Uk Government To Provide Interim Funding For Shetland And Stornaway Etvs

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The Secretary of State for Scotland Michael Moore today confirmed up to £3 million of interim funding will be provided from the UK Government for replacement tugboats in the Northern and Western Isles.  Funding will be delivered on an exceptional basis for three months to allow final attempts to secure a long-term replacement to continue.

Michael Moore said:  "I am aware of the strength of feeling on this issue expressed by communities in the Northern and Western Isles.  It is disappointing that efforts by local representatives to secure a commercial replacement for this service were unsuccessful before expiry of the contract.

"I believe it is worth a final attempt to try and find a solution, and the Scotland Office has agreed to lead the efforts.  The UK Government is to offer funding to cover replacement services for an interim period and I am speaking to local authorities today on how this should work.  Work is already underway and we are hopeful that a replacement service can be put in place as soon as practically possible.

"Everyone must be clear that this cannot be a long-term solution.  The majority of traffic in these waters is owned by private companies and we will be engaging with them and others to find a satisfactory alternative."

Commercial and salvage industry can be used by operators to assist ships in difficulty. There are a variety of means of securing this form of assistance if needed, including invoking powers to secure vessels from commercial providers. We are confident that if a vessel of this kind is required, there are sufficient commercial operators available to draw on.

The Minister will convene a meeting of a UK ETV group shortly and further details will be announced in due course

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David Cameron Welcomes Launch Of International Gay Rights Charity

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Prime Minister David Cameron has welcomed the launch of a UK-based charity to support LGBT people suffering persecution around the world.

The Kaleidoscope Diversity Trust will work with local gay rights campaigners and lobby for equal rights in areas such as Africa and the Middle East.

Mr Cameron said LGBT equality was a “hugely important” issue for the Government and Britain should be a “global beacon for reform”.

The PM said:

“Our country has made real progress on LGB&T equality and, without forgetting how far we’ve still got to go domestically, it is right that we should now increasingly turn our attention towards bringing about change abroad.

“In some countries, it’s simply appalling how people can be treated – how their rights are trampled on and the prejudices, and even violence, they suffer. So I want Britain to be a global beacon for reform. That’s why I am delighted to send my best wishes to Kaleidoscope, and wish them well in their work.

“Be in no doubt, this is a hugely important issue to this Government. Last March, we published an update on our plan on LGB&T issues. It included fourteen areas where we want to act internationally, covering issues like asylum and protecting the rights of British citizens living, working or travelling abroad. We look forward to the contribution that Kaleidoscope will make to the debate on and progress towards equality worldwide.”

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Pm Gives Go-Ahead For £4.5bn Uk Oil And Gas Project

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Clair Ridge project will create hundreds of jobs over the next five years and produce a vital source of domestic oil until around 2050

The UK Government today granted BP and its partners — Shell, ConocoPhillips and Chevron — approval to proceed with the £4.5 billion Clair Ridge project, the second phase of development of the giant Clair field, west of the Shetland Islands.

Speaking at the BP Headquarters in Aberdeen, Mr Cameron said:

“I am delighted to give the go-ahead for this project; this investment is great news for Aberdeen and the country and provides a massive boost for jobs and growth. It shows the confidence that there is to invest in the North Sea – we have cutting edge technology, world class skills and expertise and a UK Government that is committed to do what we can to secure future investment.”

Bob Dudley, BP’s group chief executive said:

“Although it began over forty years ago, the story of the North Sea oil industry has a long way yet to run. BP has produced some five billion barrels of oil and gas equivalent so far from the region and we believe we have the potential for over three billion more,”

The Clair Ridge project, which will install two new bridge-linked platforms with the capability to produce an estimated 640 million barrels of oil, is planned to come on stream in 2016 and will extend the production from the greater Clair area to 2050. In addition to the 600 people already working on the project, it will provide hundreds of UK engineering, drilling and oilfield services jobs over the field’s life.

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Students Get The Facts On Going To University In 2012

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An army of recent graduates are hitting the road to tell students about the changes to the university finance system coming into effect next year.

Graduates will lead the Student Finance Tour giving presentations to explain the new student finance system and the financial help that is available. Students and their families will also be offered one-to-one advice about going to university.

Universities and Science Minister David Willetts today joined English Literature and Drama graduate Holly Hughes at Exeter College for one of the first presentations.

Mr Willetts said:

"Recent graduates are ideally placed to give prospective students the facts about going to university. Having just graduated they can not only explain the student finance system, but they can also give that all important insight into what university life is all about.

