Promoting British exports and protecting industries from unfair global trading practices are high on the government’s agenda as we leave the European Union.

Trade Policy Minister, George Hollingbery, hosted a roundtable discussion for ceramics firms in Stoke-on-Trent this week (Monday 7 January), alongside local MP, Jack Brereton.

The roundtable discussed the industry’s trade priorities, including those measures the government is taking to ensure British ceramics are protected from dumping, which involves overseas firms selling their goods at below cost price to undermine the British market. Dumping is against World Trade Organization (WTO) rules and measures to combat it are currently being taken by the EU. After leaving the EU, the UK will have its own powers to address these practices.

The government is committed to ensuring that UK industry can continue to compete on a level playing field when we leave the EU, as well as helping them to realise opportunities to trade freely with new markets around the world.

Minister Hollingbery also visited Heraldic Pottery for a tour of their production facility and discussed their priorities to continue their exporting successes as the UK leaves the EU.

For example, a future free trade agreement with the USA could potentially remove significant tariffs on British ceramic catering ware, making them more competitive and helping to boost exports.

The government is also setting up the UK Trade Remedies Authority (TRA), which will investigate unfair trading practices and unforeseen surges in imports. The TRA will be up and running before exit day to ensure that vital British industries are protected by the global trade rules.

Trade Policy Minister, George Hollingbery said:

It was a pleasure to meet ceramics businesses in Stoke today, who are already having great success in exporting to markets around the world.

It is one of my top priorities to ensure that fantastic businesses like Heraldic Pottery are able to continue expanding into new and established markets. They should rest assured that, as we take control of our independent trade policy, we will act in the interest of vital British industries to ensure that British jobs are not undermined by unfair trading practices.

DVLA staff are gearing up for another jam-packed year of fundraising.

DVLA staff in Swansea are gearing up for a jam-packed year of fundraising for Tŷ Olwen after choosing them as their Charity of Choice for 2019.

This comes fresh off the back of the news that DVLA staff have raised a staggering £250,000 for five charities over the past five years as part of their Charity of Choice initiative which launched in 2014.

Activities for Tŷ Olwen have already kicked off. A new staff rambling group will take on a challenging hike each month to raise money for the charity, which provides palliative care services for people in Swansea, Neath and Port Talbot. Other plans include a summer football tournament and climbing Ben Nevis, as well as cake sales, raffles and many other activities through the course of the year.

Last month DVLA handed over a cheque to Maggie’s Swansea after raising £58,803 through staff’s fundraising efforts. This amount will pay for the charity’s Swansea centre to be open for five weeks of the year, benefitting around 2,500 visitors. It will help fund services such as benefits advice, clinical psychologist sessions and bereavement support for those who use the centre.

On hearing the news, Helen Murray MBE, Tŷ Olwen Trust Chairman, said:

The whole team at Tŷ Olwen are thrilled that we have been chosen to be DVLA’s charity of choice this year.

Whilst Tŷ Olwen cannot offer a cure, we can offer a good quality of life for patients, along with compassionate end of life care when the time comes.

Our patients are cared for either in Tŷ Olwen itself, in their own homes or on the wards of local hospitals. This partnership will help to ensure that this vital care can continue and we look forward to working with the DVLA in the year to come.

Julie Lennard, DVLA Chief Executive, said:

Raising £250,000 is an incredible milestone to have reached. I’m extremely proud of our staff who continually rise to the challenge and give so much of their own time to raise money for our nominated charities.

I have no doubt that together with Tŷ Olwen we can make a big difference and I’m delighted that we’ll be supporting this fantastic charity in 2019.

Notes to editors:

1. Last year saw DVLA raise £58,803 for Maggie’s Swansea, DVLA’s Charity of Choice for 2018.

2. DVLA previously raised £21,389 for Wales Air Ambulance in 2014, £43,578 for LATCH in 2015, £70,906 for Alzheimer’s Society in 2016 and £56,159 for Mind in 2017.

3. Tŷ Olwen offer quality of life for patients, along with appropriate and compassionate end of life care when the time comes. Patients are cared for either in Tŷ Olwen itself, in their own homes or on the wards of local hospitals. The care is extended to family and friends, and the support is given for as long as it’s needed.

Prime Minister Theresa May, Security Minister Ben Wallace and senior figures from UK government, law enforcement and the emergency services met with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to share expertise and experience of hosting major events.

Mr Wallace chaired a UK-Japan roundtable discussion today (10 January) with Prime Minister Theresa May and Prime Minister Abe to highlight how we mitigate our most serious security threats and to share our experiences of successfully hosting the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and other major events.

The roundtable formed part of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s visit to London to meet Prime Minister May and came as Japan prepares to host the Rugby World Cup this year, followed by the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2020.

UK experts from across government and the emergency services, including Chief Executive of the National Cyber Security Centre Ciaran Martin and Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick, attended the meeting at Twickenham and highlighted their views on overseeing safety and security at major events, as well as keeping the country safe.

Security Minister Ben Wallace said:

The UK and Japan collaborate regularly on a number of different areas and security is undoubtedly one of the most important.

Today’s roundtable discussion was another demonstration of the strong spirit of co-operation that exists between our 2 countries.

I hope that by sharing our experiences of hosting the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, we have in some way aided Prime Minister Abe and his team as they put the finishing touches on what I’m sure will be a series of outstanding sporting events.

The UK will continue to collaborate with Japan as they finalise preparations for this year’s Rugby World Cup and next year’s Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The roundtable included:

• UK Prime Minister, Theresa May
• Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe
• Security Minister, Ben Wallace
• National Cyber Security Centre Chief Executive, Ciaran Martin
• Metropolitan Police Service Commissioner, Cressida Dick
• London Fire Brigade Assistant Commissioner, Graham Ellis
• London Ambulance Service Head of Resilience and Special Operations, Tracy Porter
• Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Director for the Commonwealth Games, Paul Oldfield

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) announced today that Four foreign flagged ships remained under detention in UK ports during December 2018 after failing Port State Control (PSC) inspection.