• Defence Secretary thanks defence industry leaders for their support to Ukraine
• Comes as nearly 300 innovative proposals submitted for funding to accelerate support for Ukraine
• New approaches could provide battle-winning solutions as UK warns the war could continue for years

The roundtable, convened at Downing Street with thirteen industry Chief Executives, comes as industry organisations across the country came forward to submit proposals that could accelerate the development of equipment for Ukraine’s armed forces.

The £25 million campaign fund – launched by Ministers in late May – focused on bolstering the existing provision for artillery, coastal defence and aerial systems. 295 proposals were received and sifting has begun, with a view to funding allocations beginning in the coming weeks.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said:

Backed by our formidable Defence industry, the UK has been one of the global leaders in providing military assistance to support Ukraine’s armed forces. Their creativity and commitment to this complex and demanding problem has been invaluable to helping resist the Russian invasion.

As this unprovoked attack continues and Russia’s tactics change, we are working closely with industry partners to provide innovative solutions that will bolster the heroic Ukrainian efforts for the coming weeks and months.

Through the £25 million innovation fund, the Government believes drawing on UK expertise across the defence industry, including from innovative small and medium-sized enterprises, could provide battle-winning solutions for the Ukrainian forces.

The UK has already committed more than £2.8 billion to support Ukraine through humanitarian aid and grants, as well as military kit including 120 armoured vehicles, air defence systems and more than 6,500 anti-tank missiles.

Background

The thirteen industry organisations in attendance were:

• Airbus
• Babcock
• BAE Systems
• Leonardo
• Lockheed Martin
• MBDA
• Northrop Grumman
• QinetiQ
• Raytheon
• Rheinmetall
• Saab
• Supacat
• Thales UK

Our military support so far amounts to over £750m and includes:

• The multiple launch rocket system (M270 weapon system) and associated munitions (M31A1)
• More than 5,000 NLAW anti-tank missiles
• More than 200 Javelin anti-tank missiles
• 120 armoured vehicles
• 1,360 anti-structure munitions
• 5 Air Defence systems, including Starstreak missiles
• 4.5 tonnes of plastic explosives
• Stormer vehicles fitted with launchers for anti-air missiles.
• New anti-ship missile systems
• More than 400,000 rounds of small-arms munitions
• More than 200,000 pieces of non-lethal aid including helmets, body armour, rangefinders and medical equipment
• Electronic warfare equipment
• Counter battery radar systems
• GPS jamming equipment
• Thousands of night vision devices
• Dozens of heavy lift UAV systems to provide logistical support to isolated forces
• Over 20 M109 155mm artillery guns, purchased on the open market and refurbished

IT equipment has been donated as part of DVLA’s new Digital Inclusion Scheme, which aims to donate digital equipment that DVLA no longer needs to local authorities for redistribution to schools across Wales. Swansea Council are the first recipients of the scheme.

The scheme supports the growth of vital digital skills for all and helps to ensure that young learners aren’t faced with digital exclusion.

DVLA Chief Executive Julie Lennard said:

I’m extremely proud of this new scheme and am delighted that Swansea Council is the first to receive our donated laptops. Digital inclusion is key to ensure all pupils have access to the technology they need to develop digital skills for themselves and the region.

We are aiming to roll the scheme out across Wales and encourage all local authorities to sign up and join DVLA’s Digital inclusion scheme.

Swansea Council’s Leader Rob Stewart said:

I’m delighted Swansea is the first local authority to begin working with DVLA on the Digital Inclusion scheme as part of our commitment to making sure that all our schools and pupils have access to digital devices at home and at school.

Some pupils are already using the equipment and many more will benefit along with their families, so I’d like to thank the DVLA for involving us in this great community initiative.

The Digital Inclusion Scheme also supports circular economy in action. Repurposing IT equipment extends the life of a laptop, helping to reduce the number of machines which are disposed of. This act helps to reduce DVLA’s carbon emissions towards net zero.

The scheme is open to primary and secondary schools across Wales. To join the scheme, local authorities can sign up now via DVLA’s Stem website.

