The action plan sets out a 2-year programme of work to support unpaid carers, ahead of the forthcoming social care green paper which will set out long-term sustainable solutions for the social care system.

The measures include:

• a new scheme to improve employment support for carers, promoting best practice for flexible working, to enable carers to continue to work alongside their caring role
• a new £500,000 Carer Innovations Fund to promote creative and innovative ways to support carers
• funding for a review of best practice in identification of young carers and access to support

One in 10 adults in the UK provides unpaid care for a family member or friend who cannot cope without their help because of illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction.

The ageing population means that the number of people in need of care is growing fast, but many carers face barriers because they lack time and energy or because of a lack of understanding from others.

Minister for Care Caroline Dinenage said:

It’s a sad fact that carers too often feel ignored, isolated or taken for granted, and given any one of us could become a carer at some point in our lives, government and society must do more to support them.

We recognise the invaluable contribution of carers, selflessly caring for those they love, and these measures will mean they are supported in all facets of their lives. Together these measures are a step-change in the way we support carers so they can gain employment, learn the skills they need to succeed and feel supported by the communities they live in.

Our review to identify young carers will ensure they don’t slip through the net, and that they receive practical and emotional support to allow them to stay healthy, happy and make the most of their education.

Ministers from the Government Equalities Office, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, the Department for Work and Pensions and the Department for Education have contributed to and are investing in this action plan, which they have signed up to along with the Department of Health and Social Care.

To inform this plan, the government heard views from over 6,800 people, including from individuals with first-hand experience.

The new Board will work under the leadership of Lynda Armstrong OBE, who was appointed as Chair by the Minster for Apprenticeships and Skills, Anne Milton MP in January.

Lynda Armstrong, Chair of the ECITB Board, said:

I am pleased to be joined by such a high-calibre and diverse group of professionals on the ECITB Board. Collectively they represent the wide range of sectors and regions in which the engineering construction industry operates, and include SMEs as well as several excellent independent experts. I am in no doubt that these appointments will serve the ECITB and the industry well over the coming years.

Anne Milton MP, Minister for Apprenticeships and Skills, said:

I am pleased to appoint new Board Members to the ECITB. The industry experience these Board Members bring will be of great value to the engineering construction industry.

David Vineall said:

Ensuring that we have the right skills and capability within engineering and construction roles to deliver the nuclear decommissioning mission is a priority for the NDA. My appointment to the ECITB Board reflects this priority and will give us the opportunity to support the engineering and construction industry in developing the required skilled and talented individuals to support our mission and the nuclear sector.

Any motorway lessons learner drivers take are voluntary, but they must be with an approved driving instructor in a car with dual-controls displaying L plates. However, motorway driving is not being added to the driving test as part of this change.

Driving instructors will only take learner drivers on the motorway when they have the right skills and experience to drive in a high-speed environment.

Highways England has recorded film footage about the law change to allow learner drivers to gain experience on motorway driving.

Highways England and learner drivers on motorways

Highways England has also supported the creation of a website, The Driving Hub, which features a series of free instructional learning modules to help instructors prepare learners for motorway driving. There is also lots of driving and safety advice for all road users.

Highways England Executive Director for Safety, Engineering and Standards, Mike Wilson said:

This change in the law will develop a smarter generation of road users because, for the first time, approved driving instructors will be able to teach their students the skills associated with using motorways safely in a practical situation. That will ultimately help all motorway drivers.

We look forward to supporting learner drivers as they develop these new skills and get invaluable practical knowledge and experience of using motorways.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) emphasises that motorway lessons will give learner drivers the confidence, skills and experience they need to use motorways safely. During lessons, learner drivers will get training on:

• how to join and leave the motorway, overtake and use lanes correctly
• using smart motorways correctly
• driving at high speed in motorway conditions
• motorway-specific traffic signs
• what to do if a vehicle breaks down on a motorway

DVSA Chief Driving Examiner, Mark Winn, said:

DVSA’s priority is to help you through a lifetime of safe driving.

Allowing learner drivers to have motorway lessons was supported by 80% of people who gave their feedback on this change, with the public recognising the importance of developing these skills in a controlled environment.

I’m delighted that a new generation of drivers can now drive on the motorway to gain valuable experience, including overtaking safely and lane discipline.

DVSA is also reminding all drivers about the basic rules for motorway driving. As with any vehicle on the motorway, motorists should keep a safe distance from a learner driver in front.

On the motorway, motorists should also drive in the left-hand lane when the road ahead is clear. If overtaking slower-moving vehicles, drivers should return to the left-hand lane as soon as it is safe to do so.

When overtaking, the lane should be sufficiently clear ahead and behind. Do not cut in on the vehicle once overtaken when you move back over.

Since 2013, the police have had the power to issue fixed penalty notices for careless motorway driving, such as tailgating and middle-lane hogging. The fixed penalty is £100 with 3 points on the driver’s licence.

General enquiries

Members of the public should contact the Highways England customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000.

Media enquiries

Journalists should contact the Highways England press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.

We wish to make wholesalers and veterinarians aware that Elanco Animal Health has issued a recall of Stresnil 40 mg/ml Solution for injection for Pigs (Vm 00006/4141).

Elanco has identified that inconsistencies in the cleaning process have led to low levels of a previous product being carried over into the Stresnil batch listed below:

• Product: Stresnil 40 mg/ml Solution for Injection for Pigs – Batch No. PP1466 EXPIRY: 30-09-2019

For further information regarding the recall, please contact Matthew Edwards, email: elanco_orders@lilly.com Tel : 01256 779519

Over £2.5 billion worth of government-owned RBS shares were sold last night as part of the government’s policy to return the bank to private ownership. 925 million shares were sold at a price of 271p per share, reducing the government’s shareholding by 7.7% to 62.4%.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond, said:

This sale represents a significant step in returning RBS to full private ownership and putting the financial crisis behind us. The government should not be in the business of owning banks. The proceeds of this sale will go towards reducing our national debt – this is the right thing to do for taxpayers as we build an economy that is fit for the future.

The government sold its shares in an overnight placing managed by UK Government Investments (UKGI).