Jul132017

BCC: Repeal Bill must deliver continuity, certainty for business and trade

British Chambers of Commerce

Commenting ahead of the First Reading of the Repeal Bill, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

“Business communities across the UK tell us very clearly that they want day-one certainty and stability on the rules and regulations they will face when the UK leaves the EU. 

“Continuity and equivalence are needed to prevent any disruption to British business, particularly in terms of our trade with partners and markets in Europe and beyond. 

“A legislative transition of this scope has never before been undertaken. We will be keeping a watchful eye for the possibility of unintended consequences that lead to new burdens or compliance costs, whether particular firms, sectors or the economy as a whole. Our clear message to Westminster politicians is that this bill must not be amended in a way that makes the UK a more expensive or complex place to do business, which would risk undermining our future competitiveness. 

“In the fullness of time, after 2019 and after a permanent Brexit deal is secured, government and business must work together to determine where it is beneficial to maintain regulatory equivalence with the EU for the long term, and where the UK needs to set its own path in the interests of competitiveness and growth. For now, though, continuity is key to business investment and confidence.” 

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:

Orla Hennessy – Press and Communications Officer

020 7654 5813 / 07825746812

Jul132017

News story: RAF opens close combat role to women ahead of schedule

MOD

Updated: picture

Speaking at the annual RAF Air Power Conference in London, Sir Michael praised the opening up of close combat roles to women, ahead of schedule, as a defining moment in the RAF’s history.
The opening of the RAF Regiment to women means that from September 2017, every trade and branch in the RAF will be open to all genders.

The RAF Regiment is the Air Force’s ground fighting force, protecting RAF bases, aircraft and equipment at home and abroad.

Announcing the opening of the RAF Regiment to women, Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said:

A diverse force is a more operationally effective force. So I’m delighted that the RAF Regiment will be open to recruitment to women from September. Individuals who are capable of meeting the standards for the regiment will be given the opportunity to serve, regardless of their gender. This is a defining moment for the RAF, as it becomes the first service to have every trade and branch open to both genders.

In July of last year the Prime Minister and Defence Secretary announced that all three services would open up recruitment to ground close combat roles to women.

The RAF Regiment was due to open its recruitment to women by the end of 2018, at the same time as the Infantry and Royal Marines. However the opportunity to invite women to recruit into the Regiment earlier than expected has become available due to a review of work practices which concluded that the Regiment was closer to the Royal Armoured Corps, which is already admitting women into their training ranks, in terms of risks.

Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier said:

The RAF is committed to providing equal opportunity to all, so it’s fantastic to be able to open recruitment to the RAF Regiment to women ahead of schedule. We want the best and most talented individuals to join the Air Force, regardless of their gender, race, or background. A diverse force is a more effective force, and we need the best people to deliver the important work we do, be it defeating Daesh in Iraq and Syria, or protecting Britain’s skies.

Stepping up to support Allies

Sir Michael Fallon also announced that the UK will continue to provide Air Transport support to French counter-terrorist operations in the Sahel for at least the next six months. Working together with the UK’s firm ally of France in tackling extremism, the RAF has been providing C-17 air transport flights supporting the 3,500 French personnel deployed as part of the French pan-Sahel counter-terrorism initiative, Operation BARKHANE.

France is one the UK’s most important European Ally on defence and security matters and both nations aim to uphold the security of Europe through sharing capabilities in the most efficient way.

Investing in equipment

Today’s announcements follow yesterday’s investment, announced by the Defence Secretary, of around £40 million in cutting-edge technology to improve the defence of the RAF’s Typhoon fighter jets that will sustain over 100 highly skilled British jobs.

Jul132017

Huge gulf exposed in number of subjects offered in schools

Scottish Conservatives
  • Home
  • All News
  • Huge gulf exposed in number of subjects offered in schools

13 Jul 2017

Liz Smith (2)

Schools which are only a few miles apart are offering pupils a vastly different number of subjects to study, new research has found.

Figures have revealed that in some local authorities there is a significant difference between the school offering the greatest number of Higher subjects to pupils and the school offering the least.

For example, in Edinburgh, the gap between schools with the most and the least subjects on offer is 21, while in the Highlands it’s as high as 24.

And in Glasgow, schools that are relatively close together vary from 13 subjects on offer up to 27.

The statistics were obtained through Freedom of Information by the Scottish Conservatives, who said teacher shortages in some areas were likely to have a direct impact on the subjects on offer.

The figures come as some councils become increasingly concerned about their inability to fill vacant posts, and as fears grow about the delivery of Curriculum for Excellence.

Scottish Conservative shadow education secretary Liz Smith said:

“There will always be some very understandable variation in subject choice across different schools of rural and urban differences, depending on the size of school and different pupil cohorts.

“But parents will be alarmed to see the extent of the variation in some local authorities, particularly between similar types of schools.

“They will be even more concerned when they learn that there is some correlation between lower choice options and those local authorities experiencing higher teacher shortages.

“Subject choice is clearly critical when it comes to SQA qualifications and entry to college, university and the workplace.

“It’s therefore a very important part of any pupil’s education.

“This has always been a problem, but it’s being exacerbated as a result of problems with teacher recruitment.

“John Swinney knows only too well a few schools in his own Perthshire constituency have had real problems with recruiting teachers, including in key subjects like maths.

“That is completely unacceptable. The SNP must address this issue head on before more young people are adversely affected.”

Notes to editors:
Below is the variation between the most and the least Higher subjects offered by schools in each local authority. Those councils not included either didn’t hold the information, or refused to respond:
Aberdeen – 13
Aberdeenshire – 11
Angus – 7
Argyll and Bute – 15
Clackmannanshire – 4
Dumfries and Galloway – 11
Dundee – 16
East Ayrshire – 6
East Dunbartonshire – 8
East Lothian – 5
Edinburgh – 21
Eilean Siar – 12
Falkirk – 9
Glasgow – 14
Highland – 24
Inverclyde – 7
Midlothian – 7
Moray – 9
North Ayrshire – 7
Perth and Kinross – 15
Renfrewshire – 8
Scottish Borders – 12
Shetland – 1
South Ayrshire – 8
South Lanarkshire – 6
Stirling – 5
West Dunbartonshire – 3
West Lothian – 10
A school-by-school breakdown is available here:
http://www.scottishconservatives.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Highers.xlsx
For individual FoI responses, contact the Scottish Conservative press office.

Jul132017

Official Statistics: Public Opinion of Forestry 2017: Wales

DEFRA

This release presents results from the latest survey of public attitudes to forestry and forestry-related issues in Wales. Topics covered include benefits and disadvantages of woodlands, benefits and disadvantages of street trees, urban woodlands, woodland recreation, community engagement, awareness of logos, tree health, wood as a fuel and accessibility.