News story: Merger of receipt roll suppliers could raise competition concerns
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has been investigating Iconex’s proposed purchase of Schades and R+S, which are both owned by Hansol Paper and Mirae Asset Daewoo.
Iconex, Schades and R+S are three different manufacturers and suppliers of lightweight thermal paper rolls and labels in the UK. This type of paper roll is vital to many businesses and is used by shops, restaurants and banks for their receipts.
The CMA has today issued the decision from its initial Phase 1 merger investigation, which examined the merger’s effects in the UK. This found that Iconex and Schades are two of the UK’s largest receipt roll suppliers and compete very closely with each other. The merger could create insufficient competition in the supply of these products, leading to their customers potentially having less choice and paying higher prices, especially as there are very few large suppliers in the UK.
The European Commission (EC) has separately investigated the non-UK effects of the merger in the rest of the European Economic Area (EEA). The EC approved the merger on 13 May 2019. The EC observed that circumstances elsewhere in the EEA appeared to be different compared to the UK.
The businesses now have until 17 June to offer a solution to the CMA’s concerns. If they are unable to address these, the merger will be referred for an in-depth Phase 2 investigation to be carried out by a group of independent CMA panel members.
Press release: Former BHS warehouse makes way for new HS2 station
The images highlight the scale of the new mega-station, whose 400 metre platforms and concourse will be built adjacent to the existing station, doubling capacity and improving journeys for millions of people.
The former BHS warehouse was once the centre of the department store’s London distribution network, with the building providing office space above the warehouse, loading bays and basement.
Since the closure of the warehouse, the 5,000 square foot building had been temporarily occupied by UCL’s Bartlett School of Architecture and used by HS2’s contractors as office space.
The building, made up of 2 separate 3 and 5 storey concrete-framed structures, was demolished over 8 months, by a Costain and Skanska team (CSjv) and specialist subcontractors John F Hunt.
A top-down demolition technique was used, with machines lifted onto the top of the buildings and protective screening installed around the outside to limit noise and dust. During the work, more than 35,000 tonnes of concrete was crushed and reused on site. With the demolition complete, the team are now working to finish the clearance of the site, ready for handover to the station construction teams.
Across the UK, more than 9,000 jobs are now supported by HS2 both directly and in the supply chain, delivering essential early works, including demolition, utilities, ecological works and the project’s pioneering archaeological programme.
HS2 Ltd’s Programme Director, Matthew Botelle, said:
HS2 will transform Euston, delivering much-needed extra capacity, improving journeys and unlocking the opportunity for thousands of new jobs and homes.
This week’s milestone is the latest evidence of the progress we are making across London. With our fascinating archaeological programme in full swing and more than two thirds of demolitions now complete, I’d like to thank all those involved in the project for their hard work and dedication.
CSjv’s Programme Director, Peter Jones, said:
Costain and Skanska have successfully completed yet another major building demolition as part of our huge HS2 enabling works programme. With more than 1,500 people now at work across the capital, we are proud to be part of what will be, the UK’s biggest infrastructure project.
Glen Clark, Managing Director of John F Hunt Ltd, said:
From the start, we recognised that the reinforced concrete frame construction coupled with the unusual 7 metre high floor to ceiling heights positioned directly adjacent to the busy Hampstead Road thoroughfare, meant that the project offered the type of engineering challenges that we enjoy taking on.
I’m pleased to say that through an excellent and collaborative working arrangement with both the CSjv and our client teams, we collectively produced meticulously planned, innovative engineered solutions to the myriad of challenges presented and I’m proud to say that the scheme has been delivered on time, on budget and most importantly with everyone going home safely every night.
It has been an excellent scheme to work on and we thank both CSjv and our client for providing us with the opportunity to deliver on their behalf.
This week’s milestone follows on from the demolition of the former Ibis hotel on Cardington Street, which was completed last month and the clearance of the nearby disused National Temperance Hospital buildings.
Across the capital, more than two thirds of demolitions have now been completed, with utility work and the creation of new wildlife habitats as part of HS2’s ‘green corridor’ project, also well underway.
Once complete, the station, could, for the first time, include a new entrance facing north towards Camden Town and west towards Hampstead Road and the shops and restaurants of Drummond Street. In total, the arrival of HS2 will more than double the number of seats out of the station during peak hours.
News story: Work of JFC personnel recognised in Queen’s Birthday Honours
Work of JFC personnel recognised in Queen’s Birthday Honours – GOV.UK
Joint Forces Command personnel have been honoured by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for their contribution to UK defence, as part of her annual Birthday Honours.
