significant upgrades made to 10 courts across England and Wales over £50,000 invested into refurbishment projects from Bolton to Truro more calming environments to better support vulnerable court users These rooms provide a safe haven for victims or witnesses while they wait to give evidence and the results of the work will help the most vulnerable visitors feel safe and supported before giving evidence. The upgrades include improved video link rooms to facilitate pre-recorded evidence, new refreshment stations, and more comfortable seating as well as damp-proofing, re-painting and re-carpeting. By providing a welcoming and inclusive place for vulnerable…
Author: HM Government
Today I have published my recommendations to the Government for how the proposed infected blood compensation scheme might be improved, based on the feedback I have received from the community of those infected and affected by this issue. Last May the previous Government published its proposals for a compensation scheme. This was built on the recommendations of Sir Brian Langstaff in his Infected Blood inquiry reports, in particular his second interim report, which in turn was founded on my own framework study published over two years ago. I have provided these recommendations to the Government on their proposals, alongside the…
The Cockett Wick seawall improvement scheme has been completed, ensuring 3,000 homes and businesses are better protected from tidal flooding. With a £12m investment, the works include the placement of 14,000 tonnes of Norwegian granite, 150 steel piles and 330 metres of reinforced concrete footpath and seawall. This scheme is a key part of the Essex and South Suffolk shoreline management plan, which aims to sustain the viability of the seaside communities. This scheme provides long-term flood resilience, supporting aspirations for further growth and regeneration of seaside towns. Now finished, the key objective of the project has been to provide…
NEC, the UK Government and the Peruvian Government have been working together through the Government-to-Government initiative since 2017 Public infrastructure projects worth $9billion have used NEC in Peru to date to deliver faster, effective and more transparent infrastructure An official translation of NEC4 contracts, guides and training will be published as part of the agreement NEC and The Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) for Peru announced on Friday 09 August a new partnership for the NEC suite of contracts to be adopted progressively and become the country’s preferred contract framework for infrastructure projects. Representatives from all parties came together…
Preparing to deliver safe, sustainable, low-carbon energy to the grid from fusion reactions requires developing the necessary skills pathways today. Collaboration between stakeholders is key, and to this end the UK Fusion Skills Council is today announcing the appointment of two new co-chairs to support the growth of the fusion sector and workforce. “We need to empower the next generation now in our quest to deliver fusion as a secure supply of clean and affordable energy to meet rising demand and address climate change,” says Jane Shannon, Director of People and Engagement at Tokamak Energy, and new co-chair of the…
The active substance capivasertib is part of a group of medicines called AKT inhibitors. It blocks the effects of proteins called ATK Kinases, which enable cancer cell growth and multiplication. By blocking their action, capivasertib can reduce the growth and spread of the advanced breast cancer and help to destroy cancer cells. Capivasertib is given with fulvestrant, a hormonal therapy for the treatment of advanced breast cancer. Capivasertib is taken orally at a starting dose of 400 mg twice a day for four days followed by three days of rest, then repeated. The application for approval was supported by evidence…
First UK Government contract signed in Wales under monumental new deal to end plight of poor broadband, as the nation records lowest levels of gigabit connectivity UK Government to make around £170 million available to deliver digital infrastructure fit for the future and ensure rural businesses can thrive in Wales Deal struck with Openreach will benefit around 70,000 hard-to-reach Welsh homes and businesses Tens of thousands of Welsh homes and businesses struggling to fulfil basic online tasks due to outdated broadband infrastructure will receive major internet speed upgrades, as the UK Government fixes the digital divide in Wales. Around £170…
The Government has today (Monday 12 August) set out tough new measures to crack down on water companies failing their customers. Under new plans, households and businesses will be entitled to higher compensation rates from water companies, and in a wider range of circumstances when basic water services are hit. The new proposals set out by Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Steve Reed, will double the amount of reimbursement that customers are legally entitled to when key standards are not met by water companies. Subject to an eight-week consultation, government proposals will double payments for all…
The Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) has today (9 August 2024) published its intended proposal to vary the tariff rate quota (TRQ) on imports of Category 1 steel products. Changes in circumstance, including the recent closure of a blast furnace at Tata Steel UK’s Port Talbot works as part of a transition to an electric arc furnace, have impacted the UK’s domestic production of Category 1 steel. This has led to an increase in imports consistently exhausting part of the quota for Category 1 steel (hot rolled flat steel products) across four consecutive quarters. This in turn has driven up the cost of these products for…
The Royal Air Force, Royal Navy and Royal Marines have taken part in a series of major exercises in the Indo-Pacific region Deployments saw UK personnel operate alongside nearly thirty international partners in exercises taking place in Australia, India, and Hawaii Exercises demonstrate the UK’s enduring commitment to supporting security and stability in the region, which is critical for the UK economy Hundreds of UK Armed Forces personnel have been deployed in the Indo-Pacific region this summer to participate in a series of major multi-national exercises across air, land, and sea in support of collective security and stability. The Indo-Pacific…