Archive for the ‘UK’ Category

Defra: 25,000 more homes to be better protected from flooding

Posted by admin on February 9th, 2012

Over 25,000 more homes will be better protected from the devastating effects of flooding by new defence schemes to start construction in the next financial year, Defra and the Environment Agency have confirmed today.

In total, 60 flood and coastal risk schemes will begin construction this year. Those given the go ahead today include Warrington in Cheshire, protecting over 1900 households, Salmons Brook in North London, protecting over 1300 households, and Godmanchester in Cambridgeshire, protecting over 300 households.

Richard Benyon, Minister for the Natural Environment and Fisheries, said:

“The new flood defence schemes announced today will bring huge relief to tens of thousands of households.  Our investment will protect these communities from the devastating effects of flooding, and allow residents to live without the fear and worry of their homes being damaged.”

New estimates also show that the Environment Agency is now on track to exceed its target of better protecting 145,000 homes by 2015.

Thanks to the new partnership funding approach, which encourages funding from external sources such as councils and businesses, over £72 million of contributions have been secured to help fund flood and coastal erosion schemes on top of the £2.17 billion Defra is investing in preventing flooding during this spending period to 2015.

Regional Flood and Coastal Committees have worked with local communities to attract flood defence funding from sources such as councils, businesses and private investors.

This Partnership Funding approach was introduced in May 2011 to encourage external contributions so that taxpayers’ money is spread across more schemes.

Richard Benyon continued:

“Small towns like Cockermouth and Morpeth became household names after the devastation and distress caused by flooding in recent years.  Today, residents here and in many towns across the country are reaping the rewards of the partnership funding model brought in to enable more flood defence schemes to go ahead.  We now expect to exceed our goal to protect 145,000 more homes from flooding by 2015.”

Environment Agency Chairman Lord Chris Smith said:

“We will continue to work to reduce the risk of flood and its impacts, and this year we will begin 60 new flood defence schemes, which, when completed, will protect many thousands of homes. We are also committed to increasing the number of people signed up to our free flood warning service to over 1.1 million, and will continue to maintain our existing flood defences.

“With one in six homes in England at risk of flooding, we would encourage people to take their own steps to prepare for flooding, for example by signing up to the Environment Agency’s free flood warning service.”

The Partnership Funding model targets areas of severe flood and coastal erosion risk, and homes in deprived communities.  Of the 145,000 homes that will be better protected by 2015, around half are in areas of significant flood risk and almost 15,000 households are both at significant flood risk and in the most deprived parts of the country. 

Partnership Funding gives local people greater choice about what flood protection is provided in their area.

In Cockermouth, £3.3 million funding from Defra makes up part of the funding to enable a flood scheme to be built in the town, which the local community and local councils have also committed to help fund.

A scheme in Water End, York, which was turned down for funding last year, is going ahead after the Environment Agency worked with York City Council to agree a package of cost reductions and partnership contributions.

As well as the flood schemes that will progress as a result of this year’s funding, the allocation for 2012/13 also covers maintenance of existing defences. The Environment Agency has also committed to increasing the number of households receiving free flood warnings to over 1.1 million.

Notes

The full list of schemes going ahead in 2012/13 is published on the Environment Agency website at: http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/research/planning/118129.aspx.

As an example of partnership funding, in South Derbyshire, Nestlé has contributed £1.7 million to a £7 million scheme to protect 1,600 homes and further financial contributions have been made from industry, the community and local landowners.

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Environment Agency: Silt removal to reduce risk of flooding

Posted by admin on February 9th, 2012

Around 1,200 tonnes of silt is to be removed from the River Bain in Horncastle.

The Environment Agency will clear the silt during the latest stage of a £386,000 programme of work that has seen approximately 6,000 tonnes of material removed from the Rivers Bain and Waring since 2008.

This year the silt will be taken from a 1,100-metre stretch of River Bain between Victoria Mill and Bain Valley Farm along Hemingby Way to reduce the risk of flooding to 110 properties in the town.

Kamen Kalchev, project manager at the Environment Agency, said: “We are concentrating our efforts on removing silt from the most critical areas of the river, where build-ups could increase the risk of flooding.

