Thank you, Madam President, for convening this debate. I would also like to thank the Deputy Secretary-General, the Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission, and the Administrator of UNDP for their briefings.
Thank you Madam President,
I thank the Deputy Secretary-General for his briefing and we welcome the Secretary-General’s intent to travel to Moscow and Kyiv this week. We hope that his visit will help ...
The Department for Education clears up some false impressions people may have about academies.
We have provided record levels of financial support to British businesses, with a total of around £11.8 billion since 31 March 2010.
We are committed to making the support we offer to exporters...
A Number 10 spokesperson said:
The Prime Minister called Chancellor Merkel earlier this afternoon to discuss the EU’s response to events in Ukraine ahead of tomorrow’s European Council.
They...
In a video message released today on the eve of Nowruz, Foreign Secretary William Hague said:
I want to take this opportunity to wish all those celebrating around the world a happy Nowruz.
<...
The Service Inquiry in to the incident involving Voyager ZZ333 is ongoing, the interim report has been published to inform the military chain of command, aviation industry and the public of the general about ...
In 2003 Government set up CoRWM to consider how to manage the UK’s higher activity radioactive waste in the long term, protecting people and the environment.
In July 2006 CoRWM reported to Government ...
The 2014 Budget will help Welsh households and businesses by boosting investment, jobs and growth in Wales, Secretary of State for Wales, David Jones MP said today (Wednesday, 20 March).
Mr Jones said...
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, made the announcement in his Budget 2014 statement.
The Alan Turing Institute for Data Science will benefit from a £42 million government...
The Chancellor, George Osborne, today proposed the re-appointment of Graham Parker as a member of the OBR’s Budget Responsibility Committee (BRC) and confirmed Kate Barker’s re-appointment as Non-Executive member...
We have provided record levels of financial support to British businesses, with a total of around £11.8 billion since 31 March 2010.
We are committed to making the support we offer to exporters...
From 1 July 2014 ISAs will be reformed into a simpler product, the New ISA (NISA). All existing ISAs will become NISAs and account holders will benefit from new flexibility in relation to their accounts, as well...
Updated: Added updated firing times Amendment 2 for the period 15 to 31 March 2014.
The firing times are presented in 2 file formats. The PDF format is web browseable and accessible on mobile devices such...
The severe weather recovery scheme was launched on 4 February 2014 to support to those local authorities (in England) that incurred, or will incur costs as a result of the actions they have or are taking...
Updated: Replaced with updated list.
This list includes all banks that have unconditionally adopted or readopted the Code. Adoption will cover all a group’s operations in the UK and, in the majority of ...
In this issue:
Register of training organisations: open for applications Funding statements for 2014 to 2015 Individualised learner record: R08 collection window High-speed rail college: consultation...
Updated: Updated to show the agreed sponsors for the new academies in Hampshire and Oxfordshire.
‘Local authorities currently seeking proposers’ contains details of all local authorities seeking proposers...
Updated: Added hay and silage figures for 2013 to the data set for England.
This data series includes annual statistics on the number of cattle, sheep and pigs in England and the UK as at 1 December each...
Updated: Link on 3rd page of attachment fixed
The strategic vision for girls and women: Two years on sets out what has been achieved in the 2 years since the initial strategy.
Updated: Revised version (March 2014) added
The “Assessing the Strength of Evidence†How to Note aims to help all DFID staff appreciate better the strength of evidence they are using to inform their policy...
Government departments identify and report savings each year in line with the Efficiency and Reform Group yearly savings validation process and audit. This document provides guidance on identifying and reporting...
Under these proposals the EIGA would be amended to empower the Secretary of State to make arrangements which, in his view, will directly or indirectly, facilitate, support or develop:
the UK’s export trade...
The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 regulates the use of protected animals in scientific procedures which may have the effect of causing that animal pain, suffering, distress or lasting harm.
Education Funding Agency (EFA) works closely with Skills Funding Agency (SFA) and local authorities to make sure that European Social Fund (ESF) funding is used to target key areas of need. As the co-financing...
This manual details the subsidies the Department for Work and Pensions will pay local authorities for certain costs of the Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit schemes.
This guidance, supported by ...
