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PRESS RELEASE : Housing estate pollution sanction sees environment charity get funding boost from Keepmoat Homes [August 2023]

The press release issued by the Environment Agency on 30 August 2023.

Keepmoat Homes Ltd, a company that specialises in building residential housing and which owns the site at Heron’s Reach near Bradford, will donate £100,000, while Applebridge Construction Limited, which were contracted by Keepmoat Homes for the first phase of the development, will donate £35,000.

An investigation by the Environment Agency found that Pitty Beck was polluted a number of times between October 2016 and November 2018 while construction was underway.

The companies submitted Enforcement Undertakings to the Environment Agency, which have now been accepted.

An Enforcement Undertaking is a voluntary offer made by companies and individuals to make amends for their offending, and usually includes a donation to an environmental charity to carry out improvements in the local area.

On 13 October 2016 Keepmoat Homes reported pollution from its site, and an Environment Agency officer confirmed that silty water was running from the site and into the beck. The same happened on numerous occasions over subsequent months. The company did not have an environmental permit to allow for treated water to be discharged into the beck.

The company obtained this permit in October 2017. This allowed the discharge of water from one outlet at a maximum rate of no more than 40mg/l of suspended solids. Only days later, a discharge containing 555 mg/l entered the beck from a different outlet, followed by the first of several permit breaches from the permitted outlet containing more than the allowed concentration of suspended solids.

As part of the requirements of the Enforcement Undertaking, Keepmoat Homes revised its surface water management plan for the site, constructed urban drainage ponds, purchased a siltbuster and gulley bags to remove sediment from the water leaving site and improved its inspection and monitoring regime.

Applebridge Construction employed a full time health and safety manager, reviewed and updated its environmental management system and delivered bespoke training to staff.

Environment Agency Area Environment Manager Ben Hocking said:

Housing construction companies – like all companies carrying out any major development work – have a responsibility to ensure their work does not impact on the environment and we will take action when pollution occurs.

While we will always take forward prosecutions in appropriate cases, Enforcement Undertakings are an effective enforcement tool to allow companies to put things right and contribute to environmental improvements.

They allow polluters to restore the harm caused to the environment and prevent repeat incidents by improving their training and procedures.

Water Minister Rebecca Pow said:

Companies that damage our natural environment must be held to account and enforcement action like this ensures polluters pay and help clean up our rivers and waterways.

Our Plan for Water is delivering more investment, stronger regulation and tougher enforcement right across the water sector.

Aire Rivers Trust will use the donations on the monitoring and prevention of pollution on Bradford Beck, a ‘pocket park’ proposal at Bradford Beck and restoring habitats in the catchment, including some wetlands at Pitty Beck.

Bradford-based environmental charity the Aire Rivers Trust will use the donations on the monitoring and prevention of pollution on Bradford Beck, and to restore riverside habitats across the catchment. The charity works to improve the River Aire for both wildlife and local communities.

Simon Watts, Operations Manager at the Aire Rivers Trust, said:

We’re pleased to see money from polluters being spent on restoring Bradford’s streams and river. We believe the work it will fund will create a lasting impact on the health of the beck that runs through the heart of Bradford.

30/08/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Families urged to boost their back-to-school budget with Tax-Free Childcare [August 2023]

The press release issued by HM Treasury on 30 August 2023.

With the new school term starting, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is reminding families to open a Tax-Free Childcare account today to save up to £2,000 per child on their yearly childcare bills.

Families can use their Tax-Free Childcare account to pay for any approved childcare including holiday clubs, breakfast and after school clubs, child minders and nurseries.

The scheme provides working families, with children up to the age of 11, or 16 if their child has a disability, up to £2,000 a year per child or £4,000 a year if their child is disabled. For every £8 paid into a Tax-Free Childcare account, families automatically receive the government top up of £2. Families can save up to £500 every 3 months for each child or £1,000 if their child is disabled.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said:

Starting back to school and arranging childcare for the term ahead can be costly for working families. Tax-Free Childcare offers financial help so families can save on the cost of childcare. Search Tax-Free Childcare on GOV.UK and sign up online today.

