These voluntary roles require candidates who can take a balanced approach to caring for our seas, assessing the priority and importance of all users and stakeholders. It is essential that candidates have a good local knowledge of the IFCA area for which they are applying. The members of the IFCA contribute their knowledge and experience to provide sustainable management of their IFCA district.

The MMO are also accepting applications from both current and former IFCA general members who are nearing the end of their ten-year term as well as those members who have left having already served a ten-year term. Applications from these members will be considered alongside all other applicants in a fair an open competitive process and appointed on merit to ensure a fair balance of sector representation.

The members of the IFCA contribute their knowledge and experience to provide sustainable management of the inshore marine area of their IFCA district. Appointees to IFCAs are legally required to consider all the local fishing and marine conservation interests in the waters of the IFCA district in a balanced way, taking full account of the needs of the IFCA district. Appointees should recognise that they are part of a committee and should not regard themselves as representing solely one area of particular interest within the IFCA district.

As an IFCA General Member you will have the opportunity to contribute your knowledge and experience to committee meetings helping to shape and direct the work of the IFCA.

This membership puts local people in the driving seat of fisheries management and is an exciting opportunity to shape the development of inshore fisheries in your region.

As a member of an IFCA committee you will work in a team with others, helping to ensure that:

• the use of sea fisheries resources is carried out in a sustainable way and is balanced with the need to protect the marine environment or promote its recovery from, the effects of exploitation
• the different needs of those engaged in the exploitation of sea fisheries and marine resources are balanced
• the conservation objectives of marine conservation zones are achieved

Although these appointments are unpaid some local authorities pay expenses and allowances.

We seek to achieve a balanced membership across various interest groups, including but not limited to those with commercial, recreational, and environmental interests. To assist in maintaining this balance the MMO seek to appoint the following.

Cornwall IFCA

Welcomes applications from all sectors but particularly from those working in the commercial fishing sector and marine environment to fill upcoming vacancies.

Devon & Severn IFCA

Welcome applications from anyone with a willingness to engage with the IFCA in their work in undertaking the management of fisheries within their district.

Eastern IFCA

Welcomes applications from all sectors but particularly from those working in the commercial fishing sector on the East coast of Norfolk and Suffolk which we feel are underrepresented at this time.

Isles of Scilly IFCA

Welcome applications from candidates that have a good local knowledge of the IFCA area and a willingness to engage with the IFCA in their work in undertaking the management of fisheries within their district.

Kent & Essex IFCA

Welcome applications from anyone with a willingness to engage with the IFCA in their work in undertaking the management of fisheries within their district. In particular we encourage applications from the recreational angling sector and active commercial fishermen who are currently under-represented on the IFCA.

North Eastern IFCA

Welcomes applications from all sectors but particularly those with a background in Marine Environment and good knowledge of the local IFCA area.

North Western IFCA

Welcomes applications from all sectors but particularly from those with a conservation or marine environment background and a good understanding of the local issues in the area.

Northumberland IFCA

Welcomes applications from candidates willing to support the NIFCA and positively embrace the challenges that new legislation and fisheries plans will bring. Applications are welcome from all sectors but especially from recreational fishing communities.

Southern IFCA

Welcomes applications from all sectors but particularly from those with a background in the commercial fishing or recreational angling sector and with a good knowledge of the local IFCA area.

Sussex IFCA

Welcomes applications from individuals with a good knowledge of the local Sussex coastal area. Applications from persons within commercial and recreational fishing sectors, as well as science and environmental backgrounds are encouraged. Applicants should have a willingness to positively engage with both IFCA member and officer colleagues; to support the Authority’s duties to develop sustainable inshore fisheries and marine environmental protection within the district. The Sussex IFCA provides eligible allowances and travel expenses to its members.

To apply please complete and submit an application form no later than 24 January 2022. Applications forms should be emailed to ifcarecruitment@marinemanagement.org.uk or posted to IFCA Recruitment, Marine Management Organisation, Lancaster House, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 7YH.

Should you have any questions about the recruitment process please contact the Marine Management Organisation on 0300 123 1032.

Should you wish to find out more about the role of an IFCA general member or require assistance with completion of your application form please contact your local IFCA Office by telephone or email of speak to your local IFCA Officer.

