The Joint Working Group, which takes place on Sunday, will focus on the UK and Oman’s partnership on areas such as trade, education and tourism. It will also be an opportunity to discuss regional issues such as the conflicts in Yemen and Syria, and the Gulf Cooperation Council.

The Minister’s visit also coincides with the Saif Sareea military exercise, which will see Royal Navy ships, Royal Air Force Typhoons and British Army troops train alongside Omani forces in their largest joint exercise for 17 years.

While in Oman, Minister Burt will have the opportunity to see other areas of UK-Omani cooperation in practice. These include a venture between the UK Premier League and the Oman Football Association whereby UK Football Coaches from Bournemouth FC have travelled to Oman to train Omani football coaches. Minister Burt will also attend a roundtable with female alumni of UK universities now working in Oman to improve access to education.

Speaking ahead of the visit, Minister Burt said:

Cooperation between the UK and Oman continues to go from strength to strength. My visit this week is an opportunity to see some tangible examples of that cooperation – from the 5,500 UK troops involved in the joint UK-Oman military exercise, to British football coaches training their Omani counterparts.

Oman remains a lynchpin of relations in the Middle East region, and as ever I value their expertise on Yemen, Syria and wider Gulf issues. The 14th Joint Working Group between our countries is a chance to discuss these areas and build on the positive investment, trade and tourism relationship between the UK and Oman.

The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) are seeking views on proposals to introduce Inshore Vessel Monitoring Systems (I-VMS) for all licensed British fishing boats under 12 metres in length, operating in English waters. This also covers English boats operating outside of English waters.

VMS has been used as a monitoring system for UK vessels of 12 metres and over since 2013. The system records the location, speed and heading of a vessel using GPRS technology. Introducing I-VMS for under 12 metre vessels will provide a more accurate picture on fishing location and activity, which will help inform future fisheries management and sustainability.

The data could also allow fishermen to market their produce as sustainably caught, providing consumers with greater awareness of where their fish has come from and helping them to make more informed decisions.

Fisheries Minister George Eustice said:

“Monitoring systems play a crucial role in developing a framework for fisheries management that is both profitable and sustainable – and that allows all sections of our fleet to thrive.

“I now encourage everyone with an interest to have their say by responding to the consultation.”

It is proposed that the initial cost and installation of the equipment will be met by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund in order to minimise cost to industry.

The six week consultation will close on 14 November 2018.

Interested parties are invited to share their views either online or by post to:

The new ‘North West Nuclear Community Apprenticeship Programme’ will boost employment opportunities for local people, and help drive economic growth in the region.

The courses offered will range from customer services, property maintenance and scaffolding to potentially more diverse professions like logistics and horticulture.

Les Studholme, Head of Training for Sellafield Ltd said:

We are delighted to be using a community apprentice programme to not only boost nuclear capability, but also create a pipeline of skills that will help Cumbria achieve its unlimited potential.

The mission at Sellafield is changing, and while we need new skills to drive forward our environmental clean-up, we are also helping to build a diverse and resilient supply chain and community.

Developed by Sellafield Ltd, the programme will be delivered and managed independently by the Cumbria Apprentice Training Agency (CATA), who will work with the employers, employment agencies and a range of local training providers.

It is supported by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), Nuclear Skills Strategy Group (NSSG), Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and the Britain’s Energy Coast Business Cluster (BECBC).

Sellafield Ltd is the first in the UK to run the scheme, which will then be rolled out all over the country.

Les added;

This apprenticeship programme has been designed to address the specific skills shortages faced by Cumbria.

It will also provide more accessible paths to professional qualifications and job opportunities, for anyone over the age of 16, including additional support for those with barriers to education and employment.

These schemes offer people the transferable skills that will be valuable to a thriving economy.

This could be within the supply chain supporting the Sellafield mission, or working in business, tourism, healthcare or education, the opportunities are vast.

With no upper age limit, it will provide local people with accessible paths to professional qualifications and employment, and enhance the skills of the broader Cumbrian workforce.

A range of small companies will be identified as host employers in the coming months, and will be matched to apprentices once they are recruited next year.

Jacq Longrigg, Head of Skills & Talent for the NDA said:

This scheme is a strategic investment from the NDA & Sellafield Ltd.

Supporting access to careers in nuclear and enabling those smallest organisations within our supply chain and local communities to employ an apprentice is a priority for us, as the first phase of a wider north west project.

Craig Ivison, Head of Employment and Skills for the Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership said:

Cumbria LEP fully supports this exciting and innovative initiative to increase apprenticeship opportunities in the county.

It will also help smaller employers to fully engage in apprenticeships to create the future workforce for their organisation.

Fiona Rayment chair of the Nuclear Skills Strategy Group said;

This scheme represents one of the first projects to begin to achieve the targets set in the recent Nuclear Sector Deal.

We have to increase the number of apprenticeships to over 2000 within the next two years and this project will help support this challenge while generating a positive social impact.

As lead Non-executive Director and Chair of the Audit and Risk Assurance Committee respectively, Marc Bolland and Alan Johnson will provide advice, oversight and scrutiny to DFID’s work as independent members of the Departmental Board and attendees at the Management Board.

Marc Bolland has extensive experience across both the private and non-profit sector. He is a Vice President at UNICEF UK, Trustee on the Board of the Royal Academy of Arts, and founder of the Movement to Work charity, which provided nearly 100,000 underprivileged young people with work experience and jobs. Marc’s current role is Operating Partner and Head of European Portfolio Operations at financial services firm Blackstone Group. Before this, Marc previously held positions as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Morrison Supermarkets and CEO of Marks and Spencer.

Prior to joining DFID’s Board, Alan Johnson had a 30-year career at Unilever, including as Chief Audit Executive and Chief Financial Officer of the Global Foods Division. He holds Non-executive Director positions for several non-profit organisations, including the International Federation of Accountants and the British School in Lisbon.

Matthew Rycroft, Permanent Secretary for DFID said:

“I am delighted to welcome Marc and Alan to the Board, both of whom bring a wealth of experience and insight from which DFID’s work will benefit greatly.

I look forward to working with them both as we continue to ensure UK Aid makes a real positive impact for the UK and to people’s lives around the world.”