North Korea ballistic missile test: FCDO spokesperson statement
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A Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office spokesperson statement on North Korea’s ballistic missile test on 5 November.
A Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office spokesperson said:
DPRK launching four short-range ballistic missiles on 5 November would be a clear violation of UN Security Council Resolutions.
As the G7 Foreign Ministers agreed this week, the DPRK must abandon its nuclear weapons, existing nuclear programs, and any other weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner.
Published 5 November 2022
These actions are an unacceptable threat to international peace and security
Thank you President, and thank you to ASG Khiari for your briefing.
President, this week’s salvo of missile launches by the DPRK, including an intercontinental ballistic missile, is further serious escalation. I join the Secretary-General in condemning these launches unequivocally.
I propose the Council respond by taking three steps:
First, we should condemn these actions clearly for what they are – an unacceptable threat to international peace and security – and reinforce the importance of implementing the Council’s sanctions in full.
Secondly, we should recall that the cost of these illicit launches is being borne directly by the North Korean people. The millions of dollars expended on this week’s launches alone could feed DPRK’s entire population for weeks. We echo calls on DPRK to allow aid to flow freely into the country and we note that sanctions exemptions remain in place to support expedited humanitarian assistance to the North Korean people.
Thirdly, we should renew our call for North Korea to engage meaningfully with offers from the United States and the Republic of Korea for dialogue. Diplomacy is the only route to sustained peace on the peninsula.
President, we may hear one or two members of this Council seek to equate lawful defensive military exercises with DPRK’s escalatory actions this week.
Defensive exercises are safe when they are notified to other states in advance, and when they operate within defined areas, as South Korean and US exercises have done.
What is not safe, is the launch of missiles that all members of this Council have agreed many times that DPRK must not possess.
It is not safe when those missiles threaten to overfly other states, causing alerts and alarm in those countries.
And it is not safe when missiles land only 60 kilometres from the Republic of Korea’s coastline.
We urge DPRK to end these provocations.
Thank you.
HM Treasury supports Private Members’ Bill on Co-operatives, Mutuals, and Friendly Societies
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HM Treasury is supporting Sir Mark Hendrick’s Private Members’ Bill on Co-operatives, Mutuals, and Friendly Societies.
The Private Members Bill on Co-operatives, Mutuals and Friendly Societies grants HM Treasury the power to bring forward regulations to give those mutuals further flexibility in determining for themselves the best strategies for their business, relating to their surplus capital. This will provide additional safeguards against demutualisation for the societies that choose to adopt the so-called “asset lock”.
The Bill is therefore a valuable opportunity to support mutuals who wish to ensure that their underlying assets, in many cases built up over centuries by members pooling their resources together for the greater good, are protected and the mutual model preserved into the future.
By allowing for an iron-clad guarantee in legislation for mutuals that wish to adopt these restrictions, the Bill will make these asset locks harder to unpick. It will provide additional safeguards against demutualisation – where a mutual becomes a company with shareholders, a process which can, in some cases, aim to capture the asset value of the mutual as a windfall. It will ensure mutual capital is maintained for the purpose it is intended; to provide goods and services to those who need them now and for future generations.
Importantly, the Bill has been drafted to ensure the government has time to engage closely with the sector, regulators, and legal experts as the secondary legislation to give effect to the policy is developed.
This will allow the final design of the policy to take account of the existing rights and interests of consumers, particularly policyholders of financial mutuals, and to reflect the different types of business models in this diverse sector.
More broadly, the government aims to develop a modern and supportive business environment to set mutuals up for future growth and success and is currently exploring the options for reviewing key legislation underpinning the sector.
Further information
Mutuals operate up and down the country and are organisations owned by, and run for, their members. Industry estimates suggest that mutual insurers and friendly societies support the savings, pensions, protection and healthcare needs of over 30 million people in the UK. There are over 7,000 co-operatives across the UK with a combined turnover of £39.7 billion.
