The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), the Northern Ireland Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, and the Welsh Government, have opened consultations on the proposed approach to working with communities in identifying potential sites for a GDF, and the associated planning process.

Stakeholders and members of the public will have the opportunity to provide feedback which will help shape the key policies on geological disposal. Ann McCall, RWM’s GDF Siting and Engagement Director, said:

Geological disposal will provide a safe, secure and long-term solution for managing the UK’s radioactive waste, and RWM welcomes the public consultations which place communities at the heart of the process. As the delivery body for geological disposal, we are eager to work with communities to progress this important programme on behalf of society.

The planned Highways England improvements will provide additional capacity, and improve journey times and safety while supporting economic growth in the region.

The existing dual carriageway will have extra lanes added between Birtley (junction 65) and Coal House (junction 67). Allerdene Railway Bridge which carries the A1 over the East Coast railway line will also be replaced as part of the project.

Following a series of consultation events back in 2016, 73% of residents agreed with Option 1A, where Allerdene Railway Bridge will be reconstructed south of its current location and replacing Smithy Lane overbridge. This option has now been developed further and these plans will be on show at a series of consultation events which will take place later this month.

Highways England project manager Nicola Wilkes said:

We would really like people to come along to these public consultation events which are being held over 2 weeks.

These events are a chance for local people to have a look at the more detailed plans we have pulled together for the proposals and to give us their feedback.

Anyone that can’t make these events can also let us know their feedback online on the scheme webpage.

Details of the events are available on the consultation page.

Two options were presented at the events held back in 2016 with the only difference being where Allerdene Railway Bridge would be built. Option 1B included building a temporary railway bridge and then building the permanent structure in the same place as it is now.

The consultation started on Thursday 8 February 2018 and will finish on Friday 23 March 2018.

For more details on the A1 Birtley to Coal House scheme, which is due to start late 2020, and to fill out the online consultation, please visit the scheme webpage.

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.

National Apprenticeship Week 2018 (#NAW2018) is now just 4 weeks away, taking place from 5 to 9 March 2018 and will bring together those passionate about apprenticeships to encourage more people to choose apprenticeships as a fast-track to a great career and business growth.

Now in its 11th year, the theme of National Apprenticeship Week is Apprenticeships Work and is designed to showcase how apprenticeships work for employers, individuals, local communities and the wider economy, whilst giving opportunity to showcase the great work of forward-thinking and successful apprenticeship employers.

Across the country, schools are signing up to invite passionate current and former apprentices to talk to their students about their experience. Similarly, apprentices and former apprentices are joining the #10kTalks movement to share their own success stories with the next generation of talent in local schools.

Amy Grange, former degree apprentice and now Oracle Applications Consultant at Capgemini is just one of many taking part in #10kTalks. She said

My career began 5 years ago when I started my apprenticeship with Capgemini and as part of my role I deliver talks to young people considering an apprenticeship. I was delighted to be invited back to my own school, it really made me realise how far I’ve come with my apprenticeship and how valuable an apprenticeship can be.

Sue Husband, Director of the National Apprenticeship Service, added:

It’s fantastic to see so many already joining the 10,000 talks movement ahead of National Apprenticeship Week. But we want to see even more come on board to inspire apprentices of the future.

We know there are countless current and former apprentices up and down the country who, just like Amy, have a great story to tell. If that’s you, or someone you know, sign up to join #10kTalks – you have the power to ensure more young people learn about the great benefits of apprenticeships.

We’re also calling on schools to join the movement. Welcoming back a former student or other local apprentice is a great way to showcase to your students how an apprenticeship can kick off a great career.

It’s your week. Everyone passionate about apprenticeships, from a young person just starting their career through to employers, schools, training organisations and partners, has a role to play in National Apprenticeship Week. With your valued support we can celebrate every apprentice across the country, so help us reach 10,000 people with great stories of why apprenticeships work and make this week the most successful yet.

Schools can be a part of the 10,000 talks movement by inviting a passionate apprentice, or former apprentice, to talk to their students about their experience. Support with matching an apprentice ambassador to schools will be given.

Apprentices and former apprentices will be matched with a nearby school to give a talk and share their story, helping to inspire the next generation of apprentices. To find out more and to sign up to deliver a #10kTalks session visit the amazing apprenticeships website.

Employers, schools, colleges, universities, training organisations and partners can access resources and more information about how to get involved with National Apprenticeship Week by visiting the resource portal.

Watch Amy Grange return to her former school to share her own apprenticeships story:

Amy Grange video

The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy accepted a disqualification undertaking from Leah Kimberley Masters, disqualifying her for six years.

