Category: 0 Archive

A Downing Street spokesperson said:

The Prime Minister met with Prime Minister Rajoy of Spain this afternoon. Theresa May began by restating the UK’s support for the Spanish Government on the issue of Catalonia – stating the rule of law must be upheld and the Spanish constitution respected.

The Prime Minister gave an update on the Brexit negotiations, confirming that she would be reconvening talks with the European Commission before the end of the week. She said both sides were positive about the progress that could be made ahead of December European Council. Prime Minister Rajoy said he shared the desire to move talks on to the next stage of negotiations as quickly as possible and that Spain would remain a constructive partner.

Prime Minister Rajoy spoke about the deep and strong relationship between Spain and the UK, referring to the significant investment that Spanish companies have made in the UK and the fruitful trading relationship. The Prime Minister welcomed views on how we could continue a good trading relationship between the two countries after Brexit and ensure this was as frictionless as possible.

The two leaders spoke about foreign policy and the threat of Russia, agreeing that it was important to maintain a collective and rigorous approach to sanctions and to counter disinformation.

They also spoke about increasing co-operation to counter the growing threat of terrorism. The Prime Minister outlined that the nature of terrorism was changing and how the internet and social media was providing terrorists with an extra tool to accelerate and amplify the terror they seek to spread.

Lastly, Prime Minister Rajoy raised the issue of the abhorrent treatment of Libyan people being smuggled into Europe and the ongoing efforts to help repatriate them. The Prime Minister said that this was an important challenge and she wanted to work closely with her European colleagues now and in the future to see what more could be done by, for example, improving conditions in the country of origin.

During November, there were eight new detentions of foreign flagged vessels in a UK port. seven vessels remained under detention from previous months. A total of seven vessels remain under detention at the end of November.

1. In response to one of the recommendations of Lord Donaldson’s inquiry into the prevention of pollution from merchant shipping, and in compliance with the EU Directive on Port State Control (2009/16/EC as amended), the Maritime and Coastguard agency (MCA) publishes details of the foreign flagged vessels detained in UK ports each month.
2. The UK is part of a regional agreement on port state control known as the Paris Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control (Paris MOU) and information on all ships that are inspected is held centrally in an electronic database known as THETIS. This allows the ships with a high risk rating and poor detention records to be targeted for future inspection.
3. Inspections of foreign flagged ships in UK ports are undertaken by surveyors from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. When a ship is found to be not in compliance with applicable convention requirements, a deficiency may be raised. If any of their deficiencies are so serious they have to be rectified before departure, then the ship will be detained.
4. All deficiencies should be rectified before departure if at all possible.
5. When applicable, the list includes those passenger craft prevented from operating under the provisions of the EU Directive on Mandatory Surveys for the safe operation of regular Ro-Ro ferry and high speed passenger craft services (1999/35/EU).

Notes on the list of detentions

• Full details of the ship.
  The accompanying detention list shows ship’s International Maritime Organization (IMO) number which is unchanging throughout the ship’s life and uniquely identifies it. It also shows the ship’s name and flag state at the time of its inspection.
• Company.
  The company shown in the vessel’s Safety Management Certificate (SMC) or if there is no SMC, then the party otherwise believed to be responsible for the safety of the ship at the time of inspection.
• Classification Society.
  The list shows the Classification Society responsible for classing the ship only.
• Recognised Organisation.
  Responsible for conducting the statutory surveys: and issuing statutory certificates on behalf of the Flag State
• White (WL), Grey (GL) and Black lists (BL) are issued by the Paris MoU on 01 July each year and shows the performance of flag State.