Opening a Tax-Free Childcare account online is straightforward and can be done in about 20 minutes. Money can be deposited at any time, 365 days a year, to be used straight away or left in the account and used whenever it is needed. Unused money in the account can be withdrawn at any time.

30/08/2023
NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 31 August 1923

31 AUGUST 1923

Benito Mussolini, the Prime Minister of Italy, referring to the Ruhr Valley crisis, said at a speech before the Council of Ministers that the Belgian Note showed a rapprochement towards the Italian point of view and the possibility that a chance of settlement had improved.

The latest Irish General Election results were announced which showed so far that the Government had 41 seats, the Republicans 28 seats, the Independents 14 seats, Labour 9 seats and the Farmers 8 seats.

Violent storms caused substantial damage to properties and infrastructure along the English and French coastlines.

30/08/2023
NEWS STORY : Downing Street Confirms Prime Minister Used Helicopter to Visit Norwich

STORY

Downing Street has confirmed that the Prime Minister used a helicopter to visit Norwich, despite the availability of a regular rail service from London to Norwich. A spokesperson for Downing Street said in a statement:

“The Prime Minister regularly uses all forms of travel. His travel plans will vary and are always decided with consideration to the most efficient and best use of his time, in the interests of the taxpayer.”

30/08/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Location data can help build the EV chargepoint network of tomorrow [August 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 30 August 2023.

New report sets out how location data can support local authorities to make good decisions about where EV chargepoints should be installed.
- New report seeks to support local authority decisions about electric vehicle (EV) chargepoint rollout
- The transition to EVs will be enabled by a dependable public charging network and local authorities are ideally placed to identify their local charging needs
- Location data can provide the evidence base needed to support better decisions about local charging infrastructure
The Geospatial Commission has today (30 August 2023) published a report to support local authorities to make decisions about where to install electric vehicle (EV) chargepoints in their areas.

By 2030, the sale of new petrol and diesel cars will be phased out and by 2035 all new cars and vans will be zero emission. The transition to EVs will be enabled by a dependable, well located public charging network that local authorities are ideally placed to help deliver.

Location data can arm local authorities with evidence to rollout a public charging network that gives current and prospective EV owners the confidence to make their journeys, whether in a densely populated city or the countryside. Drivers need to have the same confidence that they can charge their EV as they have that they can refuel their current petrol or diesel vehicle, so they can go about their business unimpeded. This is critical to the growth of the economy, one of the Prime Minister’s five priorities.

Viscount Camrose, Minister, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, said:

The transition to electric vehicles is central to the government’s plan to decarbonise the transport sector, keep the UK at the forefront of clean transport and tackle pollution, all while seizing the potential for growth and job creation in the UK’s growing EV industry.

Local authorities and the wider sector should continue to embrace new location data and analysis to accelerate the targeted rollout of chargepoints so that drivers can find and access reliable chargepoints wherever they live.

The location of chargepoints is as important as absolute numbers. This report explores the breadth of location data and applications available to support local authority decisions about where to install new chargepoints and identifies five opportunities to better use existing location data, as well as new sources of information to:
- understand the location and availability of existing chargepoints by making chargepoint operator data standardised and consistent
- understand consumer charging behaviour and travel patterns by using population movement data
- identify the location of EVs by using commercially-held data about leased vehicles
- identify existing electricity network capacity through better use of distribution network operator data
- identify areas without off-street parking by using proxy data
Transport networks need to become more efficient, greener and safer. The Geospatial Commission has been leading a multi-year programme highlighting the opportunities for advanced geospatial applications in the transport sector. The programme has identified how location data can support the future of mobility and next generation transport networks and called out ways to maximise its impact. In 2021 we published ‘Getting to the Point’ which explored the role of location data to help model future demand for chargepoints, identify suitable sites, create a seamless consumer experience and track rollout.

This report highlights that the location of chargepoints is as important as absolute numbers. Consumers want chargepoints to be where they need them and for them to be easily accessible. Local authorities are ideally placed to identify local needs and play a fundamental role in facilitating private sector investment and ensuring all communities have access to reliable public charging infrastructure, especially on-street charging points. They must make informed decisions about how many, which types and where chargepoints will be installed, based on demand and site suitability. Location data and applications can give valuable insight.

