Self-isolation for COVID-19 cases reduced from 10 to 7 days following negative LFD tests

People who receive negative LFD results on day 6 and day 7 of their self-isolation period – with tests taken 24 hours apart – will no longer have to self-isolate for the full 10 days. The first test must be taken no earlier than day 6 of the self-isolation period.

Those who leave self-isolation on or after day 7 are strongly advised to limit close contact with other people in crowded or poorly ventilated spaces, work from home and minimise contact with anyone who is at higher risk of severe illness if infected with COVID- 19.

There is no change to the guidance for unvaccinated contacts of positive COVID-19 cases, who are still required to self-isolate for 10 full days after their date of exposure to the virus.

Analysis by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) suggests that a 7-day isolation period alongside 2 negative lateral flow test results has nearly the same protective effect as a 10-day isolation period without LFD testing for people with COVID-19.

The new approach reflects latest evidence on how long cases transmit the virus for, and supports essential public services and supply chains over the winter, while still limiting the spread of the virus.

Studies also demonstrate that LFD tests are just as sensitive at detecting the Omicron variant, as they are for Delta.

Existing public health measures remain in place including:

staying at home if you feel unwell
get a test if you experience any COVID-19 symptoms
wear a face covering in crowded, enclosed spaces
work from home if possible
maintain social distancing and regular hand washing
take up the offer of the free COVID-19 vaccine

Dr Jenny Harries, Chief Executive of UKHSA, said:

COVID-19 is spreading quickly among the population and the pace at which Omicron is transmitting may pose a risk to running our critical public services during winter. This new guidance will help break chains of transmission and minimise the impact on lives and livelihoods. It is crucial that people carry out their LFD tests as the new guidance states and continue to follow public health advice.

As always, we urge everyone who is eligible to get their booster jab without delay, wear a mask in crowded spaces, on public transport and in shops, wash your hands regularly and ventilate rooms well. If you have any COVID-19 symptoms stay at home and get a PCR test as soon as possible.

Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Sajid Javid said:

We want to reduce the disruption from COVID-19 to people’s everyday lives.

Following advice from our clinical experts we are reducing the self-isolation period from 10 days to 7 if you test negative on a LFD test for 2 days running.

It’s vital people keep playing their part by testing regularly and isolating if they test positive. And I urge you to Get Boosted Now to protect yourself and those around you.

Collision at Burgess Drove user worked level crossing

News story

Preliminary examination into a collision at Burgess Drove user worked crossing, near Waterbeach, Cambridgshire, 9 August 2021.

Forward facing CCTV image showing position of the mobility scooter and user as the train approached (courtesy of Abellio Greater Anglia)

At around 14:33 hrs on 9 August 2021, a train operated by Greater Anglia passed over the level crossing at Burgess Drove, near Waterbeach, and struck the rear part of a mobility scooter which was inside the crossing area, adjacent to the down side gate. The mobility scooter user was near to the scooter when the collision occurred, but was uninjured. The scooter sustained minor damage.

RAIB was notified of the collision by Network Rail and gathered evidence from the railway industry to carry out a preliminary examination into the circumstances of the accident. RAIB has concluded that the accident occurred because the mobility scooter user was not able to complete their crossing of the railway in the time available between the beginning of the warnings of the train’s approach, provided by a red light and an audible alarm at the crossing, and the arrival of the train. The RAIB has estimated that, for reasons explained below, the user would have needed approximately 100 seconds from starting to open the first gate until fully closing the second. However, the warning of an approaching train would occur only approximately 40 seconds before its arrival at the crossing.

RAIB found that user at Burgess Drove was unlikely to have been physically fit enough to make the four separate crossings on foot required to operate the user worked crossing in the way required of a vehicular user and this was the likely reason for them using the crossing in the same manner as a pedestrian. This would have seen them first opening the approach gate, moving the scooter forwards, closing this first gate and then moving forwards over the crossing to the exit gate. After opening the exit gate, they would move forwards until clear of the crossing. The RAIB estimates this would have taken approximately 100 seconds, after which the user would have closed the exit gate behind them.

RAIB has reviewed the findings of its preliminary examination and has decided not to carry out any further investigation into the accident. RAIB previously investigated a an accident at Alice Holt level crossing on 5 October 2016 (RAIB report 14/2017). This investigation led to a recommendation, addressed to Network Rail, seeking improvements to the guidance given to level crossing managers so that they could better assess the risk to vulnerable users, including mobility scooter users, at level crossings which rely entirely on users looking and listening for trains. As the user worked crossing at Burgess Drove is fitted with red lights and an audible warning showing when it is unsafe to cross, it is not covered by this recommendation. RAIB has therefore written to Network Rail encouraging it to extend the intent of this recommendation to all user worked level crossings which the public are entitled to use. This letter has been copied to the Office of Rail and Road, the safety authority for the mainline railway in Great Britain.

