Heat-health advice issued for all regions of England

The hottest temperatures are expected on Monday and Tuesday, with highs of 40°C possible.

A Level 4 alert has been issued for the first time since the Heatwave Plan for England was introduced in 2004.

Top tips for staying safe in hot weather include:

look out for those who may struggle to keep themselves cool and hydrated – older people, those with underlying conditions and those who live alone are particularly at risk
stay cool indoors by closing curtains on rooms that face the sun – and remember that it may be cooler outdoors than indoors
drink plenty of fluids and avoid excess alcohol
never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle, especially infants, young children or animals
check that fridges, freezers and fans are working properly
try to keep out of the sun between 11am to 3pm, when the UV rays are strongest
walk in the shade, apply sunscreen and wear a wide-brimmed hat, if you have to go out in the heat
avoid physical exertion in the hottest parts of the day
make sure you take water with you if you are travelling
take care and make sure to follow local safety advice if you are going into the water to cool down
check medicines can be stored according to the instructions on the packaging

The government’s Level 4 alert indicates that a severe heatwave could have impacts beyond health and social care with potential effects on transport systems, food, water, energy supplies and businesses.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) will continue to monitor any heat-related illness and work closely with the Met Office, the NHS and other government departments to assess the impacts of this hot weather.

Dr Agostinho Sousa, Head of Extreme Events and Health Protection at UKHSA said:

Temperatures in England next week are likely to reach record levels, and it’s important we all know how to stay well in hot weather. Check up on vulnerable friends, family and neighbours to make sure they stay hydrated, keep cool and know how to keep their homes cool.

Professor Penny Endersby, Chief Executive at the Met Office, said:

This is the first time we have issued a Red National Severe Weather Warning for extreme heat and the first time 40°C has been forecast in the UK. In this country we’re used to treating a hot spell as a chance to go and play in in the sun. This is not that sort of weather.

We have seen when climate change has driven such unprecedent severe weather events around the world that it can be difficult for to make the best decisions because nothing in our life experiences has led us to know what to expect.

More information on the common signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke are available on NHS.UK.

UKHSA’s ‘beat the heat’ checklist identifies suitable actions people can take to protect themselves during periods of hot weather.

Read our ‘staying safe in extreme heat blog’ for advice on how to stay well in hot weather.

HALO Award for retailers

The Hallmarking Awareness and Learning Online (HALO) will be open to retailers in the UK. Application forms will be published shortly.

The UK hallmark is one of the UK jewellery industry’s best defences against unfair competition. The award, which is launched in conjunction with the release of a new, digitally appropriate, Dealers Notice, encourages all retailers to review their online hallmarking information, raise the profile of hallmarks and introduce appropriate information through their online space.

The Award will be presented to the retailer who has run the most effective online initiative relating to the display of the new format Dealers Notice and education surrounding UK hallmarking.

The winner will be presented with an engraved silver plate which they can keep for one year. In addition, the winner and those whose work is highly commended, will be presented with a set of digital assets to promote their success across all retail channels and social media.

Applications close: 16 September 2022 (previously 1 August 2022).

Published 30 October 2021
Last updated 15 July 2022 + show all updates

15 July 2022
Deadline for HALO Award now 16 September (previously 1 August).
30 October 2021
First published.

Agreement solidifies cooperation between UK and South Korea on IP

Press release

The IPO has agreed a new Memorandum of Understanding with the Korean Intellectual Property Office at the WIPO Assemblies in Geneva today.

UKIPO and KIPO will continue to work closely furthering their existing strong cooperation, using the wide remit the MOU provides for.

This formalisation of cooperation expresses the commitment by both IP offices, to enable the continued sharing of information and best practice in broad areas of common interest. These could include areas such as IP protection, examination, and developments in emerging technologies.

The MoU makes formal provision for both offices to engage in a wide range of cooperative activities. These include:

IP awareness activities, such as conferences and seminars,
the sharing of information around developments in relevant laws, policies, and regulations,
the sharing of best practice, for example in anti-counterfeiting activities
provisions to engage in many other areas of best practice

The UK Intellectual Property Office’s CEO Tim Moss said:

I am delighted that through this MoU, we are able build upon our existing close relationship with the Korean Intellectual Property Office. It is crucial that we work effectively with our global partners in areas of common interest, and today’s MOU creates a positive framework to pool expertise and knowledge.

