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Tag: Press Release

  • PRESS RELEASE : Leadership of small boats operations returns to the Home Office [January 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Leadership of small boats operations returns to the Home Office [January 2023]

    The press release issued by the Home Office on 31 January 2023.

    The Small Boats Operational Command (SBOC) will bring together the government’s response to small boats with 730 additional staff.

    A bolstered response to curb migrant crossings comes into force today (Tuesday 31 January), as leadership of tackling small boats in the Channel returns to the Home Office.

    The newly created Small Boats Operational Command (SBOC), which is part of Border Force, brings together the government’s response to small boats under a single integrated structure, enhancing the work conducted alongside the military last year.

    To support this, 730 additional staff will be recruited, with 100 of these located inside its UK headquarters, while the remainder will bolster operations.

    New air and maritime capabilities including new drones, boats, land-based radar and cameras, will also be introduced under SBOC. This will aid our ability to track vessels on the water, identify pilots and help to bring those responsible to justice.

    The SBOC, which will be led in the interim by director Duncan Capps, will strengthen existing capabilities to oversee operations with the French to disrupt crossings, save lives at sea and ensure the effective processing of arrivals in the UK.

    Military leadership of the operational response to Channel crossings was always intended to be a temporary measure and scheduled to end in January 2023. SBOC will continue to work closely with the military during a handover period to respond to the challenge of Channel crossings.

    The command, through additional staff and new technologies, along with close working with NCA and other European partners, will deliver a more coordinated response in the Channel.

    A government spokesperson said:

    Last year we saw an unsustainable and unacceptable number of people risking their lives to reach the UK illegally.

    This simply cannot continue and that is why we are taking immediate steps to tackle the evil people-smuggling gangs behind these deadly crossings and get our immigration system under control.

    The return of Channel primacy to the Home Office, bolstered by 730 extra staff and led by director Duncan Capps, is a significant landmark in our long-term plan to ensure the safety and sovereignty of our borders and our communities.

    We are building on the progress already made through the new deal with France, and our determination will not waiver until we stop the abuse of the asylum system and bring the smugglers responsible to justice.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Ambitious roadmap for a cleaner, greener country [January 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Ambitious roadmap for a cleaner, greener country [January 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 31 January 2023.

    Five-year delivery plan to restore nature and improve the environmental quality of the air, our waters and our land .

    Plans to restore nature, improve environmental quality, and increase the prosperity of our country will be set out by the government today (Tuesday 31st January) as it publishes its Environmental Improvement Plan 2023.

    Building on the vision set out five years ago in the 25 Year Environment Plan, with new powers and duties from the Environment Act, Agriculture Act and Fisheries Act, it provides a comprehensive delivery plan for the government’s approach to halting and then reversing the decline in nature.

    This was the central target agreed in the new global deal for nature at the UN Nature Summit COP15 in December, which UK leadership helped deliver. The plan published today underpins that ambition domestically, with progress measured against stretching interim targets.

    It will be unveiled by the Environment Secretary Dr Thérèse Coffey at a keynote speech this morning.

    It covers how government will:

    • Create and restore at least 500,000 hectares of new wildlife habitats, starting with 70 new wildlife projects including 25 new or expanded National Nature Reserves and 19 further Nature Recovery Projects
    • Deliver a clean and plentiful supply of water for people and nature into the future, by tackling leaks, publishing a roadmap to boost household water efficiency, and enabling greater sources of supply
    • Challenge councils to improve air quality more quickly and tackle key hotspots.
    • Transform the management of 70% of our countryside by incentivising farmers to adopt nature-friendly practices.
    • Boost green growth and create new jobs – from foresters and farmers to roles in green finance and research and development.

    The public will also benefit from a new commitment to access green space or water within a 15-minute walk from their home, such as woodlands, wetlands, parks and rivers.

    Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:

    Protecting our natural environment is fundamental to the health, economy and prosperity of our country.

    This plan provides the blueprint for how we will deliver our commitment to leave our environment in a better state than we found it, making sure we drive forward progress with renewed ambition and achieve our target of not just halting, but reversing the decline of nature.

    Environment Secretary, Thérèse Coffey, said:

    Our Environmental Improvement Plan sets out how we will continue to improve our environment here in the UK and around the world. Nature is vital for our survival, crucial to our food security, clean air, and clean water as well as health and well-being benefits.

