Press release: Family resettlement and peacebuilding in Sri Lanka boosted by £1 million

Nearly 600 families resettled on newly released land in the North and East of Sri Lanka will benefit from £1 million from the UK Government to support the provision of basic infrastructure and services.

Helping families return to their villages is a crucial element of Sri Lanka addressing the legacy of civil war and is a key part of the joint strategy agreed by the UN and the government of Sri Lanka to support long-term post-conflict peacebuilding in Sri Lanka.

The funding will help those returning to their homes in the Jaffna, Killinochchi, Mullaithivu and Batticaloa districts by contributing towards roads, wells and sanitary services, and help re-establish access to local government services as well as local civil society organisations.

It will also help families rebuild their lives by supporting livelihood development through training on small business management, and provision of essential fishing and agricultural equipment.

Minister of State for Asia & the Pacific Mark Field said:

Helping some of the families resettle in districts from which they had been displaced is a very important step. It is symbolic of the steady progress made after decades of conflict. There remains a lot to do, but I am proud of the UK’s support to the rebuilding process.

We will continue to encourage the Sri Lankan Government to make progress delivering their Human Rights Council commitments, and I hope that the UK’s Sri Lankan diaspora will also play their part in encouraging that progress.

The UK currently supports stability in Sri Lanka through projects designed to build reconciliation and the rule of law; including, police and defence reform, demining, inter-faith mediation and anti-bribery and corruption, among other issues.

The funding is being provided through the UK’s Conflict Security and Stability Fund (CSSF), increasing the UK’s contribution through the CSSF for Sri Lanka to £7.9 million between 2016 and 2019.

The funding is part of the UK’s contribution to Sri Lanka’s Peacebuilding Priority Plan; a joint strategy agreed by the UN and the Government of Sri Lanka to support long term post-conflict peacebuilding in Sri Lanka.



News story: £76 million a year to build homes for vulnerable people

The government has announced an extra £76 million a year of funding to build homes for vulnerable people. The new homes will be built over the next 3 years and will be for disabled people, people with mental health issues and older people.

This supported or specialised housing is designed to be accessible and aid independent living by including features such as:

  • an individual home with its own front door
  • flexibility to adapt or install equipment or assistive technology in the home
  • varying levels of personal care and support to residents, including access to a GP or other health services
  • communal areas (for housing for older people)

The Care and Support Specialised Housing Fund (CASSH) was announced in 2012 and has been extended until 2021.

The fund is run in partnership with Homes England for schemes outside London, and the Mayor of London for London-based schemes.

Housing providers applied for funding during 2 fixed bidding rounds, and have already built around 3,300 specially designed new homes.

Local authorities and housing developers will now be able to apply on a rolling basis, until all the funding has been allocated for the year.

Minister for Care Caroline Dinenage said:

No one should have to go into a residential home or get stuck in hospital because of a lack of specialised housing adapted to suit their needs. This programme provides a vital life line for some of the most vulnerable people in society to live their own lives in a home that works for them.

We want the fund to be used to its maximum potential so more homes can be created, more quickly, ensuring that thousands of people are supported to live independently in their own homes, benefitting both them and their carers.



Notice: LN7 6PN, Holmefield Farm Services Limited: environmental permit issued

The Environment Agency publish permits that they issue under the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED).

This decision includes the permit and decision document for:

  • Operator name: Holmefield Farm Services Limited
  • Installation name: Brandy Wharf Piggery
  • Permit number: EPR/MP3133QD


Notice: TA18 8RR, Yeo Valley Farms (Production) Limited: environmental permit issued

The Environment Agency publish surrenders that they issue under the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED).

This decision includes the permit, decision document and site condition report evaluation template for:

  • Operator name: Yeo Valley Farms (Production) Limited
  • Installation name: Yeo Valley Crewkerne
  • Permit number: EPR/AP3839NG/S003


Notice: B7 4TD, JH Richards and Co Limited: environmental permit issued

The Environment Agency publish surrenders that they issue under the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED).

This decision includes the surrender letter, decision document and site condition report evaluation template for:

  • Operator name: JH Richards and Co Limited
  • Installation name: JH Richards and Co Limited, Saltley Road
  • Permit number: EPR/BP3730ZP/S003