Furthering our existing strong cooperation will help us embrace the challenges that rapid changes in technology, society and the global economy herald. This is vital to the UK IPO’s strategy for creating a world-leading IP environment.

KIPO’s Commissioner, Dr. Lee Insil said:

The MoU on comprehensive cooperation KIPO and the UK IPO have signed today well demonstrates our two offices’ continued commitment to engaging with each other more actively even in wider areas that matter to both offices. I am confident that what we will do and achieve together under the MoU will greatly contribute to boosting each office’s ongoing efforts to build a stronger IP landscape at home and abroad.

The Offices will carry out the cooperation activities in full compliance with their respective jurisdictions, institutional directives, applicable laws, and international treaties.

Published 15 July 2022

Wigan man receives increased prison sentence for creating indecent images of children

News story

Kai Luk will spend longer in prison for making indecent images of children and voyeurism

A Wigan man who created indecent images of children has been ordered to spend longer in prison after his case was referred to the Court of Appeal by the then Solicitor General Alex Chalk QC MP.

Kai Luk, 56, was the owner of a takeaway restaurant. An employee discovered a camera in one of the restaurant’s toilets, and the police were informed. During a search of the premises, police seized a number of electronic devices owned by Luk, which contained a total of 1,415 category C videos of 6 victims.

On 29 April 2022, Luk was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment for making indecent images of children and voyeurism at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court.

The then Solicitor General did not believe this sentence accurately reflected the severity of Luk’s offending and referred his sentence the Court of Appeal.

On 15 July the Court of Appeal found Luk’s original sentence to be unduly lenient and imposed a new sentence of 2 years and 8 months’ imprisonment.

Speaking after the hearing, the now Solicitor General Edward Timpson CBE MP said:

This was despicable and predatory behaviour by Kai Luk. I hope the Court’s verdict today to sentence him to a longer prison term sends a clear message that sexual offences of this nature will never be tolerated.

Published 15 July 2022

Bidding opens again for £4.8 billion levelling up fund

Councils all over the country can today bid for a share of £4.8 billion of flagship levelling up funding for projects that improve everyday life for people across the UK.

Applications for the second round of the government’s Levelling Up Fund opened for submission today (15 July 2022) and will remain open until midday on 2 August 2022.

The fund empowers communities by putting money directly into the hands of councils, and in Northern Ireland to a range of public and private organisations, to invest in projects which give people pride in the places where they live.

Previous grants from the first round have gone towards improving town centres, boosting local transport links and supporting cultural and historical assets.

Greg Clark, the newly appointed Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities said:

I am determined to press full steam ahead with levelling up communities across the United Kingdom.

The Levelling Up Fund can provide the investment needed to make a project that communities have been dreaming of for years a reality.

So I’m delighted to open applications for the second round of the Levelling Up Fund and I’m looking forward to seeing proposals that will make a positive impact on people’s lives.

In a change to the application process, MPs in Great Britain will now be able to provide support to two bids that benefit their constituencies in this round, rather than a single one. This recognises the fact that many MPs’ constituencies cover more than one council area.

The second round will look to build on the success of the round one, which saw £1.7 billion awarded to 105 successful projects across the UK.

In round one, grants included £17.7 million provided for the restoration of the 900-year-old Haverfordwest Castle in Pembrokeshire into a high-quality all-weather visitor attraction and to develop the potential of the river as a feature of the town centre. Elsewhere, Omagh in Northern Ireland has received £4.1 million to regenerate its vacant health centre and transform it into a digital hub, creating 250 jobs and attracting local businesses and entrepreneurs.

£19.9 million was also awarded to West Dunbartonshire for a series of projects including revamping the Artizan Shopping Centre and transforming the area’s oldest building into a library and museum.

In England, ‘Northolt Travel Scheme’ in Ealing received £7.2 million for a high-impact active travel scheme that will improve accessibility to services and employment areas, and connect Northolt to the strategic cycle, pedestrian and public transport network. Bishop Auckland received £20 million to reopen the UK’s oldest suspension bridge and improve transport links for local people.