News story: Institute for Apprenticeships announces new appointments

The Institute for Apprenticeships has appointed chairs for 15 route panels, and a panel of apprentices to advise the board.

The route panels are made up of industry experts and are responsible for setting the standards of knowledge, skills and behaviours needed by employers for every occupation in England. The chairs will lead their groups in reviewing and recommending apprenticeship standards and assessment plans and advising on funding levels on behalf of the institute.

The panel of apprentices is made up of current or recent apprentices from a wide range of occupations and experiences from up and down the country. The panel will decide what issues to focus on and ensure the apprentice voice is heard within the decision making structure of the institute.

Chair of the Institute for Apprenticeships Antony Jenkins said:

“I’m delighted to be able to formally announce these appointments. For our panel chairs we’ve got individuals of superb calibre – a dynamic mix of experts in their field from a broad range of occupations. Their expertise will ensure the panels are run smoothly and that quality will be maintained across the system.

“Our panel of apprentices is something I am particularly proud of – a deeply impressive group of individuals who will ensure the needs of apprentices are truly reflected in the development of the apprenticeship programme.”

The panel chairs are:

agriculture, environment and animal care – Richard Self, Project Manager, Edge Careers and Agricultural Manager, Co-operatives UK
business and administrative – Andrew Ground, CEO and co-founder of Tutorfair
catering and hospitality – Alison Gilbert, Human Resources and Board Director, CH&Co
childcare and education – Sir Nick Weller, Executive Principal, Dixons City Academy, Bradford
construction – Tanja Smith, Technical Director, Gradon Architecture
creative and design – Iain Smith OBE, Film Producer, Applecross Productions
digital – Mark Sherwin, Managing Director, Global Digital Customer Services Lead, Accenture
engineering and manufacturing – Dr Graham Honeyman CBE, Chief Executive at Sheffield Forgemasters
hair and beauty – Suki Kalirai, Director, GKC Infocus Ltd and Qi Spa (Spa WMC Ltd)
health and science – Kirk Lower, National Lead for Apprenticeships, Talent for Care, Widening Participation and Volunteering, Health Education England
legal, finance and accounting – Mike Thompson, Director, Early Careers, Barclays
protective services – Sir Jonathan Murphy, former Chief Constable Merseyside Police, Professor of Advanced Policing Studies, Liverpool John Moores University
sales, marketing and procurement – Godfrey Moger, Station Director for Free Radio, Bauer Media
social care – Sir Roger Singleton, Chair of the Independent Safeguarding Authority and previously Chief Executive of Barnados
transport and logistics – Michelle Nolan-McSweeney, Head of Training Strategy, Network Rail

The 11 members of the panel of apprentices are:

Heeran Basi – SevernTrent
Holly Broadhurst – JCB
Lucille Gallaway – Barclays
Adam Gymer – Pfizer UK
Kara Halford – Dawn’s Flower Box
Becky King – National Physical Laboratory
Kam Penglin – CT Skills
Sanna Shabir – Atkins Global
Adam Sharp – Sellafield
Daniel Skinner – BAE Systems
Poppy Wolfarth – Asset Training

Press release: High fines for illegal fishing

On 13 April 2017, at Barkingside Magistrates court, Billy Cox was fined £300 for fishing without the required number of rod licences, with costs of £127 and a victim surcharge of £30 imposed after a prosecution by the Environment Agency.

Magistrates heard that on 8 September 2016, an Environment Agency enforcement officer found Billy Cox fishing with 3 rods and lines at White Hart Lakes, Dagenham. He was only able to produce one valid licence and further licence checks confirmed that he did not have a second licence to cover the use of his third rod. At the time of the incident a rod licence permitted the use of up to 2 rods and lines which was clearly stated in the terms and conditions supplied with the licence. He was reported for the offence of not being able to produce the required number of licences when challenged by the bailiff.

Billy Cox was convicted in his absence.

Darren Wakenell, of the Environment Agency, said:

The majority of anglers fish legally and purchase a fishing licence. We invest the money from fishing licences back into fisheries improvements, fish stocks and fishing, this is essential for the future of the sport.

The minority of anglers that fail to buy a fishing licence are cheating their fellow anglers and the future of the sport. In addition, fishing licence cheats risk a criminal conviction, a significant fine and could lose their fishing equipment.

During 2015-2016 the Environment Agency checked more than 62,000 fishing licences and prosecuted more than 1,900 anglers for rod and line offences resulting in fines and costs in excess of £500,000.

