Month: March 2018

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Press release: MOD confirms the death of Corporal Jonathan Bayliss, Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team (The Red Arrows)

Corporal Bayliss was killed when the Hawk T1 aircraft he was flying in crashed at RAF Valley at approximately 1330hrs on Tuesday 20 March 2018.

A Police investigation and a full Service Inquiry into the crash has been initiated. It would be inappropriate to speculate on the causes of the incident at this time.

Sergeant Will Allen, a close colleague of Corporal Jon Bayliss and the leader of the Red Arrows’ group of travelling support engineers, known as the Circus, for 2018 said:

Jon had the ability to motivate and inspire a team and those around him – no matter the rank, role or person. He was so proud to have been chosen to join the Circus team for 2018 and, in being one of the small group of engineers whose job it was to fly in a Red Arrows jet, had fulfilled a schoolboy dream.

Jon had a big a presence on the Squadron and with his wide beaming smile, and dry humour, could lighten up any dull moment or lift spirits when needed. Both inside and outside of work, he was a generous, kind and caring man who could also always be relied upon.

Having worked with Jon both at the Red Arrows and elsewhere in the Royal Air Force, I know how tirelessly he approached each task and was, what many would describe, a genuine grafter.

Squadron Leader Richard Bland, Senior Engineering Officer of the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, said:

Everyone on the team has a great story about Jon and, without exception, he was known as a top bloke with an infectious smile, cheeky grin and possessing a dry sense of humour that had the ability to fill a room with laughter. At the same time, Jon was the ultimate professional and embodiment of excellence. As the leader of a team responsible for replenishing the jet’s dye systems last year, he led exceptionally well, looking after his team mates selflessly and was a true inspiration.

We have been touched by the messages of condolence received from the wider Air Force, from people who knew Jon across ranks and trades and it is clear people loved him. As a skilled leader, ambassador for the Royal Air Force and knowledgeable technician, Jon had all of the attributes and qualities that define the Red Arrows.

Wing Commander Andrew Keith, Officer Commanding, Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows said:

The thoughts of each and every member of the Red Arrows team are with Corporal Jonathan Bayliss’ family and friends. He was a dedicated, skilled and experienced Royal Air Force engineer who we will miss deeply. As a highly-trained technician, Corporal Bayliss made a huge contribution to ensuring the Red Arrows’ aircraft were able to carry out displays and flypasts to millions of people across the globe and I know how proud he was to be part of that team effort.

Corporal Bayliss was a popular colleague and someone whom others looked up to, being able to draw inspiration from his knowledge and strength of character. The Red Arrows family is a close one – the Squadron is a small team who live and work side-by-side and the overwhelming number of condolence messages, received from around the world, have been enormously comforting to us all and we are very grateful for that.

Air Vice-Marshal Warren James CBE, Air Officer Commanding (AOC) 22 Group – of which the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team is part of – said:

Our heartfelt condolences go to Corporal Jonathan Bayliss’ partner and family at what is a terrible, tragic time. His death has understandably come as a great shock to his colleagues and fellow team mates at the Red Arrows. The incident is a reminder of the risk present with all types of flying but also of the hard work and commitment shared by both air and ground crews alike.

All of our thoughts are now with Corporal Bayliss’ family, friends and his colleagues as they try to come to terms with his loss and investigations take place into establishing what happened.

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said:

It is with deep sadness that I heard of the death of Corporal Jonathan Bayliss whilst flying with the Red Arrows on Anglesey. It’s clear from his colleagues that he was an incredibly skilled engineer and held in the highest regard as a teammate, a friend, and a shining example of what the British Armed Forces stand for. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones at this terrible time.

Corporal Jonathan Bayliss, 41, was an Aircraft Technician (Mechanic) with the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team.

He was born in Dartford, Kent and grew up in Hartley. He attended Axton Chase School in Longfield and studied at West Kent College before going on to complete a HND in engineering management at the University of Greenwich.

Before joining the Royal Air Force in 2001, he worked at Brands Hatch motor racing circuit.

Prior to becoming a member of the Red Arrows team in January 2016, Corporal Bayliss’ Royal Air Force career involved working on squadrons at RAF Coltishall and RAF Coningsby as well as on overseas deployments.

As a mechanical engineer with the Red Arrows, he had supported successful tours to the Far East, including China, as well as the Middle East and mainland Europe.

