International Trade Secretary Liam Fox has today (25 April) announced that UK Export Finance (UKEF) will support an Airbus Defence and Space Ltd UK contract with Turksat, the Turkish communications satellite operator. Airbus will manufacture and deliver, in orbit, two telecom satellites and a ground station, which will be essential for the continued provision of TV and data services in Turkey and the wider region.

UKEF is supporting Airbus UK’s contract to manufacture the two satellites, their launch into space and in orbit deliveries. This is a significant development in satellite financing, covering the provision of both space systems and related launch services under a single contract.

UKEF is providing a guarantee to support a loan of $325 million to the Turkish Ministry of Treasury and Finance to enable the purchase.

International Trade Secretary, Dr Liam Fox MP, said:

The UK continues to lead the way in the global telecommunications industry and this contract demonstrates the ongoing worldwide demand for this expertise. UKEF’s support is an important differentiator for companies exporting from the UK, helping them win international business as the government looks to realise the Export Strategy ambition to increase exports to 35% of GDP.

Colin Paynter, Managing Director of Airbus Defence and Space Ltd, said:

We are proud to have secured this contract which marks an important step forward in the delivery of TV services in Turkey. UK Export Finance is recognised as an innovator in the field of export credits, and its support was an important part of our offer to Turksat on this important deal.

Cenk Şen, CEO of Turksat, said:

We are delighted UKEF is supporting the delivery of these two satellites from Airbus UK, which will play an important role in the ongoing delivery of TV services and significantly improve our broadband data service capability over a wide coverage including Turkey, Middle East, Europe and large regions of Africa. Moreover, the support shown is a clear demonstration of Turkey’s economic potential.

UK Export Finance

1. UK Export Finance is the UK’s export credit agency. It exists to ensure that no viable UK export should fail for want of finance or insurance from the private market. It provides finance and insurance to help exporters win, fulfil and ensure they get paid for export contracts.

2. Sectors in which UKEF has supported exports include: aerospace, construction, oil and gas, mining and metals, petrochemicals, telecommunications, and transport.

3. UKEF has a regional network of 24 export finance advisers supporting export businesses.

4. UKEF supports exporters with a range of products that include: * Bond insurance policy * Bond support scheme * Buyer & supplier credit financing facility * Direct lending facility * Export insurance policy * Export refinancing facility * Export working capital scheme * Letter of credit guarantee scheme

5. Find the latest information on UKEF’s country cover positions

The UK condemns President Putin’s decision to sign a decree making it easier for Ukrainian citizens living in non-government controlled areas of eastern Ukraine to receive Russian passports. This step is the latest in a pattern of Russian behaviour aimed at threatening Ukraine’s security and sovereignty, and undermining its territorial integrity.

Russian officials have sought to justify this move by citing humanitarian concerns. Yet the communities they claim to support are suffering the consequences of a conflict started and fuelled by Russia and its proxies. Rather than creating further obstacles to the re-integration of these communities into Ukraine, Russia should focus on implementing the Minsk Agreements, including the requirement to ensure safe access, delivery, storage, and distribution of humanitarian assistance.

The UK will continue to work with our international partners in addressing the humanitarian situation in eastern Ukraine. We have increased our funding by £2.8 million for humanitarian support to the country as well as £3.5 million for further peacebuilding activities, including supporting conflict-affected populations and helping to address gender-based violence.

As tens of thousands of people descended on the British Superbikes event, the Staffordshire brothers called on bikers and racing fans to ensure they always wear the right kit.

Highways England runs a campaign warning of the dangers of not wearing appropriate protective clothing, and teamed up with representatives from BikeSafe, the DocBike charity and Biker Down initiative at Silverstone to advise visitors and enrol motorcyclists on potentially life-saving courses.

The Wigley brothers urged people to follow Highways England’s advice and said that wearing the right gear at all times is vitally important for riders and pillion passengers.

Kurt, who has been racing since he was six years old, said:

Unfortunately it is not until people come off and hurt themselves that they really appreciate that. Nobody thinks it will happen to them.

