Category: Gov Press Releases

International Trade Secretary, Dr Liam Fox launches the UK government’s first ever public consultations on new trade agreements.

People across the UK will have their say on prospective new agreements with the USA, Australia, New Zealand and on the UK’s potential membership of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership today (Sunday, 22 July).

In a historic moment for the country, the 14-week consultations will allow the public to have a say on what trade will look like with some of the largest and fastest growing economies in the world. People will be invited to share their views on which areas matter to them most as well as any concerns they have.

The consultations, which are available online now show determination to make the most of the UK’s ability to set its own trade policy for the first time in 40 years.

The prospect of a future trade agreement will be one of the subjects discussed by Dr Fox with senior trade officials including US Trade Representative, Robert Lighthizer in the USA on Tuesday (24 July). The International Trade Secretary will also raise the issue of the recent imposition of tariffs on steel and aluminium imports from the EU, calling instead for a multilateral solution to global issues of overcapacity.

He will meet US Commerce Secretary, Wilbur Ross in Washington DC where he will also make a speech at think tank, the Heritage Foundation.

The visit will also build on the work of the UK-US Trade and Investment Working Group, launched by Dr Fox and Lighthizer in Washington last summer, which held its fourth official-level meeting in London last week. The working group is already taking steps to strengthen trade and investment ties now including supporting industry agreements on mutual recognition of qualifications, cooperation on science and technology and launching a joint SME dialogue to share best practice and boost exports.

He will then fly to San Francisco where he will address the British American Business Council and meet companies including Facebook, IT company Oracle who employ 5,000 people in the UK and American film and TV production company, LucasFilm.

International Trade Secretary Dr Liam Fox said:

For the first time in over 40 years, the UK will be able to determine who we trade with and the public will have a say on the terms of these trading agreements.

This is a hugely historic moment for the British people who voted to leave the European Union and take back control and the government is delivering exactly that on trade.

We are seeking to put the UK at the heart of the world’s fastest growing regions agreements like the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). It’s also why I’m making the case for a trade deal with our single largest trading partner the USA and will continue do the same with the New Zealand and Australia.

The launch of public consultations follows Dr Fox’s statement to Parliament on Monday, where he set out the government’s approach to a transparent and inclusive UK trade policy which takes in the views of MPs, devolved governments, businesses, civil society groups and consumers.

If the UK were to join CPTPP, it would be the second largest economy in the group, and CPTPP’s coverage of global GDP would increase to around 17%.

The agreement reduces 95% of tariffs along with other barriers to trade among its 11 members, including Canada, Japan and Singapore.

The 11 existing members of CPTPP accounted for £82 billion of UK trade in 2016, more than the Netherlands, France or China. The economies of existing members are diverse, spanning a region which is a driving force of global economic growth. Many, including Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore have been growing substantially over the last 5 years, growth which the IMF projects will continue in the near future.

The US is the UK’s single largest trading partner, accounting for £100 billion of UK annual exports and supporting millions of UK jobs.

UK exports to Australia and New Zealand, 2 of the UK’s closest allies, are growing at 14.8% and 16.8% respectively, a faster pace than our global average.

The Environment Agency has issued environmental permits to the company to provide a high level of protection to the environment during its operations at the Holmwood site in Dorking, Surrey.

Before issuing the permits the Environment Agency carried out a detailed assessment of the application and considered all legal requirements, along with all comments received through two rounds of public consultation. The environmental permits issued set out the stringent conditions the site operator must comply with to ensure that the environment and local people are protected.

Europa Oil & Gas Limited will need to have all relevant permissions in place from other regulatory partners before it can start operations on site.

An Environment Agency spokesperson said:

We would like to thank everyone who responded to the public consultations. We have carefully considered all of the information received and are confident, in issuing these permits, that we have the right controls in place to ensure operations are carried out safely.

The Environment Agency plays a key role in protecting the environment. We take an evidence based approach to regulation and had to be satisfied that the necessary protections were in place before we would allow exploration to begin. We are confident that the legally binding conditions in the permits and our compliance checks will ensure that operations meet the highest standards.