Cornwall IFCA

Tel: 01736 336 842
Email: enquiries@cornwall-ifca.gov.uk

Devon & Severn IFCA

Tel: 01803 854 658
Email: office@deveonandsevernifca.gov.uk

Eastern IFCA

Tel: 01553 775 321
Email: mail@eastern-ifca.gov.uk

Isles of Scilly IFCA

Tel: 01720 424 588
Email: ifca@scilly.gov.uk

Kent and Essex IFCA

Tel: 01843 585 310
Email: info@kentandessex-ifca.gov.uk

North Eastern IFCA

Tel: 01482 393 515
Email: ne-ifca@eastriding.gov.uk

North Western IFCA

Tel: 01524 727 970
Email: offica@nw-ifca.gov.uk

Northumberland IFCA

Tel: 01670 797 676
Email: nifca@nifca.gov.uk

Sussex IFCA

Tel: 01273 454 407
Email: admin@sussex-ifca.gov.uk

Southern IFCA

Tel: 01202 721 373
Email: enquiries@southern-ifca.gov.uk

Proposals to strengthen insolvency regulation

Following a Call for Evidence in 2019, the Government has launched a consultation and is inviting views on creating a single regulator for Insolvency Practitioners, as well as extending regulation to firms that offer insolvency services.

The proposals aim to strengthen and modernise the regulatory regime to keep pace with developments in the insolvency market and key changes set out in the consultation include:

• establishing a single independent regulator to sit within the Insolvency Service, replacing the current four Recognised Professional Bodies
• extending regulation to firms that offer insolvency services, as the current regime only covers individual Insolvency Practitioners
• create a public register of all individuals and firms that offer insolvency services
• create a system of compensation and redress

The proposed changes would apply to England, Scotland and Wales and we’re welcoming the industry to submit their views on the consultation, which will run until 25 March 2022. Responses can be e-mailed to IPRegulation.Consulation@insolvency.gov.uk.

New powers for Insolvency Service to crackdown on rogue directors

The Insolvency Service has been granted new powers to investigate and disqualify company directors who abuse the company dissolution process.

The Rating (Coronavirus) and Directors Disqualification (Dissolved Companies) Act received Royal Assent on 15 December 2021 and the legislation will cover England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The new legislation extends the Insolvency Service’s powers, on behalf of the Business Secretary, to tackle unfit directors who dissolve companies to avoid paying their liabilities, including repaying Government backed loans put in place to support businesses during the Coronavirus pandemic.

The Act will also mean the Business Secretary is able to apply to the court for an order to require a former director of a dissolved company, who has been disqualified, to pay compensation to creditors who have lost out due to their fraudulent behaviour.

The new powers have been welcomed across the industry and Stephen Pegge, Managing Director of UK Finance, has said that this legislation will provide much needed powers to the Insolvency Service to help hold rogue directors to account by providing additional deterrents and easier enforcement of the rules.

Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group launches new Action Plan

Over the past year, the Insolvency Service and R3 have been working together to improve inclusion and diversity in the insolvency profession. We are pleased to share that the Insolvency Service and R3 Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group has now published its Action Plan for 2022.

The Action Plan commits the Steering Group to focus efforts in 2022 into four key areas:

• entry into the profession
• progression to associate level, and to partner level
• taking insolvency qualifications, and
• becoming a licence-holder.

The four priority areas aim to help the Steering Group meaningfully boost diversity and inclusion, particularly by helping to build a pipeline of diverse talent in the profession. Read the Action Plan 2022.

Providing direction for 2022: new five-year strategy

In September 2021, we launched our new five-year strategy, setting out how the Insolvency Service will develop its services over the next five years to support businesses, consumers and deliver economic confidence.

The strategy sets out a clear direction of travel to strengthen the UK’s insolvency regime and contribute to the UK being the best place in the world to start and grow a business.

The strategy builds on what we’ve achieved over the last few years but also includes some ambitious new initiatives focused on how we can make best use of our collective skills and expertise to have the greatest impact for our customers and citizens.

Launched alongside our Annual Plan 21/22, which forms year one of that strategy, the strategy aims to ensure that we have an agency fit for the future; one which will support businesses and citizens as the country emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic and helps the UK economy to thrive.

Our seven strategic themes underpin everything that we do and provide the bridge between where we are now and our vision for success.

We already made an impact this year with the launch of Breathing Space in May and the introduction of new Debt Relief Order criteria in June, both of which support people in problem debt.

As we move into the second year of our five-year strategy, we will continue to look at how our planned work aligns to our seven strategic themes and provides maximum impact and benefits with the overall aim of supporting economic confidence.

