Tag Archives: HM Government

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Press release: PM meetings with EC President Tusk and President Macron of France

At the Gothenburg Social Summit, Prime Minister Theresa May held meetings with the President of the European Council and the President of France.

A Downing Street spokesperson said:

“At the Gothenburg Social Summit, Prime Minister Theresa May held a bilateral meeting with European Council President Donald Tusk.

“In positive discussions, the two leaders spoke about the progress which had been made so far in the negotiations on citizens’ rights, Northern Ireland and the financial settlement.

“Prime Minister May and President Tusk agreed that there is more work to be done and discussed how to take further steps forward together in advance of the European Council in December.

“The Prime Minister also held a constructive bilateral meeting with the President of France, Emmanuel Macron.

“They discussed the progress which has been made so far. The two leaders looked forward to further progress being made ahead of the December Council.

“President Macron and the Prime Minister also discussed the strong bilateral relationship which exists between France and the UK and looked forward to building upon it further in coming months and years.”

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HM Government

Press release: Parole Board supports Why Me? initiative for Restorative Justice Week

The Parole Board is supporting Why me? Victims for Restorative Justice in an initiative they are launching on 23 November 2017, as part of Restorative Justice week.

Why Me? are inviting victims to send in comments and feedback from their experiences of either going through restorative justice or accessing the services to begin with. We hope that victims will take this opportunity to contribute to the development of restorative justice practice.

In its aim to continuously improve its services to victims, the Board has been speaking with policy and practice professionals about how restorative justice can help victims. This is focussed on how victims come to terms with what has happened to them or their family, and how it may support offender rehabilitation.

Nick Hardwick, Parole Board Chair said:

“As the Parole Board marks its 50th anniversary it is right that we look at how parole has evolved and the changing nature of our work. Restorative Justice is still a relatively new approach, although we are beginning to see it feature in cases that come before the Parole Board. It is now appropriate and timely that we look into the part restorative justice may play in the parole process.”

Martin Jones, Parole Board CEO added:

“I am pleased that this initiative is being launched during Restorative Justice week and hope that victims will find time to provide feedback on their experiences. I have met many victims, some of whom have been through the RJ process, and I am always humbled by the dignity and strength they have shown. I hope that we can learn from the victims who have engaged in restorative justice and start to reflect on how RJ can help both victims and offenders move on with their lives.”

The Parole Board is fully committed to fulfilling its duties towards victims. These duties encompass legal requirements within the statutory Code of Practice for Victims of Crime which in turn observes the wider UK duties contained in Directive 2012/29/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council.

Further information can be found on the Why me? Victims for Restorative Justice website (from 23 November) by following this link.

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HM Government

Press release: Farmers set for increased payments as the Rural Payments Agency confirms BPS 2017 entitlement and greening rates

Entitlement values and greening rates increased for 2017 Basic Payment Scheme (BPS)

Farmers will see a boost in their basic payments this year after Farming minister George Eustice increased entitlement values and greening rates.

Coupled with the favourable BPS exchange rate confirmed in September, basic payments will be worth 25% more on average this year, compared to 2015.

Farming Minister, George Eustice said:

Exchange rate changes since the decision to leave the EU have led to a recovery in many farming sectors and BPS payments this year will be 25% higher than in 2015.

The RPA has published the higher BPS rates online today. Payments under this year’s BPS will be hitting bank accounts from 1 December.

Under the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS), farmers need to hold an entitlement for every hectare of eligible land they are claiming on. The size of farmers’ payments will depend on how many entitlements they use, supported by eligible land and the value of those entitlements.

The greening part of payments will be calculated by taking the number of entitlements that they have used with eligible land to claim payment and multiplying it by the greening value.

Entitlement values

Region 2017 2016 2015
Non-SDA (Severely Disadvantaged Areas) €180.46 €175.27 €171.83
Upland SDA, other than moorland €178.90 €174.01 €170.60
Upland SDA moorland €49.63 €45.97 €45.07

Greening rates

Region 2017 2016 2015
Non-SDA (Severely Disadvantaged Areas) €77.69 €77.71 €76.19
Upland SDA, other than moorland €76.92 €77.15 €75.64
Upland SDA moorland €21.32 €20.39 €19.99

Notes to editors:

  • The Euro exchange rate that will be used to calculate all payments is €1 = 0.89470.
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HM Government

News story: The Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport reappoints Chair of the Sports Grounds Safety Authority (SGSA)

The Rt Hon Karen Bradley MP has reappointed Alan Coppin as SGSA Chair for three years from 1 April 2018

Alan Coppin is Chair of Spirit of 2012, a Trustee of The RAF Museum and a Fellow of the Windsor Leadership Trust. His previous roles have included Non-Executive Directorships of Marshalls plc, Royal Air Force and of Berkeley Group plc, Chairman of The Retail People, Chief Executive Officer of both Historic Royal Palaces and Wembley plc, and a Member of the Executive Board of Compass plc. Alan has also been Chairman of the charity INCLUDE, Chairman of the NW London Training and Enterprise Council, Chairman of The Prince’s Foundation for the Built Environment, a Member of the Advisory Forum of Oxford University’s Saïd Business School, Chairman of Redstone plc, a non-executive Director of both Carillion plc and Metroline plc, and a senior management consultant at KPMG.

The role is remunerated at £18,130 per annum. This appointment has been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments. The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election. Alan has declared no such political activity.

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HM Government