UK PACT backs low-carbon transition in Malaysia with £1.4 million in support

World news story

The UK PACT programme has announced that five innovative climate projects in Malaysia valued at £1.4 million are being funded through the Malaysia-UK PACT programme.

British High Commissioner to Malaysia His Excellency Charles Hay

The UK Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions (UK PACT) programme has today announced that five innovative climate projects in Malaysia valued at £1.4 million are being funded through the Malaysia-UK PACT programme.

UK PACT is a £70 million flagship programme that is part of the UK’s £11.6 billion commitment to International Climate Finance by 2026 to tackle climate change and is funded by the UK’s Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). Through its grants, UK PACT aims to improve the capacity and capability of key public, private and civil society institutions to reduce emissions and foster inclusive economic growth in partner countries, including Malaysia.

All five projects were chosen through an open, competitive call for proposals, receiving between £100,000 and £350,000 each. These capacity-building projects will promote low-carbon and nature preservation initiatives in Malaysia while supporting the improvement of livelihoods of marginalised communities. The organisations implementing the projects and their partners will support and work with key public sector beneficiaries at national, state and local levels to build capacity in key priority areas, including:

  • green finance: to leverage Malaysia’s leadership position to incentivise and remove barriers for green finance through improved disclosure, increased transparency and data-driven decision making through considerations of climate and environmental risk disclosure

  • energy: to enhance Malaysia’s energy transition pathways through initiatives for community renewable energy access and generation

  • nature: to develop enabling conditions for nature-based carbon finance to conserve forests and biodiversity

  • low carbon planning: to support the integration of carbon emissions reduction and monitoring in planning land use in cities and the green economy

British High Commissioner to Malaysia His Excellency Charles Hay MVO, said:

Malaysia is one of the most eco-diverse countries in the world. We want to support Malaysia’s transition to a low carbon economy and reduction of emissions in line with the Paris Agreement, and to preserve natural resources for future generations. Through UK PACT, we look forward to working with Malaysia to help develop capabilities in the areas of green finance, energy, nature and low carbon planning, in line with Malaysia’s Nationally Determined Contribution.

The United Kingdom will be hosting the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow from 31 October to 12 November 2021. The project portfolio is well placed to support a green, clean and resilient recovery in Malaysia and support the aims of COP26 to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on climate change.

Published 11 August 2021



Review of Traffic Commissioner function launched

News story

Industry, local authorities, trade organisations and passenger groups encouraged to review the role of Traffic Commissioners in online consultation.

  • groups encouraged to have their say on Traffic Commissioner function
  • review to consider role, governance and funding arrangements
  • work will ensure function is fit for the future, helping promote road safety

Stakeholders are being encouraged to have their say as part of a review of the Traffic Commissioner function launched by the government today (11 August 2021).

The 8 Traffic Commissioners (TCs) have responsibility in their region or county for the licensing and regulation of those who operate heavy goods vehicles, buses and coaches, and the registration of local bus services. They are assisted in this work by 11 deputy TCs, who preside over a number of public inquiries.

The review will consider whether the current role, delivery model, governance and funding arrangements are fit for the future, as well as current issues faced by the TC function, such as the impact of the pandemic and increased workload.

An online consultation launched today will enable anyone with an interest, such as industry, local authorities, trade organisations and passenger groups, to shape the future role of TCs.

Transport Minister Baroness Vere said:

Traffic Commissioners play a key role in road safety, including helping ensure that people who operate HGVs and coaches are reputable, that there is fair competition between operators and that public inquiry proceedings are fair.

I want to ensure that this important function is as effective as possible, which is why I have launched a thorough review and encourage anyone with an interest to have their say.

The recommendations of the review are expected to be published next spring.

Published 11 August 2021



New UK Government Covid testing site opens in Kilmarnock

The UK Government has today (Wednesday 11 August) opened a new walk-through coronavirus testing centre in Kilmarnock.

