Feb22017

News story: Domain name scam

HM Government
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Information about the latest domain name scam and what you should do if you receive a phone call.

We have been alerted to a new domain name fraud which involves businesses being contacted by phone from an organisation claiming to be the “Trade Marks Intellectual Property Office”. Their aim is to panic people into buying domain names.

This is a scam.

Some businesses have received follow up invoices such as this copy Domain name scam invoice (PDF, 74.7KB, 1 page)

If you receive similar calls or invoices please report them to Action Fraud.

Action Fraud is the online reporting portal for all instances of alleged fraud affecting UK citizens and businesses and it is operated by the City of London Police who are the UK lead Force for the investigation of fraud. Attempts to mislead people into buying domain names falls under domain name fraud. Reports are collated and analysed by the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) and depending on a scoring matrix together with an assessment of available evidence, they can be sent to an individual police force for investigation.

The NFIB also send out industry alerts when new methods or techniques to defraud companies are identified.

Feb22017

Press release: Innovate UK welcome appointment of UKRI Chief Executive designate

HM Government
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The Minister for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation, Jo Johnson has confirmed Sir Mark’s appointment as Chief Executive designate of UK Research and Innovation.

UKRI will, subject to legislation currently in Parliament, incorporate the seven Research Councils, Innovate UK and the research funding and knowledge exchange parts of HEFCE. It is anticipated that UKRI will be formed in April 2018.

Dr Ruth McKernan, Chief Executive of Innovate UK said:

The creation of UK Research and Innovation is an unprecedented opportunity to fuse together world leading UK science with cutting edge innovation from British businesses. To make sure the new organisation delivers on that opportunity it will require the sort of strong leadership and expert knowledge that Sir Mark will bring to the role.

His substantial experience will set UKRI up for success and the whole team at Innovate UK look forward to continuing to work closely with him to make sure that UKRI is fully prepared to address the scientific, economic and social challenges of the future.

The appointment has also been welcomed by the other organisations that will eventually form part of UK Research and Innovation.

Professor Philip Nelson, Chair of Research Councils UK, said:

Mark is a fantastic choice as the first Chief Executive of UKRI. His career has taken him through active research, leadership of high profile organisations and into government. This experience and his knowledge of how the research and innovation base and policy making works is unrivalled. I am confident Mark will ensure UKRI delivers on the potential of a more coordinated and strategic research and innovation system, with a stronger and clearer voice. Together with my colleagues across the Research Councils I look forward to working with him over the next year to establish UKRI and set it on a successful course.

Professor Madeleine Atkins, HEFCE Chief Executive, said:

We look forward to working with Sir Mark over the coming months in the period of transition to the creation of UK Research and Innovation. The HEFCE Chief Executive, Directors and staff will work with the new Chief Executive to ensure a smooth and efficient process in developing the UKRI and for transferring the relevant staff from HEFCE.

Sir Mark has tremendous experience of research in the public, charity and university sectors. He will bring this to bear on the creation and operation of this very important new public body which will deliver Government policy for science and innovation in the future.

Go to the announcement by Jo Johnson to find out more information about the role of UK Research and Innovation, and to see the announcement of £15 million of funding through Innovate UK’s latest Open competition.

Feb22017

Green Party slams decision to forge ahead with Heathrow expansion

Green Party
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2 February 2017

The Green Party has called the decision to push ahead with a third runway at Heathrow airport ‘entirely misguided and unfair’, as the Government publishes plans for the expansion and starts a four month public consultation. [1]

Jonathan Bartley, Green Party co-leader, said:

“The decision to expand Heathrow airport is entirely misguided and unfair.  It is clear the Government is prioritising the whims of the super rich instead of taking seriously the need to protect us all against the threat of climate change.

“It is still unclear how the Government can possibly meet the commitments it made in the Paris agreement while forging ahead with its expansion plan.  Not only will this turn the lives of local people upside down, but it means the rest of the country will have to do more than they already are, in order to reduce carbon emissions.

“The Government should introduce a frequent flyer levy where those who fly the most pay the most. This would tackle both the demand and growing travel inequality, while providing much needed investment to improve our existing transport infrastructure.”

Notes:

  1. https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/feb/02/heathrow-third-runway-plans-published-for-public-consultation

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Feb22017

Press release: Time to Talk Day 2017: Prime Minister’s message

HM Government
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Prime Minister Theresa May spoke about Time to Talk Day and how conversations can improve people’s mental health and help to change lives.

Prime Minister’s Time to Talk message

Prime Minister Theresa May said:

Time to Talk is an important day in our national calendar – a day when we put the issue of mental health at the forefront of our minds.

These problems affect millions of people – an estimated 1 in 4 of us has a common mental disorder at any one time.

Last month I set out the first steps in our plan to transform the way we deal with mental health problems at every stage of a person’s life.

I said that the inadequate treatment of these problems was a burning injustice – and that we needed to deal with them not just in our hospitals, but in our classrooms, at work and in our communities.

From crisis cafés to online therapy, there is much we can do to remove the stigma that stops so many people seeking help.

Getting people talking to one another is central to that. Because, as the theme of this year’s Time to Talk Day puts it, ‘conversations change lives’.

It is this personal contact – a chat over a cup of tea; a heart-to-heart over the phone; a text message to check someone’s OK – that can help free people from the prison of their own thoughts and help them to see a brighter future.

So many people – especially charities and campaigns, like Time to Change and Heads Together – are helping to get people talking and get these issues out in the open. But we can all do more.

Together, by giving our time and reaching out, we can end the suffering that blights so many lives.

Feb22017

NHS recruits being driven away before they’ve even started – Jonathan Ashworth

Labour
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Jonathan Ashworth MP, Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary, responding to official UCAS figures
published today which show that applications for undergraduate nursing degrees
starting in September 2017 are down 23 percent compared with the previous year, said:

“The
Government have been warned repeatedly that cutting bursaries and funding for
student nurses would cut off the future supply of NHS staff. Now we have the
proof that those warnings were right – 23 percent fewer people have applied to study
nursing this year.

“Misguided
reductions in training places under the Tory Government, combined with a never-ending pay squeeze, have left the NHS dangerously short of staff. Patients are
seeing wards closed, operations cancelled and treatments delayed. Now the new
recruits which the health service so desperately needs are being driven away
before they’ve even started.

“The staff
are the lifeblood of our NHS. They give their all to keep the system going in
the face of underfunding and mismanagement by the Tories. The Government ought
to get a grip, show our nursing students that their time and commitment is
really valued, and give them the support they need when they’re setting out on
their careers.”