Foreign criminals and illegal entrants to the UK removed to Albania

News story

Offenders removed had received combined prison sentences of more than 46 years.

Yesterday (Thursday 11 August) the UK government removed 20 foreign criminals on a charter flight to Albania.

An individual who overstayed their leave in the UK illegally and two individuals with failed asylum claims were also removed. This included an individual who arrived illegally via a small boat in March.

The foreign national offenders removed had received combined prison sentences of more than 46 years and were convicted of crimes including possession with intent to supply class A drugs, possession of an offensive weapon in a public place and production of a class B drug.

Individuals returned on this flight to Albania include:

  • an individual sentenced to six years’ imprisonment for possession of an offensive weapon in a public place and possession with intent to supply class A drugs

  • an individual sentenced to three years’ imprisonment for possession with intent to supply class A drugs

  • an individual sentenced to over five years’ imprisonment for conspiring/supplying class B controlled drugs

Home Secretary Priti Patel said:

These criminals have violated our laws and our values, and we will stop at nothing to remove those with no right to be here. They are responsible for appalling offences including involvement in the supply of class A drugs, which has a devastating impact on people, their families and our communities.

Since 2021, we have removed nearly 1,000 Albanian foreign national offenders, including some who crossed the Channel illegally to come to the UK.

The British public should be in no doubt of my determination to make our streets safer by continuing to remove foreign criminals. Our new Nationality and Borders Act will help end the cycle of last-minute claims and appeals that can delay removals.

This is part of a regular schedule of returns to multiple countries, to remove those with no right to remain in the UK.

In July 2022, 243 foreign national offenders were removed from the UK on both charter and scheduled flights.

Since January 2019 the UK has removed 10,741 foreign national offenders (to year ending December 2021).

The Nationality and Borders Act will further deter illegal entry into the UK, breaking the business model of people-smuggling networks and speed up the removal of those with no right to be in the UK.

Published 12 August 2022



jHub Fellowship Scheme: Empowered to Challenge

News story

From phase two naval aviation training to jHub Futures Scout, Lieutenant Ollie couldn’t have asked for a more contrasting work environment.

Photo of Lieutenant Ollie with the quote "Empowered to challenge" next to him on a paper effect

You’re given an incredible number of freedoms working in the jHub and you’re trusted to work within those. The difference with a naval training environment is significant.

Despite only having worked in the team for 6 months it has provided him with more than enough time to appreciate jHub career opportunities:

There is a real push to experience the job hands on. Whether that be going out to where the users are, either operationally or at home, or meeting and working alongside industry suppliers who are at the bleeding edge of modern technology.

The integrated nature of Strategic Command means dotted lines connect everyone working in Defence, and means the pool of potential users for Ollie to work with is incredibly broad.

A common theme with those we’ve spoken to at the jHub is the feeling of empowerment among the workforce. By encouraging contributions from everyone a holistic approach to tasks is generated and this is echoed by Ollie:

You’re empowered to challenge, ask questions and voice your opinions, and this is all handled delicately by the leadership. What you’re left with are the views and experience from a range of different people which can then be used in the most effective way.

And whereas some within the MOD plan and prepare for the long-term future, Ollie highlights the here and now work he’s involved in at the jHub:

On any given day I might be working with the Special Forces and industry leaders to help solve a problem that could have immediate risk to life which is an incredibly rewarding experience.

There aren’t many fields of work where someone in a junior role would be tasked with liaising with industry leaders to help solve urgent problems however this, Ollie tells us, is what makes jHub the place it is:

I’m given the authority to engage with both the upper ends of Defence and the upper end of industry and, as an opportunity, this is second to none.

As Ollie concludes, if you’re looking for a role that will provide you with the freedom and power to make critical decisions, look no further than the jHub.

You can find more information about working for the jHub and their new Innovation Fellowship by reading the Innovation Fellowship Launches article.

Published 12 August 2022



Government to consider further relief for energy intensive industries

  • Consultation launched into support scheme for energy intensive industries including steel, paper, glass, ceramics, and cement
  • targeted proposals could mean energy intensive industries receive even more relief on their electricity bills
  • follows April’s announcement that the Energy Intensive Industries Compensation Scheme has been extended for a further 3 years, with its budget more than doubled

High electricity using businesses like steel and paper mills could see further relief under new proposals to help subsidise their electricity costs.

The UK government is consulting on the option to increase the level of exemption for certain environmental and policy costs from 85% of costs up to 100%.

This reflects higher UK industrial electricity prices than those of other countries including in Europe, which could hamper investment, competition and commercial viability for hundreds of businesses in industries including steel, paper, glass, ceramics, and cement, and risk them relocating from the UK.