We do understand the concerns that a large number of people have raised and we are committed to keeping local people informed of our work to regulate the site.

View the oil and gas mining waste permit issued for Holmwood Wellsite, Surrey.

Notes to editors

The permits authorise Europa Oil & Gas Limited to:

• drill a new oil well at Holmwood
• store oil on-site
• manage any radioactive waste arising from these activities (a separate permit has been issued in this respect)

There is further information on how the Environment Agency determines applications, the time scales involved and how it regulates onshore oil and gas:

• Environmental permitting: public participation statement
• Onshore oil and gas exploration and extraction: environmental permits
• Onshore oil and gas regulation – information page

And information on radioactive waste permits:

• Radioactive substances for non-nuclear sites

• Rocket currently on display in Newcastle-Gateshead for first time in 150 years
• Culture Secretary Jeremy Wright welcomes Science Museum’s plans to increase access to key part of Britain’s railway history

Stephenson’s Rocket, one of Britain’s most iconic feats of engineering and part of the Science Museum Group’s collection, will go on long-term display in the North of England.

Rocket, designed by Robert Stephenson, was built in Newcastle in 1829 and it returned to the city for the first time in 150 years for this summer’s Great Exhibition of the North.

The move to keep the engine in the North has been welcomed by Culture Secretary Jeremy Wright as part of the Government and national museums’ ongoing commitment to increase access to culture around the country.

Rocket was the clear winner in the locomotive trials held at Rainhill in 1829 to decide the best design to power the Liverpool & Manchester Railway. And it is to Manchester that the engine will travel next, going on display at the Museum of Science and Industry in September.

It will then return to the Science Museum for a short period to be prepared for a long-term move to the National Railway Museum in York. There it will take its place among other global icons such as Mallard and the Bullet Train as part of the museum’s ambitious plans to tell the story of the past, present and future of innovation on the railways.

It comes as The Prime Minister held a regional Cabinet in Newcastle-Gateshead today to mark The Great Exhibition of the North, a 80-day showpiece of the best art, design and innovation from across the region.

The Culture Secretary then joined Ian Blatchford, Science Museum Group director, at The Discovery Museum which is exhibiting Stephenson’s Rocket during the Exhibition. Its arrival has helped increase visitors to the museum by more than 100% compared the same period last year.

Jeremy Wright, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, said:
“Stephenson’s Rocket is an iconic part of Britain’s proud railway history and it is fantastic news that it will remain on long-term display in the North.

“It is right that our great art and culture reaches all parts of the country. This bold move by The Science Museum Group will ensure more people can see this national treasure and is an inspiring example of what can be done to make culture available to the widest possible audience.”

Ian Blatchford, Director of the Science Museum Group, said: “The Science Museum Group is a truly national organisation, and enthusiastic about bringing the world’s greatest science and technology collection to everyone. I warmly endorse the Secretary of State’s commitment to strengthening fair and excellent cultural provision across the UK. A country with such an amazing history of innovation deserves it.”

DCMS press office on 020 7211 2210

The government is set to end the intervention into Rotherham council 3 years after calling in inspectors, Communities Secretary, the Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP, has announced today (23 July 2018).

The intervention began in February 2015 after Baroness Alexis Jay and Dame Louise Casey found significant failings at the council that contributed to child sexual exploitation in Rotherham.

Since then, the council has worked hard to turn services around.

Mr Brokenshire says in a written ministerial statement he is minded to return control of all services to the metropolitan borough council, including children’s social care, and withdraw all 3 commissioners.

He adds this was on the condition the council receives an independent review before 31 March 2019.

The action follows the gradual return of selected functions to the council on 4 separate occasions since the intervention began in February 2015.

Communities Secretary, Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP said:

Vulnerable young people were repeatedly failed in Rotherham, which is why the government stepped in to ensure these errors can never occur again.

The council has made strong progress and, having carefully considered evidence provided by our commissioners, I am minded to return all powers.

This is not a decision I take lightly, but I am assured the council has turned itself around and is now providing the services that its residents deserve and expect.