The test centre located at The Strand (KA1 1HU), is part of the largest network of diagnostic testing facilities created in British history. In Scotland, this comprises of eight drive through sites, 54 walk-through sites, 42 mobile units, plus the Glasgow Lighthouse Lab which is working round the clock to process samples.

In Scotland, the UK Government is providing all COVID testing and test processing outside of the NHS.

PCR tests must be booked in advance at: NHS Inform or by calling 119. People should only book at test if they have coronavirus symptoms (a high temperature, a new and continuous cough, or a loss or change to their sense of smell or taste) or have been instructed to do so by a clinician or NHS contact tracer.

Lateral flow test kits are also now available for pick up without an appointment at local walk-in or drive-through test sites from 8am – 8pm each day. Tests can also be ordered online or by phone by calling 119. For more information and to order a test kit online, go to: Coronavirus (COVID-19): getting tested in Scotland – gov.scot

Health Minister, Lord Bethell, said:

We have built the largest network of diagnostic testing facilities in British history to ensure that everyone can get tested for covid-19 regularly. As a result, the UK is now a testing juggernaut, performing more tests than any comparable European country, which is helping to break chains of transmission, save lives and detect variants of concern.

New walk-in sites like this one make it even easier to get a test no matter where you live. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, I urge you to book a test today and follow the advice of NHS Test and Trace if you are contacted, to protect others and stop the spread of the virus.

UK Government Minister for Scotland, Iain Stewart said:

The UK Government continues to provide the bulk of testing in Scotland, a programme which is vital to our recovery from this pandemic. Alongside the roll-out of UK Government-funded vaccines, testing is helping us to manage the virus, slow down the rate of transmission and protect communities.

This new walk-through facility in Kilmarnock is the latest in our extensive network of testing centres supporting people in all parts of the UK.

Simon Venn, Mitie Chief Government & Strategy Officer, said:

Our priority during the pandemic is to support the nation’s efforts to fight COVID-19 and help keep the country running. Testing is a critical part of the UK’s strategy to combat coronavirus and we’re proud to support the UK Government with this vital task. A big thank you to all the NHS staff, Mitie employees and other frontline heroes in Kilmarnock who are working tirelessly to keep us all safe.



12 year ban for director who stole from firm to buy horses

Lisa Crawshaw, 46, was a director of Scunthorpe-based family haulage firm C&C Transport, from 2006 until 2020. She admitted to stealing over £1.7 million from the business, using the money to buy horses and equestrian equipment.

Her fellow directors, including her brother, were completely unaware of her actions, only discovering them when the business started receiving letters from creditors when the company was sold.

At her sentencing at Grimsby Crown Court in March 2021, Crawshaw said she found buying horses “more addictive than drugs”.

The company ceased trading in October 2018 but remained live on the Companies House register until August 2020 when it went into liquidation.

The disqualification undertaking, which runs for 12 years from 29 June 2021, means she must not directly or indirectly, become involved, without the permission of the court, in the promotion, formation or management of a company.

Jo Walker, lead investigator in the case said:

Ms Crawshaw abused her position as a director of her company to commit fraud, and the length of her disqualification period should act as a deterrent to other directors who might be tempted to exploit their position in a similar way.

Notes to editors

Lisa Crashaw is from Gainsborough and her date of birth is March 1975.

C&C Transport (Scunthorpe) Ltd (Company Reg no. 05720902).

Disqualification undertakings are the administrative equivalent of a disqualification order but do not involve court proceedings, or if court proceedings have already started, bring them to an immediate end.

Persons subject to a disqualification order are bound by a range of restrictions. Further information about the work of the Insolvency Service, and how to complain about financial misconduct.



Call for in-kind sponsorship for a Security and Defence conference in Tokyo

World news story

The British Embassy Tokyo is looking for in-kind sponsorship to help deliver a Security and Defence conference in September.

Call for in-kind sponsorship for a Security and Defence conference in Tokyo

The Security and Defence Conference will be held in early September. Any company wishing to register an expression of interest for sponsorship should make contact with the Embassy as below by 17:00 JST on Friday 20 August 2021.

In-kind sponsorship: Chris Capper

Published 11 August 2021