31 OCTOBER 1923
The death of former Prime Minister Andrew Bonar Law was announced.
Stanley Baldwin, the Prime Minister, said that the changes he was making to tackle with the problem of unemployment were essential. He added that the dream of universal free trade was but a dream and could not be dreamed today.
It was rumoured in the German press that the developments in Saxony would likely lead to the fall of the Stresmann Cabinet.
30 OCTOBER 1923
The British Cabinet decided to wait for the views of the United States following the speech made by the French Prime Minister before they took any fresh action on a Conference on Reparations.
It was announced that the health of former Andrew Bonar Law had worsened.
The Mining Association received notice of the new demands of the Executive of the Miners’ Federation in regard to wages and profits in the coal industry.
29 OCTOBER 1923
Raymond Poincaré, the French Prime Minister, expressed his willingness to accept the appointment by the Reparations Commission of a Committee of Experts to examine Germany’s capacity for payment. He declared that France would not agree to a reduction of the German debt fixed in May 1921.
Stanley Baldwin, the Prime Minister, was elected to the Lord Rectorship of Edinburgh University. The students indulged in their traditional battle for the steps in the old quadrangle.
An outbreak of foot and mouth disease at a piggery near Paisley was announced.
28 OCTOBER 1923
The Government stated that any movement towards Cologne by separatist forces in Germany would be stopped by the British military.
Viscount Curzon was fined 20 shillings at Croydon County Court for failing to have a rear light on his car.
27 OCTOBER 1923
France notified the United States that the country would welcome the presence of an American representative on a Committee of experts to investigate Germany’s capacity to pay, but that such Committee must be appointed by, and be subordinate to, the Reparation Commission.
It was announced that an Expert Committee would be set up by the Imperial Economic Conference to consider the whole question of Empire currency, the main complaint in regard to which relates the matter of bank charges.
Frank B Kellogg, ex-Senator for Minnesota, has been selected as the United State Ambassador to Great Britain.
The position of South of Ireland loyalists, agricultural policy, old age pensions and Trade Union ballots were matters discussed at the concluding session of the unionist party conference in Plymouth.
26 OCTOBER 1923
Stanley Baldwin, speaking in Plymouth, urged acceptance by all the Allies of President Coolidge’s Reparation Conference plan. He declared that he would battle against unemployment as one of the greatest perils of the realm and observed that the only way to fight it was by protecting home markets.
Lord Derby, speaking in Sheffield, said that now was the time for France to show statesmanship and to co-operate with other nations in settling the Reparations problem.
General Smuts, speaking at the League of Nations Union dinner in London, spoke on the prospects of the League in establishing a new world order out of present chaos.
25 OCTOBER 1923
German issued a note to the Reparations Committee requesting that the country’s ability to repay war debts to be reassessed.
The Bavarian Palatinate was declared an autonomous state.
The annual conference of the National Unionist Association opened in Plymouth.
Lord Salvesen, speaking in Falkirk criticised the Temperance Act options and cited the results of Prohibition in other countries.
![PRESS RELEASE : Rishi Sunak meeting with the President of Israel Isaac Herzog [October 2023]](https://www.ukpol.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/downingstreet.png)
The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 19 October 2023.
The Prime Minister met Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Israel today.
He expressed his personal condolences for the horrific loss of life in Israel as a result of Hamas’ terrorism. He reiterated that the UK stands in solidarity with Israel and firmly believes in the country’s right to self-defence in line with international law.
The Prime Minister and President Herzog agreed on the importance of getting urgent humanitarian support to ordinary Palestinians in Gaza who are also suffering. The Prime Minister welcomed yesterday’s announcement that Israel would not stop aid from entering Gaza. He expressed his sincere hope that further progress could be made on delivering crucial food, water and medicine.
The Prime Minister conveyed his gratitude to President Herzog for the support Israel has provided to British nationals caught up in the attacks, including to the families of those who have been taken hostage. The leaders agreed to continue working tirelessly to secure their release.
The Prime Minister and President Herzog stressed the imperative need to avoid further escalation of violence in the region. They agreed to continue working together to that end.
![PRESS RELEASE : Air travel guidance refreshed to give passengers more clarity on their rights [October 2023]](https://www.ukpol.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/transport.png)
The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 19 October 2023.
Updated guidance explains what passengers need to know about their rights and responsibilities when flying.
As millions of people are expected to travel through UK airports over the upcoming half term, the Department for Transport (DfT) has today (19 October 2023) refreshed the newly named Air passenger travel guide, making it even easier for passengers to know their rights and responsibilities when they travel.
Formerly known as the aviation passenger charter, it details what people can expect from airlines, travel agents, tour operators and airports, and what to do if things don’t go to plan.
This includes advice on what to do if flights are cancelled or delayed, if baggage goes missing, and the rights of disabled passengers, as well as guidance on how to complain if passengers feel they have been treated unfairly.
Not only does it help passengers in these stressful situations, the travel guide also provides general advice for all aspects of your journey, such as what to expect at passport control, what you can bring through UK customs and how to manage connecting flights.
It also reminds passengers to regularly check the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FDCO) website for the latest security and safety advice before booking travel, as well as what counts as an extraordinary circumstance when compensation isn’t available.
