Press release: Aberdeen has a bright future post-Brexit, ministers tell industry leaders

Businesses in Aberdeen have today been reassured by ministers that they have the full support and backing of the Government as the UK prepares to leave the EU.

The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, Robert Jenrick, and Brexit Minister, Robin Walker, visited the ‘Granite City’ to meet local businesses and leaders from the oil and gas, and fishing industries. They listened to local concerns and underlined the UK government’s determination to get the best Brexit deal for people living and working in Aberdeen.

The ministers were in town to host the Oil and Gas forum with senior representatives from energy companies, such as BP and Shell, as well as supply chain companies and the Oil & Gas Authority.

Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, Robert Jenrick said:

“For the first time in many years the Government is holding its oil and gas summit here in Aberdeen, to listen to the sector and the wider business community.

“We are supporting the oil and gas industry making it more competitive and innovative, and securing a strong future for it and for Aberdeen.

“We want to see Aberdeen’s economy continue to thrive and are pleased to be meeting businesses and entrepreneurs across the city and county.”

Brexit Minister, Robin Walker, said:

“Aberdeen’s vibrant, diverse industries – from oil and gas to fishing – are renowned the world over. As we leave the EU, we’re committed to enabling these great Scottish businesses to go from strength to strength.

“That’s why I was pleased to talk to Scottish industries today about our ongoing negotiations with the EU. The implementation period we agreed in March will provide the certainty they’ve rightly been asking for, as well as give us the opportunity to go out into the world and negotiate new trade deals for the first time in 40 years.

“Our future outside the EU is a bright one for Scottish business as part of a global UK.”

Discussions at the oil and gas forum focussed on the opportunities and challenges posed to the sector by Brexit, as well as how government support and the multi-billion package of generous tax cuts has provided greater stability for the industry – protecting jobs and driving innovation.

The Exchequer Secretary saw this innovation first hand on a subsequent visit to the ASET International Oil & Gas Training Academy, where engineers tasked with fixing oil rigs and emergency responders are trained for a career in the North Sea.

The ministers also attended a business event with the Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce. There, they met with up to 80 local entrepreneurs to hear their priorities for Brexit and answer their questions.

Brexit Minister, Robin Walker, also met the Scottish Seafood Association to discuss our desire to build a new economic partnership with the EU that secures the freest and most frictionless trade possible in fish products between the UK and the EU, alongside the opportunities coming to the wider UK fishing community. From December 2020 we will be negotiating fishing opportunities as an independent coastal state, deciding who can access our waters and on what terms for the first time in 40 years.

Notes to editors:

Since 2014, the UK government has supported the Oil and Gas industry with:

  • Significant cuts to tax rates: permanently reducing Petroleum Revenue Tax from 50% to 0%, and cutting Supplementary Charge from 32% to 10%;

  • The introduction of a new basin-wide Investment Allowance, reducing the effective rate of tax for companies who are investing in new developments;

  • £40 million of funding for seismic surveys, to support activity in under-explored parts of the UK Continental Shelf, plus a further £5 million to support exploration projects in 2018-19;

  • Jointly investing up to £250m with the Scottish Government through the Aberdeen City Region Deal, which includes support for the Oil & Gas Technology Centre; and

  • Announcing a transferable tax history to support transactions of late life oil and gas fields, available for deals from 1 November 2018.



Press release: Boat patrols target illegal fishing

Environment Agency Fisheries Enforcement Officers in the North East are continuing their crackdown on illegal angling.

This week they carried out boat patrols on the River Tees on the lookout for people fishing illegally. On Wednesday they reported two men for fishing for pike during the coarse fishing close season near Preston Park.

The close season prevents fishing for coarse fish for 3 months to give the fish a chance to breed. It runs from 15 March to 15 June inclusive.

Kevin Summerson, Fisheries Enforcement Technical Specialist with the Environment Agency in the North East, said:

The Environment Agency’s role is to protect fish stocks and improve fisheries. This includes rescuing fish in distress, improving habitat and restocking rivers across the region which have been affected by pollution or poor fish passage.

However, the close season means fish are left alone during the spring to allow them the opportunity to breed. During this time our specialist enforcement teams police illegal fishing as they do all year round to ensure compliance with the law.

Licences checked

Enforcement officers have checked around 500 anglers since the beginning of April so far, with most being fully licensed and compliant. Enforcement officers have reported 15 people for offences.

During March the Environment Agency prosecuted nine anglers at courts in the North East for unlicensed fishing and associated offences, resulting in fines and costs totalling almost £2,000. Kevin added:

We take all kinds of illegal fishing very seriously, whether it’s those fishing without a licence or licensed anglers using illegal equipment.

It’s not fair on other anglers who make sure they fish within the law, and also endangers the future of the sport by damaging the sustainability of fish stocks. It’s really important people report information about suspected illegal fishing to us so we can investigate.

The Environment Agency’s work is intelligence-led and they work closely with partners to target known hot spots and where illegal fishing is reported. It urges anyone to report illegal fishing by calling 0800 80 70 60.

