Category: Gov Press Releases

To protect public health, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has changed the licence for valproate medicines (Epilim, Depakote and generic brands). Valproate must no longer be prescribed to women or girls of childbearing potential unless they are on the pregnancy prevention programme (PPP).

Valproate is a treatment for epilepsy and bipolar disorder. Children born to women who take valproate during pregnancy are at significant risk of birth defects and persistent developmental disorders. If valproate is taken during pregnancy, up to 4 in 10 babies are at risk of developmental disorders, and approximately 1 in 10 are at risk of birth defects.

Healthcare professionals who seek to prescribe valproate to their female patients must make sure they are enrolled in the PPP. This includes the completion of a signed risk acknowledgement form when their treatment is reviewed by a specialist, at least annually.

All women and girls who are prescribed valproate should contact their GP and arrange to have their treatment reviewed. No woman or girl should stop taking valproate without medical advice.

These regulatory changes will be further supported in the upcoming months by:

• smaller pack sizes to encourage monthly prescribing
• a pictogram/warning image on valproate labelling

These new regulatory measures are being supported across the NHS with other authorities also making changes – such as new GP system computer alerts – to make sure changes in prescribing behaviour take place promptly. NHS Digital has worked with GP systems suppliers to provide a search and audit function to identify women and girls on valproate as well as updating valproate prescribing alerts. A letter will be sent to all relevant healthcare professionals in the coming weeks outlining the new requirements and providing updated educational materials.

In parallel, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is amending its guidelines where valproate is mentioned, to reflect the new regulatory position. NICE has also begun work on a full update of its guideline on epilepsy. This will specifically focus on areas where valproate is currently regarded as the drug of choice and where this conflicts with the new position.

Working together, across the health sector, these measures will help reduce the number of pregnancies exposed to valproate medicines to an absolute minimum and will make sure all women and girls of childbearing potential are aware of the risks.

Since it was introduced in 1974, the information provided with valproate included a warning about the possible risk of birth defects. As with all medicines, the safety of valproate has been kept under constant review and as new data have become available, and the magnitude and the nature of the risks were better understood, warnings were updated – resulting in this most recent regulatory change.

Dr June Raine, director of MHRA’s Vigilance and Risk Management of Medicines Division said:

Patient safety is our highest priority. We are committed to making sure women and girls are aware of the very real risks of taking valproate during pregnancy. However, we also know it is vitally important women don’t stop taking valproate without first discussing it with their doctor.

This regulatory position has been developed through close collaboration with professional bodies, health system organisations, and patient and campaign groups.

I would like to particularly thank the families involved in the Valproate Stakeholder Network who have shared their experiences and expertise with us. Their support will help keep future generations of children safe.

Health Minister Lord O’Shaughnessy said:

Our priority is always patients’ safety, so I welcome this decision to take strong actions to protect women and children.

The focus will now be on explaining these changes to GPs and clinicians so they in turn can advise patients.

Professor Mark Baker, director of the Centre for Guidelines at NICE, said:

NICE welcomes restricting the use of valproate in women of childbearing potential.

It’s important that everyone affected by these changes is made aware of them as soon as possible. We have therefore taken immediate steps to amend our guidelines on the diagnosis and management of epilepsies, the assessment and management of bipolar disorder, depression in adults, and antenatal and postnatal mental health to reflect this important change to the drug’s licence.

We will use our communications networks to highlight the changes, both to healthcare professionals and to patients, to help ensure that the number of children exposed to valproate through their mother during pregnancy is kept to an absolute minimum.

Nic Fox, director of Primary and Social Care Technology at NHS Digital said:

This is a good example of how IT systems can support important issues affecting public health. We have been working closely with the MHRA and GP system suppliers to ensure clinicians in primary care are informed of the risks of prescribing sodium valproate to certain patients.

All GP systems have alerts applied and we are continuing to work with some of the suppliers to ensure these high visibility alerts are consistent across primary care. These alerts ensure that GPs are prompted at the time of prescribing.

