image_pdfimage_print

Author Archives: HM Government

Press release: Minister for Asia speaks about the situation in Rakhine, Burma

The Minister spoke about the situation in Burma during a meeting hosted by Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on Tuesday 19 September.

The international community is united by a sense of horror at what is happening to the Rohingya Muslims of Burma. We must come together to deliver a united message.

The UK has shown leadership in coordinating the United Nations Security Council’s first press statement on Burma in 8 years. That statement delivered a clear message to the Burmese security forces to stop the violence, allow aid agencies full access to northern Rakhine and implement in full the recommendations of the Rakhine Advisory Commission.

Yesterday our Foreign Secretary chaired a meeting of countries committed to resolving the current crisis.

Today I call on the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation to echo the Security Council’s press statement.

Let us be clear: whilst I agree with the Presidents of Turkey and Malaysia that the latest stage of this crisis was triggered by paramilitary activity it is Burma’s security forces who bear responsibility for the humanitarian crisis in Rakhine.

So I also ask those countries who have influence with Burma’s security forces to use that influence to persuade them to heed the Security Council’s call.

I pay tribute to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh for accepting Rohingya refugees into her country. And I acknowledge the personal commitment of the Foreign Minister of Indonesia, for her attempts to seek a diplomatic solution to this crisis.

We must keep up the pressure on Burma’s civilian government to send a clear message to their security forces to stop the violence, ensure a full investigation of allegations of human rights violations, full access to the UN Fact Finding Mission and commit to ensuring accountability for the perpetrators.

The UK is committed to working with international partners to find a solution to this humanitarian crisis.

read more

HM Government

Press release: Deputy President of the Supreme Court: Lord Mance

The Queen has been pleased to approve the appointment of The Rt Hon the Lord Mance as Deputy President of the Supreme Court of the UK.

The Queen has been pleased to approve the appointment of The Rt Hon the Lord Mance as Deputy President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom upon the promotion of The Rt Hon the Baroness Hale of Richmond from Deputy President to President of the Supreme Court.

Background information

The Rt Hon the Lord Mance became a Lord of Appeal in Ordinary in 2005. He was from 1999 to 2005 a Lord Justice of Appeal and from 1993 to 1999 a Judge of the High Court, Queen’s Bench Division, where he also sat in the Commercial Court.

read more

HM Government

News story: Deal to help schools save cash on computer equipment

DfE offers schools the chance to save on tablets, laptops and desktop devices.

The second in a series of bulk buying deals (sometimes referred to as ‘aggregated deals’) for schools considering buying new tablets, laptops or desktop devices has now started. Schools could save thousands of pounds by using a deal developed by DfE and Crown Commercial Services (CCS).

To take part, schools will need to submit their requirements for new devices to CCS at: aggregation@crowncommercial.gov.uk by 6 October 2017. A video explains the process in more detail.

CCS will then work with suppliers to get the best price and notify schools after they award the contract on 10 November 2017. Schools will be able to place their orders for delivery in summer and arrange payment at the agreed price.

We have scheduled future buying opportunities for spring 2018 and we will announce the actual dates later.

Read more about ordering hardware for schools.

read more

HM Government

News story: 200 people attend NDA’s first stakeholder summit in west Cumbria

It was the first opportunity for the NDA’s recently appointed Chief Executive Officer David Peattie and Chairman Tom Smith to meet collectively with a wide range of individuals, including representatives from all communities hosting the 17 NDA sites.

David Peattie said:

Maintaining strong relationships with our stakeholders is vitally important to the NDA and to me personally.

I am committed to meeting and listening to as many people as possible from the communities around our sites, and those further afield who have a real and genuine interest in our mission to decommission and clean up the UK’s nuclear sites.

Davie Peattie, NDA CEO

The event aimed at encouraging discussion about the NDA’s work, including how it manages the radioactive waste held on its sites. In ‘The Big Waste Debate’, UK and international nuclear industry experts shared views alongside renowned academics, authors and critics of the industry.

An exhibition and workshops were set up for local community groups, including charities and small businesses, to share ideas and highlight the achievement of enterprises that had received funding from the NDA’s socio-economic budget.

The second day was devoted to discussing support for socio-economic initiatives, which is part of the NDA’s mission to decommission and clean up the UK’s civil nuclear legacy. NDA representatives explained how i it was committed to using all resources available, including financial support, to ensure a positive lasting impact in the communities where it operates.

The NDA’s Head of Stakeholder Relations, Bill Hamilton, said:

I’m delighted about how well the event has gone and about the open, honest and constructive dialogue that’s happened over the last 2 days.

Our stakeholders come from as far afield as the north of Scotland, Ireland, Austria, the Isle of Man and the south east of England. To get them all together in one place to discuss our decommissioning mission in this way is a first and has been extremely valuable for the NDA.

Highlights from NDA Stakeholder Summit Day 1

read more

HM Government