Consultation outcome: BEIS Public Attitudes Tracker review

Updated: Government response published.

The quarterly BEIS Public Attitudes Tracker provides a valuable source of evidence for the department in its development of energy policy. It originated in DECC in 2012, and to date there have been 24 waves of data collection.

However with the creation of BEIS, the department’s priorities are now broader and include other policy areas where data on public attitudes would benefit policy formation, so we are considering whether to extend the survey to cover this wider range.

The review covers:

  • the survey topic areas
  • the frequency of the survey
  • the sample size
  • its outputs

To inform this review we would like to understand how the statistics are currently used and their value to users, as well as the impact of any proposed changes.



Press release: Residents invited to Holmwood drilling site drop-in event

The Environment Agency invites residents living near the Holmwood oil and gas exploratory site in Dorking, Surrey to a ‘drop-in’ event as part of its consultation on a permit application.

Visitors will be able to discuss the application and the process being followed to determine it, and talk to Environment Agency representatives about how they regulate oil and gas activities.

The event takes place at Dorking Halls (Martineau Hall), Reigate Road, Dorking RH4 1SG on Thursday 1 March, from 2pm to 7:30pm.

The consultation is open from 15 February to 15 March 2018 and follows an application by Europa Oil & Gas Limited for a bespoke environmental permit, which is currently being considered by the Environment Agency.

The application is for a bespoke environmental permit to drill a new well. Europa Oil & Gas Limited has also applied for permits to store oil on-site, and for the accumulation and disposal of radioactive waste from industrial activity. In deciding whether or not to issue the permits, the Environment Agency will take into account all relevant considerations and legal requirements.

Further information on the applications, a copy of thedraft decision document and details of how to comment can be found here.

An Environment Agency spokesperson said:

This is a great opportunity for local people to find out more about the proposed operations at Holmwood and how the Environment Agency would regulate such activities.

An environmental permit sets out stringent conditions that a site must adhere to. We will not issue an environmental permit for a site if we consider that activities taking place will cause significant pollution to the environment or harm to human health. Although we are minded to approve the applications for the bespoke and standard rules permit we are still in the determination process and a final decision has not yet been made. We want to hear from the public and understand people’s views on this application and to raise any concerns before we make any final decisions.

For further information, please email KSLE@environment-agency.gov.uk.

All media enquiries: call 0800 141 2743.



Press release: Holmwood drilling site consultation extended and new date for drop-in event

Updated: New date for drop-in event in Holmwood.

The Environment Agency invites residents living near the Holmwood oil and gas exploratory site in Dorking, Surrey, to a re-scheduled ‘drop-in’ event as part of its consultation on a permit application.

The public information event (cancelled last week due to safety concerns caused by the bad weather) will take place between 2.00pm and 7.30pm, Thursday 15 March 2018 at:

Dorking Halls (Martineau Hall)

Reigate Road

Dorking

RH4 1SG

Visitors will be able to discuss the application and the process being followed to determine it, and talk to Environment Agency representatives about how they regulate oil and gas activities.

The consultation period has also been extended by 2 weeks with a new closing date of 29 March 2018 (formerly 15 March). Consultation is on the application by Europa Oil & Gas Limited for a bespoke environmental permit, which is currently being considered by the Environment Agency.

Further information on the applications, a copy of our draft decision document and details of how to comment can be found online.

An Environment Agency spokesperson said:

We were disappointed to have to postpone the event last week, due to bad weather. Our aim is to give everyone a chance to understand the proposed activity and to be able to attend, but without putting themselves at risk through travelling in hazardous conditions. This is an opportunity for local people to find out more about the operations at Holmwood and how we regulate these activities.

An environmental permit sets out stringent conditions that a site must adhere to. We will not issue an environmental permit for a site if we consider that activities taking place will cause significant pollution to the environment or harm to human health.

Although we are minded to approve the applications for the bespoke and standard rules permit, we are still in the determination process and a final decision has not yet been made. We want to hear from the public and understand people’s views on the application. Everybody has the chance to see what the permits may look like and to raise any additional concerns before we make any final decision.



News story: Esmya: no new treatment courses prescribed until further notice

In December 2017, the European Medicines Agency started a review of Esmya (Ulipristal acetate) for uterine fibroids after it was reported that four cases of serious liver injury had occurred after its use. In three of the cases a liver transplant was needed.

As of February 2018, temporary safety measures have been introduced whilst the review is ongoing following a further case of serious liver injury requiring liver transplant.

The advice is that no new treatment courses should be prescribed until further notice. Those who are already taking Esmya or have recently stopped, it is advisable that they have blood tests to monitor their liver function at least once a month whilst taking the medicine. Treatment with Esmya will be stopped if these blood tests show signs of a possible problem.

If women experience symptoms associated with liver problems (nausea, vomiting, feeling ill, lack of appetite, weakness, upper abdominal pain, yellowing of the skin/eyes) then they must stop treatment and seek medical attention immediately.

Esmya is used to treat moderate to severe uterine fibroids in adult women who have not yet reached the menopause. It is normally taken for up to three months but the course can be repeated.

It’s important to note that there are no concerns for individuals who have taken the emergency contraception ellaOne which also contains Ulipristal acetate. EllaOne is a single use medicine and as no cases of serious liver injury have been reported with its use to date there are currently no similar concerns with this medicine.



Consultation outcome: Bovine TB: introducing licensed badger controls in the Low Risk Area of England

Updated: This revised consultation response document has been updated to reflect additional feedback from the Animal Welfare Group (AWG). The AWG felt that our description of their consultation response did not fully reflect their point so this has been amended accordingly. (Paragraph 2.9 updated).

We want to know what you think about our proposal to update the TB strategy to allow licensed badger control in the Low Risk Area of England. It would apply on the rare occasion that bovine TB is present in badgers and is linked with infection in cattle herds. These badger control measures would help stop the disease spreading further.

The proposal is part of the government’s TB Strategy to eradicate bovine tuberculosis (TB) in England.