Martin Tugwell, Chief Executive, Transport for the North, said:

High quality location data plays a critical role in enabling better decision making on how society can make a rapid transition to achieving a low carbon economy.

Location data and analysis is a vital component of our work at Transport for the North to underpin activities outlined in our regional Strategic Transport Plan, such as supporting our local authorities EV charging planning and delivery, and facilitating private sector investment to drive EV chargepoint rollout.

Steve Ward, Decarbonisation Programme Manager, Transport for Wales, said:

Good quality location data is essential to us helping the public and private sectors collaborate to identify and develop sites for electric vehicle charging. We have worked with datasets from a large number of sources to develop modelling tools that indicate which locations are more suitable for commercially-funded charging facilities, and which could be unlocked by targeting investment in improving electricity supply capacity.

We are sharing the outputs of our mapping with all stakeholders, including the electricity Distribution Network Operators, who are using this data to plan ahead of anticipated demand for charging ‘hotspots.
30/08/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Passengers to benefit from easier and cheaper travel with new app guidance [August 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 30 August 2023.

Travel and navigation app providers encouraged to ensure new technology offering more streamlined journeys is accessible to all users.
- commuters will be able to access easier, cheaper and more personalised journeys, as new guidance is launched for travel apps
- new code of practice will help ensure navigation apps offer step-free journey options for disabled people and safer travel such as well-lit walking routes
- part of the government’s work to deliver cutting-edge transport technology that benefits transport users and helps grow the economy
Commuters will soon benefit from smarter travel apps that offer cheaper, safer and more accessible journeys, following new government guidance launched today (30 August 2023) to ensure travel and navigation apps benefit all users.

The government’s new Mobility as a Service (MaaS) code of practice for app developers and companies aims to ensure they offer more streamlined journeys for travellers and commuters while ensuring the technology is accessible to all.

Technology known as MaaS is already in use in apps such as Citymapper and Google Maps and aims to bring together data, such as timetabling or ticket prices, from multiple types of transport to offer streamlined choices to travellers all on one app.

The guidance encourages app platform providers to consider accessibility needs when suggesting routes, which could include outlining wheelchair-accessible routes and stations and providing step-free options for all journeys.

The guidance also recommends that app providers consider the personal safety of app users when suggesting routes. For example, apps should allow people to choose “main roads only” options for journeys, keeping to well-lit roads. Apps should also be able to share their live location with a contact while on the move.

Further recommendations include ensuring apps consider users in rural areas where internet connectivity could make accessing online journey planning difficult. As part of this, platforms are encouraged to include offline options, such as a phone number for ordering taxis or claiming compensation for delays.

Technology and Decarbonisation Minister Jesse Norman said:

New technologies are transforming how we travel, making journeys easier for those with disabilities and connecting rural towns and villages better, among much else.

With the new code of practice, the Department for Transport (DfT) is encouraging app providers to make the most of the new technology, helping to ensure potentially vulnerable groups and communities are not left behind.

MaaS tech platforms can make journeys more convenient by bringing together planning and payment into one app and allowing people to tailor journeys to their specific needs. It is also hoped that this could lower the cost of journeys for travellers, by ensuring more choice and competition.

As the use of transport continues to change, with more people making use of public transport and rental bikes, the government is encouraging tech companies to develop platforms that bring together different types of transport into one easily accessible journey.

By helping to ensure smoother travel for people across the UK, this code of practice aims to help harness cutting-edge of transport technology, encouraging businesses and individuals to make the most of the new technology and helping to grow the economy.

Examples of MaaS platform operators already operating in the UK include Swift in the West Midlands. Now the largest smart ticketing scheme outside London, Swift cards can be used as a ticket for train, bus or tram services, as well as car parking and season tickets. The scheme has 190,000 active smartcard holders with 45 million journeys completed over the past 12 years.

In 2020, DfT also awarded funding to Solent Transport as part of its Future Transport Zones programme to develop a transport app for the region. The new app, Breeze, allows people on the south coast to plan, book and pay for all journeys, including public transport, cycling, e-scooters and ferries. It also provides information about how busy services are and suggests the greenest way to travel.

