Feed-In Tariff Scheme For Solar Energy

Earlier this year the Parliamentary Information Office of the Parliamentary Yearbook reported on the Government’s plans for detailed consultations with industry and consumers over the planned changes to the feed-in tariff scheme for solar energy. This will form part of a major feature on environment, sustainable energy and climate change in the next edition

Feed-in tariffs in the United Kingdom were first announced in October 2008 by Ed Miliband, then Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change. He presented details of the scheme, which began in early April 2010.

In March 2011 the coalition government announced that support for large-scale photovoltaic installations (greater than 50 KW) would be cut. This was in response to European speculators lining up to establish huge solar farms in the West Country, which would have absorbed disproportionate amounts of the fund.

On 9 June 2011, the Department for Energy and Climate Change confirmed that Feed-in Tariffs would be cut for solar PV systems above 50 KW after 1st Aug, 2011. Many were disappointed with the decision of DECC, especially after long term consultations. In October 2011 DECC announced dramatic cuts of around 55% to feed in tariff rates, with additional reductions for community or group schemes. The cuts were to be effective from 12 December 2011, with a consultation exercise to end on 23 December 2011. This was successfully challenged in the high court by an application for judicial review, jointly made by the environmental pressure group Friends of the Earth (FoE) and two solar companies - Solarcentury and HomeSun. The judgment, made by Mr Justice Mitting after a two-day court hearing, was hailed as a major victory by green campaigners and the solar industry.

DECC is introducing regulations today to put the Feed-in Tariffs (FITs) scheme on a more predictable, certain and sustainable footing for householders, businesses and the solar industry.

Then in May this year, following detailed consultation with industry and consumers, the Government announced the introduction of a range of changes to the FITs scheme with effect from 1 August to provide better value for money and allow businesses and householders to plan with confidence. This is good news for the industry and for consumers and will ensure that as many people as possible benefit.

The tariff for a small domestic solar installation will be 16p per kilowatt hour, down from 21p, and will be set to decrease on a 3 month basis thereafter, with pauses if the market slows down. All tariffs will continue to be index-linked in line with the Retail Price Index (RPI) and the export tariff will be increased from 3.2p to 4.5p.
The new tariffs should give a return on investment (ROIs) of over 6% for most typical, well-sited installations, and up to 8% for the larger bands.

The industry has been very successful in bringing solar technology costs down swiftly over the last two years and the improved scheme will reflect this trend as well as recognise the increasingly significant place solar PV can now have in local renewable electricity generation.

Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Barker said: “Today starts a new and exciting chapter for the solar industry. The sector has been through a difficult time, adjusting to the reality of sharply falling costs, but the reforms we are introducing today provide a strong, sustainable foundation for growth for the solar sector.

“We can now look with confidence to a future for solar which will see it go from a small cottage industry, anticipated under the previous scheme, to playing a significant part in Britain's clean energy economy.

“I want to send a very clear message today. UK solar continues to be an attractive proposition for many consumers considering microgeneration technologies and that having placed the subsidy support for this technology on a long-term, sustainable footing, industry can plan for growth with confidence.”

Alan Aldridge, Chairman of the Solar Trade Association said: “We broadly welcome many of the Government’s decisions for how solar PV will be treated in the FITs scheme and wholeheartedly welcome the inclusion of Solar in DECC's updated Renewables Roadmap; this should reassure consumers and solar companies alike that the Government recognises and stands behind a major role for the solar industry.

“Despite the currently slow market, the industry can have some confidence that the new Tariffs are
tight but workable. Householders should be reassured the new Tariffs will provide more attractive returns than can be found elsewhere today. The STA is now keen to work with Government to get this positive message out."


Government sees a bright future for solar here in the UK and expects to reflect the growing role of solar power in the UK’s energy mix in its updated Renewable Energy Roadmap later this year. Uptake by 2020 will however depend on when solar PV becomes viable with little or no subsidy and 22GW by 2020 is an achievable ambition if industry can get its cost down quickly. That is why Government has also launched a solar PV cost reduction taskforce in partnership with industry to help drive down costs down faster while maintaining safety and standards.

DECC is also pleased to welcome plans being brought forward by Cornwall Council and the Building Research Establishment to set up a National Solar Centre in Cornwall.

Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Barker said: “I am very happy to see a proposal for the creation of a National Solar Centre in Cornwall, led by the Building Research Establishment.”

Cllr Alec Robertson, Leader of Cornwall Council said: “The FITs scheme allowed many people across Cornwall to learn about renewable energy, especially solar power, and Cornwall would welcome the establishment of a new National Solar Centre that will be at the heart of the bright future for PV in the UK. We’re pleased that DECC has announced changes that improve the predictability for the FITs scheme”

This was submitted by the Parliamentary Information Office. For more information visit Parliamentary Information Office.

