Month: August 2018

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BS EN 1279-1:2018 Glass in building. Insulating glass units Generalities, system description, rules for substitution, tolerances and visual quality

Glass
Rooflights
Construction systems parts
Sound insulation
Environmental health
Partitions
Roofs
Glazing
Window glass
Buildings
Energy conservation
Approval testing
Acoustic insulating materials
Transparency
Marking
Construction materials
Curtain walling
Thermal insulating materials
Doors
Quality assurance
Windows
Dimensional tolerances
Thermal insulation

Link: BS EN 1279-1:2018 Glass in building. Insulating glass units Generalities, system description, rules for substitution, tolerances and visual quality
Source: BSI Standards

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ISO 15926-13:2018 Industrial automation systems and integration. Integration of life-cycle data for process plants including oil and gas production facilities Integrated asset planning life-cycle

Drilling (mineral extraction)
Natural gas extraction
Petroleum extraction
Natural gas
Petroleum technology

Link: ISO 15926-13:2018 Industrial automation systems and integration. Integration of life-cycle data for process plants including oil and gas production facilities Integrated asset planning life-cycle
Source: BSI Standards

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Press release: UK responds to Syrian Regime releasing names of deaths in detention

The Minister for the Middle East and North Africa, Mr Burt, said:

Tens of thousands of Syrians have been forcibly disappeared, detained and tortured since the beginning of the conflict. The issuing of thousands of prisoner death notices by the regime authorities provides another clear indication of the brutality the Asad regime has inflicted on the Syrian people.

For many families this brings to an end several years of waiting and hoping, not knowing the fate of their loved ones. My condolences are with the Syrian families who have learnt of the deaths of their loved ones, and my thoughts are with the many others who do not yet know their fates.

These notices do not bring an end to the issue. The regime must now clarify the situation of all those who remain missing, and release all those still arbitrarily detained, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolutions 2254 and 2268. Moreover, the families of the deceased deserve justice. Those responsible for torture and killings must be held to account. We fully support the UN Commission of Inquiry and the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism in investigating the appalling human rights abuses committed in Syria.

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Link: Press release: UK responds to Syrian Regime releasing names of deaths in detention
Source: Gov Press Releases

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Press release: Defence Secretary strengthens Romania ties and thanks RAF crews

Gavin Williamson reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to the region during meetings with his counterpart Mihai Fifor in Bucharest. They discussed existing mutual defence activity and announced their intention to step up UK-Romania co-operation by signing a Memorandum of Understanding before the end of this year.

They also unveiled plans for the British Army to support a Romanian-led Multinational Brigade (South-East), which is taking part in Exercise Scorpions Fury and is part of NATO’s Forward Presence in the Black Sea, aimed at deterring aggression in the region.

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said:

“European security is our security and though we are leaving the EU our commitment to our allies remains steadfast. That is why we are accelerating our military collaboration with Romania, with whom we enjoy a strong relationship.

“NATO is the cornerstone of both our nations’ security and this deployment demonstrates the alliance’s collective resolve and readiness in a world of intensifying threats.”

Mr Williamson discussed last month’s NATO summit and defence post-Brexit in a meeting with Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dăncilă before flying to the Black Sea to meet RAF crews flying Typhoon patrols as part of NATO’s Southern Air Policing mission.

The UK’s unwavering commitment to co-operating on European security is further evidenced by this week’s deployment of two RAF Typhoons from Romania to Hungary where they are taking part in bilateral exercises with the Hungarian military.

Link: Press release: Defence Secretary strengthens Romania ties and thanks RAF crews
Source: Gov Press Releases

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Press release: Parole Board CEO speech at "Parole: Law Policy and Practice in 2018"

Martin Jones, CEO of the Parole Board, gave a speech at “Parole: Law, Policy and Practice in 2018”, an event hosted by Cambridge University on 2 July 2018.

Improving independence, transparency, efficiency and effectiveness by Martin Jones, CEO of the Parole Board

PDF, 363KB, 5 pages

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His speech, “Improving independence, transparency, efficiency and effectiveness”, focussed on how the Parole Board has changed since it started in 1968, where the Parole Board is today, and where it should be aiming to be in the future.

He recognised that statistics are not enough on their own to give the public confidence in the Parole Board, despite another record breaking year in 2017/18:

“Looking forward we want to be more transparent than ever before; about our decision making; our performance and areas where we need to improve.”

His speech was part of an event co-hosted by the Centre for Criminal Justice and Centre for Public Law to discuss the Ministry of Justice public consultation into the law, policy and procedure relating to parole.


Link: Press release: Parole Board CEO speech at "Parole: Law Policy and Practice in 2018"
Source: Gov Press Releases

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Press release: New publication showcases record investment in research and development programmes

A new publication which details the allocation of the government’s increasing investment in research and innovation, highlighting the government’s ambition for public and private sector investment in R&D to reach 2.4% of GDP by 2027, was announced today (Thursday 2 August) by Science Minister Sam Gyimah.

The Allocations Booklet

The newly published Allocations Booklet highlights the biggest ever increase in public research and development (R&D) funding for 40 years, allowing scientists and researchers to continue pushing the boundaries of knowledge through the modern Industrial Strategy.

Recent examples of government-funded innovative programmes include breakthroughs in developing battery technologies for the future, and creating a new state of the art polar research ship that will facilitate world-leading and internationally collaborative research.