Insolvency Service’s excellence recognised at industry awards

We’re delighted to tell you that we took home two honours at this year’s TRI Awards.

The TRI Awards is a landmark event in the insolvency calendar, shining a spotlight and recognising the innovative and highly-skilled work being delivered in the insolvency profession.

Our Policy & Analysis teams won “Insolvency Team” of the year for their work on the Corporate Insolvency & Governance Act (2020), which has helped support companies throughout the pandemic.

And the Best Use of Technology award was presented to our Breathing Space Project Team who took home the honours for the new Breathing Space Scheme that has helped thousands of people in financial difficulty.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our colleagues and partners in other Government departments involved in the success of these projects, in particular HMT, for their expertise, hard work and dedication in achieving these results.

Two new directors appointed to senior roles in agency

The Insolvency Service is delighted to announce the appointment of two new directors of our Official Receiver Services and Legal Services directorates.

We welcome back Rob Peck to the agency as Director of Official Receiver Service after 6 years at the Home Office. Rob first joined the Insolvency Service 29 years ago when he was 19 and has served as an Examiner before being the Official Receiver for our Croydon and Brighton offices.

At the Home Office, Rob led 550 staff handling appeals against asylum and immigration decisions and more recently served as Head of Appeals, Litigation and Administrative Review.

Rob will now lead the agency’s largest directorate, overseeing the administration and statutory investigation of bankruptcies and compulsory company liquidations.

And Jonathan Lupton has been formally appointed as Director of Legal Services. Jonathan qualified as a solicitor in 1999 after he completed his training contract at a specialist firm of solicitors and licenced insolvency practitioners in Yorkshire.

Throughout his career, Jonathan has specialised in personal and corporate insolvency and is also a qualified Insolvency Practitioner, where he has held a number of personal and corporate insolvency officeholder appointments.

Jonathan has been a partner of a law firm heading up their Insolvency and Business Recovery Team and an Associate Director at a leading Insolvency Litigation Funding Company, before joining the Insolvency Service in January 2019. Jonathan now has responsibility for overseeing the agency’s criminal enforcement and civil litigation legal work.

Special Administration Regime for Bulb

On the 24 November 2021, the energy supply company Bulb entered into a Special Administration Regime (SAR). Although the SAR regime for energy supply companies as been in place since 2011, this is the first time its been used.

The aim of the SAR is to ensure the continuity of supply for Bulb’s consumers. Other energy suppliers that have also entered into insolvency have not gone into the energy SAR regime as Ofgem have been able to transfer their customers to other existing energy suppliers.

There are a number of SAR regimes covering other critical sectors of the economy such as utilities provision, education and financial services, all of which are in place to ensure that the continuity of supply of critical services are not interrupted or that an orderly wind up is possible where that is needed.

The Insolvency Service played an important role in advising Government and Ofgem on insolvency practice and regulations to help with setting and running the SAR.

Recent enforcement activity

A director from Rotherham has been banned for 13 years after fraudulently obtaining £150,000 Covid-19 financial assistance, along with friend who also took £50,000

Bosses of an East London property lettings company have been banned for a total of 13.5 years after abusing the tax authorities and failing to maintain company records.

Nottingham electrician failed to pay a VAT Bill of £100,000 has been banned for 5 years.

Essex duo who ran an ‘ethical water’ investment scheme which took over £800,000 from investors banned are for a total of 22 years.

A West London wholesaler has been struck off as a director for 7 years after he abused the tax authorities to the value of more than £600,000.

Latest updates to the Insolvency Service blog

The Insolvency Service blog was set up to let those either working or an interest in the Insolvency Service share thoughts and experiences. It’s a place for our people across the agency to share personal experiences of the work they do – work that includes supporting those in financial distress, tackling financial wrongdoing and maximising returns to creditors.

Our newest blogs include Behind the scenes at the Forward Thinking conference written by our colleague Sarah Littlehales, who describes the build-up and the planning for the recent Forward Thinking conference hosted by the Insolvency Service at Aston University.

The Shed: A safe place to talk was written by our Continuous Improvement Manager, Dean Cavill who introduces the agency’s new network for men ‘The Shed’. Spoiler: it’s not just for men.

Ministers have today (Thursday 23 December) confirmed the Afghan citizens resettlement scheme (ACRS) will open in January, providing up to 20,000 Afghan women, children, and others most at risk with a safe and legal route to resettle in the UK.

