Category: Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE : Levelling-up boost for UK space sector with new growth funding [February 2023]

The press release issued by the UK Space Agency on 14 February 2023.

Eighteen projects aimed at boosting the space sector across the UK are to receive funding from the UK Space Agency.

The £6.5 million includes support for high impact, locally led schemes and space cluster development managers to help the space sector grow across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

One project will explore the potential for a space observatory and planetarium to be established in Snowdonia, taking advantage of the area being part of the most extensive dark skies reserve in the UK.

Another will look at how space technology could be used to tackle water leakage and monitor coastal erosion and stability in Cornwall.

The projects will harness space-enabled technology to address local priorities, such as using Earth Observation data to improve local public services and help innovative engineering companies access the UK’s growing space markets.

Secretary of State for the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, Michelle Donelan, said:

These projects will tap into the wealth of talent found in places like Cornwall and the east Midlands, as well as across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, while using space and satellite technology to support local communities.

This funding will help link local clusters to valuable networks of innovators and investors, showcasing the strengths of the UK space sector to international investors and levelling up the economy.

The projects are focused on piloting local activity that could be scaled up and rolled out nationally and are being supported by the UK Space Agency’s delivery partner the Satellite Applications Catapult.

The funding follows £600,000 given to 10 space clusters across the UK in February 2022, with some of those who received funding then getting further support this time round.

The £6.5 million includes £485,000 for STFC RAL Space’s Chilbolton Advanced Satellite Tracking Radar, in Hampshire, is one of three national sensors that track space objects. The radar which can detect objects about the size of a toaster at an altitude of 1,000 km, provides crucial data for satellite tracking operations. The funding will provide upgrades to improve reliability and robustness of the sensor and maintain a key sovereign asset.

Dr Paul Bate, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency, said

Establishing a network of space clusters and high impact projects will accelerate the development of the thriving space ecosystem the UK needs to realise the full economic potential of space across the UK.

We’ve been working with the regions to understand their strengths and the needs of their local space economies so that we can back these clusters of excellence to collaborate, grow and thrive.

Part of this funding will support local areas to appoint Space Cluster Managers: individuals who will work with local government, businesses, and academia to coordinate space activity and encourage collaboration and inward investment.

These clusters will complement the world leading Harwell Space Cluster, in Oxfordshire, which is home to more than 100 space organisations, employing over 1,400 people.

Stuart Martin, Chief Executive Officer at the Satellite Applications Catapult said:

We have a long-standing commitment to driving the growth of the UK space sector at a regional level and are delighted to continue our support for the delivery of this investment, with our focus on building a coherent space community.

This additional funding will help cement relationships across the UK’s space community while forging new collaborations with those not yet utilising and benefiting from space data and technology. We look forward to ensuring that the sector as a whole takes advantage of the opportunities presented through these locally led initiatives and supporting a connected and thriving ecosystem.

The UK Space Agency funding also includes £1.5 million for an expert consortium of business support providers, led by Entrepreneurial Spark, to work with entrepreneurs from all over the UK and help them get involved in the space sector.

A previous collaboration between the UK Space Agency and Entrepreneurial Spark, aimed at space start-ups, generated almost £9 million in investment and created 80 new jobs for those who took part in the business support programme.

Locally led, high impact projects

Space Technology and Exploitation Programme – ADS Northern Ireland

Funding: £495,000

ADS will oversee a pilot programme enabling space supply chain SMEs in Northern Ireland to engage with large companies and use innovative, new solutions to overcome their technology challenges – unlocking new potential markets and building UK space capabilities.

GreenSpace – Space Hub Yorkshire

Funding: £483,000

Space Hub Yorkshire will establish a network of organisations from across the space, finance, and agriculture sectors to embed the use of Earth Observation and geospatial data into the UK’s Green Finance ambitions and commitment to Net Zero.

Pivot into Space – Midlands Aerospace Alliance

Funding: £500,000

An R&D programme that will support small innovative engineering companies across the Midlands to pivot their technologies and capabilities into the UK’s growing space markets, focusing on the design and manufacture of spacecraft and the infrastructure required to launch them into space.

SpaceCraft – Space South Central Cluster

Funding: £406,000

The Space South Central Cluster will open up engineering facilities and technical expertise to local companies to enable more high-quality space prototyping and manufacturing.

