Jun132017

Press release: Change of Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Algeria

HM Government
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2016 – present FCO/Department for International Trade, Head, Trade Diplomacy Unit 2014 – 2016 FCO, Head, Economic Growth and Business Department 2010 – 2014 UK Trade and Investment (UKTI), Director for Trade and Investment, British High Commission, New Delhi 2008 – 2010 UKTI, Director Asia 2006 – 2008 FCO, Head, Engaging with Islamic World Group 2004 – 2006 Riyadh, Deputy Head of Mission and Consul-General 2003 – 2004 UKTI, Director Trade and Investment, Saudi Arabia 2001 – 2003 FCO, Deputy Head, Middle East Department 1997 – 2001 FCO, UK Mission New York, First Secretary (Finance) 1995 – 1997 FCO, Head, Iraq Section, Middle East Department 1993 – 1995 FCO, Head, Conventional Arms Exports, Non-Proliferation Department 1989 – 1993 Kuwait, Third then Second Secretary (Political) 1987 – 1989 Language training (Arabic) 1986 – 1987 FCO, Assistant Desk Officer, Middle East Peace Process, Near East and North Africa Department

Jun132017

Welsh Government look to update 200 year old Taxi licensing

Welsh Government
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Economy Secretary Ken Skates has urged interested parties to have their say on the proposals, which will seek to address issues raised by drivers, unions, licencing authorities and the Law Commission to better represent modern practices.

Ken Skates said: 

“Taxis and private hire vehicles provide a vital public service, connecting people to places when alternative public transport is not always available or viable. 

“There are 9200 or so taxi and private hire licenced drivers in Wales, all of which are  currently bound by licensing legislation which dates back to the horse drawn hackneys. 

“The Law Commission made recommendations in 2014 about how the licensing system can be improved and, as a result of provisions included in the Wales Act 2017, I’m delighted to now be in a position to put to consultation proposals aimed at delivering a simpler, fairer system fit for modern Wales.”

The Law Commission’s review of the law governing taxi and private hire vehicles made 84 recommendations, many of which are reflected in the Welsh Government’s proposals for reform. They include:

  • the introduction of national standards for all taxis and private hire vehicles, set by the Welsh Ministers
  • Local licensing authorities able to set additional licence conditions where appropriate and remain responsible for issuing licences and enforcement 
  • Private hire vehicles licencing to include novelty vehicles and stretch limousines, but wedding and funeral cars would continue to be exempt
  • providers being able to work across local authority borders more easily with licensing officers provided with new enforcement powers to deal with vehicles and drivers licensed in different areas. 
  • Tougher penalties on touting are also proposed (actively soliciting customers), including impounding vehicles
  • Local licensing authorities retaining the right to limit the number of taxis working in their licensing area
  • Improved arrangements for regulating fares 

Ken Skates added:

“These progressive proposals will see improvements to the current complicated, outdated and antiquated legislation, reflecting on the needs of twenty first century drivers, licensing authorities and passengers here in Wales. I’d encourage anyone with an interest in the sector to contribute to this consultation.”

View: https://consultations.gov.wales/consultations/taxi-and-private-hire-vehicle-licensing-wales.

Jun132017

News story: David Mundell MP reappointed Secretary of State for Scotland

HM Government
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The Rt Hon David Mundell MP has been reappointed as Secretary of State for Scotland.

The Secretary of State said:

“I am delighted and honoured to have been reappointed Secretary of State for Scotland.

“The Scotland Office has a key role to play as we face the huge tasks that lie ahead of us.

“We need to secure the right Brexit deal for Scotland and the whole of the UK, and we also need focus on how we bring back powers from Brussels in a way that works best for the Scottish economy.

“We need to work closely with the Scottish Government, and to do that effectively we will need to forge a much more constructive relationship, one based not on politics and press releases but on what is best for Scotland. I’m confident that can happen. My door is open and I hope, now the election is over, we can reset the relationship between Scotland’s two governments.

“As before, my door also remains open to all those interest groups and business sectors that have a stake in Scotland’s success. I’m looking forward to working with everyone as we look to the future together.”

Jun132017

News story: UAE delegation visits pioneering UK drug rehabilitation services

HM Government
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Leaders from the United Arab Emirates’ National Rehabilitation Centre inspect additional UK centres of excellence looking to do business.

A delegation from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to UK drug rehabilitation services has resulted in the Director General of the UAE’s National Rehabilitation Centre (NRC) appointing teams to drive forward detailed negotiations. The UAE intention is to secure active partnerships with the UK this financial year.

UK expertise in drug rehabilitation attracts repeat visits from UAE

This was the second visit recently from senior staff at the National Rehabilitation Centre in Abu Dhabi to see UK drug rehabilitation expertise and services.

Hosted and planned by Healthcare UK, this visit was led by His Excellency Dr. Hamad Al Ghaferi, Director General of the UAE’s National Rehabilitation Centre. The mission included:

  • Head of Nursing Dr. Samya Al Mamari
  • Dr Shamil Wanigaratne, adviser to His Excellency and clinical psychologist.

UK healthcare centres of excellence

The mission team visited a selection of centres of excellence in the UK drug rehabilitation sector, including:

Contact us at healthcare.uk@trade.gov.uk for more information about UK drug rehabilitation services or to discuss support with exporting.