Press release: Secretary of State Stephen Crabb's St David's Day Message

Secretary of State Stephen Crabb said:

St David’s Day is a time for us to celebrate all that is great about Wales – from our entrepreneurial spirit and rich culture to our historic landmarks and warm welcome.

Many will be celebrating our national day by embracing the traditions that make Wales the ambitious, confident and outward looking nation that it is today.

And I’m delighted to say that there is much to be proud about.

Millions of people visit Wales each year to enjoy our world-class museums and beaches, ancient castles or stunning mountains and coastline.

Our economy is growing too - with more investment, trade and jobs, while our universities attract some of the brightest students from across the UK and further afield.

And of course Wales was showcased to the world at the Newport NATO summit last year – the largest gathering of international leaders ever to come to the UK.

The eyes of the world will be again be on Wales later this year in the Rugby World Cup - where no doubt our sporting heroes will do Wales proud.

Our best years are ahead of us - Happy St David’s Day! Dydd Gwyl Dewi hapus

from Announcements on GOV.UK http://ift.tt/1aE0RjD

Ferrari unveils radical F1 car

source CNN.com - Sport http://ift.tt/17q9ZWK

Football team humiliated 10-0

Everything was going to plan for Cowdenbeath during its Scottish Championship clash with table-topping Heart of Midlothian Saturday.



source CNN.com - Sport http://ift.tt/1LXSMDJ

Hamilton fastest in F1 testing

Reigning Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton was the fastest man on the tracks during the second last day of pre-season testing Saturday.



source CNN.com - Sport http://ift.tt/1LXOHPM

Barcelona close La Liga gap

Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez combined to ensure Barcelona returned to winning La Liga ways by overcoming lowly Granada 3-1 Saturday on a far from perfect pitch at the Estadio Nuevo Los Cármenes.



source CNN.com - Sport http://ift.tt/1zrvFsp

Federer beats Djokovic to claim Dubai title

A ruthless Roger Federer confidently dispatched World No 1. Novak Djokovic 6-3 7-5 to take the Dubai Championships Saturday in little over one hour and 36 minutes.



source CNN.com - Sport http://ift.tt/1LWKLNv

Press release: PM statement on the murder of Boris Nemtsov

Responding to the news, Prime Minister David Cameron said:

I am shocked and sickened by the callous murder of Boris Nemtsov as he walked in the heart of Moscow last night. This despicable act must be fully, rapidly and transparently investigated, and those responsible brought to justice.

Boris Nemtsov was a man of courage and conviction. His life was dedicated to speaking up tirelessly for the Russian people, to demanding their right to democracy and liberty under the rule of law, and to an end to corruption. He did so without fear, and never gave in to intimidation. He was greatly admired in Britain, not least by his friend Lady Thatcher, who visited him in Russia and who would have been appalled by today’s news. The courage of Nemtsov’s life contrasts with the utter cowardice of his murder.

I extend my condolences to Boris Nemtsov’s family and friends. The Russian people have been deprived of a champion of their rights. Boris Nemtsov is dead. But the values he stood for will never die.

from Announcements on GOV.UK http://ift.tt/1aAFwrh

News story: Secretary of State’s decision on RWE Letter One transaction

The Department has been considering the proposed acquisition by LetterOne of twelve producing North Sea oil and gas fields currently owned by RWE Dea. The Secretary of State for the Department of Energy and Climate Change Ed Davey is responsible for ensuring the continued and safe production of the UK’s petroleum resources. In the discharge of these regulatory responsibilities, the Secretary of State has raised concerns with the respective companies about the effect that possible future sanctions imposed on LetterOne may have on the continued operation of these twelve fields and the serious health and safety and environmental risks that may result.

The companies have made a proposal designed to alleviate those concerns. After careful consideration the Secretary of State has decided that the proposal does not adequately and surely alleviate those concerns and has notified the companies involved that if the proposed acquisition were to proceed in its current form, he would be minded to require the companies to arrange for a further sale to a suitable third party.

from Announcements on GOV.UK http://ift.tt/1AlQh5D

Press release: Challenging high streets get a helping hand

Some retail streets that are struggling to compete have been helped by the experts who have been running intensive workshops for shopkeepers, councils and community leaders.

A new online action pack has been developed on the back of these sessions which sets out all the learning and tips so all communities can access the advice quickly.

The workshops and the action pack cut through the jargon and bureaucracy and explain the first steps people need to take to bring life back to their parades, shopping streets and retail centres.

Retailers and representatives from areas keen to revive their streets or those looking for new ideas to make them more successful attended the workshops and have now committed to work together to drive forward a revival of their local high street.

The government is committed to supporting high streets as part of its long-term economic plan and has provided local shops and businesses with a billion pound package of investment. It also backed the hugely popular Great British High Street competition that saw towns and villages across the UK battling it out for the coveted title of best high street.

This renewed focus has led to revival for many high streets across the UK with latest figures showing that year-on-year average weekly retail sales increased by 4.8% in January. This was the 23rd consecutive month of retail sales growth and the longest period of sustained year-on-year growth since May 2008. In addition, overall vacancy rates are now at their lowest level since 2010, and reoccupation rates for the high street are much higher, at 70%, than they are for shopping centres or retail parks.

High Streets Minister Penny Mordaunt said:

Thanks to this government’s efforts we have transformed many of the country’s high streets but we know that some shopkeepers and community leaders have been frustrated by not knowing the first steps they should take to jumpstart action.

The workshops we’ve spearheaded have shown many people working in some struggling shopping streets how they can begin the work that will bring benefits for their business and the wider area.

There is enormous potential for our high streets and the action pack ensures people have the tools and know-how to bring life back to their streets.

The pack includes short, easy to use guides aimed at retailers and local people who are looking to take the first steps towards supporting their high street. There are easy tips for traders to support their shopping areas and jargon-busting guides to local bureaucracy.

The action pack also includes videos with advice from experts Martin Blackwell, former chief executive of the Association of Town and City Management and Chris Wade, a retail consultant who both have lots of experience of reviving high streets and were 2 key experts leading the workshops.

Another guide gives a first-hand account of how Johnny Hayes chairman of the traders’ association in York’s Bishy Road got local partners working together to support their high street.

The pack also includes advice for councils on how to set up their own workshop in their area to tackle the problem of lifeless high streets. The whole pack will be available on the Great British High Street web portal.

There are a lot of opportunities for high streets that step forward and adapt to new ways of doing business. A report by Southampton University found that far from harming high streets, innovations like click-and-collect are starting to bring life back to town centres. The report claimed that within 5 years, seven out of 10 on-line shoppers will prefer to collect goods themselves rather than risk missing a delivery at home. It also found that people are now doing more top-up grocery shopping with convenience stores on track to account for a quarter of the entire grocery market by 2019.

In addition, the report found that the ‘leisure aspect of shopping trips is a significant driver of footfall’ and that high streets that include a good range of cafes, bars, restaurants not only increase the ‘dwell time but the average spent during trips to town’.

The new online action pack is the latest in a line of government-backed initiatives to revive our high streets, including targeted business rate discounts, sensible planning changes and action that reins in over-zealous parking practices.

Further information

The Kick Start your High Street Action Pack is available here.

Office address and general enquiries

2 Marsham Street

London

SW1P 4DF

Contact form http://forms.communiti...

General enquiries: please use this number if you are a member of the public 030 3444 0000

Media enquiries

Email communications-newsdesk@communities.gsi.gov.uk

Please use this number if you're a journalist wishing to speak to Press Office 030 3444 1201

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Press release: Bridging the Social Divide Report

A major new report from the Social Mobility and Child Poverty Commission calls on politicians of all parties to explain what they want to achieve when it comes to tackling poverty and improving mobility, and how, if elected, they plan to do so. It warns that it would be easy for the cross-party consensus on social mobility and child poverty to evaporate in the face of significant financial, economic and political headwinds. It calls on politicians of all parties to shore up that consensus or risk Britain becoming a permanently divided nation. In particular it calls on the parties to set out what action they would take in five priority areas:

Redeploying spending to maximise social progress

Restarting the twin engines of social mobility: Education and Housing

Realigning policy on the working poor

Refocusing on opening up the top of British society

Rebuilding a coalition in the country behind less poverty & more mobility

The document maps the geographical variations in social mobility across England, based on a social mobility index, revealing:

• Social mobility cold spots in the East of England around the Wash and in coastal areas of the South East - as well as the old industrial areas of the North and Midlands - where high employment has masked very low educational attainment.