Published 4 November 2022
Bird flu (avian influenza): latest situation in England
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 confirmed in commercial poultry near Bromsgrove, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in captive birds on 7 October 2022 at a third premises near Bury St Edmunds, West Suffolk, Suffolk. Following successful completion of disease control activities and surveillance in the zone, the 3km captive bird (monitoring) controlled zone has been revoked.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in other captive birds on 16 September 2022 at a second premises near Crewe, Cheshire East, Cheshire. Following successful completion of disease control activities and surveillance in the zone, the 3km protection zone has ended and the area formed by the protection zone becomes a surveillance zone.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in commercial poultry on 23 November 2022 at a fourth premises, near Taverham, Norfolk (AIV 2022/216). A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone are in place around the premises. Also added a new link to the legislation list.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in other captive birds on 22 November 2022 at a premises near Napton on the Hill, Kenilworth and Southam, Warwickshire (AIV 2022/214). A 3km captive bird (monitoring) controlled zone is in place around the premises. All birds on the premises will be humanely culled. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in commercial poultry on 22 November 2022 at a second premises near Easingwold, Hambleton, North Yorkshire (AIV 2022/215). A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone are in place around the premises. All birds on the premises will be humanely culled. Following successful completion of disease control activities and surveillance in the zones, the 3km protection zone has ended and the area that formed the protection zone becomes part of the 10 km surveillance zone at the following premises: premises near Honington, West Suffolk, Suffolk (AIV 2022/74). Second premises near Honington, West Suffolk, Suffolk (AIV 2022/77).
Removed free range and organic content. Added it to ‘Egg marketing standards’ and ‘Poultry meat marketing standards’ guidance pages.
Updated the latest situation. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in poultry and other captive birds on 21 November 2022 at a premises near Barnard Castle, County Durham, Durham (AIV 2022/213). A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone are in place around the premises.
HPAI H5N1 was confirmed in commercial poultry at premises near Brailsford, Derbyshire Dales, Derbyshire, near Wheaton Aston, South Staffordshire, Staffordshire and near Ruskington, North Kesteven, Lincolnshire. A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone are in place around each of the premises. Following successful completion of disease control activities and surveillance in the zones, the 3km protection zone has ended and the area that formed the protection zone becomes part of the 10 km surveillance zone at a second premises near Dartington, South Hams, Devon and a premises near Hadleigh, Babergh, Suffolk.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in commercial poultry on 18 November 2022 at a premises near Leyburn, Richmondshire, North Yorkshire. A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone are in place around the premises.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in commercial poultry on 16 November 2022: fourth premises near Oundle, North Northamptonshire, Northamptonshire and a premises near Thorpe Culvert, East Lindsey, Lincolnshire. A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone are in place around the premises.
Updated the latest situation. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in commercial housed poultry on 15 November 2022 at a third premises near Oundle, North Northamptonshire, Northamptonshire (AIV 2022/203). A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone are in place around the premises. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed on 15 November 2022 in other captive birds at a premises near Birdlip, Cotswold, Gloucestershire (AIV 2022/204). A 3km captive bird (monitoring) controlled zone been put in place around the premises.
