The House of Lords Privileges and Conduct Committee has today recommended that Lord Lester of Herne Hill be suspended from the House of Lords until June 2022 following a finding from the House of Lords Commissioner for Standards that he breached the Lords Code of Conduct.
Link: Lords committee recommends longest suspension of a member in recent parliamentary history
Source: Parliamentary News
The Design Services contract for motorways and major A roads in Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Cheshire and South Lancashire is worth £49.7 million, will run for up to 5 years and has been awarded to Amey Consulting as part of Highways England’s Asset Delivery operating model.
The contract, which starts in April 2019, will see Amey Consulting carrying out the designs of structures, drains, barriers, signs, landscaping, lighting, traffic signals and other features across the North West’s 260 miles of motorway and 50 miles of major A road.
Highways England’s Executive Director of Operations, Nick Harris, said:
This contract will enable Highways England to deliver schemes which will improve both journeys for our customer and the condition of the road network. We are delighted to award this contract to Amey Consulting and look forward to establishing a successful, long-term relationship with them.
Amey’s Chief Executive Andy Milner, said:
Collaboration is at the core of Amey Consulting’s approach, and working closely with Highways England and the Asset Delivery Community, we look forward to delivering long-lasting benefits for the communities of the North West.
The Design Services contract is the second of the Asset Delivery suite of contracts to be awarded in the Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Cheshire and South Lancashire area. In October Amey were awarded the £325 million Asset Delivery Maintenance and Response contract which will run for up to 15 years. The Construction Works Framework is due to be awarded in the coming months.
Highways England will be working with all the successful contractors to ensure that they are ready to begin delivering key services from April 2019.
Members of the public should contact the Highways England customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000.
Journalists should contact the Highways England press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.
Link: Press release: Highways England awards design contract to shape North West roads
Source: Gov Press Releases
At around 11:15 hrs on Thursday 15 March 2018 a hand trolley, loaded with approximately 0.5 tonnes of ballast, ran away from a group of track workers near to Ramsbottom station on the East Lancashire Railway. The trolley derailed when it struck a wooden level crossing gate. The gate was pushed into a road which was open to road traffic.
There were no injuries, although the level crossing gate was damaged.
The immediate cause of the runaway was that the trolley was not fitted with any brakes and was deployed on a gradient without the introduction of any mitigation or safeguard against it running away.
The unbraked trolley was almost certainly available for use because it had been donated to the East Lancashire Railway, which did not have any processes in place to manage donations, and no controls in place for use of trolleys during track maintenance. Additionally, there were no constraints on the use of such trolleys on the railway, nor any competence and training requirements for their operators.
There was no assessment of the risks of using the trolley, either generically or for the specific task on the day, and there was no formal training or briefing of the operators on the day.
The underlying factors were inadequate management systems in the Permanent Way department and, probably, a lack of Safety Management System compliance audits.
The RAIB has made three recommendations as a result of this investigation. The first is made to the Heritage Railway Association and relates to it issuing guidance to its members on limiting the use of trolleys not fitted with fail-safe brakes, and fully assessing the risks where they are to be used. The other two are made to East Lancashire Railway; the first relates to the provision of suitable working procedures in the Permanent Way department, and the other to the implementation of an effective audit process.
The RAIB has also identified three learning points. These relate to the importance of undertaking planned audit and compliance activities; being clear about how vehicles and trolleys are to be controlled before they are deployed; and considering the safety risks associated with assets that are acquired through donations.
Link: Press release: Report 18/2018: Runaway hand trolley at Ramsbottom
Source: Gov Press Releases
These Regulations bring into force certain provisions of the Technical and Further Education Act 2017 (c. 19) (“the 2017 Act”). These are the fourth commencement regulations made under the 2017 Act.
Link: The Technical and Further Education Act 2017 (Commencement No. 4) Regulations 2018
Source: Legislation .gov.uk
The Third Parties (Rights Against Insurers) Act 2010 (“the 2010 Act”) applies where an insured person incurs a liability to another (“the third party”) and is or becomes insolvent (or within circumstances similar to insolvency) and therefore a “relevant person” within the meaning of the 2010 Act (see sections 4 to 7 of the 2010 Act). In such circumstances, the 2010 Act transfers the rights of the relevant person under the insurance contract to the third party, so that the third party can enforce those rights directly against the insurer, rather than the proceeds of the insurance policy being treated as the assets of the insured for distribution to creditors in the insolvency.
Link: The Third Parties (Rights Against Insurers) Act 2010 (Consequential Amendment of Companies Act 2006) Regulations 2018
Source: Legislation .gov.uk
In the Gulf he will meet King Salman of Saudi Arabia, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia, Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of Abu Dhabi, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir, United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Yemeni Vice President Ali Mohsen and Yemeni Foreign Minister Khaled Al Yamani. The Foreign Secretary is seeking to build support among international, and particularly regional, partners for new action in the UN Security Council to bolster the UN-led peace process, following his meeting with UN Special Envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths at the end of October.