Anyone witnessing illegal fishing incidents in progress can report them directly to the Environment Agency hotline, 0800 80 70 60. Information on illegal fishing and environmental crime can also be reported anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

You need a valid Environment Agency fishing licence if you are aged 12 or over and fish for salmon, trout, freshwater fish, smelt or eel in England.

Junior fishing licences (aged 12-16) are now free, but you must still get a fishing licence online.

For media enquiries please call us on 0800 141 2743.

Or email us at southeastpressoffice1@environment-agency.gov.uk

Press release: Six businesses in Wales recognised for enterprise excellence on Her Majesty’s 91st birthday

Established in 1965, the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise celebrates the UK’s small and medium sized businesses
This year’s winners include the first group for the Promoting Opportunity category
Research shows nearly 75% of past winners attribute the Queen’s Awards to increased international sales
Entries are open as of today for the 2018 awards

Business Secretary Greg Clark today named the winners of the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise in celebration of Her Majesty The Queen’s 91st birthday.

This included six businesses from across Wales who have been recognised for their contribution to sustainable development, international trade and innovation.

Winners include businesses leading the way in a broad range of industries – from a remote water leak monitoring system, and an apprenticeship scheme in the construction industry, to development and manufacture of environmental packaging systems, and a sea salt manufacturer.

Now in its 51st year, the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise are one of the most prestigious business awards in the country, with winning businesses able to use the esteemed Queen’s Awards emblem for the next five years.

Winning businesses in Wales are:

Sustainable development award winners:

The Anglesey Sea Salt Company Ltd T/A Halen Mon, Llanfairpwll

Innovation award winners:

HMW-Water Ltd, Cwmbran
Siltbuster Ltd, Monmouth
Cyfle Building Skills Ltd (SWWRSAL), Ammanford.

International trade award winners

Green Light International Ltd, Cardiff
SPTS Technologies Group Ltd, Newport

Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns said:

The Queen’s Awards highlight the best of British business – rewarding their strong entrepreneurial streak, their ambitions to succeed at home and overseas and the crucial contribution they make to our economy.

From Anglesey to Monmouth, the Welsh companies awarded today are beacons of success, demonstrating that every corner of Wales is open for business.

They can all be rightly proud of their achievements. I hope their successes will become the inspiration for other Welsh businesses to strive for this prestigious award in the future.

Business Secretary Greg Clark said:

The Queen’s Awards for enterprise highlights everything that’s great about UK business today.

We have some of the best entrepreneurs and innovative minds in the world who are at the heart of small start-ups providing excellent customer service to larger businesses developing global solutions. Over one million new businesses have been created since 2010, all playing a vital role in creating jobs and driving growth across the UK.

I’m extremely proud to see such a wealth of businesses across Wales being recognised today. Through our Industrial Strategy we will be building on the successes of these award winning businesses, helping to build a stronger, more outward looking and prosperous global Britain.

According to research by the University of Strathclyde, 73% of International Trade winners between 2012 – 2015 directly attributed increased international sales to winning a Queen’s Award for Enterprise

Entry to the 2018 Awards opens on 21 April 2017 and closes on Friday 1 September 2017.

Notes to editors

Winners of the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise are visited by a Royal representative and are presented with a commemorative trophy as a mark of their achievement. They are also invited to attend a reception at Buckingham Palace in July 2017.
Businesses are also able to use the Queen’s Awards emblem in advertising, marketing and on packaging for five years.
See the full press book of winners, including descriptions and contact details of the 176 winners of the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise in all four categories.
Firms that won a Queen’s Award for international trade demonstrated substantial international growth in overseas earnings and commercial success within their sector.
Awards for innovation are given to businesses that can demonstrate that their innovative products or services are commercially successful.
Sustainable development winners have to show they are involved in activity that ensures a better quality of life for everyone, now and in the future.
The Queen’s Award for Promoting Opportunity winners have had a social mobility programme running for more than two years giving equal support and progression to all employees.

Press release: Over 170 British businesses recognised for enterprise excellence on Her Majesty’s 91st birthday

established in 1965, the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise celebrates the UK’s small and medium sized businesses
this year’s winners include the first group for the Promoting Opportunity category
research shows nearly 75% of past winners attribute the Queen’s Awards to increased international sales
entries are open as of today for the 2018 awards

Business Secretary Greg Clark today (21 April) named the winners of the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise in celebration of Her Majesty The Queen’s 91st birthday.

One hundred and seventy-six businesses from across the UK have been recognised for their contribution to international trade, innovation, sustainable development and promoting opportunity.