We have also worked with community pharmacy dispensing system suppliers to ensure that the alerts are also shown when prescriptions are dispensed. This includes changes to prescription labels so that patients are made aware of the risks and the need for reliable contraceptive precautions. We will continue to work with supplier partners in evolving system to maximise safety and minimise burden on clinicians and patients as guidance evolves.

Matthew Jolly, National Clinical Director for maternity and women’s health at NHS England, said:

Stronger regulation over the use of valproate is welcome and will help ensure women get the advice and care they need. It is important pregnant women discuss their medication with their doctor and crucially do not stop taking it before seeking advice.

Mr Edward Morris, vice president for clinical quality at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said:

We welcome this action to reduce the risk of physical and developmental problems in children born to mothers who have taken valproate during pregnancy. Our clinical guideline on the management of epilepsy in pregnancy recommends that exposure to sodium valproate and other anti-epileptic drugs should be minimised by changing the medication prior to conception, as recommended by an epilepsy specialist after a careful evaluation of the potential risks and benefits.

It’s important to note that stopping medication for long-term conditions completely or altering the dose can pose a serious risk to both mother and baby. Women are advised to seek advice from their GP and/or specialist team before conception or as soon as they are aware that they are pregnant. For women with epilepsy, the lowest effective dose of the most appropriate anti-epileptic drug should be prescribed and they should be looked after by a specialist team throughout pregnancy.

Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard, chair of the Royal College of GPs, said:

GPs are acutely aware of the risks associated with prescribing sodium valproate to women of childbearing age and we welcome this change in legislation as a logical way forward to help ensure our patients’ safety. However, any patients currently taking sodium valproate should not stop doing so without seeking expert medical advice.

As a general rule, it is important that patients read and take heed of warnings on the packets of any medication they are taking – and that any woman on long-term medication speaks to their GP if they are planning to have a baby.

Carol Long, chief executive of Young Epilepsy, said:

Young Epilepsy welcomes the MHRA’s strengthened regulatory position for women of childbearing potential, who are diagnosed with epilepsy and prescribed sodium valproate. In ensuring such women receiving a Pregnancy Protection Plan (PPP), they will have greater knowledge in realising the potential risks taking the drug has to the unborn child.

It is vital that women who may be planning to have a family receive the right advice at the right time; to prevent their unborn babies being put at risk.

Sodium valproate can provide life-changing support for many young people with epilepsy. It is the third most-prescribed anti-epilepsy medication, however, the percentage of women who do not know the risks of taking the drug during pregnancy is far too high. That information must be made clearer, and medical professionals must be given more support to understand and be proactive in flagging the risks. Women must feel more empowered to discuss the issue with their epilepsy specialist, so that they can make a more informed decision about their future.

Simon Wigglesworth, deputy chief executive of Epilepsy Action, said:

We welcome the revised measures which reflect the seriousness of the risks to the unborn children of women with epilepsy during pregnancy. Despite previous interventions, we know there are still far too many women who haven’t been made aware of the potential risks of taking sodium valproate in pregnancy.

It is vitally important that healthcare professionals ensure that all women with epilepsy taking sodium valproate are reviewed in line with the new guidelines. We are working closely with the MHRA on the implementation of these new guidelines and will be looking to see if meaningful progress will be made in avoiding life-changing harm to children born to women with epilepsy.

Clare Pelham, chief executive of Epilepsy Society, said:

The most important change today is that every woman and girl of childbearing age who has been prescribed sodium valproate will be able to see her doctor every year to discuss the risks of this drug to an unborn baby. She will leave the discussion with an important written reminder of the risks if sodium valproate is taken during pregnancy. This means that she will be able to make informed choices about whether to plan a pregnancy and her future medical treatment.

It has taken many years to achieve these simple, straightforward and inexpensive healthcare improvements that will prevent babies being born with avoidable disabilities. All credit to the brave women who have campaigned for decades. And to Jeremy Hunt for acting on that campaign and insisting the NHS must now learn from its failure to listen and act sooner in response to the concerns raised over many years and during many governments. At Epilepsy Society we shall be diligently monitoring the implementation on the ground in order to confirm that it is robust and effective.

