Month: January 2018

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Press release: Government acts to protect essential services from cyber attack

  • Organisations risk fines of up to £17 million if they do not have effective cyber security measures
  • Sector-specific regulators will be appointed so essential services are protected
  • National Cyber Security Centre today publishes new guidance for industry

Bosses of Britain’s most critical industries are being warned to boost cyber security or face hefty fines for leaving themselves vulnerable to attack following our consultation.

Energy, transport, water and health firms could be fined up to £17million if they fail to have the most robust safeguards in place against cyber attack.

New regulators will be able to assess critical industries to make sure plans are as robust as possible.

A simple, straightforward reporting system will be set up to make it easy to report cyber breaches and IT failures so they can be quickly identified and acted upon.

This will ensure UK operators in electricity, transport, water, energy, transport, health and digital infrastructure are prepared to deal with the increasing numbers of cyber threats.

It will also cover other threats affecting IT such as power outages, hardware failures and environmental hazards.
Under the new measures recent cyber breaches such as WannaCry and high profile systems failures would be covered by the Network and Information Systems (NIS) Directive.

These incidents would have to be reported to the regulator who would assess whether appropriate security measures were in place. The regulator will have the power to issue legally-binding instructions to improve security, and – if appropriate – impose financial penalties.

Margot James, Minister for Digital and the Creative Industries, said:

Today we are setting out new and robust cyber security measures to help ensure the UK is the safest place in the world to live and be online.

We want our essential services and infrastructure to be primed and ready to tackle cyber attacks and be resilient against major disruption to services.

I encourage all public and private operators in these essential sectors to take action now and consult NCSC’s advice on how they can improve their cyber security.

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), the UK’s centre of cyber excellence established in 2017, has today published detailed guidance on the security measures to help organisations comply. These are based around 14 key principles set out in our consultation and government response, and are aligned with existing cyber security standards.

National Cyber Security Centre CEO Ciaran Martin said:

Our new guidance will give clear advice on what organisations need to do to implement essential cyber security measures.

Network and information systems give critical support to everyday activities, so it is absolutely vital that they are as secure as possible.

The new measures follow the consultation held last year by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport seeking views from industry on how to implement the NIS Directive from 10 May 2018.

Fines would be a last resort and will not apply to operators which have assessed the risks adequately, taken appropriate security measures and engaged with regulators but still suffered an attack.

Following the consultation, incident reporting arrangements have been simplified, with operators reporting to their Competent Authority. Penalties will be fixed at a maximum of £17 million and the new legislation will be made clearer for companies to know whether they have to comply with the NIS Directive.

The NIS Directive is an important part of the Government’s five-year £1.9 billion National Cyber Security Strategy to protect the nation from cyber threats and make the UK the safest place to live and work online. It will ensure essential service operators are taking the necessary action to protect their IT systems.

Notes to editors

  • For media enquiries please contact the DCMS News and Communications team on 020 7211 6000 or out of hours on 07699 751153.
  • The Government response documents and list of regulators are available online.
  • The 2016-2021 National Cyber Security Strategy sets out how the UK Government will deliver a UK that is secure and resilient to cyber threats; prosperous and confident in the digital world. The National Cyber Security Programme managed by the Cabinet Office coordinates the work undertaken to implement the UK’s National Cyber Security Strategy.

Link: Press release: Government acts to protect essential services from cyber attack
Source: Gov Press Releases

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Press release: ARQUEÓLOGO DEL SMITHSONIAN RICHARD COOKE RECIBE HONORES

En la tarde del día jueves 25 de enero, Richard Cooke, científico del Instituto Smithsonian de Investigaciones Tropicales en Panamá, recibió oficialmente la Excelentísima Orden del Imperio Británico en la Residencia del Embajador del Reino Unido.

Este Honor es otorgado por S.M. la Reina dos veces al año en el marco de la celebración de su cumpleaños, y el Año Nuevo. Fue originalmente establecido en 1917 por el Rey Jorge V.

Los recipientes de La Excelentísima Orden del Imperio Británico (Most Excellent Order of the British Empire o M.B.E, por sus siglas en Inglés) son galardonados por sus contribuciones a las artes y las ciencias, contribuciones de caridad y el servicio público, fuera del servicio civil.

Cooke fue nominado a esta promoción por amigos y estudiantes británicos del Reino Unido, quienes reconocieron el impacto de sus contribuciones a lo largo de los años.

El premio fue anunciado por “The Gazette” – la publicación oficial del Reino Unido – en junio de 2017. La nota detalla que el Arqueólogo Cooke fue condecorado debido a sus “servicios a la arqueología y la intelección de la antigua Civilización de América Central.”

Durante la ceremonia, amigos y colegas de Cooke expresaron la magnitud del impacto de sus investigaciones al legado panameño por casi 50 años.

