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Press release: Foreign Secretary announces UK strategy to protect world’s oceans

The Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has today [22 June] unveiled an ambitious plan to bring together all of the Government’s international oceans work under a single strategy for the first time.

The Government will agree and implement a new oceans strategy, under the aegis of the FCO, which will cover work from departments including Defra, BEIS, DfT and DIT. The strategy will be developed over the coming months. Responding to the recommendation from the Government Chief Scientific Adviser to develop a more strategic approach to marine and maritime policy, it will provide a blueprint for international action by HMG towards the oceans that supports the long-term prosperity of the UK and the long-term health of the marine environment.

Speaking on a visit to the National Oceanography Centre (NOC), the Foreign Secretary said:

Britain has a proud and ancient maritime history, but our commitment to the oceans must be enshrined in our future. Today in Southampton I’ve heard from world-leading UK experts on marine protection, and what more the UK can do to help.

We need to improve and energise international ocean governance to protect the world’s seas and their ecosystems, to keep our people and goods safe, and to support sustainable economic growth, as well as to deliver our ambitious environmental commitments. Utilising expertise across government, Britain will stay at the leading edge of international marine excellence.

At the NOC, the Foreign Secretary met scientists working on Foreign and Commonwealth Office-funded marine protection programmes, including the flagship Blue Belt programme, which will protect over four million square kilometres of British waters by 2020.

The Foreign Secretary’s visit builds on commitments made during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in London in April, where the FCO announced additional funding for the Commonwealth Marine Economies Programme and a number of Government commitments to reduce the amount of plastic waste entering the oceans.

Notes to editors

  • The Commonwealth Marine Economies Programme is a £23 million programme over 4 years (from 2016) to assist Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the Caribbean, Pacific and Indian Ocean to develop maritime economy plans for sustainable economic growth and prosperity.
  • The Government Office for Science issued a Foresight report on 21 March 2018 entitled ‘Future of the Sea’, which sets out the important role that the oceans play in the life of the UK and its Overseas Territories. It highlighted an opportunity for the UK to develop a “thriving 21st Century marine and maritime economy and leading the global response to environmental change.”
  • The Blue Belt programme aims to deliver demonstrable increases in the protection of marine biodiversity across the combined maritime zones of the UK and the UK Overseas Territories, taking into account local views and supporting the development of sustainable economies. The Blue Belt programme is on course to deliver over 4 million square kilometres of protected ocean around the UKOTs by 2020, with funding of up to £20m to support scientific assessment, implementation, management, monitoring and surveillance of these areas.

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Link: Press release: Foreign Secretary announces UK strategy to protect world’s oceans
Source: Gov Press Releases

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The A4810 Steelworks Access Road (Queen’s Way), (Llanwern, Newport) (Temporary Speed Limits and Clearway) Order 2018 / Gorchymyn Ffordd Fynediad Gwaith Dur yr A4810 (Queen’s Way), (Llan-wern, Casnewydd) (Terfynau Cyflymder Dros Dro a Chlirffordd) 2018

Link:

The A4810 Steelworks Access Road (Queen’s Way), (Llanwern, Newport) (Temporary Speed Limits and Clearway) Order 2018 / Gorchymyn Ffordd Fynediad Gwaith Dur yr A4810 (Queen’s Way), (Llan-wern, Casnewydd) (Terfynau Cyflymder Dros Dro a Chlirffordd) 2018

Source: Legislation .gov.uk

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Press release: Prison Officer of the Year Awards and Probation Awards 2018

The annual Prison Officer of the Year and Probation Awards celebrate those extraordinary individuals who put in the extra dedication, passion and understanding to their jobs to ultimately change lives.

You can see highlights from the Probation Awards and Prison Officer of the Year Awards on Twitter.

There are 7 categories in both awards, plus a Team of the Year Award and a Lifetime Achievement Award. These all look to reward those with outstanding achievements in areas such as public safety, changing lives, and staff support.

Both the Probation and Prison Officer of the Year Awards were handed out by Rory Stewart, Minister for Prisons, Probation and Sentencing.

To find out more about careers in the Prison and Probation service visit our recruitment website.

The Probation Awards 2018

Anna Whateley from the Bristol team was given the overall title of Probation Champion of the Year on Wednesday. Anna’s described as being proactive, diligent and thorough, as well as being patient, kind and compassionate.

She was nominated by her manager for her positive influence to the service, playing an instrumental role in both mentoring new staff and shaping new victims’ services in the South West and South Central division.

On winning her award, Anna said:

It feels absolutely amazing. To be a category winner was enough but to be the champion, especially alongside all the other winners tonight? Stunned.

Talking about why he chose Anna, Michael Spurr, HMPPS Chief Executive Officer said:

Anna is an extraordinary victim liaison officer whose compassion and professionalism is inspirational. She goes well beyond what is required and is a champion for probation in all she does.

Probation Champion and Prison Officer of the Year 2018 Awards

The category winners were:

  • Team of the Year: Hackney Women’s Team London CRC
  • Lifetime Achievement: Eddie Simon
  • Changing Lives: Matthew Smith from NPS Taunton
  • Change and Innovation: Angela Oakley from HMP Buckley Hall
  • Fairness. Decency and Respect: Megan Key from NPS Midlands
  • Supporting Victims: Anna Whateley from NPS Bristol
  • Public Safety: Angie from NPS Midlands
  • Staff Support: Stacey Johns from NPS Bridgend
  • Partnership Working: Angie Powell from HMP Exeter

The Prison Officer of the Year Awards 2018

Keith Potter, Youth Custody Prison Officer HMYOI Feltham was awarded the title of Prison Officer of the Year 2018 on Thursday. Keith was nominated by his line manager Paul Barney, the Head of Offender Management as his services towards rehabilitating young people is unmatched.