Stephen Buckley, head of Information at Mind, the mental health charity, said:

We welcome the new rules around prescribing valproate to women of childbearing age. It is essential the information about the changes reaches both the public and professionals, and that any women taking valproate are properly supported to come off the medication safely. Mind’s website has updated information about what these changes mean – visit mind.org.uk for details.

Emma Friedmann, campaign director of #FACSaware, said:

FACSaware are absolutely delighted with the new measures as this will enable women to have an informed choice.

We look forward to continuing our work with the MHRA to promote the importance of the Central Alerting System and the Yellow Card ADR reporting scheme.

We are confident that fewer children will be born with this avoidable syndrome. By working with stakeholders we are definitely achieving our objectives.

Carol Lapidge & Susan Cole, OACS (Organisation for Anti-Convulsant Syndrome) Charity, said:

OACS Charity welcomes the prevention measures agreed by MHRA who have consulted with us alongside other campaign groups over the past two years. Since January 2016 OACS Charity has attended every meeting of the Valproate Stakeholder’s Network and we are appreciative that the MHRA has developed this progressive forum for discussion.

Next year OACS will be celebrating 20 years supporting and representing families affected by fetal valproate syndrome and we are pleased that the MHRA has developed this progressive forum for discussion.

Their work with stakeholders has resulted in inclusive and constructive engagement with groups across the UK health, science and digital sectors alongside patient groups. This has been a difficult but hugely constructive journey.

We believe that this process, led by June Raine, will pave the way for other groups who have been adversely affected by medicines in the past.

If you have been affected by sodium valproate please see our website oacscharity.org.

Janet Williams & Emma Murphy, INFACT, said:

INFACT welcome the changes made to the licence for Valproate and are pleased and very proud to have instigated and helped drive this forward following 6 years campaigning at Parliament for those changes.

It is important that all women prescribed Valproate are made aware of the risks when taken in pregnancy in order to safeguard their future children from disabilities, and INFACT applaud the decision made by the MHRA to ensure that risk is minimal.

Karen Keely, chairperson of OACS Ireland, said:

OACS Ireland welcomes the new regulatory measures by MHRA Epilim (Valproate) UK Toolkit. Women and men were prescribed this drug as far back as 1973 in the UK with many children harmed worldwide.

OACS Ireland welcomes the MHRA efforts to make changes to the way valproate is prescribed to prevent further harm. They brought their concerns to the attention of the EMA and therefore to all EU Nations including Ireland. By ensuring that the Epilim (Valproate) toolkit is securely put in place alongside Pregnancy Prevention Program (PPP) we hope to ensure this is followed by all.

We have been working with MHRA for many years now and hope to assist them with their work as much as possible by ensuring the valproate toolkit is followed. We hope that the new guidance will be followed by all. As part of the stakeholder’s network group run by the MHRA which has resulted in inclusive and constructive engagement with groups across the UK and Ireland’s health, science and digital sectors alongside patient groups. Although this process has been a difficult it has been hugely constructive.

Without the UK MHRA contributions to the EMA many mothers would not have known the risks of this drug.

On behalf of the Association of British Neurologists (ABN) by Professor Mary M Reilly, President, and Professor Sanjay Sisodiya, Chair of the ABN Epilepsy Advisory Group, said:

The ABN welcomes these important new measures. It is vital that all neurologists are aware of the changes to the licensing of valproate. We will disseminate information around the new measures to our membership through our publications, website and bulletins. We will also include links to a variety of resources and organisations, including support groups, and remind our membership about the Epilepsy and Pregnancy Register.

It cannot be stressed enough that no women should stop taking this medication without medical advice.

Dr Angelika Wieck, Royal College of Psychiatrists Perinatal Faculty and Consultant Psychiatrist, Central Manchester University Hospital, said:

Valproate can cause harm to unborn children so banning its use in women with mental disorder who are pregnant, or could get pregnant, is welcome. It cannot be stressed enough that no women should stop taking this medication without medical advice.

