The Security Industry Authority (SIA), which is the regulator for the private security industry, ran the safety resilience exercise at the Steel Yard, on Allhallows Lane near Cannon Street station. The SIA organised the exercise in partnership with City of London Police, London Ambulance Service, London Fire Brigade, and UK Counter Terrorism Policing. The First Aid Nursing Yeomanry – FANY(PRVC) – were on hand as role players to help give the impression of a busy club night.

The training event at the Steel Yard confronted security staff with a series of real-time simulations, involving volunteer actors, of possible emergency scenarios. These included an attack with a bladed weapon and a suspicious package.

Ronnie Megaughin, the SIA’s Head of Compliance and Inspections, said:

These realistic scenarios are an excellent method for training security operatives in the best way to approach various emergencies. We present them with a challenge, which can range from a bomb threat to a marauding attack, and let them put their training to use. Counter-terrorism experts are on-hand to give an instant debrief and guidance.

These are learning experiences that operatives, and their managers, find very useful. If one of these operatives finds themselves in the position of being first responder at an incident, this training could save lives.

Jason Dean, SIA Liaison Officer to the National Business Crime Centre, who co-ordinated the event, said:

The main aim of exercises like this is to increase public safety in the night-time economy by working with venues and security staff. It’s also to showcase best practice by putting the Action Counters Terrorism (ACT) security e-learning package, which we’ve been recommending to all SIA-licensed operatives, into practice. We’re really pleased with the commitment that all the security staff put into the exercise at the Steel Yard.

This emergency planning exercise at the Steel Yard continues a programme of similar exercises and follows on from events in Chesterfield, London, Glasgow and Leicester.

Commander Umer Khan, OBE, who is responsible for policing operations and security at City of London Police, said:

The threat from terrorism has not gone away. The threat to the UK from terrorism is substantial, meaning an attack is likely. Exercises like this are vital in ensuring those working in our night-time economy are prepared, especially as we enter the run-up to the festive season.

Across Counter Terrorism Policing and with our partners, we are working tirelessly and at pace to confront the threat and help keep the public safe.

But, as previous incidents have shown, attacks can happen at any time, and anywhere, without warning. That’s why we encourage everyone to remain alert while out and about, and report anything that doesn’t seem right immediately to security or staff, or the police.

You can also report anything suspicious in confidence at the Action Counters Terrorism website (www.gov.uk/ACT) or on 0800 789 321. In an emergency, always call 999.

Further information:

• The Security Industry Authority is the organisation responsible for regulating the private security industry in the United Kingdom, reporting to the Home Secretary under the terms of the Private Security Industry Act 2001. The SIA’s main duties are the compulsory licensing of individuals undertaking designated activities and managing the voluntary Approved Contractor Scheme.
• For further information about the Security Industry Authority or to sign up for email updates visit: www.gov.uk/sia. The SIA is also on LinkedIn Facebook (Security Industry Authority) and Twitter (@SIAuk).
• The Action Counters Terrorism (ACT) Security e-learning is specialised training for front line security operatives. This free course was designed by government counter-terrorism experts from the National Counter Terrorism Security Office, the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure and the SIA. The custom-built training provides up-to date counter-terrorism knowledge to help security professionals prepare for and respond to terrorist incidents whilst on duty.

Thank you President,

Let me join others in thanking our Chinese colleagues for a successful and well-run Presidency in the month of August and in congratulating France on assuming their Presidency for September. We wish you the best and you can count on our support.

I also thank Under-Secretary-General Lacroix for his briefing and his continued leadership of UN peacekeeping.

President, on behalf of the United Kingdom. I pay tribute to those peacekeepers who lost their lives this year.  Peacekeeping relies on the dedication of our personnel.  We must do all that we can to support them – to provide the necessary training and equipment, improve awareness of threats, and ensure appropriate medical provision.

The UK continues to play its part, training thousands of peacekeepers each year. As a top contributor of extra-budgetary funds – donating more than $3.5m in 2021 – we are supporting key reforms in areas such as peacekeeping intelligence, situational awareness and tackling sexual exploitation and abuse. We provided expertise to support the IED review referred to by USG Lacroix earlier today.

Since 2020, UK peacekeepers deployed in MINUSMA have demonstrated the value of new, proactive approaches to protection of civilians, reconnaissance and civilian-military coordination.

We are encouraged by the ongoing implementation of the Integrated Peacekeeping Performance and Accountability Framework, which should underpin higher standards of safety and security and mandate delivery. And we continue to support evidence-based assessment of mission performance and integrated planning through the Comprehensive Performance and Assessment System.

We also remain committed to advancing the participation of women through UK support for the Senior Women Talent Pipeline and the Elsie Initiative Fund, to which we have contributed $7.5m to date.

President, in the last year peacekeeping operations have faced challenges which hamper mandate delivery and threaten safety and security.  Thanks to Brazil, in July we discussed the increasing threat posed by anti-UN disinformation campaigns in contexts such as Mali and the CAR, following the deployment of the Kremlin-backed Wagner Group, as well as in the DRC.  And we have seen numerous examples of freedom of movement restrictions and violations of status of forces agreements in Mali, Abyei and elsewhere. As USG Lacroix said, the UN should address rising levels of distrust through better strategic communication, but host governments must also uphold their responsibilities to protect UN personnel and comply with status of forces agreements.

The UK will remain a strong supporter of the Action for Peacekeeping agenda and A4P+ priorities. We call on all stakeholders to play their part in making UN peacekeeping the best it can be.

