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  • PRESS RELEASE : Every criminal court now connected to single data system for the first time [August 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Every criminal court now connected to single data system for the first time [August 2023]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 3 August 2023.

    All information on new criminal court cases in England and Wales now sits on a single digital platform as the government delivers its latest milestone to modernise the justice system.

    • Common Platform system now live in every criminal court in England and Wales
    • Platform links courts, Crown Prosecution Service, and police to improve information sharing
    • Moves a step closer to reducing burdensome admin and increasing efficiency

    Every Crown and magistrates’ court now has access to the ‘Common Platform’ system, which will allow quicker and seamless sharing of information between all those involved in criminal justice cases.

    Under Common Platform all relevant case materials will be available in one accessible place across all criminal courts – from arrest through to trial and, for those convicted, on to the prison and probation service.

    This will help ensure that courts, police, prosecutors and legal professionals have access to one platform to track cases moving through the justice system, continuing the move away from time-consuming paper-based processes and separate IT systems.

    It is a fundamental part of the government’s plan to modernise the criminal court system – bringing justice partners together in a way that has never been done before, improving collaboration and replacing outdated process.

    The move will offer an improved flow of information between the courts to improve efficiency and help reduce outstanding caseloads to deliver speedier justice for victims and the public.

    Justice Minister Mike Freer said:

    Common Platform is improving how we work to deliver justice. It will allow instant and seamless information sharing that will reduce errors and ensure vital details about cases can be seen quickly by all those involved in a case.

    Connecting every criminal court with partner agencies and professionals is helping make them fit for the future.

    Each user will only be able to see the information that is relevant to them. The platform also allows for changes and updates to a case to be made instantly, helping to make the justice process faster and more efficient.

    The rollout of Common Platform has been delivered as a central part of the HM Courts and Tribunals Service Reform Programme to improve courts and tribunals for people who use them and for those working in them.

    New features will continue to be added to further improve information sharing and data accuracy across the justice system.

    The programme is transforming how the public interact with the justice system. Digital services in the courts and tribunals across all jurisdictions have been used over 2.1 million times so far, making services easier to use and more efficient to run.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Change of British High Commissioner to Seychelles – Jeffrey Glekin [August 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Change of British High Commissioner to Seychelles – Jeffrey Glekin [August 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 3 August 2023.

    Mr Jeffrey Frank Glekin has been appointed British High Commissioner to the Republic of Seychelles.

    Mr Jeffrey Frank Glekin has been appointed British High Commissioner to the Republic of Seychelles in succession to Mr Patrick Lynch, who will transfer to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Mr Glekin will take up his appointment in October 2023.

    Curriculum vitae

    Full name: Jeffrey Frank Glekin

    Place of Birth: Glasgow, UK

    Year Role
    2019 to present La Paz, His Majesty’s Ambassador
    2014 to 2018 Bogota, Deputy Head of Mission
    2012 to 2014 FCO, Deputy Head of Commercial and Economic Diplomacy
    2011 to 2012 Reuters Breakingviews, India Columnist
    2007 to 2011 Mumbai, Deputy Head of Mission and First Secretary Financial & Economic
    2005 to 2007 HM Treasury, Private Secretary to the Second Permanent Secretary and Managing Director of the International & Finance Directorate
    2004 to 2005 HM Treasury, Policy Analyst, European Economic Reform
    2003 to 2004 HM Treasury, Policy Analyst, Productivity Team
  • PRESS RELEASE : UK’s £38 million aid making a difference in Nigeria – Foreign Secretary James Cleverly [August 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK’s £38 million aid making a difference in Nigeria – Foreign Secretary James Cleverly [August 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 3 August 2023.

    Foreign Secretary James Cleverly announced that over £38 million of UK humanitarian assistance has saved lives of conflict-affected people in North-East Nigeria.

    The United Kingdom’s Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has said that over £38 million of UK humanitarian assistance has saved the lives of vulnerable, conflict-affected people in North-East Nigeria – including women and girls. The Foreign Secretary made these remarks whilst visiting the United Nations’ Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) in Abuja, meeting UNHAS staff.

    The UN estimates that over 8 million people in North-East Nigeria urgently require life-saving humanitarian assistance due to protracted conflict and crisis in the Lake Chad Basin region.

    Earlier this year, the UN launched a special humanitarian appeal to prevent famine and provide life-saving assistance in North-East Nigeria over the critical ‘lean season’ months (June to August). Also, the Nigerian government recently declared a ‘state of emergency’ on food insecurity across the country.

    The UK’s humanitarian assistance has been directly responding to these urgent calls for action, in partnership with the Nigerian people and its government.