The following individuals from Joint Forces Command have been recognised;
Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB)
Air Vice-Marshal C J Luck MBE, Joint Services Command and Staff College
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Group Captain H R C Cormack, Permanent Joint Headquarters
Group Captain T A Griffths OBE ARRC, Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre
Mr J L Iremonger, Permanent Joint Headquarters
Mr G N Lewitt, Joint Forces Command
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Group Captain I D Chesworth, C4ISR Joint Forces Command
Commander S R Drysdale, J3 Division, Permanent Joint Headquarters
Lieutenant Colonel P S J Heppell, Defence Medical Services
Lieutenant Colonel S N Meadowcroft BEM, Information Systems and Services
Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Captain G P Blezard, Joint Services Command and Staff College
Commander A G Clarke, C4ISR Joint Forces Command
Mrs J I Clarke, Joint Forces Command
Dr F J Hall, Joint Forces Command
Chief Petty Officer H G Heady, Joint Cyber Unit
Squadron Leader R L McCartney, Permanent Joint Headquarters
Published 10 June 2019
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News story: Tech summit set to discuss disclosure of digital evidence
Ministers will today meet senior police and prosecutors at a high-profile summit aimed at improving the disclosure of digital evidence in the criminal justice system.
The Solicitor General, Lucy Frazer QC, and the Policing Minister, Nick Hurd, will host Director of Public Prosecutions Max Hill, Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Nick Ephgrave, Victims’ Commissioner Dame Vera Baird and representatives from the UK technology industry at the Law Society’s offices in London.
They will focus on the handling of digital evidence disclosure in criminal cases and consider how police and prosecutors can be supported to better handle the increasing volumes of digital evidence – to ensure victims get the justice they deserve.
This includes looking at what programmes are currently being used to decipher evidence and considering technological innovations.
Solicitor General, Lucy Frazer QC MP, said:
We need to do more to support the police and prosecutors to adapt to the increasing volume of digital material in the criminal justice system.
The government is also determined to ensure that victims of sexual violence and all other crimes are not deterred from seeking justice because of fear of what could happen to their personal information.
We must ensure full public confidence in the disclosure system.
Minister for Policing and the Fire Service, Nick Hurd, said:
It is vital we maintain public confidence in the police and our criminal justice system to make sure victims are not let down.
Technological advancements have created challenges – the average mobile phone today is capable of holding the data equivalent of around five million A4 pages.
Police recognise the need to improve and it is right that the government works with forces, prosecutors and the tech sector to make sure both victims and criminals get the justice they deserve.
The tech summit follows a disclosure review by the Attorney General Geoffrey Cox in November 2018 which found that digital evidence was not always handled correctly by police forces and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), leading to concerns about miscarriages of justice.
The review acknowledged that increasing volumes of data stored on smart phones and other devices had significantly increased the workload of investigators and prosecutors examining digital evidence.
Attendees at the summit will include:
Director of Public Prosecutions, Max Hill QC
Assistant Commissioner Nick Ephgrave
Chief Technology Officer at the Crown Prosecution Service, Mark Gray
Chief Technology Officer at the Serious Fraud Office, Ben Denison
Victims’ Commissioner, Dame Vera Baird QC
Director General of Criminal Justice Policy at the Ministry of Justice, Mark Sweeney
Deputy Chief Constable Janette McCormick from the College of Policing
Head of Investigations at the Information Commissioner’s Office, Melissa Mathieson
Programme Manager at Tech UK, Jessica Russell
Press release: Final step taken in CMA reform of investment consultants
This marks the final step of the Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) reform of the investment consultancy and fiduciary management sectors, after its in-depth investigation found significant competition concerns.
Investment consultants and fiduciary managers play an important role in ensuring over half of all UK households’ retirement savings are invested wisely. They advise and provide services to trustees that oversee companies’ pension schemes.
Today’s Order requires fiduciary managers – who make investment decisions on behalf of trustees – and investment consultants to provide clearer information about what their customers are getting for their money, and incentivises pension scheme trustees to shop around to make sure they are getting the best deal to suit their needs.
Amongst other things, it requires:
pension scheme trustees who wish to delegate investment decisions for 20% or more of their scheme assets must run a competitive tender when first purchasing fiduciary management services, meaning they must ask at least 3 fiduciary managers to bid for their work. This means they can then select the best deal for their needs. The CMA’s investigation found that many trustees used only the fiduciary management service offered by their investment consultant, without exploring alternatives
pension scheme trustees who have already appointed a fiduciary manager for 20% or more of their scheme assets without a tender must put the service out to tender within 5 years
fiduciary management firms to provide potential new customers with more information on their fees and performance, so they can compare service providers with ease. They must also provide more information on their fees to their existing clients
John Wotton, Chair of the investigation, said:
Millions of people rely on pension scheme trustees to invest their savings effectively – which is why it’s so important that trustees shop around for the best deal for them. Our investigation found that many trustees lack the information needed to assess and compare investment consultants and fiduciary managers, meaning they may not be getting the best value for their members’ money.
By putting the requirements of our investigation into law today, we will increase competition and make sure these markets work better for UK pension beneficiaries.
Trustees, fiduciary managers and investment consultants now have 6 months to ensure their practices are in line with the Order’s requirements – if any are found not to be complying, the CMA could take them to court.