    We have already started the journey and we have seen improvements. We are transforming financial support for farmers and landowners to prioritise improving the environment, we are stepping up on tree planting, we have cleaner air, we have put a spotlight on water quality and rivers and are forcing industry to clean up its act.

    Whether you live in a city or town, in the countryside or on the coast, join us in our national endeavour to improve the environment.

    Other new commitments set out today include:

    Nature:

    • A multi-million pound Species Survival Fund to protect our rarest species – from hedgehogs to red squirrels.
    • Through the support of government schemes 65 to 80% of landowners and farmers will adopt nature friendly farming practices on at least 10 to 15% of their land by 2030. They will also be supported to create or restore 30,000 miles of hedgerows a year by 2037 and 45,000 miles of hedgerows a year by 2050.

    Water:

    • Setting out 10 actions we are taking on water efficiency in new developments and retrofits, including reviewing building regulations and other legislation to address leaky loos and confusing dual flush buttons and to enable new water efficient technologies
    • Restoring 400 miles of river through the first round of Landscape Recovery projects and establishing 3,000 hectares of new woodlands along England’s rivers.
    • Reforming the current regulatory framework to rationalise the number of regulatory plans and create a more efficient system which better enables joined up working to achieve catchment-level outcomes

    Air:

    • Challenging councils to improve air quality more quickly by assessing their performance and use of existing powers, while supporting them with clear guidance, funding, and tools.
    • Reducing ammonia emissions through incentives in our new farming schemes, while considering expanding environmental permitting condition to dairy and intensive beef farms.
    • Improving the way air quality information is communicated with the public.

    Waste:

    • Making it easier for people to do the right thing to minimise their waste, including a new set of interim targets for 2028 to reduce different types of waste, including plastic, glass, metal, paper, and food.

    The plan sets out a clear framework to ensure progress can be clearly tracked.

    The environmental principles policy statement will also be published today. It means that, from 1 November 2023, environmental protection and enhancement will be embedded into the design and development of new policy across Government.

    Natural England Chair Tony Juniper said:

    We are facing into a series of environmental challenges that are very serious, pressing and which are connected to one another. If we are to take effective action then we will need an ambitious and integrated plan that is geared up to meeting some very challenging targets. That plan and those targets are now live. The package is broad and most welcome and important. It will now require efforts across government and across society to translate its intent into action.

    This can be done, so long as priority is attached to it and we remain focused on joined-up delivery. Success will not only bring benefits for our depleted natural environment, but also for jobs, food and water security, health and investment.

    Chair of the Forestry Commission Sir William Worsley said:

    We all need to work together to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, to address the steep decline in biodiversity, to better connect people with the natural world around them, and to create the green jobs of the future. Trees are at the very heart of this – the Forestry Commission has a key role to play in helping the Government achieve the targets laid out in this ambitious blueprint for a greener country and we look forward to doing so.

    Nick Molho, Executive Director at the Aldersgate Group, said:

    Rapidly restoring nature and reversing its decline is essential for economic prosperity, the wellbeing of society and the UK’s ability to adapt to climate change. It will require all parts of society and the economy to collaborate on environmental improvements as well as careful co-ordination between the UK’s climate and environmental targets.

    Through the publication of today’s Environmental Improvement Plan, the Government has taken an important step forward, by bringing together in one place its vision for the environment and a delivery plan to drive progress. The Government must now build on the objectives and policy commitments contained in the delivery plan and proceed at pace with the specific policy measures that will drive private investment over the next 5 years in biodiversity, air and water quality, resource efficiency and other key environmental improvements. Providing clarity on the near- and long-term policy commitments is essential to unlock significant private sector investment and ensure businesses play their part in restoring nature.”

    Finally, it is welcome to see the publication of the Environmental Principles Policy Statement. A comprehensive and rapid implementation of environmental principles across all government departments is essential to drive coherent policy making and ensure every opportunity is taken to drive environmental improvements and prevent harm at an early stage.

