Author: Pulse Assent

On a trip to Brussels tomorrow the Prime Minister will set out her commitment for the UK to continue to play a critical role in European security after the UK leaves the EU.

Taking a leading role at the Eastern Partnership summit, the PM will reflect on the significant economic and social advances in the region and will join the renewed commitments to work together to tackle corruption and foster economic growth.

As the UK prepares for its exit from the EU, Theresa May will also welcome the unified approach to tackle threats and attempts of destabilisation from other foreign powers like Russia.

The Prime Minister will conclude by reaffirming the UK’s support to the region – we are providing £50 million this financial year to support reform and security in the region through projects like tax reform in Moldova and de-mining in Ukraine; we are also spending £100m over five years in the Eastern Neighbourhood to counter disinformation.

The Prime Minister is expected to say:

From agriculture in Ukraine to the tech sector in Belarus – there is a huge amount of potential in the Eastern neighbourhood that we should nurture and develop.

But we must also be open-eyed to the actions of hostile states like Russia which threaten this potential and attempt to tear our collective strength apart.

This summit highlights the crucial importance of the European countries working together to protect our shared values and ideals. The UK may be leaving the EU but we are not leaving Europe, and we are unconditionally committed to maintaining Europe’s security.

The Parole Board is holding its annual open Management Committee meeting on 14 December 2017, where you can have the opportunity to see the work that goes on behind the scenes to ensure effective running of the parole system.
The Parole Board independently risk assesses prisoners to decide whether they can be released and safely managed in the community. This meeting will look at current issues facing the Parole Board and the organisation’s strategic objectives for the upcoming year.

Here are some of the items the meeting will focus on:

• A report of the progress made so far on the 2016-2020 strategy and a forward look for the future of the Parole Board and how it can improve the parole experience for prisoners, victims, and the public.
• The Board’s equality strategy, which will look at: parole processes that are fair, accessible and responsive; achieving a more representative Parole Board; and promoting an inclusive culture in the workforce
• Introduction of a new system that is fairer for listing all prisoners’ parole reviews

Parole Board Chief Executive Martin Jones said:
“The Parole Board is committed to increasing the transparency of its processes and decision making.

“Following on from the success of last year’s inaugural open board meeting, we hope that even more people will be interested to come along and see first-hand how the Parole Board’s Management Committee oversees the work of the Board; to ensure we maintain a fair, efficient and effective system that protects the public.”

There will be an open Q&A session at the end of the meeting. You are also able to submit questions in advance when registering for the event, using the link provided below. Please note, we will not be able to answer any questions about individual cases.

How to Attend: If you would like to come to this open meeting, please follow this link and provide your details.

There are a limited amount of seats and places will be given on a first come, first served basis.

When: 14 December 2017

Time: Arrival at 10.15 for a 10.30 start; Meeting ends at 12.30 pm

Where: Van Dyke Suite, The Rubens at the Palace, 39-43 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 0PS

David Davis has pledged that the UK will remain the greatest ally of our European partners in matters of security and defence after Brexit.

The Brexit Secretary made the remarks following a visit to Estonia, where 800 British troops are stationed as part of NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence (eFP). eFP comprises of four multinational NATO battalions in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland designed to protect Europe’s eastern flank.

David Davis held political meetings with Estonian Europe Minister Maati Maasikas and Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Marko Mihkelson. Reaffirming the UK’s commitment to European security, the Brexit Secretary said the UK will offer to continue to contribute expertise and assets to EU operations, cooperate on sanctions and agree joint positions on foreign policy as part of a deep security partnership with the EU after Brexit.

He also highlighted the UK and Estonia’s shared values, including around the importance of free trade, and reiterated the UK’s pledge that no country will be financially worse off over the current budget plan because of the UK’s decision to leave the EU.

Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, David Davis said:

“In exiting the EU the UK is not pulling up the drawbridge or turning away from our friends across the Continent.

“We will remain our European neighbours’ greatest ally in security and defence, cooperating fully in order to tackle the global threats we jointly face.

“And we will ensure that no Members will need to pay more or receive less money over the remainder of the current budget plan as a result of our decision to leave.”