Managing mental health is particularly important for women who are pregnant or plan to get pregnant. It is essential that all women are better informed about the risks of Valproate to unborn children and that any use of this drug in pregnancy will be monitored.

RCPsych will work with the MHRA and other Government bodies, the Royal Colleges of General Practitioners, Physicians, Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society to implement changes in clinical practice and support affected women.

Rachel Scanlan, professional advisor at the Royal College of Midwives, said:

These are very welcome measures that will enable midwives to advise and support women about this issue. We are actively putting this information out to our members including on social media and via the RCM’s website so that our members are informed about this important update. We have also updated our online learning package on epilepsy and pregnancy to reflect these changes.

Professor Ash Soni, president of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, said:

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society fully supports these new measures to ensure women understand the risks of taking sodium valproate during pregnancy. They must get the right information from health professionals in order to make informed choices about their health and parenting options. Valproate is an effective medicine and women should never suddenly stop taking it without talking to a health professional. Pharmacists are ideally placed to give information and support when providing sodium valproate and are committed to reducing harm from medicines, enabling women to make the choices that are right for them.

Dr Asha Kasliwal, president of the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH), said:

FSRH welcomes the new regulatory measures on sodium valproate medicines introduced by the MHRA. Evidence is clear that children born to women who take valproate during pregnancy are at a significant risk of birth defects and developmental disorders.

Some of these drugs can affect how well some contraceptive methods work. However, women and girls who need these life-changing medications do not have to be left at risk for unplanned pregnancies. Our 2017 clinical guidance on drug interactions with hormonal contraception recommends that women and girls taking sodium valproate use highly-effective methods of contraception to avoid an unplanned pregnancy, both during treatment and for the recommended timeframe after discontinuation.

Methods of contraception which are considered highly effective in this context include long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) such as the copper IUD, levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG-IUS), the progestogen-only implant (IMP) and sterilisation. Women should seek advice from a specialist, who will carry out a pregnancy risk assessment and provide evidence-based advice on the most suitable method for them.

In February this year, FSRH issued a clinical statement on contraception for women using known teratogenic drugs such as valproate, which is intended to support clinicians in providing high quality and consistent contraceptive advice. FSRH will keep working with its members to ensure they are aware of the MHRA decision and can advise women accordingly.

Ends

Notes to Editor

1. Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency is responsible for regulating all medicines and medical devices in the UK by ensuring they work and are acceptably safe. All our work is underpinned by robust and fact-based judgements to ensure that the benefits justify any risks. MHRA is a centre of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency which also includes the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC) and the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD). MHRA is an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care.
2. MHRA actively encourages patients and healthcare professionals to report suspected side effects through the Yellow Card Scheme
3. As part of the pregnancy prevention programme (PPP) the prescriber must:

• ensure the patient understands the risks to the unborn child of using valproate during pregnancy and provide patient guide
• ensure the patient understands the need to comply with contraception throughout treatment and undergo pregnancy testing when required e.g. if there is any reason to suggest lack of compliance or effectiveness of contraception
• complete and sign the acknowledgement of risk form (at every annual visit), give a copy to the patient and send one to the GP
• refer for contraception services as needed

On 11 April 2018, under section 57(1) of the Enterprise Act 2002, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) formally brought to my attention the acquisition by Trinity Mirror plc of certain publishing assets of Northern & Shell. The CMA considered that the transaction may raise public interest considerations for the Secretary of State under section 58 of the Act. The CMA has also launched an initial investigation into the competition aspects of the merger.

Having considered a broad range of evidence, I have today written to the parties to inform them that I am minded-to issue a Public Interest Intervention Notice on the basis that I have concerns that there may be public interest considerations – as set out in the Act – on two grounds that are relevant to this merger that warrant further investigation.

The first public interest ground is the need for free expression of opinion, and concerns
the potential impact the transfer of newspapers would have on editorial decision making. In coming to this decision I have given consideration to the issue of formal mechanisms to ensure that editorial independence is maintained at the acquired titles.

