I don’t think a Health Secretary opening new NHS clinics has ever said this before, but I can’t wait for the day we can close them down.

When we don’t need these clinics anymore.

But the truth is: we do.

We desperately need these new clinics because British girls and British women need our help and support. And the NHS must be there for everyone.

Now, I’m not going to stand up here, in front of a room full of women, brave and courageous women, and try and explain FGM.

I don’t think any man can ever fully appreciate what it’s like to live in fear of, or live with the consequences of FGM.

But the question I ask myself is this: what if my daughter was at risk?

What if my wife needed help?

What would I expect from the National Health Service?

Expert medical help.

Specialists, who are trained in how to deal with both the physical effects of FGM, and the psychological scars.

Counselling and emotional support.

And I’d want that care and support to be close to where I live, in my community.

That’s exactly what we’re doing today.

These 8 new support clinics, across the country, will give women and girls the care and support they need in their communities.

Led by specialist midwives, supported by specialist consultants and counsellors, the expertise of the NHS, and FGM charities and organisations, coming together under one roof.

Our aim is to reach women sooner, before they engage with NHS maternity services when the risk of FGM complications is greatest and can threaten the life of a mother and her child.

The clinics will focus on education and prevention, as much as treatment and support, so they will be located away from hospitals, in communities where there is the greatest need.

And this is all possible because of the record £33.9 billion this government is putting into the health service so the NHS can be there for everybody.

I’ve seen the life-changing work being done at these clinics. The staff and survivors I met in Croydon were truly inspirational.

The holistic approach they’re taking means that anyone who walks into one of these clinics is being treated as a person, rather than just as a patient.

Not just a medical problem to fix, but someone who has the power to help break the cycle, someone who has the power to help end FGM.

Nimco Ali, who has done so much to change how we think about FGM in this country, said: “The solution to ending FGM is to empower girls to be themselves.”

And she’s absolutely right. It’s only through the tireless work of people like Nimco, and other fearless FGM campaigners, some of whom are in this room, that we’ve changed the conversation.

That we’ve stopped stigmatising people as victims and started empowering women and girls to speak up, and challenge, and change.

Because that’s what we all want.

Now, I know that empowerment is one of the themes today along with positivity and hope – and God knows we could all do with a little hope right now.

Our focus must be on reaching that girl, somewhere in Britain right now, who thinks she is all alone. We must help her, care for her, listen to her, and give her a voice.

So I’m delighted to be here with you today in that spirit of empowerment and education, of prevention and protection.

And I hope that by working together we can end FGM for good.

The Prime Minister has today appointed Rehman Chishti MP as his new Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief. In his new position, Rehman Chishti will bring together efforts across the UK Government, with faith actors and civil society to promote the UK’s firm stance on religious tolerance abroad. The Special Envoy will continue to lead the implementation of the recommendations from the recent independent review into FCO support for persecuted Christians led by the Bishop of Truro. He will also advocate for the rights of all individuals here in the UK and around the world who are being discriminated against and persecuted for their faith or belief.

Rehman Chishti’s appointment means that the Government will now have a dedicated person on the issue of religious freedom. The Envoy role was previously held by FCO Minister Lord (Tariq) Ahmad who will continue to champion human rights in his Ministerial capacity. This appointment will therefore increase the number of people working on the issue of religious freedom across government. Rehman has a strong track record for engaging and interacting with individuals, faith leaders and organisations here in the UK and abroad, and in promoting religious freedom and championing the cause of those being persecuted for their faith. Rehman was previously the Vice Chairman of the Conservative party covering faith and communities.

The Prime Minister has proclaimed the UK a champion of religious and other freedoms, and committed the UK to working with partners and friends around the world to ensure that everyone, everywhere is able to enjoy these freedoms.

The Prime Minister said:

People across the world deserve the chance to practise their beliefs freely. I’m delighted to appoint Rehman as my new Special Envoy and look forward to him building on the important work we have already done on this issue. The UK will always be a passionate advocate for greater tolerance, respect and understanding internationally.

Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, said:

A staggering 83% of the world’s population live in nations where religious freedom is threatened or banned. It is an area where the UK can and must make a difference. I’m delighted to be working with Rehman to enhance the UK’s support for those suffering persecution based on their faith, and standing up for this essential freedom.

Rehman Chishti MP said:

I am delighted to have been appointed as the PM’s Special Envoy. I have championed freedom of religion and beliefs for much of my life. I shall use the UK Government’s global network to take real action to support those persecuted for their faith or belief, and promote greater understanding and respect between faiths.

As someone whose family came to the UK when I was six years old, and my father had taken up a role as an Imam, my family and I have always been able to openly and freely practise our faith. I want to ensure every citizen around the world is able to enjoy this basic right. Freedom of Religion, practice and belief is one of the foundations of a free society.

I pay tribute to Lord Ahmad for all his work on this area over recent years

Further information

Plans for a new modern jail at Full Sutton have been approved today (12 September 2019) – paving the way for the first of the 10,000 additional prison places.

The prison is the first major step in the government’s £2.5 billion programme to transform the estate, providing modern and efficient jails that will boost rehabilitation and cut reoffending.

The new 1,440-place category C resettlement prison will open in 2024 and stand alongside the existing, well-performing maximum-security jail at Full Sutton in East Yorkshire.

Prisons Minister Lucy Frazer QC MP said:

The new jail at Full Sutton is the first milestone in our long-term plan to deliver 10,000 additional modern and efficient prison places.

It will create and support hundreds of jobs, during construction and afterwards, and will be a major boost to the local economy.

The prison will also provide a better environment to steer offenders away from crime – ultimately keeping the public safer and reducing the number of future victims.

Outline planning permission for a new prison at Full Sutton was granted by East Riding of Yorkshire Council today following extensive consultation with local residents and stakeholders.

The expansion is part of a long-term £2.5 billion programme to transform our jails, with 10,000 additional places set to reduce crowding and create an estate that is fit for the future.

The 10,000 places will be in addition to the new prisons that have already been announced, at Wellingborough and Glen Parva, which will provide 3,360 places by 2023.

The £2.5 billion investment – announced by the government last month – will also be used to bring previously decommissioned prison places back into use through extensive refurbishment and maintenance work.

This comes alongside an investment of £100 million to bolster security and stability in prisons, in addition to £70 million announced previously.

This will fund tough airport-style security, including X-ray scanners and metal detectors, across the prison estate to clamp down on the drugs, weapons and mobile phones that increase the risk to our officers and hinder rehabilitation.

Wednesday, 23 October, 2019

featuring

Julia Mulligan

North Yorkshire Police Fire and Crime Commissioner

Please see the attached flyer for details and booking

PDF, 326KB, 1 page

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version of this document in a more accessible format, please email academy@justice.gov.uk.
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Published 12 September 2019

Tuesday, 22 October, 2019

featuring

Corin Armstrong-Jones

Head of Family Interventions – Custody and Community ǀ G4S/HMP Parc

Please see attached flyer for details and booking

PDF, 304KB, 1 page

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email academy@justice.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Published 12 September 2019