SHIPS DETAINED IN NOVEMBER 2017

Vessel Name: DOLLY C

GT: 652

IMO: 7222310

Flag: St Vincent & Grenadines (Grey List)

Company: No Information

Classification Society: No Information

Recognised Organisation: No Information

Recognised Organisation for ISM Doc: No Information

Recognised Organisation for ISM SMC: No Information

Date and Place of Detention: 29th November 2017 at Falmouth

Summary: Eight deficiencies with eight grounds for detention

Defective item	Nature of defect	Ground for Detention
01209 – Manning specified by the minimum safe manning doc	Missing	Yes
01214 – Endorsement by flagstate	Missing	Yes
07111 – Personal equipment for fire safety	Missing	Yes
01199 – Other (Certificates)	Other	Yes
11116 – Distress flares	Missing	Yes
05103 – Main installation	Missing equipment	Yes
10105 – Magnetic compass	Not as required	Yes
14103 – Segregation of oil and water ballast	Not as required	Yes

This vessel was still detained on 30th November 2017

Vessel Name: HORIZON GEOBAY

GT: 3502

IMO: 7801556

Flag: Panama (White List)

Company: Horizon Survey Co

Classification Society: ABS

Recognised Organisation: ABS/DNV GL

Recognised Organisation for ISM Doc: BV

Recognised Organisation for ISM SMC: BV

Date and Place of Detention: 23th November 2017 at Aberdeen

Summary: Twenty deficiencies with two grounds for detention

Defective item	Nature of defect	Ground for Detention
10101 – Pilot ladders and hoist/pilot transfer arrangements	Unsafe	No
99101 – Other safety in general	Other	No
10106 – Compass correction log	Not as required	No
06199 – Other (cargo)	Other	No
10114 – Voyage data recorder (VDR)/Simplified Voyage data recorder (S_VDR)	Not as required	No
11118 – Lifejackets inc. provision and disposition	Not as required	No
18408 – Electrical	Unsafe	No
07105 – Fire doors/openings in fire-resisting divisions	Unsafe	No
07105 – Fire doors/openings in fire-resisting divisions	Not as required	No
01213 – Evidence of Basic Training	Missing	Yes
99101 – Other safety in general	Other	No
99101 – Other safety in general	Other	No
01126 – Document of compliance dangerous goods	Missing	No
10127 – Voyage or passage plan	Not as required	No
10129 – Navigation records	Not as required	No
16101 – Security related defects	Not as required	No
05115 – Radio log (diary)	Not as required	No
15150 – ISM	Not as required	Yes
10138 – BNWAS	Malfunctioning	No
07105 – Fire doors/openings in fire-resisting divisions	Malfunctioning	No

This vessel was still detained on 30th November 2017

Vessel Name: SSI EXPEDITION

GT: 32987

IMO: 9446714

Flag: Marshall Islands (White List)

Company: Atlantis

Classification Society: LR

Recognised Organisation: LR

Recognised Organisation for ISM Doc: LR

Recognised Organisation for ISM SMC: LR

Date and Place of Detention: 24th November 2017 at Teesport

Summary: Twenty deficiencies with three grounds for detention

Defective item	Nature of defect	Ground for Detention
07109 – Fixed fire extinguishing installation	Not as required	No
10109 – Lights, shapes, sound-signals	Inoperative	No
03108 – Ventilators, air pipes, casing	Corroded	No
10105 – Magnetic compass	Not as required	No
11101 – Lifeboats	Not properly maintained	No
11113 – Launching arrangements for rescue boats	Not as required	No
07108 – Ready availability of fire fighting equipment	Inoperative	No
11110 – Stowage and provision of liferafts	HRU improp. Fitted	No
07103 – Division – decks, bulkheads and penetrations	Not as required	No
03106 – Windows, sidescuttles and deadlights	Cracked	No
18312 – Galley, handlingroom (maintenance)	Missing	No
18407 – Lighting (Working spaces)	Inoperative	No
18408 – Electrical	Not as required	No
02117 – Decks – corrosion	Holed	Yes
03104 – Cargo & other hatchways	Damaged	No
07112 – Emergency escape breathing device and disposition	Not as required	No
03107 – Doors	Corroded	No
18314 – Provisions quality	Missing	No
07114 – Remote means of control (opening, pumps, ventilation, etc.) Machinery spaces	Not as required	Yes
15150 – ISM	Not as required	Yes

This vessel was released on 27th November 2017

Vessel Name: OCEAN SPIRIT

GT: 1717

IMO: 8325793

Flag: Russian Federation (White List)