The second ground is the need for a sufficient plurality of views in newspapers, to the extent that it is reasonable or practicable. In coming to this minded-to decision I have taken into account that the merged entity would own the largest share of national titles within the UK newspaper market, owning 9 out of 20 national newspaper titles, and become the second largest national newspaper organisation in circulation terms, with a 28% share of average monthly circulation based on circulation figures for 2017 among national titles, including daily and Sunday titles.

Any decision to intervene would require Ofcom to assess and report to me on the public interest considerations and for the Competition and Markets Authority to report on jurisdiction.

In line with the guidance that applies to quasi-judicial decisions, I have invited written representations from the parties and will aim to come to a final decision on whether to intervene in the merger shortly.

Ploughshare’s move to the Porton Science Park will benefit the site, the region and the wider UK economy. The company, which licenses defence and security technologies and creates start-up businesses, will now be able to support and collaborate with the other exciting new science and technology companies based at the science park.
Ploughshare has already created 12 start-ups and has plans for more. Now, with the new Porton Science Park, it is envisaged those new businesses will also locate themselves in the park, which will create more local jobs and retain investment in the region.

The strong links Ploughshare has with the neighbouring Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), which is part of MOD, will provide a unique resource for the new science park tenants. Ploughshare has worked for many years with Dstl and understands the organisation, has excellent relationships with senior staff, and strong links with their world-class scientists and experts.
James Kirby, CEO of Ploughshare Innovations said:

The new building is a state-of-the-art facility and we are looking forward to being at the heart of the science park, forging links with the other businesses here to help develop new technologies and grow prosperity for the region. Our move to Porton Down puts us closer to our main source of innovations, enabling us to maximise MOD’s investment in science and technology research.

As the commercialisation arm for Dstl, Ploughshare has a unique set of skills and experience in identifying new markets for novel defence and security-related technologies. The team includes professional commercialisation managers who are experienced in creating investible business plans and have already helped a number of organisations to improve their market position and gain commercial advantage. With their defence and security-related intellectual property portfolio, strong links with scientists at Dstl and across MOD, and their relationships with investment communities, Ploughshare brings a wealth of experience that is much valued by new start-up businesses.

Porton Science Park provides a science incubator and grow-on space for science and technology businesses for the region. Situated alongside the established research institutions of Dstl and Public Health England (PHE), it is in the ideal location to play a critical role in the strategy of Wiltshire Council and Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership to become a world-class cluster of expertise in the life science and defence technology sectors.

The Secretary of State has announced today that Caroline Corby will be the Interim Chair of the Parole Board.

Caroline Corby said: “I am delighted to have been appointed by the Secretary of State as Interim Chair of the Parole Board. I have been working with the Board for a number of years as a non-executive director and am acutely aware of the challenging and important work they do.

“I look forward to working with staff and members to deliver on changes to improve how the Board works for victims and the public and will keep everyone informed of our progress.”

Martin Jones, CEO of the Parole Board, said: “I am very pleased that Caroline has agreed to step in as interim chair. Caroline has a wealth of experience and understands the work of the Board extremely well. I look forward to working with her.”

Notes to Editors

Short biography of Caroline Corby

Mrs Corby worked in the city for 13 years specialising in private equity where she also served on a number of private sector boards across a range of industries. In 2007 she joined the Board of London Probation Trust (LPT) and she served as Chair of LPT from 2012 until July 2014.

As well as being a member of the Architects Registration Board, Caroline is also a Non-Executive Director of the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), the Criminal Cases Review Commission and One Housing.

She is also a Non – Executive member of the Parole Board management committee. She chairs interim order panels for the Nursing and Midwifery Council and chairs the General Optical Council’s Investigation Committee.

Press Queries

For all press queries please call the Parole Board media line on 0203 880 0809 or email comms@paroleboard.gov.uk

A spokesperson for the Official Receiver said:

A further 133 jobs have been saved with employees transferring to new suppliers who have picked up contracts that Carillion had been delivering. This takes the number of employees who have been found secure ongoing employment to more than 11,000.

