Author Archives: HM Government

The MCA has launched a public consultation on measures which would address all aspects of living and working conditions on fishing vessels, including decent crew accommodation, work agreements, medical fitness of seafarers and medical care on board. Regular payment of wages or payment of another type in accordance with the fisherman’s work agreement would also be required.

In particular, implementing the International Labour Organisation’s Work in Fishing convention (ILO 188) would also give a framework for protecting all fishermen, regardless of their employment status.

Proposals have been prepared in consultation with representatives from the UK fishing federations, the Fisherman’s Mission and Nautilus International.

Sir Alan Massey, chief executive of the MCA said: ‘The UK ratified the ILO’s Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC) in 2014 and there is evidence that the MLC is making a difference in improving the working lives of seafarers worldwide.

‘Putting in place the Working in Fishing Convention would do the same for fishermen. We know there are concerns about the terrible conditions that some fishermen have been working in – sadly sometimes, even in the UK. We share those concerns as part of our commitment to safer lives and safer ships.

‘One of the most important reasons for bringing in ILO 188 is to prevent mistreatment of any sort on board, by setting out – and enforcing – the minimum standards we expect for living and working conditions for all fishermen.’

Maritime Minister John Hayes said: ‘Fishermen across the UK often brave cold and dangerous seas to bring home their much-needed catches.

‘We have a rightful duty to improve the living and working standards for these men and women who play an important role in our maritime sector and nation.

‘This industry-wide consultation will enshrine better employment conditions into UK law and help ensure that all fishermen have a fair and safe working environment.’

The Consultation closes on 12 January 2018. To see the consultation package in full please follow the link below:

Implementation of the ILO Work in Fishing Convention 2007 (ILO 188) into UKLaw

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New figures out today (16 November 2017) show the number of new homes in England has risen by 15% over the past year – as government begins to see the results of efforts to get the country building.

Communities Secretary Sajid Javid welcomed the figures as he set out next steps in fixing our broken housing market and boost building more homes.

Speaking in Bristol, which in the past year has seen one of the largest increases in England – 30% – in the number of homes, he set out his vision for housing.

He also announced action against 15 local authorities that have failed to produce a local plan setting how and where they expect to meet their residents’ needs for new homes.

Communities Secretary Sajid Javid said:

These latest figures are clear evidence that this government is turning things around with over 1.1 million homes delivered since 2010.

Steps have been made in the right direction – but I want to see a giant leap, and hundreds of thousands more homes. We owe it to our future generations to fix this broken housing market and help them find a home of their own.

Whilst some councils are recognising their responsibilities and stepping up to meet the housing challenge, too many are still not acting. That’s why I’m stepping in now to make sure they act.

In 2004, the existing procedure for councils to draw up a local plan, setting how and where they expect to meet their residents’ needs for new homes was introduced.

Latest figures published today show that more than 70 local authorities still have not had a local plan adopted and 15 of these are showing particular cause for concern having missed deadlines and failed to make progress.

These 15 local authorities have now been served notice that government has begun the formal process of intervention as set out in the housing white paper.

Without a local plan in place it can mean uncertainty for local people and piecemeal speculative housing development. It can also mean the right investment in local infrastructure isn’t made.

Housing remains the government’s priority – that’s why the Prime Minister last month announced an additional £2 billion funding for affordable housing, increasing the Affordable Homes Programme budget to over £9 billion.

Other steps taken by government include the £3 billion Home Building Fund – set up to increase the number of homes built. Today we have confirmed that £1.8 million has been committed to deliver over 100,000 new homes.

Government has also provided long-term rent certainty for social landlords, creating a stable investment environment to support councils and housing associations to build more affordable homes.

See the new supply of housing statistics published today.

The 217,350 net additions over the past year resulted from: 183,570 new build homes, 37,190 gains from change of use between non-domestic and residential, 5,680 from conversions between houses and flats and 720 other gains.

The 15 local authorities we have begun the formal process of considering intervention are: Basildon, Brentwood, Bolsover, Calderdale, Castle Point, Eastleigh, Liverpool, Mansfield, North East Derbyshire, Northumberland, Runnymede, St Albans, Thanet, Wirral and York.

They will now have until 31 January 2018 to explain why they haven’t yet published a plan and provide any exceptional circumstances for why the government shouldn’t intervene. The Communities Secretary would then consider these submissions before deciding whether to use the range of powers he has to direct specific actions on these local authorities. This could ultimately see government take over the process to produce a local plan in a certain area.

Further details are set out in the written ministerial statement.

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