UK and EU reach agreement on fishing opportunities for 2022

A fishing boat near a harbour

The UK and EU reach bilateral agreement on catch limits for 2022, providing around 140,000 tonnes of fishing opportunities for the UK fleet, estimated to be worth around £313 million.

The UK has concluded annual fisheries negotiations with the EU, providing certainty for the fishing industry on catch limits for 2022.

The UK-EU catch limits, known as Total Allowable Catches, have been agreed for around 70 fish stocks. They will provide around 140,000 tonnes of fishing opportunities for the UK fleet, estimated to be worth around £313 million, based on historic landing prices.

The agreement also commits the UK and the EU to rapidly develop multi-year strategies for non-quota species, to ensure sustainable management of these stocks. The UK and the EU exceptionally agreed not to apply tonnage limits for non-quota stocks in 2022, meaning that non-quota stocks will be treated in the same way as in previous years.

Environment Secretary George Eustice said:

We have now concluded negotiations with the EU, setting catch levels for 2022. As an independent coastal State, we entered discussions representing the interests of the entire UK fishing industry and have secured certainty for the incoming year.

The balanced agreement made today provides a strong foundation as we seek to deliver more sustainable fisheries management, as set out in our landmark Fisheries Act.

UK Government Minister for Scotland Malcolm Offord said:

Today’s agreement gives certainty to the sector in Scotland. It maximises opportunities for our fishing industry and the communities it supports, a benefit of our status as an independent coastal state.

We are paving the way for a strong future in fishing, alongside improvements to be made from the UK Government’s £100m UK Seafood Fund.

The agreement with the EU also provides a commitment, via the Specialised Committee on Fisheries established under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, to hold constructive discussions on specific issues relating to fisheries management.

The focus of the work of the Committee for the first half of 2022 will be:

  • A permanent mechanism for in-year quota exchanges
  • Development of multi-year strategies for non-quota species
  • Reviewing existing measures permitting quota flexibility
  • Working with ICES on a range of issues (including biological stock – TAC management area alignment issues, stocks without ICES advice, considering how we can better manage mixed fisheries making use of ICES advice and seeking to improve the ICES catch allocation tool for sea bass).
  • Interpretation of ICES advice on skates and rays.
  • Reviewing data collection and sharing.

This is the second time in which the UK has participated in negotiations with the EU as an independent coastal State, following the signing of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the UK and EU in 2020.

The Written Record for these negotiations has been published on GOV.UK.

An assessment on the number of individual TACs set consistent with ICES advice will be published in the New Year.

Published 22 December 2021
Last updated 22 December 2021 + show all updates

  1. Inclusion of statement from Minister Offord

  2. Link to view the Written Record is now included.

  3. First published.



DVLA staff donate £13,000 to chosen charity Blood Bikes Wales

Press release

DVLA announce total amount raised for Blood Bikes Wales and who staff voted as their Charity of Choice for 2022.

Lifesaving charity Blood Bikes Wales has received a £13,000 boost towards its “vital work” thanks to the generosity of DVLA staff.

The charity, which transports emergency blood supplies to the NHS across Wales, received the donation from DVLA staff after being nominated as their Charity of Choice for the past 2 years.

Staff raised the funds in their own time by undertaking virtual quizzes, walking challenges, choir events, virtual sweepstakes and raffles.

Nigel Ward, Blood Bikes Wales Chairman, said:

We have been so grateful to be DVLA’s Charity of Choice for 2 consecutive years.

It has been wonderful to hear all about the fundraising efforts. Every penny that is donated goes towards vital lifesaving work and would like to thank the staff at DVLA so much.

The money raised will help us to continue providing a reliable, free and high-quality service to health trusts throughout Wales.

DVLA is now delighted to announce Wales Air Ambulance as its chosen charity for 2022.

The charity provides fast critical care to people facing life-threatening emergencies and has completed 40,403 missions to date, but needs to raise £8 million annually to keep flying.

On the DVLA support, Wales Air Ambulance Operations Director Mark Winter said:

A heartfelt thank you to everyone at DVLA for this strong show of support. Wales Air Ambulance started in Swansea 20 years ago so this is a special way to celebrate that milestone.

DVLA support over the next 12 months will ensure that we are there to support those in need during life or limb-threatening emergencies.

