At the going down of the sun and in the morning. We will remember them.

Remembrance holds a central place in the Commonwealth’s annual calendar of events. Around the World, on Monday 11 November 2019 we remembered the fallen together. Following the 74th Ghanaian National Parade of Remembrance at the Commonwealth War Cemetery in Accra, the British High Commission hosted a Veteran’s Remembrance luncheon at the Residence of the British High Commissioner, H.E. Mr Iain Walker.

The luncheon, attended by Hon. Dominic Nitiwul Defence Minister of the Republic of Ghana, brought together armed forces veterans, business leaders, and representatives of the Commonwealth nations involved in the First and Second World War conflicts. The event paid tribute to all those who put aside cultural and national differences to serve and sacrifice for the Commonwealth, whilst celebrating Veterans and today’s Armed Forces who are inspired by them and continue the proud traditions of service and achievements of those who have gone before.

For over a century, the UK and Ghana have stood shoulder-to-shoulder in support of global peace and security. Last year we remembered the Centenary Anniversary of the Great War, where in West Africa, the first soldier in British service to fire a shot in First World War was RSM Alhaji Grunshi of the Gold Coast Regiment. We should never forget the sacrifices made in that war or in the Second World War that began 80 years ago in 1939. Those sacrifices made by all previous generations made will continue to be honoured; those that have served before us will not be forgotten.

Today Ghana is a top ten contributor of personnel on UN and African Union Peacekeeping operations, and has deployed forces as part of the African response in support of democracy in the Gambia, stability in Somalia; and peace in South Sudan – where Ghanaians serve alongside British peacekeepers as part of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). These Ghanaian Women and Men continue to step forward, as examples to all, to protect not only Ghana but to promote regional peace.

Today’s generation of Ghanaian and British soldiers who serve alongside on operation and within the British Armed Forces, do so to protect global security and defend our shared vision of a more peaceful world. Today we have some 4,500 Commonwealth Service Personnel in the British Armed Forces. Examples such as Ghanaian-born, Major Nana Kofi Twumasi-Ankrah, the first black Equerry to serve Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II embody the invaluable contribution of the Commonwealth.

These are just a few examples of the many thousands of Ghanaian soldiers who fought, and continue to fight, for the freedoms that we enjoy today. We shall not forget their sacrifice and duty. We will remember them.

Professor Alan Manning has been chair of the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) since October 2016 and his 3 year term has been extended to January 2020.

Professor Alan Manning, Chair of the Migration Advisory Committee, said:

I have agreed with the Home Secretary to extend my role as chair of the MAC until January 2020 to complete work on the current commission. This will provide continuity until our report is published.

Ongoing river flooding continues to impact communities in parts of South Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Lincolnshire.

River levels are now starting to fall or stabilise in South Yorkshire, although the flood risk remains significant, with the lower River Don still experiencing high flows. Heavier bands of rainfall are also expected on Thursday and Friday, bringing a risk of further river and surface water flooding across flood-hit areas in South Yorkshire, North Derbyshire and West Lincolnshire, where river flows will remain high and ground is saturated.

As at 3pm (Monday 11 November) there are five severe flood warnings in South Yorkshire with a threat to life, 39 flood warnings and 96 flood alerts.

The Environment Agency (EA) continues to work around the clock in its incident rooms and on the ground to reduce flood risk and keep communities safe. EA field teams are working 24/7 to clear debris from rivers, operate flood storage areas and pump away flood water.

A high-volume pump has been deployed to Fishlake to reduce water levels. In Lincolnshire, flood storage areas are being operated to protect 7,000 homes from the risk of flooding. An RAF Chinook helicopter was also deployed on Sunday 10 November to reinforce flood banks with aggregate in the Bentley Ings area of Doncaster.

Carol Holt, Flood Duty Manager at the Environment Agency, said:

Following a month’s worth of rain in 24 hours last week, five severe flood warnings remain in place on the River Don.

Further rain on Thursday and Friday may bring severe impacts from surface water and river flooding to parts of South Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire. Minor impacts are expected more widely across parts of England during this period.

After the very wet autumn, rivers will respond quickly to further rain and the Environment Agency is planning for the impacts of further rainfall.

Our incident rooms remain open 24 hours a day and we are continuing to work closely with local authorities and partners.

People should remain vigilant, check their flood risk and plan to stay safe. We advise people to stay away from swollen rivers and not to walk or drive through flood water as just 30cm of flowing water is enough to move your car.

The public can check their flood risk and keep up to date with the latest situation, or by calling Floodline on 0345 988 1188 or following @EnvAgency on Twitter.

Notes to editors:

The United Kingdom recognises Iraq’s serious challenges since its 2014 review as it recovers from Daesh. We commend Government efforts to rehabilitate women survivors following Daesh atrocities, and welcome progress on the domestic violence bill. Proper budgeting and implementation of the National Action Plan for Women will be key to protect women’s rights.

We are concerned by the scale of security force violence in recent protests, and reports of media intimidation and supression. Freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly and association must be protected.

We recommend that Iraq:

1) Reform legislation to ensure justice, and support for survivors of sexual violence and accountability of perpetrators, including specifically making sexual slavery and trafficking for purposes of sexual exploitation illegal as a crime separate from kidnapping or detention.

2) Ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture.

3) Protect freedom of peaceful assembly, including by properly investigating violence against protestors.

Published 11 November 2019

Following several weeks of discussions with a number of interested parties, the Official Receiver has today said that he has accepted a bid from Jingye for the business. This is an important step towards securing steel making operations at British Steel’s sites in the UK.

The government continues to work with the Official Receiver and Jingye on the next stage of the sales process.

Published 11 November 2019