Reminder consultation on the National Skills Fund Reminder updates to the apprenticeship service Reminder traineeships – updating work experience placements on the ILR Your feedback we want to hear from employers Your feedback personal information request process Information hospitality and catering qualifications for the Lifetime Skills Guarantee Level 3 offer Information Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers (RoATP) market entry exceptions process for critical worker – linked provision closes on 15 August 2021 Information 2020 to 2021 R11 in-year qualification achievement rate Information 2021 to 2022 individualised learner record (ILR) funding returns guide published Information update to 2021 to 2022 funding regulations guidance Information apprenticeships funding rules 2021 to 2022, version 1 Information find employers that need a training provider – updates now live  Information transfers of levy funds to pay for apprenticeships – updates coming soon  Information onboarding apprentices – updates coming soon  Information new Apprenticeship Service webinars from August 2021 Information checklist to share with employers – 7 steps to hiring an apprentice Information Apprenticeships Workforce Development (AWD): supplier market engagement events Information claiming learner support for procured adult education budget (AEB) and 19 to 24 traineeships

More than 100km of river has been improved as part of the Environment Agency’s programme of environmental improvements across Yorkshire.

The programme, which includes more than 40 projects, has led to the creation or improvement of 570 hectares of habitat, while 36,000 trees have been planted.

Projects include removing barriers to fish movement, river restoration, measures to improve water quality and natural flood management which protect the natural environment, make rivers more resilient to climate change and boost wildlife.

The figures are released during the Environment Agency’s #WaterWarriors campaign, which launched last week and urges people to consider how their actions can affect water quality and take action to protect blue spaces for everyone.

Delivered by Catchment Partnerships

The Yorkshire Environment Programme is managed and delivered by the Environment Agency working mainly in partnership with government backed Catchment Partnerships, bringing together river and wildlife trusts, local authorities and other organisations to improve the environment.

There were 85 partners involved in this year’s £5.59million programme contributing more than £2.5million in funding to the projects.

Next year the programme will be even bigger with investment increasing to more than £6million, helping to build a resilient and green future for the region.

Key projects progressed in 2020/21 include:

• The £2.35million DNAire project, which will open up 60km of the River Aire to fish, is moving towards completion and will see salmon return to the river for the first time in 150 years.
• Live Streaming Leeds has delivered river restoration in the Wortley Beck catchment, improving water quality.
• Derwent Villages Natural Flood Management has seen 149 interventions to reduce flood risk, 7km of enhanced river and 17 hectares of new habitat created.
• The Hidden Heritage Secret Streams project has seen the weir at Slitting Mill removed opening up around 9km of the River Rother for fish.
• Pulfin bog habitat improvement and creation project this year delivered 8.5 hectares of designated SSSI improvements and 250m of river improvements.
• A natural flood management project at Bishopdale saw over 35,000 trees and 7km of hedging planted.
• The first phase of York Urban Becks river restoration project at Hull Park Road to remove silt from behind 3 weirs at Osbaldwick Beck and then lower the height of the weirs has started to create a more natural river course.
• It has delivered over 100 hectares of blanket bog restoration working in large landscape partnerships which will reduce carbon release to the atmosphere as well as reducing flood risk and water quality issues downstream.
• The Trees for the Skirfare and Dales to Vales River Network riparian tree planting schemes saw more than 13,000 trees planted to helpd reduce diffuse pollution and provide habitat.

Bumper programme

Oliver Harmar, Yorkshire Area Director for the Environment Agency, said:

This year’s bumper environment programme has seen the completion of some major projects across the county, reinforcing our commitment to creating better places in Yorkshire for people and wildlife.

The Environment Agency’s #WaterWarriors campaign is highlighting the work our teams do on a daily basis to monitor and improve water quality. The programme showcases a wide array of projects that bring to life our drive to achieve a resilient and green future for Yorkshire, and our partners are integral to its success.

But it’s important to remember that individual actions really do count. Small actions can have a damaging impact on water quality and there are some simple steps we can all take to make a difference.

With 4 out of 5 people expected to take a #GreatBritishStaycation this summer, it’s more important than ever that we are all #WaterWarriors and protect the quality of our waters and beaches for everyone to enjoy.

Whether you are at home or away this summer, become a #WaterWarrior by taking small steps to protect water quality such as:

• Only flush the 3Ps – pee, poo and paper
• never pouring fats and oils down the sink
• never flushing wet wipes and sanitary products down the loo
• always taking your rubbish away from the beach
• always bagging and binning your dog’s poo
• never pouring waste liquids or throwing litter down surface water drains

The campaign is also urging people visiting beaches, lakes and rivers to ‘know before you go’ by checking the Environment Agency’s Swimfo website which provides instant, easy access to information on over 400 bathing waters in England, including the latest water quality classification – and, for some bathing waters, when warnings are issued due to the temporary effects on water quality after a rainy day or high tides.

Having this information at the fingertips ensures people have the most up-to-date information before they take the plunge. Joint advice with Public Health England is also available on open water swimming – that’s swimming anywhere that isn’t a public pool – at Swim healthy

Your Excellencies,

Ladies and gentlemen,

One year ago, Beirut was devastated by one of the largest ever non-nuclear explosions.

And today, we remember those who lost their lives, those who were injured, and those whose homes and livelihoods were destroyed.

