The new rules will give consumers peace of mind that those at the top of the big insurers will be held personally responsible for any wrongdoing. The rules will also ensure that a code of conduct is set out for all staff, and that employees who do a job where they could do significant harm to consumers, or to the UK’s financial stability, are approved annually by their firm.

John Glen, the Economic Secretary to the Treasury and City Minister said:

Britain’s first-class regulation is one of many reasons our country is so attractive for financial services investment. The Senior Managers and Certification Regime plays a big part in this, ensuring that those at the top display the behaviours and values that the British people expect.

The extension of the Regime to insurance firms will ensure individual accountability for misconduct at the most senior levels within the insurance sector.

The Senior Managers and Certification Regime, first introduced for banks and building societies in 2016, will be extended to include insurance firms from 10 December 2018. Currently the Regime applies to banks, building societies, credit unions, investment firms and UK branches of foreign banks. The government previously legislated to extend the Regime across all financial services firms. The extension into insurance is the start of this.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) are also consulting on how the Regime will apply when it is extended to include smaller firms regulated only by the FCA (also known as solo-regulated firms).

Consultant meeting with a patient to discuss healthcare options.

Strengthened statutory guidance will be available for pig and poultry keepers on how to meet the needs of their animals and enhance their welfare.

Welfare codes for pigs, laying hens, and meat chickens are being updated to reflect the very latest advice from vets and animal husbandry developments, as part of a programme of reforms to safeguard and enhance the welfare of animals, the Minister for animal welfare, Lord Gardiner announced today.

Minister for Animal welfare, Lord Gardiner, said:

We have some of the highest animal welfare standards in the world and are going further, including raising maximum sentences for animal cruelty to five years and introducing mandatory CCTV in abattoirs.

We are carefully consulting with industry experts, and using the most recent scientific and veterinary advice to ensure this clear guidance provides the best advice to owners and keepers to help ensure the high welfare standards of their animals.

Under the proposals, animal keepers will be expected to provide a more enriched environment for all pigs, laying hens, and meat chickens to enable them to display more of their natural behaviours such as foraging, helping to ensure more fulfilled and healthier animals. The user-friendly codes also provide detailed guidance to animal keepers on how to assess the welfare of their animals, as well as on contingency planning to help ensure the welfare of their animals during any emergencies.

The codes will be used by enforcement bodies including Animal and Plant Health Agency inspectors and local authorities when investigating allegations of poor welfare to look at whether animal welfare standards are being met.

A six week consultation begins today (29 January) where government is seeking views from industry and stakeholders. The new guidance is expected to be available later this year.

1. View the consultations on the pigs and laying hens codes
2. View the meat chicken draft codes
3. The Animal Welfare Act 2006 covers all animals in England, and details their five welfare needs.
4. For further media queries, please contact Defra press office on 020 8225 7318 or 020 8026 3005.

The second Director’s Forum builds on the success of a previous event, which saw the launch of the new LINC platform, providing a direct route into opportunities at Sellafield.

The latest session will be held on Monday 19th March at Energus in Workington, and is now open for registration.

Emma-Jayne Gooch, Head of Supply Chain Development and Innovation said:

The last event brought the supply chain directly in contact with our project teams, and through workshops gave them an opportunity tell us how we can be a better client.

The response was overwhelming. Smaller companies can see that we are doing things differently, so there is a real appetite to build on momentum and keep the lines of communication open.

The first Directors Forum in September was attended by more than 350 people.

Following the event, B2B and React Engineering used the new LINC platform to submit a proposal for work at the site, and secured a contract within four days.

Emma-Jayne added;

The first opportunity published in the LINC scheme, and the incredible speed at which it was awarded, shows that we are really taking action to help them win work.

This second session will provide a clearer look at procurement opportunities through an improved ‘Procurements on a Page’ scheme. Our innovation team and ‘value stream’ leads will also be on hand to provide an insight to changes at Sellafield Ltd.

It promises to be a vibrant, engaging and informative event so we would encourage businesses to register.

Due to the anticipated interest we will be restricting registration to two directors from each organisation.

To register for the event go to book.

For more information on LINC with Sellafield, visit ‘How to do business with Sellafield Ltd’

[unable to retrieve full-text content]An updated analysis of report stage government amendments for the purposes of English votes for English laws has been laid in the house.