The UK’s new independent trade remedies system will protect UK businesses from injury caused by unfair trading practices, such as dumping and subsidies, and unforeseen surges in imports, when we leave the European Union.

Claire Bassett, Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) Chief Executive Designate, updated the International Trade Committee today on the progress that has been made to ensure the TRA will be ready for 29 March 2019.

DIT has already recruited 70% of the future TRA’s staff, with 90 staff now appointed.

Over one-third of those in post have now completed the comprehensive technical training programme and are armed with the relevant accounting, legal and economic skills required to conduct trade remedies investigations.

The UK system will be compliant with World Trade Organisation rules, including for the conduct of investigations and provisions on the calculations of dumping and injury. There will be a statutory appeals system for trade remedies decisions.

The TRA will launch a new website, which will allow people to submit applications and evidence as part of the review and investigations process. The new platform has undergone several rounds of user and development testing and will be ready to be launched by the time the UK leaves the EU.

TRA Chief Executive, Claire Bassett said:

We are committed to ensuring that UK industry continues to have the protection it needs against injury caused by unfair trading practices, or unforeseen surges in imports, once we have left the EU. That is why the Department have developed an independent trade remedies framework and I am looking forward to leading the TRA, to deliver this.

The TRA will form a key part of the UK’s new independent trade policy, as we prepare to take control of our own trade agenda for the first time in more than 40 years.

The new authority will be based in Reading and will be responsible for investigating cases of unfair trading practices and unforeseen surges in imports that injure UK businesses. It will be able to recommend new measures for the protection of domestic industries.

It is currently taking longer than normal for confirmation emails to be sent out after a trade mark application is submitted on our website.

The following forms are affected:

We are working to fix this issue as soon as possible. This delay does not mean that there is an issue with specific applications. The delay is only affecting how quickly you receive the initial notification email.

Home Secretary Sajid Javid has today approved revised IOPC guidance which strikes the right balance between the need for robust investigation whilst supporting firearms officers in the line of duty.

The IOPC’s section 22 guidance, which has been made statutory today, includes a preference that key police witnesses should be separated after an incident, but also gives senior officers operational discretion to use alternatives, like recording proceedings on body worn video.

This completes the Home Office review into police use of firearms, which was commissioned following concerns officers could be deterred from volunteering for armed roles if they did not feel sufficiently protected.

The review has concluded that the right legal and procedural protections are in place for officers following a police shooting and in a great majority of incidents officers were dealt with as witnesses rather than suspects.

The Home Secretary Sajid Javid said:

Firearms officers are highly-trained professionals who do a uniquely challenging job – putting themselves in harm’s way to protect the public and taking split-second decisions on whether to discharge their weapons.

Any use of force by the police must be proportionate and necessary and the public must have confidence that investigations following a police shooting incident are independent and robust.

But we must also make sure armed officers feel empowered to use their skills and experience in order to save lives in the most dangerous situations.

Today’s approval of the IOPC section 22 guidance sets out a police officer’s responsibilities and duties in the period immediately following a death or serious injury during arrest, in or following custody or after a firearms incident. The new guidelines will take effect immediately.

Additionally, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has published revised guidance which requires prosecutors to take into account the dynamic and often fast-evolving situations police find themselves in when considering a prosecution.

The revised guidance takes into account recent court judgements and ensures there is a consistent approach to prosecutions involving self-defence and reasonable force by police.

The firearms review has also concluded that:

• the police and IOPC agreed post-incident procedures for the aftermath of a terrorist attack. As a result, the post-incident procedures that followed last year’s terrorist attacks worked well and were concluded quickly

• the length of time taken to conclude IOPC investigations, inquests and sometimes further legal proceedings following a fatality causes distress to both officers and families of the deceased. In a very small number of cases, the period of time has been significant

• however, the average length of an independent investigation by the IOPC has fallen and improving the timeliness of their investigations remains a key priority to avoid distress to families and police officers

• the Home Office is leading work to look for further improvements to make the process simpler and quicker. The police also have a role to play in reducing delays, along with other partners

Latest Home Office figures have revealed recruits of firearms officers are up by 3% compared to the previous year to 6,459 as of March 2018, following a £144 million funding boost for armed policing at the 2015 spending review.

Defence Minister Stuart Andrew announced the £293 million contract with Leonardo Helicopters during a visit to the company’s site in Yeovil where some of the vital work on the aircraft will take place. The Apache AH MK1 Integrated Operational Support (IOS) contract will maintain the fleet until it’s out of service date in March 2024.

The Apache MK1 is being incrementally replaced by the latest Apache AH-64E aircraft that will begin entering service with the British Army in 2022. The new AH-64E model will have improved sensors and avionics as well as greater performance that will enable the Army to sustain its battle-winning capabilities in future operations.

Defence Minister Stuart Andrew said:

The Apache has provided years of crucial battlefield support to UK and coalition troops in operations in Libya and Afghanistan. This multi-million-pound contract will ensure our Armed Forces continue to benefit from this vital capability as we integrate the latest Apache model into service in 2022.

The IOS contract secured by Defence Equipment and Support, the MOD’s procurement agency, includes deep maintenance, repair and overhaul of the MK1 aircraft as well as the provision of technical and spares support. The contract has been awarded in three tranches, to maintain value for money, with this latest investment covering the final five years of the fleet in service.

This contract reaffirms the MOD’s committed investment in Leonardo’s Yeovil site. Last May, the MOD announced the delivery of the first Commando Merlin Mk4 helicopters designed for Royal Marine aircraft carrier operations. This saw the fruition of a £388 million contract supporting 175 skilled jobs in Yeovil and a further 500 across the UK supply chain. The MOD also provides Leonardo with the £271 million Wildcat support and training contract securing 500 jobs in Yeovil.

The South West benefits from MOD expenditure of £920 per person each year and a huge investment in local industry and commerce of £5.1 billion. Defence spending in the region supports one in every 60 jobs – the highest proportion of jobs supported by MOD expenditure in the UK, totalling 33,500 jobs.

Director Helicopters at Defence Equipment and Support, the MOD’s procurement agency, Graham Russell said:

This latest multi-million-pound investment in the existing Apache fleet not only demonstrates our positive collaboration with industry in achieving value for money, but also ensures that these battle-proven helicopters remain in-service and readily available for the British Army until their out of service date.

The Environment Agency has stocked a West Bromwich park pool with roach, tench, rudd and bream, to encourage local people to take up angling.