Press release: Alun Cairns: “The EU referendum delivered a golden opportunity to recast our place in the world”

The outcome of the EU referendum delivered a golden opportunity for us to recast our place in the world. An opportunity where Wales can sell itself on a global stage and where our businesses can forge new lucrative relationships with the millions of people around the world looking for their skills, expertise, goods and services.

In our ongoing effort to support their ambitions, the UK Government has convened a Board of Trade to meet the modern needs of businesses, exporters and inward investors across the country. The second meeting of the Board will take place in Preston today – an area playing an integral part in the success of the Northern Powerhouse which stretches from North Wales to Newcastle.

I will take my place at the table with two key aims – to show that Wales is open for business and to underline the fact that there has never been a better time for Welsh companies to export overseas.

Wales is already punching above its weight on the global stage. Exports from Wales rose by 12.3% to £16.4 billion in the latest year on year figures, and is home to nearly 4,000 exporters with an average value per exporter of more than £4.2million.

North Wales’ companies are making a significant contribution to that success.

Products made in North Wales are proudly sold right around the globe. One of the first Board of Trade award winners announced today, Halen Mon Sea Salt is now sold in over 17 countries, and over half of the world’s commercial aircraft are now flying on wings made by Airbus in Broughton.

I was also delighted to welcome Snowdonia Cheese Company to London earlier this month at a UK Government celebration of international Welsh trade at the Foreign Office. This is a company scaling the heights of export ambition, actively infiltrating markets across Europe, North America, Asia and the Pacific nations.

And international companies are also showing confidence in the Welsh economy. Only last month, Toyota announced its commitment to building the next generation Auris vehicle at their plant in Derbyshire, confirming that the majority of the engines will be sourced from Deeside.

This is testament to the confidence there is in Wales’ credentials as a prime destination for international investment, and the UK Government’s commitment to creating the conditions to make these deals happen.

And as we mark the one-year anniversary of the triggering of Article 50, we can take confidence in the fact that – for the first time in 40 years – we will soon be in charge of our own trade policy. One that puts all regions of the United Kingdom at its heart.

We will be able to take a fresh look at our approach to trade and investment and how we do business. And every choice we make will be in the interests of the UK.

There has never been a better time for Welsh companies to start exporting to new markets.

We are on the verge of a bright, prosperous future. The opportunities are there for the taking. We need only the courage to seize them.

ENDS



Press release: Prime Minister visits families in North East to mark one year to EU exit

PM Theresa May visits the local parent and toddler group at St Andrews Church of England First School.

Marking the historic one year milestone to our departure from the EU, the Prime Minister visited the local parent and toddler group at St Andrews Church of England First School. This visit was part of a day-long tour to hear views first-hand from workers, families and firms from across the UK’s regions and nations.

Marking the historic one year milestone to our departure from the EU, the Prime Minister visited the local parent and toddler group at St Andrews Church of England First School. This visit was part of a day-long tour to hear views first-hand from workers, families and firms from across the UK’s regions and nations.

Prime Minister Theresa May said:

I’ve been in Hexham today to listen to what matters to families here on Brexit and beyond. In a year’s time we’ll be leaving the EU and it’s important we lay the ground over the coming months for a future where these children, and children across the UK, can flourish and reach their full potential.

The North East is already home to great schools, renowned universities, and thriving research, manufacturing and cultural sectors. It’s my mission to make sure that this continues and develops, and that no community is left behind as we plan both our domestic agenda and our Brexit strategy.

That’s why my government has been working closely with Northern businesses and stakeholders to boost growth and ensure their interests are truly represented in the Brexit negotiations.

Today, the government has also announced it is investing almost £15 million to build on work to improve the flow of ideas between universities and businesses in the North East. The projects being funded are expected to create jobs, enable the North East to better compete in the industries of the future and lead to environmental benefits.

Part of the Industrial Strategy, the Connecting Capability Fund will support a partnership between Durham, Newcastle, Northumbria and Sunderland universities, allowing them to promote tech and industrial sectors across the region. Another funding stream will allow York, Hull and Teesside universities to collaborate more closely to boost the area’s biosciences research.

The North East has seen promising signs in the economy in recent years. Since 2010 there are almost 19,000 more small businesses and there are more than 250,000 apprenticeships.



News story: Manchester seminar: Increasing the use of community sentence treatment requirements

Thursday, 26 April, 2018

featuring

Mignon French │Programme Manager │Community Sentence Treatment Requirements Vince Treece │Programme Support │Community Sentence Treatment Requirements Nino Maddalena │Criminal Justice Manager │Alcohol, Drugs and Tobacco Division │Public Health England

The Community Sentence Treatment Requirement Programme (CSTR) is a partnership between the Department of Health, Ministry of Justice, NHS England and Public Health England. A joint protocol has been developed to provide an opportunity to increase the use of CSTRs as well as understanding the reasons why they are currently under-used.

In this free seminar Mignon, Vince and Nino will give an overview of the programme and share some initial thoughts around increasing the use of these treatment requirements.

Please see the attached flyer for details and how to book.

PDF, 407KB, 1 page

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology. Request an accessible format.

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email academy@noms.gsi.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Please see the attached flyer for details and how to book.

PDF, 407KB, 1 page

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology. Request an accessible format.

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email academy@noms.gsi.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.



News story: Near miss with train driver at Stafford

Still image from forward facing CCTV of the northbound train (image courtesy of Virgin Trains) Still image from forward facing CCTV of the northbound train (image courtesy of Virgin Trains)

At around 14:36 hrs on 2 March 2018, a northbound train travelling at around 85 mph (137 km/h) nearly struck the driver of a stationary southbound train at Stafford station. The driver of the stationary train was between the Up and Down Stafford Fast lines attending to a train brake fault. There were no injuries.

We have undertaken a preliminary examination into the circumstances surrounding this incident. Having assessed the evidence which has been gathered to date, we have decided to publish a safety digest.

The safety digest will be made available on our website in the next few weeks.

Published 29 March 2018



Press release: £2m funding for rural communities to restore historic buildings

The Historic Building Restoration Grant is being piloted in Dartmoor, Lake District, Northumberland, Peak District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks with £2 million of funding available.

The aim of the scheme is to help save the iconic historic farm buildings in the English National Parks from falling out of use. Owners of these buildings from today can apply for a grant offering 80% towards the cost of restoration. This can include replacing the roof, weatherproofing the exterior, or other restoration works so that the building can be used again for farming purposes.

The scheme is open for applications until 31 January 2019 and, once approved, agreement holders will have two years to complete the works.

The grant is also supported by an implementation plan so that applicants can work with National Park advisors on developing a management plan to deliver the restoration, working with conservation consultants as necessary. This work is 100% funded so applicants can seek the advice they need to develop high quality applications and secure funding for their projects.

Lord Gardiner, Defra Minister for National Parks said:

The British countryside, including those historic farm buildings that dot some of our most iconic landscapes, is a truly precious natural asset. I am delighted that we are able to open this new set of grants supporting the restoration of traditional farm buildings.

Land managers who apply for this scheme will not only be safeguarding our rural history and culture, but also regenerating traditional buildings for use today and for future generations.

Sir Laurie Magnus, Chairman of Historic England said:

Historic England warmly welcomes this scheme and its endorsement of the value and importance of traditional farm buildings. Many farm buildings, in my view, are as important as churches in contributing to the beauty and the character of the English landscape. The partnership approach being piloted by Historic England, Natural England and upland National Parks will be of immense value in helping owners to maintain and conserve these buildings and to retain their significance for future generations.