High Street Renaissance

Earlier this year the Parliamentary Information Office of the Parliamentary Yearbook reported on the Government’s plans for a competition to select 12 towns to become 'Portas Pilots', with the winners benefiting from a share of £1 million to help turn around their "unloved and unused" high streets. Earlier this month the winners of the first round were announced. High Street regeneration will form part of a major feature on communities in the next edition

On 4^th February this year, Mary Portas and Local Government Minister Grant Shapps launched the competition to choose 12 towns to become 'Portas Pilots'. Mr Shapps has offered the cash incentive to those towns that come up with the best High Street blueprints in a move that fulfils the first and last recommendations of Mary Portas' High Streets Review, commissioned by the Prime Minister and published before Christmas.

Then on 26^th May the 12 winning bids were announced.

Mr Shapps praised the exceptional quality of the winning bids, which will each receive a slice of £1.2 million and a tailored package of support from both the Minister and retail guru Mary Portas.

From Stockport to Margate, successful pilots will be helped to implement their ideas to rejuvenate the town centre, as well as test out the measures in Mary Portas's High Street Review.

The first 12 Portas Pilot towns are:

• Bedford, Bedfordshire - offering mentoring support for High Street businesses and community use of empty properties.
• Croydon, Greater London - transforming the riot-stricken area's historic Old Town market into a thriving market, food and cultural quarter.
• Dartford, Kent - opening up central spaces for use by classes and clubs, from the Scouts to Slimming World and starting a 'school for shopkeepers'.
• Bedminster, Bristol - putting Bedminster on the map for Street Art and Street Theatre. A bicycle rickshaw service and a review of parking will also tackle the traffic environment.
• Liskeard, Cornwall - competing against the edge of town supermarket with a vibrant arts scene, guerrilla gardening and yarn bombing to inject fun back into the town centre.
• Margate, Kent - putting education and enjoyment at the heart of the town centre's transformation with courses, 'job club' services and pop up shops.
• Market Rasen, Lincolnshire - drawing customers in by restoring the market town look and feel, advertising free parking and mentoring new businesses.
• Nelson, Lancashire - attracting local students with a young persons café, sports activities, and a new art and vintage market.
• Newbiggin by the Sea, Northumberland - better branding of the town to draw people in, improving local transport and hosting pop up shops.
• Stockport, Greater Manchester - realising the character and potential of the Markets and Underbanks area with a creative arts complex, outdoor screenings, a new parking strategy and street champions.
• Stockton on Tees, Teesside - live entertainment at the Globe Theatre to boost the evening leisure economy alongside specialist High Street and evening markets.
• Wolverhampton, West Midlands - bringing the city will to life with modern day town criers and on-street performers and a 'dragon's den' style competition to support local entrepreneurs.

The competition to become a pilot received an overwhelming response, with over 370 applications from across the country. Mr Shapps said unsuccessful applicants should not despair - the quality of the bids has been so high that he was launching a second round of the competition, which will see 12 additional pilots announced by the end of July. The Greater London Authority are also funding a further 3 which takes the total to 15.

Mr Shapps said there was no need for unsuccessful applicants to reapply, but they could sharpen up their bids if they wished and submit them again by 30 June, which was also the deadline for new town teams to apply.
The Minister said it was clear that Mary Portas's review into the High Street was the "catalyst communities craved" to get together and secure the future of their town centres.

Local Government Minister Grant Shapps said:

"The best local high streets offer more than simply shopping - they are the beating heart of their neighbourhoods: places to meet, work, relax and come together as a community. It's why this competition to become a Portas Pilot has captured the imagination of the nation, with communities across the country uniting to support their high streets.

"The quality and sheer number of applications has been overwhelming - 12 winning bids now have the chance receive expert advice and financial support, but I believe more towns deserve to be selected. So today I can announce a second round of the competition will see 15 more town centres benefit from this unique opportunity. Together these pilots can be the vanguard of a high street revolution, and others can look to their example to kick start a renaissance of our town centres."

Mary Portas said:

"I've been deeply touched by both the quality and creativity of the bids and the momentum Britain's first town teams have generated in just a few short weeks.

"It is now clearer to me than ever that Britain wants its town centres revitalised and the energy and accountability for that needs to rest with the people who live and do business there. My sincere congratulations to everyone who entered."

