• this work will aim to cement the UK’s position as a leader in this field
• it will consider ways our regime could evolve in the context of Covid-19 and the end of the transition period

John Penrose MP will lead a review considering how the UK’s competition regime can be enhanced in the context of Covid-19 and the end of the transition period.

His work will build on recent competition policy developments to look at how the UK’s competition regime can further evolve to meet the government’s policy aims of promoting a dynamic, innovation-driven economy which delivers for consumers and businesses across all regions and nations of the UK.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer said:

The UK’s competition policy is highly regarded around the world. Building on this reputation and our existing policy direction will be key as we recover from Covid-19.

John Penrose’s work will help ensure that we can drive innovation, produce better outcomes for consumers and allow new entrants to the market to grow.

Business Secretary Alok Sharma said:

Competition drives down prices, creates a wider choice for consumers and leads to better quality products and services.

This review will ensure the UK’s competition regime is in the strongest possible position as we build back better from the pandemic and start our fresh new start outside of the EU – delivering for businesses and consumers in every corner of the UK.

The UK is an international leader in this area, as the March 2019 Furman Review of competition in digital markets – whose strategic recommendations the government accepted at March Budget 2020 – demonstrated.

At Budget, the government launched the Digital Markets Taskforce, which will look at unlocking competition in digital markets.

John Penrose will gather expert opinion and produce a short, independent report on the UK’s competition policy later this year to inform Government policy making going forward.

He brings a unique perspective from his experience in business, understanding of everyday consumer issues from 15 years as a constituency MP, and long-running interest in the subject.

Further information

The government published terms of reference. Interested stakeholders can contact competitionreport@hmtreasury.gov.uk to engage with this piece of work.

Biography

John Penrose was appointed the Prime Minister’s Anti-Corruption Champion in December 2017 and was reappointed in July 2019. He was previously a Minister of State in the Northern Ireland Office from November 2018 to July 2019. John was first elected as MP for Weston, Worle and the Villages in 2005.

Education

John attended Ipswich School before studying law at Cambridge University. He also received an MBA at Columbia University, New York.

Career outside politics

Before entering Parliament, John had an extensive business career, which included roles at: J P Morgan (risk management on a bank trading floor) McKinsey (strategic management consultancy) Thompson (academic book publishing) Pearson PLC (Managing Director of Longman’s schoolbook publishing operations) John also helped found Credit Market Analysis (publishing credit data for financial firms).

Personal life

John is married with 2 children. In his spare time he enjoys fishing and beekeeping.

Thank you Madam President,

Thank you Mr Koumjian. The United Kingdom reiterates its support for the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar.

Accountability for human rights violations committed across Myanmar is a key step towards reconciliation and long-term stability. We have not yet seen enough progress from Myanmar to address the actions of the military in 2017, and conflict continues. Hundreds of homes have been burnt down this month in Rakhine, and civilians forced to flee. All sides must respect international law and protect civilians.

We urge Myanmar to cooperate with the IIMM as well as other international justice mechanisms, and to take steps to strengthen domestic accountability processes. This includes setting out a transparent and credible plan to implement the recommendations of the Rakhine Advisory Commission, the Independent Commission of Enquiry, and the provisional measures of the International Court of Justice.

We recognise the positive step that Myanmar’s Parliament recently took to amend the three-year limitation period on courts martial. The Tatmadaw must now respond to this in good faith, and take steps to improve the procedure’s transparency. This will help increase public trust in accountability measures and deter further crimes.

Mr Koumjian,

What actions can the international community take to further support the IIMM?

Grants from £50k to £5 million are now available to help the nation build back greener from the coronavirus pandemic, the government announced today [14 September].

The £40 million Green Recovery Challenge Fund, part of the government’s wider green economic recovery, jobs and skills package, brings forward funding for environmental charities and their partners to start work on projects across England to restore nature and tackle climate change.

The fund will help create up to 3,000 jobs and safeguard up to 2,000 others in areas such as protecting species, finding nature-based solutions to tackling climate change, conservation rangers and connecting people with nature. Up to 100% of project costs will be available.

The fund will be delivered by the National Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with Natural England and the Environment Agency.

All projects must contribute to at least one of the following themes of the Green Recovery Challenge Fund:

• nature conservation and restoration;
• nature-based solutions, particularly focused on climate change mitigation and adaptation such as through tree planting and restoring peatland; and,
• connecting people with nature.

Projects will be favoured that create or retain jobs, creating opportunities and benefits for all ages, including young people. The fund is open to environmental charities and partnerships that include at least one environmental charity, while projects from both rural, urban and inshore marine areas are welcomed.

The fund will create a broad range of jobs such as ecologists, surveyors, nature reserve staff and education workers in environment organisations, and support their suppliers in areas such as agricultural engineering, horticulture, and equipment and seed supply.

Environment Minister Rebecca Pow, said:

I am delighted to launch our game-changing fund to kick-start projects to halt the loss of wildlife and tackle climate change, as we build back greener from the coronavirus pandemic.

Our ambitious fund will help environmental organisations employ more people to work on tree-planting, nature restoration and helping the public enjoy the outdoors, and I encourage organisations to step forward and apply so we can make a real difference to nature whilst also creating jobs.

The Green Recovery Challenge Fund is funded by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs by bringing forward £10 million of money from the Nature Recovery Fund and £30 million of Nature for Climate Funding.

Natural England Chair Tony Juniper, said:

Access to a thriving natural environment is essential for the nation’s health and wellbeing, and this fund will deliver real on-the-ground benefits for people and wildlife alike as we emerge from the coronavirus crisis.

This fund will also provide a long-term boost for those wanting to build a career in the environmental sector, and help secure a flourishing environment that we need for a healthy future.

Emma Howard Boyd, Chair of the Environment Agency, said:

Reaching net zero by 2050 and achieving the government’s 25 Year Environment Plan goals for nature can only be done by employing the right skills. A lack of STEM skills is estimated to cost industry £1.5 billion a year in recruitment, inflated salaries, and additional training costs.

The £40 million Green Recovery Challenge Fund is a step in the right direction and will help the UK economy be more competitive in the future.

Ros Kerslake, Chief Executive, National Lottery Heritage Fund, said:

I am delighted that we are distributing the Green Recovery Challenge Fund on behalf of Defra and working alongside our partners at Natural England and the Environment Agency.

We are committed to supporting the nature and environment sector quickly and effectively through this Fund.

Applicants for over £250k must submit expressions of interest by 24 September and if successful full applications by 26 October. The deadline for applications under £250k is 2 October.

The Green Recovery Challenge Fund forms part of a wider package to boost the economy announced earlier this year by Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

The Prime Minister also re-iterated the government’s commitment to re-foresting Britain by increasing planting to 30,000 hectares (75,000 acres) of trees every year by 2025, and create a new patchwork of woodlands. The government has recently consulted on a new England Tree Strategy to expand tree cover, support woodland management and increase public engagement with trees and woodlands.

The government’s flagship Environment Bill puts the environment at the centre of policy making to ensure that we have a cleaner, greener and more resilient country for the next generation.