Sir Edward Lister resigns as Homes England Chair

Homes England Chief Executive Nick Walkley said:

I confirm Sir Edward Lister has informed the Secretary of State for Housing, Robert Jenrick MP that he is stepping down as Chairman of the Homes England Board permanently to focus on his new role as Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Chief Strategic Advisor. I’d like to thank him for his huge contribution to the agency, particularly during a period that has seen us expand rapidly.

Homes England Board member and Senior Independent Director Simon Dudley said:

Sir Edward leaves a remarkable legacy, including making the case for a new Homes England that promises to disrupt the housing market to deliver the homes this country needs. Sir Edward has worked tirelessly to ensure Homes England has the expertise it needs, helping to double the number of staff in just 18 months, and by strengthening its Board to make it more resilient and diverse.

We are all incredibly grateful of the support Sir Edward has given Homes England and its partners over the past three years and I am honoured to continue to stand in whilst we look to recruit a new Homes England Chair.

Background

  • Sir Edward Lister has been Chairman of Homes England for the past three years.
  • Simon Dudley was appointed Senior Independent Director by the Homes England Board on 4 July 2019. The Non-Executive role is in addition to Mr Dudley’s responsibilities as a Board member and will include deputising for the Chairman.



Multi-million pound investment for Yorkshire coastal route

Resurfacing, drainage, junction upgrades as well as major safety improvements are being planned for the A64 between the A1(M) at Bramham and Seamer in Scarborough.

Around 25 schemes are being carried out along the 55-mile route including safety improvements at Crambeck and Rillington between now and the end of March next year.

Highways England project manager Chris Dunn said:

We are carrying out a series of improvements along the A64 between the A1(M) and Seamer over the next 12 months which will provide better journeys for drivers and improved road safety.

These include major safety improvements at Crambeck and Rillington which are being funded as part of our safety designated funds. It also includes further improvements for cyclists along the route as well some junction improvements making it easier for people to access caravan sites in the area.

The majority of the work is being carried out from September onwards to avoid the summer months when traffic is at its heaviest, although we do need to start some overnight resurfacing work prior to that between Headley Bar and Hopgrove roundabout from Monday 19 August.

This work is part of Highways England’s £80m maintenance improvements on Yorkshire’s roads this year providing drivers with smoother and safer journeys.

The resurfacing work between Headley Bar and Hopgrove roundabout begins this year’s investment along the route. It also includes replacing the road markings, reflective road studs and kerbing. The work will be carried out overnight between 8pm and 6am.

Some of the projects along the A64 have also been developed as part of Highways England’s cycling, safety and integration designated fund. This is a special fund of £250m to be spent between 2015 and 2021, helping address barriers caused by our road network, providing a more accessible, inclusive and integrated network that gives people the freedom to choose their mode of transport.

Residents, drivers, businesses and tourists will also be able to find out more about this investment and further details about the schemes by talking to one of the project team at the following locations:

  • Friday 16 August at Staxton Village Hall, Wain’s Lane, Staxton, YO12 4SF between 3pm and 7pm
  • Thursday 22 August at RNLI Lifeboat Station forecourt, West Pier, Foreshore Road, Scarborough, YO11 1PB between 10am and 4pm
  • Friday 30 August Rillington Village, Hall High Street, Rillington, YO17 8LH between 3pm and 7pm

Follow us on twitter @HighwaysYorks and on Facebook at Highways England: Yorkshire.

General enquiries

Members of the public should contact the Highways England customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000.

Media enquiries

Journalists should contact the Highways England press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.




Appointment of Three Further Standing Junior Counsel to the Advocate General for Scotland




Highways England geared up to help motorists this bank holiday

Highways England will remove the roadworks by early Friday morning (23 August) to help people get away on bank holiday journeys with as little disruption from roadworks as possible.

Almost 97 per cent of England’s motorway and major A-roads, the strategic road network, will be free from roadworks over the August bank holiday period. To help motorists, Highways England is lifting 75 miles and completing 411 miles of roadworks.

