Over 50 new surgical hubs set to open across England to help bust the COVID-19 backlogs

North West Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS FT Clatterbridge Hospital     North West Pennine Acute Hospital NHS Trust NCA Childrens Hub – Royal Oldham Hospital     North West Pennine Acute Hospital NHS Trust Fairfield General Hospital     North West Manchester University NHS foundation trust Trafford Hospital – Elective Hub     North West Wrightington,Wigan and Leigh NHS FT Wrightington Hospital (GM Specialist Orthopaedic Centre)     North West Manchester University NHS FT Withington Hospital     North West Blackpool Teaching Hospital NHS FT Blackpool Victoria Hospital (Ophthalmology Surgical Unit)     North West Lancaster Teaching Hospital NHS FT Chorley and South Ribble Hospital     North West East Lancashire Hospital NHS Trust Burnley General Hospital     North West East Lancashire Hospital NHS Trust Royal Blackburn Hospital     North West University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS FT Westmorland General Hospital     NEY Northumbria Healthcare NHS FT Alnwick Infirmary     NEY Northumbria Healthcare NHS FT North Tyneside General Hospital     NEY Northumbria Healthcare NHS FT Wansbeck General Hospital     NEY Northumbria Healthcare NHS FT Hexham General Hospital     NEY North Tees and Hartlepool NHS FT University Hospital of Hartlepool     NEY Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Castle Hill Hospital     NEY York Teaching Hospital NHS FT Bridlington and District Hospital     NEY Harrogate and District NHS FT Harrogate and District NHS FT     NEY Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS FT Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital     NEY Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS FT Goole and District Hospital     NEY Barnsley Hospital NHS FT Barnsley Hospital     NEY Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS FT Northern General Hospital (Sheffield DSU)     NEY Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS FT Northern General Hospital (Balborough Treatment Centre – Sheffield Hand Centre)     NEY Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS FT Northern General Hospital – Ophthalmology     NEY Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS FT Calderdale Royal Hospital     NEY Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS FT Calderdale Royal Hospital     NEY Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Chapel Allerton Hospital     NEY Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Wharfedale Hospital     Midlands The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS FT Royal Orthopaedic Hospital – Surgical Centre     Midlands University Hospitals Birmingham NHS FT Solihull Hospital Elective Hub     Midlands Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust Walsall Manor Hospital     Midlands The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust Cannock Chase Hospital     Midlands Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust Birmingham Treatment Centre (City Hospital)     Midlands George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust George Eliot Hospital – Day Proc Unit and Day Case Theatres     Midlands University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust University Hospital (Coventry) – Rugby     Midlands University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust University Hospital (Coventry) – University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire Day Surgery Unit     Midlands South Warwickshire NHS FT SWFT Warwick Hospital     Midlands South Warwickshire NHS FT Stratford Day Case     Midlands University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS FT Ilkeston Community Hospital     Midlands University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS FT Sir Robert Peel (SRP) Community Hospital     Midlands University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS FT Burton Hospital Treatment Centre     Midlands University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS FT Kings Treatment, Royal Derby Hospital     Midlands Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust Alexandra Hospital Elective Hub     Midlands University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust Glenfield Hospital – Elective Hub     Midlands University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust LLR Alliance Community Hospital – Elective Hub     Midlands United Lincolnshire Hospital NHS Trust Grantham and District Hospital – Elective Surgical Hub     Midlands Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS FT Newark Hospital (King’s Mill Hospital) – Elective Hub     Midlands The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust Royal Shrewsbury Hospital – Cataract Suite (Copthorne Building)     East of England Cambridge University Hospitals NHS FT CUH at Princess of Wales Hospital     East of England Cambridge University Hospitals NHS FT Addenbrooke’s Hospital (Cambridge Eye Unit)     East of England West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust St Albans City Hospital Elective Hub     East of England Mid and South Essex NHS FT Braintree Community Hospital     London St George’s University Hospitals NHS FT St George’s at Queen Mary’s Hospital     London Croydon Health Services NHS Trust Croydon University Hospital     London Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust South West London Elective Orthopaedic Centre     London King’s College Hospital NHS FT Orpington Hospital     London Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust Queen Mary’s Hospital Sidcup     London London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust Central Middlesex Hospital     London Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust Charing Cross Hospital     London Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS FT Chelsea and Westminister     London The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS FT Hillingdon – Mount Vernon Treatment centre     London Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS FT West Middlesex Elective Hub     London Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital     London University College London Hospitals NHS FT UCLH – Grafton Way     London Royal Free London NHS FT Chase Farm Hospital     London Moorefields Eye Hospital NHS FT Moorfield Eye Hospital – St Ann’s     London Moorefields Eye Hospital NHS FT Moorfield Eye Hospital – City Road     London Royal Free London NHS FT Edgware Community Hospital     London Whittington Health NHS Trust The Whittington Hospital     London Barts Health NHS Trust Whipps Cross – Plane Tree     London Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust King George Ilford – Queens Hospital     London Barts Health NHS Trust Newham General Hospital – BHOC     London Homerton University Hospital NHS FT Homerton University Hospital     South West Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS FT Sulis Hospital – Bath – Elective Surgery Hub     South West Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust Royal Cornwall – St Michael’s Elective Hub     South West Royal Devon and Exeter NHS FT Nightingale Hospital Exeter – Elective Surgery Centre     South West University Hospitals Dorset NHS FT Christchurch Hospital – Dermatology Unit     South East Royal Berkshire NHS FT West Berkshire Community Hospital     South East Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust Wycombe Hospital     South East Oxford University Hospitals NHS FT Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre (NOC)     South East Royal Berkshire NHS FT King Edward Vii Hospital (Prince of Wales)     South East Frimley Health NHS FT Heatherwood Hospital     South East University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust Lymington Hospital     South East Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust Queen Alexandra Hospital     South East Hampshire Hospitals NHS FT Andover War Memorial Hospital     South East Hampshire Hospitals NHS FT Basingstoke General Hospital     South East Hampshire Hospitals NHS FT Winchester County Hospital     South East Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust Maidstone Hospital     South East Ashford and St Peter’s Hospital NHS FT Ashford Hospital     South East University Hospitals Sussex NHS FT Sussex Orthopaedic Treatment Centre    



