• Research shows cyber security is a business priority but action lags behind
• Proposals for digital management firms to follow tough new security standards

IT service providers could be required to follow new cyber security rules such as the National Cyber Security Centre’s Cyber Assessment Framework as part of new proposals to help British businesses manage the growing cyber threat.

Other plans to protect the country’s digital supply chains include new procurement rules to ensure the public sector buys services from firms with good cyber security and plans for improved advice and guidance campaigns to help businesses manage security risks.

The move follows a consultation by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to enhance the security of digital supply chains and third party IT services, which are used by firms for things such as data processing and running software.

It comes as new research of chairs, CEOs and directors of Britain’s top companies shows the majority (91 per cent up from 84 per cent in 2020) see cyber threats as a high or very high risk to their business, but nearly a third of leading firms are not taking action on supply chain cyber security, with only 69 per cent saying their organisation actively manages supply chain cyber risks.

The government’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) already offers a raft of cyber security support and advice on identifying business-wide risks and vulnerabilities – including the Cyber Assessment Framework – as well as specific Supply Chain Security and Supplier Assurance guidance.

There is also advice on defending against ransomware attacks and the Cyber Essentials scheme offers small and medium-sized firms a cost-effective way of getting basic measures in place to prevent the vast majority of cyber attacks.

Minister for Media, Data and Digital Infrastructure, Julia Lopez, said:

As more and more organisations do business online and use a range of IT services to power their services, we must make sure their networks and technology are secure.

Today we are taking the next steps in our mission to help firms strengthen their cyber security and encouraging firms across the UK to follow the advice and guidance from the National Cyber Security Centre to secure their businesses’ digital footprint and protect their sensitive data.

Today’s government’s response to the call for views shows there is industry support for developing new or updated legislation, with 82 per cent of respondents agreeing legislation could be an effective or a somewhat effective solution.

The government will now develop more detailed policy proposals and it is currently carrying out a review of the laws and measures which encourage firms to improve their cyber security and will launch a new national cyber strategy later this year.

ENDS

• Improved and upgraded flood risk management scheme for Leominster now complete

• Reducing flood risk for nearly 400 homes and businesses

• Improved flood warning service also introduced

The Environment Agency has completed work on the Leominster flood risk management scheme which will help to protect hundreds of homes from the devastating impact of flooding.

The improvements and upgrades are designed to protect 381 homes and businesses in The Marsh area of the town when heavy rain causes the River Lugg to flood. This Environment Agency scheme has increased the height of the existing embankment and enhanced the original flood scheme which was built in 1969.

This 820-metre scheme seeks to fully consider the future effects of climate change and is part of the Environment Agency’s commitment to ensuring all flood defences across the country are consistent in their standard of protection.

Environment Agency Area Operations Manager Anthony Perry said:

We’re pleased to complete this work in Leominster. Flooding has a devastating impact which is why protecting people and communities is our top priority.

We can already see the impacts of climate change in the UK and around the world. With this scheme we’ve upgraded and improved the existing defences to better protect communities from the future flood risk climate change will bring, greatly reducing the risk of flooding to properties most vulnerable when the River Lugg rises.

More than 250 trees are being planted as part of the work. The Environment Agency has replanted trees along the scheme and more are being planted in the town in partnership with Leominster Town Council as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy Project to mark next year’s Platinum Jubilee. The Environment Agency has also used excess soil from the works to create a new pond in the Eaton Barn Community Garden in the town.

Councillor John Stone, Herefordshire Councillor for Leominster North and Rural Ward, added:

I warmly welcome the flood alleviation scheme along the River Lugg in Leominster. The result will be increased protection from flooding for properties in The Mallards and the Ridgemoor Estate.

Flooding is occurring more frequently due to climate change and the increase to the existing embankment level will reduce the flooding risk. More trees have been planted to replace those removed during the work and a communal area created for people to enjoy. This investment to prevent flooding in Leominster is significant and I congratulate the Environment Agency on this impressive scheme.

The Environment Agency will continue its programme of routine maintenance on the scheme and will operate and maintain the flood defence to ensure the new level of protection is maintained.