The Foreign Secretary will be the first UK Minister to visit Saudi Arabia since the murder of Jamal Khashoggi one month ago. He will use his meetings to make clear the importance of Saudi Arabia cooperating with Turkey to conduct a full and credible investigation into Mr Khashoggi’s death. This will build on talks that the Permanent Under-Secretary at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Simon McDonald, also had this weekend in Saudi Arabia with King Salman of Saudi Arabia and Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir.
While in the UAE the Foreign Secretary will also raise the ongoing consular case of Matthew Hedges.
Speaking ahead of his visit Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said:
The human cost of war in Yemen is incalculable: with millions displaced, famine and disease rife and years of bloodshed, the only solution is now a political decision to set aside arms and pursue peace. Britain has a unique position, both as pen-holder at the UN Security Council and as a key influencer in the region, so today I am travelling to the Gulf to demand that all sides commit to this process.
We are witnessing a man-made humanitarian catastrophe on our watch: now is the window to make a difference, and to get behind both the UN peace process and current UK efforts in the Security Council.
In addition, he will call on the Saudi authorities to do more to deliver justice and accountability for the Khashoggi family:
The international community remain united in horror and outrage at the brutal murder of Jamal Khashoggi one month ago. It is clearly unacceptable that the full circumstances behind his murder still remain unclear. We encourage the Saudi authorities to co-operate fully with the Turkish investigation into his death, so that we deliver justice for his family and the watching world.
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Link: Press release: Foreign Secretary travels to the Gulf to push for end to Yemen bloodshed
Source: Gov Press Releases
Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns will visit Heronsbridge School in Bridgend later today (Monday 12 November) to encourage more schools in Wales to sign up to the UK aid backed Connecting Classrooms through Global Learning programme, which launched in England in September.
The scheme, which is co-funded by The Department for International Development (DFID) and the British Council, unites pupils in the UK with school children around the world to build friendships and increase awareness and understanding of global issues.
The programme aims to connect more than three million primary and secondary school pupils in the UK with schools in countries across Africa, Asia and the Middle East. It will also train 60,000 teachers and school leaders in the UK and developing countries to equip pupils with the knowledge and skills to live and work in a global economy.
Heronsbridge is one of a growing number of Welsh schools already taking part in the programme, and has existing links to schools in Tanzania where teachers and pupils regularly take part in exchanges and share work on topics including culture, rights and responsibilities and the environment.
The UK Government Connecting Classrooms through Global Learning programme is a valuable way for children here in Wales to gain a broader view of the world at an early age, learning more about the issues affecting countries in all corners of the globe. It is also an opportunity for schools around the world to benefit from the support and knowledge of British teachers.
I urge primary schools and secondary schools across Wales to sign up to take part in such a meaningful scheme operating in a vast global network.
The Connecting Classrooms through Global Learning programme is part of an initiative that introduces the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals to students and teachers in the UK and around the world. The Goals are designed to deliver a more sustainable future for all and include tackling hunger, providing clean water and affordable clean energy. Research has shown that ‘school linking’ can increase the quality of teaching and learning in the schools involved, improving both pupil engagement and teacher motivation.
The Connecting Classrooms through Global Learning programme is a win for the UK and a win for the developing world.
The programme will build deep and meaningful partnerships between schools and communities in the UK and countries all over the world.
I have already heard heart-warming stories of how children taking part have come to realise just how much they have in common, and how much they have learned from each other, building lasting friendships.
Connecting Classrooms through Global Learning provides young people with an opportunity to develop the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to thrive in an increasingly global society. The partnership between Heronsbridge School and schools in Africa shows the huge impact these connections can have on pupils, teachers and the local community. We hope schools across Wales will sign up to take part.
Link: Press release: Alun Cairns calls on Welsh schools to sign up to new UK aid backed programme to connect schools with African, Asian and Middle Eastern classrooms
Source: Gov Press Releases
Safety
Data processing
Medical sciences
Standards
Medical technology
Hazards
Computer software
Health services
Data security
Patients
Databases
Link: BS ISO/IEC 29138-1:2018 Information technology. User interface accessibility User accessibility needs
Source: BSI Standards
Her Majesty The Queen and members of the Royal Family will join thousands of people to commemorate the centenary of the end of the First World War today as part of the traditional National Service of Remembrance.
A two-minute silence will be held at 11am and wreaths will be laid at the Cenotaph to commemorate the servicemen and women killed in all conflicts from the First World War onwards.
His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales will lay a wreath on behalf of Her Majesty The Queen and an Equerry will lay on behalf of The Duke of Edinburgh. The Prime Minister will also attend the service along with other members of the Cabinet, former Prime Ministers and 765 Armed Forces personnel.
