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11/02/2011
Other UK News In Brief
Sad UK Return
Royal Irish Ranger David Dalzell's body was flown home from Afghanistan this week. A coffin carrying the remains of the Bangor, Co Down soldier arrived at RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire accompanied by a second coffin carrying Company Sergeant Major Colin Beckett (36), of 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment. The hearses carrying the two fallen soldiers passed through the nearby town of Wootton Bassett. Ranger Dalzell was killed last Friday in an 'operational accident' in the Nad-e-Ali district of Helmand province and Sgt was killed in an explosion. The deaths brought the total number of UK military personnel to die since operations in Afghanistan began in 2001 to 354 - with two more servicemen - both from The Parachute Regiment - since being shot and killed in action.
RDA Assets And Liabilities Details Published
Business and Enterprise Minister Mark Prisk has published details of how Regional Development Agency (RDA) assets and liabilities will be sold and transferred over the coming months. RDAs have developed detailed assets and liabilities plans setting out strategic options that will aim to achieve the best outcome for the local area whilst creating value for the public purse. RDAs submitted these plans to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) on 31 January 2011. Business and Enterprise Minister Mark Prisk said: “It is our priority that the transition from RDAs to a new economic delivery landscape is as smooth, effective and efficient as possible. Part of this process is being clear to all interested parties about the precise process and the timeline we are working to. We want to ensure that the process provides the best use of tax-payer money, and that where other parties want to take on projects these will be both successful in their own right, and help the Government to boost growth.” The RDAs plans are now being reviewed by the Government and agreed by the National RDA Transition Board. They will then be given final sign off by the RDA boards. It is expected that these plans will be implemented from April 2011.
Work Begins On New Flood Defence Schemes
39 new flood and coastal defence projects have been announced as part of Government plans to reduce the risk of flooding and coastal erosion in England. Of these new projects 21 will provide additional protection to over 13,000 households at risk of flooding. The remainder mainly relate to vital repairs and safety enhancements to existing defences. Over the next year £521m will be spent managing flood risks, with investment in the new schemes, ongoing work or completion of 108 projects already under construction, and a further 187 schemes receiving funding for development work such as feasibility studies, for possible construction in future years. The allocation for 2011/12 also covers maintenance of existing defences, developing flood forecasting technologies and heightening public awareness of flood risk. The government expects to spend at least £2.1bn on flooding and coastal erosion over the next four years and improve protection for at least 145,000 homes.
Global Packaging Firm Fined After Worker's Fingers Severed
A global packaging firm has been sentenced after a worker’s fingers were severed at a St Helens factory. The 49-year-old man, from Thornton near Crosby, lost the top of three fingers on his right hand while trying to clear a jam in a machine at the Reginald Road site on 13 March 2010. Linpac Packaging Ltd, which has an annual turnover of £700 million and operates in 19 countries, was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for failing to protect workers from dangerous machine parts. St Helens Magistrates’ Court heard the worker, who has asked not to be named, was clearing a blockage in a machine used to dry plastic beads when the incident happened. He had removed a discharge pipe to deal with the jam, when his hand came into contact with a 1.7-metre-long rotating screw, known as an auger. The HSE investigation found that workers were often at risk of being injured by the auger as they had to deal with blockages in the pipe once or twice a shift. Linpac Packaging Ltd, of Park Square, Birmingham Business Park, Solihull, pleaded guilty to breaching the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations. The company was fined £5,000 and ordered to pay £2,553 in prosecution costs on 8 February 2011.
(BMcN/GK)
Royal Irish Ranger David Dalzell's body was flown home from Afghanistan this week. A coffin carrying the remains of the Bangor, Co Down soldier arrived at RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire accompanied by a second coffin carrying Company Sergeant Major Colin Beckett (36), of 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment. The hearses carrying the two fallen soldiers passed through the nearby town of Wootton Bassett. Ranger Dalzell was killed last Friday in an 'operational accident' in the Nad-e-Ali district of Helmand province and Sgt was killed in an explosion. The deaths brought the total number of UK military personnel to die since operations in Afghanistan began in 2001 to 354 - with two more servicemen - both from The Parachute Regiment - since being shot and killed in action.
RDA Assets And Liabilities Details Published
Business and Enterprise Minister Mark Prisk has published details of how Regional Development Agency (RDA) assets and liabilities will be sold and transferred over the coming months. RDAs have developed detailed assets and liabilities plans setting out strategic options that will aim to achieve the best outcome for the local area whilst creating value for the public purse. RDAs submitted these plans to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) on 31 January 2011. Business and Enterprise Minister Mark Prisk said: “It is our priority that the transition from RDAs to a new economic delivery landscape is as smooth, effective and efficient as possible. Part of this process is being clear to all interested parties about the precise process and the timeline we are working to. We want to ensure that the process provides the best use of tax-payer money, and that where other parties want to take on projects these will be both successful in their own right, and help the Government to boost growth.” The RDAs plans are now being reviewed by the Government and agreed by the National RDA Transition Board. They will then be given final sign off by the RDA boards. It is expected that these plans will be implemented from April 2011.
