Mid South West and Causeway Coast and Glens in Northern Ireland are to benefit from a £163 million share of UK Government funds to support local growth.

In July, the Prime Minister announced Northern Ireland would benefit from a share of a new £300 million UK Growth Deals fund, designed to support economic growth, create jobs or invest in local projects.

Confirming that Northern Ireland is to receive over half of this funding, Rt Hon Julian Smith MP, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, said:

Today’s announcement will help level up support for growth, helping to create jobs and boost local economies. It will boost the support we give to towns and cities in Northern Ireland and ensure no corner of the country is left behind. Every part of Northern Ireland now benefits from Growth or City Deal funding thanks to the UK Government.

We need to get Brexit done and get Stormont back up and running so we can continue to invest in communities across Northern Ireland.

The funding will be allocated to Mid South West Northern Ireland and Causeway Coast and Glens allowing them to benefit from the UK’s overall economic growth. It will mean that every corner of Northern Ireland is now backed by a UK Government Growth or City Deal.

The latest announcement builds on £400 million already invested in both Belfast and Derry-Londonderry.

For more detailed information for UK nationals in Austria, see Living in Austria

Anmeldebescheinigung

Registration certificate for EU/EEA/Swiss nationals required within four months of arriving in Austria. Available from the local Bezirkshauptmannschaft or Magistrat (the MA35 in Vienna). Can be replaced upon application after 5 years of continuous legal residence with a Bescheinigung des Daueraufenthalts, although this is not compulsory.

Will cease to be valid if the UK leaves the EU without a deal but will be important evidence when applying for a new residence permit.

More information.

Aufenthaltskarte

Residency document for third country nationals with a close family relationship to an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen. Can be replaced after 5 years of continuous legal residence with a Daueraufenthaltskarte.

Will cease to be valid if the sponsoring EU citizen is a UK national and the UK leaves the EU without a deal but will be important evidence when applying for a new residence permit.

More information (in German).

Bescheinigung des Daueraufenthalts

Optional registration certificate for EU/EEA/Swiss nationals available after five continuous years of legal residence in Austria. The follow-on document from the Anmeldebescheinigung.

Available from the local Magistrat (in Vienna the MA35) or Bezirkshauptmannschaft.

The Bescheinigung des Daueraufenthalts will cease to be valid if the UK leaves the EU without a deal but will be useful evidence when applying for a new residence permit.

Bezirkshauptmannschaft

Local authority responsible for processing applications for residency documents. In regional cities, this is the role of the Magistrat – in Vienna the MA35.

Brexit Begleitgesetze

A series of laws passed by Austria’s national and regional governments in early 2019 to minimise disruption if the UK leaves the EU without a deal.

Brexit Hotline

The Austrian Government has set up a special hotline for questions about Brexit: +43 (0) 800 222 666 (free of charge within Austria). You can also email: service@bka.gv.at

Citizens’ Rights

The overall heading for the parts of Brexit that are directly related to your rights to live, travel, work and access public services in EU/EEA countries.

Daueraufenthalt – EU

Residence document available to third country nationals after five consecutive years of residence in Austria. This will be one of the residence statuses available to British nationals in the event of a no-deal. See here (in German) for further information.

Must be renewed every 5 years. Income and language requirements normally apply, although language requirements will be waived for UK nationals applying within 6 months should the UK leave the EU without a deal.

Daueraufenthaltsbescheinigung

See Bescheinigung des Daueraufenthalts.

Daueraufenthaltskarte

Residence document for third country nationals with a close family relationship to an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen. Available after 5 years of continuous residence and valid for 10 years.

Will cease to be valid if the sponsoring EU citizen is a UK national and the UK leaves the EU without a deal, but will be important evidence when applying for new residence permit.

More information (in German).

Frontier workers

Frontier workers are EU, EEA and Swiss citizens who regularly commute to another country because they are employed or self-employed in one country but live elsewhere. For example, someone living in Germany but working in Austria.

Legitimationskarte / Legitimation Card

Residence card for diplomats and employees of international organisations such as the UN, OSCE, EU, etc., and their dependants. More info here.

Living in Austria guide

The place to go for the UK Government’s guidance on living in Austria. If and when anything changes in the rights of UK nationals to live in Austria, we will update this page. Please sign up for updates.

MA35

The department of Vienna’s regional government responsible for immigration and nationality. The office for EU nationals is in the 12th District: Arndtstraße 67, Stiege 1, 1. Stock, 1120 Wien (map).

If the UK leaves without a deal, the regional offices of the MA35 will be responsible for your residence permit application. More information is available on this presentation from the Austrian government.

Outside of Vienna this is the role of the Bezirkshauptmannschaft or the local Magistrat.

Magistrat

Local authority responsible for processing applications for residency documents. Outside of cities, this is the role of the Bezirkshauptmannschaft and in Vienna the MA35.

Meldebestätigung (Meldezettel)

Residence registration form you need to apply for within 3 days of moving into a new home, or arriving in Austria.

