The Accelerated Access Collaborative brings together leaders from the NHS, industry and government to identify the most transformative medical innovations, and will oversee a fast-track route to allow these innovative technologies to be available on the NHS up to 4 years earlier.

Under this Accelerated Access Pathway, launching later this year, a number of the most promising products will be accelerated through the clinical development and NHS approval processes to treat conditions such as cancer, diabetes and dementia.

The project builds on an £86 million funding package to help innovators of all sizes gain access to the NHS market and get their products to patients.

Lord Darzi is a former minister at the Department of Health and Social Care, chair of Imperial College Health Partners, and chairman and director of the Institute of Global Health Innovation.

The previous chair, Sir Andrew Witty, resigned in March to avoid any conflicts of interest after he took on a new role as CEO of Optum.

Health Minister Lord O’Shaughnessy said:

I want the UK to be at the forefront of breakthrough treatments and medical innovations – but often it can take too long for products to get from the bench to the bedside.

The Accelerated Access Pathway will speed up this process so patients can benefit from the best technologies far quicker – and I’m delighted to appoint Lord Darzi as the chair to oversee this important work.

Lord Darzi, Chair of the Accelerated Access Collaborative, said:

Britain is world leading in medical science and research, but we need to make sure that people in the UK are able to reap the benefits of this innovation. It is vitally important that patients have rapid access to cost-effective, transformative treatments on the NHS. Doing so will not only improve the health of our patients, but will promote future collaboration between the life sciences sector and the NHS post-Brexit – benefiting the British economy and creating jobs.

I’m thrilled to be building on the great foundations laid by Sir Andrew Witty for the AAC to deliver this.

The Home Secretary attended a commemoration event in Islington to mark the first anniversary of the Finsbury Park terrorist attack this morning.

He joined local community leaders, other politicians, and the family of Makram Ali, who was killed in the attack, to pay tribute to him and all those affected.

Speaking after the memorial, the Home Secretary Sajid Javid said:

Today we remember the life of Makram Ali and the people whose lives were changed forever by the Finsbury Park attack.

The tragedy is a reminder of the complicated nature of the threat we face, including from far-right extremism.

In the days after the attack I visited the scene and was struck by the bravery, unity and defiance of the local community. This strength has not waned and embodies how the people of this country will not allow terrorists to undermine our way of life.

On the streets of Finsbury Park I promised mourners that we would do everything we could to confront all forms of terrorism – and this determination remains unwavering.

Earlier this month, the government published its strengthened counter-terrorism strategy which explained the increasing threat presented by the extreme right wing and the actions the government is taking to combat all forms of terrorism.

For those that have been affected by terrorism, an anniversary can be particularly upsetting. Information on the different kinds of practical and emotional support available, including peer support networks and advice about talking to children has been published on Support for victims of terrorism website.

Moawia has been a driving force for interfaith dialogue and community cohesion in South Wales for over 20 years. He is the founder and chair of the ‘Council on Welsh Islamic Relations’, which encourages a greater understanding of Islam through talks with local schools, businesses and charities. In partnership with the ‘Muslim Welfare Association’ in the Vale of Glamorgan, Moawia has provided support and mentoring for young adults in the community on issues such as challenging extremism, forced marriage and honour-based violence, and raised over £50,000 towards its outreach work. He works part-time as a magistrate in order to volunteer for 14 charity boards in Wales and act as an ambassador for the BAME community.

Moawia was presented with his award by the Prime Minister Theresa May at a Number 10 Reception marking Eid, which was also attended by his local MP and Secretary of State for Wales, Alun Cairns.

Moawia is one of the latest recipients of the Points of Light award, which recognises outstanding volunteers who are making a change in their community and inspiring others. Each day, someone, somewhere in the country is selected to receive the award to celebrate their remarkable achievements.

In a personal letter to Moawia, Prime Minister Theresa May said:

Your dedication to improving interfaith dialogue and providing support for young people from diverse backgrounds is truly commendable. Your inclusive volunteering efforts and outreach work is supporting Muslim communities across Wales and promoting a greater understanding of Islam in local schools, businesses, and charities.

Alun Cairns, MP for Vale of Glamorgan and Secretary of State for Wales, said:

I am delighted to hear of Moawia’s Points of Light Award for his outstanding voluntary work. I have known Moawia for many years and have seen his excellent work across our community first hand.

Moawia is also a Vale Ambassador and works tirelessly to improve understanding and communication between different faiths in our community. He also volunteers as a Prison Escort and as a Challenging Extremism Instructor working to deter young people from radicalisation.

Moawia is an inspiring young leader and I am delighted that the Vale benefits so much from his work and would like to take this opportunity to thank him for everything he does.