The proposal would help around 300 businesses supporting 60,000 jobs in the UK’s industrial heartlands. Looking at ways to reduce the cost of doing business for key industries would help secure the future of domestic manufacturing and maintain a competitive business environment in the UK, ensuring economic growth and protecting thousands of jobs across the country.

The Energy Intensive Industries Exemption Scheme provides businesses with relief for the costs of renewable levies, including Contracts for Difference, the Renewable Obligation and Feed in Tariffs, in their energy bills.

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said:

British manufacturers are the lifeblood of our economy and central to our plans to overcome this period of economic uncertainty.

With global energy prices at record highs, it is essential we explore what more we can do to deliver a competitive future for those strategic industries so we can cut production costs and protect jobs across the UK.

Director General of UK Steel Gareth Stace said:

The publication of this consultation is a significant step forward in delivering competitive electricity prices for the UK steel sector and should provide some much-needed relief in the face of extremely challenging circumstances at the current time. While there remain difficulties, this announcement demonstrates that UK government understands the challenges of British industry and continues to support steelmakers and steel communities across the country.

This is a consultation on a targeted support scheme for energy intensive industries, as announced in the British Energy Security Strategy. Launching this consultation now provides the future government with the option to introduce this scheme given current high electricity prices.

The government has provided more than £2 billion to support businesses in energy intensive sectors with the price of electricity bills since 2013.

The launch of the consultation follows the extension of the separate but similar Energy Intensive Industries Compensation Scheme for a further 3 years and a more than doubling of its budget.

The compensation scheme provides businesses with relief for the costs of the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) and Carbon Price Support mechanism in their electricity bills.



CAP 10B, G-BXBU: Anniversary Statement

News story

CAP 10B crashed in low cloud and reduced visibility near Buckland St Mary, Somerset, on 12 August 2021.

This statement provides an update on the ongoing AAIB investigation into an accident involving a CAP 10B near Buckland St Mary, Somerset, on 12 August 2021.

The aircraft crashed in conditions of low cloud and reduced visibility while returning to a nearby aerodrome from a cross country flight.

The investigation has considered factors including weather conditions and the provision of air traffic services.  A final report will be published in due course.

Published 12 August 2022



British Council brings new UK music through Paoa FM to Honiara

It is here, new, hot and happening on Paoa FM at 12 noon this Saturday 13 August 2022. The British Council’s Selector Radio, an hour of new UK Music on each show.

Every Saturday Selector Radio will share the best new UK music with the world. They play music from any artist, any band and any genre as long as it’s new and exciting. Each week Selector puts together an eclectic playlist of music and artists who are leading the way in UK music.

Presented by BBC Radio 1 Xtra’s Jamz Supernova, it is an insight to the bubbling underground scenes from every corner of the UK. Each week’s show features guest interviews with emerging artists or exciting people in the music industry. The show also provides a gateway to music beyond the UK with features from countries where the show is broadcast, dipping into the key sounds emerging around the world.

Selector is broadcast to over 30 countries around the world including Cuba, China, Zimbabwe, Ukraine, Slovakia, Spain and Mexico and has a global audience of over 4 million listeners.

In Solomon Islands, Selector will broadcast on Paoa FM. Paoa FM is the largest FM radio station in the Solomon Islands, broadcasting to two-thirds of the country’s population. They play top hits, including Reggae and local stars. Paoa FM covers Guadalcanal, Malaita, Central Islands, Russell Islands and parts of Isabel and Makira Ulawa provinces.

With Selector Radio launching this Saturday, you can now listen to UK music at 12pm Saturdays each week besides Paoa FM’s usual top of the Hour news bulletins each day to keep up-to-date with the latest news in Solomon Islands.

British High Commissioner to Solomon Islands and Nauru, His Excellency Thomas Edward Coward said:

I can’t wait to hear new UK music in Solomon Islands. Music has the power to bring us together and this is a celebration of the friendship between the UK and Solomon Islands.

British Council Director for Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific, Natasha Beckman said:

We are delighted to share the best of new music from the UK here in Solomon Islands. I hope we can use this to do more to connect with each other through arts, culture and creativity.

Ahead of this Saturday’s launch and the first ever show, Paoa FM’s General Manager, an excited Joel Samuel Lamani said:

We are so excited to have this programme on Paoa FM, connecting us to the UK, keeping us up to date with what the people in the UK are listening to.

British Council Aotearoa

Natasha Beckman
British Council Director Aotearoa, New Zealand and the Pacific
Mobile: +64 (0) 21 1991044
Email: natasha.beckman@britishcouncil.org
Web: https://https://www.britishcouncil.org.nz/

British High Commission Honiara

Rickson Jordan Bau
Press & Public Affairs Officer
British High Commission Solomon Islands & Nauru
Mobile: (+677) 8434221
Email: Rickson.Bau@fcdo.gov.uk
Web: https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-high-commission-honiara