A Working Group has been formed in Allerdale, Cumbria, to begin discussions about the potential for hosting a deep geological facility for the safe and secure disposal of radioactive waste.

Today’s announcement follows two months after the first group was established in neighbouring Copeland. Chaired independently by Jocelyn Manners-Armstrong, the Allerdale Working Group will now begin local discussions and fact-finding about the potential for the future siting of a Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) in Allerdale.

Radioactive Waste Management (RWM) Chief Executive, Karen Wheeler, said: “I’m delighted to see the formation of the GDF Working Group in Allerdale which will start to engage local residents, businesses, and other organisations about the possibility of hosting a GDF. This is the second Working Group to form, following Copeland’s announcement in November, with more planned to come across England in the months ahead.

The formation of a Working Group is a very early step in the process, but it demonstrates real progress is being made towards finding a willing community and suitable site for one of the biggest environmental protection projects of our lifetime – disposing of higher activity waste safely and securely in a GDF.

This is a massive infrastructure investment for a local economy, and a vital project for the UK. It will create thousands of jobs over its lifetime, bringing opportunities to develop a local workforce with the skills and expertise that will be needed. A GDF will also attract further inward investment together with supply chain opportunities over the course of many decades and into the next century.

The group will initially focus on gathering information about the local area and views of the local community, and identifying a Search Area for further detailed consideration. As is the position in Copeland, the Lake District National Park will be excluded.

There is no requirement to make any commitment on future willingness to host a GDF. The Working Group will also identify the initial members of a Community Partnership that will continue these early discussions once a search area is identified, sharing information and working alongside RWM as geological investigations take place.

Setting up a Working Group does not mean a GDF will be built in a particular location. Before any final decision is taken, the community must demonstrate its willingness to host a GDF through a test of public support, and it must be shown that the local area has suitable geology such that a GDF could be constructed safely and securely.

Information about a GDF:

• Geological Disposal is the internationally recognised way to dispose of higher-activity radioactive waste and involves a series of highly engineered vaults located up to 1,000 metres deep in a suitable rock formation. Combined with manmade barriers, this protects the environment and keeps the waste safe and secure while the radioactivity decays naturally to safe levels.

• Successive UK governments have endorsed deep geological disposal, and there are similar programmes already under way in Canada, Finland, France, Sweden and Switzerland.

• Initial construction is likely to span approximately 10 years and employ up to 2,000 people during the peak phase, with underground construction continuing as the facility expands gradually over its operating life of more than 100 years.

• A GDF is also expected to support thousands of jobs, both at the facility and in the wider supply chain, as well as generating wide-ranging contract opportunities for local businesses.

• The invitation to open discussions and get involved in the GDF programme remains open to any community organisation, local authority, business or individual in England or Wales.

Mae Gweithgor wedi cael ei greu yn Allerdale, Cumbria, i ddechrau trafod y posibilrwydd o gynnal cyfleuster daearegol dwfn ar gyfer gwaredu gwastraff ymbelydrol mewn modd diogel.

Daw’r cyhoeddiad heddiw ddau fis ar ôl i’r gweithgor cyntaf gael ei sefydlu yn ardal gyfagos Copeland. Bydd Gweithgor Allerdale, dan gadeiryddiaeth annibynnol Jocelyn Manners-Armstrong, nawr yn dechrau trafod yn lleol a chasglu’r ffeithiau ynghylch y posibilrwydd o leoli Cyfleuster Gwaredu Daearegol (GDF) yn Allerdale yn y dyfodol.

Dywedodd Prif Weithredwr Radioactive Waste Management (RWM), Karen Wheeler: “Rydw i wrth fy modd bod y Gweithgor GDF wedi cael ei greu yn Allerdale ac y bydd yn dechrau ymgysylltu â thrigolion lleol, busnesau a sefydliadau eraill ynghylch y posibilrwydd o gynnal GDF. Dyma’r ail Weithgor i gael ei greu, yn dilyn cyhoeddi gweithgor Copeland ym mis Tachwedd, ac mae rhagor ar y gweill ledled Lloegr dros y misoedd i ddod.

Mae creu Gweithgor yn gam cynnar iawn yn y broses, ond mae’n dangos bod cynnydd go iawn yn cael ei wneud tuag at ddod o hyd i safle addas a chymuned sy’n barod i gynnal un o’r prosiectau gwarchod yr amgylchedd mwyaf yn ein hanes – gan waredu gwastraff uwch ei actifedd yn ddiogel mewn GDF.

