Press release: First domestic abuse consultation event held in Birmingham

Victims minister Dr Phillip Lee joined more than 100 frontline professionals, police and charity representatives today in Birmingham, as part of a new blueprint to transform how the country deals with domestic abuse.

Some 50,000 domestic abuse incidents and crimes were reported to West Midlands police last year. Today (22 March 2018) the Minister heard views from a range of local experts and charities on what more can be done to support victims and tackle this devastating crime.

The event is a key part of a major government consultation on the issue, and the first of 6 to be held across the country– where the crucial insight gathered will be used to inform a landmark Domestic Abuse Bill.

Taking part in discussion groups, the Minister took away productive contributions on promoting awareness of abuse, improving services for victims and suggestions on how, together, we can best put an end to domestic abuse once and for all.

The consultation was launched earlier this month (8 March) with vital contributions also being sought from survivors and the public.

Victims Minister Dr Phillip Lee said:

Domestic abuse is an appalling crime, which destroys too many lives.

It is so important that we get this legislation right. Events such as this will help us understand how we can come together and end this devastating form of abuse, that can have a lifelong impact on its victims and on families.

Maureen Connolly, Birmingham & Solihull’s Women’s Aid said:

Through events like today we are ensuring we get the multi-agency and cross-government response needed to tackle this issue which devastates so many lives.

This is a once in a generation opportunity to shape legislation that has the potential to make real and effective change for women and children affected by abuse.

We owe a duty to women and children brave enough to seek our support to match their courage and provide the necessary social and welfare infrastructure to enable them to be safe.

Since 2010 the government has made tackling domestic abuse an absolute priority, with the consultation being a significant step in developing measures to be included in the draft Domestic Abuse Bill.

Proposals set out in the consultation include new Domestic Abuse Protection Orders to better shield victims against further abuse by enabling courts to impose a range of conditions on abusers. Measures also include plans to toughen sentences in this area, including where the abuse involves or affects a child; and the creation of a Domestic Abuse Commissioner to hold the government to account.

Economic abuse will be recognised for the first time as a type of domestic abuse, covering controlling circumstances in which victims have finances withheld, are denied access to employment or transport, or are forced to take out loans and enter into other financial contracts. This recognition will help frontline professionals, law enforcement officers and prosecutors take action more quickly and effectively to better support victims. Further events will be held in Newcastle, Cardiff, Manchester, London and Exeter.

Notes

News story: Webinar 29 May – How to sell food and drink to the Ministry of justice

Webinar 29 May – How to sell food and drink to the Ministry of justice – GOV.UK

Tuesday 29 May, 12:30 – 1pm

The Ministry of Justice is responsible for feeding prisoners across England and Wales every day, as well as supplying food and drink items to be sold to staff and visitors. These represent large contracts for food and drink suppliers, with over 60% of spend with their prime contractor going to small businesses within the supply chain.

Join this webinar to hear from Les Cook of the Commercial and Contract Management Directorate at Ministry of Justice, Dave Oliver (Head of Catering HM Prison and Probation Service) plus Carole Hainsworth of Bidfood, who will outline the type of products they’re after and how you could become a supplier.

Click here to register.

Published 22 March 2018

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Policy paper: Dstl Environmental Sustainability Policy Statement

Dstl recognises that our activities can have both negative and positive impact on the environment, people and wider communities. In the delivery of our Vision we need to ensure that environmental, social and economic impacts are fully considered when taking decisions so that the Laboratory remains ‘fit for purpose’ both now and in the future.

To deliver our Vision of the future and in line with MoD Environmental Sustainability priorities we will embed ‘environmental and sustainability thinking’ into our everyday activities and require our partners and suppliers to do the same. This will ensure that this mind-set is fully incorporated into all aspects of our Science & Technology Business. Our success will be measured by the degree to which ‘environment and sustainability management’ is fully embedded into the way every one of us works.

