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Author Archives: HM Government

Press release: A new era for marine science: Green light for new Cefas headquarters in Lowestoft

A new era of marine science is set to become a reality, with planning permission granted to the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) to redevelop its headquarters site in Lowestoft. The proposals will invest £16m to create a leading centre for applied science by building a new and modern office facility and by refurbishing exiting laboratory facilities.

The project will provide Cefas and Defra with significant running cost savings, greatly enhanced scientific collaboration and innovation workspace and improved environmental performance. Refurbishment work is planned to start in November 2017 and the new office building is planned to commence in January 2018, once final partnership funding is in place. Morgan Sindall have been appointed contractors to lead the project works which are planned to complete by March 2019.

Fisheries Minister, George Eustice said: “Cefas has always been at the forefront of marine research and innovation, and I’m pleased this new centre is one step closer to reality. Once complete it will help bolster our research and understanding of sea life – solidifying our position as a world leader in marine science and a champion of sustainable fishing.”

Tom Karsten, Cefas Chief Executive said: “Since 1902, Cefas has been providing UK Government with scientific evidence and advice to support the fishing industry and to ensure the sustainable use of the marine environment.  I thank Defra, local Councillors and Planners for their commitment to these exciting proposals for our new Lowestoft Headquarters. This project represents a vital step in realising our vision for Cefas; to deliver world class science for the marine and freshwater environment.”  

Notes:

  1. The Centre for the Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) supports governments, businesses and society in the UK and internationally to ensure that seas and rivers are healthy and productive, thereby enabling food security and sustainable development. Cefas is the UK’s most diverse centre for applied marine and freshwater science. Starting as a small fisheries laboratory in Lowestoft in 1902, Cefas now employs 550 staff between the sites in Lowestoft and Weymouth, and our offices in English ports, Kuwait and Oman.

  2. Cefas is an executive agency of the Department for Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) within the UK government. It provides ministers and government officials in the UK with impartial expert advice and evidence relating to marine and closely related environments and is a provider of UK statutory monitoring and inspection services, including national emergency response capabilities.

  3. For more information contact: estates2020@cefas.co.uk or visit the Cefas Estates webpage.

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HM Government

News story: Memorandum of Understanding between Canada and United Kingdom

The UK and Canadian Governments have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) relating to each nation’s ambitions for Digital Government.

Canada and the UK will now work together towards four shared goals:

  • to provide better digital public services
  • to ensure that we support everyone in using digital public services
  • to promote economic growth
  • to use open standards for government information, data and software

Minister for Digital Matt Hancock said:

Over the past six years the UK has developed a model for digital government transformation that is recognised as among the best in the world. This Memorandum of Understanding reflects the UK and Canada’s shared ambition to make sure that digital innovation continues to underpin the delivery of our public services.

Scott Brison, President of Canada’s Treasury Board, said:

It’s a pleasure to sign this Memorandum of Understanding with the UK’s Minister for Digital, Matt Hancock. This MOU commits us to working together to deliver improved government services to those we serve, and to do so in an open,transparent manner. I’m excited about the potential of what we can do.

The UK was a pioneer in the first wave of digital and technology reform of the public sector, and by 2016 we were ranked first by the United Nations in their digital government benchmark.

Our technology reforms alone saved over £4bn between 2011-2015 and specific initiatives such as crown hosting and the digital marketplace continue to deliver savings at significant scale through better commercial terms and diversification of supply.

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HM Government