Mae hwn yn fuddsoddiad enfawr mewn seilwaith ar gyfer economi leol, ac yn brosiect allweddol ar gyfer y DU. Bydd yn creu miloedd o swyddi yn ystod ei oes, gan gynnig cyfleoedd i ddatblygu gweithlu lleol sydd â’r sgiliau a’r arbenigedd angenrheidiol. Bydd GDF hefyd yn denu mewnfuddsoddiad pellach ynghyd â chyfleoedd i’r gadwyn gyflenwi dros nifer o ddegawdau ac i mewn i’r ganrif nesaf.

Bydd y grŵp yn canolbwyntio i gychwyn ar gasglu gwybodaeth am yr ardal leol a sylwadau’r gymuned leol, ac ar ganfod Ardal Chwilio i’w hystyried yn fanylach. Yn debyg i’r sefyllfa yn Copeland, ni fydd Parc Cenedlaethol Ardal y Llynnoedd yn cael ei ystyried.

Nid oes gofyniad i ymrwymo i barodrwydd ardal i gynnal GDF yn y dyfodol. Bydd y Gweithgor hefyd yn nodi aelodau cychwynnol Partneriaeth Gymunedol a fydd yn parhau â’r trafodaethau cynnar hyn unwaith y bydd ardal chwilio wedi cael ei chanfod, gan rannu gwybodaeth a gweithio gyda RWM wrth i ymchwiliadau daearegol fynd rhagddynt.

Nid yw creu Gweithgor yn golygu y bydd GDF yn cael ei adeiladu mewn lleoliad penodol. Cyn gwneud unrhyw benderfyniad terfynol, mae’n rhaid i’r gymuned ddangos parodrwydd i gynnal GDF drwy brofi cefnogaeth y cyhoedd, ac mae’n rhaid dangos bod gan yr ardal leol y ddaeareg addas er mwyn gallu adeiladu GDF yn ddiogel.

Gwybodaeth am Gyfleusterau Gwaredu Daearegol:

• Gwaredu Daearegol yw’r dull a gydnabyddir yn rhyngwladol o waredu gwastraff ymbelydrol uwch ei actifedd ac mae’n cynnwys cyfres o gladdgelloedd o’r radd flaenaf hyd at 1,000 metr yn ddwfn mewn craig addas. Ar y cyd â rhwystrau dynol, mae hyn yn gwarchod yr amgylchedd ac yn cadw’r gwastraff yn ddiogel tra bo’r ymbelydredd yn dadfeilio’n naturiol i lefelau diogel.

• Mae llywodraethau olynol y DU wedi cefnogi gwaredu daearegol dwfn, ac mae rhaglenni tebyg eisoes yn mynd rhagddynt yn Canada, y Ffindir, Ffrainc, Sweden a’r Swistir.

• Mae’r gwaith adeiladu cychwynnol yn debygol o bara tua 10 mlynedd a chyflogi hyd at 2,000 o bobl yn ystod y cyfnod prysuraf, gyda’r gwaith adeiladu tanddaearol yn parhau wrth i’r cyfleuster ehangu’n raddol dros ei oes weithredol sef dros 100 mlynedd.

• Mae disgwyl i GDF gefnogi miloedd o swyddi, yn y cyfleuster ei hun ac yn y gadwyn gyflenwi ehangach, yn ogystal â chynnig cyfleoedd am gontractau amrywiol i fusnesau lleol.

• Mae’r gwahoddiad i ddechrau trafod a chymryd rhan yn y rhaglen GDF yno o hyd i unrhyw sefydliad cymunedol, awdurdod lleol, busnes neu unigolyn yng Nghymru neu Loegr.

Dstl, the science inside UK defence and security, has developed a prototype robot so that humans and machines can now share the burden of detecting and report dangerous chemicals over large areas.

The Merlin Robot, developed by industry partner HORIBA-MIRA with funding from the MOD and the Home Office, autonomously carried out simulated chemical reconnaissance tasks over test areas covering up to 10,000 square metres. Currently a single prototype, the Merlin robot operated continuously on tasks for several hours with ease, allowing personnel to monitor and manage the test incident scene from a safe distance, away from potential harm.

Watch the Merlin robot in action

Chemical reconnaissance (recce) on foot and in specially modified vehicles is currently carried out by specialist personnel in the event of suspected or confirmed use of chemical agents, both in military battlefield and homeland security scenarios. It is a dangerous and laborious task requiring high levels of specialist training. In the future, however, autonomous systems could enable the task with significantly less burden on personnel and at lower risk to the deployed teams.