    Over the last 12 months, the UK has provided over £38 million of humanitarian assistance in North-East Nigeria. This funding is helping to protect people, build their resilience to the ongoing crisis, and prevent famine in this extremely food-insecure region.

    During his visit to UNHAS – one of several UK humanitarian partners in Nigeria – the Foreign Secretary heard directly from aid workers and government representatives responding to the crisis, including on how UK International Development is delivering assistance to people who need it most.

    The Foreign Secretary was accompanied by Dr Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development. This ministry is responsible for coordination of the Federal Government’s humanitarian response and aligning stakeholder responses.

    The Foreign Secretary was also accompanied by the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Matthias Schmale; the Deputy Country Representative of UN World Food Programme Guy Adoua; Country Representative of UNICEF Cristian Munduate; ICRC’s Head of Delegation in Nigeria Yann Bonzon; and Trond Jens, Head of Office of OCHA in Nigeria.

    UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, said:

    I am very proud of the UK’s humanitarian partnerships in North-East Nigeria. The £38 million we have contributed over the last 12 months is saving the lives of vulnerable people, including women and girls, who are demonstrating extraordinary resilience in the face of this protracted crisis. We will continue to work with the new Nigerian government and other partners to support North-East Nigeria so the whole country can reach its potential. The whole international community must support these efforts.

    UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Matthias Schmale, said:

    On behalf of the humanitarian community, I am deeply grateful for the £38 million contribution of the UK for humanitarian action in the North-East, which is contributing to giving countless people and, notably vulnerable women and children, a second chance. We are facing further funding challenges and are hoping that partners will step up their support to prevent further deterioration of the dramatic food insecurity and malnutrition situation.

    The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development Dr Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, said:

    We are keen to intensify cooperation with the UK government, particularly on increasing coordination between our new ministry and other ministries and partners across the humanitarian response. We particularly appreciate the UK’s humanitarian assistance because it is not only financial, but also based on strong coordination, which we are keen to develop further.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK government launches climate programme in Nigeria to reach 4 million people [August 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK government launches climate programme in Nigeria to reach 4 million people [August 2023]

    The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 3 August 2023.

    Foreign Secretary James Cleverly announced a £55 million Propcom+ contract and £2.89 million grant, which aims to support the transformation of Nigeria’s rural economy.

    UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly announced the launch of its Propcom+ programme supporting climate and growth by addressing environmental, social, and economic challenges in the country’s food and land-use system.

    A £55 million contract and £2.89 million grant were announced as part of the £95 million Propcom+ eight-year UK International Climate Finance programme aimed at supporting climate-resilient and sustainable agriculture and forestry that benefits people, climate, and nature.

    The programme aims to support more than 4 million people, 50% of whom will be women, to adopt and scale sustainable agricultural practices that increase productivity and climate resilience while reducing emissions and protecting natural ecosystems.

    Propcom+ builds on the UK government’s investment in agriculture through the Propcom Mai-karfi programme which ended in March 2022 after supporting over 1.25 million people with improved incomes through key market reforms and policies that benefitted poor women and men in Northern Nigeria.

    Foreign Secretary James Cleverly also highlighted how UK support will help to unlock $210 million of financing from the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) for participating Nigerian states for the development of critical infrastructure and related activities under the Special Agro-industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) programme.

    Speaking after the event, British High Commissioner to Nigeria Richard Montgomery, said:

    Tackling the effects of climate change and lowering emissions is a key priority for the UK government and we remain committed to building sustainable pro-poor climate-resilient growth in Nigeria through the new Propcom+ programme, which will address environmental, social and economic challenges in the country’s food and land-use systems.

    It will do this by working through strategic market actors to increase productivity of smallholder farmers, improve nutrition and food security, enhance climate resilience, pursue lower emissions, and protect and restore nature, while also tackling some of Nigeria’s underlying drivers of conflict and insecurity.

    The new programme, which kicked off in May 2023 is implemented by The Palladium Group.

    The programme has initial focal states in Kano, Jigawa, Kaduna, Edo, and Cross River where it will deliver climate-smart agricultural interventions to help the poor and climate vulnerable. It will also work in some Southern Nigerian states to address issues around deforestation, to foster sustainable land-use management.

    Propcom+’s Political Director and Country Representative Adiya V. Ode, said:

    Propcom+ will work as a market facilitator to identify constraints in market systems and will implement interventions through three broad-based inter-linked pillars. Pillar one will scale-up a focused basket of proven climate-smart interventions around agriculture and primary processing and storage practices and models for adoption by millions of poor and vulnerable smallholder farmers and small-scale entrepreneurs using a market-systems approach.

    Pillar two will build, pilot and scale new business models that improve productivity, enhance resilience to climate change, reduce emission and improve nutrition outcomes and pillar three will seek to support a strengthened enabling environment for sustainable food and land-use systems through enabling policies.