Company: F2 Ltd

Classification Society: RINA

Recognised Organisation: RINA

Recognised Organisation for ISM Doc: RMRS

Recognised Organisation for ISM SMC: RMRS

Date and Place of Detention: 21st November 2017 at Aberdeen

Summary: Fourteen deficiencies with eight grounds for detention

Defective item	Nature of defect	Ground for Detention
08110 – Closing water-tight doors alarm	Inoperative	Yes
10138 – BNWAS	Inadequate	No
10138 – BNWAS	Malfunctioning	Yes
1110 – Rescue boats	Not ready for use	Yes
10101 – Pilot ladders and hoist/pilot transfer arrangements	Unsafe	No
99101 – Other safety in general	Other	Yes
18317 – Food personal hygiene	Not hygienic	No
10118 – Speed and distance indicator	Inoperative	Yes
13102 – Auxilary engine	Not as required	No
07106 – Fire detection and alarm system	Not as required	Yes
07105 – Fire doors/openings in fire-resisting divisions	Not as required	No
15150 – ISM	Not as required	Yes
10117 – Echo sounder	Inoperative	Yes
18418 – Winches & capstans	Missing	No

This vessel was still detained on 30th November 2017

Vessel Name: ANJA

GT: 2996

IMO: 9116187

Flag: Netherlands (White List)

Company: Holwerda Ship Management BV

Classification Society: DNV GL

Recognised Organisation: DNV GL

Recognised Organisation for ISM Doc: DNV GL

Recognised Organisation for ISM SMC: DNV GL

Date and Place of Detention: 7th November 2017 at Immingham

Summary: Sixteen deficiencies with eight grounds for detention

Defective item	Nature of defect	Ground for Detention
Other		No
03102 – Freeboard marks	Not readable	No
07105 – Fir doors/openings in fire resisting divisions	Not as required	Yes
06101 – Cargo Securing Manual	Not as required	No
07112 – Emergency escape breathing device and disposition	Not properly stowed	NO
18409 – Dangerous areas	Unsafe	Yes
18416 – Ropes and wires	Not as required	No
18325 – Training and qualification of ship’s cook	Not as required	No
10127 – Voyage or passage plan	Not as required	Yes
10133 – Bridge operation	Lack of familiarity	Yes
04109 – Fire drills	Lack of training	Yes
04108 – Muster list	Incomplete	Yes
09235 – Fitness for duty – work and drest hours	Work hours exceeded	Yes
01306 – Shipboard working arrangements	Not as required	No
10136 – Establilshment of working language on board	Not established	No
15150 – ISM	Not as required	Yes

This vessel was released on 10th November 2017

Vessel Name: DS SOFIE BULKER

GT: 17663

IMO: 9310604

Flag: Marshall Islands (White List)
Company: Dramar Denizciuk Ticaret AS

Classification Society: NKK

Recognised Organisation: NKK

Recognised Organisation for ISM Doc: NKK

Recognised Organisation for ISM SMC: NKK

Date and Place of Detention: 7th November 2017 at Tilbury

Summary: Seven deficiencies with one grounds for detention

Defective item	Nature of defect	Ground for Detention
15150 – ISM	Not as required	No
01308 – Record of seafarers’ daily hours of work or rest	Incorrect entries	No
01220 – Seafarers’ employment agreement (SEA)	Invalid	Yes
07105 – Fire doors/opening in fire-resisting divisions	Not as required	No
18203 – Wages	Not according SEA	No
10111 – Charts	Missing	No
02107 – Ballast, fuel and other tanks	Not as required	No

This vessel was released on 10th November 2017

Vessel Name: CETUS STAR

GT: 19828

IMO: 9278741

Flag: Malta (White List)

Company: Stam Shipping SA

Classification Society: NKK

Recognised Organisation: NKK

Recognised Organisation for ISM Doc: NKK

Recognised Organisation for ISM SMC: NKK

Date and Place of Detention: 3rd November 2017 at Liverpool

Summary: Eleven deficiencies with two grounds for detention

Defective item	Nature of defect	Ground for Detention
10111 – Charts	Missing	Yes
10127 – Voyage or passage plan	Not as required	No
04109 – Fire drills	Lack of control	No
10105 – Magnetic compass	Not as required	No
04103 – Emergency, lighting, batteries and switches	Inoperative	No
07113 – Fire pumps and its pipes	Not as required	No
07105 – Fire doors/openings in fire-resisting divisions	Not as required	No
02105 – Steering gear	Not as required	No
13102 – Auxiliary engine	Not as required	No
13101 – Propulsion main engine	Not as required	No
02101 – Closing devices/watertight doors	Not as required	No
15150 – ISM	Not as required	Yes
13104 – Bilge pumping arrangements	Not as required	No
01326 – Stability information booklet	Not as required	No

