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Author Archives: HM Government

Press release: Northern Ireland Act 2017 receives Royal Assent

The Act sets a Regional Rate for Northern Ireland in 2017-18 and allows an Executive to be formed before the 29 June deadline.

The Northern Ireland (Ministerial Appointments and Regional Rates) Act 2017, introduced by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland last week, has today received Royal Assent.

The Act sets a Regional Rate for Northern Ireland in 2017-18, removes a legal barrier to the formation of an Executive and provides an extension to the period in which a new Executive could be formed.

Welcoming the news, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the Rt. Hon. James Brokenshire MP, said:

This legislation provides the flexibility for an incoming Government to act in the best interests of Northern Ireland and the space for an Executive to be formed before the 29 June deadline.

All the parties involved recognise it is vital that devolved government, and all of the institutions established under the Belfast Agreement and its successors, resumes in Northern Ireland as soon as possible.

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HM Government

Press release: Digital Economy Bill receives Royal Assent

The Bill introduces measures to modernise the UK for enterprise. The measures have been designed to:

  • empower consumers and ensure everyone has access to broadband wherever they live
  • build a better infrastructure fit for the digital future
  • enable better public services using digital technologies
  • provide important protections for citizens from spam email and nuisance calls and protect children from online pornography

Minister of State for Digital and Culture, Matt Hancock said:

I’m delighted the Digital Economy Act has become law. This legislation will help build a more connected and stronger economy. The Act will enable major improvements in broadband rollout, better support for consumers, better protection for children on the Internet, and further transformation of government services.

The Act includes includes provisions which will:

  • give every household a legal right to request a fast broadband connection
  • give consumers and businesses better information about communication services, easier switching and automatic compensation if things go wrong
  • cut the costs for new infrastructure and simplify planning rules
  • enable stronger enforcement of direct marketing laws
  • create civil penalties for online pornographers who do not verify the age of their customers, and ISP level blocking of non-compliant sites, and;
  • help protect consumers from “bill shock” by requiring mobile network operators to offer a bill capping facility

During the passage of the Bill through Parliament, a series of useful provisions have been added, including;

  • powers to ensure that the Crown guarantee of BT pensions has the necessary flexibility to allow BT and Openreach to be separated
  • powers to tackle the problem of “bots” in the online secondary ticketing market,
  • an extension of the public lending right to cover e-books, and;
  • provision to ensure that on-demand television is accessible to people with disabilities.

Media enquiries – DCMS Press Office 020 7211 2210

ENDS

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HM Government

News story: National Citizen Service (NCS) Bill receives Royal Assent

The NCS Act will work alongside a Royal Charter for the National Citizen Service Trust.

The National Citizen Service Bill has today received Royal Assent.

Together the Act and Royal Charter are designed to make sure NCS is delivered efficiently, effectively and transparently.

The NCS programme brings young people from different backgrounds together and gives them the opportunity to take part in new experiences, develop skills and volunteer in communities across England.

The Act:

  • Enables the staff and assets of the NCS Trust to transfer to a Royal Charter Body
  • Allows government to provide grant-in-aid funding to the NCS Trust
  • Requires the NCS Trust to publish a business plan at the start of each year and produce annual accounts and an Annual Report, ensuring accountability and transparency
  • Makes the National Audit Office the auditor of the NCS Trust
  • Promotes NCS by giving Government the power to send a letter to young people as they turn 16 on behalf of the NCS Trust

Rob Wilson, Minister for Civil Society, said:

I am pleased that the Bill has received Royal Assent. Many young people value NCS so it is important the programme is delivered well with realistic measurable targets, proper transparency and accountability. This Act will do that.

The NCS runs in spring, summer and autumn and helps build skills for work and life, while inviting participants to take on new challenges and meet new friends.

The NCS Trust was originally established as a Community Interest Company – a social enterprise that has the status of a company but with the aim of working for the benefit of the community – the act now enables the transition to a Royal Charter Body.

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HM Government

News story: Armed Forces Minister attends EU meeting

Minister of State for the Armed Forces Mike Penning has attended an EU informal meeting in Malta.

Minister of State for the Armed Forces Mike Penning has attended an EU informal meeting in Malta, alongside Defence Ministers from across the EU.

Ministers from the 28 EU countries discussed the EU’s operational engagement in the Mediterranean and Libya, including Operation Sophia, the mission to tackle the Mediterranean migration crisis.

The Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO), Coordinated Annual Review on Defence (CARD), European Defence Action Plan (EDAP) and European Defence Fund were also due to be discussed at the meeting.

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HM Government