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A man who set fire to his neighbour’s front door has been jailed after the Solicitor General, Robert Buckland QC MP, referred his sentence to the Court of Appeal as unduly lenient.

Lee Batchelor, 40, used a bottle of white spirit to start a fire outside his neighbour’s flat after growing upset with the noise coming from the property. Fortunately, the building’s fire alarm alerted the victim to the incident, and she was able to help her friends escape through the window before putting out the fire.

Batchelor was originally sentenced at Lewes Crown Court in August, where he was given 2 years imprisonment suspended for 2 years. He was also ordered to complete a rehabilitation activity and unpaid work, and pay £500 compensation to the Housing Association. Today, after the Solicitor General’s referral, the Court of Appeal increased his sentence to 3 years 2 months immediate imprisonment.

Speaking after the hearing, the Solicitor General said:

“This was a serious act of reckless arson, which could have been life-threatening for not only those targeted but others living the building. It is important that Batchelor’s sentence reflects this.”

A man who set fire to his neighbour’s front door has been jailed after the Solicitor General, Robert Buckland QC MP, referred his sentence to the Court of Appeal as unduly lenient.

Lee Batchelor, 40, used a bottle of white spirit to start a fire outside his neighbour’s flat after growing upset with the noise coming from the property. Fortunately, the building’s fire alarm alerted the victim to the incident, and she was able to help her friends escape through the window before putting out the fire.

Batchelor was originally sentenced at Lewes Crown Court in August, where he was given 2 years imprisonment suspended for 2 years. He was also ordered to complete a rehabilitation activity and unpaid work, and pay £500 compensation to the Housing Association. Today, after the Solicitor General’s referral, the Court of Appeal increased his sentence to 3 years 2 months immediate imprisonment.

Speaking after the hearing, the Solicitor General said:

“This was a serious act of reckless arson, which could have been life-threatening for not only those targeted but others living the building. It is important that Batchelor’s sentence reflects this.”

Rules to prevent people found guilty of serious crimes from serving on local councils will be strengthened, Local Government Minister Rishi Sunak MP announced today (18 October 2018).

The new rules will mean any person who is subject to an Anti-Social Behaviour Injunction, a Criminal Behaviour Order, a Sexual Risk Order or who is on the Sex Offenders’ Register, will no longer be able to stand for elected office in their community.

Current conditions make clear that anyone convicted of an offence carrying a prison sentence of more than 3 months is banned from serving as a local councillor.

The new measures will strengthen this further by bringing disqualification rules in line with modern sentencing to include the alternatives to a prison sentence as a barrier to becoming a councillor.

These changes to the rules for who can stand for election, or hold a post as a councillor, will make sure those who represent their communities are accountable and held to the highest possible standards.

Local Government Minister Rishi Sunak MP said:

Elected members play a crucial role in town halls across the country, and are the foundations of local democracy. They are community champions, and have a leading role to play in building a better society for everyone.

With such an important role comes great responsibility, and these changes will protect residents while upholding the values and high standards of behaviour we all expect.

Anyone convicted of a serious offence that results in a sentence covered under the new disqualification criteria will be banned from standing for election, or would be forced to step down if they were convicted whilst in post.

The changes will better reflect rules governing standards of MPs, where members face suspension from the House for anything that contravenes the parliamentary code of conduct.

Futher information

Government will look to identify a suitable legislative opportunity to bring the changes into law. It will require changes to primary legislation, in particular the Local Government Act 1972, the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009, and the Greater London Authority Act 2009.

Once the rules are implemented, councils across England will have the power to prevent individuals from standing as a councillor or mayor at the point they trigger the revised disqualification criteria. These proposals will not apply retrospectively.

This consultation was open to everyone between 18 September 2017 and 8 December 2017. We particularly sought the views of individual members of the public, prospective and current councillors and those bodies that represent the interests of local authorities and councillors at all levels.

A summary of consultation responses and the government response has been published today.

A new project to help landowners create vital new woodland and unlock the economic benefits of forestry has been launched in Cumbria’s ‘forgotten lands’.

The government’s Tree Champion Sir William Worsley today visited forestry project Snowdon Close in the area to launch the pilot Forestry Investment Zone.

With Cumbria’s ‘forgotten lands’ not traditionally seen as ripe for tree planting, the government will trial a new approach and work to encourage investment in the zone through measures such as the existing Countryside Stewardship and Woodland Carbon Fund grant schemes. A Forestry Investment Zone officer will also offer tailored support to businesses.

Government will also work with the forestry and timber processing industry to accelerate planting as new approaches to rural funding and payment for public goods are developed.

The pilot launch comes during Green GB Week, an annual week dedicated to highlighting the opportunities clean growth offers the UK – and raise understanding of how business and the public can contribute to tackling climate change.

Forestry Minister David Rutley said:

Planting more trees is central to our ambition to be the first generation to leave the environment in a better state than we found it.

This innovative new pilot project will not only help landowners realise the benefits of woodland creation, but also drive forward our commitment to plant 11 million trees.

