New protections to improve the long-term sustainability of England’s shellfish industry and support the next generation of fishermen have been announced by Fisheries Minister George Eustice.

From Sunday (1 October), fishermen will no longer be able to land egg-bearing (‘berried’) lobsters and crawfish in English waters – a move that will protect the species until their eggs have hatched.

England’s shellfish industry is worth £117 million, and over £22 million worth of lobster and crawfish were landed in ports in 2016. But with stock assessments indicating the species are being fished at more than twice the rate scientists consider optimal, taking action now will make stock levels more sustainable and provide long-term benefits for the fishing industry.

The UK is leading the way in Europe in providing this new protection for shellfish – with a proposal for similar action to ban the landing of berried lobsters across the EU currently in discussion.

Fisheries Minister George Eustice said:

We do not have quotas for lobsters but it is important to harvest shellfish sustainably. Ensuring that all egg-bearing lobsters are returned to the sea is an obvious step to allow populations to regenerate.

These new regulations will ensure a consistent approach around our coast and help protect our marine environment and the future of our shellfish industry.

The changes come after the government consulted on introducing a ban in May, with respondents overwhelmingly in favour of proposals put forward and agreeing stocks are being over-exploited.

Local bans on landing berried lobsters and crawfish are already in place in certain Inshore Fisheries Conservation Authorities (IFCAs), but a coordinated national ban around England will provide a consistent framework to sustain these important species.

The move follows a similar ban on catching and keeping berried edible crabs – part of the UK’s continued work to champion sustainable fishing.

The Investigatory Powers Act 2016, which received Royal Assent in November last year, introduced a right of appeal from decisions of the Investigatory Powers Tribunal. This forms part of a range of reforms to the oversight of the security and intelligence agencies, and the use of investigatory powers.

The Investigatory Powers Tribunal provides a right of redress for anyone who believes they have been the victim of unlawful action by a public authority improperly using covert investigative techniques. It is also the appropriate forum to consider claims alleging the infringement of human rights which are brought against the security and intelligence agencies.

The consultation of the draft revised rules, which is open for 6 weeks, asks for views on the changes to the rules which govern the Investigatory Powers Tribunal. The draft rule changes reflect the new right of appeal as well as updating the existing rules to reflect the evolution of Investigatory Powers Tribunal practice and procedures since they were written in 2000.

The right of appeal will be available in limited circumstances where there is a point of law that raises an important point of principle or practice, or where there is some other compelling reason for allowing an appeal.

Launching the consultation, Security Minister Ben Wallace said:

The Investigatory Powers Tribunal is a crucial way to help ensure the activities of our intelligence and law enforcement agencies carry out to keep us all safe are authorised, necessary and proportionate.

I am pleased to confirm that the Investigatory Powers Tribunal is content with the draft update to the rules which allows a right of appeal.

We are now seeking wider views, in particular on the proposed changes. All responses are welcome and will be carefully considered.

The consultation comes as part of implementing the world-leading oversight regime being created by the Investigatory Powers Act 2016. The act brought together powers already available to the security and intelligence agencies and law enforcement to obtain communications and data about communications. It ensures that these powers, and the safeguards that apply to them, are clear and understandable.

It radically overhauls the way these powers are authorised and overseen, including through the creation of a powerful new Investigatory Powers Commissioner to oversee how these powers are used. And it ensures the powers are fit for the digital age.

Coming into effect from today (29 September 2017), claimants in the Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) support group and Universal Credit (UC) recipients with limited capability for work and work-related activity will no longer need to be reassessed if they:

• have a severe, lifelong disability, illness or health condition
• are unlikely to ever be able to move into work

See Employment and Support Allowance and Universal Credit: changes to the Work Capability Assessment for more information.

Prime Minister Theresa May met with Polish Prime Minister Szydło, while in Estonia.

Minister Robin Walker has heard directly from people, groups and businesses in Northern Ireland about the opportunities and challenges of Brexit, as part of the Government’s ongoing commitment to work with all parts of the UK on our withdrawal.

Visiting alongside Northern Ireland Minister Chloe Smith, Robin Walker met representatives from a number of key sectors, including higher education and business. The trip took in Ulster University’s Belfast campus, recycling and waste management company Re-Gen Waste in Newry, a visit to the border, and the CBI’s under-35s forum for promising future business leaders.

The Minister also saw the regeneration of Belfast Harbour and heard how Belfast is becoming a major hub for inward investment. It is the world’s number one international investment location for financial services technology and cyber security firms, and has seen 1,200 new cyber security related jobs created over the past five years.

The Minister used the visit to hear first hand about the opportunities and challenges that the UK’s exit from the EU could present to Northern Ireland, and to reiterate the Government’s commitment to ensuring the specific interests of Northern Ireland are a priority in the talks. The visit is part of a wider programme of engagement with all parts of the UK on Brexit, and builds on previous visits to Northern Ireland by Minister Robin Walker and Secretary of State David Davis to discuss our EU withdrawal.

The Government has published a comprehensive paper which outlines the UK’s position on addressing the unique circumstances of Northern Ireland and the land border with Ireland. It makes clear the Government’s commitment to avoiding any physical infrastructure at the border.

Minister for Exiting the EU, Robin Walker said:

As we look to leave the EU, we’ve been absolutely clear that we want to hear from people and businesses across all parts of the UK about the specific opportunities and challenges Brexit represents to them.

Because of its land border and shared history with Ireland, Northern Ireland of course has unique issues relating to Brexit that we’ve committed to address as a priority. That’s why we’ve set out our proposals to ensure we protect the Belfast Agreement in the negotiations, and ensure the land border is as seamless and frictionless as possible for people and businesses.

I’ve had the chance to speak with a wide range of groups during this trip – and it’s an opportunity that’s proved invaluable. I had the pleasure of meeting with some of Belfast’s brightest young business leaders, who demonstrated to me the breadth of talent and opportunity the City has to offer. It is clear that Belfast is putting itself on the map as a hub for innovation and foreign direct investment. We want to ensure this trend continues – delivering EU exit in a way that works for all parts of the UK.

Northern Ireland Minister Chloe Smith said:

The UK Government is completely committed to finding a practical solution for the movement of people and goods across the border, as we recognise the unique economic, historical and geographical circumstances between Northern Ireland and Ireland. We are clear we do not want any obstacles between the UK and our closest trading partner, Ireland.

The Government is working for a successful outcome that brings more economic opportunities for the future of everyone in Northern Ireland and preserves stability in Northern Ireland.