HPAI H5N1 was confirmed in commercial poultry in a premises near Doveridge, Derbyshire Dales, Derbyshire and a second premises near Oundle, North Northamptonshire, Northamptonshire. A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone are in place around the premises. HPAI H5N1 was confirmed in other captive birds at a premises near Arundel, Arun, West Sussex. A 3km captive bird (monitoring) controlled zone been put in place around the premises.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed on 13 November 2022 in poultry at a third premises near Halesworth, East Suffolk, Suffolk. A 3km Protection Zone and 10km Surveillance Zone have been put in place around the premises. All poultry on the infected premises will be humanely culled.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in commercial poultry on 17 September 2022 at a premises near Bury St Edmunds, West Suffolk, Suffolk (AIV 2022/72). Following successful completion of disease control activities and surveillance in the zones, the 3km protection zone has ended and the area that formed the protection zone becomes part of the 10 km surveillance zone. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in commercial poultry on 1 October 2022 at a premises near Bury St Edmunds, West Suffolk, Suffolk (2nd premises) (AIV 2022/85). Following successful completion of disease control activities and surveillance in the zones, the 3km protection zone has ended and the area that formed the protection zone becomes part of the 10 km surveillance zone.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in commercial poultry on 11 November 2022: • near Colkirk, Breckland, Norfolk (AIV 2022/197) • near Berkswell, Solihull, West Midlands (AIV 2022/198) A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone are in place around the premises. All poultry on the premises will be humanely culled.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in other captive birds (non-poultry) on 10 November 2022: near Hale, Halton, Cheshire and a second premises near Hale, Halton, Cheshire. A 3km captive bird (monitoring) controlled zone is in place around each of the premises. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in commercial poultry on 10 November 2022 at a premises near Northallerton, Hambleton, North Yorkshire. A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone are in place around the premises. All poultry on the premises will be humanely culled. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in commercial poultry on 28 September 2022 at a premises near Selby, Selby, North Yorkshire. Following successful completion of disease control activities and surveillance in the zones, the 3km protection zone has ended and the area that formed the protection zone becomes part of the 10 km surveillance zone.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 confirmed in commercial poultry near Hatton, South Derbyshire and at a fifth premises near Wymondham, Norfolk.
HPAI H5N1 was confirmed in commercial poultry at a premises near Tattenhall, Cheshire West & Chester, Cheshire. A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone are in place around the premises. Part of the surveillance zone extends into Wales. HPAI H5N1 was confirmed in commercial poultry at a premises near Faringdon, Vale of White Horse, Oxfordshire (AIV 2022/90) . Following successful completion of disease control activities, the 3km protection zone has ended and the area formed by the protection zone forms part of the surveillance zone.
Torpoint, South East Cornwall, Cornwall – following completion of disease control activities and surveillance within the zones, the 3km protection zone has ended and the 10km surveillance zone has been revoked.
HPAI H5N1 was confirmed in commercial poultry at a premises near Oundle, North Northamptonshire, Northamptonshire. A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone are in place around the premises.
Mandatory housing measures for all poultry and captive birds are now in force across England. This means that all bird keepers must house their birds, whatever their type or size (exceptions apply to some zoo birds and other species).
HPAI H5N1 was confirmed in commercial poultry at a second premises near Fakenham, North Norfolk, Norfolk and a premises near Reepham, Broadland, Norfolk. A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone are in place around each of the premises. HPA) H5N1 was also confirmed in non-commercial other captive birds at a premises near Metheringham, North Kesteven, Lincolnshire. A 3km captive bird (monitoring) controlled zone is in place around the premises.
HPAI H5N1 was confirmed in commercial poultry at an eleventh premises near Dereham, Breckland, Norfolk. A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone are in place around the premises.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in commercial poultry on 4 November 2022 at a second premises near Kirkham, Fylde, Lancashire. A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone are in place around the premises. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in poultry at a premises near Holt, North Norfolk, Norfolk on 3 September 2022. Following successful completion of disease control activities and surveillance in the zone, the protection zone has ended and the area that formed that protection zone becomes part of the surveillance zone. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in captive wild birds (non-poultry) on 29 August 2022 at a premises near Paignton, Torbay, Devon. Following successful completion of disease control activities and surveillance within the zone, the 3km Captive Bird (Monitoring) Controlled Zone has been revoked.
First published.
Start Ready blog
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A GAD actuary has marked 6 months at the centre of a programme providing financial help to countries affected by natural disasters.
The Start Ready initiative, part of the Start Network charity, takes an innovative approach to help countries badly affected by ‘predictable crises’. Networks of members, with disaster risk financing systems in place, apply for Start Ready coverage. This means that the members must have the means to measure risks and set triggers for how pre-agreed finance will be used. Read about his role on the governance committee.
