The British Embassy in Colombia launches the campaign #BritsInColombia: A little local knowledge goes a long way, focusing on providing practical tips for British people who are travelling in Colombia.

This campaign comes after identifying an increase in travellers and a diversification of destinations in Colombia, due to the peace deal signed in 2016.

Colombia’s migration authority estimates there are 3,500 British residents in Colombia, with approx. 4400 visitors at any one time (53.000 per year). Over the past 5 years, there has been a steady increase in the number of British tourists (according to Migracion Colombia Q1 2019 saw a 5% increase compared to Q1 2018).

The profile of our British people has also changed, with most tourists (and consular customers) in Colombia being in the 18-29 age range.

Our Ambassador Colin Martin-Reynolds CMG explained:

We think this is a good way to change perceptions of Colombia, as we believe that if British people come to Colombia and have a great time, without becoming consular cases, they will go back and spread the work creating increased opportunities for investment and cultural links. And for us, building a stronger relationship between the UK and Colombia is our main goal as an Embassy.

This campaign includes a mix of travel and security tips, through which we hope Brits will be able to learn the Colombian art of ‘no dar papaya’.

See all our tips here: Brits in Colombia – Booklet (PDF, 5.23MB, 12 pages)

Also follow us in Facebook and Twitter as @UKinColombia and through the hashtag #BritsInColombia.

[unable to retrieve full-text content]Letter from Home Secretary Priti Patel to Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP, Chair of the Home Affairs Select Committee (HASC).

The Health Secretary has today approved £184 million of capital loan funding from the department to go towards some of the most urgent hospital upgrades to protect vital frontline patient care.

The funding will be shared with 13 trusts in England, including:

• King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust: £26 million to upgrade IT, replace medical equipment and fund critical upgrades to help the trust continue providing the best possible services for patients

• University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust: £11 million to replace 2 existing theatres in the main block at Queen’s Hospital Burton

• Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust: £21 million to replace equipment, including defibrillators and CT scanners and imaging, as well as funding its radiology, endoscopy and nephrology departments

These loans will be vital in supporting hospital staff to provide the best quality care and reduce any safety or infrastructure risks.

It follows the approval of over £70 million in loans for NHS trusts by the Health Secretary in September. 

The loans will ensure that trusts are able to upgrade critical infrastructure and maintenance on buildings, as well as provide the right equipment for staff to carry out their work and provide better patient outcomes.

Loans are issued at National Loan Fund (NLF) rates, which means the cost is equivalent to the government’s cost of borrowing.

The government is determined to make the NHS estate fit for the future. Since July, it has committed £4.8 billion in additional capital funding to build over 40 new hospitals, upgrade existing buildings, and provide facilities with state-of-the-art technology and equipment. 

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said:

These loans will make sure hospitals continue to deliver vital services to patients in buildings that are safe and have the right equipment to deliver world-class care.

Since July, we have injected £4.8 billion capital funding into the NHS – helping refurbish hospital wards, replace old medical equipment and maintain NHS buildings.

The Senior Traffic Commissioner is today (22 October 2019) outlining proposals for additional guidance for standard licence holders on meeting financial standing, should the UK exit the EU without a deal.

In that scenario, traffic commissioners will look to assist responsible businesses, particularly smaller operators, who are experiencing short term issues meeting the mandatory financial requirement.

The guidance will encourage traffic commissioners to approve requests from standard licence holders for a period of grace, provided there are no other outstanding road safety issues.

A period of grace gives time to operators who are experiencing issues with the availability of finance.

If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, the guidance will apply for six months.

The Senior Traffic Commissioner’s guidance helps lorry, bus and coach operators to manage their commercial vehicle activities.

Hauliers and commercial drivers will also need new documents in a no deal Brexit. Check www.gov.uk/Brexit-hauliers

The National Office of Animal Health (NOAH) has developed some government-funded activities to help UK businesses prepare for Brexit – “Animal Health – are you ready for Brexit?”

These include webinars, seminars and advice packs on the following areas that can all be downloaded from the NOAH website.

Trader Readiness – tariffs & customs:

• Webinar held on 18 October
• Advice pack based on the webinar is available on the NOAH website/Brexit section

Veterinary Medicines – regulatory and Pharmacovigilance:

• Webinar held on 21 October

Supply Chain for Animal Health Products:

• Four seminars for animal health professionals; vets, SQPs, practice managers, buyers, wholesalers, distributors, retailers in preparation for Brexit with a focus on supply and use of veterinary medicines; Birmingham 21 Oct, Newport 22 Oct, Edinburgh 24 Oct and Belfast 25 October

Key messages from the seminars will be delivered via a social media campaign as well as in the veterinary press.

Published 22 October 2019