Published 15 March 2018
Last updated 28 September 2022 + show all updates
The financial notice to improve for Bradford College has been closed.
This letter and it’s annex serves as a revised notice to improve at Bradford College.
First published.
Press release
Minister of State for the Middle East calls on Iran to cease indiscriminate bombardment of Kurdish towns
Commenting on Iranian attacks on the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, Minister of State for the Middle East, South Asia, UN and the Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, said:
Iran must cease its indiscriminate bombardment of Kurdish towns which has led to the loss of innocent lives and damaged civilian infrastructure. These attacks are a violation of Iraq’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and are wholly unacceptable. They demonstrate a repeated pattern of Iranian destabilising activity in the region.
We stand with the Kurdistan Regional Government in condemning these attacks and will continue to support the sovereignty and security of Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region.
Published 28 September 2022
Press release
Prime Minister Liz Truss spoke to President Zelenskyy this afternoon.
The Prime Minister spoke to President Zelenksyy this afternoon to underline the UK’s steadfast support in light of Russia’s sham referendums in Ukraine.
The Prime Minister made clear that the UK would never recognise Russian attempts to annexe sovereign territory. She reiterated that Ukraine could depend on the UK’s support until President Putin was defeated.
President Zelenskyy updated the Prime Minister on the current military situation, and welcomed her strong backing, including at the UN General Assembly last week.
The Prime Minister thanked President Zelenksyy for his work in securing the release of five British nationals held by Russian-backed proxies in eastern Ukraine.
The leaders also discussed how the UK and Ukraine could work together to secure Ukraine’s gas supplies in the long term.
Both agreed to stay in close touch in the coming days and weeks.
Published 28 September 2022
Commissioner Knott is visiting Guatemala as part of a tour to Central America to champion UK trade with economic partners in the region.
With this visit, the Commissioner seeks to strengthen bilateral trade relations between the UK and Guatemala, understand the priorities of Guatemala and the projects it has in the pipeline in order to identify key areas where the UK can offer its expertise. During these meetings, the Commissioner will highlight the United Kingdom’s interest in continuing to work with Guatemala to create more opportunities that help build closer commercial ties that promote prosperity for both countries.
For that purpose, the Trade Commissioner will meet with senior representatives of the Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Infrastructure, Municipality of Guatemala City, the Central American Bank of Economic Integration –CABEI-, British multinationals established in Guatemala and Guatemalan companies looking to invest into the UK.
The Trade Commissioner will also remark the opportunities that the Association Agreement between the UK and Central America brings to foster the trade relation with Guatemala and promote business possibilities to UK companies looking to expand overseas. He will stress the importance to promote a level-playing field for British companies trying to do more business in Guatemala and strengthen the rule of law to attract more trade and investors to the country.
Commissioner Knott will also stress the need to boosting economic security, by reducing economic dependency on aggressors and creating stronger trade, investment, science and tech ties among allies and partners. He will also present the case to promote a greener economy.
During his visit, the UK Export Finance (UKEF) Regional Head for Central America & the Caribbean will accompany the Trade Commissioner. UKEF is the UK’s export credit agency that offers finance options to projects where UK companies are involved. This will provide an opportunity for Guatemala and the UK to explore ways to help deliver infrastructure and development projects in Guatemala.
According to UK statistics, total trade between the UK and Guatemala was USD 236 million in 2021. Total UK exports to Guatemala amounted USD 88 million; these included cars, beverages, chemicals and specialised machinery. Total UK imports from Guatemala were USD 148 million and included vegetables, fruits, coffee, sugar and beverages.
Over £3.7million has been spent boosting defences in Stokesley with the aim of managing the impacts of climate change and the flow of the River Leven through and around the town.
Work on the new defences has included:
The Environment Agency appointed Mott MacDonald and BAM Nuttall in a joint venture to design and build the scheme with construction starting in autumn 2020 and work completing in August 2022. The scheme was officially opened on Friday 23rd September by Rishi Sunak, MP for Richmond alongside representatives from the Environment Agency and Tees Rivers Trust.
Stokesley Flood Alleviation Scheme
Rishi Sunak, MP for Richmond (North Yorkshire), said:
Many Stokesley residents and business will be reassured by this work which maintains and improves flood protection – saving many people from the heartache of dealing with the devastating impact flooding can have.
The environmental improvements are a welcome additional bonus. Levenside is a beautiful part of the town and this work only enhances its attraction. I’d also like to thank the many volunteers who helped with the river works.
Jamie Fletcher, the Environment Agency’s Flood Risk Operations Manager for the North East, said:
The community of Stokesley have seen first-hand how devastating flooding can be. That’s why I’m so pleased to see the completion of these vital defences ahead of winter.
This new £3.7 million investment will better protect 509 homes and businesses, giving peace of mind to residents for many years to come, while also bringing benefits for wildlife in the wider area. It is also a great example of how we work with partners to make communities more resilient to the escalating impacts of the climate emergency.
Ben Lamb, CEO at the Tees Rivers Trust said:
The Trust have been working in and around the Leven Catchment for 12 years and have talked with Stokesley residents and interest groups about improving the river through the town on many occasions. Therefore, it has been a great opportunity to finally get in and give the river some TLC and make some improvements to flow, habitat and fish passage.
We had an enormous amount of help from volunteers who tirelessly shifted over 50 tons of gravel into the new meander area in town and enjoyed being treated to coffee and chips from neighbouring businesses in the heat! The river is a great asset for the town, and we are getting regular reports of wildlife in and around the river since we completed the work.
The Stokesley scheme is just one of many across the North East that better protects properties and businesses as part of a £132million six year investment programme to create or improve flood and coastal defences in the region.
Last year’s record government investment announcement of £5.2 billion to better protect 336,000 properties across England by 2027 includes a further £193million investment in North East defences.