• London is a social mobility hotspot because high educational attainment levels and a buoyant labour market have offset high rates of child poverty.

Alan Milburn and Baroness Gillian Shephard, Chair and Deputy Chair of the Commission said:

“British politicians have agreed for decades that boosting social mobility and reducing child poverty are essential. Counter to today’s prevailing anti-politics mood, that this consensus has produced real results on some of the most intractable social problems of our age, is testament to the ability of our political system to deliver.

“Nonetheless, it is obvious that the progress made so far has been too limited and too slow. This is not a criticism of what current or previous Governments have done, but instead an exhortation to all the political parties to continue to bend to the wheel. Urgent action and renewed energy is needed now if the challenges of the fiscal deficit and deep-seated changes in the labour and housing markets are not to result in Britain becoming a permanently divided nation.”

from Announcements on GOV.UK http://ift.tt/1LT0VY5

Press release: Young first-time buyers can register online for 100,000 cut-price homes

Aspiring homeowners can sign-up at http://ift.tt/1wtpwM2

The http://ift.tt/1wtpwM2 website has launched today to allow young people to register their interest in buying one of the new homes.

From Monday, new rules will cut planning requirements for the new Starter Homes, allowing house builders to slash 20% off the usual price.

Building on the first homes is expected to start within months.

Getting onto the housing ladder

The move is the latest major push from the government to get Britain building and help hardworking young people secure the dream of home ownership with potential discounts of around £100k per house.

With average house prices for first time buyers in England standing at around £218,000, a new Starter Home could save young first time buyers across the country an average of £43,000-helping to get them onto the housing ladder.

The plans will allow young first time buyers the opportunity to secure a new Starter Home at a 20% discount to the market price.

Thanks to changes in planning policy, builders that develop commercial and industrial land that is either unusable or surplus for the new starter homes will be able to save on costs by freeing them from the requirement to provide affordable housing. In return, they will have to offer the homes at a minimum 20 per cent discount to the market price to first-time buyers under 40.

The country’s leading home builders and councils have already have said they would consider bringing forward land to develop the new homes from this year, and from Monday, will be able to start submitting their plans to get work started and pass the savings onto home buyers as soon as possible.

High quality design

As well as reducing the prices of properties for young buyers, a Design Panel, including world class architects Sir Terry Farrell and Sir Quinlan Terry have drawn on housing designs from across the country for home builders to consider for Starter Homes developments.

Aimed at making sure the new homes are attractive properties that can meet the demands of modern life, the Panel’s draft report highlights at a range of exemplar new build styles, which in time it is hoped will become the default approach for starter home developments. The homes the panel have highlighted are:

• well proportioned homes


• homes that fit in with existing local housing styles


• homes that get the details right with good parking and community spaces

Prime Minister David Cameron said:

We want to help people who work hard and want to get on in life but have been priced out of the housing market. A 20% discount off the price could be a real game-changer for many aspiring home-owners. My message is clear: we are on your side and we will help you fulfil your dream of buying your first home.

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles said:

Housebuilding and helping first-time buyers are key parts of our long-term economic plan – we’re clear that anyone who works hard and wants to get on the property ladder should get the help they need to do so.

The number of first-time buyers is already at a seven-year high and these Starter Homes, available at a 20 per cent discount, will help even more people realise their dream of home ownership.

This will also form part of our wider efforts to get the country building again, which have already led to 700,000 new homes being delivered since the end of 2009.

Sir Terry Farrell CBE, Founding Partner at Farrells, said:

In the Farrell Review of Architecture and the Built Environment I argued for design quality to be a much higher priority within government and I am delighted to see that this is happening. The templates developed by the government’s Housing Design Panel will raise the design standard of new-build homes as well as raise the expectations of those who buy and live in them.

I hope that this is the start of a much wider move towards architecture, design and placemaking becoming a more central part of public discourse in this country, where everyone feels they can have a say.

Notes to editors

Housing designs the Design Panel recommends can be downloaded here.

Changes to the planning rules come into force from Monday, which allow house builders to apply to build Starter Homes.

Currently builders can face an average bill of £15,000 per home in Section 106 affordable housing contributions – but under the planning changes they would be free from these costs so they can develop on commercial and industrial land that is either under-used or unviable in its current or former use.

In return, the homes will be made available at a minimum 20 per cent discount to first-time buyers, with the initiative aimed at young people.

The properties will also have to remain available at 20 per cent below market value for the first five years – meaning any first-time buyer who looks to resell within the first five years will have to offer this discount to the next first time buyer.

Councils will now work with developers to find suitable sites for Starter Homes that are under-used or unviable, and which have not already been identified for housing.

More than 30 house builders have said that they support the plans and would consider bringing forward land to develop the new, discounted houses from this year:

House Builders that have already pledged their support to the scheme. Between them, these developers built around 60,000 homes in the last year:

• Avant


• Barratt


• Bloor


• Cala


• Countryside


• Crest


• Linden/Galliford Try


• Miller


• Persimmon


• Redrow


• Taylor Wimpey


• Bellway


• Capital and Centric


• Grainger


• Mount Anvil


• Development Securities

A further 15 smaller builders and members of the Federation of Master Builders have also pledged their support for Starter Homes. Between them these firms will build around 450 homes per year:

• Affleck Property Services


• Badger Building (E Anglia)


• Border Craft Homes


• Carr & Carr (Builders)


• Entrench


• Farnham Bros (Youldon & Barrett)


• Humber Construction Brick Baron


• John Collis Group


• Keigar Homes


• N London Construction


• REB South West


• Swale Valley Construction


• Swallow Hill Homes


• Swan Homes (East Midlands)


• Tilbury Projects

from Announcements on GOV.UK http://ift.tt/1ACJGZg

Press release: Planned roadworks in Central Southern England: Weekly summary for Monday 2 March – Sunday 8 March 2015

M27 junction 3 Nursling, Hampshire: junction improvement

The southern section of the roundabout between the M271 slip roads, the northern section of M27 J3 roundabout (between the M271 slips), the M271 southbound (between A3057 and M27 junction 3) and the M27 junction 3 eastbound exit and entry slip roads will all be closed overnight, between 10pm and 6am, from Monday 2 March for five nights.

The M271 northbound (between M271 junction 1 and M27 junction 3) will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 6am, from Wednesday 4 March for ten consecutive nights

Clearly signed diversion routes will be in place.

For further details of this scheme visit the project pages.

M27 junction 5 Eastleigh, Hampshire: junction improvement

Narrow lanes and a reduced speed limit will remain in place until June 2015.

For further details of this scheme visit the project pages.

M3 junction 2 (Thorpe) to 4a (Fleet): Smart motorway improvement

Narrow lanes, a contra-flow and a 50mph speed limit will be in place on both carriageways, with a free recovery service operating 24 hours a day until the end of 2016.

The eastbound carriageway between junction 3 (Lightwater) and junction 2 (Thorpe) including junction 3 entry slip will be closed for six nights as follows:

• Tuesday 3 March to Thursday 5 March 2015 9pm – 5.30am


• Friday 6 March 2015 10pm-6am


• Saturday 7 March 2015 9pm – 6am


• Sunday 8 March 2015 10pm – 5.30am

The southbound junction 4a entry slip road will be closed for six nights as follows:

• Sunday 1 March 2015 10pm-5.30am


• Monday 2 March to Thursday 5 March 2015 9pm – 5.30am


• Friday 6 March 2015 10pm-6am

Further overnight lane and carriageway closures may be required at short notice.

For further details of this scheme visit the project page.

M3 junction 6 Basingstoke, Hampshire: Black Dam improvement

Narrow lanes and a 30mph speed limit will remain in place on the approaches and around the roundabout until summer 2015.

For more information, visit the project pages.

M3 junctions 8 to 9 Basingstoke to Winchester: resurfacing work

The southbound carriageway will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 6am, on Saturday 7 March. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the A303 and A34.