Melanie Clarke, Highways England’s customer service director, said:

We’re doing everything we can to make journeys as smooth as possible and that’s why we’re keeping 97 per cent of the road network we manage, free from roadworks.

Safety is our top priority and we know from experience that almost half of breakdowns can easily be avoided if motorists carry out simple vehicle checks before setting off over this period.

Highways England traffic officers will also be on patrol and working with partners to help clear any incidents; the majority of which will be dealt with in under an hour.

And motorists are being reminded to do their bit to help keep traffic flowing by making sure they have everything they need for their journey by making sure they are aware of the signs and signals on motorways.

General enquiries

Members of the public should contact the Highways England customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000.

Media enquiries

Journalists should contact the Highways England press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.




Thailand: applications for UK government’s prestigious Chevening Scholarships now open

The applications will need to be submitted via the Chevening website.

Chevening Scholarships are awarded to individuals with demonstrable leadership potential who also have strong academic backgrounds. The scholarship offers full financial support for future leaders to study for any eligible master’s degree at any UK university whilst also gaining access to a wide range of exclusive academic, professional, and cultural experiences.

Since the programme was created in 1983, over 50,000 outstanding professionals have had the opportunity to develop in the UK through Chevening. There are more than 1,500 scholarships on offer globally for the 2020/2021 academic year, demonstrating the UK’s ongoing commitment towards developing the leaders of tomorrow.

British Ambassador to Thailand, H.E. Brian Davidson said:

We are looking for ambitious, professional, and innovative future leaders from any walk of life, who will study hard in the UK, and be open to immersing themselves in the opportunities that arise.

Chevening Scholars are incredibly diverse, so there is no such thing as a ‘typical’ scholar. That said, if you have demonstrable leadership qualities and you have a clear vision for the future you want to help shape, you are very likely to fit in with our community of over 50,000 alumni worldwide.

Our alumni network is full of dynamic influencers who have shared the same experience that you will. They can offer encouragement, mentorship, advice, and contacts. When you return home after your studies you should feel well-equipped to start making a real difference professionally or socially.

There is a lot to potentially gain from submitting a thoughtful application, so if you have what it takes to be a Chevening Scholar, I would encourage you to apply before the 5 November deadline.

Head of Scholarships at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Ben Coates, said:

Chevening represents the very best of the UK, welcoming exceptional people from across the world to study, grow, and thrive at some of the world’s best universities. Chevening can be a transformative experience, not just for the scholars, but for their communities and countries as they return and use the benefit of their UK experience to make a positive difference in their chosen field.

Our universities promote the creation and exchange of information and ideas, as well as the building of knowledge and networks. Chevening Scholars find themselves immersed in that world, and leave the UK after their studies having grown academically, professionally, and personally as a result.

Since the programme started in 1983, many of those selected for this scholarship have gone on to become respected leaders across a range of sectors. Being a part of the Chevening network instils a strong sense of pride and responsibility, I have seen this first hand and am consistently impressed by the passion and commitment of the scholars and alumni I meet.

With our world facing countless challenges, the role that the Chevening community plays in building bridges and collaborating across borders to solve big issues is more important than ever.

The call for new applicants follows the selection of 24 scholars from Thailand, who won an award to study at a UK university this year. Successful applicants have been sharing their stories through the #ChosenForChevening hashtag on Twitter and Instagram.

More information

Visit Chevening Scholarship’s official website for detailed information on the eligibility criteria and scholarship specifications.

Further information

Chevening Scholarships are the UK government’s global scholarship programme, funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and partner organisations. The scholarships support study at UK universities – mostly one year taught master’s degrees – for individuals with demonstrable potential to become future leaders, decision-makers, and opinion formers.

Chevening began in 1983 and has developed into a prestigious international awards scheme. Chevening Scholars come from over 160 countries and territories worldwide, and almost 1,800 scholarships were awarded in 2019/2020. There are over 50,000 Chevening Alumni around the world who comprise an influential and highly regarded global network.

The name ‘Chevening’ comes from Chevening House in Sevenoaks, Kent – currently the joint official residence of the UK’s Foreign Secretary.

More information is available on the Chevening website.