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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.

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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.