Developing a Sustainable Scottish Space Sector – Space Scotland

Funding: £373,000

Space Scotland will strengthen the Scottish space ecosystem by enabling initiatives to reduce its environmental impact, addressing workforce skills challenges, and leveraging new market opportunities with neighbouring and novel sectors.

Scoping Projects

Dark Sky Observatory – Space Wales

Funding: £36,000

A project exploring the potential for a space observatory and planetarium to be established at Spaceport Snowdonia that takes advantage of the area being part of the most extensive dark skies reserve in the UK.

Space for Good: Water Management with EO Data – Cornwall Space Cluster

Funding: £20,000

A project to explore how space technology could be deployed to tackle water leakage, seagrass habitat monitoring, and coastal erosion and stability in Cornwall.

R2-D2: Resilience to Recovery – Data for Disasters – Newcastle University

Funding: £20,000

A scoping project to explore the potential for satellite data to improve emergency management in North East England.

Monitoring of Natural Assets –Newcastle University

Funding: £18,000

A study to identify regional space capabilities, skills and challenges in natural capital and ecosystem services monitoring and management.

Cluster Development Managers

Northern Ireland Space Office – £223,000

North East Centre Of Excellence – £296,000

Space Hub Yorkshire – £348,000

West of England Combined Authority and National Composites Centre – £136,000

Cornwall Space Cluster – £272,000

New Anglia LEP (covering Norfolk and Suffolk) – £163,000

Aerospace Wales – £200,000

University of Leicester – £284,000

Space South Central (covering Hampshire, Surrey and the Isle of Wight) – £300,000

February 14, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : We must remain focused on delivering real change in people’s lives [February 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 February 2023.

Statement by Ambassador Richard Croker at the UN General Assembly thematic debate on Our Common Agenda.

Thank you, Mr President, and also to the Secretary-General for his update on Our Common Agenda. Secretary General, this time last week, in this Hall, you described humanity as facing a ticking clock.

It is clear that we need to take urgent action to address today’s more complex global challenges and prepare for those ahead with a revitalised, fit for purpose, multilateral system.

As you said, this means reaffirming and adhering to the UN Charter and other foundational documents like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It also means delivering on the more recent commitments we’ve already made, such as on climate change and the Sustainable Development Goals, and addressing many of the issues in your ‘Our Common Agenda Report’ as the future challenges we will face.

We need to deliver real-word impacts, showing people around the world that the UN can make a real difference in their lives.

To achieve this, we need to make sure that the negotiations here on the follow up to your report are inclusive of the full membership, but also engage those who will be critical to success – including in the implementation of outcomes. Be that the private sector, civil society, or other parts of the multilateral system.

We also need to make sure that the UN has the tools it needs, for example, to resolve conflicts. Which is why we look forward to continuing to engage in your proposals for a New Agenda For Peace.

And we need a UN that’s fit for purpose. That’s why we strongly support your efforts to deliver a UN2.0, develop the UN’s capacity on data and strategic foresight.

Finally, we look forward to the release of your policy briefs over the coming months. These will be an opportunity for us to dive into the detail of your proposals and, in some cases, putting the meat on the OCA bones ahead of our discussions.

Thank you.

February 14, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak call with the Prime Minister Hipkins of New Zealand [February 2023]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 13 February 2023.

The Prime Minister spoke to the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Chris Hipkins, this evening.

The Prime Minister congratulated Prime Minister Hipkins on his new role as leader of New Zealand and said he looked forward to working closely with him.

Discussing Cyclone Gabrielle, which has hit the country in recent hours, the Prime Minister said that the UK stood by to support in any way possible and his sympathies were with all those affected.

Updating on his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenksyy last week, the Prime Minister paid tribute New Zealand’s support for Ukraine, including the important role the country was playing in training Ukrainian soldiers in the UK.

Both leaders agreed that the continued international solidarity in support of Ukraine sent a strong message to aggressors across the world.

The Prime Minister said he looked forward to the UK joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), a free trade bloc with a combined GDP of £9 trillion, in the near future, and added that he saw it as a chance to bring likeminded countries together.

The leaders hoped to meet in person soon.

February 14, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK presents evidence of Iranian violations of UN resolutions [February 2023]

The press release issued by the Ministry of Defence on 13 February 2023.

UK presents evidence of Iranian weapons proliferation violations.

