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The Corporate Interest Restriction (Financial Statements: Group Mismatches) Regulations 2017

These Regulations make provision for transitional adjustments in connection with new Part 10 of the Taxation (International and Other Provisions) Act 2010 inserted by the Finance (No. 2) Act 2017 which make provision for the restriction of relief for interest and finance costs of multinational companies. The Regulations make provision for adjustments to calculations under Part 10 where the accounts of the worldwide group and the accounts of a company in the group give rise to mismatches on the commencement of the new provisions.

Link: The Corporate Interest Restriction (Financial Statements: Group Mismatches) Regulations 2017
Source: Legislation .gov.uk

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Press release: £1.7m back pay identified for a record 16,000 workers as 260 employers are named and shamed for underpaying minimum wage rates

  • government has identified £1.7 million in back pay for 16,000 workers – more workers than in any previous naming round
  • 260 employers named and fined a total of £1.3 million for underpaying the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) today (8 December 2017) named 260 employers for failing to pay 16,000 workers at least minimum wage rates.

Government investigators identified £1.7 million in back pay for some of the UK’s lowest paid workers and fined employers £1.3 million for underpayment.

Retail, hairdressing and hospitality businesses were among the most prolific offenders in this round. Common reasons for errors made include: failing to pay workers travelling between jobs, deducting money from pay for uniforms and not paying for overtime.

Business Minister Margot James said:

There is no excuse for not paying staff the wages they’re entitled to and the government will come down hard on businesses that break the rules.

That’s why today we are naming hundreds of employers who have been short changing their workers; and to ensure there are consequences for their wallets as well as their reputation, we’ve levied millions in back pay and fines.

Bryan Sanderson, Chairman of the Low Pay Commission, said:

The Low Pay Commission’s conversations with employers suggest that the risk of being named is encouraging businesses to focus on compliance.

Further, it is good to see that HMRC continues to target large employers who have underpaid a large number of workers, as well as cases involving only a few workers, where workers are at risk of the most serious exploitation. It is imperative that the government keeps up the pressure on all employers who commit breaches of minimum wage law.

If workers are concerned they are not being paid the correct rates then they can seek advice from workplace experts Acas.

Since 2013, the scheme has identified £8 million in back pay for 58,000 workers, with 1,500 employers fined a total of £5 million. This year the government will spend a record £25.3 million on minimum wage enforcement.

Rates will rise again in April 2018, giving young workers in particular the biggest pay boost in a decade.

For more information about your pay, or if you think you might be being underpaid, visit our dedicated National Minimum and Living Wage website.

The 260 employers named today are:

  1. The Best Connection Group Limited, Bromsgrove B61, failed to pay £469,273.83 to 2558 workers.
  2. Qualitycourse Limited trading as Transline Group, Calderdale HD6, failed to pay £310,302.12 to 1421 workers.
  3. Primark Stores Limited, Reading RG1, failed to pay £231,973.12 to 9735 workers.
  4. SportsDirect.com Retail Limited, Bolsover NG20, failed to pay £167,036.24 to 383 workers.
  5. Edward Mackay Contractor Ltd, Highland KW9, failed to pay £51,403.65 to 4 workers.
  6. Payerise 72 Limited, Kingston upon Thames KT3, failed to pay £29,979.27 to 130 workers.
  7. Mr Percy John Puddepha, Mrs Rosemary Puddepha, Mr Brian Puddepha and Ms Diana Puddepha trading as The Pines Hotel, Purbeck BH19, failed to pay £20,557.68 to 15 workers.
  8. Ramside Estates Limited, County Durham DH1, failed to pay £17,536.59 to 8 workers.
  9. Bedruthan Hotel Limited, Cornwall TR8, failed to pay £14,215.61 to 22 workers.
  10. First Rate FX Limited, Tower Hamlets E14, failed to pay £11,802.36 to 4 workers.
  11. D MacGillivray & Co Ltd, Na h-Eileanan Siar HS7, failed to pay £11,656.93 to 11 workers.
  12. Bournemouth Brewing Group Limited, Poole BH17, failed to pay £11,387.84 to 1 worker.
  13. Willerby Manor Hotels Limited, East Riding of Yorkshire HU10, failed to pay £10,133.13 to 37 workers.
  14. The Message Enterprise Centre trading as Shine Hair & Beauty, Manchester M22, failed to pay £9,936.05 to 7 workers.
  15. Headlam Leisure Limited trading as Headlam Hall Hotel, County Durham DL2, failed to pay £9,157.42 to 8 workers.
  16. Sabai Hairdressing Ltd., Newcastle upon Tyne NE1, failed to pay £8,144.38 to 6 workers.
  17. Regal Amusement Machines Sales Limited trading as Regal Gaming and Leisure, South Ribble PR5, failed to pay £8,081.93 to 74 workers.
  18. Global Voices Ltd, Stirling FK9, failed to pay £8,026.13 to 4 workers.
  19. Mrs Hardeep Sodhi and Mrs Salma Choudhary trading as Cape Hill Solicitors, Sandwell B66, failed to pay £7,917.22 to 1 worker.
  20. Cuba Lily (North East) Limited, County Durham DH1, failed to pay £7,917.09 to 26 workers.
  21. Black Yak Ltd, East Riding of Yorkshire YO25, failed to pay £7,728.09 to 2 workers.
  22. Low Wood Hotel (1958) Limited trading as Low Wood Bay, South Lakeland LA23, failed to pay £7,341.25 to 34 workers.
  23. Martin Bros. Removals Limited, Wiltshire BA12, failed to pay £7,251.55 to 3 workers.
  24. Nine Grounds Limited Alchemy, Bristol BS31, failed to pay £7,198.84 to 49 workers.
  25. Little People (Stanningley) Limited, Leeds LS28, failed to pay £7,035.11 to 5 workers.
  26. Dunnes Stores (Bangor) Limited, Belfast BT1, failed to pay £6,951.17 to 804 workers.
  27. Craydawn Pendley Manor Limited trading as Pendley Manor Hotel, Dacorum HP23, failed to pay £6,048.74 to 4 workers.
  28. Crook & Crook Limited, Highland IV2, failed to pay £5,726.77 to 2 workers.
  29. Mr Rex Hanson and Mr Robin Wright trading as Hanson & Wright, North Lincolnshire DN17, failed to pay £5,533.05 to 1 worker.
  30. Mobeen Restaurant And Takeaway Limited, Waltham Forest E10, failed to pay £5,433.99 to 1 worker.
  31. Mr Martin Brindley Station Cars, Wrexham LL11, failed to pay £5,303.74 to 1 worker.
  32. The New Ocean Hotel Limited, North Somerset BS23, failed to pay £5,206.33 to 11 workers.
  33. Brownbridge Limited, Bury BL9, failed to pay £5,174.82 to 5 workers.
  34. Premier Carewaiting Limited, Redbridge IG1, failed to pay £5,123.52 to 9 workers.
  35. Y & V Partners Limited trading as Imperial Oriental, Redbridge IG7, failed to pay £5,027.34 to 2 workers.
  36. Mrs Felicity Anne Reay trading as Cornhill Carriage Company, Northumberland TD12, failed to pay £4,974.26 to 1 worker.
  37. Fingerprints Nursery Ltd, Kirklees BD19, failed to pay £4,686.88 to 1 worker.
  38. Northumberland Hotel LLP trading as The Northumberland Hotel, Edinburgh EH16, failed to pay £4,685.39 to 2 workers.
  39. Mr Jeffrey Spencer Dennis trading as Spencer Dennis Joinery, Wirral CH41, failed to pay £4,653.32 to 1 worker.
  40. The Manor House Hotel (Castle Combe) Limited trading as The Manor House Hotel & Golf Club, Wiltshire SN14, failed to pay £4,613.85 to 9 workers.
  41. Keystone Properties (UK) Limited, Rochdale OL16, failed to pay £4,395.86 to 4 workers.
  42. Salon Syndicate Limited trading as Shapes, Edinburgh EH15, failed to pay £4,111.12 to 4 workers.
  43. Shield On-Site Services Ltd, Herefordshire HR9, failed to pay £3,912.24 to 1 worker.
  44. Mr Nicholas Jesse Mitchell and Mrs Angela Marie Mitchell trading as Alter Ego, Colchester CO1, failed to pay £3,722.17 to 5 workers.
  45. International Subcontracting Solutions Ltd, Guernsey GY10, failed to pay £3,664.89 to 1 worker.
  46. GST Partners trading as The Five Bells, St Edmundsbury CO10, failed to pay £3,574.18 to 2 workers.
  47. Loubnan Natural Foods Ltd, Ealing NW10, failed to pay £3,472.98 to 13 workers.
  48. Khela Enterprises Limited, Rotherham S60, failed to pay £3,380.31 to 2 workers.
  49. Mr Richard Short trading as Richard Short Plumbing and Heating, Worthing BN14, failed to pay £3,317.71 to 1 worker.
  50. Mrs Rena Muir trading as TRC Hair Design, Renfrewshire PA1, failed to pay £3,315.07 to 1 worker.
  51. Atlas Property Management Limited trading as Taylor Viscount Estate Agents, Bournemouth BH7, failed to pay £3,267.35 to 1 worker.
  52. UK Legion Marketing Ltd., Wirral CH41, failed to pay £3,227.56 to 1 worker.
  53. Total Site Maintenance Limited, Neath Port Talbot SA12, failed to pay £3,176.62 to 127 workers.
  54. Spina Ltd, Camden NW6, failed to pay £3,154.18 to 1 worker.
  55. Eventful Temps Ltd., Leicester LE4, failed to pay £3,087.52 to 39 workers.
  56. A Consultancy Services Limited trading as The Fallowfield Lodge, Manchester M14, failed to pay £2,995.41 to 7 workers.
  57. The Bear & Pheasant Limited, Stafford ST17, failed to pay £2,975.25 to 1 worker.
  58. Higginshaw Abattoir Limited, Oldham OL2, failed to pay £2,879.12 to 1 worker.
  59. Mr Dhimiter Arkelaos trading as Handy Andy Car Wash, Renfrewshire G51, failed to pay £2,852.76 to 2 workers.
  60. Future Salons South Ltd trading as Philola, West Berkshire RG14, failed to pay £2,842.6 to 1 worker.
  61. Hughes & Daughters Care Ltd trading as Blue Ribbon Community Care Tyne and Wear, Sunderland SR2, failed to pay £2,789.06 to 22 workers.
  62. Motherwell Football and Athletic Club Limited (The) trading as Motherwell F.C., North Lanarkshire ML1, failed to pay £2,755.34 to 12 workers.
  63. Methodist Holiday Hotels Limited trading as Raven Hall Hotel, Scarborough YO13, failed to pay £2,754.57 to 5 workers.
  64. Viking Energy Solutions Limited, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 failed to pay £2,606.97 to 19 workers.
  65. Vernon Community College C.I.C., Nottingham NG1, failed to pay £2,532.28 to 2 workers.
  66. Orient Property Services Ltd., Redbridge IG3, failed to pay £2,520.6 to 1 worker.
  67. G3rry Limited trading as Hughes Chemist, Glasgow City G41, failed to pay £2,423.74 to 2 workers.
  68. Rare Fashion Limited, Wiltshire L5, failed to pay £2,410.13 to 1 worker.
  69. Greenock Morton Football Club Limited trading as Greenock Morton F.C., Inverclyde PA15, failed to pay £2,382.46 to 6 workers.
  70. The Holiday and Flight Centre Limited, South Lanarkshire ML3, failed to pay £2,242.08 to 1 worker.
  71. Barbara Daley Hair & Beauty Limited, Liverpool L1, failed to pay £2,200.18 to 4 workers.
  72. Mr Ryan Edge trading as Francis and Ashley Hairdressing (previous owner), Dudley DY8, failed to pay £2,196.33 to 1 worker.
  73. Energy Controls Limited, Calderdale HX5, failed to pay £2,136.86 to 1 worker.
  74. Moorlands Travel (Kelty) Limited, Fife KY4, failed to pay £2,110.8 to 2 workers.
  75. Advanced Building (NW) Ltd., Salford M28, failed to pay £2,027.04 to 1 worker.
  76. AAM & Sons Limited trading as Cheeky Monkees Day Nursery, Stockton-on-Tees TS19, failed to pay £2,002.24 to 38 workers.
  77. Crystal Elderly Care Ltd., Croydon CR5, failed to pay £1,980.71 to 1 worker.
  78. The Works Stores Limited, North Warwickshire B46, failed to pay £1,963.01 to 41 workers.
  79. The Style Guru Limited, West Berkshire RG7, failed to pay £1,926.98 to 5 workers.
  80. Smile and Implant Ltd., Leicester LE3, failed to pay £1,917.04 to 1 worker.
  81. PC Solve Ltd trading as Ink2Print, Peterborough PE1, failed to pay £1,901.6 to 1 worker.
  82. Pizza Inn Wembley Ltd., Brent HA0, failed to pay £1,824.38 to 1 worker.
  83. Few Inns Limited trading as The Boot Inn, West Oxfordshire OX29, failed to pay £1,820.07 to 1 worker.
  84. Annandale Bed and Bath Service Limited, Dumfries and Galloway DG10, failed to pay £1,803.22 to 3 workers.
  85. Gisburne Park Estates Limited trading as Ribblesdale Park, Ribble Valley BB7, failed to pay £1,792.17 to 1 worker.
  86. Ms Fiona Victoria Marden trading as Legends, Wealden BN27, failed to pay £1,750.39 to 1 worker.