Technically, the Meldezettel is the form you fill in to apply for a Meldebestätigung, but the Meldebestätigung is commonly referred to as a Meldezettel.

Outreach events

Events organised by the British Embassy for UK nationals in Austria, where you can ask representatives of the UK and Austrian governments questions about Brexit.

More info on outreach events in Austria.

Rot-Weiß-Rot Karte – plus (RWR+)

Residence permit available to UK nationals resident in Austria if the UK leaves the EU without a deal. Must be renewed annually.

UK nationals resident in Austria before Brexit are exempt from the standard language test and the income requirements when applying for a “Rot-Weiß-Rot Karte – Plus”.

More information here.

Third-country national

Someone who is not a national of an EU/EEA country or a Swiss national.

Withdrawal Agreement

The agreement negotiated between the EU and UK on how the UK should leave. This has not been passed by the UK parliament. Citizens’ Rights was one of the areas covered by the agreement.

UK-Taiwan bilateral trade grew to £6.6 billion last year and ministers pledged to continue strengthening trade links. In today’s talks (Tuesday 1 October) ministers agreed to work together on the UK’s application to export British lamb to Taiwan. Discussion also focused on market access issues and ways to boost cooperation on offshore wind, pharmaceuticals and financial services.

The ministers also celebrated the one year anniversary since Taiwan allowed imports of quality British pork in August 2018. More than £4.58 million of British pork has been exported to Taiwan in the first year.

International Trade Policy Minister Conor Burns said:

During today’s talks we discussed a range of issues, including the need to overcome restrictive market access barriers, encourage export and investment and strengthen the UK-Taiwan trade relationship.

Taiwan is one of the fastest growing export markets in Asia and there are huge opportunities for British businesses in a variety of sectors including offshore wind, financial services and food and drink.

As we prepare to take back control of our trade policy, it is more important than ever that we maintain and grow these important trade relationships globally.

Trade cooperation on energy is bringing significant opportunities to UK companies. Taiwan is planning to increase its renewable energy production from 4% to 20% of supply by 2025, much of it from offshore wind farms, and as the world’s leading offshore wind producer, the UK is poised to be a key partner in this. More than 18 UK companies in the offshore wind supply chain have already set up offices in Taiwan to further develop the market.

Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs Mei-Hua Wang said:

The UK is one of Taiwan’s major trading partners in Europe. Although Brexit creates uncertainty for the business community, it also comes with many opportunities for enhancing bilateral cooperation between the UK and Taiwan.

In the trade talks, both sides committed to enhance cooperation on areas such as fintech, green finance, smart cities, and upholding the rules-based multilateral trading system – the WTO.

1. The first UK Taiwan trade talks took place in 1991 and have happened almost annually since.
2. Taiwan is the third largest market for single malt whisky exports and the sixth largest overall worth £168 million in 2018.

The UN Human Rights Council concluded its 42nd session last Friday, adopting important resolutions on Sudan, Syria, Yemen, Myanmar and Modern Slavery, among many other pressing issues.

The Human Rights Council plays an essential role in protecting and promoting human rights around the globe. The United Kingdom remains committed to working with the Council, and our international partners, to tackle human rights challenges and ensure that those states that violate the rights of their citizens are held accountable.

Following the establishment of civilian-led government in Sudan, I welcome the adoption of a resolution that highlights the importance of human rights throughout Sudan’s transition and beyond. Both the renewal of the Independent Expert’s mandate, and the commitment to open an Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, demonstrate Sudan’s willingness to engage constructively with international partners on human rights. I particularly appreciate the announcement by the Government of Sudan of an independent committee of inquiry into crimes committed during the period of popular protest. The UK will continue to work closely with the Government of Sudan to address ongoing human rights concerns.

I welcome the Council’s adoption of the latest Syria resolution. The Council should continue to draw attention to the immense suffering caused by the regime offensive in Idlib, including the impact on children. All parties must return to the agreed ceasefire, act to protect civilians, and abide by international law. The Council has also drawn attention to the impact of human rights violations on refugee return. Regime violations, including arbitrary arrests, forced conscription, and property seizures, obstruct the safe, voluntary, and dignified return of refugees to their homes.

I am pleased at the renewal of the mandate of the Group of Eminent Experts for Yemen, although it is disappointing that a single consensus resolution was not possible. The seriousness of the human rights situation makes it vital to give the Group further time to examine the conflict fully and to ensure that their conclusions accurately reflect the conduct of all parties, especially the destabilising role of Iran. We are clear that the only way to end the cycle of violence is through a political settlement, which will enable a legitimate government to protect the human rights of all Yemenis.

I welcome the adoption of the resolution on the situation of human rights in Myanmar. I encourage the authorities to grant UN agencies full access to northern Rakhine and to work with the UN and other partners to create the conditions for safe, voluntary, and dignified returns. The Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar will continue to have our full support.

