This Order brings into force sections 223 and 226 of the Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7) (“the Act”) insofar as they are not already in force. It is the eleventh such Order to be made under the Act.
Link: The Health and Social Care Act 2012 (Commencement No. 11 and Saving Provision) Order 2018
Source: Legislation .gov.uk
These Regulations impose duties on a landlord of a house in multiple occupation (“HMO”) in relation to the size of rooms available as sleeping accommodation, their maximum occupancy and compliance with local housing authority household waste storage and disposal schemes.
Link: The Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation (Mandatory Conditions of Licences) (England) Regulations 2018
Source: Legislation .gov.uk
Link: The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Dunsfold, Surrey) Regulations 2018
Source: Legislation .gov.uk
Link: The Welsh Ministers (Transfer of Functions) Order 2018
Source: Legislation .gov.uk
Science and Technology Committee publish biometrics strategy and forensics services report
Link: Government approach to facial imaging unacceptable
Source: Parliamentary News
Public Accounts Committee report finds project marred by poor planning, contracting, delays, spiralling costs
Link: Upgrade of safeguarding service ‘a masterclass in incompetence’
Source: Parliamentary News
GDPR and what it means for cyber security
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) comes into force today, 25th May, setting clear instructions about the appropriate technical and organisational measures that must be in place to securely process personal data.
While there has been a lot of messaging around GDPR, what you may not know is that the NCSC has been working closely with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) to develop a set of security outcomes. The guidance…
Link: Weekly Threat Report 25th May 2018
Source: NCSC Reports
Proposals to consult industry on new quarantine arrangements for high-risk plants are among the measures set out today (Friday 25 May) in the Government’s plan to protect the UK’s precious trees.
Currently quarantine is used by some horticulture businesses as part of strong biosecurity measures against high-risk species. We want to explore how this targeted approach can be broadened out so we have better protection against harmful pests and diseases right across the industry.
Once we leave the EU we will have the chance to tighten biosecurity measures further and take swifter, more targeted action against serious threats like Xylella.
The Tree Health Resilience Strategy, the first major publication to come out of the 25-Year Environment Plan, sets out a new proactive approach to tree health, with landowners, charities, the public and government working together to take actions to build resilience against pests and diseases to protect the nation’s trees – worth an estimated £175billion.
As part of this approach, a new senior cross-industry Plant Health Alliance to strengthen biosecurity practices across industry has been established. The Alliance brings together the country’s leading nurseries, retailers, tree suppliers, landscapers, foresters, the RHS and Defra to ensure an effective response to threats such as Xylella and Emerald Ash Borer.
Launching the strategy, Secretary of State Michael Gove said:
The UK has a global reputation for setting the high standards for biosecurity of plants and trees but there is no room for complacency. We must seize every opportunity offered by Brexit to strengthen our biosecurity.
In 10 years’ time I want to be able to say our oaks are thriving, that pests are being kept at bay and that our woodlands and forests are flourishing.
Trees benefit our economy, society and wellbeing significantly and this strategy sets out how we will preserve them for generations to come.
The Strategy also includes:
Christine Reid, Head of Conservation for the Woodland Trust, said:
The Woodland Trust welcomes this strategy. It is an important step in coordinating the UK’s efforts to combat tree pests and diseases; we rely on our beloved trees, yet they are facing too many threats.
We need an effective biosecurity strategy, we need to plant more UK-sourced trees, and we need to develop the forestry sector. With the necessary knowledge, skills and capacity, we can ensure a healthy, resilient tree population.
This strategy outlines the key steps required, and has brought together the sector charged with making this happen.
Sir Harry Studholme, Chair of the Forestry Commission said:
Publishing this strategy is a critical milestone in our ongoing work to safeguard England’s trees.
It provides clear direction on how we can work collaboratively across sectors, to combat tree pests and diseases, to protect our beloved forests and woodlands for not only our current generation but for the future.
