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Press release: Minister for the Middle East comments on the situation in Kirkuk

Minister for the Middle East, Alistair Burt, said:

I call on all parties to maintain calm and take steps to de-escalate tensions in Kirkuk, avoiding any provocative statements or actions. It is essential that efforts in Iraq are focused on the defeat of Daesh, stabilisation of liberated areas and on enabling those displaced to return to their homes.

The UK supports the development of sustainable governance arrangements for Kirkuk and all disputed areas which are representative of, and responsive to, all Iraq’s communities, in line with the Iraqi Constitution. We believe in a stable, democratic and unified Iraq, one that is able to provide the security, jobs and services that all Iraqis want and deserve. We stand ready to assist Iraq as it works to deliver this future for its people.

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Link: Press release: Minister for the Middle East comments on the situation in Kirkuk
Source: Gov Press Releases

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Press release: New Sanctions Bill introduced in House of Lords

The Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Bill has been introduced in Parliament today (Wednesday 18 October). This is the first Bill relating to Brexit to be introduced in the House of Lords, following a public consultation on the new measures earlier this year.

The new legislation will give the UK the necessary legal powers to continue to implement sanctions and introduce tough new measures post-Brexit against states such as North Korea and terrorist organisations including Daesh. This will enable us to maintain existing sanctions regimes currently imposed through EU law, while providing the necessary legal underpinning for the UK to decide when and how to take action against new threats.

This is an important step in ensuring that the UK continues to meet its international obligations and work with allies in tackling shared threats once the UK has left the European Union.

Minister for Europe Sir Alan Duncan MP said:

Sanctions are a vital part of our response to countries, organisations and individuals who threaten our security or undermine international law. We are taking sensible steps to make sure that we have legislation in place for when we leave the EU so our existing sanctions can continue and we have the freedom to take further action when necessary.

As a Permanent Member of the UN Security Council the UK has long championed a rules-based international system and this will continue after we leave the EU. Sanctions are most effective when delivered by a coalition of countries acting together and we expect to continue working closely with our partners in the EU and the rest of the world to take decisive action when needed. This Bill will ensure we retain the powers we need to remain a responsible and reliable security partner.

The Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Bill will be taken through the House of Lords by Foreign Office Minister Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon and is expected to move onto Second Reading later this autumn.

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Link: Press release: New Sanctions Bill introduced in House of Lords
Source: Gov Press Releases

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Press release: Flood warning service improvements go live for winter

People who live near the River Foss in York will now be able to benefit from an improved flood warning service from Wednesday, October 18.

After the Boxing Day 2015 floods, one of the recommendations of the York Flood Inquiry report was for the Environment Agency to conduct a review of the flood warnings on the River Ouse and Foss.

The Environment Agency commissioned consultants to review all flood warnings in the city.

Along the River Ouse catchment, the review found the existing service meets the needs of the community.

However, the River Foss flood warnings underwent a thorough review and changes have been made.

A new rain monitoring station is being installed upstream on the Foss in the village of Yearsley, 20 miles north of York, as well as a river level monitoring station near Strensall.

These two monitoring stations will automatically feed information into the Environment Agency’s systems and forecasts for the River Foss, supporting a better understanding of the amount of water flowing down the river towards York.

This will help the Environment Agency’s flood duty officers to issue flood warnings with more confidence and more accurate information included within the warning messages.

The River Foss catchment area within the City of York boundary previously had six flood warnings, covering the Foss, Tang Hall Beck and Osbaldwick Beck.

As part of the improvements this will increase to ten and include warnings for South Beck and Westfield Beck.

Zoë Pattinson, Environment Agency flood risk officer, said:

Along the River Foss corridor, there is one long warning that is for the properties most at risk from river flooding, and a wider warning that covers the properties at lower risk of flooding.

The Environment Agency also worked with members the River Foss Society in redesigning the flood warning boundaries and trigger levels.

The Foss Society and local residents have provided valuable input into the review of the flood warning service for the River Foss community.

She continued:

Local community input is important because it gives us an insight from those who have seen how the river and catchment behaves in heavy rainfall. It also helps raise awareness of our flood warning service.

