Jul262017

News story: UK Destroyer visits Ukraine after completing multi-national naval exercise

HM Government

The Royal Navy Type 45 destroyer is leading NATO’s Standing Maritime Naval Group 2 (SNMG2), providing reassurance and deterrence in the Black Sea, as well as commanding NATO’s counter migration activity in the Aegean. For the next 12 months the Royal Navy is commanding two of the four NATO Standing Naval Forces, demonstrating the UK’s commitment to and leadership within the alliance.

The visit follows the announcement last week by the Defence Secretary that the UK is expanding its training of the Ukrainian Armed Forces with new military courses on countering threats from snipers, armoured vehicles and mortars.

Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said:

HMS Duncan’s visit to Odessa this week is a symbol of our unwavering support to our Ukrainian friends in the face of Russian belligerence and aggression.

We are also stepping up our work with NATO this year, leading half of NATO’s standing maritime forces, one of the four enhanced Forward Presence Battlegroups and have deployed Typhoon fast jets to Romania, in a tangible demonstration of our commitment to European security.

Before docking in Odessa, HMS Duncan led the NATO task force through one of the largest naval exercises staged in the Black Sea near the Bulgarian port of Varna.

Exercise Breeze 17 tested naval forces from Bulgaria, Turkey, USA, Italy, Poland, Romania and Greece alongside UK military personnel in their ability to safeguard Black Sea shores and shipping, strengthening the Alliance’s readiness and experience of joint operating.

This year, the UK is also leading Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 2 (SNMCMG2). HMS Enterprise will be the flagship of the multinational force responsible for searching for and disposing of explosive ordnance. The group will be based mainly in the Mediterranean, and will be joined by HMS Pembroke in the second half of 2017.

Jul262017

News story: Veterinary Medicines Directorate Stakeholder Workshops

HM Government

Stakeholder group workshops to discuss the implications of EU Exit to be held during the Autumn 2017.

We are organising workshops for each of our stakeholder groups to discuss the implications of EU Exit.

Topics could include:

  • the prescribing cascade
  • pharmacovigilance
  • joint labelling
  • residues plan (samples)
  • ongoing applications at time of EU exit
  • inspection of non-UK based manufacturers

Our aim is to listen to our stakeholders to understand what you consider to be the key risks and opportunities from leaving the EU and to plan for the future ahead.

In order for us to gauge attendance levels, please express your interest by dropping an email to events@vmd.defra.gsi.gov.uk and include any topics, in order of preference, that you would like to be discussed on the day.

The workshops will be held during the Autumn. You will receive further information by email.

Jul262017

Thousands of apprentices earn less than the National Minimum Wage

Scottish Labour

Thousands of apprentices in Scotland are being paid less than the National Minimum Wage.

A total of 14 per cent of apprentices across the country get less than £5.55 per hour – while 2.2 percent are earning less than £2.67 per hour.

Low pay is particularly endemic in certain professions, with 42 per cent of hairdressing apprentices earning less than the minimum wage.

We have called on the SNP government to not certify Modern Apprenticeships through Skills Development Scotland if they are found to be paying less than the National Minimum Wage.

The National Union of Students Scotland has also raised concerns about the issue.

The call is part of our summer campaign, For The Many, which this week is focusing on improving the lives of the next generation of Scots.

Jul262017

Press release: Low Pay Commission visit to Melton

HM Government

Low Pay Commissioners will visit Melton on 9 and 10 August to gather evidence on the effects of the National Living Wage and Minimum Wages.

The visit to Melton Mowbray and the surrounding area on 9 and 10 August is part of a programme of visits the Low Pay Commission (LPC) is making around the UK during 2017 to gather information on how the National Living Wage is operating.

If you have a view on the National Living Wage, get in touch using the contact details below to arrange a meeting with the LPC.

Clare Chapman and John Hannett will meet a number of representatives in Melton to hear first hand what impact the National Living Wage is having on businesses and workers.

Low Pay Commissioner Clare Chapman said:

Hearing directly from those affected by the National Living Wage and other minimum wage rates is an important part of the Commission’s work and informs our recommendations to the government. Our visits take us around the UK and we welcome the opportunity to hear how the National Living Wage has affected people in Melton.

Notes:

  1. The Low Pay Commission is an independent body that advises the government about the National Living Wage and the National Minimum Wage.
  2. The LPC is responsible for:
    • carrying out extensive research and consultation, and commissioning research projects
    • analysing relevant data and actively encouraging the Office of National Statistics to establish better estimates of the incidence of low pay
    • carrying out surveys of firms in low-paying sectors
    • consulting with employers, workers and their representatives and taking written and oral evidence from a wide range of organisations
    • making fact-finding visits throughout the UK to meet employers, employees and representative organisations
  3. There are 9 Low Pay Commissioners drawn from a range of employee, employer and academic backgrounds:
    • Bryan Sanderson
    • Kay Carberry
    • Neil Carberry
    • Professor Richard Dickens
    • Peter Donaldson
    • Professor Sarah Brown
    • Clare Chapman
    • John Hannett
    • Brian Strutton
  4. All the Commissioners serve in an individual capacity. They are supported by a secretariat, which has 8 members of staff and is based in London.
  5. If you are are involved in a business, are a worker, or have information you would like to share with Commissioners about the effects of the National Living Wage or Minimum Wage, and would like to meet the Commissioners, please contact the LPC secretariat using the contact details below.