Link: Press release: New quarantine proposals to protect England’s trees
Source: Gov Press Releases
Today (Friday 25 May), the milestone of achieving 250 apprentices working on the new nuclear site Hinkley Point C in Somerset will be recognised by the Business Secretary Greg Clark during his first visit to the site since construction work began.
Site owners, EDF, set an ambition of 1,000 apprentices working on the project during its lifespan, and today, a quarter of these places has already been fulfilled. Coupled with the new nearby nuclear college in Taunton, which opened its doors earlier this year, the future has never been brighter for trainees in the dynamic nuclear sector.
Based on the north Somerset coast in the south west of England and marking a significant milestone in the revitalisation of our nuclear power industry, Hinkley Point C is the UK’s first new nuclear power station in a generation and is poised to make a major contribution to the UK’s move to reduce carbon emissions through clean energy production.
Nuclear energy already provides around 20% of the UK’s electricity from existing sites – and Hinkley Point C’s future output will significantly boost this figure. The clean electricity it will generate upon completion is all part of this government’s modern Industrial Strategy, which actively encourages clean growth in business and energy production. The Industrial Strategy sets out a long-term plan to boost the productivity and earning power of people throughout the UK, and sets out how we are building a Britain fit for the future – how we will help businesses create better, higher-paying jobs in every part of the UK with investment in skills, industries and infrastructure.
Mr Clark, along with Energy Minister Richard Harrington, will meet some of the apprentices and staff working on the site, and see the significant progress that has been made. He will be joined by the French Ambassador to the UK, Jean-Pierre Jouyet.
The contract for Hinkley was signed between the UK government and EDF on 29 September 2016, and currently, there are 3,100 staff working on site every day. The site is generating work both in the region and nationally, with contracts valued at £9.4 billion now having been signed. It is also benefitting the supply chain, with the total value of the construction budget to UK companies having reached the target of 64%. EDF has also set up a £20 million Community Fund to be spent on improvements for communities most affected by the development of Hinkley Point C.
The site also remains on track to meet its next major milestone, the 2019 nuclear concrete construction target, J0 (pronounced ‘J-Zero’), the completion of the foundations for the first reactor – and energy production is expected to start in 2025.
Earlier this week, the UK signed up to join the Clean Energy Ministerial Nuclear Innovation initiative alongside Canada, Argentina, Russia, United Arab Emirates, Romania, and Poland, to share global expertise around advanced nuclear technology, further showing our commitment to the future importance of nuclear power.
Link: Press release: 250-strong apprentice force powering Somerset nuclear project
Source: Gov Press Releases
The NIO is committed to protecting your privacy. This privacy notice explains how the NIO uses information about you and the ways in which we will protect your privacy.
The information we process includes:
We handle personal information in order to comply with our legal obligations and other pension, employment and statutory equality legislation. The processing of personal information is necessary for the performance of a public task or in the exercise of official authority.
We obtain personal information directly from you when you contact us about our services. We will provide reasons for collecting personal data and advise when your consent is required for a specific purpose. Your consent must be given freely and can be withdrawn at any time by contacting the department.
It may on occasions be necessary to share your personal data with other government departments and agencies to meet our legal or public function requirements, or in your vital interest.
We will keep your personal information only for as long as it is required for the lawful purpose(s) for which it was obtained and in line with our Retention and Disposal Schedules.
Clerical and electronic records that contain any personal information will be held in a secure way, and will only be made available to those who have a right to see them.
To make a request to access any personal information we may hold about you, you should put the request in writing and email it to: foi@nio.gov.uk
More information can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website
If you are unhappy with how any aspect of this privacy notice, or how personal information is being processed, please contact the NIO Data Protection Officer.
If you are still not happy, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO):
Information Commissioner’s Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Tel: 0303 123 1113
Email: casework@ico.org.uk
https://ico.org.uk/global/contact-us/
We keep our privacy notice under regular review. This privacy notice was last updated in May 2018.
Link: Press release: Privacy Notice
Source: Gov Press Releases
