A Bill to make provision about immigration detention safeguards for victims of torture and other vulnerable people, including those that have suffered from severe physical, psychological or sexual violence; and for connected purposes.
Link: Immigration Detention of Victims of Torture and Other Vulnerable People (Safeguards)
Source: Public Bills
The Prime Minister will travel to Warsaw today for an annual summit designed to strengthen the relationship between the UK and Poland as Britain prepares to leave the EU.
The UK-Poland bilateral summit will bring together both Prime Ministers along with a number of senior Cabinet ministers, including the Chancellor, Foreign Secretary, Defence Secretary, Home Secretary and Business Secretary.
As an integral part of the summit, the Prime Minister is expected to announce a new joint UK-Poland Treaty on Defence and Security Co-operation. The only other European Union country we have such a treaty with is France.
It will provide a framework for defence cooperation on areas such as training, exercises, information sharing, defence industry cooperation and capability development, building on the deployment of British troops to Poland under Enhanced Forward Presence following the last UK-Poland summit held in London in November 2016.
The Prime Minister is also set to agree improved UK-Poland cooperation to counter Russian disinformation in the region, including through new joint strategic communications projects. The UK will provide £5 million for the projects, with Poland expected to contribute a similar amount. The projects will aim to build both of our capacities to detect and counter Russian information operations, and deliver valuable support to Belsat, a Polish-funded TV channel providing unbiased, free and frank reporting for Belarussians.
And she will announce that we will enhance our cyber security cooperation with Poland, including by hosting a Polish cyber delegation at our National Cyber Security Centre in March next year to share the UK’s world-leading expertise and best practice in this area.
Speaking ahead of the summit, the Prime Minister said:
Poland matters greatly to the UK: our partnership is broad, vibrant and diverse and we both share a steadfast commitment to Europe’s security and defence.
I am determined that Brexit will not weaken our relationship with Poland. Rather, it will serve as a catalyst to strengthen it.
And that is why I am in Warsaw today, to ensure that we can work even more closely together to ensure the security and prosperity of our nations in the years ahead.
Although the UK is leaving the European Union, we are not leaving Europe. And I will reaffirm to Prime Minister Morawiecki that we want to work with Poland and the other member states in the future to protect our shared values, people and interests.
We are building a strategic partnership from a base of shared history and deep ties of friendship that will continue to flourish long after our departure from the EU.
The bilateral defence treaty we are signing today is a powerful symbol of our continued close cooperation.
Link: Press release: PM announces landmark new package of defence and security cooperation with Poland
Source: Gov Press Releases
These Regulations extend the powers of the First-tier Tribunal (Special Educational Needs and Disability) so that, when it is determining an appeal on the matters set out in sections 51(2)(b), (c), (d), (e), or (f) of the Children and Families Act 2014 (“the Act”), it may make non-binding recommendations in respect of certain types of health and social care matters within an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan, against which no appeal may be brought under the Act.
Link: The Special Educational Needs and Disability (First-tier Tribunal Recommendations Power) Regulations 2017
Source: Legislation .gov.uk
Better protecting communities from flooding continues to be a top priority for the government, the Environment Secretary Michael Gove will reaffirm today.
Flood defences continue to be built apace across England and 100,000 properties are now better protected thanks to the 350 new flood schemes that have been completed since April 2015.
The Environment Secretary is in Devon today to open a new £12 million flood defence scheme in Dawlish Warren, reducing flood risk to 2800 homes and businesses around the Exe Estuary, as well as the main rail line into South Devon and Cornwall.
Environment Secretary Michael Gove said:
Our £2.6 billion investment programme is well underway, with 100,000 more properties already better protected from flooding and that figure set to triple in under four years.
Dawlish Warren is only one of 350 new defences built since 2015 and work continues on schemes across the country – all of which are helping to bring peace of mind to communities, as well as investment and opportunities.
With elements including a new 100 metre long flood wall and over 200,000 cubic metres of sand, Dawlish Warren uses top engineering techniques and the natural landscape to reduce flood risk, while also conserving habitat for birds and wildlife.