PM call with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi of Egypt: 25 August 2022

Press release

Prime Minister Boris Johnson spoke to President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi

The Prime Minister spoke to President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi this afternoon, to welcome the cooperation between the UK and Egypt during his premiership and discuss ways to further boost the relationship between our countries.

The leaders highlighted increased trade, business and education links, including the creation of the UK-Egypt Investment Council and new investment opportunities in Egypt.

They also welcomed our countries’ close defence and security cooperation, and the Prime Minister thanked President Sisi for his role in helping to get grain out of Ukraine’s ports and on route to countries facing desperate food shortages as a result of Russia’s blockade.

The Prime Minister and President Sisi discussed resolving the consular case of Alaa Abdel Fattah, and the Prime Minister expressed his hope for swift and positive progress on the issue.

The leaders also looked ahead to the UK handing over the COP Presidency to Egypt at COP27 in November, emphasising the importance of driving forward the transformative action on climate change agreed in Glasgow last year.

Published 25 August 2022




The situation on the ground demonstrates the urgent need to make progress towards a Two State Solution

Thank you President. I join others in thanking Mr Wennesland, Mr Lazzarini and Mr Levy for their valuable briefings today.

Let me start by welcoming the two-year anniversary of the Abraham Accords this month. The Abraham Accords are a historic milestone that bring us closer to the goal of shared prosperity and peace throughout the region.

President,

As we stated at the emergency session on 8 August, the UK welcomes the ceasefire in Gaza and we reiterate our calls for the parties to make every effort to sustain it. It is critical that humanitarian access in and out of Gaza is ensured, in accordance with International Humanitarian Law.

We were appalled by the terrorist attack in Jerusalem on 13 August. The UK unequivocally condemns any and all acts of terrorism. Our thoughts are with the victims and families of those affected.  We reiterate our unwavering commitment to Israel’s security.  This conflict has taken a terrible toll on both sides. We are concerned at the record number of Palestinians killed by Israeli security forces this year and urge Israel to show restraint in the use of live ammunition and to ensure a thorough and transparent investigation into all fatalities.

President,

We have been clear about our concern over the Israeli government’s decision last year to designate six Palestinian NGOs as terrorist organisations. The subsequent raids on the offices of seven Palestinian NGOs, and arrests of their staff, are equally concerning. Civil society organisations play an important role in upholding human rights and democracy and they must be able to operate freely in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. We continue to engage with a number of these organisations.

President,

We call on the Israeli authorities to halt plans to advance evictions at Khan Al Ahmar and on the E1 settlement plan. Advancing E1 would seriously hinder a two-state solution. Settlements are contrary to International Humanitarian Law.

This month we also saw demolition orders issued in Masafer Yatta and against a donor-funded school in Ein Samiya. Such demolitions cause unnecessary suffering and in all but exceptional circumstances are contrary to international law.

The UK is a long-standing supporter of UNRWA for the vital role they play in providing core services and humanitarian and protection assistance to Palestinian refugees across the region. We were pleased to announce at the pledging conference in June that we have agreed a new multi-year funding agreement with UNRWA and will provide £15m this year.