Work Begins On New Flood Defence Schemes
39 new flood and coastal defence projects have been announced as part of Government plans to reduce the risk of flooding and coastal erosion in England. Of these new projects 21 will provide additional protection to over 13,000 households at risk of flooding. The remainder mainly relate to vital repairs and safety enhancements to existing defences. Over the next year £521m will be spent managing flood risks, with investment in the new schemes, ongoing work or completion of 108 projects already under construction, and a further 187 schemes receiving funding for development work such as feasibility studies, for possible construction in future years. The allocation for 2011/12 also covers maintenance of existing defences, developing flood forecasting technologies and heightening public awareness of flood risk. The government expects to spend at least £2.1bn on flooding and coastal erosion over the next four years and improve protection for at least 145,000 homes.
Global Packaging Firm Fined After Worker's Fingers Severed
A global packaging firm has been sentenced after a worker’s fingers were severed at a St Helens factory. The 49-year-old man, from Thornton near Crosby, lost the top of three fingers on his right hand while trying to clear a jam in a machine at the Reginald Road site on 13 March 2010. Linpac Packaging Ltd, which has an annual turnover of £700 million and operates in 19 countries, was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for failing to protect workers from dangerous machine parts. St Helens Magistrates’ Court heard the worker, who has asked not to be named, was clearing a blockage in a machine used to dry plastic beads when the incident happened. He had removed a discharge pipe to deal with the jam, when his hand came into contact with a 1.7-metre-long rotating screw, known as an auger. The HSE investigation found that workers were often at risk of being injured by the auger as they had to deal with blockages in the pipe once or twice a shift. Linpac Packaging Ltd, of Park Square, Birmingham Business Park, Solihull, pleaded guilty to breaching the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations. The company was fined £5,000 and ordered to pay £2,553 in prosecution costs on 8 February 2011.
(BMcN/GK)
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05 November 2014
NAO Say Govt Flood Defence Spending 'Insufficient'
The National Audit Office (NAO) has warned that the UK's flood defences are likely to "deteriorate faster" as the money being spent on maintaining them is "insufficient". A report from the NAO claims that half of the country's defences received a "minimal level" of maintenance which was insufficient to secure homes.
NAO Say Govt Flood Defence Spending 'Insufficient'
The National Audit Office (NAO) has warned that the UK's flood defences are likely to "deteriorate faster" as the money being spent on maintaining them is "insufficient". A report from the NAO claims that half of the country's defences received a "minimal level" of maintenance which was insufficient to secure homes.
10 February 2014
UK Floods: Disaster Continues And Thames Reaches Record Levels
Communities along the Thames, particularly in Berkshire and Surrey, are being warned to expect further severe property flooding from the River Thames today and Tuesday, according to the Environment Agency.
UK Floods: Disaster Continues And Thames Reaches Record Levels
Communities along the Thames, particularly in Berkshire and Surrey, are being warned to expect further severe property flooding from the River Thames today and Tuesday, according to the Environment Agency.
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Environment Agency Issues Severe Flood Warnings
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Environment Agency Issues Severe Flood Warnings
The Environment Agency has issued severe flood warnings are in place for Somerset today as successive bands of rain show no signs of easing. Further heavy rainfall is expected today, Friday and Saturday, exacerbating the risks of flooding from rivers and surface water across the south west, central and south east of England.
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Flood Alerts Follow Snowfall
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Flood Alerts Follow Snowfall
The UK Environment Agency has issued flood warnings across Britain, following another night of heavy snow. Some parts of the country woke to over 10cm (4in) of snow on Monday morning. Most areas have been covered in a white blanket at least 5cm deep.
20 December 2012
Environment Agency Issues Flood Warnings
The Environment Agency has issued flood warnings on southern and south west England, south west Wales and the Midlands. Successive bands of heavy rain are moving across England and Wales, and with the ground already saturated, this is likely to lead to property flooding from rivers and surface water as well as disruption to road and rail networks.
Environment Agency Issues Flood Warnings
The Environment Agency has issued flood warnings on southern and south west England, south west Wales and the Midlands. Successive bands of heavy rain are moving across England and Wales, and with the ground already saturated, this is likely to lead to property flooding from rivers and surface water as well as disruption to road and rail networks.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be rather cloudy with scattered sleet and snow showers but mostly rain near the North coast. Feeling bitterly cold in fresh or strong northerly wind. Maximum temperature 4 °C.Tonight:Clear intervals and wintry showers, most frequent in the north but mostly of rain along the North Coast. A cold night with risk of icy stretches. Minimum temperature -1 °C.
