UK and Montenegro underline shared commitment to NATO on Carrier Strike Group visit

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Coinciding with the visit of HMS Richmond, sailing from the UK Carrier Strike Group, Lady Goldie held high-level meetings to discuss NATO and regional security.

Minister of State for Defence Baroness Annabel Goldie (l) and Montenegrin President Milo Dukanovic (r)

Minister of State for Defence Baroness Annabel Goldie has reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to Western Balkans security on a visit to Montenegro.

Coinciding with the visit of HMS Richmond, sailing from the UK Carrier Strike Group, Lady Goldie held high-level meetings to discuss regional security, the role of NATO in upholding that security and maintaining stability, as well as the UK-Montenegro defence relationship.

Minister of State for Defence, Baroness Goldie said:

The Carrier Strike Group’s visit to the Port of Bar marks the fourth anniversary of Montenegro’s accession to NATO and symbolises our close relationship as members of the most successful military alliance in history.

The UK was the first nation to endorse Montenegro’s NATO membership in 2017 and we remain committed to supporting Montenegro and the Western Balkans region on its Euro Atlantic journey.

On a two-day visit, the Baroness met with Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic Prime Minister Zdravko Krivokapic and Defence Minister Olivera Injac. She discussed regional security issues, the UK’s commitment to supporting its partners and the positive role NATO plays in underpinning the region’s stability. Montenegro is an important partner to the UK and a fellow NATO Ally. Our Armed Forces both contribute to the NATO KFOR peacekeeping mission in Kosovo, which has helped to protect peace for over 20 years.

On her visit to the Port of Bar, HMS Richmond hosted a number of diplomatic engagements including the donation of Search and rescue equipment to the Montenegrin Armed Forces and signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two Governments to collaborate on tacking organised crime on her flight deck. The ship also hosted Baroness Goldie’s meeting with Prime Minister Krivokapic, a STEM education event with local school children, and a Women in Peace and Security Network event before providing a reception and capability demonstration in honour of Her Majesty The Queen’s birthday.

Commanding Officer HMS Richmond, Commander Hugh Botterill RN MBE, said:

Montenegro is a welcoming and beautiful country. HMS Richmond has been proud to play its part in supporting this key strategic alliance. I thank all involved in making our visit to Bar a success.

Published 11 June 2021

Scottish Secretary cheers on Scotland as EURO 2020 kicks off

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The football tournament will see Scotland, England and Wales playing against Europe’s best national teams at stadiums including Hampden Park and Wembley.

Ahead of EURO 2020 getting underway tonight [Friday 11 June 2021], Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said:

We are all looking forward to the EURO 2020 festival of football kicking off tonight. After a difficult few months it is a very welcome lift to the country’s spirits.

With Scotland, England and Wales all competing, and key matches at Hampden Park and Wembley, the contest will be an unforgettable one for supporters right across Britain.

Scotland’s game against England will be the highlight for many, as we see football’s oldest rivalry re-ignited. With two strong teams, it’s sure to be a great match.

I’ll be cheering on Scotland in all of their games, and I wish Steve Clarke and his squad the very best for the tournament.

Published 11 June 2021

UK and EU agreement on catch levels for 2021

The UK has now concluded annual fisheries negotiations with the EU, providing certainty for the fishing industry on catch limits for the remainder of 2021.

The catch limits known as Total Allowable Catches have been set for 70 fish stocks and supersede the previous provisional catch limits for 2021.

The agreement provides stability for UK fleets with all Total Allowable Catches remaining in line with the provisional catch limits set earlier this year, apart from eight that have small increases.

The annual negotiations for 2021, in which the UK participated as an independent coastal State outside of the Common Fisheries Policy, follow the signing of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the UK and EU.

The agreement means:

The total value of the UK-EU fishing opportunities for the UK in 2021 is approximately £333 million. This equates to around 160,000 tonnes.

