Prime Minister confirms appointments of Lord Chartres (Richard), Fionnuala Jay-O’Boyle and Charles Moore as Independent Members of the House of Lords Appointments Commission.

Public invited to see £42.3m flood defence scheme in Sandwell Valley Country Park

People living near a flood scheme being built in Sandwell Valley Country Park, to reduce flood risk in Perry Barr and Witton, are being invited to visit the site.

The £42.3m scheme is being built by the Environment Agency in partnership with Birmingham City Council and local levy funds, and is expected to be completed in September 2020. Part of the scheme involves creating a flood storage area and, when finished, it will reduce the flood risk to 1,400 properties.

Local residents are being invited to visit the scheme on 11 June to look at what is being done and to learn more about the scheme.

Josh Harris, project manager for the Environment Agency, said:

This is a major flood risk management scheme for the West Midlands and we want to keep residents updated on our progress. We hope to see plenty of people coming along to see what we’re doing.

During the visit Mr Lancaster met with his counterparts the secretaries of each of the US Services, Secretary for the Air Force Dr Heather Wilson, Secretary for the Navy Mr Richard Spencer, Secretary for the Army Dr Mark Esper as well as Acting Under Secretary for Personnel and Readiness, James N.Stewart.

Discussions covered all aspects of the transatlantic defence partnership, including current operations in Europe, the Middle East and Asia, intelligence sharing, nuclear co-operation, defence procurement, and flagship joint programmes like the F-35 programme.

Minister for the Armed Forces Mark Lancaster said:

With the anniversary of D-Day just around the corner there is no better time to reflect on our historic and enduring relationship with the US. Our shared values and commitment to global security are as strong now as they were 75 years ago.

More recently we have seen joint action to defeat Daesh, degrade and deter the Syrian regime’s use of chemical weapons, and provide reassurance to allies in Eastern Europe as leaders in NATO. The ability of our two militaries to work hand in glove continues to keep our citizens safe on both sides of the pond.

The US and the UK have the largest defence budgets in the world and in Europe respectively, allowing troops from both countries to train and deploy together every day with cutting-edge technology.

Today we are together combating terrorism and violent extremism in the Middle East and Africa, maintaining freedom of navigation in the Persian Gulf, providing reassurance to Allies in Europe, delivering training and support to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, undertaking counter-piracy operations off the Horn of Africa, countering the narcotic trade in South America and the Caribbean, and providing nuclear deterrence for NATO.

Next week the US President will visit the UK for a State Visit to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the D-Day landings with events taking place in both Portsmouth and Normandy. The event will pay tribute to the sacrifice of those who fought on D-Day, recognising the unparalleled international cooperation during the Normandy landings.

Nations that took part in Operation Overlord and the D-Day landings alongside the UK have been invited to attend. This includes the US, Canada, France, Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, Poland, Norway, Denmark, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Greece, and Slovakia and the Czech Republic.

The UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) is pleased to announce the appointment of Rear Admiral Tim Lowe CBE as the new Chief Executive and Accounting Officer.

Tim joined the UKHO as National Hydrographer and Deputy Chief Executive in 2015. In January 2019, he was made Acting Chief Executive, leading the UKHO’s transformation to become a marine geospatial information agency and hydrographic office.

This included overseeing the opening of the UKHO’s award-winning office and championing key projects that have helped government, academia and the wider marine community make the best use of our oceans in safer, more secure and more sustainable ways.

Commenting on his appointment Tim said:

I am extremely proud to have been appointed Chief Executive at such a pivotal moment for the UK Hydrographic Office.

As we approach the ‘Decade of Ocean Science’, the need for marine geospatial data and expertise has never been greater, with the world facing increasing challenges in terms of safety, security and maximising the utility of our ocean resources in a sustainable way. Whether supporting the safe navigation of ships, helping our navy to keep our shores safe, or enabling coastal communities to understand their marine environment and grow their marine economies – we are well placed as an organisation to meet these challenges.

I am looking forward to leading the UKHO into these exciting times ahead, as we continue to collaborate with our friends and partners across the globe to grasp this unique opportunity and unlock the value of marine geospatial data.

A serving Rear Admiral in the Royal Navy, Tim is also a navigation and underwater warfare specialist and has commanded both ashore (HMS COLLINGWOOD) and afloat (three Sea Commands and two Operational Commands).

Other previous assignments include leading the Combined Maritime Forces counter piracy activity in the Indian Ocean (where he established the Shared Awareness and Deconfliction meeting), two assignments with NATO, and policy and operational staff appointments in the MOD, Flotilla and Fleet HQs.

On assuming the role of Chief Executive and Accounting Officer Tim will relinquish his Naval duties and responsibilities.