Tag Archives: HM Government

Providers likely to use their immigration new matter starts before the end of March 2018 can request supplementary matters from their contract manager.

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The Government is stepping up efforts to deal with threats posed to the UK from Libya as the Foreign Secretary makes his second visit to the country in less than six months.

The Foreign Secretary has been in Tripoli today where he met with the Libyan Prime Minister, Fayyez Al-Serraj, to discuss what more the UK can do to support the Government of National Accord and the UN-led political process to help stabilise Libya.

British Ambassador Peter Millett explains the UK’s support for a stable and peaceful Libya

UK support for Libya

The Foreign Secretary also outlined a package of additional support to help Libya deal with the terrorist threat and to tackle illegal migration. This includes:

• £3 million to remove improvised explosive devices from Sirte, following the success in pushing Daesh out of the city earlier this year.
• £1million to fund demining training across Libya, including in Sirte and Benghazi.
• £1million to help rebuild critical infrastructure and restore basic public services through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The UK has already contributed £1.5million to the UNDP since 2016.
• £2.75 million to support women’s participation in peacemaking and rebuilding Libya.
• £1.29 million of new UK aid funding over the next two years to support displaced people with food, essential hygiene items and urgent healthcare needs.

The Government has also agreed to increase its engagement with the Libyan law enforcement authorities to tackle organised crime and trafficking, building on the work the UK is already doing with European partners to strengthen the ability of the Libyan Coastguard to secure its own borders in a manner which respects international law.

During his visit to Tripoli, the Foreign Secretary met with the Libyan Naval Coastguard to hear about their UK training. Delivered by the Royal Navy, training has focussed on activities such as search and rescue, boarding and inspecting vessels, human rights and the treatment of migrants.

Speaking from Tripoli, the Foreign Secretary said:

Libya is the front line for many challenges which left unchecked can pose problems for us in the UK – particularly illegal migration and the threat from terrorism.

That’s why it is so important that we work with the Libyan government and our partners to help bring stability to Libya, stopping it from becoming a fertile ground for terrorists, gun runners and people traffickers in close proximity to Europe.

This means supporting the new UN Representative and the political process, but it also means practical efforts too – including the new kit we are providing to make Sirte safer for Libyans and the work we are doing to ensure that the Libyan coastguard can secure their own borders, reducing the number of illegal migrants heading for Europe.

During his visit, the Foreign Secretary met with Libyan Prime Minister Fayyez Al-Serraj, Foreign Minister Mohamed Siala and the President of Libya’s High State Council Abdurrahman Swehli. Mr Johnson underlined the importance of Libya’s different political and social groups working together to overcome the current political conflict.

The meetings in Libya followed talks in Tunis on Tuesday evening with Ghassan Salamé, the new United Nations Special Representative on Libya. The UK believes the appointment of Mr Salamé presents an opportunity to break the political deadlock and build momentum towards amending the Libyan Political Agreement so that it delivers for all Libyans.

While in Tunis, the Foreign Secretary met with senior members of the Tunisian government, including Tourism Minister Salma Elloumi to discuss how we can strengthen security and economic ties between the UK and Tunisia, particularly following the recent decision to no longer advise against travel to most of the country.

The Foreign Secretary also visited the Bardo Museum, to pay respects those who died in the terrorist attack there in 2015.

After the visit, the Foreign Secretary said:

Tunisia has made great strides in its democratic transition since the revolution of 2011. I particularly applaud its promotion of women’s rights and gender equality, including the ground-breaking new law on violence against women.

Tunisian security improvements, supported in part through UK assistance, meant we could change our travel advice last month. The UK is a steadfast partner for Tunisia in building its prosperity and security, and combating terrorism, and I look forward to even stronger ties between us.

Further information

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Minister for the Middle East, Alastair Burt, will arrive in Cairo on Wednesday to meet with his Egyptian counterparts to discuss British-Egyptian cooperation and UK support to Egypt, especially economic and educational reform. He will discuss regional issues and international efforts to combat terrorism with Foreign Minister HE Sameh Shoukry, as well as meetings with the Minister of Interior, Education and business leaders. It is the Minister’s first visit to Egypt since he was appointed to his new position as the first ever joint State Minister for the Middle East and North Africa for both the Foreign Office and and Department for International Development.

The visit is an opportunity to reinforce the UK’s position as Egypt’s top economic partner. The UK is the number one investor in Egypt: investments in the first half of 2016/17 alone amounted to $2.9 billion.

The Minister will discuss new investments and new UK support for Egypt’s economic reforms, including through providing additional technical assistance to reform policies in the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Investment, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ministry of Petroleum, Ministry of Education. Mr Burt will oversee implementation of the $150 million support agreed by Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson in his meeting with President Sisi in February and his visit is an opportunity to explore how best to use the loan.

Mr Burt will also discuss the importance of job creation in order for the Egyptian economy to flourish, and will meet with young Egyptian social entrepreneurs. The UK is working with the Egyptian government on licensing reform to make it easier for entrepreneurs to start their own business, which will improve the investment environment, benefiting both Egyptian companies and UK investors.

