Day: June 7, 2018

Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson said:

I welcome the announcement by the National Unity Government of a ceasefire for Eid al-Fitr. This is an opportunity to reduce levels of violence and create space for talks to begin. Recent international conferences in Kabul and Tashkent have shown that the regional community and regional states are united on the need for a peaceful resolution in Afghanistan. We call on the Taliban to join the ceasefire and seize the opportunity to advance the cause of peace which the people of Afghanistan so deserve.

It is also right that the ceasefire does not apply to affiliates of the so-called Islamic State, and other terrorist groups. I am certain that the Afghan government will remain resolute in defending the Afghan state and its people. The UK stands firmly with the Afghan government against terrorism and supports its efforts to build peace.

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Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns visited One Team Logic in Talbot Green today (Thursday 7 June) to recognise the safeguarding firm’s achievement in winning The Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the Innovation category for their ground-breaking safeguarding software, MyConcern®, a trusted and secure software solution for protecting children and vulnerable young people from harm.

Now in its 52nd year, the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise are the UK’s most prestigious business awards, recognising and celebrating business excellence across the UK in fields including innovation, international trade, sustainable development and promoting opportunity through social mobility.

The MyConcern software was developed to assist people responsible for the wellbeing of the young and vulnerable (such as teachers) to be able to easily report and record concerns. With over 3000 children in Wales being identified as needing protection from abuse and an increase of 25% in recorded sexual offences against children aged under sixteen in Wales these are issues that schools and colleges are often the first to be made aware of.*

The system can also cater for spotting signs of young people experiencing complex mental health issues, including self-harm. It enables schools, colleges and other organisations to record and manage safeguarding issues such as bullying, drug and alcohol abuse, domestic, abuse and gender-based violence relating to children, young people and vulnerable adults.

One Team Logic was founded in 2014 and has since created almost 50 jobs in South Wales, as well as 14 others across Wales and England. Two of the founding directors, Martin Baker QPM and Darryl Morton, will be attending an official reception for award winners being held by HRH The Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace later this month.

Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns said:

The Queen’s Awards highlight the best of innovative British business – recognising their entrepreneurial spirit and ambitions to succeed both at home and around the world.

One Team Logic should be proud of their achievements in providing a ground-breaking digital solution which meets the ever-changing nature of issues affecting our children and young people. I hope their story will inspire other Welsh businesses to strive for this prestigious award in the future.

The UK Government is doing all it can to nurture the ambitions and talent of businesses in Wales by creating the right conditions for economic growth and facilitating greater trade and investment opportunities between Wales, the United Kingdom and around the world.

Mike Glanville, Director of Safeguarding for One Team Logic said:

We are honoured that the work of our whole team has been recognised by Her Majesty the Queen through the conferring of The Queen’s Award for Enterprise. For the innovation that we have brought to safeguarding and child protection to be recognised in this very public way is both humbling and extremely gratifying.

Given the challenges facing schools and colleges we believe that the use of MyConcern is not only transforming the way safeguarding is being managed but is also helping to support school leaders and other members of staff in their vital role as safeguarding practitioners. As a Welsh safeguarding company, we are proud to work alongside so many schools and colleges across Wales supporting them in keeping children safe from harm.

We are delighted that the Secretary for State for Wales was able to visit our offices in Talbot Green in recognition of the Queen’s Award and to spend some time with our dedicated and talented work-force.

ENDS

References

• NSPCC -Child Protection in Wales Statistics

The UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) hosted an event last week in celebration of World Hydrography Day 2018, organised in partnership with the Museum of Somerset. The event was free to attend and was aimed at showing the local community the importance of hydrography and the vital role it plays in our lives.

The event offered a range of maritime-themed activities for both children and adults – from guessing marine mammal sounds to navigating around obstacles by calculating depths. Elsewhere on display was an augmented reality sandbox showing hydrography in action, with responsive contours projected onto the sand that moved in real-time as it was moved and sculpted by guests.

From the UKHO’s archive were a number of historical items on display and a film with old footage of chart printing. A re-enactment of an 18th century sailor firing a musket was also conducted in front of audiences, and members of the Royal Navy displayed two autonomous marine robotic systems.

Alia Weir, Head of Corporate Marketing Communications at the UKHO, commented:

“World Hydrography Day provides a valuable opportunity to show the importance of hydrography and why it is essential for almost all activity in the marine environment – from safe navigation to managing marine resources.

“We are proud to demonstrate to the local community some of the world-leading work we do here from the heart of Taunton, whether it’s the nautical charts that we have produced for over 200 years, or the cutting edge marine geospatial data that we handle today.”

First established in 2005 by the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), ‘World Hydrography Day’ is celebrated annually to increase public awareness of hydrography and the work of hydrographers around the globe. The theme for 2018 is “Bathymetry – the foundation for sustainable seas, oceans and waterways”.

The UKHO will hold a national event in October, held in London. This evening reception will be attended by senior Government officials and key stakeholders in marine, science, academic and cultural industries.

The sell-out ticket-only event, which this year celebrates 100 years of the RAF, takes place at Cosford on the Staffordshire and Shropshire border, on Sunday (10 June 2018).

Around 60,000 people are expected to attend with 14,000 vehicles booked into the event car parks.

Highways England is advising motorists to leave plenty of extra time to travel as the local area is expected to start getting busy from as early as 7.30am with the peak period from 8am onwards and again from 4.30pm to 8.30pm.

Frank Bird, West Midlands emergency planning officer for Highways England, said:

We’re reminding road users to plan ahead and allow extra time for their journeys with roads leading to the event likely to be very busy, particularly the M54 westbound and the M6.

We’d also advise people to check our traffic and travel information channels before setting off.

Motorists travelling from Birmingham are advised to use the M54 to junction 3 and follow the signs.

Those travelling from Shrewsbury before 10.30am should use M54 junction 4 and follow signs, after which people should follow the event signing.

Highways England provides live traffic information via its website, local and national radio travel bulletins, electronic road signs and mobile platforms, such as Android and iPhone apps.

General enquiries

Members of the public should contact the Highways England customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000.

Media enquiries

Journalists should contact the Highways England press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.