Chief Medical Officer for England announces four further coronavirus cases

Chief Medical Officer, Professor Chris Whitty

Four further patients in England have tested positive for novel coronavirus, bringing the total number of cases in the UK to eight.

The new cases are all known contacts of a previously confirmed UK case, and the virus was passed on in France.

Experts at Public Health England continue to work hard tracing patient contacts from the UK cases. They successfully identified these individuals and ensured the appropriate support was provided.

The patients have been transferred to specialist NHS centres at Guy’s and St Thomas’ and The Royal Free hospitals, and we are now using robust infection control measures to prevent further spread of the virus. The NHS is extremely well prepared to manage these cases and treat them, and we are working quickly to identify any further contacts these patients have had. For the latest advice visit gov.uk/coronavirus.

Published 10 February 2020



FCO press release: Change of Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Morocco – September 2020

Mr Simon Martin

Mr Simon Martin CMG has been appointed Her Majesty’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Morocco in succession to Mr Thomas Reilly. Mr Martin will take up his appointment during September 2020.

Full name: Simon Martin

Married to: Sophie Martin

Children: Four

2015 to 2019 Manama, Her Majesty’s Ambassador
2012 to 2014 Clarence House, Deputy Private Secretary to TRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall
2009 to 2012 FCO, Director of Protocol and Vice-Marshal of the Diplomatic Corps
2005 to 2009 Prague, Deputy Head of Mission
2003 to 2005 Unilever plc, Corporate Relations Adviser to Africa Business Group
2001 to 2003 FCO, Deputy Head, Southern European Department
1995 to 2001 Budapest, Head of Commercial Section
1993 to 1995 FCO, Head Section, Security Coordination Department
1991 to 1993 FCO, Head of Section, Drugs and International Crime Department
1990 to 1991 FCO, Desk Officer, Gulf Crisis Emergency Unit
1986 to 1990 Rangoon, Second Secretary and Vice Consul
1984 to 1986 FCO, Desk Officer, Central and Southern African Department

Further information

Published 10 February 2020



Ofsted launches point-in-time surveys

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Ofsted has sent surveys to social care providers to find out about the experiences of the children, parents, staff and professionals involved.

Ofsted has today (Monday 1 February) issued its annual point-in-time online surveys for the following social care providers:

  • residential special schools
  • further education colleges with residential provision
  • children’s homes (includes secure children’s homes)
  • fostering agencies (includes independent fostering agencies and local authority fostering agencies)
  • adoption agencies (includes voluntary adoption agencies and local authority adoption agencies)
  • adoption support agencies
  • residential family centres
  • boarding schools

We highly value the responses we receive. They help to both inform future inspections and build a national picture of people’s experiences with their respective providers.

All surveys will close on 28 March 2021.

Social care providers

Ofsted has sent online survey links to all relevant registered managers and responsible individuals or nominated persons. Please look at our guidance for providers for more information.

How to complete the survey

Ask your school, college, agency or centre for a link to the survey. Alternatively, if you want to give your views, you can call Ofsted on 0300 123 1231 or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk.

Published 10 February 2020
Last updated 1 February 2021 + show all updates

  1. Ofsted has launched our annual point in time surveys for 2021 – children, parents, staff and professionals can have their say until 28 March.

  2. First published.



HMRC extends customs grant funding deadline

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has extended the deadline for businesses to apply for customs support funding to 31 January 2021.

The scheme, first announced in September 2019, had been due to close on 31 January 2020. To date, applications have been made for around £18.5 million out of a possible £26 million – meaning there is at least £7.5 million left to claim from HMRC.

As well as supporting recruitment and improved IT capability, the money applied for so far could potentially fund nearly 15,000 training courses to help traders submit customs declarations.

Jesse Norman, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, said:

The UK will be leaving the single market and customs union at the end of 2020, and businesses will need to prepare to submit customs declarations.

Customs agents, freight forwarders and fast parcel operators can take advantage of the extended period by applying for grants to help them scale up and get ready.

Customs processes can be handled by a business directly, but most businesses currently trading outside Europe use a customs agent.

From 1 January 2021, the way businesses trade will change, and they’ll need to prepare for life outside the EU, including new customs arrangements. For example, businesses will need to make customs declarations to import and export goods between Great Britain (GB) and the EU once the UK is outside of the EU’s customs territory.

Under Government plans to introduce innovative Freeports, a full customs declaration would not be required to move goods into a Freeport. This could potentially save businesses time and makes it easier to import goods.



British High Commissioner leads UK team in Karakoram International Alpine Ski Cup

British High Commissioner Dr Christian Turner in the Swat valley

British High Commissioner Dr Christian Turner leading the UK’s team in the Karakoram International Alpine Ski Cup 2020 in the Swat valley

The High Commissioner and his UK team from the British High Commission in Pakistan competed alongside a host of international teams, and he was welcomed to the event by dignitaries including the President of Pakistan, His Excellency Dr Arif Alvi.

The British High Commissioner Dr Christian Turner, CMG, said:

In a valley and resort associated with destruction by the Pakistani Taliban, it is fantastic to see the breathtaking scenery and how Pakistan is changing for the better.

I must congratulate the Pakistan Air Force and the Winter Sports Federation Pakistan for organising such an excellent tournament. I’ve been told I’m the first British High Commissioner to visit the resort in 15 years or so, and I want to continue travelling all around Pakistan as I get to know this wonderful country.

Notes to editors:

  • The Winter Sports Federation Pakistan, in collaboration with Pakistan Air Force, organised the event, in which over 36 international skiers from countries including the UK, Canada, Greece, Ukraine, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, Timor Leste and Turkey took part.

  • More than 60 Pakistani skiers were also participating and competing against international skiers in slalom and giant slalom categories.

  • The High Commissioner arrived in Pakistan in December last year, and has already visited both Lahore and Karachi twice as part of his plan to visit as much of Pakistan as possible.

For further information

For updates on the British High Commission please follow our social media channels:

Contact
British High Commission
Islamabad
tel. 0300 500 5306

Published 10 February 2020