Data Guardian publishes new guidance about the appointment of Caldicott Guardians

Press release

The National Data Guardian has published guidance under her statutory powers about the appointment, role and responsibilities of Caldicott Guardians, expanding the types of organisations expected to have one.

Illustration of two Caldicott guardians, a seated man behind a computer and standing woman at his side. There is a list of the Caldicott Principles on the wall behind them.

The National Data Guardian (NDG) has today published guidance under her statutory powers about the appointment, role and responsibilities of Caldicott Guardians in respect of data processing activities undertaken within their organisations.

Caldicott Guardians are senior people within an organisation who protect the confidentiality of people’s information by considering the ethical and legal aspects of data sharing. Previously only NHS organisations and local authorities were required to have one, but this guidance introduces a requirement that widens the type and number of organisations that are expected to have a Caldicott Guardian, whether by appointing a member of their own staff or through other arrangements.

The guidance applies to all public bodies within the health service, adult social care or adult carer support sectors in England that handle confidential information about patients or service users. This also includes organisations contracted by public bodies to deliver health or adult social care services that handle such information.

As this guidance is published under the National Data Guardian’s power to issue guidance described within the Health and Social Care (National Data Guardian) Act 2018, those organisations it applies to must have regard to it, and are encouraged to become compliant by 30 June 2023.

This change has been introduced in response to a public consultation held by the NDG in 2020 about the Caldicott Principles and Caldicott Guardians. People who responded to the consultation felt the role needed stronger emphasis across the whole of health and social care, and so the NDG’s proposal to expand the types of organisations that are expected to have a Caldicott Guardian received strong support.

National Data Guardian Dr Nicola Byrne said:

“My past experience as a Caldicott Guardian gives me a deep understanding of the vital role that they play in ensuring that health and social care data is used responsibly and ethically to support the delivery of better care. Caldicott Guardians are central to ensuring that confidentiality is protected and that wise decisions are made about the information their organisations hold. For this reason, introducing Caldicott Guardians into more settings is an important step in the right direction when it comes to maintaining people’s trust in a confidential health and social care system. We are very pleased to be sharing this guidance today and will be working with partners and colleagues over the coming weeks to ensure that those who need to take action are aware of what is required of them.”

Note to editor

Help and resources for those in scope is available on the UK Caldicott Guardian Council (UKCGC) website. The UKCGC provide support for Caldicott Guardians and others fulfilling the Caldicott function within their organisation.

Published 27 August 2021



Press release: Thousands of hectares of vital peatland to be restored to help tackle climate change and protect biodiversity

Over £16 million to be awarded through the first round of Natural England’s Peat Restoration Grants.