Read the terms of reference and interim report for the partnerships review
Read the terms of reference and reports of the employee benefits review.
Institutions participating in the REF have been invited to provide feedback. The deadline for responses is 2 May 2014.
All’s well that sounds well for Lincolnshire hospitals
Tax relief for theatre production
The Chancellor George Osborne, delivered his Spring Budget today.
Michelle Cracknell, Chief Executive of The Pensions Advisory Service has welcomed Budget 2014 saying " This budget will be remembered...
SPAM HEALTH EMAIL RECEIVED BY BFG INDIVIDUAL

The BFG community should be aware of potentially distressing spam emails that are doing the rounds in UK and has been received by at least one...
WED 09 APR - WELCOME WEDNESDAY EASTER CAKE BAKE OFF Normandy Welfare Room from 10-12noon. Everyone is welcome to attend.
'Read More' for full details
Anglo-German Club
How much do you know about Paderborn and Sennelager?
How often do you get to meet locals in a warm and friendly enviroment? For full details "Read More&#...
AWS Summer 2014 Activities Programme is coming soon!
BFG Anglican/Church of England Confirmation Service - 15 June 2014.
The Rt Revd Stephen Venner, Anglican Bishop to HM Forces, will be visiting Germany to conduct a service...
WED 21 MAY - SPEECH & LANGUAGE DROP-IN SESSION
John Farmer Building from 1300-1600hrs.
Read More for details.
Today’s Budget includes a number of measures which will further help Northern Ireland businesses to invest and export. Increases in the Annual Investment Allowance for all businesses and Enhanced Capital Allowances...
Police Negotiating BoardThe Prime Minister has reappointed John Randall to the PNB for an additional 12 months until 12 February 2015 or until the PNB is abolished. The Commissioner for Public Appointments, ...
Lorry, bus and coach driversFrom 10 April, the main changes affecting lorry, bus and coach drivers will be:
removing the need for 8-forward gear ratios for large test vehicles (category C, C+E) allowing...
The 2014 Budget will help Welsh households and businesses by boosting investment, jobs and growth in Wales, Secretary of State for Wales, David Jones MP said today (Wednesday, 20 March).
Mr Jones said...
IntroductionIt’s somehow fitting that the MOD Main Building is our venue today, since this was once the site of the Palace of Whitehall and the former residence of Queen Elizabeth I.
The Virgin Queen...
Legislation will be introduced in Finance Bill 2014 to amend the definition of ‘deductible amounts’ in section 730B of Part 14A of CTA2010 to exclude expenditure that crystallises as research and development ...
Legislation will be introduced in Finance Bill 2014 to amend Part 3A of CAA 2001 to clarify the scope of the expenditure that qualifies for Business Premises Renovation Allowance.
Enterprise Zones are designed to encourage economic growth and investment. First-year allowances of 100% are intended to contribute to this objective by promoting investment by capital intensive companies in ...
Legislation will be introduced at Finance Bill 2014 to amend Schedule 24 to add a third type of machine (any machine where the maximum stake exceeds £5) which will be liable to a 25% rate of duty.
The Carbon Price Support (CPS) rates of Climate Change Levy (CCL) apply to fossil fuels used in electricity generation that are taxed under the CCL regime (gas, solid fuels and liquefied petroleum gas). The ...
The increase to the personal allowance delivers the government’s stated objective to support those on low and middle incomes and reward work
The measure will ensure the UK tax treatment of highly energy intensive processes is in line with tax treatments elsewhere in the EU, and reduce any distortion of competition.
As a result of the new Climate...
This will benefit low income savers such as pensioners, non-working spouses and part time workers and enable those individuals to be taxed at the correct rate.
These changes include drawdown, commutation and taxed lump sums. Makes the tax system fairer and simpler by offering more flexibility for individuals who have taken the responsibility to provide for themselves...
This measure will protect revenue by aligning UK VAT law on prompt payment discounts with EU VAT law. It will make sure VAT is charged on the full amount paid.
This is guidance on the abolition of the special Stamp Duty Reserve Tax charge on UK unit trusts and open-ended investment companies.
This measure will reduce the rate of Bingo Duty from 20% to 10%. It will also update the Bingo Duty exemption legislation affecting adult gaming centres, so the exemption only applies where there is a liability...