  87. Ambleside Inns Limited trading as The Alexandra, East Riding of Yorkshire HU18, failed to pay £1,741.78 to 2 workers.
  88. John Olivers (Ipswich) Limited, Ipswich IP4, failed to pay £1,662.84 to 7 workers.
  89. Bristol Rovers Football Club Limited trading as Bristol Rovers F.C., Bristol, BS7 failed to pay £1,651.86 to 52 workers.
  90. Antoniou Hair Fashions Limited trading as Antoniou Hair and Beauty, Canterbury CT1, failed to pay £1,629.17 to 16 workers.
  91. Elmic Limited Monroes, Dudley DY8, failed to pay £1,598.06 to 1 worker.
  92. Heyrod Construction Limited, Oldham OL9, failed to pay £1,588.6 to 1 worker.
  93. Norella Limited trading as Alexsa, Mansfield NG18, failed to pay £1,566.28 to 2 workers.
  94. Influence Conditioned Air Limited, Glasgow City G2, failed to pay £1,551.32 to 1 worker.
  95. Mrs Jennifer Preece trading as DNL Family Barbers, Cheshire East CW5, failed to pay £1,495.52 to 3 workers.
  96. Shawn Associates Limited, Luton LU1, failed to pay £1,458.77 to 1 worker.
  97. Mr Prem Kumar and Mrs Suresh Kumar trading as Acklam Road Post Office, Middlesbrough TS5, failed to pay £1,453.37 to 2 workers.
  98. Nightingales UK Limited, Warrington WA1, failed to pay £1,453.22 to 4 workers.
  99. Anthony John Salons Limited, Lichfield WS14, failed to pay £1,448.79 to 9 workers.
  100. Hillfoot Homes Limited, Clackmannanshire FK14, failed to pay £1,439.36 to 2 workers.
  101. Mr Bharat Savjani and Mr Vikesh Savjani trading as Sussex Service Station, Birmingham B12, failed to pay £1,430.66 to 11 workers.
  102. Rochdale Plastics Ltd, Rochdale OL16, failed to pay £1,411.93 to 1 worker.
  103. N K Hair Studio Limited, Oldham OL3, failed to pay £1,411.12 to 2 workers.
  104. Mrs Therese McMonagle trading as Teri’s Hair Salon, South Ayrshire KA9, failed to pay £1,408.92 to 2 workers.
  105. DGC Building Services Limited, Dudley DY1, failed to pay £1,377.84 to 3 workers.
  106. Subway South Limited trading as Subway, Bournemouth BH9, failed to pay £1,361.38 to 2 workers.
  107. Mrs Safira Pandor trading as Al Noor Playgroup, Kirklees WF13, failed to pay £1,297.72 to 1 worker.
  108. Nicholas Anthony Hairdressers Ltd, Bedford MK40, failed to pay £1,279.42 to 1 worker.
  109. Brynamman One Stop Limited, Neath Port Talbot SA18, failed to pay £1,252.76 to 1 worker.
  110. Provectus Medical Limited, Pendle BB9, failed to pay £1,224.51 to 1 worker.
  111. Lavender House (Ashburton) Limited trading as Lavender House Hotel, Teignbridge TQ13, failed to pay £1,220.24 to 1 worker.
  112. ERWA Limited Hand Car Wash, Walsall WS2, failed to pay £1,212.96 to 3 workers.
  113. Little and Shooting Stars Ltd, Wakefield WF5, failed to pay £1,192.97 to 1 worker.
  114. BM&AA Soluction Limited trading as A & K Hair Design, City of Edinburgh EH10, failed to pay £1,172.83 to 1 worker.
  115. Everstar Properties Limited, Harrow HA2, failed to pay £1,166.06 to 2 workers.
  116. AEH Hotels Limited trading as The Manor At Sway Hotel & Restaurant, New Forest SO41 failed to pay £1,165.72 to 2 workers.
  117. Whelan HotelCo Limited trading as The Wrightington Hotel and Country Club, West Lancashire WN6, failed to pay £1,142.32 to 19 workers.
  118. 5th Generation Limited, Oldham M35, failed to pay £1,125.34 to 1 worker.
  119. Blushes Hairdressing Ltd, Cheltenham GL50, failed to pay £1,112.94 to 2 workers.
  120. S M W Construction Limited, Preston PR1, failed to pay £1,090.71 to 3 workers.
  121. Mrs Sharon E Daniels trading as Clippers, Ashfield NG17, failed to pay £1,017.68 to 2 workers.
  122. Philosophi Limited, Glasgow City G1, failed to pay £1,012.49 to 1 worker.
  123. Innovate Services Limited, Woking KT14, failed to pay £1,010.18 to 2 workers.
  124. B & E Travel Limited trading as Barrhead Travel, Fife KY7, failed to pay £994.56 to 1 worker.
  125. Mrs Parvinder Kaur trading as Monkbridge Off Licence, Leeds LS6, failed to pay £986.56 to 1 worker.
  126. Jasi Company (UK) Limited trading as Costcutter, Plymouth PL2, failed to pay £981.56 to 1 worker.
  127. Admiral Care Ltd, Portsmouth PO3, failed to pay 954.23 to 1 worker.
  128. Mr Ali Goultekin and Mrs Gulsin Goultekin trading as Go West, Greenwich SE3, failed to pay £946.6 to 1 worker.
  129. Synergie+ Plus Ltd trading as Fit4less, Peterborough PE1, failed to pay £944.07 to 2 workers.
  130. May’s @ The Hollybush Ltd trading as The Hollybush Inn, East Ayrshire KA6, failed to pay £935.81 to 1 worker.
  131. Sandersons (UK) Limited trading as Sandersons Bakery, Blackburn with Darwen BB1, failed to pay £910.6 to 1 worker.
  132. Arran Brew Ltd, North Ayrshire KA27, failed to pay £872.77 to 2 workers.
  133. Ron Skinner & Sons Ltd, Blaenau Gwent NP22, failed to pay £863.5 to 2 workers.
  134. Mr Roger Simpson and Ms Emma Jones trading as Brightsparks Purley Way, Croydon CR0
    failed to pay £847.69 to 1 worker.
  135. Swissport Ltd, Halton WA7, failed to pay £841.34 to 5 workers.
  136. Hardwick Supermarket Ltd trading as Hardwick Frozen Foods, Stockton-on-Tees TS19, failed to pay £837.2 to 1 worker.
  137. Ms Kate Ellen Khan and Ms Hayley Twist trading as Toybox Private Nursery, Wakefield WF1, failed to pay £828.03 to 2 workers.
  138. MMJ London Limited trading as Melissa McArthur Jewellery, Hammersmith and Fulham W6, failed to pay £819.02 to 1 worker.
  139. N & J Oxby Limited trading as Elite, Doncaster DN10, failed to pay £806.32 to 1 worker.
  140. Mr Mark Ghani trading as Sync Plumbing & Heating Solutions, Wigan WN2, failed to pay £782.16 to 1 worker.
  141. The Trouville Hotel LLP trading The Trouvile Hotel, Bournemouth BH2, failed to pay £781.51 to 11 workers.
  142. Mrs Andrea McKie trading as Angels Assisted Living Services, Northumberland NE42, failed to pay £772.45 to 1 worker.
  143. Mr Arie Ahmed Rasoul trading as Mini Sam, Corby NN17, failed to pay £771.76 to 1 worker.
  144. Budock Vean Hotel Limited, Cornwall TR11, failed to pay £765.58 to 1 worker.
  145. The Gentry Grooming Co (Merchandising) Limited, Salford M3, failed to pay £765.33 to 1 worker.
  146. Mr Robert Beercock trading as beercocks, East Riding of Yorkshire HU13, failed to pay £744.04 to 10 workers.
  147. Grayshott Leisure Limited trading as Grayshott Spa (under previous ownership), East Hampshire GU26, failed to pay £733.87 to 6 workers.
  148. Elenaz Limited trading as Ozmen Local, North East Derbyshire S21, failed to pay £702.16 to 1 worker.
  149. Alderforce North Limited trading as KFC, Brent HA9, failed to pay £699.79 to 23 workers.
  150. Mrs Arusha Korrin and Mr Anush Prem Korrin trading as Café Loco Shrub Hill, Worcester WR4, failed to pay £697.25 to 4 workers.
  151. Mr Karwan Kader Hassan trading as Best Hand Car Wash, Derby DE23, failed to pay £695.90 to 3 workers.
  152. Mr Darren Beaman trading as Darren Beaman Tailoring, Leeds LS11, failed to pay £689.90 to 1 worker.
  153. Mr Aidas Armonas trading as The Hand Car Wash People, Bath and North East Somerset BA2, failed to pay £660.19 to 6 workers.
  154. Rothwell & Robertson Limited trading as Ye Olde Bull’s Head Inn, Isle of Anglesey LL58, failed to pay £627.53 to 1 worker.
  155. Amish Wholesalers Limited, Barking and Dagenham IG11, failed to pay £624.79 to 7 workers.
  156. Mrs Lynne McCullough trading as Lynne Capelli Salon, West Dunbartonshire G82, failed to pay £620.65 to 3 workers.
  157. Tots N Tykes (Leeds) Limited trading as Tots N Tykes, Leeds LS28, failed to pay £619.73 to 3 workers.
  158. Mr Keith David Fearn trading as The Monaco Hotel, Merton BS23, failed to pay £607.76 to 1 worker.
  159. Nelson Recruitment Services Ltd, Birmingham B44, failed to pay £601.77 to 64 workers.
  160. Star Alliance FM Limited, Redbridge IG3, failed to pay £594.95 to 2 workers.
  161. Nursery on the Green (UK) Limited, Merton CR4, failed to pay £586.24 to 8 workers.
  162. Charlotte Murray Limited, Haringey N10, failed to pay £585.20 to 2 workers.
  163. Fletcher Contract Cleaning Limited, Allerdale CA7, failed to pay £569.04 to 10 workers.
  164. Copart UK Limited, Bedford MK43 failed to pay £567.06 to 4 workers.
  165. Shorter & Co (London) Limited, Greenwich SE3, failed to pay 560.28 to 6 workers.
  166. Kids in Charge (Making a Choice for a Better Future) Ltd, Redbridge IG1, failed to pay £552.15 to 1 worker.
  167. Forever Warm Homes Ltd, Newry, Mourne and Down BT35, failed to pay £535.68 to 1 worker.
  168. Gordon Hotels Limited trading as The Queens Hotel, Bournemouth BH1, failed to pay £534.18 to 3 workers.
  169. Essex and Suffolk Quality Care Ltd., Tendring CO16, failed to pay £517.4 to 2 workers.
  170. Edmundson Electrical Limited, Cheshire East WA16, failed to pay £507.09 to 1 worker.
  171. Falkirk Football and Athletic Club (The) trading as Falkirk Athletic F.C., Falkirk FK2, failed to pay £494.51 to 1 worker.
  172. Y2K Hair & Beauty Limited, Wiltshire SN15, failed to pay £483.5 to 1 worker.