M3 Hampshire: slip road marking maintenance

Various slip roads will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 6am, as follows:

• Monday 2 March – junction 11 northbound exit and entry slip roads


• Tuesday 3 March – junction 11 southbound entry slip road


• Friday 6 March – junction 13 southbound entry slip road

Clearly signed diversions will be in place via the next available junction.

M3 junctions 10 to 12 Winchester to Chandler’s Ford, Hampshire: carriageway resurfacing

The southbound carriageway will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 6am, from Wednesday 4 March for two nights. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via Otterbourne Road.

M4 junction 6 Slough, Berkshire: maintenance work

Various lane closures are in place on the roundabout and approach roads overnight, between 10pm and 6am, (Monday to Friday) until Friday 6 March. M4 junctions 8/9 Maidenhead to 10 Wokingham, Berkshire: Drainage work

Lane closures are in place in both directions overnight, between 10pm and 6am, (Monday to Friday) until Friday 6 March.

M4 junction 8/9 (A404) to 11 Reading, Berkshire: junction improvement and resurfacing

Lane closures are in place on the junction link roads at junction 10 overnight, between 10pm and 6am, until June.

The westbound carriageway between junctions 8/9 and 11 will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 6am, for eight nights from Friday 6 March (Monday to Friday only). A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the A404(M), A4, A3290 and B3270 Lower Earley Way.

For further details of this scheme visit the project pages.

M4 junction 11 Reading, Berkshire: Road marking maintenance

The following slip roads will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 6am, with clearly signed diversions in place via the next available junction:

• Wednesday 4 March – eastbound entry and exit slip roads


• Thursday 5 March – westbound entry and exit slip roads

M4 junctions 11 Reading to 12 Theale, Berkshire: safety barrier maintenance

Lane closures are in place in both directions overnight, between 10pm and 6am, (Monday to Friday) until April.

M4 junctions 12 Theale to 13 Chieveley, West Berkshire: bridge repair work

The bridge which carries the A340 Tidmarsh Road over the M4 motorway will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 6am (Monday to Friday only), for two weeks from Monday 2 March. A clearly signed diversion will be in place between Theale and Pangbourne via the A4 Bath Road and A329 Oxford Road.

M4 junctions 13 Chieveley to 14 Hungerford, West Berkshire: bridge repair work

Lane closures are in place on both carriageways until March.

For further details of this scheme visit the project pages.

M4 junctions 14 Hungerford, West Berkshire to 15 Swindon, Wiltshire: drainage work

Various lane closures are in place in both directions overnight, between 10pm and 6am, until May (Monday to Friday only).

A404(M) Maidenhead, Berkshire: drainage maintenance

Lane closures are in place in both directions overnight, between 10pm and 6am, until May.

A27 Bedhampton to Langstone Portsmouth, Hampshire: resurfacing work

The westbound carriageway will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 6am, for one week from Monday 2 March. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the B2149.

A3 Send to Ockham, Surrey: resurfacing work

The northbound carriageway will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 6am, for seven nights from Thursday 5 March. A clearly signed diversion will be place via the B2215.

A3 Burpham, Surrey: slip road surface surveys

The southbound exit slip road will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 6am, for five nights from Monday 2 March. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the A247.

A3 Longmoor Thursley, Hampshire/Surrey: resurfacing work

The northbound carriageway will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 6am, on Saturday 7 March. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the A325 and A31.

A3 Liss to Ham Barn, Hampshire: resurfacing work

The northbound carriageway will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 6am, for five nights from Monday 2 March. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the B3006.

A31 Picket Post to Stoney Cross, Hampshire: drainage maintenance

The eastbound carriageway will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 6am, on Sunday 1 March. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the A338 and A35.

A31 Lake Gates to Merley, Dorset: carriageway resurfacing work

The carriageway will be closed in both directions overnight, between 10pm and 6am, for five nights from Monday 2 March. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the A349.

A31 Bere Regis to Roundhouse Roundabout, Dorset: drainage maintenance

The carriageway will be closed in both directions overnight, between 10pm and 6am, for four weeks from Monday 2 March (Monday to Friday only). A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the A350 and A35.

A303 Popham (Basingstoke), Hampshire: vegetation management

Temporary traffic lights will be in place on the eastbound link road (Stockbridge Road), past Basingstoke Crematorium until Friday 6 March (Monday to Friday daytime only).

A303 Bullington to Overton, Hampshire: drainage maintenance

There will be a lane closure on the eastbound carriageway overnight, between 10pm and 6am, for two nights from Wednesday 4 March. A303 Andover to Thruxton, Hampshire: Drainage maintenance

There will be a lane closure on the eastbound carriageway overnight, between 10pm and 6am, for two nights from Monday 2 March, and on the westbound carriageway for two weekday nights from Friday 6 March. 6am.

A34 Kings Worthy (Winchester), Hampshire: construction of new layby

The existing layby on the northbound carriageway remains closed, and there are lane closures on the northbound carriageway overnight, between 10pm and 6am, (Monday to Friday) until April.

A34 Beedon, West Berkshire: drainage maintenance

A lane closure will be in place on both carriageways overnight, between 10pm and 6am, for two nights from Tuesday 3 March.

A34 East Ilsley, West Berkshire: sign maintenance

A lane closure will be in place on the northbound exit slip road at the East Ilsley junction overnight, between 10pm and 6am, for four nights from Tuesday 3 March.

A34 Chilton to Milton, Oxfordshire: drainage maintenance

Lane closures remain in place overnight, between 10pm and 6am, until May.

For further details of this scheme visit the project pages.

A34 Milton Interchange, Oxfordshire: junction improvement

Narrow lanes and speed limits of 40mph on the northbound carriageway and 30mph on the southbound carriageway will be in place throughout the week. The left hand lane of the southbound A34 will be diverted via the slip roads and the A4130 roundabout.

For further details of this scheme visit the project pages.

A34 Milton to Abingdon, Oxfordshire: sign maintenance

A lane closure will be in place on the southbound carriageway overnight, between 10pm and 6am, for two nights from Monday 2 March. The following slip roads will also be closed overnight, between 10pm and 6am, with a clearly signed diversion in place via the next available junction:

• Thursday 5 March – Marcham northbound entry slip road


• Friday 6 March – Abingdon (North) northbound entry slip road

A34 Botley to Peartree, Oxfordshire: sign maintenance

There will be a lane closure on the southbound carriageway and the southbound entry slip road at the Botley Interchange will be closed overnight, between 10pm and 6am, for three nights from Monday 2 March. A clearly signed diversion will be in place via the Peartree Interchange.

A34/M40 junction 9 Wendlebury, Oxfordshire: junction improvements

Lane closures will be in place on the approaches overnight, between 10pm and 6am, from Monday 2 March for seven nights.

For further details of this scheme visit the project pages.

Safety at Roadworks

The Highways Agency is working with the industry and road users to reduce the risks of working on the roads. For the safety of road workers and all road users, when you are approaching roadworks:

• keep within the speed limit – it is there for your safety


• get into the correct lane in good time – don’t keep switching


• concentrate on the road ahead, not the roadworks


• be alert for works’ traffic leaving or entering roadworks


• keep a safe distance – there could be queues in front


• observe all signs – they are there to help you

General enquiries

Members of the public should contact the Highways Agency Information Line on 0300 123 5000.

Media enquiries

Journalists should contact the Highways Agency press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.

from Announcements on GOV.UK http://ift.tt/1G10c8H

Press release: Planned roadworks in Bristol, Gloucestershire, Somerset, BANES, Wiltshire, West Dorset and Devon: Weekly summary for Monday 2 - Sunday 8 March 2015

Bristol

M5 Junction 16: Pinchpoint improvement scheme

Narrow lanes on northbound exit slip road will be in operation until the middle of April 2015.

M4 Junction 20 (Almondsbury Interchange): bridge Inspections

The M5 northbound to M4 westbound link and the M4 eastbound to M5 northbound link will be closed overnight from 10pm on Monday 2 March until 6am the following morning. Diversions will be clearly signposted.

The M5 southbound to M4 eastbound link and the M4 westbound to M5 southbound link will be closed overnight from 10pm on Tuesday 3 March until 6am the following morning. Diversions will be clearly signposted.

The M4 westbound to M5 southbound link and the M5 southbound to M4 westbound link will be closed overnight from 10pm on Wednesday 4 March until 6am the following morning. Diversions will be clearly signposted.