I had a crash when I was a lot younger and my glove came off – the accident took all the skin off my hand. I realised then that if that can happen just losing a glove, what would happen if I didn’t have all the protection on.

And the harsh reality is that you can come off at any time, even if you are just popping down the road. I have known someone come off going to the paddock, at mild speed, and hurt themselves because they did not have their kit on.

Kurt applauded schemes such as BikeSafe and Biker Down which help identify hazards for motorcyclists and what to do in an emergency. He said:

For anybody riding out on the road today a big element is having to do a lot of thinking for other road users, predicting what they will do.

The weekend brought success in the British Supersport series for the brothers with Kurt taking a strong 9th place and setting a new personal best while Matt was just behind in 14th.

Meanwhile the many visitors to the Highways England stand were able to chat to traffic and police officers, learning from their experiences and gaining important safety advice.

The police-led BikeSafe initiative had some of its Ducati motorcycles on show, including one supported by Highways England, which help deliver workshops aimed at improving motorcyclists’ skills, knowledge and hazard awareness.

Representatives were also on hand from Biker Down, a fire service initiative which offers a free three-hour training course to prepare motorcyclists should they be involved in an accident, and DocBike which combines cutting edge research in motorcycle injury prevention with roadside critical care.

Highways England Head of Road Safety Richard Leonard said:

Most motorcyclists, particularly young riders, know they are one of the most vulnerable group of road users and Kurt and Matt’s expertise is respected and appreciated.

The award-winning Distressed motorcycle campaign, which urges young riders in particular to wear protective gear, will also be on display at the annual Bike4Life Ride Out and Festival which takes place this weekend.

Drivers are being advised to plan their journeys and allow extra time on Sunday (28 April) morning as the convoy of around 4,000 Bike4Life bikers takes to the M54.

Starting from Meole Brace in Shrewsbury at 11am, the ride out follows a 23-mile route via the A5, M54 and A41 to RAF Cosford, home to the Bike4Life Festival, arriving around 11.45am.

Leading the convoy will be World Superbike legends Carl Fogarty and Neil Hodgson, former England rugby captain Mike Tindall, motorcyclist and truck racing star Steve Parrish and twelve times FIM Trial World Champion Dougie Lampkin.

The event will raise money for Midlands Air Ambulance which works with the Safer Roads Partnership to organise the event. On average a motorcyclist is airlifted to hospital every four days in the Midlands region alone.

General enquiries

Members of the public should contact the Highways England customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000.

Media enquiries

Journalists should contact the Highways England press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.

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A new Bill which will allow Kew Botanic Gardens to prosper for centuries to come and generate up to £40million in new income has been introduced in Parliament today.

The Kew Gardens (Leases) No. 3 Bill extends the maximum allowable lease on Kew Gardens’ land from the current 31 years to 150 years.

The historical legislation restricts the length of leases on Kew’s estate – making it difficult for the Gardens to generate commercial interest and investment in the culturally important 18th century buildings that face Kew Green.

By extending the lease, Kew Gardens can open up new streams of revenue – estimated to be up to £40 million in the first 10 years – and allow the public to enjoy all elements of the history and beauty of this 132-hectare UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Lord Gardiner, Minister for Kew Gardens, said:

Kew Gardens is one of the world’s most iconic botanical gardens, home to beautiful grounds, historical buildings, extraordinary collection of flora and a scientific institution of global renown.

I am pleased to introduce this Bill to the House, which will help Kew in boosting revenue and, thereby providing a further lasting legacy for this UNESCO World Heritage Site and ensuring generations of visitors can experience this exceptional British landmark for years to come.

Richard Deverell, Director Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew said:

The passing of this new Bill offers Kew an excellent opportunity to attract private investment that will help ensure that we have an estate that supports the needs of the botanic gardens, the scientific team and our visitors for many years to come.

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, is a world-famous scientific organisation, internationally respected for its outstanding collections as well as its scientific expertise in plant diversity, conservation and sustainable development in the UK and around the globe.

A major international and a top London visitor attraction, Kew attracts over 2.1 million visits every year.