Legislation will be introduced in future Finance Bills to revise the rates of duty on tobacco products each year until the end of the next Parliament. The legislation will amend Schedule 1 to the Tobacco Products...
This measure, announced at Budget 2014, applies when companies in a group enter into arrangements, and the arrangements result in what is, in substance, a payment (directly or indirectly) from one company to ...
This is a package to increase support, choice and flexibility available to savers in tax advantaged products such as ISA, Junior ISA and Child Trust Fund.
This measures provides that successful planning permission costs will be treated as expenditure on mineral exploration and access rather than as expenditure on acquiring a mineral asset.
As announced at Budget 2014, legislation will be introduced in Finance Bill 2014 to amend Finance Act 2004. This will give HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) new powers to help prevent pension liberation schemes...
This list includes all banks that have unconditionally adopted or readopted the Code. Adoption will cover all a group’s operations in the UK and, in the majority of cases, only an agreed principal name for the...
From 1 July 2014 ISAs will be reformed into a simpler product, the New ISA (NISA). All existing ISAs will become NISAs and account holders will benefit from new flexibility in relation to their accounts, as well...
Legislation will be introduced in Finance Bill 2014 to revise the alcohol duty rates. Sections 5, 36(1AA) and 37(4) and Schedule 1 of the Alcohol Liquor Duties Act 1979 will be amended to provide for the relevant...
This document contains the following information: Office for Budget Responsibility Economic and fiscal outlook March 2014.
This paper was laid before Parliament in response to a legislative requirement...
The number of Air Passenger Duty (APD) destination bands will be reduced to 3 by merging the former band B and C, reducing the cost of travel to the destinations with capital cities between 4001 to 6000 miles...
To tackle the growing threat of pension liberation where individuals are encouraged to access their pension savings earlier than intended by Parliament.
This allows a spouse or civil partner who is not liable to income tax above the basic rate to transfer £1,050 of their personal allowance to their spouse/civil partner, provided that the recipient of...
The government will legislate to allow HM Revenue & Customs to issue a notice to settle a dispute for avoidance scheme where the claimed tax effect in has been defeated in other litigation.
It is ...
The measure will suspend those exemptions, exclusions and reliefs from the Aggregates Levy which are the subject of a state aid investigation by the European Commission.
Businesses affected include those...
The measure will abolish the Stamp Duty Reserve Tax charge, which fund managers are liable to pay when investors surrender their units in UK unit trust schemes or shares in UK open-ended investment companies.
Rollover relief allows Capital Gains Tax and Corporation Tax on chargeable gains to be deferred where the proceeds from disposing of certain qualifying assets are reinvested into new qualifying assets. This helps...
The measure extends exemption from Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) to vehicles constructed before 1 January 1974.
The VED exemption is designed to support the use on UK roads of classic and vintage vehicles...
Guidance on avoidance schemes involving the transfer of corporate profits. This note explains the operation of s1305A, including examples of how the legislation will apply.
This does not apply to any ...
This measure alters the VAT treatment of gas and electricity to make the customer liable to account for the VAT. It does not apply to domestic supplies or to businesses who are not registered or liable to be ...
Legislation will be introduced in the Finance Bill 2014 to remove:
section 6(2A)-(2C) the amendments made to section 10 by the Scotland Act 2012These will be replaced by adding new sections 9A and...
Full details of all announcements can be found at Budget 2014.
The FPC acts as the UK’s macroprudential authority. It is tasked with ensuring that emerging risks and vulnerabilities across the financial system are identified, monitored and effectively addressed.
Updated: Update on changes to VCT added
The government is today publishing a technical consultation on particular types of share buy-backs used by Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs).
As set out at <...
Updated: The estimates in this table have been updated following the March 2014 Budget Statement.
This table is a ‘ready reckoner’ showing estimates of the effects of various illustrative tax changes, on...
Updated: Updated to include the the second estimate of the VAT gap for the tax year 2012 to 2013
The ‘VAT gap’ is the difference between the VAT theoretical liability, estimated using National Accounts ...
The tables include standard rates for vehicles that have already been registered and 1st-year rates for new vehicles. They also include tax rates for all types of goods vehicles, buses and recovery vehicles.