  173. Mr Giovanni Francis Calandra trading as Calandras Menswear, Herefordshire HR1, failed to pay £481.66 to 1 worker.
  174. LFH (Woolley Grange) Limited trading as Woolley Grange Hotel, Wiltshire BA15, failed to pay £469.14 to 1 worker.
  175. 28 Low Street Limited trading as KH Hair, Ashfield NG17, failed to pay £465.29 to 2 workers.
  176. Tomlinson Wightman Ltd, South Lakeland LA9, failed to pay £462.5 to 3 workers.
  177. Tims Lamama Ltd trading as La Mama Café Restaurant, Wigan WN6, failed to pay £458.31 to 1 worker.
  178. LDM Contracting Services Limited, Islington BL9, failed to pay £451.83 to 2 workers.
  179. Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club (1986) Limited trading as Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C., Wolverhampton WV1, failed to pay £450.79 to 17 workers.
  180. Mr Archie Dowding trading as Aquarius, Bexley DA1, failed to pay £448.82 to 1 worker.
  181. Punjabi Sweets & Curry House Ltd, Sandwell B66, failed to pay £446.95 to 3 workers.
  182. Consumable Direct Limited, Trafford M32, failed to pay £429.31 to 1 worker.
  183. Took Us A Long Time Limited trading as Wildwood Restaurant, Chester CW9, failed to pay £427.39 to 2 workers.
  184. Progressive Retail Solutions Limited, Rotherham S61, failed to pay £424.80 to 1 worker.
  185. Mr Phillip Johnson, Mrs Jeanette Johnson and Mr Roddy Patterson trading as The Railway Inn, Salford M44, failed to pay £419.78 to 1 worker.
  186. Mr Alex Selmani trading as Maltings Hand Car Wash, Epping Forest CM21, failed to pay £399.41 to 4 workers.
  187. Gonzales (SR) Limited, Bolton BL4, failed to pay £382.05 to 1 worker.
  188. Alternative Salon Ltd trading as Alternative Hair Studio, Broxbourne EN8, failed to pay £379.28 to 2 workers.
  189. Pippins Nursery (Leeds) Ltd, Leeds LS27, failed to pay £371.2 to 1 worker.
  190. Rissco Foods Limited, Sandwell B66, failed to pay £368.81 to 4 workers.
  191. Mr Sajad Ali and Mr Mohammed Ifzal trading as Hadfields, East Staffordshire DE15, failed to pay £362.32 to 3 workers.
  192. Limasole Limited, Ealing W3 failed to pay £333.64 to 1 worker.
  193. Arthur Chatwin Limited, Cheshire East CW5, failed to pay £331.94 to 8 workers.
  194. Apcoa Parking (UK) Limited, Hillingdon UB8, failed to pay £329.01 to 1 worker.
  195. Manpower Direct (UK) Ltd., Barking and Dagenham RM10, failed to pay £324.52 to 1 worker.
  196. R6 Autos Limited, Milton Keynes MK13, failed to pay £318.05 to 1 worker.
  197. Brookleigh Caring Services Limited, Stockton-on-Tees TS18, failed to pay £313.51 to 15 workers.
  198. Mrs Kalpana Zore trading as Amit Stores Off Licence, Burnley BB11, failed to pay £310.94 to 1 worker.
  199. Men At Work (Wales) Limited, Conwy LL31, failed to pay £310.8 to 1 worker.
  200. Hemsby HCW Ltd, trading as Hemsby Hand Car Wash, Great Yarmouth NR29, failed to pay 292 to 2 workers.
  201. Balfour Evans Catering Ltd trading as The Queens At Belbroughton, Bromsgrove DY9, failed to pay £290.51 to 1 worker.
  202. Cotswold Inns and Hotels Limited, Wychavon WR11, failed to pay £281.58 to 1 worker.
  203. Mr Thiyagarajah Pirabaharan and Ms Dhayalini Ariyaratnam trading as Attenborough Service Station, Broxtowe NG9, failed to pay £278.39 to 1 worker.
  204. Greenwood Fryery Limited, Warrington WA1, failed to pay £276.81 to 1 worker.
  205. Torquay United Association Football Club Limited (The), Torbay TQ1, failed to pay £276.40 to 2 workers.
  206. R&J (Builders Hardware) Limited, Blackburn with Darwen BB1, failed to pay £274.68 to 1 worker.
  207. Guy Elliott Publishing Limited, Wiltshire SP7, failed to pay £267.84 to 1 worker.
  208. Mr Patrick Courtney and Mrs Patricia Courtney trading as Courtneys Sandwich Bar, Newry, Mourne and Down BT34, failed to pay £267.58 to 3 workers.
  209. Mr Stephen Gomes trading as Moksh, Cardiff CF10, failed to pay £263.22 to 2 workers.
  210. Springfield Country Hotel (Stoborough) Limited, Purbeck BH20, failed to pay £262.55 to 1 worker.
  211. Proactive Personnel (West Midlands) Limited, Telford and Wrekin TF2, failed to pay £258.56 to 21 workers.
  212. Euro Hand Car Wash Limited, Swindon SN3, failed to pay £255.6 to 1 worker.
  213. Alim Caterers Limited trading as KFC, Hillingdon HA4, failed to pay £253.44 to 3 workers.
  214. Development Football Limited, Hart GU52, failed to pay £252.14 to 1 worker.
  215. Jo and Cass Limited, Lancaster LA1, failed to pay £252.00 to 5 workers.
  216. Athena (SW) Limited trading as Athena, Wiltshire SN15, failed to pay £251.69 to 1 worker.
  217. G.S. Associates (Scotland) Limited, Renfrewshire PA4, failed to pay £241.20 to 1 worker.
  218. Ashfin Limited trading as Zappas, Wokingham RG40, failed to pay £239.83 to 1 worker.
  219. Central Southern Security Limited, New Forest SO41, failed to pay £239.59 to 1 worker.
  220. Mr S Boyd and Mrs Maureen Boyd trading as Reflex Hair Studio, Belfast BT4, failed to pay £227.93 to 2 workers.
  221. The Recruitment & Employment Bureau Ltd, Mansfield NG18, failed to pay £223.20 to 1 worker.
  222. Mrs Johanna Patricia Walsh trading as Stage-Door, Stockport SK1, failed to pay £221.25 to 3 workers.
  223. Inspired Care Limited, Newcastle upon Tyne NE15, failed to pay £220.00 to 1 worker.
  224. Mango Direct Marketing Ltd, Ards and North Down BT19, failed to pay £215.57 to 6 workers.
  225. Vale Holiday Parks Limited, Ceredigion SY23, failed to pay £213.38 to 2 workers.
  226. Partners Hairdressing Limited, Cheshire East SK9, failed to pay £213.05 to 1 worker.
  227. 5 Star Commercial Cleaning Services Ltd, Wakefield WF10, failed to pay £210.60 to 1 worker.
  228. Mr Tarsem Singh trading as Eggless Cake Shop, Coventry CV6, failed to pay £203.53 to 3 workers.
  229. KH Resourcing Limited trading as Know How Resourcing, Leeds LS11, failed to pay £201.45 to 12 workers.
  230. Aja Lounge Ltd Crown & Pepper, Croydon CR0, failed to pay £188.47 to 2 workers.
  231. Premier Personal Care Limited, South Oxfordshire RG9, failed to pay £188.41 to 3 workers.
  232. Martlane Limited trading as Forest Place Nursing Home, Epping Forest IG9, failed to pay £182.40 to 1 worker.
  233. Mr Robert Chapman and Mr Michael Chapman trading as Touche Hairdressing, Tandridge CR3, failed to pay £174.75 to 4 workers.
  234. Creations Desserts Ltd trading as Creation Dessert Lounge, Peterborough PE1, failed to pay £174.14 to 2 workers.
  235. Mr David Hill and Mrs Jayne Hill trading as Langwith Premier Store, Bolsover NG20, failed to pay £172.61 to 1 worker.
  236. Mrs Nathalie Zabbal trading as The Newbridge, Wolverhampton WV6, failed to pay £170.67 to 1 worker.
  237. The Nail and Beauty Zone Limited, City of Edinburgh EH3, failed to pay £170.59 to 4 workers.
  238. Covra Management Limited, Birmingham B10, failed to pay £168.84 to 2 workers.
  239. Hillcrest Childrens Services Limited, Havant PO9, failed to pay £162.24 to 1 worker.
  240. Bishopsgate Business Solutions Ltd, Harrow HA1, failed to pay £156.43 to 1 worker.
  241. RU Hungry Ltd trading as Pizza Hut Delivery, Stockton-on-Tees TS18, failed to pay £156.35 to 1 worker.
  242. Supreme Security Solutions UK Ltd, Havering RM7, failed to pay £155.08 to 1 worker.
  243. Ms Thuy Thanh Nguyen trading as Fashion Nails, Richmond upon Thames TW11, failed to pay £147.30 to 2 workers.
  244. S.W. Enviro Limited, West Lothian EH55, failed to pay £146.43 to 2 workers.
  245. Perfect10247 Ltd trading as Papa Johns, Birmingham B5 failed to pay £146.39 to 6 workers.
  246. Archer Wise Accountants & Auditors Limited, Hammersmith and Fulham SW6, failed to pay £141.70 to 1 worker.
  247. Tower Carpets Limited, Birmingham B23, failed to pay £141.66 to 3 workers.
  248. The Hair & Beauty Company (Wigan) Ltd, Wigan WN2, failed to pay £140.48 to 2 workers.
  249. Irqa Spicy Food Ltd trading as Nosheen Tandoori, Aberdeenshire AB41, failed to pay £140.07 to 4 workers.
  250. Welding Innovations Ltd, Tunbridge Wells TN17, failed to pay £139.01 to 1 worker.
  251. Lakeview Manor Ltd, East Devon EX14, failed to pay £138.91 to 2 workers.
  252. Broomstick Capital Limited, Islington N7, failed to pay £135.75 to 1 worker.
  253. TAAE Management Ltd trading as Bluebird Care Sunderland, Sunderland SR1, failed to pay £131.42 to 1 worker.
  254. Schoolhouse Daycare Limited trading as Swansea DVLA Schoolhouse Daycare, Swansea SA6, failed to pay £125.37 to 1 worker.
  255. Brittons Caterers Limited, Birmingham B6, failed to pay £124.78 to 1 worker.
  256. Akbar Balti (Manchester) Limited, Manchester M3, failed to pay £123.90 to 1 worker.
  257. Sprague & Ouseley Limited, Exeter EX2, failed to pay £123.00 to 1 worker.
  258. CGB Oldham Limited trading as Chadderton Bar & Grill, Oldham OL9, failed to pay £111.76 to 1 worker.
  259. Oxbridge Care Limited, Stockton-on-Tees TS18, failed to pay £110.99 to 1 worker.
  260. Six Five Zero Limited trading as Vivo Hotel Apartments, Bradford BD17, failed to pay £104.40 to 1 worker.