John Millett, chairman of the River Foss Society, said:

The River Foss Society supports and fully endorses the work the Environment Agency is doing to improve the flood warnings that are being introduced to protect the City of York and neighbouring areas and their residents and businesses along both the River Ouse and the River Foss corridors.

People who are already signed up the flood warning service will automatically be transferred to the new relevant flood warning area that covers their property. If you want to register to receive free Environment Agency flood warnings then you can either at flood warnings or call on Floodline 0345 988 1188.

Link: Press release: Flood warning service improvements go live for winter
Source: Environment Agency

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Press release: New £1.3 billion property portfolio to drive investment in Northern Ireland

The Department for International Trade (DIT) and Invest Northern Ireland will today (18 October) launch a portfolio of exciting property investment opportunities worth more than £1.3 billion in Northern Ireland.

The 7 projects will be unveiled at the MIPIM UK property conference being held in London this week and will include opportunities for UK and international investors in a range of sectors.

The portfolio includes Belfast projects such as the £365 million development in the Titanic Quarter offering film production facilities, 2,000 residential units and offices as well as the opportunity to play a part in the comprehensive regeneration of the city’s train station at Weavers Cross.

The launch of the portfolio comes against a backdrop of positive indicators for Northern Ireland with recent research by CBRE identifying Belfast as the third fastest growing office market in the world. The combination of a young population, high quality education and thriving tourism is clearly an attractive offer for international investors with 75% of the 900 overseas companies in Northern Ireland choosing to reinvest in the country.

Minister Garnier will launch the portfolio at MIPIM this afternoon and Minister for Trade and Export Promotion, Rona Fairhead will open the HMG stand earlier in the day. The conference will run until Thursday with the HMG stand showcasing new projects that are ripe for inward investment.

Minister for Investment, Mark Garnier, said:

There has never been a better time to invest in Northern Ireland and these projects give investors the opportunity to do just that.

As an international economic department our message is loud and clear: the UK is open for business, and we can help find the right investment for you.

Steve Harper, Invest NI’s Executive Director for International Business, said:

We are delighted to be able to showcase Northern Ireland’s strong proposition and the genuine commercial opportunities which are currently ripe for investment in conjunction with the Department for International Trade.

The 7 projects in the portfolio are:

  • Titanic Quarter: further phases of development to include studios and post-production facilities as well as offices and residential
  • Weavers Cross: potential for phased development of offices, residential, hotel and retail
  • Sirocco Quays: mixed use development of offices, hotel, residential, retail and leisure
  • One Bankmore Square: grade A offices with full planning permission
  • 21-2 Corporation Street: £92 million development including hotel, offices and residential
  • Norwich Union House: c. 17,000 sq m of offices, hotel and retail in the city centre
  • Baptist Church: grade A offices close to the proposed new transport hub

The portfolio has been put together by the DIT’s Capital Investment team which leads the government’s drive to attract and support international investment into large scale property, regeneration, infrastructure and energy projects across the UK, working in collaboration with Invest NI, Northern Ireland’s regional economic development agency.

During the most recent financial year, DIT’s Capital Investment Team was involved in more than £13 billion of capital investment in British infrastructure and real estate, with 14% of global commercial property investment transactions occurring in the UK during the first half of this year, second only to the USA.

Further information

Contact the DIT Media and Digital Team on 020 7008 3333.

Follow us: @tradegovuk or gov.uk/dit

Link: Press release: New £1.3 billion property portfolio to drive investment in Northern Ireland
Source: Gov Press Releases

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Press release: PM approves appointment of new Judicial Commissioners

The Prime Minister has approved the appointment of 13 Judicial Commissioners under the Investigatory Powers Act 2016. These Commissioners will work with the Investigatory Powers Commissioner Lord Justice Fulford. The Commissioners are all appointed for a 3 year term.

Biographical Notes

Sir Nicholas Blake was called to the Bar (M) in 1974, took Silk in 1994 and was elected a Bencher in 2002. He was appointed an Assistant Recorder in 1999, a Recorder in 2000 and a Deputy High Court Judge in 2002. He was a High Court Judge assigned to the Queen’s Bench Division from 2007 to 2017 and was the President of the Upper Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) from 2010 to 2013.