In 2017 he was a leader of the Red Arrows’ dye team, helping to replenish the jets’ famous smoke systems wherever they landed.

For 2018, he had been selected to be one of the Circus team – the small group of highly-trained engineers who travel with the aircraft and provide technical support to the Red Arrows when the aircraft operate away from their home base.

Bayliss 2
Corporal Jonathan Bayliss


Link: Press release: MOD confirms the death of Corporal Jonathan Bayliss, Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team (The Red Arrows)
Source: Gov Press Releases

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Press release: Foreign Secretary announces 250 new diplomatic roles and ten new sovereign missions overseas

At least 250 new diplomatic roles will be created overseas in the coming two years as the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) invests in a major expansion of the UK’s diplomatic service, an uplift of almost 15% on the number of British diplomats overseas, the Foreign Secretary announced today.

Ten new sovereign missions, either Embassies or High Commissions, will also be opened over the next two years. This means that the UK will have more sovereign missions around the world than any other European nation.

As part of the Government’s Global Britain vision, this expansion of the UK’s global presence and increase in the number of diplomats underscore the Government’s commitment to strengthening relationships with old allies and forging new partnerships around the world as the UK leaves the EU.

Commenting on the expansion, the Foreign Secretary said:

I am determined that we will seize the opportunity of leaving the EU to become a more outward-looking country, which promotes free trade, projects our values and defends the international rules based system. That is the best way to serve our interests overseas and to protect the security and prosperity of people here at home.

The expansion of our overseas network with at least 250 more diplomats and 10 new overseas missions will enable us to do all this. It reflects the ambition of Global Britain and will make the UK’s overseas network of sovereign missions the largest of any European country.

As we leave the EU, we will have a bigger global footprint and we will use our buccaneering spirit to go out and secure the right outcomes for Britain.

Today’s announcement comes on the day that the UK opened a new diplomatic office in Chad’s capital, N’Djamena, which is the first UK mission in the country and will support the work of Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Department for International Development staff.

The additional roles overseas build on changes to the diplomatic service that we have already made to support the Government’s preparations for leaving the EU. These have included rebalancing the overseas network immediately following the referendum to create an additional fifty roles in the European network and boosting staff numbers by 150 in London and overseas, to support Brexit work as a result of additional Treasury funding of £14.5 million.

The uplift announced today will be funded through a further £15.1m for EU Exit preparations in 2018-19 already announced by the Treasury at the Spring statement this month and a proportion through a further £90m additional funding now agreed by the Treasury to support the Government’s Global Britain ambitions over the next two years.

Further information

Media enquiries

For journalists

Link: Press release: Foreign Secretary announces 250 new diplomatic roles and ten new sovereign missions overseas
Source: Gov Press Releases

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Press release: Labour market statistics for Scotland

Commenting on today’s labour market statistics for Scotland, Scottish Secretary David Mundell said:

It is encouraging that Scotland’s unemployment rate has fallen over the year. However, the most recent quarterly snapshot shows an increase of people in Scotland out of work and I urge the Scottish Government to use its considerable powers to strengthen the economy and help create the right conditions for sustained long term employment.

Further information:

• Employment in Scotland decreased by 8,000 over the previous quarter (August-October 2017) and increased by 35,000 over the year to stand at 2,644,000.

• The Scottish employment rate decreased by 0.2 percentage points over the quarter to stand at 74.8%. The rate is below the UK average of 75.3%.

• Unemployment in Scotland increased by 5,000 over the quarter and is down 9,000 over the year. The level now stands at 118,000.

• At 4.3%, the Scots unemployment rate is now in line with that for the UK as a whole (also at 4.3%).

• Economic Activity levels marginally decreased by 4,000 over the quarter and now stands at 2,763,000. The Economic Activity rate is stable over the quarter (0.0 p.p. change) to stand at 78.1%.

Link: Press release: Labour market statistics for Scotland
Source: Gov Press Releases

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The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Carrying on Regulated Activities by Way of Business) (Amendment) Order 2018

This Order amends the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Carrying on Regulated Activities by Way of Business) Order 2001 (S.I. 2001/1177) (the “By Way of Business Order”). The By Way of Business Order defines, in relation to certain specified activities, the circumstances in which a person carrying on one of those activities is, or is not, to be regarded as carrying on that activity by way of business for the purposes of section 22 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (c. 8).