    ENDS

    Further information:

    • The Environment Act designated the 25 Year Environment Plan as the first Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP). It created a responsibility for the government to review and revise the plan, if needed, every 5 years to ensure continued progress against the ten 25 YEP goals. This EIP (EIP23) is that revised plan. It sets out for the first time how the 25YEP goals, Environment Act targets and other commitments we have made domestically and internationally will combine to drive specific improvements in the natural environment.
    • The Environment Act was enacted in 2021. This required government to set a suite of legally-binding targets for environmental improvement in air quality, biodiversity, water, resource efficiency and waste reduction. The government has since extended this ambition even further, with additional targets for marine protected areas and woodland cover. The long-term targets were announced in December 2022. The Environment Act also required short-term interim targets, with a maximum of five years in length, to be included set in the Environmental Improvement Plan to drive progress towards the long term targets.

    The Environmental Principles Policy Statement:

    • In line with the Environment Act, the Secretary of State is publishing a policy statement on environmental principles, setting out how they are to be interpreted and proportionately applied.  The five internationally recognised principles are: integration, prevention, rectification at source, polluter pays, and the precautionary principle.

    The Significant Improvement Test:

    • Today, we have also published the first Significant Improvement Test review report, as required by the Environment Act 2021.
  • PRESS RELEASE : Government announces return to business as usual for aviation this summer [January 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Government announces return to business as usual for aviation this summer [January 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 31 January 2023.

    Airport take-off slots to return to pre-pandemic levels.

    • airport slots usage ratio for summer 2023 will return to 80:20, meaning airlines will need to use their take-off slots 80% of the time in order to keep them
    • return to 2019 rules will still retain some flexibility, including a justified non-use provision to prevent so-called ‘ghost flights’
    • air travel is recovering following the pandemic, with government continuing to support a return to business as usual

    The UK government has today (31 January 2023) laid regulations before Parliament that brings airports slots rules for the upcoming summer season back in line with pre-pandemic levels, while retaining certain flexibilities to support the aviation industry’s recovery.

    From 26 March 2023, airlines will once again need to use their slots 80% of the time in order to keep them – the ratio in place before passenger numbers dropped as a result of the pandemic. It’s a vote of confidence in the aviation industry as demand for international travel returns – with passenger numbers at UK airports reaching 85% of equivalent 2019 levels by October 2022.

    The government remains focused on reducing disruption and ensuring a positive passenger experience for those taking a well-earned break this summer. As part of that, airlines will be able to hand back up to 5% of their slots before the start of the season, to help plan realistic schedules and avoid last-minute cancellations.

    The Transport Secretary will announce the new measures during his keynote speech at the Airport Operators’ Association’s (AOA) annual conference today, where he is expected to say:

    Today, I can confirm that slots rules will return to normal this summer. But we’re maintaining the safety net introduced during covid…and airlines can hand back 5% of slots to help minimise last minute cancellations.

    Now we’re able to start a new, more optimistic, conversation about the future. About an industry no longer constrained by outdated practices, but modernising its infrastructure and operations. No longer the poster child for environmental decline, but committed to a future of sustainable flight. And no longer at risk of becoming a diversity desert, but attracting talent from all backgrounds.

    These are just some of the areas where aviation has a golden opportunity to move from recovery to renewal. And I look forward to working with all of you to make that happen.

    Airlines will also continue to benefit from increased flexibility over when they are justified not to use their slots, for example, where either end of a route is affected by COVID-19 restrictions. This will reduce the risk of environmentally damaging so-called “ghost flights” – empty planes flying just to make the slots usage ratio.

    A bit like parking spaces for planes, slots are used to manage capacity at the busiest airports. A slot gives permission for an airline to use the full range of airport infrastructure (runway, terminal and gates, for instance) necessary to operate an air service at an airport on a specific date and time.

    To retain their slots for the next equivalent season, airlines must use their slots a certain number of times – but during the pandemic the usage ratio was reduced to provide relief to airlines as they saw a drop in demand as result of COVID-19 restrictions. Without these alleviations, there would have been a rise in ‘ghost flights’.

    The decision follows a period of consultation with the sector on how the government can best support its recovery while ensuring slots get used where demand allows.

  • PRESS RELEASE : The British Embassy in Mexico presents a report about corruption and migration [January 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : The British Embassy in Mexico presents a report about corruption and migration [January 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 30 January 2023.