The trial, run under Dstl’s Project Servitus, was a follow-on to successful previous work conducted under Project Minerva, which investigated the use of ground-based and airborne autonomous systems to tackle hazardous scene assessment in areas contaminated with chemical agents, on behalf of the MOD and the Home Office.

Initially developed as part of Project Minerva, under Servitus the Merlin robot had an off-the-shelf chemical vapour sensor mounted so that it can be accurately positioned close to the ground. The robot’s AI-based object recognition and search and detection techniques were also further developed, including drawing on other Dstl-funded work on MIRA’s Viking re-supply and recce unmanned ground vehicle (UGV), enhancing the system’s autonomous behaviours and capability.

The Servitus trial tested different autonomous behaviours for search and mapping operations in exploring an area, obstacle avoidance and chemical mapping. The operationally realistic trial was undertaken with support from specialist C-CBRN operators from 27 Squadron RAF Regiment RAF Honington. Non-toxic chemical simulants were sprayed onto the ground within a simulated operational activity, and both the military recce teams and the robot undertook the task of searching the areas to find and map the chemicals and plot clean routes.

27 Squadron RAF Regiment operators were provided with basic training on the Merlin and its tablet-based human machine interface, and given the opportunity to operate the robot, setup Merlin missions, monitor progress and re-task the robot as required. The users were quickly able to absorb the training and become proficient in commanding the robot, relishing the chance to work with the system.

Commenting on working with Dstl and MIRA, a spokesperson from 27 Squadron RAF Regiment said:

It was a hugely interesting project to be part of within the early development stages, and it was a pleasure to work alongside the MIRA and Dstl personnel who were very engaged, approachable and keen to listen to our observations and experience. The system has a lot of potential and testing our personnel against the AI of the robot was a good benchmark.

By the end of the trial, Merlin had successfully demonstrated autonomous operation in area recce tasks that were both clean and contaminated, and had performed tasks to find clean routes through contaminated areas. Throughout the trial the embedded AI was pushed to the limits of object and obstacle recognition and successfully demonstrated its utility within a cluttered environment.

Dstl’s project technical lead, Andy Martin said:

Project Servitus has demonstrated the clear potential to make the job of military and emergency services users safer, more effective and future looking. The technology has significant potential in a number of fields, and work to explore the exploitation pathways within CBR and elsewhere is well underway. Building on Project Minerva, Servitus is another exemplar of cross-department and industry collaboration, with close working between government technical experts, industry and the military user community. It has been highly successful because of that.

The Business Minister Paul Scully has written an open letter to employers on how they can support survivors of domestic abuse.

The letter outlines several practical steps employers can take to build awareness of domestic abuse, ensuring they are noticing warning signs and helping workers access the support they need.

The letter follows the publication of the government’s final report from its Review into Workplace Support for Victims of Domestic Abuse, which was launched in June to collect evidence on what more both the government and employers can do to try and tackle all forms of domestic abuse.

Business Minister Paul Scully has today (14 January) issued a rallying call to employers across the country to take some simple steps to ensure their organisation is spotting signs of domestic abuse and helping their staff find the right support.

In an open letter to all UK employers, the Business Minister has outlined a few key, practical steps they can take to build awareness of domestic abuse, ensure they are noticing warning signs, and help workers access the support they need.

Warning signs for domestic abuse include changes in a person’s behaviour, a sudden drop in performance, mentions of controlling or coercive behaviour in partners, or physical signs such as bruising.

Business Minister Paul Scully said:

For too long, a lack of awareness and stigma around speaking about domestic abuse has stopped workplaces from putting in place the kind of help that survivors so desperately need.

I know from personal experience that both bosses and colleagues are in a unique position to help spot the signs of domestic abuse and ensure survivors get the support they need so they no longer have to suffer in silence.

That doesn’t mean making employers into counsellors or healthcare workers, but the actions I’ve outlined today – which can be as simple as providing a safe space to talk – can have a life-changing impact on survivors.

The open letter comes as the government publishes the final report from its Review into Workplace Support for Victims of Domestic Abuse, which was launched in June to collect evidence on what more both the government and employers can do to try and tackle all forms of domestic abuse.

In light of the findings of the report, Business Minister Paul Scully today announced plans to consult on the steps that can be taken so survivors can better exercise their existing employment rights, such as the right to request flexible working.

The government will also establish a working group including employers, representatives of domestic abuse victims and trade unions to convene regularly to establish practical solutions that employers can implement in the workplace, and to measure their impact on supporting survivors.