Weapons seized by Royal Navy ship HMS Montrose have been presented to the UN as evidence, linking an Iranian state organisation – the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) – to the smuggling of weapon systems in violation of a UN Security Council Resolution.

On two occasions in early 2022, HMS Montrose seized Iranian weapons from speedboats operated by smugglers in international waters south of Iran. The items included surface-to-air-missiles and engines for land attack cruise missiles, in contravention of UN Security Council Resolutions 2231 and 2140 (2015).

The weapons were presented to representatives of the United Nations who provide an assessment of the conflict in Yemen and Iranian nuclear activity. The interdictions were referred to in the Secretary General’s UNSCR 2231 report published in Dec 2022 and are expected to feature in the UNSCR 2140 annual report that will shortly be released.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said:

The UK is committed to upholding international law and will continue to counter Iranian activity that contravenes United Nation Security Council Resolutions and threatens peace across the world.

That is why we have a permanent Royal Navy deployment in the Gulf region, conducting vital maritime security operations and working in support of an enduring peace in Yemen.

Minister of State for the Middle East, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon said:

Once again the Iranian regime has been exposed for its reckless proliferation of weapons and destabilising activity in the region.

Iran’s sustained military support to the Houthis and continued violation of the arms embargo has stoked further conflict and undermined UN-led peace efforts.

The UK will continue to act to protect the security of our partners and hold Iran to account.

A key piece of evidence presented by the UK was a commercial quadcopter drone designed for reconnaissance activities. By decrypting the internal memory of the uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) controllers, the UK Ministry of Defence discovered the records of 22 test flights conducted at the IRGC Aerospace Force Headquarters and test facility in western Tehran. The UAV was in the same shipment as a number of Surface to Air Missiles and components for the Iranian Project 351 land attack cruise missile. This evidence indicated a direct link between the Iranian state and the smuggling of missile systems being used by the Houthis to attack the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

The Royal Navy has a permanent deployment of a Type 23 Frigate, equipped with a Royal Marine boarding party and a Wildcat helicopter to support maritime security operations in the Gulf of Oman. After four years continuous service in the region, HMS Montrose was replaced by HMS Lancaster in 2022. The UK stands alongside its partners in the region and is committed to disrupting the illegal flow of these weapons systems as well as narcotics and human trafficking.

The threat posed by long range weapons made in Iran is not limited to the Middle East. Since the invasion of Ukraine, Iran has supplied hundreds of Shahed one way attack drones to Russia; these transfers violate UNSCR 2231. These attacks have killed civilians and damaged critical national infrastructure (such as power sub stations) far from the front lines of the conflict.

February 13, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : More must be done to prevent grave violations against children – UK Statement at the UN Security Council [February 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 February 2023.

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council briefing on children in armed conflict.

I would like to thank the Government of Malta for convening us today and congratulate you on taking up the chair of the CAAC Working Group. We look forward to working closely together. I also thank our briefers today for their powerful contributions.

The international community must do more to prevent grave violations against children. In countries like Ukraine, Afghanistan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, children are experiencing the horrors of war and conflict. And when violations do occur, we must act robustly to ensure children get the support required. In this regard I want to make the following three points.

First, we must ensure that existing UN mechanisms are able to work effectively. The Children and Armed Conflict Working Group and the work of the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict are critical pillars of the Council’s architecture for addressing these violations and we urge all member states to engage constructively and collaboratively with both.

Second, the United Kingdom is concerned by the dramatic rise of conflict-related sexual violence globally, with a 20 percent recorded increase in the Secretary-Generals 2022 CAAC Report. Last November, the United Kingdom launched the Platform for Action Promoting the Rights and Wellbeing of Children Born of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence. Along with key partners and Special Representative Gamba, the UK has committed to taking action under this Platform. This includes the deployment of UK expertise to support the Democratic Republic of the Congo in conducting a national review of laws, policies and practices. We believe these actions will help change the lives of tens of thousands of children.

Third, and finally, the United Kingdom is exploring all levers, including sanctions, to deter perpetrators of conflict related sexual violence. We have already announced a sanctions package which included six targets in Mali, Myanmar and South Sudan who were designated for their involvement in sexual and gender-based violence, including conflict-related sexual violence.

President, the international community must send a clear message that violations against children are intolerable. The United Kingdom is committed to playing its part in that cause.

