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18/11/2008
Benn's £2m Boost For Nature Conservation
Plans to boost the number of people who volunteer to help protect England's nature and wildlife were unveiled today by Environment Secretary Hilary Benn.
A £750,000 campaign to increase conservation volunteering is being launched by Defra to help more people who want to do their bit for the natural environment and wildlife get involved in local projects.
Opportunities for volunteering could include creating and maintaining ponds, putting up bird and bat boxes, nature walks to count types of wildlife, or planting. Working with a range of voluntary organisations and other bodies, Defra will roll out the initiative in the coming months in partnership with the Department of Health's Change4Life campaign.
Defra is also giving more than £1million to a new fund to improve local recording of wildlife across England, giving people better access to information collected in different parts of the country.
The Defra Fund for Local Biodiversity Recording will boost the work of the National Biodiversity Network. Defra funding has already increased the number of local wildlife records publicly available from 8million in 2004 to more than 30 million this year.
Mr Benn was speaking at the launch of the biggest and most comprehensive survey of Britain's countryside and its natural resources, published today. The Countryside Survey maps changes to the landscape and wildlife habitats, showing where some species of plants that birds and insects feed on have increased or decreased.
Hilary Benn said: "Conserving biodiversity is not something government can do alone, and I want more people to have the opportunity to protect and take pride in their local wildlife and landscape.
"I value the work of local wildlife record centres and the Countryside Survey - the more we know about the state of our wildlife and habitats, the better equipped we are to come up with policies to look after them."
(JM)
A £750,000 campaign to increase conservation volunteering is being launched by Defra to help more people who want to do their bit for the natural environment and wildlife get involved in local projects.
Opportunities for volunteering could include creating and maintaining ponds, putting up bird and bat boxes, nature walks to count types of wildlife, or planting. Working with a range of voluntary organisations and other bodies, Defra will roll out the initiative in the coming months in partnership with the Department of Health's Change4Life campaign.
Defra is also giving more than £1million to a new fund to improve local recording of wildlife across England, giving people better access to information collected in different parts of the country.
The Defra Fund for Local Biodiversity Recording will boost the work of the National Biodiversity Network. Defra funding has already increased the number of local wildlife records publicly available from 8million in 2004 to more than 30 million this year.
Mr Benn was speaking at the launch of the biggest and most comprehensive survey of Britain's countryside and its natural resources, published today. The Countryside Survey maps changes to the landscape and wildlife habitats, showing where some species of plants that birds and insects feed on have increased or decreased.
Hilary Benn said: "Conserving biodiversity is not something government can do alone, and I want more people to have the opportunity to protect and take pride in their local wildlife and landscape.
"I value the work of local wildlife record centres and the Countryside Survey - the more we know about the state of our wildlife and habitats, the better equipped we are to come up with policies to look after them."
(JM)
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18 October 2006
Wildlife crime unit launched
A police-led unit to target and disrupt serious wildlife crime on a regional, national and international level has been launched in Edinburgh. The National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU) is the only one of its kind in the UK.
Wildlife crime unit launched
A police-led unit to target and disrupt serious wildlife crime on a regional, national and international level has been launched in Edinburgh. The National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU) is the only one of its kind in the UK.
21 July 2004
Beckett outlines 'radical agenda' for rural communities
A radical agenda designed to deliver "genuinely sustainable reforms" for rural communities and the countryside have been presented to Parliament today. The strategy will see an increase of £27 million in the funding Defra provides to the Regional Development Authorities (RDAs), from £45 million to £72 million next year.
Beckett outlines 'radical agenda' for rural communities
A radical agenda designed to deliver "genuinely sustainable reforms" for rural communities and the countryside have been presented to Parliament today. The strategy will see an increase of £27 million in the funding Defra provides to the Regional Development Authorities (RDAs), from £45 million to £72 million next year.
22 September 2014
'Armed Siege' Ongoing In Glasgow
Armed police have responded to an "ongoing incident" in Boyd Street in Glasgow. Police Scotland confirmed that officers armed with guns and shields had been called to a property in the city's Govanhill area at about 11:20 on Monday. According to the BBC, police have told local people the incident is an "armed siege".
'Armed Siege' Ongoing In Glasgow
Armed police have responded to an "ongoing incident" in Boyd Street in Glasgow. Police Scotland confirmed that officers armed with guns and shields had been called to a property in the city's Govanhill area at about 11:20 on Monday. According to the BBC, police have told local people the incident is an "armed siege".
09 December 2009
Nine UK Children's Services Rated 'Poor'
Ofsted has rated children’s services in nine local authority areas across the UK as “poor”. The nine areas highlighted include the borough of Haringey, where Baby P died. The inspectorate's annual ratings of 152 English authorities show ten provide "excellent" services and 93 "good".
Nine UK Children's Services Rated 'Poor'
Ofsted has rated children’s services in nine local authority areas across the UK as “poor”. The nine areas highlighted include the borough of Haringey, where Baby P died. The inspectorate's annual ratings of 152 English authorities show ten provide "excellent" services and 93 "good".
03 September 2004
Health of millions of employees hangs on smoking ban: study
Local authorities are being urged to make all workplaces and enclosed public places smokefree after new research found that millions of UK workers are still operating in smoky environments.
Health of millions of employees hangs on smoking ban: study
Local authorities are being urged to make all workplaces and enclosed public places smokefree after new research found that millions of UK workers are still operating in smoky environments.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
