Official Statistics: Water situation report for England: January 2017
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Tag Archives: political
UN chief Guterres ‘strongly condemns’ DPR Korea’s ballistic missile launch
13 February 2017 – United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres today voiced strong opposition to the latest ballistic missile launch by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, calling on Pyongyang to fully comply with its international obligations to denuclearize.
“The Secretary-General strongly condemns the launch of another ballistic missile by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) on 12 February,” his spokesperson said in a statement.
The launch “is a further troubling violation” of Security Council resolutions, including resolution 2321 (2016) which strengthened sanctions against the regime.
The Secretary-General urged the DPRK leadership to return “to the path of denuclearization;” while appealing to the international community to continue addressing the in a united manner.
This afternoon, the UN Security Council will discuss the missile launch behind closed doors.
read moreNews story: £170 million plan to dual vital Somerset road
The key route between Sparkford and Ilchester is being upgraded to relieve the over-congested road and create 30 miles of dual carriageway between Mere and South Petherton.
The £170 million plan is part of the government’s £15 billion investment in our motorways and major A roads between 2015 and 2020 – the biggest in a generation.
More than 26,000 vehicles use this stretch of road a day, double the number it was designed for. Dualling the route will cut journey times and new junctions will enhance safety.
Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said:
Almost 4 million trips are made on the A303 every year and we are investing more than £2 billion to improve these motorists’ journeys, making them quicker and safer.
Tackling congestion on this vital road will also help boost the economy in the south-west, unlock thousands of jobs and homes and promote tourism.
Work will include making junctions safer as well as providing better links for pedestrians and cyclists.
Highways England is consulting on the 2 routes and is urging residents to have their say on the plans. The consultation runs from 15 February to 29 March 2017.
The preferred route between Sparkford and Ilchester is due to be announced in autumn this year. Work is expected to start in 2020.
Highways England chief executive Jim O’Sullivan said:
This scheme will be really good news for people travelling to and from the south-west, particularly during the busy summer months.
Our consultation and public exhibitions will provide an excellent opportunity to explain further our plans and to hear feedback from people on our proposals to deliver the scheme.
A separate consultation on building a tunnel for the A303 near Stonehenge is also underway. This will further improve journeys on the main road between London and the south-west.
Further details on upgrading the A358 between Taunton and Southfields will also be revealed shortly.
Highways England is holding the following public information events:
- 12.00 noon to 8.30pm, Thursday 23 February: Sparkford Inn Function Room, Sparkford
- 10.00am to 5.00pm, Queen Camel Memorial Hall, High Street, Queen Camel, Yeovil
- 10.00am to 6.00pm, Friday, 10 March: Davis Hall, Howell Hill, West Camel, Yeovil
News story: Avian flu confirmed at a farm near Redgrave in Suffolk
H5N8 avian flu has been confirmed at a poultry premises near Redgrave, in the district of mid-Suffolk.
The UK’s Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer has confirmed H5N8 avian flu at a poultry premises near Redgrave, in the district of mid-Suffolk.
This follows the announcement of an initial 10km Temporary Control Zone around the premises on 13 February after laboratory analysis identified the presence of H5N8. Further investigations into the nature of the virus have now confirmed that it is the same highly pathogenic strain of H5N8 that has been found in wild and farmed birds in the UK since December 2016.
A 3km Protection Zone and a 10km Surveillance Zone have been put in place around the infected premises to limit the risk of the disease spreading. We have published full details of the controls in place. Use our interactive map to check if you are affected by restrictions around any premises.
The affected premises is estimated to contain approximately 23,000 birds. A number have died and the remaining live birds at the premises will be humanely culled. A full investigation is under way to determine the source of the infection.
Public Health England advise that the risk to public health from the virus is very low and the Food Standards Agency is clear that bird flu does not pose a food safety risk for UK consumers.
Read the latest advice and information on avian flu in the UK, including actions to reduce the risk of the disease spreading, advice for anyone who keeps poultry or captive birds and details of previous cases. Journalists with queries should contact Defra press office.
There’s a real lack of ambition and clarity in the government’s digital transformation strategy – Trickett
Jon Trickett MP, Labour’s Shadow Minister for the Cabinet Office, responding to warnings from the Institute for Government about deficiencies in the Government Transformation Strategy, said:
“Ministers need to pay attention to these warnings. There’s a real lack of ambition and clarity in the government’s digital transformation strategy.
“While the Government tried to avoid criticism by sneaking it out after the Brexit debate, they cannot ignore the details which they’ll be judged on in the long term.
“Theresa May and her Government should throw their weight behind this strategy to make sure a digital transformation actually takes place – and this isn’t just another flashy strategy that falls by the wayside when Ministers realise they haven’t thought through the details.”
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