TGS


19 December 2006

Police Inquiry
seen at 19:32, 19 December in Downing Street Says.
Asked if anyone in Downing Street had been in contact with Yates of the Yard with regard to any future interviews, the PMOS said there was nothing further to add. Asked if there was any likelihood of a further visit... Read more Comment (0), Email this.
Chatham House Report
seen at 19:32, 19 December in Downing Street Says.
Asked what the response was to the Chatham House report suggesting that the Prime Minister has had little or no influence on Washington during his time as Prime Minister, the PMOS said that the wires would shortly... Read more Comment (0), Email this.
BAe and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
seen at 19:32, 19 December in Downing Street Says.
Asked if there had been any contact between UK officials and officials in Saudi Arabia at any level during the visit, the PMOS said no. Asked if the PMOS was confident that the Serious Fraud Office's decision on... Read more Comment (0), Email this.
Middle East
seen at 19:32, 19 December in Downing Street Says.
Asked why the Prime Minister was 'flouncing' around the Middle East instead on concentrating on domestic matters, the PMOS said that nothing was more important to the UK than its security. Security is achieved by... Read more Comment (0), Email this.
Weapons of Mass Destruction
seen at 19:32, 19 December in Downing Street Says.
Asked if what Margaret Beckett had said on WMD today was correct, that the Government knew that the 15 minute claim was erroneous before the vote in Parliament, The Prime Minister's Official Spokesman (PMOS) said... Read more Comment (0), Email this.
Europe Minister answers your questions
seen at 19:32, 19 December in Number 10 » News Stories.
Europe Minister Geoff Hoon answered lots of your questions in the last of this year's Downing Street webchats. Find out what happened Read more Comment (0), Email this.
Letters "ensure nuclear deterrent future"
seen at 19:32, 19 December in Number 10 » News Stories.
An exchange of letters between the PM and President Bush on America's continuing involvement in Britain's nuclear deterrent have been published. Read more Comment (0), Email this.
Afternoon press briefing from 19 December 2006
seen at 19:32, 19 December in Number 10 » News Stories.
Press briefing from the Prime Minister's Official Spokesman on: Weapons of Mass Destruction, Middle East, BAe and OECD, Chatham House Report and Police Inquiry Read more Comment (0), Email this.
PM defends transatlantic relationship
seen at 19:32, 19 December in Number 10 » News Stories.
The United Kingdom would pay a "very heavy price" if it backed away from the "cornerstone" relationship with America, Tony Blair has said. Read more Comment (0), Email this.
Tessa jowell meets the designer of dcms official christmas card
seen at 19:32, 19 December in Bank of England News - national.
Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell today met Tessa Standen (age 11) to congratulate her on winning the competition to design the official Culture Department Christmas card, a Nativity scene that will be sent around ... Read more Comment (0), Email this.
Christmas and families after divorce - ESRC research
seen at 19:21, 19 December in The Policy Hub.
18 December - Christmas and families after divorce - ESRC research Read more Comment (0), Email this.
Alcohol strategy and the drinks industry - JRF report
seen at 19:21, 19 December in The Policy Hub.
18 December - Alcohol strategy and the drinks industry - JRF report Read more Comment (0), Email this.
Sure Start Children�s Centres - NAO report
seen at 19:21, 19 December in The Policy Hub.
19 December - Sure Start Children�s Centres - NAO report Read more Comment (0), Email this.
Europe Minister answers your questions
seen at 17:41, 19 December in Number 10 » News Stories.
Europe Minister Geoff Hoon answered lots of your questions in the last of this year's Downing Street webchats. Find out what happened here Read more Comment (0), Email this.
Ara secures over £25,000 in confiscation orders in counterfeiting case
seen at 17:32, 19 December in Assets Recovery Agency News - national.
Assets Recovery Agency (ARA) Financial Investigators, working in partnership with Newport Trading Standards Service, have secured Confiscation Orders worth a total of £25,149.72 against Maria and David... Read more Comment (0), Email this.
New support for domestic violence victims - preventing homelessness through safe rooms
seen at 17:20, 19 December in Department for Communities and Local Government News - national.
A major new drive to help prevent victims of domestic violence from being forced out of their own homes with their families being uprooted and made homeless was announced by Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly today... Read more Comment (0), Email this.
Adjudicator publishes decision on proposal to vary the admissions arrangements of ten primary schools in plymouth
seen at 17:17, 19 December in Office of The Schools Adjudicator News - national.
