The Environment Agency is appealing to people in Keighley for help in tracing the source of some oil pollution that is affecting a tributary of the River Worth.

Environment officers have been investigating the pollution for the past two weeks after being informed of a black oily substance visible on the water near Mariner Walk, off South Street, in the town.

They have been using absorbent pads and booms to contain the oil, reducing the impact of the pollutant and preventing it from entering the River Worth.

However the oil is continuing to enter the watercourse and investigations have so far been unable to identify where it is coming from.

Anyone with any information on how the oil is entering the river is urged to contact the Environment Agency’s hotline on 0800 807060 so it can take action to halt the pollution.

Mark West, Environment Management Team Leader at the Environment Agency said:

We’ve been successful in containing the oil in the tributary, but it is ongoing so we need to find the source as soon as possible.

The pollutant may be entering the watercourse from a leaky container, or it could be that someone is knowingly disposing of it illegally; either way, we need to find it as soon as possible. Any information the public can provide would be greatly appreciated – please call our hotline so we can investigate.

A new online tool will help potential investors by connecting them with over 300 businesses and experts who can help them set up or expand in the UK.

The Department for International Trade (DIT) announces the launch of the UK Investment Support Directory, a new online tool which will help international investors set up and expand their operations in the UK.

Hosted on the invest.great.gov.uk website, the new searchable Directory will connect international investors to businesses across the UK which provide services key to helping a business set up or expand their operations in the UK, including experts in accountancy, law, consultancy, recruitment and more.

Through the new online platform, potential investors will be able to tailor their search for support and source experts by industry, region, business experience and language expertise. Once an appropriate business has been identified, the investor will be offered a free hour-long consultation to discuss their specific business needs.

Minister for Investment, Graham Stuart MP said:

The launch of the new Investment Support Directory is one of many ways in which DIT is helping to drive investment to every corner of the UK.

We hope this new Directory will be an invaluable resource for investors thinking of setting up operations in the UK.

We are making it easier than ever before for foreign investors to find opportunities in the UK, supported by our network of HMTCs and global experts across more than 100 countries, to ensure the UK remains the number one destination for foreign direct investment in Europe.

Mark Slaughter, Director General for Investment said:

The UK Investment Support Directory is a smart, new digital tool that innovatively connects investors to private sector expertise.

This interactive platform allows investors to tailor their searches to find the specific advice they are looking for or generates a range of businesses if they aren’t sure what they’re looking for yet.

It is another way DIT is helping support foreign investment by streamlining connections between UK businesses and overseas investors.

The new platform is designed to support the investment process by making information more accessible and is part of wider initiatives by the department to increase foreign direct investment into the UK. Recent figures published by the OECD confirm the UK as the leading destination for foreign direct investment in Europe, and the third most significant in the world, behind the US and China.

The directory will also help promote the expertise of the UK’s service sector to investors across the globe.

The directory is currently live and can be found here.

ENDS

Further information:

• Contact newsdesk@trade.gov.uk or DIT’s media team on 020 7215 2000
• Follow us: @tradegovuk and gov.uk/dit

Notes to Editors

The Department for International Trade (DIT) secures UK and global prosperity by promoting and financing international trade and investment, and championing free trade. We are an international economic department, responsible for:

• Bringing together policy, promotion and financial expertise to break down barriers to trade and investment, and help businesses succeed
• Delivering a new trade policy framework for the UK as we leave the EU
• Promoting British trade and investment across the world
• Building the global appetite for British goods and services

Latest FDI data

Latest Export data

• Latest statistics from the ONS show UK firms sold more overseas in the 2018/19 financial year, £639.9 billion, than at any time since records began.

• The UK has now achieved 36 consecutive months of export growth on an annual rolling basis.

• Separate OECD data shows UK exports grew faster than Germany, France and Italy between 2016 and 2018.

Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns reaffirmed the UK Government’s commitment to the Welsh language in his first meeting with the new Welsh Language Commissioner, Aled Roberts at the Urdd National Eisteddfod.

The Welsh Secretary has recently written to all UK Government departments seeking their active support to help the Welsh Government achieve its target of one million Welsh speakers by 2050.

UK Government departments are committing to that ambition by embedding the Welsh language in all aspects of their work; supporting Civil Servants to learn Welsh, funding award-winning creative output, providing bilingual services and developing initiatives where Cymraeg plays a central part.

Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns said:

As the department with lead responsibility for the Welsh language in the UK Government, I fully understand the crucial role the Welsh language plays in our identity and culture.

It is my role as Secretary of State for Wales to ensure departments across Whitehall are committed to providing the highest quality of services to Welsh speakers. That is why I am delighted to be working with departments across central government to make sure their work reflects the diversity of all communities across the United Kingdom.

ENDS

Welsh Secretary demonstrates UK Government commitment to language in meeting with incoming Commissioner