    The new Propcom+ programme reinforces the UK government’s commitment to working with the Government of Nigeria to increase the depth of investment in the agricultural sector, this time, helping the vulnerable to build resilience and adapt to the effects of climate change.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Next steps for managing England’s newly designated Highly Protected Marine Areas [August 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Next steps for managing England’s newly designated Highly Protected Marine Areas [August 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 3 August 2023.

    The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) is proposing management measures to protect the first three Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs) in England.

    On 5 July 2023, HPMA designations came into effect in Allonby Bay, North East of Farnes Deep and Dolphin Head, granting them the highest level of protection in our seas.

    MMO is now proposing specific management measures that will support the recovery of the HPMAs to a more natural state.

    HPMAs are areas of the sea, including shore, seabed, sea surface and water column, that have been set aside with high levels of protection. This allows for the full recovery to a natural state of all marine species, enhancing fish populations, habitats and associated ecosystem processes within the site boundary.

    The first proposed MMO byelaws will seek to prohibit fishing activity in all HPMAs in line with their highly protected status. Other, non-fishing, activities will be assessed and may also require management in future.

    As part of the byelaw making process marine stakeholders, partner organisations and fishers are being given an opportunity to view and comment on the proposed management measures from 3 August to 14 September 2023.

    A formal notification and notice period will be implemented ahead of any fisheries management measures being introduced. This is expected to be completed in early 2024.

    Hilary Florek, Chair of MMO said:

    “HPMAs will play a key role in helping to recover vital marine ecosystems around our coastline. With England’s first three HPMAs now officially designated, it’s MMO’s role to make sure activities including marine developments, fisheries and recreational marine activities, are professionally managed in accordance with the high level of protection required by these sites. To achieve this, we are taking the first steps and proposing specific fishing management measures for HPMAs.’’

    Marine Minister Lord Benyon said:

    “Highly Protected Marine Areas will make sure that important species and habitats are protected whilst building on our mission to protect at least 30% of the global ocean by 2030.

    “These management measures will help to support the full recovery of precious underwater environments, enhancing fish populations so that we can deliver on key environmental goals and targets while supporting a sustainable fishing industry.”

  • PRESS RELEASE : Greater support and better outcomes for victims of sexual violence [August 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Greater support and better outcomes for victims of sexual violence [August 2023]

    The press release issued by the Ministry of Justice on 3 August 2023.

    Victims of rape and sexual violence will be better supported following a £26 million investment in specialist services across England and Wales announced today (3 August).

    • £26 million awarded to over 60 specialist support services over next 2 years
    • funding forms part of commitment to quadruple funding for victims by 2025
    • government hits third Rape Review ambition 18 months ahead of schedule as CPS charges return to 2016 levels

    The Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Fund (RASASF), initially launched in 2011, is part of the government’s commitment to quadruple funding for victim support services by 2025 compared to 2010.

    Innovative projects set to be funded for the next 2 years as a direct result of today’s cash boost include:

    • Oxfordshire Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis Centre, who offer support for adults and young people, including parent and carer sessions and family therapy – keeping victims connected to their loved ones
    • Trafford Rape Crisis, supporting women in Greater Manchester include offering a new holistic service which is specifically focused on supporting black and minoritised women
    • We Are Survivors, who provide male-specific sexual assault and rape support

    The news comes as new figures show the government has achieved its third and final ambition in its landmark End-to-End Rape Review 18 months ahead of target – restoring Crown Prosecution Service charges to 2016 levels.

    Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Alex Chalk KC, said:

    I am pleased that all three 2021 Rape Review ambitions have been met so far ahead of schedule. There is more work to do, but this milestone demonstrates real progress in strengthening justice for victims of these appalling crimes.

    This continued funding means we can continue our work to ensure victims of sexual abuse across England and Wales receive the support that is so vital to recovery.

    Victims have benefitted from funded support services for over 10 years thanks to the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Fund, which was recently extended as one of the commitments in the government’s Rape Review.

    The fund was informed by rape victims to better understand their experiences and what they want from support services, helping to inform the commissioning of future support for victims.

    62 grants have been awarded to organisations across the country to offer victims tailored support programmes, including counselling and therapeutic services, advocacy, outreach, and group activities.

    Justice Minister, Ed Argar, said:

    We are determined that, alongside this Government’s clear focus and progress on ensuring more criminals who commit rape and sexual offences face justice, victims and survivors of these dreadful crimes get the support they need.

    The funding announced today helps ensure that charities and organisations up and down the country are able to continue doing their vital work helping victims of these crimes.