Lord Bonomy, before his appointment to the Bench, was a solicitor in litigation-oriented practice from 1970 to 1983, an advocate from 1984 to 1993 and Queen’s Counsel from 1993 to 1996. He also served as an Advocate Depute between 1990 and 1993 and Home Advocate Depute from 1993 until 1996. He was appointed a Judge of the Supreme Courts in January 1997. From 1998 until 2004 he held office as a Surveillance Commissioner. Between June 2004 and August 2009, he served as a judge of the UN International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia. Following his return to Parliament House on 1 September 2009, he was again appointed a Surveillance Commissioner, and with effect from 16 August 2010 was appointed to the Inner House.

Lord Bracadale was admitted to the Faculty of Advocates in 1985 and served as an Advocate Depute from 1990 to 1993. He was Standing Junior Counsel in Scotland to HM Customs and Excise in 1995. He was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1995. He served as Home Advocate Depute from 1997 to 1998 (Principal Crown Counsel). In 2000-2001 he was senior Crown Counsel at the trial and appeal at the Scottish Court at the Netherlands of Abdel Basset Al Megrahi for the Lockerbie bombing. He was appointed a Judge of the Supreme Courts in 2003 and appointed to the Inner House in April 2013.

Dame Linda Dobbs was called to the Bar (G) in 1981, elected as a Bencher in 2002 and took silk in 1998. She was appointed a part time Special Adjudicator of the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal in 1999, Chairman of the Criminal Bar Association in 2003, a Judge of the High Court assigned to the Queen’s Bench Division from 2004 to 2013, and was appointed Chairman of the Magistrates’ Committee at the Judicial Studies Board in 2006.

Lord Gill lectured in the Faculty of Law of Edinburgh University before being admitted to the Faculty of Advocates in 1967. He was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1981. He is a member of the English Bar (Lincoln’s Inn, 1991; Bencher 2002). He was an advocate depute 1977 to1979; Standing Junior Counsel to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (1974 to1977), the Home Office (1979 to1981) and the Scottish Education Department (1979 to1981); and Deputy Chairman of the Copyright Tribunal (1989 to1994). He was Keeper of the Advocates Library from 1987 to 1994. He was appointed a Judge in 1994. Lord Gill was Chairman of the Lands Valuation Appeal Court and was Chairman of the Scottish Law Commission from 1996 to 2001. Lord Gill was appointed Lord President and Lord Justice General in June 2012 having held the position of Lord Justice Clerk and President of the Second Division of the Inner House from November 2001.

Lord Justice Gillen was called to the bar (G) in 1970 and took Silk in 1983. He was appointed as a High Court Judge in the Court of Judicature Northern Ireland in 1999 and was assigned as the Family Judge in 2001, holding this position and that of Chairman of the Children Order Advisory Committee until 2006. In 2008, he was assigned as the Senior Judge of the Queen’s Bench Division. He was sworn in as a Lord Justice of Appeal in September 2014. In September 2015, Lord Justice Gillen was invited by the Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland to lead a major Review of Civil & Family Justice in that jurisdiction and the final reports from that review, which set out a comprehensive set of proposals for fundamental reform, were launched in September 2017.

Sir Henry Globe was called to the bar (M) in 1972, elected as a Bencher in 2005.He was appointed an Assistant Recorder in 1987, a Recorder in 1991, a Circuit Judge in 2003 and a Senior Circuit Judge the same year. He was Hon. Recorder of Liverpool 2003 to 2011.He was appointed to the High Court (Queen’s Bench Division) in 2011 and was a Presiding Judge of the North Eastern Circuit from 2013 to 2016.

Sir John Goldring was called to the Bar (L) in 1969 and took Silk in 1987. He was elected a Bencher in 1996. He was appointed a Recorder in 1987, a Deputy Senior Judge, Sovereign Base Areas, Cyprus from 1991 to 1999, a Deputy High Court Judge in 1996 and a Judge of the Courts of Appeal of Jersey and Guernsey in 1998. He was a High Court Judge assigned to the Queen’s Bench Division from 1999 to 2015; he served as a Presiding Judge for the Midland Circuit from 2002 to 2005 and Commissioner for the Judicial Appointments Commission from 2006 to 2008. He became a Lord Justice of Appeal in 2008, Deputy Senior Presiding Judge of England and Wales from 2008 to 2009 and Senior Presiding Judge of England and Wales from 2010 to 2012.He was appointed as an Assistant Coroner for South Yorkshire (East) and West Yorkshire (West) on 13 February 2013 to conduct the fresh inquests into those who died as a result of the Hillsborough disaster.