Accompanying The Prince of Wales will be members of the Royal Family including The Duke of Cambridge, The Duke of Sussex, The Duke of York, The Earl of Wessex, The Princess Royal, and The Duke of Kent and Prince Michael of Kent. The Queen will view the service from the balcony of the nearby Foreign & Commonwealth Office, as will The Duchess of Cornwall, The Duchess of Cambridge, The Duchess of Sussex, The Countess of Wessex and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence.
This year the event will take on an additional poignancy as the nation marks 100 years since the signing of the Armistice which ended the war on the Western Front at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918.
Federal German President His Excellency Frank-Walter Steinmeier will also lay a wreath on behalf of the German people. It is the first time since the Cenotaph was inaugurated in 1920 that a representative of Germany will take part in the National Service of Remembrance and his attendance symbolises the peace and friendship that exists between our two countries today.
At 12:30pm after the wreath laying and the traditional Royal British Legion’s Veterans Parade, bells will begin to ring out across the country and internationally. This will echo the spontaneous outpouring of celebration on 11 November 1918 when news spread of the Armistice.
10,000 people will then process past the Cenotaph in ‘A Nation’s Thank You – The People’s Procession’ to pay tribute to the brave men and women who fought in the First World War.
The day will conclude with a Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey which will give thanks for peace and the return of the many servicemen who came back to their families.
Culture Secretary Jeremy Wright said:
On the centenary of the Armistice, we will come together as a nation to stand in silence and honour the fallen of all conflicts. Over the past four years we have told the story of the First World War and the unique generation who served so bravely and made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Today, we will also give thanks for all those that returned and the peace they fought so hard for.
Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said:
To be at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday is a privilege and provides us with the opportunity for reflection along with millions of people in countries that continue to be strong allies. The First World War touched communities across the globe and I commend all those who have helped us remember the First World War generation. We will never forget them or the sacrifice of thousands of British and Commonwealth troops who have given their lives in other conflicts.
Link: Press release: 100 years on from the Armistice, the nation remembers
Source: Gov Press Releases
The debt of gratitude that we owe to the generations of Armed Forces personnel is immeasurable, Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns said today as he prepares to join the millions of people across the UK attending events and services of remembrance on Armistice Day (11 Nov 2018).
The Secretary of State will represent the UK Government at a service of thanksgiving at Llandaff Cathedral where he will join guests including the Their Royal Highnesses The Earl and Countess of Wessex to commemorate the centenary of the end of the First World War.
In 1918 at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month the First World War Armistice was signed in a railway carriage stationed in the Forest of Compiègne in Northern France by military personnel representing France, Germany and Great Britain.
100 years on, thousands of members of the public will march past the Cenotaph on Whitehall to mark the centenary as part of The People’s Procession. At the same time, people are being encouraged to ring bells around the world, as the UK Government seeks to replicate the spontaneous outpouring of relief that took place in 1918.
On Sunday, people from all walks of life will gather at services of remembrance across the UK to mark one of the most significant moments in our nation’s history.
As the centenary commemorations draw to a close, our priority must be to make sure we continue to keep the history of the First World War alive. The UK Government’s ambition has been to deliver a truly national commemoration, providing a foundation upon which to build a cultural and educational legacy, and to ensure that the sacrifice and service of a hundred years ago is still remembered in a hundred years’ time.
I’m proud to represent the UK Government and to share in this special moment of reflection at Llandaff Cathedral today. Let us all take the time to stop to remember those who are no longer with us and those whose sacrifice and bravery that will be honoured long after we are gone.
The centenary year falls in the year that the UK Armed Forces Day was hosted in Llandudno and in the year that the Secretary of State for Wales visited Afghanistan to see the 260 soldiers of the Welsh Guards based in the Afghan capital Kabul.
UK Government in Wales Minister Nigel Adams was also in attendance at the opening of the Field of Remembrance in Cardiff earlier this week to honour the memories of those that have died during conflict by planting a wooden cross bearing his own personal tribute to those who have given their lives.
Sunday’s services will mark the end of the four year centenary programme from the UK Government where commemorative events have consistently sought to tell the story of all nations involved in the First World War. The largest volunteer army was the British Indian Army which provided an estimated 1.3million soldiers of various faiths. Representatives from the India Centre will be in attendance at Llandaff Cathedral this Sunday to mark this significant contribution to the war effort.
It has always been the UK Government’s aim to ensure that commemorative activity captures the contributions from across the Commonwealth, and is relevant to people of all ethnicities and faiths whose forebears were involved in the conflict. I hope there are now many more people who will be aware of the contribution their own relatives made to First World War. I also hope that many more will know just how many people – of all ethnicities, races and faiths – fought for the freedoms we all enjoy today.
Link: Press release: Welsh Secretary to commemorate 100 years since the end of the First World War
Source: Gov Press Releases
