Month: September 2018

As the Board of Trade meets in Coventry today (Thursday 6 September), International Trade Secretary Dr Liam Fox MP will announce 3 new High Potential Opportunities (HPO) areas.

The Department for International Trade’s (DIT) global network – based in 177 cities around the world – will now contact investors to promote the opportunities and attract top global investment into the Midlands.

The scheme, coordinated by DIT, identifies opportunities to attract foreign direct investment into emerging sectors, regions and clusters – creating new jobs and growth in every corner of the UK.

The recent round of successful HPO bids will see:

• Leamington Spa’s gaming industry in Warwickshire bolstered
• Leicestershire’s leading space sector strengthened through satellite production and earth observation technologies
• greater opportunities for Worcestershire technology companies to increase and innovate their data security capabilities

The High Potential Opportunities Scheme is part of the International Trade Secretary’s drive to secure new investment into the Midlands. Earlier this year, Dr Fox announced more than £30 billion worth of investment-ready projects, of which nearly £11 billion are in the Midlands.

International Trade Secretary and President of the Board of Trade Dr Liam Fox MP said:

The High Potential Opportunities scheme will deliver growth where it is most needed, ensuring that the benefits of global investment are felt in every part of the UK. I am delighted to be able to announce that Warwickshire, Leicestershire and Worcestershire have all been successful in their bids.

My international economic department is very much looking forward to working with local partners, including the Local Enterprise Partnerships, on securing the right investment for these exciting opportunities.

DIT works directly with companies in 60 countries around the world. Last year, DIT supported 1,682 investment projects which created or safeguarded 81,206 jobs in the UK. Of this, 196 investment projects were supported across the Midlands, safeguarding 298 local jobs.

Whilst in Coventry, Dr Fox will also announce a second international trade summer school, to run in summer 2019. This follows the success of this year’s National Trade Academy Programme summer school. Applications will open in February 2019.

Finally, Dr Fox will award 9 Board of Trade Awards (BOFTAs), to Midlands companies for their excellence in international trade, demonstrating innovation, creativity and entrepreneurialism.

The BOFTA winners are:

• innovative clothing company worn by NASA astronauts – Armadillo Merino
• specialist international SEO knowledge provider – Hallam Internet
• medical firm Morningside Pharmaceuticals
• manufacturer of gripping aids the Active Hands Group
• health and beauty business Body Care Brand Development
• crime response service provider Arquebus Solutions
• incinerator manufacturer Addfield Environmental Systems
• forensic, cyber and criminal intelligence company Forensic Pathways
• additive technology firm Addmaster

A man who beat another unconscious and then stole from him has been jailed after the Solicitor General, Robert Buckland QC MP, referred his case to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.

Craig Scarpellini, now 26, was walking through Christchurch when he came across his victim, who was drunk, and offered him cannabis if he came to Scarpellini’s flat. When they reached the block of flats, another man emerged with his face covered, and the victim attempted to run. Scarpellini punched him to the side of the head, and the pair proceeded to continue punching until he fell unconscious.

When the victim came to, he discovered that his phone and wallet were missing. He suffered minor injuries to most of his body, as well as experiencing nausea and pain in his temple. His left thumb was fractured. When questioned, Scarpellini claimed to have acted in self-defence after the victim had gone ‘beserk’.

Scarpellini’s original hearing was at Bournemouth Crown Court in July, where his sentencing was deferred until November 2018.

Today, after the Solicitor General’s referral, the Court of Appeal sentenced him to 4 years immediate custody.

Speaking after the hearing, the Solicitor General said:

“Scarpellini launched an unprovoked attack against his victim, and I am pleased that the Court of Appeal has today agreed that the risk he poses to the public warrants immediate custody.”

Businesses to receive support to develop trade links around the world from a new taskforce. The newly appointed HM Trade Commissioner network will support the board’s advisers acting as a bridge to business in their regions, ensuring UK companies have a competitive advantage by providing support and local market knowledge.

Speaking in Coventry today (Thursday 6 September), Dr Liam Fox will launch the new taskforce to accelerate the government’s Global Britain agenda, building on the Prime Minister’s recent visit to Africa.

The taskforce, part of the Board of Trade, will seek to guarantee the UK’s status as a prominent champion of free trade, leading the world in the way the UK partners with developing countries to alleviate poverty, support development and deliver jobs, growth and prosperity.

The taskforce will meet throughout the year and will be supported by HM Trade Commissioners across the world.

International Trade Secretary and President of the Board of Trade Dr Liam Fox MP said:

Championing free trade and supporting developing nations through trade is in the UK’s interest. The prosperity created by free trade is the basis for social stability, which in turn provides the political stability which underpins our global security.

Prosperity, stability and global security are the prizes for a strong, rules-based international trading system, and that is what the UK seeks to create.

My international economic department is working hard to drive the Global Britain agenda, and this taskforce will ensure the Board of Trade makes a real impact around the world.

CURRICULUM VITAE

Full name: Timothy Achille Torlot

Married to: Jennifer Florence Steil

Children: Two daughters

2016 to present	FCO, Head, Litigation Unit, Arabian Peninsula and Iran Department
2012 to 2016	European External Action Service, Head of Delegation, EU Delegation Bolivia
2011 to 2012	FCO, Head, Yemen Team, Middle East and North Africa Directorate
2007 to 2010	Sana’a, Her Majesty’s Ambassador
2005 to 2006	Baghdad, Deputy Head of Mission
2002 to 2004	UK Trade and Investment, Director, Technology and Sector Partnership, International Sectors Group
1997 to 2001	Santiago, First Secretary (Commercial)
1995 to 1997	FCO, Head, Commonwealth Section, South East Asia Department
1992 to 1995	FCO, Head of Section, Career Development Unit, Personnel Management Department
1987 to 1992	Wellington, Second Secretary (Chancery)
1984 to 1987	Muscat, Third Secretary (Chancery, Information and Technical Cooperation)
1982 to 1984	Full time language training (Arabic)
1981 to 1982	FCO, Assistant Desk Officer for US, North America Department

Further information

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A nationwide pilot to bring migrant workers to UK farms has been announced by the Home Secretary and Environment Secretary today (Thursday 6 September).

The pilot will mean fruit and vegetable farmers are able to employ migrant workers for seasonal work for up to six months. 2,500 workers from outside the EU will be able to come to the UK each year, alleviating labour shortages during peak production periods.

Soft fruit production in the UK has grown dramatically, by 130% in the last 20 years. To ensure that this growth continues and the UK is at the forefront of the next agriculture revolution, farmers must also look at ways that technology can reduce demands for labour.

However, automated harvesting solutions are not universally available and so in the short term, this pilot will support farmers during peak production periods.

This pilot will also explore how to keep British horticulture competitive, as almost all other OECD countries source seasonal workers to pick fruit and vegetables.

Home Secretary Sajid Javid said:

British farmers are vital to the UK’s economy – and the Government will look to support them in any way we can.

This pilot will ensure farmers have access to the seasonal labour they need to remain productive and profitable during busy times of the year.

I am committed to having an immigration system that reduces migration to sustainable levels, supports all industry and ensures we welcome those who benefit Britain.

Environment Secretary Michael Gove said:

We have listened to the powerful arguments from farmers about the need for seasonal labour to keep the horticulture industry productive and profitable.

From lettuce in East Anglia to strawberries in Scotland, we want to make sure that farmers can continue to grow, sell and export more great British food.

This two year pilot will ease the workforce pressures faced by farmers during busy times of the year. We will review the pilot’s results as we look at how best to support the longer-term needs of industry outside the EU.