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Violence Reduction Units bring together organisations across local communities to tackle violent crime and address its underlying causes. These units also help fund vital local projects that do positive preventative work with children and young people.
This £35.5 million, which covers 2021/22, is the third year of funding for 18 Violence Reduction Units operating across England and Wales in areas worst affected by serious violence. This takes the total invested in Violence Reduction Units to more than £105 million and further delivers on the government’s pledge to crack down on violent crime.
In their first year of activity, initiatives funded by the scheme supported more than 100,000 young people, more than 51,000 of whom were identified as being at high-risk of being involved in criminal and violent activity. They also helped bring police, education leaders, health workers and local government together to share information about the causes of violence and agree a coordinated plan of action to tackle it. This is crucial to preventing crime at a local level. Today’s funding means that they can continue this vital work.
Home Secretary Priti Patel said:
Violence Reduction Units play a vital role in preventing young people from being dragged into the horrors of serious violence, and this funding will enable them to continue this crucial work.
I will continue to back our police with the resources and powers they need to cut crime and make your community safer.
Work funded by Violence Reduction Units has included prevention work in schools, communities, prisons, hospitals, Pupil Referral Units and police custody suites.
The Home Office, in partnership with the National Police Chiefs’ Council, is hosting a virtual Four Nations conference this week, which will be attended by Minister for Crime and Policing Kit Malthouse. The Minister will hear about the significant work taking place to support young people and discuss the importance of tackling serious violence.
Policing Minister Kit Malthouse said:
Violence Reduction Units are providing life-changing support to young people.
The Four Nations conference brings together expert minds to develop ideas and solutions which will make a real difference in tackling serious violence.
Ultimately these are solutions that will ensure young people are able to lead positive lives and achieve their potential.
Association of Police and Crime Commissioners Lead for Serious Violence and PCC for West Yorkshire, Mark Burns-Williamson OBE, said:
Police and Crime Commissioners are pleased that Ministers and the Home Office have recognised the value and ongoing work of our VRUs by committing to another year of funding. Today’s announcement means we will continue to invest in projects which support young people in particular, diverting them away from violence, harm and exploitation.
Robust police enforcement is important in bringing violent offenders to justice and protecting communities. But when partners come together, recognising what can be achieved by adopting a wider public-health approach, we can also address some of the longer-term underlying issues and prevent violence in the first place with effective early intervention measures.
National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for Violence & Vulnerability, Assistant Chief Constable Jackie Sebire, said:
Less than 2 years ago, Violence Reduction Units (VRUs) were launched to tackle the root causes of serious violence as policing saw an increase in this type of criminality.
In that time, these specialist units, which work in partnership with other agencies, have already made a significant change in how we approach serious violence and vulnerability, allowing targeted and evidenced-based interventions.
We welcome the commitment from government in tackling serious violence and this funding will allow the units to continue to support young people and keep communities safe.
In addition to the funding announced today, more than £2 million is being made available via a winter contingency fund package. This money is being delivered through VRUs to local charities and social enterprises that support vulnerable young people at risk of involvement in violence through the lockdown period.
The money forms part of a wider government drive to tackle crime and make communities safer, which includes bringing in 20,000 additional police officers over the next 3 years, 6,620 of which have already been recruited. Since 2019, the government has also invested £106.5 million to boost police operational capacity in the 18 police forces worst affected by serious violence. This is separate to the funding for VRUs.
The £35.5 million VRU funding announced today for 21/22 is broken down as follows*.
London: £7,000,000
West Midlands: £3,370,000
Greater Manchester: £3,370,000
Merseyside: £3,370,000
West Yorkshire: £3,370,000
South Yorkshire: £1,600,000
Northumbria: £1,600,000
Thames Valley: £1,160,000
Lancashire: £1,160,000
Essex: £1,160,000
Avon and Somerset: £1,160,000
Kent: £1,160,000
Nottinghamshire: £880,000
Leicestershire: £880,000
Bedfordshire: £880,000
Sussex: £880,000
Hampshire: £880,000
South Wales: £880,000
Total: £34,760,000**
*The £35.5 million VRU funding announced today for 21/22 is subject to receiving proposals from VRUs on their use of the funding and to these plans being agreed by the Home Office.
** the remaining funding from the £35.5 million will be spent on evaluation and sharing learning.
News story
A task force dedicated to driving forward the seafood sector in Scotland will meet for the first time this week
The Scottish Seafood Exports Task Force draws together the UK Government and a wide range of key industry representatives from the catching, processing and aquaculture sectors. The Scottish Government has been invited to be represented at both ministerial and official level.