    In collaboration with the International Rescue Committee, the British Embassy in Mexico presents the report “Corruption Along Migration Pathways in Mexico”.

    Between February and April 2022, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) interviewed more than one hundred people, including government officials, UN and NGO workers, shelter employees, and most importantly, migrants, asylum seekers and internally displaced persons (IDPS) to understand the impacts of corruption along migration routes in Mexico. The results were striking.

    Corruption impacts migrants and IDPs at all points along their journey: it is a root cause of displacement, and is present from the moment migrants attempt to enter Mexico throughout their journey within and across the country. Corruption impacts migrants in different ways, from solicitation of petit bribes to complex and hugely profitable kidnapping-for-ransom schemes involving collusion between state actors and organized criminal groups.

    Nearly every subject interviewed identified corruption as a serious challenge to migrants accessing their rights in Mexico, and many noted how corruption has a compounding effect: depleting migrants’ resources and pushing them into more dangerous pathways, which then makes them more vulnerable to further acts of corruption.

    Further, corruption permeates the justice system, creating creating feedback loops where corruption fuels impunity, which then fosters further corruption.

    The chief findings of this study demonstrate:

    • Restrictive, deterrence-based Mexican and US migration policies create conditions that facilitate corruption, by placing migrants in vulnerable situations in which bureaucrats and security forces have ample opportunity for extortion, coercion and solicitation of bribes. Irregular migration status increases vulnerability and impedes access to justice.
    • The chief modalities of corruption include extortion/bribery, kidnapping, and exploitation within migrant detention centres.
    • There is ample evidence of collusion between local and federal authorities and organized criminal groups in more sophisticated corruption schemes, including kidnapping rings and selling of migration documents.
    • Although state institutions exist to address corruption, and some internal measures have resulted in the dismissal of corrupt officials, generally those who engage in corrupt acts enjoy complete impunity. This is due to the ineffectiveness of complaint mechanisms, widespread distrust and fear of authorities by migrants, and corruption within the organisms tasked with receiving complaints.

    While the challenge of corruption is deep-seated in Mexico and will require significant investment and norm shifting to be addressed, this study recommends the following measures be taken to address the issues:

    1. Reduce the vulnerabilities of migrants and IDPs by investing in expanded humanitarian programming, reducing or eliminating migrant detention and other restrictions, and creating expanded and accessible legal pathways to regularization.
    2. Combat impunity and build trust in state systems by investing in access to justice programs, including better data collection and easier access to information, increased availability of human rights defenders and lawyers throughout the migration routes, and training and capacity strengthening of state institutions.
    3. Facilitate improved coordination between local and international civil society, IGOs, migrant groups, and federal, state and local governments.
    4. Improve access to reliable, accurate, and easily digestible information about migration options to prevent deception and the spreading of rumours that lead to victimization.
  • PRESS RELEASE : Diplomatic Missions Visit Khan Al Ahmar Palestinian Community Threatened with Demolition [January 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Diplomatic Missions Visit Khan Al Ahmar Palestinian Community Threatened with Demolition [January 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 30 January 2023.

    Like-minded Heads of Mission and other representatives of diplomatic missions joined a visit to the Palestinian community of Khan Al Ahmar.

    Representatives of Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, the EU, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland the UK and like-minded missions today visited the Palestinian community of Khan Al Ahmar to express their concern at the threat of demolition facing the village. Finland is also supportive of the below statement.

    Today, 30 January, like-minded Heads of Mission and other representatives of diplomatic missions joined a visit organised by Israeli NGO B’TSelem to the Palestinian Bedouin village of Khan Al Ahmar. The community, in Area C of the West Bank, has been at risk of demolition by the Israeli authorities for several years.

    Legal avenues to prevent the demolition of the village have been exhausted and we understand that the Israeli Government is due to submit its plans on 1 February in response to a court petition demanding its demolition.

    Khan Al Ahmar is home to 38 Palestinian families and is also the location of a donor-funded school which serves five communities in the local area. The demolition of the village and the subsequent eviction of its residents could amount to forcible transfer in violation of Article 49 of Geneva Convention IV.

