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Author Archives: HM Government

Press release: Northern Ireland (Ministerial Appointments and Regional Rates) Bill

Bill published to set a Regional Rate for Northern Ireland and allow a new Executive to be formed.

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP, has introduced legislation which would set a Regional Rate for Northern Ireland in 2017-18 as well as providing an extension to the period in which a new Executive could be formed.

Published this morning, the Bill will provide for the setting of a Northern Ireland Regional Rate, enabling household bills to be issued in their usual cycle of ten monthly payments. The rate for 2017-2018 will be increased in line with inflation. It would also remove the present legal barrier to the formation of an Executive, enabling any deal reached between the parties in the coming weeks to be implemented.

Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP said:

Since the Northern Ireland Assembly election on 2 March our focus has been on re-establishing inclusive, devolved government.

The forthcoming UK General Election does not change that. This Bill will therefore enable an Executive to be formed in the coming days should an agreement be reached. However, if an agreement is not possible before the General Election, it is right that we provide flexibility for an incoming Government to act in the best interests of Northern Ireland and the space for the parties to conclude a deal.

This Bill gives the parties the legal authority to convene the assembly, appoint ministers and get on with the resumption of devolved government at any point up to 29 June. This is what the people of Northern Ireland voted for on 2 March, and should remain the focus in the weeks ahead.

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HM Government

News story: Institute for Apprenticeships announces new appointments

The Institute for Apprenticeships has appointed chairs for 15 route panels, and a panel of apprentices to advise the board.

The route panels are made up of industry experts and are responsible for setting the standards of knowledge, skills and behaviours needed by employers for every occupation in England. The chairs will lead their groups in reviewing and recommending apprenticeship standards and assessment plans and advising on funding levels on behalf of the institute.

The panel of apprentices is made up of current or recent apprentices from a wide range of occupations and experiences from up and down the country. The panel will decide what issues to focus on and ensure the apprentice voice is heard within the decision making structure of the institute.

Chair of the Institute for Apprenticeships Antony Jenkins said:

“I’m delighted to be able to formally announce these appointments. For our panel chairs we’ve got individuals of superb calibre – a dynamic mix of experts in their field from a broad range of occupations. Their expertise will ensure the panels are run smoothly and that quality will be maintained across the system.

“Our panel of apprentices is something I am particularly proud of – a deeply impressive group of individuals who will ensure the needs of apprentices are truly reflected in the development of the apprenticeship programme.”

The panel chairs are:

  • agriculture, environment and animal care – Richard Self, Project Manager, Edge Careers and Agricultural Manager, Co-operatives UK
  • business and administrative – Andrew Ground, CEO and co-founder of Tutorfair
  • catering and hospitality – Alison Gilbert, Human Resources and Board Director, CH&Co
  • childcare and education – Sir Nick Weller, Executive Principal, Dixons City Academy, Bradford
  • construction – Tanja Smith, Technical Director, Gradon Architecture
  • creative and design – Iain Smith OBE, Film Producer, Applecross Productions
  • digital – Mark Sherwin, Managing Director, Global Digital Customer Services Lead, Accenture
  • engineering and manufacturing – Dr Graham Honeyman CBE, Chief Executive at Sheffield Forgemasters
  • hair and beauty – Suki Kalirai, Director, GKC Infocus Ltd and Qi Spa (Spa WMC Ltd)
  • health and science – Kirk Lower, National Lead for Apprenticeships, Talent for Care, Widening Participation and Volunteering, Health Education England
  • legal, finance and accounting – Mike Thompson, Director, Early Careers, Barclays
  • protective services – Sir Jonathan Murphy, former Chief Constable Merseyside Police, Professor of Advanced Policing Studies, Liverpool John Moores University
  • sales, marketing and procurement – Godfrey Moger, Station Director for Free Radio, Bauer Media
  • social care – Sir Roger Singleton, Chair of the Independent Safeguarding Authority and previously Chief Executive of Barnados
  • transport and logistics – Michelle Nolan-McSweeney, Head of Training Strategy, Network Rail

The 11 members of the panel of apprentices are:

  • Heeran Basi – SevernTrent
  • Holly Broadhurst – JCB
  • Lucille Gallaway – Barclays
  • Adam Gymer – Pfizer UK
  • Kara Halford – Dawn’s Flower Box
  • Becky King – National Physical Laboratory
  • Kam Penglin – CT Skills
  • Sanna Shabir – Atkins Global
  • Adam Sharp – Sellafield
  • Daniel Skinner – BAE Systems
  • Poppy Wolfarth – Asset Training
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HM Government

Press release: High fines for illegal fishing

On 13 April 2017, at Barkingside Magistrates court, Billy Cox was fined £300 for fishing without the required number of rod licences, with costs of £127 and a victim surcharge of £30 imposed after a prosecution by the Environment Agency.

