The British Embassy in Tunisia is delighted to announce a UK/Tunisia Sustainable Tourism Charter launched in Hammamet, one of the most popular tourism resorts for British visitors to Tunisia.

The Charter has been developed in partnership with the Municipality of Hammamet, the Ministry of Tourism, ABTA, TUI, ANGED and the Federation of Tunisian Hoteliers. It was signed in Tunisia on Tuesday 26 November by British Ambassador Louise de Sousa, Minister of Tourism Rene Trabelsi and Clare Jenkinson, Senior Manager for Destinations and Sustainability for ABTA.

The Charter should lead to a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly tourism industry in Tunisia, responding to the increasing priority that British and other foreign tourists are placing on the environment when making their holiday choices.

According to WWF, nearly 600,000 tonnes of plastic is dumped into the Mediterranean Sea every year costing the Tunisian economy $20million due to the impact on tourism, fishing and navigation. Goals set by the Charter are intended to help address this issue.

The Charter will deliver concrete results including:

• The discontinuation of disposable plastic cups and cutlery in hotels by March 2020 and the ending of plastic drinking straws by December 2019;

• More responsible disposal and recycling of waste with tour operators encouraging hotels to attain a Global Sustainable Tourism certificate by December 2020 and the production of a work plan for the Hammamet Municipal Council and central government by March 2020; and

• Support the local economy with more opportunities for local and regional artisans to sell goods to guests as well as strengthened promotion of local food in hotel restaurants by March 2020.

Speaking following the signing, UK Ambassador to Tunisia, Louise de Sousa, said:

I am pleased to launch this project and hope it will be rolled out to other areas of Tunisia, helping preserve the beauty of this country. This will not only appeal to British tourists but also provide economic benefits for Tunisian businesses. The reduction of plastic waste is a crucial element of the UK government’s work to protect the world’s oceans and ensure we leave a cleaner planet to the next generation.

Clare Jenkinson, Senior Destinations & Sustainability Manager for ABTA, declared:

ABTA is well placed to work with its Members, national and local governments to share best practice in sustainable destination management. This charter to improve waste management, reduce single use plastics and support the local economy in Tunisian tourist destinations is an excellent example of what can be achieved by working together and setting commitments.

Mr Khaled Fakhfakh, President of the Federation of Tunisian Hotels said:

The Federation of Tunisian hotels is delighted to support this important initiative. Tunisia is home to some of the most beautiful beaches, deserts and mountains in the Mediterranean. This charter will allow us to meet our determination to protect and promote this natural beauty for generations to come.

Notes to Editors

For more information, please contact Press Officer Meriem Farhat Meriem.Farhat@fco.gov.uk

Read the full UK-Tunisia Sustainable Tourism Charter.

Richard Moore, Director General for Political Affairs at the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, visited Lebanon yesterday for high level meetings with Lebanese officials, accompanied by Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Lebanon Chris Rampling. His meetings included discussions with President General Michel Aoun, Caretaker Prime Minister Saad Hariri, Speaker Nabih Berri, Caretaker Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil, and the LAF Commander-in-Chief General Joseph Aoun.

In his meetings, Richard Moore listened to the views of interlocutors on the current situation in Lebanon, and underlined the urgent need to form a government and implement policies that reflect the aspirations of the Lebanese people including for better governance. It is vital that a new government is formed quickly so that it is able to implement the economic reforms which will help Lebanon regain long-term stability and more inclusive growth.

Director General Richard Moore said:

I am pleased to be able to visit Beirut again, at what is perhaps a seminal moment for Lebanon. We have been following developments here closely, as the UK has long been an important partner and supporter for Lebanon, for example investing $200m last year to support Lebanese security, stability, prosperity and sovereignty.

We and partners in the international community stand ready to continue our support to Lebanon. But let me be clear that the matter of choosing leaders and a Cabinet is a domestic issue for the Lebanese. The people of Lebanon have been clear in their demand for improved governance, and they should be heard.

As protests continue, we recognise that the security agencies have a difficult but essential role in safeguarding Lebanese security. It is vital that the right to peaceful protest continues to be respected, and suppressing the protest movement through violence or intimidation from any organisation is completely unacceptable.

Ambassador Rampling said:

We are pleased to have Director General Moore here at this crucial time for Lebanon. As well as listening to the views of Lebanese interlocutors, our meetings today reiterate the importance the UK places on having a new, capable, responsive Lebanese government, able to implement the overdue reforms that will benefit all Lebanese.

The exercise may involve the sounding of the site siren and the use of pyrotechnics. The sound from these exercise activities may be heard off-site.

Local residents who have registered to receive automated SMS text, email and telephone warnings from Sellafield, may be contacted.