“Removing the silt will help to reduce the risk of flooding to homes and businesses in Horncastle by increasing the volume of water the river can carry. Less silt also means that water can flow away from built-up areas more quickly. This is particularly important during periods of heavy rainfall.”

The conventional method of digging out the silt and placing it on the banks by the river has been selected as most appropriate in this semi-rural location. This is being done with landowners’ agreement. A small amount of silt will also be excavated near Stanhope Road bridge. 

Work will be carried out without a road closure to keep disruption to a minimum for traffic and local residents. This method of works has been developed in close collaboration with Lincolnshire County Highways Department, and has been applied successfully in previous years.

Work on the river by Environment Agency contractor BAM Nutall started Monday (6 Feb). It is expected to take three weeks to complete.

The silt removal works in Horncastle will reduce the risk of flooding but cannot completely remove it so it is vital people in the town are prepared and know what action they can take.

Anyone wanting to find out more should contact the Environment Agency’s Floodline on 0845 988 1188 or visit the website at www.environment-agency.gov.uk/floodanglian

The website allows people to check whether their home or business is at risk of flooding and to sign up for the free Floodline Warnings Direct service.

Anyone who spots something which they believe is causing a flood risk, such as fallen trees or debris, should contact the Environment Agency’s 24-hour incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60.

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RPA launches five-year improvement plan

Posted by admin on February 9th, 2012

Agriculture Minister Jim Paice updated Parliament today on the launch of the Rural Payments Agency’s five-year improvement plan:

“The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) is today publishing a plan setting out how the Agency will be transformed over the next five years so that it delivers both vastly improved service to its customers and much better value for money for taxpayers. I have arranged for copies to be placed in the Libraries of the House.

“This is an important turning point for the Agency. The 2013 review of RPA which I published in July 2010 provided an independent, evidenced based view of RPA’s then current state as well as its readiness for implementation of the expected reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (‘CAP 2013’). The conclusions offered a stark assessment of the Agency’s capabilities in terms of basic finance functions, customer service, IT, leadership and governance. The negative effects on RPA customers and for taxpayers were as clear as they were unacceptable. I said then that I would not allow that state of affairs to continue and that I would personally drive forward progress by chairing a new Oversight Board.

“Under a new Chief Executive and senior management team improvements are already being seen at RPA. For example, my written statement of 11 January 2012 (col.16 WS) reported that in December 2011 the Agency had made its highest ever proportion of SPS payments in the opening month of the payment window. However, as is made clear in the plan, further work is required in a number of areas (data, controls, IT, organisational structure, systems and people) in order to fully overcome the legacy of the failed implementation of the SPS in 2005. Meanwhile, the challenge of implementing the CAP 2013 reforms, currently under negotiation in Brussels, looms ever closer on the horizon.

“Against that background, the plan comes in two parts. Phase 1, the Strategic Improvement Plan (SIP) involves a series of 45 projects which will run from 2012-2015 and deliver:

  • Cleansed data;
  • Improved processes and controls;
  • Maintained or improved technology;
  • Fit for purpose structure and corporate services;
  • Better customer service tools;
  • Improved people capacity and capability.

“Many of these projects deal with improving underlying processes and data to make RPA’s foundation more solid and the outputs may not be very visible to its customers during the life of the SIP itself. However, these projects will be crucially important in ensuring that the Agency is on a sound footing to deal with the amount of change it faces over the next five years.

“Phase 2, the Future Options Programme (FOP) will take centre stage from 2014-17. The FOP is looking presently at alternative models for delivering some or all of RPA’s business following the CAP scheme changes post-2013. Once the right operating model for the future is established the FOP will assess delivery options, which may include various forms of outsourcing, and then set in train the procurement process; all this activity will take place within the next two years. The objective of the FOP is build on the work of the SIP to provide a much better service to RPA’s customers and much better value for money for the taxpayer.

“Annual RPA business plans will set out in more detail the expected costs and outputs in the year ahead. The business plan for 2012/13 is scheduled to be published in April However, I can confirm now that Defra is investing an addition £21.8 million in the next financial year, with a further £19.1 million provisionally earmarked for the following two financial years. This represents a serious commitment to finally drawing a line under RPA’s unfortunate legacy and putting it in the best possible position to implement the CAP 2013 reforms.

