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BS EN 477:2018 Plastics. Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) based profiles. Determination of the resistance to impact of profiles by falling mass

Construction systems parts
Unplasticized polyvinyl chloride
Polyvinyl chloride
Specimen preparation
Test specimens
Construction materials
Profile
Windows
Test equipment
Testing conditions
Impact testing
Doors

Link: BS EN 477:2018 Plastics. Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) based profiles. Determination of the resistance to impact of profiles by falling mass
Source: BSI Standards

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Press release: PM calls with the leaders of Sinn Fein and the DUP: 15 February 2018

A No 10 spokesperson said:

The Prime Minister spoke to the leaders of Sinn Fein and the DUP on the phone earlier this evening about the recent phase of political talks in Northern Ireland.

In both phone calls the Prime Minister expressed her disappointment that an agreement had not yet been reached despite recent progress being made by everyone involved.

She reiterated how the government remains absolutely committed to restoring an Executive and that it is still her firm belief that restoring devolved government – so that democratically elected politicians can make locally accountable decisions – is in the best interests of everyone in Northern Ireland.

The Prime Minister was clear that she still believes the basis for an agreement exists and recognised the leadership both parties had shown over past weeks and months. She urged them both to reflect on the recent phase of talks in order to find the best way forward.

On next steps, the Prime Minister was clear that the UK government has a responsibility to consider what needed to be done to protect the interests of Northern Ireland in the ongoing absence of an Executive. She added that the Northern Ireland Secretary would continue to work closely with the parties, and the Irish Government in accordance with the three stranded approach, to support that process.

Link: Press release: PM calls with the leaders of Sinn Fein and the DUP: 15 February 2018
Source: Gov Press Releases

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Press release: Charity regulator sets out scope of statutory inquiry into Oxfam

The Charity Commission, the independent regulator of charities in England and Wales, has today set out the scope of its statutory inquiry into Oxfam, registered charity number 202918.

The inquiry was opened on 12 February 2018 after the Commission examined documents sent on Monday by Oxfam regarding allegations of misconduct by staff involved in its humanitarian response in Haiti. The Commission has concerns that Oxfam may not have fully and frankly disclosed material details about the allegations at the time in 2011, its handling of the incidents since, and the impact that these have both had on public trust and confidence.

The purpose of the statutory inquiry is to:

  1. examine the charity’s governance (including leadership and culture), its management and its policies and practices with regard to safeguarding, in the context of the applicable law, good practice and its obligations as a charity, both generally and particularly in relation to:
    • its response, general handling and disclosure to the Commission, statutory funders and other key donors, agencies and stakeholders in relation to serious safeguarding incidents which have taken place since 2011 including its Haiti programme
    • its responsibility to provide a safe environment for its beneficiaries, staff and other charity workers in the delivery of its overseas programmes and generally
    • its recruitment and supervision of its employees, volunteers and other charity workers
    • maintaining its reputation as a major aid charity which can be entrusted with international, governmental and public support and the confidence of its beneficiaries, staff and volunteers
  2. scrutinise and review the charity’s progress with implementing the requirements in the action plan agreed with the Commission in 2017 and ensure such other actions that may be required to address the findings from the inquiry’s work are undertaken

Michelle Russell, Director of Investigations, Monitoring and Enforcement at the Charity Commission said:

Acting in the public interest as regulator, this inquiry must and will establish the facts about what the charity knew about events in Haiti in 2011, and how it responded at the time and since. The inquiry will also help us, and the public, understand Oxfam’s overall approach to safeguarding those who come into contact with the charity – whether they be beneficiaries, staff, volunteers, or the wider communities in which they work. Resolving this is key to upholding public and donor trust and confidence in charity.

This week Oxfam’s Chair Caroline Thomson has given us an unequivocal commitment to co-operating fully with the inquiry to ensure our work progresses thoroughly and speedily and to resolving the issues faced by the charity to restore public trust and confidence in Oxfam.