Conrad Haigh, Solent Transport Manager, said:

As the UK’s first multi-city MaaS app with integrated ticketing, Breeze is already proving popular across south Hampshire and the Isle of Wight with over 7,000 users inside its first 10 months of operation. Giving customers the travel information they need and bringing clarity to travel options are critical to the continued success of Breeze. Solent Transport is proud to be working closely with DfT, sharing what works and what doesn’t to improve access to transport services.

As a partnership of the local transport authorities for Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton, Solent Transport has a varied mix of transport services to integrate into Breeze and a blend of urban, semi-urban and rural environments to navigate.

With support from our academic partners the University of Portsmouth and University of Southampton, the Solent region offers the perfect testing ground to trial and evaluate effective delivery of a MaaS app.
30/08/2023
NEWS STORY : Prime Minister Meets with Kuwaiti Crown Prince

STORY

Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, has met with Sheikh Mishal al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, the Crown Prince of Kuwait, at Downing Street. A spokesperson for the Prime Minister said that they discussed a new UK-Kuwait Investment Partnership as well as opportunities to partner in defence.

RESOURCES

Government Press Release

30/08/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak meeting with the Crown Prince of Kuwait [August 2023]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 29 August 2023.

The Prime Minister welcomed his Highness the Crown Prince of Kuwait, Sheikh Mishal al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, to Downing Street today.

He welcomed the historic and strong friendship between the UK and Kuwait, which has endured for 125 years. As we mark the 75th anniversary of the opening of the Kuwait Investment Office in London, the leaders witnessed the signing of a new UK-Kuwait Investment Partnership which will drive significant new investment into UK industries and support Kuwait’s changing economy.

The Prime Minister noted opportunities to diversify Kuwaiti investments in the UK, driving growth in both countries in new sectors, from life sciences to technology.

The leaders also discussed work to deepen our longstanding cooperation on defence, including in cyber security. The Prime Minister welcomed Kuwait’s constructive role in upholding regional security and the Crown Prince’s support for diplomatic efforts to end Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

30/08/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Ministers join forces to encourage veterans to self declare to GPs [August 2023]
The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 29 August 2023.

Veterans’ Minister Johnny Mercer and Health Secretary Steve Barclay are urging veterans and service leavers to access specialist healthcare pathways run by NHS England and service charities.
Ex-forces personnel in England are being urged to identify themselves as veterans with their GPs

NHS England offers dedicated mental and physical health care pathways for veterans: Op COURAGE and Op RESTORE

740 referrals have been made to Op RESTORE so far, but many more could benefit from the multi-disciplinary service

Veterans’ Minister Johnny Mercer and Health Secretary Steve Barclay are urging veterans and service leavers to access specialist healthcare pathways run by NHS England and service charities.

The ministers met with the Op RESTORE team at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, North London. The service supports veterans in England who have served in, or are leaving, the UK Armed Forces and have continuing, physical health injuries and related medical problems attributed to their time in the armed forces.

The ministers met with a number of veteran patients, who spoke of how multi-disciplinary teams who understand their military backgrounds have helped to restore their physical health and wellbeing.

Formerly known as the Veterans Trauma Network (VTN), the service has been renamed to help improve awareness of it amongst veterans and to sit as part of a suite of dedicated healthcare pathways run by NHS England, including Op COURAGE: The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service. The new name is intended to support improved access to Op RESTORE and make it more identifiable to both veterans and clinicians to boost referrals and service uptake.

From the autumn, Op RESTORE will be able to support veterans to access the Veteran Mobility Fund, which will deliver high quality support to veterans with physical disabilities through grants to enable them to access mobility equipment that meets their needs and improves their quality of life.

By declaring themselves to their local GP, ex-forces personnel will be able to access more specialised physical and mental health care support. NHS England launched the VTN in 2016, with 740 referrals so far – but many more ex-service personnel could also benefit.

Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Steve Barclay said:

Veterans have given so much to this country and when they need support as a result of their dedicated service, it’s only right that the NHS is there for them.

Op Restore is a brilliant programme that helps with veterans’ physical health and wellbeing. Their joint approach includes military clinicians, meaning they receive help from medical professionals with a deeper understanding of their individual needs.

