Protecting precious marine habitats together

Recreational boaters are being asked to help protect precious seagrass habitats at Studland Bay, off the Dorset coast.

From:

Marine Management Organisation

Aerial view of Old Harry Rocks

From 17 December 2021, the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) is introducing a phased voluntary approach for the management of anchoring in Studland Bay Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ).

This will give recreational boaters in Studland Bay time to explore alternatives to anchoring in sensitive areas of the MCZ - such as the use of advanced mooring systems. From 1 June 2022, the area will be increased to cover the majority of seagrass beds to form a permanent voluntary no anchor zone.

MMO consulted and engaged widely on the management of anchoring in the MCZ:

• October 2020 - Following a draft assessment of the impacts of marine

Armed Forces make major changes to end HIV being a barrier to service

A number of changes that will make it easier for people with HIV to pursue a career in the Armed Forces have been announced on World AIDS Day.

From:

Ministry of Defence

From today, people who do not have HIV but who are taking Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) medication to protect against potential infection will now be able to join and serve in the Armed Forces with no restrictions.

Urgent work is also underway to allow candidates with HIV, but on treatment and whose blood tests show no detectable virus, to join the Armed Forces.

At the same time, serving personnel who have been diagnosed with HIV will

Wolverhampton to pilot new app to improve people's health through incentives

City of Wolverhampton chosen to pilot scheme that will reward healthy behaviours through a new app

From:

Department of Health and Social Care

• Wolverhampton residents to receive rewards to help them eat better and exercise more
• Incentives could include vouchers for theme parks and shops

A new app will be piloted in Wolverhampton which will offer incentives such as vouchers for shops, theme park passes, and cinema tickets for people who eat healthy and exercise more.

HeadUp Systems is leading the app pilot, and from Monday 29 November adults in Wolverhampton will be eligible to register their interest and sign up by visiting their website.

Pilot participants will be given wrist-worn devices and access to an app which

New idea planted by National Highways to curb fly-tippers

A piece of land plagued by fly-tippers in a residential street has been given a new lease of life thanks to a blooming good idea by National Highways.

From:

National Highways

Some of the rubbish dumped in Darlaston Road

This shocking image illustrates the scale of the fly-tipping at the site with bed mattresses and a fridge amongst the rubbish dumped in the West Midlands street.

Thousands of pounds have been spent by National Highways clearing up the rubbish at this fly-tipping hotspot in Darlaston Road, Walsall. Complaints were received from residents in the street upset about the issue.

As well as being unsightly and dangerous, the mound of rubbish blocked National Highways’ gates which provide vital access to the adjacent M6.

So to deter fly-tippers and to brighten up the area, National Highways have

Sellafield trains go hybrid

New hybrid trains are helping us reduce our carbon footprint at Sellafield.

From:

Sellafield Ltd

One of Sellafield's new hybrid locomotives.

Two new hybrid trains recently joined our internal rail network at Sellafield, replacing older and less environmentally friendly engines.

It’s part of our plan to replace all our solely diesel locomotives with smaller all electric 40-tonne versions, making our rail operations 100% electrically powered in 2022.

The new CBD80 tonne locomotives, supplied by Clayton Equipment, are capable of being operated fully by electric and have the cleanest available diesel engines as

Chartered Institute of Arbitrators to take over Pubs Code Arbitration Referral Service

From 13 December 2021 new Pubs Code arbitration referrals must be made to the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators

From:

Pubs Code Adjudicator

The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) has been awarded the contract to provide the arbitration referral service on behalf of the Pubs Code Adjudicator.

This will include full end-to-end management and administration of the arbitration referral service including being the point of contact for referral queries. This is in addition to continuing to recommend alternative arbitrators to the PCA where required. The CIArb will also develop Pubs Code training for arbitrators and others in the industry.

Fiona Dickie, Pubs Code Adjudicator said:

This is a major development in how we operate, allowing even greater focus by the PCA team on our regulatory agenda to ensure compliance with the Pubs Code. As

Points-based immigration system: delivering on people’s priorities

One year ago a new immigration system launched, with visa routes attracting skilled workers across construction, hospitality, health, social care, science and research.

