BEIS Bulletin - 6 April 2017

6 April 2017

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Prime Minister’s letter to Donald Tusk triggering Article 50

PM leaving Downing Street

 
On 29 March 2017 the Prime Minister wrote to the President of the European Council Donald Tusk to trigger Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union.

With Article 50 now invoked, negotiations with the European Union can begin. More detail on the government’s priorities for these negotiations are set out in its recent United Kingdom’s exit from and new partnership with the European Union White Paper.


Understanding the Great Repeal Bill

The Great Repeal Bill

The Great Repeal Bill White Paper sets out the government’s proposals for ensuring a functioning statute book once the UK has left the European Union.

The Department for Exiting the European Union (DExEU) welcomes your comments and contributions in order to better prepare the ground for the UK’s exit from the European Union.

Have your say by emailing the team at: repeal-bill@dexeu.gov.uk

Subscribe to the DExEU Business Bulletin to receive updates as the UK prepares to leave the EU.


Industrial Strategy engagement programme continues in Yorkshire and Humber

Greg Clark at KPMG, Yorkshire

The Industrial Strategy Evening reception for Yorkshire and Humber, hosted by Greg Clark, Nick Hurd and Lord Prior at KPMG in Leeds, provided an excellent opportunity for over 100 regional stakeholders to give their views on the Industrial Strategy.

Ministers engaged with a selection of regional businesses, farmers, professional services representatives, universities, Local Enterprise Partnerships and local leaders to discuss how the Industrial Strategy will benefit the area and key sectors.

The next stop for this UK-wide programme will be Scotland.

Read the full article


Don't miss your opportunity to make a difference

Only a few days left to have your say and respond to the Industrial Strategy Green Paper consultation (closing April 17), so visit the site now to let us know your thoughts:

Building our Industrial Strategy

Industrial Strategy

This is your opportunity to help us create a truly collaborative strategy that will face the challenges of the future. We want to hear from all - businesses, representative bodies, consumers and employees.

Secretary of State for Business, Greg Clarke said:

“The Industrial Strategy is about improving living standards and creating jobs so that everyone in our country can share the benefits of our economic success.

“I want to ensure that everyone who wished to contribute to the future direction of this country has the opportunity to do so.”


1,000 jobs created at new £325 million factory for electric taxis

Taxi

The Business Secretary Greg Clark and Transport Minister John Hayes welcomed the opening of a new £325 million electric taxi factory that will create 1,000 jobs in the Midlands.

The London Taxi Company factory in Coventry will have the capacity to assemble more than 20,000 vehicles a year.

Built with a £325 million investment from LTC’s owner, Geely, the plant will include a new state-of-the-art research, development and assembly facility to develop the new TX5 model, a zero emissions taxi, and other hybrid technology vehicles.

Read the full story


Energy reforms come into force

thermal imaging house

Homes across Great Britain will get extra support to make their homes cheaper and easier to keep warm thanks to new government reforms.

  • Energy suppliers to focus help on vulnerable households
  • Part of plan to improve energy efficiency of 1 million homes by 2020

Read more


Over 2 million of the UK’s workers set for a pay rise

National Living Wage

From 1 April 2017, around 1.7 million workers aged 25 years and over will see their hourly wage rise due to the increase in the National Living Wage.

Full-time workers (38 hours) aged 25 years and over on the National Living Wage will see a pay rise of just under £600 per year.

Those aged 24 years and under on the National Minimum Wage receive their second pay rise in 6 months

Workers are urged to check their pay is updated to reflect new rates.

Read the full article


Gender pay gap regulations launch 6 April

Gender Pay Gap

From today, new government legislation means organisations with 250+ employees will need to publish their annual gender pay gap data. Guidance and support on the reporting requirements, as well as a link to the reporting portal and advice on how to close your gap, can be found at gov.uk/genderpaygap.

Alongside the required reporting, organisations are encouraged to provide an action plan outlining steps they will take to close the gender pay gap.


Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists expands into UK

Blavatnik Awards

The Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists, a US-based awards programme, is expanding to the UK, a move that will bring over £10 million of inward investment to the UK scientific community. 

The awards recognise outstanding young scientists and engineers in three areas - Life Sciences, Physical Sciences and Engineering, and Chemistry - providing support early in their careers when additional funding and recognition have the greatest impact.

Universities and Science Minister Jo Johnson said: “The UK is home to some of the world's best scientists and this is why we made science and research a central part of our Industrial Strategy - strengthening links between research and industry, ensuring more home-grown innovation creates economic growth across the country."

Find out more

Get Involved

Consultations

Building our Industrial Strategy
Closes 17 April

Electronic balloting for industrial action: Knight review - call for evidence
Closes 10 May

Property ownership and public contracting by overseas companies and legal entities: beneficial ownership register
Closes 15 May