The Environment Agency publish surrenders that they issue under the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED).
This decision includes the partial surrender notice and decision document for:
The Environment Agency consults the public on certain applications for Radioactive Substances Activity. The arrangements are explained in its Public Participation Statement
These notices explain:
The Environment Agency will decide:
With one year to go until the UK’s departure from the European Union, new trade figures released (Thursday, 29 March) reveal exports of UK goods and services is at a record high.
UK exporters received a significant boost as the latest figures confirm global demand for UK goods and services is growing.
Data released from the Office for National Statistics shows in 2017, UK goods and services exports increased faster than imports – up 12.1% and 9.3%.
A drive in goods exports – up 13.4% – was due largely to demand for manufactured goods, and a rise in services exports – up 10.7% – was mainly driven for demand in UK business services. As a result the trade deficit narrowed significantly by £12.1 billion to £28.6 billion from £40.7 billion.
Non-EU countries continue to be the main destination for services exports (£171.4 billion), making up 61.3% of all services exports.
Overall, UK exports of goods and services have increased by 12.1% to £622.1 billion.
Annually, the UK’s current account deficit was £82.9 billion (4.1% of GDP) in 2017, a narrowing of £30.7 billion from a deficit of £113.6 billion in 2016; this is the narrowest deficit as a percentage of GDP since 2011 when it was 2.4%.
International Trade Secretary, Dr Liam Fox said:
More than one year on since the EU referendum, there are strong reasons for the UK to be optimistic. UK exports of goods and services have increased over the year and the UK deficit on trade in goods and services narrowed significantly.
It’s clear evidence that UK companies are succeeding on the world stage, and as an international economic department we are banging the drum for the growing demand for our goods and services.
Statistics from the Department for International Trade (DIT) show that the UK attracted more foreign direct investment projects than ever before (year 2016 to 2017). With more than 2,200 projects recorded, the post-referendum figures show an increase of 2% on the previous year. This means more than 75,000 new jobs were created, and 32,600 safeguarded, amounting to over 2,000 jobs per week across the country.
Through great.gov.uk, the department gives UK businesses access to millions of pounds’ worth of potential overseas business. It also puts firms in touch with global buyers and since its launch it has promoted 11,400 export opportunities, and helped around 2.7 million users either begin or grow their exporting journeys.
Working to promote the UK to great trading nation, DIT has set up 14 working groups across 21 countries to strike trade deals and strengthen commercial ties with key trading partners.
Read figures from the ONS Balance of Payments 29 March 2018.
A government review of the law and powers to deal with unauthorised caravan sites and developments has been announced today (5 April 2018) by Housing Minister Dominic Raab.
Unauthorised sites can cause significant distress for both the settled and nomadic communities – an issue increasingly raised in Parliament over recent months.
Many local residents often raise concerns about anti-social behaviour including fly-tipping and noise, and evidence also shows that living on unauthorised sites can have a negative impact on people’s health and education.
Since 2010, the number of traveller caravans on authorised sites has increased. However latest figures show approximately 16% of all caravans – around 3,700 – are on unauthorised sites.
Housing Minister Dominic Raab said:
The vast majority of the travelling community are decent and law-abiding people. But, we are particularly concerned about illegal traveller encampments, and some of the anti-social behaviour they can give rise to.
We must promote a tolerant society and make sure there are legal sites available for travellers, but equally the rule of law must be applied to everyone.
The government is committed to taking action and is seeking views on what more can be done to ensure local authorities, the police and landowners can deal with unauthorised sites and developments efficiently.
Ministers also want to hear about any barriers to the provision of authorised sites.
The consultation – carried out jointly by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Home Office and Ministry of Justice – covers police and local authority powers, court processes, government guidance, the provision of legal sites, and the impact on settled and nomadic communities.
It will emphasise the government’s commitment to the fair and equal treatment of all communities, including respecting people’s right to a nomadic way of life, while balancing this with the interests of settled communities.
The existing powers for local authorities and the police to deal with unauthorised encampments can be found in Dealing with illegal and unauthorised encampments, published in March 2015.
For any enquires about the consultation please contact UnauthorisedDevelopmentandEncampments@communities.gsi.gov.uk
Read a report by the Traveller Movement, commissioned by the National Inclusion Health Board, looking at how the living conditions of Gypsies and Travellers lead to poor health.
Read the consultation.
The consultation will run until 15 June.
The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) is looking for English fishing vessels working in the North Sea to take part in three trial schemes which may help to reduce discards and encourage more selective fishing behaviour.
Vessels taking part in the trials may be fitted with remote electronic monitoring (REM) equipment or be involved in trying out new gears and may be awarded additional quota in return.
The MMO has run fully documented fisheries (FDF) schemes, sometimes referred to as catch quota trials, since 2011. As part of these schemes remote electronic monitoring (REM) equipment is fitted to vessels to encourage a reduction in discards. In addition, REM has proven to be a useful tool for gathering scientific data. The MMO has collaborated with the Centre for the Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences (Cefas) on exploring this use.
The MMO is looking for English fishing vessels to apply for two fully documented fisheries schemes in 2018:
The MMO is also looking for English vessels to take part in the North East Nephrops Net Selectivity trials which is looking to trial new gears which have the potential to be more selective.
To take part the vessel must be English-registered and a member of a Producer Organisation. In return for taking part in this scheme, vessels will be able to access additional quota for North Sea cod and saithe. In addition scientific quota may be available.
Vessels must apply to take part by 16 April 2018.
The aims of the scheme in 2018 are to:
This is a new scheme for 2018. To take part vessels must be English-registered and work within the North East nephrops fishery. In return for participation in this scheme, vessels will be able to access additional quota for North Sea haddock and whiting. In addition, scientific quota for nephrops may be available.
Vessels must apply to take part by 30 April 2018.
The aims of this scheme are to:
This is a new scheme for 2018. To take part vessels must be English-registered and work within the North East nephrops fishery. When applying for this scheme vessels are asked to propose how they might improve their gear selectivity and the methods they will use to do this. In return for participation in this scheme, vessels will be able to access additional quota for North Sea haddock and whiting.
Vessels must apply to take part by 30 April 2018.
The aims of this scheme are to:
For more information on the scheme email ukcatchquota@defra.gov.uk or call 0300 123 1032.
This blog post explains more about how fully documented fisheries work in practice.