Acerca de Cooke:

Cooke nació en Guildford, Inglaterra en 1946. En 1968 obtuvo su licenciatura en Arqueología y Lenguas Modernas en la Universidad de Bristol. En octubre de 1969 llegó al país para trabajar en lo que resultó en su doctorado de la Universidad de Londres en 1972.

Los principales intereses de investigación de Cooke son: la historia de la pesca en aguas tropicales, la arqueología y la paleo ecología del puente terrestre centroamericano, además de la arqueo-zoología.

Sus trabajos y los de sus colegas nos brindan datos arqueológicos y de la genética humana, la lingüística y la ecología que nos muestra claramente que durante los 15,000 años del período precolombino, había sociedades humanas viviendo en tierras nacionales.

Ha brindado muchas oportunidades profesionales tanto a arqueólogos panameños como a centroamericanos, y de otros países.

Cooke es un incansable promotor de la arqueología panameña.

Link: Press release: ARQUEÓLOGO DEL SMITHSONIAN RICHARD COOKE RECIBE HONORES
Source: Gov Press Releases

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Press release: Universal Periodic Review 29th session: Lord Ahmad’s statement

The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a unique mechanism of the Human Rights Council (HRC) aimed at improving the human rights situation of all 193 UN member states. The UK strongly supports the UPR process, and we have spoken at every session and about every country since it began. This session saw reviews of 14 countries, namely Barbados, the Bahamas, Botswana, Burundi, France, Israel, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Mali, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Tonga and the United Arab Emirates.

Modern slavery

During the session we ensured that modern slavery was raised at every review, alongside specific issues relevant to each country. Forced labour, modern slavery and human trafficking are horrific crimes, and the UK Government is fully committed to eradicating them by 2030 as set out in the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal Article 8.7. The Prime Minister has made this a personal priority, and launched the Call to Action at the UN General Assembly in September 2017. I encourage all countries to endorse this Call to Action, to demonstrate leadership and drive change on an international scale. These are global crimes, and require a global response. The UPR process provides a valuable opportunity for us all to commit ourselves to make concrete changes and move the agenda forward, making a real difference to the lives of so many people.

UN Treaty Body membership

We also raised the issue of UN Treaty Body membership at every review this session. These expert bodies are a central part of the UN human rights system, charged with monitoring the implementation of human rights conventions in states which have signed up to them. The membership of Treaty Bodies is central to their success and the UK encourages states to adopt an open, merit-based selection process when selecting national candidates in order to improve membership quality.

Country reviews

Every country’s UPR is important, and as I noted above the UK makes a point of engaging with each and every one of them. At the 29th session of the UPR, Israel and Burundi were among the highest profile of the countries under review.

Israel

I welcome Israel’s engagement with the UPR and am pleased to see the positive steps taken since its last review, including its commitment to eradicate forced labour, modern slavery and human trafficking; and the progress Israel has made on gender equality. However, the lack of reference in Israel’s national submission to substantive progress on human rights issues in the Occupied Palestinian Territories is disappointing. Areas of concern include the need to address Israeli policies on settlement expansion and demolitions.

The advancement by the Israeli authorities of plans, tenders and permits for thousands of settlement units across the West Bank is deeply concerning. Settlements are illegal under international law and undermine both the physical viability of the two-state solution and perceptions of Israel’s commitment to it.

I am also seriously concerned by the Israeli authorities’ continuous demolition of Palestinian properties in Area C of the West Bank and in East Jerusalem. As the UK has made clear in the past, these demolitions cause unnecessary suffering and are harmful to the objective of achieving peace.

Finally, the matter of children in detention in Israel remains highly concerning. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, to which Israel is a State Party, clearly sets out the need to grant special care and protection to children. I hope Israel recognises these responsibilities and takes the necessary action to ensure that child detainees are protected, including to engage with partners, like the UK, on best practice.

Burundi

While I welcome Burundi’s participation in the UPR process, I remain deeply concerned that the Government of Burundi has shown no willingness to acknowledge and make efforts to improve the deteriorating human rights situation. It is also distressing that the Government of Burundi continues to facilitate a culture of impunity for the perpetrators. Specific areas which need to be addressed and investigated are arbitrary detentions, violence and executions by security forces, and attacks against human rights defenders. I urge the Government of Burundi to review, in good faith, all of the recommendations made in the UPR; and encourage them to co-operate with the OHCHR and the Commission of Inquiry. The UK and the international community stand ready to work with the Government of Burundi to improve the situation.

Conclusion

I encourage all countries reviewed during this session to give serious consideration to accepting the UK’s recommendations. I trust that those recommendations which are accepted will be fully implemented in a timely manner. I look forward to the formal adoption of these UPRs at the 38th session of the UN Human Rights Council, in June 2018.

