Rohingya crisis: we have not forgotten you, says Mordaunt

Reacting to the release of the Joint Response Plan for the Rohingya Humanitarian Crisis, International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt said yesterday:

“I urge the international community to continue to support the Government of Bangladesh to find the best solutions to protect Rohingya victims of ethnic cleansing who are in dire need. The UK has led the way to help alleviate suffering and meet humanitarian needs in Cox’s Bazar, and will continue to be a leading donor.

“The sprawling camps have provided safety for those who have fled cruel violence, but this place of refuge is becoming unsustainable with over-crowding compounding the risks of the coming monsoon and cyclone season. Rohingya families and host communities urgently require smaller and more manageable facilities for the future, and planning for the medium term.

“At the same time we must remember that the origins of and solution to this crisis lie in Burma. The UK will continue to maintain international pressure on Burma to create the conditions for safe, voluntary and dignified returns overseen by the UN.

“This crisis has not left the minds of the British public and I would like to thank them for their remarkable generosity in raising millions of pounds for lifesaving food, water and shelter which is making a real difference.”

New rules introduced to protect consumers against ticket touting

Fans of live events are set to benefit from new rules which will demand more information from sellers on secondary ticket websites. Under the new rules, which will come into force in April, ticket resellers will be required to provide purchasers with additional detailed information about tickets including the location of seats, disclosure of any restrictions and the original price of the ticket itself. Continue reading New rules introduced to protect consumers against ticket touting

UK medics race to Bangladesh to tackle deadly diphtheria outbreak

More than 40 British doctors, nurses and firefighters from the UK’s Emergency Medical Team (EMT) are making their way to Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh to save thousands of lives at risk from a rapid and deadly outbreak of diphtheria. Continue reading UK medics race to Bangladesh to tackle deadly diphtheria outbreak

260 employers named and shamed

Foul! Falkirk, Motherwell and Morton football clubs named and shamed

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) today named 260 employers for failing to pay 16,000 workers at least minimum wage rates. Government investigators identified £1.7 million in back pay for some of the UK’s lowest paid workers and fined employers £1.3 million for underpayment. Continue reading 260 employers named and shamed

The Blue Planet effect: UK Blue Belt extended to protect rare seabirds

UK Government announces two new marine Special Protection Areas and extensions to four other sites to safeguard rare seabirds …

Nearly 150,000 rare seabirds – including the iconic little tern and black-throated diver – will be better protected as the UK’s ‘Blue Belt’ of marine protected areas extends by over 650 square miles, Environment Minister Thérèse Coffey announced today. Continue reading The Blue Planet effect: UK Blue Belt extended to protect rare seabirds

‘shop small’ this Small Business Saturday

  • government ministers out in force to support their local independent businesses this Small Business Saturday (2 December)
  • the UK is home to a record 5.7 million small businesses
  • Edinburgh shoppers urged to support our small independent shops this weekend

Government ministers are visiting independent businesses across the UK today in celebration of Small Business Saturday. Continue reading ‘shop small’ this Small Business Saturday

Penny Mordaunt: Extra UK aid gives a future to persecuted Rohingya

International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt has announced further UK aid for the Rohingya crisis, as she warns that global funding will start to dry up in 100 days. Ms Mordaunt made the announcement during a visit to Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh. Continue reading Penny Mordaunt: Extra UK aid gives a future to persecuted Rohingya