As well as the economy, he will meet with Minister for Education, Tarek Shawky, to discuss the UK’s support for the Egyptian government’s progressive plans to reform education, which includes technical assistance to the Ministry for Education. The UK is also supporting education in Egypt through scholarships such as the British Government’s Chevening program, which gives fully-paid scholarships to study at the UK’s top universities. This is a world-wide program, and Egypt is number one globally in the number of students applying for the scholarship. Both the UK and Egypt have faced senseless terrorist attacks recently, leading to the deaths of many innocent people. The visit is an important time to reinforce UK-Egyptian cooperation in facing the shared threat of terrorism, and how to combat radicalisation.

Minister Alistair Burt:

I look forward to my first visit to Egypt following my re-appointment as a UK Foreign Office Minister. The UK is a longstanding friend of Egypt and this visit to Cairo is an ideal opportunity for me to discuss further UK-Egyptian collaboration in many areas, including education and economic reform.

Ambassador Ambassador John Casson said:

No country is doing more than Britain to support Egypt’s education and economy – the pivotal issues in a pivotal country for this region and the world. The UK is Egypt’s number one economic partner: the largest foreign investor in Egypt, and a strong supporter of the Government’s economic reform program. And we know that alongside economic growth, education is crucial in giving dreams and opportunities for the people of Egypt. Education and economy will be at the heart of this visit to keep Britain as number one partner and take our partnership to the next level in support of the government and people of Egypt in their ambitious reform program.

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• PM visits Alexander Dennis factory that will see iconic red double-deckers built for historic Mexico City route

• deal supports more than 2,000 jobs across the UK, including around 1,000 in Falkirk and 320 at Guildford site

• total of £1.7 billion in financial support provided by the Department for International Trade to help 137 British businesses fulfil their export potential

Prime Minister Theresa May will today [Wednesday, 23 August] visit bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis as it secures a £44 million finance deal to export iconic red double-decker buses to Mexico City.

She will tour the company’s Guildford factory and meet staff constructing 90 low-emission buses that will reduce congestion and pollution on the Paseo de la Reforma, Mexico City’s answer to The Mall. The buses will begin transporting passengers along the historic route from the end of this year.

Alexander Dennis’ financial funding is part of £1.7 billion provided to businesses to help them win overseas contracts by UK Export Finance since it became part of the Department for International Trade. The financial support has helped 137 British companies expand their businesses, provide jobs and secure major global contracts since the department was created.

The figures, announced for the first time today, shows British business are making the most of opportunities outside of the EU and making their mark on the global stage.

Prime Minister Theresa May said:

We are building a truly global Britain by helping UK companies win multi-million pound contracts to export their products across the globe, and supporting high value jobs here in this country.

Since last summer, the government has provided over £1.7 billion of backing for contracts for goods and services and will continue to maximise investment in the UK and seek exciting new opportunities ahead.

From exporting iconic red double-decker buses to Mexico, cutting-edge MRI systems to Australia or rail equipment to Bangkok, each one is an example of a great British success story and shows the UK is leading the way as a great, global trading nation.

The contract announced today was secured with a 1 billion Mexican Pesos (£44 million) agreement by UK Export Finance (UKEF) to guarantee the deal. It was the first contract that UKEF has supported in Mexican Pesos after expanding its range of currencies to 40 last year – ensuring foreign buyers choose UK companies and products.

The deal helps support 320 jobs at the Alexander Dennis factory in Guildford, and an additional 1,000 at their Falkirk site, as well as throughout the supply chain and sites in Scarborough, Anston and Skelmsersdale.

International Trade Secretary, Liam Fox, said:

As an international economic department, the Department for International Trade is putting export finance at the heart of trade promotion. The £1.7 billion in financial support since last summer has helped 137 companies secure deals around the world, in 40 local currencies including the Mexican Peso. This has made buying from the UK more attractive than ever.

There is global appetite for British goods and expertise, and UK firms such as Alexander Dennis are taking advantage of the opportunities in fast growing markets like Mexico, securing deals that will boost the UK’s exports and safeguard jobs back home.

Colin Robertson, Chief Executive, ADL, said:

It is hugely exciting to know that ADL’s signature red double-decker buses will soon be transporting Mexico City’s residents in style and comfort. As a global double-decker leader with fleets of our vehicles across the world, we see the positive impact these vehicles can have in improving the transport infrastructure, congestion and air quality in the world’s busiest cities.

Our ability to offer finance from UK Export Finance in Mexican Pesos was a significant benefit to our buyer, helping us win this major contract.