This year’s winners include UK businesses leading the way in a broad range of industries – from green energy solutions and medical healthcare, to laser technology and digital marketing.

Successful businesses included:

11 winners of the sustainable business award
57 winners of the innovation award
102 winners for the international trade award
6 winners for the promoting opportunity award

Business Secretary Greg Clark said:

The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise highlights everything that’s great about UK business today.

We have some of the best entrepreneurs and innovative minds in the world who are at the heart of small start-ups providing excellent customer service to larger businesses developing global solutions. Over 1 million new businesses have been created since 2010, all playing a vital role in creating jobs and driving growth across the UK.

I’m extremely proud to see such a wealth of businesses being recognised today. Through our Industrial Strategy we will be building on the successes of these award winning businesses, helping to build a stronger, more outward looking and prosperous global Britain.

Five small and medium sized companies – MastaPlasta Limited, Servecorp Limited, EcoTile Flooring Ltd, 10ACT Ltd t/a TrackBack, and Oakland International Ltd – received awards for both International Trade and Innovation, with Oakland International Ltd getting the double for International Trade and Sustainable Development.

Six businesses have also been named winners of the new Promoting Opportunity category. This new area was introduced to recognise the important work of social mobility initiatives and programmes that specifically reach out and support people from disadvantaged backgrounds. Winners include Allen & Overy LLP, its Smart Start programme has supported over 770 young people in gaining high quality work experience and Procurement Plus Holdings Ltd which has helped 354 people into employment.

According to research by the University of Strathclyde, 73% of International Trade winners between 2012 and 2015 directly attributed increased international sales to winning a Queen’s Award for Enterprise.

Entry to the 2018 Awards opens on 21 April 2017 and closes on Friday 1 September 2017. To apply and for more information, go to: www.gov.uk/queens-awards-for-enterprise.

Press release: Dangerous extremists to be separated from mainstream prison population

Dangerous extremists will be separated from the mainstream prison population and placed into specialist centres, under new rules published today (21 April 2017) by Prisons Minister Sam Gyimah.

Three separation centres are being created and will form part of the wider government strategy to tackle extremism in prisons, holding up to 28 of the most subversive offenders, preventing their influence over others.

An amendment to prison rules laid before Parliament today means prisoners can be placed in a separation centre if they are involved in planning terrorism or are considered to pose a risk to national security.

Those who are spreading views that might encourage or influence others to commit terrorism crimes, or anyone whose views are being used in a way which undermines good order and security in prisons, may also be placed in one of the centres.

The first centre will be up and running at HMP Frankland in the coming weeks, with 2 further units to follow at other establishments.

Prisons Minister Sam Gyimah said:

Any form of extremism must be defeated wherever it is found, and it is right that we separate those who pose the greatest risk in order to limit their influence over other prisoners.

These centres are a crucial part of our wider strategy to help tackle extremism in prisons and ensure the safety and security of both our prisons and the wider public.

A prisoner will be considered for one of the centres if their behaviour behind bars meets one of the criteria included in the new prison rule and the level of risk they present can only be managed through separation.

Once in a centre, they will be reviewed by experts every 3 months and will only be returned to the mainstream prison population if it is considered that the risk they present has reduced to a level that can be effectively managed there.

The introduction of the centres was one of the principal recommendations of a government-commissioned independent review into extremism in prisons. The vast majority of the recommendations are being implemented.

The government takes the threat of radicalisation and extremism in prisons extremely seriously and has built on the recommendations in the review to further boost efforts to tackle extremism.

The centres form part of the wider strategy to tackle extremism, which includes:

The formation of a new directorate for Security, Order and Counter-Terrorism – responsible for monitoring and dealing with the evolving threat of extremism.
A launch of a new unit that will analyse intelligence and advise prisons in England and Wales on how to deal with specific threats, as well as instruct and train prison and probation staff on how best to deter offenders from being lured into extremism.
Extremist literature being banned from prisons and the removal of anyone from communal worship who is promoting dangerous views.
A new training package to identify, report and combat extremism being rolled out to all prison officers and new pre-employment vetting check for chaplains and imams being introduced from February 2017.

Notes to Editors

The government announced in August its response to a report into extremism in prisons plans ‘to create specialist units within the high security estate to allow greater separation and specialised management of extremists who pose the highest risk to other prisoners’.
In November the Ministry of Justice published the ‘Prison Safety and Reform White Paper’ setting out the steps it is taking to make prisons a place of safety and reform. The white paper explained that ‘extremism is a danger to society and a threat to public safety’.
For more information, contact the Ministry of Justice Press Office on 0203 334 3536.