The 12 new pilots' leading Town Teams will now start work to bring their high street back to life. To help them on the path to success they will receive:

• a share of £1.2 million to put their winning plans into action
• dedicated contact point in Government to provide advice and support in identifying and overcoming challenges to local business growth
• free support from retail industry leaders including Mary Portas's own team and access to a range of sector experts
• opportunities to meet and discuss with fellow pilots to share their experiences and lessons learned
• Areas that are unsuccessful will also benefit from the pilots, as the best ideas and solutions will be shared to help struggling high streets across the country.
• This is alongside a range of other measures announced by the Housing Minister in the response to the Portas High Street review, including:
• a £1million Future High Street X-Fund for creative and effective schemes to rejuvenate town centres
• a National Markets Day and Fortnight, to celebrate local markets and offer budding entrepreneurs the chance to test their business ideas; and
• a £500,000 Business Improvement Districts fund to help town centres access set-up loans

We shall be adding to the article as there are further developments and any changes to the plans will be reflected in the content. The full report will be published in print and online in the next edition of the Parliamentary Yearbook.

This was submitted by the Parliamentary Information Office. For more information visit Parliamentary Information Office.

A Future For British Film

The economic importance of our film industry has long been recognised and the  Parliamentary Information Office of the Parliamentary Yearbook is currently following closely progress in the business for a major feature in the next edition

In May 2011 Lord Smith of Finsbury was asked by the Minister for Culture, Communications and the Creative Industries, Ed Vaizey MP, to lead an eight-strong independent Panel of film industry experts in reviewing the Government’s film policy. The Panel was asked to identify barriers to growth in the British film industry.

The Panel received over 300 online submissions of evidence and met with a comprehensive mix of industry administrators and practitioners from across the UK.  The Review Report “A Future For British Film - It begins with the audience…” was published in January 2012 and was universally welcomed by Government, across industry and by the UK Government’s new lead agency for film, the British Film Institute (BFI).

The Report contains wide ranging recommendations, many of which are for the BFI, some for industry and others for Government, but all of which aim to deliver policies to enable the industry to reach a position of sustained success for British filmmaking.

Publishing the Government’s response to the review earlier this month, Culture Minister Ed Vaizey announced a package of measures to strengthen the UK film industry.

The majority of the review’s recommendations are directed at the BFI, who today also revealed their Future Plan consultation, which sets out how they propose to go about implementing the independent panel’s findings.

Mr Vaizey said:

“The UK film industry is a real success story and I want it to thrive and grow. Economically and culturally British film makes a great contribution and it’s vital that we make the most of the very real opportunity for economic growth it offers.

“Chris Smith’s comprehensive review made practical and innovative recommendations. I’m pleased that Government and industry can sign up to much of this straight away. Along with the BFI, we’re committing to action that will not only drive and encourage investment in British films but will also develop and nurture the next generation of British film makers.”

The review made 56 recommendations to Government, industry and the BFI. Key measures include:

A new funding approach
The review recommended that the BFI introduce a new funding scheme that returns development funding back to companies that achieved box office success, to be reinvested in future films.

The Government fully endorses this approach, which will incentivise and reward success and help build sustainable production companies. To achieve this, the BFI will work with film makers, sales agents and investors to develop these funding mechanisms.

Increased funding for British Film Commission
The British Film Commission (BFC) is central to the drive for international investment in UK film, and in 2011 over £1 billion was invested in the industry from abroad. The panel was clear that a successful international strategy needs an effectively funded BFC.

The input of the BFI, UKTI, the British Council, Film London and other public and private partners will be crucial in working with the BFC to this end.

The Government has today announced that the BFC will enter into a strategic partnership with UKTI and BFI. Along with contributions from industry, this will provide an additional £400,000 to the BFC's budget and provide a huge boost to the global impact of the UK film industry.

Education & Skills
Also recommended in the review is a new approach to film education which brings together making, seeing and learning about film. Led by the BFI, this would be available in every school across the UK, giving easy access to learning materials, resources and information.

Government is committed to creating a new vision for film education and the BFI has already made progress in this area. This recommendation echoes the findings from the recent review of Cultural Education, following which the Department of Education announced a £3 million investment to enable a new unified body for film education to identify and develop young film makers.

Last year, the Government made the BFI the lead body for film in the UK and the review’s recommendations place considerable emphasis on the new role and status of the BFI.

The BFI will lead on implementing the majority of the recommendations, including funding, film export and digital readiness and will work collaboratively with Government, industry and audiences.

Government welcomes the BFI’s Future Plan consultation which sets out how the organisation intends to approach the challenges the review makes and encourages all interested parties to take part and ensure their views are heard.

We shall be adding to the article as there are further developments and any changes to the plans will be reflected in the content. The full report will be published in print and online in the next edition of the Parliamentary Yearbook.
This was submitted by the Parliamentary Information Office. For more information visit Parliamentary Information Office.

Olympic Security

The Parliamentary Information Office of the Parliamentary Yearbook is currently gathering news items for a major feature in the next edition on the security build-up to the Summer Olympics in London

Whilst the bulk of the security effort for the London Olympics will be “blue” protection, handled by the Police Service, the Ministry of Defence will be deploying personnel and assets in conjunction with the police to guard against terrorist attacks.