    Jayne Butler, Chief Executive of Rape Crisis, said:

    The Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Fund provides vital funding for front-line services that provide specialist support to victims and survivors. The funding awarded will help them to continue their work providing specialist and trauma-informed support to victims and survivors impacted by all forms of sexual violence and abuse.

    Fay Maxted OBE, Chief Executive of The Survivors Trust, said:

    The Survivors Trust welcomes the funding made available to our specialist voluntary sector through the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Fund. Funding of this kind is vital in enabling community-based, voluntary sector rape and sexual abuse services to provide much needed counselling and other support to survivors.

    Gary Pleece, CEO of Male Survivors Partnership, said:

    The Male Survivors Partnership welcomes the announcement that £26 million is being allocated to support survivors. This was the first government fund that recognized the needs of male survivors and provided dedicated funding for them; 65% of men have experienced sexual violence and this funding is essential to their support.

    The funding comes as CPS data published today shows charges for adult rape-flagged cases increased to 567 in the latest quarter, (January – March 2023), 5% over the 2016 quarterly average and Rape Review ambition of 538. This means the Government has already met all 3 key ambitions in the Rape Review ahead of schedule – restoring the number of police referrals, CPS charges and cases reaching court to 2016 levels.

    In July all 43 police forces across England and Wales, and all rape prosecutors across the country, began implementing a new approach to dealing with rape and other serious sexual offences, ensuring forces conduct thorough investigations which put the focus on the suspect and centre the rights and needs of victims.

    This new approach, developed through Operation Soteria and previously piloted in 19 police forces and 9 Crown Prosecution Service Areas, uses academic evidence and insight to enable forces and prosecutors to transform their response to rape and serious sexual offences.

    The Rape Review progress report published last month shows improvements have been made in response to rape across every stage of the criminal justice system and, crucially, data suggests more and more victims are reporting these abhorrent crimes to the police – demonstrating an increase in victim confidence.

    Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, said:

    Rape is an abhorrent crime and this government has not shied away from the fact that that victims of sexual violence have been failed by the criminal justice system.

    I have been clear that we must transform the way these investigations are handled, to make sure that all victims have the best support possible throughout the entire process. That is why we have funded an ambitious programme, Operation Soteria, to transform the way that rape investigations and prosecutions are handled and progressed. All 43 police forces and all CPS areas across England and Wales are implementing the new National Operating Models developed through the programme.

    Alongside the £26 million announced today, I have given over £8 million to support police forces keep improving their response to rape and the service they provide to victims, ensuring investigations focus on the suspect, and never on seeking to undermine the account of the victim.

    National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for Rape and Adult Sexual Offences, Chief Constable Sarah Crew, said:

    This funding by the Ministry of Justice will help to bring more support to victims of the terrible crimes committed by rapists and sex offenders.

    It is timely as all 43 police forces transform their approach to investigating sex offences and supporting survivors, through the recent introduction of a new national approach. Forces are turning the tables on perpetrators to ensure they are the focus of investigations, not the credibility of victims.

    Policing continues to work with partners to help support victims and bring offenders to justice, but we cannot do this alone. Funding is vital to enable this to happen and we welcome this round.

    A £1.2 million training programme has also been launched for Independent Sexual Violence and Domestic Abuse Advisors who provide emotional and practical support to victims. The government is funding 1,000 of these posts and the training to make sure these vulnerable victims get better help and stay engaged with the criminal justice system.

  • PRESS RELEASE : £33 million joint investment to boost skills, support jobs and bolster green manufacturing in UK life sciences industry [August 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : £33 million joint investment to boost skills, support jobs and bolster green manufacturing in UK life sciences industry [August 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 3 August 2023.

    Joint government and industry investment will deliver more than 250 high-skilled jobs producing environmentally-friendly inhalers.

    £33 million joint government and industry investment with Kindeva will deliver more than 250 high-skilled jobs producing environmentally-friendly inhalers
    package of investment shows the government’s sustained commitment to UK life sciences as a driver of economic growth, high skilled jobs and innovative medicines
    funding follows on from the Chancellor’s £650 million ‘Life Sci for Growth’ package announced in May
    £33 million of joint government and industry investment with leading global firm Kindeva Drug Delivery in UK medicines manufacturing will ensure a new generation of green, low-carbon, respiratory inhalers are made in the UK, supporting efforts to grow the economy.

    The investment will create 40 full-time jobs and safeguard 218 existing full-time jobs across Kindeva’s sites in Clitheroe and Loughborough.

    This is the sixth investment delivered through the Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund (LSIMF) and its predecessor the Medicines and Diagnostics Manufacturing Transformation Fund, which has supported UK life sciences manufacturing with £340 million in joint government and industry backing in the last financial year, and £416 million since 2021. Through this ongoing work, the government is helping the UK’s thriving life sciences sector to grow our economy and create well-paid jobs across the country – one of the Prime Minister’s five priorities.