Link: The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Carrying on Regulated Activities by Way of Business) (Amendment) Order 2018
Source: Legislation .gov.uk

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Press release: National Democracy Week Awards announced to mark suffrage centenary

The Minister for the Constitution, Chloe Smith, announced the awards in Parliament today, which will recognise national leaders in the area of democratic engagement.

National nominations will be divided into four categories:

  • Young Advocate of the Year Award
  • Diversity Champion of the Year Award
  • Changemaker of the Year Award
  • Collaboration of the Year Award

The Awards, held in the 100th year of the first women getting the right to vote, will highlight the work of national leaders in democratic engagement. Anyone may nominate any individual, organisation or group and nominations close on 27 May 2018.

Activities will be held over National Democracy Week and from today, organisations and members of the public will be able to upload their events to the website.

Minister for the Constitution, Chloe Smith MP, said:

The Democracy Awards will recognise outstanding achievements in democratic engagement and the Suffrage Centenary is a great opportunity to highlight the work so many people are doing in this area, often without reward.

I encourage you all to nominate someone who you believe deserves to be recognised for their work in championing or improving society’s relationship with democracy. I am looking forward to celebrating all of the people who are going above and beyond to promote one of our most cherished assets.

Chief Executive of YMCA England & Wales, Denise Hatton said:

Young people have a huge role to play in democracy and it is important that we get them involved as early as possible.

By being involved in events taking place across National Democracy Week, young people can get a taste of the democratic process which will give them the understanding they need to actively participate in society and engage in their local communities.

There are many young people across the country already in leadership roles, engaging and changing the world around them. National Democracy Week will bring together organisations who work all year round to support young people with civic engagement and will act as a focal point for other young people to get involved.

YMCA are proud to be supporting this week and will be running activities across the country, enabling young people to shape their communities and partake in society.

Link: Press release: National Democracy Week Awards announced to mark suffrage centenary
Source: Gov Press Releases

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Press release: North East man fined for running illegal scrapyard

A man has been fined for running an illegal scrapyard in Teesside.

Anthony Hanley, 34, of Marton Burn Road in Middlesbrough, appeared at Teesside Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 20 March where he pleaded guilty to two charges of operating a scrapyard without a permit.

He was fined £800, ordered to pay costs of £4,000 and a victim surcharge of £80.

Prosecuting on behalf of the Environment Agency, Simon Crowder told the court that Hanley is the owner of Cliffs Autos which deals with end of life vehicles.

To take end of life scrap vehicles on to a site, the operators need an environmental permit for disposal of vehicle waste to ensure no risk to the environment by preventing fluids from going into the ground or into drainage systems.

Illegal site

On 25 August 2016 Environment Agency officers attended the illegal site at King George Terrace in Middlesbrough where they saw a sign offering to buy vehicles ‘dead or alive’, leading them to believe Hanley wanted to buy scrap vehicles.

Officers noticed there was in excess of 30 end of life vehicles stored at the premises. The defendant was co-operative with officers and was told to clear the site within 28 days.

On 12 September the same year, officers returned to the site and saw the number of vehicles had now reduced, and a further visit in December saw the site had been cleared.

But on 7 April 2017, the two Environment Agency officers returned to the site to see it had resumed operation again, with in excess of 30 end of life vehicles present, with some leaking fluids on to the ground.

Image hsows scrap cars on site

Illegal sites ‘impact on the environment’

Rachael Caldwell, Enforcement Team Leader at the Environment Agency said:

Hanley was given the opportunity to clear the vehicles of waste but when we returned to check the site it was full again.

Environmental permits are needed for a reason – they ensure operators have the correct procedures and equipment in place to protect the environment.

Not only do illegal sites impact on the environment but they undermine legitimate businesses. Every day our officers are out on the ground identifying illegal waste sites and taking the necessary action.

To report an illegal waste site contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.


Link: Press release: North East man fined for running illegal scrapyard
Source: Environment Agency

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The Secretaries of State for Health and Social Care and for Housing, Communities and Local Government and Transfer of Functions (Commonhold Land) Order 2018

This Order in Council is made under sections 1 and 2 of the Ministers of the Crown Act 1975. It makes provision for, and in connection with, the transfer of functions from the Secretary of State for Health to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and from the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government. It also makes provision for the transfer of functions in relation to commonhold land.

Link: The Secretaries of State for Health and Social Care and for Housing, Communities and Local Government and Transfer of Functions (Commonhold Land) Order 2018
Source: Legislation .gov.uk