Minister for Children and Families, Nadhim Zahawi MP said:

Keeping children safe is paramount and I am pleased to see the vast improvements Rotherham has made to its children’s services, shown through its recent ‘good’ Ofsted rating. We all know that for too long, children and young people living there were failed by the authorities in charge of protecting them.

In these cases the government will not hesitate to intervene and support improvements but it is down to strong leadership and the hard work of staff at Rotherham that they have been able to turn services around.

The ‘minded to’ decision to return the control of all services to the council marks a positive step for this town and I hope the community can continue to move towards a bright future.

Mr Brokenshire says the government is continuing to work with Rotherham council and the South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner to secure funding for victims identified through the National Crime Agency’s Operation Stovewood and will do so for as long as the need is there.

The council will now have a period of 4 weeks to make representations on the proposals before the Secretary of State makes a final decision.

Further information

Three commissioners have been working with Rotherham council. They are:

• Mary Ney (lead commissioner)
• Patricia Bradwell (children’s social care)
• Julie Kenny CBE, DL

Selected functions were returned to the council on 11 February 2016, 13 December 2016, 21 March 2017 and 12 September 2017.

The Secretary of State will consider representatives on his ‘minded to’ decision until August 16 with a further decision to be made after that date.

Operation Stovewood is the National Crime Agency investigation into non-familial child sexual exploitation and abuse in Rotherham, between 1997 and 2013. It is the largest ever investigation into non-recent child sexual exploitation undertaken by law enforcement.

As part of the decision-making process on the announcement, Mr Brokenshire and Mr Zahawi met with Rotherham’s MPs on Monday, July 16 who indicated their support to conclude the intervention

Mr Hunt met with German foreign minister Mr Heiko Maas to discuss a range of issues of shared interest – including the UK’s exit from the EU, and UK-German co-operation on foreign policy issues such as NATO, the Western Balkans, Iran, and joint work at the UN Security Council, which Germany will join as a non-permanent member next year.

Ahead of the meeting, the Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said:

Germany is one of Britain’s most important allies in every field, from trade to European security to counter-terrorism. Our two countries work side-by-side to defend the rules-based international system on which our safety and prosperity depend.

We are striving together to preserve the Iran nuclear deal, uphold the Paris Climate Change Treaty, strengthen NATO, combat terrorism, improve cyber security and stabilise the countries of the Western Balkans.

We will also discuss the UK’s exit from the EU. I will reassure my German counterpart that we want to continue to work alongside our European friends and allies, in defence of our shared values. But I will also be clear that our European partners must show much more flexibility and creativity in negotiations if we are to avoid a ‘no deal by accident’ scenario.

Further information

• Follow the Foreign Secretary on Twitter @Jeremy_Hunt and Facebook
• Follow the Foreign Office on Twitter @foreignoffice and Facebook
• Follow the Foreign Office on Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn

HS2 Ltd has appointed a new Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the company has announced today.

Richard Robinson joins HS2 Ltd as Chief Operating Officer from AECOM where he was Chief Executive of Civil Infrastructure in Europe, Middle East, India and Africa. Richard brings a wealth of experience to HS2 Ltd where he will support Chief Executive, Mark Thurston to deliver Europe’s largest infrastructure project.

Commenting on the appointment, HS2 Ltd Chief Executive, Mark Thurston, said:

I am delighted to welcome Richard to the team at HS2. He joins us at an exciting time and brings wide-ranging experience of complex infrastructure projects and extensive management skills.

Richard’s appointment will enhance our leadership team at this important time, as the project picks up pace and we begin to deliver lasting economic benefits across the UK.

At AECOM, Richard led the growth of the Civil Infrastructure business, first as Managing Director and then Chief Executive, leading 8000 people across four regions and a range of infrastructure projects. Prior to this, Richard was the Managing Director of AECOM’s Transportation Europe business. Before joining AECOM Richard held leadership roles at Heathrow Express, Tickex.com and Anglo American Plc.

New Chief Operating Officer at HS2 Ltd, Richard Robinson, added:

I am thrilled to be joining the team at HS2 Ltd. Working on Europe’s largest infrastructure programme is an exciting prospect and I look forward to playing my part in a project that will leave a significant legacy here in the UK.