    Today’s funding follows on from the Chancellor’s £650 million ‘Life Sci for Growth’ war-chest, announced in May this year, to fire up the UK’s life sciences sector and helps to deliver the Science and Technology framework through reforming regulation, boosting investment and driving up talent and skills.

    Minister of State for Science, Research & Innovation, George Freeman MP, said:

    Our £94 billion life science sector is one of our great industries – based on a deep long-term partnership between industry, investors, government, the NHS and disease charities – supporting us all to live healthier lives and providing over 250,000 high-skilled jobs in research and development clusters all around the UK.

    It is also driving billions of pounds worth of direct investment into the UK, something this government is determined to capitalise on through our global leadership via the Oxford Covid vaccine and NHS Recovery trial.

    The pace of new technology is transforming the sector and today’s investments signal our commitment to domestic manufacturing and skills enhancement, to deliver a robust future for UK life sciences that will not only play a key role in the country’s future economic success, but in improving our health as well.

    Health Minister Will Quince said:

    The pandemic demonstrated the importance of investing in our ability to manufacture medicines in the UK, and of upskilling staff in the sector, so we can respond rapidly to health emergencies. This investment in low-carbon inhalers will also help the NHS meet its net zero ambition.

    Life sciences is a key growth area and one of the UK’s most successful sectors and this is another example of how we are partnering with industry to supercharge manufacturing and research, supporting thousands of high-value jobs and enabling patients to benefit from the latest innovations.

    LSIMF follows on from the Medicines and Diagnostics Manufacturing Transformation Fund (MDMTF) pilot programme which launched in April 2021. Over its lifespan, MDMTF delivered £75 million in joint government and industry investment, while also creating 224 new jobs and protecting 345 existing roles.

    Kindeva Drug Delivery is a leading global contract development and manufacturing organization (“CDMO”) specializing in pharmaceutical drug-device combination products, such as inhalers, nebulizers and medicated patches.

    Kindeva’s Global Chief Commercial Officer, David Stevens, said:

    This joint investment creates a myriad of new opportunities for colleagues within the UK, as significant technical and regulatory expertise is required in the development and manufacturing of complex inhalation pharmaceutical products.

    Furthermore, it provides Kindeva with a springboard to expand our capabilities and capacity, while simultaneously partnering with the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world to bring the next generation of green inhalers to market, with a common goal of safeguarding access to necessary therapies for our patients and also reducing our impact on the planet.

    The government’s Life Sciences Vision, published in 2021, set the ambition to create a globally competitive environment for Life Science manufacturing investments, building on the strengths of our manufacturing R&D, our network of innovation centres, the manufacturing response to COVID-19 and delivery of the Medicines and Diagnostics Manufacturing Transformation Fund (MDMTF). Life sciences are also central to the UK Science and Technology Framework, which identifies the critical technologies set to make the biggest difference to health and life science progress, as well as plans to improve the regulatory landscape for life sciences.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Chip innovators join forces with government to steer future of semiconductor sector [August 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Chip innovators join forces with government to steer future of semiconductor sector [August 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 3 August 2023.

    Experts working at semiconductor titans will have first meeting today with Technology Minister Paul Scully at Imperial College.

    • Government forms expert semiconductor panel with leading names working together to boost UK semiconductor sector and grow the economy
    • group will harness domestic semiconductor strengths, ensure secure supply of chips, and protect national security
    • start-up incubator also launched to give innovators the resources and support needed to grow into tomorrow’s chip champions

    Experts working at semiconductor titans such as Arm, IQE and Pragmatic will meet with Technology Minister Paul Scully today (Thursday 3th August) at Imperial College London, as part of the first meeting of the Semiconductor Advisory Panel.

    With industry and government working hand in hand to deliver the National Semiconductor Strategy, it offers a twenty-year vision for the sector around three key goals: growing the domestic semiconductor sector, mitigating the risk of supply chain disruptions and protecting national security.

    Semiconductors are an essential component of almost every electronic device we use, and as a result are vitally important for the modern world we live in. From phones and computers to ventilators and power stations, nearly every piece of technology in the world depends on them.

    The panel will be made up of ten experts from across the semiconductor sector, with representatives from business and technology, alongside experts in venture capital, skills and research.

    This includes Richard Grisenthwaite, Chief Architect at Arm, the British-headquartered semiconductor firm that has designed billions of the world’s chips, and Americo Lemos, CEO of IQE, a leading British advanced semiconductor manufacturer. The panel will also include Dr Eben Upton, CEO of the Raspberry Pi Foundation, a UK charity ensuring wider access to technology through the development of ultra-low cost computers.