I am pleased the Council adopted the resolution on assistance to Somalia. Improving human rights in Somalia remains a priority for the UK. The continued technical assistance and monitoring mission provided by the Independent Expert through the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights allows for the critical work of monitoring human rights, and helps to promote and protect human rights in Somalia.

I welcome the renewal of the mandate of the Commission of Inquiry on Burundi, and the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry on Venezuela. We encourage both countries to cooperate fully with their respective Commission of Inquiry.

I was most pleased by the important contribution made by the Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Slavery, Urmila Bhoola, to drive forward action on Sustainable Development Goal 8.7 among others, and her work in spearheading international efforts to eradicate modern slavery. I was delighted that the UK was able to co-sponsor a resolution to renew the Special Rapporteur’s mandate. There is an urgent need to build on this momentum if we are to meet the targets set out in SDG 8.7 and implement the commitments of the Call to Action to End Forced Labour, Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking.

The work of the Human Rights Council is crucial in bringing states together to protect and promote human rights around the world. As we seek re-election as a member of the Council in 2020, the UK will continue to play an active role to defend and advance human rights and fundamental freedoms, and wholeheartedly support the Council’s efforts to hold the perpetrators of human rights violations or abuses to account, wherever these occur.

The Government has announced proposals on new measures to enhance the welfare of animals both here in the UK and abroad.

The measures include proposals to ban long journeys of live animals that are being transported for slaughter, and restrictions on the import and export of hunting trophies from endangered animals.

Alongside these measures, the Government has announced plans to create a new forest region in Northumberland to help improve our natural environment and respond to climate change.

The Government is committed to leaving the environment, and the wildlife that depend on it, in a better state for future generations. The UK already has some of the highest animal welfare standards in the world and these proposals aim to raise those standards even further.

Rt Hon Theresa Villiers MP, Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said:

High standards of animal welfare are one of the hallmarks of a civilised society. We have a long tradition of protecting animals in this country, often many years before others follow. Leaving the EU allows us to take even bigger steps forward on this. These proposals will protect our animals in our homes, in agriculture, and in the wild.

I have campaigned for an end to live exports for slaughter and the consultation is a further step in taking forward our manifesto commitment on this issue. This is an important victory for all those thousands of people across the country who have campaigned for tougher measures to protect animal welfare.

The planting of one million trees will also be fundamental in our commitment to be the first generation to leave the natural environment in a better state than we found it. They will enhance our landscape, improve our quality of life and protect the climate for future generations.

Live animal exports

The Government will consult on improving animal welfare in the transport of live animals, including banning long journeys to slaughter. Last year Defra issued a call for evidence in relation to future welfare in transport standards, followed by commissioning external research and inviting the Farm Animal Welfare Committee to conduct a review and make recommendations.

The Government proposes to accept recommendations from the Farm Animal Welfare Committee that live animal journeys should be minimised and that animals for slaughter should not be transported longer distances if suitable alternatives are available. FAWC’s report will inform a public consultation on this issue, which will be published in due course.

Pet primates

The Government will issue a call for evidence on primates as pets. Evidence will be sought on a number of areas, including:

• The scale of ownership of primates as pets, and how they are acquired;
• The advantages and disadvantages of restrictions or a ban on ownership, a ban on the trade, import and/or sale of primates as pets; and
• The impact on rescue centres and animal welfare charities if restrictions are in place.

The call for evidence will be published in due course.

Microchipping cats

We will issue a call for evidence on compulsory micro-chipping for pet cats. Evidence will be sought on the benefits and impacts of subjecting cats to similar measures as are required under compulsory dog microchipping. The call for evidence will be published in due course.

Trophy hunting

We will improve protection for animals by launching consultation on banning the import and export of trophies from the hunting of endangered species. This follows the introduction of the UK’s world-leading ivory ban in December 2018, with the ban expected to be brought into force early next year. A roundtable on the issue with trophy hunting was held in May 2018, with all sides of this debate represented. The views raised during those discussions have informed the proposed consultation on further restrictions on the import and export of hunting trophies. The consultation will be published in due course.

Commenting on the announcement that we will consult on taking further restrictions on trophy hunting imports and exports, International Environment Minister Zac Goldsmith said:

The fight against trophy hunting of endangered animals matters. That is why I am delighted that the Government will consult on a ban on the import of these trophies.

By placing a higher value on animals alive rather than dead, we will begin to turn back the tide of extinction.

Northumberland forest

Trees and forests are not only an essential part of the British countryside, but also provide significant health and wellbeing benefits, and are a vital part of our response to climate change. To kick-start an ambitious new Great Northumberland Forest, the Government has announced its commitment to plant three new forests in Northumberland, with up to one million trees planted between 2020 and 2024. As part of the announcement, the Government will set up a new forestry partnership to help identify sites for afforestation and bring local stakeholders on board.

Northumberland offers opportunities for forestry, as a trail-blazer for the Government’s wider net zero and rural economy ambitions. These new plans will pave the way for further Woodland Creation Partnerships elsewhere in the country.