“I will continue to chair the RPA Oversight Board in order to provide the necessary support and challenge to ensure that objective is met.”

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BIS: Cable targets green growth

Posted by admin on February 9th, 2012

The Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult will be headquartered at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow with an operational centre at the National Renewable Energy Centre (Narec) in the North East of England.

The national centre will focus on technologies for offshore wind, wave and tidal power and is designed to bridge the gap between university research and full commercialisation. It will have a UK wide remit, and build strong links with centres of excellence such as Wave Hub and the marine energy park in the South West of England.

Speaking at the launch of the Catapult in Glasgow, Vince Cable said:

“Our offshore renewable sector can compete on a global scale and has huge potential for growth. If we can harness that we will generate billions of pounds for the economy whilst creating thousands of job opportunities at the same time.

“The Catapult centre will be based in a Scottish world-class centre of excellence, part of a collaboration with a centre in the North East of England.”

Today’s announcement is part of the Government’s investment in a network of Catapult centres across a number of sectors. The £140 million High Value Manufacturing Catapult is now operating across seven locations around the UK. A £50 million Cell Therapy Catapult will be established in London and a Satellite Applications Catapult and Connected Digital Economy Catapult will be set up later this year.

The Catapult centre programme is managed by the Technology Strategy Board as part of a wider support package for innovation.

Iain Gray, Chief Executive of the Technology Strategy Board said:

“Our reputation and expertise in offshore engineering, gained through many years of commercial North Sea oil activity, makes the UK an excellent base for innovation relevant to the emerging offshore renewable energy sector.

“The generation and supply of renewable energy is now a major component of global energy and economic policies. UK businesses have an opportunity to be a significant part in this global industry.”

The Secretary of State announced the decision to create an Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult in Liverpool in May 2011. It is expected to be open by summer this year.

The centre will be delivered by a consortium comprised of the Carbon Trust, Narec and Ocean Energy innovation (itself an industrially led group with strong links into the world class capabilities developed at universities such as Strathclyde and Edinburgh).

Professor Jim McDonald, Chairman of the Energy Technology Board and Principal of the University of Strathclyde, said:

“I am delighted that this truly collaborative bid has been successful. By securing the UK Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, the country will build on our already globally competitive reputation for advances in renewable technology and deployment.

“Our world-class research base offers distinct advantages and will accelerate industrial innovation. We will help to develop and drive the industry over the coming ten years and beyond.

“We aim to make the ORE Catapult the world’s pre-eminent centre of expertise for rapid development and commercialisation of highly innovative technologies that will substantially reduce the cost of offshore renewable energy.”

Notes to editors:

1) The Technology Strategy Board focuses on the challenges that shape future market opportunities, bringing together innovators in business and research for business benefit.

2) The first Catapult (previously known as Technology and Innovation Centres), in High Value Manufacturing, opened for business in October 2011, less than a year after the Prime Minister announced the £200m+ Technology and Innovation Centre programme. The Catapult in Cell Therapy (to be located in London) is on schedule to open by summer 2012. The Catapult in Satellite Applications, announced in January 2012 is due to open in Autumn 2012. The Connected Digital Economy Catapult was also announced in January and brings the total announced so far to five.

3) The Carbon Trust is a not-for-profit company with the mission to accelerate the move to a low carbon economy, providing specialist support to business and the public sector to help cut carbon emissions, save energy and commercialise low carbon technologies. By stimulating low carbon action we contribute to key UK goals of lower carbon emissions, the development of low carbon businesses, increased energy security and associated jobs. www.carbontrust.co.uk

4) Narec has invested £150 million to create the UK’s national translational research centre for accelerating grid integration of renewable energy systems and catalysing the development and deployment of offshore renewables – wind, wave and tidal energy generation technologies. www.narec.co.uk

5) Ocean Energy Innovation comprises Scottish and Southern Electricity, Scottish Power Renewables, Energy Technology Partnership, Advanced Manufacturing Institute (Sheffield), Scottish European Green Energy Centre, European Marine Energy Centre, Scottish Renewables, Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

6) For more information about the centre, go to www.innovateuk.org

7) BIS’s online newsroom contains the latest press notices, speeches, as well as video and images for download. It also features an up to date list of BIS press office contacts. See http://www.bis.gov.uk/newsroom for more information.