Employers named and shamed, December 2017

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Notes to editors

1) The government committed to promoting the delivery of fair and decent work for all in its modern Industrial Strategy.

2) This is the thirteenth round of government naming and shaming for employers who have failed to pay National Minimum Wage and Living Wage rates.

3) Employers have a duty to be aware of and comply with the different legal national minimum and living wage rates. If workers are concerned that they are not being paid the correct rates or if employers need more information about the legal requirements then they can seek advice from Acas.

4) Any complaints that are raised with Acas, where they believe there may be an National Minimum Wage underpayment, will be referred to HMRC.

5) HMRC follows up on every complaint received from Acas via the online complaint form.

6) Around 2,500 cases are currently being worked on by HMRC and eligible employers will be named and shamed after their cases have been closed.

7) Sectors that featured prominently in this naming and shaming round were:

  • 34 retailers for 11,072 workers
  • 58 hospitality businesses for 288 workers
  • 40 are hairdressing businesses for 118 workers

8) The current minimum wage rates are:

  • National Living Wage (25 years and over): £7.50 per hour
  • National Minimum Wage for 21 to 24-year-olds: £7.05 per hour
  • National Minimum Wage for 18 to 20-year olds: £5.60 per hour
  • National Minimum Wage for 16 to 17-year-olds: £4.05 per hour
  • National Minimum Wage for apprentices under 19, or over 19 and in the first year of an apprenticeship: £3.50 per hour

9) The Low Pay Commission is the independent body that advises the government on the National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage.

10) The revised BEIS scheme to name employers who break minimum wage law came into effect on 1 October 2013. The scheme is one of a range of tools at the government’s disposal to tackle this issue. Employers who pay workers less than the minimum wage not only have to pay back arrears of wages to the worker at current minimum wage rates but also face financial penalties of up to 200% of arrears, capped at £20,000 per worker. In the most serious cases employers can be prosecuted.

11) Under this scheme the government will name all employers who have been issued with a Notice of Underpayment (NoU) unless employers meet one of the exceptional criteria or have arrears of £100 or less. All 260 cases named today failed to pay the correct national minimum or living wage rates and owed arrears of more than £100.

