The Prime Minister spoke to the Prime Minister of Croatia, Andrej Plenković, this afternoon.

The leaders discussed the importance of the bilateral relationship between the UK and Croatia, particularly with respect to both countries’ membership of the NATO Alliance. The Prime Minister thanked PM Plenković for Croatia’s ongoing contribution to NATO’s mission in Afghanistan.

On Brexit, the Prime Minister made clear that he wanted the UK to leave the EU with a deal, and said he will approach negotiations with the EU with great energy and in the spirit of friendship. But he said that, if the UK is to leave with a deal, the anti-democratic backstop will need to be abolished. He explained that the UK will continue to fully prepare, and is committed to leaving the EU on 31 October whatever the circumstances.

The Prime Minister also underscored that the UK would protect the rights and freedoms of Croatians and other EU nationals in the UK, and that their contribution to UK society is greatly valued.

Vehicles seized in roadside inspections.

Illegal waste crime in Hertfordshire’s Broxbourne borough has been the target of a crackdown this week.

Crime officers from the Environment Agency supported a day of vehicle checks with Hertfordshire Police (Eastern Region Special Operations Unit) and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency in a bid to reduce and disrupt waste crime.

During the day of action, Environment Agency officers carried out waste-carrier checks on a total of seven vehicles. A couple of the vehicles were seized by the police for having no road tax. Another vehicle that did not have a valid waste carrier licence and was illegally carrying scrap metal waste was taken off the road by the DVSA.

Mark Nevitt, National Enforcement Service Team Leader, from the Environment Agency in Hertfordshire said:

Working with partners such as the police helps us run roadside operations, and the ability to share intelligence around non-compliant waste carriers. The Environment Agency wants to make sure businesses carrying waste have the proper authorisations to allow them to transport and transfer rubbish – a waste carrier’s registration from the Environment Agency and waste transfer note from the waste producer.

We also want to make it very clear to the general public that everyone has a duty of care to ensure their waste is managed and disposed of correctly by the people they give it to. If you use illegal waste carriers to take your rubbish you risk being fined up to £5,000.

Broxbourne Chief Inspector Craig Flint for Hertfordshire Police said:

Working with our partner agencies, such as the Environment Agency, continues to prove essential to our work. We share the same goal of keeping Broxbourne – and the wider county – a safe place to be.

Not only does illegal waste, which can end up dumped indiscriminately, cause a blight on our countryside, there can also be associated criminality, including traffic offences, as well as the detrimental effect on public health. Additionally, the removal and proper disposal of such waste is at the taxpayers’ expense.

It’s therefore right and proper that we work to crack down on such practices that cause harm to our communities. Operations like these provide a brilliant opportunity to remind carriers about their responsibilities, enhance our intelligence around such practices and take action against those who flout the rules.

I’d remind members of the public about their own responsibility when disposing of waste as the implications for them can also be serious.

Prem Kumar, DVSA Vehicle Enforcement Manager said:

DVSA’s priority is to protect everyone from unsafe drivers and vehicles. Working closely with the Environment Agency and the police in this way is an efficient way to stop dangerous operators.

We’ll continue to use intelligence, technology and expert skills to stop illegal operators and keep the roads safer.

People who manage waste illegally cost the taxpayer millions of pounds every year in clean-up costs, and make considerable sums of undeclared income. They also undercut legitimate business, and pose a direct threat to sustainable growth in the waste management sector. Environment Agency enforcement days helps ensure that the Right Waste goes to the Right Place ‎to stop unpermitted businesses undermining legitimate companies and help create a level playing field for all.

This project is the first of a wider programme to upgrade various support facilities on the base in order to accommodate the arrival of approximately 1200 additional personnel now expected on the base as part of the arrival of 2 new F35 squadrons in 2021.

DIO recently awarded a contract worth £4.296 million to Henry Brothers to deliver critical upgrades to key buildings on the base.

Construction will officially begin in the coming weeks. This initial project is a USVF requirement to repair and renovate the existing office building to provide a state of the art Security Forces Operational Facility including a Day Armory, Guard Mount, and associated support, command and administration offices.

The use of existing infrastructure will reduce waste and ensure the project is as cost effective as possible.

The building work is scheduled to be completed by summer 2020 and occupies 2,200m2 over 3 floors, the equivalent of approximately 10 tennis courts.

The re-design includes disabled access to each floor via the provision of a new lift to assist wounded or disabled military and civilian staff.

DIO Project Manager, Ken Withers, explained:

This is a really important project which will create a more efficient and effective security operation for the base.

We are using highly advanced technology in the build and re-using existing infrastructure where possible. This means that the project is not only technically advanced but remains cost effective with a reduced carbon footprint.

Lt. Col. Kevin Eberhart, 48 Security Forces Squadron commander, commented:

Improving the work environment for our military and civilian personnel is also about ensuring we are ready to execute the mission and meet future demands.

This centralized facility will do just that and will help strengthen collaborative relationships within the squadron. As we work to modernize facilities for our Defenders, we appreciate the working relationship we have with our partners.

Henry Brothers Managing Director, David Henry, added:

We are delighted to be continuing our relationship with DIO and the USVF at RAF Lakenheath with another project award. We recognise the importance of the programme to support base facilities and we look forward to delivering this phase of works, which on completion will provide a state-of-the-art Security Operations Facility.

Further information:

DIO website

Twitter: @mod_dio

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Published 29 August 2017
Last updated 8 December 2020 + show all updates