A lack of awareness of warning signs, stigma around talking about domestic abuse in the workplace, and a lack of knowledge about specialist services is preventing domestic abuse survivors getting the help they need in the workplace, the report found.

Safeguarding Minister Victoria Atkins said:

Domestic abuse is a devastating crime which shatters lives.

It is incredibly important that everyone works together to tackle this horrific crime, and that includes employers – whether that is supporting survivors in the workplace, ensuring staff know how to spot signs of abuse, or assisting victims in seeking help they need. Many employers are already supporting their staff who are experiencing domestic abuse in practical ways and we want this to become “business as usual” for all employers.

We have built on this relationship between retailers and the public through the development of the ‘Ask for ANI’ codeword scheme. From today, those at risk or suffering from domestic abuse can discreetly signal to trained workers at participating pharmacies that they need help in accessing support.

Elizabeth Filkin CBE, Chair of The Employer’s Initiative on Domestic Abuse, said:

The coronavirus has thrown not only domestic abuse into the spotlight, but the role of employers in tackling it. We have seen critical activity from our employer members to support their staff working at home who face domestic abuse, as well as a sharp rise in enquiries from businesses wanting help and guidance to put this support in place.

Business is taking action but cannot do it alone.

The government’s commitment through the Review into Workplace Support for Victims of Domestic Abuse is welcome and timely. Only through greater awareness among employers and staff of the damage done by domestic abuse and sharing employer best practice can we make a systemic change to the way domestic abuse is thought about and handled in the UK.

Helen Lamprell, General Counsel and External Affairs Director, Vodafone UK said:

At Vodafone, we know we have a duty to help employees if they are facing domestic abuse. This is why we offer specialist training to HR and line managers; and our global domestic abuse policy provides support for employees affected by abuse, including counselling and additional paid leave.

In partnership with Hestia, Vodafone Foundation created the Bright Sky app, which gives those experiencing domestic abuse access to local help and information; and our domestic abuse toolkit is a resource to help other employers implement a domestic abuse policy. We also encourage employers to work with organisations such as EIDA – by sharing best practice, we will better support those suffering domestic violence.

The report also found that stereotyping of the types of people that can be affected by domestic abuse is hindering support, despite clear evidence showing that it can happen to anyone, no matter their gender, age, ethnicity or economic status.

While women are disproportionately affected by of domestic abuse, failure to look beyond stereotypes of the typical ‘victim’ may mean clear warning signs are missed and survivors are made to suffer in silence. According to the 2019 Crime Survey for England and Wales, an estimated 800,000 men suffered from domestic violence in 2018 to 2019.

Being able to work is critical for survivors of domestic abuse. Work not only provides an income but provides a sense of purpose and direction for survivors.

As well as being a place of safety and respite from their abuser, going to work allows survivors to make important social connections outside the home, which can have a massive impact on their health and wellbeing.

For many survivors, it can be one of the few places they feel safe to speak out about what they are going through.

The government’s ground-breaking Domestic Abuse Bill is continuing to make its passage through Parliament. The Bill will bring into law a statutory definition of domestic abuse that includes coercive or controlling behaviour as well as emotional and economic abuse, and also includes a wide range of measures to better protect and support survivors and their children.

Alongside the Review into Workplace Support for Victims of Domestic Abuse, the government has also announced the launch of the Ask for ANI scheme, ensuring new victims of domestic abuse will be able to access much needed support from thousands of pharmacies across the UK.

The codeword scheme, launched by the Home Office alongside Boots and independent pharmacies, allows those at risk or suffering from abuse to discreetly signal that they need help accessing support. A trained pharmacy worker will then offer a private space where they can understand if the victim needs to speak to the police or would like help to access support services such as a national or local domestic abuse helplines.

The call for evidence received 126 written responses from individuals, representatives of survivors, employers and their representatives, trade unions and others with interest.

The open letter to UK employers was shared with Business Representative Organisations today to disseminate to their members.

Government has published guidance on how to get help during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. This sets out that:

• if you are an employer, let your employees know that if they are facing domestic abuse you want to help them to get help
• stay in regular contact with employees you know, or fear, may be facing abuse and if you lose contact with them, take swift action to visit them. If you believe there is an immediate risk of harm to someone, or it is an emergency, always call 999

The Employers’ Initiative on Domestic Abuse website provides resources to support employers including an employers’ toolkit.

The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) has also produced guidance for employers on domestic abuse, produced with the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC).

SafeLives provides guidance and support to professionals and those working in the domestic abuse sector, as well as additional advice for employers on supporting employees working from home.