"We want to make sure no one is put off applying to university because they do not have information about the new student finance system. Students need to know that most new undergraduates will not pay upfront costs, there will be more financial support for those from low-income families and everyone will make lower loan repayments than they do now once they are in well paid work."

Holly Hughes said:

"Going to university has given me amazing life skills and career prospects. I would recommend that anybody thinking about going should go for it!

"Anybody considering applying to university in 2012 should bear in mind that although the loan taken out will be larger than before, the repayment system is a lot easier to manage resulting in more disposable income."

The Student Finance School and College Tour aims to visit over 2,300 schools, FE and sixth form colleges across England in run up to the UCAS application deadline on 15 January 2012.

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New Working Group To Examine Research Transparency

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Science Minister David Willetts has today announced a new independent working group to look at how UK-funded research findings can be broadened for key audiences such as researchers, policy makers and the general public.

The group will be made up of representatives from the higher education sector, research investors, the research community, scholarly publishers and libraries. It will examine how access to research findings can be made more transparent and accessible.

Speaking at the British Science Festival in Bradford, David Willetts said:

“Transparency is at the heart of the Government's agenda and it should apply to published research. We do fantastic research in the UK, of which we can be rightly proud, but I want to ensure that people are given the opportunity to know more about the projects that government funds.

“Research stimulates and fuels innovation and economic growth. So, to maximise UK innovation we need to maximise access to and the use of research findings.

“Technology developments and a desire for greater transparency are creating new demands in a rapidly changing research publications environment. The working group will be made up of a range of parties affected, and provides an opportunity for them to explore the issues that need to be addressed.”

The independent working group emerged following transparency discussions at a round table meeting convened by David Willetts. Members of the group will assess how access to research findings might be expanded in the most appropriate way - taking into account a wide range of considerations.

The group will be chaired by Dame Janet Finch DBE, Professor of Sociology at Manchester University and independent co-Chair of the Council for Science and Technology.

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Employers And Interns Get Clarity On Minimum Wage

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Guidance providing greater clarity for businesses who offer work experience, placements and internships has been published today, as announced in the Social Mobility Strategy in April.

The updated guidance from Business Link and DirectGov includes advice on the payment of the National Minimum Wage (NMW) for work experience staff and interns, and clarifies when someone is entitled to this payment. The guidance also includes a new worker checklist for employers and examples of case studies, which aims to make sure that those who are entitled to the NMW receive it.

Entitlement to the NMW does not depend on a job title but on whether the arrangement they have with an organisation makes them a worker for NMW purposes. Where an individual is a worker - and no exemption applies – then they must be paid at least the NMW.

Employment Relations Minister Edward Davey said:

“Internships and work experience of all forms offer an excellent opportunity in helping to bridge the gap between education and the workplace. And for businesses it allows them access to a wide talent pool of some of our best and brightest who didn’t take the traditional route into a job.

“Fairness though is absolutely paramount with all placements. When a worker is entitled to the minimum wage, they should be paid it and we will continue to enforce the law. Today’s publication will help clarify this for employers and will also make sure that all interns and those on work experience placements have a better understanding of their entitlement to the minimum wage.”

In a Written Ministerial Statement to the Houses of Parliament, Edward Davey also published the Government's evidence to the Low Pay Commission for their 2012 NMW. The Low Pay Commission will report back in early 2012 with their findings and their recommendations for the NMW ratings.

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Minister Announces Quality Standard For National Careers Service

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Skills Minister John Hayes today unveils an upgraded and improved standard to underpin the new National Careers Service. The Matrix Standard will promote effective delivery of information, advice and guidance to millions of people through the new National Careers Service, which launches next April.

National Careers Service providers will be assessed against a range of criteria including service delivery, quality improvement, resources and leadership and management.

The new standard will reassure people about the quality of advice they can expect to receive, and ensure providers plan, deliver, review, evaluate and develop their service.
All National Careers Service providers will need to be accredited to the new standard by April 2013.

Mr Hayes said:

“High quality careers advice and guidance can make a real difference to people’s lives. It promotes social mobility and helps people make the educational, training and work choices that get them onto the right path in life.

“The Matrix Standard will guarantee the quality of the work of the new National Careers Service.”

Mr Hayes will make the announcement at the official launch of the updated Matrix Standard in London later today. It has been developed by a range of experts and in consultation with the careers guidance sector. The Derby based standards accreditation experts Emcq Limited are responsible for managing the assessment and accreditation process and managed the trial of the new standard.

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