The Cumbria pilot is the first of its kind, with the ‘forgotten lands’ being the perfect place to establish large-scale forestry projects in order to bring economic and environmental benefits to the area. The project will focus on productive forestry, landscape enhancement, farming and local employment.

During his visit to the north east, Tree Champion Sir William Worsley said:

It is wonderful to be in Cumbria today to see this exciting new pilot kick off and to witness what will hopefully be the beginning of widespread investment in the forestry sector.

By making it easier for this area to be used for woodland creation we are not only helping the environment, but also giving the region a valuable economic boost.

The Cumbria Forestry Investment Zone pilot is scheduled to run for two years, and will be used as a test-case for rolling out the initiative more widely around the country.

Tilbury Port and the people that work there will play a major role in helping the UK to increase international trade after we leave the European Union.

International Trade Secretary Dr Liam Fox visited Tilbury Port today (Thursday 18 October) to meet with port workers and management, as well as members of the Tilbury on the Thames Trust.

Tilbury is the fastest growing port in the UK and a £1 billion investment programme will see the port employing 9,000 people by 2020, 3 times more than it did in 2012. One in 5 of the employed people in the local area of Thurrock will work at the port.

This investment will see the amount of trade passing through the port reach 32 million tonnes each year, equivalent to more than 1 tonne every second.

Dr Fox praised Tilbury for leading the way in delivering year-on-year growth that creates jobs in the local area and helps to deliver prosperity across the UK.

He met with staff to hear about plans to capitalise on opportunities to increase international trade with the rest of the world, which could help to create even more jobs at Tilbury.

International Trade Secretary, Dr Liam Fox said:

Tilbury Port has a strategic position on the Thames estuary, a skilled maritime workforce and a long history of international trade. Together with the developments at Thamesport, we are seeing great improvements in the capacity of the Thames as a gateway for international trade for the future.

We are now forging our own independent trade policy for the first time in more than 40 years and Tilbury and other ports will play a major role in helping the whole of the UK to capitalise on the opportunities to increase our trade with the rest of the world.

I applaud and respect the hard work of the port’s workers who are helping to ensure that Britain remains a great exporting, maritime nation.

Robin Mortimer, Port of London Authority (PLA) chief executive said:

The substantially increased freight on the river in 2017 is tangible evidence of the success of the Thames in attracting investment and, through it, new trades. It’s work that is underpinned by our Investment Strategy to enhance commercial infrastructure up and down the river.

Dr Fox saw Jaguars and Land Rovers ready to be shipped to West Africa and South America, as well as paper imported from Finland and Sweden, and grain that is traded with North America and Europe.

Our ports are fundamental to our global trading success as an island nation. They have a vital economic role in handling 95% of our imports and exports and they support 100,000 people around the country.

Ports directly generate £1.7 billion of trade every year, however their true value to the UK economy is worth more than three times that figure (£5.4 billion) when you include indirect impacts such as the port industry’s spending on vehicles, construction and business services.

Community organisations across the UK will receive more than £5.3 million for projects countering extremist views and to build resilience within communities, it has been announced.

Minister for Countering-Extremism Baroness Williams awarded the funds as part of the Building a Stronger Britain Together programme, which aims to protect communities and empower them to challenge extremism. It funds more than 100 groups with grants of up to £200,000 and is estimated to reach around 175,000 people across the UK.

The organisations, including groups such as Khulisa, the Anne Frank Trust, Core Education and The Prince’s Trust will run year-long schemes that challenge extremist narratives and support people who may be vulnerable to them.
The projects being supported are wide-ranging and spread across the country: from Khulisa’s work in prisons to reduce re-offending and transform young people’s lives, to Core Education’s ‘Echo Eternal’ project that will use video testimony by Holocaust survivors to educate people on genocides across the world.

The funding comes as 300 representatives from the Building a Stronger Britain Together network met in London yesterday (Wednesday 17 October) for an annual conference.

Speaking at the event, Baroness Williams, Minister for Countering Extremism, said:

Building a Stronger Britain Together is powerful coalition of positive voices in society who are standing up to the hatred and extremism which, sadly, is present in Britain.

We are increasingly confronted with statements designed to justify support for twisted ideologies – these must be challenged in all their forms.

I am proud of the support we are giving groups and local communities, who recognise that this country is stronger together.

The new funding will expand the Building a Stronger Britain Together network to more than 220 groups, as the government steps up its fight against extremism.

During its annual conference, keynote speakers including academics and reformed extremists addressed delegates and advised on the latest thinking around countering extremism. It was chaired by Professor Matthew Feldman, Director of the Centre for Analysis of the Radical Right and one of the UK’s foremost experts on extremism.

Nick Stace, UK Chief Executive of The Prince’s Trust, said:

Every day The Prince’s Trust supports young people from a range of backgrounds and communities to work together to develop the confidence and skills they need to succeed.

We help young people to gain a better understanding of people who are different to themselves, building mutual respect and tolerance and diverting them from activities that could lead to extremist views becoming engrained.

Many of our interventions also lead to employment opportunities, giving young people a greater stake in our economy and society.