The Office of the Schools Adjudicator has published a decision on a proposal to vary the admission arrangements for ten voluntary aided primary schools in Plymouth. The adjudicator, Richard Lindley, has approved... Read more Comment (0), Email this.
Next stage of consultation on hmrc powers
seen at 17:12, 19 December in HM Revenue & Customs News - national.
A consultation document setting out how penalties for incorrect tax returns and accompanying safeguards could be updated is published today. Read more Comment (0), Email this.
PM Visits United Arab Emirates
seen at 15:40, 19 December in Number 10 » News Stories.
The Prime Minister arrived in the United Arab Emirates today on the final leg of a Middle East tour. Read more Comment (0), Email this.
Golden opportunity to save rare winter crucifixion
seen at 15:40, 19 December in Bank of England News - national.
Culture Minister, David Lammy, has placed a temporary export bar on The Crucifixion, a painting by the Netherlandish artist Karel van Mander the Elder. This will provide a last chance to raise the money and save... Read more Comment (0), Email this.
Vince power receives honorary cbe from culture secretary tessa jowell
seen at 15:40, 19 December in Bank of England News - national.
Music promoter Vince Power today received an honorary Commander of the British Empire (CBE) from Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell, for his valuable contribution to the music industry. Read more Comment (0), Email this.
Minister lays out challenge ahead to meet 18 week target
seen at 15:38, 19 December in Department of Health News - national.
New information issued today lays out the challenge faced by the NHS to meet the maximum 18-week target by the end of 2008. Read more Comment (0), Email this.
£36 billion programme for research and development agreed by eu
seen at 15:37, 19 December in Department of Trade and Industry News - national.
Negotiations on the EU's largest funding instrument for R&D, the seventh Framework Programme, concluded successfully in Brussels today with the Council of Ministers agreeing the £36 billion programme. Read more Comment (0), Email this.
West of shetland task force forge ahead into new year
seen at 15:37, 19 December in Department of Trade and Industry News - national.
The joint Government / Industry Task Force, established to determine whether there is a collective solution to the development of the resource base to the West of Shetland, is on track to generate options in the... Read more Comment (0), Email this.
Change of her majesty's ambassador to the people's democratic republic of algeria.
seen at 15:37, 19 December in Foreign and Commonwealth Office News - national.
Mr Andrew Henderson has been appointed Her Majesty's Ambassador to the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria in succession to Mr Andrew Tesoriere who will be transferring to another Diplomatic appointment. Mr ... Read more Comment (0), Email this.
Highways agency warns drivers to take care in fog
seen at 15:36, 19 December in Highways Agency News - national.
Drivers are advised to take extra care on the roads as the Met Office has forecast that fog and freezing fog, will affect roads in many areas of the country in the next 24 hours, and for much of this coming week... Read more Comment (0), Email this.
The following statement is issued by the press secretary to the queen
seen at 15:24, 19 December in Buckingham Palace News - national.
Sir Robin Janvrin, The Queen's Private Secretary, will retire in September 2007. The Queen has appointed Mr Christopher Geidt in succession to Sir Robin Janvrin. Read more Comment (0), Email this.
Lottery takes practical action to help rebuild post tsunami lives
seen at 15:23, 19 December in Big Lottery Fund News - national.
A £727,278 Big Lottery Fund grant is going to Practical Action to help to restore the livelihoods of more than 12,000 people whose lives were shattered by the Asian Tsunami in 2004. Read more Comment (0), Email this.
£100k boost for veterans' mental health
seen at 12:25, 19 December in Ministry of Defence News - national.
The Ministry of Defence is making further money available to improve care facilities in Scotland for veterans with mental health problems, Veterans Minister Derek Twigg announced today. Read more Comment (0), Email this.
PM Visits United Arab Emirates
seen at 11:32, 19 December in Number 10 » News Stories.
The Prime Minister arrived in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) today on the final leg of a Middle East tour. Read more Comment (0), Email this.
Her Majesty's Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
seen at 11:32, 19 December in Number 10 » News Stories.
The Queen has approved that His Royal Highness The Duke of York KG, KCVO be appointed as Her Majesty's Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 2007. Read more Comment (0), Email this.
Privy Council Appointment of Elliot Morley
seen at 11:32, 19 December in Number 10 » News Stories.