The situation on the ground demonstrates the urgent need to make progress towards a Two State Solution that ensures a safe and secure Israel, living alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state based on 1967 lines, with Jerusalem the shared capital of both states.  The UK remains committed to working with all parties to reduce tensions and take steps towards a sustainable peace.




New Deputy Government Actuary

News story

The new Deputy Government Actuary has been named as Matt Gurden. His most recent role was was as a GAD Actuarial Director. The appointment followed an open competition.

People Working on Laptops

The Government Actuary’s Department (GAD) has announced that the new Deputy Government Actuary has been named as Matt Gurden. The appointment followed an open competition for the role.

The Government Actuary Martin Clarke said: “Matt Gurden has an impressive track record of actuarial consulting in both the private and public sectors across a very broad range of areas.

“I congratulate him on this appointment, and I look forward to working closely with him in providing professional and business leadership to the Government Actuary’s Department and in developing the valuable contribution that actuaries make within the public sector.”

Management and oversight

Matt’s most recent role was as the GAD Actuarial Director for Clients, Growth and Development. He is a member of the Management Board and Executive.

He provides Management Board oversight for 2 GAD teams – Specialist Actuarial and the Analytical Solutions Team. He is also the chair of the Thought Leadership Oversight Group.

New role

Matt Gurden said: “I am delighted to be named as the new Deputy Government Actuary. It’s an exciting time to be part of GAD as we expand our client offer across the public sector.

“My role as Actuarial Director means I’ve had the opportunity to take the strategic view of the work we undertake to support our clients. GAD’s areas of expertise continue to include insurance, investment, data science, modelling and quality assurance, as well as pensions and social security.”

Matt joined GAD in 2011 after working in a variety of roles in several private sector actuarial consultancies.

Published 25 August 2022




21 Argentines will study in the UK with Chevening scholarships

World news story

The British Ambassador welcomed at her Residence the group of young Argentines who were awarded Chevening scholarships.

The group of 2022/2023 Chevening scholars with HMA Kirsty Hayes

On Tuesday 23 August, the Ambassador Kirsty Hayes bid farewell to the 21 Argentine scholarship holders who will leave for the UK to do their master’s studies for a year, wishing them a safe and successful trip.

In her speech, the Ambassador congratulated the scholars and appreciated the diversity of courses and universities chosen by the young students who will spend a year in the United Kingdom.

The Chevening scholarships allow outstanding young leaders to carry out postgraduate studies at a British university of their choice with all the expenses covered.

Applications to study during 2023-2024 are open from 2 August to 1 November 2022. Apply today at https://www.chevening.org/apply.

Complete list of 2022/2023 scholars

  1. Aguilera, Manuel – MPA Innovation, Public Policy and Public Value – University College London
  2. Benavídez Lo Bello, Lucía Mariel – MSc Human Rights and Politics – London School of Economics and Political Science
  3. Bergia, Agostina – MPP Public Policy – University of Oxford
  4. Bonelli, Bárbara – MSc in Urban Development Planning – University College London
  5. Brizuela, Agustina – MPA Innovation, Public Policy and Public Value – University College London
  6. Bulat, Santiago – MSc Development Economics -University of Sussex
  7. Caprarulo, Joaquín – LLM Master of Laws – London School of Economics and Political Science
  8. Casalia, Joaquín – LLM Master of Laws – London School of Economics and Political Science
  9. Colli, Kevin Emilio – MSc Leadership for Sustainable Rural Development – Queen’s University Belfast
  10. Fourcade, Azul – MA Anthropology of Development and Social Transformation – University of Sussex
  11. González, Guadalupe Andrea – MSc Social Data Science – University of Essex
  12. Guerrero, Gonzalo – LLM Master of Laws – London School of Economics and Political Science
  13. Itoiz, Kevin – MA Governance, Development and Public Policy – University of Sussex
  14. Modernel, Jonathan Alexander – MSc Social Research Methods – London School of Economics and Political Science
  15. Moreno, Teófilo – MA Governance, Development and Public Policy – University of Sussex
  16. Novillo Funes, Sofía – MSc Gender (Sexuality) – London School of Economics and Political Science
  17. Pesce, Martina – MSc Public Health for Development – London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
  18. Piazza, Matías Nicolás – MSc The Political Economy of Emerging Markets – King’s College London
  19. Semenzato, Rosario – MSc Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship – London School of Economics and Political Science
  20. Steuermann Waibsnaider, Ezequiel Natan – LLM Master of Laws – London School of Economics and Political Science
  21. Walsh Astuena, Agustina Malena – MSc Global Strategy & Sustainability – University of Edinburgh

Published 25 August 2022