This funding will help us to engage with more young people at an early stage to break down stereotypes, build tolerance amongst their communities and give young people the opportunities they need to thrive.

Adrian Packer, Founder and CEO of Core Education, said:

Echo Eternal will help to honour the commitment of every generation to never forget the Holocaust and genocides around the world. By working with young people, initially in Birmingham and then across the UK, we will tackle the extremism of those who wish to demean and degrade these memories.

We are delighted to be supported by Building a Stronger Britain Together for this crucial project. It’s important that government continues to support organisations like ours who are taking on extremism in all its forms.

Dominique Airey, Chief Executive Officer of Khulisa, said:

The funding announced by the government will help organisations like ours tackle social exclusion and crime in the heart of our communities. As part of the counter-extremism strategy, this will help us work with some of those who may be at risk or hard to reach.

Khulisa powerfully believe in the potential of every young person to live a healthy, crime-free life if given the right support. We provide a safe space for young people to explore their identity, experiences and to build healthy relationships with themselves and others. Our programmes are delivered in schools, prisons and a range of other community settings across the UK and are proven to increase well-being, empathy and reduce violence and offending.

We also support professionals such as social workers, police officers and prison staff to work more effectively with young people in a way that promotes inclusion and tolerance for all.

Since 2015, the Building a Stronger Britain Together programme has supported organisations, including the English Football League Trust and Show Racism the Red Card, for innovative projects to stand up against extremism. It was set up as part of the government’s counter-extremism strategy.

The Building a Stronger Britain Together network includes grassroots campaigns across England and Wales that bring together young people from segregated communities, build resilience to extremism and challenge extremist narratives.

The Department for Work and Pensions has appointed 3 non-executive directors to the board of the Single Financial Guidance Body (SFGB), a new service which has been established by the Financial Guidance and Claims Act to provide free and impartial help on money matters.

The SFGB will bring together services provided by the 3 well-known and respected organisations:

• the Money Advice Service
• the Pensions Advisory Service
• Pension Wise

It is due to be launched in January 2019 when it will bring the staff and functions of the 3 bodies under one roof.

Tim Jones, financial services executive and former CEO of the National Employment Savings Trust (NEST), Professor Elaine Kempson, Emeritus Professor at the University of Bristol, and Moray McDonald, Managing Director for Products with the Royal Bank of Scotland, have joined the SFGB as non-executive directors.
Minister for Pensions and Financial Inclusion – Guy Opperman – said:

It’s great news for the new Single Financial Guidance Body to have Tim Jones, Professor Elaine Kempson and Moray McDonald on its board. They bring a wealth of skills and experience that will help the new organisation and its leadership to deliver a quality, streamlined service under one roof, giving people the guidance and support they need to make informed choices.

The appointments follow the earlier announcements of Sir Hector Sants as Chair of the SFGB, John Govett as CEO, and Ann Harris and Mike Dailly as non-executive directors.
Sir Hector Sants said:

I am delighted to welcome Elaine, Moray and Tim to the SFGB Board. With their appointment we have the requisite board skills and a good blend of continuity and fresh perspectives for the initial phase of setting up the new organisation.

The SFGB will:

• provide information and guidance on occupational and personal pensions
• provide information and guidance designed to give people a better understanding and knowledge of financial matters and improve their ability to manage their own financial affairs
• provide people in England with information and advice on debt
• work with government and the Financial Conduct Authority to help consumers protect their money
• work with the financial services industry, devolved authorities and the public and voluntary sectors to develop a national strategy to improve people’s financial capability and ability to manage debt, and to give children and young people financial education

The new SFGB non-executive directors

Tim Jones

A financial services executive with experience spanning payment systems, retail banking, pensions and institutional stockbroking. Tim Jones is currently Global Ambassador for the Tibado digital cash solution, and serves as an Independent Director at ITG Inc., an institutional broker-dealer in New York. From 2007 until 2015, he was CEO of The Personal Accounts Delivery Authority (PADA) and then the National Employment Savings Trust (NEST) for the Department of Work and Pensions. Earlier in his career, Tim Jones spent 17 years at NatWest Bank.

Professor Elaine Kempson

Emeritus Professor at the University of Bristol, Professor Elaine Kempson has nearly 30 years’ experience of research and policy analysis on consumer behaviour and the provision of both government and commercial financial services. She was previously a consultant with both the World Bank and the OECD, and carried out the first two independent reviews of the Banking Codes. Professor Elaine Kempson is currently a non-executive director of the Lending Standards Board and the Standard Life Foundation, and a member of the Money Advice Service Financial Capability Strategy Board.

Moray McDonald

MD Products with RBS since 2014, Moray McDonald has commercial and risk accountability for personal products across NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland, Ulster Bank, Coutts and RBS International, as well as for Remediation and Financial Crime. Moray McDonald is also a member of Personal and Business Banking Exco and Risk Committees and is the chair of Commercial Exco. He also represents the bank externally working with government, analysts, trade associations and consumer organisations. Prior to joining RBS, Moray McDonald spent 25 years in Banking, Finance Companies and Integration in Australia and Europe.

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