• Casinos, skating rinks, bowling alleys, exhibition halls, conference centres and indoor play areas will not be permitted to open in these areas
• Government to work with local leaders in Blackburn with Darwen, Oldham and Pendle to address high or rising cases

The current rules on social gatherings will continue in parts of the North West, West Yorkshire, East Lancashire and Leicester following consideration of all local restrictions yesterday by government and local authorities. The measures were announced 2 weeks ago to urgently tackle an increase in COVID-19 cases in these areas.

The latest evidence does not show a decrease in the number of cases per 100,000 people in the area, and the Health Secretary, in collaboration with local leaders, has agreed that the rules must remain in place at present. This will help protect local residents, and allow more time for the changes to have an effect, cutting transmission among households.

The latest data also shows a continued rise in cases in Oldham and Pendle while numbers remain high in Blackburn with Darwen. Local leaders are now setting up an enhanced incident team to try and bring infection rates under control, with support offered from the government. Progress will be assessed throughout the weekend and early next week.

Minister for Health Edward Argar said:

I’d like to thank everyone in Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, East Lancashire and Leicester for your continued patience in following these vital rules – I know it hasn’t been easy.

We will review the measures again next week as part of our ongoing surveillance and monitoring of the latest data.

It is essential we all remain vigilant, and I urge everyone in these areas to follow the rules – wash your hands regularly, follow social distancing, get yourself a free test as soon as you get any symptoms, and isolate if NHS Test and Trace tells you to.

We will keep all local restrictions under constant consideration, including ahead of any formal reviews. As part of ensuring a proportionate yet robust response to the virus, where possible, the government will remove individual areas from these measures while maintaining or even strengthening measures in others as necessary – just as has been done in other areas where local measures have been brought in, such as Leicestershire.

The ban on indoor gathering continues to apply to:

• Greater Manchester:
  • City of Manchester
  • Trafford
  • Stockport
  • Oldham
  • Bury
  • Wigan
  • Bolton
  • Tameside
  • Rochdale
  • Salford
• Lancashire:
  • Blackburn with Darwen
  • Burnley
  • Hyndburn
  • Pendle
  • Rossendale
  • Preston
• West Yorkshire:
  • Bradford
  • Calderdale
  • Kirklees
• Leicester

This means that people in these areas will continue to not be permitted to mix with other households (apart from those in their support bubble) within private homes or gardens. People are still able to meet others in groups up to 6 individuals, or 2 households, in outdoor public places.

Indoor swimming pools, gyms and other leisure facilities will continue to remain closed in Bradford, Blackburn with Darwen and Leicester. Venues and settings that are currently open will remain so, however the additional easements planned nationally for the 15th August will not be coming into place in these settings. Shielding will also continue for individuals in Blackburn with Darwen, and Leicester City.

The national easing of restrictions planned tomorrow around the reopening of venues including casinos, bowling alleys and conference halls will not apply to Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, East Lancashire or Leicester. The latest data for Leicester shows that infection rates have declined thanks to the efforts of the local area, so a further review is being carried out and an update will be given early next week. In the meantime the current restrictions will remain in place.

PHE’s weekly surveillance report includes changes to the watch list of Local Authority areas with higher than average incidences of COVID-19. The changes are:

• Newark and Sherwood added as ‘areas of concern’
• Eden is being removed, thanks to a drop in cases

See the full surveillance report which includes this week’s watchlist and what the different categorisations mean.

Anyone with any symptoms must isolate immediately and get a test for free by going online or ringing 119. Everyone must continue to socially distance and regularly wash their hands to help bring this virus down further so all areas can return to normal as soon as possible.

Full guidance has been published on gov.uk/DHSC

The 3 definitions for the Joint Biosecurity Centre (JBC), NHS Test and Trace and PHE’s watchlist are:

• areas of concern
• areas of enhanced support
• areas of intervention

For ‘areas of concern’, upper tier local authorities will work with partners, supported by regional PHE and NHS Test and Trace resource, to take additional actions to manage outbreaks and reduce community spread of the virus to more normal levels. Actions taken may include additional targeted testing at high risk areas or groups, for example care homes, enhanced communications around the importance of social distancing, hand hygiene and other preventative measures, and more detailed epidemiological work to understand where clusters of the virus are occurring so that appropriate action can be taken.