The advice also makes clear that while security checks are changing over the coming months, they should continue to be prepared to remove electronics and small liquids from their bags when travelling by air.
Aviation Minister Baroness Vere said:
Whether going on holiday, travelling for business or visiting loved ones, we all want our journeys to be smooth and without any hiccups, which is why the air passenger travel guide is so important.
Having a one-stop shop of information and advice, which is clear and concise, will help improve the overall travel experience and make sure passengers are getting what they deserve.
As part of a regular review to ensure it remains as useful as possible for passengers, the travel guide will also soon contain British Sign Language and easy-read versions and accessibility information is now in one collated and convenient section, making it easier for disabled passengers to find out how to book assistance at the airport and on the plane.
Mark Tanzer, Chief Executive of ABTA – The Travel Association, said:
There are lots of rights in place to protect people who are heading off on holiday, particularly if they are caught up in delays or cancellations. But your rights do vary depending on what you booked – with those on a package holiday enjoying greater protection.
The air passenger travel guide gives a good outline of what travellers can expect and ABTA is also on hand to guide our members’ customers and offer additional cover through the ABTA code of conduct.
DfT has recently committed to strengthen the powers of the Civil Aviation Authority and mandate alternative dispute resolutions that make it easier for consumers to escalate complaints.
To encourage airlines and operators to promote the travel guide, Aviation Minister Baroness Vere has written to 30 partners in the aviation industry to encourage the use of the guide on individual booking websites – so from the moment they book, passengers have the information they need for their whole journey – without the need to go searching.
![PRESS RELEASE : Tech start-ups boosted by access to skills and science from Exeter to Edinburgh [October 2023]](https://www.ukpol.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/deptsit.png)
The press release issued by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 19 October 2023.
Seven organisations to receive funding for programmes supporting tech and digital businesses.
Start-ups across the UK will receive access to the latest scientific research, business coaching and help to raise capital from universities and business experts. Announced today (Thursday 19 October), seven organisations are to receive funding to run programmes to support tech and digital businesses.
Local programmes in cities including Edinburgh, Exeter and Sheffield will be match-funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology’s Digital Growth Grant, delivered by Barclays Eagle Labs. Each organisation has received up to £250,000 to match their investments in new and existing programmes that help local tech businesses.
Minister for Tech and the Digital Economy, Paul Scully said:
Britain’s innovative tech start-ups span the nation and drive global innovation forward. We are delighted to boost these programmes to provide on-the-ground support for founders in their local areas, giving them the help they need to thrive.
Directly supporting businesses in this way is the cornerstone of our Digital Growth Grant, which champions a future where every corner of the UK benefits from the job creation and growth technology provides.
The programmes provide a variety of support including access to digital services, entrepreneurship training, and access to networking and fundraising opportunities.
Each programme has a specialist focus dependent on local specialisms, with Edinburgh backing “deep tech” start-ups which are converting scientific discoveries into businesses. Other regions are focussing support on tech start-ups helping tackle climate change, those supporting creative industries, or driving innovation in the NHS.
Greentech Accelerator, Wales: Tramshed Tech will run this 12-week programme to help climate tech businesses by providing training, expert advice, network support, with access to funding.
Advanced Wellbeing Accelerator, Sheffield: With Digital Growth Grant funding, Sheffield Hallam University is able to run its third year of a start-up support scheme for high-potential health and wellbeing tech businesses, building on the regions fast-evolving digital health tech cluster.
Venture Builder Incubator, Edinburgh: The expansion of this University of Edinburgh programme will give researchers access to a cut of £100,000, access to AI research facilities and a ‘National Robotarium’ to convert their inventions into innovations and businesses across robotics and more.
Season 2 of the Ecosystem Partnership Programme opens for applications from October 19th, where organisations can apply for matched funding for activity being delivered between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025.
Today also marks six months since Barclays Eagle Labs started leading the delivery of the Digital Growth Grant. In this time, Barclays Eagle Labs has initiated nine accelerator programmes, including the Black Venture Growth Programme for underrepresented founders, helping to foster and grow the digital economy.
Matt Corbidge, Director, Barclays Eagle Labs said:
We are proud to be able to support these projects which are designed to help early-stage tech entrepreneurs across the UK. It’s vitally important that start-ups and scale-ups are supported particularly in growing sectors in AI, climate-tech and the digital space.
Using our Ecosystem Partnership Programme, we’re allocating funding to organisations that are already plugged into their national and regional ecosystems. We hope these projects will go a long way to supporting start-ups and scale-ups, which are vital to growing local economies throughout the UK.
The full list of partners includes:
The £12 million Digital Growth Grant builds on more than £42.2 million invested by the government to support tech startups and scaleups since 2016. The two-year grant, awarded to Barclays Eagle Labs, was launched in April 2023.
Among a range of support initiatives, including growth programmes, mentoring sessions and learning materials, the grant funds the Ecosystem Partnership Programme, which allocates funding to business support organisations that are embedded in their local entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The first round of funding under the Ecosystem Partnership Programme opened for applications in April 2023, for activity to be delivered by 31 March 2024. For more information on the Ecosystem Partnership Programme please visit the Barclays Eagle Lab website.