As the Environment Secretary opens one flood scheme for Devon, he will simultaneously announce that work will begin next year on another £12 million scheme just across the estuary, in Exmouth. Both schemes are part of the government’s continued £115 million investment drive to reduce flood risk to 15,000 homes and businesses in Devon and Cornwall by 2021.
On top of this existing funding, the Environment Secretary will announce an extra £1.6 million for Devon from the recent Budget: this will go towards two schemes, one in Plymouth and one in Whimple.
Emma Howard Boyd, Chair of the Environment Agency said:
We have made great progress in the last two years to reduce flood risk around the country and this milestone of 100,000 homes better protected shows how far we’ve come. These new schemes at Dawlish Warren and Exmouth are brilliant examples of how the Environment Agency’s teams continue to work hard to benefit local communities.
In addition to building new defences, this winter we are better prepared than ever before to respond if flooding occurs with new equipment, better technology and more than 6,500 trained staff ready to act.
Following his visit to Dawlish Warren, the Environment Secretary will visit the Devon Wildlife Trust’s trial reintroduction of beavers on the River Otter to see the visible impacts they have had on the landscape; creating new dams, pools and other dramatic changes.
The Environment Secretary’s interest in the project follows the recent announcement that he is supportive of a planned similar scheme in the Forest of Dean, which has been granted a licence to proceed.
Link: News story: Flood defence milestone: 100,000 more properties better protected
Source: Environment Agency
A Downing Street spokesperson said:
The Prime Minister spoke to King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia earlier this evening.
She welcomed the decision by the Saudi-led Coalition to reopen the Yemeni port of Hodeidah and noted the arrival of UK staff in the region to assist with the UN inspection process, helping to speed up the distribution of much needed humanitarian and commercial supplies.
The Prime Minister strongly condemned yesterday’s attempted missile attack on the Yamama Palace in Riyadh, and welcomed the restraint shown by Saudi Arabia in the face of unacceptable Houthi aggression.
She reiterated the UK’s ongoing commitment to Saudi Arabia’s security and our determination to push for stronger action through the UN to expose and counter Iran’s destabilising activity in the region and to find a political solution to the conflict in Yemen.
Finally, the Prime Minister looked forward to welcoming the Crown Prince to the UK in the New Year.
Link: Press release: PM calls with King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman: 20 December 2017
Source: Gov Press Releases
The United Kingdom is concerned by Russia’s decision to withdraw from the Joint Centre for Control and Coordination (JCCC) in Ukraine.
This decision risks severely undermining the Minsk peace process, in which the JCCC has a specific role to play. It will also have significant consequences for those in the area, including the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission, as the JCCC has facilitated numerous local ceasefires in eastern Ukraine.
An FCO spokesperson said:
We are concerned by Russia’s withdrawal from the JCCC. The JCCC plays an important role in facilitating local ceasefires in eastern Ukraine.
Russia’s withdrawal casts doubt on their commitment to a lasting ceasefire in eastern Ukraine and to the safety and security of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission. It also heightens the risk of ecological disaster in the Donbas given the JCCC’s role in facilitating repairs to critical civilian infrastructure such as the Donetsk Water Filtration Station, which houses large amounts of chlorine gas.
The humanitarian situation in the Donbas is growing ever bleaker and civilians continue to bear the brunt of this conflict. The UK calls on all parties to do all they can to alleviate humanitarian suffering and commit to a lasting peace.
For journalists
Email
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Link: Press release: FCO statement on the Joint Centre for Control and Coordination in Ukraine
Source: Gov Press Releases
The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics show Wales was the fastest growing country in the UK in 2016 for the value of its goods and services.
Gross Value Added (GVA) is a measure of the value of the economy due to the production of goods and services.
The figures show that Wales’ GVA was estimated to have increased by 1.9% in 2016, while England’s increased by 1.6%, Scotland by 1.2% and Northern Ireland by 1.1%. This year’s national figures were adjusted to incorporate the value of inflation for the first time.