On top of this, areas deemed for ‘enhanced support’ will be provided with increased national support, capacity and oversight, including additional resources deployed to augment the local teams where this is necessary. Actions taken may include significant additional widespread testing deployed to the upper tier local authorities, national support for local recommendations put in place to manage outbreaks, and detailed engagement with high risk groups and sectors to help increase the effectiveness of testing and tracing in these areas.

In addition, ‘areas of intervention’ are defined where there is divergence from the lockdown measures in place in the rest of England because of the significance of the spread of COVID-19. There are a range of non-pharmaceutical interventions available to local and national leaders, from extensive communications, expanded testing, to restrictions on businesses and gatherings

See the Contain Framework for more information.

The easements planned nationally on 15 August will not apply to Leicester, Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire and East Lancashire. In proposed regulations, these are opening casinos, bowling alleys, skating rinks, exhibitions halls and conference centres, with guidance on restarting indoor theatrical/concert performances, pilots for large crowds in sports and business events, enabling remaining close contact services to resume (for example certain procedures in beauty salons), reopening steam rooms and saunas, allowing wedding receptions for up to 30 people.

Venues and settings that are currently open in Greater Manchester will continue to do so however additional easements will not be coming into place.

People in Leicester should only socialise in outside public places (like parks) in groups of up to 6 people from multiple households. Gatherings larger than 6 should only take place if everyone is exclusively from 2 households or support bubbles and must not exceed 30 people.

The RAIB is investigating a fatal accident that occurred near Carmont on the national rail network in Scotland.

At around 09:40 hrs on Wednesday 12 August 2020, all six vehicles of a passenger train derailed after striking a landslip around 1.4 miles (2.25 km) north-east of Carmont, Aberdeenshire. There were nine people on the train at the time of the accident; three train crew (the driver, conductor and a second conductor travelling as a passenger on this train) and six passengers. Tragically, the driver of the train, the train’s conductor and one passenger suffered fatal injuries in the accident. The remaining passengers and member of train crew were taken to hospital.

The site of the accident was approximately four miles (6.4 km) south-west of Stonehaven and 20 miles (32 km) north of Montrose, on the double track main line which runs between Dundee and Aberdeen. The train, which was operated by Abellio (trading as ScotRail), was a High Speed Train set with a leading power car, four Mark 3 passenger coaches and a rear power car. It had originally been operating as train reporting number 1T08, the 06:38 hrs service from Aberdeen to Glasgow Queen Street. Train 1T08 had departed on time from Aberdeen and then from Stonehaven, its next scheduled stop. After departing Stonehaven, the train continued past Carmont on the up (southbound) line until it was stopped by the signaller at Carmont, using a radio message. This was because the signaller had just received a report from the driver of a train on the down (northbound) line that a landslip was obstructing the up line between Carmont and Laurencekirk.

When it became apparent that train 1T08 could not continue its journey south, the decision was taken to return it to Aberdeen, and it was routed back over a crossover at Carmont onto the down line. After travelling for approximately 1.4 miles (2.25 km), the train struck a landslip covering the down line and derailed. As the track curved to the right, the train continued in a roughly straight line for around 100 yards (90 metres) until it struck a section of bridge parapet, which was destroyed. The leading power car continued over the bridge and then fell from the railway down a wooded embankment, as did the third passenger carriage. The first passenger carriage came to rest on its roof, having rotated to be at right angles to the track. The second passenger carriage also overturned onto its roof and came to rest on the first carriage. The fourth passenger carriage remained upright and attached to the rear power car; it also came to rest on the first carriage. All wheelsets of the rear power car derailed, but it remained upright.

We are currently collecting evidence needed to identify factors relevant to the cause of the accident and its consequences. The scope of the investigation is likely to include:

• the sequence of events and the actions of those involved
• the operating procedures applied
• the management of earthworks and drainage in this area, including recent inspections and risk assessments
• the general management of earthworks and drainage and associated procedures designed to manage the risk of extreme weather events
• the behaviour of the train during, and following the derailment
• the consequences of the derailment and a review of the damage caused to the rolling stock
• underlying management factors
• actions taken in response to previous safety recommendations

We will publish our findings, including any recommendations to improve safety, at the conclusion of our investigation. This report will be available on our website.

The RAIB’s investigation is independent of any investigation by the railway industry, and of the joint investigation instructed by the Lord Advocate to be carried out by British Transport Police, Police Scotland and by the industry’s regulator, the Office of Rail and Road.

You can subscribe to automated emails notifying you when we publish our reports.

There’s a diverse range of careers and roles at DVLA and a huge focus on personal development within the agency. Jodie Lewis, an IT Business Analyst (BA), tells us about her career journey at DVLA.

First steps

I started in a temporary position processing online driving licence applications. I’d left a permanent position and I was terrified of not gaining permanent employment. But I learned everything I could, listened to all my feedback and six months in, I was made permanent. I was absolutely chuffed!

Two months later, I saw an internal advert for a personal assistant role in Human Resources (HR) and I called the contact for a quick chat about the role and submitted an application. I was successful at interview and that was the beginning of my journey into the world of HR. I supported DVLA’s IT Services (ITS) Business Partner and the knowledge and relationships I built from this point were important for everything that came next.

While working in HR I took every opportunity, including creating leaflets, monitoring recruitment figures and reporting back to the Department for Transport Resourcing Group (DRG). I learned lots along the way and was promoted to PA for DVLA’s Deputy Director of HR.

When I saw an opportunity for a completely different role as a secondment in our ITS Recruitment Support team, I knew I wanted to go for it. I had wanted to move into ITS for a while and a recruitment role seemed the perfect step to make that next move.

Steps towards Business Analysis

I first became interested in Business Analysis (BA) when supporting a DVLA recruitment scheme for a BA role in London as part of the Clean Air Zone (CAZ) project. I got to meet the candidates, saw their CVs and I quizzed the interviewers about the role, asking what skills they look for and the type of person they’d like to work with.

On my return, I asked to shadow one of the BAs on the DVLA team so I could ask some more questions, with the aim of understanding ‘a day in the life’. When the next round of recruitment opened up at DVLA, I was able to write about my skills in a relevant way to show how they could be useful in the BA role.

Learning more

There’s a lot to learn when you become a BA at DVLA. Before I started in the role I prepared by sitting the ‘Foundation in Business Change’ exam.

I’ve been able to develop my skills with training opportunities – even during the pandemic – and have taken several exams including ‘Foundation in Business Analysis’ and ‘Managing the Requirements Process’. It’s fantastic to have such focus on my personal development. The training is also helping me to prepare me for the BCS International Diploma of Business Analysis oral exam.

During training I studied the theory and methods but the real world can be a little different. I have learned a lot of this role ‘on-the-job’ and no day is the same. One day I am running a workshop with stakeholders to understand their requirements, the next I could be developing process maps or writing acceptance criteria for stories. BAs can work across multiple projects and can move as and when they’re needed.

I’ve had to get my head around technical talk with squads and am still learning about the drivers and vehicles processes.

Best things about the job

There are so many great things about this role. I enjoy the interesting nature of the projects I’m currently aligned to and seeing all the innovative things the squads do.

My ever-growing team have been so friendly and supportive. The experience between them is vast and it’s great to have people to bounce ideas off and discuss things that you may not understand or even to get a different perspective on things. I’m so excited to be in a role where I get to play a part in the changes that are happening within DVLA now and in the future.

It’s been a massive change of direction in my career but I’m thrilled to have the chance to do it. The role is challenging and there is a lot to learn but at the same time, I couldn’t be more excited about the opportunity I’ve been given. Taking that temporary position was the best move I’ve made and I’d definitely recommend working at DVLA!

If you enjoy problem solving, building good relationships, asking challenging questions and can articulate your findings in a way that people understand then you’ll likely make a good analyst. Check out our latest opportunities on Civil Service Jobs.

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• Guidance published to help some of Britain’s biggest cultural venues apply for £270 million in repayable cultural finance
• Loans are part of the government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund
• Further details of £120 million funding for capital projects also announced

New guidance has been published today to help the country’s biggest cultural and heritage institutions apply for a share of £270 million in repayable finance.

Following the launch of grants to help smaller arts venues, heritage sites and independent cinemas earlier this week, the repayable finance package will help stabilise cultural organisations until they can return to sustainable operations.

Culture Secretary, Oliver Dowden, said:

We’ve already announced hundreds of millions in grants to help independent cinemas, local music venues and arts organisations in the heart of communities across the country. This repayable finance will be the helping hand some of our largest venues and attractions urgently need.

We’re also investing £120 million to kickstart construction projects to renew our cultural infrastructure and important heritage sites.

This Government is here for culture and this is another part of our plan to help it weather the covid storm and come back stronger.

Applicants will be assessed against rigorous cultural and economic criteria, outlined in guidance published by Arts Council England today, including efficiencies made to date and ongoing viability for the future. Organisations will also need to demonstrate national or international significance and opportunities to engage their local communities through education and outreach.

Organisations will be able to apply for funding in excess of £3 million, the limit of the grants already available, on generous loan terms including a payment term of up to 20 years, an initial repayment holiday of up to four years and a 2% interest rate per annum.

The repayable finance model has been carefully tailored to suit the needs of the cultural sector, especially culturally significant organisations which were financially sustainable before the pandemic.

Arts Council England will review applications, with input from other arm’s length bodies including the British Film Institute, Historic England and National Lottery Heritage Fund. Decisions will be taken by the independent Culture Recovery Board, chaired by Sir Damon Buffini. The independent board members have a broad range of sectoral and commercial expertise which will be applied to decisions on the repayable finance package and the biggest grant awards.

Further detail has also been published today on the Culture Recovery Fund’s £120 million capital investment. This will kickstart cultural infrastructure and heritage construction projects.

Historic England will be delivering the £50 million Heritage Stimulus Fund to restart vital construction and maintenance on heritage sites to preserve visitor attractions and provide immediate work for some of the most vulnerable heritage specialists and contractors in the sector.

Applications open today for around £34 million in Programmes of Major Works grants, as part of the Heritage Stimulus Fund, to allow repair and conservation work to continue. These grants will help stimulate the economy, by upgrading nationally important heritage tourist attractions, boosting the visitor economy and revitalising irreplaceable historic buildings.

As part of the Heritage Stimulus Fund, there will also be around £5 million of top up funding for existing projects which have already been identified as a priority for urgent support, through Historic England. Around £11 million will also be added to the Covid-19 Emergency Heritage at Risk Response Fund to expand the scheme and meet the needs of more organisations who applied for funding when the scheme launched in June.

Sir Laurie Magnus, Chairman of Historic England said:

This further £50 million within the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund is essential for protecting our heritage. The Heritage Stimulus Fund will kickstart repair works at both nationally and locally-cherished historic sites, protect livelihoods of skilled heritage professionals hit hardest by the pandemic and help to save vulnerable sites on our Heritage at Risk Register. This is an important step towards securing a sustainable future for our heritage and the people, often with years of irreplaceable experience, who work tirelessly to conserve it for us all.

Arts Council England will deliver a £55 million Cultural Capital Kickstart Fund to accelerate projects that have previously secured Arts Council capital funding, whose progress has been impacted by the pandemic.

Nicholas Serota, Chair of Arts Council England, said:

We are pleased that the expertise and experience of Arts Council England is being used to help design, administer and monitor the Government’s new innovative repayable finance programme for the whole cultural and heritage sector. The sector still faces many challenges ahead, however the scale of the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund, which also includes grants and capital investment programmes, is unprecedented and will go a long way to help our cultural and heritage organisations return to financial stability and continue to do extraordinary work for communities across the country.

The National Lottery Heritage Fund will deliver the £15 million Heritage Capital Kickstart Fund to support up to 30 existing heritage capital projects which are now at risk as a result of the pandemic.

Notes to Editors

Organisations will be able to apply for repayable finance via the Arts Council England website. Guidance for applicants is published here.

Guidance for applicants to Arts Council England Cultural Capital Kickstart Fund is published here.

The Historic England Major Works Programme opens for applications today, via their website here. Guidance for applicants is published here.

The Heritage Capital Kickstart Fund will be delivered by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and administered by the National Heritage Memorial Fund on behalf of DCMS.

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