Secretary of State for Defence, Philip Hammond announced in December the extent to which Britain's Armed Forces will support the security effort for the Olympic and Paralympic Games which will start at the end of July 2012.

While the safety and security operation for the Games remains for the police to lead on, the Defence contribution to Olympics security will include specialist capabilities which only the military can provide, as well as some more general support.

In total, the MOD expects to provide up to 13,500 personnel, and the Defence assets that will be deployed include:

• HMS Ocean, the largest ship in the Royal Navy's fleet, which will be berthed in the Thames at Greenwich, providing logistics support, accommodation and a helicopter landing site
• HMS Bulwark, in Weymouth Bay, providing maritime command and control, accommodation, helicopter and small boat basing, and logistics supply
• Typhoon jets, stationed temporarily at RAF Northolt in London, and helicopters, likely to be Puma and Lynx, operating from HMS Ocean to support airspace security
• appropriate ground-based air defence capabilities also to support the airspace security effort.
 
In early January, Mr Hammond visited Royal Fleet Auxiliary personnel in the south west of England today to hear about local plans for the Games and to discuss security at the Weymouth Olympic venue.

Mr Hammond said: "The Royal Navy will form an integral part of the security operation around Weymouth during the Games, with HMS Bulwark and RFA Mounts Bay and a contingent of Royal Marines assisting the Dorset Police in securing the area."

Then later the same month Royal Marines from 539 Assault Squadron (539 ASRM) took part in exercises with the Metropolitan Police's Marine Policing Unit (MPU) on the River Thames near Woolwich Arsenal Pier as part of ongoing safety and security planning. The Olympic security training exercise on the River Thames in London involved nearly 100 Royal Marines, 44 officers from the Metropolitan Police, a Force Firearms Unit and Air Support Unit, and, from the Marine Policing Unit: 4 rigid inflatable boats; a command and control launch and a Targa patrol craft. Also taking part were various military marine craft, including: 4 offshore raiding craft; 2 Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel; 2 rigid inflatable boats; a patrol boat and a Navy Lynx helicopter.

The security training continued at the end of January with Royal Air Force and Royal Navy aircraft in operation over the skies of Yorkshire as part of a major training exercise codenamed Exercise Taurus Mountain 1. It saw fast jet and helicopter pilots put through their paces as they practiced operating alongside one another. Other military aircraft also took part in the exercise in supporting roles.

Wing Commander Paul Godfrey, in charge of operations at RAF Coningsby, said: “We take great pride in the fact that we have a key role to play in providing airspace security for the Olympics, and these training flights are part of our training for that important task as we prepare to forward deploy to RAF Northolt later in the year.

"Typhoon is a very potent fighter aircraft - among the most modern and capable of any air force anywhere in the world.

"I know that the Typhoon Force - many of whom have recently returned from combat operations over Libya - will discharge their duties with great professionalism as part of Defence's overall mission to provide a safe and secure Olympic and Paralympic Games."

The range of aircraft involved in the exercise included: two Typhoon jets from RAF Coningsby; two Puma helicopters from RAF Benson; two Lynx helicopters from Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) Yeovilton; one Sea King Airborne Surveillance and Control helicopter from RNAS Culdrose; two Grob Tutor aircraft from RAF Leeming; one Sentry E-3D aircraft from RAF Waddington.

The air security plan for the Olympic Games is multilayered and will see Typhoon aircraft forward-based at London's RAF Northolt, helicopters operating from HMS Ocean on the River Thames, and appropriate ground-based air defence systems across London.

Again in the skies over North Yorkshire, in March Exercise Taurus Mountain 3 put airmen, soldiers and sailors through their paces. The exercise took place over three days and the forces practiced detecting and intercepting an aircraft that intrudes into restricted airspace.

The exercise integrates the additional forces being used to ensure the safety of the Olympics, as part of the Ministry of Defence's role to ensure a safe and secure Games this summer. These include RAF Puma aircraft - together with Royal Navy and Army Lynx helicopters - carrying teams of RAF Regiment snipers to intercept aircraft in restricted airspace, and airborne surveillance aircraft including Royal Navy Sea King Airborne Surveillance and Control helicopters and RAF E-3D Sentry aircraft.

On the ground, the RAF is providing additional mobile ground radar systems, while the Army is deploying air observers and Rapier and Starstreak missile systems, which also provide additional detection capability, though a final decision on their deployment has yet to be taken.

Armed forces personnel were joined by officers from the Metropolitan Police, who are leading security for the whole Games. Military activity, including the Air Security Plan, supports the overall police operation, so the exercise was a chance for both the police and military to learn more about how the other operates.