From:

Home Office, UK Visas and Immigration, Kevin Foster MP, and The Rt Hon Priti Patel MP

One year ago today, the government launched the points-based immigration system and opened the Skilled Worker Visa, marking the UK’s biggest shift in immigration policy in recent history.

Twelve months on and this has delivered on the public’s priorities to attract top talent from across the globe, while encouraging businesses to invest in the British workforce.

The new points-based immigration system means the British immigration system is now under the control of the UK government. This has given British firms the freedom to recruit and employ people based on the skills and talent they offer, rather than basing employment decisions on the country where someone comes from.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said:

Our departure from the European Union enabled us to end freedom of

The Prime Minister has appointed Lord Marland of Odstock and Priyanka Wadhawan as Trustees of the British Museum

Lord Marland of Odstock and Priyanka Wadhawan have been appointed by the Prime Minister as Trustees of the British Museum for four year terms from 1 December 2021 to 30 November 2025.

From:

Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport

Lord Marland of Odstock

Lord Marland is a Life Peer and former Founding Director of Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group. He is Chairman of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council, and has previously served as a Minister with the Department for Energy and Climate Change, and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills until 2013. He also held roles as the Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy and Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Business Ambassador’s Network until January 2014.

Lord Marland has extensive fundraising expertise, and a great interest in art and ancient history, and has held Trusteeships with the Holburne Museum in Bath and

Children's Minister speaks to the National Network of Parent Carer Forums

Will Quince gives keynote address to parents and carers of children with special educational needs and disabilities

From:

Department for Education and Will Quince MP

Delivered on:

1 December 2021 (Original script, may differ from delivered version)

Good morning and thank you for inviting me here to mark the inspirational work you do. I’m very glad to be speaking to you today as the new Minister for Children and Families.

Throughout the pandemic, parent carer forums went above and beyond. You did everything possible to keep in touch with parent carers, working with local authorities and services to help meet families’ needs. You have persevered day in, day out, to support families and improve services so that people can thrive.

I have been impressed by the way many of you have gone above and beyond

Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty needs you

Public urged to contribute to Natural England’s decision making process.

From:

Natural England

Leith Hill in Surrey

• Local knowledge is being sought to help decide on the extension of Surrey Hills Area of Natural Beauty (AONB) boundaries
• Natural England is calling for everyone with an interest to contribute
• Whether you live in the Surrey Hills AONB, run a local business, enjoy visiting, care about landscapes and biodiversity, or represent an organisation - your evidence could be crucial in helping determine whether an extension is merited

The Surrey Hills is an iconic and beautiful landscape encompassing rare habitats, from chalk grassland to extensive ancient woodland and is enjoyed by millions of residents and visitors.

There has been a desire locally over many years for a review to decide

Less than a month until full customs controls are introduced

HMRC are reminding traders to prepare for customs changes that come into effect on 1 January 2022.

From:

HM Revenue & Customs

If you’re a trader, a number of things are changing from 1 January 2022. This information will help you get ready.

• Customs declarations
• Border controls
• Rules of origin – for imports and exports
• Postponed VAT Accounting
• Commodity codes
• Further changes from 1 July 2022

Customs declarations

You will no longer be able to delay making import customs declarations under the Staged Customs Controls rules that have applied during 2021. Most customers will have to make declarations and pay relevant tariffs at the point of import.

You should consider before 1 January 2022 how you are going to submit

Warmest Autumn on record for Northern Ireland

Autumn 2021 was the warmest on record for Northern Ireland and third warmest for the UK according to provisional figures released by the Met Office.

Autumn mean temperature statistics cover the three-month period of September, October and November, for which the UK had its third warmest Autumn (10.87°C) in a Met Office national temperature series which goes back to 1884. By the same measurement, England had its fourth warmest (11.64°C), Scotland its third warmest (9.48°C), Wales its third warmest (11.18°C) and Northern Ireland its warmest (10.95°C).

For Northern Ireland, Autumn’s figures continue a spell of often unusual