Globally, 250 million children under the age of five are estimated to be at risk of stunted growth and poor development. The new UK aid funded research programme will investigate what works on a global scale to tackle malnutrition and poor physical, social, emotional and mental development.

The programme will produce evidence of what works in countries such as Rwanda, Jordan and Tanzania, providing evidence which can benefit millions of children across developing countries.

She made the announcement to establish a programme of research across Africa, Asia and the Middle East during the New Zealand Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern’s trip to London.

New Zealand is considering partnering with the UK to extend it to the Pacific region, making it a truly global initiative.

The UK has committed to invest £20.5 million over five years in the programme to understand how best to unlock children’s potential globally.

This partnership demonstrates the UK’s and New Zealand’s shared ambition to work together on the most important development challenges and reflects our determination to deliver the Global Goals. Global Goal 4.2 is to ensure that, by 2030, all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development.

During Prime Minister Ardern’s visit, she and the Prime Minister, Theresa May, also agreed to prioritise a UK-NZ Free Trade Agreement (FTA), as well as signing a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) to enable the continuity of goods standards. There were also announcements made on co-locating High Commissions in the Pacific and continued co-operation on tackling climate change.

IT network access has been restored across the Ministry of Justice estate.

Immigration Minister Caroline Nokes and the French Interior Minister Christophe Castaner have today (25 January) visited the Joint Co-ordination and Information Centre (CCIC) in Calais to see first-hand some of the work that is being done to tackle attempts to cross the Channel illegally via small boats.

The visit follows the agreement on 24 January between the Home Secretary and the Interior Minister of a joint action plan that builds on the ongoing co-operation between the two nations and includes over £6 million (€7m) investment in new security equipment, increased CCTV coverage of beaches and ports, air surveillance and shared intelligence as well as a mutual commitment to conduct return operations as quickly as possible under international and domestic laws.

The Immigration Minister, Caroline Nokes said:

The UK and France have long worked closely together to tackle the threat posed by cross border crime. The CCIC is one of a series of measures that enhances that collaboration and forms part of our long-term commitment to tackle the complex issue of illegal cross channel migration.

The real-time intelligence resulting from that close co-operation has already enabled the French authorities to stop migrants and arrest suspected facilitators on the beaches of northern France prior to departure.

The centre, which became operational in November last year, was formally opened by the Immigration Minister and the Interior Minister during the visit. It sees Border Force working closely alongside Police Aux Frontieres as part of a 24/7 operation to:

• assist with preventing illegal attempts to cross the shared border
• facilitate the circulation of information between UK and French agencies to combat cross-border criminality
• work on the prevention of threats to public order on cross-border infrastructure
• provide analysis of cross-Channel traffic flows

Importantly, the CCIC also helps with the identification, prosecution and dismantling of criminal gangs involved in people smuggling and wider cross border crime.

The opening of the CCIC forms part of the commitments of the Sandhurst Treaty, signed by the Prime Minister and President Macron in January 2018. The Sandhurst Treaty is a bilateral agreement between the UK and France which reinforces the commitment of both sides to work together on border security issues.

Other law enforcement partners with a presence at the CCIC include Kent Police, National Crime Agency, Home Office Immigration Enforcement officers, and French authorities.

A shared commitment to expanding the Greater Manchester tram network through tram-train services, enabling faster, more reliable journeys across the network and cutting congestion, will be welcomed by the Transport Secretary and Greater Manchester Mayor today (25 January 2019).

Chris Grayling will announce on a visit to the new Wharfside Metrolink stop – part of the £350 million Trafford Park Line extension supported by government through the Greater Manchester Devolution Deal – that the Department for Transport, Network Rail and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) are working to explore a range of proposals for expansion.

This could include an innovative tram-train system in Greater Manchester and underlines a shared agreement on the opportunity for greater local control of transport services. Proposals will be brought forward by TfGM before the summer.

Both the Transport Secretary and the Mayor will also agree on the need for a positive, collaborative approach to help unlock the potential of HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail, and continue to make real progress in reforming Greater Manchester’s bus network.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said:

Metrolink has been transformative for Greater Manchester and I want to see the network expand.

A Greater Manchester tram-train also has the potential to seamlessly integrate our existing rail and tram tracks and services. We will work closely to explore proposals which would see Transport for Greater Manchester running more services, underlining our belief in greater local control.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said:

Greater Manchester is a growing city-region, but our transport network and infrastructure is holding us back. The people of Greater Manchester deserve a transport system that works for us both now and in the future.

Greater Manchester leaders recently shared our vision for the future of the city-region including our plan for jobs, homes and growth. Bringing innovative tram-train to Greater Manchester with greater local control and better integration of our transport system is a key part of this vision and I’m pleased that the government supports this ambition.

I also welcome the government’s commitment to working together to deliver bus reform and secure the best possible outcomes for Greater Manchester and the north from both Northern Powerhouse Rail and High Speed 2.

Using existing rail and tram infrastructure, a Greater Manchester tram-train system could increase rail capacity, reduce congestion, improve air quality and deliver more seamless, frequent journeys for passengers across the city-region.

411 boxes/pots intended for sale were seized as they were unauthorised veterinary medicines.

These products were all labelled for use on pigeons and included treatment indicated for worms, trichomoniasis (canker), coccidiosis and respiratory infections.

The sale and supply of these products is an offence under Regulation 4 (Placing a veterinary medicinal product on the market) and Regulation 26 (Possession of an unauthorised veterinary medicinal product).

Published 25 January 2019