The Queen has been pleased to approve that Elliot Anthony Morley, MP for Scunthorpe, be sworn of Her Majesty's most honourable Privy Council. Read more Comment (0), Email this.
Timber assurance schemes pass government test
seen at 11:30, 19 December in Department for Environment, Food And Rural Affairs News - national.
Five schemes designed to combat illegal logging and protect forests worldwide have been given the Government seal of approval after a review to check their continuing effectiveness. Read more Comment (0), Email this.
Next wave of foundation trusts receive ministerial support
seen at 11:30, 19 December in Department of Health News - national.
Minister for Reform, Lord Warner, today declared his support for 17 more NHS trusts wanting to apply for foundation status as part of wave 3A. Read more Comment (0), Email this.
Appointment of new disability rights commissioner
seen at 11:30, 19 December in Department for Work and Pensions News - national.
The Right Honourable John Hutton, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, today announced the appointment of Timothy Escudier as a Disability Rights Commissioner, following the death of Commissioner Michael Burton... Read more Comment (0), Email this.
Don't keep your christmas skills under wraps
seen at 11:30, 19 December in Department for Work and Pensions News - national.
Present wrappers, decoration packers and Christmas tree fellers are all jobs available from Jobcentre Plus this winter - and the results of a poll released today show how people often use a range of vocational skills... Read more Comment (0), Email this.
Less mini motos, more silent nights this christmas
seen at 11:28, 19 December in Home Office News - national.
Local communities around the country will enjoy more silent nights this Christmas thanks to the success of a summer campaign by the Government's Respect Task Force to clampdown on the misuse of mini motos. Read more Comment (0), Email this.
Getting it right for every child: Draft Children’s Services (Scotland) Bill Consultation
seen at 11:26, 19 December in The Scottish Government Publications - Latest.
Consultation on the draft Children's Services (Scotland) Bill Consultation, which is intended to support the implementation of Getting it right for every child. Read more Comment (0), Email this.
Ara secures confiscation of £1,079,644 in prostitution case
seen at 11:24, 19 December in Assets Recovery Agency News - national.
Assets Recovery Agency (ARA) Financial Investigators, working in partnership with Thames Valley Police, have secured a Confiscation Order for £1,079,644 against Jonathon Leeming of Stratfield, Basingstoke... Read more Comment (0), Email this.
£44.5m cash injection for birmingham and sandwell regeneration
seen at 11:22, 19 December in Department for Communities and Local Government News - national.
Renewal in Birmingham and Sandwell is set to move forward thanks to nearly £44.5 million in funding to regenerate some of the region's most deprived areas through the Housing Market Renewal programme. Read more Comment (0), Email this.
Improvements to fire safety at the centre of changes to building regulations
seen at 11:21, 19 December in Department for Communities and Local Government News - national.
Key improvements to fire safety lie at the heart of a package of measures, including greater recognition of the role of sprinklers and more help for fire fighters to deal with fires in tall buildings, have been ... Read more Comment (0), Email this.
Economy: Motor Vehicles
seen at 10:48, 19 December in Latest UK National Statistics releases .
Total Production falls in the 3 months to Nov Read more Comment (0), Email this.
Tessa jowell announces cost of digital switchover help scheme
seen at 10:47, 19 December in Bank of England News - national.
The scheme to deliver help to assist older and disabled people with the switch to digital television will cost around £600 million, Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell announced today. Read more Comment (0), Email this.
Cc formally clears pan fish/marine harvest merger
seen at 10:46, 19 December in Competition Commission News - national.
The Competition Commission (CC) has formally cleared the anticipated acquisition by Pan Fish ASA of Marine Harvest NV. Read more Comment (0), Email this.
Hutton launches wide-ranging welfare review
seen at 10:44, 19 December in Department for Work and Pensions News - national.
John Hutton, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, today launched a long-term review of the Government's welfare to work strategy to tackle economic inactivity and promote social mobility. Read more Comment (0), Email this.
Oft warns consumers about new 'secret shopper' scam
seen at 10:41, 19 December in Office of Fair Trading News - national.
The OFT is warning consumers not to respond to a new employment opportunity scam currently targeting the UK. Read more Comment (0), Email this.
Pathfinder (Birmingham Sandwell) (Yvette Cooper, Minister of State (Housing and Planning), Department for Communities and Local Government)
seen at 10:39, 19 December in Written Ministerial Statements.

