The framework will allow companies to work closely with the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), which researches the development of nuclear fusion energy and its related technologies.

Further, it will enable UKAEA to call upon a broad range of engineering and technical skills as UKAEA’s range of activities (in fusion research, powerplant design, robotics, materials and other technology areas) continues to flourish.

It will be vital in the mission to develop commercial fusion power, while also helping to grow the UK economy by ensuring industry are fully involved.

The arrangement means UKAEA can call upon experts as and when needed to undertake a range of projects. There is also the opportunity for providers to work together on initiatives costing more than £100,000.

Paula Barham, UKAEA Head of Procurement, said: “This framework brings exciting opportunities for UKAEA; to work collaboratively with the Supply Chain and maximise the potential value within those relationships. This is vital to UKAEA succeeding and positioning the UK as a leader in sustainable nuclear energy.”

The collaboration features companies with a background in some, or all of, the following: mechanical engineering, process engineering, computer-based modelling and simulations, minor structural engineering for design, specialist nuclear services, and electrical, control and instrumentation (EC&I).

One example of how the arrangement could work is the delivery of a feasibility study – or concept design – for STEP.

STEP is the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production, a UKAEA programme to design and build the world’s first compact fusion reactor by 2040.

Gary Stables, Engineering Design Office Group Leader at UKAEA, said: “I look forward to working closely with our industrial partners, and working together to solve some of the challenges we will encounter on the road to a commercially viable fusion powerplant.”

The companies which are part of the framework are: Assystem, DBD, Rolls-Royce, Jacobs, Frazer Nash, Atkins, IDOM, Mott MacDonald, and M5tec.

For enquiries relating to the contract please email: procurement@ukaea.uk.

For more information regarding the press release, please contact Richard Woodall in UKAEA’s Communications Group: richard.woodall@ukaea.uk.

Alan Farrow (34) will be joined on the disqualified directors register by his wife, Marina Farrow (34), who has been banned for 5 years.

Husband and wife, both from Shiptonthorpe, East Riding of Yorkshire, saw their disqualifications come into effect on 7 May 2020 and they are now banned from directly or indirectly becoming involved, without the permission of the court, in the promotion, formation or management of a company.

Alan and Marina Farrow were directors of East Yorkshire Machinery Limited. Incorporated in October 2013, the company was based in Shiptonthorpe and bought and sold second-hand tractors, agricultural machinery and plant equipment.

Following complaints to Trading Standards, Alan Farrow signed an undertaking in January 2016 agreeing that he would cease publishing sales adverts that were misleading about the condition of tractors and other products.

Alan Farrow, however, continued to breach the undertaking and following court action brought against him by Trading Standards, he signed a further agreement in November 2017.

By April 2018, East Yorkshire Machinery was placed into liquidation and a subsequent investigation by the Insolvency Service into the conduct of Alan and Marina Farrow found several complaints had been made to Trading Standards about the company.

Investigators uncovered that between January 2016 and October 2017, at least 11 customers purchased tractors and other goods advertised for sale from East Yorkshire Machinery worth more than £88,000.

East Yorkshire Machinery, however, didn’t supply or deliver the goods and failed to refund several customers. In one case, a customer only received a refund after they obtained a court judgment against the company.

Further enquiries uncovered that between April 2016 and May 2017, at least 7 customers bought goods from the company worth close to £35,000. However, customers received goods that were either mis-described or not in the same condition as advertised. Three customers managed to secure refunds after obtaining court judgments, while the others remain as creditors in the liquidation.

On 16 April 2020, both Alan and Marina Farrow had their disqualification undertakings accepted by the Secretary of State after husband and wife did not dispute that they had caused or allowed East Yorkshire Machinery Ltd to continue to breach the Business Protection from Misleading Marketing Regulations.

John Bryan, senior trading standards officer at East Riding of Yorkshire Council said:

We welcome the news that this couple have been banned from being directors of a company for up to six years as they had been known to trading standards officers for quite a number of years.

The company and its directors had caused considerable distress to its customers, not just in the East Riding, but across the country for a prolonged period of time and they operated in a manner that was for their own financial and selfish gain.

Rob Clarke, Chief Investigator for the Insolvency Service, said:

Alan Farrow was fully aware the company was publishing false adverts that misled customers leading to them buying goods that were either misdescribed and in some cases not even supplied. What’s worse is that Alan Farrow had signed an agreement promising the company would stop but continued to do so anyway. He has since gone on to sign a further undertaking in court.

This is totally inappropriate conduct for company directors and thanks to the joint working with East Yorkshire Trading Standards, Alan and Marina’s bans send a clear message that corporates should comply with legislation which is in place to protect customers who in this case were the real victims.

Alan Farrow is of Shiptonthorpe, and his date of birth is August 1986.

Marina Farrow is of Shiptonthorpe and her date of birth is May 1986.

East Yorkshire Machinery Ltd (Company Reg no. 08238692).

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 restrictions.

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

You can also follow the Insolvency Service on:

The first boats will be able to pass through the new Boston Barrier flood defence today in what marks a major milestone for the project.

It is now possible for boats to safely navigate through the Environment Agency’s £100 million tidal flood defence, with the barrier gate resting flush on the bed of the River Haven.

The milestone marks yet another step towards the completion of the barrier, which is expected to be fully operational by the end of the summer. Work on the project, which has been identified by government as critical infrastructure, continues in line with the government’s coronavirus advice. Measures are in place to ensure social distancing and safe working procedures on site.

Next, teams will work to close and fill the temporary bypass that allowed vessels to navigate around the barrier while it was being constructed.

Earlier this year, the barrier passed all of its wet and dry testing and the cofferdam, which provided the safe dry constructions space to build the barrier within the river, has since been removed.

Once finished, the barrier will provide Boston with one of the best standards of defence outside of London, reducing the risk of flooding to over 14,000 homes and 800 businesses.

The 300-tonne rotating barrier, which is the centrepiece of the project, will be able to be raised in minutes, helping to keep the town safe from tidal surges from the North Sea.

Adam Robinson, Boston Barrier project director, said:

This is a huge milestone for the project and we’re now 1 step closer to a fully operational tidal flood barrier for the people of Boston.

The team has worked tirelessly in collaboration with partners and river users to make sure the new channel through the barrier works for everyone, and we have worked incredibly hard to keep this vital work on track whist adhering to Government guidance on coronavirus.

Next steps for the scheme include installing over 2500 tonnes of steel sheet piles for new flood walls along the North Bank, the installation of a replacement flood gate at the Port of Boston wet dock entrance in 2021, and associated works to tie the project into the Haven Banks Improvement Scheme – a separate Environment Agency project which will raise and strengthen 5 kilometres of existing flood banks running from the Barrier towards the Wash.

Boaters are reminded to check what rules and restrictions maybe in place on a waterway before undertaking their journeys, as the situation may change in line with new coronavirus guidance from the government. The latest information on Environment Agency waterways can be viewed on our website.