Gay and bisexual men and those aged 15 and over to receive 2 doses of HPV vaccine

News story

From today, gay and bisexual men and those aged 15 and over only need to receive 2 doses of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine – instead of 3 – to be fully vaccinated.

This HPV vaccine update is based on advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

People with HIV or who are known to be immunocompromised will continue to receive 3 doses.

The vaccine helps to prevent HPV infection which can cause genital warts and HPV-associated cancers, such as cervical cancer, some other cancers of the genital areas and anus, along with some cancers of the head and neck.

Those who are eligible for the HPV vaccine can get it free on the NHS up until their 25th birthday.

There is also a HPV vaccination programme for gay and bisexual men and other men who have sex with men (MSM) up to 45 years of age, who attend sexual health or HIV clinics.

The routine adolescent HPV vaccination programme that is offered to 12 to 13 year olds in school has been following a 2-dose schedule since September 2014.

In May 2020 the JCVI, who regularly review all vaccination programmes, advised that the 2-dose schedule could be extended to adults as the evidence showed 2 doses offers good protection in older individuals. The 2 doses should be given at least 6 months apart.

The JCVI also advised that the 3-dose schedule should continue to be offered to eligible individuals living with HIV or known to be immunocompromised at the time of vaccination.

Dr Vanessa Saliba, Consultant Epidemiologist at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), said:

It is great news that from today almost all those eligible for the HPV vaccine will need just 2 doses to be fully vaccinated. This has already been the case for several years for 12 and 13 year olds but now the evidence is clear that 2 doses offers very good protection in all age groups.

We know that the HPV vaccine offers excellent protection against HPV infections and some cancers in men and women and we urge everyone who is eligible to get this potentially life-saving vaccine when it is offered.

It also remains important for all women to attend their cervical screening appointment when they are invited as this can detect if you are at risk of cancer and save lives.

These changes come into effect from today.

Published 30 March 2022



UK Minister for Asia visits Vietnam to forge closer economic ties and address global issues

The UK’s Minister of State for Asia, Amanda Milling, made her first visit to Vietnam this week (27-30 March) to promote collaboration on bilateral and global issues as well as discuss the serious consequences of Russian invasion of Ukraine.

During her visit, the Minister had a courtesy meeting with Vietnam’s Foreign Minister, Bui Thanh Son and co-chaired the ‘UK-Vietnam Strategic Dialogue’ with Vietnamese Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Pham Quang Hieu. The dialogue covered trade and investment; cooperation on climate, education, science and technology. They also exchanged views on regional security and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The Minister also met the Head of the Central Commission for External Relations of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Le Hoai Trung, and Deputy Minister for Public Security, Luong Tam Quang to discuss tackling global security issues, human trafficking and transnational crime.

During her visit, Minister for Asia, Amanda Milling, said:

I am delighted to be here in Hanoi to hold the UK-Vietnam Strategic Dialogue, and strengthen our cooperation.

There are big opportunities for the UK and Vietnam to boost our economic ties, build back better from COVID-19, and tackle global challenges such as climate change and serious organised crime.

We also need to work together on threats to international peace and security, such as the illegal invasion of Ukraine by Russia.

While in Hanoi, the Minister delivered opening remarks at the launch of the Vietnam’s National Trade Repository. Supported by the UK Government, this free-to-access online information platform provides the latest trade regulations and information for businesses, who export and import to and from Vietnam.

Ahead of the UK hosting the first ‘Safe To Be Me: A Global Equality Conference’ in June, the Minister attended a LGBT+ Roundtable, co-organised by the British Embassy Hanoi and the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics and attended a reception with LGBT+ activists.



UN Human Rights Council 49: UK statement for the interactive dialogue on the human rights situation in the Central African Republic

World news story

The UK delivered this statement condemning the high levels of violence and the violations and abuses of human rights, including acts of sexual violence, forced displacement of civilians, and attacks against humanitarian personnel and UN peacekeepers.

Thank you, Mr President.

The United Kingdom is concerned by the indiscriminate killings of civilians and continued violations and abuses of human rights in the Central African Republic, and by the presence of mercenaries from the Wagner Group. These mercenaries are responsible for multiple human rights abuses, including the targeting of Fulani populations. This undermines the work of UN Peacekeepers, and adds to the suffering that the people of CAR continue to experience as a result of this protracted and dire conflict.

Both the Central African Armed Forces (FACA) and Non-State Armed Groups, in particular the Coalition des Patriotes pour le Changement (CPC), have perpetrated widespread violations of international humanitarian law. We call for accountability for the victims and an end to the violence.

We condemn the high levels of violence and the violations and abuses of human rights, including acts of sexual violence, forced displacement of civilians, and attacks against humanitarian personnel and UN peacekeepers.

The UK will continue to work with international partners to urge the Government of CAR to make progress implementing the peace agreement and initiate dialogue between all political actors in CAR, in order to end violence, build stability and protect human rights.