Sir John Griffith-Williams was called to the Bar (G) in 1968, took Silk in 1985 and elected as a Bencher in 1994. He was appointed a Recorder in 1984, a Member of the Bar Council from 1990 to 1993, a Deputy High Court Judge in 1993 and an Assistant Commissioner for the Boundary Commission for Wales from 1994 to 2000. He was appointed Leader of the Wales and Chester Circuit from 1996 to 1998, a Member of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board from 1999 to 2000, Chancellor for the Diocese of Landaff in 1999 (Deputy Chancellor from 1996 to 1999), a Circuit Judge in 2000 and a Senior Circuit Judge and Honorary Recorder of Cardiff in 2001. He was appointed the Resident Judge for Cardiff Crown Court from 2001 to 2007, Judge of the High Court assigned to the Queen’s Bench Division from 2007 to 2015, Presiding Judge for the Wales Circuit from 2010 to 2013 and a Chairman of the Special Immigration Appeals Commission in July 2014

Sir Kenneth Parker was called to the Bar (G) in 1975, took Silk in 1992 and was elected as a Bencher in 2002. He was appointed an Assistant Recorder in 1999 and a Recorder in 2000. He was appointed Deputy Chairman of the Information Tribunal and National Security Appeals Tribunal in 2001 (now known as Deputy Judge of the Upper Tribunal (Administrative Appeals Chamber) and Judge of the First Tier Tribunal (General Regulatory Chamber)). He was appointed a Recorder in 2005. He was appointed a Law Commissioner and approved to sit as a Deputy High Court Judge in 2006. He was a Judge of the High Court assigned to the Queen’s Bench Division from 2009 to 2015 and appointed a Judge by Request (Upper Tribunal (Immigration Appeals Chamber)) in 2010

Sir John Saunders was called to the Bar (G) in 1972 and took Silk in 1992. He was appointed a Recorder in 1990 and a Legal Member of the Restricted Patients Panel in 1999. He was appointed a Senior Circuit Judge and the Recorder of Birmingham in 2004.He was a Judge of the High Court assigned to the Queen’s Bench Division from 2007 to 2016. He was appointed a Presiding Judge of the South Eastern Circuit from 2009 to 2012 and a Member of the Sentencing Council for England and Wales in 2013.

Sir Stephen Silber was called to the Bar (G) in 1968, elected as a Bencher in 1994 and took Silk in 1987. He was appointed an Assistant Recorder in 1982, a Recorder in 1987 and approved to sit as a Deputy High Court Judge in 1995. He was a Judge of the High Court, assigned to the Queen’s Bench Division from 1999 to 2015. He was appointed Legal Member of the Special Immigration Appeals Commission in 2002, Judge of the Employment Appeal Tribunal in 2004, Deputy Chairman of the Security Vetting Appeal Tribunal in 2009 and Judge by Request of the Upper Tribunal Administrative Appeals and Immigration and Asylum in 2011.

Sir Alan Wilkie was called to the Bar (I) in 1974, took Silk in 1992 and was elected a Bencher in 2001. He was appointed an Assistant Recorder in 1992, a Recorder in 1995, a Circuit Judge in 1997 and a Law Commissioner in 2000. He was a Judge of the High Court, assigned to the Queen’s Bench Division from 2004 to 2017, Presiding Judge for the North Eastern Circuit from 2007 to 2010 and was appointed a Member of the Judicial Appointments Commission in 2012.

Background

Section 227 of the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 provides for the Prime Minister to appoint the Investigatory Powers Commissioner (IPC) and Judicial Commissioners. The role of the IPC is to authorise and oversee the use of Investigatory Powers by public authorities.