Michael Bradley, CB, is also joining the company as Chief Financial Officer. Michael comes from Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), an arms-length body of the Ministry of Defence, where he is CFO and Director General Resources, and has been Acting CEO since December 2017.

Responsible for managing the financial affairs of a multi-billion government body, Michael has extensive experience in both the public and private sectors where he has been responsible for financial accounting and planning and internal auditing and assurance.

Commenting on Michael’s appointment, Mark added:

Michael is an excellent addition to the HS2 Ltd team and brings a wealth of experience with him to this important role.

HS2 is a hugely important project that will leave a significant economic legacy here in the UK and it is imperative that we have the best people in place to deliver our ambitions.

At HS2 Ltd, Michael will be leading the Finance team, Corporate Sponsorship, and the Programme Management Office.

Incoming Chief Financial Officer, Michael Bradley, said:

I am looking forward to joining the team at HS2 Ltd. This is a fantastic project, that will deliver significant benefits, and I am excited to be a part of it.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has today published the final findings of its 7 month study into this industry, which set out to establish whether heat network customers are getting the right level of protection.

Heat networks provide homes with heat and hot water from a central source via insulated pipes, but unlike other energy services are currently not regulated. As a result, heat network customers in general have less consumer protection if things go wrong.

The CMA found many heat networks offer prices that are the same or lower than those paid by people on gas or electricity, and customers receive comparable levels of service.

However, a number of those on privately operated networks are getting poorer deals in terms of price and service quality, and there is a risk this problem could grow.

There are currently about 450,000 customers of these services, and that number is expected to grow significantly as investment in energy efficient technology increases.

The CMA is therefore recommending that the regulator once it is established:

• introduces consumer protection for all heat network customers so they get the same level of protection as customers in the gas and electricity sectors
• addresses low levels of transparency so customers know they are on a heat network and there are clear agreements or contracts between customers and heat network operators
• makes sure customers are aware of what they are paying as this is often unclear
• protects customers from poorly designed, built and operated heat networks by preventing developers from using cheaper options to meet planning regulations that end up being paid for by the customer over the longer-term

CMA Chief Executive Andrea Coscelli, said:

With 14,000 heat networks supplying 450,000 people with heating across the UK, they can be an efficient and environmentally-friendly way for people to heat their homes.

But there are problems with how some operate, especially for those in private housing. People must benefit from the same level of protection as those using gas or electricity, and not be penalised either by paying too much or receiving a poor-quality service.

There is currently no regulator for this part of the energy sector – we think that is one of the key problems to be addressed and we recommend Ofgem is given this role.

Dermot Nolan, chief executive of Ofgem, said:

Our principal aim is to protect the interests of current and future energy consumers. We welcome the CMA’s Market Study on heat networks and agree that heat network customers should get the same level of protection as customers in the gas and electricity sectors.

We look forward to continuing to work with the government to address the current and future challenges in decarbonising heat and would welcome the opportunity to contribute to the development of the future regulatory arrangements for heat networks.

Ahead of these regulatory changes being introduced, the CMA has also today written an open letter to the industry, reminding energy suppliers of their obligations under relevant consumer and competition law. It has also published advice for existing or prospective heat networks customers.

Notes to editors:

1. The CMA launched its market study into domestic heat networks on 7 December 2017.
2. Heat networks provide homes with heat and hot water from a central source via insulated pipes. There are around 14,000 heat networks in the UK (of which more than 2,000 are district heating and the rest communal), together providing around 2% of UK buildings’ heat demand.
3. Extending Ofgem’s remit to include heat networks would require new primary legislation to be introduced by the UK government.
4. The study looked at:
   a. Whether customers are aware of the costs of heat networks both before and after moving into a property
   b. Whether heat networks are natural monopolies and the impact of differing incentives for builders, operators and customers of heat networks
   c. The prices, service quality and reliability of heat networks
5. The study covers the whole of the UK and the CMA is working closely with governments and stakeholders in all four nations. Heat policy is devolved to the Scottish Government but not to the Welsh Government. Competition and consumer powers are reserved matters for the UK Government and are not devolved. Energy policy is devolved in Northern Ireland (NI) and there are only a small number of networks in Northern Ireland and no current plans to significantly expand the number. Should there be an expansion of heat networks in NI, the CMA would recommend the NI Utility Regulator and Department for the Economy and Communities to consider equivalent regulation.
6. Market studies are carried out using powers under section 5 of the Enterprise Act 2002 (EA02) which allows the CMA to obtain information and conduct research. They allow a market-wide consideration of both competition and consumer issues. Market studies take an overview of regulatory and other economic drivers in the market, and consumer and business behaviour.
7. Further details of the CMA’s market study can be found on the case page.
8. Media enquiries should be directed to press@cma.gov.uk or 020 3738 6460 / 07506 710174.