Background information:

• Mexico is currently the 15th largest market in the world and has a growing interest in a number of sectors of UK expertise such as energy, financial services and retail

• UKEF provided a “buyer credit” guarantee on a loan from Santander to the Mexican buyer, a private company operating a new route for the City of Mexico’s bus transport system. This government-backed guarantee ensures the buyer can access the finance to buy the buses, allowing Alexander Dennis to secure the contract

• the 90 low-emission “Enviro500” buses are being made at Alexander Dennis’s sites in Falkirk and Guildford. The buses are lightweight, fuel-efficient, cleaner and offer twice as many seats as the buses currently used, easing overcrowding in the city of 20 million people

• alongside this support, UKEF is doubling government support available to UK businesses looking to export to Mexico, meaning up to £5 billion will now be available

• following announcement in July of a new partnership with the five biggest high street banks, accessing finance from UKEF will now be even easier for exporters and companies in their supply chains

• 80% of companies supported by UKEF are small and medium-sized enterprises

Examples of other companies benefiting from UK Export Finance support

• iconic British motorcycle brand Norton Motorcycle was founded in 1898 and now employs 120 staff in the UK selling 1,000 motorcycles a year to Australia, North America, Japan and Europe. UKEF has provided Norton with bespoke working capital support to finance its export activity. The company is an Export Champion for the East Midlands, and has recently launched an ambitious apprentice programme

• based in Guildford, MR Solutions is world-leading developer of cutting-edge MRI systems and products. In 2017, it won a £1.2 million contract for the export of one of its MRI scanners to Sydney University thanks to UKEF providing a guarantee to secure the deal

• Hampshire engineering company Design and Projects received trade finance support from UKEF to export €12 million of rail equipment for a metro line in Bangkok

• burntIsland Fabrications Ltd (BiFab) is a Scottish manufacturer of high-quality steel fabrications for the oil and gas and renewable energy sectors. BiFab recently won a contract in excess of £100 million, backed by UKEF, to support an offshore wind farm

• distinction is a London-based company selling bespoke furniture to hotels all over the world. In 2016. Distinction won a $7 million contract with the Palm Jumeirah hotel in Dubai. UKEF provided support worth $1.2 million to enable Distinction to secure the finance it needed to fulfil the contract as well as almost doubling its UK office headcount

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It comes as the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) announced it has decided to withdraw immunity from fines from a mobility scooter supplier it has found is likely to have broken competition law.

Mobility Limited and 2DS & TGA Holdings Limited (TGA), a mobility scooter supplier, has been under investigation since April for potentially breaking competition law by restricting its retailers from advertising prices online.

This follows a warning letter sent by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) (one of the CMA’s predecessor bodies) to several companies in the sector, including TGA, in March 2013 warning of the unlawfulness of such behaviour.

The CMA’s current investigation examined TGA’s agreements with 3 online retailers. It found the agreements either prevented retailers from advertising prices of TGA branded mobility scooters online or from advertising them below specified prices.

Firms that make certain agreements with other companies where their combined turnover is no more than £20 million are immune from fines under UK law. However, if as a result of its investigation the CMA considers that any such agreement is likely to break competition law, it may withdraw this immunity.

Following the withdrawal of its immunity from fines, TGA risks a penalty of up to 10% of its worldwide turnover if it restricts the freedom of retailers to advertise prices online in the future.

This is the first time immunity has been withdrawn at this early stage of an investigation.

TGA has now taken action to bring to an end the online price advertising restrictions in question. It stated it is in the process of confirming to all its retailers that they are free to advertise prices online and to decide for themselves the level of those prices. In addition, it is instituting a wide-ranging competition compliance and training programme across its business.

Ann Pope, Senior Director for antitrust enforcement, said:

The internet is an increasingly important distribution channel and people are held back from finding the best deal if retailers are prevented from advertising their prices online.

Businesses of all sizes need to take competition law seriously. We will withdraw immunity from small businesses, exposing them to the risk of fines, if we think it is necessary – particularly where previous warnings have been ignored.

Notes

1. Section 39 of the Competition Action 1998 (CA98) provides that a party to a ‘small agreement’ is immune from financial penalties for an infringement of the Chapter I prohibition of CA98. Chapter I covers (among other matters) anti-competitive agreements and concerted practices between undertakings (for example, businesses) which may affect trade within the UK or a part of it and which have as their object or effect the prevention, restriction or distortion of competition within the UK or a part of it, unless they are excluded or exempt in accordance with CA98.

2. A ‘small agreement’ is an agreement between undertakings whose combined turnover did not exceed £20 million in the business year ending in the calendar year preceding one during which the infringement occurred and which is not a price fixing agreement. Under section 39(4), if the CMA has investigated a ‘small agreement’, it may make a decision withdrawing the limited immunity from penalty given by section 39(3) if, as a result of its investigation, it considers that the agreement is likely to infringe the Chapter I prohibition.

3. On 27 March 2014, the OFT issued an infringement decision finding that Pride Mobility Products Limited and certain of its retailers infringed the Chapter I prohibition of the CA98 – see press release.

4. On 5 August 2013, the OFT issued an infringement decision finding that Roma Medical Aids Limited and certain of its retailers infringed the Chapter I prohibition of the Competition Act 1998 – see press release.

5. The CMA is considering its next steps in the on-going investigation in light of TGA taking action to bring the restrictions to an end and to comply with competition law going forward.

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