Moawia said:

I’m honoured and humbled to learn that I’ve been awarded the Prime Minister’s Points of Light Award in recognition of my voluntary work. I never look for accolades or awards when I take part in all my public, charity and voluntary work but feel truly privileged when I do pick up an honour. I’m really grateful to have the opportunity to help make a small difference in society and to peoples’ lives. I hope this award will motivate other young people to get involved with charitable and voluntary work across Wales. I would like to thank my family, friends, and mentors for all the support they give me.

Moawia is the 912th winner of the Points of Light award, which has been developed in partnership with the hugely successful Points of Light programme in the USA. Over 6,000 Points of Light have been awarded in the USA, and former Presidents have publicly supported the partnership with Points of Light UK. There is a similar cross-party approach to the UK programme and MPs from different parties often present their constituents with their Points of Light awards

Regardless of whether it’s a doctor restoring local monuments in her free time, a father teaching young people life skills, or a local musician giving a voice to lonely people, the Points of Light award honours shining examples of volunteering across the UK.

Notes to Editors

1. The Points of Light awards recognise outstanding individual volunteers, people who are making a change in their community and inspiring others.
2. The Prime Minister makes daily announcements of the winners to celebrate, encourage and promote volunteering and the value that it brings to the country.
3. If people know someone who could be a Point of Light they should write to the Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street.
4. Website: www.pointsoflight.gov.uk

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A waste removal businessman who blighted Devon countryside with 2,000 tons of rubbish – then set fire to it – has narrowly avoided jail.

The Environment Agency prosecuted Edward Donovan, of Churchill Drive, Crediton, for a range of offences after he turned part of an elderly land owners’ farm at Spreyton into an illegal waste site. It was here he dumped waste he collected from commercial businesses across central and east Devon as EDS (Ed Donovan Services).

Donovan pleaded guilty to charges under the Environmental Protection Act at Exeter Magistrates Court, which included running a waste site on land owned by a couple in their 70s without a permit, causing pollution and setting fire to waste. He was given a jail sentence of 18 weeks, suspended for two years, and banned from the waste trade for five years.

He was also ordered to pay Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service £1,232 – the amount it cost the service to attend a large waste fire he set at the location last year. Donovan also has to pay £4,252 costs to the Environment Agency.

Adrian Evans, of the Environment Agency, said:

This is one of the worst incidents of illegal waste management I have come across for some time.

The defendant showed a complete disregard for the environment, health and safety and for the owners of the land and their neighbours.

As well as furniture, plastics, plasterboard and other vast quantities of waste which were strewn across a large area, we found materials containing asbestos.

The land owners were unaware of Donovan’s activity, who had been allowed to use the site from May 2017 in lieu of payment for dismantling and removing three caravans. When they found out, they were horrified and their son told Donovan to tidy up the site in November 2017. Instead, the defendant set waste alight.

Adrian Evans, of the Environment Agency, said:

This case serves as an important reminder to businesses and the public to be vigilant about who they allow to remove their waste.

Waste producers should always insist on seeing evidence that waste being removed will be taken to suitably licensed or exempt facilities to be properly disposed of or recycled.

The Environment Agency has some simple steps for all householders and businesses to think about when giving your waste items to someone else to dispose of, whether you have paid them or not:

• Check they are a registered waste carrier. Ideally they should have a copy of their registration documents on them, ask to see these. You can check their licence number at environment.data.gov.uk/public-register, or call 03708 506506 and we can check for you.
• Get a written receipt/transfer note showing their contact details, a description of your waste and details of where they are taking it
• Note down the make, colour and registration number of the vehicle that’s taking your waste away.
• If their quote seems too good to be true, it probably is. Get another quote for comparison.

Taking these steps will help us all work together to deter waste criminals and reduce illegal fly-tipping and dumping that blights communities and costs thousands of pounds to clear and make safe.

Note to Editor:

Donovan pleaded guilty and received an 18-week prison sentence, suspended for two years, for each of the following offences, to be served consecutively:

1. Regulation 12(1)(a) & 38(1)(a)&(b) Environmental Permitting Regulations 2010: ‘Operate a Regulated Facility (or knowingly cause or knowingly permit) except under and to the extent authorised by an environmental permit’.

2. Section 33(1)(a) Environmental Protection Act 1990: ‘Deposit or knowingly cause or knowingly permit the deposit of controlled waste on land without the benefit of an Environmental Permit authorising the deposit’.

3. Section 33(1)(b) Environmental Protection Act 1990: Submit controlled waste (by burning), or knowingly cause or knowingly permit ‘controlled waste to be submitted, to any listed operation that is not carried out under and in accordance with an environmental permit’.

4. Section 33(1)(c) Environmental Protection Act 1990: ‘Treat Keep or dispose of controlled waste in a manner likely to cause pollution of the environmental or harm to human health’.

5. Section 34(6) Environmental Protection Act 1990: Failure to ensure a waste transfer note (required by the Environment Protection (Duty of Care) Regulations 1991) was completed and signed on the transfer of waste.

Donovan was also given a five-year Criminal Behaviour Order preventing him from working in the waste industry.