Thank you.

February 13, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : 10-year ban for Thomas Whyte, boss of Fortress Restructuring Ltd after wrongly claiming £50,000 loan [February 2023]

The press release issued by HM Treasury on 13 February 2023.

Thomas Whyte claimed £50,000 Bounce Back Loan for dormant Scottish restructuring business, and withdrew cash before firm was wound up.

Thomas Whyte, 76, from Carluke, was the sole director and shareholder of Fortress Restructuring Ltd until it was wound up following an Insolvency Service investigation in February 2021.

In May 2020, Whyte applied for a £50,000 Bounce Back Loan for the company, stating on the application that its turnover was £250,000.

In October 2020 representatives of Fortress Restructuring Ltd advised the Insolvency Service that it had no trading address, had never traded and was not currently trading.

Following the liquidation, investigators discovered that up to the end of April 2019, accounts filed with Companies House showed that Fortress Restructuring Ltd was dormant, and the company’s only asset was £100 share capital.

On the day Whyte applied for the loan, the company in fact had just £203 in its bank account, and less than £1,000 had been received into it over the preceding year.

The Secretary of State for Business petitioned for the company to be wound up in the public interest, and the petition was presented at the Court of Session and issued publicly in the Gazette on 1 February 2021, with a copy emailed to Whyte four days later.

Thomas Whyte denied to the Insolvency Service that he had received the petition until late February, although he acknowledged receipt of the email on 5 February 2021, and between 5 and 16 February the balance on the company bank account reduced from £28,150 to a little over £1,590 with payments made to Whyte, the company accountant and others.

The Secretary of State accepted a disqualification undertaking from Thomas Whyte on 7 February 2023 after he did not dispute he had applied for a Bounce Back Loan for his company to which it was not entitled, and had disposed of substantial funds when he knew, or ought to have known, the company was being wound up.

His ban begins on 28 February 2023 and lasts for 10 years. The disqualification prevents him from directly or indirectly becoming involved in the promotion, formation or management of a company, without the permission of the court. The Insolvency Service investigation did not find evidence that warranted any disqualification action against any other individuals in relation to Fortress Restructuring Ltd.

The company’s liquidator has recovered £37,500 from Whyte towards the £50,000 owed.

Rob Clarke, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, said:

Bounce Back Loans were for trading companies adversely affected by the pandemic and to be spent on legitimate business expenses.

The fact that Fortress had filed dormant accounts, and only £949 had passed through its bank account should have made it abundantly clear to Thomas Whyte that his company was not entitled to a £50,000 loan, yet he took it anyway and used the majority of that money for his own benefit.

We thank the liquidator for their efforts which have seen £37,500 recovered, and repeat that we will not hesitate to take action against directors who have abused Covid-19 financial support in this manner.

February 13, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Independent Member Lady Arden appointed to the Committee on Standards in Public Life [February 2023]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 13 February 2023.

The Prime Minister has today confirmed the appointment of Lady Arden as an Independent Member of the Committee on Standards in Public Life.

Lady Arden has today been confirmed as an Independent Member of the Committee on Standards in Public Life (CSPL). Her term will begin on 13 February 2023.

The appointment follows a recent open campaign.

The Right Hon Lady Arden of Heswall DBE

Lady Arden served as a Justice of the UK Supreme Court from October 2018 to January 2022. Prior to that she was a Judge of the High Court of Justice (1993 to 2000) and a Lady Justice of the Court of Appeal of England and Wales (2000 to 2018).

Lady Arden was also Chair of the Law Commission of England and Wales (1996-9), a member of the Steering Group for the DTI’s Company Law Review (1999-2001), Chair of the Judges’ Working Party on Constitutional Reform (2004-6), and Judge in Charge, then Head, of International Judicial Relations for England and Wales (2005 to 2018). She is a member of the UK’s National Group for nominating candidates for the International Court of Justice.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe DBE CMG, Minister of State, Cabinet Office welcomed Lady Arden’s appointment saying:

I would like to congratulate Lady Arden on her appointment to the Committee. She has a distinguished judicial career and her extensive experience will benefit the Committee.

February 13, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Mary Starks appointed to lead review of The Pensions Regulator [February 2023]

The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 13 February 2023.

The review will examine how TPR is performing its role and where it can improve, providing greater efficiency and value to taxpayers.