The M4 eastbound to M5 northbound link and the M5 southbound to M4 eastbound link will be closed overnight from 10pm on Thursday 5 March until 6am the following morning. Diversions will be clearly signposted.

M4 Junction 18: resurfacing

The eastbound exit slip road will be closed overnight from Thursday 5 March until Saturday 7 March between 8pm and 6am the following morning. Diversion will be clearly signposted.

M48 Junction 2: resurfacing

The eastbound carriageway at Junction 2 will be closed from 9.30am on Wednesday 4 March until 5pm the same day. Traffic will be diverted on to the roundabout at Junction 2 and back off again.

Gloucestershire

M5 Junction 10: bridge repairs

Narrow lanes with 50mph speed restrictions will be in place on the southbound carriageway until October 2015.

M5 Junction 14 – 15: geotechnical works

Narrow lanes with 50mph speed restrictions will be in place on the southbound carriageway until the end of March 2015.

A40 Over Roundabout: pinchpoint improvement scheme

Narrows lanes will be in place and daytime lane closures will take place until end of March 2015.

A40 Elmbridge Court roundabout to Arle Court roundabout: resurfacing

The eastbound carriageway will be closed overnight from Friday 20 February until Tuesday 3 March between 8pm and 6am the following morning. Diversion will be clearly signposted.

The westbound carriageway will be closed overnight from Tuesday 3 March until Saturday 7 March between 8pm and 6am the following morning. Diversion will be clearly signposted.

M5 Junction 11A: maintenance

The northbound exit slip road will be closed overnight from 8pm on Friday 6 March until 6am the following morning. Diversion will be clearly signposted.

Wiltshire

M4 Junction 17 – 18: barrier installation

Narrow lanes with 50mph speed restrictions on both carriageways will be in place until the middle of April 2015.

M4 Junction 16 – 17: geotechnical works

Narrow lanes with 50mph speed restrictions on the westbound carriageway will be in place until the middle of March 2015.

M4 Junction 15: communications

The westbound entry slip road will be closed overnight from 10pm on Monday 2 March until 6am the following morning. Diversion will be clearly signposted.

A303 Countess Roundabout to Parkhouse Junction: resurfacing

The westbound carriageway will be closed overnight from Monday 2 March until Friday 6 March between 8pm and 6am the following morning. Lane 1 will also be closed during the daytime on these dates. Diversion will be clearly signposted.

A303 Countess to Solstice Park: resurfacing

The westbound carriageway will be closed from 8pm on Friday 6 March until 6am on Monday 9 March. Diversions will be clearly signposted.

North Somerset

M5 Junction 19: bridge inspections

The northbound entry slip road will be closed overnight from Sunday 1 March until Wednesday 11 March between 8pm and 6am the following morning. Diversion will be clearly signposted.

Somerset

M5 between Junction 23 – 24: structures

Two narrow lanes with a width restriction of 6.0 metres in each direction, contraflows and speed restrictions will be in place on both carriageways until the middle of March 2015.

BANES

A36 Claverton to Dundas: barrier and embankment stabilisation

A full closure of both northbound and southbound carriageways will take place from 1am on Monday 2 March until early July 2015. Diversions will be clearly signposted.

West Dorset

No planned works.

Devon (M5 only)

M5 between Junction 28 – 29: barrier works

The hard shoulder and lane 1 will be temporarily closed at various locations until the end of March 2015.

M5 Junction 27: pinchpoint improvement scheme

The hard shoulder and lane 1 of the southbound exit slip road will be closed until end of March 2015.

M5 Junction 28 - 29: barrier improvements

Two narrow lanes will be in operation in both directions until end of March 2015.

M5 Junction 30: pinchpoint improvement scheme

Narrow lanes with 50mph speed restrictions will be in operation on the southbound exit slip road until 30 April 2015.

Hampshire

No planned works

General enquiries

Members of the public should contact the Highways Agency Information Line on 0300 123 5000.

Media enquiries

Journalists should contact the Highways Agency press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.

from Announcements on GOV.UK http://ift.tt/1JVMWFg

Press release: Planned roadworks in the East of England: weekly summary for Monday 2 - Sunday 8 March 2014

New Work

A12 Bascule Bridge, Lowestoft: routine maintenance works

Work to carry out routine maintenance works on the A12 Bascule Bridge at Lowestoft will take place overnight for two nights from Monday 2 March. The work will be carried out between 8pm and 6am and is planned for completion by Tuesday 3 March. During the work the A12 will be closed in both directions at the bridge and a diversion will be clearly signposted. Northbound traffic will travel north from the Bloodmore Lane Roundabout on the A1117 (Bloodmoor Road, Elmtree Road, Cotmer Road), right at the T-junction between A1117 Cotmer Road and A146 Bridge Road onto the A146, left onto the A1117 (Bridge Road) and over the Oulton Broad Bridge, carry on the A1117 (Normanston Drive) turning left at the roundabout with the A1144 (Normanston Drive and Millenium Way) and right along A1117 Bentley Drive, to rejoin A12 northbound (Yarmouth Road) by turning left at Tesco Roundabout toward Great Yarmouth. Southbound traffic will follow the same route in reverse.

Ongoing work

A1(M) junction 6, Welwyn: pinchpoint junction improvement works

Work to improve the northbound entry slip road on the A1(M) at junction 6 Welwyn is taking place overnight from 2 March. These works are part of the Government’s £317m pinch point programme, which aims to boost local economies by reducing congestion and delays at key locations. The work is being carried out between 10pm and 5pm and is planned for completion by the end of May. From 2 March there will be a full closure of the A1(M) northbound between junctions 4 and 6. A diversion will be clearly signposted direction road users to travel via the A6129, B197 and the A1000 to rejoin the A1(M) at junction 6.

A1/A47 Wansford, Peterborough: pinchpoint junction improvement works

We are making improvements to the junction where the A1 meets the A47 at Wansford near Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, by installing traffic signals on the existing roundabout and widening local approach roads. These works are part of the Government’s £317m pinch point programme, which aims to boost local economies by reducing congestion and delays at key locations. We started the works on Thursday 15 January and have scheduled them to finish by the end of March. We are working between 8pm and 6am from Monday to Sunday.

During the week starting Monday 2 March traffic management will continue to be as follows:

• eastbound traffic will be diverted off the A47 at the western roundabout onto the A1 northbound to Carpenters Lodge junction at Stamford before returning on the A1 southbound to Wansford


• westbound traffic will be controlled by a lane closure with temporary traffic signals at the eastern roundabout before continuing between the two roundabouts and continuing their journey. This will also allow traffic leaving the A1 southbound to follow the same westbound diversion

For more information, visit the project pages.

A1, Black Cat roundabout, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire: improvements

A scheme to ease congestion and improve journey time and safety (part of the Government’s £317m pinchpoint programme, which aims to boost local economies by reducing congestion and delays at key locations) started in June 2014 and, subject to weather conditions, is scheduled to last for approximately eight months. It involves a new road alignment to enlarge and widen the existing roundabout, new safety fencing, improved drainage, new surfacing on the roundabout and installation of lighting columns and traffic lights. The work will normally take place between 7.30am and 5.30pm from Monday to Friday, with occasional night-time road and lane closures.

Narrow lanes are currently in place 24 hours a day in both directions and on the roundabout itself.

There will be northbound full closures Monday 2 March to Thursday 5 March from 9pm to 6am. In addition to this there will be a full weekend closure (night & day) from Friday 6th March 10pm to Sunday 8th March noon, weather permitting.

During the weekday closures, the diversion route will be leaving the A1 Northbound at Sandy roundabout, travelling along the A603 before joining the A421 where the A1 will be rejoined at the Black Car Roundabout.

During the weekend closure A1 will be closed from Blunham to Wyboston with a diversion route leaving at Blunham along Barford Road and rejoining at Wyboston. The A421 will be closed from Cardington Junction with traffic being diverted down the A603 to Sandy roundabout, turning left for A1 North and picking up the northbound diversion. During the road closures only, traffic will only be able to travel along Barford Road Northbound, and its weight restriction will be lifted.