If you are a local resident and haven’t yet signed up to receive automated alerts, but would like to, follow the instructions below:

Sellafield Warning and Informing Service

Emergency exercises are held regularly at all nuclear licensed sites to test their readiness in the event of an emergency.

If you require any further information contact:

Public/stakeholder queries – Tel: 07764 880100 / 019467 85802 Media queries – Tel: 07590 493749 / 019467 86227

Published 26 November 2019

The Environment Agency is continuing to develop Phase 1 of the Kendal flood risk management scheme and need to carry out survey and investigation works in the area to help shape the design. We have now identified a number of surveys to be undertaken from Monday 18 November and these will continue through until March 2020.

Our surveys will include: • visual inspections of existing manholes and river walls • surface surveys • trial pits to identify the location of foundations and underground services • surveys to detect tree roots and building structures

Structural surveys will also be undertaken for some riverside walls and properties to identify how they have been built.

These structural surveys involve: • measurements • visual inspections • taking photographs and notes

They are completely non-intrusive and are very low impact. In many cases, the trial pits are dug by hand. For larger trial pits, an excavator and other machinery may be required. Some of these surveys will be completed from the roadside or other public rights of way, however some locations could require access to privately owned land in order to get the best information.

For existing river walls, our surveyors will undertake the survey along the river Kent throughout Kendal. This will be done either from existing river banks or areas of raised bed where this is possible. Where this is not possible, a visual survey will be undertaken from a small boat that will allow us to access as close as possible to the structure.

For existing properties, our surveyors will attend the property and visually inspect both internal and external parts of the building, to allow us to better understand the construction. Our surveyors will attend the property at a time convenient for occupiers and will ask whether they have any additional relevant information about their properties which could support our investigation.

[ends]

Background

• Where possible, the works will be completed from 8.30am until 4.30pm • There is no risk to property and investigation works are located to ensure that information is gained without need for interface with properties • Ground penetrating radar survey will be undertaken before any works are undertaken which identifies any services such as foul or water that may feed your property. This is all review prior to any works being completed • Prior to any works being undertaken there will a photographic survey taken. On completion of the works, the garden/property will be reinstated to its original state. There is no foreseeable works that will damage property • Some vegetation may need to be cleared from walls to allow visual inspections to take place

European Regional Development Fund

The project is receiving £5.34 million of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The Department for Communities and Local Government is the Managing Authority for ERDF. Established by the European Union ERDF funds help local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations. For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding

Date: Thursday 28 November

Venue: Feyenoord Stadium De Kuip, Van Zandvlietplein, Rotterdam

Kick off time: 6.55 Central European Time

Passports, visas and insurance

See the information and advice in our travel advice for The Netherlands and check with your airline about your passport/ID requirements well before you travel.

If you are a British national you don’t need a visa to travel to The Netherlands.

Remember to bring your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) with you. This covers emergency treatment only and does not cover repatriation. does not cover all medical treatment or repatriation, So we recommend that you also take out travel insurance before coming to the Netherlands – even if you’re only going for one night – it could save you a lot of money if you get into difficulties.

Carry your passport securely at all times. You must be able to show some form of photo ID if requested. A photocopy is not acceptable. Keep a copy of your passport in a safe place separate from your real passport. If you lose your passport while in the Netherlands you will need to apply for an Emergency Travel Document online which costs £100.

Getting to the stadium

The public transport website 9292 will give you public transport options for getting to the stadium. You can be fined for not carrying a validated ticket. You can buy tickets at vending machines located at some bus/tram stops and in metro stations.

At the match

The Feyenoord De Kuip stadium is situated in the south of Rotterdam and has a capacity of 51,000. You won’t be allowed to enter the stadium without a ticket. Please arrive well before kick-off. As in the UK you may be searched on the way into the stadium. Any dangerous or banned items will be removed eg. knives and drugs.

Please co-operate fully with any security instructions on the evening. It is not permitted to take alcohol into the stadium. Visiting supporters may be asked to remain in the stadium after the match to allow the home fans to disperse.

Further information

In the event of an emergency out of normal working hours or if you have lost your passport please contact the British Embassy on 0031-70-4270262. You will be transferred to our Global Response Centre who will assist you and, if necessary, will put you in touch with our staff on the ground.

The address of the British Consulate General is:

Telephone: 0031-70-4270427 (choose option 2 for Consular Assistance)

Emergency services numbers

All emergency services can be contacted on 112.

Tips

As in any other city beware of pickpockets and bag snatchers at airports, railway stations, around the city centres of both Amsterdam and Rotterdam and when using public transport – only carry what you need and leave spare cash and valuables in hotel safety deposits.