The Government will make available up to £44.41 million in grant to the Birmingham Sandwell pathfinder in 2007-08.

Some £3.2 million will be allocated for the remainder of 2006-07 in... Read more Comment (0), Email this.

Building Regulations (Angela Smith, Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department for Communities and Local Government)
seen at 10:39, 19 December in Written Ministerial Statements.

Today I have laid a statutory instrument, "The Building and Approved Inspectors (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations 2006 (SI 2006/3318)", which amends part B (fire safety) of the building regulations.

The building... Read more Comment (0), Email this.

Mineral Permissions (Meg Munn, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Women and Equality), Department for Communities and Local Government)
seen at 10:39, 19 December in Written Ministerial Statements.

I have today issued a consultation document on "The application of the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive to 'stalled' Reviews of Old Mineral Permissions and Periodic Reviews of Mineral Permissions in ... Read more Comment (0), Email this.

Electoral Administration Act (Bridget Prentice, Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs)
seen at 10:39, 19 December in Written Ministerial Statements.

The Electoral Administration Act received Royal Assent on 11 July 2006. The Act aims to tackle four areas at the core of a healthy democracy by improving access, improving confidence, extending openness and transparency... Read more Comment (0), Email this.

Oxfordshire Inquests (a) (Harriet Harman, Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs)
seen at 10:39, 19 December in Written Ministerial Statements.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence and I wish to make the following statement to the House about the inquests of servicemen and women who have died overseas which fall within the jurisdiction... Read more Comment (0), Email this.

Abro (Adam Ingram, Minister of State (Armed Forces), Ministry of Defence)
seen at 10:39, 19 December in Written Ministerial Statements.

In March 2006 I announced to the House that following a number of developments, primarily the decision to extend the depth repair programme for the FV430 fleet of armoured vehicles, the previously contemplated... Read more Comment (0), Email this.

Royal Irish (Home Service) (Adam Ingram, Minister of State (Armed Forces), Ministry of Defence)
seen at 10:39, 19 December in Written Ministerial Statements.

When I announced the settlement package for the Royal Irish (Home Service) on 9 March this year, I advised the House that a bespoke Royal Irish after-care package would be provided to support former members of... Read more Comment (0), Email this.

Patient Safety (Andy Burnham, Minister of State (Delivery and Quality), Department of Health)
seen at 10:39, 19 December in Written Ministerial Statements.

We published the following report on Friday, 15 December 2006: "Safety First: A Report for Patients, Clinicians and Healthcare Managers".

The report follows the review of the current organisational arrangements... Read more Comment (0), Email this.

Independent Inspectorate for Immigration (Liam Byrne, Minister of State, Home Office)
seen at 10:39, 19 December in Written Ministerial Statements.

The House will wish to know that I am publishing today a consultation document on the establishment of an independent inspectorate for immigration. Copies of this consultation document have been placed in the... Read more Comment (0), Email this.

Justice and Home Affairs Council (4-5 December 2006) (Joan Ryan, Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Home Office)
seen at 10:39, 19 December in Written Ministerial Statements.

The Justice and Home Affairs Council was held on 4-5 December 2006 in Brussels. The Home Secretary, Baroness Ashton and I attended on behalf of the UK.

The Finnish presidency opened the Council with the... Read more Comment (0), Email this.

Companies Act 2006 (Margaret Hodge, Minister of State (Industry and the Regions), Department of Trade and Industry)
seen at 10:39, 19 December in Written Ministerial Statements.

The Companies Act 2006, which received Royal Assent on 8 November 2006, will bring major benefits to business by modernising and simplifying company law.

Lord Sainsbury made a statement to the House of ... Read more Comment (0), Email this.

Wind Farms (Thames Estuary) (Alistair Darling, Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry)
seen at 10:39, 19 December in Written Ministerial Statements.

I have today granted consents under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 for the construction and operation of the Thanet and London Array offshore wind farms.

The consents have been granted to Thanet... Read more Comment (0), Email this.

Post Telcoms Council (11 December 2006) (Margaret Hodge, Minister of State (Industry and the Regions), Department of Trade and Industry)
seen at 10:39, 19 December in Written Ministerial Statements.

I represented the United Kingdom at the Telecoms Council in Brussels, on the morning of the 11 December 2006.

The Council began with the presidency asking member states to approve the Council resolution... Read more Comment (0), Email this.

EU Transport Council (11-12 December 2006) (Stephen Ladyman, Minister of State, Department for Transport)
seen at 10:39, 19 December in Written Ministerial Statements.