A5-M1 Link (Dunstable Northern Bypass), Bedfordshire: improvements

This scheme aims to provide a link to the M1 that is an alternative to the movement along the A5 and A505 from the A5/A505 junction to the M1 junction 11. It would reduce journey times and improve journey reliability for strategic traffic currently travelling through Dunstable. It also aims to reduce the number of vehicle and safety related incidents and will support local development plans, economic growth and employment and maximise the return on public investment.

Advanced works started on site in May 2014. Continuation of these works will require some road closures, which will be publicised in advance. These works are important as they will help stay on target for the planned start of the main construction work in spring 2015.

The planned completion date for the project is early 2017. For more information, visit the project pages.

A12 Kelvedon: pinchpoint average speed camera installation works

We are installing average speed cameras on the A12 in both directions between J22 Coleman’s Interchange Witham and J24 Kelvedon north. These cameras will be used to enforce the 70mph speed limit and improve safety at this location. The works are part of a multi-million improvement programme designed to boost local economies, reduce congestion and improve safety on the strategic road network. The programme is part of the UK’s Government growth initiative, outlined during the chancellor’s Autumn Statement in November 2011. The programme provides smaller scale improvements that can deliver big returns by easing congestion and making journey times more reliable for road users, including hauliers and commuters to help boost local economies and drive economic growth.

Works started on 17 February, which are being carried out overnight between 8:00 pm and 6:00 am on weeknights only, with occasional weekend working, and are scheduled to last for 6 weeks. Work will continue from Monday 2 March using overnight lane closures. For more information, visit the project pages.

A12 J31-33, Suffolk: improvement works

We are in the second phase of works to improve the road network on the A12 between junction 31 (Four Sisters Interchange) and junction 33 (Copdock Interchange). We are resurfacing the carriageway and renewing road markings, repairing barriers and drainage systems and improving lighting and embankments within these works. We are working each night between 10pm and 6am and weekends between 10pm and 9:30am the works are being carried out under contraflow running with a reduced speed limit. The works should be finished by the end of March.

A12 J11-12, Brentwood, Essex: improvement works

We are in the second phase of works to improve the road network on the A12 in both directions between junction 11 (for M25) and junction 12 (for A1023 Chelmsford Road). We are resurfacing the carriageway and renewing road markings, repairing barriers and drainage systems and improving lighting and embankments within these works. We are working each night between 10pm and 6am and the works are being carried out under contraflow running with a reduced speed limit. The works should be finished by the end of March.

A12 Hughes Corner, near Colchester, Essex: pinchpoint average speed camera installation works

We are installing average speed cameras on the A12 in both directions at Hughes Corner, in Suffolk. These cameras will be used to enforce the 70mph speed limit and improve safety at this location. The works are part of a multi-million ‘Pinchpoint’ improvement programme designed to boost local economies, reduce congestion and improve safety on the strategic road network. The programme is part of the UK’s Government growth initiative, outlined during the chancellor’s Autumn Statement in November 2011. The programme provides smaller scale improvements that can deliver big returns by easing congestion and making journey times more reliable for road users, including hauliers and commuters to help boost local economies and drive economic growth.

We started works on 8 February and have scheduled them to last for 7 weeks. The works will be carried out overnight between 8:00 pm and 6:00 am on weeknights with occasional weekend working. Work will continue from Monday 2 March using overnight lane closures. For more information, visit the project pages.

A14 Tostock, Suffolk: bridge maintenance works

We are carrying out maintenance works on the bridge which carries the A14 over the Tostock Road near A14 junction 46, Tostock, Suffolk. Work started on Monday 26 January and we aim to complete the works in early March. We will work between 8pm and 6am Monday to Sunday and will use lane closures on the A14 with a temporary speed limit of 50mph in both directions past the works. We will also use a lane closure with temporary traffic lights on Tostock Road past the works.

A14 Girton to Histon (junctions 31 to 32): lane gain scheme

On 14 April 2014 work started to improve slip roads onto the M11 and A14 and to add an additional lane on the A14 in each direction between Girton and Histon. This work, which is part of the Government’s Pinchpoint Programme, is scheduled to take place mainly during the day, with existing lanes narrowed and a 50mph speed limit imposed.

During the week starting Monday 2 March, there will be a full closure each evening of the both the eastbound carriageway between junctions 31-32 and also the westbound carriageway between junctions 36-32. Closures will be effective between 8pm and 6am and local diversions will be clearly signposted. For details of the scheme, visit the Highways Agency website.

A14 Ipswich: improvement works

Improvement work started on Monday 9 February on the A14 in Ipswich between junction 49 (Stowupland) and junction 58 (Levington). The scheme which includes resurfacing, drainage renewal, replacing barriers, embankment work and removing defects in the road is due to be completed by Friday 20 March.

Work to resurface the exit slip road at junction 52 (Claydon) will start on 3 March for three nights – road users will be diverted to junction 51 and back to exit at junction 52.

Work to resurface the westbound entry slip road at junction 55 (Copdock) will start on 2 March for three nights and road users will be diverted to junction 54 and back to exit at junction 55.

Works to renew the drainage system and repair the central reserve barrier between junctions 55 and 58 is continuing under lane closures.

A14 Huntingdon: barrier replacement works

Work to replace sections of the central reservation barrier is being carried out on the A14 between the B660 and Spaldwick and between Brampton and Spittals near Huntingdon. Works started Monday 9 February and are due to finish by the end of March. We will be working between 8pm and 6am and will use lane 2 closures and a temporary speed limit of 40mph for safety reasons.

A47 Walsoken, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire: junction improvements

We are making improvements to the A47 Walsoken / Broad End Road junction by installing new warning signs and renewing road markings at the location. Work should be finished by the end of March 2015. We will work between 8pm and 6am and will use temporary traffic signals to manage traffic.

A138 Chelmer Village Way, Chemsford, Essex: Chelmer Viaduct replacement

The major improvement work on the Chelmer Viaduct in Chelmsford will take approximately 18 months to complete. Works to construct a southern access are due to commence on the night of Monday 2ndMarch through to Thursdy 5th of March and again from Monday night through to Thursday night (09th-12th March). These works will be carried out between 8.30pm and 6.00am and we will maintain one lane of traffic open in each direction, so anticipate there will be no impact upon traffic flows. For details of the scheme, visit the Highways Agency website.

A421 Bedford Southern Bypass Westbound: resurfacing works

We are undertaking resurfacing works to the westbound carriageway of the A421 Bedford Southern Bypass. Works will involve renewal of the existing road surface. A 24-hour speed limit will be in place for safety reasons as working methods will require daytime traffic to run on temporary road surfaces throughout the duration of the scheme. Works started Monday 23February and are scheduled to last for five weeks. Works will be undertaken between 8pm and 6am on weeknights. The road will be closed between its junction with the A4280 and its junction with the A6 at Elstow Traffic wishing to travel west will need to follow the clearly signed diversion route along the A4280, Newham Avenue, Longhome Way, A5140 returning to the A421 at the A6 junction at Elstow.

A421 Castle Mill viaduct, Bedford: drainage repair works

We are repairing the drainage on the A421 Castle Mill viaduct south of Bedford and the works should be completed by 13 May. These works will be carried out alongside the A421 Bedford Southern Bypass resurfacing works and we will need to close the A421 westbound between A4280 Goldington Road and A6 Elstow. Road users will leave A421 at the Renhold Junction onto the A4280 Goldington Road, turn left at the traffic lights onto Newnham Avenue. At the roundabout take the second exit onto Longholme Way, to the next roundabout with the A600 (London Road), take the A5140 (Rope Walk), continue along the A6 (Ampthill Road) to the A421.

The Highways Agency is working with the industry and road users to reduce the risks of working on the roads. For the safety of road workers and all road users, when you are approaching roadworks:

• keep within the speed limit – it is there for your safety


• get into the correct lane in good time – don’t keep switching


• concentrate on the road ahead, not the roadworks


• be alert for works’ traffic leaving or entering roadworks


• keep a safe distance – there could be queues in front


• observe all signs – they are there to help you

General enquiries

Members of the public should contact the Highways Agency Information Line on 0300 123 5000.

Media enquiries

Journalists should contact the Highways Agency press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.