In the Spending Review of 2010, the government made a commitment to reduce the burden of regulation on housebuilders. This report is an update on progress in delivering that commitment.
Updated: updated with Review of progress on Budget day
In July 2010, the Financial Secretary to the Treasury outlined the Government’s intention for a new range of simple financial products.
These...
37 sports identified as having realistic medal potential for the Rio 2016 or Tokyo 2020.
HSE’s goal throughout was to secure long-term improvements to the health and safety of those involved in all aspects of construction work, including those involved in using and maintaining the structures...
Want to receive the latest news and updates about workplace health and safety in your industry or topic? Join over 200,000 subscribers and receive newsletters, notifications, news and updates by email – all for...
HMC Protector is 1 of 5 cutters operated by Border Force to protect UK waters and coastline. They operate 24 hours a day, all year round, responding to intelligence-led information or patrolling high-risk areas...
We talk about how you make countries and regions and the world cooperate in the pursuit of human rights and how our rights are being challenged. We also ask how to deal with internally displaced people and how...
FREE EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT FOR SPOUSES
Helping Military spouses & partners understand how to get the job they want.
Book your place on the course! 22nd - 24th...
Dates: Friday 4 April to Sunday 6 April
Venue: Tennis Club Napoli, Naples, Davis Cup quarterfinals, 4 to 6 April 2014
Starting time: 12 midday (local time)
As well as this advice, check...
The prime contract, announced by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) in partnership with United States Visiting Forces (USVF), has an estimated annual value of £70 million and an estimated...
Chancellor George Osborne has delivered his Budget Statement to Parliament, setting out how the government will take further action to secure the recovery and build a resilient economy.
The most fundamental change in the way people access their pension in almost a century has been announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne in his Budget speech.
PensionsThe Chancellor...
Mr Deputy Speaker,
I can report today that the economy is continuing to recover – and recovering faster than forecast.
We set out our plan.
And together with the British people, we held...
In its Interim Economic Assessment the OECD forecasts the UK to grow faster than any other G7 economy in the first half of the year. The Scottish economy has grown for the last 6 quarters and employment is rising...
Welcoming today’s Budget, Communities Secretary Eric Pickles said:
This year’s Budget shows how housebuilding is central to our long-term economic plan, with measures to get Britain building and support...
DECC has today confirmed final aspects of the Capacity Market design ahead of the first auction being held later this year. The Capacity Market will help keep the lights on by driving new investment in gas and...
Launched yesterday (Wednesday 16 March), the film by Sheffield University explains the student visa application process and features students from China talking about their experience of the system.
...
Updated: Added April edition of Salisbury Plain newsletter.
A long distance circular walk around the Imber Live Firing Range giving views across Salisbury Plain and the surrounding Wiltshire and Somerset...
Updated: Added the RAF operational low flying training timetable covering the period of 31 March to 4 April 2014.
A list of timetables for operational low flying (OLF) training by RAF fast jets and Hercules...
Updated: Added updated additional needs flowchart.
The additional needs adaptations flowchart gives guidance on the various steps for new requests and additional requests that service families need to go...
Updated: Added the summary from the Morecambe Bay panel meeting on 5 March 2014.
Morecambe Bay Investigation panel meeting on Wednesday 5 March 2014.
Green Dragons is a scheme by the City University London Students’ Union (CULSU) to encourage City students to identify opportunities, big or small, to improve sustainability at the university or in the local community...
This report presents a broad range of safety performance indicators (SPIs) from across Great Britain’s gas transmission, distribution and other hazardous pipelines sectors. HSE and the principal operators in ...
The Department for Work and Pensions has announced the appointment of the new chair of The Pensions Regulator.
Court of Appeal (Civil Division) judgment
A new £1 coin which will be the most secure coin in circulation in the world has been announced by the government.
The new coin will have the same shape as the 12-sided three pence piece or...
Good evening, it’s a great pleasure to be back in Hong Kong among old friends and colleagues.
To being with I would like to thank the Consul General Caroline Wilson for hosting this event and inviting...
The Child Health Profiles 2014, published today (Wednesday 19 March 2014) by Public Health England (PHE), presents a picture of child health and wellbeing for each local authority in England using 32 key...