The company was telephoning people to sell a call-blocking device to stop unsolicited calls.

They failed to comply with the rules under the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations, resulted in at least 382 unsolicited marketing calls being made to members of the public who were registered with the Telephone Preference Service (TPS) and who had not consented to receive such calls.

In December 2013, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) informed CCEL that it had received complaints from individual subscribers to TPS that they had received unsolicited marketing calls from CCEL. As a result, CCEL were asked about their compliance with the regulations.

In January 2014 the company informed the ICO that it had purchased the data it used to make the calls from a third party and had not itself screened the data against the TPS. The Company suggested that it would put in place further measures to ensure a reduction in complaints regarding unsolicited marketing calls. The ICO placed the company under a 3 month monitoring period, during which time complaints continued.

Following a meeting in August 2014 the company was placed under further monitoring but after an initial improvement complaints continued to be made. Between 14 June 2013 and 31 March 2015 the TPS received 382 complaints. A notice of intent to issue a monetary penalty was issued to CCEL by the ICO in July 2015.

In September 2015 a fine of £75,000 was issued against CCEL for making unsolicited marketing calls to sell cold calling devices.

The fine was not paid by the due date (15 October 2015) and as a result the ICO issued a winding up petition against the company which led to the company entering into voluntary liquidation proceedings on 8 December 2016.

The Insolvency Service is continuing to work very closely with the ICO to take action in cases where these breaches are discovered.

Commenting on the disqualification, David Brooks, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, said:

This is a serious case where the actions of the director and the company have caused distress to members of the public in contravention of UK and EC regulations.

This ban reflects the seriousness of these actions and the robust stance that the Insolvency Service will take against those whose conduct falls below accepted commercial standards.

Andy Curry, Enforcement Group Manager at the Information Commissioner’s Office, said:

The people behind nuisance calls cause upset and distress and we’re in the business of cracking down on them.

We will pursue all options in the event of unpaid fines, and work closely with other regulators such as the Insolvency Service and Claims Management Regulator. The disqualification of a director behind a nuisance call firm is another welcome step in the fight.

Leah Kimberley Masters is of Chichester and her date of birth is January 1984.

Cold Call Elimination Limited (Co. No. 08388416) was incorporated on 5 February 2013 and traded as a Telephone Marketing Company at Suite 1 Metro House, Northgate, Chichester, PO19 1BE. Leah Kimberley Masters was the sole director of the company.

The company utilised data obtained from a third party to market an electronic call blocking device that would allow vulnerable people and others to block nuisance calls.

A number of complaints to the Telephone Preference Service and the Information Commissioners office led to contact between the company and the ICO. Following a meeting held in August 2014 between the company and the ICO, concerns regarding the call data, the data suppliers used by CCEL and the outbound calls scripts used were discussed.

In July 2015 the Company received notice from the ICO of their intention to impose a fine of £75,000. The company attempted to appeal but the fine was upheld and in September 2015 the fine was formalised.

In October 2016 the Company became aware of a winding up Petition presented by the ICO for the unpaid fine, and as a result of advice received entered into voluntary Liquidation on 8 December 2016.

At Liquidation the company had assets of £14,000 and liabilities of £145,958 of which £75,000 was due to the ICO.

A disqualification order has the effect that without specific permission of a court, a person with a disqualification cannot:

• act as a director of a company
• take part, directly or indirectly, in the promotion, formation or management of a company or limited liability partnership
• be a receiver of a company’s property

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 other restrictions.

The Insolvency Service, an executive agency sponsored by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), administers the insolvency regime, and aims to deliver and promote a range of investigation and enforcement activities both civil and criminal in nature, to support fair and open markets. We do this by effectively enforcing the statutory company and insolvency regimes, maintaining public confidence in those regimes and reducing the harm caused to victims of fraudulent activity and to the business community, including dealing with the disqualification of directors in corporate failures.

BEIS’ mission is to build a dynamic and competitive UK economy that works for all, in particular by creating the conditions for business success and promoting an open global economy. The Criminal Investigations and Prosecutions team contributes to this aim by taking action to deter fraud and to regulate the market. They investigate and prosecute a range of offences, primarily relating to personal or company insolvencies.

The agency also authorises and regulates the insolvency profession, assesses and pays statutory entitlement to redundancy payments when an employer cannot or will not pay employees, provides banking and investment services for bankruptcy and liquidation estate funds and advises ministers and other government departments on insolvency law and practice.