Now, from the outset, the British government called on Lebanon’s leaders to urgently and transparently investigate the blast and to hold to account those responsible.

One year later, we are no closer to justice.

The Lebanese people deserve better.

Lebanon’s caretaker government must deliver on its promise.

The investigation should conclude swiftly and transparently.

There must be full accountability.

And those responsible for any criminal wrongdoing should face justice.

The international community stands with the people of Lebanon.

The UK was one of the biggest donors after the blast.

We helped the Lebanese Red Cross expand its first responder network.

We provided counselling and rehabilitation to over 1,500 people who suffered trauma or physical harm.

And we supported the most vulnerable Lebanese and Syrian refugees with £20 million of funding to meet their basic needs in the aftermath of the blast.

Surveys by the Royal Navy ensured the port was brought quickly back into action.

Now, looking forward, we will continue to help the Lebanese Armed Forces and Internal Security Forces maintain their operational capability in order to counter terrorism and other forms of instability.

We will continue to help the most vulnerable in order to meet their basic needs.

And we will invest in Lebanon’s future, promoting governance reform and more inclusive politics.

To truly address the root causes of Lebanon’s crisis, its leaders must act.

Of course, that includes the new PM-designate, Najib Mikati.

Lebanon’s leaders must deliver transparency and accountability for the victims of that terrible blast.

They must hold timely elections.

But action cannot just wait for those elections to happen.

The cost of delay would be itself a humanitarian crisis.

We need to see a capable government in place immediately, and essential reforms being properly implemented.

The international community stands ready to assist if the Lebanese politicians follow this path.

But if they fail, Lebanon’s friends must look at how we can tackle the corruption that has seen narrow vested interests placed above the needs of the people.

And that’s our commitment.

We stood with the Lebanese people a year ago.

We continue to stand with them today as they strive for the future that they deserve.

Thank you.

The Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association for Wales is pleased to announce the appointment of Colonel Dominic Morgan OBE as its new Chief Executive.

Colonel Morgan is due to take up the post on 1 July 2021, when he will replace Colonel Nick Beard TD DL who retires at the end of June after almost 19 years at Maindy Barracks, Cardiff.

Joining the Association after a career in the British Army, Colonel Morgan’s service has included various staff roles within Brigade, Divisional, Army and Defence Headquarters with his most recent role having been the British Defence Attaché in Warsaw. He has served on operations in Afghanistan, the Former Yugoslavia and in the UK.

Dominic, who began his time in uniform as an army cadet, is looking forward to taking up his new role in Wales and is proud of his Welsh military heritage. His great grandfather lived in Welshpool and served in the Rifle Brigade during WW1. His grandfather was a miner at Maerdy Colliery before enlisting into the Army.

He said:

I am delighted to have been appointed as the new Chief Executive of the Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association for Wales. I am looking forward to taking up this new challenge and helping to make a difference across a broad range of the Association’s outputs including engaging with the public, communities, businesses and local government on Defence’s behalf.

Chairman of the Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association for Wales, Brigadier Russ Wardle OBE DL said:

I would like to give a huge vote of thanks to Colonel Nick Beard on behalf of the Board, the membership and the staff at RFCA for Wales for all he has done over the past nearly 19 years in furthering the goals of the Association.

Nick has done an outstanding job and along the way earned the respect of both uniformed commanders and community leaders. I wish him and his family all the very best for the future on his retirement in June.

As we bid Nick farewell, I wish to congratulate Dominic Morgan on his appointment.

Colonel Beard said:

It has been a great privilege to head up an organisation that I believe has met its remit and done its very best for its customers. The Association could not have achieved so much without such supportive and enthusiastic staff be it serving in the Secretariat at Cardiff or Mold or as a member of the Permanent Support Staff in the Army Cadet Force. It has been a pleasure to work with such a committed team. I too wish to congratulate Dominic on his appointment and wish him every success for the future.

Colonel Dominic Morgan OBE began his time in uniform as a Merseyside Army Cadet, TA Infantry soldier and University officer cadet, before being commissioned as a regular officer in the Royal Corps of Transport in 1988. He served for 2 years as a troop commander in Germany, before being seconded to the Brigade of Gurkhas in Hong Kong for 5 years. His service in Hong Kong culminated in his appointment as Regimental Adjutant of the Queens Own Gurkha Transport Regiment; this was followed by 2 years as an instructor at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. He subsequently commanded a pioneer squadron in Germany and a Reserves transport regiment in Liverpool, UK.

Dominic has served in various staff roles within Brigade, Divisional, Army and Defence Headquarters. He has served alongside NATO partners in Germany and in Afghanistan. His key staff appointments have been as Chief of Staff in a Logistic Brigade and Deputy Chief of Staff in a divisional level headquarters, where he worked closely with Reserve units and staff throughout UK. His most recent role has been as the British Defence Attaché in Warsaw, with responsibility for the UK MOD’s bilateral military and defence relations with Poland.

Dominic has served on operations in Afghanistan, the Former Yugoslavia and the United Kingdom. He was awarded the OBE in January 2015. He has a first degree in History and Archaeology and a Masters degree in Defence Logistics.

He is married and has one son and two daughters.

And finally, Dominic is proud of his Welsh heritage. His great grandfather lived in Welshpool and served in the Rifle Brigade during WW1. His grandfather was a miner at Maerdy Colliery before enlisting into the Army.