‘The Two Worlds of Charlie F’ has returned for a new tour of the UK following its growing success and a 2-week season in Canada.
The play moves from the war in Afghanistan, through the dream world of...
Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) staff at Ballykinler Training Centre have been working with conservation experts from the Ulster Wildlife Trust to construct 12 bespoke barn owl nesting boxes around ...
Asked about whether on his trip to Scotland the Prime Minister would ask the Scottish government to repay the money paid for the Health Service Award, the PMS said that it was for the First Minister to explain...
Provides data on Cancer waiting times for Welsh NHS Trusts.
This Statistical Release presents data on houses built by all tenures.
This release contains detailed public sector employment estimates, updated quarterly. For most sources that contribute to these statistics, the employment is reported for a specific date in the quarter. The public...
Employment, unemployment, economic inactivity, claimant count, average earnings, labour productivity, vacancies and labour disputes statistics. Publication of estimates of workforce jobs for December 2013 have been...
Monthly Turnover, Exports, and Orders data for Production and Services industries.
Official statistics on employment, unemployment, inactivity, jobs and the Claimant Count for regions, local authorities and parliamentary constituencies.
This release presents information about the investment choices of insurance companies, self-administered pension funds, investment trusts, unit trusts and property unit trusts. Reported in this release are quarterly...
General measure of changes in output of production sector industries.
Results from the 2011 Census of Scotland
Summary information about General Ophthalmic Services workforce in England and Wales including trends.
Structure of the farming industry including crop areas, yields and production, livestock populations, detailed labour force figures and diversification activity for England and the United Kingdom. Selected results...
Forecasts for the UK economy is a monthly comparison of independent forecasts.
Please note that Forecasts for the UK economy is a summary of published material reflecting the views of the forecasting ...
The 2014 to 2015 simplified funding rates catalogue lists all provision which the Skills Funding Agency has approved for public funding in 2014 to 2015 and their funding rates. Information regarding availability...
Explains how the first edition of the 2014 to 2015 publicly funded qualifications offer has been generated, using a new process and new business rules which have been introduced for this year.
There...
Updated: Minor editorial change.
If your management information supplier cannot communicate directly with the LRS you can register learners using batch files.
Data encryption and passphrase protection...
Updated: Added scheduled updates for June 2014, and removed scheduled updates for February 2014.
Timetable of overseas trade statistics and regional trade statistics releases are published on the HM ...
FOI request for Crisis Loans and Community Care Grant data.
The profiles draw together information to present a picture of child health and wellbeing in each local area in a user-friendly format. They are a valuable tool for local government and health services in helping...
Speech by Lord Justice Gross, Senior Presiding Judge:
This bulletin contains detailed estimates of public sector employment, updated with the latest estimates for the fourth quarter of 2013.
Employment, unemployment, inactivity, jobs and the Claimant Count for regions, local authorities and parliamentary constituencies.
Labour market statistics (including employment, unemployment and economic inactivity) for the United Kingdom.
This Government’s long term economic plan is working for the people of Wales, Welsh Secretary, David Jones said today, as official figures reveal a further increase in employment levels in Wales.
The...
IntroductionIt’s great to be back here at the Scottish Renewables Conference.
It feels like I’ve never really been away.
Since we last met my Ministerial team and I have been getting around ...
Unemployment in Scotland fell by 6,000, to 190,000 in the period November 2013 to January 2014, according to ONS data released today. The Scottish unemployment rate is 6.9 percent, which is below the average ...
Private sector employment has increased by 1.73 million since 2010, showing the government’s long-term economic plan to back enterprise and businesses so they can create jobs is proving successful.
Good evening, it’s a great pleasure to be back in Hong Kong among old friends and colleagues.
To being with I would like to thank the Consul General Caroline Wilson for hosting this event and inviting...
The Child Health Profiles 2014, published today (Wednesday 19 March 2014) by Public Health England (PHE), presents a picture of child health and wellbeing for each local authority in England using 32 key...
The Government have today published “Delivering Tax-Free Childcare: the Government’s response to the consultation on design and operation”—a response to the August 2013 consultation on...
A meeting of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council was held in Brussels on 11 March 2014. The following agenda items were discussed.
