The OGA’s role is to regulate, influence and promote the UK oil and gas industry in order to maximise the economic recovery of the UK’s oil and gas resources.

Mr Eggar will take up his position on 11 March 2019, replacing Frances Morris-Jones, who will complete her term as interim Chair at the end of March.

Prior to taking on this role, Tim Eggar was a highly experienced non-executive Chair and Board Director, including in the oil and gas sector and the wider energy sector. He was a government minister for 11 years, and Energy Minister between 1992 and 1996. He is currently Chair of MyCelx Technologies, a clean-water technology company for the energy sector, and a Board Mentor.

The seasonal workers pilot, announced by the Home Secretary and Environment Secretary in September 2018, has now opened.

The pilot will mean fruit and vegetable farmers are able to employ up to 2,500 non-EU migrant workers for seasonal work for up to 6 months.

Two scheme operators – Concordia and Pro-Force – have been licenced to manage the pilot and will be responsible for identifying suitable workers and matching them to UK farmers. They will also be required to ensure the welfare of the workers whilst they are in the UK.

The first workers will arrive on UK farms this spring, subject to recruitment and visa application processes.

Commenting on the pilot, Immigration Minister Caroline Nokes said:

Visiting a fruit farm last year, I saw first-hand how vital British produce is for our economy and listened carefully to the powerful arguments from farmers about the support they need.

The seasonal worker pilot shows this government not only listens, but is willing to take the necessary action to make sure our farms can continue to grow, sell and export more great British food.

The Home Office and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) have worked closely to ensure the successful delivery of this pilot.

Food Minister at Defra, David Rutley said:

Our farmers and growers have been absolutely clear about the need for additional sources of labour to work on farms during the busy harvest months.

We have heard these concerns, which is why today we are opening this pilot to boost the workforce on farms this spring and summer and help farmers with their harvests.

This pilot, which will be closely monitored and reviewed, will help inform future policy as we look at how best to support the longer-term needs of the industry outside the EU.

The pilot will test the effectiveness of our immigration system at helping to alleviate seasonal labour shortages during peak production periods, whilst maintaining robust immigration control and ensuring there are minimal impacts on local communities and public services.

The pilot will run until the end of December 2020. The pilot will be reviewed before any decisions are taken on running a future scheme.

A new counter-terrorism project to keep the public safe by enhancing collaboration between business, industry and the public sector has been announced today.

This joint initiative will see a ground breaking interactive online platform developed to provide secure expert advice and training to businesses and public sector organisations to help them develop their own counter-terrorism approaches.

In the event of an attack, the platform will give businesses access to timely and accurate information.

The Security Minister, Ben Wallace, announced the project at the Home Office Security and Policing Event in Farnborough today.

The £10 million project is being funded by Pool Re, the terrorism reinsurer, and led by Counter Terrorism Policing, in partnership with the Joint Security and Resilience Centre, part of the Home Office.

Security Minister, Ben Wallace, said:

This project is one of the first of its kind – a collaboration between the police, the insurance sector, and the government that will help to keep the country safe and secure.

If we are to properly respond to the terrorist threat, we need to ensure everyone plays their part. That is why partnerships like this one are so vital and I thank Pool Re for their leadership.

Pool Re Chairman Geoff Riddell said:

Pool Re and the insurance industry are uniquely placed to promote resilience, protect the UK’s economic infrastructure and enhance national security interests by improving the UK’s ability to tackle terrorism.

We take this responsibility very seriously, and as such are delighted to be collaborating with the Home Office and counter terrorism policing to deliver this critical initiative.

The platform will meet a longstanding need from the private sector for more credible, quality and timely information to be used in their protective security and resilience planning.

The national policing lead for Protective Security, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Lucy D’Orsi, said:

Since the tragic events of 2017, counter terrorism policing has been working alongside government and the private sector to strengthen our defences against terrorism through greater collaboration and information sharing.

That is why this ground-breaking new platform is so important, as it will allow businesses to access credible information 24/7, connect users to experts, provide accredited online training and send direct messages in the event of an attack – strengthening our frontline against the unprecedented threat.

By supporting this initiative, Pool Re will improve the engagement, collaboration and sharing of information between the private sector, policing and the security services – resulting in a better assessment of emerging threats and helping us to work together to keep the UK safer.

The government’s counter-terrorism strategy, CONTEST, is committed to building a more integrated relationship with the private sector to increase the UK’s ability to tackle terrorism.

The platform is being developed primarily for the private sector, specifically focused on small and medium-sized businesses for whom access to expert external advice can sometimes be costly.

Consultation with key partners is already underway and further discussions will continue this year to ensure the platform is fit for purpose.

Technical development will commence later in the year.