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Mercedes leaves rivals trailing in F1 testing

Nico Rosberg took out the 2015 Mercedes on faster soft tires for the first time Friday and the result looks ominous for the team's rivals ahead of the new season.



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News story: Health and wellbeing website for young people launched

Created by young people for young people, the ‘Rise Above’ website aims to build emotional resilience in individuals aged 11 to 16 by equipping them with the skills and knowledge they need to make informed decisions, and help deal with the pressures of growing up. It also encourages conversations about the key health and wellbeing issues that affect teens and young people.

‘Rise Above’ tackles topics that young people are most concerned about, such as puberty, relationships, alcohol, self-harm, smoking, contraceptive choices, drugs, body confidence, peer pressure and mental health.

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Sweet tooth of the Golden Bear

Golf legend Jack Nicklaus proved almost unstoppable in a career which netted him 18 major titles but just maybe his then rivals could have disturbed his concentration on course by tempting him with his favorite treat.



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Press release: Greening: Britain's Ebola response has saved thousands of lives but mission not over yet

Britain’s plan to defeat Ebola in Sierra Leone is working but will not be completed until every case has been tackled, International Development Secretary Justine Greening said today during a visit to the country.

UK-led efforts have prevented the exponential number of cases predicted by the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and brought down dramatically the number of Ebola cases in Sierra Leone to a fraction of its November peak.

But many cases prevail and just one infected individual has the potential to infect dozens more.

Underlining the UK’s ongoing support for the Sierra Leonean people, Greening met President Koroma, who told her that Britain’s humanitarian, medical and military response had been “the game changer” for his country.

Greening said: “Britain’s operation to defeat Ebola is on track. Ebola is being contained and thousands of Sierra Leonean lives have already been saved.

But while the numbers of Ebola cases are now at a fraction of what they were last Autumn many cases remain at large. The virus is so dangerous that we cannot rest until we are down to zero.

We will stay the course until the job is done and play a leading role in international efforts to ensure the global community can be better prepared for any future outbreaks.

Greening travelled today to Kambia province in northern Sierra Leone, to witness the efforts of British military and humanitarian experts working with local communities to track down the disease and stop it returning. In the capital Freetown this afternoon she also visited a UK-supported women’s care centre to see how health services are coping with Ebola while keeping essential services open and running.

The focus of British-led efforts is now contact tracing, with operatives tracking down people, particularly in remote areas, who may have come into contact with the disease and finding anyone who may have come into contact with them. This work is helping to contain the spread by anticipating the potential movement of the disease.

In the last week of November there were 537 new Ebola cases reported, while last week that number had fallen to 62.

Notes to Editors

• Pictures of the visit can be downloaded from: http://ift.tt/1FFqmua


• More pictures of the visit are available from the Associated Press as well as the Defence Imagery website.


• Justine Greening will be representing the UK at the High Level Conference on Ebola in Brussels on 3 March 2015

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News story: Digital economy: £2 million funding to improve user experience

Innovate UK is to invest up to £2 million to support feasibility studies looking at innovative ways to improve the user experience in the digital economy.

We’re looking for projects that use the increasing amount of personal data generated by individuals to gain insights into user needs and behaviours.

The competition is open to small and medium-sized enterprises singly or in collaboration. Proposals must be led by a business. Small businesses could receive up to 70% of their eligible project costs, medium-sized businesses 60%.

We expect projects to last between 6 to 12 months and total project costs to range in size from £90,000 to £120,000.

Competition information

• the competition opens on 16 March 2015


• the deadline for registration is midday on 29 April 2015


• the deadline for applications is midday on 6 May 2015


• there will be briefing events for potential applicants in:
  
  
  
  
  • London - 17 March 2015
  
  
  • Manchester - 19 March 2015
  
  
  • Edinburgh - 20 March 2015
  
  
  
  

Find out more about this competition and apply

Register for briefing events

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Press release: Denise Fowler appointed new Housing Ombudsman

This follows a pre-appointment hearing before the Department Select Committee on 16 December 2014. She takes up her appointment on 11 March 2015.

As the new Housing Ombudsman, Ms Fowler will be responsible for the independent complaint resolution service between tenants and landlords, which covers all social housing and landlords registered from the private sector.

On her appointment Denise Fowler said:

I am delighted to have been appointed as the new Housing Ombudsman. Effective local complaint resolution builds trust and improves landlord and tenant relationships. Obviously there are times when such consensus is not possible and we then have a responsibility to investigate complaints impartially as swiftly and efficiently as possible. I hope that I can help the organisation to continue to develop its already excellent service.

Further information

Denise Fowler is a lawyer, having worked previously as a housing adviser, a housing lawyer, and partner in private practice and a member of the senior management team of the Housing Ombudsman between 2000 and 2002.

She has worked as a government lawyer since 2002 at the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG), the Department for Work and Pensions and the Department of Health. She is currently Deputy Legal Director, Head of Planning Law Reform at DCLG.

Office address and general enquiries

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General enquiries: please use this number if you are a member of the public 030 3444 0000

Media enquiries

Email communications-newsdesk@communities.gsi.gov.uk

Please use this number if you're a journalist wishing to speak to Press Office 030 3444 1201

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News story: The Queen to attend Afghanistan service of commemoration

News story: Boost for North East manufacturing and engineering as Chancellor announces £1.4 million skills fund

Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne today (Friday 27 February) announced £1.4 million of funding for Nissan to support the company in creating the skills base needed to build its next generation of Infiniti model in the UK. Nissan will match-fund the contribution and the £2.8 million project will support intensive training for 1,742 staff.

Nissan is one of six companies selected under the government’s Employer Ownership of Skills Fund, which helps UK engineering employers address skills shortages. Overall, the government is providing £2.8 million of business-led projects creating new specialist skills and careers in the engineering industry, matched by an equal cash contribution from employers.

The news came after the Chancellor had earlier outlined a long term economic plan for the North East at a speech in Stockton which included plans to add an extra £6 billion to the region’s economy by 2030, create 50,000 new jobs and deliver £4.5 billion investment in transport in the North East, the largest in a generation.

On a visit to the company’s Sunderland base, the Chancellor met with Nissan’s manufacturing executives who explained how the funding will help ensure the successful launch of the Infiniti brand in the UK.

The Chancellor said:

Our long term economic plan for the North East is all about building on the area’s strengths like manufacturing and engineering and the funding will ensure that companies like Nissan have the right skills base to continue to innovate and grow. It’s exciting news that Nissan are launching a new car brand in the UK for the first time in 23 years and the government is making sure it provides the support it can to deliver this.

Kevin Fitzpatrick, Nissan’s Vice President of UK Manufacturing said:

The start of production for Infiniti later this year will be a major milestone for Sunderland. It will be the first new car brand to be manufactured on this scale in the UK for 23 years and represents a major investment in both our people and facilities.

We were delighted to welcome the Chancellor to Sunderland and to explain to him how the Employee Ownership of Skills Fund will support the up-skilling of our workforce and help ensure the successful launch of the Infiniti brand in the UK.

Nissan today also launched its 2015 Maintenance Technician apprenticeship scheme – a five year apprenticeship scheme for 25 young people that has been running since the plant first opened in 1986.

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News story: Withdrawal of our old customer support telephone numbers

In August we introduced new 0300 numbers for some of our service lines. The full list of new numbers is below:

• customer support: 0300 006 0411


• customer support for Welsh speakers: 0300 006 0422


• bankruptcy enquiries: 0300 006 6107


• Commercial Services team: 0300 006 0478

We kept the old numbers open for 6 months but we have now withdrawn them. There will be a message on the old numbers for 3 months advising customers of the new number to call.

You can still contact customer support via our online form and on our support forum. We also provide guidance for customers and members of the public on GOV.UK.

We are pleased to be able to make this change to bring our practices in line with other public sector organisations, and to act upon the feedback we have received from our customers.

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News story: David Mitchard announced as the new Chief Executive of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation

David is currently the Managing Director of Air Tanker Services Ltd, which manages the Ministry of Defence PFI contract for the Voyager, the RAF’s new generation multi-role tanker transport aircraft. He is a highly accomplished senior executive with many years experience in the private sector. David will join the Capita team, and start as the DIO Chief Executive on Tuesday 5 May 2015.

