AAIB Report: Large foreign object on runway during operations at Birmingham Airport

News story

After completing routine maintenance on the approach lights to Runway 33 at Birmingham Airport, a ladder that had been used by airport engineering services technicians came out of the vehicle they were using and came to rest on the runway. Three aircraft subsequently landed on the runway, 8 September 2020.

View up Runway 33 with the ladder in the approximate position it was found

After completing some routine maintenance on the approach lights to Runway 33 at Birmingham Airport, two airport engineering services technicians drove along the runway in an airport works pickup truck en route to their next task. In the back of the pickup truck was a step ladder that they had been using. As they drove through the touch down zone, the ladder came out of the vehicle and came to rest just to the right of the runway centreline. Three aircraft subsequently landed on Runway 33.

The investigation concluded that the ladder fell from the truck during the drive along the runway, at the point where it accelerated in the touch down zone after the end of the supplementary lights. The means of securing the ladder in the rear of the open back vehicle using a bungee was not suitable. The bungee was available for use within the maintenance organisation’s facility, but its provenance was not known. More suitable securing equipment was available although not readily to hand.

The airport completed an investigation into the events and have taken a number of safety actions intended to prevent reoccurrence. The CAA issued a SkyWise notification under Aerodrome Safety Alerts to raise awareness of this event amongst airside workers.

Read the report.

Media enquiries call: 01932 440015 or 07814 812293

Published 25 February 2021



10,000 Work Coaches boost Britain’s jobs army

More Work Coaches means more jobseekers across the country will get personalised support to help them find their next role, or upskill for expanding sectors.

This milestone signals that not only are there more Work Coaches to help get people back into work than ever before, but that the government remains on track to meet its pledge of 13,500 new Work Coaches by the end of March 2021.

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Thérèse Coffey, said:

With thousands of new Work Coaches on our frontline, we have made sure that support is there for every jobseeker – wherever you are in Britain and whatever your circumstances.

This is part of our plans to build back better and get back on track as we begin to recover from coronavirus.

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, said:

Work Coaches are an important part of our £280bn Plan for Jobs – and throughout the pandemic I’ve witnessed first-hand the key role they play.

I’m thrilled to see another 10,000 Work Coaches in jobcentres up and down the country, changing people’s lives for the better.

Throughout the pandemic, Work Coaches have been providing online support, continuing to help jobseekers build their skills and find new jobs as some sectors have continued to recruit.

With a growing jobs army, and ahead of restrictions easing, the Department for Work and Pensions is investing in new, temporary jobcentres for the new recruits, making sure support is accessible.

Along with helping people improve their CV, interview chances and job search, Work Coaches also help arrange more structured support, including linking jobseekers up with opportunities as our Plan for Jobs revives the jobs market:

  • The £2 billion Kickstart Scheme puts young people receiving benefits first in line for new, high quality, six-month roles provided by employers from all sectors. The placements give them a wage for the duration and the chance to build their experience and professional networks.

  • The £238 million JETS programme targets those out of work for three months with a range of help from expert providers, including specialist advice on how people can move into growing sectors.

  • Increased support for 40,000 jobseekers of all ages through the Sector-based Work Academy Programme, which received a £17 million funding boost this summer, and will help people learn new skills through a mixture of work experience and training, followed by a guaranteed interview for a real job.

Further information:

  • The Budget on 3 March 2021 will outline the next stage in the government’s Plan for Jobs, including further detail on economic support to protect jobs and livelihoods across the UK.

Media enquiries for this press release – 020 3267 5144

Follow DWP on:



CMA letter to Cardif Pinnacle about 2 breaches of the PPI Order

We use some essential cookies to make this website work.

We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services.

We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.



Sainsbury’s to sponsor COP26 climate summit in Glasgow

We use some essential cookies to make this website work.

We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services.

We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.



Direction issued to Ofqual

On 23 February 2021, Rt Hon Gavin Williamson CBE MP, Secretary of State for Education sent a letter to Simon Lebus, Ofqual’s Chief Regulator. It sets out how:

  • GCSEs, AS and A levels should be awarded this year using teacher assessed grades based on a range of evidence
  • vocational and technical qualifications will be split into 3 each with a different approach to awarding
  • other general qualifications will be awarded through alternative arrangements

Read Simon Lebus’ response to this letter, which confirms Ofqual’s decisions about how these qualifications will be graded in 2021.