These large scale tests will allow experts to better understand how different types of cladding panels behave with different types of insulation in a fire. The results of the first 5 tests have already been published.

This additional test was of a wall cladding system consisting of Aluminium Composite Material (ACM) cladding with a fire retardant polyethylene filler (category 2 in screening tests) with phenolic foam insulation.

The government’s expert panel advises that the results show that the combination of materials used in the test does not meet current Building Regulations guidance.

Initial screening tests have identified 22 buildings over 18 metres tall in England known to have a combination of ACM with a fire retardant polyethylene filler with phenolic foam insulation. Cladding samples from each of these buildings had already failed earlier combustibility tests conducted by BRE and their owners were sent government advice detailing the immediate interim safety measures that needed to be completed. Appropriate measures have been put in place for all 22 of these buildings.

Government has also provided these building owners with additional detailed advice setting out the actions they need to take to ensure the safety of residents going forward. Government is working closely with these building owners to ensure this advice is being followed.

The series of large-scale tests initially included 6 combinations of cladding systems. On 8 August 2017, the government announced that on the advice of the expert panel it would undertake a further large-scale test of ACM with fire retardant polyethylene filler (category 2 in screening tests) with phenolic foam insulation. This is to further build the evidence available for experts and building owners so they can make informed safety decisions.

Results of the final large-scale test (ACM with a limited combustibility filler with mineral wool insulation) – and consolidated advice to landlords based on all the 7 tests – will be published shortly.

The government announced an independent review of building regulations and fire safety on 28 July 2017. This forward looking review will examine the regulatory system around the design, construction and on-going management of buildings in relation to fire safety as well as related compliance and enforcement issues.

Dr Frances Akor

Frances Akor is a Consultant Pharmacist at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and a member of the General Pharmaceutical Council’s Fitness to Practise and Investigating Committees. She was a member of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Pharmacy Clinical Services Group between 2009 and 2012. Frances has a PhD in Pharmacy Practice and Policy which focused on the practical implementation of NHS policy using anticoagulation as the therapy area of focus. Over the last fifteen years Frances has worked in academia, consultancy, pharmaceutical industry and the NHS. She will take up her appointment as Board member at UK Anti-Doping on 1st October 2017.

Nicholas Griffin QC

Nicholas Griffin is a barrister with expertise in both criminal and public law. He has worked with the police and other agencies in relation to significant investigations and cases. He regularly appears in public inquiries covering a wide variety of issues, from allegations of widespread abuse to military and police action. Additionally, Nicholas conducts internal investigations for institutions concerned about irregular activity and advices in relation to bribery, corruption and compliance matters. He will take up his appointment as Board member at UK Anti-Doping on 1st October 2017.

Dr Claire-Marie Roberts

Claire-Marie Roberts is a Chartered Psychologist, a Chartered Scientist, Senior Lecturer of Sport and Exercise Psychology and Co-programme Leader for the MSc in Sport and Exercise Psychology at the University of the West of England in Bristol. In addition to her academic work, Claire-Marie works as a sport psychology consultant to National Governing Bodies, professional sports teams, athletes, their parents, coaches and sport scientists. She has helped prepare a number of athletes and teams for international competitions including the Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games. Her role as a British Olympic Association sport psychology consultant at the London 2012 Olympics was to date, her career highlight. She will take up her appointment as Board member at UK Anti-Doping on 1st October 2017.

Prof Nicola Phillips

Nicola is an internationally registered Sports Physiotherapy specialist and a Professor at Cardiff University. She has worked extensively with both the Welsh and British teams at Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games for over 25 years. She is chef de mission for Wales’s Commonwealth Games team for 2018 and President of the International Federation of Sports Physical Therapy 2011 – 2017. Nicola’s main areas of both clinical and academic work are in rehabilitation of high performance athletes. Her publications also include logistical and ethical considerations for athlete support staff working at Major Games. She will take up her appointment as Board member at UK Anti-Doping on 1st October 2017.

These appointment have been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments. The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election. These individuals have declared no such political activity.

Anyone caught fishing with an illegal cast net in North East waters will be prosecuted, the Environment Agency has warned.

The warning follows the seizure of a cast net from an angler caught using it to catch salmon on the River Wear at Durham. The seizure was a first for the area and Environment Officers want it to stay that way.

Fisheries Enforcement Technical Specialist Kevin Summerson is leading the investigation against the angler. He said:

Even though these nets can be purchased from a number of UK outlets it is illegal to use them in North East rivers. Anyone caught and prosecuted could face a hefty fine and even a custodial sentence.