Published 6 September 2022
Last updated 10 October 2022 + show all updates

Prime Minister Liz Truss’s first statement in Downing Street

Good afternoon,

I have just accepted Her Majesty The Queen’s kind invitation to form a new government. 

Let me pay tribute to my predecessor.

Boris Johnson delivered Brexit, the Covid vaccine, and stood up to Russian aggression.

History will see him as a hugely consequential Prime Minister.

I’m honoured to take on this responsibility at a vital time for our country.

What makes the United Kingdom great is our fundamental belief in freedom, in enterprise, and in fair play.

Our people have shown grit, courage and determination time and time again.

We now face severe global headwinds caused by Russia’s appalling war in Ukraine and the aftermath of Covid.

Now is the time to tackle the issues that are holding Britain back.

We need to build roads, homes and broadband faster.

We need more investment and great jobs in every town and city across our country.

We need to reduce the burden on families and help people get on in life.

I know that we have what it takes to tackle those challenges.

Of course, it won’t be easy. But we can do it.

We will transform Britain into an aspiration nation…with high-paying jobs, safe streets and where everyone everywhere has the opportunities they deserve.

I will take action this day, and action every day, to make it happen.

United with our allies, we will stand up for freedom and democracy around the world – recognising that we can’t have security at home without having security abroad.

As Prime Minister, I will pursue three early priorities.

Firstly, I will get Britain working again.

I have a bold plan to grow the economy through tax cuts and reform.

I will cut taxes to reward hard work and boost business-led growth and investment.

I will drive reform in my mission to get the United Kingdom working, building, and growing.

We will get spades in the ground to make sure people are not facing unaffordable energy bills and we will also make sure, that we are building hospitals, schools, roads, and broadband.

Secondly, I will deal hands-on with the energy crisis caused by Putin’s war.

I will take action this week to deal with energy bills and to secure our future energy supply.

Thirdly, I will make sure that people can get doctors’ appointments and the NHS services they need. We will put our health service on a firm footing.

By delivering on the economy, on energy, and on the NHS, we will put our nation on the path to long-term success.

We shouldn’t be daunted by the challenges we face.

As strong as the storm may be, I know that the British people are stronger.

Our country was built by people who get things done.

We have huge reserves of talent, of energy, and determination.

I am confident that together we can:

Ride out the storm,

We can rebuild our economy,

And we can become the modern brilliant Britain that I know we can be.

This is our vital mission to ensure opportunity and prosperity for all people and future generations. I am determined to deliver. Thank you.

The 60-page guide comes against a backdrop of complex geopolitical circumstances and an ever-changing financial landscape.

Exploring recent issues, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, Brexit, and the current Russia-Ukraine conflict, this guide aims to paint a clearer picture of how to navigate the current economic status of the industry.

Tim Reid, director of business group at UK Export Finance, says:

Exports can help businesses increase profits and grow, especially when you are supplying to industries that are growing faster outside of the UK.

That’s why we are pleased to be working with Trade Finance Global to help business leaders understand the benefits of trade and how the right finance can unlock new opportunities.

As the UK’s national export credit agency, we can help businesses tap into global markets by making export finance and insurance more accessible.

Mark Abrams, global head of trade and receivables finance at TFG, says:

During these uncertain times a guide such as this one can really help shed light on UK trade and export requirements.

This latest guide begins with a brief definition of trade finance, as well as its advantages in financing a company’s future development.

Next, the guide provides an insight into the trade cycle, along with the nuances of undertaking or expanding international trade ventures in the context of the financing gap.

The guide also provides UK exporters with detailed information regarding UKEF’s trade finance and insurance products for a more complete picture of the sector.

Elsewhere, the guide distinguishes between funded and unfunded trade finance, ensuring a thorough summary of underlying dynamics in buyer-seller relationships.

Transacting across borders can be a complicated affair, as such, the trade and export finance guide examines pre-shipment, post-shipment, and supply chain finance giving an overview of associated risks.

Examples of how this all comes together is shown through two UK case studies; First Subsea, a designer and manufacturer of cable protection systems for offshore wind farms, and Union Papertech, a British tea and coffee supplier.

The guide is freely available to download now at www.tradefinanceglobal.com/export-finance

About DIT

​​The UK’s Department for International Trade (DIT) helps businesses export, drives inward and outward investment, negotiates market access and trade deals, and champions free trade.
We are an international economic department, responsible for:

• supporting and encouraging UK businesses to drive sustainable international growth

• ensuring the UK remains a leading destination for international investment

• opening markets, moulding the trade environment with new and existing partners which is free and fair

• using trade and investment to underpin the government’s agenda for a Global Britain and its ambitions for prosperity, stability and security worldwide

About Trade Finance Global

Trade Finance Global (TFG) is the leading B2B fintech in trade finance.
TFG’s data-led origination platform connects companies with innovative trade and receivables finance solutions from over 300 financial institutions.
This is combined with TFG’s award-winning content, informing a global audience of 160k monthly readers (6.2m impressions) – across app, podcasts, videos, magazines and research.
We help companies scale up their trade volumes by matching them with appropriate financing structures based on product, sector, location, and trade cycle.
Often the financing solution that you are looking for can be complicated, but it is our job to help you find the right one for you and your business.

About UK Export Finance

UK Export Finance is the UK’s export credit agency and a government department, working alongside the Department for International Trade as an integral part of its strategy and operations.

Established in 1919, its mission is to advance prosperity by ensuring no viable UK export fails for lack of finance or insurance, doing that sustainably and at no net cost to the taxpayer.