Press release: Joint Communiqué of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference 25 July 2018

A meeting of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference (BIIGC) took place at the Cabinet Office in London on 25 July 2018.

The Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was represented by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Rt Hon David Lidington MP, and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Rt Hon Karen Bradley MP. The Government of Ireland was represented by Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr Simon Coveney TD, and the Minister for Justice and Equality, Mr Charles Flanagan TD.

The Conference was established under Strand Three of the 1998 Belfast/Good Friday Agreement “to promote bilateral co-operation at all levels on all matters of mutual interest within the competence of both Governments”.

The Conference discussed the following:

Legacy

The Conference reviewed the overall progress towards implementation of the Stormont House Agreement legacy framework.

Both the Irish and UK Governments re-asserted their commitment to the legacy bodies set out in the 2014 Stormont House Agreement as the best means of addressing the legacy of Northern Ireland’s past. The UK Government updated the Conference on the consultation currently being held on the Stormont House institutions which runs to 10 September. The Irish Government updated the Conference on the legislative measures being brought forward within its jurisdiction to implement and support the Stormont House Agreement legacy framework and raised other legacy issues.

Security co-operation

The Conference reviewed the current security situation, and discussed the continuing threat posed by Northern Ireland Related Terrorism in the United Kingdom and in Ireland.

The Conference expressed its rejection of all paramilitary violence and all other forms of paramilitary activity. The Conference reiterated its strong support for the efforts of the Police Service of Northern Ireland and An Garda Síochána, along with other agencies, in keeping people safe and secure across both jurisdictions.

Both the UK and Irish Governments recalled commitments in the 2015 Fresh Start Agreement to ending paramilitarism and looked forward to the first report of the Independent Reporting Commission established under that Agreement.

East-West matters

The Conference considered the strength of the bilateral relationship between the United Kingdom and Ireland and welcomed the high levels of bilateral cooperation across a range of important policy areas.

The Conference agreed that this level of bilateral co-operation needed to be maintained and, where possible, strengthened following the departure of the United Kingdom from the European Union.

Officials were asked to take forward work in this area with a view to coming forward with proposals for future East-West cooperation, including at Cabinet and Ministerial level, for consideration by the Irish and UK Governments at a future meeting of the Conference.

Political stability

Both the UK and Irish Governments reiterated their strong support for the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement and subsequent agreements which have underpinned the progress made in Northern Ireland over the past two decades and which provide the framework for the political process in Northern Ireland.

The Irish and UK Governments re-affirmed their shared commitment to all of the political institutions established by the Agreement and to securing the effective operation of power-sharing, devolved government in Northern Ireland and the consequent resumption of the North/South Ministerial Council and Northern Ireland participation in the British Irish Council at the earliest opportunity.

Both the UK and Irish Governments agreed to continue working closely together in accordance with the three-stranded approach as set out in the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement.

Future meetings

It was agreed that the Conference would meet again in the autumn.



News story: Appointment of Shona Dunn as Second Permanent Secretary at the Home Office

The Home Office Permanent Secretary, with the agreement of the Prime Minister, has today announced that Shona Dunn, currently Director General, Economic and Domestic Secretariat at the Cabinet Office, has been appointed as the new Second Permanent Secretary at the Home Office.

Welcoming Shona’s appointment, Sir Jeremy Heywood, Cabinet Secretary said:

I am really delighted that Shona Dunn has secured this promotion and will be joining the Home Office after the summer as Second Permanent Secretary. As Head of the Cabinet Office’s Economic and Domestic Secretariat she has provided outstanding support to me and the Cabinet and given her record of achievement in a number of different departments she will add real value in the Home Office, helping the new Home Secretary and Philip Rutnam to deliver the culture change that they want to see.

Home Office Permanent Secretary, Sir Philip Rutnam, said:

I am delighted to announce the appointment of Shona Dunn as the new Second Permanent Secretary for the Home Office. This is a pivotal role in the leadership of the Home Office, supporting ministerial priorities and helping to deliver outstanding policy advice and operational efficiency on behalf of the government. I look forward to working with her as she starts to deliver this important remit.