This vessel was released on 7th November 2017

Vessel Name: KOMET III

GT: 4169

IMO: 8919831

Flag: Antigua & Barbuda (White List)

Company: Planet Schiffahrts GmBH

Classification Society: RINA

Recognised Organisation: RINA/BV/GL

Recognised Organisation for ISM Doc: BV

Recognised Organisation for ISM SMC: BV

Date and Place of Detention: 2nd November 2017 at Ipswich

Summary: Twenty one deficiencies with seven grounds for detention

Defective item	Nature of defect	Ground for Detention
10111 – Charts	Missing	Yes
10111 – Charts	Not updated	Yes
10127 – Voyage or passage plan	Not as required	Yes
10135 – Monitoring of voyage or passage plan	Not as required	Yes
14104 – Oil filtering equipment	Inoperative	Yes
18312 – Galley, handling room (maintenance)	Not as required	No
11124 – Embarkation arrangement survival craft	Not properly maintained	No
01308 – Record of seafarers’ daily hours of work or rest	Incorrect entries	No
01218 – Medical certificate	not properly filled	No
04118 – Enclosed space entry and rescue drill	Not carried out	No
01315 – Oil record book	Not as required	No
10133 – Bridge operation	Lack of familiarity	No
11117 – Lifebuoys incl. provision and disposition	Not as required	No
07105 – Fire doors/openings in fire-resisting divisions	Unsafe	No
18407 – Lighting (Working spaces)	Insufficient	No
18315 – Provisions quality and nutritional value	Not as required	No
07199 – Other (fire safety)	Other	No
18401 – Medical equipment, medical chest, medical guide	Expired	No
10109 – Lights, shapes, sound signals	Damaged	No
07118 – International shore connection	Not as required	No
15150 – ISM	Not as required	Yes

This vessel was released on 8th November 2017

DETENTIONS CARRIED OVER FROM PREVIOUS MONTHS

Vessel Name: APELLA

GT: 662

IMO: 7607613

Flag: Sierra Leone (Black List)

Company: 4M Lojistir Hizmetieri Ltd

Classification Society: PSCO

Recognised Organisation: PSCO

Recognised Organisation for ISM Doc: PSCO

Recognised Organisation for ISM SMC: PSCO

Date and Place of Detention: 27th October 2017 at Plymouth

Summary: Twenty deficiencies with eighteen grounds for detention

Defective item	Nature of defect	Ground for Detention
01137 – Civil liability for Bunker oil pollution damage cert	Missing	Yes
01139 – Maritime Labour Certificate	Missing	Yes
01106 – Document of Compliance	Missing	Yes
01122 – International ship security certificate	Missing	Yes
01113 – Minimum Safe Manning Document	Entries missing	Yes
01123 – Continuous Synopsis Record	Invalid	No
01209 – Manning specified by the Minimum Safe Manning document	Not as required	Yes
01214 – Endorsement by flagstate	Missing	Yes
07110 – Fire fighting equipment and appliances	Not properly maintained	No
05118 – Operation of GMDSS	Lack of familiarity	Yes
10112 – Electronic charts (ECDIS)	Not as required	Yes
10116 – Nautical publications	Missing	Yes
18201 – Fitness for duty – work and rest hours	Not as required	Yes
04108 – Muster List	Not updated	Yes
01326 – Stability information booklet	Not approved	Yes
01315 – Oil record book	Entries Missing	Yes
11116 – Distress flares	Expired	Yes
13102 – Auxiliary engine	Not as required	Yes
11104 – Rescue boats	Not properly maintained	Yes
07105 – Fire doors/opening in fire-resisting divisions	Missing	Yes