As part of the improvements to the flood defences in the area the Environment Agency has refined the existing flood warning service for Leominster. Please contact the 24 hour Floodline service on 0345 988 1188 for any ongoing flood related queries or advice.

The best way to protect yourself from flooding is to know what to do in advance – download and save a simple Prepare, Act, Survive plan so you’ll know what to do when there’s a flood warning in your area.

Across the country, the Environment Agency has led projects to deliver flood schemes that see 314,000 homes are now better protected since 2015. Yet the Environment Agency is delivering more: earlier this year the Government announced a record £5.2 billion investment in flood and coastal defences to build around 2,000 new flood and coastal defences and better protect 336,000 properties by 2027.

• The town of Leominster is situated in Herefordshire adjacent to the River Lugg and lies immediately upstream of the confluence between the River Lugg and the River Arrow. Leominster is surrounded by the floodplain of the Rivers Lugg and Arrow and the Pinsley Brook.

• The refurbishment scheme is being officially opened at the end of November, 2021.

Make sure you’re prepared for flooding this year by following these tops:

• Prepare a bag that includes medical and insurance documents.

• Check the latest flood situation online.

• Know how to turn off your gas, electricity and water.

• Check your insurance to make sure you are covered for flood damage. If you rent your home, it is your responsibility to have insurance for your belongings.

• If you are flooded, call 999 if in immediate danger and follow advice from emergency services.

• Improved and upgraded flood risk management scheme for Leominster now complete

• Reducing flood risk for nearly 400 homes and businesses

• Improved flood warning service also introduced

The Environment Agency has completed work on the Leominster flood risk management scheme which will help to protect hundreds of homes from the devastating impact of flooding.

The improvements and upgrades are designed to protect 381 homes and businesses in The Marsh area of the town when heavy rain causes the River Lugg to flood. This Environment Agency scheme has increased the height of the existing embankment and enhanced the original flood scheme which was built in 1969.

This 820-metre scheme seeks to fully consider the future effects of climate change and is part of the Environment Agency’s commitment to ensuring all flood defences across the country are consistent in their standard of protection.

Environment Agency Area Operations Manager Anthony Perry said:

We’re pleased to complete this work in Leominster. Flooding has a devastating impact which is why protecting people and communities is our top priority.

We can already see the impacts of climate change in the UK and around the world. With this scheme we’ve upgraded and improved the existing defences to better protect communities from the future flood risk climate change will bring, greatly reducing the risk of flooding to properties most vulnerable when the River Lugg rises.

More than 250 trees are being planted as part of the work. The Environment Agency has replanted trees along the scheme and more are being planted in the town in partnership with Leominster Town Council as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy Project to mark next year’s Platinum Jubilee. The Environment Agency has also used excess soil from the works to create a new pond in the Eaton Barn Community Garden in the town.

Councillor John Stone, Herefordshire Councillor for Leominster North and Rural Ward, added:

I warmly welcome the flood alleviation scheme along the River Lugg in Leominster. The result will be increased protection from flooding for properties in The Mallards and the Ridgemoor Estate.

Flooding is occurring more frequently due to climate change and the increase to the existing embankment level will reduce the flooding risk. More trees have been planted to replace those removed during the work and a communal area created for people to enjoy. This investment to prevent flooding in Leominster is significant and I congratulate the Environment Agency on this impressive scheme.

The Environment Agency will continue its programme of routine maintenance on the scheme and will operate and maintain the flood defence to ensure the new level of protection is maintained.

As part of the improvements to the flood defences in the area the Environment Agency has refined the existing flood warning service for Leominster. Please contact the 24 hour Floodline service on 0345 988 1188 for any ongoing flood related queries or advice.

The best way to protect yourself from flooding is to know what to do in advance – download and save a simple Prepare, Act, Survive plan so you’ll know what to do when there’s a flood warning in your area.

Across the country, the Environment Agency has led projects to deliver flood schemes that see 314,000 homes are now better protected since 2015. Yet the Environment Agency is delivering more: earlier this year the Government announced a record £5.2 billion investment in flood and coastal defences to build around 2,000 new flood and coastal defences and better protect 336,000 properties by 2027.