As a result of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement and these negotiations, the UK fleet will have around 26,000 tonnes more quota for these stocks compared to quotas allocated in 2020. This increase is estimated to be worth around £27 million.

Both parties have also committed to exchanging fishing quota on an interim basis ahead of a longer-term exchange system which will be set up by the Specialised Committee on Fisheries.

The Specialised Committee on Fisheries established under the Trade and Cooperation agreement will provide a forum for discussions on fisheries matters between the EU and UK and will meet for the first time in June.

UK Government Minister for Scotland David Duguid said:

Crucially, this agreement and the formation of a Specialised Committee on Fisheries, means that both parties can now move forward with exchanging fishing quota. This is an issue that is particularly important to the whitefish fleet in Scotland.

I continue to work with UK Government colleagues, Scottish Government Ministers and, most importantly, industry representatives, in delivering on the best interests of the Scottish Seafood industry now that the UK is an independent coastal State.

Environment Secretary George Eustice said:

As we move forward as an independent coastal State, we have been steadfast in representing the interests of our industry and seeking to manage our fisheries more sustainably.

This agreement provides certainty to our fishing industry and we now have a stable platform in place for managing our fisheries this year and in future years.

As a responsible coastal State, the UK is committed to increasing the sustainable management of fish stocks in UK waters.

The agreement with the EU also provides a framework, via the Specialised Committee on Fisheries, for continued cooperation on fisheries management to support conservation and sustainable fishing. The agreement also adjusted measures for the management of seabass to reduce the level of wasteful discards without affecting sustainability.

The Written Record for these negotiations will be published following the EU’s internal ratification processes.

Further information

The UK will have roughly £27m more quota in these 70 stocks than that which was allocated in 2020. This figure takes into account the UK’s new, larger, shares of quota under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement as well as Total Allowable Catch reductions which were made for sustainability reasons.

As an independent coastal State with a commitment to achieving sustainable fisheries the UK is taking a more rigorous approach to assessing MSY in relation to negotiated outcomes.

As a result of an independent review of the assessment method these figures are not comparable to previous years, a more detailed report will be published shortly outlining the assessment method and a comparison of this year’s negotiated outcomes to previous years.

This ‘MSY review’, initiated by Defra, demonstrates ministerial commitments to strengthening sustainable fisheries management for the benefit of our marine environment.

Trilateral annual fisheries negotiations between the UK, EU and Norway concluded on 16 March

Doncaster arsonist jailed for longer

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Connor O’Rourke has had his sentence increased following an intervention by the Solicitor General, Rt Hon Lucy Frazer QC MP.

An arsonist from Doncaster has had his sentence increased following an intervention by the Solicitor General, Rt Hon Lucy Frazer QC MP.

Connor O’Rourke, 23, pleaded guilty to arson after setting fire to a neighbour’s home in the Wadworth area of Doncaster. O’Rourke’s own mother was in the property at the time.

On 26 June 2020, O’Rourke took a can of petrol and poured it over the front garden of the home. The fire subsequently spread to the main house.

Two women inside the home sustained injuries, including O’Rourke’s own mother who suffered burns over nearly 70% of her body and needed to be placed on a ventilator.

On 5 March 2021, O’Rourke was convicted of arson, being reckless as to whether life is endangered, and sentenced to 4 years’ imprisonment at Sheffield Crown Court.

Following the court’s decision, the Solicitor General referred the sentence to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme.

On 11 June, the Court found the sentence to be unduly lenient and increased it to 6 years’ imprisonment with a 3-year extended licence.

After the hearing at the Court of Appeal the Solicitor General, Rt Hon Lucy Frazer QC MP, said:

I was shocked by O’Rourke’s incredibly reckless and dangerous behaviour, which resulted in two women sustaining serious injuries. He also put the other residents at grave risk. I am glad that the Court of Appeal increased his sentence today.

Published 11 June 2021

Coronavirus (COVID-19): DVSA Chief Executive letter to driving instructors about the future demand for driving tests

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