Press release: Relatives of Argentine soldiers killed during the Falklands War visit the Argentine cemetery at Darwin

More than 200 relatives of 90 recently identified Argentine soldiers who lost their lives in the 1982 Falkland war visited the Falkland Islands today (Monday 26 March) to visit their newly marked graves.

As part of a joint project between the UK, Falkland Islands and Argentine Governments and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), a forensic team exhumed, analysed and documented the remains in each of the unidentified graves in the Argentine cemetery at Darwin in the Falkland Islands.

Argentina’s Secretary for Human Rights, Claudio Avruj, will accompany the families. Retired British Army Colonel Geoffrey Cardozo, who was responsible for burying the Argentine dead with sensitivity and respect immediately after the conflict, will also accompany the group.

Minister of State for Europe and the Americas, Sir Alan Duncan MP said:

I welcome this visit to the Argentine cemetery at Darwin by family members of the recently identified Argentine soldiers. This important humanitarian project, facilitated by the International Committee of the Red Cross, will provide some comfort to the families of the deceased. When visiting the cemetery the families will find their loved ones properly identified and in a place of great dignity.

I am grateful to the Falkland Islands Government who coordinated the visit, in cooperation with the Argentine Families Commission, and with support by the UK and Argentine Governments. It marks an important development in the UK-Argentina relationship and demonstrates what can be achieved with a positive and constructive relationship.

Notes for Editors:

  • The visit will include a religious ceremony jointly conducted by Auxiliary Bishop of Buenos Aires, Bishop Eguia Segui, and the Right Reverand Abbott Hugh Allan from the United Kingdom.
  • Brigadier Baz Bennett, Commander of the British Forces South Atlantic Islands, will deliver military honours for the ceremony. A Scottish Piper and a British military guard will be present.
  • The DNA identification project was funded by the UK and Argentine Governments. This is a humanitarian initiative that we support in line with our wider obligations under international law.
  • In the UK-Argentina Joint Communique of 13 September 2016, both countries expressed their full support for a DNA identification process in respect of unknown Argentine soldiers buried in the Falkland Islands.
  • Over a seven week period (7 June – 20 August 2017), an ICRC forensic team exhumed, analysed and documented the remains of each of the unidentified soldiers. 90 Argentine soldiers were positively identified.

Further information



News story: Carillion: Official Receiver’s update

Carillion: Official Receiver’s update – GOV.UK

The Official Receiver provides an update on employment within the Carillion group in liquidation.

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A spokesperson for the Official Receiver said:

A further 481 jobs have been saved with employees transferring to new suppliers who have picked up contracts that Carillion had been delivering. More than 9,000 employees have now been found secure ongoing employment.

Regrettably we have been unable to find ongoing employment for a further 123 employees who will leave the business later this week. Jobcentre Plus’ RapidResponse Service will provide them with every support to find new work.

Discussions with potential purchasers continue. I am continuing to engage with staff, elected employee representatives and unions to keep them informed as these arrangements are confirmed.

Further information

  • In total, to date 9,073 jobs have been saved and 1,705 jobs have been made redundant through the liquidation
  • This information does not include jobs attached to contracts where an intention to purchase has been entered into but has not yet formally occurred
  • More than 6,400 employees are currently retained to enable Carillion to deliver the remaining services it is providing for public and private sector customers until decisions are taken to transfer or cease these contracts
  • Further information about rights in redundancy is available on gov.uk

Published 26 March 2018



News story: Professor Melanie Welham selected for the role of Executive Chair of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council

Professor Melanie Welham is currently interim Chief Executive of BBSRC having previously served as Executive Director, Science for BBSRC. Prior to this, Professor Welham worked at the University of Bath as Professor of Molecular Signalling and was the first woman to be appointed a professor in her department. Melanie is a leading researcher in molecular signalling and stem cell science.

UKRI will be the main mechanism to promote the UK’s unrivalled strengths in research and innovation both at home and around the world. It is at the heart of our modern Industrial Strategy and will ensure that we continue to make the most of our world-leading R&D sector and provide support for our researchers and scientists.