The Department for Work and Pensions has announced the appointment of Mary Starks to lead a review of The Pensions Regulator (TPR).

This is in line with the expectation that public bodies are reviewed each Parliament. The Minister for Pensions has asked Starks to aim to deliver the report in May 2023.

Stark’s previous experience includes serving as executive member of the Board and Director of Competition and Chief Economist at the Financial Conduct Authority. She has also served as Executive Director of Ofgem, focussed on innovation, customer behaviour and safeguarding public confidence while moving towards a net zero carbon and digitalised energy system.

Minister for Pensions Laura Trott MP MBE said:

All public bodies must ensure that they are accountable and working for taxpayers.

Mary Starks has a background working in the regulatory sector and with public bodies, which will help her to deliver effective recommendations.

TPR Lead Reviewer Mary Starks said:

I am delighted to be appointed to lead this review. The Pensions Regulator plays a vital role protecting the interests of savers and ensuring employees benefit from workplace pensions.

As well as drawing on my own regulatory experience, I look forward to hearing from stakeholders from across the pensions sector and working closely with the teams at DWP and TPR.

The lead reviewer aims to identify efficiency savings of more than five percent where possible.

February 13, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : Sara Weller CBE appointed new Chair of the Money and Pensions Service [February 2023]

The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 13 February 2023.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced the appointment of Sara Weller CBE as the new permanent Chair of the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS).

Sara has been serving as a non-executive board member since September 2022 and will formally take up the role of permanent Chair on 29 March 2023.

Her prior experience includes serving as Joint Managing Director of Sainsbury’s, Managing Director of Argos, and non-executive director and Responsible Business Committee Chair at Lloyds Banking Group.

Minister for Pensions, Laura Trott said:

It’s brilliant to see Sara appointed as the permanent Chair of MaPS Sara will bring a wealth of experience to this challenging but rewarding role, continuing the work of her predecessor in supporting people across the country with vital money guidance.

Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Andrew Griffith said:

I’d like to welcome Sara to her new post as Chair of MaPS, and to thank Sir Hector for his successful leadership over a number of years.

Sara’s expertise in delivering for the consumer will ensure MaPS is well geared in the years ahead – taking forward vital work enhancing the financial capability of people across the country.

Sara Weller CBE, said:

I am delighted to have been appointed as the second Chair of the MaPS, with great thanks to Sir Hector Sants for his stewardship of MaPS in its early years.

MaPS has a key role to play making impartial money guidance accessible to all, particularly so at the moment given the current economic challenges, and I look forward to working closely with our many partners, to help people right across the country feel more able to manage their money.

Outgoing Chair of MaPS, Sir Hector Sants said:

I warmly welcome the appointment of Sara as my successor. In her current role, as a non-executive, she has already made a significant contribution to the work of MaPS.

MaPS is an arm’s-length body of the DWP and provides free and impartial MaPS guidance across the UK, as well as debt advice in England. In providing these services it supports the policy delivery of DWP and HM Treasury.

The appointment was made following an open competition regulated by The Office for the Commissioner of Public Appointments. Sara will serve as Chair of MaPS for five years until 28 March 2028.

February 13, 2023
PRESS RELEASE : One-stop-shops for testing deliver over 3 million potentially lifesaving checks, tests and scans [February 2023]
The press release issued by the Department of Health and Social Care on 13 February 2023.

Tens of thousands of patients across England to get quicker access to life-saving tests as 19 additional community diagnostic centres (CDCs) to open this year.
- 92 operational CDCs have carried out an additional three million, tests, checks and scans across the country as the NHS works on the biggest ever catch-up programme
- The one-stop shops are located in a range of convenient settings for patients, from shopping centres to football stadiums
Tens of thousands of patients across the country will benefit from quicker access to tests, with 19 new community diagnostic centres which will perform 1.1 million tests, checks and scans every year set to open later this year.

CDCs are central to the government’s elective recovery plan and the Prime Minister’s priority of reducing NHS waiting lists to tackle the backlogs in the NHS and social care, providing additional capacity for potentially lifesaving tests including cancer screening.

New data shows 92 operational CDCs have already significantly bolstered NHS capacity as part of the most ambitious catch-up plan in NHS history, delivering an additional three million checks since the programme started in in July 2021, helping patients to get the diagnosis they need as quickly as possible so they can access the treatment they need where and when they need it.