Shona Dunn said:

It’s a real privilege to have been asked to take on this role and I am delighted to be joining the Home Office at such an important time. I very much look forward to meeting all those who work in our borders, immigration and citizenship system, and to working with them, the wider Home Office and all of our partner organisations, to deliver on some of this government’s top priorities.

This appointment has been agreed by the Prime Minister, and follows an external recruitment competition.



News story: New accord launches to enhance National Parks and woodland

A new Accord that aims to expand and enhance woodland in National Parks to protect wildlife and connect people with nature has been launched today at the New Forest Show.

The Accord, a statement of a shared ambition between the Forestry Commission and National Parks England, will bring together decision makers to ensure woodland is managed sustainably and in line with a natural capital approach. This will take into account the environmental, social and economic impact of trees and forests and the statutory purposes of our National Parks.

National Parks are already home to a third of the Public Forest Estate in England, and the Accord will also consider how woodland creation grants can be used to sensitively expand wooded areas across these landscapes. The partnership ensures all woodland will be managed to the highest standards so they are rich in wildlife and protected for future generations to enjoy.

The Accord was launched at the New Forest National Park today, where National Parks Minister Lord Gardiner joined Margaret Paren, Chair of National Parks England and Ian Gambles, Director of Forestry Commission England to plant a tree and demonstrate the benefits woodland can bring.

Its launch comes during ‘Discover National Parks Week 2018’, which celebrates the UK’s 15 National Parks. With over half of people living within an hour of a National Park, the week encourages people to get outside and discover them for themselves.

Margaret Paren, Chair of National Parks England, said:

Our National Parks are cultural landscapes cherished for their nature and beauty. This Accord provides the basis for strong partnership working between the Forestry Commission and National Parks. By working closely together we can ensure public forests in our National Parks are at the forefront of sustainable forest management.

And through adopting high-quality decision-making on woodland creation, design, management, protection and removal we can also ensure trees and woods contribute to the beauty of our National Parks for years to come.

There is a strong synergy between the aims in the Accord and the goals in the Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan, which sets ambitious plans for enhancing beauty and landscapes and more and better managed woodland as a key way to improve the environment for the next generation.

Lord Gardiner, Minister for National Parks and Forests, said:

Woods and forests make an immense contribution to our enjoyment of our National Parks, as well as providing important habitats for wildlife.

Our 25 Year Environment Plan sets out ambitious targets for tree planting and connecting people with nature. This Accord will help realise the full potential of woodland in our National Parks.

Sir Harry Studholme, Chair of the Forestry Commission, said:

Forestry is a leading player in the story of the National Parks and of their landscapes. The Forestry Commission may be the largest single holder of land across the network of National Parks. Nowhere is the relationship more apparent than here in the New Forest where the Forestry Commission and National Park Authority’s roles are deeply intertwined.

At this time of change in agriculture and land management, forestry and afforestation are important components of the discussion. The Forestry Commission and National Parks must work together not only to create new resilient and multi-purpose woodlands but also to enable existing ones adapt to a changing environment.

This will benefit National Park landscapes, provide rural employment and support local communities and allow the delivery of Natural Capital benefits like carbon absorption, water management and public access.

The Accord agrees a pragmatic and deliverable national framework for the Forestry Commission and National Parks’ shared ambitions for woods and forests, with local priorities for individual National Parks to be determined according to their specific needs.

It sets out five shared priorities for delivering a range of benefits that protect and enhance natural and cultural heritage:

  1. Decision-making that enhances National Park landscapes and their woodlands;
  2. Woodland creation and expansion in National Parks;
  3. Highest standards of forest management in line with natural capital approach;
  4. Woodland grant schemes that contribute to the delivery of the shared ambition;
  5. Engage and connect people with woodlands and forests.