• 5 years in jail for criminals who illegally profit from owning British property
• new public information will make it easier for law enforcement agencies to tackle money laundering while reducing opportunities for criminals to hide
• new data reveals nearly 75% of UK property industry agree new register will lead to increase in transparency and reduce potential for illegal activity

Criminals who illegally profit from some of the UK’s most exclusive properties through the illegal use of overseas shell companies face up to 5 years in jail for concealing the true identity of their owners, under new draft laws laid in Parliament today (Monday 23 July).

For the first time, foreign companies owning UK properties will be required to reveal their ultimate owners on the world’s first public register of overseas entities’ beneficial ownership.

The register forms part of a wider crackdown on criminals laundering their dirty money in the UK and the new information it reveals will make it easier for law enforcement agencies to seize criminal funds. The penalties include:

• a ban on any foreign entity selling or leasing property without first publicly declaring its beneficial owner; an individual found to have committed this offence could face up to 5 years in jail and an unlimited fine
• individuals who fail to register overseas entities when instructed face up two years in jail and an unlimited fine
• individuals who knowingly try and deceive the register by providing false information face up 2 years in jail and an unlimited fine

New data also released today shows nearly three-quarters of those surveyed in the UK property market agree that this new register will lead to an increase in transparency and will reduce the potential for illegal activity.

Business Secretary Greg Clark said:

The UK is known around the world for its open and dependable business environment and this reputation is maintained by keeping under review our required high standards.

That is why we are introducing the world’s first public register which will expose the ultimate owners of overseas shell companies, giving authorities the information, they need to come down on criminals who launder their dirty money through the UK’s property market and to seize the proceeds of crime.

While the vast majority of foreign companies which buy property in the UK do so legitimately, this world-leading register will help ensure the UK remains a great dependable place to work, invest and do business.

Under the new draft laws, companies will also be required to provide annual updates to Companies House to ensure the information on the register is up-to-date.

UK government minister for Scotland Lord Duncan said:

For too long criminals have been able to use the property industry as a front for investing dodgy funds, hiding dirty money and evading the law. This stops now.

Most people who invest in property across the UK do so fairly, and legitimately, but the UK government is clear that there is no longer any room for those that seek to exploit the system to hide.

The register follows the introduction of the Criminal Finances Act 2017, part of the government’s Anti-Corruption Strategy, which provides new powers such as Unexplained Wealth Orders to law enforcement agencies to help them seize the proceeds of crime.

The UK has taken a leading role in the fight against money laundering and this world-leading register, which will go live by 2021, will reduce opportunities for criminals to hide.

More than £2 billion of criminal assets have been recovered under the Proceeds of Crime Act, while the government has recovered more than £3 billion extra since 2010 through recovery under additional powers.

Notes to editors

1. A link to the legislation will be available shortly.
2. A shell corporation is a corporation without active business operations or significant assets. These types of corporations are not illegal, but they are sometimes used illegitimately, such as vehicles for tax evasion and money laundering.
3. The requirements for frontmen in complying with the overseas entities register are similar to those under the People with Significant Control regime, as set out in the draft legislation.
4. Research also published today about the potential impacts of this new register can be found here which surveyed industry stakeholders. This link will be available shortly.
5. According to recent research by Transparency International, over £4.2 billion worth of London properties are bought with suspicious wealth.