    Co-chaired by Technology Minister Paul Scully and renowned industry veteran and former Chief Executive of Dialog Semiconductor Dr Jalal Bagherli, the panel will provide the government with advice and feedback on how it can support companies involved in the delivery of semiconductor products and ensure critical British industries have safe and steady access to the chips they need to drive innovation and grow the economy.

    Future meetings will focus on how to nurture skills, improving access to finance, and developing stronger international collaboration, setting out how industry can work directly with government to achieve these goals.

    Technology Minister Paul Scully said:

    Properly engaging and listening to the experts at the heart of researching, designing and producing semiconductors is essential if we’re serious about growing our domestic sector, protecting our national security, and unleashing rapid innovation across the British economy.

    The Semiconductor Advisory Panel serves as the perfect way for industry and government to work together closely on this critical industry so that we can deliver on our Semiconductor Strategy.

    In addition to the two co-chairs, the Semiconductor Advisory Panel includes:

    • Amelia Armour – Partner, Amadeus Capital Partners
    • Janet Collyer – Senior Independent Director at EnSilica, Independent NED at the Aerospace Technology Institute, Chair of the Board at Quantum Dice and at Machine Discovery
    • Prof. John Goodenough – Chair in Microelectronic Systems, University of Sheffield
    • Richard Grisenthwaite – Executive VP & Chief Architect, Arm
    • Rae Hyndman – Managing Director, Clas-SiC Wafer Fab
    • Americo Lemos – CEO, IQE
    • Dr Andy Sellars – Strategic Development Director, Compound Semiconductor Applications Catapult
    • Dr Eben Upton – CEO, Raspberry Pi
    • Scott White – Executive Director, Pragmatic

    Co-chair Dr Jalal Bagherli said:

    I am thrilled to be a member and co-chair of the upcoming UK Semiconductor panel, which presents a remarkable opportunity to bridge the gap between industrial executives, academia and national government. Each member brings a unique perspective and expertise, making it an ideal platform to collaborate with national government in shaping an effective policy for our industrial sector.

    The panel will meet every two months from now, agreeing key actions for both industry and government to take to further the sector. While the panel is a small, focused group of leading industry figures, it will engage broadly across the sector and government will continue to speak to a wide range of players across the UK semiconductor industry.

    Richard Grisenthwaite, EVP and Chief Architect, Arm, said:

    The UK is home to a thriving technology ecosystem and Arm is proud to have its headquarters in Cambridge, as we continue our work to enhance every walk of life with Arm technology.

    I look forward to serving on the Semiconductor Advisory Panel to ensure the UK has a strong place in the extraordinarily globalised semiconductor industry. We will focus on developing the UK’s already considerable strengths, while working with like-minded nations to ensure resilient supply chains.

    The government has also today announced details of the UK’s first semiconductor design incubator, which will give early-stage semiconductor companies in the UK technical and business support they need to bring new products to the market.

    The pilot scheme will be run by Silicon Catalyst.UK, an experienced start-up accelerator, and will nurture semiconductor start-ups from across the UK through an extensive nine-month incubator programme.

    Applications for companies wishing to join the first cohort of the 9-month incubator process (starting in the first week of October) can be made now on the Silicon Catalyst.UK website and will close on 15 September 2023.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Energy security boost with multi-million backing for renewables [August 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Energy security boost with multi-million backing for renewables [August 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on 3 August 2023.

    Energy Security Secretary Grant Shapps announces £22 million uplift for flagship scheme.

    • £22 million boost for government’s flagship renewables scheme, making available contracts for renewable power generation potentially worth billions of pounds in total over the scheme’s lifetime
    • funding for established technologies such as solar and offshore wind, some of the cheapest domestic energy sources available, will ensure Britain remains a global leader in renewable energy
    • the Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme plays a key role in boosting the UK’s energy security, growing our economy and powering more of Britain from Britain

    A multi-million-pound boost for cleaner, more secure energy will make Britain the ‘first choice’ for investors, Grant Shapps said today.

    The Energy Security Secretary today announced a £22 million increase in government backing for renewables through the flagship Contracts for Difference scheme – taking the total budget to £227 million for this auction.

    The scheme – launched in 2014 – is the government’s main system for supporting low-carbon electricity generation and has already led to an increase in the proportion of the UK’s energy coming from renewables.

    In 2022, renewables fuelled around 42% of the UK’s electricity generation – up from 7% in 2010 – compared to around 21% in the US and 23% in Japan.

    In the first quarter of 2023, renewables generated a record 48% of our electricity, all making strong progress towards our targets to deliver a decarbonised power sector by 2035 and net zero by 2050.