Regretably 59 employees whose positions are no longer required as Carillion’s business transfers to new suppliers will leave the business.

I continue to liaise with potential purchasers for Carillion’s remaining contracts and remain committed to keeping staff, elected employee representatives and unions informed as these arrangements are confirmed.

further information:

• In total, to date 11,093 jobs have been saved and 2,221 jobs have been made redundant through the liquidation
• This information does not include jobs attached to contracts where an intention to purchase has been entered into but has not yet formally occurred
• More than 3,700 employees are currently retained to enable Carillion to deliver the remaining services it is providing for public and private sector customers until decisions are taken to transfer or cease these contracts
• Further information about rights in redundancy is available on gov.uk

To be notified of future updates from the Official Receiver please register to receive an email alert.

After closely examining all the evidence, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has found that the proposed merger does not give rise to competition concerns.

The Co-operative Group Ltd (Co-op), as a groceries retailer, and Nisa Retail Ltd (Nisa), as a groceries wholesaler, do not compete head-to-head. However, since Nisa supplies over 4,000 groceries stores, the CMA has carefully considered the potential impact of the merger on competition between shops.

During the course of its ‘Phase 1’ investigation, the CMA took into account that Nisa-supplied stores would still be free to set their own prices and decide which products to stock after the merger, and so the merged company would not be able to directly determine how they compete.

It also examined whether the merged company could raise prices or reduce service quality for retail or wholesale customers. It found that existing retail and wholesale competition made this unlikely.

This is because there are enough local alternatives to both Co-op and Nisa-supplied stores to ensure that people could still shop around to get the best value for them.

Furthermore, Nisa-supplied stores are able to choose between several different wholesalers and would be able to switch supplier if prices were to increase or the quality of service go down as a result of the merger with Co-op.

This all means that the merged company would be unlikely to be able to raise prices or offer a worse service to either stores or to shoppers.

Sheldon Mills, Senior Director of Mergers at the CMA, said:

Millions of people throughout the UK shop at convenience stores and supermarkets, and it is vital that they continue to have enough choice to get the best value for them.

After careful consideration, we’ve found that there is sufficient competition in both the wholesale and retail sectors to ensure that shoppers are not worse off.

The merger will therefore not be referred for an in-depth investigation.

Information relating to this investigation can be found on the case page.

The transaction data shows HM Land Registry completed 1,688,244 applications in March compared with 1,632,969 in February and 1,796,056 last March, of which:

• 359,219 were applications for register updates compared with 376,546 in February
• 824,859 were applications to get an official copy of a register compared with 796,961 in February
• 211,464 were search and hold queries (official searches) compared with 186,329 in February
• 26,228 were postal applications from non-account holders, compared with 23,910 in February

Applications by region and country

Region/country	January applications	February applications	March applications
South East	403,526	376,385	384,760
Greater London	339,286	313,340	337,656
North West	222,150	185,253	193,405
South West	173,058	158,433	159,147
West Midlands	150,292	143,338	142,764
Yorkshire and the Humber	139,207	122,513	128,654
East Midlands	122,812	115,725	119,374
Wales	80,315	74,301	76,650
North	77,912	71,772	75,246
East Anglia	73,345	71,764	70,448
Isles of Scilly	110	75	79
England and Wales (not assigned)	75	70	61
Total	1,782,088	1,632,969	1,688,244

Top 5 local authority areas

Top 5 local authority areas	January applications	Top 5 local authority areas	February application	Top 5 Local authority areas	March applications
Birmingham	27,561	Birmingham	26,256	Birmingham	26,895
City of Westminster	25,488	City of Westminster	21,991	City of Westminster	24,562
Leeds	20,256	Leeds	18,730	Leeds	19,505
Manchester	19,350	Manchester	16,972	Manchester	17,708
Cornwall	18,367	Cornwall	16,606	Cornwall	17,174