This vessel was released on 22nd November 2017

Vessel Name: BLUE ALFA

GT: 1887

IMO: 7921007

Flag: Denmark (White List)

Company: Blue Star Line

Classification Society: RINA

Recognised Organisation: RINA

Recognised Organisation for ISM Doc: DNV GL

Recognised Organisation for ISM SMC: DNV GL

Date and Place of Detention: 29th October 2017 at Aberdeen

Summary: Fifteen deficiencies with five grounds for detention

Defective item	Nature of defect	Ground for Detention
02109 – Permanent means of access	Not properly maintained	No
10105 – Magnetic compass	Not as required	No
10105 – Magnetic compass	Not as required	No
10105 – Magnetic compass	Not as required	No
10104 – Gyro compass	Inoperative	No
18408 – Electrical	Not as required	No
01101 – Cargo ship safety equipment (including exemption)	Not properly filled	No
10109 – Lights, shape, sound signals	Inoperative	No
01201 – Certificate – for master and officers	Missing	Yes
10133 – Bridge operation	Lack of familiarity	Yes
10110 – Signalling lamp	Missing	No
07125 – Evaluation of crew performance (fire drill)	Lack of training	Yes
07125 – Evaluation of crew performance (fire drill)	Lack of training	Yes
18201 – Fitness for duty, work and rest	Unfit for duty	No
15150 – ISM	Not as required	Yes

This vessel was released on 7th November 2017

Vessel Name: REGGAE

GT: 1567

IMO: 8500408

Flag: Panama (White list)

Company: Voda Denizcilik Ve Districet Ltd

Classification Society: NKK

Recognised Organisation: NKK

Recognised Organisation for ISM Doc: National Shipping Adjuster Inc

Recognised Organisation for ISM SMC: NKK

Date and Place of Detention: 27th June 2017 at Leith

Summary: Nineteen deficiencies with four grounds for detention

Defective item	Nature of defect	Ground for Detention
07112 – Emergency escape breathing device and disposition	Not as required	No
18425 – Access/structural features (ship)	Missing equipment	No
04109 – Fire drills	Lack of training	No
04108 – Muster List	Incomplete	No
10105 – Magnetic compass	Not readable	No
09232 – Cleanliness of engine room	Insufficient	No
15150 – ISM	Not as required	No
03108 – Ventilators, air pipes, casing	Damaged	No
02101 – Closing devices/watertight doors	Inoperative	No
07105 – Fire doors/openings in fire-resisting divisions	Not as required	No
18203 – Wages	Not according SEA	Yes
11117 – Lifebuoys incl. provision and disposition	Missing	No
02105 – Steering gear	Not as required	No
11108 – Inflatable liferafts	Insufficient	No
01220 – Seafarers’ employment agreement (SEA)	Not as required	Yes
18314 – Provision quantity	Insufficient	Yes
18204 – Calculation and payment of wages	Not according SEA	Yes
10116 – Nautical publications	Not updated	No
13102 – Auxiliary engine	Missing	No

This vessel was released on 2nd November 2017

Vessel Name: TAHSIN

GT: 1598

IMO: 9055187

Flag: Panama (White list)

Company: Voda Denizcilik IC Dis Tacaret Ltd

Classification Society: NKK

Recognised Organisation: NKK/NASHA

Recognised Organisation for ISM Doc: NKK

Recognised Organisation for ISM SMC: NKK

Date and Place of Detention: 2nd June at Sharpness

Summary: Twelve deficiencies with eight grounds for detention

Defective item	Nature of defect	Ground for Detention
18327 – Ventilation (working spaces)	Inoperative	Yes
10116 – Nautical publications	Missing	Yes
01214 – Endorsement by flagstate	Missing	No
01220 – Seafarers’ employment agreement (SEA)	Invalid	Yes
11128 – Line-throwing appliance	Expired	No
11129 – Operational readiness of lifesaving appliances	Expired	No
01202 – Certificate for rating for watching	Missing	Yes
18203 – Wages	Not according SEA	Yes
10111 – Charts	Missing	Yes
05106 – INMARSAT ship earth station	Not as required	Yes
15150 – ISM	Not as required	Yes
03104 – Cargo & other hatchways	Damaged	No