Coarse fishing is still allowed on most still waters and canals, depending on fishery owner agreement, though a valid fishing licence is still required. You can check which still waters and canals still have a close season in operation by checking the byelaws which apply in your area online

Anyone who wants to go fishing needs to buy a fishing licence. A full annual licence costs from just £30 (short term and some concessionary licences are also available) and are available online



Press release: Boat patrols target illegal fishing

Environment Agency Fisheries Enforcement Officers in the North East are continuing their crackdown on illegal angling.

This week they carried out boat patrols on the River Tees on the lookout for people fishing illegally. On Wednesday they reported two men for fishing for pike during the coarse fishing close season near Preston Park.

The close season prevents fishing for coarse fish for 3 months to give the fish a chance to breed. It runs from 15 March to 15 June inclusive.

Kevin Summerson, Fisheries Enforcement Technical Specialist with the Environment Agency in the North East, said:

The Environment Agency’s role is to protect fish stocks and improve fisheries. This includes rescuing fish in distress, improving habitat and restocking rivers across the region which have been affected by pollution or poor fish passage.

However, the close season means fish are left alone during the spring to allow them the opportunity to breed. During this time our specialist enforcement teams police illegal fishing as they do all year round to ensure compliance with the law.

Licences checked

Enforcement officers have checked around 500 anglers since the beginning of April so far, with most being fully licensed and compliant. Enforcement officers have reported 15 people for offences.

During March the Environment Agency prosecuted nine anglers at courts in the North East for unlicensed fishing and associated offences, resulting in fines and costs totalling almost £2,000. Kevin added:

We take all kinds of illegal fishing very seriously, whether it’s those fishing without a licence or licensed anglers using illegal equipment.

It’s not fair on other anglers who make sure they fish within the law, and also endangers the future of the sport by damaging the sustainability of fish stocks. It’s really important people report information about suspected illegal fishing to us so we can investigate.

The Environment Agency’s work is intelligence-led and they work closely with partners to target known hot spots and where illegal fishing is reported. It urges anyone to report illegal fishing by calling 0800 80 70 60.

Coarse fishing is still allowed on most still waters and canals, depending on fishery owner agreement, though a valid fishing licence is still required. You can check which still waters and canals still have a close season in operation by checking the byelaws which apply in your area online

Anyone who wants to go fishing needs to buy a fishing licence. A full annual licence costs from just £30 (short term and some concessionary licences are also available) and are available online



Corporate report: National Waste Programme Quarterly Report: Q4 FY 2017 to 2018

The National Waste Programme (NWP) is a cross-UK programme of work to lead the ongoing implementation and delivery of the UK Nuclear Industry Solid LLW Strategy.

The NWP covers all nuclear industry waste producers including those in the NDA estate, the public sector and the private sector. The NWP is led by LLW Repository Ltd on behalf of the NDA (who are responsible for leading strategy implementation for the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).

The NWP works collaboratively with its stakeholders to produce a Blueprint and Benefit Map to show the direction of travel for strategy implementation. The activities to deliver the strategy are executed by the stakeholders of the NWP, for example by waste producers through their waste management practices.

Find out more about the National Waste Programme; established to implement the UK LLW Strategy. An industry-wide collaboration led by LLWR on behalf of the NDA.



News story: Civil/crime news: list of individuals excluded from contract work

A list of individuals excluded from being supervisors or performing contract work is available on our ‘contract terminations and exclusions’ page on GOV.UK – link below.

The information includes the:

  • individual’s name

  • region in which the individual was working prior to exclusion

  • nature of work individual excluded from doing

  • date exclusion was imposed

  • date exclusion will be reviewed

Reasons for exclusion

Among other reasons which are set out in our standard contract documents, the LAA may exclude individuals where they have been:

  • a cause of, or the subject of an official investigation or report – as defined within the applicable LAA contract standard terms

  • a cause of a sanction, or

  • they have been charged with, or convicted of, an imprisonable offence

In addition, we would need to consider that such action is reasonably necessary to protect clients, public funds or the LAA from material harm.

Why is this happening now?

By publishing a list, our intention is to raise awareness and reduce the risk of legal aid providers using any excluded individuals for work affected by the terms of their exclusion.

Right of appeal

Details of excluded individuals will only be published following the conclusion of any applicable LAA appeal processes.

Removing individuals from the list

The individual will be removed from the published list once the exclusion expires or is revoked and the LAA is satisfied that the individual no longer poses a risk of causing material harm to clients’ interests, public funds or the LAA.

Individuals are entitled to apply annually for a review of their inclusion on the list or should their circumstances change such that the exclusion may no longer be considered necessary.

Providers to check ‘excluded individuals’ list

To ensure that providers are not in breach of their contractual obligations, it is the responsibility of providers to check the ‘excluded individuals’ list before allowing individuals or third parties to carry out contract work on their behalf.

Obligations are set out in clause 10.4 of the contract standard terms – see contract link below. Appropriate action against any providers found to be employing excluded individuals will be considered by the LAA in accordance with the terms of the contract.

Further information

Contract terminations and exclusions – to download ‘excluded individuals’ list

Standard Civil Contract 2015 – see clauses 10.4, 24.9, 24.10 and 24.11 which are common to civil and crime contracts since 2010

Bar Standards Board Disciplinary tribunals and findings

SRA published regulatory decisions – details of suspended/struck off individuals

SRA recent decisions