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

Media enquiries for this press release – 020 7674 6910 or 020 7596 6187

You can also follow the Insolvency Service on:

Dr Gul-Nawaz Khan Akbar, Mumtaz Khan Akbar, Rab Nawaz Khan Akbar, Fameeda Akbar and Kauser Akbar have been disqualified relating to their directorships of Greentabs Ltd (known whilst it traded, as Mumtaz Food Industries Ltd), which traded as a restaurant and food manufacturing plant.

The bans follow disqualification orders made in the High Court in Leeds on 16 November 2017 following an investigation by the Insolvency Service. The disqualifications began on 8 December 2017.

Dr Gul-Nawaz Khan Akbar, the managing director of Mumtaz Food Industries Ltd has been disqualified for 6 years. He failed to act in the best interest of the company by purchasing gold bullion to the value of £976,055 with company funds for his sole benefit whilst creditors amounting to £447,997 remained unpaid.

Dr Akbar’s two brothers, Mumtaz Khan Akbar and Rab Nawaz Khan Akbar were aware of the transaction and allowed it to happen, have each been disqualified for three years.

Dr Akbar’s wife, Fameeda Akbar, and Mumtaz Khan Akbar’s wife, Kauser Akbar, were each disqualified for 2 years for not upholding corporate governance requirements..

Between 30 November 2012 and 11 December 2012 Gold bullion with a value of £976,055 was purchased by Mumtaz Food Industries Ltd. Company board meetings minutes show that it was agreed by Dr Akbar, Mumtaz Khan Akbar and Rab Nawaz Khan Akbar that the title to that gold would pass solely to Dr Akbar via the use of an Employee Benefit Trust.

Prior to the purchase of the gold bullion, £447,997 was owed to six unassociated creditors, which Mumtaz Food Industries Ltd failed to pay and which remained outstanding at the time of liquidation.

Towards the end of 2012, Mumtaz Food Industries Ltd’s trade was scaled down and on 24 May 2013 it entered into voluntary liquidation with an estimated deficiency of £805,630.

Commenting on the disqualifications, Robert Clarke, Group Leader of Insolvent Investigations North at the Insolvency Service, said:

Directors who put their own personal financial interests above those of creditors, or who fail to take their directorial responsibilities seriously damage confidence in doing business and are corrosive to the health of the local economy.

It sends a clear message to other company directors that if you run a company in a way that is detrimental to either its customers or its creditors you may be investigated by the Insolvency Service and as a result removed from the corporate trading environment.

Dr Gul Nawaz Khan Akbar’s date of birth is July 1960.

Mumtaz Khan Akbar’s date of birth is February 1959.

Rab Nawaz Khan Akbar’s date of birth is January 1972.

Fameeda Akbar’s date of birth is November 1967.

Kauser Akbar’s date of birth is August 1967.

All of the directors reside in Bradford.

Greentabs Ltd (CRO No 03484420) formerly known as Mumtaz Food Industries Ltd was incorporated on 22 December 1997 and traded from premises in Great Horton Road, Bradford, W Yorks, BD7 3HS as a restaurant and food manufacturing plant.

Dr Gul Nawaz Khan Akbar and Rab Nawaz Akbar were appointed directors from incorporation until the liquidation of the company. Mumtaz Khan, Fameeda and Kauser Akbar were appointed on 7 April 1999 and continued until the Liquidation of the company.

A disqualification order has the effect that without specific permission of a court, a person with a disqualification cannot:

• act as a director of a company

• take part, directly or indirectly, in the promotion, formation or management of a company or limited liability partnership

• be a receiver of a company’s property

Persons subject to a disqualification order are bound by a range of other restrictions.

The Insolvency Service, an executive agency sponsored by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), administers the insolvency regime, and aims to deliver and promote a range of investigation and enforcement activities both civil and criminal in nature, to support fair and open markets. We do this by effectively enforcing the statutory company and insolvency regimes, maintaining public confidence in those regimes and reducing the harm caused to victims of fraudulent activity and to the business community, including dealing with the disqualification of directors in corporate failures.

BEIS’ mission is to build a dynamic and competitive UK economy that works for all, in particular by creating the conditions for business success and promoting an open global economy. The Criminal Investigations and Prosecutions team contributes to this aim by taking action to deter fraud and to regulate the market. They investigate and prosecute a range of offences, primarily relating to personal or company insolvencies.

The agency also authorises and regulates the insolvency profession, assesses and pays statutory entitlement to redundancy payments when an employer cannot or will not pay employees, provides banking and investment services for bankruptcy and liquidation estate funds and advises ministers and other government departments on insolvency law and practice.

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

Media enquiries for this press release – 020 7674 6910 or 020 7596 6187

You can also follow the Insolvency Service on: