Minister of State for the Middle East, Alistair Burt MP, said:

I congratulate President Aoun and Prime Minister Hariri and welcome the announcement of the formation of Lebanon’s new government. This is an important moment for Lebanon.

The new government will have the increasingly important task of protecting Lebanon’s sovereignty, security and stability, including through implementing the policy of disassociation from regional conflicts, and abiding by the provisions of all relevant UN Security Council Resolutions, including 1559 and 1701. The United Kingdom will continue to support these goals, including strengthening the Lebanese Armed Forces in its role as Lebanon’s sole and legitimate defender.

This is a very important time for the Lebanese economy, and we look forward to rapid progress being made on the commitments made at the CEDRE Conference in Paris on 6 April last year. The UK-Lebanon Business and Investment forum in London on December 12 was an important moment in demonstrating Lebanon’s commitment to delivering key economic reforms, and now is the time for action.

The United Kingdom remains committed to supporting Lebanon, particularly in the fields of security, education and economic growth, as well as by providing support to its most vulnerable.

Published 1 February 2019

International Trade Secretary Dr Liam Fox MP presented London and southern England businesses with Board of Trade Awards (BOFTAs), a globally-recognised certificate of excellence, shown on product labels of successful businesses of every size. These follow BOFTAs given to other firms from across the UK throughout 2018.

International Trade Secretary and President of the Board of Trade Dr Liam Fox MP said:

Each year, my international economic department helps thousands of companies of every size to break into global markets, ensuring consumers around the world can access the best of British products and services.

The BOFTAs given to these companies highlight their exceptional trading performance and will inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs.

The London and southern England businesses receiving BOFTAs are:

• Pall Mall Barbers, one of London’s oldest barbershops
• Granny Gothards, an artisan ice cream and sorbet maker based in Somerset and Devon
• Lazarus Training, an Essex-based provider of first aid training
• AliveLab, a creator of Augmented Reality toys based in London
• LittlePod, a producer of ethically-sourced vanilla from Exeter
• Alderley Plc, a specialist oil and gas engineering firm headquartered in Gloucestershire
• Lye Cross Farm, a Somerset cheesemaker operating since 1952
• Gamification+, which provides HR, Sales and Marketing courses in gamification with offices in Brighton
• Warmup Plc, a London-based manufacturer of underfloor heating solutions

These BOFTAs are awarded during a time of record high exports from the UK. Latest ONS figures show the export of British goods and services rose by 2.3% to £630 billion in the year to November 2018.

The awards follow on the momentum of the launch of the Department for International Trade’s Export Strategy last year, which sets out how Government will support companies of all sizes to make the most of the opportunities presented by markets around the world. The strategy was created following extensive engagement with a range of UK businesses and sets a new ambition from Government to increase exports as a proportion of UK GDP to 35%.

Published 1 February 2019

A man who unlawfully gave immigration advice in the Manchester area was sentenced today at Manchester Crown Court (Crown Square).

Mr. Ngoyi Malumba, 55, of Frodsham Street, Manchester, pleaded guilty to providing immigration advice and services unlawfully.

Mr. Malumba, who is unqualified, operated Tameside Human Rights Watch, from offices in Wilmslow Road, Rusholme, Manchester. He admitted giving immigration advice and services to 200 clients who believed that he was qualified to do so.

The Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner initiated an investigation in response to concerns raised about Mr. Malumba’s competence after he represented a client at a hearing in the First-tier Tribunal at Hatton Cross, West London.

In sentencing HH Judge Timothy Smith said: “Whatever lay in the motivation, you were wrongly acting on behalf of potentially or actually vulnerable people detained and looking for advice and representation in relation to asylum, extradition deportation or their immigration status … There are 18 people covered by the indictment spanning a period between 2015 and 2018. There are suggestions you acted for a far greater number of people, providing advice and service and taking money from them …You were entirely at all times unqualified to do so and you in large part knew that.”

He added: “At times when people were at risk or had deadlines to meet in relation to their detention you were filling in forms which were inappropriate. They were not getting assistance they properly deserved. Their own cases may have been prejudiced by your conduct. Ultimately it was done for gain by you totalling £25,000.” Speaking about the decision, Deputy Immigration Services Commissioner, Dr Ian Leigh, said: “This is not a technical or victimless crime, Ngoyi Malumba, set up a business to provide immigration advice when he was not qualified or competent to do so.

“He was advising vulnerable people who could not handle their immigration cases on their own … 200 trusted him and he betrayed that trust.”

Notes to the Editor 1. The OISC is an independent public body, established under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, to regulate the provision of immigration advice and services in the UK. 2. For further information contact Cornelius Alexander. Corporate Communications Officer at the OISC, on 0207 211 1617.

We are planning to test a provider workshop to highlight how to correctly claim electronically served evidence as Pages of Prosecution Evidence (PPE).

If successful then more workshops could be held in different parts of the country. Feedback from providers will be looked at to see if any changes can be made to help with successful claims.

Why is this happening now?

A number of claims are being submitted without the correct information. This is leading to unnecessary rejections and fee reductions.

Where can I find electronic billing guidance?

Guidance is available on GOV.UK pages for all aspects of Crown Court legal aid fees. This explains:

The electronic disc evidence you must post is listed in the Crown Court fee guidance document. See paragraph 16 on page 69, appendix D.

This needs to be sent to: Legal Aid Agency, Fothergill House, 2nd Floor, 16 King Street, Nottingham, NG1 2AS DX: 10035 Nottingham 1

Is the workshop only about electronic evidence?

This is what the workshop will cover:

Where will it be held?

We will be holding a PPE workshop at the Legal Aid Agency office in Piccadilly Gate, Store Street, Manchester, M1 2WD, on 11 March 2019 between 11am and 1.30pm.

How do I apply?

If you are interested in attending email jennifer.johnson@justice.gov.uk

Places are limited so you will need to apply early.

Further information

Criminal legal aid processing: applications and digital systems

A trade continuity agreement will see British businesses and consumers benefitting from continued trade with the Faroe Islands after we leave the European Union. 

Trade Policy Minister, George Hollingbery signed the UK-Faroe Islands agreement in London yesterday (Thursday 31 January) with Faroese Minister for Trade and Industry, Poul Michelsen. Fisheries Minister George Eustice attended the ceremony, highlighting the importance of the UK’s relationship with the Faroe Islands and the importance of Faroese exports for the UK processing sector.

With almost £200 million worth of fish and crustaceans brought into the UK from the Faroe Islands in 2017, this agreement will allow imports to continue tariff-free and enable businesses to trade as freely as they do now.

Trading on these preferential terms will secure savings and help to safeguard access to fish products from the Faroe Islands.

Consumers in the UK will potentially benefit from greater choice and lower prices for fish and seafood such as Atlantic salmon, haddock and halibut.

This will ensure fresh, quality and affordable produce is readily available for British retailers and consumers.

Minister of State for Trade Policy, George Hollingbery said:

This agreement is the latest in a series of continuity agreements to be signed by the UK and will help give UK and Faroe Island businesses, exporters and consumers the certainty they need to continue trading freely and in confidence as the UK prepares to leave the EU.

The Faroe Islands is an important trading partner for Britain and this deal will help ensure that British businesses and consumer continue to have greater choice at lower prices.

The new UK-Faroe Islands agreement replicates the existing trading arrangements as far as possible. It will come into effect as soon as the implementation period ends in January 2021, or on 29 March 2019 if the UK leaves the EU without a deal.