Magistrates heard that on 8 September 2016, an Environment Agency enforcement officer found Billy Cox fishing with 3 rods and lines at White Hart Lakes, Dagenham. He was only able to produce one valid licence and further licence checks confirmed that he did not have a second licence to cover the use of his third rod. At the time of the incident a rod licence permitted the use of up to 2 rods and lines which was clearly stated in the terms and conditions supplied with the licence. He was reported for the offence of not being able to produce the required number of licences when challenged by the bailiff.

Billy Cox was convicted in his absence.

Darren Wakenell, of the Environment Agency, said:

The majority of anglers fish legally and purchase a fishing licence. We invest the money from fishing licences back into fisheries improvements, fish stocks and fishing, this is essential for the future of the sport.

The minority of anglers that fail to buy a fishing licence are cheating their fellow anglers and the future of the sport. In addition, fishing licence cheats risk a criminal conviction, a significant fine and could lose their fishing equipment.

During 2015-2016 the Environment Agency checked more than 62,000 fishing licences and prosecuted more than 1,900 anglers for rod and line offences resulting in fines and costs in excess of £500,000.

Anyone witnessing illegal fishing incidents in progress can report them directly to the Environment Agency hotline, 0800 80 70 60. Information on illegal fishing and environmental crime can also be reported anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

You need a valid Environment Agency fishing licence if you are aged 12 or over and fish for salmon, trout, freshwater fish, smelt or eel in England.

Junior fishing licences (aged 12-16) are now free, but you must still get a fishing licence online.

For media enquiries please call us on 0800 141 2743.

Or email us at southeastpressoffice1@environment-agency.gov.uk

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HM Government

Press release: Six businesses in Wales recognised for enterprise excellence on Her Majesty’s 91st birthday

  • Established in 1965, the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise celebrates the UK’s small and medium sized businesses
  • This year’s winners include the first group for the Promoting Opportunity category
  • Research shows nearly 75% of past winners attribute the Queen’s Awards to increased international sales
  • Entries are open as of today for the 2018 awards

Business Secretary Greg Clark today named the winners of the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise in celebration of Her Majesty The Queen’s 91st birthday.

This included six businesses from across Wales who have been recognised for their contribution to sustainable development, international trade and innovation.

Winners include businesses leading the way in a broad range of industries – from a remote water leak monitoring system, and an apprenticeship scheme in the construction industry, to development and manufacture of environmental packaging systems, and a sea salt manufacturer.

Now in its 51st year, the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise are one of the most prestigious business awards in the country, with winning businesses able to use the esteemed Queen’s Awards emblem for the next five years.

Winning businesses in Wales are:

Sustainable development award winners:

  • The Anglesey Sea Salt Company Ltd T/A Halen Mon, Llanfairpwll

Innovation award winners:

  • HMW-Water Ltd, Cwmbran
  • Siltbuster Ltd, Monmouth
  • Cyfle Building Skills Ltd (SWWRSAL), Ammanford.

International trade award winners

  • Green Light International Ltd, Cardiff
  • SPTS Technologies Group Ltd, Newport

Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns said:

The Queen’s Awards highlight the best of British business – rewarding their strong entrepreneurial streak, their ambitions to succeed at home and overseas and the crucial contribution they make to our economy.

From Anglesey to Monmouth, the Welsh companies awarded today are beacons of success, demonstrating that every corner of Wales is open for business.

They can all be rightly proud of their achievements. I hope their successes will become the inspiration for other Welsh businesses to strive for this prestigious award in the future.

Business Secretary Greg Clark said:

The Queen’s Awards for enterprise highlights everything that’s great about UK business today.

We have some of the best entrepreneurs and innovative minds in the world who are at the heart of small start-ups providing excellent customer service to larger businesses developing global solutions. Over one million new businesses have been created since 2010, all playing a vital role in creating jobs and driving growth across the UK.

I’m extremely proud to see such a wealth of businesses across Wales being recognised today. Through our Industrial Strategy we will be building on the successes of these award winning businesses, helping to build a stronger, more outward looking and prosperous global Britain.

According to research by the University of Strathclyde, 73% of International Trade winners between 2012 – 2015 directly attributed increased international sales to winning a Queen’s Award for Enterprise

Entry to the 2018 Awards opens on 21 April 2017 and closes on Friday 1 September 2017.

Notes to editors

  1. Winners of the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise are visited by a Royal representative and are presented with a commemorative trophy as a mark of their achievement. They are also invited to attend a reception at Buckingham Palace in July 2017.
  2. Businesses are also able to use the Queen’s Awards emblem in advertising, marketing and on packaging for five years.
  3. See the full press book of winners, including descriptions and contact details of the 176 winners of the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise in all four categories.
  4. Firms that won a Queen’s Award for international trade demonstrated substantial international growth in overseas earnings and commercial success within their sector.
  5. Awards for innovation are given to businesses that can demonstrate that their innovative products or services are commercially successful.
  6. Sustainable development winners have to show they are involved in activity that ensures a better quality of life for everyone, now and in the future.
  7. The Queen’s Award for Promoting Opportunity winners have had a social mobility programme running for more than two years giving equal support and progression to all employees.
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HM Government