The Environment Agency consult the public on certain applications for the abstraction and impoundment of water.
These notices explain:
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The date for responses has been extended to 16 March to ensure we capture as many views on the draft guidance notes as possible in determining the final version of the document.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.
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.”
The UK strongly condemns the Israeli government’s decision to establish a second new settlement deep in the West Bank in less than a year. These plans could involve the retroactive ‘legalisation’ of the outpost of Havat Gilad.
Settlements are illegal under international law and undermine the physical viability of the two-state solution. We call on both parties to refrain from actions which make peace more difficult.
Donald Kohn will serve another three-year term on the Financial Policy Committee (FPC), and Martin Taylor a further 12-15 months, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond announced today (7 February 2018).
Mr Kohn has previously served as the former vice chairman of the Federal Reserve, and Mr Taylor is Vice-Chairman of the Board of RTL Group and former chairman of Syngenta AG. They bring with them a deep expertise on finance, macroeconomics and monetary policy.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond said:
Donald Kohn and Martin Taylor have made a wonderful contribution to the Financial Policy Committee during their terms. I’m pleased that Mr Kohn will continue to be on the Committee for a further three years, and that Mr Taylor has agreed to stay on for at least another year.
I am confident that they will continue their good work in helping the Committee to identify emerging risks, taking action, and enhancing the resilience of the UK financial system.
Last year the Chancellor was informed by Mr Taylor that he did not wish to serve a further full three-year term, having already served nearly five years on the Committee and prior to that having been a member of the Independent Commission on Banking. At the request of the Chancellor and the Governor of the Bank of England, Mr Taylor has agreed to stay on the FPC for another 12-15 months. The Chancellor has therefore decided to reappoint Mr Taylor for a full term, but on the understanding that he will step down no later than June 2019.
Later this year, HM Treasury will launch a global search to identify two new external members to join the Committee in 2019. One member will replace Mr Taylor when he steps down, and the other will replace Richard Sharp whose second term expires on 31 March 2019. Mr Sharp is not eligible for a third term.
The Bank of England has also reappointed Alex Brazier, in his role as Executive Director, Financial Stability Strategy and Risk, for a further three-year term as a member of the Financial Policy Committee.
The FPC was established in 2013 and is a vital part of the government’s system of financial regulation. The FPC is the UK’s macroprudential regulator: its objective is to protect and enhance the stability of the UK’s financial system by identifying, monitoring and addressing systemic risks.
The FPC works with the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to address risks to the financial system as a whole, while the PRA and FCA have responsibility for microprudential and conduct regulation of individual firms, respectively.