News story: Minister for North Africa statement on terrorist attack in Egypt

The UK Government condemns the terrorist attack in Egypt. I was deeply saddened and appalled to hear about the tragic loss of life. My thoughts are with the families of the victims, and with the Egyptian Government and people following this abhorrent act.

The UK stands with Egypt against the shared threat of terrorism. Attacks such as these will not succeed in dividing our societies, and instead will strengthen our resolve to work together to defeat and uproot the scourge of terrorism.



News story: Baroness Anelay visits South Sudan

On 21-24 May 2017, the Rt Hon Baroness Anelay of St Johns DBE, the Prime Minister’s Special Representative for Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, visited South Sudan. This visit raised awareness of the work the UK is undertaking to support survivors of sexual and gender-based violence in the country and to encourage the leaders in South Sudan to take action.

Whilst in South Sudan, the Minister met with the new Chief of the Defence Forces and government officials to urge them to end the conflict, stop attacks on civilians and enable humanitarian aid to reach those in need across the country. She also met David Shearer, the Special Representative to the Secretary General for the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), to hear about the challenges the mission is facing to fulfil its mandate to protect civilians.

The Minister met with civil society groups, NGOs and UN agencies during a UK-funded UN Population Fund workshop, to look at the challenges around tackling the stigma that many survivors of sexual violence face.

On a visit to the town of Malakal, Baroness Anelay spoke with UK troops deployed to UNMISS, who are providing engineering and medical support. She also heard the challenges and risks women and girls face living at the UN Protection of Civilians camp.

Further information



News story: CMA consults over gyms merger undertakings

The CMA is consulting on proposals by David Lloyd to resolve concerns over its proposed acquisition of Virgin Active gyms in Brighton and Brentwood.

Earlier this month, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) found competition concerns in these 2 locations because the companies’ gyms are situated close to each other and would face limited competition from other operators after the acquisition.

The CMA was concerned that the acquisition could have resulted in higher prices or a worse deal for gym users. David Lloyd has now proposed not to acquire these gyms, which will instead remain under Virgin Active ownership.

David Lloyd was originally proposing to buy 16 Virgin Active gyms in total. The CMA has found no competition concerns in the other areas affected.

The CMA believes these proposals will address the concerns identified and has provisionally accepted them. It is now consulting formally on whether they are sufficient to address its competition concerns before reaching a final decision. Interested parties are invited to submit their responses by 10 June 2017.

The consultation on the undertakings and all other information relating to this merger investigation can be found on the case page.



Notice: NN7 3QH, Heygates Country Feeds 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: Heygates Country Feeds Limited
  • Installation name: Bugbrooke Animal Feed Mill
  • Permit number: EPR/KP3739DU/A001


News story: The AAIB has sent a team to the Mull of Kintyre

[unable to retrieve full-text content]The AAIB has sent a team to the Mull of Kintyre to investigate a light aircraft accident.