It is expected that the inquiry will review and consider:

  • case records to test and verify assurances on the charity’s handling of cases
  • the charity’s handling of the allegations in Haiti; the extent of the charity’s knowledge of similar allegations against its staff which predated Haiti (including Chad and Liberia); and the matters or risks arising from its handling and subsequent decision making
  • the charity’s reporting and communications with law enforcement and other agencies and donors, including DFID and DEC

Anyone with information that could be relevant to the inquiry is advised to contact OxfamInquiry@charitycommission.gsi.gov.uk.

The inquiry will assess what additional actions will need to be taken by the charity in order to address the findings from the inquiry’s work and to assist in restoring public trust and confidence in Oxfam. The scope of the inquiry will include the charity’s trading division and may be amended if other issues emerge during the course of the investigation which raise additional regulatory concerns.

It is the Commission’s policy, after it has concluded an inquiry, to publish a report detailing what issues the inquiry looked at, what actions were undertaken as part of the inquiry and what the outcomes were. Reports of previous inquiries by the Commission are available on GOV.UK.

The charity’s details can be viewed on the Commission’s online charity search tool.

Ends

Notes to editors

  1. Charity Commission is the independent regulator of charities in England and Wales. To find out more about our work, see our annual report.
  2. Search for charities on our online register.
  3. Section 46 of the Charities Act 2011 gives the Commission the power to institute inquiries. The opening of an inquiry gives the Commission access to a range of investigative, protective and remedial legal powers.
  4. The Commission has been engaged with Oxfam on its safeguarding culture and practices since last year. As a result of the Commission’s engagement, the charity committed to a number of actions in late 2017 to review and improve:
    • the charity’s governance of safeguarding, including leadership, culture, role modelling and internal reporting;
    • the charity’s HR culture, policies and practice;
    • the charity’s organisation structures, management reporting lines and resourcing to support the effective delivery of the charity’s safeguarding objectives; and
    • the safeguarding management framework where the charity has shared responsibilities in the Oxfam confederation, in particular with Oxfam International

Press office

Link: Press release: Charity regulator sets out scope of statutory inquiry into Oxfam
Source: Gov Press Releases

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Press release: PM Statement on the appointment of the new President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa

The Prime Minister said:

My warm congratulations to President Ramaphosa on taking office.

The United Kingdom greatly values its dynamic and forward-looking partnership with South Africa, underpinned by the strong people-to-people and business ties between our countries. I look forward to working closely with President Ramaphosa to help build a healthier, more secure and prosperous future for both our countries.

I very much hope to see the President at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London in April.

Link: Press release: PM Statement on the appointment of the new President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa
Source: Gov Press Releases

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Press release: GREAT British Infrastructure Forum brings the best of the UK Private Sector to Ghana

The UK is committed to supporting His Excellency President Akufo-Addo’s ‘Beyond Aid’ vision to transform Ghana’s economy, create jobs through industrialisation and add value to goods. The UK is proud to have played a part in driving Ghana’s development gains through tens of millions of pounds worth of UK Aid, but as Ghana Changes, so do we. The UK is transitioning its development support to focus squarely on Ghana’s long-term economic development. Building the nation’s infrastructure through private sector investment is the key to unlocking this potential and it is an area where the UK has much to offer.

Through the Department of International Trade, the UK has brought together over 15 of the UK’s top blue-chip infrastructure companies to finalise proposals on how they can deliver flagship projects for Ghana. Over three days they visited Takoradi, Tarkwa, and Tema, meeting a wide variety of stakeholders such as His Excellency Vice President Bawumia, and local partners who would be at the centre of their work. The Trade Mission then culminated at the GREAT British Infrastructure Forum on 15 February.

The Forum itself was a visible demonstration of the UK’s ability to bring together world class expertise on a wide range of areas from design consultancy, project management to specialist constructions and operations delivery to put forward a credible and competitive proposal. In doing so, they offer a unique capability to deliver simple solutions to complex challenges.

At the Forum, leading UK financial institutions such as UK Export Finance, the Private Infrastructure Development group and CDC set out how they can help the Ghanaian Government, Ghanaian business and UK companies to deliver the President’s ambition – ensuring local content, creating thousands of jobs, up-skilling Ghana’s workforce and improving the livelihoods of many more.