• The town of Leominster is situated in Herefordshire adjacent to the River Lugg and lies immediately upstream of the confluence between the River Lugg and the River Arrow. Leominster is surrounded by the floodplain of the Rivers Lugg and Arrow and the Pinsley Brook.

• The refurbishment scheme is being officially opened at the end of November, 2021.

Make sure you’re prepared for flooding this year by following these tops:

• Prepare a bag that includes medical and insurance documents.

• Check the latest flood situation online.

• Know how to turn off your gas, electricity and water.

• Check your insurance to make sure you are covered for flood damage. If you rent your home, it is your responsibility to have insurance for your belongings.

• If you are flooded, call 999 if in immediate danger and follow advice from emergency services.

The UK has today imposed sanctions against eight senior Nicaraguan individuals, including the country’s Vice-President, following the presidential election on 7 November.

The election was strongly criticised by the UK, US, the EU and Canada and others due to the arbitrary arrest and detention of political opponents, repression of independent media and enforced dissolution of opposition parties.

These sanctions impose travel bans and asset freezes on those particularly responsible for undermining Nicaragua’s democratic principles and institutions, commissioning serious human rights violations, and the repression of civil society.

Wendy Morton, Minister for Europe and Americas, said:

The Ortega regime is denying the Nicaraguan people their fundamental human rights. The recent Presidential election was rigged and opposition politicians and peaceful protestors have consistently been imprisoned for political purposes.

The UK will always be a fierce champion for freedom around the world and these sanctions will ensure those responsible for attacks on democracy in Nicaragua face a real cost for their actions.

The list of individuals sanctioned includes the Vice President and First Lady of Nicaragua, Rosario Murillo, for her involvement in the state-backed repression of demonstrations, the discrediting of independent journalists and the exclusion of opposition candidates from elections.

The Attorney General and President of the Supreme Court of Justice are both also sanctioned for their role in restricting access to free and fair trials and other acts which undermine the rule of law, alongside a senior commissioner in the Nicaraguan National Police for his involvement in the harassment of protestors during demonstrations in 2018.

Today’s announcement ensures these individuals cannot freely travel to the UK, channel money through UK banks or profit from the UK economy. These restrictive measures are aimed at individuals and are carefully targeted to minimise the impact on the wider economy.

These actions were coordinated with the US and Canada, who have imposed similar sanctions on leading Nicaraguan officials, to maximise pressure on the Ortega regime to change its behaviour and end the repression of its citizens. We will continue to work with likeminded partners such as the US, Canada, and the EU on further coordinated steps to respond to the situation in Nicaragua.

The UK has repeatedly called for the immediate and unconditional release of all opposition leaders and other political prisoners in Nicaragua, and for the full restoration of all of their civil and political rights, most recently in a statement following the rigged elections on 7 November.

These new sanctions add to the six that were carried over when the UK left the EU under the Nicaragua (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 and one designation that the UK imposed on 26 April 2021 under the Global Anti-Corruption Sanctions Regulations 2021.

The full list of those sanctioned by the UK today is below:

• Rosario María Murillo Zambrana, Vice President of Nicaragua, First Lady of Nicaragua, government spokesperson and leader of the Sandinista Youth.
• Gustavo Eduardo Porras Cortés, President of the Nicaraguan National Assembly.
• Fidel Antonio Moreno Briones, Secretary General of the Managua Mayor’s Office and Organisation Secretary of the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN).
• Ana Julia Guido Ochoa, Attorney General of the Republic of Nicaragua.
• Alba Luz Ramos Vanegas, President of Nicaragua’s Supreme Court of Justice.
• Lumberto Ignacio Campbell Hooker, former Vice President and interim President and current magistrate in the Supreme Electoral Council of Nicaragua.
• Juan Antonio Valle Valle, senior commissioner of the Nicaraguan National Police (NNP).
• Fidel de Jesus Dominguez Alvarez, Chief Commissioner of Police in the Department of León.

The full designations can be found here – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-uk-sanctions-list