• New review aims to investigate obstacles and propose solutions to support enterprising young people from all backgrounds
• review forms part of government’s modern Industrial Strategy to ensure the UK remains one of the best places in the world to start and grow a business

Young people looking to start or grow a business are set to receive more tailored support with the launch of a new review into the barriers to success, Small Business Minister Kelly Tolhurst announced today (6 March 2019).

The review, led by Nick Stace, Chief Executive of The Prince’s Trust, will identify how best to tackle the barriers facing nearly 400,000 aspiring entrepreneurs in England – from access to finance, advice and support to how to access business networks – and how we can close the gap between entrepreneurial ambition and reality.

It will also look at the support on offer to young entrepreneurs from disadvantaged and low-income backgrounds and adds to efforts by the government to improve diversity in the business community, following the Rose Review into Female Entrepreneurship launched in September last year.

To support the review, government and The Prince’s Trust is bringing together a steering board that will be comprised of entrepreneurial representatives, of all ages, from the world of business, finance and skills, with experience and insight. Details of these individuals will be set out in the coming weeks.

Small Business Minister Kelly Tolhurst said:

The UK consistently ranks as one of the most entrepreneurial nations in the world, but there is more we can do to break down the barriers that stop some of our best and brightest young people from starting their own business.

This review will help us understand why those barriers exist and what more we can do, working with the private sector, to ensure people of all ages and backgrounds are able to achieve their bold and brilliant business ambitions.

Nick Stace, leading the review, has wealth of experience from his time leading The Trust, which has helped over 85,000 young people start their own businesses since 1983, consumer group Which? and as a board member of the Financial Conduct Authority.

Nick Stace, UK Chief Executive of The Prince’s Trust, said:

Each year thousands of young people work hard to turn their ideas into sustainable businesses. At The Prince’s Trust we know that access to finance, mentors, and training is crucial to ensuring young people can thrive in business.

At a time when it’s difficult to predict the skills, technology and jobs that our future economy will require, entrepreneurship can equip young people with the tools and attributes to adapt to our changing labour market.

This review aims to remove barriers to self-employment for young people from all backgrounds, enabling them to start and grow a business and gain a greater stake in the economy and society.

For entrepreneurs like George Pitkeathley, 25 from London, the support from The Prince’s Trust has enabled him to start and develop PILAU, serving Indian Street food from two restaurants in central London.

George Pitkeathley, Founder of PILAU:

Having worked in kitchens since I was 14, I’ve have always loved restaurants. However, making the leap to start one of my own was not easy. Coming to The Prince’s Trust gave me access to two crucial things that allowed me to create PILAU; access to finance and a business mentor.

This review is a great way to support more young entrepreneurs like myself turn an idea into a reality.

Duane Jackson, Founder of Staffology Payroll Software, came to The Prince’s Trust looking for a way to provide for his family after a turbulent start to his life. The support enabled him to build a very successful business which he subsequently sold, enabling him to donate back to The Trust.

Duane Jackson, Founder of Staffology Payroll Software said:

After making some bad choices when I was younger, The Prince’s Trust helped me to recognise my natural talents and gave me the confidence to turn my life around.

Starting a business was my way to a better future, and after going on to employ upwards of 40 people, I have been able to support many others like myself. Initiatives like this are vital to open doors to self-employment for those who’ve had a difficult start in life.

Through the Industrial Strategy, the government wants to ensure we are driving forward a thriving entrepreneurial culture amongst all corners of society and harnessing untapped talent will be key to achieving this.

In the summer, the review will make recommendations to ministers about what can be done to ensure our entrepreneurs are properly supported building the businesses of the future.

The Prince’s Trust is one of the UK’s leading youth charities and their expertise has been helping young people set themselves up in business since 1983.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling is expected to say that modernising our airspace to meet the demands of the 21st century is “among the most pressing of tasks”.

Speaking at the Airport Operators Association annual dinner today (5 March 2019), the Transport Secretary will set out that our airspace is structured for the propeller driven planes of the 1950s, and is not efficient enough to meet the demands of the jet age.

He will say that reforming our airspace is vital so that:

• We can make better use of new technology to cut aircraft noise and carbon emissions
• Passengers can continue to enjoy good value flights to the widest possible range of destinations
• Holidaymakers’ long-awaited breaks are not wrecked by flights that fail to leave on time

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said:

Like our infrastructure on the ground, reforming the way we use our airspace is vital if we want to help deliver quicker, quieter and cleaner journeys for passengers and businesses.

Last year the government set out our clear support and political backing for airspace modernisation. Airports will now be engaging with local communities to ensure they gain a deeper understanding of this complex yet crucial issue.

Today’s speech plainly demonstrates the government’s support for the long term national airspace modernisation programme, with formal consultations starting in 2021 led by airports and NATS, the leading air traffic control services provider.