Top 5 customers

Top 5 customers	January applications	Top 5 customers	February applications	Top 5 customers	March applications
Enact	50,327	Enact	50,488	Enact	50,160
Nationwide Building Society	31,589	Optima Legal Services	27,904	Optima Legal Services	28,113
Optima Legal Services	27,284	O’Neill Patient	23,851	O’Neill Patient	26,056
O’Neill Patient	26,073	Devonshires	20,684	Infotrack Limited	22,948
My Home Move Limited	19,103	TM Group (UK) Ltd	19,558	TM Group (UK) Ltd	19,320

Access the full dataset on data.gov.uk

Notes to editors

1. Transaction Data is published on the 15th working day of each month. The April Transaction Data will be published at 11am on Tuesday 22 May 2018 at HM Land Registry Monthly Property Transaction Data.
2. The monthly Transaction Data showing how many applications for new titles, leases, splitting titles, updating existing titles, official copies of the register and search and hold queries (official searches) were received, reflects the volume of applications lodged by customers using an HM Land Registry account number on their application form.
3. We are challenging ourselves to reassess our language to make our terms understandable to both our commercial and citizen customers. This is in line with our commitment set out in the Business Strategy 2017-2022 under the ‘simplicity’ element of our ambition.
4. Completed applications in England and Wales shown by region and by local authority include postal applications as well as those sent electronically.
5. Transaction Data excludes: pending applications, bankruptcy applications, bulk applications, discharge applications (to remove a charge, for example a mortgage, from the register).
6. Transactions for value are applications lodged involving a transfer of ownership for value. For an explanation of other terms used, see abbreviations used in the transaction data.
7. Most search and hold queries (official searches) carried out by a solicitor or conveyancer are to protect the purchase and/or mortgage. For example, a search and hold query will give the buyer priority for an application to HM Land Registry to register the purchase of the property. This can give an indication of market activity.
8. Reasonable skill and care is used in the provision of the data. We strive to ensure that the data is as accurate as possible but cannot guarantee that it is free from error. We cannot guarantee our data is fit for your intended purpose or use.
9. Transaction Data is available free of charge for use and re-use under the Open Government Licence (OGL). The licence allows public bodies to make their data available for re-use.
10. If you use or publish the Transaction Data, you must add the following attribution statement: Contains HM Land Registry data © Crown copyright and database right 2017. This data is licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
11. HM Land Registry’s mission is to guarantee and protect property rights in England and Wales.
12. HM Land Registry is a government department created in 1862. It operates as an executive agency and a trading fund and its running costs are covered by the fees paid by the users of its services. Its ambition is to become the world’s leading land registry for speed, simplicity and an open approach to data.
13. HM Land Registry safeguards land and property ownership worth in excess of £4 trillion, including around £1 trillion of mortgages. The Land Register contains more than 25 million titles showing evidence of ownership for some 85% of the land mass of England and Wales.
14. For further information about HM Land Registry visit www.gov.uk/land-registry
15. Follow us on Twitter @HMLandRegistry, our blog, LinkedIn and Facebook

Contact

Wolverhampton Crown Court fined Ivor David John Powell (aged 65) £1,000 and ordered him to pay £4,000 in costs, along with a £100 victim surcharge, in addition to being ordered to clear the site within 3 years.

The charges were brought by the Environment Agency contrary to Regulations 12(1)(a) and 38(1)(a) Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2010.

As part of routine inspections Environment Officers visited the site on 11 November 2015, and observed a tractor operating on the land that appeared to be levelling the ground. The officers also saw large heaps of shredded mixed waste and noticed the land had been landscaped to incorporate the waste material, which Mr Powell confirmed had been coming onto the site for 4 months.

Environment Agency officers visited the site again in March 2016 and found buried compressed waste that had been imported on to the site.

The court heard that Mr Powell had avoided paying charges to dispose of the 5,335 tonnes of waste. If the landowner had taken the waste to an appropriate waste site or landfill, approximately £533, 500 of charges would have been incurred.

