Our Ambassador in Moscow has just been informed by the Russian government that they will expel 23 diplomats, close the British Consulate-General in St Petersburg and close the British Council in Moscow.
This follows the action we have taken, alongside other measures, to dismantle the Russian espionage network operating in the UK as a consequence of the attempted assassination of two people here in Britain using a nerve agent.
In light of Russia’s previous behaviour, we anticipated a response of this kind and the National Security Council will meet early next week to consider next steps. Our priority today is looking after our staff in Russia and assisting those that will return to the UK.
Russia’s response doesn’t change the facts of the matter – the attempted assassination of two people on British soil, for which there is no alternative conclusion other than that the Russian State was culpable. It is Russia that is in flagrant breach of international law and the Chemical Weapons Convention.
We have no disagreement with the people of Russia and we continue to believe it is not in our national interest to break off all dialogue between our countries but the onus remains on the Russian state to account for their actions and to comply with their international obligations.
“We are investigating the circumstances in which Facebook data may have been illegally acquired and used.
“It’s part of our ongoing investigation into the use of data analytics for political purposes which was launched to consider how…
The land that Homes England has bought from Somerston Capital lies near junction 11 of the M20, between Lympne and the Lympne Industrial Estate. It was always included in the area within which the plans for Otterpool Park are being drawn up.
Otterpool Park is a proposed garden town of up to 12,000 homes near Folkestone. It is being put forward by Shepway District Council and Cozumel Estates Ltd the owners of the former racecourse at Westenhanger. This investment is further evidence of government support for a new generation of garden towns to help deliver the high quality homes the country needs.
When the government announced the formation of Homes England it said it would play a major role in securing land in areas where people want to live to help deliver an average of 300,000 homes a year by the mid 2020s.
Paul Kitson, General Manager for the South East for Homes England, said:
Buying this land shows how Homes England is determined to use our finance and expertise to expand the delivery of affordable new homes and connect ambitious partners.
We have been very impressed by the ambition shown by the Council and landowners to deliver Otterpool Park – a garden town for the 21st century. Owning this land will give us a voice in delivering a community that will meet the local need for homes in a place that is truly environmentally, socially and economically sustainable.
David Monk, Leader of Shepway District Council welcomed the news:
I am delighted that Homes England has co-invested with the Council to deliver Otterpool Park. It shows the government has faith in our plans for this garden town.
This investment will help us deliver an even better place so that our children and grandchildren can have the homes they need in a community that will also meet their needs for jobs, access to the countryside, transport links, schools, health centres and a great quality of life.
Notes to editors
Homes England is the new housing delivery organisation that has been created to adopt a more commercial approach to respond to the long term housing challenges facing this country. The new, expanded agency will play a far bigger role in investing in supply and intervening in the market to help deliver 300,000 homes a year by the middle of the next decade.
Homes England will act differently from its predecessor, bringing together money, land, expertise and planning and compulsory purchase powers to accelerate the supply of new homes and address affordability issues in areas of highest demand.
This afternoon the Prime Minister discussed the Salisbury attack with Prime Minister Gentiloni of Italy.
The Prime Minister reiterated that this was not just an act against the UK but a clear breach of chemical weapons convention.
Prime Minister Gentiloni affirmed Italy’s full support and solidarity with the UK and the leaders agreed on the need for continued international co-operation to maintain pressure on Russia.
They looked forward to meeting and holding further discussions at next week’s European Council.
Sam Gyimah announces 8 ground-breaking satellite projects that will transform society, including improving Electric Vehicle charging points
Science Minister discusses pioneering commercial space opportunities for UK businesses during visit to the National Oceanography Centre in Southampton
the UK is one step closer to becoming a leading destination for space flights, as the Space Industry Act receives Royal Assent
The government’s plans to add billions of pounds to the UK economy and create hundreds of high-skilled jobs by unlocking opportunities in the new space age, were outlined by the Science Minister Sam Gyimah yesterday (Thursday 15 March).
Developing the UK space sector is a crucial aspect of the government’s modern and ambitious Industrial Strategy and during a visit to the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) in Southampton, the Minister announced 8 ground-breaking satellite data projects, which will demonstrate the potential of using satellite technology to solve challenges faced by society.
As part of his visit, Sam Gyimah toured NOC’s Marine Robotics Innovation Centre, which houses the Boaty McBoatface autosub
Part of the UK Space Agency’s Space for Smarter Government programme, the schemes include a project with Bournemouth Borough Council which will use satellite data and machine learning to map out where charge points for electric vehicles can be installed.
Other projects include using satellites to monitor and mitigate air pollution, enhancing healthcare and urban air quality management, and deploying satellites and drones in the battle against marine waste.
During his visit, the Science Minister Sam Gyimah said:
The UK is leading a new space race. 50 years ago countries were competing to send the first man to the moon, now the new race is on to develop the commercial space sector and spaceports.
Through the government’s modern Industrial Strategy, we are laying the ground work to boost the UK’s space sector with record investment in our world leading science sector. With the passing of the Space Industry Act, and the new satellite data projects, we are one step closer to launching satellites from UK soil and offering low gravity spaceflights from the UK.
The Space Industry Act is the most modern piece of space industry regulation anywhere in the world, enabling the first ever commercial space launch from UK soil. It will open up the universe to businesses, allowing them to better compete in the commercial space race using UK spaceports, and taking advantage of future developments, including hypersonic flight and high-speed point-to-point transport.
The passing of the Space Industry Act and the 8 new projects will open up a new space era for the UK ensuring it becomes a leading destination for space flight. In addition, companies will have greater access to commercial space opportunities, increasing the UK’s share of the global space industry – currently 6.5% – and growing the sector which is currently worth £13.7 billion to the British economy.
Notes to editors
National Oceanography Centre (NOC) is part of the Natural Environment Research Council, and houses the infamous Boaty McBoatface autosub and other equipment used for research under the sea.