The ACRS is one of the most ambitious schemes of its kind in the world. It will build upon the UK’s continuing efforts to support those at risk, alongside the relocation of British nationals, and those who heroically supported our armed forces through the Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy (ARAP). The UK is taking a leading role in the international response to supporting at-risk Afghan citizens and has made one of the largest commitments to resettlement of any country.

The ACRS will prioritise:

• those who have assisted UK efforts in Afghanistan and stood up for our values such as democracy, women’s rights, freedom of speech and rule of law
• extremely vulnerable people such as women and girls at risk and members of minority groups

Delivering the ACRS is evidence of the government’s New Plan for Immigration in action, offering a safe and legal pathway to the UK for some of the most vulnerable while breaking the business model of illegal migration. Every person who comes to the UK will be subject to the same strict security checks as those resettled through other schemes.

Minister for Afghan Resettlement, Victoria Atkins, said:

We are committed to supporting everyone we have evacuated from Afghanistan to make a success of their new life in the UK. I’m very grateful to everyone who has stepped forward to help.

The Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme provides a safe and legal way for the most vulnerable and at-risk people from Afghanistan to come to the United Kingdom and rebuild their lives, as part of the New Plan for Immigration.

Operation Warm Welcome is a huge national effort which could not succeed without the compassion and determination of our partners in local government, the private sector, voluntary organisations and the great British public. Every single one of them should be very proud.

The Minister for Afghan Resettlement, Victoria Atkins MP, will set out further detail on how the ACRS will operate in an update to Parliament in January.

Earlier this year, the UK government undertook the biggest and fastest emergency evacuation in recent history, helping over 15,000 people to safety from Afghanistan. We have continued to bring people to the UK, with around 1,500 people helped to enter the UK since the evacuation. Some of those already evacuated, including women’s rights activists, journalists, and prosecutors, will be the first to be resettled under the ACRS. All those resettled under the ACRS will be granted indefinite leave to remain in the UK, which includes the right to work and study.

People will be referred onto the ACRS through 1 of 3 referral pathways. This will enable the UK to respond to the unprecedented circumstances in Afghanistan and ensure those already in the UK are supported to secure permanent homes and rebuild their lives in the UK. The government will also honour its commitments to those British Council workers, GardaWorld employees and Chevening alumni who are at risk and these groups will be considered for resettlement under the ACRS.

The ACRS is part of the New Plan for Immigration, supporting the world’s most vulnerable to come here legally whilst passing new laws to maintain control of our borders and deter people from entering our country illegally. The plan ensures that the UK’s resettlement programmes respond to international crises so that vulnerable people do not fall prey to people smugglers or criminal gangs. It operates alongside the government’s other safe and legal resettlement routes, which have provided tens of thousands of at-risk people with the chance to start a new life in the UK.

Since 2015, the UK has helped more people through resettlement schemes than any other country in Europe. As part of ‘Operation Warm Welcome’, the government is ensuring children can attend school, that families can access healthcare including mental health support, and that people can begin their integration into UK society by securing employment opportunities.

Local authorities have been given integration funding to support those starting a new life in the UK, with £20,520 per person provided over 3 years. They will also receive additional funding for children entering education, to cover English language provision, and to cover healthcare. So far, over 300 local authorities have pledged to support Afghan families resettling in the UK.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, as Head of the Commonwealth, has recognised Joe Billy Oge, representing Solomon Islands, as the 208th recipient of the Commonwealth Points of Light award in honour of his exceptional voluntary service to the ‘Solomon Islands Scout Association’.

Joe Billy Oge, aged 45, is Chief Commissioner of the ‘Solomon Islands Scouts Association’ (SISA) and has been a key figure in the organisation’s transformation and revitalisation in the country. Joe’s leadership was instrumental in seeing the ‘Solomon Islands Scout Association’ accepted into the ‘World Organisation of Scout Movements’ for the first time.

Joe has also led projects to construct waterproof shelters for homeless children, delivered programmes to improve climate change awareness, and encouraged more women and girls to take part in the Scouts, making ‘Solomon Islands Scout Association’ one of the most gender-diverse and balanced organisations in the country.

As part of the legacy of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London 2018, Her Majesty The Queen – as Head of the Commonwealth – is thanking inspirational volunteers across the 54 Commonwealth nations for the difference they are making in their communities and beyond, by recognising a volunteer from each Commonwealth country every week.