The Booklet also includes details of how increases in public R&D funding have been allocated to:

  • UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
  • the UK Space Agency
  • National Academies
  • Public Sector Research Establishments
  • and other programmes.

It also includes details of year-on-year increases in R&D across a wide range of areas, including the National Productivity Investment Fund, Official Development Assistance and science infrastructure across the UK.

Science Minister Sam Gyimah said:

We want the UK to lead on new ideas and technologies and have committed to supporting our businesses and world-leading innovators by taking measures to ensure 2.4% of GDP will be spent on research and development by 2027.

The publication of the Allocations Booklet spells out how we will ensure the benefits of this funding is felt across the science, research and innovation landscape; paving the way for disruptive businesses, entrepreneurs and researchers to flourish, boosting our economy and creating the high-value jobs of tomorrow.

The government’s commitment to reach the target of 2.4% of GDP being spent on R&D by 2027 was announced as part of the launch of the Industrial Strategy White Paper, reinforcing the UK’s commitment to our world-leading science, research and innovation sectors providing them with the necessary support to go from strength to strength.

The booklet includes the most recent allocations for a number of programmes funded and managed by UKRI, including the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund (ISCF). UKRI is a new body which works in partnership with universities, research organisations, businesses, charities, and government to create the best possible environment for research and innovation to flourish.

UKRI Chief Finance Officer and Deputy CEO Ian Kenyon said:

UK Research and Innovation is committed to providing the best environment for research and innovation to flourish, and ensuring that the UK’s world-leading knowledge economy is harnessed to address the significant societal and industrial challenges we face both domestically and globally.

The government has recognised these challenges, and by committing significant additional funding to research and innovation is providing us with the resources we need to get on with the job at hand.

UK Research and Innovation will now focus on investing every pound of our allocations wisely, while we push the frontiers of human knowledge and create tangible economic, cultural and social impact through the activities that we fund.

UKRI’s mission is illustrated by a range of recent projects. These include

  • the RRS Sir David Attenborough, a 129m-long polar research ship which will deliver world-leading research to help tackle the environmental challenges of our age, including climate change and protecting our oceans
  • the UK’s ongoing leading role in the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory project to detect gravitational waves, which led to the award of the 2017 Nobel Prize in Physics
  • the Knowledge Exchange Hubs which successfully stimulated greater collaboration between excellent arts and humanities research and the creative industries.

A total of £1.7 billion has been committed to the first 2 waves of the ISCF, which is designed to develop UK industries that are fit for the future, driving progress in technologies where the UK can become a world-leader in their research and commercialisation. Investments so far include:

  • the Faraday Challenge, to drive the development of new battery technologies
  • 4 Hubs developing robotics and Artificial Intelligence technologies for use in challenging and hazardous environments
  • and a range of projects stimulating the development and manufacture of novel medicines for patients.

A number of other ISCF projects will be announced in the coming months, and challenges for the third wave of the ISCF are currently being considered.

Notes to editors

  1. Read The Allocations Booklet

  2. UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is a new body which works in partnership with universities, research organisations, businesses, charities, and government to create the best possible environment for research and innovation to flourish across the UK. Comprising 9 councils, it aims to maximise the contribution of each of its component parts, working individually and collectively. It works with its many partners to benefit everyone through knowledge, talent and ideas.

  3. The booklet sets out the budget allocations to UKRI and other funding streams managed by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). The focus on UKRI means this is not intended to be a complete picture of R&D managed across government or the department as some R&D budgets reside elsewhere.

  4. The National Productivity Investment Fund established as part of the Autumn Statement 2016 and expanded at Autumn Budget 2017, adds £31 billion across government in high-value investment from 2017-18 to 2021-22. The £7 billion of this apportioned to research and innovation funding is split between themes and includes funding for innovation and research: Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund; and other programmes such as research talent. The £7 billion investment is made up of the £4.7 billion detailed within the Allocations Booklet and the remaining £2.3 billion to be allocated in 2021-22.

  5. Allocations for 2020-2021 onwards will be made following the Spending Review.

Link: Press release: New publication showcases record investment in research and development programmes
Source: Gov Press Releases

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Press release: Knife-wielding ex who attempted to stab a young mum has sentence increased

A man who broke into the home of his ex-girlfriend and threatened her with a knife will spend longer in prison after the Solicitor General, Robert Buckland QC MP, referred his sentence to the Court of Appeal for being too low.

Matthew White, 31, carried out an extensive campaign of harassment and threats against his ex-partner following their breakup in 2017. This culminated in White breaking into her home and brandishing a knife at her and her three children. She attempted to flee but White restrained her and made attempts to stab her, as well as punching her in the face multiple times. He also made threats against her family.

White was originally sentenced at Hull Crown Court in May, where he was sentenced to 6 years imprisonment with an extended licence period of 3 years and a restraining order. Today, after the Solicitor General’s referral, the Court of Appeal increased his sentence to 9 years imprisonment with an extended licence period of 5 years.

Commenting on the sentence increase, the Solicitor General said:

“Not only did White’s actions directly impact his victim, but we can also only begin to imagine the long-terms effects this is likely to have on the children who experienced this terrible ordeal. It is only right that White should serve a longer sentence.”

Link: Press release: Knife-wielding ex who attempted to stab a young mum has sentence increased
Source: Gov Press Releases