Follow-up to the G20 meeting of Finance Ministers and Governors (...
Due to an error in the written ministerial statement issued on 13 March 2014, Official Report, column 40WS, I am issuing a corrected statement.
During the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting held in...
The Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council met on 10 March 2014 in Brussels. Shan Morgan, Deputy Permanent Representative to the EU, represented the United Kingdom.
The “A&#...
FOI request for the average clearance time for Personal Independence Payments (PIPs) “special rules†claims.
Updated: Link to Mathematics subject knowledge enhancement (SKE) programme guide: academic year 2013 to 2014 added
This guide covers the operational delivery of further education (FE) initial teacher training...
Annual abstract of statistics for benefits, National Insurance contributions, and indices of prices and earnings 2013, including the April 2013 uprating.
There is more information about these statistics...
Updated: Date to send in views on the draft legislation has closed - 6pm, 18 March.
We’ll be laying the 3 attached Statutory Instruments before Parliament as part of a set of secondary legislation that ...
Updated: Added Monthly statistical summary: March 2014.
This page contains monthly and quarterly DWP statistical summaries for 2014.
Monthly statistical summariesMonthly statistical summaries...
Updated: Published monthly count of lone parents receiving Jobseeker's Allowance in Great Britain from April 2005 to January 2014.
This statistical data set provides a monthly count of lone parent Jobseeker...
These statistics are for the period April 2013 to 31 December 2013. They cover total live caseload and starts on Universal Credit, with breakdowns by Jobcentre Plus office, local authority, parliamentary constituency...
Freedom of Information query and response, for the total amount of money spent on Youth Contract wage incentive payments up to July 2013.
Forecasts for the UK economy is a monthly comparison of independent forecasts. This edition contains forecasts to 2018.
Please note that Forecasts for the UK economy is a summary of published material...
This guide covers the operational delivery of further education (FE) initial teacher training bursaries.
It is aimed at providers, but can be used as a source of reference for trainees. The information...
This publication gives statistics on the number of cattle, sheep and pigs in the United Kingdom at 1 December 2013.
Updated: Results for week ending 16 March published
The statistics presented in the table below, show the number of sub 50kW solar photovoltaic installations and capacity installed at the end of each week...
Some people who apply for initial teacher training (ITT) with the potential to become outstanding maths teachers may not have enough specific subject knowledge to begin a maths ITT course.
Subject knowledge...
Updated: Updated with UK figures to 2013.
This data series includes annual statistics on the number of cattle, sheep and pigs in England and the UK as at 1 December each year. Information on crop areas ...
Measures changes in the average labour costs per hour worked. Also known as Labour Cost Index (LCI).
Information about the investment choices of insurance companies, self-administered pension funds, investment trusts, unit trusts and property unit trusts. Reported in this release are quarterly net investment data...
Updated: Added translation
Менің құрметті доÑтарым және құрметті қонақтарым! [My dear friends and guests!]
It is a privilege to be here today. Many thanks to all those involved in making today...
A new £1 coin which will be the most secure coin in circulation in the world has been announced by the government.
The new coin will have the same shape as the 12-sided three pence piece or...
Provides data on Cancer waiting times for Welsh NHS Trusts.
This Statistical Release presents data on houses built by all tenures.
This release contains detailed public sector employment estimates, updated quarterly. For most sources that contribute to these statistics, the employment is reported for a specific date in the quarter. The public...
Employment, unemployment, economic inactivity, claimant count, average earnings, labour productivity, vacancies and labour disputes statistics. Publication of estimates of workforce jobs for December 2013 have been...
Monthly Turnover, Exports, and Orders data for Production and Services industries.
Official statistics on employment, unemployment, inactivity, jobs and the Claimant Count for regions, local authorities and parliamentary constituencies.
This release presents information about the investment choices of insurance companies, self-administered pension funds, investment trusts, unit trusts and property unit trusts. Reported in this release are quarterly...
General measure of changes in output of production sector industries.
Results from the 2011 Census of Scotland
Summary information about General Ophthalmic Services workforce in England and Wales including trends.
Structure of the farming industry including crop areas, yields and production, livestock populations, detailed labour force figures and diversification activity for England and the United Kingdom. Selected results...