People across Wales rely on the rapid emergency response that we deliver. With on-board consultants and critical care practitioners, along with hospital-standard equipment, we are a Flying Emergency Department – taking the hospital to the patient.

It is only through support such as this from DVLA that we can maintain our lifesaving service. We are incredibly grateful to you all and look forward to working with you as your Charity of Choice.

Published 22 December 2021



Scottish Secretary Alister Jack responds to October 2021 GDP

News story

Our focus must remain on sustainable recovery and encouraging vaccinations and boosters, says Secretary of State.

Figures for GDP in Scotland for October 2021 have been published here today.

Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said:

Our focus is on a strong, sustainable recovery, particularly as we face new challenges from the Omicron variant. That’s why this week we doubled the amount of additional funding available to the Scottish Government to tackle Omicron to £440m – and that’s in addition to the record £41 billion per year funding settlement set out in October for the next three years.

The hugely successful UK Government-funded vaccine and booster programme has never been more important and I’d urge everyone to get their jabs when eligible.

Helping people back to work is crucial and our Plan for Jobs is working. We’re also investing £191million in projects at the heart of communities across Scotland from three major Levelling Up funds and £1.5billion is going into Growth Deals from Shetland to Selkirk. Building back better and stronger is our priority.

Published 22 December 2021



5 top tips to stay safe online

The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) has today issued a list of 5 top tips to help consumers stay safe when shopping on social media platforms. This comes as a new study published today by the IPO reveals that deviant social media influencers can exert significant influence over purchasing decisions, swaying 10% of those surveyed to purchase counterfeit goods across a wide range of products.

The study shows that 17% of the participants were ‘knowing buyers’ of counterfeits. Of these, around 70% were aged 16 to 33, generating over three quarters (77%) of demand for these illicit goods. Over half the demand (53%) was generated by ‘habitual buyers’.

Counterfeiters operating on social media often use well-known brand names to draw in consumers. As well as being illegal, the counterfeit goods are often dangerous. Intelligence also shows that the profits may be used to help fund serious and organised crime.

According to the study, the most popular illicit product categories were fashion, accessories, jewellery, and beauty products.

Operation MONTY, a collaborative enforcement campaign coordinated by the National Markets Group for IP Infringement, saw 450 Instagram Trader accounts – hosting more than 15,000 listings of infringing products – taken down in the space of 2 days in November. These rogue vendors offered products including clothing, footwear, tobacco, electrical goods, bags, jewellery, cosmetics, perfumes, electrical goods, phone accessories and copyrighted photographs.

To help consumers stay safe online and know how to spot a fake, the IPO is advising consumers to consider the following:

1) The Seller. Do they look official? Have you bought from this seller before, is the website or platform well known? Does the seller have a returns policy? If you are in doubt, look for a proper online review, not just recommendations from influencers to buy the item.

2) Making Payments. Always beware of retailers asking for payment to be made via bank transfer. Well known credit card providers like Visa or Mastercard, and services like PayPal offer protection to buyers if the goods don’t arrive or are proven to be counterfeit.

3) Your Instincts. Always trust your instincts. Does the item on offer look and feel like an authentic product? Sellers of counterfeits often make spelling mistakes in their descriptions and sometimes on the products themselves, which is an obvious warning sign. Spelling and grammar mistakes can indicate fakes!

4) Safety Markings. The safety standards of counterfeit items are poor and can be unsafe, especially when they are shipped from abroad. Do items – especially toys – have EU and UK safety markings? You should always check for the correct age restrictions and hazard warnings on the packaging.

5) The Price. Whether buying online or in person, always think about the price. Scammers often sell counterfeit goods at discounted prices to make you drop your guard. If the item is significantly cheaper than you’d expect, that’s a good reason for alarm bells to ring. If the price looks too good to be true, it most probably is.

The IPO’s Chief Executive Tim Moss said:

We want to help online shoppers feel safe, which is why we’ve put together some simple tips to know what to look out for and how to spot a fake. Criminal networks are targeting online platforms to deceive consumers into buying counterfeit goods. This undermines legitimate sellers and causes damage to individuals and communities.

We are really pleased to have supported Operation Monty as we continue to work with our partner organisations to raise awareness of these issues issue and disrupt IP crime.