Professor Welham said:

The excellent research, people and infrastructure that BBSRC invests in makes a real difference to how we understand the world around us.

Creatively exploring the frontiers of bioscience yields remarkable insights into how life works and will, in turn, improve our lives; giving us secure and nutritious food, renewable resources, and better health for us and our animals.

I’m delighted to have the opportunity to continue to lead BBSRC in UK Research and Innovation – to work in partnership to keep the UK at the global forefront of research and innovation.

Sir Mark Walport, UKRI CEO Designate, said:

I’m delighted with the appointment of Melanie as the first BBSRC Executive Chair. She has an excellent track record as a research leader and as interim BBSRC Chief Executive since 2016. Melanie has played a central role in developing and delivering the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund and I look forward to continuing to work closely with her as we now embark on establishing UK Research and Innovation.

The post of BBSRC Executive Chair is potentially subject to a pre-appointment hearing by the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee. The Committee will consider this in due course.



Press release: Invasive species week: Floating pennywort a spreading menace

Minister Geoffrey Boot MHK Isle of Man, Hannah Blythyn AM Wales, Minister Denis Naughten TD Ireland, Lord Gardiner, UK Biosecurity Minister and Deputy Steve Luce, Jersey.

Reports of floating pennywort in our rivers and lakes have reached a record high with 50 tonnes of the invasive plant being removed from the River Thames by the Environment Agency in 2017.

Fast-growing plants like floating pennywort can spread into the wild if they are not properly disposed of when removed from garden ponds ponds. The Be Plant Wise campaign has handy tips for gardeners on how to prevent this from happening.

Lord Gardiner, the Biosecurity Minister, will see the effects of floating pennywort on Little Britain lake, Hillingdon, and hear about the work being carried out to prevent this plant from spreading further in the River Colne on Monday, 26 March 2018.

He will also see new signs being put up to encourage fishermen and boaters to Check, Clean, Dry their equipment and clothing to avoid spreading invasive species.

Biosecurity Minister, Lord Gardiner said:

Invasive species pose a real threat to our country’s native plants and animals and cost the economy at least £1.8 billion a year.

The Check, Clean, Dry campaign is playing a key role in raising awareness of these threats – helping to prevent new arrivals and stopping the spread of invasive species already here. It is great to see the whole community of river users supporting this programme to protect the future of our precious native species.

As well as following the Check, Clean, Dry advice, people can help by reporting sightings of invasive plants through the PlantTracker app.

Lord Gardiner’s visit comes as part of a wider push by government to promote Invasive Species Week. The week is an annual awareness-raising campaign organised by the GB Non-Native Species Secretariat (NNSS) and Defra to get members of the public thinking about simple steps they can take to stop the spread of invasive species which threaten Britain’s plants and animals.

Find out more on non-native species.

Below are the themes for Invasive Species Week, which runs until 29 March 2018.

  • Monday 26 March – Ornamental plants. Be Plant Wise and raising awareness of invasive plants.

  • Tuesday 27 March – Hitchhikers. Information on the ways that recreational water users, field workers and anyone out in the countryside can help to prevent the spread of INNS, in particular promoting Check Clean Dry.

  • Wednesday 28 March – Exotic pets. Owners are asked to make sure they never release pets, or allow them to escape, into the wild.

  • Thursday 29 March – #getINNSvolved – on the last day of Invasive Species Week tell us how you are getting #getINNSvolved.



Statement to Parliament: Motoring agency business plans for 2018 to 2019

I am pleased to announce the publication of the 2018-19 business plans for the Department for Transport’s Motoring Agencies:

The business plans set out:

  1. the services each agency will deliver and any significant changes they plan to make
  2. the resources they require
  3. the key performance indicators, by which their performance will be assessed

These plans allow service users and members of the public to assess how the agencies are performing in operating their key services, managing reforms and the agency finances.

The business plans will be available electronically on GOV.UK and copies will be placed in the libraries of both Houses.