This vessel was still detained on 30th November 2017

Vessel Name: MALAVIYA SEVEN

GT: 3001

IMO: 9087312

Flag: India (Grey List)

Company: GOL Offshore Ltd

Classification Society: IRS

Recognised Organisation: IRS

Recognised Organisation for ISM Doc: IRS

Recognised Organisation for ISM SMC: IRS

Date and Place of Detention: 5th October 2016 at Aberdeen

Summary: Five deficiencies with five grounds for detention

Defective item	Nature of defect	Ground for Detention
07105 – Fire doors/openings in fire resisting divisions	Not as required	Yes
07113 – Fire pumps and its pipes	Not as required	Yes
18203 – Wages	Missing	Yes
01220 – Seafarers employment agreement (SEA)	Invalid	Yes
18204 – Calculation and payment of wages	No records	Yes

This vessel was still detained on 30th November 2017

Vessel Name: SEA TRIDENT

GT: 964.

IMO No: 7393169.

Flag: PANAMA (white list)

Company:

Classification Society: Expired

Recognised Organisation: Expired

Recognised Organisation for ISM DOC:

Recognised Organisation for ISM SMC:

Date and Place of Detention: 17 June 2016, West Cowes

Summary: Seventeen deficiencies with seventeen grounds for detentions

Defective item	Nature of defect	Ground for Detention
01101 – Cargo ship safety equipment cert	Expired	Yes
01102 – Cargo Ship safety construction cert	Expired	Yes
01104 – Cargo ship safety radio cert	Expired	Yes
01108 – Loadline cert	Expired	Yes
01117 – IOPP (International Oil Pollution Prevention cert	Expired	Yes
01119 – International Sewage Pollution Prevention cert	Expired	Yes
01124 – International Air Pollution Prevention cert	Expired	Yes
01137 – Civil liability for bunker oil pollution damage cert	Expired	Yes
01199 – Other certs (Certificate of class)	Expired	Yes
01201 – Certificates for master and officers	Missing	Yes
10111 – Charts	Not updated	Yes
10116 – Publications Nautical	Not updated	Yes
11108 – Inflatable liferafts	Expired	Yes
11116 – Distress flares	Missing	Yes
07109 – Fixed fire fighting extinguishing installation	Not as required	Yes
07110 – Fire fighting equipment & appliances	Not as required	Yes
01140 – Declaration of Maritime Labour Compliance	Missing	Yes

This vessel was still detained on 30th November 2017

Vessel Name: CIEN PORCIENTO (General Cargo)

GT: 106.

IMO No: 8944446.

Flag: Unregistered.

Company: Open Window Inc.

Classification Society: Unclassed.

Recognised Organisation: Not applicable.

Recognised Organisation for ISM DOC: Not applicable.

Recognised Organisation for ISM SMC: Not applicable

Date and Place of detention: 4 March 2010, Lowestoft

Summary: Thirty deficiencies including seven grounds for detention

This vessel was still detained on 30th November 2017

Notes to Editors

• The MCA is a partner in the Sea Vision UK campaign to raise awareness and understanding of the sea and maritime activities. Sea Vision promotes the importance and economic value of the sector and works to highlight the exciting range of activities and career opportunities available to young people within the UK growing maritime sector at www.seavision.org.uk

• Follow us on Twitter: @MCA_media

For further information please contact
Maritime and Coastguard Agency Press Office, on:
+44 (0) 2380 329 401
Press releases and further information about the agency is available here.

Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns said today (5 December):

On 17 March 2016 my predecessor, the right honourable member for Preseli Pembrokeshire, announced the publication of the Report of Lady Justice Macur’s Independent Review of the Tribunal of Inquiry into the abuse of children in care in the former county council areas of Gwynedd and Clwyd in North Wales since 1974.

Amongst other reasons, the Report was redacted to avoid prejudicing ongoing and upcoming criminal prosecutions and trials. Most of the redactions in this category concerned the former North Wales Police superintendent, Gordon Anglesea.