Link: Press release: PM approves appointment of new Judicial Commissioners
Source: Gov Press Releases

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Press release: Takeaway directors banned for employing illegal workers

Alawor Rahman Siddique Jafforey, and his son, Tufael Mahmood Siddique, acted as directors of Spiceway Limited (Spiceway), which traded as Kings Balti Palace Restaurant in Cheltenham.

Officers from Home Office Immigration Enforcement visited the premises on 4 December 2015 when Spiceway was found to be employing two illegal workers.

Spiceway were issued with a £20,000 Notification of Liability for Civil Penalties for employing illegal workers which they did not pay.

The directors subsequently took steps to place Spiceway into liquidation, which took place on 31 March 2016.

Following an investigation by the Insolvency Service, Mr Jafforey and Mr Siddique gave undertakings to the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy in which they did not dispute failing to ensure Spiceway complied with immigration laws. The disqualifications are in effect as of 25 September 2017.

Robert Clarke, Head of Insolvent Investigations North at the Insolvency Service, said:

The Insolvency Service pursues directors who fail to pay fines imposed for breaking employment and immigration laws. We have worked closely in this case with our colleagues at the Home Office to achieve this disqualification.

The public has a right to expect those who break the law will face the consequences. Running a limited company means you have obligations as well as statutory protections. If you fail to comply with your obligations, the Insolvency Service will investigate you.

Notes to editors

Spiceway Limited (CRO No. 08607643) was incorporated in July 2013. The company’s trading name was Kings Balti Palace, and operated from 237 London Road, Charlton Kings, Cheltenham, GL52 6HZ.

Spiceway Limited entered liquidation on 31 March 2016 with assets of £6 and liabilities of £23,760.

Mr Jafforey is from Cheltenham and his date of birth is September 1960.

Mr Siddique is from Cheltenham and his date of birth is October 1989.

The disqualification undertakings were accepted by the Secretary of State on
4 September 2017 and are in effect from 25 September 2017.

A disqualification order has the effect that without specific permission of a court, a person with a disqualification cannot:

  • act as a director of a company
  • take part, directly or indirectly, in the promotion, formation or management of a company or limited liability partnership
  • be a receiver of a company’s property

Disqualification undertakings are the administrative equivalent of a disqualification order but do not involve court proceedings.

Persons subject to a disqualification order are bound by a range of other restrictions.

The Insolvency Service, an executive agency sponsored by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), administers the insolvency regime, and aims to deliver and promote a range of investigation and enforcement activities both civil and criminal in nature, to support fair and open markets. We do this by effectively enforcing the statutory company and insolvency regimes, maintaining public confidence in those regimes and reducing the harm caused to victims of fraudulent activity and to the business community, including dealing with the disqualification of directors in corporate failures.

BEIS’ mission is to build a dynamic and competitive UK economy that works for all, in particular by creating the conditions for business success and promoting an open global economy. The Criminal Investigations and Prosecutions team contributes to this aim by taking action to deter fraud and to regulate the market. They investigate and prosecute a range of offences, primarily relating to personal or company insolvencies.
The agency also authorises and regulates the insolvency profession, assesses and pays statutory entitlement to redundancy payments when an employer cannot or will not pay employees, provides banking and investment services for bankruptcy and liquidation estate funds and advises ministers and other government departments on insolvency law and practice.

Further information about the work of the Insolvency Service, and how to complain about financial misconduct, is available.

Contact Press Office

Press Office

The Insolvency Service


4 Abbey Orchard Street
London
SW1P 2HT

This service is for journalists only. For any other queries, please contact the Insolvency Enquiry line on 0300 678 0015.

For all media enquiries outside normal working hours, please contact the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Press Office on 020 7215 1000.

You can also follow the Insolvency Service on:

Link: Press release: Takeaway directors banned for employing illegal workers
Source: Gov Press Releases

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Press release: British Ambassador visits children’s hospital and recovery centre

On 18 October, British Ambassador to Ethiopia Susanna Moorehead visits CURE Hospital and Alemachen recovery centre.

Ambassador Moorehead was able to see children with disabilities who have travelled from across Ethiopia to get Orthopaedic surgery at the CURE hospital. She handed over a small donation from the British Embassy to Alemachen that will help improve the well being of the children.