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DECC: Improvements to the Feed-in Tariffs scheme

Posted by admin on February 9th, 2012

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Millions of extra holidays protected as Government updates ATOL scheme

Posted by admin on February 9th, 2012

Running since the 1970s, the Air Travel Organisers’ Licensing scheme offers customers whose holiday company becomes insolvent a full refund or repatriation at the end of their trip if they are already abroad.

Following a consultation last year, the changes confirmed today will come into effect on 30th April and will mean:

  • “Flight-Plus” holidays sold by tour operators and travel agents are included in the ATOL scheme. These are holidays that look like package holidays but are sold in a way which currently falls outside the scheme
  • passengers are given a standard, recognised certificate at the point of purchase, so they know whether their trip is protected by the ATOL scheme or not

Aviation Minister Theresa Villiers said:

“The ATOL scheme has been providing peace of mind for holidaymakers for decades, but the way we book holidays has changed and the scheme needs to move with the times. All too often customers are unsure as to whether they are protected or not.

“The changes I am making today will provide much needed clarity and reassurance for millions of people booking their holidays. These reforms will equip ATOL to deal with the realities of the modern holiday market, enabling the scheme to protect holiday makers for many more years to come. This is an important step forward for consumer protection”

The changes confirmed today will also help return the scheme to a more secure financial footing. Following a series of high-profile insolvencies in recent years, the fund which covers the costs of repatriation or refunds is currently running at a deficit, supported by a Government-backed guarantee. It is hoped the new rules will eliminate this within three years, reducing the risk to the taxpayer.

Last month the Government also introduced the Civil Aviation Bill into Parliament, including a clause which could enable the Secretary of State to make further changes to the ATOL scheme in future. These include the option to include holidays sold by airlines, which are currently exempt from the scheme, as well as the power to bring holidays arranged on an ‘agent for the consumer’ basis to be brought into the scheme. Subject to Parliamentary process, the Government would carry out a full consultation and impact assessment on any regulations that would give effect to these powers.


Notes to editors

1. The ATOL scheme is administered by the Civil Aviation Authority and ensures passengers who have not already travelled receive a full refund, or are brought home free of charge if abroad at the time of insolvency.

2. An estimated 37.2 million people fly abroad on leisure trips each year. In the year to 31 March 2011 there were 18.5m ATOL protected holidays and flights, and over 190,000 holidaymakers were repatriated or received full refunds when their ATOL tour operator went bust.

4. Most businesses selling package holidays including a flight have to have an ATOL issued by the CAA. Businesses pay £2.50 for each booking into a Fund that meets the costs of refunds and repatriations.

5. The ATOL scheme was first put in place on a statutory basis in the early 1970s. It was last substantially overhauled in 1995.

6. A summary of consultation responses and further details on the new regulations are available on the Department for Transport website:

http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/dft-2011-17/

7. Airlines are legally exempt from the requirement to hold an ATOL, however any package holidays they sell must still be financially protected, under the Package Travel Regulations. A number of UK airlines have subsequently set up subsidiary companies to sell package holidays that do have an ATOL.

8. Further details on the Civil Aviation Bill which is currently proceeding through Parliament are available on the Department for Transport website:

http://www.dft.gov.uk/topics/legislation/civil-aviation-bill/

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UK will point the way to greener growth at Rio+20

Posted by admin on February 9th, 2012

The UK will be a driving force in pressing for new goals to help the world embrace a greener and more sustainable economy at this summer’s major UN conference in Brazil, Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman pledged today.

In a speech setting out the UK ambitions for Rio+20, in June, Mrs Spelman said the UK will work with Colombia and others to develop and drive forward the proposal for new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). SDGs are expected to guide and galvanise international and domestic efforts on major sustainability issues, such as food security, water, and access to sustainable energy.

