[unable to retrieve full-text content]A letter from Chancellor Sajid Javid responding to Catherine McKinnell MP on the Withdrawal Agreement the government has negotiated with the EU.
Ofqual has today (21 October 2019) published a consultation on proposed new rules that will strengthen the regulation of Technical Awards listed in Key Stage 4 performance tables. The proposals are intended to enhance the qualifications’ validity and better align our regulation with the Department for Education’s (DfE) performance table requirements.
Qualifications used for accountability purposes, through their use in performance tables, bear significant pressure and our recent research has identified issues that could have an impact on standards. Our proposals aim to address these issues and strengthen our approach to regulating these qualifications, while still allowing for appropriate differences in their design and delivery.
The proposed rules will cover:
Sally Collier, Chief Regulator, said:
These proposals demonstrate our commitment to regulate vocational and technical qualifications with the same seriousness and focus as we do general qualifications. We have worked closely with the Department for Education to strengthen our regulation in respect of these important performance table qualifications, while ensuring an appropriate degree of flexibility in their design. As a result, users of these qualifications can continue to be assured that they are a reliable and valid assessment of the knowledge and skills acquired by students.
The consultation is open until Monday 2 December 2019.
Published 21 October 2019
A Milton Keynes angler who fished illegally has landed an unexpected whopper – a financial penalty totalling £1,234.
The Environment Agency has successfully prosecuted Callum Copeland, 22, of White Alder, Stacey Bushes, with a total penalty of £1,234.72.
Copeland was convicted of wilfully obstructing a water bailiff, fishing without a licence and failing to state his address to a bailiff when required to do so. He was found guilty in his absence in a case held at Northampton Magistrates’ Court on 8 October 2019 following the offences at Silver Lake, Wappenham, Northamptonshire, on 5 March 2019.
The court was told that Environment Agency enforcement officers were patrolling at the lake and attempted to speak to Copeland, however after initially refusing to provide details when requested, or a valid fishing licence, he eventually provided false details.
Officers identified Copeland’s vehicle, which he confirmed belonged to him, and used the associated address to later issue him with a court summons.
Copeland did not attend court but was fined £660, ordered to pay costs of £530.72 and a victim surcharge of £44.
A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said:
“This case shows how determined we are in catching and prosecuting people who flout the laws and obstruct our officers in carrying out their duties.
“An annual fishing licence costs just £30, yet a small number of anglers continue to risk prosecution for fishing without a licence.
“Money raised from fishing licence sales is used to protect and improve fish stocks and fisheries, including improving habitats for fish and facilities for anglers, tackling illegal fishing and working with partners to encourage people to give fishing a go.
“For those caught cheating the system, we will always prosecute.”
People caught fishing without a licence can be fined up to £2,500. Children under 13 do not need a licence. Licences for children aged between 13 and 16 are free, but a junior licence is required.
Anyone who suspects illegal fishing to be taking place should report the matter to the Environment Agency’s incident hotline, on 0800 807060. Buy a rod licence and find out more on GOV.UK