12) Employers have 28 days to appeal against the NoU (this notice sets out the owed wages to be paid by the employer together with the penalty for not complying with minimum wage law). If the employer does not appeal or unsuccessfully appeals against this NoU, BEIS will consider them for naming. The employer then has 14 days to make representations to BEIS outlining whether they meet any of the exceptional criteria:

  • naming by BEIS carries a risk of personal harm to an individual or their family
  • there are national security risks associated with naming in this instance
  • other factors which suggest that it would not be in the public interest to name the employer

13) If BEIS does not receive any representations or the representations received are unsuccessful, the employer will be named via a BEIS press release under this scheme.


Link: Press release: £1.7m back pay identified for a record 16,000 workers as 260 employers are named and shamed for underpaying minimum wage rates
Source: Gov Press Releases

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Press release: Environment Agency announces £1.4m Anglian Waterways investment

Boaters are to benefit from a £1.4m investment into Anglian Waterways, as the Environment Agency launches its latest improvement programme.

The Capital Investment Programme sets out the repairs and upgrades being made across Anglian Waterways’ 353-mile network.

Seven-figure investment

Eight locks across its most popular rivers are set for refurbishment. The seven-figure investment will ensure the structures remain in good working order for years to come.

The work covers locks at Wadenhoe, Woodford, Titchmarsh, Orton, Cotterstock, and Ashton on the River Nene, and Eaton Socon and Brandon on the River Great Ouse.

These are among the busiest locks on the Anglian Waterways network, giving access to around 7,000 boaters a year.

Work started in November and continues throughout the winter months, avoiding the peak boating season to minimise disruption for those on the river.

Sign up for latest updates

The locks will have to close during the work to be drained of water and allow full access to the chambers and the gates. Boaters can get the latest information by signing up for email updates or calling the Environment Agency on 03708 506 506 and asking for Anglian Waterways.

The investment programme will also include de-shoaling work on the rivers Great Ouse and Nene. This will remove underwater gravel that builds up naturally and can hamper navigation.

Also included are investigations into improving the Nene’s landing stages, where boaters can disembark, and upgrading control panels at the locks to the same model, making them consistent and easier to use and maintain across the region.

Neil Pope, Anglian Waterways assets team leader at the Environment Agency, said:

Our precious waterways are an important part of our nation’s rich heritage and beauty. They are a national treasure, valued for their contribution to our environment, our health and wellbeing, and our economy. We’re proud to play a part in caring for them, and we take that responsibility very seriously.

Maintaining them to a good, safe working standard is our number-one priority. We invest money very carefully to ensure the best value for every pound we spend. This means our waterways will continue to offer outstanding value to the many, many people who enjoy them every year.

The Environment Agency cares for more than 353 miles of navigable waterways in the Anglian region, as well as a vast network of associated facilities such as bridges, locks, moorings and toilets.

The two most popular rivers in this network – the Great Ouse and the Nene – attract more than 7,000 boaters and an estimated 1.1m other visitors every year.

Capital Investment Programme

The work in the agency’s investment programme is subject to change. The current schedule (7 December 2017) is:

  • Wadenhoe Lock, River Nene, Northamptonshire: 3 January 2018 to 12 February 2018. Complete refurbishment.
  • Woodford Lock, River Nene, Northamptonshire: 27 November 2017 to 22 December 2017 and 22 January 2018 to 23 February 2018. Complete refurbishment.
  • Titchmarsh Lock, River Nene, Northamptonshire: 3 January 2018 to 16 March 2018. Complete refurbishment.
  • Cotterstock Lock, River Nene, Northamptonshire: 22 January 2018 to 16 February 2018. Replacement of counterweight.
  • Ashton Lock, River Nene, Northamptonshire: 16 February 2018 to 28 March 2018. Refurbishment of guillotine gate.
  • Orton Lock, River Nene, Cambridgeshire: Dates to be confirmed. Re-painting.
  • Landing stages, River Nene: November 2017 to April 2018. Investigate the possibility of additional landing stages along the Nene and repair existing ones.
  • De-shoaling, River Nene: Dates to be confirmed. Remove gravel impacting navigation.
  • Eaton Socon, River Great Ouse, Cambridgeshire: February 2018. Replace sweep arms on the mitre gates.
  • Brandon Lock, River Great Ouse, Suffolk: March 2018. Repair footbridge walkway.
  • De-shoaling, River Great Ouse: Dates to be confirmed. Remove gravel impacting navigation.

Link: Press release: Environment Agency announces £1.4m Anglian Waterways investment
Source: Environment Agency

Posted on

Press release: Medway Flood Action Plan Launched

The Medway Flood Partnership has today launched the Medway Flood Action Plan, outlining how it will reduce the risk of flooding to 9,000 properties in communities along the River Medway in Kent.

The plan is owned by the Medway Flood Partnership and outlines how the members will work with communities to manage the risk of in the Medway catchment. This covers all land draining into the Rivers Medway, Beult, Teise, Bourne and Eden, as well their tributaries. During the December 2013 flood event, over 900 homes were flooded across the Medway catchment, devastating people and livelihoods.

Over the next 5 years, at least £19 million will be invested in the Medway catchment on projects that help to manage and reduce flood risk. Measures include increasing the capacity of the Leigh Flood Storage Area and providing property-level resilience measures to homes in Yalding, Collier Street and Laddingford. The Environment Agency will be spending about £1 million each year on maintenance of river channels and flood defences such as flood walls, sluices and weirs, to ensure they remain in good condition.

Many organisations have a role in managing and responding to flooding: parish councils, local authorities, national agencies, landowner representatives and local businesses. Reducing the risk of flooding in the Medway catchment is a complex problem, which can only be solved by working in partnership.

The Medway Flood Partnership was established in January 2017 to bring these organisations together to co-ordinate these activities. We have also developed a Medway Action Plan that sets out our shared objectives and priorities for the next 5 years and a vision for the next 25 years.

Together the partnership are looking at where they can build defences to better protect communities as well as where they can slow the flow of floodwaters and reduce flood levels through natural flood management. Where it is not possible to prevent flooding, they are working with local communities to help them be better prepared and resilient to flooding so that they can recover more quickly after a flood.

Julie Foley, Environment Agency Area Manager, said:

The launch of this plan demonstrates our commitment to finding practicable solutions to manage flood risk. Over the next 5 years, fully funded schemes within the Medway Flood Action Plan will reduce the risk of flooding to over 1,700 homes along the River Medway. With our partners, we will also be exploring further opportunities for schemes that help to reduce flood risk and improve the local environment.

Matthew Balfour, Cabinet Member at Kent County Council, said:

I’m delighted that the Medway Flood Action Plan has been launched and that we can finally get to work on flood defences in the area. During the winter 2013 to 14 floods, over 900 homes and businesses in Tonbridge, Yalding, East Peckham and other smaller communities were flooded from the River Medway. We are determined to reduce the risk of flooding to these communities. This is tremendous news for those communities affected and goes to show that the hard work we have put in with our partners has helped us secure the funding and draw up a robust plan to help manage and reduce flood risk.

Contact

Link: Press release: Medway Flood Action Plan Launched
Source: Environment Agency

Posted on

Press release: Creative partnerships strengthen trade ties between UK and China

As well as strengthening collaboration between the two countries on mutually important cultural issues, commercial deals between British and Chinese companies were signed at this week’s UK-China High-Level People-to-People Dialogue (P2P).

