News story: The AAIB has sent a team to Northamptonshire.

[unable to retrieve full-text content]The AAIB has sent a team to investigate a light aircraft accident in Northamptonshire.



Press release: Details of Grenfell Tower Residents’ Discretionary Fund

  • every household whose home has been destroyed as a result of the fire will receive a guaranteed £5,500 minimum down payment from the fund. This will be made up of a £500 cash payment and £5,000 delivered through the Department of Work and Pensions into bank accounts or similar in a single payment
  • the £500 cash payment has already begun to be made available to those affected and further payments are available immediately from the Council at the Westway Centre or from Monday through the Post Office in Portobello Road, as and when families need it
  • the £5,000 payment will be available from Monday and support workers will assist households in accessing it – including those who do not have bank accounts
  • the discretionary fund is also being made available to meet funeral costs, and to top up payments for those households with complex or additional needs. The fund under be kept review and will increase if necessary

Access to the fund is one element of the support being made available, and comes on top of:

  • support for the council through the Bellwin scheme to meet the immediate and uninsurable costs of responding to the disaster
  • a guarantee of funding for temporary accommodation for those whose homes have been destroyed as a result of the fire while permanent homes are found
  • funding for legal representation for residents to ensure their voices are heard during the inquiry An additional £1.5 million to pay for mental health support to the Emergency Services through Mind’s Blue Light Programme

Prime Minister Theresa May said:

As we continue to respond to the needs of the community, our focus is on ensuring that all of those affected by this unimaginable tragedy get the right support as quickly as possible.

My government will continue to do absolutely everything possible to help all of those affected through the difficult days, weeks, months and years ahead.



News story: John Griffith-Jones confirms plan to leave the FCA and PSR in March 2018

John Griffith-Jones confirms he will leave both organisations at the end of his term of office, on 31 March 2018.

John Griffith-Jones, Chairman of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Payment Systems Regulator (PSR), has confirmed that he will leave both organisations at the end of his term of office, on 31 March 2018.

John Griffith-Jones commented:

I committed to a five year fixed term to chair the FCA and, in so doing, to help ensure that conduct regulation became a respected part of the UK financial landscape. It has been, and continues to be, a great privilege to be responsible for the work of both the FCA and the PSR. I like to believe that I will leave both in good shape to regulate well in the future.

John Griffith-Jones was appointed as the first FCA Chair with effect from 1 April 2013; he became Chair of the PSR when it was established in April 2014; his term of office at both organisations expires on 31 March 2018.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond, commented:

I want to thank John Griffith-Jones for his work as Chairman of both the Financial Conduct Authority and the Payment Systems Regulator.

Both undertake a vital role in ensuring that the UK financial markets work well and that the interests of consumers and users of those markets are protected. John Griffith-Jones has provided strong leadership to both Boards during his tenure, helping to establish them as key parts of the UK financial regulatory system.

HM Treasury will now commence the process for recruiting a new Chair for the FCA.



News story: Defence Secretary welcomes new Canadian Defence Policy

On a day that Canadian Armed Forces personnel took over the Queen’s Guard at Buckingham Palace, Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon has welcomed the new Canadian Defence Policy.

The Second Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry today (18 June) took over the Queen’s Guard at Buckingham Palace for the first time in history.

The role will involve 85 soldiers from the unit, as well as musicians from the Royal Canadian Artillery band, who are based at Garrison Edmonton, Alberta. The Canadian troops will be instantly recognisable by the distinctive French Grey colour on the collar and cuff – known as regimental facings – of their full dress scarlet tunic.

In another demonstration of the UK and Canada’s strong Defence relationship, Sir Michael has given his backing to Canada’s new Defence Policy.

Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said:

I welcome the new Canadian Defence Policy. Its commitments to remain Engaged in the World, and maintain Canadian contributions to peace and stabilisation, mirror our own.

I am greatly encouraged by the Policy’s commitment to an uplift in the Canadian Defence budget and new capabilities. In particular, the commitment to invest $108 billion in purchasing and upgrading Canadian Forces equipment, including a full complement of 15 new warships and 88 advanced fighter jets, is a welcome development. This is representative of the way that NATO members across the alliance are stepping up to ensure that our collective defence will have the modern capabilities needed in a changing world.



News story: David Davis heads to Brussels tomorrow with a clear message: we are leaving the European Union

The Brexit Secretary David Davis heads into tomorrow’s first official talks to leave the European Union on a mission to deliver on the will of the British people.

Despite European leaders’ attempts to leave open the possibility of the UK remaining in the UK, Mr Davis will make it clear that he is determined to achieve a Brexit deal that works for the whole of the UK.

Mr Davis will lead a team of experienced negotiators to Brussels confident that he can get a positive outcome and secure a new deep and special partnership with the EU.

He will also set out a bold vision for the UK’s future after it leaves the EU and the exciting opportunities that will arise from our exit.

After ten months of planning, Mr Davis will meet with the EU’s Chief Negotiator, Michel Barnier to agree the structure of the negotiations ahead so officials have a framework within which to discuss substantive issues.

David Davis, Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union said: “As I head to Brussels to open official talks to leave the EU, there should be no doubt — we are leaving the European Union, and delivering on that historic referendum result.

Now, the hard work begins. We must secure a deal that works for all parts of the United Kingdom, and enables us to become a truly global Britain.

Leaving gives us the opportunity to forge a bright new future for the UK — one where we are free to control our borders, pass our own laws and do what independent sovereign countries do.

We will soon introduce bills for new immigration and customs arrangements, and the Great Repeal Bill will transpose all EU law into UK law, providing certainty for businesses.

There has been a huge amount of work across Whitehall to prepare us for these talks, and make sure we get the best possible deal with the European Union.

We are not turning our backs on Europe. It’s vital that the deal we strike allows both the UK and the EU to thrive, as part of the new deep and special partnership we want with our closest allies and friends.

These talks will be difficult at points, but we will be approaching them in a constructive way.

The start of the negotiations comes as work continues across the UK Government to prepare Britain for life outside of the EU.

This includes preparations for new bills on customs and immigration. It will also see the Government introduce a Great Repeal Bill which will convert existing EU law into UK statute and enable the smoothest possible transition at the point of leaving.

The Great Repeal Bill is expected to be introduced as part of the Queen’s Speech next Wednesday.