Government World Magazine | Government related news stories and press releases

Apr122017

UKIP to continue fight against New Thames Crossing

Today’s announcement that the Conservative Government will be pressing ahead with the Option C, Variant 3 option for a new Lower Thames Crossing, which will devastate the local community in Thurrock, is incredibly disappointing.

Cllr Tim Aker MEP said: “Highways England received their largest number of responses in any consultation in objection to another Thames Crossing. Their persistence shows that this was a sham consultation, a PR exercise by a Government with its fingers in its ears.

“Thurrock suffers from high pollution levels, congestion and infrastructure under strain as it is. Adding more traffic to this will destroy the standard of living we have here in Thurrock. This new crossing will cost billions and will only take 14% of traffic from the Dartford Crossing. As our population increases and new pull factors on the borough emerge, this will do nothing. Nothing about the Government’s ridiculous plans make sense. They just want to dump on Thurrock – again.

Apr122017

News story: Defence minister meets teenagers taking part in pilot Army supercamp

GovWorldMagMOD

The 60 teenagers mainly from local communities in Yorkshire were taking part in a pilot scheme to allow teenagers to learn about Army life by participating in a variety of fun but challenging tasks, including camouflage techniques and assault courses.

Defence Minister Earl Howe, who met students from Keighley University Academy and Bradford Youth Services Group, said:

These camps will educate young people and help the Army build close and long lasting ties with local communities.

An incredible amount of work is being done to ensure these ‘Supercamps’ are a success and I look forward to seeing more of them taking place across the country.

The teenagers from local communities in Yorkshire were taking part in a pilot scheme to allow teenagers to learn about Army life. Crown Copyright

The two week pilot, which includes 290 students, is being run by 4th Infantry Brigade, the regional brigade for Yorkshire and the North East.

Lt Col Mark Hunter, who is overseeing the camp, said:

This supercamp brings together people from all communities around Yorkshire, providing them with positive skills to take home leadership and team working skills.

It also provides them with an opportunity to learn about the different things that the Army does, and to know more about the Armed Forces.

Towards the end of his visit Lord Howe presented special certificates to students who took part in the supercamp and also met many of the course instructors.

Apr122017

BCC comments on Lower Thames Crossing announcement

BCCBritish Chambers of Commerce

BCC and Chambers from the network comment on the Lower Thames Crossing announcement made today by the Minister for Transport.

12th April 2017

Commenting on the announcement made today by the Transport Secretary, Chris Grayling, on the Lower Thames Crossing, Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

“This long-overdue decision is crucial both to local business communities and to national connectivity.

“A new Thames Crossing has long been needed to increase road capacity, ease congestion and shorten travel times, making it easier for businesses to connect with staff, consumers and markets. The project will also create work for the construction sector, and its supply chains.

“Business communities will want to see work begin on the new crossing without delay, as it will give a shot in the arm to the construction sector and its supply chains, as well as confidence to business more generally. This should be just one of many major infrastructure projects given the green light over the coming months – to boost business confidence and procurement opportunities during a period of uncertainty and change.”

Leading accredited Chambers of Commerce, representing business communities to be connected by the new Lower Thames Crossing, have also commented:

Denise Rossiter, Chief Executive of Essex Chambers of Commerce and Industry, said:

“We are pleased the decision has at last been made and urge the Government to proceed with construction as soon as possible.

“With international trade growing in importance with Brexit, it is essential that we have first class links between our ports and the rest of the UK.”

Jo James, Chief Executive of Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, said:

“This decision sends the strongest possible message to business that the Government recognises the importance of investing in our strategic infrastructure in order to build a strong national and regional economy. We need to work with government to ensure smooth transition through the planning process.”

Colin Stanbridge, Chief Executive of London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said:

“We welcome the decision to press ahead with a new Lower Thames Crossing and urge that it is built as soon as practical to ease the pressure on, and improve the resilience of, the road network.

“We need to ensure that there is continued investment in infrastructure in London and the South-East to maintain the region as an attractive place to work, live and do business.”

Ends

Notes to editors:

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) sits at the heart of a powerful network of 52 Accredited Chambers of Commerce across the UK, representing thousands of businesses of all sizes and within all sectors. Our Global Business Network connects exporters with nearly 40 markets around the world. For more information, visit: www.britishchambers.org.uk

Media contacts:

Allan Williams – Senior Press Manager

020 7654 5812 / 07920583381

Orla Hennessy – Press and Communications Officer

020 7654 5813 / 07825746812

Apr122017

Press release: Environment Agency tests new powers for volunteer bailiffs

GovWorldMagEnvironment Agency

The Environment Agency and Angling Trust are running a pilot project, funded by the fishing licence, testing the benefits of giving members of Voluntary Bailiff Service powers to make fishing licence and byelaw checks. If successful, the initiative’s expansion would allow Environment Agency fisheries officers to focus on investigations into other types of fisheries crime.

In the first phase of the project, the Angling Trust recruited over 300 volunteers across England to help Environment Agency fisheries officers by providing information and reporting suspicious incidents on riverbanks and lakes.

In the second phase, the pilot project has now trained 10 of the Voluntary Bailiff Service members from the south east to undertake fishing licence and byelaw compliance checking patrols, reporting offenders in the same way that Environment Agency enforcement officers do.

Judy Proctor, head of fisheries at the Environment Agency said:

The volunteer bailiffs already provide a great service to angling by helping our officers catch people fishing illegally. We will be evaluating the pilot carefully to see what more can be done and how we can improve the service.

There is no excuse for illegal fishing. A fishing licence costs from just £30 for a whole year and you can get one on GOV.UK. Anyone fishing illegally can expect to be prosecuted and face a fine of up to £2,500 and up to £50,000 for byelaw offences. In 2015/16, the Environment Agency’s patrols checked 62,076 rod licences and brought 2,043 successful prosecutions for fisheries crime.

The Voluntary Bailiff Service recently inducted a further 35 new Phase 1 recruits in the North East and is currently recruiting in the rest of England. Induction and training days are being held this spring and anyone expressing an interest in joining the VBS should email karen.sarkar@anglingtrust.net

Apr122017

Press release: Environment Agency tests new powers for volunteer bailiffs

HM GovernmentDEFRA

Judy Proctor, head of fisheries at the Environment Agency said:

The volunteer bailiffs already provide a great service to angling by helping our officers catch people fishing illegally. We will be evaluating the pilot carefully to see what more can be done and how we can improve the service.

There is no excuse for illegal fishing. A fishing licence costs from just £30 for a whole year and you can get one on GOV.UK. Anyone fishing illegally can expect to be prosecuted and face a fine of up to £2,500 and up to £50,000 for byelaw offences. In 2015/16, the Environment Agency’s patrols checked 62,076 rod licences and brought 2,043 successful prosecutions for fisheries crime.