The group will be hosted by the Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland and chaired by UK Government Minister for Scotland David Duguid.
Mr Duguid:
We have had extensive consultations with the industry and have been working day and night to resolve issues around the new arrangements for getting our world-class seafood to customers in Europe.
From this ongoing consultation with industry representatives, I believe that the gap they would like us to fill would comprise an action-oriented group. This will work collaboratively across UK and Scottish governments, increasing confidence in the seafood and aquaculture supply chain by ensuring that medium and longer-term export issues are resolved.
I am clear about the need for action. I want the taskforce to track the export process to identify issues stopping or delaying export, and areas of complexity that are not yet well understood.
We want to seek a common understanding on the export process and address concerns by developing solutions to be taken forward by the UK Government, Scottish Government and EU. And we want to ensure there is effective communication with the industry to ensure traders are aware of issues and of solutions.
Existing working groups which bring together the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the industry to tackle day-to-day issues will continue to operate, and the Scottish seafood sector remains heavily engaged in these.
The new task force will meet fortnightly, with a focus on establishing and pushing forward the actions needed to help secure a prosperous long-term future for the Scottish seafood industry, taking advantage of new opportunities as well as addressing current challenges.
The UK Government have also announced a £23 million scheme which will provide crucial support for fishermen and seafood exporters, who have experienced delays and a lack of demand for fish from the restaurant industry in the UK and Europe. This is in addition to the £100 million fund announced by the Prime Minister in December.
Mr Duguid has written to Fergus Ewing MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Tourism at Holyrood, inviting him and officials to take part in the inaugural meeting this week.
Support provided to the industry includes:
Published 8 February 2021
News story
The 8th February to 14th February is National Apprenticeships Week 2021. Here are five reasons to choose an ODP apprenticeship.
Apprenticeships give you the opportunity to get hands on experience, develop key skills by working alongside experienced colleagues and all whilst earning an income. As an apprentice you will also receive the same benefits as your colleagues but will have the opportunity to professionalise your skills that is recognised across the Civil Service and externally too.
You may not have had the opportunity to gain professional qualifications in the past, or University may not have been an option for you. Why not look at an Apprenticeship, supported by your employer for the opportunity to gain up to the equivalent to post-graduate accreditation . With the range of levels & different standards/frameworks available, there really is something out there for everyone.
As an apprentice, your employer makes the financial contributions, allowing you to achieve your qualification without the worry of having to fund it yourself. It’s a great debt free alternative to enhance your career.
Apprenticeships are tailored so that you are developing the key knowledge, skills and behaviours needed for your specific occupation/profession. They allow you to achieve an occupational specific qualification, which is not just recognised within the business you work in but externally too.
As an apprentice, you will have the support of your line manager and a dedicated talent coach. They will be there to give you the support you need throughout your apprenticeship journey, helping you overcome any obstacles faced and ensure that you complete your apprenticeship.
You can find out more here about ODP Apprenticeships
Published 8 February 2021
News story
The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) is attracting talented young people to the nuclear decommissioning industry.
NDA becomes Cornerstone Employer
The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) has joined forces with a leading careers organisation to ensure talented young people are attracted to the nuclear decommissioning industry.
Announcing its standard as a Cornerstone Employer, the NDA has pledged its commitment to continue to inspire the next generation through its partnership with The Careers and Enterprise Company.
The NDA group has a long history of recruiting apprentices and new talent, and it will now play an even greater role in preparing and inspiring young people for the world of work.
As a Cornerstone Employer, the NDA will work closely with secondary schools and colleges to provide high quality workplace experiences and improve access to career opportunities.
It will allow the NDA to increase its understanding of the education sector and develop its own approaches to nurturing new and diverse talent.
The partnership also promotes the encouragement of youth engagement among other businesses and supply chain networks, while offering the chance to share best practice with like-minded employers across various sectors.
Jacq Longrigg, Group Head of Capability and Capacity at the NDA, said:
The NDA has a great history of recruiting apprentices accessing future talent and supporting meaningful careers for the next generation.
We’re passionate about our new role as a Cornerstone Employer using our extensive business networks and our collective wealth of experience. We will be developing strategies to engage with young people, while up-skilling our future workforce through innovative and targeted engagement.
Above all, the partnership emphasises giving back to our local community and economy; leaving a positive legacy from our work.
Published 8 February 2021