We take illegal fishing very seriously. Whether anglers use illegal equipment or fish without a licence, it’s not fair on other anglers and endangers the future of the sport.

“Our work is intelligence led and we work closely with our partners at the police and Angling Trust to target known hot spots and where illegal fishing is reported to us.

We carry out enforcement work all year round and will be continuing throughout the coming weeks, including the upcoming Bank Holiday weekends. I’d urge people to help us protect the health of our fisheries by reporting any suspected illegal activity to us.

It is illegal to use cast nets to catch freshwater fish, eels, trout, migratory trout or salmon in the North East. They are also illegal if used to catch migratory trout, salmon or freshwater eels up to six nautical miles from the coast line.

The maximum penalty for this offence if convicted before a magistrate is an unlimited fine and/or three months in custody, or an unlimited fine and/or up to two years in custody before the crown court.

The Environment Agency works 24 hours a day to protect people and wildlife from pollution incidents and we encourage people to report such incidents to our Incident Hotline on 0800 807060.

Up to 2,300 runners are expected to take part in the fourth running of the half-marathon, which starts on the western (Chepstow) end of the Severn Bridge, on the motorway itself, and finishes, after crossing the bridge and back, below junction 2 of the M48.

The half-marathon will start at 9am and the 10k event, new for this year, will start at 9.45am.

On the day, the bridge will be fully closed to traffic between 7.30am and 11.30am, with a clearly signed diversion route in place during the duration of the closure. The eastbound footpath and cycle track will also be closed between 9am and 3pm.

Gareth Price, south west emergency planning officer for Highways England, said: “We’d like to remind road users to plan ahead – more than 2,000 people are expected to take part, and as well as the bridge closure, local roads are also expected to be busy before and after the race.

“Our advice is to check our traffic and travel information channels, set off early and allow plenty of time.” Drivers can get up-to-the-minute travel information by phoning the Highways England Information Line on 0300 123 5000 or by accessing the Traffic England website.

Further information regarding current and planned roadworks in the South West region plus neighbouring regions can be found on the Highways England website.

More details on the Severn Bridge half-marathon and 10k can be found on their website.

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.

The Environment Agency is conducting its annual test of the flood sirens in Grimsby and Cleethorpes on Friday 25 August.

Installed in 2007, the 18 sirens help warn over 25,000 households and local businesses of imminent tidal flooding. The siren on the Willows Estate in Grimsby is used to warn residents about flooding from the New Cut Drain and the River Freshney, while the others warn of flooding from the Humber.

Testing will take place on Friday 25 August between 10am and 12pm. If you hear the sirens during this time, you do not need to take any action. If flooding is expected on the day, the test will be rescheduled and flood warnings will be issued through the Environment Agency’s free Flood Warning System.

Environment Agency staff will be present together with representatives from North East Lincolnshire council at Freshney Place shopping centre in Grimsby between 9am and 5pm on 25 August. They’ll be able to answer questions about the sirens and provide information about your own flood risk, including what steps you can take to prepare for an emergency.

The sirens in Grimsby and Cleethorpes are a secondary flood warning tool to the Environment Agency’s free Flood Warning Service, which provides targeted flooding warnings via phone call or text to mobile landlines or through email.

Luke Dawson, Flood Resilience team leader with the Environment Agency, said:

The flood sirens we own and operate in Grimsby and Cleethorpes help us warn over 25,000 households and local businesses. It’s important that we conduct these annual tests to make sure the sirens will work during an emergency.

We’d like to remind people in the area that our free Flood Warning System provides as much notice as possible ahead of a potential flooding incident. While the sirens are a vital secondary flood warning tool, we encourage everyone to check their flood risk and sign up for flood warnings. You can sign up for our free, targeted flood warnings by calling 0345 988 1188 or by visiting www.gov.uk/sign-up-for-flood-warnings.

Our flood defences reduce the risk of flooding to thousands of homes and businesses in Grimsby and Cleethorpes, but we cannot remove the risk of flooding entirely. This is why it is important that everyone plays their part to protect themselves from the risk of flooding. If you are in the area on 25 August, please do come along to Freshney Place to learn more about flood risk and how you can protect yourself and your property.

Cllr David Watson, portfolio holder for environment and energy at North East Lincolnshire Council, said:

On the flood siren testing day, North East Lincolnshire Council staff and its partner Engie will be joining the Environment Agency in Freshney Place Shopping Centre between 9am and 5pm. Officers will be available to answer any questions on flood risk and how you can prepare.