Cardiff experienced the highest growth increase amongst all UK capital cities, growing by 5.7% in 2016.
While Wales as a whole indicated positive signs of growth, the nation still has the lowest GVA per head of population, showing that more needs to be done to close the gap with the other UK nations in this field.
Today’s figures prove that in 2016 Wales outperformed England, Scotland and Northern Ireland in GVA growth.
On top of this, it’s great to see Cardiff out in front of the rest of the UK’s capital cities, strengthening the Welsh economy with its compound semi-conductors, financial services expertise and innovative technologies in healthcare.
However, Wales does continue to have the lowest GVA per head in UK. All our efforts – both within the UK and Welsh governments – must be focussed on changing that trend and maximising the economic growth potential of our nation.
Link: Press release: Latest economic figures show Wales was the fastest growing UK nation in 2016
Source: Gov Press Releases
The survey work, which includes surface artefact collection, topsoil tests and trial trenching, is part of the company’s continuing commitment to preserving the World Heritage Site and in particular its Outstanding Universal Value.
Highways England Project Director Derek Parody said:
Heritage is very much at the heart of our work at Stonehenge.
As well as removing the traffic bottleneck at Stonehenge and addressing the rat-running issue through local villages, the proposed scheme will remove the sight and sound of traffic from the iconic monument and reduce intrusion in the wider World Heritage Site landscape.
The environmental, archaeological and geophysical surveys we have been carrying out since 2016, and our review of existing surveys, have added to our knowledge and understanding of this unique landscape and helped us develop the design of our preferred route.
Our continuing archaeological survey work, which we are carrying out with experts in the field, will ensure we gather vital information about the environment and archaeology to inform the project as it progresses.
Among the experts is the Stonehenge Scientific Committee, a body of leading independent archaeologists, who have advised on the ongoing survey work, and will continue to do so as the company develops the details of the scheme.
The preferred route for the £1.6 billion A303 upgrade between Amesbury and Berwick Down was announced in September. It includes a free-flowing dual carriageway with a tunnel at least 1.8 miles long and a much-needed bypass north of Winterbourne Stoke.
Following public consultation earlier in the year and further engagement with local communities, heritage groups, archaeologists, historians and engineers, the preferred route was chosen so that the route now closely follows the existing A303 through the World Heritage Site.
This alignment avoids important archaeological sites and intrusion on the view of the setting sun from Stonehenge during the winter solstice.
The Government, as part of its £15 billion road strategy, is committed to upgrading all remaining sections of the A303 between the M3 and M5 to a high quality dual carriageway standard, starting with three schemes: one at Stonehenge, one between Sparkford and Ilchester and the third on the A358 between the M5 at Taunton and the A303 Southfields Roundabout.
Highways England plans to hold a statutory public consultation in early 2018, and in the meantime, details of the preferred route are available on the scheme consultation page.
Ahead of Friday’s Winter Solstice event at Stonehenge, Highways England has issued travel advice to drivers planning to travel on the A303.
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: Archaeological survey work to continue on A303 Stonehenge scheme
Source: Gov Press Releases
The Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (Licensing of Booking Offices) Order 2009 (S.S.I. 2009/145) (“the 2009 Order”) designates the use of premises for the carrying on of a business, part of which consists of taking bookings from members of the public for the hire of taxis or private hire cars, as an activity for which a licence is required under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (c. 45) (“the 1982 Act”). The 2009 Order provides that the licensing provisions in Part I of the 1982 Act will apply to these licences (“booking office licences”) with such modifications as set out in the Schedule to that Order. The licensing regime does not apply if the number of vehicles for which the bookings are taken is less than four.
Link: The Immigration Act 2016 (Consequential Amendments) (Licensing of Booking Offices: Scotland) Regulations 2017
Source: Legislation .gov.uk
A Bill to promote continued membership of the Open Skies Agreement.
Link: Open Skies Agreement (Membership)
Source: Public Bills