Further information

Media enquiries

For journalists

Link: Press release: Universal Periodic Review 29th session: Lord Ahmad’s statement
Source: Gov Press Releases

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Press release: Ministry of Justice launches new facilities management company

The new company will take over the delivery of the prison Facilities Management (FM) services previously provided by Carillion such as cleaning, reactive maintenance, landscaping and planned building repair work.

Around 1,000 staff, including 100 contractors, who were previously employed by Carillion will now move across to the new company, Gov Facility Services Limited, with their terms and conditions of employment preserved.

These services, which are provided to 52 prison establishments located across South West, South Central, Kent & Sussex, Greater London and East of England, will continue unaffected in the transfer.

Justice Secretary, David Gauke said:

We have robust contingency plans and are taking appropriate action to ensure that the prison FM services continue to operate normally.

I want to reassure staff that their jobs are secure and essential to making prisons safer and more decent.

Permanent Secretary, Richard Heaton said:

The Ministry of Justice’s (MOJ) priority is to ensure continuity of service. We are implementing our contingency plan for the prisons facilities management contracts held by Carillion.

This means the work that was undertaken by Carillion will move to a new government-owned company set up for this purpose. I’d like to thank all the Carillion staff who are moving across into the new company, and reassure them that their jobs are secure. The vital work they do to maintain and improve our prisons is greatly valued and appreciated.

The new company has already been created and will take responsibility for the prison FM services as soon as the formal transfer of staff has occurred.

FM is a critical service for Her Majesty’s Prisons and Probation Service (HMPPS) and there is an ongoing need for a continuing service.

MOJ and HMPPS will work with all relevant stakeholders to ensure a stable service which retains skilled and knowledgeable staff working on the FM contracts.

The government has been clear that its priority is to ensure the smooth running of public services. Our robust contingency planning and preparations for the transition to Gov Facility Services Limited has meant there have so far not been any disruptions to prison maintenance.

Link: Press release: Ministry of Justice launches new facilities management company
Source: Gov Press Releases

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Publication: Letter dated 15/01/2018 from Lord Ashton of Hyde to Lord Stevenson of Balmacara regarding the re-identification offence, as raised during the debate at report stage day 3

Data Protection Bill [HL]: Letter dated 15/01/2018 from Lord Ashton of Hyde to Lord Stevenson of Balmacara regarding the re-identification offence, as raised during the debate at report stage day 3

Link: Publication: Letter dated 15/01/2018 from Lord Ashton of Hyde to Lord Stevenson of Balmacara regarding the re-identification offence, as raised during the debate at report stage day 3
Source: Data Protection Bill

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Publication: Letter dated 04/01/2018 from Lord Ashton of Hyde to Lords regarding Government amendments on de-identified data and application to Crown bodies

Data Protection Bill [HL]: Letter dated 04/01/2018 from Lord Ashton of Hyde to Lords regarding Government amendments on de-identified data and application to Crown bodies

Link: Publication: Letter dated 04/01/2018 from Lord Ashton of Hyde to Lords regarding Government amendments on de-identified data and application to Crown bodies
Source: Data Protection Bill

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Press release: Warrington’s £34 million flood defence scheme officially complete

More than 2,000 Warrington homes and businesses will benefit from the town’s multi-million pound flood defence scheme, officially opened today (26 January) by Environment Agency Chief Executive, Sir James Bevan and the town’s Mayor, Councillor Les Morgan.

The scheme is one of the largest value flood defence projects constructed in the region in recent times, and will significantly reduce flood risk to the town which has been no stranger to flooding – given it sits in naturally low-lying land and within the path of the River Mersey and its tributaries.

The £34 million scheme brings increased flood protection to properties in 9 residential and public areas of Warrington, better protecting the hundreds of families and businesses who have experienced flooding in the past and are aware of the destruction it can bring.

Sir James Bevan, Environment Agency Chief Executive, said:

The scheme not only brings flood risk benefits but the work in the area is also good news for walkers, birdwatchers and wildlife. It’s been great to see the Environment Agency working together in partnership to better protect Warrington – a fine example of what can be achieved by working with others.

These new flood defences will not only benefit hundreds of homes and businesses in the area but will also safeguard critical infrastructure, vital in keeping the town moving.

Due to the scale and complexity of works, the scheme was delivered in 3 phases – parts of which have been effectively operating for some time. Phase one (the Knutsford Road section) was put to the test during the 2013 December high tides, preventing some 200 properties from being flooded. The predicted value of damage to properties that would have otherwise occurred, covered the actual cost of this section of the scheme.

Floods Minister Thérèse Coffey said:

Warrington’s new £34 million flood scheme will reduce the flood risk to over 2,000 homes and businesses, and protect vital infrastructure helping to bring investment to the area.