I attended the transport session of the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council, held in Brussels on 11-12 December. The Finnish Minister for Transport and Communications, Mrs. Susanna Huovinen, was ... Read more Comment (0), Email this.

Local Transport Capital Settlement 2007-08 (Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State, Department for Transport)
seen at 10:39, 19 December in Written Ministerial Statements.

Today I am announcing a package of funding of £3 billion to improve local transport outside London. It builds on last year's settlement of £1.6 billion to ensure that 122 local transport authorities... Read more Comment (0), Email this.

Rail Franchise (Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State, Department for Transport)
seen at 10:39, 19 December in Written Ministerial Statements.

The Department announced last week that it has started a competition to find an operator to run train services on the inter-city east coast main line from London to the north-east and Scotland.

We expect... Read more Comment (0), Email this.

Transport Innovation Fund (Productivity) (Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State, Department for Transport)
seen at 10:39, 19 December in Written Ministerial Statements.

In June, I announced that the first schemes to be considered for funding from the productivity strand of the transport innovation fund fell into two priority themes which fitted with the key objective of supporting... Read more Comment (0), Email this.

Response to nao report on children's centres from children's minister beverley hughes
seen at 10:31, 19 December in Department for Education And Skills News - national.
I welcome this report from the National Audit Office. It confirms that children's centres have successfully improved services for families with young children and that parents value children's centres services highly... Read more Comment (0), Email this.
Lane v Gloucester Magistrates Court [2006] EWHC 3198 (Admin) (28 November 2006)
seen at 02:53, 19 December in BAILII - Recent Decisions (All cases).
LORD JUSTICE KEENE: On 3rd July 2006, Mr Edward Anthony Lane appeared before Deputy District Judge Hine at Gloucester Magistrates' Court for what was listed, it is said, as an abuse of process argument concerning... Read more Comment (0), Email this.
South Gloucestershire Council v Titley & Anor [2006] EWHC 3117 (Admin) (07 December 2006)
seen at 02:53, 19 December in BAILII - Recent Decisions (All cases).
These two appeals are brought by South Gloucestershire Council against decisions of Valuation Tribunals allowing reductions in council tax to the Respondent taxpayers. The jurisdiction of this court arises under... Read more Comment (0), Email this.
Richardson & Ors, R v [2006] EWCA Crim 3186 (18 December 2006)
seen at 02:52, 19 December in BAILII - Recent Decisions (All cases).
As they raised common problems arising from the provisions of s285 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 (the 2003 Act) which increased penalties for driving related offences, these appeals and applications for leave... Read more Comment (0), Email this.
Brit Syndicates Ltd & Ors v Grant Thornton International & Anor [2006] EWCA Civ 1661 (06 December 2006)
seen at 02:52, 19 December in BAILII - Recent Decisions (All cases).
This is an appeal from the judgment of Langley J given on 3rd March 2006 by which he gave summary judgment in favour of Grant Thornton International (GTI) in an action brought against them and Italaudit S.p.A. (... Read more Comment (0), Email this.
Haji-Ioannou v Frangos & Ors [2006] EWCA Civ 1663 (06 December 2006)
seen at 02:52, 19 December in BAILII - Recent Decisions (All cases).
Although this appeal from Lindsay J sitting with two assessors is a second appeal and, moreover, relates only to the assessment of costs, permission to appeal has been granted so that this court can give some guidance... Read more Comment (0), Email this.
The Square Mile Partnership Ltd v Fitzmaurice McCall Ltd Rev 1 [2006] EWCA Civ 1690 (18 December 2006)
seen at 02:52, 19 December in BAILII - Recent Decisions (All cases).
The issues in this appeal arise out of a loosely drawn commercial agreement for the sale of shares in a Lloyd's broker, Robert Bruce Fitzmaurice Ltd ("RBF"). The vendor was Robert Bruce Fitzmaurice (Group) Ltd ("... Read more Comment (0), Email this.
Alder v The Chief Constable of Humberside Police & Ors [2006] EWCA Civ 1741 (18 December 2006)
seen at 02:52, 19 December in BAILII - Recent Decisions (All cases).
The claimant, Janet Alder, is the sister of Christopher Alder, who died on 1 April 1998 in the custody of the Humberside police, in distressing and still contentious circumstances. A coroner's jury returned a verdict... Read more Comment (0), Email this.