Culture Secretary Karen Bradley met Chinese Vice-Premier Liu Yandong at the Southbank Centre as part of a number of dialogues championing the relationship between the two nations across culture, the creative industries, sport, youth and tourism.

In the Royal Festival Hall, Minister for Creative Industries Matt Hancock and his Chinese counterpart, Vice-Minister Tong Gang, witnessed the signing of the eleven creative deals. Some of the exciting collaborations include:

  • The Building Centre announced a partnership with Shanghai Creative City that will see investment in the UK to build a China-UK Innovation Centre in London, potentially creating 100 new jobs
  • Popular Cbeebies show “Octonauts” will be expanded in China and the rest of the world through a partnership between Silvergate Media and Chinese firm Wanda
  • Veteran Warwickshire-based video game specialists Codemasters teaming up with Chinese partners to launch video games into the Chinese market
  • Soccer Manager will be co-developing their online football management games into China

China is one of the most important markets for UK creative export opportunities, with DIT aiming to double creative exports and the number of creative businesses exporting through the Creative Industries International Strategy by 2020.

Latest statistics suggest that British exports to China totalled £16.8 billion in 2016, an increase of 2.4% on the previous year, and announcements like todays show that growth is set to continue.

Last week DCMS announced the Creative Industries contributed almost £250bn to the UK economy in 2016 up 3.6 per cent year-on-year and up 29 per cent since 2010. Creative sectors now account for 14.2 per cent of the UK’s GVA.

Culture Secretary Karen Bradley said:

The UK’s creative industries, our culture and sport, play a vital role in shaping how we are seen around the world and boosting the economy.

And it is fantastic that in the first half of this year tourism from China increased by 47 percent, with visitors spending a record £231m.

China is a global cultural leader and I am delighted to develop future opportunities and deepen our relationship throughout this important week of events.

Minister for Investment, Mark Garnier, said:

UK exports to China are growing strongly, but it’s clear that there is still vast untapped demand for British goods and services in the Chinese market.

The opportunities for growth are there, and we will continue to cultivate relationships such as these, not only to build the UK culture of exporting, but also to help businesses of all sizes forge ties with potential buyers and investors.

Toby Evan-Jones, Business Development Director, Codemasters, said:

As the world’s largest gaming market, with a value of over $24 billion in 2016, the strategic importance of China for any video game business is clear. For a number of years, Codemasters has been actively exploring strategic alliances within China and we’ve been lucky enough to build some very strong relationships during this time, with multiple deals signed in recent months. This includes the release of two of our games on PC in China, DiRT 4 and F1 2017, in collaboration with Tencent.

This year’s P2P celebrates the opening of the V&A gallery at Design Society in Shekou, the first permanent presence of a British museum outside the UK. The event also looks forward to the display of the Terracotta Warriors for the first time in over a decade in the UK at Liverpool World Museum in 2018. Other key agreements and announcements as part of the P2P in other DCMS sectors include:

  • A renewal of the current Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Tourism (due to expire in September 2018) aiming to increase the number of visitors between UK and China
  • Cooperation between the China Academy of Cultural Heritage and Historic England on the preservation and innovative management of the Great Wall of China and Hadrian’s Wall
  • The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust and Fuzhou Culture and Tourism Investment Company signed an MoU to recreate Shakespeare’s birthplace and family home in China at a new centre celebrating three great literary figures – Shakespeare, Cervantes, and Tang Xianzu, the region’s own famous son who is regarded as the Shakespeare of the East.
  • An MoU promoting cultural cooperation between Shanghai Municipal Administration and Festivals Edinburgh through a series of initiatives including the exploration of opportunities for artists, arts professionals and senior cultural influencers, knowledge transfer in aspects of festival management and the development of relationships aimed at an exchange of productions
  • The Royal Opera House and the Shanghai Grand Theatre Arts Group signed an MoU setting out a framework of exchange and joint activities

The British Library and Shanghai Library to co-operate on the exhibition “Treasures from the Literary Archive”

Notes to Editors

Other UK-Chinese creative partnerships announced at the signing ceremony include:

  • Chinese Company Beijing Yidiantong Productions Ltd to acquire the sole and exclusive license of TV shows “Alice’s Adventures Underground” and “Adventures in Wonderland” in China
  • BYD, the sixth-largest car manufacturer in China, will launch a rally car in Codemaster’s DiRt 4 game
  • A documentaries partnership between UK Company Clipper Media and Chinese Company Shuimu Xinxin Media on “Sherlock Holmes” and “The Porcelain City”
  • A film co-production on “The Overseas Chinese”, a large-scale TV series themed on overseas immigration, between UK Company Propeller TV and Chinese Company Shanghai QianYi Zhicheng Culture and Media
  • An MoU to collaborate on pre-recorded, live-stream, stage and live performance technology and intellectual property between the Royal Opera House and Chinese Company Tencent
  • A music agreement between UK Company Really Useful Group Ltd and Chinese Company SMG Performing Arts Group
  • A co-production of the film “Special Couple” between UK Company Zephyr Special Couple Ltd and Shanghai Dimension Film

Both the UK and Chinese governments acknowledged successful cooperation in culture, tourism and sport since last year, including:

  • Increased exchange and partnership between public cultural institutions, including exhibitions such as “A History of the World in 100 Objects” co-presented by the National Museum of China, Shanghai Museum and the British Museum and cooperation between city art festivals, such as the cooperation agreement between Shanghai and Edinburgh
  • The Royal Shakespeare Company’s programme of co-produced translations of Shakespeare’s work for Chinese audiences the Royal Opera House performing arts skills exchange programme with UK partners and the Shanghai Grand Theatre
  • Opening of the Design Society in Shenzhen and its inaugural exhibition Values of Design, at the new V&A Gallery and the launch of the China-UK Arts Management Professional Development Programme
  • The British Council and Beijing University jointly hosted China-UK Cultural Heritage High Level Dialogue in February 2017
  • The UK-China Gaming Creative Skills Workshop to share policy and know-how in game development and marketing and implementation of the Film Co-Production Agreement and TV Co-Production Agreement.
  • Cooperation between UK and Chinese publishing houses and publication of Chinese-themed books in the UK
  • China carried out the “Beautiful China 2017 Year of Silk Road Tourism” campaign in the UK
  • VisitBritain partnered with SuperSports, China’s official Premier League broadcaster, to launch a competition to find China’s biggest Premier League fan
  • Chinese Wushi, Dragon Dance and Rouli Ball teams visited UK for exchange and training

Link: Press release: Creative partnerships strengthen trade ties between UK and China
Source: Gov Press Releases

Posted on

The West Northamptonshire Joint Committee (Revocation) Order 2017

This Order revokes the West Northamptonshire Joint Committee Order 2008 (“the 2008 Order”) which established a Joint Strategic Planning Committee for West Northamptonshire, with the constituent authorities of Northamptonshire County Council, Northampton Borough Council, Daventry District Council and South Northamptonshire District Council. This Order revokes the 2008 Order, at the request of the constituent authorities, resulting in the dissolution of the joint committee.

Link: The West Northamptonshire Joint Committee (Revocation) Order 2017
Source: Legislation .gov.uk

Posted on

Press release: £86 million boost for UK nuclear fusion programme

An £86 million Government investment in the UK Atomic Energy Authority’s (UKAEA’s) nuclear fusion research programme at Culham Science Centre has today been announced. This investment will fund the building and operation of a National Fusion Technology Platform at Culham, expected to open in 2020.

The new facilities will support British industry and help to secure around £1 billion in contracts from the key international fusion research experiment ITER, now being built in France, and other global fusion projects. Looking further ahead, they will enable UKAEA to develop technology for the first nuclear fusion power plants and put UK industry in a strong position to exploit the commercialisation of this highly promising low-carbon energy source.

