The Places of Worship Protective Security Scheme, now in its 5th year, allows places of worship such as churches, mosques, gurdwaras, temples and associated faith community centres to receive government funding to improve physical security. This can include more secure gates, locks, alarms and CCTV in order to deter and prevent hate crime attacks.

The scheme, first introduced in 2016, was simplified and expanded following the Christchurch terror attack in 2019, and the amount of funding available has doubled to £3.2 million from last year.

Since its introduction more than 180 grants have been awarded helping 76 churches,75 mosques, 23 gurdwaras and nine Hindu temples.

Minister for Countering Extremism, Baroness Williams said:

During this global pandemic, personal faith has been a source of comfort and strength for many.

I would urge all places of worship who feel they are vulnerable to hate crime to apply for the fund, and as a government we will do all we can to make your congregations feel safe and protected.

Groups have until 9 August to make an application. Places of worship across England have been permitted to reopen for individual prayer from 13 June following discussions between the government and representatives of major faiths through the Places of Worship Taskforce, chaired by Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick.

In addition to the Places of Worship Scheme, the Home Office opened a consultation on 15 March to review what else can be done to protect faith institutions, while ensuring a balance is struck between worshipping openly without fear and providing adequate security measures to protect worshippers. The consultation closes on 28 June, and its findings will be published in due course.

Mr Hall has 25 years’ experience working in the financial markets, most recently as Portfolio Manager at Eisler Capital. He will serve a three-year term, which will begin on 1 September 2020. His appointment fills the position previously held by Martin Taylor, who stepped down from the Committee at the end of March 2020.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, said:

The role of the FPC in enhancing and protecting the stability of the UK’s financial system has never been more important, and having highly qualified people on the committee is key. That’s why I’m very pleased to welcome Jonathan to the role. His wide-ranging expertise and experience built up over years working in financial markets will be hugely beneficial as we work to open up the economy following the Coronavirus pandemic, underpinned and supported by our world-leading financial system.

The Governor of the Bank of England, Andrew Bailey, said:

Jonathan has a wealth of experience and I look forward to welcoming him to the FPC. As a committee, more than ever as we address the economic challenges of the pandemic, we need to protect and enhance the resilience of the UK financial system. I am certain that Jonathan’s insights from financial markets will prove invaluable to our financial policymaking decisions.

Further information

Jonathan Hall has previously worked as a Portfolio Manager at Eisler Capital, where he helped establish, launch and grow the organisation. Jonathan has also worked as an Advisory Director at Goldman Sachs where he sat on the Board and Executive Committee of ISDA, the Board of Tradeweb, the Financial Stability Board Market Participants Group on reforming Interest Rate Benchmarks, and the Bank of England Working Group on Risk-Free Reference Rates.

Prior to this, Jonathan spent 10 years at Goldman Sachs in London and New York. He became a Managing Director in 2006 and Partner in 2008. Before that, Jonathan worked at Credit Suisse Financial Products in London, Tokyo, Sydney and Hong Kong. Additionally, Jonathan is a member of the Founders Circle of the Institute for the Future of Work (IFOW) and is in the process of completing a PhD in Philosophy of Mind, focusing on belief formation and reasons-responsiveness.

About the appointment process

Jonathan Hall has been appointed following an open recruitment process. As part of this process, HM Treasury recruited an executive search agency. A panel comprising Charles Roxburgh (Second Permanent Secretary, HM Treasury) and Katharine Braddick (Director General Financial Services, HM Treasury) and Richard Sharp (external member of the FPC from 2013 to 2019) interviewed a number of candidates and made recommendations to the Chancellor, which informed his decision.

There were 62 applications, of which five candidates were shortlisted for interview. The gender breakdown of the applicants for this appointment is below:

About the Financial Policy Committee

• The FPC is the UK’s macroprudential regulator: its objective is to protect and enhance the stability of the UK’s financial system by identifying, monitoring and addressing systemic risks

• The FPC has thirteen members. Six of them are Bank of England staff: the Governor, four Deputy Governors and the Executive Director for Financial Stability Strategy and Risk

• There are also five external members who are selected from outside the Bank for their experience and expertise in financial services

• The Committee also includes the Chief Executive of the Financial Conduct Authority and one non-voting member from HM Treasury

government sets out how the UK will lead the way on location data:

• creation of a national framework to boost economic, social and environmental value
• location data improves people’s lives and drives innovation by connecting people, organisations and services

The government has published a strategy setting out how the UK will unlock the power of location data.

Location data, also known as geospatial data, is used across sectors as diverse as infrastructure, housing and retail.

Cabinet Office Minister, Lord True, today launched Unlocking the Power of Location: the UK’s geospatial strategy. He said:

Rapid technological advances over the last 15 years have put sat navs in cars, maps on our phones, wearable sensors around our wrists and smart devices in our homes – all of which are integral to millions of lives. The application of location data is critical for navigating our new digital world, and for making the UK a better place for everyone.

As well as making everyday lives easier, location data has the potential to unite and level up the country – by connecting people, organisations and services. This government will unleash Britain’s potential to lead the world in the data revolution, and keep us at the forefront of scientific and technological innovation.

The strategy sets out the first steps that the Geospatial Commission and its partners will carry out across four areas.

This includes the next phase of the National Underground Asset Programme (NUAR), which looks to digital map pipes and cables underground, publishing guidance for the ethical use of location data and technology and the piloting of an International Geospatial Service in 2021 to showcase and export UK geospatial expertise across the world. These activities will drive innovation and boost the economy across the UK over the coming years.

Sir Andrew Dilnot, the Chair of the Geospatial Commission, said:

Location data already has a significant impact on our lives. Better location data will help us to make more informed decisions on everything from where to build new schools and hospitals, to how to manage precious resources such as land and energy, creating economic, social and environmental value.

It will guide development of future technologies, such as autonomous vehicles and advanced digital representations that will support improved UK competitiveness and quality of life. The Geospatial Commission was set up to take advantage of the significant opportunities that location data and technology offer to the UK.

The National Geospatial Strategy will be launched by Lord True at Digital Leaders on 16 June 2020, an online summit attended by leaders from across the country who are focused on driving forward digital transformation.

For further information contact us at geospatialcommission@cabinetoffice.gov.uk