For most veterans, serving the nation is a hugely positive and beneficial experience. But for the minority who find their health impacted by their time in the armed forces, I want them to be able to come forward to receive both short and longer-term care tailored specifically to them, and I want them to know that services such as Op Restore are there to support them.

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Rt Hon. Johnny Mercer said:

The reason I joined this government was to improve access to veterans’ care, and I’m incredibly proud of the progress we’ve made over the last few years.

We now have clear and dedicated pathways for mental and physical health, and are looking at how we can extend this support further to provide wraparound, community support.

If you have been injured, mentally or physically, by your time in service, please contact your GP and identify yourself as a veteran so you can access the specialist treatment that’s right for you.

The holistic support is provided to veterans through working together with military and civilian medical professionals along with armed forces charities and NHS teams. Together, the network understands military life and the longer-term care and support that may be required for veterans, service leavers, reservists, families and carers. Available across England, and informed by veterans, the service is hosted by Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust.

Since its inception in 2016, there have been more than 740 referrals to the Op RESTORE. In 2022-23, 97% of referrals were reviewed at multi-disciplinary teams within 8 weeks. Many more ex-forces personnel are also eligible for specialist support.

National Clinical Director of Op RESTORE, Shehan Hettiaratchy, has been a reservist for more than 20 years and has an extensive understanding of military trauma injuries following a deployment as a military plastic surgeon to Birmingham and on Operation Herrick. Shehan assumed the role of Chair of NHS England’s Clinical Reference Group for the Armed Forces in May 2020 and National Specialty Adviser, Armed Forces Health in 2022.

Shehan Hettiaratchy, National Clinical Director of Op RESTORE and Chair of the NHS England Armed Forces Healthcare Clinical Reference Group, said:

We work with military charities and closely link with Op COURAGE so every element of the veterans’ health needs are met. Veterans will be seen by clinicians within the NHS who have an understanding of the challenges of military life – many having served themselves.

If you have continuing physical health injuries and related medical problems attributed to you time in the Armed Forces and think you need the help that Op RESTORE can give you, ask your GP to refer you and we’ll do the rest.

Maurillia, Op RESTORE patient said:

The service has made me aware that I matter, that I have a voice – no matter how small or how soft. To speak to a consultant who understands my injuries and hear someone else rather than myself say the same things in a different way, no matter how long it has taken. The support to me along this journey from Op RESTORE has been brilliant.

Op RESTORE veteran support workers are linked with local and national charities and organisations so can support access to housing, employment, benefits, for example, as well as local veterans breakfast clubs and volunteering opportunities which support the veteran’s wellbeing.

Further armed forces healthcare services provided by the NHS in England include Op NOVA: Supporting Veterans in the Justice System and, most recently Op COMMUNITY: Armed Forces Community Support.
30/08/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Air Traffic Control system update [August 2023]

The press release issued by NATS, the body responsible for air traffic control in the UK, on 29 August 2023.

“I would like to apologise again for our technical failure yesterday. While we resolved the problem quickly, I am very conscious that the knock-on effects at such a busy time of year are still being felt by many people travelling in and out of the UK.

“I would like to reassure everyone that since yesterday afternoon all of our systems have been running normally to support airline and airport operations as they recover from this incident.

“NATS exists to allow everyone flying in UK airspace to do so safely. Our systems enable our air traffic controllers to deliver this service all year round. These have several levels of backup and allow us to manage around 2 million flights per year in some of the busiest and most complex airspace in the world safely and efficiently.

“Very occasionally technical issues occur that are complex and take longer to resolve. In the event of such an issue our systems are designed to isolate the problem and prioritise continued safe air traffic control.

“This is what happened yesterday. At no point was UK airspace closed but the number of flights was significantly reduced.

“Initial investigations into the problem show it relates to some of the flight data we received. Our systems, both primary and the back-ups, responded by suspending automatic processing to ensure that no incorrect safety-related information could be presented to an air traffic controller or impact the rest of the air traffic system. There are no indications that this was a cyber-attack.

“We have well established procedures, overseen by the CAA, to investigate incidents. We are already working closely with them to provide a preliminary report to the Secretary of State for Transport on Monday. The conclusions of this report will be made public.

“I would like again to apologise to everyone who has been affected.”

30/08/2023