Air Commodore Gary Waterfall, the Deputy Air Component Commander, said:
"Whilst there is no specific threat to the Games, we have to be ready for whatever occurs and play our part in what will be a safe and secure Olympics for all to enjoy. Our multi-layered security plan means that we have a range of responses available to us, ensuring we can deal appropriately with anything from redirecting an aircraft that may have strayed into restricted airspace, to preventing an attack."

And this week a major military and civilian exercise, Exercise Olympic Guardian, is taking place on land, at sea and in the air in the London and Weymouth areas. This will see a wide range of capabilities rehearsed in a deliberate and orchestrated manner over a nine-day period.

 Secretary of State for Defence, Philip Hammond, said: "The majority of this exercise will be played out in full view of the public and I hope that it will have a secondary effect of reassuring the British people that everything possible is being done to ensure this will be a safe and secure Olympic and Paralympic Games."

Running from 2 to 10 May, spanning the bank holiday weekend, most of the exercise will be played out in the public domain and the military aspects of it will result in a visible presence of Armed Forces personnel, ships and aircraft. This will include:

•    the berthing of HMS Ocean at Greenwich, with a number of Royal Navy Lynx helicopters embarked
•    the deployment of HMS Bulwark and other maritime assets to Weymouth Bay and Portland Harbour
•    the basing of RAF Typhoon fast jets and Royal Navy airborne early warning helicopters at RAF Northolt, and RAF Puma helicopters at a Territorial Army centre in Ilford
•    the operation of fast jets and helicopters over Greater London and the Home Counties
•    the deployment of ground-based air defence systems, fitted with practice drill missiles, along with air observer teams, to a number of sites in London.

The exercise will be played out in three phases - the first centred on Weymouth, the second in the airspace over London and surrounding counties, and the final phase on the Thames.

As part of the exercise, activity can be expected at a number of sites in and around London which have been identified as potential locations for the deployment of ground-based air defence systems.

The following sites have been identified as potential locations for ground-based air defence systems should the Government decide to deploy them for the duration of the Olympics:

•    Lexington Building, Fairfield Road, Bow, Tower Hamlets - high velocity missiles
•    Fred Wigg Tower, Montague Road Estate, Waltham Forest - high velocity missiles
•    Blackheath Common, Blackheath (Lewisham/Greenwich) - Rapier
•    William Girling Reservoir, Lea Valley Reservoir Chain, Enfield - Rapier
•    Oxleas Meadow, Shooters Hill, Greenwich/Woolwich - Rapier
•    Barn Hill, Netherhouse Farm, Epping Forest - Rapier.

Standing Joint Commander (UK), General Sir Nick Parker, said:
"I know that members of the Armed Forces are pleased to be able to make an appropriate contribution to the once-in-a-lifetime event that is London 2012. It's entirely proper that, as national institutions which serve our country, we are seen to be helping to make the London Olympics a resounding success."

Assistant Commissioner Chris Allison, National Olympic Security Coordinator, said:
"Testing and exercising is vital to getting our safety and security operation for the Games right. We need to be confident that we have the right people in the right places, and that we understand how others operate. This is a unique opportunity for us to deliver a world class operation that keeps the Games, and the country, safe and secure."
This was submitted by the Parliamentary Information Office. For more information visit Parliamentary Information Office.

Maritime Security

The Parliamentary Information Office of the Parliamentary Yearbook is currently gathering news items for major features in the next edition covering international measures to protect the world’s sea lanes against piracy

 Last October, David Cameron announced that ships flying the British merchant navy flag would be authorised to carry armed security personnel to combat the piracy threat. The Prime Minister said radical action was required because the increasing ability of sea-borne Somali criminals to hijack and ransom ships had become "a complete stain on our world".

Asked if he was comfortable with giving private security operatives the right to "shoot to kill" if necessary, Mr Cameron told BBC1's Andrew Marr Show: "We have to make choices. Frankly the extent of the hijack and ransom of ships round the Horn of Africa is a complete stain on our world.

"The fact that a bunch of pirates in Somalia are managing to hold to ransom the rest of the world and our trading system is a complete insult and the rest of the world needs to come together with much more vigour.

"I want to help lead this process and as part of that we are going to be taking the step of putting armed guards on our ships."

In a written statement to the House in December, Transport Minister Mike Penning said:

“Evidence shows that ships with armed guards are less likely to be attacked and taken for ransom, and the House will be aware that the Prime Minister confirmed last month that the Government now recognises the use of private armed guards as an option to protect UK registered ships and their crews from acts of piracy. This applies in exceptional circumstances as defined below:

•    when the ship is transiting the high seas throughout the High Risk Area (an area bounded by Suez and the Straights of Hormuz to the North, 10°S and 78°E); and
•    the latest “Best Management Practices” is being followed fully but, on its own, is not deemed by the shipping company and the ship’s master as sufficient to protect against acts of piracy; and
•    the use of armed guards is assessed to reduce the risk to the lives and well being of those onboard the ship.”