News story: Reappointment of 56 Members Parole Board Members

The Secretary of State has approved the reappointment of the following 56 members to the Parole Board. Their tenures will all end on 30 September 2020.

The 56 Parole Board Members comprise of 18 Judicial, 34 Independent, 3 Psychologist, and 1 Psychiatrist member.

Independent member

The Secretary of State has approved the extension of the appointments for the following members:

From 1 August 2018 until 30 September 2023 of: Stephanie McIntosh.

From 30 September 2018 until 30 September 2020:

  • Pamela Baldwin
  • Paul Cavadino
  • Peter Coltman
  • Michael Crewe
  • Geoff Crowe
  • Victoria Doughty
  • Margaret Dunne
  • Stewart Eldon
  • Annalise Elliott
  • Sue Finn
  • Kevin Green
  • John Holt
  • Jane Horwood
  • Rebecca Hunt
  • Chitra Karve
  • Mark Lacey
  • Susan Lewis
  • Bryan McAlley
  • Tom Millest
  • Steve Murphy
  • Steve Pepper
  • Jenny Portway
  • Bernard Postles
  • Sue Power
  • Colin Reeve
  • Jennifer Rogers
  • Sally Rowen
  • Nigel Stone
  • Jennie Sugden
  • Kay Terry
  • Jo Thompson
  • Rose Thompson
  • Alan Whiffin

Judicial members

The Secretary of State has approved the extension of the appointments for the following members:

From 27 September 2018 until 30 September 2022: Roderick Evans

From 27 September 2018 until 30 September 2022: Clive Million and Tony Mitchell

Judicial members

The Secretary of State has approved the extension of the appointments from 30 September 2018 until 30 September 2020:

  • Anthony Bate
  • Martin Beddoe
  • Graham Cottle
  • Geoffrey Kamil
  • Louise Kamill
  • Bruce McIntyre
  • Anne Molyneux
  • Richard O’Rorke
  • Jeremy Roberts
  • Patrick Robertshaw
  • John Rubery
  • Anthony Rumbelow
  • Leslie Spittle
  • Graham White
  • Scott Wolstenholme

Psychiatrist member

The Secretary of State has approved the extension of the appointment from 30 September 2018 until 30 September 2020: Mike Isweran

Psychologist members

The Secretary of State has approved the extension of the appointments from 30 September 2018 until 30 September 2020:

  • Roisin Hall
  • Joanne Lackenby
  • Helen Trinder

The Parole Board is an independent court like body, whose main aim is to protect the public by risk assessing prisoners to decide whether they can be safely released into the community. Our decisions are of critical importance to victims, individual prisoners and their families, but also have a wider role to play in contributing to the prison reform process while maintaining public confidence in the justice system. JAC Commissioners are appointed by Her Majesty the Queen on the recommendation of the Lord Chancellor.

Appointments and re-appointments to the Parole Board are regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. These appointments have been made in line with the Commissioner’s Code of Practice for Ministerial Appointments to Public Bodies.

The Parole Board was established by the Criminal Justice Act 1967. It is an Executive Non- Departmental Public Body sponsored by the MoJ.



Corporate report: National Waste Programme Quarterly Report: Q1 FY 2018 to 2019

The National Waste Programme (NWP) is a cross-UK programme of work to lead the ongoing implementation and delivery of the UK Nuclear Industry Solid LLW Strategy.

The NWP covers all nuclear industry waste producers including those in the NDA estate, the public sector and the private sector. The NWP is led by LLW Repository Ltd on behalf of the NDA (who are responsible for leading strategy implementation for the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).

The NWP works collaboratively with its stakeholders to produce a Blueprint and Benefit Map to show the direction of travel for strategy implementation. The activities to deliver the strategy are executed by the stakeholders of the NWP, for example by waste producers through their waste management practices.

Find out more about the National Waste Programme; established to implement the UK LLW Strategy. An industry-wide collaboration led by LLWR on behalf of the NDA.