Keith runs numerous constructive activities that help young people’s rehabilitation and resettlement, such as successfully reintroducing the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme at HMP Feltham, extending the Fire Brigade LiFE course as a ROTL opportunity and has created community partnerships with local football clubs.

Keith has managed to find an effective way to get through to young people helping them to turn their lives around.
On winning his award, Keith said:

I’m not sure it’s really sunk in yet but it feels great. I’ve never thought that I was ever doing any more than just my job, so to be recognised for that is really fantastic.

Talking about why he chose Keith, Michael Spurr, HMPPS Chief Executive Officer said:

Keith has done phenomenal work with a huge range of officers to support young people at Feltham, much of it in his own time and all of it with passion and commitment.

Probation Champion and Prison Officer of the Year 2018 Awards

The category winners were:

  • Team of the Year: Early Days in Custody Team, HMP Woodhill
  • Lifetime Achievement: Trevor Lewis from HMP Exeter
  • Changing Lives: Donna Taylor from HMP Wormwood Scrubs
  • Change and Innovation: Brian Greig from HMP Standford Hill
  • Fairness. Decency and Respect: Jim King from HMP/YOI Feltham
  • Safety, Security and Care: Rae Carter from HMP Winchester
  • Public Safety: Stuart McBride from HMP Swaleside
  • Staff Support: Kerrie Stott from HMP Isle of Wight
  • Partnership Working: Keith Potter from HM/YOI Feltham

On the awards, Prisons and Probation Minister, Rory Stewart said:

I want to pay tribute to our prison and probation staff for their extraordinary service, commitment, and resilience.

They are true heroes and I have been staggered – day in, day out – by the quality and dedication shown by so many of our staff.

These awards give us the opportunity to reflect on their contribution, and to recognise those individual staff who have gone above and beyond. They are true role models, and show the impact staff can have in helping offenders turn their lives around, thereby reducing reoffending and protecting the public.

Michael Spurr, Chief Executive of HMPPS said:

The staff working in our prisons do vitally important work every day but it often goes unseen so these awards are the perfect opportunity to recognise this work and to say thank you.

Our nominees represent the best of a service where professionals are dedicated to changing lives and making their communities safer.

I feel privileged to lead the service and I am extremely proud of the work our finalists are doing.

HMPPS awards are an opportunity to celebrate success, share best practice and shine a light on the great work being done across England and Wales in the prison and probation services.

Working with offenders in prison and in the community presents daily challenges but it is a vital public service with great opportunities to make a difference and to prevent victims and better protect the public.

Notes to editors

The Probation Awards took place on Wednesday 20 June 2018 and the Prison Officer of The Year Awards took place on Thursday 21 June 2018.


Link: Press release: Prison Officer of the Year Awards and Probation Awards 2018
Source: Gov Press Releases

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Press release: Call to sign up for flood warnings as up to 80% of Lincolnshire coastal communities yet to fully register

The Environment Agency has today urged residents on the Lincolnshire coast to sign up for flood warnings, as its flagship £7m Lincolnshire coastal flood scheme wraps up for this year.

Over the course of the £7m Lincolnshire Beach Management (LBM) scheme, the EA’s contractors pumped around 400,000 cubic metres of sand onto Lincolnshire’s coastal beaches. This sand helps to protect people and their properties by reducing flood risk and damage to the sea defences along the coast. The added sand acts as a buffer between the sea and the defences, taking out the brunt of the wave energy, thereby extending the lifespan of the EA’s defences.

Restoring sand levels that are naturally lost to the sea over the year helps the EA reduce flood risk to over 20,000 homes and businesses, 24,500 static caravans and 35,000 hectares of land.

But although the EA has staff working around the clock to protect people and their property from flooding, the risk of flooding can never be completely eliminated. That’s why the EA is calling for residents in coastal communities to sign up for its free flood warning service.

The latest figures show that thousands of people who live in ‘at risk communities’ along the Lincolnshire coast are still yet to sign up – with the percentage of residents fully registered for warnings in key communities like Skegness as low as 22%.

Flood warnings give people valuable information and time to prepare for flooding, and the EA’s free service enables residents to choose how they’d like to receive warnings and alerts. Although some residents will be enrolled automatically through their telephone provider, they can sign up fully by online or by calling Floodline on 0345 988 1188. People can also make a flood plan here so they know what to do to prepare, act and survive.

Mark Robinson, senior flood risk advisor for the Environment Agency, said:

The completion of our £7m LBM coastal flood scheme will help us continue to protect and reduce flood risk for tens of thousands of people and their properties. This scheme extends the life of our sea defences by protecting them from the energy of the waves as they impact on the coast.

Although we work around the clock to reduce flood risk to Lincolnshire’s coastal communities, the risk can never be completely eliminated. Our latest figures show that many people on Lincolnshire’s coast are yet to sign up for flood warnings – warnings that could give them vital information and time to prepare and act for flooding.

We urge people in Lincolnshire’s coastal communities to sign up to our free flood warning service now by visiting www.gov.uk/check-flood-risk or by calling Floodline on 0345 988 1188.

Link: Press release: Call to sign up for flood warnings as up to 80% of Lincolnshire coastal communities yet to fully register
Source: Environment Agency

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The Environment and Rural Affairs (Miscellaneous Revocations) Order 2018

This Order revokes six instruments relating to milk quotas, one instrument relating to Agricultural Wages Committees and one instrument relating to the importation of hay and straw. All of them are spent or otherwise superseded. The Order also revokes one instrument relating to flood defence procedures, which is no longer required.

Link: The Environment and Rural Affairs (Miscellaneous Revocations) Order 2018
Source: Legislation .gov.uk