News story: UK Chief of Defence Staff reaffirms commitment to Australia

Chief of Defence Staff Sir Stuart Peach and Australian Minister for Defence Marise Payne. Copyright @MarisePayne. Chief of Defence Staff Sir Stuart Peach and Australian Minister for Defence Marise Payne. Copyright @MarisePayne.

During a visit to the country, Sir Stuart Peach met his Australian counterpart, Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin AC, to discuss how both countries’ Armed Forces can work together on a number of fronts.

Sir Stuart also met with the Australian Minister of Defence, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, to discuss an aligned approach to both global and regional issues, such as North Korea, Iraq, Syria and countering terrorism.

Both nations are already part of the Five Eyes defence relationship and work together on tackling shared threats, but are seeking to build upon this further.

Whilst in Canberra, Sir Stuart laid a wreath at the tomb of the unknown Australian soldier in the Australian War Memorial and met the Director, Dr Brendan Nelson.

The Chief of Defence Staff Sir Stuart Peach said:

From the First World War right up to the fight against Daesh, the UK and Australia have stood shoulder to shoulder as the strongest of allies. We work together on a range of regional and global challenges, advocating and defending the rules-based international system and promoting rule of law as the basis of peace and security.

Our strong defence and security relationship reflects a modern and dynamic partnership. We learn from each other as our soldiers train together, we collaborate in defence science and technology and I have no doubt our partnership will continue to go from strength to strength as we face upcoming global challenges together.

Published 7 February 2018
Last updated 7 February 2018 + show all updates

  1. Amend to copyright.
  2. First published.


News story: Update: Brighton office

Published 7 February 2018

Last updated 12 February 2018
+ show all updates


  1. Updated following resolution of maintenance issue and reopening of the office.

  2. First published.


Notice: Wolf Minerals (UK) Limited: application made to abstract water NPS/WR/024246

The Environment Agency consult the public on certain applications for the abstraction and impoundment of water.

These notices explain:

  • what the application is about
  • which Environment Agency offices you can visit to see the application documents on the public register
  • when you need to comment by


Closed consultation: Offshore renewables decommissioning guidance for industry: proposed updates

Updated: Summary of consultation responses published.

The date for responses has been extended to 16 March to ensure we capture as many views on the draft guidance notes as possible in determining the final version of the document.

We’re seeking views on a series of proposed updates to our guidance for industry on decommissioning of offshore renewable energy installations under the Energy Act 2004.

This consultation applies to England and Wales, but we welcome responses from organisations based elsewhere who have views on how the proposed changes may impact the offshore renewable energy industry.

The last version of this guidance was published in 2011, and sections now need to be updated. This update focuses in particular on issues relating to the provision of decommissioning cost estimates and associated financial security, to assist and inform developers.

We want views on this first draft from industry, regulators, and other interested parties, on the potential impacts – for example on the offshore renewables sector, the environment, or on other users of the sea. We are also testing early ideas on future updates to our guidance that require further development before being incorporated.

Finally, we are interested in hearing from those organisations impacted by decommissioning about their experiences of the regime to date.



News story: National College for Nuclear opens its doors in Cumbria

The UK’s National College for Nuclear was offically opened today in Cumbria.

The UK’s National College for Nuclear (NCfN) – a £7.5m two-story college at Lakes College, Lillyhall – will bring a new way of teaching to students while bridging the gap between further education colleges and university, and the workplace.

Sellafield Ltd and EDF Energy are leading industry input into the college which is based at two sites – Lillyhall and Bridgwater & Taunton College, Somerset – helping to ensure its curriculum and qualifications are based on employer need.

The college is one of five government funded national colleges that will deliver high-tech technical training to thousands of learners across England.

Dame Sue Ion officially opened the college in Cumbria, and said:

This new training facility will provide access to world-class technology to individuals looking to start or further develop their career in the nuclear industry.

It is an exciting time for the industry, and it is encouraging to see investments by government, industry and academia into facilities like the NCfN. The nuclear sector is really taking an active role in training the workforce of tomorrow.

The college combines theoretical work with hands-on experience. There are virtual reality rooms to provide students with experience of working in a nuclear environment, an engineering workshop is equipped with the latest technology, laboratories and simulated ‘restricted’ areas give a detailed view of the work involved at a nuclear plant.

Colin Reed, NCfN Board Chair said:

I’m excited about the opportunities that this brand-new training facility will offer young people at Sellafield, in the supply chain and globally once they’ve completed their courses.

Sellafield Ltd and EDF Energy will work alongside Lakes College and Bridgwater, plus higher education providers University of Cumbria and University of Bristol, and aim to train 3,500 people by 2020.

Sellafield’s mission is changing as we transition into a fully-fledged environmental restoration project. This will require re-training and reskilling of our staff and a new pipeline of talented individuals with higher level skills across a range of disciplines.

NCfN northern site operations director, Les Agnew said: “The college has taken 12 months to build, and offers a range of qualifications, from post-16 access courses through to degrees. Subjects include robotics, systems and mechanical engineering.

“Lakes College, who will deliver the curriculum, have a new nuclear staff of five who have professional nuclear experience and academic qualifications.

“We have been able to invest in world-class technology thanks to initial investment from government, and sponsorship from companies in the North West. I can’t wait to have a full college of 300 students, some full time and others on block release, meeting the needs of the industries in Cumbria.”