Following his criminal trial at Mold Crown Court, on 4 October Gordon Anglesea was sentenced at Mold Crown Court to twelve years’ custody for an indecent assault against one boy and three indecent assaults against another boy.

On 15 December 2016 Gordon Anglesea died in HMP Rye Hill. In light of Gordon Anglesea’s death there is no reason for his name to continue to be redacted, except where there is any risk that victims, witness or other individuals might be identified.

I have today therefore laid a revised version of the Macur Review Report with references to Gordon Anglesea reinstated except where an ongoing risk has been identified. The other redactions in the Report remain.

You can see the revised redacted version of the Report of the Macur Review online now.

Women’s charities can now bid for the latest £15 million round of the Tampon Tax Fund, Minister for Sport and Civil Society Tracey Crouch announced today.

Projects that aim to reduce drug and alcohol abuse and engage excluded and vulnerable women through sport can also apply for funding.

Tracey Crouch, Minister for Sport and Civil Society said:

The Tampon Tax Fund is already making a real difference to the lives of women and girls across the country. We are ensuring that the money generated from sanitary products continues to support good causes and address the serious issues that women of all ages face.

The deadline for applications closes at midnight on Sunday 28 January 2018 and applications are particularly welcomed from organisations that support women and girls across multiple regions.

All grants from this round of funding may be provided for one or two year projects. All activities must be delivered and funds must be spent by March 2020.

Apply for the funding

The current 5 year time limit on abuse evidence in the family courts will be scrapped, while the range of documents accepted as evidence of abuse will be widened to include statements from domestic violence support organisations and housing support officers. The changes will come into effect from January.

The move represents the latest step to protect and support victims of domestic abuse. Earlier this year the government announced a £17 million fund to support 41 projects across the country to tackle violence against women and girls.

Justice Minister Dominic Raab said:

We have listened to victims’ groups and carefully reviewed the criteria for legal aid for victims of domestic abuse in family cases.

These changes make sure that vulnerable women and children get legal support, so their voice is properly heard in court.

Legal aid is available to people involved in private family disputes if they are victims, or are at risk of becoming victims, of domestic violence or child abuse. To qualify, applicants must provide objective evidence of the abuse while their case is also subject to means and merits tests.

The changes announced today follow a review of the evidence requirements set out in the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act (LASPO) 2012. A Statutory Instrument amending the relevant regulations will be laid in Parliament in the coming days.

The government has also committed to bringing forward a landmark Domestic Violence and Abuse Bill which will ensure that no stone is left unturned in protecting and supporting victims and children.

Notes to editors

• Currently documentation is accepted as evidence of abuse from social services, law enforcement and medical professionals.
• Evidence provided by domestic violence support organisations or housing support officers as part of an application for legal aid in disputed family court cases will need to include:
  • a statement that in the letter writer’s reasonable professional opinion, the applicant is a victim of domestic violence or at risk of being a victim;
  • the matters relied on in support of that opinion;
  • and a summary of the support the individual or organisation provided following the determination.
• The SI will also amend the regulations to accept evidence of abuse against previous partners, to better evidence an applicant being ‘at risk’ of domestic violence.
• The Legal Aid Agency has existing powers to withdraw funding in the event that evidence of domestic violence is proven to be false.

• Two World Heritage Sites to work together on research, education and tourism growth
• New Heritage Council to be launched emphasising value of historic environment, building consensus and ensuring greater coordination across government

Hadrian’s Wall and The Great Wall of China will sign a unique collaboration agreement to increase the historical and cultural understanding of the two sites, Heritage Minister John Glen announced today as he set out his priorities for heritage.

Representatives from the two World Heritage Sites will work together to examine the challenges and opportunities of managing large and complex archaeological remains and explore the potential tourism growth in both countries.

The agreement – the first of its kind – was announced by John Glen as he launched his framework for the growth of the heritage sector.

The Heritage Statement outlines how he wants to strengthen the sector, through regeneration and placemaking, skills and environment and how it will contribute to an outward-looking global Britain.