    The international community has for many years worked to discourage the Israeli authorities from taking forward the proposed demolitions. Today’s visit was an opportunity to restate our concerns. Evictions and demolitions cause unnecessary suffering. We urge Israel to cease such actions.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Cutting edge data and AI tech to help government hunt down fraudsters [January 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Cutting edge data and AI tech to help government hunt down fraudsters [January 2023]

    The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 30 January 2023.

    Data analytics experts Quantexa have been awarded a new contract to help the government recover fraud against the public purse.

    The Public Sector Fraud Authority (PSFA), which was set up last year to help public bodies tackle fraud against the public purse, will work with Quantexa to use new data and cutting edge technology, including Artificial Intelligence, to find and prevent more fraud across the public sector. Quantexa’s technology is capable of processing billions of data points at high speed to identify suspicious activity.

    The £4 million contract is part of a wider investment across government to take the fight to those committing fraud against the taxpayer – rooting out fraud and using modern tools and techniques to stop it before it happens.

    Cabinet Office Minister Baroness Neville-Rolfe said:

    Fraud against the public purse is unacceptable and we’re stepping up the fight against those who wish to profit off the backs of taxpayers.

    Through the use of cutting edge technology, the Public Sector Fraud Authority will use data and AI to help us in the fight against  fraudsters.

    The Cabinet Office previously worked with Quantexa to reveal instances of potential fraud within the government’s Bounce Back Loan Scheme. This involved analysing an initial set of 250 networks of people, organisations, and places during which more than 100 million data items were processed.

    PSFA CEO Mark Cheeseman said:

    We know that fraudsters are a capable and committed adversary and the way they commit fraud is diverse and evolving. .

    As criminals develop more sophisticated tools, we too must innovate and modernise our approach to prevent fraud.

    By bringing together expertise and tools from the public sector and private sector we  will raise our ambition and challenge ourselves to increase our impact on this often unseen and underestimated crime.

    The PSFA was backed by £25 million of funding. It will be the centre of the government’s Counter Fraud Function and It has been tasked with modernising the government’s counter fraud response, working with departments and public bodies to improve their fraud defences and using leading practice and modern techniques to protect taxpayer money.

    It has set a first-year target of £180 million of recognised fraud benefits, which it is on course to hit.

    The Government Counter Fraud Function brings together the c.13,000 people who work in departments and public bodies to fight fraud. This includes those working to understand and mitigate fraud risk within their organisations and those who work in the public sector to fight economic crime.

  • PRESS RELEASE : £1 million fund for fresh ideas to boost health at work [January 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : £1 million fund for fresh ideas to boost health at work [January 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 30 January 2023.

    Government launches competition for businesses to bid for share of £1m to stimulate innovation in Occupational Health.

    • Organisations to receive up to £100,000 to help with challenges small businesses and self-employed face with ill health at work
    • Projects to focus on research and development to increase access and capacity in Occupational Health

    A £1 million fund for new ideas to boost health and welfare at work for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and the self-employed was launched today.

    Successful bidders will receive up to £100,000 to back their projects from 19 May 2023, with the Government looking for innovative solutions to drive better access for SMEs and the self-employed to Occupational Health (OH) services. Applicants are being encouraged to demonstrate how they would deliver improvements to OH, harnessing technology such as artificial intelligence or data collection, to deliver better health outcomes for employees of SMEs.

    Better health provision for staff helps employers look after their workforce, meaning more are likely to stay in work. While larger employers often have better access to OH services, for smaller businesses and the self-employed the lack of support for people with health needs can potentially lead to more people becoming economically inactive.

    Applications can be from those who work alone or with others from business, research organisations, research and technology organisations or the third sector, with the Government looking for proposals to:

    1. Discover new and innovative ways for the OH market, which supports people to stay well in work, to deliver services that drive better access for SMEs and self-employed
    2. Discover new and innovative ways that the OH market can deliver services and better serve the demand for OH
    3. Deliver innovations that can be scaled up for businesses to have an impact in the OH market through new services and better use of technology

    The competition is a joint venture between the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and The Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC), as part of the Joint Work and Health Unit, and in conjunction with Innovate UK, an arm of UK Research and Innovation. The fund will be open to applications from 30 January 2023 and run until 15 March 2023.

    Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, Tom Pursglove MP, said:

    Good occupational health within workplaces is vital in supporting our overall health and standard of living. We spend so much of our lives at work, and it is imperative that our employers can give us the support we need to maintain our physical and mental health. This in turn means we can give our best at work.

