I am deeply saddened by the horrifying terrorist attack in Ouagadougou last night. My thoughts and prayers are with all those who were killed and injured and with their families and with the people of Burkina Faso.
We stand in solidarity with Burkina Faso at this time of tragedy and against the senseless cruelty of terrorism around the world.
The latest wall cladding combination tested as part of the government’s series of large-scale fire safety tests has passed and meets current Building Regulations guidance.
This fifth test was of a wall cladding system consisting of Aluminium Composite material (ACM) cladding with a limited combustibility filler (category 1 in screening tests) with PIR foam insulation.
The government’s Expert Panel advises that the results show that this combination of materials can be compliant when installed and maintained properly. While government has not been informed of any tall buildings over 18 metres in England using this particular combination of materials in their wall system, it could offer a possible solution for some buildings with other cladding systems which have been identified as a fire hazard through previous large-scale tests.
The purpose of the testing programme is to develop a better understanding of how different types of cladding panels behave with different types of insulation in a fire. This is so building owners and their professional advisors can make informed decisions.
The clear advice from the Expert Panel remains that building owners need to continue to take professional advice regarding remedial work that takes into account the specific circumstances of their building.
The government announced the 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.
Results of the first 4 tests have already been published. Results of the remaining 2 large-scale tests will be published when they are available.
The event took place on Friday night on a closed section of the A38(M) in Birmingham for a ‘real-time’ incident involving a HGV, double-decker bus, a van and four cars. The training scenario was a road-traffic collision. To add an extra dimension to the incident, the van and one of the cars was on its side and on its roof.
The exercise – organised by West Midlands Fire Service – took place in a closed section of the carriageway which was utilised for the exercise as part of on-going repair work by Highways England at Spaghetti Junction.
Highways England has been working closely with the emergency services for the past couple of months to stage the exercise.
Highways England emergency planning officer, Frank Bird, said:
This was a really useful training exercise for us and our partners to test responses to a challenging incident. We continue to work closely with the emergency services across the West Midlands and we’re pleased to be able to help by utilising an existing closure on the road to help support their training programme.
Watch commander Andy Wagner of West Midlands Fire Service, who planned and organised the exercise, said:
We’re extremely grateful to everyone who helped make Friday night’s exercise as realistic as possible, including Highways England for ensuring we had use of the A38(M).
We aim to get to life-risk emergencies in five minutes or less, and then put in place an assertive, safe and effective plan to resolve the incident. This scenario drew on the wide range of skills and resources that would be needed in such challenging circumstances. It was a great opportunity to test and perfect how several agencies work together.
The incident also posed a challenge to paramedics called to the scene to treat nine ‘casualties’ in the form of actors that replicated wounds similar to those that would be experienced in real-life.
West Midlands Ambulance Service hazardous area response team manager, James Price, said:
The exercise on Friday night was a great opportunity to test our skills and joint-agency team work at a multi-vehicle collision.
Routine exercises like this take place across the West Midlands region regularly and are important as they enable us to test our ability to deal with large scale incidents. Thanks to Highways England and West Midlands Fire Service for organising the exercise.
Members of the public should contact the Highways England customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000.
Journalists should contact the Highways England press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.
Since 2013 the White Helmets have saved thousands of lives in Syria, rescuing people from bombings and missile strikes.
The Foreign Secretary said:
I am appalled by the targeted and heinous murders of heroic White Helmets volunteers who put their own safety at risk to save lives on all sides of the Syrian conflict.
Their bravery and humanity is so inspiring and their deaths a huge loss for their families, Syria and the world.
Graham Mather was appointed to the Ofcom Board with effect from 1 June 2014. He is a member of Ofcom’s Nations Committee, Nominations Committee, Remuneration Committee and Risk and Audit Committee.
Graham Mather was a member of Ofcom’s Consumer Panel from 2004 to 2008. He served as a member of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission and, between 2000 and 2012, was also member of the Competition Appeal Tribunal, the body that deals with appeals from the UK regulators. Graham is currently the President of the European Policy Forum and Chairman of its Regulatory Best Practice Group. Graham is a member of the Board of the Office of Rail and Road.
He was appointed CBE in the Queen’s 2017 Birthday Honours list for services to economic regulation, competition and infrastructure development.
Ofcom Board Members are remunerated, £42,519 per annum.
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. Graham has declared no such political activity.