The National Fusion Technology Platform comprises two new centres of excellence:
* Hydrogen-3 Advanced Technology (H3AT) will research how to process and store tritium, one of the fuels that will power commercial fusion reactors;
* Fusion Technology Facilities (FTF) will carry out thermal, mechanical, hydraulic and electromagnetic tests on prototype components under the conditions experienced inside fusion reactors.

The National Fusion Technology Platform will enhance the UK’s expertise in critical areas of fusion research, with significant benefits to the economy as part of the Government’s Industrial Strategy. It will also provide a powerful signal of the UK’s intent to continue its participation in international science collaboration after leaving the European Union.

So far, 38 UK companies have won contracts totalling over €500 million on the €14 billion ITER experiment – the stepping stone to fusion power stations. H3AT and FTF will work closely with the industrial supply chain to create knowledge to position them for the next phase of ITER procurements in areas including the tritium plant, Hot Cell, measurement systems, assembly, maintenance and reactor materials.

The National Fusion Technology Platform is expected to create around 100 jobs at Culham Science Centre and many more in the wider nuclear industry supply chain.

UKAEA’s Chief Executive Officer, Professor Ian Chapman, said:

Fusion is entering the delivery era, with an increasing focus on the key technologies that will be needed for the first power stations. The National Fusion Technology Platform will help British industry to maximise growth from opportunities provided by ITER. In the longer term it means the UK will be at the forefront of developing fusion and bringing cleaner energy to the world.

Ends

For more information and high-resolution images please contact Chris Warrick (chris.warrick@ukaea.uk / 01235 464646) or Nick Holloway (nick.holloway@ukaea.uk / 01235 466232) at the UK Atomic Energy Authority communications office.

Link: Press release: £86 million boost for UK nuclear fusion programme
Source: Gov Press Releases

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Press release: Government and FCA crack down on older pension scheme charges

The saving revealed today (6 December 2017) means high charges levied on members of older workplace, or legacy, pension schemes, are soon expected to be a thing of the past.

A report published by an Independent Project Board, commissioned to investigate high charges, found that £25.8 billion of assets in defined contribution workplace pension schemes were potentially exposed to charges of more than 1%, failing to give savers value for money. This has now been reduced by over 90%.

Since 2013, the government and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) have worked closely with these pension providers to bring their legacy schemes in line with the standards of new workplace pension schemes introduced since the launch of automatic enrolment.

Guy Opperman, Minister for Pensions and Financial Inclusion, said:

No one that saves into a pension scheme should have concerns that their savings are at risk of being eroded by excessive charges.

That’s why we are tipping the balance back in favour of consumers, who will now see their schemes delivering better value and increasing their income in retirement.

By working closely with regulators and providers, we are committed to getting consumers the best possible deal.

The Independent Project Board found that these pension schemes, which are contract and trust-based and not covered by the government’s pension charge cap on workplace pension schemes used for automatic enrolment, were charging excessive amounts for annual administrative charges, without justifying the extra costs.

Of the £25.8 billion of assets covering 1.5 million pension pots, between £5.6 billion and £8 billion was potentially exposed to charges above 2%, and nearly £1 billion to charges above 3%, with the latter often members with small pension pots worth less than £10,000.

The government and FCA continue to work with the small number of remaining providers to eliminate high costs and charges by the end of 2018, and has been clear that it will legislate, if necessary.

This is the next step government is taking to ensure savers receive good value for money from their pension, that their pension will meet their needs for retirement, and that savers are better able to maximise savings.

Read today’s FCA update on reducing pension fund costs and charges

DWP and FCA published the most recent legacy audit report Poor value workplace pension schemes: a review in December 2016.

Contact Press Office

Press Office

Caxton House

Tothill Street
London
SW1H 9NA

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Link: Press release: Government and FCA crack down on older pension scheme charges
Source: Gov Press Releases

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Press release: Trade policy minister sets out future UK-Africa trading relationship

Speaking to the Africa All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) meeting on Wednesday 5 December, Mr Hands said the government wants a thriving trade relationship with Africa that benefits all. He also outlined what the Trade Bill and the Taxation Bill mean for the UK’s future trade with the continent.

Bilateral trade between the UK and Africa totalled £28.7 billion in 2016, and the government places tremendous importance on strengthening our economic ties with the continent. No country has achieved long term growth, stability and poverty reduction without embracing trade and in turn, these economies represent our trading partners of the future.

Minister for Trade Policy, Greg Hands, said:

The UK enjoys strong trading relationships with many developing countries including in Africa and I am a strong believer that free and fair trade has been the greatest liberator of the world’s poor.

We must build new economic relationships that are mutually beneficial to both the UK and, crucially, to developing countries and their citizens. As we leave the EU, we will build and strengthen ties between British and African businesses and help turn the UK into Africa’s trading partner of choice.

The potential is exciting and we must endeavour to make it happen.

The UK imported £12.7 billion in goods and services from Africa in 2016. As a leading voice in support of free trade as a tool for economic development, the Taxation (Cross-Border Trade) Bill was introduced last month and will enable the UK to put in place a trade preferences scheme for developing countries as we leave the EU. This will, as a minimum, provide the same level of access as the current EU trade preference scheme and will maintain tariff free access for the world’s least developed countries and continue to offer generous tariff reductions to around 25 other developing countries.

We have also introduced the Trade Bill, which will allow us to replicate the effects of the ‘Economic Partnership Arrangements’ – development focused trade deals with Africa, Caribbean and Pacific countries which will minimise disruption to current trading arrangements.

The Department for International Trade (DIT) is going further still with a renewed focus on outward direct investment into Africa, and is significantly increasing UK export finance to encourage businesses to take full advantage of the investment opportunities in these growing markets.

Most recently, International Trade Secretary – Dr Liam Fox – visited Uganda and Ethiopia with a business delegation to explore new opportunities for trade and investment in these markets. Whilst on the visit he confirmed the completion of the largest ever loan of £215m to an African government by the UK’s export credit agency, UK Export Finance, for the construction of a new international airport in Uganda which will create over 800 local jobs.

Further information

  • On 24 June, the Department of International Trade and the Department of International Development pledged to help the world’s poorest countries access UK markets once we leave the EU.
  • As set out in the Trade White Paper, the UK remains committed to ensuring developing countries can reduce poverty through trading opportunities. The Department for International Trade and the Department for International Development are working together to ensure development and global prosperity are at the heart of UK trade and investment policy.
  • We have introduced legislation that will put in place the necessary legal powers and structures to enable us to operate a fully functioning trade policy after we leave the EU. This will ensure the UK is ready for exit, providing continuity for individuals, businesses, and international trading partners.
  • The Taxation (Cross-Border Trade) Bill will enable the UK to put in place a UK trade preferences scheme for developing countries as we leave the EU. This will, as a minimum, provide the same level of access as the current EU trade preference scheme.
  • The UK’s largest Export partners in Africa were South Africa (£4.3 billion), Nigeria (£2.1 billion), Egypt (£2.0 billion), Morocco (£1.0 billion), Ghana (£1.0 billion), Angola (£706 million) and Kenya (£611million).
  • The UK’s largest import partners were South Africa (£4.4 billion), Morocco (£1.6 billion), Nigeria (£1.2 billion), Egypt (£990 million), Algeria (£789 million), Kenya (£490 million) and Angola (£417 million).

Link: Press release: Trade policy minister sets out future UK-Africa trading relationship
Source: Gov Press Releases