It is commonly accepted that there are now more piracy attacks but that the pirates have less success; in addition, that no vessel with armed guards on board has been taken by pirates – attacked yes, hijacked, no. That, though, does not mean we are winning the battle against piracy. There remain more than 250 seafarers in pirate hands, some of whom have been in captivity for a very long time. The problem is not going away and while there may have been encouraging signs of progress as regards prosecutions and prison for pirates in the vicinity, and an enthusiastic reception for guards on merchant ships we are left with the root causes of piracy presently untouched and the nagging political voices from those who deplore ransom payments on principle.

Some of these fears were addressed at the London Somali Conference in London in February convened by Prime Minister, David Cameron and headed by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

The outcome of the conference was welcomed by International Maritime Organisation Secretary-General Koji Sekimizu. Speaking after the event, Mr. Sekimizu said, “Mention of the word ‘Somalia’ in a maritime context leads almost exclusively to thoughts of piracy. But, as this conference so clearly highlights, piracy is just one manifestation of the widespread and deep-rooted problems that beset that country and its people.”

A comprehensive and detailed communique adopted by the conference called for, among other things, full implementation of the IMO-led Djibouti Code of Conduct and the adoption of an Exclusive Economic Zone. It also welcomed current work on international guidance on the use of private armed security companies.

Mr. Sekimizu said: “On the issue of piracy, the Conference agreed that piracy cannot be solved by military means alone and reiterated the importance of supporting local communities to tackle the underlying causes of piracy and improving effective use of Somali coastal waters through regional maritime capacity-building measures. I will re-double my efforts to ensure that IMO will provide further support to signatory states of the Djibouti Code of Conduct, including Somalia, within the Djibouti Code of Conduct Trust Fund and accelerate the process of implementation by the IMO.”

Mr. Sekimizu and Mr. Ban have been engaged in a continuing dialogue aimed at improving the mechanisms to tackle such issues in an international context. In January, at a meeting in UN Headquarters in New York, they discussed co-operation between IMO and the UN to combat Somalia-based piracy. Mr. Sekimizu and Mr. Ban met again, in private talks at IMO Headquarters, immediately prior to the London Conference.

Mr. Sekimizu underlined that capacity building in Somalia and neighbouring countries should be enhanced through co-operation between IMO and the UN, UN specialized agencies and other relevant international organisations, building on IMO’s existing capacity-building activities under the Djibouti Code of Conduct.

Meanwhile David Cameron's plans to allow British ships travelling around Africa to carry private armed guards to combat the threat of piracy have been dealt a blow after South Africa insisted this month that they be military. Lindiwe Sisulu, South Africa's defence minister, said she would insist they were military personnel to facilitate dealings with South African marines boarding the ships to inspect them. British military sources say the plan would be "totally unworkable" because the UK lacks the capacity to staff civilian ships with troops.

The IMO itself is organizing a Counter-piracy Capacity-building Conference on 15 May at IMO Headquarters, from which tangible outcomes on the way forward are expected to emerge. The Parliamentary Information Office of the Parliamentary Yearbook will continue to report on the progress of the measures as we go through the months ahead.
This was submitted by the Parliamentary Information Office. For more information visit Parliamentary Information Office.

Progress In The Uk’s Green Economy

The Parliamentary Information Office of the Parliamentary Yearbook is currently gathering news items for major features on environment, sustainable energy and climate change in the next edition

The Prime Minister made the case for clean energy in the UK and heralded the rapid progress of the UK's green economy as he addressed delegates at the Clean Energy Ministerial being held in Central London on 26th April.

The Prime Minister said:

"There are huge challenges facing governments across the world today, and one of the most important of all is how we meet our growing energy demands in a way that protects our planet for our children and grandchildren.

"With global demand forecast to increase by more than 40 per cent in the next two decades, we urgently need a more diverse, cleaner mix of energy sources that will give us energy security without causing irreparable damage to the planet.

"Renewables are now the fastest growing energy source on the planet. And I am proud that Britain has played a leading role at the forefront of this green energy revolution.

"Britain has gone from virtually no capacity for renewables, to seeing them provide almost 10 per cent of our total electricity needs last year. And we’ve added more capacity for renewables in the last two years than at any time in the last decade.

"Our commitment and investment in renewable energy has helped to make renewable energy possible. Now we have a different challenge. We need to make it financially sustainable."

Dedicating much of his remarks to how renewable energy can move from its strong position today to become a truly global industry, the Prime Minister spoke about collaboration between government and business to drive down costs, the need to develop a global carbon price and the importance of enhanced international trading.

Announced alongside the Prime Minister’s speech:

Commercial investment
The Prime Minister highlighted the scale of renewable investment in the UK over the past year. Between April 2011 and February 2012, announcements to the value of £4.7 billion and supporting 15,000 jobs have been made in UK renewable projects across a wide range of sectors, including onshore and offshore wind, bioenergy and marine, and throughout their supply chains.

New industry partnership shaping a second energy revolution for the North Sea
The Prime Minister announced a new industry partnership bringing together key players with an interest in making the most of the North Sea’s renewable energy resource. More than twenty firms based in several different countries have signed up to a shared vision to create a major new renewable energy power centre in the North Sea and to maximise the significant opportunities that come with it. Early signatories include major offshore wind developers, manufacturers, as well as a wide range of supply chain companies.

Offshore wind cost reduction
The Prime Minister also welcomed continuing efforts to reduce technology costs. In the offshore wind sector, the Crown Estate and the industry through the Cost Reduction Task Force, is taking a detailed look at how we can reduce the cost of offshore wind to £100/MWh by 2020, for example, considering the impact of technology, finance and supply chain developments.

Two announcements aimed at reducing the costs of offshore wind were made. A second round of offshore innovation funding – of up to £5m - targeted straight at technologies that can cut costs, is set to open for bids in May. Existing projects are already leading to jobs and investment – for example David Brown is using a £1.2m government grant to support the development of a lower weight, lower cost gear system for the next generation of offshore wind.

Renewables trading
DECC today published a Call for Evidence to identify the potential for and better understand the potential benefits and risks to the UK of renewables trading and inform how we may choose to move forward.

Recent analysis demonstrates that the UK has the capacity to deliver its ambition of 15% of energy from renewable sources by 2020 through domestic action, and the Government remains fully committed to that approach. At the same time, as recognised in the UK Renewable Energy Roadmap published last summer, there is the potential for the UK to work with our European partners on renewable energy deployment. This would allow the UK a commercial opportunity to export energy if there is a surplus of domestic generation, or to import renewable energy if required.

Bioenergy strategy
The Bioenergy strategy, published on 26th April, sets out an important framework for ensuring that biomass powering our homes, businesses and transport delivers benefits to businesses and consumers while also maximising the environmental benefits. It shows that by the middle of the century, sustainable bioenergy could contribute around 12% to the UK’s total primary energy demand across heat, transport and electricity. This deployment will offer economic opportunities, which we cannot afford to miss.

At the same time a new report by the UK’s National Centre for Biorenewable Energy, Fuels and Materials was also published. This set out that an increase in energy sourced from biomass resources for electricity and heat could support around 35,000 to 50,000 jobs by 2020.

Other UK announcements made during the Clean Energy Ministerial include:

Landmark green investment decision
Announcement yesterday by Vince Cable of the first landmark green infrastructure investment decision. A total of £80 million has been committed to two specialist fund managers - who will make and manage investments in the small scale waste infrastructure sector - by a specialist team within the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. All BIS investments made by the fund managers will be match-funded, leveraging in at least £80 million more to the projects. The Government is investing directly, on fully commercial terms, ahead of obtaining state aid approval for the UK Green Investment Bank. The fund managers will be responsible for generating and managing investments in areas such as waste recycling and reprocessing facilities, pre-treatment projects and energy-from-waste projects.

Bilateral international agreements to collaborate on energy issues
Signing this week of two new collaborative agreements:

UK/US Memorandum of Understanding: There has been a series of MOUs between the UK and US energy departments dating back to the mid 1980s, the most recent of which expired last year. A renewed MOU has been signed by Ed Davey and Steven Chu encompassing potential collaboration across the energy spectrum and extends to government agencies, universities, science and research centres and the private sector. Initial collaboration will focus on the development of floating wind technology.

In addition the UK and the Republic of Korea are signing an enhanced Memorandum of Understanding extending existing collaboration in science, technology and innovation into the field of energy.

Support for eco innovators
Announcement of an Energy Entrepreneurs Fund with a budget of up to £35 million over the next 3 years. This will provide financial support for SMEs to develop and demonstrate their ideas. DECC will also shortly launch a £3 million competition to assess the performance of advanced heat storage technologies suitable for integration with domestic heating systems.

Support for CCS in developing markets
Allocation yesterday of UK funding to support the development of new partnerships and capacity building activities around carbon capture and storage in emerging markets. The £60 million contribution is drawn from funding already announced in the Spending Review, and is a contribution to a wider fund of $200 million international fund.

Results-Based Financing Facility
DfID announcement that the UK will help support innovative private companies to bring sustainable energy to some of the poorest countries in Africa and Asia. Under a new fund, a company could receive a top-up for every clean cookstove sold or new customer connected to a local energy grid powered by renewables. It will help accelerate market growth and increase the local provision of clean energy, which can then be offered at a discount to consumers. DFID is expected to help 2.5 million poor people have access to clean energy.