The DIO’s current Chief Executive, Richard McCarthy CBE, will be resuming his wider role within Capita’s property and infrastructure business on 20 March 2015. Colin Wood, the DIO’s Chief Operating Officer, will take on the CEO’s responsibilities from this date until David Mitchard arrives.

Speaking about the appointment of the new Chief Executive, Permanent Secretary Jon Thompson said:

I welcome the appointment of David into this vital role. He brings a wealth of experience and expertise from the private sector which will undoubtedly prove invaluable for the future of DIO and the defence estate. I would also like to thank Richard for his outstanding work in his time as chief executive and wish him well on his return to Capita.

Commenting on his time as DIO’s Chief Executive, Richard McCarthy CBE said:

It has been a rich and rewarding period since Capita was announced as the preferred bidder. Having worked on the DIO bid from the start and successfully steered the organisation through the early months of the SBP contract, I leave the DIO in a strong position to develop a more efficiently run and utilised Defence estate. It has been a huge privilege.

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Press release: Appointment of new Trustees to the National Employment Savings Trust (NEST) Corporation

Minister for Pensions Steve Webb today (27 February 2015) announced the appointment of 3 new Trustees to the National Employment Savings Trust (NEST) Corporation.

The appointments of Sally Bridgeland, Caroline Rookes and Jill Youds will commence on 1 April 2015.

Minister for Pensions Steve Webb said:

I am very pleased to announce that Sally Bridgeland, Caroline Rookes and Jill Youds will be joining the NEST Trustee Board. They bring a wealth of experience, expertise and skills from both the public and private sector which will prove valuable to NEST in the years ahead.

With well over 1.8 million members, NEST is already one of the biggest pension schemes in the UK. It is playing a vital role in the success of automatic enrolment, ensuring that all employers have access to a high quality, low cost pension scheme for their workers.

More about NEST

NEST Corporation is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Work and Pensions. It was set up in July 2010 as a corporate trustee to run NEST.

NEST is a low-cost, occupational pension scheme that employers can choose to use to meet their automatic enrolment duties. With over 1.8 million members and more than 10,500 participating employers, NEST is playing a vital role in supporting automatic enrolment, ensuring that all employers are able to meet their duties.

NEST Trustee Members are public appointments made by the Secretary of State for the Department for Work and Pensions. The appointment process has been an open competition regulated by The Office for the Commissioner of Public Appointments. These appointments will commence on 1 April 2015. They will receive a remuneration of £19,050 a year for a time commitment of 30 days a year.

In accordance with the Nolan Principles (the 7 Principles of Public Life), appointees’ political activity (if any declared) should be made public. In addition, the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 requires the Electoral Commission to publish a register of recordable donations. No political activity has been disclosed.

The Trustee Members form the Trustee of the NEST Scheme. There must be a minimum of 9 and a maximum of 15 Trustee Members including the Chair.

The existing members are: Chair (Otto Thoresen) and the Trustee Members (Iraj Amiri, Ian Armfield, Graham Berville, Tom Boardman, Carolan Dobson, Sharon Darcy, Karen Silcock, Nigel Stanley)

New member biographies

Sally Bridgeland

Sally’s career in UK pensions and institutional investment spans nearly 3 decades. She is currently a non-executive director of Royal London Group. Sally is also a Senior Adviser with Avida International. Until recently, she was the Chief Executive Officer and Trustee of the BP Pension Fund. Previously, she was a partner, pensions actuary and investment consultant at AON Hewitt. Sally is a member of the 300 Club and the EDHEC Risk Institute International Advisory Board. She is the Founder and Chair of the Trustee Board, Executive Shift – a charity supporting flexible working at senior levels. She is the Chair of the Education Committee, of the Worshipful Company of Actuaries; a Trustee of the Worshipful Company of Actuaries Charitable Trust; and a Member of the FTSE Policy Group.

Caroline Rookes, CBE

Caroline is CEO of the Money Advice Service. Formerly a senior civil servant, her career spanned several top management roles. She has extensive experience of and expertise in shaping and delivering major policy programmes across government. Between 2005 to 2013, Caroline was Director of Private Pensions at the Department for Work and Pensions where she led a landmark and successful reform of the UK’s private pension regime introducing automatic enrolment. From 2002 to 2005, Caroline was the Director of Savings Pensions and Share Schemes at HMRC, where she was responsible for a fundamental reform of the tax regime on pensions. In 2014, she was awarded an Alumni Award by Lancaster University for outstanding achievement.

Jill Youds

Jill has a wide experience and expertise in workplace transformation, HR and finance shared services in executive and non-executive roles in a broad range of sectors including telecoms, technology and media, financial services, retail and the public sector. Jill was appointed in 2014 as Chair of the Judicial Pensions Board. Between 2008 to 2013, she was an Executive Director at Virgin Media. Previous executive roles include: Head of People Development at Lloyds Group; Group HR Director at Pearce Group Ltd, and Head of HR at Clarks International. Jill is a Non-Executive Director at University Hospitals Bristol NHS Trust and at Hoople Ltd. She is also a Director of her own executive coaching practice, Cresco Ltd.

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Press release: Government working with leading engineering firms to create pathway to specialist skills

The government today (27 February 2015) announced £5.6 million of funding for 6 projects creating new specialist skills and careers in the engineering industry.

The projects are led by a range of businesses, from local Cheshire employer Tiger Trailers to major international carmaker Nissan. It will support individual skills projects in each business to help them meet the challenges and growth opportunities they see in the future and increase their workforces in the UK.

The 6 companies were selected under the government’s Employer Ownership of Skills Fund, which helps UK engineering employers address skills shortages. The government is providing £2.8 million, matched by an equal cash contribution from employers.

The projects are:

• global carmaker Nissan, to support the company in creating the skills base needed to build its next generation of luxury Infiniti model in the UK, supporting 1,742 staff


• Hyde Group, to train new generations of specialist engineers servicing automated manufacturing machines


• supporting a Gloucester-based surface engineering firm, Poeton, to establish a purpose-designed training centre to help it meet skills shortages in high technology coatings supplied to the aerospace, general engineering, renewable and nuclear sectors


• helping built environment specialist BRE replicate the skills provision of its apprentice and graduate schemes to offer all of its staff the specialist skills needed to advance their careers


• supporting start-up firm Tiger Trailers to develop 100 new posts in commercial trailer and vehicle body manufacturing


• helping Lowri Beck’s metering and data service team to open 2 new training centres to meet the demand for new smart meter engineers as the UK replaces 53 million gas and electricity meters by 2020

Kevin Fitzpatrick, Nissan’s Vice President of UK Manufacturing said:

The start of production for Infiniti later this year will be a major milestone for Sunderland. It will be the first new car brand to be manufactured on this scale in the UK for 23 years and represents a major investment in both our people and facilities.

We welcome the support of the Employee Ownership of Skills Fund in developing the skills of our workforce. This will be critical in ensuring the successful launch of a car that will be exported to North America and China, the first time the plant has built vehicles for these markets.

The “Improving Engineering Careers” project is a part of the government’s response to the November 2013 Perkins Review of Engineering Skills, which noted the huge positive impact an increasing base of engineers would have on the UK economy.

Continuing that commitment, the government is currently receiving applications for a new Employer Ownership of Skills Fund helping small businesses in the engineering sector grow and become more productive through investing in the skills of their current and future engineers.

Notes to Editors

1. The Employer Ownership of Skills funding came about in response to Professor Perkins’ recommendations in his Review of Engineering Skills. A key recommendation of his was that: “government should invite employers to put forward innovative proposals to develop engineering skills in sectors suffering acute skills shortages”.


2. The report also highlighted that the productivity of a trained worker is on average 23% higher than an untrained worker. Firms that train are also 2 and a half times more likely to survive than firms that do not. Training increases job satisfaction, lowers absence and staff turnover, and creates ‘home grown’ talent that is closely aligned to the specific needs of the business.


3. The 6 new projects follow initial funding approval for a seventh project in 2014, given to South West Water to improve the skills of its engineers.


4. The SME Employer Ownership of Skills Fund is open to any small or medium sized company that employs people in engineering occupations. Its aim is to help companies grow and become more productive through investing in the skills of its current and future engineers.


