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World news story
The UK announced a commitment of £500,000 (over $708,000) to UNICEF Uganda’s COVID-19 appeal, which will provide vital support that will benefit over 1.8 million people across Uganda.
The funding will support an increase in oxygen production and delivery and improve the availability of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at select health facilities, to keep health care workers safe.
Immediate benefits include:
UK support will also enable the procurement and installation of a new oxygen plant, in Kayunga Referral Hospital, boosting Uganda’s oxygen production capabilities. In addition, funding will provide PPE to Arua Regional Referral Hospital, Mbale Regional Referral Hospital, Soroti Regional Referral Hospital, Moroto Regional Referral Hospital, and support the training of health care workers in PPE and oxygen use.
British High Commissioner, H.E. Kate Airey OBE, said:
This outbreak of COVID-19 is a huge challenge globally and the UK continues to be at the forefront of global efforts to tackle the pandemic. As one of the largest supporters of the COVAX vaccines programme I am delighted that UKAid will continue to help Uganda cope with the ongoing wave of cases, through this funding for oxygen and essential supplies. I pay tribute to the brave and dedicated healthcare workers in Uganda who are tirelessly battling this disease, it is imperative they have the protection and supplies needed to stay safe and save lives.
UNICEF Representative in Uganda Dr. M. Munir A. Safieldin said:
COVID-19 has severely impacted on all spheres of life of everyone in Uganda – particularly children and their families. This contribution from the UK Government is very timely. With this partnership, UNICEF will continue supporting the Government of Uganda to respond to the immediate health needs following the current resurgence of COVID-19. It will support critical actions needed to reduce the spread of infection, provide support to those who need medical assistance and, at the same time, measures that will maintain essential health services.
This support is just one way the UK is helping countries respond to COVID-19. In Uganda, the UK has also:
The UK was also one of the first countries to back COVAX and to date has committed £548 million to ensure global access to vaccines. It has consistently called on other donors to step up their support. Through the COVAX equitable access facility Uganda has received over 1 million Astra Zeneca COVID-19 vaccines.
Published 7 July 2021
Tourism is an economic, social and cultural asset. It connects people to history, showcases innovation, and will have a key role to play in reviving the spirits of our nations as we emerge from the pandemic.
Tourism has been one of the hardest hit sectors by COVID-19, which is why last month the UK Government released our Tourism Recovery Plan. The Plan sets out how the UK Government will assist the tourism sector’s recovery, with the aim of a full return to pre-COVID numbers by 2023.
As the sector recovers, we have an opportunity to ensure this recovery is sustainable. Our Plan sets out a framework for how the government will work with the sector to build back better, with a more innovative and resilient industry that minimises damage to the environment.
For a start, we are introducing a new rail pass to accelerate the recovery of domestic tourism and encourage sustainable domestic holiday travel, reducing tourism’s reliance on cars.
We are investing almost a billion pounds to provide a network of electric vehicle charging hubs at every service station on England’s motorways and major roads, and helping small hotels and heritage sites install electric vehicle charge points for guests and visitors.
We are completing the England Coast Path, which will be the longest managed and way-marked coastal path in the world.
We are introducing more National Parks and other designated areas, to increase access to nature and protect our landscapes.
We are developing a Transport Decarbonisation Plan, which details our holistic and cross-modal approach to decarbonising the entire transport system.
We have established a ‘Jet Zero Council’, which brings together government and industry to drive forward the government’s decarbonisation ambitions for the aviation and aerospace sectors, with the aim of achieving zero-emission flights within a generation.
At COP26 we will be looking to secure commitments to embedding sustainability into the recovery of the global tourism industry.
Finally, later this year we will develop a Sustainable Tourism Plan to look at further measures to reduce the impact of tourism on our environment whilst balancing the needs of local communities with the economic benefits generated by tourism. I look forward to updating the committee on this at the next appropriate opportunity. Thank you.
Plans for a new pilot to help people exercise more and eat better are being laid out today (Wednesday 7 July), as the government looks for a partner to help run the scheme.
As part of our world-leading healthy weight strategy, the new scheme will explore the best ways to incentivise adults to make healthier choices.
Obesity related illnesses cost the NHS £6 billion a year and the scale of the challenge has been highlighted by COVID-19 disproportionately affecting people who are overweight. With almost two-thirds of adults in England living with excess weight or obesity the programme will focus on incentives and rewards for healthy behaviours, including increasing physical activity and eating better to support people to live healthier lives.
The successful supplier will partner with a range of organisations who can provide incentives which may include vouchers, merchandise, discounts, and gift cards to reward people for making healthy choices.
The six-month pilot is expected to launch in January 2022, and today the government has announced an open tender for the Health Incentives programme.
Public Health Minister, Jo Churchill, said:
This government is committed to improving the health of everyone and we want to make it easier for people to increase their physical activity and eat better.
The Health Incentives scheme will help us understand the role that rewards and incentives could play, in helping people lead healthy lives. This aims to help level up the health of our nation. This scheme further demonstrates the dedication in our strategy to encourage people to lead healthier, happier lives.
There are promising international examples of health incentives programmes, such as Singapore’s National Steps Challenge, and the government is looking to understand the value of these programmes to inform what can be achieved in England.
Sir Keith Mills, who has pioneered reward programmes through Airmiles and Nectar points, is advising the Health Incentives programme and will support the government in leveraging the very best innovation in the public and private sector to test the role that rewards and incentives can play in encouraging healthier behaviours.
Sir Keith Mills, advisor on the Health Incentives Scheme, said:
The Health Incentives scheme could be a vital tool in the government’s plans to tackle health inequalities and encourage healthier behaviours.
This is a fantastic opportunity for businesses, the public and third sectors to come together and deliver a new and exciting way of supporting people to healthier habits. This is why we are calling for interested partners to come forward with their innovative ideas and help play a pivotal part in the government’s plans to improve public health.
The government is now in the process of finding delivery partners and is inviting interested parties to come forward. The tender has been launched on the government’s Find a Tender service and Contracts Finder for a delivery partner to design and run the Health Incentives scheme with the Department of Health and Social Care.
The Health Incentives scheme was announced as part of a £100 million package of government support to help those living with obesity to move closer towards a healthier weight and give them the tools they need to maintain this. Evidence suggests that financial incentives can improve rates of physical activity and inspire healthier eating.
The Office for Health Promotion – launching fully later this year – will lead national efforts to level up the health of the nation by continuing to support people living with obesity, supporting mental health and promoting physical activity.
Organisations interested in working with the Department of Health and Social Care on the Health Incentives Programme should get in touch via: healthincentives@dhsc.gov.uk
News story
Housing Minister Christopher Pincher launches operational review of the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) regime.
Minister of State for Housing Christopher Pincher MP is launching an operational review of the NSIP regime as part of a speech at the National Infrastructure Planning Association (NIPA) summer conference on 7 July 2021.
The operational review forms part of the National Infrastructure Planning Reform Programme. In advance of his speech, Minister Pincher wrote a letter to NIPA members introducing the reform programme and setting out how important it will be for all those who use or interact with the NSIP regime to work together to make the operational review a success.
See the Annex to the Minister’s letter for further details of the National Infrastructure Planning Reform Programme and a road map of reforms.
We have been working closely with MHCLG in developing the review proposals and are keen that the review, building on our experience of operating the Planning Act 2008 for more than 12 years, will provide useful input.
Contact InfrastructurePlanning@communities.gov.uk if you’d like to register for notifications to be kept informed about the programme.
Published 7 July 2021