In a move to give greater prominence to valuing nature, the UK will also be seeking agreement to move away from using GDP as the sole indicator of progress in government accounts. The proposal, known as GDP+, would encourage countries to also measure and account for the value of their natural resources and the social wellbeing of their people.

Speaking at the London Guildhall today to green groups and businesses, Mrs Spelman said:

“Our economic and environmental security relies on ambitious outcomes from Rio+20. Rio+20 has to be a workshop not a talking shop.

“The international community has not made sufficient progress on important world challenges such as food security, access to clean water and sustainable energy. We need urgent action now. Sustainable Development Goals can drive international action on these key issues and build on the success of the Millennium Development Goals. I will be pushing for real progress on new goals to set us on the right path to a greener and more sustainable world.”

“We are committed to achieving growth, but this should not come at the cost of the natural resources we take for granted, or at the cost of wellbeing. We want to see countries acknowledging the true value of nature to our economy, by reflecting its worth in their accounts. The UK is a world leader in this field, and I will be making the case for all nations to match our progress.”

The UK wants to see Rio+20 drive action on SDGs. They will not replace or detract from the current set of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to which the UK remains firmly committed. The UK will work with Colombia and other international partners to take forward SDGs ahead of Rio.

The UK will also be calling for Governments to reach an agreement on GDP+. The UK is already leading the way in this area through initiatives such as the Prime Minister’s work to assess wellbeing, the Natural Capital Committee that has been set up to take stock of our natural resources, and the work of the Office of National Statistics to embed natural capital into UK environmental accounts by 2020. We will be sharing this expertise with other nations at Rio.

Other key ambitions for the UK at Rio+20 include:

  • Renewed political commitment to green growth through a high level, political declaration that all nations sign up to, making it clear that long term sustainable growth requires efficient use of natural resources, reduction of carbon emissions, and eradication of poverty.
  • Action in key sectors of agriculture, water and energy; setting out steps to tackle food security, water security and to provide access to sustainable energy.
  • Reducing inefficient and environmentally harmful subsidies, including fossil fuel subsidies.
  • Improved sustainability practices by business, including through increased, more transparent sustainability reporting.

Defra will continue to work with businesses, NGOs and other civil society groups to ensure the UK demonstrates a strong and united commitment to creating a greener and more sustainable economy.

Mrs Spelman added:

“Ultimately, it is the private sector and civil society who will deliver the green economy. We need everyone to be inspired by Rio+20. UK businesses and civil society are already driving forward the green economy and Rio is a great opportunity to share their success.”

Notes to Editors

The Rio+20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development will take place from June 20-22 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The conference marks 20 years from the original Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. More information about the conference can be found here http://www.uncsd2012.org/rio20/.

Further details on the UK’s aims and ambitions for Rio+20 can be found on the Defra website: http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/economy/eu-international/.

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Defra: Dodgy scrap merchants fuelling metal theft to be barred

Posted by admin on February 8th, 2012

Dodgy scrap metal dealers linked to metal theft will have their licences torn up, Environment Minister Lord Taylor announced today.

Anyone convicted of any crime relating to metal theft would be barred from working legitimately in the scrap business.

Further changes proposed for existing legislation would also mean anyone convicted of transporting stolen metal could be forced out of business by having their carrier registration taken off them.

Environment Minister Lord Taylor said:

“Stolen metal will be too hot to handle.  Mindless criminals who steal from our railways and historic buildings, and the scrap dealers who fuel the market, are causing misery and anger for countless people.  

“We’ll purge the industry of rotten elements by flushing them out of legitimate businesses, or shutting dodgy businesses down altogether.”

The Environment Agency’s Chief Executive Paul Leinster said:  

“Metal theft continues to be a major problem so we welcome the wider range of convictions that will be available to us when deciding whether to issue or remove environmental permits.

“This builds on work we are doing to support the British Transport Police’s crackdown on metal theft and our on-going work to tackle illegal waste sites. Waste crime puts people and the environment at risk and undercuts legitimate businesses who take their environmental responsibilities seriously.”