Notes for editors:

• All devices donated under the scheme are cleansed to agreed government standards and provided with operating system licences via the Microsoft Authorised Refurbisher programme.
• The 90 laptops donated were successfully recycled by E-Cycle and donated to Swansea Council via our Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) initiatives this year.
• More information on this scheme and all other STEM programme initiatives, including this year’s DVLA Code Challenge 2022 event, can be found on the newly relaunched DVLA STEM website.

A joint statement by the Specialised Committee on Citizens’ Rights between the European Commission and UK government:

The tenth meeting of the Specialised Committee on Citizens’ Rights was held on 15 June 2022 in Brussels, co-chaired by officials from the UK Government and the European Commission. A number of representatives from EU Member States were also in attendance. The Committee has been established by the Withdrawal Agreement to monitor the implementation and application of the Citizens’ Rights part of the Withdrawal Agreement, which protects UK nationals in the EU and EU citizens in the UK, including their family members.

The UK and the EU discussed the implementation and application of the Citizens’ Rights part of the Withdrawal Agreement. The meeting also provided an opportunity for both sides to take stock of any outstanding issues.

During the meeting, issues related to residency schemes were discussed. The UK raised longstanding concerns relating to evidencing status in some declaratory Member States and accessing benefits and services. The UK also expressed concern that some Member States may not fully comply with the residence procedure under the Withdrawal Agreement or may offer insufficient safeguards to those whose applications have been rejected.

The UK raised other issues such as family reunification, the need for detailed statistics on residence, multiple statuses, and equal treatment with respect to property rights. The UK also reiterated the need for the EU to take a proactive role in monitoring and resolving cases of mis-application of the Withdrawal Agreement with Member States. The EU provided assurances that issues raised by the UK were in the process of being resolved and that some declaratory Member States issued or would issue clear guidance to reduce mis-application.

The EU noted that some EU citizens and their family members with a digital UK residence status encounter problems with carriers when boarding flights back to the UK and called on the UK to continue working with carriers to find solutions. The EU took note of new UK legislation on temporary protection for applicants who apply after the deadline for application and urged the UK to ensure effective and transparent implementation of temporary protection measures.

The EU raised its concerns related to growing delays in issuance of residence documents and entry visas and asked the UK to outline its plans to reduce the number of cases awaiting a decision. Finally, the EU presented its interpretation of frontier workers rules and how absence rules apply for frontier workers resident in 2 host States. Both parties also had an exchange of views on absence rules, including for social security coordination purposes.

The UK and the EU reaffirmed their commitment to protecting citizens’ rights in accordance with the obligations under the Withdrawal Agreement.

The UK and the EU agreed to meet again in autumn 2022.

HE Charles Moore, British High Commissioner to Namibia, was delighted to host the annual Queen’s Birthday Party (QBP) at his residence on the evening of Thursday, 2 June 2022. This year’s celebration was especially significant as, in addition to celebrating Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s 96th birthday, it was also an occasion to honour her Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years since she acceded to the throne. Her Majesty is now the longest-serving monarch in British history.

The QBP served as an opportunity to celebrate the warm, bilateral relationship between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Namibia. In addition to the Platinum Jubilee, the QBP this year focussed on climate change, celebrating the contribution of Namibian youth; and on the upcoming 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, recognising the strong talent of Namibian athletes and para-athletes.

The guest of honour was Deputy Minister of International Relations and Co-operation, Honourable Jenelly Matunda. Other guests included dignitaries from across the government, diplomats, business leaders, and representatives from a wide range of sectors.

During his speech, Charles Moore welcomed the celebration in Namibia of HM Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. The High Commissioner also highlighted the importance of continued bilateral cooperation between the UK and Namibia.

The UK’s role in Namibia is to offer close collaboration and support to a valuable partner and long-term friend. It is to understand what Namibia needs, and what Namibia wants to achieve for its own prosperity and development, and then see how we can contribute most effectively to the delivery and implementation of those plans.

The event was made possible thanks to the kind support of our sponsors:

• RDJ Publishing
• Shell
• Rubicon
• ATI Holidays