5. Government will contribute 50% of eligible costs to firms who have projects to provide extra training to employees to support career progression for existing engineers and conversion training for those wishing to move from other fields of expertise. The application process is designed to be fast and simple.


6. This form of funding builds on the positive experience of the Employer Ownership Pilot Programme (EOP). All the EOP projects have now been announced and are operational. The most recent announcements were on 3 February for Airbus, who will lead a group of employers in developing existing and future aerospace talent; on 5 February we announced support for small and medium sized businesses in the Leeds City Region to invest in the skills of their workforces, enabling them to develop and grow their business and on 12 February 2015 we announced a project led by Southampton University NHS Trust to improve skills for the NHS’ 600,000 support workers.

from Announcements on GOV.UK http://ift.tt/1E41Aqr

Nibali's Tour defense in limbo

Vincenzo Nibali's defense of his Tour de France crown is in doubt after the UCI requested Friday that the Italian's Astana team has its WorldTour license withdrawn.



source CNN.com - Sport http://ift.tt/1FEtC8Y

Press release: Planned roadworks in the North West – summary for Monday 2 to Sunday 8 March

M6 Junction 16 Crewe and Junction 18 Holmes Chapel

Work is taking place to repair two bridges, which carry Congleton Road and Betchton Road over the M6. Lane closures and a 50mph limit will be in place along sections of the M6 while the work is taking place. The scheme is due to be completed by May.

M6 Junction 17 Sandbach

A major project is being carried out to reduce congestion and allow for faster journey times through junction 17 of the M6, including building a new roundabout and a new link road from the A534 to the M6. Work is taking place overnight between 8pm and 5am during the week, and until 7am at weekends. Some lane closures will also be in place, along with a 40mph speed limit on the A534. The project is due to be completed in March.

M6 Junction 23 St Helens

A scheme is taking place to tackle congestion at the M6 junction with the A580 East Lancs Road near St Helens. Some overnight closures of the junction will be required while the work is carried out, and a temporary 50mph speed limit is currently in place on the slip roads. The closures will be publicised in advance on roadside signs, and will be in place between 9pm and 5am during weekdays, and until 7am at weekends. Some lane closures will also be needed at all times of day, and the project is due to be completed by April

M6 Junction 26 Orrell

A major project is taking place at Orrell Interchange, which will see extra lanes and traffic lights added to the junction with the M58 and the A577. The majority of the work is taking place overnight or at weekends. The scheme is due to be completed by the end of March.

M6 Junction 32 Broughton Interchange

A project is being carried out to reduce congestion around the motorway junction which connects the M6 to the Blackpool-bound M55. There will be narrow lanes, plus some overnight slip road and carriageway closures until the project is completed by March.

M6 Junction 35 Carnforth

A scheme is taking place to install four electronic message signs and CCTV cameras near junction 35 of the M6. Lane one of the motorway will be closed during the work, and lane two will also be closed overnight towards the end of the project. The new signs and cameras are due to be switched on by the end of March.

M53 Junction 2 Moreton

A project is taking place to upgrade the section of the M53 at junction 2, removing weight restrictions and reinstating lanes. The southbound exit and entry slip roads will close to all traffic during the scheme. The northbound slip roads will also need to be closed overnight at times and there will be at least two full weekend closures of the main motorway carriageway to allow the bridges to be removed and replaced safely. A 50mph speed limit and narrow lanes will be in place.

M56 Junction 6 Hale to Junction 5 Manchester Airport

A section of the M56 will be closed for an entire weekend from 10pm on Friday 27 February until 5am on Monday 2 March while work takes place to install a £5.5 million new bridge at Thorley Lane. The motorway will be closed between junction 6 at Hale and junction 5 at Manchester Airport. A diversion will be in place for people travelling to Manchester Airport, and other drivers are being advised to avoid the M56 and find alternative routes.

M56 Junction 7 Altrincham

A project is underway to add an extra lane to the eastbound side of the M56 at junction 7 to ease the flow of traffic onto the motorway. Narrow lanes and a 50mph speed limit are in place while the work is being carried out. Some overnight closures of lanes and the eastbound carriageway will also be required during the scheme. It is due to be completed in March.

M56 Junction 11 Daresbury

A major project is taking place to tackle congestion at junction 11 of the M56 near Daresbury. Clearly signed diversions will be in place when roads are closed. The project is due to be completed by the end of March.

M60 Junction 8 Sale to M62 Junction 20 Rochdale

A major scheme is taking place to cut congestion and improve journey times on parts of the M60 and the M62 in Greater Manchester. The scheme will require some overnight closures affecting the full carriageway and slip roads, with a 50mph limit in place for the safety of workers and drivers. The project is due to be completed in Autumn 2017.

M65 Junction 4 Blackburn to Junction 10 Burnley

A project is taking place to replace lane markings and reflective road studs along sections of the M65. The lighting at the junction 8 slip roads and roundabout is also being repaired, and the project is due to be completed by the end of March.

M65 Junction 5 Shadsworth

A project is taking place to tackle congestion at junction 5 of the M65 by installing of traffic lights at the roundabout and improving the layout of the junction. The majority of the work will take place between 9.30am and 3.30pm during weekdays, and between 10pm and 5am at weekends. Some lane closures and the eventual full closure of the roundabout, including the approach roads, will be required and publicised in advance. The project is due to be completed in March.

A55/A483 Roundabout, Chester

Drivers travelling between Chester and Wrexham are being urged to avoid the roundabout that links the A55 to the A483 while work takes place to upgrade the junction. There are currently lane closures on the roundabout, which are causing significant delays. Drivers travelling to and from the southern part of Chester are being encouraged to use the A534 and the A41 while the lane closures are in place. Drivers heading to and from the northern part of the city can use the A550, A55, A494 and M56 as an alternative route.

A66 near Center Parcs

Temporary traffic lights will be place on the A66 near Center Parcs while drainage work takes place.

A66 Stainburn bypass between Stainburn Roundabout and Chapel Brow Roundabout

The road will be closed overnight between 8pm and 6am for resurfacing work, with a diversion in place. Some lane closures will also be in place during the day.

A550 Ellesmere Port

The A550 will be closed overnight for survey work between Hooton and the junction with the A494 from Monday 2 March to Saturday 7 March. The route will be closed between 10pm and 5am, and a diversion will be in place.

A556 Bowdon to Knutsford

A £192 million project is being carried out to create a new dual carriageway linking the M56 to the M6 in Cheshire. A mile-long section of the existing A556 will be upgraded from junction 7 of the M56 near Bowdon before breaking away to the west, bypassing the village centres of Bucklow Hill, Mere and Over Tabley. It will then join up with junction 19 of the M6 near Knutsford. A temporary 40mph speed limit is currently in place between Bucklow Hill and Bowdon, and the new dual carriageway is expected to open in Winter 2016/17.

A585 Windy Harbour

A major scheme is taking place to improve the A585 crossroads at Garstang New Road, Fleetwood Road and Windy Harbour near Blackpool. The scheme will involve the realignment and widening of the existing crossroads to create extra lanes through the junction. There will be a compulsory 30mph speed limit along a mile of the A585 and a short section of the A586, with temporary traffic lights in place. Work is expected to be completed in March.

A590 between M6 Junction 36 South Lakes and Brettargh Holt roundabout

A 24-hour lane closure is in place on the westbound side of the A590 while work takes place to install a new electronic message sign. The road will also need to be closed on some nights, with a diversion in place. The scheme is due to be completed by the end of March.

A595 Whitehaven

Work is taking place to install traffic lights at the A595 junction with Mirehouse Road in Whitehaven. Temporary traffic lights will be in use between 9.30am and 3.30pm while the work is carried out, and the project is due to be completed by the end of March.

A5036 Seaforth

A new road is being built through the centre of a roundabout near Liverpool Docks to ease congestion in the area. The two lane westbound road will mean traffic heading towards the docks on the A5036 will no longer need to go around the Bridge Road roundabout. Traffic lights are also being installed, and the road is being resurfaced. Lane closures are currently in place leading up to and on the roundabout between 8am and 5pm. The project is due to be completed in March.

General enquiries

Members of the public should contact the Highways Agency Information Line on 0300 123 5000.

Media enquiries

Journalists should contact the Highways Agency press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.

from Announcements on GOV.UK http://ift.tt/1wqwjpV