Policy Statement

As a minimum, this policy requires that Dstl will fulfil its compliance obligations associated with its environmental aspects (hazards) and associated environmental and sustainability risks and opportunities. However, Dstl is committed to going beyond simple compliance by:
Continually improving the environmental management systems that mitigate our direct environmental impact, reduce our use of natural resources including our use of water, reduce our waste production and prevent pollution on our estate.
Understanding the impacts we have on the environment around us through our activities and our use of resources and commit to minimising negative impacts for the benefit of all within the financial constraints of the business and without compromising critical work that supports the security of the nation.
Establishing environmental and sustainability objectives that take account of our significant environmental aspects, compliance objectives and other identified risks and opportunities. These will be periodically reviewed, documented within our Environment and Sustainability Objectives and be communicated to staff and to others on request.
Reducing carbon emissions from our operations by investing in energy efficient buildings and technology, improving our energy management, managing our business travel and influencing colleague’s behaviour.
Ensuring opportunities for conservation and enhancement of biodiversity are taken wherever possible.
Embedding environmental and sustainability considerations into business decisions, which will include the application of, as a minimum, DREAM in the design and major refurbishment of our building stock.
Raising our workforces’ awareness of Dstl’s environmental and sustainability risks and opportunities, influencing and encouraging environmental and sustainable behaviours and identifying and providing appropriate training to enable them to play a full role in implementing this policy.
Seek opportunities to work with our supply chain to reduce the environmental impact of our operations, addressing as a minimum, UK Government procurement policy, but exploiting other opportunities identified by us and our suppliers where practical.
Work with national and local government and the communities around us to achieve these objectives.

This policy supports the wider environment and sustainability aspirations of the UK Government and that of the Ministry of Defence.

News story: Royal Navy prepares for future UK fishery patrols

HMS Forth is the first of five state-of-the-art Royal Navy vessels designed for fishery protection, as well as counter-piracy, anti-smuggling, border patrol, counter terrorism and maritime defence duties.

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said:

The Royal Navy has a proud tradition of protecting the UK’s coastline and keeping a close eye on our fishing waters. With these state-of-the-art, vastly capable ships we stand ready to protect our fisheries once Britain leaves the EU.

The River-class Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV) ‘production line’ is moving apace with the £116 million ships emerging at around six month intervals. The Royal Navy Fishery Protection Squadron are expecting a further two ships – HMS Medway and Trent – to be handed over later this year, with the remaining two – HMS Tamar and Spey – expected to arrive in Portsmouth by 2020. Just last week HMS Trent was formally named at the Glasgow shipyard where was built.

They will become the Royal Navy’s eyes and ears around the UK, helping to safeguard fishing stocks. They will also assist in reassuring and protecting the Falkland Islands and are capable of deploying to the Mediterranean and Caribbean to uphold UK interests around the world.

Last week the Treasury announced that the MOD will receive £12.7 million from the Government’s Brexit preparation allocation to support work with DEFRA on maintaining the UK’s fisheries. The MOD is working closely with other government departments like DEFRA to determine the optimum deployment of these extremely flexible vessels.

With a total crew of around 58, but designed to go to sea with 39, they can spend up to 320 days a year on operational taskings. The larger crew allows a rotation of personnel to ensure they get to spend time at home or on training.

The new OPVs are four knots faster than their predecessors at 24 knots, have an increased range of 5,500 nautical miles, have a 30mm automatic cannon as their main armament instead of a 20mm gun, two Miniguns, four machine-guns and are equipped with two Pacific 24 sea boats. Each ship has an extended flight deck to operate up to Merlin size helicopters and accommodation for up to 50 embarked Royal Marines for boarding and supporting operations ashore if required.

News story: CCS to go ahead with Digital Outcomes and Specialists this year

[unable to retrieve full-text content]Crown Commercial Service has confirmed that a third iteration of Digital Outcomes and Specialists will open for supplier applications later this year.