A significant regeneration project that will deliver new leisure facilities, create jobs, boost tourism, and help level up Blackpool has been announced by Michael Gove today in his first major intervention since being reappointed as Secretary of State for Levelling Up.

The ambitious Blackpool Central project had stalled because there was no funding to move the Magistrates and County Courts currently situated within the proposed site, and this risked scuppering the entire £300 million private sector-led regeneration scheme.

But the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has today committed £40 million to relocate the courts to a new state-of-the-art complex in the Blackpool town centre, with the specific location to be announced in due course.

This will enable the Blackpool Central regeneration scheme to go ahead as planned, creating an estimated 1,000 jobs. It will also attract 600,000 more visitors to the seaside town each year in a massive boost to the local economy.

This is the latest intervention by Government, which has been working with partners, including the local authority, to help turn the tide on deprivation in Blackpool and provide greater opportunities for people who live in the town. Previous work includes cracking down on rogue landlords, finding new opportunities for regeneration, and delivering new homes and jobs for the community.

Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove said:

Blackpool is a town full of life, energy, and immense potential but for too long it has been overlooked and its communities undervalued. Our £40m Levelling Up investment will revitalise this great town by delivering much-needed homes, more jobs and new opportunities for local people.

Deputy Prime Minister, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Dominic Raab, said:

The new Magistrates’ and County Court will be modern, efficient, and help deliver effective justice for local residents. It will be fitted with the latest courtroom technology to ensure that we can continue delivering justice in the North West and provide victims with a better experience.

This wider investment will provide a real boost to the town and its economy, kickstarting the regeneration that local people have long been waiting for.

Cllr Lynn Williams, Leader of Blackpool Council, said:

We are delighted by the support to enable our exciting scheme to go ahead. This is a real example of joined-up Government at its very best with the objectives of the Government, Ministry of Justice, Department for Levelling Up, Blackpool Council and the developer Nikal all being met as a result of this welcome action by the Secretary of State.

The funding will enable this huge development in the heart of Blackpool to bring jobs, investment and visitors to our town. When finished, the scheme will be an amazing future-proofed attraction for all to enjoy for many years to come.

Blackpool Central will be the largest single investment in Blackpool for over a century. It will see the area transformed into a year-round leisure destination, home to new entertainment centres, hotels, restaurants and a new public square and Heritage Quarter.

This announcement comes as the UK Government is set to host the 38th British-Irish Council Summit in Blackpool today, inviting representatives from the Irish Government, devolved administrations and crown dependencies to discuss matters of shared importance.

Thank you President, and thank you for convening us today, consistent with your personal leadership on security, including the creation of the Accra Initiative, and with ECOWAS’ robust defence of democratic values in the region.

Moreover Excellency, you’ve joined us this morning from COP27, a reminder that climate is a threat multiplier, and another challenge to peace and security in Africa and around the world. I join others in thanking the Deputy Secretary-General, and our briefers today, and I’d like to make three points to contribute to today’s discussion.

First, we welcome and endorse calls we’ve heard today for a holistic response to terrorism; an integrated approach to tackling the conditions that give rise to terrorism, while protecting those at most risk. We welcome the Accra Initiative’s work to address the security situation and to strengthen regional security and intelligence cooperation.

As the UK, we are working with the Ghanian government to consider how best to support the Accra Initiative.

We’re also working with journalists to promote moderate voices as well as limit the spread of violence, including terrorism. We’re also supporting communities to manage land more effectively and withstand the challenges of climate shocks in regions threatened by violent extremist groups.

And President, we cannot ignore the destabilising role the Wagner Group is playing in the region. They are a driver of conflict and exploit natural resources where they operate.

Whatever the question, Wagner is not the answer.

Second, in the fight against terrorism, it is counter-productive to violate human rights and international law.

This Council has consistently stressed that the fight against terrorism needs to conform with international human rights and humanitarian law.

In our experience, placing respect for human rights at the centre of counter-terrorism campaigns, and in close cooperation with civil society, will bolster their effectiveness, counter-radicalization, and build resilient communities. And this fight will be successful only with the meaningful participation of women who are in many cases disproportionately affected by terrorism.

Third, terrorism and violent extremism are transnational problems that require a coordinated international response.

We’ve heard a lot this morning about the important role of the Accra Initiative, ECOWAS, the AU, and many other regional organisations. I join others in emphasising too the importance of the UN system. Not just the Office of Counter-Terrorism, but also implementing the mandates that are agreed by this Council, including the provisions on UN human rights monitoring.

President, like others we look forward to the new agenda for peace as an important contribution to addressing the triple challenge terrorism poses to peace, security and development. And I thank you.

Oxfam can once again bid for UK aid funding to carry out lifesaving work around the world, Minister for Development Andrew Mitchell announced today (Thursday 10 November).

A pause was put on the charity bidding for funding in 2021 while an external investigation was carried out into safeguarding allegations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Since then, the charity has made significant improvements to its safeguarding systems in DRC – this includes the appointment of a national safeguarding advisor, a new network of safeguarding experts who work across their offices and respond to concerns, and training for staff on how to report a concern.

These measures are all in addition to other actions taken by Oxfam since 2018 to improve their overall safeguarding approach.

UK Minister for Development Andrew Mitchell said:

Oxfam has made significant improvements to how it deals with safeguarding, including introducing more effective preventative measures.

However, we are not complacent. We want to encourage reporting and a robust but sensitive response in every case, ensuring more reporting and better responses to cases. All providers of aid must have practices in place to make sure that safeguarding is always put first and foremost in planning and operations.

In February 2018, the Charity Commission announced a statutory inquiry into Oxfam, following safeguarding allegations in Haiti. Oxfam voluntarily withdrew from bidding for new UK aid and the pause remained in place since, apart from a short period in 2021. Oxfam has since invested in and expanded its safeguarding function and increased oversight by appointing their first Ethics and Integrity Director to uphold standards across the organisation. It has also introduced mandatory safeguarding training for staff working around the world.

Since 2018 the UK has made huge progress in tackling abuse in the sector and used its convening power and funding to improve safeguarding standards, identify perpetrators and support survivors and victims.

This includes backing a tougher screening system, which allows charities to share data about staff misconduct and stop perpetrators moving from job-to-job, working with Interpol and the UK’s ACRO Criminal Record Office on Project Soteria to improve criminal records checks and promote information sharing between aid and law enforcement agencies. It has also launched a £10 million Resource and Support Hub to support aid organisations operating on the ground to improve their safeguarding standards.