Scaling-Up Renewable Energy Programme
The Deputy Prime Minister and DFID announced increased investment for the Scaling-Up Renewable Energy Programme, which will encourage financial support from the private sector, banks and other governments for low carbon energy projects in poor countries. The UK is already helping 2 million people in some of the world’s poorest countries access clean and reliable energy. Partnering public finance with private investment can help boost economic growth and tackle the global threat of climate change.
This was submitted by the Parliamentary Information Office. For more information visit Parliamentary Information Office.

The Future Of Agriculture And Farming

The Parliamentary Information Office of the Parliamentary Yearbook is currently gathering news items for major features in the next edition covering the Government’s measures to help farmers become more competitive whilst still maintaining environmental protection

In January this year the Government announced the creation of new Rural and Farming Networks giving rural business leaders a hotline to the heart of Government and allowing them to be able to directly shape future rural policies.

Fourteen networks representing different areas of England have been set up to identify and feed back local issues and concerns straight to the heart of Government, in order to make policies more rural-friendly.

The Networks bring together people from rural communities, rural businesses and the food and farming industries. They will make a direct link between rural areas and the Government, creating new opportunities to develop better and more targeted policy.

The new networks sit alongside a £165 million package of measures to support rural communities announced in the Rural Economy Growth Review which aims to maximise the economic potential of rural communities and businesses. The Rural Economy Growth Review included:

•    £100 million to grow rural businesses through the Rural Development Programme for England;
•    Grants totalling £20 million to extend superfast broadband to the remotest areas;
•    New Rural Growth Networks to help rural areas overcome barriers to growth such as poor infrastructure, scarcity of business premises and lack of business networks;
•    Action to cut red tape on use of farm buildings to address the shortage of rural business premises;
•    £25 million to promote rural tourism and supporting its businesses; and
•    Loans totalling £20 million for community-owned renewable energy schemes.

Then in February the farming industry became the first to benefit from the Government’s pledge to slash red tape which hinders business efficiency.

A raft of measures to free farmers from the shackles of unnecessary burdens, help their businesses become more competitive and so provide a boost to the economy whilst still ensuring environmental protection were published in February.

Launching the Government’s full response to Farming Regulation Task Force, Mr Paice, the Farming Minister, committed to take action on 86 per cent of the independent panel’s original recommendations made last May.

Key commitments included:

•    A pilot to increase data sharing between government agencies that if successful will be extended, leading to less form filling;
•    Closer industry involvement in the policy making process to look for non-regulatory approaches wherever possible, and a Defra-NFU staff exchange programme starting in April;
•    Simplifying messages to farmers about environmental protection rules so they know exactly what they have to do to comply;
•    Offering a potential way forward for removing the six-day livestock standstill rule, as long the livestock industry can develop a workable approach to the use of livestock separation units which will maintain protection against animal disease and that the changes are affordable and enforceable; and
•    Fewer inspections for farmers who already meet high environmental and animal welfare standards, as a result of NFU-led regional networks co-ordinating Government agencies, local councils and assurance scheme providers.
•    More effective UK lobbying on key EU farming laws, by working closely with industry experts through strategy groups;
•    Scheduled meetings between the Department of Transport and the NFU on changing rules restricting tractor and trailer weights;
•    Making it easier for farmers to access Government services on-line;
•    A fly-tipping summit to bring together organisations across all sectors to galvanise support for regional action; and
•    Defra workshops with farmers to look at how paperwork can be reduced.

In March, as the next stage of the £165 million package of support to help unlock the economic potential of our rural areas, this was followed by the launch of a new £20 million scheme to help provide work-based training for rural businesses.

There will be training opportunities in business management and computer skills (ICT), improving resource efficiency, developing leadership qualities, and improving animal health and welfare. Businesses will also be able to apply for training to improve traditional rural and farming skills and take new business opportunities in rural tourism.

Around one thousand rural farms and businesses will soon turn business plans into reality as the first grants from the new £20 million Farming and Forestry Improvement Scheme are approved by Defra, Farming Minister, Jim Paice announced in April.

Farmers, foresters and horticulturalists will receive grants of up to £25,000 to invest in green projects and new machinery so their businesses can grow in a more sustainable way.

The Farming and Forestry Improvement Scheme will fund new profit-boosting green schemes that:

•    save energy and reduce carbon emissions;
•    reduce dependence on artificial fertilizers through better use of manures;
•    improve soil quality;
•    improve animal health and welfare;
•    save and recycle water; and
•    promote woodland management by processing timber more efficiently.

These schemes are part of Defra’s £100 million package of investments through the Rural Development Programme for England that was announced in the Rural Economy Growth Review in November 2011. The Parliamentary Information Office of the Parliamentary Yearbook will continue to report on the progress of the measures as we go through the months ahead.
This was submitted by the Parliamentary Information Office. For more information visit Parliamentary Information Office.