The publication of the IPO’s research, and the recent multi-agency action, have been welcomed by the Anti-Counterfeting Group, a not-for-profit trade association that works to provide a collaborative response to counterfeiting.

Director General of the Anti-Counterfeiting Group, Phil Lewis, said:

The growing trend toward online shopping has not gone unnoticed by criminals who deal in counterfeit goods, and see reckless social media influencers as a major opportunity to sell dangerous and illegal fake products. Almost all counterfeits contain toxins, dangerous mechanisms or additives, and consumers should always think about the dangers, before buying even the most innocuous-seeming fakes.

Recent operational partnerships have resulted in the removal of almost 500 illicit traders and tens of thousands of listings of counterfeit goods, helping disrupt transnational crime and to protect consumers, businesses and jobs. Remember – if a deal looks too good to be true, it almost certainly is – and could well come with a very nasty and dangerous sting in the tail.

Notes to editor:

  • the IPO has commissioned multiple pieces of research into topics relating to the infringement of intellectual property rights. In addition to the Social Media Influencers research mentioned above, these include the long-established Online Copyright Infringement tracker and the Physical Goods Tracker reports. All 3 pieces of research and further information are published on GOV.UK

  • last year’s Physical Goods tracker report found that a major factor linked to purchasing counterfeits was found to be the perceived quality of counterfeit products. This, along with anecdotal reports from industry of Social Media Influencers (SMIs) endorsing and promoting counterfeit products, led to the commission of a pilot piece of research to look into the effect of endorsements from SMIs on counterfeit purchasing habits

  • the pilot study of SMI endorsement of counterfeit products aims to understand the effect of these endorsements against general counterfeit purchasing behaviour. This study was focused on the primary audience for these complicit influencers, females aged 18-64. The aim of this study was to provide the first levels of insight into the levels, mechanisms, and potential risk factors for these counterfeit endorsements

  • operation MONTY was a collaborative enforcement campaign coordinated by the National Markets Group for IP protection. The National Markets Group for IP protection (NMG) was established in 2008 to provide a forum for a national, co-ordinated, cross-sector approach to tackle the trade in counterfeit and pirated goods. Members include law enforcement, industry and government agencies working collaboratively to reduce the threat to legitimate business and consumers from IP crime. The operation included input from Meta Platforms, Inc. (Meta), UK Intellectual Property Office’s Intelligence Hub, National Trading Standards e-Crime Team and Trading Standards authorities

  • the Anti-Counterfeiting Group (ACG) is a not-for-profit trade association that works with UK, European and international governments and enforcement bodies, to provide a collaborative response to counterfeiting. More information about the ACG and its work can be found on the ACG website

  • the IPO will be publishing a comprehensive infringement strategy in early 2022 which will establish a new, innovative framework through which government, law enforcement and industry will come together to tackle IP crime and infringement. The strategy looks at how we can work more effectively with our partners, both domestically and internationally. Consumer empowerment also plays an important part. We want to make sure consumers are informed and understand the impacts and risks of infringement



New Queen’s Counsel welcomed by Lord Chancellor

Press release

Her Majesty The Queen has approved the appointment of 101 new Queen’s Counsel.

Her Majesty The Queen has approved the appointment of 101 barristers and solicitors as new Queen’s Counsel (QC) in England and Wales. The title of QC is awarded to those who have demonstrated particular skill and expertise in the conduct of advocacy.

Her Majesty has also approved the appointment of 8 new Honorary Queen’s Counsel (QC Honoris Causa). Their biographies are listed below. Honorary QCs are awarded to those who have made a major contribution to the law of England and Wales, outside practice in the courts.

The Lord Chancellor will preside over the appointment ceremony at Westminster Hall on 21 March 2022, where he will formally bestow the title of QC upon the successful applicants and award the honorary QCs.

Lord Chancellor & Justice Secretary, Rt Hon Dominic Raab MP said:

I’m delighted today to announce this year’s QC awards.

I want to congratulate all recipients of this title on their forthcoming appointments and awards. The award of QC is highly sought after, and the expertise and eminence of this year’s pool is testament to the excellence of our world-leading legal sector.