    Through the launch of our new £1 million fund, I look forward to seeing innovative, workable solutions to help SMEs deliver the best for their employees, creating healthier, welfare-driven working environments that will ultimately drive growth and improve people’s working lives.

    The new Fund to Stimulate Innovation in Occupational Health (OH) competition will be delivered in the form of a Small Business Research Initiative, a well-established, output driven funding tool run by Innovate UK.

    Minister for Care, Helen Whately, said:

    This new £1 million fund will help us find better ways to support the health of our workforce – especially looking at small businesses and the self-employed.

    Making sure people stay well enough to work is so important – it means a bigger workforce, boosted productivity, and better quality of living.

    Successful bidders will look at innovative new ways to support people in their field of work, help them to live healthier, happier lives while driving growth in our economy.

    For more details about the Fund to Stimulate Innovation and how to apply, please visit this link.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Mine-hunting ‘mother ship’ arrives in Plymouth [January 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Mine-hunting ‘mother ship’ arrives in Plymouth [January 2023]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 30 January 2023.

    A specialist ship to support Royal Navy operations – a mother ship to launch drones to find and destroy undersea threats – has arrived in Plymouth today.

    • New ship to host autonomous mine hunting systems arrives at HMNB Devonport.
    • Vessel to undergo a period of modification before joining the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.
    • Intended to be operational in Spring 2023.

    A specialist ship bought to support Royal Navy mine-hunting operations – a mother ship to launch drones to find and destroy undersea threats – has arrived in Plymouth today.

    When deployed, the platform will support the safeguarding of UK waters from the threat of mines at sea, operating a range of uncrewed systems that will help keep personnel at a safe distance.

    Based at His Majesty’s Naval Base Clyde, the 96.8 metres long vessel – the length of two Olympic swimming pools – will work side-by-side with autonomous mine-hunting systems already operated by the Royal Navy out of Faslane under Project Wilton.

    Purchased from Island Offshore, the vessel – currently named MV Island Crown, but due to be renamed as it joins the fleet – arrived at HMNB Devonport, where it will undergo minimal conversion work, primarily to support installation of military communication systems and Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) operations, before being handed over to the RFA later this year.

    Defence Procurement Minister, Alex Chalk KC, said:

    This is another significant step forward in the modernisation of Royal Navy capabilities and use of autonomous systems to complement our crewed fleet.

    This vessel will play a crucial role in the detection of undersea threats, keeping our personnel out of harm’s way while they conduct vital operations.

    Delivered at pace, the capability will assure freedom of access for the UK ships and submarines (including the Continuous At Sea Deterrent), while crucially reducing risk to personnel.

    Operated by specialist teams on board, these innovative systems will allow the Royal Navy to protect UK waters, also providing support to the North Atlantic and European waters if required.

    Commodore Steve Prest, Director Navy Acquisition, said:

    The delivery of this ship is an important step in the Navy’s transformation to conducting mine countermeasures using distributed offboard systems-of-systems.

    The ship will be used to extend the range of our Maritime Autonomous Systems from coastal waters to conducting offshore survey operations in Defence of the homeland.

    The uncrewed systems will include the joint French-UK Maritime Mine Counter Measures (MMCM) system, the Combined Influence Sweep (SWEEP) system and Medium Underwater Autonomous Vehicles (MAUVs).

    The purchase of the £40 million ship was carried out by Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), the procurement arm of the MOD.

    DE&S Director General Ships, Vice Admiral Paul Marshall, said:

    Our team undertook extensive research and market analysis to identify a vessel for the Royal Navy that would meet the vital capability it needs, and could be delivered at pace whilst also provide value for money to the taxpayer.

    The result of that agile working is the delivery of a highly effective ship which will be converted to purpose at HMNB Devonport. Once militarised, it will play a key role in countering the evolving threats posed by mines at sea.

    The ship is intended to enter service in Spring 2023.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Birmingham scaffolder, David McGuinness from Sutton Coldfield, given 11-year ban for abuse of Covid-19 financial support [January 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Birmingham scaffolder, David McGuinness from Sutton Coldfield, given 11-year ban for abuse of Covid-19 financial support [January 2023]

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

    David McGuinness, 41 of the Sutton Coldfield area of Birmingham, was sole director MC-Dalt Scaffolding Services Ltd, which was incorporated in 2017 with its registered office in Erdington in Birmingham.