The one-stop shops, backed by £2.3 billion in government funding, are based in convenient locations such as shopping centres and football stadiums allowing people to access tests more quickly.

The CDCs house a range of equipment including MRI, CT, X-ray and ultrasound scanners and offer services including blood tests or heart rhythm and blood pressure monitoring.

The 19 approved new centres will be rolled out across the country, including Milton Keynes, Nottingham and Dorset. Once referred by a GP, pharmacist or hospital, patients can access CDCs in their local area to get any concerning symptoms checked out.

Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay said:

Rapid diagnosis offers reassurance to patients, reduces waiting lists, and, crucially, saves lives.

CDCs have been fundamental to this effort, delivering over 3 million extra tests which are helping to diagnose conditions from cancer to lung disease more quickly across the country.

The new centres will take us even further, utilising cutting-edge MRI, CT and X-ray machine to transform the way we deliver care closer to people’s homes helping tens of thousands of people.

NHS National Director of Elective Recovery, Sir James Mackey, said:

The NHS’s ambitious elective recovery plan, published just over a year ago, had these innovative ‘one stop shops’ at its heart. Since then they have played a key role in helping us virtually eliminate the number of people waiting more than two years for treatment and keeping the NHS on track to do the same for people waiting over 18 months by the end of April, with the centres – often based in convenient places such as in shopping centres, high streets and community hospitals – now having delivered an incredible 3 million tests and checks.

These 19 new centres will boost access for tens of thousands more patients and build on the great work of NHS staff in recovering services, helping the NHS deliver an extra 9 million tests a year by 2025 – an increase in capacity of more than a quarter on pre-pandemic levels.

Once fully operational, the new CDCs will plan to deliver over 1.1 million tests, checks and scans a year.

The facilities will take the total of approved CDCs – including those that are already operational and those still set to be rolled out – to 143. This is over 80% of the government’s ambition to roll out up to 160 centres across the country by 2025 to perform up to 9 million additional tests a year.

Since the first of these CDCs opened they have already played a valuable role in helping the NHS to reduce the backlogs, and in November 2022 CDCs delivered approximately 5% of all diagnostic activity.

Just over a year ago, the government and NHS set out the Elective Recovery Plan to recover NHS services and give patients greater control over their own health. Significant progress has since been made – with healthcare workers virtually eliminating the longest waits for treatment and cutting 18-month waits by more than 50%.

These new CDCs will build on this effort, ensuring that patients get access to the best medical advice when and where they need it while tackling healthcare disparities across the country.

Dozens of new surgical spaces are also being created to bring down waiting times. An estimated 780,000 additional surgeries and outpatient appointments will be provided at 37 new surgical hubs, 10 expanded existing hubs and 81 new theatres.

The government has also set up an Elective Recovery Taskforce to unlock spare capacity in the independent sector to tackle the backlogs. It is made up of academics and experts from the NHS and independent sector, who will help deliver on the remaining targets in the Elective Recovery Plan – such as virtually eliminating 18-month waits by April 2023 and waits of longer than a year by March 2025.

Notes to editors
- 12 of the new facilities are spoke sites, which deliver more diagnostic services in addition to a standard CDC.
- They can use commercial estate, or existing non-acute NHS estate such as community health care settings.
The full list of approved CDCs is as follows:
- North Bedfordshire CDC
- North Bedfordshire (Lloyds Court) – spoke
- North Bedfordshire CDC (Whitehouse Health Centre) – spoke
- Thurrock CDC (Braintree) – spoke
- Queen Mary’s Hospital Roehampton CDC (New Addington) – spoke
- Northamptonshire CDC
- Northamptonshire CDC (Kings Heath) – spoke
- Mansfield CDC
- Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin CDC
- ICP North CDC (Metrocentre)
- North Cumbria CDC
- Warrington and Halton CDC (Shopping City) – spoke
- Clatterbridge Diagnostics CDC (Liverpool City) – spoke
- Lymington New Forest Hospital CDC (South Hants) – spoke
- Crawley Collaborative CDC (Caterham Dene) – spoke
- Bexhill Community CDC (Hastings) – spoke
- CDC Poole@Dorset Health Village Hub
- CDC@Dorset Health Village (Weymouth) – spoke
- CDC@Dorset Health Village (Boscombe AECC) – spoke
February 13, 2023