The Ambassador visited children’s recovery home and physiotherapy rooms at Alemachen. She also met three British Doctors working at the CURE hospital operating on children with significant disabilities.

The hospital provides treatment for issues predominantly related to the consequences of untreated rickets, club feet and poorly healed fractures.

Alemachen provides recovery support services to the children who have undergone operations at the CURE hospital. Supported by volunteers and members of staff, the centre provides support to up to 40 children at a time.

Speaking after the visit, Ambassador Moorehead said:

I’m pleased to see CURE Hospital and Alemachen support each other to give hope to children with disabilities from the poorest parts of society. I have seen how the children’s lives can be improved by relatively simple interventions. British doctors making life changing operations for Ethiopian children is testament to the strong links between our two countries

Media Enquiries:

Saba Ermyas

+251924440432

Mail to:saba.ermyas@fco.gov.uk

Link: Press release: British Ambassador visits children’s hospital and recovery centre
Source: Gov Press Releases

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Smart Meters

A Bill to extend the period for the Secretary of State to exercise powers relating to smart metering and to provide for a special administration regime for a smart meter communication licensee.

Link: Smart Meters
Source: Public Bills

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Press release: Wider lanes for drivers on M62 smart motorway near Rochdale

Drivers on a 5-mile stretch of the M62 near Rochdale can now benefit from wider lanes, helping to improve the flow of traffic on one of the busiest motorways in the region.

Temporary narrow lanes have been removed between junctions 18 and 20, marking the start of a phased opening of the North West’s first smart motorway scheme to tackle congestion and improve journey times.

The Highways England project will use new technology to provide better information to drivers and variable speed limits to keep traffic moving at a steady speed. Extra lanes will also be opened on the M62 before the Christmas getaway, increasing capacity on the stretch of motorway between Greater Manchester and Yorkshire by a third.

Jon Stokes, Senior Project Manager at Highways England, said:

I’m pleased we’ve been able to remove the temporary narrow lanes on the M62 – benefiting the 180,000 drivers who use the route every day. Nearly 600 people are currently working to complete the smart motorway and we will open each section along the route as soon as possible.

When the smart motorway is complete, drivers will be able to travel in an extra lane on the M62 and variable speed limits will help to keep traffic flowing – tackling the stop/start conditions and tailbacks caused by sudden braking.

Overnight closures will continue to take place between junctions 18 and 20 on the M62 to carry out resurfacing work and to commission the new smart motorway technology.

The closures will be in place between 10pm and 6am, Sunday to Thursday, and between 9pm and 10am on Friday and Saturday nights. Overnight closures will also continue on sections of the M60 for major construction work on the smart motorway.

The scheme is Highways England’s most complex smart motorway project, affecting the second busiest motorway in the country and covering 13 junctions – an average of one junction every 1.4 miles.

The full scheme stretches between junction 8 of the M60 near Sale and junction 20 of the M62 near Rochdale. The next stage of the phased opening will see the removal of the temporary narrow lanes between junctions 8 and 10 on the M60 later in the autumn.

The new technology will be tested to ensure the 100 traffic sensors which have been installed along the 17-mile route are working effectively, before the new electronic variable speed limit signs are switched on from junctions 8 to 10 on the M60 and junctions 18 to 20 on the M62 by the end of the year.

The temporary narrow lanes are due to be removed between junctions 15 and 18 on the M60 in early 2018, and from the final section of roadworks – on a 5 mile stretch of the M60 between junctions 10 and 15 – in spring 2018. The new variable speed limit signs are due to be switched on between junctions 10 and 18 by summer 2018.

When the smart motorway is complete, traffic sensors will automatically monitor the flow of traffic and adjust the speed limit accordingly. A total of 50 CCTV cameras will also provide 100% coverage of the route, and allow Highways England’s traffic officers and the emergency services to respond quickly to incidents.

More details are available on the scheme website.

General enquiries

Members of the public should contact the Highways England customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000.

Media enquiries

Journalists should contact the Highways England press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.

Link: Press release: Wider lanes for drivers on M62 smart motorway near Rochdale
Source: Gov Press Releases