BIOGRAPHIES OF HONORARY QUEENS COUNSEL

  • Jeffrey Golden

    Jeffrey Golden is a UK-based US Attorney, academic and a non-barrister joint head of chambers. His ground-breaking and innovative work in the swaps and the derivatives field, with his role in the creation of the International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) Master Agreement and the ISDA protocol, has led him to be considered as one of the principal architects of the capital markets. Jeffrey has made an outstanding contribution to London’s development and recognition as an international legal centre and in supporting new entrants into the profession.

  • Elizabeth Wilmshurst CMG

    Elizabeth Wilmshurst CMG is a solicitor, distinguished Fellow of Chatham House and an Academic Expert member of Doughty Street Chambers. She is recognised internationally for her outstanding contribution in the field of public international law, and particularly in the influential role she played in the establishment of the International Criminal Court. Elizabeth is also the founder of the International Law Programme at Chatham House and was Visiting Professor in International Criminal Law at University College London.

  • Camilla Parker

    Camilla Parker, a solicitor, legal academic and member of the Law Society’s Mental Health and Disability Committee, is recognised for her excellent contribution to the fields of mental health and mental capacity law, in particular the development of law and policy relating to the mental health care of children and young people. Her book on adolescent mental health care and the law addresses a highly complex area of law and is regarded as the authoritative handbook for judges, practitioners and health and social care professionals across England and Wales.

  • Alexandra Gay Beldam

    Alexandra Gay Beldam is the Registrar of the Court of Appeal Criminal Division (CACD), and roundly considered to be an unsung hero of the justice system. She has made an outstanding contribution to the law of England and Wales through her work on the functioning of the CACD, in particular having led the court’s transition from paper to digital documents for judges and advocates, as well as her writing of the definitive practitioner’s guide to the CACD. In addition to the impact her work has had on the functioning of the CACD and delivery of justice nationally, she is recognised for her contributions to supporting the overall running of the court during the Covid-19 pandemic.

  • Professor David Hodson OBE

    Professor David Hodson OBE is a family law solicitor, mediator, arbitrator, Deputy Judge and is widely regarded as a leader in his field for his many contributions to family law practice. He is recognised for his outstanding work on developing England’s family law arbitration, directive mediation, family accreditation and plain English good practice codes, encouraging out-of-court settlement and accessibility to the law. He has written the leading text on international family law and co-founded innovative law firms combining lawyers, mediators and counsellors to serve international families.

  • Alexander Ruck Keene

    Alexander Ruck Keene is a barrister and Visiting Professor at King’s College London, recognised as a leading authority on mental capacity law.  He has played a key role in reforming both the Mental Capacity Act and the Mental Health Act, having worked on the Mental Capacity and Deprivation of Liberty project at the Law Commission and acted as the legal advisor to the Independent Review of the Mental Health Act. In his role as lawyer and educator, he has played a significant role in supporting health and social care professionals understand and apply the Mental Capacity Act in different contexts, including during the Covid-19 pandemic.

  • Professor Duncan Fairgrieve

    Professor Duncan Fairgrieve is a legal academic and is internationally recognised as an expert in comparative law. His work has impacted reform of tort law and his academic contribution to comparative law and lecturing overseas has shaped debate and promoted UK legal services internationally. He made an exceptional contribution to the response to the Covid-19 crisis through his work on the legal issues surrounding emergency medicines and the Covid-19 vaccine.

  • Andrea Coomber

    Andrea Coomber is a solicitor and barrister specialised in international human rights law. Until September 2021 she was the Director of JUSTICE and is now the Chief Executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform. Her eight-year leadership of JUSTICE saw ground-breaking work across civil, criminal and administrative justice, including on online courts, mental health, racialised justice and judicial diversity. She has been instrumental in shaping public debate and developing the law and practice in these and other complex areas of law.

Notes to editors

  • The list of 2020 to 2021 Queen’s Counsel appointments
  • QCs are appointed by The Queen, on the advice of the Lord Chancellor. He is in turn advised by an independent Selection Panel which receives and considers each application and makes recommendations as to appointment.
  • Honorary QCs are also awarded by The Queen, on the advice of the Lord Chancellor. He is advised by panel of representatives from the legal profession, civil service, judiciary, and academia. More information about the purpose of the award can be found on GOV.UK.
  • For further information, please contact the Ministry of Justice press office. Follow us @MoJGovUK.

Published 22 December 2021