This scheme is an excellent example of how working together with councils and local businesses allows us to make the most of government funding to secure the best possible defences for communities. By 2021, we will have invested £47 million in flood defences to better protect 4,280 homes in Cheshire.

Comprising 5km of flood walls and 2.2km of embankment, the 7.2km scheme has improved amenity and recreational opportunities, as well as habitat conditions along the river corridor.

The widening and clearing of formerly impassable footpaths has improved connectivity, as well as views of the river and across the town, and extensive tree planting has created many pleasant vantage points for walkers and cyclists.

At the Twiggeries site behind Kingsway North, a 500m section of Padgate Brook has been realigned to create a more natural look and 5 hectares of reed bed habitat has been established to attract wildlife to the area.

The town’s main park, Victoria Park, has seen major improvement works to the main entrance, and a ‘wavy-topped’ railing along the road frontage at Knutsford Road makes a strong urban design statement.

The scheme was designed not only to be functional but to be aesthetically fitting within its environment. Children from local primary schools were challenged to create the winning artworks that adorn the defence walls, from Kingsway North all the way along Knutsford Road.

Funding for the scheme came from a number of sources. The majority – £29m – came from Government Grant-in-Aid, the remaining came from the partners the Environment Agency worked with to deliver the scheme.

The Environment Agency worked closely with Warrington Borough Council, who contributed £4 million towards the scheme, of which £1 million was ‘works in kind’. Scottish Power, who owns and operates a high voltage substation in the Howley area that serves almost half of the town, also contributed £2 million to the scheme to better protect this key piece of Warrington infrastructure.

As well as contributing funding, the Council was a key partner in cementing a strong relationship with stakeholders and landowners within the scheme’s footprint.

Councillor Hans Mundry, Warrington Borough Council’s executive board member for public realm, said:

The work done by the Environment Agency will bring peace of mind to many Warrington people as we work together to protect homes and businesses along the Mersey.

It is more than just functional though, as you will see if you take a walk by the river. It is an attractive addition to the waterfront and has improved the ecology and helped protect wildlife in the area.

You can view aerial drone footage of the Warrington flood defence scheme on YouTube.

Drone footage filmed by Suave Air Photos

Link: Press release: Warrington’s £34 million flood defence scheme officially complete
Source: Environment Agency

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Press release: Bridging payments for Basic Payment Scheme 2017 confirmed by Farming Minister

More than 93% of farmers in England signed up to the 2017 Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) have now received their payment. While the RPA continue to pay farmers, those who haven’t received their money by the end of March will be offered a bridging payment of 75% in April, Farming Minister George Eustice said today (Friday 26 January).

Payments made to date are worth more than £1.5 billion. The 79,000 farmers who have been paid include a range of claim types and sizes including cross-border, young farmer and common land claims.

Farming Minister George Eustice said:

We have made good progress towards getting payments to farmers this year with over 93 per cent now paid and we are working hard on the final seven per cent.

The burden of EU rules continues to be a barrier to some of the remaining processing so we will ensure that, as we did last year, any farmer not paid by the end of March will receive a bridging Payment in April.

As the Environment Secretary has made clear, when we leave the EU we will match the £3 billion that farmers currently receive in support from the CAP until 2022, and we intend to go on supporting farmers for years to come where the environmental benefits of that spending are clear.

Link: Press release: Bridging payments for Basic Payment Scheme 2017 confirmed by Farming Minister
Source: Gov Press Releases

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Press release: Lord Bourne: “Wales is harnessing the appeal of its cultural and heritage attractions to benefit its communities”

From its world-renowned castles to our home-grown theatre productions, UK Government Minister Lord Bourne will see first-hand the crucial contribution the North Wales tourism and culture industries makes to the Welsh economy today (26 January).

The Minister will visit Rhyl’s Sea Quarium and attend further business meetings in other tourism destinations in North East Wales, as the latest tourism figures reveal the number of overseas visits to Wales are on the rise.

Lord Bourne said:

Tourism is big business in Wales and our outstanding attractions are regularly highlighted as some of the best places in the world to visit.

It is encouraging to see how North Wales is harnessing the appeal of its cultural and heritage attractions to benefit communities right across the country.

The visit comes as the latest tourism figures reveal there were 909,000 overseas visits to Wales from January to September last year, up 6% compared to the same time in 2016. Visitors to Wales also spent £337 million, boosting the Welsh economy.

Lord Bourne added:

Tourism is one of the UK’s most valuable export industries.

It is also a fiercely competitive global industry and these results not only demonstrate Wales’ continued ability to compete internationally for visitors, they are testament to tourism’s importance as a driver of economic growth.

ENDS

Link: Press release: Lord Bourne: “Wales is harnessing the appeal of its cultural and heritage attractions to benefit its communities”
Source: Gov Press Releases