    The increased funding combined with the introduction of annual auctions this year, will boost investments in Britain’s world-leading renewable industry, while strengthening the UK’s energy security, fostering growth in the country’s green industries and reducing exposure to volatile global gas prices.

    Energy Security Secretary Grant Shapps said:

    Putin’s barbaric action against Ukraine made clear our need to do whatever it takes to bolster our energy security.

    Today’s funding through our flagship Contracts for Difference scheme – the lifeblood of our renewables industry for nearly a decade – will help grow our economy by making Britain the first choice for investors in renewable energy projects and secure skilled jobs for future generations.

    This will be the case for established technologies like solar, and new innovations like floating offshore wind and, alongside our backing for oil and gas, carbon capture and our revival in nuclear, will ensure we can help power more of Britain from Britain for decades to come.

    Today’s new funding for the current round (AR5) will mean:

    • an increased budget for established technologies such as solar and offshore wind – from £170 million to £190 million
    • an increase in the budget for emerging technologies such as floating offshore wind – up from £35 million to £37 million
    • maintaining £10 million ring-fenced budget for tidal stream projects

    This funding boost is expected to send a powerful signal to the industry, increasing developer confidence in the sector every year and enhancing the UK’s reputation as among the most attractive places to invest and grow the economy, with nearly 25,000 jobs directly supported by renewable electricity sectors in 2021.

    Today’s increase comes as Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden visits Able Seaton Port to announce the installation of the first of over 2 hundred 260m tall wind turbines is installed at Dogger Bank – becoming the world’s largest offshore windfarm. A specialised floating platform, taller than the Eiffel Tower, has been created to install the wind turbines onto the seabed.

    When complete, the 277 turbines, which include British steel manufactured in Wales and processed in Corby and Hartlepool, will be capable of powering the equivalent of up to 6 million homes annually. Dogger Bank is being built in 3 phases – Dogger Bank A, B and C – by renewables developers SSE Renewables, Equinor and Vargronn.

    This comes as the register revealing the most serious risks to the United Kingdom, the National Risk Register, is published today as part of government plans to better prepare the public and businesses for the threats facing the country, including to energy security.

    Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden said:

    Today we’ve published the latest National Risk Register, showing the many challenges we face to keep Britain safe in an uncertain world – like the risk of disruption to global energy supplies.

    Backing British renewables will tackle that risk and undermine Putin’s energy ransom. Which is why I’m with SSE in Hartlepool today as we install the first wind turbine at the new Dogger Bank offshore wind farm, generating cheap, clean energy to power millions of British homes.

    This latest financial backing will help to replace expensive imported fossil fuels with cheaper, cleaner, domestic sources of energy. Building a more secure energy future with thriving green industries will have the knock-on effect of helping to grow the UK’s economy and create jobs across the country, with billions of pounds in private investment.

    The Contracts for Difference scheme has already helped accelerate plans to diversify, decarbonise and domesticate the UK’s energy supplies, with the last round (AR4) securing around 11GW of low carbon capacity – enough to generate sufficient electricity to power 12 million British homes through nearly 100 clean technology projects.

    The scheme supports the deployment of renewable power right across Britain, with the scheme so far having awarded contracts to 52 projects in Scotland, which represents around 30% of all CfD projects. In Wales, the scheme has so far awarded contracts to 9 projects, totalling around 260MW of capacity.

    Minister of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Graham Stuart said:

    Our successful, world-leading scheme has accelerated the roll-out of renewable, homegrown energy.

    Today’s increase will improve energy security and maximise the potential of the scheme. This will result in investment, a stronger renewables sector and growth to our economy.

    Neil McDermott, CEO of the Low Carbon Contracts Company (LCCC), said:

    The £22 million boost to the Contracts for Difference (CfD) Allocation Round 5 reaffirms the government’s commitment towards transforming Britain into a global leader in renewable energy. Contracts for Difference plays a crucial role in enhancing energy security, driving economic prosperity and propelling us towards a more sustainable future.  LCCC currently manages a portfolio of 167 CfDs, and is excited to deliver AR5, furthering our vision to accelerate the delivery of net zero.

    Claire Dykta, Head of Markets for the National Grid Electricity System Operator, said:

    Following our evaluation of qualifying projects we welcome the Secretary of State’s decision to revise the budget for Allocation Round 5.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden unveils A-Z of serious risks facing the UK [August 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden unveils A-Z of serious risks facing the UK [August 2023]

    The press release issued by the Cabinet Office on 3 August 2023.

    Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden has unveiled the National Risk Register.

    • Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden announces new National Risk Register to help UK prepare for risks like energy security
    • Government has declassified more information and published online tool to better prepare the public and businesses for potential risks
    • Risks include disruption to energy supplies, as Register is launched by Deputy Prime Minister on visit to installation of world’s largest future offshore wind farm which will strengthen UK resilience

    A register setting out the government’s latest assessment of key risks to the United Kingdom has today been published as part of ongoing cross government work to better prepare the public and businesses for the threats facing the country.

    Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden has unveiled the National Risk Register (NRR), an assessment of the risks facing the UK. The Register outlines 89 threats that would have a significant impact on the UK’s safety, security or critical systems at a national level.

    This latest version of the NRR is more transparent than ever before and publicly shares previously classified information about a number of potential risks. These include:

    • Disruption to energy supplies following Russia’s full scale invasion of Ukraine
    • Malicious uses of drones to disrupt transport and other critical operations
    • Threats to undersea transatlantic telecommunications cables used for internet and communications

    The threat to global energy supplies is one of the new publicly listed risks in the 2023 Register. Dowden is launching the Register on a visit to Able Seaton Port in Hartlepool, hosted by energy firm SSE. It comes as the first of over two hundred 260m tall wind turbines is installed at Dogger Bank wind  farm, which will be the largest in the world when completed by SSE and its partners Equinor and Vårgrønn. Helping increase the UK’s energy independence.

    The Government has robust plans in place for each of the different risks and is also urging businesses, local government and voluntary groups to play their part in helping plan for them. By publishing an online digital tool for the first time the Government is making risk details more accessible and easier to navigate.

    The NRR’s publication is the latest example of this transparent “whole of society” approach to national resilience, set out in the recently published UK Government Resilience Framework and National Cyber Strategy. It also follows the recent launch of the UK-wide Emergency Alerts system.

    Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden said:

    This is the most comprehensive risk assessment we’ve ever published, so that government and our partners can put robust plans in place and be ready for anything.

    One of those rising risks is energy security. We’ve installed the first turbine at the future world’s largest offshore windfarm, which will provide secure, low-cost and clean energy for the British people – enabling us to stand up to Putin’s energy ransom.

    Visiting Able Seaton Port, the Deputy PM will see the enormous wind turbine components being readied for loading onto a specialised floating platform, taller than the Eiffel Tower, which has been created to install the wind turbines onto the seabed,

    When complete, 277 turbines will be capable of powering up to 6 million homes in the UK. The turbines include British steel manufactured in Wales and processed in Corby and Hartlepool.

    The publication of the Register follows the Government outlining plans to tackle various risks outlined in it. In June, it published the Biological Security Strategy to strengthen the UK’s defences against biological threats such as infectious diseases. And we have also published the Resilience Framework, which strengthens the coordinating structures that the UK uses to prepare for emergencies.

    Deputy National Security Advisor, Matt Collins, said:

    A comprehensive understanding of the risks we face is critical to keeping the UK safe.  This edition of the NRR, based on the Government’s internal, classified risk assessment offers even more detail on the potential scenarios, response and recovery options relating to the risks facing the UK; ranging from terrorism to conflicts and natural disasters.

    SSE CEO, Alistair Phillips-Davies said:

    Dogger Bank is one of the biggest and most complex engineering and infrastructure projects anywhere in the world.  Our progress here with our joint venture partners Equinor and Vårgrønn, proves that offshore wind at massive scale is now mainstream and will help turbo-charge the transition to the cheaper, cleaner and more secure energy system we all want to see. It is action, not ambition, that will secure our energy future and this project shows action on a massive scale. But we will need many more Dogger Banks to achieve our goals and we look forward to working with government to bring forward more projects at pace.

    Resilience First is made up of more than 600 major businesses operating in the UK across multiple sectors, providing the ways and means to drive resilience at scale.

    Resilience First Chair and Board Director, Rick Cudworth, said:

    We welcome the new National Risk Register – it’s a vital resource to improving the UK’s resilience and it really delivers on providing greater transparency as well as a developed and shared understanding of the risks we all face. Providing invaluable information, this document gives us the power to invest, prepare, and respond more effectively. With more detail than previously, and specific scenarios, assumptions and response capabilities set out, we encourage organisations and resilience professionals to use it to stress test and strengthen their own resilience as we all move forwards together.

    Head of Risk Management Policy at independent think tank The Centre for Long-Term Resilience James Ginns commented:

    We welcome the publication of a more transparent National Risk Register which recognizes the increasingly volatile risk environment we face, the imperative to increase our preparedness, and the pandemic risk posed by novel pathogens. It’s encouraging that the government is committed to further assessing and mitigating vulnerabilities to acute risks. We look forward to supporting their work in identifying and assessing chronic risks and related vulnerabilities, especially in AI and biosecurity, in order to reinforce our resilience.