High Commissioner,

What is your assessment of the opportunities and risks from the upcoming local elections on the peace process? Thank you.

Published 30 March 2022



Environment Agency to carry out vital flood prevention work in Matlock

The work to reinstate the flood protection to Matlock will be carried out between 7pm on Tuesday 5 April and 7am on Thursday 7 April. It will involve lifting an additional 100 2-tonne rock filled bags by a large crane situated on the A6 into the River Derwent to reduce erosion and limit damage to an Environment Agency flood wall that sits next to the privately owned wall that has collapsed.

The Environment Agency is working with Derbyshire County Council and Derbyshire Dales District Council to manage the risk of flooding from the River Derwent following the collapse of a privately owned wall behind businesses in Crown Square, Matlock in February this year.

To carry out the work, the A6 will be closed from Matlock Bridge to just before the bus and train station entrance during the times of the main works. Also, traffic from the north and south will be diverted over Matlock Bridge, with traffic lights on Crown Square. While delays are expected, the change will save northbound traffic from a long diversion.

A footpath alongside the River Derwent will also be closed with pedestrians and cyclists being diverted along the A6 pavement.

Before then, a survey team will also be taking measurements to gather valuable ground level data to inform a longer-term engineering solution. Weather conditions permitting, the survey team will be wading in the River Derwent and will be also flying a drone along the river corridor on Monday 4 April.

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said:

We apologise in advance for any temporary inconvenience caused by these works and thank local businesses, residents and the community for their patience while we undertake these essential flood risk management works.

The rock-filled bags are only a temporary measure and work is currently underway to design a longer-term engineering solution. This will involve drilling 2 boreholes while the temporary works are being carried out, one on either side of the river, to gather important geological information.

While there may be some localised impacts from the borehole drilling and wider construction activity, our contractors will do their best to mitigate any impacts. We also wish to reassure the community that our surveyors will take care to only film the riverside area.

The first stage of work to protect the Environment Agency’s flood wall, which sits next to the damaged wall, involved the removal of trees nearest to Matlock Bridge on Thursday 24 March to create a safe working area for contractors to carry out the essential flood prevention work.

Following the collapse of the privately owned wall in February this year, the Environment Agency instructed Jackson Civil Engineering to complete an immediate repair by placing over 50 rock-filled bags in the River Derwent using a large crane situated on the A6. These emergency works were completed within 24 hours of the wall collapsing due to a forecast of further high-water levels on the River Derwent.



DWP proposals to help pension schemes boost investment diversity

The DWP’s combined consultation – which runs until 11th May – seeks views on policy proposals and draft regulations designed to make it easier for defined contribution (DC) pension schemes to invest in illiquid assets, if trustees deem it in members’ interests.

Illiquid assets – also known as productive finance – include infrastructure and private equity, along with long-term projects that will help move the dial towards a carbon-free economy.

The proposals outlined include requiring DC schemes to “disclose and explain” their policies on illiquid investment and for schemes with over £100 million in assets to disclose their current asset allocation to members.

Providing this information to savers, employers, trustees, and the market at-large will bring greater transparency, consistency and encourage further competition based on overall value.

Minister for Pensions Guy Opperman said:

I am passionate about ensuring pension schemes have the necessary information, and a broad range of options, to deliver the best possible outcomes for the record number of Brits now saving for retirement.

Opening up greater illiquid asset options to DC scheme investment will help do just this and enable schemes – and savers – to benefit from more diversified portfolios, while also bolstering the role pension investments can play on our journey to a carbon-free economy.

The document also provides responses to two recent consultations: the December 2021 charge cap consultation, which sought views on proposals to remove performance fees from the 0.75% limit on charges in default arrangements, along with a summary of the responses the DWP received to last summer’s call for evidence on the future of the DC market.

The government plans to engage further with industry and other stakeholders on the charge cap and explore how the feedback received could be addressed in the design of future policy.

Alongside this, the government is also proposing to bring forward legislation this year to reduce burdens and further open up private markets by removing restrictions which currently apply to large authorised Master Trusts.

The proposals would maintain saver protections whilst removing disproportionate red tape and, at the same time, reducing the costs of investment in private equity and debt.

This year will be a landmark year for value for money in DC pensions. It will see them disclosing their investment performance for the very first time, and small DC schemes going through a rigorous assessment to determine whether they offer value to their members.

The measures, along with the combined consultation published today, form part of the DWP’s wider ongoing work, in partnership with the Financial Conduct Authority and The Pensions Regulator, to create an effective framework that works across the DC market.

Additional information

  • The full combined consultation document “Facilitating investment in illiquid assets” can be found here.
  • This combined consultation includes:
    • Response to the ‘Enabling Investment in Productive Finance’ consultation
    • Consultation on new ‘Disclose and Explain’ proposals
    • Consultation on draft ‘Employer-related investment’ regulations
    • Response to the ‘Future of the defined contribution market’ call for evidence

Media enquiries for this press release – 0115 965 8781

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