By toughening up the range of convictions taken into consideration when deciding who is suitable to operate a business that either transports or handles waste, which includes scrap yards, the Environment Agency will be able crack down on anyone convicted of involvement in stealing metal.

Today’s announcement follows the commitment of £5 million to establish a dedicated metal theft taskforce to enhance law enforcement activity in this area, and the Home Secretary’s commitment to ban cash payments for scrap metal, as part of the cross-Whitehall drive to tackle metal theft.

Note to Editors

Convictions relating to pollution, harm to the environment or nuisance to nearby communities have previously been the only areas allowed to be taken into consideration when deciding whether a person or business is a ‘suitable’ person to run a waste facility or act as a waste carrier.

From April 2012, the Environment Agency will also take into consideration convictions linked with metal theft alongside other criteria when scrutinising all new applications for an environmental permit to run a scrap yard in response to the rising incidence of metal theft.  As a result of changes previously made to legislation they expect to handle up to 1,000 new applications for permits by October 2013. The Agency will also assess subsequent convictions of existing permitted sites and may revoke the permit in certain circumstances.

Today’s announcement will lead to  proposals for further changes to legislation, expected by April  2013, which will mean that such convictions would also be used when scrutinising all new applications to register to transport any waste.  Most waste carriers will need to re-register every three years, and under the changes all applications would be scrutinised using the additional tougher criteria. Registered carriers subsequently convicted of a relevant offence may have their registration revoked.

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DECC: Davey puts energy saving at heart of strategy

Posted by admin on February 8th, 2012

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Scrap merchants fuelling metal theft to be barred

Posted by admin on February 8th, 2012

Dodgy scrap metal dealers linked to metal theft will have their licences torn up, Environment Minister Lord Taylor announced today.

Anyone convicted of any crime relating to metal theft would be barred from working legitimately in the scrap business.

Further changes proposed for existing legislation would also mean anyone convicted of transporting stolen metal could be forced out of business by having their carrier registration taken off them.

Environment Minister Lord Taylor said:

“Stolen metal will be too hot to handle.  Mindless criminals who steal from our railways and historic buildings, and the scrap dealers who fuel the market, are causing misery and anger for countless people.  

“We’ll purge the industry of rotten elements by flushing them out of legitimate businesses, or shutting dodgy businesses down altogether.”

The Environment Agency’s Chief Executive Paul Leinster said:  

“Metal theft continues to be a major problem so we welcome the wider range of convictions that will be available to us when deciding whether to issue or remove environmental permits.

“This builds on work we are doing to support the British Transport Police’s crackdown on metal theft and our on-going work to tackle illegal waste sites. Waste crime puts people and the environment at risk and undercuts legitimate businesses who take their environmental responsibilities seriously.”

By toughening up the range of convictions taken into consideration when deciding who is suitable to operate a business that either transports or handles waste, which includes scrap yards, the Environment Agency will be able crack down on anyone convicted of involvement in stealing metal.

Today’s announcement follows the commitment of £5 million to establish a dedicated metal theft taskforce to enhance law enforcement activity in this area, and the Home Secretary’s commitment to ban cash payments for scrap metal, as part of the cross-Whitehall drive to tackle metal theft.

Note to Editors

Convictions relating to pollution, harm to the environment or nuisance to nearby communities have previously been the only areas allowed to be taken into consideration when deciding whether a person or business is a ‘suitable’ person to run a waste facility or act as a waste carrier.

From April 2012, the Environment Agency will also take into consideration convictions linked with metal theft alongside other criteria when scrutinising all new applications for an environmental permit to run a scrap yard in response to the rising incidence of metal theft.  As a result of changes previously made to legislation they expect to handle up to 1,000 new applications for permits by October 2013. The Agency will also assess subsequent convictions of existing permitted sites and may revoke the permit in certain circumstances.

Today’s announcement will lead to  proposals for further changes to legislation, expected by April  2013, which will mean that such convictions would also be used when scrutinising all new applications to register to transport any waste.  Most waste carriers will need to re-register every three years, and under the changes all applications would be scrutinised using the additional tougher criteria. Registered carriers subsequently convicted of a relevant offence may have their registration revoked.

Defra News

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