Speaking after the case, an Environment Agency officer in charge of the investigation said:

Waste crime is a serious offence with tough penalties as it can damage the environment, blight communities and undermine those operating legally. This case sends out a clear message that we will not hesitate to take action against anyone that fails to comply.

In mitigation on behalf of his client, Mr Powell’s solicitor stated that Mr Powell had been naïve and doesn’t have any previous convictions and acknowledged he had avoided paying disposal costs in relation to the waste.

Measures to equip councils with powers to bring thousands of long-term empty homes back into use will be debated in Parliament today (23 April 2018).

The new legislation will allow councils to charge double the rate of Council Tax on homes left empty for years. Local authorities can currently levy a 50% premium.

Whilst the number of homes empty for 6 months or longer remains substantially lower than when records began in 2004, councils will be handed powers to levy additional charges on homes standing empty for 2 years or more.

The move is one of a range of measures introduced by the government to fix the country’s broken housing market, and councils will be able to use funds from the premium to keep Council Tax levels down for working families.

Through an ambitious package of long-term reform and targeted investment, the government is ensuring communities have the homes they need.

Local Government Minister, Rishi Sunak, said:

While we should celebrate the number of long-term empty homes dropping by a third since 2010, there are still 200,000 vacant properties across the country.

This bill hands councils further tools to bring much-needed homes back into use and provide thousands of families with a place to call home.

There are currently just over 200,000 long-term empty dwellings in England, compared to 300,000 in 2010.

The number has reduced since 2013, when councils were given powers to charge a 50% premium on Council Tax bills. The vast majority of councils currently apply this premium on long-term empty homes.

Further information

The Rating (Property in Common Occupation) and Council Tax (Empty Dwellings) Bill was introduced on 28 March 2018.

The number of homes empty for 6 months or longer remains substantially lower than when records began in 2004, when the figure was 318,642. As of October 2017, the number had fallen to 205,293. The lowest number recorded was in October 2016, when there were 200,145. Councils already have powers and incentives to tackle empty homes.

Through the New Homes Bonus scheme introduced in 2011, councils earn the same financial reward for bringing an empty home back into use as for building a new one. And since 2013, councils have been able to charge a 50% premium on the Council Tax bills of owners of homes empty for 2 years or more. 291 out of 326 councils applied an empty homes premium in 2017 to 2018.

The government has published guidance that makes clear that the premium should not be used to penalise owners of homes that are genuinely on the market for rent or sale.

There are exemptions in place for homes that are empty due to the occupant living in armed forces accommodation for job-related purposes, or to annexes being used as part of a main property.

Also, the Council Tax system provides statutory exemptions for properties left empty for a specific purpose – for example, when a person goes into care. Councils also have powers to apply discounts in cases where homes are empty due to special circumstances – for example, hardship, fire or flooding.

There is a Council Tax exemption for homes which are empty due to probate.

Today and tomorrow (22nd and 23rd April) the Foreign Secretary will be in Toronto for a meeting of Foreign Ministers from the G7 countries. During the summit the Foreign Secretary will discuss issues ranging from gender equality and women’s empowerment, to non-proliferation and disarmament, to conflict prevention and stability. For the session on counter-extremism the Foreign Secretary will be joined by Home Office Security Minister Ben Wallace.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said:

I am proud to represent the UK at this meeting of the top economies and international powers in the world. Last week London hosted the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting, and later this week I will travel to Brussels for a NATO Foreign Ministers’ meeting.

The UK and Canada are the only two countries that are members of all these organisations – evidence not just the closeness of the UK-Canada relationship, but of the UK’s influence in the world. Influence that will continue long after we leave the European Union.

The G7 is a group of likeminded partners who work to protect the rules-based international system. I welcome unanimous G7 support in recent week both for the joint UK/US/French action in Syria, and for the UK’s response to the terrible poisonings in Salisbury. I look forward to continuing that work in Toronto this week.

Notes to editors

• The G7 countries are the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States. The EU, represented by High Representative Federica Mogherini, will also attend the meeting.

Further information

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