By sharing these stories of service, the Commonwealth Points of Light awards celebrate inspirational acts of volunteering across the Commonwealth and help inspire others to make their own contribution to tackling some of the greatest social challenges of our time.

Joe said:

I would like to thank the British Government through the office of the former British High Commissioner to Solomon Islands Dr Brian Jones for my nomination to this award. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our Scout Leaders and Volunteers in Solomon Islands, both past and present, for the tireless work that you have contributed to the Scout Movement.

Through the Pandemic the Scouts Association in Solomon received its standing at the World Level as the 172nd Member of the ‘World Organisation of Scout Movements’. Let us continue to give to this generation and prepare them to take on the challenges of this age.

Tom Coward, British High Commissioner to Solomon Islands and Nauru, said:

I am so pleased that Joe is being recognised by Her Majesty the Queen for his outstanding work as both and educator and a champion for youth in Solomon Islands. Through his work in the ‘Solomon Islands Scout Association’, Joe has helped young people to learn, grow and to make a positive impact in their community.

The Commonwealth is a diverse community of 54 nations that work together to promote prosperity, democracy and peace. The Heads of Government meeting brought together leaders from all the 54 Member countries to reaffirm common values, address shared global challenges and agree how to work to create a better future for all citizens, especially young people.

Voluntary service is a vital part of this agenda, which is why Her Majesty The Queen has chosen to recognise outstanding volunteers across the Commonwealth in this special way.

An extra 184 Armed Forces members have been made available to support the Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust (WAST), to increase the resilience of emergency responders during the winter period.

129 military personnel have been supporting the ambulance service in Wales since October and the latest uplift, due to begin on 4 January, will take the total number to 313. The task has also been extended until the end of March.

The servicemen and women, who have received thorough training, will augment the service with additional drivers. The task will help to ease pressures resulting from the pandemic and ensure the ambulance trust can continue to provide their essential service, including attending life-threatening calls.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said:

Over the festive period our servicemen and women will continue to provide vital support to our dedicated emergency services across the UK to help keep communities safe.

The uplift of 184 extra personnel to support the ambulance service in Wales will ensure they can continue to provide life-saving services to those most in need.

This deployment is the third time the Armed Forces have supported the Welsh Ambulance Service since the pandemic began in March 2020. 68 personnel deployed in April 2020 and 120 personnel augmented dedicated Welsh Ambulance Service staff in December 2020, including Defence medics.

Secretary of State for Wales Simon Hart said:

The UK’s Armed Forces continue to play a key role in the fight against Covid-19 in Wales and I am hugely grateful for their commitment and expertise as they once again support the critical work of the Welsh Ambulance Service.

Throughout the pandemic, the military has stepped up in large numbers to support health services across Wales with the distribution of PPE, driving ambulances, assisting community testing and now the vaccine roll-out demonstrating the UK Government’s commitment to meet the needs of the whole of the United Kingdom.

Jason Killens, Chief Executive of the Welsh Ambulance Service, said:

We’re very grateful to have the continued support of the military who did a superb job of assisting us on two occasions previously. Having our Armed Forces colleagues will help us put more ambulances on duty so we can get to more patients, more quickly, while the extreme pressure continues.

The winter period is our busiest time and having military support will bolster our capacity and put us in the best possible position to provide a safe service to the people of Wales.

The latest uplift in military support comes after 98 personnel were made available to support the Covid-19 vaccine booster programme in Wales last week. Armed Forces will be working to support the Department of Health and Welsh Government to accelerate the vaccine rollout amid a wave of Omicron infections.

The personnel will make up 14 teams of vaccinators who will provide surge support to increase capacity. Those deploying are a mixture of health care professionals and general duties personnel who will be working in support of NHS Wales staff and volunteers, administering vaccines and providing planning expertise.

Personnel come from units across the three services – Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force – and will deploy to all seven Health Boards in Wales, with two teams assigned to each board.

Some personnel have been active on other tasks in Wales since the pandemic began including community testing and PPE delivery.

There are now 411 personnel available to support on Operation Rescript tasks in Wales, the operational name given to Defence’s work to support the pandemic response across the UK.

Support is being provided through the Military Aid to the Civil Authorities (MACA) process. Since March 2020, Defence have responded to over 440 MACA requests across the UK.

The Armed Forces stand ready to step up and support civil authorities, devolved nations and communities as required in the coming months where the requests meet the MACA principles.