Official Statistics: Water situation report for England: March 2017

Summary for March

March rainfall totals were slightly above the long term average (LTA) across England as a whole, at 105%. However, at a hydrological area scale, rainfall totals varied widely, ranging from exceptionally high in parts of Cumbria (at almost twice the LTA) to below normal in parts of south-east England (at close to a third of the LTA).

Soils remained close to saturation across much of England, although soil moisture deficits were starting to build in the east and south-east of England at the end of March.

Monthly mean river flows for March decreased at just over half of indicator sites across England compared with February, although the majority of sites were classed as normal or higher for the time of year.

Groundwater levels increased at nearly two-thirds of indicator sites during March and end of month levels were normal or higher at just over half of sites.

Reservoir stocks increased or remained unchanged at all but 4 of the reported reservoirs or reservoir groups, with end of month stocks normal or higher for the time of year at nearly three-quarters of sites. Overall reservoir storage for England increased to 95% of total capacity.



News story: Industrial innovation in Jiangsu and the UK: apply for funding

Up to £5 million is available for UK businesses to work with partners in Jiangsu province on industrial challenges and opportunities.

Innovate UK has up to £5 million to invest in UK businesses working on collaborative research and development projects with partners in Jiangsu province, People’s Republic of China.

This programme is being delivered according to the memorandum of understanding for Cooperation in Regional Technology and Innovation signed in 2014. Jiangsu Science and Technology Department will allocate funding for partners in China.

Funding opportunities

We are seeking projects that:

  • address the challenges faced by infrastructure owners, cities, towns and users through innovation in infrastructure systems
  • use transformational or disruptive innovation to create new products, processes or services drawn from any technology, engineering or industrial area. There should be a significant return on investment and a clear, anticipated impact on business growth

Projects may focus on industrial research or experimental development.

International innovation to stimulate growth

Companies that internationalise are known to have strong growth. UK entrepreneurs need to access global knowledge, markets, skills and partners to build on capabilities, grow successful businesses and address the industrial opportunities and challenges that will shape the markets of the future.

Jiangsu is one of the provinces in China with the most abundant scientific resources and innovation activities.

In this competition there should be demonstrable benefits of cooperation between the UK and China for the participants from both countries.

Competition information

  • this competition is open, and the deadline for registration is 21 June 2017
  • projects must be business-led and involve at least one partner from the UK and one from Jiangsu province. Academic and research entities in the UK are eligible to join as partners
  • projects should last up to 24 months and range in size up to £500,000
  • businesses could attract up to 70% of their project costs
  • a webinar briefing event will be held for potential applicants on Friday 21 April 2017


Press release: 6 year disqualification for Oldham director pumping illicit diesel

Mr Saeed, was a director of SFS (Oldham) Limited which operated the Scouthead petrol station in Oldham, and which went into liquidation on 5 February 2016, owing £61,730 to creditors. Of this, £53,678 was owed to taxpayers as he had not been paying the full level of duty on diesel fuel sold.

The disqualification means Mr Saeed is banned from acting as a company director or from managing, or in any way controlling, a limited company from 14 April until 2023.

An Insolvency Service investigation found that between 26 March 2013 and 13 March 2015, Mr Saeed caused SFS to trade the detriment of HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) by causing SFS to sell diesel which did not bear duty at the full rate and by causing SFS to supress sales of illicit diesel. HMRC subsequently raised an assessment and penalty totalling a combined £58,344.

Aldona O’Hara, Chief Investigator of Insolvent Investigations Midlands & West at the Insolvency Service, said:

Company directors have a duty to ensure businesses meet their legal obligations, including paying taxes.

Neglect of tax affairs is not a victimless action as it deprives the taxpayer of the funds needed to operate public services.

Notes to editors

Mr Saeed’s date of birth is July 1968 and he resides in Oldham.

SFS (Oldham) Limited (CRO No. 08423011) was incorporated on 27 February 2013 and traded from Scouthead Filling Station, Huddersfield Road, Oldham, OL4 4AS.

Mr Saeed was the sole director from 27 February 2013 to 05 February 2016 (the date of liquidation).

The matter of unfitness, which Mr Saeed did not dispute in the Disqualification Undertaking, was that; Between 26 March 2013 and 13 March 2015 he caused SFS to sell oil which did not bear the full rate and he further caused SFS to supress sales of illicit diesel resulting in HMRC raising an assessment and a penalty totalling a combined £58,344.

A disqualification order has the effect that without specific permission of a court, a person with a disqualification cannot:

  • act as a director of a company
  • take part, directly or indirectly, in the promotion, formation or management of a company or limited liability partnership
  • be a receiver of a company’s property

Disqualification undertakings are the administrative equivalent of a disqualification order but do not involve court proceedings.

Persons subject to a disqualification order are bound by a range of other restrictions.

Further information about the work of the Insolvency Service, and how to complain about financial misconduct, is available.

You can also follow the Insolvency Service on:



Notice: Marlow Town Regatta and Canoe and Dragon Boat Races 2017: river restriction notice

River Thames restriction information for Saturday 10 June 2017 from 9am to 5pm and Sunday 11 June 2017 from 9:30am to 2:30pm.



Notice: CV21 2RY, Cemex UK Cement Limited: environmental permit issued

The Environment Agency publish permits that they issue under the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED).

This decision includes the permit and decision document for:

  • Operator name: Cemex UK Cement Limited
  • Installation name: Rugby Cement Plant
  • Permit number: EPR/BL7248IH/V016