    In May 2020, McGuinness applied for and received a Bounce Back Loan of £50,000 on behalf of the company. Bounce Back Loans were a government scheme to help keep businesses afloat during the Covid-19 pandemic, whereby companies could apply for loans of up to 25% of their 2019 turnover, up to a maximum of £50,000.

    He then applied to dissolve the business two months later, which led to the Insolvency Service opening an investigation.

    Investigators found that McGuinness had stated the company’s turnover as nearly £300,000 when its accounts for 2019 showed turnover of less than £20,000. The company would therefore have only been entitled to a Bounce Back Loan of around £4,000.

    Compounding this, instead of using the Bounce Back Loan money for proper company use, the day after receiving the funds he instead transferred nearly £15,000 out of the company’s account, with the bank reference ‘Dave’. A further £35,000 was transferred to various third-parties.

    When applying to dissolve the company, McGuinness was legally required to notify interested parties and creditors, such as a bank with an outstanding loan, within seven days and that a failure to do so could result in a criminal prosecution. He did not follow this advice however.

    On 13 December 2022 the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy accepted a disqualification undertaking from David McGuinness after he did not dispute he had abused the Bounce Back Loan scheme by claiming money to which his business was not entitled.

    His ban lasts for 11 years and began on 3 January 2023. The disqualification prevents him from directly or indirectly becoming involved in the promotion, formation or management of a company, without the permission of the court.

    Peter Smith, Deputy Head of Insolvent Investigations at the Insolvency Service, said:

    The Bounce Back Loan scheme was set up to support businesses in genuine need during the pandemic, and David McGuinness clearly abused it by making false declarations to his company’s bank.

    This lengthy disqualification is a sign that we take such abuse extremely seriously and will act to tackle wrongdoing by these directors.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Sad passing of Cllr Arthur Lamb – Tributes from Cumbria County Council [January 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Sad passing of Cllr Arthur Lamb – Tributes from Cumbria County Council [January 2023]

    The press release issued by Cumbria County Council on 24 January 2023.

    It is with great sadness that the death is announced of Cllr Arthur Lamb, the Conservative member for Cleator Moor and Frizington. Cllr Lamb, who died suddenly on January 22, was the youngest member on Cumbria County Council, at just 31.

    Cllr Lamb was elected to the county council in 2017, his division including the parishes of Arlecdon & Frizington, Cleator Moor, Ennerdale & Kinniside, and Lamplugh. He was Shadow Cabinet member for Customers, Transformation and Fire & Rescue.

    Cllr Lamb, who worked for the NHS, was a keen cricketer, described as “a cornerstone” of Whitehaven Cricket Club, who, among many of his duties, coached the club’s juniors. A dedicated, popular and principled councillor, Cllr Lamb was a highly popular member of the county council.

    Conservative Group Leader, Cllr Hilary Carrick, said: “There are no words to describe my sadness at hearing the tragic news of Arthur’s untimely passing.  Quite simply, he was an amazing young man who was universally loved and respected. He was a very talented politician and hugely effective County councillor who worked tirelessly for the local community that he loved. Arthur had a maturity and wisdom that exceeded his years and his considered contributions, positivity, dedication, enthusiasm and cheeky grin will be hugely missed.  Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to his family and friends at this very difficult time.”

    Cllr Stewart Young, Leader of Cumbria County Council and speaking on behalf of the Labour Group said:

    “News of Arthur’s untimely death came as a huge shock to everyone.  He was well known and well liked on the County Council.  His election in 2017 in what was previously a safe Labour seat, came as a surprise even to Arthur, but he threw himself into the role and was an able and effective representative. Members from all sides of the political divide will join his family and friends in mourning his passing.”

    Cllr Peter Thornton, Deputy leader for Cumbria County Council and speaking on behalf of the Liberal Democrat Group added:

    “It seems unbelievable that someone with such a zest for life should be taken so young.  It is a tragic loss for Arthur’s family, friends and the people he represented so well in Cleator Moor East and Frizington.  We offer our deepest sympathies to his family and friends at this sad time.”