Measures in the statement include:

• Launching a new Heritage Council, chaired by the Minister, to emphasise the value of the historic environment, build consensus and ensure greater coordination.
• A new commemorative scheme to be rolled out across England to mark and celebrate the events, people and places that have shaped local communities.
• Exploring options to strengthen interim protection measures and reduce the risk of damage or destruction to sites while they are being considered for listing.
• Working with Historic England and Heritage Lottery Fund to support the digitisation of historic environment records and heritage archives to help councils make informed planning decisions and increase public appreciation for their local heritage.

Heritage Minister John Glen said:

The Wall to Wall Collaboration is the perfect example of how heritage can be used to strengthen international partnerships, grow tourism and build a truly global Britain.

Today I am setting out how we will continue to make the case for heritage, and showcase the benefits it brings to our economy, our communities and our quality of life.

Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive of Historic England, said:

“The Minister has reaffirmed the importance of our heritage to creating great places, to the economy, to communities and to our wellbeing. We look forward to delivering a new place-marker scheme to enable local communities to identify, mark and celebrate the events, people and places that are important to them along with eight new Heritage Action Zones which will help to revive towns and cities that are rich in heritage. I also look forward to a fruitful collaboration between Historic England and the Chinese Academy of Cultural Heritage with the signing of the Wall to Wall agreement.”

The Wall to Wall Collaboration is part of the People to People Dialogue – a cultural exchange between China and the UK taking place in London this week. The initiative arose from the UK-China Cultural Heritage High Level Dialogue, held in Beijing and Xi’an in February 2017, when the conservation of the two Walls was one of the key topics.

Historic England and Chinese Academy of Cultural Heritage, which manages the Great Wall, will sign the agreement on Thursday. They will hold a seminar in Newcastle next year – the first step in a wider programme of collaboration between the two sites.

The Minister also celebrated the strength of UK heritage in his speech at the Heritage Day conference, organised by Heritage Alliance.

The UK heritage sector contributed £987 million to the UK economy last year – a rise of 7% on 2015 – and employs 278,000 people. Previous research commissioned by English Heritage in 2010 found that every £1 of public sector investment in heritage-led regeneration generated £1.60 return.

ENDS

For more information please contact the DCMS press office: 0207 211 2210

A more supportive and collaborative approach to short inspections of good schools was announced by Ofsted today.

The new arrangements are set out in Ofsted’s response to September’s consultation on changes to short inspections. Overall, the majority of respondents supported each of the consultation’s 3 proposals.

This means that from January 2018:

• inspectors will continue to convert short inspections, usually within 48 hours, if they have serious concerns about safeguarding or behaviour, or if they think the quality of education provided by a school has declined to inadequate
• when there are no significant issues with safeguarding or behaviour, but inspectors identify potential concerns about either the quality of education or leadership and management, the inspection will not convert. Instead, Ofsted will publish a letter setting out the school’s strengths and areas for improvement. A section 5 inspection will then take place later, typically within 1 to 2 years. This will give the school time to address any weaknesses and seek support from appropriate bodies. In the meantime, the letter will be clear that the school’s current overall effectiveness judgement has not changed.
• when inspectors have reason to believe that a school may be improving towards an outstanding judgement, Ofsted will publish a letter confirming that the school is still good and setting out its strengths and priorities for further improvement. A section 5 inspection will then take place within 1 to 2 years, giving the school time to consolidate its strong practice. However, requests from schools for early inspections will be considered.
  The majority of short inspections will confirm that the school remains good and, as now, Ofsted will return to carry out another short inspection after approximately 3 years.

Ofsted’s National Director of Education, Sean Harford said:

The process for converting short inspections to full section 5 inspections has proven challenging for both schools and inspectors. We have been consulting with the sector on ways to address these challenges and I’m delighted that the majority of respondents supported our latest proposals. I’m very grateful to everyone who took the time to engage with us.

These new arrangements reflect our overall aim to act as a force for improvement through inspection, and to catch schools before they fall. We’re confident they will ensure short inspections are responsible interventions that minimise the burden on schools, while at the same time providing constructive support and more time to improve.

The consultation ran from 21 September to 8 November 2017 and was open to the general public. In total, more than 1,500 responses to the online questionnaire were submitted. Ofsted also gathered responses from direct engagement with parents, headteachers, teaching unions and professional associations.