Media advisory notice – PC Andrew Harper

The trial of Albert Bowers, Jessie Cole, and Henry Long, for the murder of PC Andrew Harper is due to start later this month (June). The jury was originally empanelled on 10 March this year, but the trial was suspended due to the Coronavirus outbreak. The trial is due to last approximately 6 weeks.

The Solicitor General Rt. Hon Michael Ellis QC MP wishes to draw attention to the requirement not to publish material, including online, which could create a substantial risk that the course of justice in these proceedings could be seriously impeded or prejudiced. Publishing this information could amount to contempt of court. It could also put the trial at risk and jeopardise the defendants’ right to a fair trial.

In particular, the Solicitor General draws attention to the requirement not to publish material that asserts or assumes the guilt of any of those who face trial. That is an issue to be determined by the jury on the evidence that they hear in court.

The risks may also arise by inaccurate reporting or reporting that prejudges issues about which the witnesses may give evidence during the trial.

Editors, publishers and social media users should take legal advice to ensure they are in a position to fully comply with the obligations to which they are subject under the terms of the Contempt of Court Act 1981.

The Attorney General’s Office will be monitoring the coverage of these proceedings.

Published 15 June 2020
Last updated 16 June 2020 + show all updates

16 June 2020
Trial date has changed
15 June 2020
First published.

Apply for part time and post graduate master’s student finance

Press release

SLC has launched its student finance application service for part time and post graduate master’s students in England.

Woman looking at books in a Library with the words - Apply Now

Eligible part-time students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan as well as a Maintenance Loan to help with their living costs.

Students starting master’s degrees could get a Postgraduate Master’s Loan to help them with tuition fees and living costs.

Post graduate doctoral students in England will be able to apply for funding later in the month.

Derek Ross, SLC Executive Director of Operations said: “I’m delighted to advise that the application service for part time and post graduate master’s students is now open. As always, our advice is to apply now to ensure funding is in place before the start of term.

“The easiest way to apply is online and you can do so now even if you don’t have a confirmed place at university.”

Key facts about Part time Student Finance

Part-time students can apply for Tuition Fee Loans. If your course started on or after 1 August 2018 you can also apply for a Maintenance Loan.
The amount of Maintenance Loan you get depends on where you live while studying,your household income and your course intensity (we measure this by asking you how many module credits you’ll study – check with your university or college if you’re not sure).
You need to reapply for funding for each year of your course.
You start repaying your loan the April after you finish or leave your course or the April four years after the start of your course (even if you are still studying), whichever comes first. You repay 9% of what you earn over the repayment threshold which is currently £26,575 per annum.

Watch our short film for more information on part time funding

Key facts about the Post Graduate Master’s Loan

You can get up to £11,222 to help with course fees and living costs
The amount you get is not based on your income or your family’s
You only need to apply once even if your course is longer than a year. The loan is divided equally across each year of the course.
You start repaying your Postgraduate Master’s Loan the April after you finish or leave your course. You repay 6% of what you earn over the repayment threshold which is currently £21,000 per annum. If you have other student loans you repay these at the same time.

Watch our short film about Post Graduate Master’s Loans

Students may also follow SFE on Facebook and Twitter

Published 15 June 2020

Update on Investigation into LCF – June 2020

Dame Elizabeth Gloster wrote to the Financial Conduct Authority on 15 May 2020 advising that it would not be possible for her to complete her investigation by the target date of 10 July 2020. Her letter sets out the reasons for the delay and proposes a revised target date for completion of 30 September 2020.

Charles Randell, Chair of the FCA, replied on 26 May confirming that the FCA has no objection to the proposed extension and will continue to work with Dame Elizabeth to deliver to this timescale.

Charles Randell and Dame Elizabeth also wrote to the Economic Secretary to the Treasury, John Glen MP on this subject on 27 May and 1 June respectively.

The Economic Secretary responded to Dame Elizabeth’s letter on 10 June 2020.

Primary schools to be given flexibility to bring back more pupils

Press release

Headteachers are being encouraged to invite back more primary pupils before the summer, where they have capacity to do so

Primary schools in England are to be given greater flexibility to invite back more pupils, but only if the school has capacity within existing guidelines and if protective measures are in place.

Children in early years, Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 began returning to classrooms on 1 June, with over half of primary schools open to at least one of these year groups as of 4 June.

Updated guidance published today (15 June) gives heads and school leaders the ability to invite back additional children if – having invited back the pupils in eligible year groups – they are able and feel ready to do so within the existing guidance.

Schools will have flexibility to decide which additional pupils to prioritise for return, provided existing guidelines are followed and protective measures are in place, including limiting primary class sizes to no more than 15 pupils.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said:

I want to make sure as many pupils as possible can get back into the classroom and be reunited with their friends and teachers before the summer, to support their wellbeing and education.

We have a range of protective measures in place in schools to reduce the risk of transmission and I would like to encourage primary schools to invite more children back if they can maintain those existing guidelines.

I would encourage parents to take advantage of a place if they are eligible, and I’d like to thank teachers and staff for all their hard work as we take the next step in our phased and cautious approach to returning all children to school.

From Monday 15 June, secondary schools will welcome back pupils in Year 10 and Year 12 and colleges will welcome back 16-19 students, with settings using a range of approaches to allow a quarter of students in at any one time.

Schools and colleges can invite young people who are not yet returning to on-site provision in for a face-to-face meeting before the end of this term, where it would be beneficial and as long as this happens in line with wider protective measures guidance. This time can be used to check-in on students before a return to school or college in September, or moving into employment or the next stage of education.

Published 15 June 2020

Recovered appeal: land at Levitt’s Field, Waterbeach Waste Management Park, Ely Road, Cambridgeshire (ref: 3225123 – 15 June 2020)

Decision letter and Inspector’s Report for a recovered appeal for a waste recovery facility (Waterbeach Waste Recovery Facility) comprising the erection and operation of an energy from waste facility, air cooled condensers and associated infrastructure, including the development of an internal access road; office/welfare accommodation; workshop; car, cycle and coach parking; perimeter fencing; electricity sub-stations; weighbridges; weighbridge office; water tank; silos; lighting; heat offtake pipe; surface water management system; hard standings; earthworks; landscaping and bridge crossings.