Published 22 December 2021

UK and Japan to develop future fighter jet engine demonstrator

UK and Japan to develop joint jet engine demonstrator
Crucial part of UK’s Combat Air Strategy, backed by £2 billion over next four years
Memorandum of Cooperation signed to enable future development opportunities

Work on the joint engine demonstrator will kickstart early next year, with the UK investing an initial £30 million in planning, digital designs and innovative manufacturing developments.

A further £200 million of UK funding is expected to go towards developing a full-scale demonstrator power system, supporting hundreds of highly skilled jobs, including many at Rolls-Royce’s Filton facility in Bristol.

Over the next four years, the UK is investing more than £2 billion into its major national and international endeavour to design a world-leading Future Combat Air System. In parallel, through its F-X programme, Japan is looking to develop a future fighter aircraft to a similar timescale to replace the F-2 aircraft.

UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said:

Strengthening our partnerships in the Indo-Pacific is a strategic priority and this commitment with Japan, one of our closest security partners in Asia, is a clear example of that.

Designing a brand-new combat air system with a fighter aircraft at its heart is a highly ambitious project so working with like-minded nations is vital. Building on the technological and industrial strengths of our two countries, we will be exploring a wide-ranging partnership across next-generation combat air technologies.

Having explored opportunities with Japan on future combat air systems for some time, alongside the UK’s growing partnership with European nations, discussions accelerated following a meeting between UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and Japan’s Defence Minister Nobuo Kishi in Tokyo in the Summer.

UK Defence Procurement Minister Jeremy Quin said:

As I have seen at first hand our partners in Japan have made enormous progress on technologies that can complement our own advanced skills and could help ensure both our Armed Forces remain at the forefront of military innovation.

We look forward to the continued partnership with a formidable power and close ally.

International partnership remains at the heart of the UK’s approach to combat air, as set out in the Combat Air Strategy published in 2018.

UK Director Future Combat Air, Richard Berthon, said:

This initiative with Japan is a win-win opportunity to develop world-beating power technologies together. Investing and working together with Japan to demonstrate highly advanced engine systems will boost our national industries and design a cutting-edge military capability. We’re looking forward to getting started on this work and continuing our discussions on further collaboration.

The UK and Japan have also agreed a ‘Memorandum of Cooperation’ which enables both nations to pursue joint technologies. Together, the UK and Japanese Defence Ministries will explore the feasibility of further sub-systems collaboration throughout 2022. In the UK, this work will be undertaken by the Team Tempest industry partners: BAE Systems, Leonardo UK, MBDA UK and Rolls-Royce.

Alex Zino, Director of Business Development and Future Programmes at Rolls-Royce, said:

Across Rolls-Royce we have a longstanding and valued relationship with our customers and industry partners in Japan. The industry teams in both UK and Japan bring complementary technologies that will drive cleaner, next generation power and propulsion for both nations future fighter requirements.

The joint engine demonstrator programme is an exciting opportunity to bring together some of the best combat air capabilities in the world and will also enable the development of innovative and critical technologies that will be fundamental to the future of the Defence aerospace industry.

This news follows plans announced in the UK’s Defence Command Paper, published in March 2021, to deepen and expand defence industrial relationships in the Indo-Pacific region, including with Japan.

It also comes after HMS Queen Elizabeth and her Carrier Strike Group sailed to Japan on her first operational deployment, and October’s announcement that the UK and Japan would begin formal negotiations to increase bilateral defence Cooperation.

Background

This work will be led by industry from the two countries, including Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and IHI in Japan, and Rolls-Royce and BAE Systems in the UK.
The UK MOD is also supporting Japan in the delivery of their Joint New Air-to-Air Missile (JNAAM) programme.
Team Tempest: This summer, the UK signed a £250m contract with BAE Systems on behalf of Team Tempest UK partners to drive forward the concept and assessment phase of its programme. The Future Combat Air System is expected to combine a core aircraft, often referred to as ‘Tempest’, at the heart of a network of wider capabilities such as uncrewed aircraft, sensors, weapons and advanced data systems to form a next-generation capability designed to enter service from the mid-2030s.
Memorandum of Understanding with European partners: In addition to this international partnership with Japan, last year the UK, Italy and Sweden signed a trilateral ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ to collaborate on future combat air systems and technologies. Together, the UK, Italy and Sweden aspire to develop concepts and share workload while maximising national expertise.

