Press release: David Davis concludes visit to Estonia

David Davis has pledged that the UK will remain the greatest ally of our European partners in matters of security and defence after Brexit.

The Brexit Secretary made the remarks following a visit to Estonia, where 800 British troops are stationed as part of NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence (eFP). eFP comprises of four multinational NATO battalions in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland designed to protect Europe’s eastern flank.

David Davis held political meetings with Estonian Europe Minister Maati Maasikas and Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Marko Mihkelson. Reaffirming the UK’s commitment to European security, the Brexit Secretary said the UK will offer to continue to contribute expertise and assets to EU operations, cooperate on sanctions and agree joint positions on foreign policy as part of a deep security partnership with the EU after Brexit.

He also highlighted the UK and Estonia’s shared values, including around the importance of free trade, and reiterated the UK’s pledge that no country will be financially worse off over the current budget plan because of the UK’s decision to leave the EU.

Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, David Davis said:

“In exiting the EU the UK is not pulling up the drawbridge or turning away from our friends across the Continent.

“We will remain our European neighbours’ greatest ally in security and defence, cooperating fully in order to tackle the global threats we jointly face.

“And we will ensure that no Members will need to pay more or receive less money over the remainder of the current budget plan as a result of our decision to leave.”



Notice: DN21 5DW, IGas Energy Production Limited: environmental permit application advertisement

The Environment Agency consults the public on certain applications for waste operations, mining waste operations, installations, water discharge and groundwater activities. The arrangements are explained in its Public Participation Statement

These notices explain:

  • what the application is about
  • how you can view the application documents
  • when you need to comment by

The Environment Agency will decide:

  • whether to grant or refuse the application
  • what conditions to include in the permit (if granted)


Notice: HP3 0NQ, IHP Limited: environmental permit application advertisement

The Environment Agency consults the public on certain applications for waste operations, mining waste operations, installations, water discharge and groundwater activities. The arrangements are explained in its Public Participation Statement

These notices explain:

  • what the application is about
  • how you can view the application documents
  • when you need to comment by

The Environment Agency will decide:

  • whether to grant or refuse the application
  • what conditions to include in the permit (if granted)


Press release: Welsh Secretary: Now is the time to deliver transformational change for the North Wales economy

  • Budget commitment to a North Wales Growth Deal gives region the scope, the power and the resources to act.
  • UK Government ambitions for cross-border working presents huge economic opportunities for the region.

Speaking at the Wrexham Business Professionals dinner, Mr Cairns will say that there are exciting times ahead for North Wales but that partnership working was crucial to best exploit cross-border opportunities, and the support offered through growth deals and the upcoming Industrial Strategy.

The speech comes 24-hours after the UK Government confirmed a series of Budget investments set to bring real growth opportunities to the North Wales region.

The UK Government has already delivered the £1.2 billion Cardiff Capital Region City Deal and, earlier this year, the Prime Minister signed the Swansea Bay City Region Deal. The Chancellor yesterday confirmed that he will now turn his attention to delivering a growth deal for North Wales and to consider the funding of specific projects.

Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns said:

The simple fact is that growth and city deals recognise that local people know their areas best. This is North Wales’ opportunity to benefit from this movement and I’m delighted that we are in a position to look at the financial aspect of a deal for the region.

We will now look in detail at the proposals which draw on the strength of the east of Wales as a centre for advanced manufacturing and North West Wales for energy production and make the most of its connections to the Northern Powerhouse.

The Secretary of State will also address the crucial aspect of cross border working and the benefits North Wales can draw from it to bring prosperity to the region. He’ll highlight the plans announced by the Chancellor for a number of potential rail schemes designed to improve journey times on the North Wales Main Line, as well as providing funding to explore proposals to improve journey times on the Wrexham to Bidston line.

He added:

Cross border connectivity is crucial. As we work towards a growth deal for North Wales I am firmly focused on tapping into cross border opportunities – linking the proposed new power station on Anglesey to nuclear expertise in Manchester University and supporting advanced manufacturing on Deeside to benefit Toyota and Nissan investments in Sunderland and Derbyshire.

The UK Government is committed to strengthening the links between the economies of England and Wales. We will work with local authorities and local businesses on both sides of the border to encourage growth, investment and innovation to bring prosperity to all corners of our nation.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

The Wrexham Business Professionals group is made up of highly skilled professional firms of solicitors, accountants and other businesses working together to raise the profile of expertise that exists in the region and beyond.



Press release: Man arrested for illegal poaching

Two further suspects remain at large and the Environment Agency is urging anyone with information to report it to their incident hotline.

It is suspected they were poaching on Waskerley Beck, Wolsingham, using an illegal gaff – a one meter long metal hook – which they used to take 13 sea trout. Eleven of the dead fish were females ready to spawn. Between them they were carrying around 35,000 eggs.

Environment Agency officers made the arrest at 2100hrs on 21 November 2017. During the operation they seized the gaff, the dead fish and a landing net. The investigation is ongoing.

The Environment Agency’s Kevin Summerson said:

This level of illegal activity could have a serious impact on the sustainability of future stocks of sea trout in the River Wear. That’s why we take reports of suspected poaching seriously and work closely with the police to take action where appropriate.

At this time of year salmon and sea trout are returning to rivers to spawn and protecting returning fish is vital to maintaining a healthy fish population.

We’ll continue to target all aspects of illegal fishing activity, particularly where serious illegal and potentially damaging methods are used.

Reporting illegal fishing

Anyone discovered committing offences could face a substantial fine in court. The Environment Agency urges anyone to report illegal fishing by calling 0800 80 70 60.

All income from rod licence sales is used to fund Environment Agency work to protect and improve fish stocks and fisheries, including improving habitats for fish and facilities for anglers, tackling illegal fishing and working with partners to encourage people to give fishing a go.

Buying a rod licence is quick and easy – you can buy them online at the Post Office.