Central to discussions were railways, ports, roads and mining infrastructure – with presentations from key Ministers to world leaders: the UK boasts of a railway system that is among the best in the world and UK mining sector has the technological solutions to revolutionise Ghana’s mining industry. The message in return was that the UK and its companies are serious about investing in and working closely with the Government and private sector in Ghana.
Speaking about the event, the British High Commissioner to Ghana, His Excellency Iain Walker, said:

I am delighted that the UK is hosting a GREAT British Infrastructure forum. His Excellency President Akufo-Addo and his Government are in a hurry. I have made it my number one priority to help ensure the UK’s offer matches Ghana’s ambition with the same pace and sense of urgency. I am delighted that this week we have world class British companies talking about delivering for Ghana. We have consortia bringing together unique expertise and a distinct advantage in providing world class infrastructure projects, in particular in rail, roads, and ports. That’s backed up with structured finance packages from UK financial institutions. I will continue to press more UK businesses to invest in Ghana to create jobs and prosperity for both Ghana and the UK. We will do our part – and I look forward to understanding where Government and business wants the UK private sector to focus. Today there was a clear message – that if Ghana wants a credible, competitive solution to ambitious infrastructure plans it should partner with the UK. I hope to see Ghanaian firms and partners actively making that choice.

Notes to Editors

About the Department for International Trade

The Department for International Trade (DIT) has overall responsibility for promoting UK trade across the world and attracting foreign investment to our shores. DIT works to promote UK exports of goods and services to support a growing economy that creates wealth for all, supports jobs and meets our wider national interests, deliver the best international trading framework for the UK outside the EU, including through building our capacity to negotiate and administer a national trade policy; and maximise opportunities for wealth creation through supporting Foreign Direct Investment, with a renewed focus on outward FDI (overseas direct investment).

List of UK Companies participating in the GREAT British Infrastructure Trade Mission and Business Forum.

  • SHARD CAPITAL
  • LIBERTY GROUP
  • BHM INTERNATIONAL LTD
  • PORTCULLIS INFRASTRUCTURE
  • AECOM
  • IMPACTAGRI
  • COLAS GROUP
  • KLEGTECH
  • MOORE STEPHENS
  • BAM NUTTA LTD
  • UNATRAC
  • WSP
  • STODEC
  • ADVISAN
  • BHM
  • IRBARIS
  • HOLDTRADE(UK)LTD
  • ARUP
  • WARDOUR

Link: Press release: GREAT British Infrastructure Forum brings the best of the UK Private Sector to Ghana
Source: Gov Press Releases

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Press release: Wrexham murderer to spend longer behind bars

A man who went on a violent spree which resulted in the death of an elderly man will spend more time in prison. Solicitor General Robert Buckland QC MP thought Jordan Davidson’s original sentence was too low and referred it to the Court of Appeal.

After committing 2 burglaries, Davidson, 26, who was already on police bail for a knife offence, attempted to rob staff at a hair salon, threatening them with a machete. He then went to the home of 67 year old Nicholas Churton and attacked and killed him with the machete and a hammer.

The following day he committed a robbery against another elderly man, again while armed with a machete, and an aggravated burglary at a dwelling, also while carrying the same weapon.

A few days later Davidson committed a further offence of robbery against a 53 year old man whom he struck on the head with a hammer, fracturing his skull. Davidson was arrested on 29 March last year, and while detained he attacked the arresting officer with a hammer. He also assaulted another police officer with his fists during his interview, and while on remand he slashed a prison officer’s neck with a makeshift knife.

Davidson was convicted of 14 offences, including murder, aggravated burglary and robbery and sentenced to 23 years and 4 months in prison in December at Mold Crown Court. The Court of Appeal has quashed his original sentence and increased it to 30 years minimum term.

Speaking after the hearing, the Solicitor General said:

Davidson is an extremely violent individual and his crimes deserved tougher punishment. His actions resulted in the tragic death of a vulnerable man and have had an impact on numerous people’s lives. I am pleased the Court has now seen fit to increase the prison term.

Link: Press release: Wrexham murderer to spend longer behind bars
Source: Gov Press Releases