Shepherds Bush Housing Association Limited – grading under review

Press release

Providers being investigated for an issue regarding their compliance with the Governance and Financial Viability Standard are added to the regulator’s GUR list.

The Regulator of Social Housing reports that Shepherds Bush Housing Association Limited has been placed on its gradings under review list today (22 December 2021).

The provider’s current published grades are G2/V2. The regulator notifies that a provider’s grading is under review when its compliant grade (G1 and G2 for governance, V1 or V2 for viability) is being investigated in relation to an issue which may result in a downgrade to a non-compliant grade (G3 or G4 for governance, V3 or V4 for viability).

We are currently investigating a matter which may impact on Shepherd Bush Housing Association’s compliance with the governance element of the Governance and Financial Viability Standard.

The regulator’s gradings under review list is available on the website.

For press office contact details, see our Media enquiries page.

For general queries, please email enquiries@rsh.gov.uk or call 0300 124 5225.

Notes to editors

The GUR lists providers where we are investigating a matter that might result in them being assessed as non-compliant in relation to the regulator’s Governance and Financial Viability Standard.
The regulatory standards can be found on the RSH website.
The Regulator of Social Housing promotes a viable, efficient and well-governed social housing sector able to deliver homes that meet a range of needs. It does this by undertaking robust economic regulation focusing on governance, financial viability and value for money that maintains lender confidence and protects the taxpayer. It also sets consumer standards and may take action if these standards are breached and there is a significant risk of serious detriment to tenants or potential tenants.

Published 22 December 2021

Jan du Plessis named as Business Secretary’s candidate for Chair of Financial Reporting Council

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng yesterday (Tuesday 21 December) announced that Jan du Plessis is the government’s preferred candidate to become the new Chair of the Financial Reporting Council (FRC), which promotes transparency and integrity in business.

Mr Du Plessis, who has a distinguished track record leading FTSE 100 companies, most recently served as Chair of BT Group. Prior to that role, he served as Chair of Rio Tinto, the international mining group, and of SABMiller, the multinational drinks company.

As Chair of the FRC, he will play a crucial role ensuring high standards of governance and transparency among the UK’s largest and most important businesses. He will be charged with driving forward the ongoing transformation of the FRC into a new, stronger regulator with more powers to hold companies to account – the Audit, Reporting and Governance Authority.

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said:

With direct experience leading some of the UK’s most prominent companies, Jan is perfectly placed to ensure strong oversight of UK plc.

Restoring public confidence in audit and corporate governance will be crucial to our recovery from the pandemic, and I hope to work with Jan towards this goal.

Mr Du Plessis’s nomination follows an open competition. The Secretary of State has invited the Commons Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee to hold a pre-appointment scrutiny hearing and to report on Mr Du Plessis’s suitability for the post.

This is in line with the government’s commitment to strengthen the role of Parliament in scrutinising major public appointments. If formally appointed, Mr Du Plessis will serve a 4-year term in the role.

The Financial Reporting Council regulates auditors, accountants and actuaries, and sets the UK’s Corporate Governance and Stewardship Codes.

Earlier this year, the government set out proposals to restore confidence in the way the largest companies are run and scrutinised – by making audit more informative and trustworthy, improving corporate transparency, and reforming the audit market for the largest listed companies.

The consultation included plans to transform the FRC into a new, statutory regulator – the Audit, Reporting and Governance Authority (ARGA).

ARGA is due to have a broader remit and stronger powers in relation to company directors’ duties, the largest privately-owned companies, all parts of companies’ annual reports, the accountancy and actuarial professions, and improving competition and choice in the audit market.

The government will publish its response to the consultation on reform of audit and corporate governance in due course.

Since 2004 Mr du Plessis has served as Chair of 4 large and complex FTSE companies – BT Group, Rio Tinto, SABMiller and British American Tobacco – thereby gaining the equivalent of 20 years’ experience at the highest levels of British business.

He has also served as Non-Executive Director of Marks and Spencer Group and Lloyds Banking Group, and prior to assuming his first Chair role served for 16 years as Chief Financial Officer of Richemont.

His career has given him extensive experience in dealing with the institutional investment community, including leading Rio Tinto’s $15 billion rights issue in 2009 and the takeover of SABMiller for $105 billion in 2016.

Mr du Plessis will also bring a valuable international perspective to the work of the Financial Reporting Council, having served on the boards of public companies in the USA, Canada, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Australia.